Understanding the influence of plant genetic factors on rhizosphere microbiome assembly in .

Introduction: Functional rhizosphere microbiomes (FRM) are critical for plant health and yield. However, the ecological succession of FRM and their links to plant genetic factors across the life cycle of perennial plants remain poorly understood.

Methods: This study profiled FRM, including plant-beneficial bacteria (PBB) and fungal plant pathogens (FPP), across different developmental stages of .

Development and validation of a dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging-based habitat and peritumoral radiomic model to predict axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer: a retrospective study.

Background: The heterogeneity within breast cancer and its microenvironment are associated with metastasis. Analyzing distinct tumor subregions using habitat analysis and characterizing the tumor microenvironment through radiomics may be valuable for predicting axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) in breast cancer. This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram for predicting ALNM in breast cancer patients by integrating clinicopathological, intra- or peri-tumoral radiomic, and habitat signatures based on dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and determine the optimal peritumoral region size for accurate prediction.

Herbal Multiomics Provide Insights into Gene Discovery and Bioproduction of Triterpenoids by Engineered Microbes.

Triterpenoids are natural products found in plants that exhibit industrial and agricultural importance. Triterpenoids are typically synthesized through two main pathways: the mevalonate (MVA) and methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathways. They then undergo structural diversification with the help of squalene cyclases (OSCs), cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s), UDP glycosyltransferases (UGTs), and acyltransferases (ATs).

Convergent evolution of berberine biosynthesis.

Berberine is an effective antimicrobial and antidiabetic alkaloid, primarily extracted from divergent botanical lineages, specifically (Ranunculales, early-diverging eudicot) and (Sapindales, core eudicot). In comparison with its known pathway in species, its biosynthesis in species remains elusive. Using chromosome-level genome assembly, coexpression matrix, and biochemical assays, we identified six key steps in berberine biosynthesis from , including methylation, hydroxylation, and berberine bridge formation.

Application of DNA Barcoding to Identify Medicinal Plants.

Medicinal plants are valuable resources globally and are used worldwide to maintain health and treat disease; however, the presence of adulteration obstructs their development. DNA barcoding, a technique for species identification by standard DNA regions, facilitates prompt and accurate identification of traditional medicinal plants. The process of DNA barcoding entails six basic steps: 1) processing the medicinal plants, 2) extracting high-quality total DNA from the medicinal plants using centrifugal column method, 3) amplifying target DNA region internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) with universal primers of plants and performing Sanger sequencing, 4) splicing and aligning sequence to obtain the target sequence, 5) matching the barcode sequence against the barcode library for identification, 6) aligning sequence, comparing intraspecific and interspecific variation, constructing phylogenetic neighbor-joining tree.

Glycyrrhiza, a commonly used medicinal herb: Review of species classification, pharmacology, active ingredient biosynthesis, and synthetic biology.

Background: Licorice is extensively and globally utilized as a medicinal herb and is one of the traditional Chinese herbal medicines with valuable pharmacological effects. Its therapeutic components primarily reside within its roots and rhizomes, classifying it as a tonifying herb. As more active ingredients in licorice are unearthed and characterized, licorice germplasm resources are gaining more and more recognition.

Genome-wide pan-GPCR cell libraries accelerate drug discovery.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are pivotal in mediating diverse physiological and pathological processes, rendering them promising targets for drug discovery. GPCRs account for about 40% of FDA-approved drugs, representing the most successful drug targets. However, only approximately 15% of the 800 human GPCRs are targeted by market drugs, leaving numerous opportunities for drug discovery among the remaining receptors.

Multi-omics reveals the alleviating effect of berberine on ulcerative colitis through modulating the gut microbiome and bile acid metabolism in the gut-liver axis.

The dysfunction of gut microbiome and bile acid metabolism might cause the incidence and relapse of ulcerative colitis (UC). Thus, natural products have been considered effective for UC through the regulation of gut microbiome and bile acid. In this study, we evaluated the regulatory effect of berberine on gut microbiome and bile acid metabolism in UC.

Combining transcriptome and metabolome analyses to reveal the response of maize roots to Pb stress.

As a major food crop, maize (Zea mays L.) is facing a serious threat of lead (Pb) pollution. Research into its Pb tolerance is crucial for ensuring food security and human health, however, the molecular mechanism underlying the response to Pb remains incompletely understood.

Comparative Evaluation of Dosimetric Quality and Treatment Efficiency for Halcyon, TrueBeam, and TomoTherapy in Cervical-Thoracic Esophageal Cancer Radiotherapy.

Introduction: This study primarily aims to investigate the suitability of Halcyon in the context of cervical-thoracic esophageal cancer by exploring the dosimetric quality and delivery efficiency of Halcyon plans with different arc configurations. Additionally, it compares these findings with the dosimetric indices and delivery efficiency of TrueBeam and TomoTherapy accelerators, focusing on their capability to optimize protection for organs at risk (OARs) while maintaining efficient treatment delivery strategies.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 26 patients diagnosed with cervical-thoracic esophageal cancer, and new radiotherapy plans were created using Halcyon, TrueBeam, and TomoTherapy.

Total biosynthesis of the medicinal triterpenoid saponin astragalosides.

Astragalus membranaceus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. Its major active triterpenoid saponins, astragalosides, have attracted great attention due to their multiple health benefits and applications in medicine. Despite this, the biosynthetic machinery for astragalosides remains enigmatic.

LC-MS coupled with diagnostic ion strategy facilitated the discovery of 5-methylcoumarin meroterpenoids from Gerbera piloselloides.

Plant-derived natural products remain crucial in drug development. However, the identification of undescribed natural products is becoming increasingly challenging. A comprehensive strategy combining LC-MS with diagnostic ions was proposed for the discovery of undescribed 5-methylcoumarin meroterpenoids.

The evolutionary advantage of artemisinin production by Artemisia annua.

Artemisinin, a potent antimalarial compound, is predominantly derived from Artemisia annua. The uniqueness of artemisinin production in A. annua lies in its complex biochemical pathways and genetic composition, distinguishing it from other plant species, even within the Asteraceae family.

Structural diversity, evolutionary origin, and metabolic engineering of plant specialized benzylisoquinoline alkaloids.

Covering: up to June 2024Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) represent a diverse class of plant specialized metabolites derived from L-tyrosine, exhibiting significant pharmacological properties such as anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic, anti-cancer, cardiovascular protection, and analgesic effects. The industrial production of valuable BIAs relies on extraction from plants; however, challenges concerning their low concentration and efficiency hinder drug development. Hence, alternative approaches, including biosynthesis and chemoenzymatic synthesis, have been explored.

Transcriptomics Combined with Physiology and Metabolomics Reveals the Mechanism of Tolerance to Lead Toxicity in Maize Seedling.

Lead (Pb) exposure can induce molecular changes in plants, disrupt metabolites, and impact plant growth. Therefore, it is essential to comprehend the molecular mechanisms involved in Pb tolerance in plants to evaluate the long-term environmental consequences of Pb exposure. This research focused on maize as the test subject to study variations in biomass, root traits, genes, and metabolites under hydroponic conditions under Pb conditions.

QTL mapping and omics analysis to identify genes controlling kernel dehydration in maize.

This study mapped and screened three candidate genes related to kernel dehydration in maize. The slow development rate of maize kernels during later stages leads to high kernel moisture content at harvest, posing a challenge for mechanized maize harvesting in China. This study utilized a recombinant inbred line population derived from Zheng 58 (slow dehydration) and PH6WC (fast dehydration) as parents.

Genome-wide analysis of the Family in provides insights into the regulatory role in Cepharanthine biosynthesis.

Introduction: Cepharanthine (CEP), a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid (bisBIA) extracted from , has received significant attention for its anti-coronavirus properties. While ethylene response factors (ERFs) have been reported to regulate the biosynthesis of various alkaloids, their role in regulating CEP biosynthesis remains unexplored.

Methods: Genome-wide analysis of the ERF genes was performed with bioinformatics technology, and the expression patterns of different tissues, were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing analysis and real-time quantitative PCR verification.

: panoramagram of phytochemical and pharmacological properties, biosynthesis, and regulation and production of ginsenosides.

is a famous perennial herb widely used as material for medicine and health-care food. Due to its various therapeutic effects, research work on has rapidly increased in recent years, urging a comprehensive review of research progress on this important medicinal plant. Here, we summarize the latest studies on the representative bioactive constituents of and their multiple pharmacological effects, like cardiovascular protection, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory activities.

A new UiO-66-NH MOF-based nano-immobilized DFR enzyme as a biocatalyst for the synthesis of anthocyanidins.

Anthocyanidins and anthocyanins are one subclass of flavonoids in plants with diverse biological functions and have health-promoting effects. Dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) is one of the important enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanidins and other flavonoids. Here, a new MOF-based nano-immobilized DFR enzyme acting as a nano-biocatalyst for the production of anthocyanidins in vitro was designed.