Search Results (1,073)

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, driven by complex interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, with diet playing a pivotal role. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), is a plant-based fat that has garnered attention for its robust cardiovascular benefits, which are attributed to its unique composition of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), particularly oleic acid (OA); and bioactive polyphenols, such as Hydroxytyrosol (HT) and oleocanthal. These compounds collectively exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, and lipid-modulating effects. Numerous clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated that EVOO’s properties reduce major modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. EVOO also promotes endothelial function by increasing nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, thus favoring vasodilation, lowering blood pressure (BP), and supporting vascular integrity. Furthermore, it modulates biomarkers of cardiovascular health, such as C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and NT-proBNP, aligning with improved hemostatic balance and reduced arterial vulnerability. Emerging evidence highlights its interaction with gut microbiota, further augmenting its cardioprotective effects. This review synthesizes current evidence, elucidating EVOO’s multifaceted mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential. Future directions emphasize the need for advanced extraction techniques, nutraceutical formulations, and personalized dietary recommendations to maximize its health benefits. EVOO represents a valuable addition to dietary strategies aimed at reducing the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. Full article

Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra or Morella rubra) is a valuable fruit, yet the mechanism of its flesh segment development is not well understood. Using paraffin sectioning, we investigated the flower buds of the ‘Biqi’ and ‘Zaojia’ varieties, revealing that the flesh segment development in these Chinese bayberry varieties involved the formation of a primordium outside the ovary wall, the establishment of a simple columnar structure, and the formation of the primary flesh segment. Assessment of endogenous hormone levels indicated the significant reductions in jasmonic acid (JA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels at the critical stages of flesh segment development. Correlation analysis highlighted the essential roles of IAA, JA, abscisic acid (ABA), and gibberellins in the flesh segment developmental process, underscoring the complex interactions driven primarily by the IAA, JA, and ABA networks. Gene modules positively correlated with flesh segment development were identified using transcriptome-based weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in plant hormone signal transduction pathways, particularly for upregulated genes associated with auxin and JA signaling. Key genes predicted to be involved in flesh segment development included LAX2 and LAX3 (auxin transport), JAZ6 (JA signaling repression), and KAN1 and KAN4 (regulating multiple hormonal signaling pathways). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) validation confirmed that the expression trends for these genes were consistent across both varieties, particularly for CRC, SEP1, SEP3, IAA7, and JAZ6. Immunofluorescence localization studies revealed that auxin was primarily distributed in the central vascular bundle and outer cells of the flesh segment. This uneven auxin distribution might contribute to the unique morphology of flesh segments. Overall, this study provides insights into the hormonal regulation and genetic factors involved in the development of Chinese bayberry flesh segments. Full article

High-resolution phylogenetics using both morphology and molecular data reveal surfactant-like trait buffering of peripatric descendant species that facilitate resilience for supra-specific entities across geologic time. Regular polygons inscribed in circles model balanced areas of survival of various numbers of new species in one genus. This model maximizes the peripatric survival of descendant species, with populations partly in allopatric habitats and in sympatric areas. It extends the theory advanced with Willis’s Age and Area hypothesis. Hollow curves of the areas bounded between a series of inscribed regular polygons and their containing circles show a ranked progression governed by similar power laws of other phenomena, including Zipf’s law and a universal meta-law in physics. This model matches best the physics meta-law (law of laws) but is only one of several somewhat different curves generated by somewhat different processes. A rule of four can explain why most genera in vascular plants exhibit a hollow curve of optimally one to five species per genus. It implies a constraint on variation that enhances survival and provides a physics explanation for the monophyletic skeleton of macrogenera. A high-resolution form of ancestor–descendant analysis is compared to traditional phylogenetic analysis to best modeling of the demonstrable results of evolutionary processes. Arguments are advanced for the preservation of scientific concepts of taxa over cladistic clades. Full article

The biodeterioration process involves the alteration of stone monuments by living organisms, such as bacteria, algae, fungi, lichens, mosses, ferns, and vascular plants, combined with abiotic factors, resulting in physical and chemical damage to historic buildings. This study aims to investigate the role of the vascular plants affecting four archaeological parks in Campania—Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum, and Velia—by analyzing correlations with building materials, exposure, and conservation status. To represent species associations and their coverage percentages at each site, transects of one square meter were employed. The hazard index (HI) was applied to evaluate the impact of the identified biodeteriogens. A total of 117 species were detected across 198 samples collected from the four study sites, with 59 taxa recorded in Pompeii, 56 in Paestum, 41 in Velia, and 36 in Herculaneum. Specifically, Pompeii hosts a predominance of cosmopolitan species (35%) and widely distributed taxa (15%) due to elevated anthropogenic disturbance. Conversely, mediterranean species dominate in Paestum (62%) and Herculaneum (52%), reflecting more stable ecological conditions. Substrate type significantly influences the hazard index, whereas exposure was found to have minimal impact on both the average coverage and the measured hazard index. Future work will focus on developing site-specific conservation strategies that consider substrate properties, vegetation impact, and anthropogenic disturbances to effectively mitigate the biodeterioration risks posed by vascular flora in Italian monumental sites. Full article

Interactions between carbon and nitrogen metabolism are essential for balancing source–sink dynamics in plants. Frequent cold stress disrupts these metabolic processes in rice and reduces grain yield. Two rice cultivars (DN428: cold-tolerant; SJ10: cold-sensitive) were subjected to 19 °C low-temperature stress at full-heading for varying lengths of time to analyze the effects on leaf and grain metabolism. The objective was to track carbon–nitrogen flow and identify factors affecting grain yield. Low-temperature stress significantly reduced the activity of nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), in functional leaves compared to the control. This reduction decreased nitrogen accumulation, inhibited chlorophyll synthesis, and slowed photosynthesis. To preserve intracellular osmotic balance and lessen the effects of low temperatures, sucrose, fructose, and total soluble sugar levels, as well as sucrose synthase (SS) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activities, surged in response to low-temperature stress. However, low-temperature stress significantly reduced the activity of adenosine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS), soluble starch synthase (SSS), and starch branching enzyme (SBE). At the same time, low-temperature stress reduced the area of vascular bundles and phloem, making it difficult to transport carbon and nitrogen metabolites to grains on time. The response of grains to low-temperature stress differs from that of leaves, with prolonged low-temperature exposure causing a gradual decrease in carbon and nitrogen metabolism-related enzyme activities and product accumulation within the grains. The insufficient synthesis of starch precursors and carbon skeletons results in significantly lower thousand-grain weight and seed-setting rates, ultimately contributing to grain yield loss. This decline was more pronounced in inferior grains compared to superior grains. Compared to SJ10, DN428 exhibited higher values across various indicators and smaller declines under low-temperature stress, suggesting enhanced cold-tolerance and a greater capacity to maintain grain yield stability. Full article

Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt cause significant losses in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) production and have a significant economic impact. This study determined the functional role of GhSTR1, a member of the ABCG subfamily of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, that mediates cotton defense responses against various plant pathogens. We identified GhSTR1 as a homolog of STR1 from Medicago truncatula and highlighted its evolutionary conservation and potential role in plant defense mechanisms. Expression profiling revealed that GhSTR1 displays tissue-specific and spatiotemporal dynamics under stress conditions caused by Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxysporum. Functional validation using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) showed that silencing GhSTR1 improved disease resistance, resulting in milder symptoms, less vascular browning, and reduced fungal growth. Furthermore, the AtSTR1 loss-of-function mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana exhibited similar resistance phenotypes, highlighting the conserved regulatory role of STR1 in pathogen defense. In addition to its role in disease resistance, the mutation of AtSTR1 in Arabidopsis also enhanced the vegetative and reproductive growth of the plant, including increased root length, rosette leaf number, and plant height without compromising drought tolerance. These findings suggest that GhSTR1 mediates a trade-off between defense and growth, offering a potential target for optimizing both traits for crop improvement. This study identifies GhSTR1 as a key regulator of plant–pathogen interactions and growth dynamics, providing a foundation for developing durable strategies to enhance cotton’s resistance and yield under biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Full article

The boxwood leafminer Monarthropalpus flavus (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) has historically been considered a leafminer, but some researchers suggested it induced galls on Buxus species leaves. The larvae of M. flavus create small blister-like galls on Buxus sempervirens leaves, causing tissue hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Histological examination reveals that M. flavus larvae cause the formation of small blister galls, which involve tissue reorganization in the mesophyll. Unlike typical leafminers, which only disrupt existing tissues, M. flavus induces the appearance of a neo-formed tissue, near the larval chamber. This tissue, originating primarily from spongy parenchyma cells, significantly increases as the leaf thickens. Various histochemical analyses show that the new tissue contains starch, lipids, terpenes, and proteins, providing evidence of reprogramming in the plant’s metabolism. The study concludes that M. flavus induces rudimentary galls, not simply mines, due to the formation of new tissue, whose cells have cytological characteristics distinct from those found in non-galled leaves. However, despite some gall-like features, it does not create new vascular elements, distinguishing it from more complex galls formed by other gall-inducing species. Full article

The release of tannery wastewater contributes to chromium (Cr) pollution globally. Herein, we conduct a novel consolidation of research from the Arequipa region of southern Peru that integrates university theses written in Spanish alongside peer-reviewed journal articles. The objective is to provide a place-based complement to existing research in English scientific journals focused on effective tools for Cr treatment from tannery wastewater. Our consolidation categorized a total of 75 publications (70 theses and five peer-reviewed) into five distinct strategies for Cr treatment: adsorption (twenty-three studies), phytoremediation (eighteen studies), bioremediation (thirteen studies), electrocoagulation (five studies), and other techniques (fifteen studies). This synthesis highlighted potentially promising approaches that could be sustainably tailored to regional resources and waste products. This includes sorptive materials derived from food waste such as native achiote peels (B. orellana) and avocado seeds (P. americana) either used directly or as a feedstock for biochar. Other technologies include phytoremediation using microalgae and resident vascular plants and microbial bioremediation that capitalizes on indigenous bacteria and fungi. Promise was also discerned in studies that incorporated a combination of abiotic and biotic mechanisms tailored toward the region, such as infiltration using selective and bioactive materials, wetlands, solar distillation, iron-based coagulation and flocculation, and bioreactors. These findings provide a sustainable complement to prior global investigations for effective attenuation strategies by adding novel materials and techniques that could be further explored to assess the viability of implementation at pilot and larger scales. These promising technologies and the ability to tailor sustainable treatments toward local resources highlight the opportunity to prioritize the treatment of tannery wastewater to ensure a cleaner environment by informing policy makers, academics, and industry on technologies that could be adopted for implementation in the region. Full article

Strawberries are planted globally as an important crop. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae (Fof), a haploid mitosporic, pathogenic fungus with obvious host specificity, is responsible for an economically devastating soil-borne disease seriously threatening strawberry. Fusarium oxysporum is distributed in soils worldwide and causes vascular wilt and root rot disease in over 100 plant species. However, the formae speciales of F. oxysporum commonly have a very narrow host range, often restricted to a single host plant species. We isolated and identified pathogenic F. oxysporum from diseased strawberry samples collected from different provinces in China. Further analysis showed that among the 55 F. oxysporum isolates, only 70.91% belonged to Fof, and the remaining 29.09% were named Fo. The mycelial growth of Fof was faster than that of Fo at 20, 30, and 35 °C. The sporulation ability of Fof was weaker than that of Fo, and Fof presented a significantly higher germination rate under high temperatures. Fof and Fo from strawberry were not pathogenic to tomato or cucumber plants, and Fof showed significantly higher pathogenicity on strawberry than Fo. To explore the pathogenic mechanism of Fof, we knocked out SIX10 in Fof. The mycelial growth rate of ΔFofSIX10 was significantly slower than that of the wild type, but there were no significant differences in spore production. The pathogenicity of ΔFofSIX10 to strawberry was significantly weakened, showing decreased severity of symptoms, indicated by root and crown rot, and wilt. Our research provides a basis for understanding the interaction between F. oxysporum and the host strawberry and the occurrence and management of Fusarium disease on strawberry. Full article

Orange trees (Citrus × sinensis (L.) Osbeck) are the third-most cultivated citrus fruit species in Chile. In recent years, several trees in three orange orchards of ‘Lane late’ and ‘Fukumoto’ cultivars grafted on ‘Robidoux’ trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.) have shown chlorosis, canopy reduction, wilting, root necrosis, defoliation, and plant death symptoms. This study aims to characterize the morphological symptoms observed in diseased orange trees in central Chile and identify the fungal pathogens that are involved. Isolation and morphological characterization of the pathogens were conducted by using different culture media. A total of 53 isolates were obtained, morphologically characterized and 12 isolates were selected for molecular identification. The isolates were identified using ITS, TEF-1α, and RPB2 regions. Two Fusarium species complexes were identified, Neocosmospora (Fusarium) solani (FSSC) and F. oxysporum (FOSC), based on >99% identity. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on young orange seedlings under greenhouse conditions. Results indicated that two months post inoculation, trifoliate orange seedlings displayed root rot symptoms such as necrosis, vascular discoloration, and wilting. FSSC and FOSC were re-isolated from necrotic seedling roots and identified through a combination of morphological traits and molecular techniques. This is the first detailed report of this disease, attributed to FSSC and FOSC, in orange orchards in Chile. These diagnostic results represent the first step in developing adequate phytosanitary programs for managing this disease. Full article

Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) are instrumental in regulating plant cell surface sensing and vascular tissue differentiation. Wall-associated kinases (WAKs) are a unique group of RLKs that have been identified as key cell wall integrity (CWI) sensors. WAK signaling is suggested to be activated during growth in response to cell expansion or when the cell wall is damaged, for example, during pathogen attack. WAKs are proposed to interact with pectins or pectin fragments that are enriched in primary walls. Secondary walls have low levels of pectins, yet recent studies have shown important functions of WAKs during secondary wall development. Several wak mutants show defects in secondary wall thickening of the xylem vessels and fibers or the development of vascular bundles. This review will discuss the recent advances in our understanding of WAK functions during plant development and responses to abiotic stresses and the regulation of vascular tissue secondary wall development. Full article

Ecosystem functioning and management are primarily concerned with addressing climate change and biodiversity loss, which are closely linked to carbon stock and species diversity. This research aimed to quantify forest understory (shrub and herb) diversity, tree biomass and carbon sequestration in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Using random sampling methods, data were gathered from six distinct forest communities. The study identified 271 vascular plants from 208 genera and 74 families. A notable positive correlation (r² = 0.085, p < 0.05) was observed between total tree density and total tree basal area (TBA), shrub density (r² = 0.09), tree diversity (D) (r² = 0.58), shrub diversity (r² = 0.81), and tree species richness (SR) (r² = 0.96). Conversely, a negative correlation was found with the concentration of tree dominance (CD) (r² = 0.43). The Quercus leucotrichophora, Rhododendron arboreum and Quercus floribunda (QL-RA-QF) community(higher altitudinal zone) exhibited the highest tree biomass (568.8 Mg ha⁻¹), while the (Pinus roxburghii and Quercus leucotrichophora) PR-QL (N) community (lower altitudinal zone) in the north aspect showed the lowest (265.7 Mg ha⁻¹). Carbon sequestration was highest in the Quercus leucotrichophora, Quercus floribunda and Rhododendron arboreum (QL-QF-RA) (higher altitudinal zone) community (7.48 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and lowest in the PR-QL (S) (middle altitudinal zone) community in the south aspect (5.5 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). The relationships between carbon stock and various functional parameters such as tree density, total basal area of tree and diversity of tree showed significant positive correlations. The findings of the study revealed significant variations in the structural attributes of trees, shrubs and herbs across different forest stands along altitudinal gradients. This current study’s results highlighted the significance of wildlife sanctuaries, which not only aid in wildlife preservation but also provide compelling evidence supporting forest management practices that promote the planting of multiple vegetation layers in landscape restoration as a means to enhance biodiversity and increase resilience to climate change. Further, comprehending the carbon storage mechanisms of these forests will be critical for developing environmental management strategies aimed at alleviating the impacts of climate change in the years to come. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive phyto- and histochemical analysis of three Colchicum species: Colchicum autumnale L., the Balkan endemic Colchicum bivonae Guss., and the Bulgarian endemic Colchicum diampolis Delip. et Česchm. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), 66 metabolites were identified, encompassing free amino, organic, phenolic, and fatty acids, sugars, and alkaloids, which were distributed among various plant parts. Organ-specific metabolic patterns revealed that corms and seeds are particularly rich in alkaloids, supporting their roles in chemical defense and survival during dormancy. Conversely, flowers, leaves, and capsules were enriched with energy-related and phenolic compounds, playing critical roles in reproduction and stress tolerance. Histochemical investigations localized alkaloids predominantly in the endosperm of seeds, parenchyma of corms, and vascular bundles of flowers. Notably, the endemic C. bivonae and C. diampolis displayed unique chemical profiles. Moderate acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (AChE) was observed across various plant organs. Statistical analyses demonstrated significant interspecies and organ-specific chemical differentiation, with certain metabolites serving as key markers. These findings enhance our understanding of the chemical composition, organ specialization, and potential as a source of new biomolecules in these Colchicum species. They underscore the ecological and pharmacological importance of endemic taxa and provide a framework for future research into their sustainable utilization and potential bioactivities. Full article

This review delves into innovative technologies to improve the control of vascular fungal plant pathogens. It also briefly summarizes traditional biocontrol approaches to manage them, addressing their limitations and emphasizing the need to develop more sustainable and precise solutions. Powerful tools such as next-generation sequencing, meta-omics, and microbiome engineering allow for the targeted manipulation of microbial communities to enhance pathogen suppression. Microbiome-based approaches include the design of synthetic microbial consortia and the transplant of entire or customized soil/plant microbiomes, potentially offering more resilient and adaptable biocontrol strategies. Nanotechnology has also advanced significantly, providing methods for the targeted delivery of biological control agents (BCAs) or compounds derived from them through different nanoparticles (NPs), including bacteriogenic, mycogenic, phytogenic, phycogenic, and debris-derived ones acting as carriers. The use of biodegradable polymeric and non-polymeric eco-friendly NPs, which enable the controlled release of antifungal agents while minimizing environmental impact, is also explored. Furthermore, artificial intelligence and machine learning can revolutionize crop protection through early disease detection, the prediction of disease outbreaks, and precision in BCA treatments. Other technologies such as genome editing, RNA interference (RNAi), and functional peptides can enhance BCA efficacy against pathogenic fungi. Altogether, these technologies provide a comprehensive framework for sustainable and precise management of fungal vascular diseases, redefining pathogen biocontrol in modern agriculture. Full article

Leaf morphology and anatomy traits are key determinants for plant performance; however, their roles within compound leaves—comprising both leaflets and petioles—remain insufficiently studied. This study examined the anatomy, morphology, and biomass allocation of leaflets and petioles in three temperate species (Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., Juglans mandshurica Maxim., and Phellodendron amurense Rupr.). The results showed pronounced anatomical variations within the whole leaf. Specifically, as phyllotaxy increased, the number of conduits significantly increased in petioles but showed less variation. Within the same growth position, the number of conduits was highest in the petiole, followed by the petiolule, main vein, and minor veins. In the terminal leaf vascular network, thinner conduits of minor veins may result in a lower hydraulic efficiency but a higher resistance to embolism. Biomass allocation favored leaflets over petioles in all three examined species. Additionally, the specific leaf area slightly increased with an increase in the degree of phyllotaxy. These findings underscore the trade-offs of efficiency and safety in vascular tissues, as well as the expanding leaf and investment between the leaflet and petiole. Full article