bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mediation of a Mutualistic Conflict for Pollination via Fig Phenology and Odor Recognition between Ficus and Fig Wasp
Authors: Chen Wen-Hsuan , Bain Anthony , Wang Sheng-Yang , Ho Yi-Chiao , Tzeng Hsy-Yu
Published: October 2022

The vegetative and reproductive growth of plants provide the basic tempo for an ecosystem, and when species are interdependent, phenology becomes crucial to regulating the quantity and quality of the interactions. In plant–insect interactions, the plants signal the beginning of their reproductive period with visual and chemical cues; however, in the case of Ficus mutualism, the cues are strictly chemical. The volatile organic compounds emitted by a fig species are a unique, specific blend that provides a signal to mutualistic wasps that the figs are receptive for pollination. In this study, we studied both the phenological pattern of Ficus septica in Central Taiwan and its emissions of volatile compounds at receptivity. This dioecious fig species displays a pattern of continuous vegetative and reproductive production all through the year with a decrease in winter. In parallel, the odor blends emitted by male and female trees are similar but with seasonal variations; these are minimal during winter and increase with the size of the wasp population during the favorable season. In addition, the pollinating females cannot distinguish between the male and female summer odor blends. The link between odor similarity, pollinators and intersexual conflict is discussed.
Strigolactone: An Emerging Growth Regulator for Developing Resilience in Plants
Authors: Alvi Ameena Fatima , Sehar Zebus , Fatma Mehar , Masood Asim , Khan Nafees A.
Published: October 2022

Improving plant resilience to changing environmental conditions is the primary focus of today’s scientific research globally. It is essential to find various strategies for the better survival of plants with higher resistance potential to climate change. Strigolactones (SLs) are multifunctional β-carotene derivative molecules that determine a range of plant growth and development aspects, such as root architecture, shoot branching, chlorophyll synthesis, and senescence. SLs facilitate strong defense responses against drought, salinity, heavy metal, nutrient starvation, and heat stress. The SLs trigger other hormonal-responsive pathways and determine plant resilience against stressful environments. This review focuses on the mechanisms regulated by SLs and interaction with other plant hormones to regulate plant developmental processes and SLs’ influence on the mitigation of plant damage under abiotic stresses. A better understanding of the signaling and perception of SLs may lead to the path for the sustainability of plants in the changing environmental scenario. The SLs may be considered as an opening door toward sustainable agriculture.
Modelling the Rhizosphere Priming Effect in Combination with Soil Food Webs to Quantify Interaction between Living Plant, Soil Biota and Soil Organic Matter
Authors: Chertov Oleg , Kuzyakov Yakov , Priputina Irina , Frolov Pavel , Shanin Vladimir , Grabarnik Pavel
Published: October 2022

A model of rhizosphere priming effect under impact of root exudate input into rhizosphere soil was developed as an important process of the plant-soil interaction. The model was based on the concept of nitrogen (N) mining, compensating for the N scarcity in exudates for microbial growth by accelerating SOM mineralisation. In the model, N deficiency for microbial growth is covered (“mined”) by the increased SOM mineralisation depending on the C:N ratio of the soil and exudates. The new aspect in the model is a food web procedure, which calculates soil fauna feeding on microorganisms, the return of faunal by-products to SOM and mineral N production for root uptake. The model verification demonstrated similar magnitude of the priming effect in simulations as in the published experimental data. Model testing revealed high sensitivity of the simulation results to N content in exudates. Simulated CO2 emission from the priming can reach 10–40% of CO2 emission from the whole Ah horizon of boreal forest soil depending on root exudation rates. This modeling approach with including food web activity allows quantifying wider aspects of the priming effect functioning including ecologically important available N production.
Chemical Study and Comparison of the Biological Activities of the Essential Oils of Helichrysum petiolare, H. cymosum, and H. odoratissimum
Authors: Adewinogo Selena O. , Sharma Rajan , Africa Charlene W. J. , Marnewick Jeanine L. , Hussein Ahmed A.
Published: October 2022

Helichrysum species are prominent South African medicinal plants. From the essential oils (EOs) of three Helichrysum species, H. petiolare, H. odoratissimum, and H. cymosum, sixty-three constituent components were identified, with hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes as major components. The compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In H. petiolare EO, the major components were faurinone (20.66%) and (E)-β-ocimene (17.21%). Faurinone was isolated from this EO for the first time. In H. odoratissimum, 1,8-cineole (17.44%) and α-pinene, and γ-curcumene (15.76%) were the major components whereas, in H. cymosum, α-pinene (29.82%) and (E)-caryophyllene (19.20%) were the major components. In the antibacterial activity study, the EOs were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The EOs were found to possess low antibacterial, anti-tyrosinase, and photoprotection activities and moderate antioxidant capacities, thus establishing these Helichrysum EOs as valuable antioxidant agents.
A Rhizobacterium, Streptomyces albulus Z1-04-02, Displays Antifungal Activity against Sclerotium Rot in Mungbean
Authors: Ruangwong On-Uma , Kunasakdakul Kaewalin , Chankaew Sompong , Pitija Kitsada , Sunpapao Anurag
Published: October 2022

Sclerotium rot causes damping-off and stem rot in seedlings and mature mungbeans, which negatively impacts cultivation. The use of a rhizobacterium to control soil-borne diseases is an alternative method to the excess use of synthetic fungicides; therefore, this study aims to screen rhizosphere actinobacteria with fungicidal activities against Sclerotium rolfsii, the pathogen that causes sclerotium rot in mungbeans. Primary screening showed that the Streptomyces sp. isolate Z1-04-02 displayed the highest effectiveness against S. rolfsii in dual culture plates, with a percentage inhibition of 74.28%. An assay containing enzymes that degrade cell walls, of the cell-free culture filtrate (CF) of Z1-04-02, showed that the activities of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase were 0.0209 and 1.0210 U/mL, respectively, which was significantly higher than that of the control (media alone). The cell-free CF of Z1-04-02, incubated at 37 °C and 100 °C, using agar well diffusion, effectively inhibited the growth of S. rolfsii with inhibition percentages of 37.78% and 27.78%, respectively. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was applied to trap volatiles released from Z1-04-02 and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS); volatile antifungal compounds were tentatively identified as bicyclic monoterpene (1R)-(-)-myrtenal. The application of the cell-free CF, and the spore suspension of Z1-04-02, showed disease severity indexes (DSIs) of 12.5% and 8.25%, respectively, which were significantly lower than those showing inoculation by S. rolfsii alone. The identification of this strain by morphology, biochemistry tests, and 16s rDNA sequences revealed that Z1-04-02 was Streptomyces albulus. This finding revealed that S. albulus Z1-04-02 displayed diverse fungicidal activities against S. rolfsii, and it has the potential to act as a biological control agent in terms of inhibiting sclerotium rot in mungbeans.
Beneficial Effect and Potential Risk of Pantoea on Rice Production
Authors: Lv Luqiong , Luo Jinyan , Ahmed Temoor , Zaki Haitham E. M. , Tian Ye , Shahid Muhammad Shafiq , Chen Jianping , Li Bin
Published: October 2022

Bacteria from the genus Pantoea have been reported to be widely distributed in rice paddy environments with contradictory roles. Some strains promoted rice growth and protected rice from pathogen infection or abiotic stress, but other strain exhibited virulence to rice, even causing severe rice disease. In order to effectively utilize Pantoea in rice production, this paper analyzed the mechanisms underlying beneficial and harmful effects of Pantoea on rice growth. The beneficial effect of Pantoea on rice plants includes growth promotion, abiotic alleviation and disease inhibition. The growth promotion may be mainly attributed to nitrogen-fixation, phosphate solubilization, plant physiological change, the biosynthesis of siderophores, exopolysaccharides, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase and phytohormones, including cytokinin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), auxins, abscisic acid and gibberellic acid, while the disease inhibition may be mainly due to the induced resistance, nutrient and spatial competition, as well as the production of a variety of antibiotics. The pathogenic mechanism of Pantoea can be mainly attributed to bacterial motility, production of phytohormones such as IAA, quorum sensing-related signal molecules and a series of cell wall-degrading enzymes, while the pathogenicity-related genes of Pantoea include genes encoding plasmids, such as the pPATH plasmid, the hypersensitive response and pathogenicity system, as well as various types of secretion systems, such as T3SS and T6SS. In addition, the existing scientific problems in this field were discussed and future research prospects were proposed.
Evaluation of Factors Affecting Tree and Shrub Bark’s Antioxidant Status
Authors: Golubkina Nadezhda , Plotnikova Ulyana , Lapchenko Vladimir , Lapchenko Helene , Sheshnitsan Sergey , Amagova Zarema , Matsadze Visita , Naumenko Tatiana , Bagrikova Natalia , Logvinenko Lidia , Sakhno Tatiana , Shevchuk Oksana , Pirogov Nikolay , Caruso Gianluca
Published: October 2022

The importance of using the barks of trees and shrubs as powerful natural antioxidants suggests the necessity to evaluate the effect of different environmental factors on bark extracts’ quality. The determination of total antioxidant activity (AOA) and polyphenol content (TP) in the bark of 58 tree and shrub species from 7 regions differing in mean annual temperature, insolation, humidity, salinity level, and altitude was performed. The above stress factors positively affected bark AOA but did not have a statistically significant effect on TP. The bark of trees grown in the seashore proximity was characterized by significantly higher AOA than samples gathered in other areas, similarly to the trees grown at high altitude. The bark antioxidant status of 18 species was described for the first time. New sources of powerful antioxidants were represented by the ornamental shrubs Cornus sanguinea and Cornus alba, which showed the highest AOA (169–171 mg GAE g−1 d.w.). Among the typical halophytes, Calligonum and Tamarix had high AOA (172 and 85 mg GAE g−1 d.w.), while in the bark of tamarisk, an Se accumulator, an Se concentration of about 900 µg kg−1 d.w. was recorded. A significant positive correlation was found between leaves and bark AOA in the Karadag Nature Reserve’s deciduous trees (r = 0.898, p < 0.01). The relationship between bark AOA and TP was highly significant (r = 0.809; p < 0.001) for all samples except the mountainous ones. The results of the present research revealed new opportunities in successive bark utilization.
GC-MS Profiling, Anti-Helicobacter pylori, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Three Apiaceous Fruits’ Essential Oils
Authors: Alomar Hatun A. , Fathallah Noha , Abdel-Aziz Marwa M. , Ibrahim Taghreed A. , Elkady Wafaa M.
Published: October 2022

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori is a challenge due to rising antibiotic resistance and GIT-related disorders. Cuminum cyminum, Pimpinella anisum, and Carum carvi are fruits belonging to the Apiaceae family. Their essential oils were extracted, analyzed using GC-MS, tested for anti-H. pylori activity by a micro-well dilution technique, identified for potential anti-H. pylori inhibitors by an in-silico study, and investigated for anti-inflammatory activity using a COX-2 inhibition assay. Results showed that the main components of C. cyminum, P. anisum, and C. carvi were cumaldehyde (41.26%), anethole (92.41%), and carvone (51.38%), respectively. Essential oil of C. cyminum exhibited the greatest anti-H. pylori activity (3.9 µg/mL) followed by P. anisum (15.63 µg/mL), while C. carvi showed the lowest activity (62.5 µg/mL). The in-silico study showed that cumaldehyde in C. cyminum has the best fitting energy to inhibit H. pylori.C. cyminum essential oil showed the maximum ability to reduce the production of Cox-2 expression approaching celecoxib with IC50 = 1.8 ± 0.41 µg/mL, followed by the C. carvi oil IC50 = 7.3 ± 0.35 µg/mL and then oil of P. anisum IC50 = 10.7±0.63 µg/mL. The investigated phytochemicals in this study can be used as potential adjunct therapies with conventional antibiotics against H. pylori.
A New Set of Golden-Gate-Based Organelle Marker Plasmids for Colocalization Studies in Plants
Authors: Stellmach Hagen , Hose Robert , Räde Antonia , Marillonnet Sylvestre , Hause Bettina
Published: October 2022

In vivo localization of proteins using fluorescence-based approaches by fusion of the protein of interest (POI) to a fluorescent protein is a cost- and time-effective tool to gain insights into its physiological function in a plant cell. Determining the proper localization, however, requires the co-expression of defined organelle markers (OM). Several marker sets are available but, so far, the procedure requires successful co-transformation of POI and OM into the same cell and/or several cloning steps. We developed a set of vectors containing markers for basic cell organelles that enables the insertion of the gene of interest (GOI) by a single cloning step using the Golden Gate cloning approach and resulting in POI–GFP fusions. The set includes markers for plasma membrane, tonoplast, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, peroxisomes, plastids, and mitochondria, all labelled with mCherry. Most of them were derived from well-established marker sets, but those localized in plasma membrane and tonoplast were improved by using different proteins. The final vectors are usable for localization studies in isolated protoplasts and for transient transformation of leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana. Their functionality is demonstrated using two enzymes involved in biosynthesis of jasmonic acid and located in either plastids or peroxisomes.
Herbivory Amplifies Adverse Effects of Drought on Seedling Recruitment in a Keystone Species of Western North American Rangelands
Authors: Geisler Mathew , Buerki Sven , Serpe Marcelo D.
Published: October 2022

Biotic interactions can affect a plant’s ability to withstand drought. Such an effect may impact the restoration of the imperiled western North American sagebrush steppe, where seedlings are exposed to summer drought. This study investigated the impact of herbivory on seedlings’ drought tolerance for a keystone species in this steppe, the shrub Artemisia tridentata. Herbivory effects were investigated in two field experiments where seedlings were without tree protectors or within plastic or metal-mesh tree protectors. Treatment effects were statistically evaluated on herbivory, survival, leaf water potential, and inflorescence development. Herbivory occurrence was 80% higher in seedlings without protectors. This damage occurred in early spring and was likely caused by ground squirrels. Most plants recovered, but herbivory was associated with higher mortality during the summer when seedlings experienced water potentials between −2.5 and −7 MPa. However, there were no differences in water potential between treatments, suggesting that the browsed plants were less tolerant of the low water potentials experienced. Twenty months after outplanting, the survival of plants without protectors was 40 to 60% lower than those with protectors. The percentage of live plants developing inflorescences was approximately threefold higher in plants with protectors. Overall, spring herbivory amplified susceptibility to drought and delayed reproductive development.
Phytotoxic Effects of Catnip (Nepeta meyeri Benth.) on Early Growth Stages Development and Infection Potential of Field Dodder (Cuscuta campestris Yunck)
Authors: Shekari Farid , Shekari Fariborz , Najafi Javad , Abassi Amin , Radmanesh Zahra , Bones Atle Magnar
Published: October 2022

Dodder (Cuscuta campestris Yunck.) is one of the most devastating parasitic plants, which reduces quantity and quality of crops. The inhibitory effect of catnip (Nepeta meyeri Benth.) extracts on germination and some seedling characteristics of the C. campestris were investigated in three phases in a laboratory and greenhouse. Aqueous extracts from different organs of N. meyeri were used in bioassays. The N. meyeri extracts reduced germination percent, root and shoot growth, and dry weight of C. campestris seedlings. Moreover, results showed an inhibitory effect of the N. meyeri extracts on the activity of alpha-amylase, protease, and beta-1,3-glucanase enzymes in C. campestris germinating seeds. Under greenhouse conditions, C. campestris seeds were planted with 30-day-old alfalfa plants and irrigated with N. meyeri extracts. The application of extracts from different organs of N. meyeri reduced emergence percent and length of stem and hampered C. campestris attachment to alfalfa. N. meyeri extracts also inhibited the activity of antioxidant enzymes and increased the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and the malondialdehyde in C. campestris seedlings. The strongest inhibitory effects were observed from flower, leaf, and stem extracts of N. meyeri, respectively. However, after C. campestris attachment to alfalfa plants, treatment by N. meyeri extracts did not exhibit any effect on infestation efficiency and C. campestris growth traits. According to these findings, N. meyeri extract, especially from flower and leaf, may be recommended as a potent bio-control agent to control germination and early stage development of C. campestris.
Three-Fluorophore FRET Enables the Analysis of Ternary Protein Association in Living Plant Cells
Authors: Glöckner Nina , zur Oven-Krockhaus Sven , Rohr Leander , Wackenhut Frank , Burmeister Moritz , Wanke Friederike , Holzwart Eleonore , Meixner Alfred J. , Wolf Sebastian , Harter Klaus
Published: October 2022

Protein-protein interaction studies provide valuable insights into cellular signaling. Brassinosteroid (BR) signaling is initiated by the hormone-binding receptor Brassinosteroid Insensitive 1 (BRI1) and its co-receptor BRI1 Associated Kinase 1 (BAK1). BRI1 and BAK1 were shown to interact independently with the Receptor-Like Protein 44 (RLP44), which is implicated in BRI1/BAK1-dependent cell wall integrity perception. To demonstrate the proposed complex formation of BRI1, BAK1 and RLP44, we established three-fluorophore intensity-based spectral Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and FRET-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) for living plant cells. Our evidence indicates that RLP44, BRI1 and BAK1 form a ternary complex in a distinct plasma membrane nanodomain. In contrast, although the immune receptor Flagellin Sensing 2 (FLS2) also forms a heteromer with BAK1, the FLS2/BAK1 complexes are localized to other nanodomains. In conclusion, both three-fluorophore FRET approaches provide a feasible basis for studying the in vivo interaction and sub-compartmentalization of proteins in great detail.
Effects of Elevated Temperature and High and Low Rainfall on the Germination and Growth of the Invasive Alien Plant Acacia mearnsii
Authors: Kharivha Tshililo , Ruwanza Sheunesu , Thondhlana Gladman
Published: October 2022

The impact of climate change on the germination and growth of invasive alien plants varies depending on the plant species and invasion process. We experimentally assessed the responses of the invasive alien plant Acacia mearnsii to future climate change scenarios—namely, elevated temperature as well as high and low rainfall. Acacia mearnsii was grown at an elevated air temperature (+2 °C), high rainfall (6 mm per day), and low rainfall (1.5 mm per day), and its germination and growth performance were measured over five months. We further examined changes in soil nutrients to assess if the above-mentioned climate change scenarios affected soils. Both elevated temperature and high rainfall did not influence A. mearnsii germination and seedling growth. In contrast, we observed reductions in A. mearnsii germination and growth in the low rainfall treatment, an indication that future drought conditions might negatively affect A. mearnsii invasion. We noted that elevated temperature and rainfall resulted in varied effects on soil properties (particularly soil C, N, Ca, and Mg content). We conclude that both elevated temperature and high rainfall may not enhance A. mearnsii invasion through altering germination and growth, but a decrease in A. mearnsii invasiveness is possible under low rainfall conditions.
Growth and Competitiveness of ALS-Inhibiting Herbicide-Resistant Amaranthus retroflexus L.
Authors: Wang Ruolin , Han Yujun , Sun Ying , Huang Hongjuan , Wei Shouhui , Huang Zhaofeng
Published: October 2022

The evolved acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibiting herbicide-resistant redroot amaranth has been confirmed in China and caused a great loss in soybean production. This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and competitiveness of ALS-resistant (R) and ALS-susceptible (S) redroot amaranth biotypes. Seeds of both R and S biotypes were subjected to different temperature regimes. Data revealed that the germination percentage and seedling vigor of both biotypes did not differ largely from each other at 10/20 to 30/40 °C. Under noncompetitive conditions, there were no significant leaf number, plant height, or dry weight differences between the R and S biotypes. Moreover, replacement series experiment results indicated that the R and S biotypes have a similar competitive ability. This study shows that there are no significant differences in growth or competitiveness between the R and S redroot amaranth biotypes regarding the physiological characteristics evaluated. Therefore, the proportion and distribution of the R biotype will not be affected in the absence of the ALS-inhibiting herbicide. Some other effective management practices should be adopted to cope with this troublesome weed.
Effects of Seed Endophytic Bacteria on Life History and Reproductive Traits in a Cosmopolitan Weed, Capsella bursa-pastoris
Authors: Choi Byungwook , Kim Tae-Min , Jeong Seorin , Kim Yousuk , Kim Eunsuk
Published: October 2022

Diverse bacteria inhabit plant seeds, and at least some of them can enhance plant performance at the early developmental stage. However, it is still inconclusive whether seed bacteria can influence post-germination traits and their contribution to plant fitness. To explore the evolutionary and ecological consequences of seed endophytic bacteria, we isolated four bacterial strains from the seeds of an annual weedy plant species, Capsella bursa-pastoris, and conducted a common garden experiment using seeds inoculated by isolated bacteria. Seeds infected by bacteria tended to germinate in spring rather than in autumn. Bacterial treatment also altered the expression of plant life history and reproductive traits, including flowering dates, rosette diameter at bolting, number of inflorescences, and fruit production. The results of the path analyses suggested that such effects of bacterial treatments were due to bacterial inoculation as well as germination delayed until spring. Spring germinants with bacterial infection showed a weaker association between post-germination traits and relative fitness than those without bacterial infection. These results suggest that seed bacteria likely affect the expression of post-germination traits directly or indirectly by delaying the germination season. An altered contribution of plant traits to relative fitness implies the influence of seed bacteria on the strength of natural selection.
Influence of Mineral Fertilizer and Manure Application on the Yield and Quality of Maize in Relation to Intercropping in the Southeast Republic of Kazakhstan
Authors: Batyrbek Maksat , Abbas Fakher , Fan Ruqin , Han Qingfang
Published: October 2022

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a valuable forage crop. It is also an essential and promising crop for the Republic of Kazakhstan, cultivated in the southern zone. Some new maize hybrids have been introduced, which have been beneficial for high yields with less fertilizer input. This study aims to introduce the new maize hybrid, Arman 689, for the judicial use of fertilizer and the high yield. This study was carried out in 2015 in the southeast region of Kazakhstan. There are five treatments with various mineral fertilizer and poultry manure doses: 1. control (T0), 2. P60 K100 (T1), 3. N100P60K100 (T2). 4. N100P60K100 + 40 tons of manure/ha (T3), and 5. N100P60K100 + 60 ton of manure/ha (T4). The fertilizers used were ammonium nitrate (N—34.6%), amorphous (N—11.0%, P2O5—46.0%), and potassium chloride KCl (K2O—56%). The results showed that the grain yield ranges from 5.51 t/ha (T0) to 8.49 (T4) t/ha. The protein contents in the maize grain varied from 9%(T0)–11.3%(T4). The grain nitrogen content accounted for 54.2 to 52.0%. The nutrient uptake results by different treatments indicated that nitrogen contributed to 41.5% of the total yield increase. Using manure in combination with mineral fertilizers reduced the payback of the applied resources, as the payback of T2–T4 was 8.8–9.1 kg of grain. With the application of recommended mineral fertilizer (NPK), the protein yield was 0.83 t/ha, 0.33, and 1.22 t/ha higher than T0 and T1 treatments, respectively. There was no significant yield difference under T3 and T4 treatments (p > 0.05). Overall, the treatment, NPK + 40 tons of manure, was proved the ultimate for the Arman hybrid in providing the optimum quantity and quality of maize, as well as reducing the payback cost (8.8–9.1 kg of grain). It is suggested to apply NPK-recommended doses along with manure in maize (Arman hybrid)-based intercropping systems to utilize the resources efficiently.
Validation of Reference Genes in a Population of Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Plants Regenerated in Colchicine
Authors: Valenzuela Francisca , D’Afonseca Vivían , Hernández Ricardo , Gómez Aleydis , Arencibia Ariel D.
Published: October 2022

For the first time we report the validation of reference genes in plants from a population of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) clones cultured in vitro on a colchicine-supplemented medium. Nodal segment explants of the cultivar Duke were regenerated by organogenesis under different periods of colchicine 1 mg/L exposure (1, 2, 3, 5, 30 days). The clones selected for the study showed variability for phenotypic traits after 2 years of adaptation to field conditions, compared to plants of the donor genotype that were regenerated on a medium without colchicine. Vaccinium myrtillus (GAPDH) and Vaccinium macrocarpon (ATP1, NADH, RPOB and COX2) were used as reference genomes for primer design. The results show that colchicine treatments can cause genomic changes in blueberry plants. At the molecular level, exposure of plants to colchicine in early periods could promote an increase in gene expression of specific genes such as ATP1, COX2, GAPDH, MATK, NADH and RPOB. However, prolonged exposure (30 days) could decrease gene expression of the genes studied. For qPCR assays, the primers designed for ATP1, COX2, GAPDH and MATK genes showed high efficiency. In addition, the GAPDH, ATP1, NADH and COX2 genes showed high stability and could be recommended as potential reference genes for gene expression assays in Vaccinium.
Exploring Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum), Indigenous Fruit of Borneo: A Review of Nutritional Values, Potential Uses, Emerging Application in Essential Oil Processing, and Health Benefits
Authors: Hamzah Muhammad Hazwan , Mohd Basri Mohd Salahuddin , Maringgal Bernard , Mohd Ali Maimunah , Wondi Mohd Hafizz , Che Man Hasfalina , Gatuk Abdulloh Sukardi
Published: October 2022

Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum) is a fruit-bearing plant native to Borneo. Its fruit is an indigenous seasonal fruit that is considered to be underutilized due to its short shelf life. However, new products have been developed to ensure a continuous supply of dabai fruit throughout the year. Hence, the exploration of dabai fruits in characterizations and utilization for food products and essential oil has expanded exponentially. This review addresses the nutritional values, health benefits, potential food products, and essential oil processing of dabai fruit. All parts of dabai fruit, such as the pulp, skin, and kernel, contain a considerable amount of bioactive compounds, dietary fiber, and nutrients. Moreover, dabai fruit has also been proven to have health benefits such as an antioxidant capacity, cholesterol reduction, diabetes type 2 prevention, and reduction in the risk of heart disease. Some potential dabai-based food products and oil processing of dabai are also highlighted. The future perspectives and challenges concerning the potential uses of dabai are critically addressed at the end of this review. Based on this review, it is proven that dabai has various health benefits and represents a potential breakthrough in the agricultural and food industries.
Tamarix hispida NAC Transcription Factor ThNAC4 Confers Salt and Drought Stress Tolerance to Transgenic Tamarix and Arabidopsis
Authors: Mijiti Meiheriguli , Wang Yucheng , Wang Liuqiang , Habuding Xugela
Published: October 2022

Salt and drought are considered two major abiotic stresses that have a significant impact on plants. Plant NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factors (TFs) have been shown to play vital roles in plant development and responses to various abiotic stresses. ThNAC4, a NAC gene from Tamarix hispida involved in salt and osmotic stress tolerance, was identified and characterized in this study. According to a phylogenetic study, ThNAC4 is a member of NAC subfamily II. Subcellular localization analysis showed that ThNAC4 is located in the nucleus, and transcriptional activation experiments demonstrated that ThNAC4 is a transcriptional activator. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing ThNAC4 exhibited improved salt and osmotic tolerance, as demonstrated by improved physiological traits. ThNAC4-overexpressing and ThNAC4-silenced T. hispida plants were generated using the transient transformation method and selected for gain- and loss-of-function analysis. The results showed that overexpression of ThNAC4 in transgenic Tamarix and Arabidopsis plants increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, and GST) and osmoprotectant (proline and trehalose) contents under stress conditions. These findings suggest that ThNAC4 plays an important physiological role in plant abiotic stress tolerance by increasing ROS scavenging ability and improving osmotic potential.
Effects of Living Mulch and Branches Mulching on Soil Moisture, Temperature and Growth of Rain-Fed Jujube Trees
Authors: Tang Min , Gao Xiaodong , Wu Pute , Li Hongchen , Zhang Chao
Published: October 2022

The influence of different mulching measures on soil moisture, soil temperature, and crop growth was investigated during the jujube growing season in rain-fed jujube orchards using micro-plot experiments. The mulching treatments included clean tillage (CT, control treatment), jujube branches mulching (JBM), and white clover planting (WCP). The results revealed that: (1) The average soil moisture content of JBM was greater than that of CT by 3.76% and 2.34%, respectively, during the 2013 and 2014 jujube growth periods, and its soil water deficit was minimal in each soil layer from 0 to 70 cm. WCP had the greatest soil water deficit. The average soil moisture content of the 0–70 cm soil layer in WCP was 3.88% and 5.55% lower than that in CT during the 2013 and 2014 jujube growth seasons, respectively (p < 0.05). (2) JBM had the highest annual average soil moisture content in each soil layer from 0 to 70 cm, followed by CT, while WCP had the lowest. White clover and jujube competed for water in the 20–40 cm soil layer, and JBM had the lowest variation in soil moisture. (3) Mulching with jujube branches and planting white clover could both control the temperature of the 0–25 cm soil layer and narrow the daily temperature range, with JBM being the least affected by air temperature. (4) Jujube’s leaf area index and stem diameter increase in JBM were both significantly greater than in CT and WCP. In conclusion, using pruned jujube branches as surface mulch is appropriate for rain-fed jujube orchards because it can preserve soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and promote jujube growth.
Evaluation of the Use of Lime and Nanosilica for the Improvement of Clay Soil Structure and Degradation of Hydrocarbons
Authors: Muente Adriana , Cipriani-Ávila Isabel , García-Villacís Karina , Pinos-Veléz Verónica , Hidalgo-Lasso Daniel , Ruíz Pablo , Luna Verónica
Published: October 2022

Soil structure is an important key in the bioremediation process; for instance, clay soils tend to have high absorption of pollutants and low rates of bioremediation due to their high plasticity and oxygen restrictions. This work assesses seven different treatments for contaminated clay soil using lime, silica nanoparticles, and both components in combination. After a three-month treatment, the variation of the soil granulometry, pH, porosity, cation exchange capacity (CEC), humidity, organic matter, respirometry, and humic acids were measured in order to evaluate the improvements regarding soil structure. Furthermore, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals were monitored before and after the treatments. The combined treatment using lime and nanosilica presented the best results, reducing the percentage of clays from 61% to 5% and showing a relationship between improved of soil structure and the reduction of pollutants, with a 35% removal for TPHs being the highest obtained with the seven treatments.
Effects of Nanofillers Based on Cetyltrimethylammonium-Modified Clays in a Polypropylene Nanocomposite
Authors: Ryu Hyeon-Ju , Hang Nguyen Thu , Rejinold. N Sanoj , Jeong Byeongmoon , Choi Goeun , Choy Jin-Ho
Published: October 2022

Nanocomposites of hydrophobic organo-clay/polypropylene (organo-clay/PP) were efficiently developed through a solution-blending technique. For this, we utilized various smectite clays as host agents; namely, Na-montmorillonite (Mt, ~1000 nm), Na-fluorine mica (Mica, ~1500 nm), and Na-hectorite (Ht, ~60 nm) with varied sizes, layer charges, and aspect ratios. Such clays were functionalized with cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA) bromide via an intercalation technique to obtain hydrophobic organic clays. The as-made clay particles were further mixed with a PP/xylene solution; the latter was removed to obtain the final product of the CTA-clay/PP nanocomposite. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that there were no characteristic (001) diffraction peaks for CTA-Mica in the PP nanocomposites containing CTA-Mica, assuring the fact that the Mica layers could be completely exfoliated and thereby homogenously composited within the PP. On the other hand, the CTA-Mt and CTA-Ht incorporated composites had broader (001) peaks, which might have been due to the partial exfoliation of CTA-Mt and CTA-Ht in the composites. Among the three CTA-clay/PP nanocomposites, the CTA-Mica nanohybrid showed an enhanced thermal stability by ~42 °C compared to the intact host polymer matrix. We also noted that when the CTA-Mica content was ~9 mass % in the nanocomposites, the Young’s modulus was drastically maximized to 69%. Our preliminary results therefore validated that out of the three tested clay-PP nanocomposites, the CTA-Mica nanofiller served as the best one to improve both the thermal and mechanical properties of the PP nanocomposites.
PLA/PHB-Based Materials Fully Biodegradable under Both Industrial and Home-Composting Conditions
Authors: Fogašová Mária , Figalla Silvestr , Danišová Lucia , Medlenová Elena , Hlaváčiková Slávka , Vanovčanová Zuzana , Omaníková Leona , Baco Andrej , Horváth Vojtech , Mikolajová Mária , Feranc Jozef , Bočkaj Ján , Plavec Roderik , Alexy Pavol , Repiská Martina , Přikryl Radek , Kontárová Soňa , Báreková Anna , Sláviková Martina , Koutný Marek , Fayyazbakhsh Ahmad , Kadlečková Markéta
Published: October 2022

In order to make bioplastics accessible for a wider spectrum of applications, ready-to-use plastic material formulations should be available with tailored properties. Ideally, these kinds of materials should also be “home-compostable” to simplify their organic recycling. Therefore, materials based on PLA (polylactid acid) and PHB (polyhydroxybutyrate) blends are presented which contain suitable additives, and some of them contain also thermoplastic starch as a filler, which decreases the price of the final compound. They are intended for various applications, as documented by products made out of them. The produced materials are fully biodegradable under industrial composting conditions. Surprisingly, some of the materials, even those which contain more PLA than PHB, are also fully biodegradable under home-composting conditions within a period of about six months. Experiments made under laboratory conditions were supported with data obtained from a kitchen waste pilot composter and from municipal composting plant experiments. Material properties, environmental conditions, and microbiology data were recorded during some of these experiments to document the biodegradation process and changes on the surface and inside the materials on a molecular level.
Thermo-Sensitive Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-co-polyacrylamide) Hydrogel for pH-Responsive Therapeutic Delivery
Authors: Santhamoorthy Madhappan , Vy Phan Thi Tuong , Ramkumar Vanaraj , Raorane Chaitany Jayprakash , Thirupathi Kokila , Kim Seong-Cheol
Published: October 2022

Stimuli-response polymeric nanoparticles have emerged as a carrier system for various types of therapeutic delivery. In this study, we prepared a dual pH- and thermo-sensitive copolymer hydrogel (HG) system (PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG), using N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAm) and acrylamide (AAm) as comonomers. The synthesized PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG was characterized using various instrumental characterizations. Moreover, the PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG’s thermoresponsive phase transition behavior was investigated, and the results showed that the prepared HG responds to temperature changes. In vitro drug loading and release behavior of PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG was investigated using Curcumin (Cur) as the model cargo under different pH and temperature conditions. The PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG showed pH and temperature-responsive drug release behavior and demonstrated about 65% Cur loading efficiency. A nearly complete release of the loaded Cur occurred from the PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG over 4 h at pH 5.5 and 40 °C. The cytotoxicity study was performed on a liver cancer cell line (HepG2 cells), which revealed that the prepared PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG showed good biocompatibility, suggesting that it could be applied as a drug delivery carrier. Moreover, the in vitro cytocompatibility test (MTT assay) results revealed that the PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG is biocompatible. Therefore, the PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG has the potential to be useful in the delivery of drugs in solid tumor-targeted therapy.
A Pyridazine-Containing Phthalonitrile Resin for Heat-Resistant and Flame-Retardant Polymer Materials
Authors: Wu Minjie , Yang Kaixiong , Li Yuanyuan , Rong Jianxin , Jia Dianqiu , Jia Zhiyi , Naito Kimiyoshi , Yu Xiaoyan , Zhang Qingxin
Published: October 2022

In this study, a novel phthalonitrile monomer containing a pyridazine ring, 3,6-bis[3-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)phenoxy]pyridazine (BCPD) with a low melting point (74 °C) and wide processing window (178 °C), was prepared by a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The molecular structure of the BCPD monomer was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Poly(BCPD) resins were derived from the formulations by curing at 350 and 370 °C. The thermoset that was post-cured at 370 °C demonstrated outstanding high heat-resistant (glass transition temperature (Tg) > 400 °C, 5% weight loss temperature (T5%) = 501 °C, Yc at 900 °C > 74%) and was flame-retardant (limiting oxygen index (LOI) = 48)). Further, the poly(BCPD) resin simultaneously exhibited a superior storage modulus, which could reach up to 3.8 Gpa at room temperature. Excellent processability and heat resistance were found for phthalonitrile thermosets containing the pyridazine ring, indicating poly(BCPD) resin could be potentially applied as high-temperature structural composite matrices.
Obtaining Medical Textiles Based on Viscose and Chitosan/Zinc Nanoparticles with Improved Antibacterial Properties by Using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge
Authors: Korica Matea D. , Kramar Ana , Peršin Fratnik Zdenka , Obradović Bratislav , Kuraica Milorad M. , Dojčinović Biljana , Fras Zemljič Lidija , Kostić Mirjana
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to obtain functional viscose textiles based on chitosan coatings with improved antibacterial properties and washing durability. For that reason, before functionalization with chitosan/zinc nanoparticles (NCH+Zn), the viscose fabric was modified by nonthermal gas plasma of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) to introduce into its structure functional groups suitable for attachment of NCH+Zn. NCH+Zn were characterized by measurements of hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential and AFM. DBD-plasma-modified and NCH+Zn-functionalized fabrics were characterized by zeta potential measurements, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, the calcium acetate method (determination of content of carboxyl and aldehyde groups), SEM, breaking-strength measurements, elemental analysis, and ICP-OES. Their antibacterial activity was determined under dynamic contact conditions. In addition to SEM, the NCH+Zn distributions on viscose fabrics were also indirectly characterized by measuring their absorbent capacities before and after functionalization with NCH+Zn. Washing durability was monitored through changes in the zeta potential, chitosan and zinc content, and antibacterial activity after 1, 3, and 5 washing cycles. The obtained results showed that DBD plasma modification contributed to the simultaneous improvement of NCH+Zn sorption and antibacterial properties of the viscose fabric functionalized with NCH+Zn, and its washing durability, making it suitable for the production of high-value-added medical textiles.
Anatomically and Biomechanically Relevant Monolithic Total Disc Replacement Made of 3D-Printed Thermoplastic Polyurethane
Authors: Nadhif Muhammad Hanif , Ghiffary Muhammad Maulana , Irsyad Muhammad , Mazfufah Nuzli Fahdia , Nurhaliza Fakhira , Rahman Siti Fauziyah , Rahyussalim Ahmad Jabir , Kurniawati Tri
Published: October 2022

Various implant treatments, including total disc replacements, have been tried to treat lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, which is claimed to be the main contributor of lower back pain. The treatments, however, come with peripheral issues. This study proposes a novel approach that complies with the anatomical features of IVD, the so-called monolithic total disc replacement (MTDR). As the name suggests, the MTDR is a one-part device that consists of lattice and rigid structures to mimic the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus, respectively. The MTDR can be made of two types of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU 87A and TPU 95A) and fabricated using a 3D printing approach: fused filament fabrication. The MTDR design involves two configurations—the full lattice (FLC) and anatomy-based (ABC) configurations. The MTDR is evaluated in terms of its physical, mechanical, and cytotoxicity properties. The physical characterization includes the geometrical evaluations, wettability measurements, degradability tests, and swelling tests. The mechanical characterization comprises compressive tests of the materials, an analytical approach using the Voigt model of composite, and a finite element analysis. The cytotoxicity assays include the direct assay using hemocytometry and the indirect assay using a tetrazolium-based colorimetric (MTS) assay. The geometrical evaluation shows that the fabrication results are tolerable, and the two materials have good wettability and low degradation rates. The mechanical characterization shows that the ABC-MTDR has more similar mechanical properties to an IVD than the FLC-MTDR. The cytotoxicity assays prove that the materials are non-cytotoxic, allowing cells to grow on the surfaces of the materials.
Development of Biodegradable Composites Using Polycaprolactone and Bamboo Powder
Authors: Nukala Satya Guha , Kong Ing , Patel Vipulkumar Ishvarbhai , Kakarla Akesh Babu , Kong Wei , Buddrick Oliver
Published: October 2022

The use of biodegradable polymers in daily life is increasing to reduce environmental hazards. In line with this, the present study aimed to develop a fully biodegradable polymer composite that was environmentally friendly and exhibited promising mechanical and thermal properties. Bamboo powder (BP)-reinforced polycaprolactone (PCL) composites were prepared using the solvent casting method. The influence of BP content on the morphology, wettability, and mechanical and thermal properties of the neat matrix was evaluated. In addition, the degradation properties of the composites were analysed through soil burial and acidic degradation tests. It was revealed that BP contents had an evident influence on the properties of the composites. The increase in the BP content has significantly improved the tensile strength of the PCL matrix. A similar trend is observed for thermal stability. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated uniform dispersion of the BP in the PCL matrix. The degradation tests revealed that the biocomposites with 40 wt·% of BP degraded by more than 20% within 4 weeks in the acidic degradation test and more than 5% in the soil burial degradation test. It was noticed that there was a considerable difference in the degradation between the PCL matrix and the biocomposites of PCL and BP. These results suggest that biodegradable composites could be a promising alternative material to the existing synthetic polymer composites.