Search Results (8,747)

Antibiotic resistance remains one of the most formidable challenges to modern medicine, threatening to outpace therapeutic innovation and undermine decades of clinical progress. While resistance was once viewed narrowly as a clinical phenomenon, it is now understood as the outcome of complex ecological and molecular interactions that span soil, water, agriculture, animals, and humans. Environmental reservoirs act as silent incubators of resistance genes, with horizontal gene transfer and stress-induced mutagenesis fueling their evolution and dissemination. At the molecular level, advances in genomics, structural biology, and systems microbiology have revealed intricate networks involving plasmid-mediated resistance, efflux pump regulation, integron dynamics, and CRISPR-Cas interactions, providing new insights into the adaptability of pathogens. Simultaneously, the environmental dimensions of resistance, from wastewater treatment plants and aquaculture to airborne dissemination, highlight the urgency of adopting a One Health framework. Yet, alongside this growing threat, novel therapeutic avenues are emerging. Innovative β-lactamase inhibitors, bacteriophage-based therapies, engineered lysins, antimicrobial peptides, and CRISPR-driven antimicrobials are redefining what constitutes an “antibiotic” in the twenty-first century. Furthermore, artificial intelligence and machine learning now accelerate drug discovery and resistance prediction, raising the possibility of precision-guided antimicrobial stewardship. This review synthesizes molecular insights, environmental drivers, and therapeutic innovations to present a comprehensive landscape of antibiotic resistance. By bridging ecological microbiology, molecular biology, and translational medicine, it outlines a roadmap for surveillance, prevention, and drug development while emphasizing the need for integrative policies to safeguard global health. Full article

Fusarium wilt disease, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (FOC), leads to widespread yield losses and quality deterioration in cucumber. Endophytes, as environmentally friendly control agents that enhance pathogen resistance in their host plants, may mitigate these problems. In this study, we isolated 14 endophytic bacteria from invasive Ambrosia artemisiifolia and screened the strain Bacillus subtilis TCX1, which exhibited significant antagonistic activity against FOC (inhibitory rate of 86.0%). TCX1 killed Fusarium oxysporum by being highly likely to produce lipopeptide and producing wall hydrolytic enzymes including protease, cellulase, and β-glucanase, thereby inhibiting mycelial growth and spore germination and causing peroxidation of FOC’s cytoplasmic membrane. In addition to its direct effects, TCX1 exerts indirect effects by inducing cucumber resistance to FOC. When cucumber seedlings were inoculated with TCX1, antioxidant enzymes related to disease resistance, including Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD), Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and Phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) in cucumber, were significantly increased. The marker genes involved in induced systemic resistance and the salicylic acid signaling pathway, such as npr1, pr1a, pr2, pr9, lox1, and ctr1, were also dramatically upregulated, indicating these pathways played an important role in improving cucumber resistance. Notably, TCX1 can also promote cucumber growth through producing indole-3-acetic acid, solubilizing phosphate, and secreting siderophores. Given that TCX1 has dual functions as both a biological control agent and a biofertilizer, it offers an effective strategy for managing cucumber seedling blight while enhancing plant productivity. Full article

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (A. macrocephala), a medicinal plant extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine, is greatly susceptible to root rot under continuous monoculture, leading to serious yield and quality losses. To develop a sustainable control strategy, we isolated the endophytic bacterium Bacillus velezensis (B. velezensis) Amzn015 from healthy A. macrocephala plants and assessed its biocontrol efficacy and underlying mechanisms. In vitro assays showed that Amzn015 significantly inhibited Fusarium oxysporum and other phytopathogenic fungi by disrupting hyphal morphology and reducing spore viability. Pot experiments confirmed its effectiveness in reducing disease incidence and promoting plant growth. Mechanistically, Amzn015 induced reactive oxygen species accumulation and upregulated key defense responsive genes involved in salicylic acid, jasmonic acid/ethylene, and phenylpropanoid signaling pathways. The findings imply that Amzn015 synchronously activates systemic acquired resistance and induced systemic resistance in A. macrocephala. This dual activation contributes to enhanced immunity and plant vigor under pathogen challenge. Our findings offer fresh perspectives on the biocontrol potential of endophytic B. velezensis Amzn015 and support its application as an eco-friendly agent for managing root rot in medicinal crops. Full article

14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved regulatory molecules in plants. In grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), 14-3-3 proteins are studied under abiotic stress. However, the role of 14-3-3 proteins in the interaction between grapevine and downy mildew is yet to be studied. In this study, we identified a highly conserved 14-3-3 protein in grapevine and performed a phylogenetic analysis, revealing a close relationship between one of its homologs, 14-3-3ω proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana. We designated this homolog as Vv14-3-3ω. Subcellular localization studies showed that Vv14-3-3ω resides in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm. Expression analysis revealed a strong induction of Vv14-3-3ω at early time points following Plasmopara viticola infection, correlating with enhanced pathogen sporulation in grapevine. Furthermore, transient overexpression of Vv14-3-3ω in N. benthamiana increased susceptibility to the Phytophthora capsici pathogen and suppressed Flg22-induced pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) responses. Overexpression of Vv14-3-3ω in Nb14-3-3-silenced N. benthamiana plants resulted in increased susceptibility to P. capsici, suggesting functional conservation of this isoform. These findings indicate that Vv14-3-3ω functions as a susceptibility factor, facilitating pathogen infection and disease progression in grapevine, and highlight its potential role for improving resistance against downy mildew. Full article

Pachysandra terminalis (P. terminalis), a plant belonging to the Buxaceae family, is known as a great source of aminosteroid alkaloids. In a previous communication, we reported on the isolation of a variety of aminosteroids from P. terminalis, which presented interesting activity against the protozoan pathogens, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Plasmodium falciparum. In the present study, variations in the alkaloid profile of P. terminalis related to seasonal changes as well as differences between plant organs (leaves and twigs) and between plant populations were investigated to prioritize candidates for targeted isolation in further studies. For this purpose, sample material of P. terminalis was collected from the two nearby populations in monthly intervals over one year. The ethanolic (75%) extracts were analyzed using UHPLC/+ESI-QqTOF-MS/MS, and the resulting data converted to variables encoding the intensity of MS signals in particular m/z and retention time (t_R) intervals over the chromatographic runs. The very large and complex data matrix of these <t_R:m/z> variables was evaluated using multivariate data analysis, especially principal component analysis (PCA) and volcano plot analysis of t-test data. The results of these analyses, for the first time, allowed a holistic analysis of variation in the alkaloid profiles in P. terminalis organs over the vegetation period. The evaluation of the PCA scores and loadings plots of principal components 1 through 3, as well as of volcano plots, highlighted 25 different compounds, mostly identified as aminosteroid alkaloids, that were most relevant for the differences between leaves and twigs and between the two populations and mainly determined the changes in their chemical profiles over the vegetation period. Full article

This retrospective review traces personal encounters along the complex path of plant yellowing diseases—graft-transmissible disorders historically attributed to elusive viruses, but later linked to phloem-invading, wall-less bacteria known as Mollicutes. These include two plant-infecting genera: the cultivable Spiroplasma and the non-cultivable ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’. A third group—the walled, psyllid-transmitted Candidatus Liberibacter—was later implicated in closely similar syndromes. This shift in understanding marked a major turning point in plant pathology, offering new insights into yellowing diseases characterized by stunting, decline, and poor or deformed growth. The review focuses on key syndromes: citrus little leaf disease (LLD), or citrus stubborn disease (CSD), caused by Spiroplasma citri; and several Mollicute -related disorders, including safflower phyllody, Bermuda grass yellowing, and papaya dieback (PDD) (Nivun Haamir), the latter linked to ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense’. Despite differing causes and vectors, citrus LLD-CSD and PPD share an erratic, unpredictable pattern of natural outbreaks—sometimes a decade apart—hindering grower engagement and sustained control efforts. While scientific understanding has deepened, practical management remains limited. The recent global spread of Huanglongbing (HLB), caused by Candidatus Liberibacter species, underscores the urgent need for improved strategies to manage this resilient group of phloem-limited bacterial pathogens. Full article

The long-term application of traditional chemical herbicides has caused a significant escalation in herbicide resistance of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli). As an eco-friendly alternative, biological herbicides demonstrate substantial application potential. Acknowledging the growing herbicide resistance of E. crus-galli, this study aimed to screen target bacteria with inhibitory effects on the growth for bio-herbicide development. By using ungerminated E. crus-galli seeds as the screening substrate, a bacterial strain (BFYBC-8) with potent inhibitory activity was isolated and identified as Brucella pseudorignonensis. Pot experiments revealed that inoculation with B. pseudorignonensis BFYBC-8 significantly suppressed E. crus-galli growth, reducing plant height by 16.7% and root length by 85.1%, while markedly inhibiting biomass accumulation. Fluorescent labeling with green fluorescent protein (GFP) showed that BFYBC-8 successfully colonized the root intercellular spaces of E. crus-galli and extended continuously along the tissue matrix. Additionally, the strain’s supernatant metabolic products exhibited exceptional thermostability: inhibitory activity against E. crus-galli was maintained after thermal treatment at 28 °C, 60 °C, 80 °C, and 100 °C. Crucially, the bacterium displayed no toxicity to agronomically important crops such as rice, wheat, and corn. This study highlights B. pseudorignonensis BFYBC-8 as a promising candidate for bioherbicide development and provides an important reference for applying seed-associated pathogenic bacteria in developing bioherbicides for sustainable weed management. Full article

Understanding the soil fungal community in vineyards sheds light on the interactions between plants and their associated microorganisms. For example, identifying arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which are beneficial to grapevine growth, is a good indicator of soil health. In contrast, other fungi, such as the pathogen group, can be detrimental to vine growth. The present study aimed to characterize the soil fungal community and the fungal diversity present at six Mediterranean vineyards located in Burgos (Spain), delving into fungal functional guilds and focusing on AMF and pathogenic fungal groups. The fungal structure was investigated using DNA metabarcoding in three soil samples taken from each vineyard, and differences in the abundance of functional guilds were assessed. Similar soil fungal community structures were observed among soil sample repetitions within vineyards. In contrast, adjacent vineyards presented differences in their microbial composition. Saprophytes followed by pathogens were the dominant fungal functional guilds across all vineyards. However, no differences in the relative abundance of the different fungal functional groups were observed among sites. The vineyard with the highest relative abundance of AMF (0.5%) also had the lowest pathogen relative abundance from all the sites (29.76%). Also, sites presenting a high relative abundance of pathogens in soil (>35%) had a low relative abundance of AMF (<0.05%). Our results suggest that the fungal community is affected by the intrinsic properties of the soil and the characteristics of each vineyard’s microsite over the effect of the geographical proximity. In addition, to improve our understanding of the soil microbial ecology, we highlight the necessity of prospecting soil fungal analyses into functional groups, interpreting diversity results within taxonomic groups alongside the total abundance of target groups/species. Full article

Infectious diseases present a significant global health challenge, further exacerbated by the rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and the limited availability of effective antiviral and antimicrobial agents. The Erythrina genus has garnered scientific interest due to its diverse array of bioactive phytoconstituents, with potential therapeutic relevance. This review aims to synthesize and critically assess the existing literature on the antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiplasmodial properties of Erythrina species. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Relevant studies were identified through keyword searches combining pathogen-specific terms with “Erythrina”. The extracted data were categorized based on the pathogen type and its associated bioactive compounds. Several Erythrina species exhibited substantial antiviral activity against prominent viral pathogens, such as HIV and SARS-CoV-2. Notably, strong antibacterial efficacy was observed against Staphylococcus aureus, including multidrug-resistant strains. Antifungal activity was most pronounced against Candida albicans, while potent antiplasmodial effects were reported against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. These pharmacological effects were predominantly attributed to prenylated flavonoids, isoflavones, pterocarpans, and erythrina-type alkaloids. Further mechanistic studies and in vivo evaluations are essential to fully assess their clinical efficacy and support the development of plant-derived antimicrobial agents. Full article

Wound healing remains a significant clinical challenge due to antibiotic-resistant pathogens, persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired tissue regeneration. Conventional therapies are often inadequate, necessitating alternative strategies. Plant bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and alkaloids, offer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pro-angiogenic properties that directly address these challenges in wound healing therapy. However, their poor solubility, instability, and rapid degradation at the wound site limit clinical translation. Biomaterial-based scaffolds such as hydrogels, electrospun nanofibers, lyophilized dressings, and 3D-bioprinted constructs have emerged as promising delivery platforms to enhance bioavailability, stability, and sustained release of bioactive compounds while providing structural support for cell adhesion, proliferation, and tissue repair. This review was conducted through a structured literature search using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, covering studies published between 1998 and 2025, with keywords including wound healing, phytochemicals, plant bioactive compounds, scaffolds, hydrogels, electrospinning, and 3D bioprinting. The findings highlight how incorporation of plant bioactive compounds onto scaffolds can combat resistant microbial infections, mitigate oxidative stress, promote angiogenesis, and accelerate tissue regeneration. Despite these promising outcomes, further optimization of scaffold design, standardization of bioactive formulations, and translational studies are needed to bridge laboratory research with clinical applications for next generation wound healing therapies. Full article

Nitrogen is a critical nutrient that influences plant growth and resistance to pathogens; however, its impact on disease dynamics, particularly downy mildew infection, and the associated physiological responses in cucumber during early growth stages remains poorly understood. To evaluate the combined effects of downy mildew (caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis) infection and nitrogen application on cucumber growth and physiological traits during the seedling and vine development stages, two downy mildew treatments— infected (B0) and non-infected(B1)—and three nitrogen levels—T1 (N-50%), T2 (N-100%), and T3 (N-150%)—were applied. Significant differences were observed between all treatments (p < 0.05). Among them, the B1T3 treatment had the most pronounced stimulatory effect, particularly on growth parameters (such as plant height, stem diameter, and leaf area). Without any disease infection (B1), the B1T2 treatment showed an increasing trend in photosynthetic rate and a more notable rise in stomatal conductance. In contrast, with downy mildew infection (B0), photosynthetic rates declined under B0T1 and B0T2. Moreover, with downy mildew infection (B0), the intracellular CO₂ concentration, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate of cucumber leaves decreased in the B0T1, B0T2, and B0T3 treatments. Plant height, stem diameter, and leaf area responded variably to nitrogen levels and downy mildew infection. The total root length, root surface area, average root diameter, total root volume, and total root tips of cucumber plants were significantly different under different experimental conditions (p < 0.05). Consequently, this study provides a theoretical basis for stress-resistant cucumber cultivation in greenhouses and has practical implications for advancing the sustainable development of the greenhouse cucumber industry. Full article

This study investigated the phylogenetic relationships in the pear calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) pan-gene family and elucidated its role in the resistance to scab disease caused by Venturia nashicola. By integrating data from eight genomic sets from five cultivated pear species, Pyrus bretschneideri, P. ussuriensis, P. sinkiangensis, P pyrifolia, and P. communis, along with P. betulifolia and interspecific hybrids, 63 PyCDPK family members were identified. Among these, P. communis possessed the highest number of CDPK genes, whereas P. bretschneiderilia had the fewest. These genes encode proteins ranging from 459 to 810 amino acids in length, and are predominantly localized to the cell membrane. Six genes, PyCDPK9, PyCDPK11, PyCDPK12, PyCDPK14, PyCDPK16, and PyCDPK19, were classified as core members of the pan-genome, and PyCDPK19 showed evidence of positive selection pressure. Clustering analysis and transcriptomic expression profiling of disease-resistance-related CDPKs identified PyCDPK19 as a key candidate associated with scab resistance. Promoter analysis revealed that the regulatory region of PyCDPK19 contains multiple cis-acting elements involved in defense responses and methyl jasmonate signaling. Transient overexpression of PyCDPK19 in tobacco leaves induced hypersensitive cell necrosis, accompanied by significant increases in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Similarly, overexpression in pear fruit callus tissue followed by pathogen inoculation resulted in elevated levels of both H₂O₂ and MDA. Collectively, these findings indicate that PyCDPK19 mediates defense responses through the activation of the reactive oxygen species pathway in both tobacco and pear plants, providing a promising genetic target for enhancing scab resistance in pears. Full article

Plants have evolved a complex, multilayered immune system that integrates molecular recognition, signaling pathways, epigenetic regulation, and small RNA-mediated control. Recent studies have shown that DNA-level regulatory mechanisms, such as RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM), histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling, are critical for modulating immune gene expression, allowing for rapid and accurate pathogen-defense responses. The epigenetic landscape not only maintains immunological homeostasis but also promotes stress-responsive transcription via stable chromatin modifications. These changes contribute to immunological priming, a process in which earlier exposure to pathogens or abiotic stress causes a heightened state of preparedness for future encounters. Small RNAs, including siRNAs, miRNAs, and phasiRNAs, are essential for gene silencing before and after transcription, fine-tuning immune responses, and inhibiting negative regulators. These RNA molecules interact closely with chromatin features, influencing histone acetylation/methylation (e.g., H3K4me3, H3K27me3) and guiding DNA methylation patterns. Epigenetically encoded immune memory can be stable across multiple generations, resulting in the transgenerational inheritance of stress resilience. Such memory effects have been observed in rice, tomato, maize, and Arabidopsis. This review summarizes new findings on short RNA biology, chromatin-level immunological control, and epigenetic memory in plant defense. Emerging technologies, such as ATAC-seq (Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin using Sequencing), ChIP-seq (Chromatin Immunoprecipitation followed by Sequencing), bisulfite sequencing, and CRISPR/dCas9-based epigenome editing, are helping researchers comprehend these pathways. These developments hold an opportunity for establishing epigenetic breeding strategies that target the production of non-GMO, stress-resistant crops for sustainable agriculture. Full article

Microplastic (MPL) and nanoplastic (NPL) contamination in soils is widespread, impacting soil invertebrates, microbial communities, and soil–plant systems. Here, we compiled the information from 100 research articles from 2018 onwards to enhance and synthesize the status quo of MPLs’ and NPLs’ impacts on such groups. The effects of these pollutants depend on multiple factors, including polymer composition, size, shape, concentration, and aging processes. Research on soil invertebrates has focused on earthworms and some studies on nematodes and collembolans, but studies are still limited to other groups, such as mites, millipedes, and insect larvae. Beyond soil invertebrates, plastics are also altering microbial communities at the soil–plastic interface, fostering the development of specialized microbial assemblages and shifting microbial functions in ways that remain poorly understood. Research has largely centered on bacterial interactions with MPLs, leaving understudied fungi, protists, and other soil microorganisms. Furthermore, MPLs and NPLs also interact with terrestrial plants, and their harmful effects, such as adsorption, uptake, translocation, and pathogen vectors, raise public awareness. Given the complexity of these interactions, well-replicated experiments and community- and ecosystem-level studies employing objective-driven technologies can provide insights into how MPLs and NPLs influence microbial and faunal diversity, functional traits, and soil ecosystem stability. Full article

Plant viruses have detrimental effects on commercial tomato cultivation leading to severe economic consequences. Viral metagenomics studies provide the opportunity to examine in depth the virome composition of a sample set without any pre-existing knowledge of the viral species that are present. In the present study, 101 plant samples were collected from commercial greenhouses in 13 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America between 2017 and 2024. All samples were processed with the VLP enrichment protocol NetoVIR and the obtained data were analyzed with the ViPER pipeline. Forty-three eukaryotic viral species were identified, with a median identification of 2 species per sample. The most prevalent viral species were pepino mosaic virus (PepMV), tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), and southern tomato virus (STV). The obtained genome sequences were used to study the diversity and phylogeny of these viruses. The three genotypes identified for PepMV showed low diversity within each genotype (96.2–99.0% nucleotide identity). Low isolate diversity was also found for ToBRFV and STV. No significant association could be found between STV identification and the presence of symptoms, questioning the pathogenic potential of STV. Three other pathogenic viral species of particular interest due to their effects on tomato cultivation or recent emergence, namely tomato torrado virus (ToTV), tomato fruit blotch virus (ToFBV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), were part of the virome with low prevalence. Our study provided a comprehensive overview of the analyzed samples’ virome, as well as the possibility to inspect the genetic diversity of the identified viral genomes and to look into their potential role in symptom development. Full article