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Applying extracts from plants is considered a safe approach in biomedicine and bio-nanotechnology. The present report is considered the first study that evaluated the seeds of Lasiurus scindicus and Panicum turgidum as biogenic agents in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which had bioactivity against cancer cells and bacteria. Assessment of NPs activity against varied cell lines (colorectal cancer HCT116 and breast cancer MDA MBA 231 and MCF 10A used as control) was performed beside the antibacterial efficiency. Different techniques (DLS, TEM, EDX and FTIR) were applied to characterize the biosynthesized AgNPs. The phytochemicals from both L. scindicus and Panicum turgidum were identified by GC–MS analysis. Spherical monodisperse NPs at average diameters of 149.6 and 100.4 nm were obtained from seed extract of L. scindicus (L-AgNPs) and P. turgidum, (P-AgNPs) respectively. A strong absorption peak at 3 keV is observed by the EDX spectrum in the tested NPs. Our study provided effective NPs in mitigating the tested cell lines and the lowest IC50 were 7.8 and 10.30 for MDA MB231 treated by L-AgNPs and P-AgNPs, respectively. Both fabricated NPs might differentially target the MDA MB231 cells compared to HCT116 and MCF10A. Ultrastructural changes and damage for the NPs-treated MDA MB231 cells were studied using TEM and LSM analysis. Antibacterial activity was also observed. About 200 compounds were identified in L. scindicus and P. turgidum by GC–MS analysis might be responsible for the NPs reduction and capping abilities. Efficient NPs against cancer cells and microbes were obtained, however large-scale screening is needed to validate our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aesculus L. is a small genus of horticulturally important trees and shrubs, comprising 13–19 species. Frequent hybridization among species, particularly in cultivation, has contributed to taxonomic confusion and difficulties in the identification of plants. In this study, we evaluated three widely employed plant DNA barcode loci, matK, and the entire ITS region (ITS1+5.8S+ITS2) as well as subunit ITS2 for 50 individuals representing 13 species of Aesculus, excluding only A. wangii (=A. assamica). In contrast to the plastid matK region, both the ITS and ITS2 loci displayed low levels of species discrimination, especially in our "first hit" BLASTn searches. We also presented the phylogeny of Aesculus based on matK and the entire ITS region, with additional matK and ITS sequences from GenBank. Our results show that Aesculuschinensis, A. flava, A. glabra, A. pavia, and A. sylvatica are probably not monophyletic. Furthermore, with the widest taxon coverage until now, the current study highlights the importance of sampling multiple individuals, not only for DNA barcoding, but also for phylogenetic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of genetic diversity is crucial for breeders to develop strategies and improve the resilience, quality, and adaptability of the date palm. In this study, the genetic diversity of three date palm varieties was performed using ISSR-PCR molecular markers to determine its relationship with in vitro propagation response of these varieties. The molecular profiling was performed using ISSR-PCR. A total of 49 loci were produced by the PCR reactions, 38 of which were polymorphic while 11 were monomorphic. The level of polymorphism revealed by ISSR-PCR varied from 33.33% to 100%. The three date palm varieties were grouped into two clusters based on the results of cluster analyses that used morphological data and molecular profiles. Cluster I comprised the 'Barhy' variety and Cluster II included 'Magdoul' and 'Amri' varieties. The clustering analyses revealed the independence of the 'Barhy' variety in its characteristics from the other varieties based on either morphological or molecular data. The results of in vitro propagation showed that the 'Amri' variety exhibited the highest callus induction frequency (86.28%), callus weight (2.33 g), number of somatic embryos (9.32), number of shoots (14.62), number of roots (4.11), root length (4.63 cm), shoot length (13.61 cm) followed by 'Magdoul' and 'Barhy' varieties. The 'Amri' variety had the shortest callus induction period, at 23.26 days while the 'Barhy' variety exhibited the longest period of callus induction (28.55). It was deduced from the study that the ISSR marker reproduced trustworthy patterns of bands to determine the genetic diversity among different date palm varieties that are considered the cornerstone for the genetic improvement of date palms. The understanding of the relationship between genetic diversity and in vitro propagation response of date palm is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of its crop. This will facilitate better conservation and development of new date palm varieties that fulfil the needs of farmers and consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence substantiates a correlation between RNA editing and cellular stress in plants, particularly within organelles such as mitochondria responsible for electron transport. The mitochondrial atp6 (mt-atp6) gene, which is renowned for playing a crucial role in ATP synthase activity, encodes the a-subunit of ATP synthase. We conducted a comprehensive analysis encompassing three distinct environmental conditions (dawn, midday, and pre-dusk): pre- and post-irrigation intervals, assessing cDNAs derived from the mt-atp6 gene (accession no. OQ673859) in the arid plant species Calotropis procera. Reconstructed atp6 cDNAs corresponding to dawn (accession no. OQ673860), midday (accession no. OQ673861), and pre-dusk (accession no. OQ673862) were generated from RNA-seq data. Conversely, cDNA assemblies' post-irrigation yielded iD (accession no. OQ673863), iM (accession no. OQ673864), and iPD (accession no. OQ673865) transcripts. Furthermore, Atp6 DNA sequences were reconstituted utilizing the MT-atp6 gene from Hoya lithophytica (accession no. MW71905). Our research showed that the mt-atp6 gene of Calotropis procera has 19 editing sites. Eleven of these sites stayed the same in all of the conditions we tested them in. Finding fragment deletions was an interesting discovery. This was a new phenomenon that was seen in all conditions except for the pre-dusk (PD) and post-irrigation pre-dusk (iPD) datasets. It was discovered that deletions that depend on editing RNA had a big effect on the secondary and tertiary structures of the ATP synthase alpha-subunit, which in turn had an effect on the accumulation of ATP. Among these sites, three were specific to the dawn and midday conditions before (D, M) and after irrigation (iD, iM), three were specific to the pre-dusk conditions before (PD) and after irrigation (iPD), and two sites were exclusive to the post-irrigation pre-dusk (iPD) dataset. • The mt-atp6 gene from Calotropis procera was studied, and 19 cytosine to thymine editing sites were found. • Deletion in mt-atp6 gene was observed from in all treatment groups except pre-dusk (PD) and pre-dusk after irrigation (iPD). • This is the first case of RNA deletion editing producing a shortened protein in plants. • The mitochondrial ATP6 protein's shortened alpha helix has the same PCSK motifs. This means they process or control things. • This shows how complicated the relationship is between RNA edits, structural dynamics, and functional effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Different factors affect vegetation changes in all areas. Pointing out the climate factors is an important issue when considering vegetation. Methods: In Taif province, we studied the vegetation changes in Al-Hada and Al-Shafa areas in the period from 2000 to 2018. The correlation between vegetation and climate factors in the previously mentioned areas has been studied in spring. Results: Using NDVI images, we found that the highest coverage was in 2013 with 11.23% in Al-Hada area, while the lowest coverage was in 2018 with 3.48% in Al-Shafa area. The information about the climate factors was obtained from NOAH model data from NASA Global Land Data Assimilation System with spatial resolution (1.0° and 0.25°). We found that temperature and rain precipitation had the greatest impact. Conclusion: The results indicated that this method had the potential to be a useful guide to identify the impact of these two factors on the vegetation in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) contamination is considered as a widespread concern at global scale which is serious threats to human health. Phytoremediation is an eco-friendly approach which can remove or immobilize Cd from the soil. Different organic and inorganic amendments can potentially enhance Cd phytoremediation efficiency but the comparison of farmyard manure (FM), elemental sulphur (S) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for Cd phytoremediation through spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum L.) remained unanswered. The present study evaluated the efficiency of S (0.1 and 0.2%), EDTA (0.1 and 0.2%, represented as EDTA-0.1 and EDTA-0.2) and FM (0.5 and 1%, represented as FM-0.5 and FM-1) for remediation of Cd contaminated soils (50 and 100 mg kg-1, represented as Cd-50 and Cd-100) through spider plants. Results depicted that the highest shoots and roots dry biomass was found in FM treated plants followed by S, EDTA and control except in EDTA-0.2 treatment in which the lowest values of these parameters were observed. Application of FM-1 significantly increased the shoot dry weight (120%), root dry weight (99%), as well as photosynthetic attributes in Cd-50 as compared to control. Application of EDTA-0.2 increased the bioavailable fraction of Cd than control and the maximum increase was observed in Cd-100. The highest Cd concentrations in shoot and roots were found in EDTA treated plants followed by S, control and FM irrespective of Cd and amendment levels. Maximum Cd in roots (109%) and shoots (156%) was recorded in plants grown in Cd-100 with EDTA-0.2 than control. The maximum bioaccumulation factor, translocation index, harvest index and root to shoot translocation were observed with EDTA than control and other treatments. EDTA along with spider plants may enhance the uptake of Cd but lower biomass production in the highest dose of EDTA may questioned the efficiency of EDTA. [Display omitted] • Farmyard manure (FM), elemental sulphur (S), EDTA affected the growth and physiology of Cd-stressed C. comosum plants. • Biomass of C. comosum was higher with FM than elemental S and EDTA. • Use of FM improved the nutrient status of soil than elemental S and EDTA. • Higher Cd concentrations in shoots and roots were found with EDTA and elemental S than FM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]