Search Results (26,070)

Plants are sessile organisms and are constantly subjected to varying environmental stressors. However, they can mitigate the effects of these stresses by deploying plant growth-promoting (PGP) microbes for their protection. PGP microbes can boost plant growth and enhance plant protection from biotic and abiotic stresses through a wide variety of mechanisms. PGP mechanisms such as biological fixation of nitrogen in soil and plant roots, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) deaminase enzyme activity, and production of plant hormones to promote nutrient acquisition and mitigate stresses. Therefore, this review aims to document studies that reported on the role of PGP microbes in plant growth and development and how PGP traits mentioned above and a novel trait flavins (FLs) secretion help plants against biotic and abiotic stress. Several important PGP functions, and the bacterial strains involved in these functions, that can potentially improve plant growth, development, and plant health are reviewed. This review will help to identify gaps for future studies and guide the development of an alternative strategy to use PGP microbes as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents to support eco-friendly agriculture by reducing the indiscriminate use of synthetic agrochemicals. Full article

The conservation process is iterative and interactive. Periodic updates stratify data across disciplines and time. Still the transition from raw data to structured knowledge is often slowed by procedural gaps and tooling limitations, creating a semantic divide between abundant digital resources and truly intelligible data. This article proposes a methodological and operational approach for managing the continuity of the information flow within a digitalization process functional to a conservation strategy for the Historical Built Heritage. A graph-structured semantic knowledge base was developed and it is fed by data from heterogeneous sources (Building Information Modeling, reality-based annotation platforms and graph databases), organized according to an explicit conceptual model for representing the building’s diachronic evolution. Interaction and querying are mediated by a prototypical multidimensional visualization environment. The experimentation has proven to anticipate contextualization, to rationalize mapping, to harmonize heterogeneous resources, and to formalize knowledge for sharing and querying. Calabrian heritage, which is part of the region’s identity and subject to natural and anthropogenic risks, is the case of interest. Application scenarios are exemplified in the experiment on San Giovannello, Gerace (RC). Full article

Ion channels are fundamental membrane proteins that mediate selective ion flow across biological membranes and thereby govern excitability, signaling, and homeostasis in virtually all cell types. Although channel function is determined by intrinsic structural features, the surrounding lipid milieu is now recognized as a decisive regulatory layer. Lipids tune ion channel activity through complementary mechanisms: they can bind directly to channel proteins, reshape bilayer physical properties, or act as signaling messengers that couple extracellular cues to channel gating. In addition, the organization of membranes into lipid microdomains such as rafts and caveolae can cluster channels with receptors and scaffolds, enhancing signaling specificity and efficiency. Recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy and molecular simulations have expanded our understanding of these lipid–channel interactions, revealing lipids as active modulators rather than passive structural components. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the principles by which lipids regulate ion channel function and highlights the biological and potential clinical significance of this fundamental interplay. Full article

Background/Objectives: Forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) is a nature-based approach with potential preventive health relevance. This review summarizes evidence on its effects on immune function, stress physiology, and neuroprotective pathways. Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed studies was conducted using major scientific databases, including observational and interventional research assessing physiological or neurocognitive outcomes following forest exposure. Results: Forest bathing is associated with enhanced natural killer (NK) cell activity, modulation of inflammatory cytokine profiles, reductions in cortisol levels, and shifts toward parasympathetic autonomic dominance. Evidence also suggests a contributory role of tree-derived biogenic volatile organic compounds and phytoncides in immune and stress-regulatory effects. Emerging findings indicate potential benefits for cognitive restoration, emotional regulation, and neurotrophic signaling; however, substantial heterogeneity in study design, exposure characteristics, and outcome measures limits direct comparability and causal inference. Conclusions: Current evidence supports forest bathing as a promising, low-risk strategy for supporting immune resilience, stress regulation, and neurocognitive well-being within a preventive health framework. Preliminary findings also suggest potential benefits in chronic neurological conditions, supporting its neuroprotective role within multimodal neurorehabilitation strategies. Standardized intervention protocols, mechanistic biomarkers, and longitudinal studies are required to strengthen clinical relevance and guide evidence-based integration into public health and lifestyle medicine. Full article

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are pivotal in the cycling of phosphorus within terrestrial ecosystems and hold great promise for sustainable agriculture. In this study, we report the isolation of HRY1—a highly efficient phosphate-solubilizing strain—identified as Escherichia coli, a bacterium not traditionally recognized for plant-beneficial traits. Under optimized conditions (glucose as carbon source, (NH₄)₂SO₄ as nitrogen source, pH 7.0, 1% inoculum, and 5 g/L Ca₃(PO₄)₂), HRY1 consistently solubilized ~16% of inorganic phosphorus, with peak activity coinciding with its stationary growth phase (14 h). Whole-genome sequencing revealed a comprehensive genetic toolkit for phosphorus mobilization, including eight genes implicated in organic acid-mediated mineral dissolution, five high-affinity phosphate transporter genes (pit and pst gene cluster), and three two-component regulatory systems responsive to phosphate starvation (e.g., phoBR). The functional integration of these systems suggests a multifaceted strategy combining acidification, active uptake, and adaptive regulation to thrive under phosphorus limitation. Our findings redefine the ecological scope of E. coli and uncover an unconventional yet potent PSB candidate with significant potential for biofertilizer development and soil phosphorus activation. This discovery reveals E. coli’s untapped potential for phosphorus solubilization, with HRY1’s novelty residing in its high efficiency under optimized conditions and its practical promise as a biofertilizer. Full article

The rapid development of medical technologies requires architects to implement a future-proofing approach while designing medical facilities, despite the inherent uncertainty of long-term change. This challenge is particularly visible within hospital emergency departments (HEDs), which play a critical role as first-contact units and life-saving infrastructures. Due to their specific function, HEDs are a challenging environment for implementing new solutions, as they rely on proven frameworks designed to ensure continuity of care and operational efficiency. This raises the key question: how can modern technologies and architectural strategies streamline workflows in HEDs without overwhelming medical staff? Considering current challenges, an equally important factor in the development of emergency departments is their preparedness for crisis situations, such as pandemics, war threats and natural disasters. How can architectural design enable the implementation of given design strategies, aiming to ensure opportunities for development while simultaneously preparing for all-hazard scenarios? The authors gathered existing trends and solutions aimed at preparing hospital emergency departments for future challenges: positive/neutral, such as technological development, but also negative, such as currently ongoing war threats or risk of the next pandemic. Despite the apparent thematic extremity, certain systematic architectural solutions using a transdisciplinary approach may be the answer to these occurrences. The mentioned architectural solutions and factors were synthesized and subjected to design-oriented review based on existing case studies of a few Polish hospitals, which are simultaneously studied as case studies for broader doctoral research in the field of effectiveness assessment. The selected Polish hospital emergency departments are used as an illustrative, analytical reference to support the interpretation and synthesis of the reviewed literature. The contextual analysis enables the identification of transferable, design-oriented strategies relevant to broader emergence medicine architecture and applicable within European units. Examples from Polish units in particular are used as reference and background for discussion, rather than as empirical case studies. The study provides an overview of contemporary and future-oriented solutions in hospital architecture, focusing on the impact and feasibility within the hospital emergency departments. The synthesis highlights the importance of designing flexible spaces prepared for future technological advances, such as oversized service shafts, increased floor heights, and modular layouts. Additionally, the study focuses on the spatial connotations of emerging technologies like medical robotics, their maintenance areas and possible challenges. All of this is interrelated to social, demographic, and economic trends. These include the development of hospital networks, the evolving patient profile, inter-hospital information flow, and the growing role of highly specialized medical units. In terms of rapid challenges like wars or armed threats, factors revealed within the review indicate levels of HED readiness to face the conflict, mainly in terms of surge capacity but also structural durability and reserve resources. The post-pandemic context, in turn, assumes rapid expansion of the hospital into temporary and flexible structures and reversible zoning allowing for patient segregation and separation. Together, these insights outline pathways for creating resilient, adaptable, and efficient emergency care environments resilient to unforeseen challenges. Considering future scenarios of emergency departments, two main scenarios were identified: “the hospital of the future”, continuing overall development and adapting to rapid technological innovations, and “the crisis-resilient hospital”, resistant to various crisis scenarios, such as pandemics or war threats. The optimal development of the unit assumes both openness to technological changes and preparation of key zones for all-hazard scenarios. This review aims to synthesize architectural implications of technological and socio-demographic changes, not to provide a full empirical study. Adopting an exploratory framework, the review refers to technological innovations and crisis preparedness as external drivers shaping the spatial organization of hospital emergency departments and their adaptability to future challenges. Because of various inhibitors (economic, political, hierarchical), not all hospitals can introduce the described improvements, but the synthesis may serve as a knowledge source for future investments. The review was also conducted to support design decisions under conditions of uncertainty. The choice to address all the external factors collectively was induced to provide transferability of solutions and coherence of possible scenarios, which may happen simultaneously. Full article

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and play important roles in plant development and reproduction. Liriodendron chinense, a representative woody species of Magnoliaceae, produces a large quantity of pollen but exhibits low natural seed set. Despite numerous studies on factors influencing its low seed production, the molecular mechanisms underlying this reproductive limitation remain poorly understood. Here, we performed small RNA sequencing and transcriptome analyses across five tissues of L. chinense, including leaf, calyx, petal, pistil, and pollen. Genome-wide identification yielded 688 miRNAs, comprising both conserved and species-specific members. Expression-based clustering revealed that miRNAs are organized into distinct, tissue-associated modules rather than being uniformly expressed across organs. Among these, a pollen-enriched miRNA module was clearly separated from those associated with leaves and other floral tissues. By integrating sRNA-seq and RNA-seq data, we identified miRNA–target pairs displaying anticorrelated expression patterns, providing expression-level support for miRNA mediated regulation. In pollen, two complementary regulatory modes were observed: low-abundance miRNAs associated with highly expressed target genes, and highly expressed miRNAs associated with repressed targets. The predicted targets of pollen-associated miRNAs were enriched in biological processes central to pollen development, including signal transduction, polarity establishment, vesicle trafficking, and cell wall biogenesis. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive, tissue-resolved view of miRNA expression and pollen-associated miRNA–target relationships in L. chinense, offering candidate regulatory modules for future functional studies of pollen development. Full article

MADS-box transcription factors are key regulators of plant development and environmental responses. Here, we performed an integrated phylogenomic and expression analysis of the MADS-box gene family in Capsicum annuum, identifying 97 members that fall into 52 Type I and 45 Type II genes. Comparative phylogeny, exon–intron organization, conserved motifs, and chromosomal mapping allowed classification into 15 subfamilies. Gene duplication analysis revealed that segmental duplication has been a major driver of family expansion. Expression profiling across multiple tissues, together with promoter cis-element prediction and stress-responsive transcriptome data, demonstrated that Type II genes exhibit broad and dynamic expression patterns, particularly under ABA treatment and temperature stress. A key finding of this study is the complete absence of the Mβ lineage, a Type I subfamily typically associated with gametophyte and endosperm development in other angiosperms. No Mβ-like sequences were detected in the pepper genome, and Type I genes overall showed extremely low expression, suggesting that the Mβ lineage has undergone lineage-specific evolutionary loss and that its functions may be compensated by other Type I members or by expanded Type II regulatory modules. Together, this study provides the first evidence for the evolutionary disappearance of the Mβ subfamily in Capsicum and offers a comprehensive resource for dissecting the developmental and stress-responsive roles of MADS-box genes in pepper. Full article

Raisin syrup sourdough is a popular traditional leavening method in Japan, yet its specific impact on bread aroma evolution and shelf life stability remains scientifically underexplored. This study characterized the fermentation dynamics and volatile profiles of raisin syrup sourdough bread compared to a commercial yeast control over a 3-day shelf life, utilizing comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS) and primary metabolite profiling of sugars, amino acids, and organic acids. The analysis resolved over 760 volatiles and revealed a fundamental kinetic divergence. While the yeast control exhibited a 24 h metabolic lag, the raisin sourdough achieved rapid activation, establishing a higher initial volatile load immediately post-baking. Driven by lactic acid bacteria dominance and extensive proteolysis, the sourdough’s acidic environment facilitated the retention of fruity esters and malty branched-chain aldehydes while effectively suppressing lipid oxidation markers like 9,17-Octadecadienal. Key aromatic markers, including benzenepropanol and Octanoate <isopentyl->, were significantly elevated and stabilized in the sourdough group. These findings demonstrate that raisin syrup fermentation generates a superior, stable aromatic profile, providing a scientific basis for optimizing clean-label artisan bread production in the Japanese market. Full article

Active substance-based Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) can generate disinfection by-products (DBPs) by reacting with dissolved organic matter (DOM). However, current IMO G9-based assessments often overlook qualitative DOM variations. This study investigated DBP formation following NaDCC treatment in natural seawater dominated by the diatom Skeletonema costatum and the dinoflagellate Akashiwo sanguinea. Laboratory-cultured DOM was also analyzed using ATR-FT-IR, PCA, and 2D-COS to evaluate structural differences. In field experiments, S. costatum treatment primarily produced brominated trihalomethanes (THMs) and specific haloacetic acids (HAAs) with a limited composition. Conversely, A. sanguinea treatment yielded a diverse range of DBPs, including nitrogenous DBPs (HANs). FT-IR results, supported by 2D-COS, revealed that A. sanguinea-derived DOM underwent non-monotonic structural changes and distinct sequential functional group reactions, suggesting multiple, time-delayed precursor interactions. These findings demonstrate that phytoplankton species-specific DOM composition significantly dictates DBP profiles and temporal dynamics. Therefore, environmental risk assessments for BWMS must incorporate the qualitative characteristics of biogenic DOM and dominant species traits, particularly during coastal bloom events, to ensure more accurate management strategies. Full article

Angiogenesis depends on Ca²⁺-mediated endothelial cell migration. The increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) is coordinated by caveolae and the Cx43 hemichannel opening. However, the functional coupling of voltage-dependent Na⁺ channels (Na_v) with Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchanger reverse mode (NCXrm) activation may contribute to the response, which was evaluated using the wound-healing assay in primary cultures of rat mesenteric endothelial cells. Changes in [Ca²⁺]_i, the hemichannel opening and the association of Na_v channels with caveolin-1, a caveolae structural protein, were analyzed. Both endothelial cell migration and the associated Ca²⁺ signaling were inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX), a Na_v channel blocker, lamotrigine, a preferential Na_v1.2 inhibitor, or 4,9-anhydro-TTX, a specific Na_v1.6 blocker. A similar result was found by disrupting caveolae organization with methyl-β-cyclodextrin or blocking NCXrm with SEA0400. TTX and SEA0400 also prevented Cx43 hemichannel opening, and tubular-like structure formation depended on Na_v channels. An analysis using a proximity ligation assay showed that endothelial cell migration was paralleled by the progressive association of caveolin-1 with Na_v1.2, but not Na_v1.6, channels. These results suggest that the functional coupling of Na_v1.2 and Na_v1.6 channels with the activation of NCXrm and Cx43 hemichannels mediates the Ca²⁺ signaling associated with endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis, which provides new targets to modulate angiogenesis in physiological or pathological conditions. Full article

More than 63% of Mexico’s territory is classified as arid or semiarid, where plants belonging to the genus Agave have evolved. Adaptation to drylands resulted from biochemical, physiological, and anatomical properties shared with other crassulacean plants; however, microbial symbionts also play critical roles in plants’ growth, health, and drought tolerance. To explore endophytic communities in Agave plants, we used a shotgun metagenomic approach. The taxonomic and functional diversity of endophytes were studied in the leaves and stem organs of Agave americana, A.angustifolia, A. fourcroydes, A. karwinskii, A. potatorum, A. tequilana, A. cupreata, and A. rodacantha. The microbial community structure did not differ significantly among species, regardless of geographic origin or local environmental conditions, whereas significant differences were observed between organs. We found 4058 genera shared among organs, of which 957 genera are exclusive to the stem and 492 to the leaves. The community analysis of stems and leaves identified bacterial genera, including Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Corynebacterium, and Streptomyces. Significant differences were also observed between organs in the functional annotations. The dominant functional categories were associated with cell signaling and protein metabolism in both organs. Full article

Background: Surgical sepsis, particularly secondary peritonitis, is a leading cause of ICU admissions, with mortality rates reaching 40%. In recent decades, several adjuvant therapies have been proposed in addition to standard of care to modulate the inflammatory response and support organ function. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of IgM-enriched immunoglobulin (eIg) treatment on outcome of adult surgical patients with sepsis and septic shock. Methods: A single-center, retrospective, observational study was conducted from January 2016 to December 2019 in the Intensive Care Unit of Pisa University Hospital. Patients with sepsis or septic shock resulting from primary or postoperative infections undergoing surgical source control were included. The primary outcome was to investigate the impact of eIg administration on in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes were the ICU length of stay, days of ventilation, and vasoactive drug administration. A propensity score through inverse probability weighting was used to control for measured confounding variables. Results: A total of 108 patients, categorized into two groups based on whether they received eIg, were included during the study period. Compared to the untreated group, patients who received eIg showed a significant reduction in ICU mortality (ATE −0.17, 95% CI −0.33 to −0.03; p = 0.023) and in-hospital mortality (ATE −0.18, 95% CI −0.34 to −0.03; p = 0.022). However, the ICU length of stay and the duration of mechanical ventilation were significantly longer in the treated group (ATE + 7.1 days, 95% CI 3.1 to 11.1; p = 0.001 and ATE + 4.5 days, 95% CI 1.0 to 7.9; p = 0.011, respectively). No other statistically significant differences were observed. Conclusions: Despite the significant limitations of its observational nature, our study suggests that administering eIg may reduce ICU and in-hospital mortality in surgical patients with sepsis and septic shock. Full article

The rapid urban expansion (UE) in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) in China has profoundly reshaped landscape patterns and ecosystem functions. Understanding the impact of UE on ecosystem health (EH) across different urban agglomerations is crucial for informing effective ecological governance and sustainability strategies. However, whether UE ultimately promotes or constrains EH across urban agglomerations under multi-scenario remains unclear. This study aims to address this gap by employing the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation model and the Vigor–Organization–Resilience–Service framework to simulate UE and EH in three major urban agglomerations of the YREB, while also examining the mechanisms through which UE influences EH. The results revealed substantial UE under all scenarios, with the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomerations exhibiting the most pronounced growth. The EH index showed a downward trend, from 0.621 in 2010 to 0.613 in 2020. Bivariate spatial autocorrelation and spatial regression analyses revealed a significant negative correlation between UE and EH. The study identified land fragmentation and occupation due to UE as the primary factors contributing to the deterioration of EH. The findings indicated the necessity of strategic urban planning to mitigate potential ecosystem risks while promoting sustainable urban development. Furthermore, regional cooperation is critical for addressing transboundary ecological challenges and ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of the YREB ecosystem. Full article

Imidazopyridines are a versatile class of nitrogen-fused heterocycles bridging medicinal chemistry and materials science. Their π-conjugated framework allows broad structural tuning, yielding diverse biological and photophysical properties. The best-known isomers, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine and imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine, have been widely studied as pharmacophores and luminescent materials, respectively. The less explored imidazo[4,5-b] and imidazo[4,5-c]pyridines are now emerging as alternative scaffolds with distinctive electronic and functional behavior. This review summarizes synthetic strategies, electronic features, and key applications—from kinase inhibition and antiviral activity to fluorescence imaging, down-conversion, Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED)/Light-emitting Electrochemical Cell (LEC) and hybrid optoelectronic systems—outlining how imidazopyridines can evolve from molecular frameworks into multifunctional platforms for bioimaging and advanced optoelectronic technologies. Full article