Search Results (12,655)

In recent years, hybrid materials have been widely applied in the cultural heritage conservation field, especially to preserve color pigments. Among these, one of the most problematic (in terms of conservation science) is the red pigment cinnabar/vermilion. The challenge of this work was to prepare a hybrid coating consisting of a fluorinated polymer (known to protect cinnabar/vermilion), further modified with an inorganic filler based on anatase TiO₂. The latter is suitable because it is functionalized with quenchers, the particles are well above the nanoscale (≥200 nm in diameter), and it was added to the polymer matrix in small quantities. These characteristics made it suitable as a hybrid coating for protecting natural cinnabar, as demonstrated by the results obtained through a multi-analytical approach, based on multispectral imaging, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), contact angle, spectrophotometry and mechanical tests, which were applied to evaluate the performances of the hybrid coating on laboratory specimens (after aging) and original samples. The experimental results provide insight into both the physicochemical decomposition mechanism of natural cinnabar under laboratory-simulated aging conditions and the benefits of the coating. In particular, the treatment did not induce electrochemical changes in the mercury, which remained in its oxidized state (+2) rather than being further reduced to elemental mercury (Hg⁰), the species responsible for the blackening of cinnabar/vermilion (also combined with meta-cinnabar). In the oxidized form (Hg²⁺), the protein binder was altered, yet the application of the hybrid coating did not cause further physicochemical changes (i.e., red shift) to the Hg²⁺/egg-based binder system. This was also reflected in the color properties, which underwent no significant alteration. Finally, the mechanical tests yielded satisfactory results, particularly regarding water vapor permeability and treatment efficiency (even eight months after the initial application, although studies on the same samples are still ongoing). The hybrid coating was ultimately applied to original samples collected at Poggio Spaccasasso (Tuscany, Italy), which could be representative of prehistoric artworks based on natural cinnabar and traces of prehistoric adhesives made from beeswax, natural oils, and plant resins. Full article

Climate change is reshaping species distributions worldwide, while landscape patterns can further influence habitat suitability and species persistence. Fireflies are important environmental indicators, given their high sensitivity to environmental disturbances. However, the effects of climate change and landscape structure on their future survival remain unclear. Here, we used the MaxEnt model to examine the current and predict the future potentially suitable habitats of Aquatica leii, an endemic aquatic firefly in China, under the SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585 climate scenarios. We also examined the spatial associations between potentially suitable habitats and landscape patterns using bivariate spatial autocorrelation analyses. The results showed that soil clay content, soil pH, annual mean temperature, slope, and distance to roads were the main factors influencing habitat suitability. Potentially suitable habitats were concentrated in western Zhejiang Province and are projected to expand under future climate scenarios. Potentially suitable habitats showed significant positive spatial associations with the number of patches, landscape shape index, Shannon’s diversity index, and Shannon’s evenness index. Associations with the largest patch index varied among scenarios, and were generally strengthened under future climate change. Overall, heterogeneous landscapes with diverse and complex habitat structures play an important role in supporting A. leii and should be considered in future conservation planning. Full article

Monitoring phytoplankton diversity is essential for the conservation of marine ecosystems and the protection of human health. This study compares light microscopy (LM) and DNA metabarcoding (MB) for analysing phytoplankton community at a long-term station in the Central Adriatic Sea, representing the first application of metabarcoding in this region. Sampling was conducted in June 2024 using Niskin bottles and a 53 µm plankton net. Four genetic markers (COI, 18S V4, 18S V9, rbcL) were applied to bulk plankton DNA to broaden taxonomic coverage and assess their detection performance relative to LM. Among the molecular markers, rbcL detected the highest taxonomic richness and was particularly effective for diatom species detection. In contrast, 18S V4 and 18S V9 captured a broader spectrum of phytoplankton diversity, especially outperforming LM and the other two molecular markers in detecting a previously unrecognized but ecologically important phytoflagellate group. Species-level resolution within the taxonomically challenging genera Chaetoceros and Pseudo-nitzschia was considerably improved with metabarcoding. However, several taxa observed by LM, including certain coccolithophores and thecate dinoflagellates, were not detected by any of the molecular markers. Overall, the results show that methodological choices strongly influence biodiversity estimates and highlight the value of a complementary integrative approach in assessing phytoplankton diversity. Full article

S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) is an evolutionarily conserved enzyme present in eukaryotes, bacteria, and archaea. As the rate-limiting enzyme in the methionine cycle, it catalyzes the reversible hydrolysis of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) to adenosine and homocysteine, thereby modulating the S-adenosylmethionine/SAH ratio and cellular methylation potential. Dysregulation of SAHH activity is causally linked to cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions. This review systematically examines the biological distribution, catalytic mechanisms, structural architecture, and regulation of SAHH across diverse species. We highlight lineage-specific adaptations—including C-terminal truncation, a 40-residue substrate-binding-domain insertion, and a His-Phe molecular gate—that fine-tune substrate preference, cofactor affinity, and thermostability, with metal ions and NAD⁺ serving as key modulators of activity and conformational dynamics. These variations exemplify an evolutionary trade-off between catalytic efficiency and structural rigidity, particularly pronounced in archaeal and thermophilic orthologs. Collectively, these insights underpin the enzyme’s multifaceted translational value: SAHH serves as a therapeutic target for diverse diseases (e.g., cancer, viral infections, tuberculosis), a source of diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers (e.g., plasma homocysteine and SAH/SAM ratio), and a versatile biocatalyst for synthesizing pharmaceutical-grade adenosine and its derivatives. By integrating mechanistic, structural, and evolutionary perspectives, this review establishes a unified framework that explains these functional adaptations and their translational implications. This framework guides the rational development of SAHH-targeted inhibitors, diagnostic tools, and engineered biocatalysts, with broad applications in precision medicine and biotechnology. Full article

Managing invasive alien species (IAS) is a major challenge for conserving ecosystems because of their deleterious impacts. This study evaluated the efficacy of five selective herbicides and wheat straw mulch against six invasive alien plant (IAP) species in Iran. Field observations from 2021 to 2025 showed that these species are concentrated in agricultural regions, particularly in summer crops in northern Iran. Five available herbicides (pendimethalin 3 lit h⁻¹, imazethapyr 0.75 lit h⁻¹, nicosulfuron 2 lit h⁻¹, bentazone 2 lit h⁻¹, and 2,4-D+MCPA 1.5 lit h⁻¹) and wheat straw mulch (2 tons ha⁻¹) were used to reduce the growth of six IAP species during summer 2025. Pendimethalin (as a pre-emergence herbicide) was effective (>90%) against all species apart from Ipomoea hederacea (≈60%). While 2,4-D+MCPA (as a post-emergence herbicide) effectively controlled five species, bentazone was effective only against Sida rhombifolia and I. hederacea. Nicosulfuron showed high efficacy (80%) only against I. hederacea. Straw mulch was more effective against Euphorbia nutans but was not effective properly against Ipomoea species. The efficacy of mulch and some herbicides depended on species identity, even within the same genera (Ipomoea and Euphorbia). Our results can help in the successful management of these invasive plants in northern Iran to minimize their impact on yield and quality of crops. As IAPs in environmental areas, this result will also be advantageous. Full article

In this study, we constructed a comparative genomic framework encompassing 57 genome sequences from four key taxonomic groups—Bacillariophyta, Parmales, choanoflagellates, and Bacillus—all of which possess either siliceous cell walls or silicon-transporting vesicle structures. By comparing these genomes with those of non-silicified species, including Chlorophyta, Streptophytes, Rhodophyta, and Dinoflagellates, we systematically analyzed the evolutionary distribution patterns of genes involved in silicon transport, silicification, and related processes across eukaryotes. Through orthogroup clustering and phylogenetic analysis, we identified 75 orthogroups universally conserved across all 57 species (including representing siliceous and non-siliceous groups), and an additional 105 orthogroups consistently present across the four silica-bearing lineages (Bacillariophyta, Parmales, choanoflagellates, and Bacillus), which were predominantly enriched in fundamental metabolic pathways. Furthermore, by integrating 120 known siliceous cell wall-related protein sequences, we identified three orthogroups broadly distributed across the four major lineages, suggesting an ancient evolutionary origin of certain silicon-related genetic components. Our findings provide genomic insights into the evolutionary trajectory of siliceous cell wall-associated genes and offer a valuable resource for future studies on biomineralization in eukaryotes. Full article

The genus Nigrospora remains poorly understood as a plant pathogen. Until 2026, there were only 26 species recorded in MycoBank and 19 in GenBank. Diseases caused by Nigrospora were once considered uncommon, but in recent years there has been a sharp rise in first reports globally, especially in tropical and subtropical regions such as China, Malaysia, India, and the Americas, as well as in Europe. In November 2022, Oreopanax ecuadorensis, a plant endemic to Ecuador, exhibited symptoms of leaf blight and wilting in Quito Metropolitan Park-South, Ecuador. The causal agent was isolated on PDA; DNA was extracted, and PCR products of the ITS and EF regions were sequenced. DNA sequences from isolate CBC-FCA-001 were deposited in GenBank under accession numbers OR597663.1 (ITS region) and PP897887.1 (EF region). Morphological and molecular analyses identified the causal agent as Nigrospora oryzae. Koch’s postulates confirmed the isolate’s pathogenicity, with mycelium-inoculated, non-wounded plants exhibiting characteristic symptoms while control plants remained healthy. This marks the first report of N. oryzae affecting O. ecuadorensis. Symptoms were observed on multiple plants throughout the site, raising concerns about the vulnerability of endemic flora to emerging pathogens. The rise in Nigrospora-associated diseases, potentially driven by climate change and human activities, highlights the urgent need for research to mitigate their impacts on agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Full article

The long-term antifouling performance of cholinium-based ionic liquid (IL) coatings applied to marble and tufa stone surfaces for cultural heritage protection was studied. A bilayer system consisting of a nano-silica consolidant (NanoEstel^®, NE) and ILs was evaluated over a five-year period (2019–2024) under controlled environmental conditions. The coatings’ ability to prevent spontaneous microbial colonization was assessed through macroscopic observation, ImageJ analysis, light microscopy (LM), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The results demonstrated that specific ILs, particularly 3 and 3a, exhibited sustained antifouling effectiveness, maintaining low surface coverage after five years (as low as 4.5% on tufa and 2.1% on marble). Microbiological analysis confirmed minimal fungal structures and the absence of culturable organisms on the most effective coatings. These findings highlight a clear relationship between IL lipophilicity and antifouling performance, with more lipophilic species providing better protection. Overall, these results confirm that NE/IL-based coatings offer a durable, environmentally friendly, and effective strategy for long-term protection of stone materials, supporting their application in the sustainable conservation of cultural heritage. A coating based on a cholinium IL formulation was also tested for in situ application over five years (2021–2026). Full article

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss, yet its systemic proteomic mediators remain largely elusive. This study aimed to identify causal plasma proteins, map their cell-type-specific localization in the retina, and experimentally validate their expression under disease-relevant stress. We conducted a proteome-wide association study (PWAS) integrating UK Biobank plasma pQTL data (N = 53,022) with DR GWAS summary statistics. Causal relationships were inferred utilizing summary-data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) and Bayesian colocalization. Prioritized candidates were mapped to the Human and Mouse Retina Cell Atlases via single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq). Finally, to substantiate the computational findings, in vitro validation of COL4A1 was performed in ARPE-19 cells cultured under hyperglycemic conditions utilizing quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and transcriptomic dataset re-analysis. The PWAS identified 26 proteins significantly associated with DR. Subsequent causal inference prioritized 12 high-confidence candidates, including GSTT2B, COL4A1, PAM, and GALNT3. Notably, GSTT2B emerged as a Tier-1 protective causal protein (Z = −3.609; P_SMR = 1.22 × 10⁻⁴). snRNA-seq mapping revealed that GSTT2B is robustly expressed in Müller glia and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), whereas COL4A1 is prominently enriched in vascular compartments. These specific expression signatures exhibited partial conservation across species with notable cell-type specific variations. Crucially, in vitro validation confirmed that COL4A1 mRNA expression is significantly upregulated under high-glucose stress. Furthermore, druggability analysis highlighted actionable targets, identifying GSTT2B as a highly probable causal mediator and COL4A1 as a prioritized candidate for structural intervention. This study provides robust genetic, single-cell, and experimental evidence implicating specific plasma proteins in DR pathogenesis. The identification of GSTT2B-mediated protective pathways and the hyperglycemia-induced upregulation of COL4A1 offer a high-resolution molecular atlas to guide drug repositioning and precision therapeutic strategies. Full article

The genus Schizothorax comprises an important group of freshwater fishes in Xinjiang (China); however, detailed information on their skeletal anatomy remains limited. In this study, we combined micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and traditional skeletal preparations to examine and compare the osteological characteristics of three representative Schizothorax species: Schizothorax biddulphi, Schizothorax eurystomus, and Schizothorax curvifrons. Distinct variations were observed in several skeletal structures, including the cranium, pharyngeal teeth, fin-supporting elements, and vertebrae. Among the three species, S. biddulphi and S. eurystomus showed generally similar skeletal architectures, whereas S. curvifrons exhibited more pronounced osteological differences. These findings provide new comparative osteological data for Schizothorax species and offer a morphological reference for future studies on the taxonomy, systematics, and conservation of these freshwater fishes. Full article

Davis critiqued a recent review, “Eastern North American Monarch Butterfly Conservation Needs and Opportunities: What the Science Tells Us”. He argued that Eastern North American monarch numbers in the summer have not declined, despite dramatic declines in the area covered by this population in Mexico during the winter. These declines in winter numbers, he said, can be explained by increasing mortality during the fall migration and subsequent density-dependent increases the following spring. A strong impetus for these arguments appears to be Davis’s concern that recommendations by “certain circles” of the monarch research community could steer conservation funding toward a species that does not need our help. Here, we address these concerns, and note that there is no evidence that conservation funding focused on providing breeding habitat for monarchs detracts from conservation for other species in need of help, or from efforts to support migrating monarchs. Full article

No-take Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are widely used to conserve biodiversity and rebuild fish populations, but their ecological benefits can vary among locations and habitats. Cod Grounds Marine Park protects a key aggregation site for the critically endangered grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus), providing an opportunity to assess whether no-take protection is associated with enhanced fish assemblages and prey availability. Fish communities were surveyed using baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVs) at protected and nearby fished reefs across seven sampling periods between 2015 and 2018. Protected reefs supported different assemblages, as well as approximately 9% more species and 50% greater fish abundance than fished reefs. Species identified as potential grey nurse shark prey were approximately 55% more abundant inside the reserve, and grey nurse sharks were recorded exclusively within the marine park. In contrast, water temperature and variation in compliance effort explained little variation in fish assemblage metrics. These findings highlight the ecological value of protecting key aggregation habitat for grey nurse sharkss by supporting richer reef fish communities and greater prey availability. Full article

The chalcone synthase (CHS) genes play an important role in the biosynthesis of flavonoids and anthocyanins. However, research into the genomic characteristics and evolutionary patterns of the CHS gene family in lychee remains limited. In this study, six LcCHS genes were identified from the litchi genome. Most members of the LcCHS family consist of two exons and possess eight conserved motifs; furthermore, all members exhibit highly similar three-dimensional protein structures. LcCHS genes were closely related to homologs of Sapindaceae species and experienced gene duplication events during dicotevolution. Comparative colinearity analysis revealed conserved colinearity relationships among most LcCHS genes, and all members of the LcCHS family exhibited distinct colinearity with homologues in longan. LcCHS genes exhibited significant tissue-specific expression preferentially in reproductive tissues rather than vegetative tissues. Transcription analysis of ‘Jinggang Hongnuo’ litchi fruit development divided LcCHS genes into two negatively correlated expression modules and LcCHS members interacted with numerous transcription factors (e.g., flavonoid biosynthesis, hormone signaling and developmental regulation). Spatiotemporal expression profiling of LcCHS genes in ‘Guiwei’, ‘Feizixiao’ and ‘Ziniangxi’ litchi cultivars revealed obvious tissue specificity and developmental stage preference of these genes. Gene expression of LcCHS genes in ‘Guiwei’ high correlated with the flavonoid content. Furthermore, promoter cis-element analysis identified 34 types of cis elements in LcCHS promoters that participate in plant growth and development, hormone response and stress adaptation, implying that LcCHS genes may participate in litchi growth, hormone signal transduction, and stress-response processes. Comprehensive characterization of the chalcone synthase gene family could provide insights into the genetic improvement of litchi. Full article

Class I KNOX1 (KNOTTED1-like homeobox 1) transcription factors integrate gibberellin (GA), cytokinin (CK), and auxin (IAA) signaling to maintain shoot apical meristem identity and coordinate plant organogenesis. This review examines the structural conservation, evolutionary dynamics, and regulatory architecture of KNOX1 genes across horticultural crops, drawing essential mechanistic context from model species. We synthesize KNOX1 functions in six agronomic domains, including plant architecture and branching, leaf morphogenesis and ornamental traits, floral development and sex determination, fruit formation and quality, storage organ specification, and abiotic stress resilience. Particular attention is given to recent breakthroughs in cucurbit inferior ovary development, tomato chloroplast patterning, and potato tuber morphogenesis. We identify critical bottlenecks constraining translation, including fragmented regulatory networks, recalcitrant transformation systems in woody perennials, uneven taxonomic coverage favoring annual vegetables over ornamentals and medicinal species, and a near-complete absence of multi-environment field validation. We propose four strategic priorities to bridge this gap: (i) construction of spatiotemporal expression atlases using single-cell and spatial transcriptomics; (ii) tissue-specific and promoter-engineered CRISPR/Cas9 editing to circumvent pleiotropic penalties; (iii) cross-species comparative evo–devo analysis of lineage-specific innovations (compound leaves, inferior ovaries, tubers); and (iv) integrated field trials assessing genotype-by-environment interactions and trait stability. This framework aims to accelerate KNOX1-directed molecular design breeding in horticultural crops. Full article