Morphological and genetic diversity assessment of cultivated Thymus satureioides (endemic species) of Morocco.

Thymus satureioides is an endemic and medicinal plant of Morocco, widely distributed in the arid and semiarid habitats. Communally used in traditional medicine. In the current study, twelve Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) primers combined with 11 agro-morphological traits were applied to evaluate 60 accessions of T.

Discovery of antioxidants and α-glycosidase inhibitors from an endophytic fungus Penicillium brefeldianum F4a.

Oxidative stress significantly contributes to the progression of diabetes. The use of antioxidants or α-glycosidase inhibitors would be an effective therapeutic strategy for diabetes. To discover natural antioxidants or α-glycosidase inhibitors, two new compounds, penidione A (1) and peniorcinol D (2), were obtained from the endophytic fungus Penicillium brefeldianum F4a isolated from the roots of Houttuynia cordata Thunb.

Post-lactation mass recovery and metabolic hormone dynamics in adult female Weddell seals.

Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) females lose substantial body mass across an intensive, nutritionally restricted lactation period and then must rapidly recover mass during the short Antarctic summer. In this study, we examined endocrine dynamics associated with mass loss across lactation and subsequent realimentation in Weddell seals, comparing patterns between seals that recently gave birth and demographically similar non-reproductive females (skip females) in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Postpartum seals near weaning (∼35 days postpartum, n = 64) and skip females (n = 32) were handled during early austral summer (November/December) and rehandled in late summer (January/February).

Exploring the neurotoxic effects of cylindrospermopsin in early development of zebrafish: An integrated impact of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and apoptosis.

The increasing global spread of cyanobacteria and their toxin Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a growing concern.This study aimed to examine the toxic effects of CYN on the early neurodevelopment of zebrafish, and to identify the underlying mechanisms. The findings indicated that zebrafish exposed to varying concentrations of CYN exhibited general developmental toxicity, including typical malformations, diminished embryonic movement, and shortened body length.

Unique per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) source suggested by a Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) PFAS profile in a temperate lake.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are detected in pelagic freshwater fish and have deleterious effects on their health. It is unclear if traditional proxies for uptake of contaminants in fish (e.g.

AIE luminogens based on 9, 10-dithienylanthracene with a D-A-D structure: Design, synthesis and application in cell imaging.

Three novel D-A-D-structured emitters derived from 9, 10-dithienylanthracene derivatives (DTAs) were synthesized and characterized. These DTAs consist of substituted 9-phenyl-9H-carbazole (BPCB-DTA), triphenylamine (BTPA-DTA) and N, N-dimethylaniline (BDMA-DTA) as donor units, with the phenylacetonitrile group serving as the acceptor. The impact of steric hindrance and electronic effect of the substituents on the optical properties has been thoroughly discussed.

Structurally diverse sesquiterpenes with anti-leukemia activity from the rare medicinal plant Liriodendron chinense.

A further phytochemical investigation on the branches and leaves of Liriodendron chinense, a rare medicinal and ornamental plant endemic to China, yielded thirty-four sesquiterpenes with diverse skeletons. The isolated compounds comprise 12 new naturally occurring sesquiterpenoids (1-12) and 22 known analogues (13-34). The new structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analyses, and their absolute configurations (except for 10) were determined by electronic circular dichroism spectra, quantum-chemical calculations, and X-ray crystallography.

Quantifying the distribution and origins of aerosol zinc across the Northern Hemisphere using stable zinc isotopes: A review.

Quantitatively assessing the origins of aerosol zinc (Zn) is crucial for understanding of the global atmospheric Zn cycle and for formulating targeted policies to mitigate anthropogenic Zn emissions. Zn isotope ratios (denoted as δ⁶⁶Zn) serve as powerful tools for constraining the origins of aerosol Zn. This review comprehensively compiles an δ⁶⁶Zn (relative to Lyon JMC Zn standard) dataset (n = 207) for multi-sized aerosols observed exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere, encompassing diverse atmospheric environments, including urban areas and remote deserts, glacier, and ocean.

The four Ws of viruses: Where, Which, What and Why - A deep dive into viral evolution.

For centuries, humanity has been captivated by evolution, seeking to unravel the origins of life and identify past patterns with future applications. Viruses, despite their obligate parasitic nature, are the most adaptable biological entities, surpassing cellular life in their variability and adaptability. While many theories about viral evolution exist, a consensus on their origins remains elusive.

Impaired denitrification of aerobic granules in response to micro/nanoplastic stress: Insights from interspecies interactions and electron transfer processes.

The accumulation of micro/nanoplastics in wastewater significantly hinders denitrification in biological wastewater treatment systems, yet the intrinsic mechanisms are not fully understood. Herein, we combined signal molecule monitoring, electrochemical characterization and multi-omics analysis to investigate how quorum sensing (QS)-mediated microbial interactions influence denitrification in aerobic granular sludge systems. Results showed that after 90-day exposure to micro/nanoplastics, cross-talk between multiple signal molecules significantly declined, thereby disrupting the QS system to opportunely sense changes in the external environment.

Hydrological isolation accelerates algal blooms in floodplain lakes: Biomarker evidence from Dongting Lake, China and its satellite lake.

Hydrological disconnection from main channels (either via natural siltation or due to construction of hydrological infrastructures) is modifying biogeochemical cycling in river-floodplain systems. Knowledge on how this process influences phytoplankton composition and harmful algal blooms (HABs) in floodplain lakes is quite scant due to the lack of long-term water quality monitoring and the concurrent influence of multiple drivers of change. Here, chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment biomarkers from dated sediment cores were analyzed from Dongting Lake (China's second largest freshwater lake) and one of its satellite lakes (Donghu) in the Yangtze floodplain, to evaluate the long-term influence of hydrological isolation on algal community composition and HABs.

Ecosystem evolution and drivers across the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding regions.

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) and surrounding regions, vital to global energy and water cycles, are profoundly influenced by climate change and anthropogenic activities. Despite widespread attention to vegetation greening across the region since the 1980s, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study employs the eigen microstates method to quantify vegetation greening dynamics using long-term remote sensing and reanalysis data.

Ammonium chloride mitigates the amplification of fish virus by blocking autophagy-dependent replication.

Ammonia fertilizer, primarily composed of ammonium chloride, is widely used in pond fish farming throughout Asia. Despite the belief that it possesses antiviral properties, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) has been demonstrated to act as a potent inhibitor of autophagy, which is used by many fish viruses to promote their proliferation during infection.

In memoriam: Carl J. Carrano : July 14, 1950-January 26, 2022.

This article is a celebration of the life and work of Carl J. Carrano who, from a childhood in Long Island, New York, built a career in bioinorganic chemistry, especially in the context of metal uptake and halogen metabolism in microbes and marine organisms.

Evaluating Toxic Interactions of Polystyrene Microplastics with Hazardous and Noxious Substances Using the Early Life Stages of the Marine Bivalve .

Plastics pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, owing to their slow biodegradability. Microplastics (MPs), in particular, affect marine life and maricultural organisms and can enter the food chain via ingestion by marine organisms, leading to bioaccumulation in predators, including humans. This study assessed the toxic interactions between polystyrene microplastic particles (PSMPs) and cadmium (Cd) and phenanthrene (Phe) using marine bivalves.

Novel associations among insect herbivores and trees: Patterns of occurrence and damage on pines and eucalypts.

Globalization has led to a significant increase in the establishment of forest plantations with exotic species and to the accidental introduction of forest insects worldwide. Cumulatively, these factors contribute to the increased occurrence of novel associations between phytophagous insects and trees, leading to new interactions between species that have not historically co-occurred. Here, we reviewed the patterns of novel associations between herbivorous insects and pines and eucalypts at a global scale and identified factors that could favor the occurrence of novel associations and their impacts on forestry.

Methane and nitrous oxide fluxes from reference, restored, and disturbed estuarine wetlands in Pacific Northwest, USA.

There is substantial interest in restoring tidal wetlands because of their high rates of long-term soil carbon sequestration and other valued ecosystem services. However, these wetlands are sometimes net sources of greenhouse gases (GHG) that may offset their climate cooling potential. GHG fluxes vary widely within and across tidal wetlands, so it is essential to better understand how key environmental drivers, and importantly, land management, affect GHG dynamics.

Construction costs and tradeoffs in carnivorous pitcher plant leaves: towards a pitcher leaf economic spectrum.

Background: Leaf economic theory holds that physiological constraints to photosynthesis have a role in the coordinated evolution of multiple leaf traits, an idea that can be extended to carnivorous plants occupying a particular trait space that is constrained by key costs and benefits. Pitcher traps are modified leaves that may face steep photosynthetic costs: a high-volume, three-dimensional tubular structure may be less efficient than a flat lamina. While past research has investigated the photosynthetic costs of pitchers, the exact suite of constraints shaping pitcher trait variation remain under-explored-including constraints to carnivorous function.

Unraveling the impact of marine heatwaves on the Eukaryome of the emblematic Mediterranean red coral .

Global warming is intensifying heatwaves worldwide, leading to more frequent and severe temperature extremes. This study investigates the impact of the unprecedented 2022 Mediterranean heatwaves on the coral eukaryome, which has received little attention despite its known importance to coral holobiont functioning. Fifty-six colonies of the iconic red coral from the Mediterranean Sea were collected at different sites, depths, and health states.

Jurassic Park approached: a coccid from Kimmeridgian cheirolepidiacean Aintourine Lebanese amber.

With the exception of a fly and a mite from the Triassic of Italy, all Mesozoic amber arthropods are from the Cretaceous. Late Jurassic Lebanese amber from Aintourine revealed a completely preserved adult coccid male (wing length 0.8 mm), gen.

The fate of biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics in maize: impacts on cellular ion fluxes and plant growth.

The widespread application of biodegradable microplastics (MPs) in recent years has resulted in a significant increase in their accumulation in the environment, posing potential threats to ecosystems. Thus, it is imperative to evaluate the distribution and transformation of biodegradable MPs in crops due to the utilization of wastewater containing MPs for irrigation and plastic films, which have led to a rising concentration of biodegradable MPs in agricultural soils. The present study analyzed the uptake and transformation of polylactic acid (PLA) MPs in maize.

Chemical Recognition and Spectrum-Effect Relationship of UPLC-MS Chromatograms With Anti-Complementary and Antioxidant Activities of Myricariae Ramulus.

Introduction: Myricariae Ramulus (MR) is a traditional anti-inflammatory Tibetan medicine derived from the branches and leafy twigs of various Myricaria plants, such as Myricaria wardii Marquand.

Objective: This study performed spectrum-effect analyses on 15 batches of MR, sourced from various origins and medicinal parts, to identify quality markers associated with its anti-inflammatory effects.

Materials And Methods: The anti-inflammatory effects of different extracts and fractions from M.

Composition and diversity of rumen mycobiota in Jiani yaks ( jiani): insights into microbial ecology and functions.

This study aimed to explore the diversity and functions of rumen mycobiota in 14‑ (PLf) and 15‑rib (DLf) Jiani yaks using ITS sequencing. A total of 1,079,105 and 1,086,799 filtered sequences were obtained for the PLf and DLf groups, respectively, with 491 ASVs common to both. No significant difference regarding the α‑diversity of mycobiota within the two groups was observed.

Setting goals for pollinator gardens.

In recent years, declines in animal pollinators have stimulated tremendous interest in pollinator-friendly gardening. There is a widespread notion that pollinator gardens are beneficial, but the specific capacity of pollinator gardens to improve biodiversity conservation and societal well-being remains unclear. We argue that setting clear ecological and social goals can clarify the value of pollinator gardens for both pollinators and people.

An evaluation of important plant areas around the world.

Area-based approaches have long dominated biodiversity conservation and have been reinforced by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The important plant area (IPA) approach is a leading framework for the spatial conservation prioritization of plants and fungi, but over 20 years since its launch, its application and conservation outcomes remained unevaluated. Through systematic mapping and semistructured interviews of key informants, we evaluated IPAs globally.