Search Results (4,027)

The GRAS transcription factor family plays a pivotal role in plant stress adaptation, yet its systematic characterization and the underlying drought-responsive mechanisms remain poorly elucidated in Populus deltoides. Here, a genome-wide identification and analysis of GRAS genes in P. deltoides was performed, and a total of 92 family members were identified and classified into 12 distinct subfamilies through phylogenetic analysis. Evolutionary analysis revealed a high degree of conservation between the GRAS proteins of P. deltoides and those of Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, and Solanum lycopersicum. Genomic duplication events, including 90 segmental and 11 tandem duplications, were identified as the primary drivers of GRAS family expansion. Promoter cis-element analysis uncovered an enrichment of stress-responsive elements (MBS, ABRE) and phytohormone-related motifs (e.g., TATC-box). Transcriptomic profiling further revealed distinct drought-inducible expression patterns of GRAS genes: PdeGRAS49 exhibited rapid upregulation at the early stage of drought exposure (1–3 h), whereas DELLA subfamily members PdeGRAS51 and PdeGRAS59 reached their expression peaks at 6–9 h, and PdeGRAS34 and PdeGRAS77 maintained sustained activation throughout 12–24 h. Moreover, the drought-inducible expression patterns of five DELLA genes were confirmed by qRT-PCR validation. Collectively, this study provides crucial genomic insights into the GRAS family and valuable candidate gene resources, which lay a foundation for molecular breeding of drought-tolerant P. deltoides cultivars via manipulating GRAS-mediated regulatory mechanisms. Full article

Heavy metals in the soil inhibit plant growth, which significantly reduce the crop yield and quality. Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Proteins (NRAMP) are widely distributed on the plasma and vacuolar membranes of plant roots, stems, and leaves. The NRAMP gene family plays a crucial role in modulating plant heavy-metal uptake, sequestration, distribution, and translocation, while the molecular evolution and mechanisms underlying these processes remain unclear. Here, we reviewed recent progress on plant NRAMP genes, focusing on their structural characteristics and functions in the absorption, transport, accumulation, and detoxification of various heavy metals. Furthermore, we performed an evolutionary analysis of NRAMP in green plants, indicating expansion and tandem duplication in ferns. In addition, their key amino acid sequences and secondary structures were highly conserved across plant species. The expression of diverse tissue showed that NRAMP genes displayed distinct spatial regulation in the leaves and roots. We also explored the underlying molecular mechanisms and regulatory pathways by which NRAMP genes influence heavy metal uptake. Therefore, by integrating structural conservation, molecular evolution, tissue- and single-cell expression patterns, ion-stress-responsive expression, regulatory pathways, and the Cd–Mn nutrient–toxin trade-off, this review provides a framework for identifying unresolved NRAMP functions and for guiding future strategies in low-heavy-metal crop breeding, metal homeostasis engineering, and phytoremediation. Full article

The vertical jacking method is a trenchless construction technique in which standpipes are jacked upward from a horizontal main pipeline through overlying soil, and it is widely applied in marine outfall projects. Taking a deep-sea tailwater outfall in Ningbo as the case study, this research develops a three-dimensional finite element model using ANSYS 2021 R1 based on actual geological and construction conditions. The settlement and stress responses of the horizontal main pipeline during jacking are analyzed and validated against field monitoring data. The numerical results agree well with the field measurements, with an average error of 7.29% for settlement and less than 9.83% for circumferential stress. The main pipeline exhibits a settlement pattern characterized by larger deformation in the middle and smaller at both ends, with a maximum value of 0.90 mm, decreasing with distance from the opening ring. Circumferential stress initially increases and then stabilizes, with maximum tensile and compressive stresses of 0.082 MPa and 0.056 MPa, respectively. Overall stress levels remain well below structural strength, indicating that structural damage is unlikely under the investigated conditions. These findings provide a case-based reference for structural design, construction control, and monitoring layout in marine outfall projects with similar geological and construction conditions. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a globally crucial food crop and a model plant for studying symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes. Triacontanol (TRIA) is a natural plant growth regulator that enhances photosynthetic efficiency, stress tolerance, antioxidant enzyme activities and yield in crops. However, its regulatory role in nodulation and nitrogen fixation in legumes remains unclear. In this study, soybean seedlings inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain USDA110 were treated with different concentrations of TRIA (0, 0.33, 0.5, 1 and 2 μg/mL). Then, oxidative stress indicators and comparative transcriptomic analysis were performed to check the oxidative status and screen the candidate genes under TRIA treatment. Our results showed that the 0.5 μg/mL TRIA treatment produced the greatest nodule number. TRIA treatment significantly induced antioxidant responses in soybean roots. Comparative transcriptome identified 867 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses of DEGs revealed that a large number of genes were enriched in pathways related to oxidative activity. Combined with the expression pattern, we identified a Glutathione S-Transferase family gene, GmHSP26 (Glyma.07G139700), whose expression was induced by both TRIA and rhizobial infection, with its promoter activity was activated throughout the entire process of nodule development. Further function study using overexpression and gene editing proved that GmHSP26 was a positive regulator of soybean nodulation. Collectively, this study identifies the optimal TRIA concentration for promoting soybean nodulation, reveals the function and mechanism of GmHSP26 in response to TRIA-regulated nodulation, and provides a theoretical basis and genetic resource for enhancing nodulation and nitrogen fixation in leguminous crops through exogenous growth regulators. Full article

Background: Acetification is a complex process driven by acetic acid bacteria (AAB), in which high ethanol and acidity levels require strong microbial metabolic adaptation. Although the microbiota involved in vinegar production has been described, the functional mechanisms that enable these bacteria to maintain metabolic activity remain poorly understood. In this study, the functional dynamics of AAB during Verdejo vinegar acetification were analyzed using a quantitative metaproteomic approach. Methods: Acetification was performed in submerged culture under semi-continuous conditions, and samples were collected at four stages of the cycle (S1–S4). Results: LC-MS/MS analysis led to the identification of 1626 proteins, of which 1409 were assigned to the Acetobacteraceae family. Komagataeibacter europaeus was the dominant species (73.7%). Hierarchical clustering revealed four protein abundance patterns, and differential analysis identified 350 proteins with increased abundance and 169 with decreased abundance, with the greatest changes observed between S1 and S4. Functional annotation and protein–protein interaction analyses indicated that the main metabolic adaptations involve pathways related to energy metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, membrane-associated functions, cellular homeostasis, and acid stress response. Conclusions: Overall, the results show that K. europaeus concentrates most of the metabolic activity during acetification and that proteome reorganization reflects key molecular strategies for adaptation and survival under high-acidity conditions. Full article

Reservoir drawdown zones are repeatedly affected by water-level fluctuations and anthropogenic regulation, making vegetation recovery an important issue for ecological restoration and sustainable reservoir management. This study focused on Cynodon dactylon, a dominant herbaceous species in the drawdown zones of five reservoirs in the Jinsha River Basin, southwestern China. Drawing on the existing concept of stress memory, which emphasizes the retained effects of previous environmental stress exposure on subsequent plant responses, we established an integrated assessment framework based on species dominance, functional traits, landscape pattern indices, and the soil seed bank. This framework was used to evaluate variation in the stress memory of C. dactylon across different successional stages and inundation gradients. The results showed that the overall stress memory of C. dactylon increased with successional progression in both the upper and lower zones, indicating continuous adaptive accumulation under long-term hydrological disturbance. The memory reflected by individual component indicators also generally increased, although their accumulation patterns varied among indicators. These findings suggest that dominance, functional traits, landscape pattern, and the soil seed bank can jointly characterize the adaptive responses of C. dactylon during vegetation recovery. Overall, the stress memory framework provides a systematic approach for identifying stage-specific vegetation changes, evaluating restoration potential, and informing ecological restoration and sustainable management in reservoir drawdown zones. Full article

Self-incompatibility (SI) is an important plant mechanism that prevents inbreeding depression by recognizing and rejecting self-pollen, thereby promoting outcrossing. However, SI can also act as a barrier in breeding programs, presenting significant challenges to breeders. Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), a tropical fruit species of substantial economic importance, also serves as a valuable system for investigating SI mechanisms within the Passifloraceae. Nevertheless, the molecular basis of SI in passion fruit has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the SI system in yellow passion fruit (P. edulis f. flavicarpa) and employed transcriptomic analysis to examine the time-course transcriptional responses following different pollination treatments. Transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct gene expression dynamics under different pollination treatments: self-pollinated samples exhibited stronger and earlier transcriptional changes, whereas the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in cross-pollinated samples was relatively lower. Numerous pathways previously associated with sporophytic self-incompatibility (SSI) were enriched in the stigma samples after self-pollination. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are crucial signaling molecules involved in pollen germination and pollen tube growth during SI responses. Our results showed that ROS-related pathways were enriched in stigma tissues after self-pollination. In addition, oxidative stress-related responses were detected in the style shortly after self-pollination, suggesting that plastid-associated or general oxidative stress processes may also be involved, although the precise source of ROS requires further validation. FERONIA, ROP9, and ARC1 are key genes related to the SI system in Brassica. In the passion fruit SI response, the expression levels of these genes increased in the style, indicating a spatial expression pattern different from that reported in classical Brassicaceae SSI systems. Together with cytological observations showing that self-pollen rejection occurs at the stigma surface, our results suggest that yellow passion fruit may employ an SSI-like regulatory framework while exhibiting a lineage-specific spatial deployment of SI-related regulators. Overall, this study provides new transcriptomic insights into the SI mechanism of yellow passion fruit, establishes a molecular framework for understanding SI in P. edulis f. flavicarpa, and offers novel insights into the diversity of plant SI systems. Full article

This study examines emotional dependency on generative artificial intelligence among vocational high school (VHS) students. Guided by Taiwan’s 108 Curriculum Guidelines, an interactive “Health and Nursing” course on AI reliance was implemented. The sample included 1000 students from five VHSs in central Taiwan (January–February 2026). Data were collected through questionnaires and classroom feedback to assess AI interaction frequency, emotional projection, and perceived effects on relationships and psychological needs. Research data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 and SmartPLS 4. Findings show that some students displayed moderate to high emotional attachment to AI, particularly for support and stress relief, with blurred ethical boundaries. After the intervention, students reported greater awareness of risks and increased self-reflection. This study concludes that integrating AI literacy with emotional education into curricula is crucial for responsible technology use and healthy relational development. Overall, emotional reliance on AI among VHS students appears statistically significant but bounded, reflecting a balanced pattern of engagement that supports sustainable psychological well-being. Full article

Transcriptome profiling has been widely used to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to environmental stresses, yet the extent to which RNA changes reflect functional protein levels remains unclear. Here, we performed an integrated multi-omics analysis of the transcriptome, proteome, phosphoproteome, and acetylome in rice during a drought–rewatering cycle. We first identified 5449 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 525 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) under drought stress, followed by 4340 DEGs and 328 DEPs upon rewatering, which underpinned an extensive remodeling of photosynthetic and metabolic pathways. Temporal clustering of transcriptomic and proteomic data then delineated five distinct expression patterns for both transcripts and proteins, uncovering transcriptional and translational strategies ranging from rapid reversal to persistent stress adaptation. Despite the observed coherence in some expression clusters, we nonetheless uncovered widespread transcriptome–proteome discordance, with a substantial fraction of gene–protein pairs exhibiting uncorrelated abundance changes. Remarkably, the observed discordance is quantitatively associated with the dynamic nature of post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation and acetylation, which act as key post-transcriptional tuners to independently regulate protein abundance—particularly for components of photosynthesis and energy metabolism—enabling plants to dynamically balance stress tolerance with the maintenance of core physiological functions. Our research delves into the intricate and often distinct regulatory networks that span transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels, extending beyond a singular transcriptional focus. Full article

This study examined alterations in serum redox biomarkers before and one month after administration of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) booster (third) doses across four vaccine regimens. A longitudinal cohort of 410 adults was analyzed following homologous Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm [Vero Cell]-Inactivated, Sputnik V, or heterologous Sinopharm/Pfizer vaccination. Serum total proteins, albumin, total thiols, nitrites, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity were measured, with DPPH interpreted as an ex vivo surrogate of serum radical-scavenging capacity. Additional analyses included stratification by prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, multivariable regression, correlation analysis, effect-size estimation, and sensitivity testing. Booster vaccination was associated with modest but consistent decreases in DPPH activity, albumin, and total proteins, whereas FRAP, nitrite, and total thiol levels remained stable. This pattern supports a transient shift in antioxidant buffering capacity but, by itself, does not exclude oxidative stress, as direct oxidative damage markers were not assessed. The most pronounced changes were observed in Sinopharm-based regimens, particularly in the heterologous Sinopharm/Pfizer group. Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection did not materially alter the qualitative response pattern, whereas older age and comorbidities were associated with greater declines in DPPH activity and albumin. Overall, the findings indicate a modest, transient redox-associated response following booster-induced immune activation and suggest that host-related factors, such as age and comorbidity burden, may accentuate short-term changes in antioxidant buffering capacity. Full article

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are an important family of enzymes involved in plant detoxification, maintenance of redox homeostasis, and responses to abiotic stresses. However, the evolutionary characteristics and functional roles of the potato GST pan-gene family have not yet been systematically investigated at the pan-genome level. In this study, based on high-quality potato genomes constructed from 45 diploid accessions, GST gene family members were systematically identified, and their evolutionary features and expression patterns were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis classified the GST family into six subgroups, among which the soft-core gene StGST7 and the near-core genes StGST8 and StGST16 were assigned to the Phi and Tau subgroups, respectively. Selection pressure analysis indicated that five StGST genes may have undergone positive selection, whereas most of the remaining genes were mainly subjected to purifying selection. Structural variation significantly affected the expression of StGST42 and the conserved domains of its encoded protein. Expression profiling revealed that GST family members exhibited clear tissue-specific expression patterns and responded differentially to drought, salt, high temperature, ABA, and IAA treatments. Co-expression network analysis revealed significant positive and negative correlations between multiple transcription factors and StGST gene expression, suggesting their potential involvement in the coordinated regulation of StGST genes. Further analyses demonstrated that StGST7 was significantly differentially expressed under multiple stress conditions, and its heterologous expression enhanced yeast tolerance to salt and drought stress. This study revealed the evolutionary characteristics and potential functions of the potato GST gene family and provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying its regulation of environmental adaptation. Full article

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common anatomical malformation occurring in live-born infants and an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Population-based observations have described associations between maternal cardiometabolic disorders and the risk of CHD in offspring. The present article is a narrative review. The aim of this study was to review the epidemiological evidence and clinical observations relating maternal obesity and diabetes mellitus to the risk of CHD in offspring, with particular attention paid to first trimester disturbances of fetal cardiac development and the influence of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Studies have shown that maternal diabetes is a risk factor associated with nearly all subtypes of CHDs in offspring, while obesity and overweight are associated with increased risk for complex defects and outflow tract obstruction and decreased risk for ventricular septal defects. Diabetes and obesity share several phenotypes, which could be transmissible from mother to fetus via the placenta. This means that an increase in maternal glucose could be responsible for the prevalence of CHD in newborns of obese women. On the other hand, maternal diabetes may induce epigenetic modifications in the developing fetus. DNA methylation changes can impact gene expression patterns relevant to heart development. The abovementioned studies are heterogenous, express different opinions and are often difficult to compare. Therefore, the results from these meta-analyses must be interpreted with caution. Optimal diabetes control is responsible for the prevention of oxidative stress in diabetic pregnancies, and a deeper understanding of maternal risk factors holds the potential to improve both prenatal detection of CHDs by identifying at-risk pregnancies and primary prevention of diseases by improving preconception management. Full article

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. While the adaptive immune response to deamidated gliadin peptides represents a central pathogenic mechanism, growing evidence suggests that epithelial stress and innate immune activation play a fundamental role in the onset and persistence of the disease. Heat shock proteins (Hsps), central regulators of cellular proteostasis, have emerged as potential mediators at the interface between epithelial distress and immune signaling. This review discusses the involvement of major Hsp families, including Hsp27, Hsp60, Hsp70, and Hsp90, in the pathophysiology of CD. The altered expression of Hsp27 and Hsp70 in the intestinal mucosa reflects a persistent state of epithelial stress that often persists despite a strict gluten-free diet (GFD). We focus specifically on Hsp60, whose extracellular release under stress conditions may allow it to function as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), engaging Toll-like receptors and promoting NF-κB- and inflammasome-dependent inflammatory pathways. Although direct mechanistic evidence linking Hsp60 to CD remains limited, the convergence of epithelial stress signs, Toll-like receptor (TLR) upregulation, and prolonged innate immune activation supports the hypothesis of a stress-induced inflammatory amplification circuit in the coeliac mucosa. Further studies are essential to clarify the pathogenic relevance and potential therapeutic implications of this proposed axis. Full article

Jasmonate ZIM-domain (JAZ) proteins are pivotal repressors in the jasmonate (JA) signaling pathway, yet their specific roles in garlic (Allium sativum) remain largely unexplored. In this study, 28 AsJAZ genes were identified through a genome-wide analysis. The expansion of this family was primarily driven by whole-genome duplication events, with a significant majority (71.43%) of members belonging to a lineage-specific clade, Subfamily E. While AsJAZ proteins harbor conserved TIFY and Jas domains, they exhibit diverse gene structures and subcellular localization patterns. Notably, AsJAZ17 is strictly localized to the nucleus, whereas AsJAZ16 shows a nucleocytoplasmic distribution, suggesting potential functional compartmentalization within the family. Transcriptomic and qRT–PCR analyses revealed that most AsJAZ genes are responsive to heat, salt, and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) modeling and yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assays confirmed that AsJAZ17 physically interacts with the MYC2 transcription factor, identifying it as a key regulator within the conserved COI1-JAZ-MYC2 signaling module. Functional validation demonstrated that overexpression of AsJAZ17 in Arabidopsis significantly enhances salt tolerance. This improvement is attributed to an optimized growth-defense trade-off and a reinforced antioxidant defense system, as evidenced by the increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), which collectively maintain reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis under stress. These findings provide comprehensive insights into the evolutionary and functional landscape of the garlic JAZ family and identify AsJAZ17 as a promising candidate gene for molecular breeding to improve abiotic stress resilience in Allium crops. Full article

Freeze–thaw procedures impair sperm morphology and function, affecting viability, motility, redox balance, and subcellular organization. Although antioxidants may mitigate these effects, their interaction with donor-specific variability remains unclear. We combined quantitative holotomography with conventional physiological assessments within a multivariate framework based on principal component analysis (PCA) and nested cross-validated Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) to evaluate donor-specific responses to antioxidant-supplemented cryopreservation. Spermatozoa from ten stallions was analyzed before and after freezing under five conditions: fresh semen; frozen semen with INRA Freeze, frozen semen with HF-20, and HF-20 supplemented with matcha, spirulina, horseradish, or quercetin. For each condition, sperm kinetics, mitochondrial activity, oxidative stress, DNA integrity, and three-dimensional volumetric measurements of whole-cell and subcellular compartments derived from holotomography were integrated into a single dataset. LDA achieved 0.734 cross-validated accuracy for stallion classification, revealing strong donor-specific signatures. In contrast, classification by antioxidant treatment was near chance (0.248). Fresh semen was clearly distinct from all cryopreserved groups. Holotomography showed reduced whole-cell and post-acrosomal/midpiece volumes after freezing, while nuclear volume was unchanged. Antioxidant supplementation produced minor, inconsistent effects, with partial midpiece preservation in some donors but no global pattern. Overall, inter-stallion variability dominates post-thaw sperm phenotype. Antioxidant effects were detectable but modest, supporting individualized strategies to optimize equine semen cryopreservation protocols. Full article