Search Results (570)

T-2 toxin, a mycotoxin produced by the genus Fusarium, is widely prevalent in agricultural products and livestock feed, posing substantial health risks to livestock and humans. This toxin induces oxidative stress in testicular Sertoli cells, disrupts testicular architecture, and compromises spermatogenesis. Despite its widespread presence in contaminated feeds, effective therapeutic strategies to counteract T-2 toxin-induced reproductive toxicity in Sertoli cells remain elusive. This study evaluated the protective efficacy and molecular mechanisms of proanthocyanidins (PCs), a phytochemical with antioxidant properties, against T-2 toxin-induced damage in yak (Bos grunniens) Sertoli cells. The findings revealed that T-2 toxin markedly reduced the viability of yak Sertoli cells and stimulated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Treatment with 10 μg/mL PCs significantly enhanced cell viability, decreased apoptosis, and preserved cellular functions. Furthermore, PCs reduced ROS levels in yak Sertoli cells exposed to T-2 toxin and improved antioxidant capacity by upregulating the nuclear factor erythroid derived 2-like (NRF2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway. Additionally, PCs inhibited mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, diminished the occurrence of malformed mitochondria, and enhanced the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) signaling pathway associated with mitochondrial biogenesis in yak Sertoli cells exposed to T-2 toxin. This study provides novel insights into the prevention and treatment of T-2 toxin-induced reproductive damage in yaks and underscores the potential application of PCs in this context. Full article

Although bacterial secretion systems (BSSs) are well known to mediate antifungal effects, current evidence remains fragmented, and a framework linking antifungal strategies in bacterial–fungal warfare is still absent. In this context, we survey Type I to XI secretion systems, integrating experimentally validated activities with mechanism-based predictions of antifungal potential. On this basis, we highlight that the antifungal activity of BSSs operates through two different layers: direct fungicidal attack, via effector-mediated disruption of fungal cellular integrity, and ecological competition, through nutrient competition, physical niche occupation, and coordinated population-level activities. Nevertheless, the mechanistic understanding of bacterial antifungal strategies remains limited by simplified experimental models, incomplete effector repertoires, and poorly characterized regulatory networks and environmental cues. Addressing these gaps will require integrated experimental models, advanced high-throughput platforms, and comprehensive multi-omics-guided analyses to elucidate how bacteria suppress fungi and to support future applications. In addition, BSSs represent versatile and programmable platforms for the development of sustainable antifungal interventions in both agricultural and biomedical settings. Full article

Although the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily of proteins typically facilitates the movement of compounds across cellular membranes, the ABC E subfamily (ABCE) influences protein synthesis via non-transporter roles in ribosome biogenesis. Despite this essential role, our understanding of the impact that ABCE proteins have on insect physiology is limited. Here, we identified and characterized the ABCE gene from Lygus hesperus, a major agricultural pest of crops in North America. LhABCE transcripts were constitutively expressed throughout development and were present in all adult tissues tested. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of LhABCE transcripts in fifth instar nymphs resulted in high nymphal mortality and an incomplete molt. LhABCE knockdown in adults disrupted gametogenesis and reduced longevity. In females, oogenesis was impaired and oocytes did not progress beyond the pre-vitellogenic phase. In males, LhABCE knockdown reduced both spermatozoa abundance and male fertility. LhABCE knockdown, however, had little to no impact on hemolymph protein levels or the levels of circulating vitellogenin. Taken together, the results indicate that LhABCE is critical for the normal progression of processes like molting and gametogenesis that require coordinated bursts of protein synthesis and suggest that ABCE may play an important role in the mechanisms underlying those bursts. Full article

Botanical extracts have emerged as promising biostimulants in agricultural systems because of their ability to modulate key metabolic and redox processes in crops, thereby increasing stress tolerance and productivity. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how botanical extracts influence plant metabolism and redox homeostasis, with a particular emphasis on their role in adaptive cellular responses. Evidence indicates that these extracts can increase antioxidant enzyme activity, regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling, and promote the accumulation of bioactive metabolites associated with improved stress tolerance and enhanced growth. This review also examines how agronomic practices, including nutritional management, water availability, light regimes, and preharvest biostimulant applications, together with emerging biotechnological approaches, can be strategically employed to optimize the bioactive composition and efficacy of botanical extracts. By integrating recent advances in metabolomics and transcriptomics, the manuscript highlights the biochemical and molecular reprogramming triggered by botanical extracts. It identifies key challenges, including variability in extract composition, lack of standardization, and context-dependent responses. Finally, future research directions are outlined, emphasizing the need for mechanistic understanding, quantitative evaluation of plant responses, and the development of standardized frameworks to support the sustainable application of botanical extracts in agriculture. Full article

Exploring the evolutionary dynamics of urban, agricultural, and ecological spaces is critical for regional sustainable development and spatial governance. However, traditional spatial simulation methods based on Cellular Automata often struggle to accommodate top-down spatial regulation, non-linear development patterns, and coordinated regional growth. The objective of this scientific research is to address these limitations by proposing a deep learning-based framework for simulating the future distribution of these three spaces. Utilizing the Unet++ model and integrating empirical data sources including multi-period remote sensing land-use mapping and prefecture-level socioeconomic statistical data, the framework predicts regional spatial patterns for the year 2030. Empirical results from the Yangtze River Economic Belt demonstrate that the model achieves high precision in large-scale spatial forecasting (with an average test accuracy of 99.32%) and effectively captures non-linear evolutionary characteristics. Predictions across various growth scenarios reveal that a moderate socioeconomic growth rate facilitates ecological preservation; controlling the expansion of urban space to approximately 20% by 2030 can prevent excessive resource depletion and regional imbalances. Consequently, it is recommended to implement the construction land increment targets outlined in current spatial planning to achieve a balance between economic growth and ecological protection. Full article

Cultured meat represents an emerging frontier in cellular agriculture, garnering increasing interest due to its potential benefits regarding sustainability, animal welfare, and food safety. However, its development is hampered by challenges in flavor modulation and sensory quality, primarily due to the limited biosynthesis of fat-derived flavor compounds. Although adipose tissue engineering has been extensively studied, its industrial-scale production is hampered by serum dependency and low differentiation efficiency. Therefore, the establishment of serum-free, efficient strategies for regulating lipid synthesis is urgently needed. In this study, we developed a serum-free adipogenic induction system and investigated its underlying regulatory mechanisms. We demonstrated that Serum-Free Differentiation Medium 1 (SFM-1) initiated the differentiation program and induced intracellular lipid deposition in preadipocytes (~10% by Day 8). Serum-free differentiation medium 2 (SFM-2), which supplied oleic acid (OA) as a lipid substrate and signaling activator, markedly enhanced lipid droplet accumulation and differentiation efficiency. Ultimately, serum-free differentiation medium 3 (SFM-3), leveraging the synergistic action of oleic acid (OA) and transferrin (TRF), successfully activates the expression of SEPTIN4, which in turn regulates a core adipogenic network—including the master transcription factors PPARγ and CEBPα, as well as downstream functional genes. Mechanistically, the OA/TRF combination in SFM-3 upregulates SEPTIN4, unveiling a previously unrecognized regulatory axis that activates the PPARγ signaling pathway, thereby synchronizing the proliferation and differentiation of precursors and guiding them from initiation to functional maturity. Our study presents a chemically defined, scalable platform for the serum-free adipogenic differentiation of porcine adipocytes, offering a promising strategy for the controllable production of fat components in cultured meat and supporting its industrialization. Full article

Naked oat (Avena nuda L.) is an important dual-purpose crop for grain and forage in cold regions; however, its high fatty acid content renders seeds prone to deterioration during storage. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on artificially aged naked oat seeds and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Non-aged seeds (Naged) were subjected to artificial aging at 45 °C and 100% relative humidity for 24 h (Aged), followed by priming with 30 mg L⁻¹ ZnO NPs for 6 h (Daged). Antioxidant enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically, and transcriptome sequencing was performed on an Illumina platform to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enriched pathways. We found that ZnO NPs increased catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities by 3–4-fold, restored germination rate from 75% to 98%, and enhanced seed vigor index. A total of 21,403 DEGs were detected, with 15,841 stably expressed in response to nano-priming. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst rapidly induced up-regulation of AP2/EREBP transcription factor family members, which subsequently activated antioxidant enzyme genes to maintain cellular redox homeostasis. Metabolic pathway analysis demonstrated that the phenylpropanoid pathway was reprogrammed, characterized by down-regulated lignin biosynthesis and up-regulated flavonoid production, thereby enhancing ROS scavenging capacity. Additionally, the pentose phosphate pathway was activated to provide additional NADPH for antioxidant defense, and up-regulated ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) facilitated starch accumulation. Notably, the 40S ribosomal protein S13 exhibited the highest connectivity in protein–protein interaction networks, was up-regulated 2.1-fold, and was enriched in post-translational modification processes. These findings suggest that nano-priming with ZnO NPs represents a promising biotechnological strategy for enhancing seed vigor and storability in naked oat, with potential applications in sustainable agriculture and the seed industry. Full article

Lepidoptera constitute a major group of agricultural and forestry pests. Therefore, investigating the immune mechanisms of the model species Bombyx mori may provide valuable insights for the development of improved pest management strategies. In insects, phenoloxidase (PO) and dopa decarboxylase (DDC) in immune melanization have been widely studied individually, yet their relative contributions have rarely been investigated. Here, we demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of either PO or DDC in Escherichia coli-infected larvae significantly suppresses hemolymph melanization, with PO inhibition causing a more pronounced reduction than DDC inhibition. Consistently, RNA interference-mediated knockdown of BmPPO1 or BmPPO2 markedly decreased hemolymph melanization following infection. This results in both PO and DDC contributing to immune-induced hemolymph melanization, with PO playing a dominant role in this process. In contrast, compared to PO inhibition, DDC inhibition leads to significant damage to hemolymph antibacterial activity and cellular immune responses, including hemocyte aggregation, encapsulation, and phagocytosis. In addition, compared with the knockdown of BmPPO1 or BmPPO2, the knockdown of BmDDC leads to a more severe decrease in antibacterial activity and cellular immune function. Exogenous addition of dopamine can partially rescue cell damage, indicating that both DDC and PO play a role in cellular immunity, but DDC has a slightly stronger effect. Overall, this study provides important insights into the immunity of hemolymph in insects and other arthropods. Full article

The global challenge of feeding a growing population while minimizing environmental impacts necessitates novel food production systems. Plant cellular agriculture offers a sustainable alternative for producing food ingredients; however, its commercial viability is hindered by the high costs and regulatory hurdles associated with conventional reagent-grade culture media. In this study, we developed a novel, cost-effective, and food-grade basal culture medium, FG-N6CI, for rice cellular agriculture. By replacing reagent-grade basal-medium components of the N6CI medium with food-grade alternatives, specifically by substituting chemical reagents with yeast extract, kelp powder, manganese yeast, and a boron supplement, we formulated a food-grade basal nutrient composition while retaining reagent-grade phytohormones. Rice (Oryza sativa L. ‘Taichung 65’) callus cultured on FG-N6CI medium exhibited significantly higher fresh weight (7.1 g) than the conventional N6CI medium (5.8 g) after 35 days (p < 0.05). Gene expression analysis showed no significant differences between the expression of OsHDA710 and OsTIR1, suggesting that FG-N6CI supports normal cellular proliferation and signaling similar to the standard medium. Economically, the cost of FG-N6CI medium was reduced by approximately 72% compared with that of the commercial reagent-grade mixture (219 JPY/L vs. 795 JPY/L). These results demonstrate that FG-N6CI is an economically competitive basal medium for scaling-up plant cellular agriculture. Full article

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is an important food and energy crop. Soil salinization is a major abiotic stress that limits agricultural productivity and severely reduces yield of crops. Protein hydrolysates, as a class of natural biostimulants, have gained increasing attention for their potential to improve crop yield, quality and stress tolerance. This study investigated the effects of peptides from swine blood (PSB) on high salinity stress tolerance in sweet potato. Application of PSB promoted the growth of both aerial and underground parts of sweet potato under normal and high-salinity conditions. Further analysis revealed that, under high salinity stress, exogenous PSB up-regulated the expression of genes associated with stress responses, increased the accumulation of organic osmotic adjustment compounds such as free amino acids, promoted K⁺ uptake to elevate the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, and enhanced the activity of key antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) involved in the reactive oxygen species-scavenging system. These biochemical responses contributed to maintaining cellular osmotic balance and redox homeostasis, protecting the cell membrane from damage while preserving its structural integrity and normal physiological functions, and improving photosynthetic efficiency, thereby enhancing high salinity stress tolerance in sweet potato. Thus, PSB holds significant potential as an effective natural biostimulant for sweet potato cultivation in saline soils. Full article

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient required for plant growth, photosynthesis and metabolic regulation. Its importance is related to the involvement in several metabolic processes that ensure proper cellular function and balanced plant development throughout the production cycle. In plants, Mn is absorbed predominantly as Mn²⁺, and its availability is strongly influenced by soil pH, aeration, and other mineral nutrients in the soil solution. After uptake by roots, Mn is translocated to the shoot, accumulating primarily in metabolically active organs such as stems, young leaves and flowers. Although Mn exhibits limited mobility in the phloem, adequate concentrations are necessary to sustain both vegetative development and reproductive growth. Adequate Mn concentration is directly reflected in fruit development, as well-nourished plants show improved flowering, greater assimilate translocation capacity, and better fruit filling, thereby positively influencing yield and quality. However, Mn deficiency is common in alkaline soils or soils with high organic matter, causing interveinal chlorosis in young leaves, reduced growth, and lower biomass production. Under prolonged conditions, deficiency leads to less vigorous plants with reduced metabolic efficiency. Conversely, Mn toxicity, typically associated with acidic and poorly drained soils, restricts root development and induces nutritional imbalances with other elements, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. Therefore, proper Mn management is essential to ensure nutritional balance and optimal performance of agricultural crops. Overall, this review synthesizes advances in Mn transport, cellular compartmentalization, and metabolic regulation, emphasizing how Mn interacts with other mineral nutrients to influence plant physiology. Attention is given to the integration of Mn with redox networks, photosynthetic regulation, and reproductive development. By linking transport mechanisms with physiological outcomes, this review identifies key patterns governing Mn homeostasis and highlights implications for crop nutrition and sustainable nutrient management. Full article

Rapid urbanization has transformed the face of Texas by converting agricultural and natural lands into expanding built-up areas. This study analyzes and simulates land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes in Kaufman County, Texas, one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, using a hybrid Cellular Automata–Artificial Neural Network (CA–ANN) model within the Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) Modules for Land-Use Change Evaluation (MOLUSCE) framework. Multitemporal NLCD datasets (2001, 2011, and 2021) and six spatial drivers: Elevation, Slope, Aspect, Distance from Roads and Rivers, and Built-up Density were used in the modeling framework. Transition relationships were calibrated using the 2001–2011 LULC data, and the model was validated by simulating the 2021 LULC map from the 2011 baseline. The calibrated model was then used to simulate future LULC scenarios for 2031, 2041, and 2051. Model validation yielded an overall Kappa value of 0.84 and a correctness of 90.9%, indicating high similarity between the observed and simulated maps. The results indicate simulated urban expansion, with built-up areas increasing by nearly 30% by 2051 at the expense of cropland and open areas, with forest and water bodies slightly increasing, and wetlands remaining stagnant. The CA–ANN model effectively captured the nonlinear, spatially dependent land-transition patterns using open-source tools. These findings provided useful information for sustainable land-use planning and environmental management, with the potential to incorporate spatial modeling into regional development strategies in rapidly urbanizing areas of Texas. Full article

Pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) is an intracellular non-oxidizing enzyme that relies on thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), which is important for plant survival under anaerobic conditions and increasingly recognized for its role in broader stress reaction. However, the PDC gene family of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), an important waterlogging-sensitive agricultural product, has not yet been discovered. In this study, eight SlPDC genes were discovered within the tomato genome. Gene structure analysis revealed that SlPDC members exhibited varying intron–exon configurations, with SlPDC8 possessing the most complex structure containing seven introns. Promoter analysis revealed a multitude of cis-acting elements responsive to light, hormones, and various stresses. Particularly, the promoter of SlPDC8 contains both ABRE and TGACG/CGTCA-motif. Tissue-specific expression profiles showed that SlPDC8 was mainly highly expressed in the roots. Expression profiling demonstrated that SlPDC genes respond divergently to different abiotic stresses, including salt, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), drought, waterlogging, cold, heat, darkness, and UV radiation stresses. Notably, SlPDC1, SlPDC7, and SlPDC8 were significantly upregulated by waterlogging, with SlPDC8 showing the most robust induction. Functional validation through VIGS proved that SlPDC8-silenced plants exhibited significantly impaired growth, decreased photosynthetic pigment content, severe leaf wilting, and poor root development under waterlogging conditions compared to control plants. Furthermore, silencing SlPDC8 led to increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities, indicating heightened oxidative damage under waterlogging stress. We conclusively demonstrate that SlPDC8 plays a critical positive regulatory role in waterlogging tolerance by maintaining cellular homeostasis and enhancing antioxidant capacity. Full article

Forchlorfenuron is a widely used plant cytokinin in Traditional Chinese Medicine and agricultural cultivation to boost resistance, postpone senescence, and increase productivity. However, the improper use of forchlorfenuron results in excessive residues and contamination, raising health and safety concerns. Our research investigated the toxicity of forchlorfenuron on hepatocytes in vitro. Results showed that forchlorfenuron inhibited HepaRG cell viability in a concentration and time-dependent manner. Forchlorfenuron-induced cellular apoptosis and the increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) indicated the participation of oxidative stress. Molecular docking and network pharmacology data suggested that the hepatotoxicity of forchlorfenuron might involve the MAPK signaling pathway. After 24 h of forchlorfenuron exposure, the P38-MAP kinase, upstream kinases MKK3, and the transcription factor ATF2 were maximally activated. Apoptosis induced by forchlorfenuron was significantly reduced by pretreatment with the P38 inhibitor SB203580. These findings implicated that HepaRG hepatocyte injuries were generated by forchlorfenuron through the induction of cellular apoptosis via the MKK3/P38/ATF2 pathway. Forchlorfenuron application should be closely managed to prevent potential liver damage. Full article

Limited terrestrial network coverage in rural and remote areas constitutes a significant barrier to the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. Smart and precision farming applications, ranging from conventional environmental monitoring systems to advanced Digital Twin solutions, rely on the reliable transmission of sensor data, images, and video streams from geographically isolated farms. Such data-intensive services cannot be effectively supported without a robust communication infrastructure. Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), particularly satellite systems, offer both narrowband and broadband connectivity, enabling the transmission of low-rate sensor measurements, as well as high-throughput multimedia data from the field. This paper presents an experimental performance evaluation of two satellite backhauling solutions: a Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) system provided by SES and a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) system from Starlink. The networks were first deployed and tested in a laboratory environment and subsequently validated in an operational agricultural field setting. Their performance is benchmarked against a terrestrial cellular network to assess their suitability for supporting advanced agricultural applications. The performance assessment results indicate that both satellite backhauling solutions are reliable and capable of meeting the bandwidth and latency requirements of delay-tolerant agricultural applications. In addition to the technical evaluation, this work presents a cost–benefit analysis that further underscores the advantages of NTN-based solutions. Despite higher initial expenditures, they provide extended coverage in remote areas and enable cost sharing across multiple users, improving overall economic viability. Full article