Search Results (4,610)

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is an economically important fruit worldwide. However, heat stress severely threatens its production, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. To elucidate the molecular and metabolic mechanisms underlying heat tolerance, comparative physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses were conducted between two yellow passion fruit cultivars: heat-tolerant ‘Summer Queen’ (F2) and heat-sensitive ‘Qinmi 9’ (QM9). Physiological evaluations demonstrated that QM9 exhibited significantly lower heat tolerance than F2, manifesting as severe leaf wilting, impaired photosynthetic efficiency, and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. F2 exhibited distinct metabolic and transcriptional adaptations under heat stress, particularly in purine metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis. Metabolites such as glutamine, xanthine, luteoloside, and trifolin were enriched in F2, alongside the upregulation of genes like adenosine kinase (AK), xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH), guanine deaminase (GDA), and flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase (F3′H). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) highlighted strong associations between these pathways and transcription factors (e.g., MYB, HSF, WRKY), suggesting their pivotal roles in heat adaptation. Exogenous application of xanthine and trifolin markedly enhanced heat tolerance in passion fruit. Furthermore, knockdown of PeGDA and PeXDH markedly altered the heat tolerance of F2. These findings reveal that elevated metabolites in purine metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis enhance heat tolerance in passion fruit, offering new insights into the molecular mechanisms of heat tolerance and potential targets for breeding climate-resilient passion fruit varieties. Full article

Bristletails (Microcoryphia) represent a relatively understudied group of class Insecta. These wingless hexapods, which retain numerous plesiomorphic structures, remain less well understood compared to most other insect lineages. Through detailed morphological examination of specimens collected from southern China, we describe six new species (Pedetontus (Verhoeffilis) elegans sp. n. from Zhejiang; P. (V.) hezhouensis sp. n., P. (V.) jinxiuensis sp. n., and P. (V.) nanningensis sp. n. from Guangxi; and P. (V.) shenzhenensis sp. n. and P. (V.) xanthospilus sp. n. from Guangdong) of subgenus Verhoeffilis Paclt, 1972. This subgenus is distinguished from other members of the Petrobiinae by several diagnostic features: paired ocelli shoe-shaped (fusiform-shaped) and submedian; two pairs of retractile vesicles on abdominal segments II–V; parameres restricted to coxite IX; penis opening small and apical; male genitalia not exceeding coxite IX; and ovipositor of primary type. The new species can be distinguished from known species and each other by the morphology of the compound eyes, maxilla, labial palps, legs, and genitalia; here, we provide detailed illustrations, tables, and descriptions. Furthermore, we sequence the COX1 gene to construct a phylogenetic tree of Microcoryphia. This contribution increases the total number of reported Pedetontus species in China to seventeen. Full article

Expanding the capacity of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) beyond species identification to strain typing becomes a new challenge in clinical microbiology. This study demonstrated a specific identification of Streptococcus agalactiae sequence type 1 (ST1) by a manual decision tree and automatically ranking from the newly added MTPPs library, which has not been previously reported. The mass spectra of 25 STs (277 isolates) were generated. The presence and absence of specific peaks were combined to create a decision tree for manual identification. Three peaks at 3127, 5914, and 6252 in combination with m/z 3368 and 6281 were used for primary identification of ST1. However, to differentiate ST1 and ST314, five additional peaks were required. For the automatic system, the MTPP of all isolates was divided into three training–testing ratios of 40:60, 50:50, and 60:40. All categories revealed excellent accuracy rates of above 90% for ST1 identification. The 60:40 group showed the highest overall performance, in which sensitivity was observed at 83.9 to 96.8%, and specificity reached up to 100.0% for both the top two and the top three matches. In conclusion, we propose that the MTPP from MALDI-TOF is a potential model for speedy bacterial typing, crucial in epidemiology, prevention, and patient management. Full article

Lance nematodes, Hoplolaimus spp., feed on the roots of many kinds of plants, including agronomic crops. In this study, morphological and molecular analyses of several Hoplolaimus species and populations are provided. We were able to collect and characterize the topotype materials of H. galeatus from Arlington, Virginia; H. stephanus syn. n. from Nichols, South Carolina; and H. concaudajuvencus from Pensacola, Florida, and several additional populations and species from the United States, Israel, and India. Phylogenetic analyses of several hundred sequences of the D2–D3 expansion regions of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA, and COI genes of Hoplolaimus species obtained from published and original datasets were given. Fifty-three new D2–D3 of 28S rRNA, 43 new ITS rRNA, and 47 new COI sequences from 23 isolates of Hoplolaimus spp. and one isolate of Peltamigratus christiei were obtained in this study. New molecular identities for H. concaudajuvencus and H. galeatus were proposed. Hoplolaimus stephanus syn. n. was considered a synonym of H. galeatus based on the morphological and molecular similarity of these two species. Analysis of morphology and molecular data did not reveal significant differences among H. columbus syn. n., H. indicus syn. n., and H. seinhorsti, and the first two species were synonymized with H. seinhorsti. A new species, H. floridensis sp. n., was described from many locations in Florida, USA. It was separated from other representatives of the genus Hoplolaimus by its morphological and molecular characteristics. Maps with geographical distribution of several lance nematode species in North America were reconstructed based on published and original molecular identification of samples. Full article

Transforming industrial by-products into new resources is a fundamental principle of sustainable agriculture and circular bioeconomy. Waste products from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oil extraction, such as exhausted biomass and water residues (WRs), are rich in bioactive compounds like phenols and terpenes. These by-products may represent a promising and economically viable option for agricultural management, particularly in weed control. This study evaluates the potential use of WR as a bioherbicide. In vitro experiments were conducted to assess the inhibitory effects of WR on the germination and seedling morphology (root and shoot development) of four detrimental weed species for temperate cropping systems: two monocotyledonous (Alopecurus myosuroides and Lolium multiflorum) and two dicotyledonous (Sinapis alba and Amaranthus retroflexus). WR was tested at four concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100), corresponding to an increasing gradient of WR, with 100 representing pure WR. The results showed that WR did not significantly inhibit germination in A. myosuroides, L. multiflorum and S. alba, whereas A. retroflexus exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition, with germination reduced by 37.5%, 64.5%, and 91.6% at doses of 25, 50, and 100, respectively, compared with the control (dose 0). Furthermore, germination delays were observed across all tested species with promising application of WR for regulating weed–crop competitive interactions in the early crop growth stages. Results on the morphological traits of weed seedlings showed that WR application affected root more than shoot growth inhibition. In particular, WR demonstrated a pronounced root inhibitory effect in A. myosuroides, L. multiflorum, and A. retroflexus. In contrast, a dose-dependent increase in root length was observed for S. alba (21.41 mm at dose 0 and 25.77 mm, 30.97 mm and 35.96 mm, respectively, at doses 25, 50, and 100). The results of this study highlight the potential application of WR as a sustainable solution to be included in an integrated weed management (IWM) toolbox and underscore their role in promoting the valorization of waste from essential oil production. Full article

Among different formations, inorganic/inorganic assemblies can be considered “two in one” systems offering collective and/or new physical-chemical properties and substantial activity. Herein, a post-synthetic approach involving the assembly through Van der Waals forces and/or hydrogen bonding of the preformed ZnO@OAm NPs and Ca(OH)₂@OAm NPs of non-uniform sizes (9 nm and 27 nm, respectively), albeit coated with the same surfactant (oleylamine-OAm), is reported. The resulting semiconductor hetero-nanostructure (named CaZnO) has been physicochemically characterized. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks correspond to both ZnO and Ca(OH)₂, confirming the successful formation of a dual-phase system. Field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) of CaZnO indicated the formation of Ca(OH)₂ NPs decorated with irregular-shaped ZnO NPs. The synthesized hetero-nanostructure was evaluated by assessing any negative effects on the photosynthetic function of tomato plants as well as for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The impact of the CaZnO hetero-nanostructure on photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry was evaluated under both the growth light intensity (GLI) and a high light intensity (HLI) at a short (90 min) and long (96 h) duration exposure. An enhancement of photosystem II (PSII) function of tomato plants by 15 mg L⁻¹ CaZnO hetero-nanostructure right after 90 min was evidenced, indicating its potential to be used as a photosynthetic biostimulant, improving photosynthetic efficiency and crop yield, but pending further testing across various plant species and cultivation conditions. Full article

Veronica nakaiana Ohwi and Veronica pusanensis Y.N.Lee are rare and endemic plants native to Korea, with increasing interest in their cultivation and breeding for industrial applications. Mutation breeding is important for developing horticultural cultivars. Among mutation breeding techniques, chemical mutagenesis is particularly accessible and effective. Colchicine-induced mutagenesis was performed in vivo at various concentrations (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0%) and treatment durations (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 h). Both V. nakaiana Ohwi and V. pusanensis Y.N.Lee showed the highest survival (23.4% and 34.8%, respectively) and mutation (1.6% and 0.5%, respectively) rates with 0.2% colchicine. Flow cytometry and chromosome number analyses revealed mutants as tetraploid, with chromosome numbers ranging from 2n = 66 to 2n = 68. Stomatal analysis indicated increased stomatal length and width and decreased stomatal density. Morphological analysis of the mutants revealed that the leaves of V. nakaiana Ohwi and V. pusanensis Y.N.Lee were significantly larger and had different shapes compared to the control. This study successfully generated new mutant plants of two Veronica species using chemical mutagen treatment, which could be utilized as new genetic resources for various Veronica species breeding programs in the future. Full article

Largemouth bass (LMB; Micropterus nigricans) are popular both as a sportfish and an aquaculture species. At present, six described viruses are associated with LMB, of which two are typically considered in cases of LMB mortality events. Advances in discovery and diagnostic capabilities using next-generation sequencing have augmented surveillance efforts and subsequently led to the discovery of novel cryptogenic viruses. Here, we present evidence of three novel viruses from a single skin sample collected from a hyperpigmented melanistic lesion of an LMB with blotchy bass syndrome associated with MnA-1 co-infection. These viruses represent recently described groups of viruses (adomaviruses and nackednaviruses) that infect fish. Both are markedly understudied and of unknown significance to fish health. This work highlights the diversity of viruses associated with LMB and further advances our understanding of the LMB virome. Application of de novo sequencing approaches presents an opportunity to explore a new frontier of host–pathogen relationships and microbes associated with changing environments. Full article

Members of Anoectochilus Blume (Goodyerinae, Orchidaceae) are terrestrial and perennial herbs, which possess highly medicinal and ornamental values. The intergeneric relationship and species delimitation of Anoectochilus have been controversial and needed further evidence for clarification. Therefore, complete chloroplast (cp) genomes of nine Anoectochilus species from China were analyzed and compared; three of these were sequenced and assembled here, and the other six species were downloaded from the GenBank. The cp genomes from nine species possessed conserved quadripartite structures. Genome sizes varied between 151,414 bp and 152,976 bp, exhibiting GC contents of 36.8–37.0% and possessing 133 genes. Comparative analysis of these cp genomes indicated higher variation in the single-copy regions. Based on coding sequences (CDSs) from complete cp genomes, phylogenetic analysis revealed that the nine Anoectochilus species formed a monophyletic clade, being a sister group to Rhomboda Lindl., but distant from two species of Odontochilus Blume that was presumed to be related for a long time. Meanwhile, the nine Anoectochilus species were divided into two subclades with strong supports, providing new evidence for the delimitation of some easily confused species. Full article

Wild carnivores can harbor pathogens affecting wildlife conservation and domestic animal health. This study surveyed major viral pathogens in free-ranging wolves, red foxes, stone martens, and Eurasian badgers in Northwestern Italy. Duodenal samples from 140 carcasses were screened by consensus PCR for members of the species Protoparvovirus carnivoran1 and for canine adenoviruses (CAdV-1/2). PCR-positive samples underwent sequence-independent amplification and Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) and feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) DNAs were identified in three wolves (6.4%) and one badger (4.3%), whereas CAdV-1 was detected in one red fox (1.8%). Nanopore sequencing yielded near-complete genomes of two CPV-new 2a, one CPV-2c, and one FPV strains, along with partial CAdV-1 sequences. Furthermore, the complete genome of a canine circovirus (CaCV) strain in co-infection with a CPV-2c-positive wolf and partial sequences of a canine kobuvirus (CaKoV) strain were also obtained. Phylogenetic analysis placed these viruses within known European lineages and linked them to domestic and wild hosts. These findings revealed the circulation of multiple viral pathogens among wild carnivores, reflecting ongoing cross-species spillover. Continuing molecular surveillance at the wildlife–domestic interface is recommended. Full article

The genera: Lerniana Delicado et Hauffe, 2022, Trichonia Schütt, 1980, and two clades (“Radomaniola” elongata Radoman, 1973, and an unnamed clade referred to as “Radomaniola” sp. 1, sp. 2) whose assignment to any genus remains unknown, form sister group with the genus Radomaniola Szarowska, 2007 (Hydrobiidae W. Stimpson, 1865, subfamily Horatiinae D. W. Taylor, 1966). The paper deals with all these clades sister to Radomaniola. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences have been used to infer phylogenetic relationships between the snails collected at 15 localities in southern Greece and one in Montenegro. Thirty-two haplotypes represent eight Molecular Taxonomical Units (mOTUs) of the species level, four of them within the genus Lerniana: L. seminula (Frauenfeld, 1863), L. tritonum (Bourguignat, 1852), and two other of these four species are both described as new. First of them has been found at seven localities in Peloponnese, Attica and southern Thessaly, the second only at one locality, sympatrically with the former species. “Radomaniola” elongata does not belong to Radomaniola, and its relationships remain unknown, similarly as in other unnamed clade, whose genus-level assignment cannot currently be resolved. The shells, protoconchs, radulae, female reproductive organs and penes are presented, also for Trichonia trichonica Radoman, 1973, for which the genus assignment remains undecided based on our molecular results. The study clearly illustrates how fragmentary is our knowledge is on the real biodiversity of the minute truncatelloid gastropods, whose morphology—simple and variable—makes species distinction hardly possible. Informed decisions on species and habitat protection should consider the above. Full article

Proceroplatus (Keroplatidae: Keroplatinae) is a distinct keroplatid group comprising 39 described species. These species are found worldwide, but none had previously been reported in China prior to this study. In this paper, Proceroplatus is recorded for the first time from China, along with two new species: P. dapanshanussp. n. and P. biemarginatussp. n., which were collected from the southern region. Here, a worldwide distribution map of this genus is presented by species, including the new ones. Images and detailed morphological descriptions are provided for each new species, accompanied by molecular identification based on the standard mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. To clarify the mitogenomic characteristics of Proceroplatus, the well-assembled and annotated mitogenome of P. dapanshanus was obtained and described in detail. The comparative analyses and phylogenetic tree indicate that the mitogenomic evolution of keroplatids is relatively conserved and influenced not only by mutation pressure but also by natural selection and other factors. Full article

Heliotropium procumbens, a Boraginaceae species native to Panama, has remained largely unexplored regarding its nitrogen-containing metabolites, including pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). In the current study, a comprehensive phytochemical investigation of its aerial parts is presented using HPLC-DAD-IT-MS, UHPLC–HRMS, and GC-MS primarily to profile its PA composition. A total of twelve PAs and N-oxides (PANOs) were identified, along with two phenolamides—including N¹, N¹⁰-diferuloylspermidine, which is biosynthetically related to PAs—and the distinctive metabolite heliotropamide. The detected PAs included unsaturated necines, primarily monoesters of retronecine and heliotridine, as well as saturated PAs such as a platynecine-type PA and the less commonly encountered triol necines and their N-oxides. Among these, helifoline-N-oxide was isolated and structurally elucidated by NMR spectroscopy for the first time as a natural product. Comparison with the chemodiversity of PAs within the Heliotropium genus revealed a high degree of diversity in H. procumbens, which can be attributed both to the species’ inherent biosynthetic capacity for chemical variation and to the more comprehensive and extensive studies conducted on it, which naturally enrich the apparent diversity observed. This work expands the phytochemical knowledge of H. procumbens and contributes to a broader understanding of PA diversity in the genus, offering new insights into their potential ecological and toxicological significance. Full article