Molecular Diversity and Agronomic Performance of Sesame () Cultivars in Benin: Local Cultivars and Lines Introduced From China.

Sesame cultivation was until recently restricted to the northwestern part of Benin. The yield is relatively low, as there are no improved varieties introduced and widely adopted so far. This study aimed to assess the molecular diversity, genetic differentiation, and the agronomic performance of a collection of local cultivars and introduced lines of sesame from China.

Prolonged survival by combination treatment with a standardized herbal extract from Japanese Kampo-medicine (Juzentaihoto) and gemcitabine in an orthotopic transplantation pancreatic cancer model.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by its poor prognosis. Traditional Japanese herbal medicine (Kampo), such as Juzentaihoto (a standardized combination of 10 herbal extracts), has shown immune modulatory effects, modulation of microcirculation, and amelioration of fatigue. It is administered to patients to prevent deterioration of cachexia and counteract side effects of chemotherapy.

Effect of Moderate Red Meat Intake Compared With Plant-Based Meat Alternative on Psychological Well-Being: A 10-Wk Cluster Randomized Intervention in Healthy Young Adults.

Background: A healthy diet has been proposed to support good mental health, but the addition of either red meat or meat alternatives is nuanced.

Objectives: We aimed to determine if psychological and physiological well-being is differentially affected by consuming recommended weekly amounts of either lean red meat or plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) supplemented with a plant-rich diet.

Methods: The trial was a parallel 2-arm randomized intervention of 10 wk duration.

A new mesoporous Ce-Mn-LDH-based Co-MOF nano-composite for the green synthesis of tetrazoloquinazolines.

Tannic acid (TA), as a plant polyphenol, has many active sites for chelation with metals, so TA-oligomers (TA-Olig) were used for the first time as ligands on the surface of Ce-Mn-LDH to prepare the layered double hydroxide-based metal-organic framework (Ce-Mn-LDH@CPTMS@TA-Olig@Co-MOF = E) nanocomposite. In this regard, a homogeneous water/ethanol solution was prepared by sol-gel method using polyethylene glycol and ammonia solution, and then TA was converted into a set of oligomers in the presence of formaldehyde. In the next step, Ce-Mn-LDH was prepared in a ratio of 1 : 4 of Ce to Mn, modified with 3-chloropropylmethoxysilane, functionalized by TA-Olig, and then cobalt salt was used to prepare E.

Exploring Noncentrifugal Sugar as a Partial Replacement for White Sugar in Low Methoxyl Pectin Confectionery Gels: Impacts on Physical and Rheological Properties.

Noncentrifugal sugar (NCS) is an unrefined, dark brown sugar containing minerals and plant secondary metabolites, unlike refined white sugar (WS). This study explored using NCS in confectionary jellies as an alternative sugar. We used different concentrations of NCS and WS to prepare low methoxyl pectin (LMP) confectionery gels characterized by their physical and rheological properties along with time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) relaxometry.

Contrasting responses of soil bacterial and fungal networks to photovoltaic power station.

The rapid expansion of solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation raises concerns regarding its impact on terrestrial ecosystems. Although the influence of PV panels on soil conditions and plant biomass is acknowledged, their effects on the assembly processes and co-occurrence networks of soil microbial communities remain understudied. Clarifying this influence is crucial for understanding the effects of photovoltaic panels on soil ecosystem functions.

Comparative Study of Essential Oils Extracted From Miller Seeds Using Hydrodistillation, Steam Distillation, and Superheated Steam Distillation.

Miller is a highly valued aromatic and nutritious plant. The unique compositions of its essential oil make it more valuable in the flavor, fragrance, and medicinal industries. However, the potential of superheated steam distillation for obtaining essential oils from its seeds has not been explored in detail.

A Comparative Analysis of Butter, Ghee, and Margarine and Its Implications for Healthier Fat and Oil Group Choices: SWOT Analysis.

This study aims to comparatively analyze butter, ghee, and margarine fatty acid profiles and their implications for healthier fat and oil group choices. In this cross-sectional study, 60 samples from best-selling brands of butter, ghee, and margarine were randomly selected from five food chain stores in Tehran, Iran. Then, all the samples were coded, packed in cool conditions, and sent to the laboratory to determine the fatty acid profiles by using gas chromatography (GC).

Seed Oil Contents, Fatty Acid Compositions, and Gossypol Concentrations of Some Okra Landraces.

Okra has recently attracted attention owing to its superior tolerance to high temperatures, greater adaptation to poor soil conditions, and having a robust plant structure. The plant contains a high amount of oil and valuable fatty acids; however, the main restriction of using okra seeds as an oil crop results from its gossypol contents. The aim of this study was to determine the oil content of okra landraces and to evaluate its potential as an oil crop.

Phytochemical Profiling and Therapeutic Potential of Thyme ( spp.): A Medicinal Herb.

Thymol is a phenol monoterpene that is naturally derived from cymene and is an isomer of carvacrol. It constitutes a significant portion (10%-64%) of the essential oils found in thyme ( L., Lamiaceae), a medicinal plant renowned for its therapeutic properties.

Isolation, Structure Elucidation, and Bioactivity Evaluation of Two Alkaloids From H. Stem: A Traditional Medicinal Spice and Its Chemico-Pharmacological Aspects.

Bangladesh is endowed with an abundance of excellent medicinal plant resources. A well-known traditional medicinal plant H. from the Piperaceae family is rich in bioactive phytochemicals that have antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, and cytotoxic effects.

Prospective life cycle assessment of climate and biodiversity impacts of meat-based and plant-forward meals: A case study of Indonesian and German meal options.

The emerging field of prospective life cycle assessment (pLCA) offers opportunities for evaluating the environmental impacts of possible future consumption shifts. One such shift involves a transition from meat-based to plant-forward diets, acknowledged to mitigate environmental impacts of the food system under present day conditions. Current diets are often meat intensive ("meat-based"), whilst "plant-forward" diets include mainly plant-based foods, encompassing flexitarian, vegetarian, and vegan diets.

Potential candidates from a functional food (Sichuan pepper) for the management of hyperuricemia: high-through virtual screening, network pharmacology and dynamics simulations.

Introduction: Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic syndrome caused by purine metabolism disorders. (ZP) is a medicinal and food homologous plant, and its ripe peel is used to treat diseases and as a spice for cooking. Some studies have shown that ZP can inhibit the formation of xanthine oxidase and reduce the production of uric acid.

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity Using the Aqueous Extract of Pterodon emarginatus Seeds.

The decline in research for new antimicrobials, combined with the rise in bacterial resistance, has become a critical issue that is expected to worsen over time. As an alternative, health sciences have integrated materials engineering to develop new bioactive compounds through the interaction of nanoparticles with plant-derived compounds. These compounds offer advantages such as high bioavailability and low cost, exemplified by , a plant native to the Brazilian Cerrado.

Matairesinol repolarizes M2 macrophages to M1 phenotype to induce apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Objective: Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), the most challenging subtype of Breast Cancer (BC), currently lacks targeted therapy, presenting a significant therapeutic gap in its management. Tumor Associated Macrophages (TAMs) play a significant role in TNBC progression and could be targeted by repolarizing them from M2 to M1 phenotype. Matairesinol (MAT), a plant lignan, has been shown to exhibit anticancer, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities.

Gut microbes with the genes determine TMAO production from L-carnitine intake and serve as a biomarker for precision nutrition.

Gut microbial metabolism of L-carnitine, which leads to the production of detrimental trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), offers a plausible link between red meat consumption and cardiovascular risks. Several microbial genes, including , the operon, and the recently identified gene cluster, have been implicated in the conversion of dietary L-carnitine into TMA(O). However, the key microbial genes and associated gut microbes involved in this pathway have not been fully explored.

Histone Modification-Dependent Transcriptional Regulation of Defence Genes in Early Response of Arabidopsis to Spodoptera litura Attack.

Histone modification is a cellular process for transcriptional regulation. In herbivore-damaged plants, activation of genes involved in defence responses is required for antiherbivore properties, but little is known about how the chromatin remodelling system is involved. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants responding to Spodoptera litura larvae, HAC1 and HDA6, a histone acetyltransferase and a histone deacetylase, respectively, were found here to be involved in histone H3 (Lys9; H3K9) acetylation/deacetylation at the promoter region of the plant defensin gene PDF1.

Biogenic Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles for Nanosensor-Based Mercury Detection.

The production of nanoparticles via green methods is a developing study domain due to potential environmental applications. The green synthesis method is very easy, less toxic and eco-friendly when compared to the chemical synthesis method. This study addresses the silver nanoparticle synthesis utilizing the Acorus calamus leaf extract, which was then employed for environmental applications.

RNA modifications in plant biotic interactions.

The chemical modification of DNA and proteins is an efficient way of regulating molecular and biological function and affects a plethora of signalling pathways in eukaryotes. Similarly, recent progress in epitranscriptomics shows that RNA modifications also play crucial roles in diverse biological processes. Since their discovery in the 1970s, scientists have attempted to decipher the identity and functions of these modifications in different biological systems.

Navigating green synthesized metal-based nanoparticles as anti-inflammatory agent - Comprehensive review.

The biosynthesis of nanomaterials is a vast and expanding field of study due to their applications in a variety of fields, particularly the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. Various synthetic routes, including physical and chemical methods, have been developed in order to generate metal nanoparticles (NPs) with definite shapes and sizes. In this review, focused on the recent advancements in the green synthetic methods for the generation of silver, zinc and copper NPs with simple and eco-friendly approaches and the potential of the biosynthesized metal and metal oxide NPs as alternative and therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Natural polyphenols as therapeutic candidates for mitigating neuropsychiatric symptoms in post-traumatic stress disorder: Evidence from preclinical studies.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a challenging mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide after they experience traumatic events. The current medications often do not fully address the wide range of PTSD symptoms or the underlying brain mechanisms, prompting the need to explore new treatments. Polyphenols, which are natural compounds found in many plant-based foods, have gained interest due to their brain-protective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits.

Productive, Reproductive, Behavioural, Gene Expression, Histological, and Economic Criteria of Feeding Fenugreek and Berseem Seeds as Alternative Protein Sources in New Zealand White Does Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus).

Feed cost represents about 70% of the total production costs of rabbit farms. There is little research on the usage of Berseem and Fenugreek seeds as substitutes for soybeans in rabbit diets. The current investigation was conducted to assess the influence of dietary inclusion of Fenugreek and/or Berseem seeds at varying levels as a substitute for soybean meal on reproductive performance, milk production, maternal behaviour, economic efficiency, mammary gland and ovarian histology, and relative expression of reproductive genes of New Zealand White rabbit does.

Patterns in coarse root decomposition of woody plants: effects of climate, root quality, mycorrhizal associations and phylogeny.

Coarse roots represent a globally important belowground carbon pool, but the factors controlling coarse root decomposition rates remain poorly understood relative to other plant biomass components. We compiled the most comprehensive dataset of coarse root decomposition data including 148 observations from 60 woody species, and linked coarse root decomposition rates to plant traits, phylogeny and climate to address questions of the dominant controls on coarse root decomposition. We found that decomposition rates increased with mean annual temperature, root nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations.

Macroevolutionary inference of complex modes of chromosomal speciation in a cosmopolitan plant lineage.

The effects of single chromosome number change-dysploidy - mediating diversification remain poorly understood. Dysploidy modifies recombination rates, linkage, or reproductive isolation, especially for one-fifth of all eukaryote lineages with holocentric chromosomes. Dysploidy effects on diversification have not been estimated because modeling chromosome numbers linked to diversification with heterogeneity along phylogenies is quantitatively challenging.

Mechanistic insights into plant community responses to environmental variables: genome size, cellular nutrient investments, and metabolic tradeoffs.

Affecting biodiversity, plants with larger genome sizes (GS) may be restricted in nutrient-poor conditions. This pattern has been attributed to their greater cellular nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) investments and hypothesized nutrient-investment tradeoffs between cell synthesis and physiological attributes associated with growth. However, the influence of GS on cell size and functioning may also contribute to GS-dependent growth responses to nutrients.