Flavonoids and Other Phenolic Compounds for Physiological Roles, Plant Species Delimitation, and Medical Benefits: A Promising View.

Flavonoids and other phenolic constituents are a large group of plant metabolites that have long attracted interest from researchers worldwide due to their functions in plant physiology, as well as their huge number of benefits for human health and well-being. This review attempts to reveal a promising view of the major physiological roles of flavonoids and other phenolic phytochemical molecules, e.g.

Deciphering the Effects of Phosphate Fertiliser on Rhizospheric Bacterial Community Structure and Potato Common Scab.

The prolonged practice of continuous potato cropping, coupled with inadequate field management, disrupts the soil bacterial community equilibrium. Such disturbances compromise the resilience of the soil ecosystem, predisposing it to an increased incidence of potato diseases. However, the effects of the phosphorus fertiliser application rate on the rhizosphere soil bacterial community composition of potatoes and the occurrence of potato common scab (CS) have not been adequately studied.

Insights into Mitochondrial Rearrangements and Selection in Accipitrid Mitogenomes, with New Data on and .

Background/objectives: Accipitridae mitogenomes exhibit unique structural variations, including duplicated control regions (CRs) that undergo gradual degeneration into pseudo-CRs, revealing a complex evolutionary landscape. However, annotation of this characteristic in a subset of accipitrid genomes is lacking. Due to the taxonomic diversity of Accipitridae and the presence of understudied species, comprehensive mitogenomic studies are essential.

Comparison of Molecularly Identified Resistant and Susceptible Johnsongrass ( L.) Populations at Gene, in the Absence and Presence of Field Crops.

Background/objectives: Johnsongrass () is an erect tetraploid, perennial, C4 grass weed species categorized among the world's most noxious weeds due to its high competitive ability against crops and the increased number of field-evolved herbicide-resistant populations. The aim of the present study was to assess the growth rate and performance of resistant (R) johnsongrass genotypes hosting Trp574Leu target-site cross-resistance at gene, inhibiting various herbicides, compared to susceptible (S) conspecific weeds, in the absence and presence of corn or sunflower antagonism.

Methods: The aboveground biomass, tiller, and rhizome production ability of one S and one R johnsongrass population with a Trp574-Leu substitution conferring cross-resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides were compared under non-competitive conditions.

Integrated Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Provide Key Molecular Insights into Floral Stage-Driven Flavonoid Pathway in Safflower.

Safflower ( L.) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb renowned for its high flavonoid content and significant medicinal value. However, the dynamic changes in safflower petal flavonoid profiles across different flowering phases present a challenge in optimizing harvest timing and medicinal use.

Roles of Response Regulators in the Two-Component System in the Formation of Stress Tolerance, Motility and Biofilm in Enteritidis.

Two-component systems (TCS) of serovar Enteritidis are composed of a histidine kinase and a response regulator (RR) and represent a critical mechanism by which bacteria develop resistance to environmental stress. Here, we characterized the functions of RRs in TCS in the formation of stress tolerance, motility and biofilm using twenty-six . Enteritidis RR-encoding gene deletion mutants.

Assessing multi-decadal climatic variability and its impact on cardamom cultivation in the Indian Cardamom Hills.

This study examines the multi-decadal variability and trends of surface air temperature and precipitation in the Indian Cardamom Hills (ICH), a degraded tropical rainforest area unique for cardamom cultivation. Utilizing observed long-term climatic data (1958-2017), statistical methods such as the Mann-Kendall test (MKT), Sen's Slope Estimator (SSE), and Incremental Trend Analysis (ITA) were applied to assess the impact of surface air temperature, rainfall, and the number of rainy days on cardamom yield. The analysis revealed a significant decline in annual rainfall by approximately 13.

Assessment of the impact of quinoa protein modification on silver carp surimi gel quality and its utilization in 3D printing.

This study aims to investigate the effects of different modified quinoa proteins (MQP) on the gel quality of silver carp surimi, as well as to explore their feasibility for three-dimensional (3D) printing. Five different methods were employed to modify quinoa protein, water bath (WB), microwave (MW), ultrasonic (US), microwave followed by ultrasonic (M-U), and ultrasonic followed by microwave (U-M), to prepare compound surimi gels (MQPs). The results showed that the addition of quinoa protein improved the gel quality of surimi, while the MQP had an even better effect on enhancing the gel quality.

A novel aptamer-based photoelectrochemical sensor for zearalenone detection: Integration of g-CN/BiOBr with in situ growth AgS quantum dots.

Zearalenone (ZEN), a secondary metabolite mycotoxin primarily synthesized by Fusarium species and prevalent in cereal grains, exerts estrogenic effects that could induce reproductive toxicity and teratogenic outcomes. To enhance the precision of ZEN detection, we have developed an innovative photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptamer-based sensor employing in situ growth silver sulfide (AgS) quantum dots-sensitized graphitic carbon nitride/bismuth oxybromide (g-CN/BiOBr) heterojunction. The g-CN/BiOBr composite exhibits robust structural stability and straightforward synthesis.

The NanoSIMS-HR: The Next Generation of High Spatial Resolution Dynamic SIMS.

The high lateral resolution and sensitivity of the NanoSIMS 50 and 50L series of dynamic SIMS instruments have enabled numerous scientific advances over the past 25 years. Here, we report on the NanoSIMS-HR, the first major upgrade to the series, and analytical tests in a suite of sample types, including an aluminum sample containing silicon crystals, microalgae, and plant roots colonized with a symbiotic fungus. Significant improvements have been made in the Cs ion source, high voltage (HV) control, stage reproducibility, and other aspects of the instrument that affect performance.

Dietary Mycotoxins: An Overview on Toxicokinetics, Toxicodynamics, Toxicity, Epidemiology, Detection, and Their Mitigation with Special Emphasis on Aflatoxicosis in Humans and Animals.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of filamentous fungi and ubiquitous dietary contaminants. Aflatoxins, a group of mycotoxins with high prevalence and toxicity, have raised a high level of public health concern, the most prevalent and toxic being aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Many aspects appertaining to AFB1 poisoning are not well understood.

Fermented Rice Bran Mitigated the Syndromes of Type 2 Diabetes in KK- Mice Model.

Diabetes is a devastating disease that causes millions of deaths. Fermented rice bran (FRB), made by fermenting rice bran with and a mixture of lactic acid bacteria, was hypothesized to b able to improve diabetes-related symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the effects of FRB supplementation in mitigating type 2 diabetes symptoms and identifying FRB bioactive compounds.

Impact of Sublethal Insecticides Exposure on : Insights from Physiological and Transcriptomic Analyses.

Insecticides are widely used to boost crop yields, but their effects on non-target insects like are still poorly understood. Despite its ecological and economic significance, has been largely neglected in risk assessments. This study employed physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses to investigate the impact of sublethal concentrations of thiamethoxam, avermectin, chlorfenapyr, and β-cypermethrin on Although larval survival rates remained unchanged, both pupation and fledge rates were significantly reduced.

Food-Grade Bigel Systems: Formulation, Characterization, and Applications for Novel Food Product Development.

Bigels are characterized as biphasic systems consisting of two structured phases of different polarity, namely the oleogel and hydrogel phases. These systems have been widely used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, owing to their enhanced physicochemical stability compared to other structured systems and their ability to simultaneously deliver both hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds. Considering the above advantages, bigels could have considerable potential for the food industry.

Effect of Cooling Rate on Properties of Beeswax and Stearic Acid Oleogel Based on Rice Bran Oil and Sesame Oil.

This study aimed to investigate how varying cooling rate impacts the characteristics of oleogels prepared using a sesame oil and rice bran oil blend (5:6, /) using a combination of beeswax and stearic acid (3:1, / at 12%, /) as the oleogelators. The study assessed three different cooling rates-0.5, 1.

BiS/BiOCl heterojunction-based photoelectrochemical aptasensor for ultrasensitive assay of fumonisin B via signal amplification with in situ grown AgS quantum dots.

Fumonisin B (FB) is a mycotoxin mainly found in corn, peanuts, and wheat crops, which affects human health. Based on bismuth sulfide/bismuth oxychloride (BiS/BiOCl) composite material, silver sulfide (AgS) was grown in situ as a quantum dot sensitization signal, and a photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor was designed by layer upon layer modification to detect FB. BiS/BiOCl has a wide range of visible light absorption, stable chemical properties, and a simple synthesis method.

Effects of lignin on indigo-reducing activity and indigo particle size in indigo dye suspensions.

Microbial indigo reduction is a key reaction in indigo dyeing; however, the mechanism of the interaction with indigo remains unclear. We hypothesized that lignin is a candidate substance that supports this interaction. The addition of lignin effectively enhanced the indigo reduction.

The High Prevalence of Orientia tsutsugamushi Among Wild Rodents and the Identification of Its Major Serotypes in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Where Scrub Typhus Patients Are Rarely Identified.

Orientia tsutsugamushi (OT) is an obligate intracellular bacterium transmitted by larval trombiculid mites, responsible for scrub typhus in humans. In Japan, approximately 500 human cases are reported annually, with six major serotypes identified as Kato, Karp, Gilliam, Irie/Kawasaki, Shimokoshi, and Hirano/Kuroki. However, the prevalence of OT in Yamaguchi prefecture remains largely unknown.

MUSAE: Fusion of art and technology to address challenges in food and health.

There is an urgent need to transform our current food system to improve population health/wellbeing and planetary health. A number of challenges exist in order to achieve this. Artists, with their innate ability to use imagination to envision future needs and solve problems, represent a key group in this transformation.

Simultaneous Analysis of Imidazole Dipeptides, Constituent Amino Acids, and Taurine in Meats Using the Highly Sensitive Labeling Reagent l-FDVDA and PBr Column.

Imidazole dipeptides (IDPs) are found in the skeletal muscles and brains of various animals, and they exhibit unique functions like antioxidant and antiaging properties. Despite their importance, the metabolic mechanisms and physiological roles of IDPs remain unclear. Herein, we propose a method for the simultaneous analysis of IDPs, their constituent amino acids, and taurine, which are difficult to separate using conventional labeling reagents or columns, using liquid chromatography-single quadrupole mass spectrometry with PBr column and our highly sensitive labeling reagent, 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl-5-l-valine-,-dimethylethylenediamineamide (l-FDVDA).

Seasonal dynamics of soil microbiome in response to dry-wet alternation along the Jinsha River Dry-hot Valley.

Background: Soil microorganisms play a key role in nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and other important ecosystem processes, yet their response to seasonal dry-wet alternation remains poorly understood. Here, we collected 120 soil samples from dry-hot valleys (DHVs, ~ 1100 m a.s.

Unlocking the potential of social media on food additives for effective science communication.

Ultra-processed foods dominate modern diets, often containing numerous additives to enhance flavor, texture, and shelf life. Concerns about the potential health risks of daily or excessive consumption have sparked online discussions. This study analyzed perceptions of food additives on Zhihu, a popular Chinese social platform.