PDF gene family in four Cucurbitaceae species: genome-wide identification, classification and expression in response to biotic stress.

Background: Plant defensins (PDF) represent a crucial superfamily of innate immune proteins that exhibit antifungal and antibacterial activities, significantly contributing to biotic stress. Despite being significant horticultural and economic crops, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of Cucurbitaceae plant defensin genes (CuPDF) remains unreported.

Results: In this study, 19 CuPDF family members homologous to Arabidopsis PDF were predicted in four Cucurbitaceae and validated based on the presence of conserved PDF-related domains.

Biological Characterization and DIVA Potential of Three Rough Vaccine Strains.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease primarily controlled through quarantine, culling, and vaccination. Live attenuated vaccines remain the most effective countermeasure, yet their application is limited by residual virulence and diagnostic interference. This study developed three rough-type attenuated mutants (G7, G8, G16) and evaluated their potential as DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) vaccine candidates.

Bloom Reshapes Microbial Community Structure, Interaction Networks, and Metabolism Patterns in Qinhuangdao Coastal Waters, China.

The coastal waters of Qinhuangdao are a major hotspot for harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Bohai Sea, with being one of the primary algal species responsible for these events. A comprehensive understanding of the microbial community structure and functional responses to bloom events is crucial for elucidating their underlying mechanisms and ecological impacts. This study investigated the microbial community dynamics, metabolic shifts, and the environmental drivers associated with a bloom in the coastal waters of Qinhuangdao, China, using high-throughput sequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA genes, co-occurrence network analysis, and metabolic pathway prediction.

Identification and expression of a novel antimicrobial peptide Gloverin and its antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted extensive attention in various fields. Gloverin is a group of AMPs derived from Lepidoptera insects. In this study, a novel gloverin CpGlv was identified through sequence alignment.

Effects of a mind-body exercise intervention on anxiety, depression and quality of life in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic evaluation and META analysis.

Background: Elderly patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) commonly suffer from anxiety, depression, and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This review evaluated the effects of mind-body exercises on these outcomes and exercise tolerance in COPD patients aged ≥ 60 years.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science (inception-January 2025) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing mind-body exercise versus usual care.

Multidimensional strategies for efficient heterologous protein expression in Aspergillus niger.

Microbial protein is a promising alternative to animal and plant proteins. Aspergillus niger, a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) microorganism, is frequently used for heterologous protein production, although its expression efficiency is constrained by multiple factors, including gene transcription, metabolic flux distribution, protein folding, and secretion pathways. However, constructing universal Aspergillus niger chassis cells for efficient protein production remains challenging due to the diverse properties of different proteins.

Decoding canine parvovirus: biomarkers for diagnosis and advances in vaccine development to address emerging challenges.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) enteritis is a highly contagious disease caused by CPV, primarily affecting canids and posing a severe threat to their health. Prevention of CPV infection relies mainly on attenuated live vaccines, subunit vaccines, and inactivated vaccines, all of which can induce protective immunity. However, the incomplete protective efficacy provided by some vaccines and fatalities in dogs due to immunization failure have significantly impacted the dog-breeding industry.

Baicalin Inhibits the Infection of CEK Cells by IBV.

Baicalin possesses anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunomodulatory effects. However, the antiviral effect of baicalin against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) has not been well-studied. In this study, chicken embryo kidney (CEK) cells were used as a model to investigate the antiviral effects of baicalin against the IBV Hebei QX strain.

Bioprospection of Metschnikowia pulcherrima as biocontrol agents against gray mold on grapes with their potential modes of action.

Gray mold in grapes during the postharvest period is primarily caused by Botrytis cinerea, with synthetic fungicides being the main method of control. Antagonistic yeasts offer a viable alternative to conventional fungicides for the management of pathogens post-harvest. The study analyzed the effectiveness of 14 Metschnikowia pulcherrima yeast strains against gray mold in grapes and examined their potential mechanisms of action.

Kluyveromyces marxianus fermenta tion improves tomato sensory profile, functional metabolites, lycopene bioaccessibility, and human fecal microbiota composition.

Kluyveromyces marxianus is a traditional fermentation starter, but the effects of K. marxianus fermentation on tomato remain largely unknown. Here, K.

The effect of Chinese herbal medicines on the storage quality of sweet potato.

Sweet potato ( (L.) Lam.) are prone to damage during harvest and postharvest storage, leading to significant economic value depreciation.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction with deep eutectic solvents for valorization of agro-food waste: A sustainable and eco-friendly approach.

The growing need for innovative, sustainable, and eco-friendly solutions worldwide has intensified efforts to valorize agro-food waste, which is generated in vast quantities worldwide and is rich in valuable substances with diverse industrial applications. Conventional extraction methods using organic solvents have long been employed for this purpose, but their significant drawbacks highlight the need for alternative approaches. This review explores the application of non-thermal ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for extracting valuable substances from agro-food waste.

PsoRPM3 Recognises the Meloidogyne incognita Effector MiTSPc to Trigger Defence Response in Prunus sogdiana.

Phytoparasitic nematodes are among the most economically destructive plant pathogens. Large numbers of effectors secreted by phytoparasitic nematodes are delivered into host cells to facilitate susceptible invasion and maintain long-lasting parasitism in the host plants. Plant nucleotide-bound leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptors (NLRs) directly or indirectly recognise pathogen-derived effectors to initiate innate immunity.

Improving the herbicidal activity of mesosulfuron-methyl oil dispersion against Aegilops tauschii by decreasing particle size and adding adjuvant polyvinyl alcohol.

Background: Mesosulfuron-methyl (MSM) is currently the only available selective herbicide for controlling Aegilops tauschii in wheat fields. Improving the control performance of MSM against Ae. tauschii is crucial for ensuring wheat yield.

Fermented Plant-Based Milks Based on Chestnut and Soybean: Comprehensive Evaluation of Fermentation Characteristics and Aroma Profiles Using Four Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains.

In this study, four lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, including CICC21790, CICC6117, ATCC7469, and CICC22704, were used to ferment a plant-based milk composed of chestnut and soybean. The fermentative characteristics of the four LAB strains and the aroma characteristics of the resulting plant-based milks were systematically investigated. The results showed that all four LAB strains successfully fermented the plant-based milk.

Genome-Wide Identification, Evolutionary Expansion, and Expression Analyses of Aux/IAA Gene Family in During Seed Kernel Development.

Auxin/induced-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) serves as a key regulator in the auxin signaling pathway of plants, which exhibits crucial functions in the development of plants. However, the Aux/IAA gene family has not yet been characterized in the genome of , an important food source in the Northern Hemisphere. During this research, 23 / genes were identified in the genome, which were unevenly distributed across seven chromosomes.

An Anion Pillared Metal-Organic Framework for Thermodynamic-Kinetic Synergistic Sieving of Benzene from Benzene/Cyclohexane Mixture.

Adsorption of benzene (Bz) is important to reduce environmental pollution and provide high-purity cyclohexane (Cy). However, the efficient separation of Bz and Cy still faces significant challenges because of their very similar molecular sizes and boiling points. In this work, a fluorine functionalized Metal-Organic Framework (Cu-TiF-TPA, TiF = TiF , TPA = tri(pyridin-4-yl)amine) is synthesized with a large Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area (1372.

High Phosphorus Fertilization Increases Manganese Accumulation in Wheat: Absorption and Transport Mechanisms.

Excessive intake of manganese (Mn) may cause neurological toxicity in the human body. Previous studies have shown that high phosphorus (P) fertilization can significantly increase the Mn content in wheat grain; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of P fertilizer application on Mn accumulation, Mn transporters, and Mn micro-distribution in wheat at varying P fertilization rates.

Effects of screw-pressing temperature on the functional properties and structural characteristics of apricot ( L.) kernel protein isolates.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of screw-pressing temperature on the quality of apricot kernel protein isolates (API). The API values at different screw-pressing temperatures (40-200°C) were obtained, and the functional and structural properties of different API samples were comparatively studied. The results revealed that the total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP assays) increased significantly with increasing temperature.

A synergy of DUT-67(Zr)@AFP with hierarchical pores and amines to remove trace SO from flue gas.

The recovery and reduction of SO₂ face significant challenges in balancing separation performance with renewability and stability. Herein we have successfully designed and prepared a novel composite material (DUT-67(Zr)@AFP) with a hierarchical porous structure and rich amine groups. The equilibrium adsorption results indicate that DUT-67(Zr)@AFP has excellent SO uptake (208 mL/g) and SO/CO selectivity (469) with outstanding comprehensive separation performance and excellent renewability, establishing a new benchmark.

Isolation and characterization of the virulent porcine epidemic diarrhea virus strain CHGS20 in China.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is the etiological agent of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), which threatens the swine industry worldwide. Although commercial PEDV vaccines are available, the disease continues to plague the swine industry in China. Therefore, isolating PEDV from clinical samples is beneficial for conducting molecular epidemiological investigations, developing effective vaccines and diagnostic methods, and investigating pathogenic mechanisms.

PipC affects the virulence of serovar and its deletion strain provides effective immune protection in mice.

Background: Salmonellosis caused by sp. is a foodborne zoonotic disease that poses a significant threat to public health security. Vaccination is a safe and effective strategy for preventing and controlling infections.

Inhibitory mechanisms of amentoflavone on amyloid-β peptide aggregation revealed by replica exchange molecular dynamics.

Amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation is a central pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, with soluble trimers recognized as particularly neurotoxic species. Amentoflavone (AMF), a natural biflavonoid compound, has shown strong inhibitory effects on Aβ aggregation. However, its underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood.

Cancer biomarkers discovered using pan-cancer plasma proteomic profiling.

Mass-spectrometry-based proteomic data of tumour patient plasma samples present opportunities for improving cancer detection. Here we generate plasma proteomic profiles from 2,251 pan-cancer patient samples and investigate potential diagnostic biomarkers. Proteomic subtyping with different dominant tumour types links proteomic features and clinical indicators such as tumour stage.