Search Results (61)

Tumor budding is increasingly recognized as a histopathologic feature associated with invasive behavior in gastrointestinal malignancies. While its prognostic value is well established in colorectal carcinoma, its significance in gastric adenocarcinoma remains less clearly defined because of marked morphologic heterogeneity, variable growth patterns, and the absence of gastric-specific assessment criteria. Multiple studies have associated high budding density with adverse clinicopathologic features, including lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, advanced tumor stage, and poorer survival, particularly in intestinal-type tumors. However, these associations are more difficult to interpret in diffuse-type and mixed carcinomas, where intrinsic discohesion and architectural variability complicate the distinction between true budding and baseline growth patterns. Beyond prognostic assessment, tumor budding has been linked to localized alterations in cell adhesion, cytoskeletal organization, tumor–stroma interaction, and partial epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Emerging evidence also suggests that its biological significance may differ across molecular subtypes of gastric cancer. This review examines the current evidence on the definition, morphologic spectrum, methodological limitations, and biologic context of tumor budding in gastric adenocarcinoma. We propose that, in gastric cancer, tumor budding is best interpreted not as a uniformly applicable scoring parameter, but as a context-dependent morphologic indicator of invasive tumor remodeling whose meaning varies according to tumor architecture, stromal interface, and molecular subtype. Full article

China has rich bamboo resources, with Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) being the most economically important species. Bamboo shoot bud development directly determines the eating quality of the shoots and the properties of bamboo materials; however, the intrinsic biological characteristics of this process have hindered foundational research. Traditional methods using whole shoot buds or mixed tissues obscure cellular and tissue heterogeneity, limiting our mechanistic understanding. This review synthesizes cytological features, molecular networks, and technical limitations pertaining to Moso bamboo shoot bud development, identifying four key bottlenecks: tissue homogenization masking cellular heterogeneity, loss of spatial positional information impeding analysis of position effects, challenges in single-cell technology application due to sample preparation and data interpretation issues, and unresolved coupling between chromatin accessibility and transcriptional regulation. To address these, we propose a core strategy centered on constructing a single-cell resolution, spatially resolved, multi-omics integrated, and functionally validated framework. Key approaches include developing bamboo-specific single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, integrating positional information with multi-omics data to identify spatially distinct regulatory targets, standardizing technical pipelines and functional validation platforms, and elucidating epigenetic–transcriptional coupling. Overcoming these bottlenecks will reveal the molecular basis of bamboo’s unique developmental patterns and provide key targets for the genetic improvement of the shoot quality and mechanical properties of bamboo. Full article

Grafted plants carrying DNA from both species are prone to new phenotypes. Specific long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) sequences are known to play roles in the formation and development of grafted plants. However, the roles of lncRNAs in phenotypic variation in grafts between peach and apricot remain unexplored. In this study, mixed tissues (leaves, buds and fully bloomed flowers) of peach branches from heterografts between apricot/peach (A/P) and peach/apricot (P/A) and homografted peach (SP) were collected for transcriptome sequencing. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) between A/P and P/A were identified as candidates mediating the formation of divergent traits. Compared with SP, 1115 and 624 DEGs were detected in A/P and P/A, respectively. There were 173 DEGs shared between A/P and P/A, whereas the transcripts of 942 genes were specifically altered in A/P and 451 DEGs were specific to P/A. There were 29 DElncRNAs in A/P and 26 DElncRNAs in P/A, of which, 21 DElncRNAs were specific to A/P and 18 were specific to P/A. The biological functions of the DEGs and DElncRNAs were predicted via GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. A total of 24 co-expressed ‘lncRNA-mRNA’ pairs were identified, including 14 ‘lncRNA-mRNA’ pairs in A/P and 10 ‘lncRNA-mRNA’ pairs in P/A. The ‘MSTRG.17020.2-XM_007210198-2’ pair potentially participates in aminoacyl biosynthesis, and the ‘MSTRG.8395.1-XM_007217967.2’ pair may regulate galactose metabolism. The lncRNA MSTRG.6365.3 may regulate defense response through altering the levels of XM_020556240.1 and XM_020556234.1. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying grafting-induced differential trait formation and establish a foundation for further research on the functional roles of ‘lncRNA-mRNA’ pairs in fruit tree grafting systems. Full article

Western flower thrips (WFT; Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)) is a major pest of greenhouse ornamental crops in Ontario, Canada, and recent surveys indicate onion thrips (OT; Thrips tabaci Lindeman) is becoming increasingly prevalent. This study investigates primary routes of entry for WFT and OT in the Niagara region of Ontario. Imported plant material (chrysanthemum cuttings) was sampled from 2016 to 2019 to confirm thrips presence and species identity. Entry from outside was evaluated from June to November in 2019 at three commercial greenhouses that produced chrysanthemums year-round with a mix of vegetative, budding, and flowering plants present. Sticky cards were mounted inside and outside from June to November, and plant taps were conducted bi-weekly to evaluate thrips establishment in the crop. Cuttings consistently harboured thrips, averaging 0.04 thrips per cutting. In 2019, all but one adult specimen collected on cuttings were WFT, confirming this is an important route of entry for WFT. Onion thrips were not found on cuttings but was prevalent on cards both outside and inside greenhouses. More OT was caught on outside cards and a significant correlation between inside and outside cards (Efron’s pseudo-R² = 0.64) indicates outside populations are a likely source of OT. Additionally, eastern flower thrips (EFT; Frankliniella tritici Fitch) was abundant on cards, but uncommon in the crop. Indoor cards were poor indicators of species composition within the crop, significantly underrepresenting WFT by 71% and overrepresenting EFT by 246%, compared to plant taps. These findings support the use of cutting dips for imported cuttings, in addition to physical control measures to reduce infestation from outdoor populations. This study also highlights the importance of plant inspections for gathering accurate data when making pest management decisions as sticky cards alone may not reliably reflect thrips populations. Full article

In Japan, strawberries are produced in the off-season (June to November) in cool regions; however, the high temperatures and strong sunlight limit fruit production. Dark septate endophytic fungi (DSEs) support growth and flower bud formation of plants grown in environments unsuitable for plant growth. In this study, we investigated the effects of DSE on dry matter production and flower bud formation in strawberry plants grown in the summer and autumn. The seeds were sown in soil mixed with DSE on 5 February 2024. The DSEs used were Cladophialophora chaetospira SK51 (S) and Cc. MNB12 (M), and Veronaeopsis simplex Y34 (Y). Plants were planted in a plastic house on April 18. The total dry weight was significantly increased by DSEs. This is because S and Y-cultured plants did not show a significant decrease in leaf emergence under high temperatures, unlike those grown with M; however, its leaf area was larger than that of the control. This resulted in a larger leaf area for receiving light and higher cumulative light reception and light-use efficiency. Although the DSEs increased cumulative fruit yield, the harvest period was limited to July because of the extreme summer heat. In addition, there was no difference in the budding date or flowering date between the treatments. These results suggest that DSEs improve light use efficiency, thereby increasing total dry matter weight and contributing to increased fruit yield in summer-autumn cultivation. Full article

Biochar has gained attention as a promising soil amendment capable of improving soil structure, nutrient retention and plant resilience to stress. However, its performance in perennial horticultural systems, particularly during the early stages of orchard establishment, remains insufficiently documented. This study, conducted in 2021 in a newly established apple orchard (‘Gala Brookfield Baigent’/P 60) in Wieluń, Central Poland, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three methods of using cattle-manure-derived biochar at a dose of 10 t ha⁻¹ (application before ploughing prior to orchard establishment, application to planting holes and surface spreading). Neither tree growth nor fruiting potential were affected by biochar, which made the comparison of its application methods inconclusive. According to the principal component analysis performed, mineral nitrogen showed a tendency to promote the formation of mixed-type buds on short shoots, a propitious growing pattern for intensive orchard management. In contrast, compost fertilisation favoured vegetative growth over generative development, as reflected by the significantly negative coefficient in regression analysis (b = −0.12; 95% CI: −0.25 to –0.00 for the Box-Cox-scaled fruiting-to-growth potential ratio). Nonetheless, the overall growth response of apple trees in the first year after planting to the applied soil-enriching practices was rather modest, with this observation validating the strategy of reducing fertiliser doses during orchard establishment on productive soils maintained in good agricultural condition. Long-term studies under abiotic or nutrient-limiting constraints, as well as the combined use of biochar with microbial inoculants, are recommended to fully elucidate its potential in apple production. Full article

Phytoptus avellanae is a key hazelnut pest, causing the swelling of mixed buds during the autumn–winter period and a compromised nut yield. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of commercial biopesticides based on Beauveria bassiana and Akanthomyces muscarius in controlling this pest. Specific laboratory and field protocols were developed. In the laboratory, bud galls were disinfected, dissected, immersed for 30 s in a water suspension of the products and in water (control), dried in a laminar flow hood, incubated for 7 days and inspected to assess mite mortality. Intermediate observations were also recorded. Significantly higher mortality was recorded in the treatment with B. bassiana. Infection with B. bassiana was confirmed by a culture in medium and slide-mounting of infected mites. The orchard assay was performed by immersing buds and nuts in the fungal suspensions applied in the laboratory without separating any organ from the plant. Two weeks after application, the treated plant organs were removed and examined to assess mite mortality. The organs treated with B. bassiana showed higher mite mortality than the control for both buds and nuts. Treatments with arthropod pathogenic fungi appear to be promising for inclusion in the control strategy of P. avellanae. Full article

Propolis is a well-known sticky, resinous substance collected by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from the buds of trees and other plants, then mixed with beeswax and their own glandular secretions. Its chemical composition varies widely depending on the bee species, geographic location, plant sources, and weather conditions. The therapeutic potential of propolis—including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects—has been recognized since antiquity. Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. High levels of hypoxia within tumor tissue significantly contribute to cancer progression and increase the resistance of tumor cells to radio- and chemotherapy. In the tumor microenvironment, cytokines play key roles in processes such as invasion, metastasis, and immune suppression. The concept of the “cytokine field” describes how elevated cytokine levels within the tumor microenvironment create a field effect, influencing surrounding cells. Current research is exploring the use of natural immunomodulators, such as propolis, in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment. This review summarizes the potential immunomodulatory role of propolis within the tumor microenvironment. Full article

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), an important subtropical fruit crop, blooms in autumn/winter, which is distinctive compared with other fruit trees such as apple, pear, and peach in Rosaceae. Currently, alternative splicing (AS) of flowering time genes remains understudied in loquat. In this study, full-length transcriptome sequencing of mixed tissues composed of leaves and shoot apical meristems/flower buds was performed and analyzed. A total of 94,194 high-quality isoforms and 44,186 complete open reading frames (ORFs) were obtained out of the 41.79 Gb of subread data. Further analysis revealed 25,988 AS events among 7461 genes, of which the most abundant type was intron retention (IR) occupying 55.32%. Importantly, 197 loquat genes homologous to Arabidopsis or Rosaceae flowering time genes were found to be alternatively spliced, including an important player CONSTANS (EjCO1) that contained three different isoforms (EjCO1-1, EjCO1-2, and EjCO1-3). To investigate the effect of AS on gene function, we overexpressed the three EjCO1 isoforms in Arabidopsis. The results showed that overexpression of EjCO1-1 and EjCO1-3 significantly promoted early flowering of transgenic Arabidopsis plants, whereas overexpressing EjCO1-2 did not significantly change the flowering time. Dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that EjCO1-1 and EjCO1-3 could significantly activate the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS T (EjFT2), while EjCO1-2 had no significant effect on the promoter activity of EjFT2. The results from this study systematically cataloged AS events of flowering time genes and illustrated the important effect of AS on gene functions, which provides insights into the molecular regulation of flowering time by AS in loquat. Full article

The HIV-1 capsid is one of virology’s most iconic structures, yet how it assembles has long remained elusive. Remarkably, the capsid is made from just a single protein, CA, which forms a lattice of ~250 hexamers and exactly 12 pentamers. Conical capsids form inside budded virions during maturation, but early efforts to reproduce this in vitro resulted instead in open-ended tubes with a purely hexameric lattice. The missing component in capsid assembly was finally identified as the metabolite inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6). Simply mixing soluble CA protein with IP6 is sufficient to drive the spontaneous assembly of conical capsids with a similar size and shape to those inside of infectious virions. Equally important, IP6 stabilises capsids once formed, increasing their stability from minutes to hours. Indeed, such is the dependence of HIV-1 on IP6 that the virus actively packages it into virions during production. These discoveries have stimulated work from multiple labs into the role and importance of IP6 in HIV-1 replication, and is the subject of this review. Full article

Honeybee (Apis spp.) products have been used for centuries due to their nutritional value and diverse healing properties. Propolis, produced by honeybees, is a unique resin collected from tree buds, sap flows, and other plant exudates, which is then mixed with bee enzymes, beewax, and secretions. This comprehensive review starts with a meta-analysis following the PRISMA approach to explore recent advances in the chemical composition of propolis, its biological activities and pharmacological properties, its applications and products, and future perspectives. The composition of propolis varies depending on plant source, season of harvest, geography, type of bee flora, climate, and honeybee species at the site of collection, and some of these are related. Flavonoids, aromatic acids, phenolic acids, and their esters are key bioactive compounds in propolis, contributing to their diverse pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral, antileishmanial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects. In summary, propolis stands out as a multifaceted natural product with a broad spectrum of biological activities. This review aims to provide valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers involved in studying the sources, composition, and biological activities of propolis. The highlighted hotspots and emerging frontiers presented herein are poised to unlock the full potential of propolis, paving the way for innovative applications in health and wellness. Full article

Background: Cemento-ossifying fibroma (COF) is a benign, non-aggressive fibro-osseous tumor in which normal bone is replaced by fibrous tissue containing collagen fibers, bone, or cementum-like material. Although COF is rare in children, its occurrence requires careful management due to its potential impact on tooth development and occlusion. Surgical excision is the widely used treatment; however, post-operative occlusal guidance is crucial, particularly in pediatric patients. Case report: This case report presents the early intervention using a preformed eruption guidance appliance (EGA) following the excision of COF in a 5-year-old boy. The patient exhibited premature loss of the primary canine and displacement of the devel-oping permanent tooth bud. After surgical excision, an EGA was applied to facilitate proper eruption of the successor teeth and optimize oral muscle function. Over a four-year follow-up period, the permanent teeth in the affected area erupted favorably, and intercuspal relationships improved during the transition from primary to mixed dentition. Conclusions: Given the limited research on the long-term effects of COF on developing dentition, long-term follow-up and additional studies are necessary to further evaluate its impact and the effectiveness of eruption guidance appliances in pediatric patients. Full article

Transportation infrastructure such as concrete pavements, parapets, barriers, and bridge decks in cold regions are usually exposed to a heavy amount of deicing chemicals during the winter for ice and snow control. Various deicer salts can physically and chemically react with concrete and result in damage and deterioration. Currently, Idaho uses four different types of deicers during the winter: salt brine, mag bud converse, freeze guard plus, and mag chloride. The most often utilized substance is salt brine, which is created by dissolving rock salt at a concentration of 23.3%. Eight concrete mixtures for paving and structural purposes were made and put through a battery of durability tests. Following batching, measurements were made of the unit weight, entrained air, slump, and super air meter (SAM) fresh characteristics. Rapid freeze–thaw (F-T) cycle experiments, deicing scaling tests, and surface electrical resistivity testing were used to test and assess all mixes. Tests with mag bud converse, freeze guard plus mag chloride, and acid-soluble chloride were conducted following an extended period of soaking in salt brine. Two different structural mixtures were suggested as a result of the severe scaling observed in the structural mixtures lacking supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs) and the moderate scaling observed in the other combinations. The correlated values of the SAM number with the spacing factor have been shown that mixture with no SCMs has a spacing factor of 0.24, which is higher than the recommended value of 0.2 and concentrations of acid soluble chloride over the threshold limit were discernible. In addition, the highest weight of calcium hydroxide using the TGA test was observed. For all examined mixes, the residual elastic moduli after 300 cycles varied between 76.0 and 83.3 percent of the initial moduli. Mixture M5 displayed the lowest percentage of initial E (76.0 percent), while mixtures M1 and M2 showed the highest percentage of residual E (83.3 and 80.0 percent, respectively) among the evaluated combinations. There were no significant variations in the percentage of maintained stiffness between the combinations. As a result, it was difficult to identify distinct patterns about how the air content or SAM number affected the mixture’s durability. Class C coal fly ash and silica fume were present in the suggested mixtures, which were assessed using the same testing matrix as the original mixtures. Because of their exceptional durability against large concentrations of chemical deicers, the main findings suggest altering the concrete compositions to incorporate SCMs in a ternary form. Full article

Our study’s aim was to evaluate the clinicopathological profile of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients from North-East Romania in relation to the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS). We designed a retrospective study on 108 CRC patients using the fully automated real-time PCR-based molecular testing system, Idylla^TMKRAS Mutation Test (Biocartis, Mechelen, Belgium). Of the patients, 64 (59.3%) were men and 62 (57.4%) were older than the group average, with left bowel location in 38 cases (35.2%), adenocarcinoma NOS in 102 cases (94.4%), mixed histological pattern in 65 cases (60.2%), T3 in 60 patients (55.6%), N2 in 46 patients (42.6%), and 7–12 tumour buds registered in 58 tumours (53.7%). A total of 54 tumour samples (50%) showed KRAS mutation. Statistical comparative analyses associated KRAS mutations with the histopathological pattern (p = 0.018), tumour grade (p = 0.030), depth of invasion (pT) (p < 0.001), lymph node involvement (pN) (p < 0.001), venous vascular invasion (p = 0.048), and tumour buds’ number (p = 0.007). Our results demonstrate the relationship between KRAS mutation and clinicopathological features, with possible impact in clinical tumour stratification and therapeutic management. Full article

Propolis is a highly complex, resinous natural product collected by honeybees from tree leaves and buds and mixed with pollen and enzymes. Due to its antimicrobial properties, it has various medical and industrial applications. As a nonconventional strategy, the use of propolis was suggested to control contaminating yeast growth in ethanol fermentations, without significantly affecting the starter yeast of the fermentation, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study, we have developed a highly propolis-resistant S. cerevisiae strain using evolutionary engineering. The evolved strain FD11 had a higher growth rate (µ_max = 0.21 h⁻¹) than the reference strain (µ_max = 0.17 h⁻¹) under propolis stress and showed cross-resistance against caffeine stress. Moreover, it had significantly lower reactive oxygen species levels and higher cell wall integrity than the reference strain. Comparative transcriptomic analysis results revealed that the genes involved in oxidoreductase activity, transmembrane transporter activity, unfolded protein binding and pleiotropic drug resistance were upregulated in FD11. Whole genome re-sequencing analysis revealed mutations in multiple genes including PDR1, encoding a transcription factor regulating pleiotropic drug response. The results imply the importance of pleiotropic drug response and cell wall integrity in propolis resistance and the potential of using propolis-resistant, robust yeast strains in industrial applications. Full article