Search Results (1,833)

Jasmonates (JAs) are a diverse group of jasmonic acid (JA)-linked metabolites, including the biosynthetic intermediate 12-oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA). Although changes in JAs have been associated with plant responses to abiotic stress, the involvement and kinetics of specific forms such as JA, JA-Ile and OPDA require further clarification. This study analyzed jasmonate profiles in roots and leaves of two oat genotypes differing in drought tolerance. Jasmonates were quantified using UPLC-MS/MS, expression of key biosynthetic genes was assessed by qRT-PCR, and JA/OPDA treatments were applied to evaluate their effects on physiological and morphological responses to drought. Drought induced contrasting jasmonate dynamics in roots and leaves, with overall JA levels increasing in leaves and decreasing in roots, with genotype- and compound-specific differences. JA and JA-Ile ((+)-7-iso-jasmonoyl-L-isoleucine) showed similar trends, whereas OPDA displayed a distinct pattern. The tolerant genotype exhibited an early and marked reduction in root OPDA, while the susceptible one showed minimal change. Exogenous OPDA increased drought symptoms, reduced leaf relative water content and strongly decreased root length by limiting the formation of new thin roots. In contrast, JA application alleviated drought symptoms, reflected in a lower area under the drought progress curve, without affecting root length. Results suggest that under water deficit, reduced OPDA, likely due to its conversion into JA and JA-Ile, is associated with the development of small-diameter roots essential for maintaining water status in oat. Together, these results highlight tissue-specific differences in jasmonate dynamics during drought and show that OPDA and JA treatments lead to distinct drought-related responses in both leaves and roots. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pregnancy is associated with increased renal secretory clearance of drugs mediated by organic anion transporters (OATs) and organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2). Circulating concentrations of pregnancy-related hormones (PRHs) increase with gestational age, providing a plausible mechanism for renal OAT and OCT2 regulation. Methods: Using primary human proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs), we quantified the effects of PRHs, at trimester-specific concentrations, on the mRNA expression of renal drug transporters (apical and basal) and metabolizing enzymes (DMETs), as well as endocytic receptors. PTECs from three female, premenopausal donors were cultured in an optimized Transwell system that maintains measurable OAT activity. PTECs were then exposed for 72 h to trimester-matched PRH cocktails at physiologic (1×) or supraphysiologic (10×) concentrations, with medium replaced every 24 h. DMET and endocytic receptor mRNA were quantified by RT-qPCR, and uptake activities of OAT1/2/3, OCT2, OAT4, and OCTN1 were measured with selective substrates or substrate–inhibitor pairs. Results: At 1× PRHs, renal DMET and endocytic receptor mRNA expression was unchanged across trimester-related PRH concentration except for consistent downregulation of PEPT2. Uptake activity for all measured transporters was unchanged. At 10× PRHs, selective changes in mRNA expression of transporters were observed (e.g., induction of OAT1), but these changes did not translate into changes in activity. Conclusions: Our data argue against PRHs as the main driver of the increase in OAT-mediated drug secretion during pregnancy. Alternative mechanisms (e.g., flow-dependent mechanotransduction and untested hormones [e.g., prolactin, hCG]) should be evaluated to explain gestation-dependent changes in renal secretory clearance of drugs. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable plant protection products has intensified interest in microbial biocontrol agents (BCAs). This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of selected Streptomyces, Bacillus, and Trichoderma asperellum strains against phytopathogenic fungi and to assess their potential as BCAs under in vitro conditions. The antifungal activity of ten Streptomyces strains was first evaluated against Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum salicis, Fusarium oxysporum, and F. graminearum using a dual-culture assay. All isolates exhibited antifungal activity, with Streptomyces venezuelae MSCL 350 showing the strongest inhibition. In addition, the antifungal activity of T. asperellum MSCL 309 and three Bacillus strains was assessed against twelve Fusarium spp. isolates obtained from oats. T. asperellum demonstrated broad-spectrum inhibition, with growth inhibition ranging from 44.6% to 78.4%, primarily due to soluble metabolites, while volatile compounds showed no significant effect. Among the other tested Bacillus strains, only Bacillus subtilis MSCL 1441 exhibited antifungal activity, inhibiting all tested isolates. These results demonstrate strong strain-dependent antifungal activity and highlight T. asperellum MSCL 309, S. venezuelae MSCL 350, and B. subtilis MSCL 1441 as promising candidates for the development of environmentally friendly biocontrol agents. Full article

Background/Objectives: Following prior in vitro and in vivo investigations on the bone health benefits of green onions and oats, we aimed to assess the effects of WCO31, Allium fistulosum L. (green onion) root and Avena sativa L. (oat) mixtures, on height growth and safety. Methods: This multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 150 children aged 6–8 years (75 males and 75 females) who fell between the 3rd and 50th percentiles of the Korean National Growth Charts but had not yet developed secondary sexual characteristics. They were randomly assigned to receive daily oral administration of WCO31 (1.2 g/day) or a placebo for 24 weeks. For efficacy analysis, height, growth rate, growth rate standard deviation score (SDS), height SDS, and growth-related parameters were measured. To evaluate the safety of the intervention, several safety parameters (including the incidence of adverse events, laboratory tests, and vital signs) were monitored. Results: The WCO31 group demonstrated significantly superior outcomes, including height, growth rate, growth rate SDS, height SDS, and height-for-age Z-score, than the placebo group (all p < 0.001). Moreover, no safety-related concerns were identified. Conclusions: WCO31 positively influences height growth and demonstrates a favorable safety profile, with no observable adverse effects. This study provides the first clinical evidence supporting growth enhancement using natural extracts, suggesting that WCO31 could serve as a cost-effective, safe, and accessible complementary strategy for promoting child growth. Full article

14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved regulatory proteins that integrate signaling pathways governing plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, the 14-3-3 gene family in oat (Avena sativa) has not been systematically investigated. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of oat 14-3-3 genes, including their physicochemical properties, gene structures, phylogeny, conserved motifs, promoter cis-elements, and selective pressures. A total of 19 AsGF14 genes were identified and classified into the ε and non-ε groups. The AsGF14 gene family expanded primarily through segmental duplications and has been under strong purifying selection during evolution. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that six AsGF14 genes were significantly upregulated at one or more time points under drought stress. Notably, AsGF14k exhibited sustained and significant upregulation. Subcellular localization analysis showed that AsGF14k localized to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Furthermore, Y2H assays indicated that AsGF14k does not form homodimers. Our results provide a systematic characterization of the AsGF14 gene family and their drought-responsive expression patterns, establishing a preliminary basis for the functional validation of AsGF14 genes under drought stress. Full article

Ants play a central role in seed dispersal and predation, shaping plant recruitment, yet their foraging behavior is increasingly influenced by anthropogenic food subsidies. In human-modified landscapes, processed food waste may disrupt ant–seed interactions by diverting foragers or altering activity patterns, but the extent and mechanisms of these effects across habitats remain unclear. We conducted three field experiments in Panama to test how common food residues affect seed removal by ants in urban and forest environments. Using oat seeds as standardized diaspores, we (1) tested whether potato chips surrounding seed depots reduced removal, (2) evaluated the effects of adjacent chips or cookies on removal rates, ant activity, and species composition, and (3) manipulated the distance between chips and seeds (0, 30, 60 cm) to distinguish behavioral distraction from physical obstruction. Across experiments, seeds near food residues were removed significantly more slowly than controls, approximately half as fast in both habitats, despite differences in ant assemblages. Ant activity near seeds declined in the presence of food, particularly in the urban site. Suppression of seed removal occurred at close range but disappeared at 60 cm. These findings indicate that food waste disrupts ant-mediated seed removal through fine-scale behavioral shifts across contrasting habitats. Full article

Understanding how oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars differ in canopy development and competitive ability is essential for improving yield stability under increasing weed pressure. This study used unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based multispectral imaging to characterize the temporal spectral and structural traits of sixteen oat cultivars grown under weed-free and weedy conditions across two locations for two years. Weedy conditions involved natural weed populations and pseudo-weeds where canola (Brassica napus) seeded as a weed. Weekly drone imaging was carried out using a multispectral sensor, which provided vegetation indices (NDVI, NDRE, ExG) and canopy metrics (ground cover, height, volume). Logistic and Gompertz models were fitted to cultivar traits to describe growth trajectories and obtain dynamic growth parameters. Cultivars showed clear differences in early canopy expansion, maximum NDVI, and canopy volume, with forage types expressing aggressive growth and several grain types combining high early growth rate with high yield potential. Machine-learning models integrating static and dynamic UAV-derived plant traits identified early ground cover and NDRE at three weeks after planting as the strongest predictors of grain yield. Models accurately predicted both weed-free (MAE = 262, R² = 0.90) and weedy yield (MAE = 258, R² = 0.90), demonstrating that early-season UAV traits capture the physiological and structural characteristics associated with competitive ability and grain yield. These findings show that high-throughput UAV phenotyping can reliably identify traits linked to yield formation and weed tolerance, providing a scalable approach for selecting competitive oat cultivars without relying solely on labor-intensive weedy field trials. Full article

Background: The increasing demand for plant-based dairy alternatives has stimulated interest in their potential health-promoting properties, particularly when combined with fermentation processes that may enhance the bio-efficacy and bioavailability of bioactive compounds. Methods: The present study investigated the impact of fermentation on the antioxidant, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory activities of oat- and soy-based dairy alternatives. Total lipids were extracted and fractionated into lipophilic and amphiphilic lipid fractions, which were subsequently evaluated for antioxidant capacity using 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, as well as for their inhibitory activity against platelet aggregation induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF) or by ADP. Results: Fermentation significantly enhanced the biological activity of the tested products, with fermented samples exhibiting lower IC₅₀ values and thus more potent anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet efficacy and improved antioxidant performance compared with the non-fermented plant-based dairy alternative products. The amphiphilic lipid fractions demonstrated the strongest bioactivity, suggesting that fermentation promotes structural modifications in polar lipids that contribute to enhanced functional properties. Overall, fermented soy products exhibited stronger antiplatelet (anti-ADP) and anti-inflammatory (anti-PAF) activities, with lower IC₅₀ values (indicating higher inhibitory potency), whereas fermented oat products demonstrated particularly enhanced antioxidant capacity, especially in TAC fractions, as evidenced by higher FRAP values and carotenoid content (e.g., oat yogurt TAC: 19.14 ± 9.97 mg CE/g extract). In DPPH assays, TAC fractions of both soy and oat showed comparable radical scavenging activity (TEAC ≈ 0.019 for soy yogurt TAC), while ABTS and FRAP assays highlighted matrix-dependent differences between lipid fractions. Fatty acid analysis further indicated favorable compositional changes associated with fermentation, including favorable alterations in the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio of the fatty acid content of the bioactive polar lipid species, while OMICs analysis indicated the specific molecular species of phospho-/glyco-based polar lipids present in these products. Conclusions: These findings suggest that fermentation can substantially improve the biofunctional profile of plant-based dairy alternatives and highlight fermented oat- and soy-based products as promising dietary sources of bioactive polar lipids with potential cardioprotective properties. Full article

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a multifunctional legume of growing importance in sustainable cropping systems. This study presents an integrative assessment of a forage pea variety across multiple agronomic functions under temperate continental conditions. Results from three environmentally comparable field trials were synthesized to evaluate (i) grain yield and protein traits, (ii) biomass production and nutrient accumulation in cover cropping systems, and (iii) effects on soil nitrate dynamics and maize (Zea mays L.) yield. Compared with vegetable- and dry-seed-type genotypes, the forage-type cultivar exhibited greater plant height and lodging tendency, moderate grain yield, and elevated protein content (28.8%), characterized by a legumin-dominated protein profile. As a winter cover crop grown in mixture with oat (Avena sativa L.), pea produced lower total biomass than rye (Secale cereale L.) but showed substantially higher nitrogen concentrations (2.93–3.01%), indicating enhanced nitrogen input potential. In crop rotation, pea-based treatments significantly affected soil nitrate distribution and maize productivity. Complementary resource use in pea-based systems enhanced biomass production, supporting forage and green manure functions while contributing to soil fertility and system stability. Its morphological and physiological adaptability enables integration into diverse production models, from intensive to regenerative systems. Overall, pea should be regarded not merely as a single crop, but as a strategic component of diversified farming systems aimed at increasing protein yield, optimizing inputs, improving soil quality, and strengthening the long-term sustainability of agroecosystems. Full article

This study examined the toxicological, and bioaccumulative effects of dietary lead (Pb) on Tenebrio molitor larvae, increasingly considered for human and animal consumption within sustainable food and feed production systems. Larvae were exposed for 21 days to an oat-based diet contaminated with lead salts (125–2000 mg Pb/kg). Body mass, and Pb accumulation in the intestine, internal tissues, and cuticle were analyzed. Pb concentrations in larval compartments increased with increasing nominal Pb levels in feed, with concentrations in internal tissues and cuticle reaching 5–6 times higher than in the control. Estimated bioaccumulation factors (BAF) were below 1 in all cases, indicating no biomagnification. Despite high exposure levels, no significant effects on larval survival or biomass gain were observed. These findings indicate that growth-related parameters are not sensitive indicators of Pb exposure. At the same time, substantial Pb accumulation occurred, particularly in the gut and cuticle, highlighting a risk of “hidden” contamination in insect-based production systems. The results emphasize the need for substrate monitoring and the inclusion of sensitive chemical indicators in food safety risk assessment. Full article

Hyperspectral (HS) analysis was used to measure the dynamics of Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease severity on panicles of three oat cultivars, ‘Husky’, ‘Ivory’, and ‘Lelde’, under greenhouse conditions. Inoculation with Fusarium spp. spore material was conducted (i) on the seeds and (ii) plants at the mid-flowering stage (BBCH 65). Disease development on oat panicles was assessed visually, and imaged with an HS camera from the end of the flowering stage (BBCH 69) to the early–middle ripe stage (BBCH 83–85). To verify that FHB symptoms were caused by Fusarium spp. pathogens, a microbiological test was performed. At the end of the trial, mycotoxin analysis of the kernels was conducted. The collected HS data from diseased and control plant panicles were used to estimate the head blight index (HBI). A Python-based software was developed to assess HBI at the pixel level. Both visual assessment and HS analysis confirmed statistically significant differences in disease severity between all treatment options. The highest disease severity results were obtained in the last disease assessment run (BBCH 83–85) for the inoculated head treatment. Microbiological test results confirmed that FHB symptoms in oat kernels were mostly caused by F. sporotrichioides. The correlation coefficient between the visually assessed FHB disease severity results and HS analysis results was 0.969. The correlation coefficient between T-2/HT-2 mycotoxins and HS disease severity results was 0.971, which suggests the potential for using HS analysis in field monitoring for mycotoxin content detection. Full article

Background: Health and social outcomes of previous opiate users (POUs) are not well-documented. We characterize the life situation, health status, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of POUs entering antiviral hepatitis C (HCV) treatment, compared with HCV patients without past illicit opiate use (NOU), and with HCV patients currently in opiate agonist treatment (OAT). Methods: Data are taken from the German Hepatitis C-Registry (“Deutsches Hepatitis C-Register”, DHCR), a multi-centre registry study focussing on the course and outcome of HCV treatment with directly acting antivirals. At treatment entry, patients underwent a standardized clinical assessment, including the Short Form 36 (SF-36) for self-reported HRQoL. Results: POUs (n = 734) and OAT patients (n = 554) were similar with regard to age, sex, migrant background, and psychiatric comorbidity. Employment rate and cannabis, alcohol, and smoking abstinence rates were higher for POUs than for OAT patients, but still lower than for NOU (n = 4147) patients. Mental and physical HRQoL was better for POUs than for OAT patients, but worse than for NOU patients. Compared with SF-36 normative data, POUs showed decreased HRQoL, especially regarding mental health. Conclusions: Compared with opiate-dependent patients in OAT, POUs showed less psychotropic substance use and better HRQoL. Compared with NOU patients and the general population, mental health problems were especially increased. Challenges persist for POUs even during abstinence from opiates, highlighting the need for targeted interventions tailored to the specific needs of this population. Full article

Naked oat (Avena nuda L.) is an important dual-purpose crop for grain and forage in cold regions; however, its high fatty acid content renders seeds prone to deterioration during storage. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on artificially aged naked oat seeds and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Non-aged seeds (Naged) were subjected to artificial aging at 45 °C and 100% relative humidity for 24 h (Aged), followed by priming with 30 mg L⁻¹ ZnO NPs for 6 h (Daged). Antioxidant enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically, and transcriptome sequencing was performed on an Illumina platform to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enriched pathways. We found that ZnO NPs increased catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities by 3–4-fold, restored germination rate from 75% to 98%, and enhanced seed vigor index. A total of 21,403 DEGs were detected, with 15,841 stably expressed in response to nano-priming. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst rapidly induced up-regulation of AP2/EREBP transcription factor family members, which subsequently activated antioxidant enzyme genes to maintain cellular redox homeostasis. Metabolic pathway analysis demonstrated that the phenylpropanoid pathway was reprogrammed, characterized by down-regulated lignin biosynthesis and up-regulated flavonoid production, thereby enhancing ROS scavenging capacity. Additionally, the pentose phosphate pathway was activated to provide additional NADPH for antioxidant defense, and up-regulated ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) facilitated starch accumulation. Notably, the 40S ribosomal protein S13 exhibited the highest connectivity in protein–protein interaction networks, was up-regulated 2.1-fold, and was enriched in post-translational modification processes. These findings suggest that nano-priming with ZnO NPs represents a promising biotechnological strategy for enhancing seed vigor and storability in naked oat, with potential applications in sustainable agriculture and the seed industry. Full article

Substantial tracts of fallow farmland remain unutilized across southwestern China throughout winter and spring. To explore a high-yield planting pattern for utilizing such fallow land, a cereal–legume intercropping experiment was conducted in Chengdu in 2021–2022 and in 2022–2023. This involved five different intercropping ratios of oat (Avena sativa) and common vetch (Vicia sativa) including 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100 based on seed number per unit area. The relative density, LER (land equivalent ratio), hay yield, nutritional composition and in vitro fermentation characteristics were assessed. The study revealed that the combination of oat and common vetch led to a significant enhancement in the production performance over the monocultures. At the flowering stage, the most balanced interspecific competition was observed at a ratio of 50:50. The ratio of 50:50 had the higher LER in the mixture—from 1.018 to 1.873—which was significantly higher than the other two intercropping ratios in 2021–2022. At the flowing development stage in 2021–2022, the harvesting of mixed crops at the 50:50 ratio resulted in a significant higher crude protein yield, 1454.7 kg/hm², than the other intercropping ratios. As the growth stage continued, the mixture hay neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents increased, while the relative feed value and crude fat content decreased. The soluble sugar content increased with the prolongation of the growth stage and peaked at the jointing stage, and decreased with the decrease in the proportion of oat in the mixture. Additionally, the gas production showed an overall decreasing trend with the increase in the proportion of common vetch. The dry matter degradation rate in the mixture hay was overall higher than that of the monocultures, and the NH₃-N content showed an overall trend of increasing with the decrease with the intercropping ratio of oat. Consequently, the 50:50 ratio may be recommended as an oat-common vetch intercropping ratio suitable for utilizing fallow fields in southwestern China from October to April to produce high-quality forage. Full article

Renal organic anion transporters 1 (OAT1) and 3 (OAT3) mediate the excretion of endogenous metabolites and xenobiotics. Flavonoids interact significantly with these transporters, but the structural determinants—especially regarding in vivo phase II metabolism—remain unclear. This review integrates recent cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structural biology and transporter kinetics to delineate the molecular basis of flavonoid–OAT interactions. We highlight phase II metabolites as key in vivo effectors. Structurally, OAT1 strictly favors compact, planar anionic scaffolds, whereas OAT3 accommodates bulkier, conjugated forms. Crucially, flavonoids exert a “double-edged” toxicological effect: high-affinity OAT inhibition risks herb–drug interactions, yet competitively limits the tubular uptake of nephrotoxins. Furthermore, disease states and post-translational regulation reshape these interactions. By bridging structural insights with biomarker-guided pharmacokinetics, we propose a mechanistic framework to improve the precise safety assessment of flavonoid-containing therapeutics. Full article