Search Results (17,227)

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are well established as biological control agents, but their emerging role as endophytes reveals a broader and more powerful function in crop protection. By colonizing plant tissues, endophytic entomopathogenic fungi (EEPF) create a dynamic tripartite interaction between plants, fungi, and herbivores, enabling systemic, plant-mediated pest suppression. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the behavioral and ecological responses of herbivorous arthropods to EEPF-colonized plants, with an emphasis on the mechanisms and implications for integrated pest management (IPM). Growing evidence indicates that EEPF consistently modify herbivore behavior and performance across diverse crops and insect taxa. Colonization frequently alters feeding, host selection, and oviposition, often deterring pests, although mediated responses may vary among fungal species, host plants, insect taxa, and environmental conditions. These responses are driven by EEPF-induced changes in plant chemistry, including shifts in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and defensive metabolites. In parallel, EEPF impair insect fitness by delaying development, reducing survival, and lowering fecundity, thereby suppressing pest populations. These plant-mediated and behavioral changes extend to multitrophic interactions, potentially affecting associations with natural enemies and the transmission efficiency of some insect vectors of plant viruses. Despite rapid progress, critical gaps remain in resolving the mechanistic basis of these interactions and their stability under field conditions. Advancing the application of EEPF will require integrated approaches combining microbial ecology, chemical ecology, and insect behavioral biology. Harnessing these interactions offers a compelling pathway to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides while enhancing the resilience and sustainability of agricultural systems. Full article

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a global cardiovascular disease with high morbidity and mortality, and its complex pathological mechanism poses great challenges to clinical prevention and treatment. Paeoniflorin (PA), a monoterpene glycoside active ingredient from Ranunculaceae plants, has shown potential in cardiovascular protection, but its specific anti-CHD molecular targets and systematic regulatory networks remain unclear. In this study, a mouse model of CHD was established, and a multi-omics strategy combining label-free quantitative proteomics and metabolomics was adopted to explore the mechanism of PA in treating CHD. The results showed that PA significantly improved cardiac function, alleviated myocardial pathological injury and fibrosis, and regulated lipid metabolism in CHD model mice, with the high-dose group showing the optimal effect. Proteomic analysis identified 51 key differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) reversed by PA, which were mainly enriched in complement and coagulation cascades, and neutrophil extracellular trap formation pathways, with the C3-Cfd-C3aR signaling axis as the core hub. Further verification confirmed that PA could downregulate the expression of C3, Cfd, C3aR, and their downstream molecule BTK, thereby inhibiting myocardial inflammatory response and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In addition, PA downregulated the expression of platelet activation markers ITGA2B/ITGB3. Metabolomic analysis revealed that PA reversed 57 abnormal metabolites in CHD mice, which were enriched in GABAergic synapse, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling and other pathways. Molecular docking confirmed that PA could stably bind to C3, Cfd, C3aR, BTK, and ITGA2B/ITGB3 with strong binding activity. In conclusion, PA exerts anti-CHD effects through a multi-target and multi-pathway synergism, mainly by targeting the C3-Cfd-C3aR axis to inhibit inflammation, apoptosis and platelet activation, and regulating metabolic disorders. This study provides experimental evidence and theoretical support for the clinical application of PA as a multi-target therapeutic drug for CHD. Full article

Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) is a major agricultural pest, and the establishment of efficient mass-rearing systems is critical for advancing biological control and integrated pest management strategies. In our previous work, evaluation of 17 artificial diets identified an optimised corn-based formulation (F15) that significantly improved larval performance relative to a standard control (CK) diet. However, the metabolic mechanisms underlying these performance differences remain largely unresolved. Here, we employed untargeted metabolomics based on liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to elucidate the biochemical pathways associated with enhanced development in S. litura larvae reared on F15 compared with CK. Larvae fed the F15 diet exhibited a prolonged developmental period (21.49 ± 0.86 vs. 20.13 ± 0.53 days), higher emergence rates (1.20 ± 0.27% vs. 0.85 ± 0.10%), and increased body mass during both early (3.28 ± 0.12 vs. 2.93 ± 0.08 mg) and later instars (77.55 ± 2.30 vs. 73.51 ± 1.17 mg) relative to those reared on the control diet. Metabolomic profiling revealed that the CK diet, characterised by lower levels of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid (LA), was associated with reduced metabolite abundance and weaker enrichment of energy-related metabolic pathways. In contrast, the F15 diet contained substantially higher levels of linoleic acid, which is known to contribute to membrane stability and mitochondrial function. Notably, linoleic acid was consistently enriched in the gut of F15-fed larvae, suggesting a correlative central role in promoting metabolic efficiency, growth, and developmental performance. Collectively, these findings provide mechanistic insight into how dietary composition modulates insect metabolism and highlight the nutritional and physiological advantages of corn-based formulations for large-scale rearing. This study offers a foundational theoretical foundation for optimising artificial diets and supports their application in sustainable pest-management programs. Full article

Cardiovascular diseases remain the top cause of death worldwide, with atherosclerosis as a key underlying factor. Natural bioactive ingredients from functional foods are increasingly sought after for preventing chronic metabolic and heart conditions due to their safety and suitability for long-term use. Octacosanol is a naturally occurring long-chain fatty alcohol primarily isolated from plant waxes, including rice bran wax and sugarcane wax. Emerging evidence indicates that octacosanol exhibits promising antioxidant properties and may exert protective effects against atherosclerosis through modulation of lipid metabolism and endothelial function. Unlike statins, which can cause side effects over time, octacosanol works gently through several pathways: it protects blood vessel lining by clearing reactive oxygen species and activating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS); reduces vascular inflammation by blocking nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling; moderates lipid metabolism by lowering 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) expression; and suppresses excessive platelet aggregation to reduce thrombotic risk. When taken alongside statins, it boosts lipid control while easing statin-related side effects. With its excellent safety profile, octacosanol is an ideal natural ingredient for functional foods, offering a novel multi-target dietary approach to support long-term cardiovascular health. Full article

Rust, caused by the fungus Uromyces pisi, is the most harmful disease of peas in temperate regions. It is necessary to search for sources of resistance with different defense mechanisms in the pea gene pool. A set of 38 Pisum sativum accessions of various origin was studied in Western Siberia in 2021–2024. The aim of the research was to assess the accessions in the field and under controlled conditions using seedlings and adult plants, as well as to study the interaction of U. pisi with resistant varieties, and to determine genetic control of rust resistance. All accessions showed partial (incomplete) resistance to rust in the field. A set of 10 resistant varieties was used for studying U. pisi interaction with peas using cytological methods. The protective mechanisms of Russian varieties led to the inhibition of 50–90% spores on leaf surfaces before penetration into the stomata, and a part of the small colonies died without hypersensitive reaction in the tissues. Hydrogen peroxide and phenolic compounds with red and green autofluorescence appeared by the stage of sporogenesis. Five varieties showed adult resistance to rust. A hybridological analysis revealed monogenic dominant control of resistance in two varieties, and digenic control in two others. The information obtained expands the understanding of the partners’ interaction in the pathosystem ‘U. pisi–P. sativum’, and can also be used for breeding pea varieties with different resistance mechanisms. Full article

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are among the most promising biocontrol agents; however, their short shelf life constrains commercial application. This study evaluated the effects of storage temperature (6 °C and 25 °C) and sponge substrate moisture content (42%, 48%, and 55%) on the 18-week survival and post-storage virulence of two indigenous EPN species from Gansu Province, China: Heterorhabditis megidis 0627M and Steinernema feltiae 0619HT. A Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) revealed that storage duration, temperature, moisture content, and species all significantly affected survival of H. megidis 0627M and S. feltiae 0619HT (all p < 0.001). Low-temperature storage (6 °C) reduced mortality odds by 82.4% compared with room temperature (OR = 0.176, 95% CI: 0.117–0.263, p < 0.001). High moisture content (55%) increased mortality odds by 10.1-fold relative to moderate moisture (48%; OR = 10.114, 95% CI: 6.155–16.618, p < 0.001), whereas low moisture (42%) showed no significant difference from 48% (OR = 0.942, p = 0.810). The two species exhibited distinct adaptation strategies: S. feltiae 0619HT achieved the highest survival under low-temperature storage at 48% moisture content (56.48% at week 18), whereas H. megidis 0627M demonstrated a delayed competitive advantage under room-temperature, low-moisture conditions. Virulence assays revealed that low-temperature storage better preserved infectivity under most conditions. Notably, survival and virulence were not always concordant, necessitating their evaluation as complementary metrics. Species-specific storage protocols are proposed, providing a scientific basis for the future development of regionally targeted and cost-effective native EPN formulations, as well as for regionally targeted biocontrol applications. Full article

Intensified use of fertilizers enhances crop yield; however, it can also make weed management more challenging. In addition to providing nutrients to crops, fertilizers also provide nutrients to weeds when they grow together with crops. All this leads to competition between crops and weeds, which is an important source of biotic stress. As a defense mechanism against biotic stress, plants accumulate polyphenolic compounds and increase antioxidant activity. This study aims to quantify the influence of organic and synthetic fertilizers on weed behavior and competitiveness in agroecosystems by evaluating total phenol content, polyphenolic acids (chlorogenic, ferulic, p-coumaric, and trans-cinnamic) content, and their antioxidative activity in weeds (Avena fatua and Abutilon theophrasti) and wheat and their rhizospheres across different cultivation systems (monoculture vs. competitive conditions). Our study showed that under competitive conditions, the use of fertilizers significantly increased the concentration of selected individual phenolic acids in all tested species (weeds and wheat) compared to monoculture. In addition, the level of antioxidant activity and total phenolic content in the weed leaves (Avena fatua and Abutilon teophrasti) was higher compared to the control after the application of all tested fertilizers when grown in competition with wheat (total phenolic content in Avena fatua: C vs. F1 p = 0.025 *, C vs. F3 p = 0.008 **; in Abutilon teophrasti: C vs. F2 p = 0.0000 **). The application of all tested fertilizers affected the increase in antioxidant activity in weed plants (p = 0.0000 ** in Avena fatua and in Abutilon teophrasti C vs. F1, p = 0.013 *, and C vs. F2, p = 0.0012 **). This shows that, in plants, response to stress levels not only total phenol, but also their antioxidative activity should be taken into consideration. Full article

A β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) polymer crosslinked with tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile (1:2 molar ratio) was developed for the rapid removal of naringin, the primary bitter compound in citrus juice. The polymer achieved adsorption equilibrium within 120 s—dramatically faster than most reported naringin adsorbents—with a maximum adsorption capacity of 24.74 mg/g (Langmuir model). Kinetic data were well described by the Pseudo-second-order and Elovich models, indicating a heterogeneous, multi-site adsorption process. Isotherm analysis confirmed the coexistence of monolayer coverage and site heterogeneity (Toth model, adjR² > 0.99). Under optimized conditions (adsorbent 300 mg/L, initial naringin 15 mg/L, pH 3.5), the polymer achieved an adsorption capacity of 18.84 mg/g in grapefruit juice. The adsorbed naringin was effectively eluted with 80% ethanol, and the polymer retained its original adsorption efficiency over seven consecutive cycles. Mechanistic studies (XPS, FTIR, molecular docking, and gradient elution) revealed synergistic contributions from π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions. The combination of ultra-fast kinetics, good regenerability, and multi-mechanism binding makes this β-CD polymer a promising candidate for practical debittering of citrus juices in food processing applications. Full article

Helicoverpa armigera is one of the most destructive polyphagous pests, yet the transcriptional organization underlying its digestive capacity remains poorly resolved. Here, we compiled 579 publicly available RNA-seq libraries representing 54 independent experiments and quantified transcript abundance across tissues and developmental stages. This complete dataset was used to support broader tissue-level expression profiling. After metadata harmonization and quality filtering, a subset of 130 biologically comparable libraries from five tissue/developmental categories was retained for weighted gene co-expression network analysis. WGCNA identified four biologically informative modules, among which the turquoise module was positively associated with fourth- and fifth-instar larval midgut samples. Independent expression profiling revealed strong midgut-biased expression of several trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like serine proteases, although only a subset of these genes was assigned to the turquoise module. Descriptive functional annotation of this module identified 202 co-expressed loci, including digestive enzymes, nutrient transporters, detoxification-related proteins, epithelial components and putative transcriptional or signaling-associated genes. Phylogenetic analyses and manual inspection of genomic locations further showed that several digestive protease genes occur in local clusters and have closely related counterparts in H. zea, suggesting partial conservation of local genomic organization. Collectively, these results describe a midgut-associated co-expression module containing genes associated with digestive, absorptive and protective functions and provide candidate genes for future functional studies. Full article

Malodorous gases such as ammonia (NH₃) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) emitted from pig intestines and excrement have become critical environmental bottlenecks restricting the green transformation of the swine industry. Therefore, identifying sustainable protein feed alternatives with odor-reducing potential has become increasingly important. This study evaluated the effects of replacing soybean meal with four distiller’s grains-derived protein raw materials (DGPRMs), including Baijiu DDGS, Sorghum DDGS, Corn DDGS, and Cassava DDGS, using an in vitro fermentation system simulating the intestinal environment of six fattening pigs. After 24 h of fermentation, odor-related gas production, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations, and microbial community composition were analyzed to assess the odor-mitigation potential of these alternative protein sources. Results demonstrated that Baijiu distiller’s grains, sorghum distiller’s grains, and corn distiller’s grains significantly reduced the yields of NH₃ and H₂S under the in vitro fermentation system (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, they reshaped the intestinal microbial community structure by inhibiting the growth and reproduction of odor-producing genera (e.g., Ligilactobacillus) and promoting the enrichment of beneficial genera (e.g., Limosilactobacillus) that were significantly negatively correlated with malodor indicators. Notably, among all tested DGPRMs, Baijiu DDGS exhibited the strongest odor-reducing effect, markedly decreasing NH₃, H₂S, and volatile sulfur compounds while enriching beneficial bacterial taxa associated with reduced odor generation. These findings suggest that selected DGPRMs, particularly Baijiu DDGS, may serve as promising alternative protein ingredients for mitigating odor emissions in pig production systems. Full article

Apple Valsa canker disease, caused by Valsa mali, is one of the most destructive diseases of apple trees in China and seriously threatens the sustainable development of the apple industry. VmSom1 acts as a core transcription factor in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) signaling pathway and regulates vegetative growth, development and pathogenicity of this phytopathogen. Transcriptome analysis was performed using the VmSom1 deletion mutant and the wild-type strain sdau11-175, and a significantly differentially expressed transcription factor, VmGAL4, was identified. In this study, the single-gene deletion mutant ΔVmGAL4 and the double-gene deletion mutant ΔVmSom1/VmGAL4 were constructed via homologous recombination, aiming to preliminarily explore the interaction between these two genes. Sequence analysis revealed that the VmGAL4 protein contains a conserved fungal_TF_MHR domain spanning amino acids 164 to 614. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that VmGAL4 shares the closest phylogenetic relationship with homologs from Cytospora schulzeri and Cytospora chrysosperma. Phenotypic assays demonstrated that the VmGAL4 deletion mutant exhibited markedly reduced mycelial growth rate and fewer pycnidia production. Additionally, the mutant displayed enhanced sensitivity to cell wall inhibitors and osmotic stress agents, along with significantly increased capacity to utilize various carbon and nitrogen sources and decreased pathogenicity compared with the wild-type strain. Compared with the single deletion mutant ΔVmSom1, the double mutant ΔVmSom1/VmGAL4 partially rescued the growth defects and also alleviated the reduction in pathogenicity to a certain extent. Nevertheless, conidial production remained severely inhibited in the double mutant. Collectively, VmGAL4 is involved in the regulation of vegetative growth, asexual development, cell wall integrity, osmotic stress response, carbon and nitrogen source utilization, and pathogenicity in V. mali. Full article

Plant-pathogenic bacteria threaten crop productivity and quality, yet chemical options remain limited compared with those for fungal and oomycete diseases. Current management relies mainly on copper bactericides, limited antibiotics, induced-resistance agents, biocontrol and resistant cultivars. However, copper and streptomycin resistance, efflux-mediated multidrug tolerance and rapid pathogen adaptation have weakened these strategies. Target-oriented research provides a framework for exploring agricultural antibacterials, anti-virulence agents, anti-colonization strategies, resistance sensitizers and host-resistance interventions, but many of these approaches remain conceptual, model-system, greenhouse or medical-bacteriology-derived rather than proven field solutions. This review classifies bacterial control targets into two interconnected groups: growth-essential targets, including peptidoglycan biosynthesis, membrane/envelope systems, nucleic-acid processes, protein synthesis, metabolism, nutrient transport and cell division; and anti-virulence/anti-adaptation targets, including secretion systems, quorum sensing, biofilms, motility, adhesion, cell-wall-degrading enzymes, tolerance systems, oxidative-stress responses and host susceptibility factors. Using “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” (CLas) as a case study, genome annotation and infection-stage transcript-abundance data prioritized Sec-dependent secretion, outer-membrane/surface proteins, Bam assembly, nutrient transporters, Clp proteostasis, redox adaptation and core cellular processes as candidate target classes. Envelope-associated, secretion/anti-virulence, nutrient-acquisition and stress-sensitization modules may represent potential directions for downstream validation, but CLas candidates remain hypothesis-generating priorities requiring validation for essentiality, conservation, druggability, delivery feasibility, crop safety and field performance. Full article

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (A. sinensis), commonly known as Danggui, is a chemically complex medicinal plant widely used in East Asian medicine and reported to exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hematopoietic, neuroprotective, vasoprotective, metabolic, and tissue-repair effects. This narrative translational review evaluates literature published up to May 2026 and reappraises A. sinensis through a constituent-specific and exposure-relevant framework, focusing on phthalides, ferulic acid-related phenolic acids, polysaccharides, and representative preparations. Phthalides are mainly associated with neurovascular protection, mitochondrial homeostasis, autophagy/mitophagy regulation, and anti-apoptotic responses, but their translational relevance is constrained by chemical instability and low oral exposure. Ferulic acid and related phenolic acids are more consistently linked to inflammatory attenuation, redox regulation, epithelial barrier protection, and metabolic stress responses; however, many in vitro studies use concentrations exceeding plausible free systemic exposure. Polysaccharides are most strongly associated with hematopoietic support, immune modulation, gut microbiota regulation, metabolic homeostasis, and microenvironmental remodeling, although structural heterogeneity limits cross-study comparability. Direct clinical evidence for single-herb A. sinensis remains limited, and most clinical signals derive from multi-herb formulas. Overall, this review highlights the importance of distinguishing constituent-specific mechanisms, exposure plausibility, and attribution directness when evaluating the translational potential of A. sinensis. Full article

In the context of global climate change, drought events significantly impact plants, and studying the response of plant sap flow to environmental factors is of great significance for plant protection and sustainable development. This article uses the thermal pulse method to obtain trunk sap flow data, combined with real-time monitoring of environmental factor data, to compare the differences in sap flow characteristics between the subsequently deceased and surviving Zanthoxylum planispinum var. dingtanensis during a natural drought event. Additionally, the xylem vulnerability curve of Z. planispinum was fitted through laboratory measurements to estimate its hydraulic safety margin ($HSM$). The results showed that: (1) Compared with the surviving individuals, the subsequently deceased Z. planispinum exhibited a higher and more fluctuating sap flow rate, maintaining a consistently higher transpiration rate even after the onset of drought. (2) As soil moisture decreased, the sap flow of surviving Z. planispinum was promptly constrained by soil water availability and remained at a low, conservative level. In contrast, the sap flow of the deceased individuals continued to be driven by meteorological factors, failing to downregulate transpiration. (3) The xylem vulnerability curve revealed a $P_{50}$ of −2.2 MPa. During the severe drought, the minimum field branch water potential (${\psi }_{min}$) dropped to −3.0 MPa, resulting in a negative $HSM$ ($HSM$ = −0.8 MPa). This suggests that the xylem tension severely breached the embolism threshold, likely triggering catastrophic hydraulic failure, which emerged as the primary driver of the observed mortality in Z. planispinum. Therefore, for plants with low $HSM$s, when they are subjected to drought stress accompanied by highly fluctuating sap flow—a condition indicating that water supply cannot match the transpirational demand—timely manual intervention (e.g., supplemental irrigation) may be considered to mitigate hydraulic risks and ensure survival. Full article

Investigating the dynamic response of pepper leaves at different growth stages under droplet impact is of great significance for optimizing spray deposition processes. In this study, high-speed imaging combined with mechanical modeling was employed to systematically analyze the inclination angle variation and bending deformation behavior of pepper leaves at the seedling, flowering, and fruiting stages under droplet impact. The temporal evolution of petiole inclination angle and leaf blade inclination angle under different impact velocities and impact positions was investigated, and the energy transfer mechanism of bending energy during droplet impact was quantitatively analyzed. The results showed that pepper leaves exhibited a typical damped oscillation response after droplet impact. As the droplet impact velocity increased, the degree of leaf deformation increased significantly and the vibration duration was prolonged markedly. When the impact velocity increased from 0.89 to 1.53 m s⁻¹, the maximum vertical displacement (Δh_max) near the leaf tip increased from 0.8 to 1.9 mm at the seedling stage, from 0.6 to 3.1 mm at the flowering stage, and from 1.2 to 4.5 mm at the fruiting stage. Along the leaf length direction, both the maximum inclination angle variation and vertical displacement gradually increased from the near-petiole region toward the near-tip region because of reduced local stiffness and weaker structural constraints. In contrast, the maximum inclination angle variation generally decreased with increasing growth stage, mainly due to the increase in leaf mass and enhanced structural support. Based on the bending energy model, the conversion of droplet kinetic energy into leaf structural deformation energy was further analyzed. The results demonstrated that the bending energy of leaves increased significantly with increasing droplet impact velocity. When the droplet kinetic energy increased from 3.4 μJ to 8.0 μJ, the maximum bending energy increased from 0.063 μJ to 0.21 μJ. Among different regions, the near-tip area exhibited the highest bending energy response because of its higher flexibility and lower bending stiffness. These findings provide new insights into the interaction mechanism between droplets and flexible leaves and offer a theoretical basis for improving spray deposition efficiency and optimizing spraying strategies for pepper plants at different growth stages. Full article