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Keywords = tree defenses

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16 pages, 2971 KiB  
Article
Dissecting Organ-Specific Aroma-Active Volatile Profiles in Two Endemic Phoebe Species by Integrated GC-MS Metabolomics
by Ming Xu, Yu Chen and Guoming Wang
Metabolites 2025, 15(8), 526; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15080526 - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 49
Abstract
Background: Phoebe zhennan and Phoebe chekiangensis are valuable evergreen trees recognized for their unique aromas and ecological significance, yet the organ-related distribution and functional implications of aroma-active volatiles remain insufficiently characterized. Methods: In this study, we applied an integrated GC-MS-based volatile metabolomics [...] Read more.
Background: Phoebe zhennan and Phoebe chekiangensis are valuable evergreen trees recognized for their unique aromas and ecological significance, yet the organ-related distribution and functional implications of aroma-active volatiles remain insufficiently characterized. Methods: In this study, we applied an integrated GC-MS-based volatile metabolomics approach combined with a relative odor activity value (rOAV) analysis to comprehensively profile and compare the volatile metabolite landscape in the seeds and leaves of both species. Results: In total, 1666 volatile compounds were putatively identified, of which 540 were inferred as key aroma-active contributors based on the rOAV analysis. A multivariate statistical analysis revealed clear tissue-related separation: the seeds were enriched in sweet, floral, and fruity volatiles, whereas the leaves contained higher levels of green leaf volatiles and terpenoids associated with ecological defense. KEGG pathway enrichment indicated that terpenoid backbone and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways played major roles in shaping these divergent profiles. A Venn diagram analysis further uncovered core and unique volatiles underlying species and tissue specificity. Conclusions: These insights provide an integrated reference for understanding tissue-divergent volatile profiles in Phoebe species and offer a basis for fragrance-oriented selection, ecological trait evaluation, and the sustainable utilization of organ-related metabolic characteristics in breeding and conservation programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Metabolism)
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16 pages, 1141 KiB  
Article
Coordinated Roles of Osmotic Adjustment, Antioxidant Defense, and Ion Homeostasis in the Salt Tolerance of Mulberry (Morus alba L. ‘Tailai Sang’) Seedlings
by Nan Xu, Tiane Wang, Yuan Wang, Juexian Dong and Yu Shaopeng
Forests 2025, 16(8), 1258; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081258 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 138
Abstract
Soil salinization severely limits plant growth and productivity. Mulberry (Morus alba L.), an economically and ecologically important tree, is widely cultivated, yet its salt-tolerance mechanisms at the seedling stage remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the physiological and biochemical responses of two-year-old [...] Read more.
Soil salinization severely limits plant growth and productivity. Mulberry (Morus alba L.), an economically and ecologically important tree, is widely cultivated, yet its salt-tolerance mechanisms at the seedling stage remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the physiological and biochemical responses of two-year-old mulberry (‘Tailai Sang’) seedlings subjected to six NaCl treatments (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 mmol L−1) for 28 days. Results showed that growth parameters and photosynthetic gas exchange exhibited dose-dependent declines. The reduction in net photosynthetic rate (Pn) was attributed to both stomatal limitations (decreased stomatal conductance) and non-stomatal limitations, as evidenced by a significant decrease in the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) under high salinity. To cope with osmotic stress, seedlings accumulated compatible solutes, including soluble sugars, proteins, and proline. Critically, mulberry seedlings demonstrated effective ion homeostasis by sequestering Na+ in the roots to maintain a high K+/Na+ ratio in leaves, a mechanism that was compromised above 150 mmol L−1. Concurrently, indicators of oxidative stress—malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2—rose significantly with salinity, inducing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX, and GR), which peaked at 150 mmol L−1 before declining under extreme stress. A biomass-based LC50 of 179 mmol L−1 NaCl was determined. These findings elucidate that mulberry salt tolerance is a coordinated process involving three key mechanisms: osmotic adjustment, selective ion distribution, and a robust antioxidant defense system. This study establishes an indicative tolerance threshold under controlled conditions and provides a physiological basis for further field-based evaluations of ‘Tailai Sang’ mulberry for cultivation on saline soils. Full article
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18 pages, 2429 KiB  
Article
Conserved and Specific Root-Associated Microbiome Reveals Close Correlation Between Fungal Community and Growth Traits of Multiple Chinese Fir Genotypes
by Xuan Chen, Zhanling Wang, Wenjun Du, Junhao Zhang, Yuxin Liu, Liang Hong, Qingao Wang, Chuifan Zhou, Pengfei Wu, Xiangqing Ma and Kai Wang
Microorganisms 2025, 13(8), 1741; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081741 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 305
Abstract
Plant microbiomes are vital for the growth and health of their host. Tree-associated microbiomes are shaped by multiple factors, of which the host is one of the key determinants. Whether different host genotypes affect the structure and diversity of the tissue-associated microbiome and [...] Read more.
Plant microbiomes are vital for the growth and health of their host. Tree-associated microbiomes are shaped by multiple factors, of which the host is one of the key determinants. Whether different host genotypes affect the structure and diversity of the tissue-associated microbiome and how specific taxa enriched in different tree tissues are not yet well illustrated. Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is an important tree species for both economy and ecosystem in the subtropical regions of Asia. In this study, we investigated the tissue-specific fungal community structure and diversity of nine different Chinese fir genotypes (39 years) grown in the same field. With non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis, we revealed the divergence of the fungal community from rhizosphere soil (RS), fine roots (FRs), and thick roots (TRs). Through analysis with α-diversity metrics (Chao1, Shannon, Pielou, ACE, Good‘s coverage, PD-tree, Simpson, Sob), we confirmed the significant difference of the fungal community in RS, FR, and TR samples. Yet, the overall fungal community difference was not observed among nine genotypes for the same tissues (RS, FR, TR). The most abundant fungal genera were Russula in RS, Scytinostroma in FR, and Subulicystidium in TR. Functional prediction with FUNGuild analysis suggested that ectomycorrhizal fungi were commonly enriched in rhizosphere soil, while saprotroph–parasite and potentially pathogenic fungi were more abundant in root samples. Specifically, genotype N104 holds less ectomycorrhizal and pathogenic fungi in all tissues (RS, FR, TR) compared to other genotypes. Additionally, significant correlations of several endophytic fungal taxa (Scytinostroma, Neonothopanus, Lachnum) with the growth traits (tree height, diameter, stand volume) were observed. This addresses that the interaction between tree roots and the fungal community is a reflection of tree growth, supporting the “trade-off” hypothesis between growth and defense in forest trees. In summary, we revealed tissue-specific, as well as host genotype-specific and genotype-common characters of the structure and functions of their fungal communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rhizosphere Microbial Community, 4th Edition)
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21 pages, 6386 KiB  
Article
Exploring Composition and Within-Population Variation in the Phloem Exudate “Manna” in Eucalyptus viminalis
by Erin C. P. M. Bok, Geoffrey M. While, Peter A. Harrison and Julianne M. O’Reilly-Wapstra
Plants 2025, 14(15), 2294; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14152294 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 280
Abstract
Sugary phloem exudates are produced by many plant species and play key roles in carbon storage, defense, and ecological interactions. Among eucalypts, one such exudate, manna, is an important carbohydrate source for birds, mammals, and insects. Despite its ecological relevance, little is known [...] Read more.
Sugary phloem exudates are produced by many plant species and play key roles in carbon storage, defense, and ecological interactions. Among eucalypts, one such exudate, manna, is an important carbohydrate source for birds, mammals, and insects. Despite its ecological relevance, little is known about the composition and intra-specific variability of manna. Here, we investigated patterns of manna production in Eucalyptus viminalis, a widespread foundation tree species in southeastern Australia. We developed a repeatable ex situ method to extract and analyze manna, allowing us to characterize its sugar composition and examine variation within and between trees. Across years, manna contained six sugars, with sucrose and raffinose dominant. We found substantial variation in both the quality (sucrose/raffinose ratio) and quantity (mg) of manna produced. Both declined with increasing tree size (DBH), while quality increased with branch circumference. Seasonal and annual variation in manna was also evident, with quality increasing under drier conditions (positive correlation with aridity). Our findings demonstrate substantial intra-specific variation in phloem exudates (manna), shaped by temporal and tree-level factors. These patterns offer a foundation for future research into the ecological and physiological drivers of exudate variation and resource availability in foundation species like E. viminalis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Ecology)
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17 pages, 2071 KiB  
Article
Melatonin Enhances Drought Tolerance by Regulating the Genes Underlying Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Defense in Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis) Seedlings
by Dejun Li, Zhihui Xia, Xuncheng Wang, Hong Yang and Yao Li
Plants 2025, 14(14), 2243; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14142243 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 366
Abstract
Melatonin (MT) can enhance plant stress tolerance by activating the internal defense system, but its application in rubber trees has been barely reported up to now. In this study, we found that the relative electrical conductivity (REC), H2O2, and [...] Read more.
Melatonin (MT) can enhance plant stress tolerance by activating the internal defense system, but its application in rubber trees has been barely reported up to now. In this study, we found that the relative electrical conductivity (REC), H2O2, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were significantly higher in the leaves of rubber tree seedlings under drought stress compared to the control (water treatment), whereas chlorophyll contents were obviously lower in the leaves under drought stress compared to the control. MT partly relieves the aforementioned drought-induced adverse effects by dramatically reducing chlorophyll degradation, H2O2 accumulation, MDA content, and REC. Comparative transcriptomes among the PEG (P), MT (M), and PEG + MT (PM) treatments against the control showed that 213, 896, and 944 genes were differently expressed in rubber tree seedlings treated with M, P, and PM in contrast to the control. Among the 64 differently expressed genes (DEGs) being common among the three comparisons, the expression profiles of 25 were opposite in MH compared with PH. Intriguingly, all the KEGG pathways of the DEGs mentioned above belonged to metabolism including energy metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins. Exogenous application of MT mainly regulated the genes associated with photosynthesis and the anti-oxidative defense system, thereby enhancing the antioxidant protection of rubber tree seedlings under drought stress. These results suggest that exogenous melatonin application can effectively enhance drought tolerance by heightening ROS scavenging to decrease H2O2 accumulation in rubber tree seedlings. Our results elucidate the molecular mechanisms of MT’s roles in drought stress, which help to employ exogenous MT to boost drought tolerance in the rubber tree. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Analysis of Plant Development and Defense Responses)
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16 pages, 1759 KiB  
Article
Integrated Analysis of Phenotypic, Physiological, and Biochemical Traits in Betula platyphylla Sukaczev Under Cold Stress Conditions
by Faujiah Nurhasanah Ritonga, Syamsudin Ahmad Slamet, Laswi Irmayanti, Nelly Anna, Pebriandi and Su Chen
Forests 2025, 16(7), 1176; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16071176 - 16 Jul 2025
Viewed by 282
Abstract
Betula platyphylla Sukaczev (white birch) is a cold-tolerant tree species native to northeastern Asia, valued for its ecological adaptability and economic utility. While its responses to various abiotic stresses have been studied, the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying its cold stress tolerance remain [...] Read more.
Betula platyphylla Sukaczev (white birch) is a cold-tolerant tree species native to northeastern Asia, valued for its ecological adaptability and economic utility. While its responses to various abiotic stresses have been studied, the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying its cold stress tolerance remain insufficiently explored. In this study, we investigated the effects of prolonged cold exposure (6 °C for up to 27 days) on key physiological and biochemical traits of B. platyphylla seedlings, including plant height, chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, POD). Cold stress resulted in visible phenotypic changes, reduced growth, and significant declines in chlorophyll content, suggesting inhibited photosynthesis. EL and MDA levels increased with exposure duration, indicating progressive membrane damage and oxidative stress. In response, antioxidant enzyme activities and proline accumulation were significantly enhanced, reflecting a coordinated defense strategy. Correlation analyses further revealed strong associations among antioxidant enzymes, MDA, proline, and EL under cold stress. These findings advance our understanding of the adaptive responses of B. platyphylla to low-temperature stress and provide a physiological and biochemical basis for future breeding programs aimed at improving cold tolerance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecophysiology and Biology)
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15 pages, 754 KiB  
Article
Effect of Volatile Organic Compounds from Branches of Healthy and Unhealthy Araucaria araucana (Molina) K. Koch Trees on Host Selection by Bark Beetle Sinophloeus porteri (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
by Washington Aniñir, Leonardo Bardehle, Cristian Montalva, Andrés Quiroz and Javier Espinoza
Insects 2025, 16(7), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16070712 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 552
Abstract
Araucaria araucana is one of the longest-living Chilean trees. Recently, Araucaria Leaf Damage disease, which causes damage to branches and crowns, was detected. Sinophloeus porteri, a bark beetle affecting A. araucana, could be associated with foliar damage. However, little is known [...] Read more.
Araucaria araucana is one of the longest-living Chilean trees. Recently, Araucaria Leaf Damage disease, which causes damage to branches and crowns, was detected. Sinophloeus porteri, a bark beetle affecting A. araucana, could be associated with foliar damage. However, little is known about their ecological and chemical interactions. This study examined the olfactory response of S. porteri to volatiles emitted from A. araucana. Branches and weevils were collected from a national park, and volatiles were trapped from both healthy and unhealthy branches. Thirty terpenes were identified, some of which were reported for the first time in A. araucana. Healthy branches emitted large amounts of myrcene (>360 ng g−1 day−1), and unhealthy branches showed high hibaene emanations (>140 ng g−1 day−1). Olfactory assays verified that S. porteri was attracted to the volatile blends of branches, regardless of the health condition of the branches, but preferred the blend of unhealthy branches. Moreover, myrcene was repellent to these weevils, and hibaene acted as an attractant, suggesting that A. araucana might use myrcene for defense against S. porteri, and hibaene could stimulate host selection by beetles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Pest and Vector Management)
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17 pages, 2928 KiB  
Article
Hybrid Machine Learning Model for Hurricane Power Outage Estimation from Satellite Night Light Data
by Laiyin Zhu and Steven M. Quiring
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(14), 2347; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17142347 - 9 Jul 2025
Viewed by 333
Abstract
Hurricanes can cause massive power outages and pose significant disruptions to society. Accurately monitoring hurricane power outages will improve predictive models and guide disaster emergency management. However, many challenges exist in obtaining high-quality data on hurricane power outages. We systematically evaluated machine learning [...] Read more.
Hurricanes can cause massive power outages and pose significant disruptions to society. Accurately monitoring hurricane power outages will improve predictive models and guide disaster emergency management. However, many challenges exist in obtaining high-quality data on hurricane power outages. We systematically evaluated machine learning (ML) approaches to reconstruct historical hurricane power outages based on high-resolution (1 km) satellite night light observations from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and other ancillary information. We found that the two-step hybrid model significantly improved model prediction performance by capturing a substantial portion of the uncertainty in the zero-inflated data. In general, the classification and regression tree-based machine learning models (XGBoost and random forest) demonstrated better performance than the logistic and CNN models in both binary classification and regression models. For example, the xgb+xgb model has 14% less RMSE than the log+cnn model, and the R-squared value is 25 times larger. The Interpretable ML (SHAP value) identified geographic locations, population, and stable and hurricane night light values as important variables in the XGBoost power outage model. These variables also exhibit meaningful physical relationships with power outages. Our study lays the groundwork for monitoring power outages caused by natural disasters using satellite data and machine learning (ML) approaches. Future work should aim to improve the accuracy of power outage estimations and incorporate more hurricanes from the recently available Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB) data. Full article
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21 pages, 3766 KiB  
Article
Comparative Genomic Analysis of COMT Family Genes in Three Vitis Species Reveals Evolutionary Relationships and Functional Divergence
by Yashi Liu, Zhiyuan Bian, Shan Jiang, Xiao Wang, Lin Jiao, Yun Shao, Chengmei Ma and Mingyu Chu
Plants 2025, 14(13), 2079; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14132079 - 7 Jul 2025
Viewed by 414
Abstract
Caffeic acid-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a key enzyme in lignin synthesis and secondary metabolism in plants, and it participates in the regulation of plant growth and development as well as plants’ stress response. To further investigate the function of COMT in grapevine, a total [...] Read more.
Caffeic acid-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a key enzyme in lignin synthesis and secondary metabolism in plants, and it participates in the regulation of plant growth and development as well as plants’ stress response. To further investigate the function of COMT in grapevine, a total of 124 COMT family genes were identified from three Vitis species in this study, namely Pinot noir (Vitis vinifera L.), Vitis amurensis, and Vitis riparia. The amino acid sequence encoded by these genes ranged from 55 to 1422 aa, and their molecular mass ranged from 6640.82 to 77,034.43 Da. Subcellular localization prediction inferred that they were mainly located in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm. The prediction of secondary structures showed that α-helix and irregular coiled-coil were primary structural elements. These genes were unevenly distributed across 10 different chromosomes, respectively. Phylogenetic tree analysis of the amino acid sequences of VvCOMT, VaCOMT, VrCOMT, and AtCOMT proteins showed that they were closely related and were divided into four subgroups. The motif distribution was similar among the cluster genes, and the gene sequence was notably conserved. The 124 members of the COMT gene family possessed a variable number of exons, ranging from 2 to 13. The promoter region of all of these COMTs genes contained multiple cis-acting elements related to hormones (e.g., ABA, IAA, MeJA, GA, and SA), growth and development (e.g., endosperm, circadian, meristem, light response), and various stress responses (e.g., drought, low temperature, wounding, anaerobic, defense, and stress). The intraspecies collinearity analysis suggested that there were one pair, three pairs, and six pairs of collinear genes in Va, Pinot noir, and Vr, respectively, and that tandem duplication contributed more to the expansion of these gene family members. In addition, interspecific collinearity revealed that the VvCOMTs had the strongest homology with the VaCOMTs, followed by the VrCOMTs, and the weakest homology with the AtCOMTs. The expression patterns of different tissues and organs at different developmental stages indicated that the VvCOMT genes had obvious tissue expression specificity. The majority of VvCOMT genes were only expressed at higher levels in certain tissues. Furthermore, we screened 13 VvCOMT genes to conduct qRT-PCR verification according to the transcriptome data of VvCOMTs under abiotic stresses (NaCl, PEG, and cold). The results confirmed that these genes were involved in the responses to NaCl, PEG, and cold stress. This study lays a foundation for the exploration of the function of the COMT genes, and is of great importance for the genetic improvement of abiotic stress resistance in grapes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology)
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25 pages, 5334 KiB  
Article
Full-Length Transcriptome Sequencing of Pinus massoniana Under Simulated Monochamus alternatus Feeding Highlights bHLH Transcription Factor Involved in Defense Response
by Quanmin Wen, Yajie Cui, Tian Xu, Yadi Deng, Dejun Hao and Ruixu Chen
Plants 2025, 14(13), 2038; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14132038 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 430
Abstract
Background: Pinus massoniana is a significant lipid-producing tree species in China and a susceptible host for both the pine wood nematode and its insect vector, Monochamus alternatus. The basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors play a crucial role in responding to [...] Read more.
Background: Pinus massoniana is a significant lipid-producing tree species in China and a susceptible host for both the pine wood nematode and its insect vector, Monochamus alternatus. The basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors play a crucial role in responding to both biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the role of bHLH in terpene-induced defense in P. massoniana remains poorly studied. Results: Transcriptome sequencing using DNA Nanoball Sequencing (DNBSEQ) and PacBio Sequel platforms was performed, revealing differences in gene expression in P. massoniana branch under the simulated feeding treatment of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) spraying. Fifteen bHLH genes were cloned and analyzed, among which eight highly upregulated PmbHLH genes showed similar temporal expression after MeJA treatment and M. alternatus adult feeding. Five highly upregulated bHLH genes with nuclear localization were highly expressed in P. massoniana after M. alternatus feeding and interacted with the promoter of the terpene synthase gene Pm TPS (−)-α-pinene, confirming their involvement in the defense response of P. massoniana against the M. alternatus adult feeding. Conclusions: Our results unveil the temporal changes and the regulation of the induced defense system in P. massoniana mediated by both MeJA signaling and M. alternatus feeding treatment. The potential application for transgenic experiments and the breeding of resistant species in the future were discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Molecular Biology)
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24 pages, 1449 KiB  
Review
Heortia vitessoides Infests Aquilaria sinensis: A Systematic Review of Climate Drivers, Management Strategies, and Molecular Mechanisms
by Zongyu Yin, Yingying Chen, Huanrong Xue, Xiaofei Li, Baocai Li, Jiaming Liang, Yongjin Zhu, Keyu Long, Jinming Yang, Jiao Pang, Kaixiang Li and Shaoming Ye
Insects 2025, 16(7), 690; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16070690 - 2 Jul 2025
Viewed by 592
Abstract
Heortia vitessoides Moore (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the dominant outbreak defoliator of Aquilaria sinensis (Myrtales: Thymelaeaceae, the agarwood-producing tree), poses a severe threat to the sustainable development of the agarwood industry. Current research has preliminarily revealed its biological traits and gene functions. However, significant gaps [...] Read more.
Heortia vitessoides Moore (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the dominant outbreak defoliator of Aquilaria sinensis (Myrtales: Thymelaeaceae, the agarwood-producing tree), poses a severe threat to the sustainable development of the agarwood industry. Current research has preliminarily revealed its biological traits and gene functions. However, significant gaps persist in integrating climate adaptation mechanisms, control technologies, and host interaction networks across disciplines. This review systematically synthesizes the multidimensional mechanisms underlying H. vitessoides outbreaks through the logical framework of “Fundamental Biology of Outbreaks—Environmental Drivers—Control Strategies—Molecular Regulation—Host Defense.” First, we integrate the biological characteristics of H. vitessoides with its climatic response patterns, elucidating the ecological pathways through which temperature and humidity drive population outbreaks by regulating development duration and host resource availability. Subsequently, we assess the efficacy and limitations of existing control techniques (e.g., pheromone trapping, Beauveria bassiana application), highlighting the critical bottleneck of insufficient mechanistic understanding at the molecular level. Building on this, we delve into the molecular adaptation mechanisms of H. vitessoides. Specifically, detoxification genes (e.g., HvGSTs1) and temperature stress-responsive genes (e.g., HvCAT, HvGP) synergistically enhance stress tolerance, while chemosensory genes mediate mating and host location behaviors. Concurrently, we reveal the host defense strategy of A. sinensis, involving activation of secondary metabolite defenses via the jasmonic acid signaling pathway and emission of volatile organic compounds that attract natural enemies—an “induced resistance–natural enemy collaboration” mechanism. Finally, we propose future research directions: deep integration of gene editing to validate key targets, multi-omics analysis to decipher the host–pest–natural enemy interaction network, and development of climate–gene–population dynamics models. These approaches aim to achieve precision control by bridging molecular mechanisms with environmental regulation. This review not only provides innovative pathways for managing H. vitessoides but also establishes a paradigm for cross-scale research on pests affecting high-value economic forests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Pest and Vector Management)
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18 pages, 9930 KiB  
Article
The Neuroprotective Potential of Seed Extract from the Indian Trumpet Tree Against Amyloid Beta-Induced Toxicity in SH-SY5Y Cells
by Nut Palachai, Benjaporn Buranrat, Parinya Noisa and Nootchanat Mairuae
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 6288; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136288 - 29 Jun 2025
Viewed by 440
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with an unclear etiology. Multiple factors, including oxidative stress and the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) protein in the brain, contribute to neuronal damage. This study investigated Aβ-induced oxidative stress and cellular damage in SH-SY5Y [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with an unclear etiology. Multiple factors, including oxidative stress and the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) protein in the brain, contribute to neuronal damage. This study investigated Aβ-induced oxidative stress and cellular damage in SH-SY5Y cells, as well as the neuroprotective potential of Indian trumpet tree seed extract (ITS). SH-SY5Y cells were co-treated with Aβ(25–35) (20 µM) and ITS extract at concentrations of 25 and 50 µg/mL. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and the enzymatic activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were assessed. The expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and caspase-3, along with the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B (Akt), extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), were also evaluated. ITS extract at concentrations of 25 and 50 µg/mL significantly improved SH-SY5Y cell viability following Aβ-induced damage; reduced ROS and MDA levels; and enhanced CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px activities. In addition to upregulating Bcl-2 expression, ITS downregulated caspase-3 expression and increased the phosphorylation of Akt, ERK1/2, and CREB. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified baicalin, baicalein, and chrysin as major phenolic compounds in ITS extract. In conclusion, ITS extract attenuated Aβ-induced oxidative stress, enhanced antioxidant defenses and cell viability, suppressed apoptotic signaling, and activated key neuroprotective pathways. These findings provide new insights into the neuroprotective potential of ITS extract; however, further in vivo studies are needed to validate its clinical applicability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Neurodegeneration)
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15 pages, 2151 KiB  
Article
Flume Experiment on Flow Transition and Water Cushion Formation by Optimal Vegetation on a Mound Behind a Coastal Dike and Its Impact on Reducing the Flow Energy
by A H M Rashedunnabi, Norio Tanaka and Md Abedur Rahman
Geosciences 2025, 15(7), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15070243 - 29 Jun 2025
Viewed by 282
Abstract
Standalone tsunami defense structures have demonstrated limitations in mitigating wave energy during the 2011 Japan tsunami. In order to mitigate future tsunamis in Japan, multi-layered protective mechanisms have been suggested or implemented after the incident. These include heightening the destroyed or existing embankment [...] Read more.
Standalone tsunami defense structures have demonstrated limitations in mitigating wave energy during the 2011 Japan tsunami. In order to mitigate future tsunamis in Japan, multi-layered protective mechanisms have been suggested or implemented after the incident. These include heightening the destroyed or existing embankment with concrete or stones, protecting embankments with concrete blocks, compacting the landward soil, elevating the ground following the coastal embankment, and incorporating green belts. Despite extensive research on the mitigation effects of such multiple countermeasures, the optimal structural configuration remains uncertain. In this study, we evaluated the performance of a multiple mitigation system consisting of a landward forest (F) on an elevated mound (M) following a seaward embankment (E) under a range of supercritical flow conditions using a flume experiment. Several mound heights and lengths were selected to determine the optimum mound for installing the forest. The combination of E and F of 12 rows of trees on M with a minimum height of 1.8 cm (Case EMFR12) created the greatest water cushion depth between E and M. When M was positioned without F, the water cushion between E and M was created by raising the height of the mound rather than its length. Conversely, a mound with a minimum height and length with a forest was found to be effective in creating the largest water cushion and maximum reduction of the flow energy. The highest energy reduction was between 45 and 70% in this experiment. These findings provide useful insights for developing multiple tsunami mitigation strategies that combine artificial and natural approaches. Full article
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21 pages, 1288 KiB  
Article
Intrusion Alert Analysis Method for Power Information Communication Networks Based on Data Processing Units
by Rui Zhang, Mingxuan Zhang, Yan Liu, Zhiyi Li, Weiwei Miao and Sujie Shao
Information 2025, 16(7), 547; https://doi.org/10.3390/info16070547 - 27 Jun 2025
Viewed by 239
Abstract
Leveraging Data Processing Units (DPUs) deployed at network interfaces, the DPU-accelerated Intrusion Detection System (IDS) enables microsecond-latency initial traffic inspection through hardware offloading. However, while generating high-throughput alerts, this mechanism amplifies the inherent redundancy and noise issues of traditional IDS systems. This paper [...] Read more.
Leveraging Data Processing Units (DPUs) deployed at network interfaces, the DPU-accelerated Intrusion Detection System (IDS) enables microsecond-latency initial traffic inspection through hardware offloading. However, while generating high-throughput alerts, this mechanism amplifies the inherent redundancy and noise issues of traditional IDS systems. This paper proposes an alert correlation method using multi-similarity factor aggregation and a suffix tree model. First, alerts are preprocessed using LFDIA, employing multiple similarity factors and dynamic thresholding to cluster correlated alerts and reduce redundancy. Next, an attack intensity time series is generated and smoothed with a Kalman filter to eliminate noise and reveal attack trends. Finally, the suffix tree models attack activities, capturing key behavioral paths of high-severity alerts and identifying attacker patterns. Experimental evaluations on the CPTC-2017 and CPTC-2018 datasets validate the proposed method’s effectiveness in reducing alert redundancy, extracting critical attack behaviors, and constructing attack activity sequences. The results demonstrate that the method not only significantly reduces the number of alerts but also accurately reveals core attack characteristics, enhancing the effectiveness of network security defense strategies. Full article
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Article
Histological and Histochemical Analysis of Austrocedrus chilensis Trees Healthy and Infected with Phytophthora austrocedri
by Oscar Troncoso and Alina G. Greslebin
Forests 2025, 16(7), 1073; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16071073 - 27 Jun 2025
Viewed by 284
Abstract
The endemic Patagonian conifer, Austrocedrus chilensis, is threatened by the pathogen Phytophthora austrocedri. This study presents the first histological and histochemical analysis of A. chilensis affected by this pathogen. We examined the stem tissues of naturally infected adult trees (over 30 [...] Read more.
The endemic Patagonian conifer, Austrocedrus chilensis, is threatened by the pathogen Phytophthora austrocedri. This study presents the first histological and histochemical analysis of A. chilensis affected by this pathogen. We examined the stem tissues of naturally infected adult trees (over 30 years old) and artificially inoculated saplings (8–12 years old) to identify the pathogen’s colonization strategies and the tree’s histological responses. Using light and scanning electronic microscopy along with several histochemical techniques (Lugol, toluidine blue, vanillin-HCl, Phloroglucinol, Calcofluor white, and aniline blue), we found that P. austrocedri can grow in all active tissues, leading to cambium and parenchyma necrosis. The pathogen spreads through sieve cells and tracheids, moving to the adjacent cells via sieve plates and bordered pits and colonizing nearby parenchyma cells. We observed loss of starch in necrotic tissues. In contrast, starch accumulation and an increase in the number of polyphenolic cells occur in the healthy areas adjacent to the margins of the lesion, indicating a tree’s induced defense mechanisms. The tree’s responses include cambium reprogramming, which leads to the formation of traumatic resin ducts, alterations in cell shape and size, and the deposition of phenolic compounds. We analyze the tree responses and discuss their potential relationship with a methyl jasmonate-induced defense and a hypersensitive-like response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Health)
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