Search Results (17,121)

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the unipotent precursors of sperm and ova, responsible for transmitting hereditary information across generations. Their ability to be isolated and cultured in vitro has opened new horizons for avian biotechnology, species conservation, and fundamental developmental research. In birds, the unique migratory pattern of PGCs—originating in the epiblast and traveling via the bloodstream to the gonads—enables their collection and manipulation during embryogenesis. Long-term in vitro culture systems have been successfully established in chickens, where defined media allow for stable proliferation and genetic modification. Applications include germline chimeras, generation of transgenic lines, recombinant protein production, and cryobanking of genetic resources. However, translating these advances to other species remains challenging due to interspecies variability in signaling requirements. Recent work in geese, ducks, quails, and zebra finches underscores the need for tailored media formulations and a better understanding of molecular regulation. This review summarizes established techniques, highlights key interspecies differences, and outlines future directions for the standardization and expansion of avian PGC culture systems to support conservation and biotechnology. Full article

While substantial eulimid diversity has been revealed in the Indo-West Pacific marine diversity hotspot, many neighbouring areas are still unexplored, including in Western Australia. The Houtman Abrolhos are a unique chain of islands in a well-characterised marine transition zone where tropical and temperate waters meet along the mid-west coast. During a biodiversity survey of the islands in 2025, sixty-two eulimids from 15 stations were collected, a family of marine gastropods never-before documented from this region. Here we incorporate newly collected and legacy material from the Western Australian Museum to illustrate 23 new eulimid morphospecies records for the Houtman Abrolhos. Sixteen hosts, representing all five classes of Echinodermata, were identified. Most eulimids were attached externally to their hosts, though Stilifer utinomii and two unidentified species of Melanella were found embedded in Disasterina longispina and Actinopyga mauritiana, respectively. Apicalia angulata, Peasistilifer nitidula and Stilifer utinomii are newly recorded for Western Australia, and Thyca ectoconcha and Vitreobalcis tripneusticola are new Australian records. The biogeographic affinities of these symbionts, like other marine life surveyed in the Houtman Abrolhos islands, are overwhelmingly tropical in nature, representing in many instances the southernmost records of otherwise widespread Indo-West Pacific species. Full article

The Lower Passaic River (LPR), located within the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuarine System, has experienced long-term industrial activities, resulting in elevated concentrations of trace metals in sediment and water. This study aims to assess the bioaccumulation behavior, potential human health risks, and sources of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in the LPR. Trace metal concentrations were measured in water, sediment, and seven edible aquatic species. Data were analyzed using statistical approaches, and evaluated by bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) and human health risk assessments based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guidelines. Results showed that Hg exhibited the highest bioaccumulation potential among the studied metals, except for Cu in Callinectes sapidus. Non-carcinogenic risks from the consumption of aquatic species followed the order Cu > Hg > Pb, with total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) values below 1, suggesting the non-carcinogenic health risk is negligible for adults and for most species in children, except C. sapidus and Morone americana. Carcinogenic risks for all species were within the acceptable threshold (Target Risk < 1 × 10⁻⁴). Sensitivity analysis indicated that body weight and exposure duration primarily influenced children’s carcinogenic risk, whereas trace metal concentrations were more significant for adults. Overall, this study provides insight into contaminant dynamics and health implications in a legacy-contaminated urban river system. Full article

The detrimental effects of anthropogenic pollution are often magnified across ecosystems due to the interconnected nature of land, rivers, and oceans. Phytoremediation is an accessible technique that leverages the ability of plants to absorb and sequester pollutants and can potentially mitigate contaminants entering the ocean. It is a cost-effective and minimally invasive alternative to traditional water treatment methods. This study investigates the potential of the grapevine species Cissus verticillata (L.), a native plant from Puerto Rico, to be used in the phytoremediation of a creek in a highly urbanized site impacted by contaminated runoff due to heavy rainfall and sanitary waters. A mesocosm experiment was conducted using distilled water mixed with nutrients and known concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) salts to assess whether C. verticillata could accumulate heavy metals in its tissues. Results showed that C. verticillata successfully absorbed heavy metals, with removal efficiencies of 80.13% (±0.16 SE) for Pb and 44% (±1 SE) for Cd. Results indicated a translocation factor <1 for both cadmium and lead, meaning C. verticillata is not a hyperaccumulator, but a metal stabilizer, as evident by the below detection limit (BDL) of the metals in Juan Mendez Creek. Despite evidence of new vegetative growth among individuals, no significant changes in total biomass or chlorophyll concentration were detected, indicating that C. verticillata maintained physiological stability under heavy metal exposure. Therefore, C. verticillata’s wide availability, adaptability to various environments, and climbing nature—which makes it less vulnerable to runoff and strong currents during rainy seasons—position it as a promising candidate for conservation initiatives and pollution management strategies. Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules that, when produced in excess, contribute to oxidative stress, promoting cellular damage and the progression of various diseases, including cancer. Polydatin (PD) is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-apoptotic properties, proving effective in several in vitro studies as an antitumor agent. However, its clinical application is limited by low bioavailability, poor water solubility, and chemical instability. To overcome these limitations, nanocarrier systems based on biopolymers, such as chitosan (CS), represent promising strategies for drug delivery. In this study, we developed and optimized CS nanocapsules loaded with Polydatin using the ionotropic gelation method. The final formulation was characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic and dielectrophoretic light scattering (DLS, DELS). Encapsulation efficiency (EE) and the biological effects of the nanocapsules on cancer cells were also evaluated. To assess their antitumor potential, PD-CS nanoparticles were tested on the human breast cancer SKBR3 cells, analyzing their effects on cell viability. The results demonstrate that CS nanocapsules loaded with PD are able to reduce SKBR3 cell proliferation, highlighting their potential for developing new therapeutic tools for cancer treatment. Full article

A new species of Encotyllabe Diesing, 1850 (Monopisthocotylea: Capsalidae), Encotyllabe tantaliani n. sp., is described from the pharyngeal plates of the Lorna drum, Sciaena deliciosa (Tschudi, 1846) (Eupercaria: Sciaenidae), collected from two localities along the Peruvian coast. This new species was originally proposed as E. callaoensis Tantaleán, 1974, in an unpublished doctoral thesis, and is herein recognized as a nomen nudum under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). Encotyllabe tantaliani n. sp. is distinguished from all known congeners by the following combination of morphological features: (1) an anteriorly tapering body proper, (2) slightly lobed testes markedly larger than the ovary, (3) vitelline follicles beginning at the level of the male copulatory organ (MCO) and absent from the regions of the reproductive organs, (4) a genital pore positioned posterolateral to the pharynx, and (5) an oblong-shaped MCO. Phylogenetic analysis based on cox1 sequence places E. tantaliani n. sp. in a clade with Encotyllabe percussa Morales-Ávila, Jufaili & Ogawa, 2024, a parasite of Lethrinus nebulosus (Forsskål, 1775) (Eupercaria: Lethrinidae) from the Arabian Gulf. Pairwise genetic distances support the distinctiveness of the new species from its closest congeners. Encotyllabe tantaliani n. sp. represents the first species of the genus described from a host belonging to the Sciaenidae host. Full article

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into specialized cell types, which play an important role in maintaining homeostasis and tissue regeneration in humans. The effectiveness of MSCs depends largely on their immunomodulatory properties and ability to regenerate damaged tissues. Biological activity of MSCs is modulated by environmental factors, including dietary components such as vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals which influence their proliferation, aging, inflammatory response and resistance to oxidative stress. The article aims to highlight the importance of micronutrients and phytochemicals in modulating the MSCs’ performance and therapeutic potential, with a focus on the role of bioactive food components in regulating metabolism, regenerative efficacy and protective mechanisms of stem cells. Vitamins and trace elements are essential for antioxidant protection by eliminating reactive oxygen species, maintaining mitochondrial function and preserving cell viability under stressful conditions. Micronutrients and phytochemicals can modulate the immunomodulatory activity of MSCs by altering the cytokine secretion profile, reducing pro-inflammatory mediators while enhancing anti-inflammatory factors. However, both deficiency and excessively high concentrations of natural compounds can impair stem cell function. Interdisciplinary knowledge about the impact of micronutrients on the functioning of mesenchymal stem cells creates new opportunities in personalized medicine and nutrition. Understanding the mechanisms regulating MSCs activity under the influence of diet components may contribute to the development of individualized therapeutic strategies aimed at supporting tissue regeneration, delaying aging processes, and improving the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. This knowledge is applicable in the design of functional foods and dietary supplements, making it particularly valuable for specialists in personalized nutrition and functional food development. Full article

Modern pollen deposition studies are essential to forestry and palaeoecological research, as they provide the key to understanding the relationship between the abundance of palynomorphs in natural (moss, litter, top core sediment) or artificial traps and the surrounding vegetation cover. In 1996, the EPMP (European Pollen Monitoring Programme) laid the foundations for pollen monitoring research in Europe, involving several countries and dozens of researchers in placing “Tauber-style” artificial traps across a wide range of ecosystems, and legitimising the collection of mosses for comparative studies. Here, we propose a straightforward, fast, and effective procedure—developed within the ALIVE “TrAcking Long-term declIne of forest biodiVErsity in Italy to support conservation actions” Project—for the collection of moss polsters and vegetation data, aimed at monitoring modern pollen deposition at the national scale. This protocol addresses a gap in existing literature, as no shared fieldwork guidelines are currently available. We demonstrate how the spatial pattern of modern pollen deposition can be investigated using two of the ALIVE Project’s target taxa (Fagus and evergreen Quercus) to explore the potential of microbotanical data in reflecting the current distribution of forest tree taxa at a national scale. The data collected within the ALIVE Project provide a synoptic picture of pollen deposition across Italy’s highly diversified landscapes and allow for preliminary considerations on the relationships between pollen deposition and modern vegetation cover of forest taxa. Full article

In this study, 101 and 102 rainwater samples were collected from April 2020 to February 2024 in a coastal and marine area, respectively. The results show that the Cl/Na ratios in both study areas were lower than the seawater value (1.17), suggesting chloride depletion. The chloride depletion rates in both areas decreased after the COVID-19 lockdown period. The molar ratio of NH₄⁺ to non-sea-salt sulfate (nss-SO₄²⁻) was 1.54, with a mixture of (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NH₄HSO₄ in the coastal area, and 0.83, with NH₄HSO₄ as the main form, in the marine area. A decreasing trend attributed to high O₃ and relative humidity (RH) levels occurred in 2022. Among the dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) species, DON accounted for 24% and 32% of the total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) in the coastal and marine areas, respectively, indicating a greater relative contribution under lower anthropogenic influence. On the basis of the correlation between the species and source analysis results, NO₃⁻ mainly originated from fossil fuel combustion, NH₄⁺ originated from agricultural emissions and secondary aerosols, and DON originated from secondary aerosols via combustion processes and natural emissions. In terms of the flux, due to lockdown activities, the Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) flux decreased significantly from 40.6 to 19.3 mmol m⁻² yr⁻¹ in the coastal area and from 27.7 to 15.1 mmol m⁻² yr⁻¹ in the marine area. Additionally, a slight decrease occurred in the DON flux, from 21.6 to 19.3 mmol m⁻² yr⁻¹ and from 27.7 to 15.1 mmol m⁻² yr⁻¹, respectively. Regarding new production, based on nitrogen input, the level in the coastal area decreased from 5.83 to 2.10 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹, and that in the marine area decreased from 3.92 to 1.55 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹, indicating a significant reduction during the COVID-19 lockdown. Full article

The expansion of genomes is a major evolutionary force, yet its role in facilitating adaptation to extreme environments remains enigmatic. Here, we investigate alpine Parnassius butterflies, a rare genus characterized by exceptionally large genomes, to unravel the interplay between genome architecture and high-altitude colonization. We present a new, 1.46 Gb draft genome assembly for Parnassius epaphus and perform a comparative analysis across six species. Our findings reveal a massive 3- to 5-fold genome expansion driven predominantly by Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements (LINEs). Counterintuitively, we discover that larger genomes possess a proportionally smaller fraction of young, active transposable elements (TEs), challenging the prevailing paradigm that recent TE proliferation is the primary driver of genome size. Instead, our temporal analysis demonstrates that this expansion is a legacy of two ancient TE waves (~8 and ~14 Mya), which remarkably coincide with major uplift phases of the Tibetan Plateau. We propose a model where the selective retention of these ancient TEs, mechanistically linked to major geological upheavals, provided the crucial genomic plasticity for colonizing Earth’s most extreme terrestrial habitats. This study re-frames TEs not merely as genomic parasites but as pivotal architects of adaptive genome evolution in response to profound environmental change. Full article

Estimated climate change scenarios demand robust coffee cultivars tolerant to supra-optimal temperatures, water deficit, diseases, and other stresses. Wild Coffea species represent important genetic resources for resilience. The study of variations in morphological structures associated with transpiration control, such as stomata, represents an important approach for identifying genotypes with greater stress tolerance. This study evaluated stomatal density and morphology in 48 wild accessions, 24 of Coffea racemosa and 24 of C. zanguebariae, from provinces of Mozambique. Leaf samples provided microscopic images to assess stomatal traits: density (SD), polar diameter (PD), equatorial diameter (ED), stomatal functionality (SF), and leaf dry mass. Principal components were analyzed for all 48 accessions and separately by species. Mean distribution independence was tested with the Mann–Whitney test (p < 0.05). Results revealed inter- and intraspecific variation. The ability to distinguish accessions varies with the set of traits and species. A significant negative correlation between ED and SF was shared by both species, suggesting a conserved functional pattern. This study discusses the differences in stomatal traits between wild and commercial coffee species and aspects related to possible alterations of stomatal structures during their adaptation to climate change. Additionally, it points to accessions with potential use in genetic breeding programs to increase stomatal function and the possible adaptation of new cultivars. Full article

Squaraine dyes are a class of organic compounds that exhibit some characteristics inherent to those of an “ideal photosensitizer”, such as high absorption at near-infrared-close wavelengths and to produce reactive oxygen species. The introduction of amines into their squaric ring, although known to increase the phototoxicity of squaraines, can improve dyes’ water solubility and induce bathochromic shifts compared to their unsubstituted derivatives, interesting effects in biological contexts. In this work, four new squaraines were synthesized and structurally, photophysically, and photochemically characterized (including absorption and aggregation, fluorescence, light stability, and singlet oxygen generation). Their potential as fluorescent probes for albumin detection was assessed through both in silico and in vitro approaches, as well as their suitability as potential photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy. For this last purpose, the 663 nm light-induced effects of the new dyes were evaluated against the PC-3 prostate cancer cell line, while their photocytotoxicity toward normal human dermal fibroblasts was also assessed using the MTT assay, to determine their potential tumor-selective effects. Low singlet oxygen quantum yields suggest that type I reactions predominate in generating cytotoxicity. Overall, the findings indicate that the designed squaraines exhibit moderate yet favorable interactions with albumin protein while demonstrating selective photodynamic effects toward prostate adenocarcinoma cancer cells, highlighting their potential as protein-assisted, tumor-targeted photosensitizers, providing a basis for further mechanistic studies. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is the most important vegetable crop globally; however, its production is often hindered by soil-borne biotic and abiotic stresses. The use of rootstocks provides an effective strategy to mitigate these soil-related challenges. Hence, the development of new rootstock cultivars remains crucial to meet the demands of rapidly changing environmental conditions. Wild tomato species represent valuable genetic resources for rootstock improvement and are increasingly utilized in rootstock breeding programs. Nevertheless, the genetic mechanisms, particularly quantitative trait loci (QTL), underlying rootstock–scion interaction, remain poorly understood. In this study, 38 introgression lines (ILs) derived from S. lycopersicoides were used as rootstock and grafted with the commercial cultivar ‘Torry F₁’ to evaluate their effects on morphological and fruit quality traits under greenhouse conditions. The evaluations included assessments of morphological and fruit quality traits for QTL analysis. A total of 19 QTLs were identified, associated with 11 traits such as yield, antioxidant capacity, flavonoid content, and fruit color parameters (L*, a*, b*, C*, h°), with the phenotypic variance explained ranging from 12% to 61%. Of these QTLs, seven favorable alleles originated from S. lycopersicoides, notably including a major yield-associated locus (Fy5.1). In addition, the identification of a QTL for scion stem thickness (Tsc3.1) highlights the genetic contribution of the rootstock to scion development. This study represents the first evaluation of the rootstock potential of S. lycopersicoides ILs and provides novel insights into the genetic basis of rootstock–scion interaction in tomato. The identified QTLs offer valuable information for future breeding efforts aimed at developing improved rootstock cultivars for sustainable tomato production. Full article

In the current research a series of new copper(II) complexes with novel acylhydrazone ligands were synthesized and their antibacterial and anticancer activities were determined. The complexes were characterized by molecular spectroscopy (FT-IR and UV-Vis) and conductivity measurements. Additionally, their structure was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The crystallographic data revealed that all compounds are mononuclear Cu(II) species. The Cu(II) ion is four-coordinated by the ONO donor set from mono-deprotonated hydrazone ligand and one Cl^¯ anion, forming distorted square-planar geometry. The biological studies revealed that the compounds exhibit high antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram-positive bacteria, in some cases greater than the reference substances, and better activity than free ligands. The tested complexes possessed the lowest MIC and MBC values towards Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228 and Micrococcus luteus ATCC 10240. Furthermore, they showed no toxicity towards normal cell lines. Full article

The complex life cycle, high reproductive potential and ability to quickly develop resistance to insecticides are key factors contributing to the destructiveness of the peach–potato aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) among pest species. Monitoring its population dynamics at a large scale allows us to better understand M. persicae biology and take relevant measures for pest management. For this purpose, reliable molecular tools are needed. Based on the analysis of 128,362 microsatellite loci, we developed four multiplex assays including 49 comprehensively characterised SSR markers. Internal validation confirmed the species specificity and low genotyping error (e_a = 0.8%, e_l = 0.99%, e_obs = 22.7%) of the assays. A total of 194 alleles were identified (mean = 4 alleles per locus, range = 2–8 alleles per locus) within a group of 365 aphid accessions collected in the Vysočina region (Czechia). The studied aphid population showed the typical characteristics expected of the species with clonal or partially clonal reproduction (heterozygote excess, negative F_IS, moderate-to-high linkage disequilibrium (LD), and distortion of the H-W equilibrium for most of the loci), and did not exhibit any stratification on a spatiotemporal level. Owing to the high discriminatory power of the markers, we discovered that the population sample was founded upon a small number of fundatrices, as only five dominating lineages comprising over 70% of all accessions were identified. In conclusion, this study identified a significant number of new high-quality markers with the high discriminatory power necessary for revealing the population structure and dynamics of M. persicae, which holds considerable potential in both general biological and agricultural research. Full article