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Saline-alkali stress is a major abiotic stress factor that adversely affects the growth, development, and yield of crops by disrupting ion homeostasis, osmotic balance, and metabolic processes. This study was designed to explore the alleviating effect of melatonin on the growth and development of tomato plants under saline-alkali stress conditions and to screen for optimal concentrations to alleviate the stress. Tomato variety 'Condine Red' was used as the test material, and a total of six treatments were designed including no saline-alkali stress and no melatonin spray as control (CK), and foliar spraying of 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 µmol·L - 1 melatonin under saline-alkali stress (75 mmol·L - 1 ), which were used to determine the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of tomato plants. The results showed that saline-alkali stress significantly inhibited plant height, stem diameter, root activity and biomass accumulation, significantly reduced the chlorophyll content of tomato leaves and the efficiency of photosynthetic electron transfer from primary quinone receptor QA to secondary quinone receptor QB, and caused significant deformation of the fast chlorophyll fluorescence induced kinetic curve (OJIP), inhibiting photosynthesis. Exogenous melatonin could improve tomato tolerance to saline-alkali stress, and the effect depended on the concentration. In this experiment, treatment with 100 µmol·L - 1 melatonin showed the strongest positive effect on the growth of tomato plants under saline-alkali stress according to the comprehensive evaluation of principal components. In addition, changes in photosynthetic chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves after melatonin treatment highlighted that melatonin could improve the response of the photosynthetic system to saline-alkali stress by enhancing quenching of excess excitation energy and protecting the photosynthetic electron transport system. Collectively, exogenous melatonin pretreatment increased root activity, chlorophyll content and improved photosystem processes, thereby alleviating tomato growth under saline-alkali stress. The results of this study lay the foundation for the practical application of melatonin in saline-alkali stress., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

The uniqueness and novelty of this study lies in the ability of Mentha longifolia leaves extract (MLLE) to synthesize bimetallic NPs (NPs) of zinc oxide and magnesium oxide as nanocomposite (ZnO/MgO NPs) for the first time. Medicinal plants extracts are a more environmentally friendly method of creating NPs than physical or chemical methods. The specific objectives of the research were employed this nanocomposite compared to plant extract as antibacterial, anti-diabetic, antioxidant agents. Also, the possibility of using this nanocomposite as plant stimulator for reducing saline water stress on economic plants to cope with the scarcity of freshwater in the agricultural sector. In comparison to nanocomposite, MLLE exhibited high inhibition zones 28 ± 0.1, 26 ± 0.2, 26 ± 0.1, 25 ± 0.2, 25 ± 0.1 and 24 ± 0.1 mm in medium inoculated by E. faecalis, E. coli, S. typh, M. circinelloid C. albicans, and S. aureus, respectively. It was shown from the DPPH data that ZnO/MgO NPs' IC 50 value (52.55 ± 0.98 µg/mL) was lower than the extract's (299.27 ± 1.59 µg/mL) when compared to ascorbic (195.15 ± 1.63 µg/mL). Compared to acarbose, ZnO/MgO NPs exhibited superior activity against α-Amylase inhibition percentage, as evidenced by their IC 50 value of 117.02 ± 0.56 µg/mL. In contrast to ZnO/MgO NPs, acarbose had a lower IC 50 value of 22.15 ± 0.76 µg/mL. ZnO/MgO NPs were added to the soil cultivated by cucumber plants (A pots experiment) at quantities of 0, 200, and 400 mg/kg. Bimetallic ZnO/MgO NPs, particularly at 200 ppm, improved the shoot and root lengths and fresh weight of shoot, but they also seemed to reduce the level stress indicator of MDA, H 2 O 2 , and antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase). As a result, ZnO/MgO NPs may be employed as a unique approach to boost plant growth under salinity stress., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Excessive mitochondrial fragmentation is associated with the pathologic mitochondrial dysfunction implicated in the pathogenesis of etiologically diverse diseases, including many neurodegenerative disorders. The integrated stress response (ISR) - comprising the four eIF2α kinases PERK, GCN2, PKR, and HRI - is a prominent stress-responsive signaling pathway that regulates mitochondrial morphology and function in response to diverse types of pathologic insult. This suggests that pharmacologic activation of the ISR represents a potential strategy to mitigate pathologic mitochondrial fragmentation associated with human disease. Here, we show that pharmacologic activation of the ISR kinases HRI or GCN2 promotes adaptive mitochondrial elongation and prevents mitochondrial fragmentation induced by the calcium ionophore ionomycin. Further, we show that pharmacologic activation of the ISR reduces mitochondrial fragmentation and restores basal mitochondrial morphology in patient fibroblasts expressing the pathogenic D414V variant of the pro-fusion mitochondrial GTPase MFN2 associated with neurological dysfunctions, including ataxia, optic atrophy, and sensorineural hearing loss. These results identify pharmacologic activation of ISR kinases as a potential strategy to prevent pathologic mitochondrial fragmentation induced by disease-relevant chemical and genetic insults, further motivating the pursuit of highly selective ISR kinase-activating compounds as a therapeutic strategy to mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction implicated in diverse human diseases., Competing Interests: KB, SO, SK, MZ, RA, PB, PM, GP, MB, TS, DG No competing interests declared, RW Reviewing editor, eLife, (© 2024, Baron, Oviedo et al.)

Ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae and Platypodinae) are fungus-farming woodborers that can cause damage to the trees they colonize. Some of these beetles target stressed plants that emit ethanol, and management strategies have proposed using ethanol-injected trees as trap trees to monitor or divert dispersing adult females away from valuable crops. In this study, we used container-grown trees from 8 species to compare the effect of ethanol injection versus flooding on ambrosia beetle host selection and colonization success. Our aims were to understand whether ethanol injection is a suitable technique for different ambrosia beetle species and whether its effectiveness varies depending on the tree species used. In addition, we quantified the amount of ethanol in tree tissues to understand whether ethanol concentration could reflect observed differences among treatments and tree species. Our findings demonstrated that ethanol-injected trees were significantly more selected by both Xyleborinus saxesenii and Xylosandrus spp. and that significantly more adult beetles of both taxa emerged from ethanol-injected than flood-stressed trees. In addition, we showed that ethanol injection can trigger attacks by X. saxesenii and Xylosandrus spp. on a variety of deciduous tree species, nullifying the effects of the species-specific characteristics observed on flood-stressed trees, which can only partially be attributed to the amount of ethanol within the plant. This supported the idea that practitioners can potentially select any species of deciduous trees in management programs for ambrosia beetles based on ethanol-injected trees., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America.)

Aphis gossypii is a highly polyphagous pest that causes substantial agricultural damage. Temperature and insecticides are two major abiotic stresses affecting their population abundance. Heat shock proteins play an essential role in cell protection when insects are exposed to environmental stresses. Three ApHsp70 genes were cloned from A. gossypii , and characterized their molecular features and expression profiles in response to temperature and insecticide stress. The deduced amino acid sequences of these proteins exhibited characteristic Hsp70 family signatures, and their tissue-specific expression patterns revealed their highest activity to be in the salivary glands under 35 °C. The temperature inductive assay further indicated that the expression of the three ApHsp70 genes was markedly upregulated under heat stress but not under cold shock. Furthermore, exposure to LC 25 and LC 50 concentrations of three insecticides triggered the upregulation of these ApHsp70 genes. The RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated suppression of ApHsp68 expression heightened cotton aphid's susceptibility to insecticides (acetamiprid and sulfoxaflor). Moreover, our study found that the sulfoxaflor-resistant strain of A. gossypii (Sul-R) displayed a higher survival rate compared with the sulfoxaflor-sensitive strain (Sul-S) under heat shock conditions. These results suggest that these three ApHsp70 genes play an essential role in response to both heat and insecticide stress.

The harmful influence caused by cadmium (Cd) to agriculture is severe and enduring. Efforts to reduce the damage by Cd to crop is an important topic. In this study, we investigated the effect of MgO NPs on tobacco seedlings' growth under Cd stress and explored its mechanism. Results showed Cd inhibited seedling growth, but MgO NPs alleviated this toxicity. With MgO NPs, shoot and root fresh weight increased by 35.12 % and 45.73 %. This was mainly due to MgO NPs reducing Cd accumulation by 40 % in root and 20.48 % in shoot compared to Cd treatment. MgO NPs not only reduced Cd accumulation but redistributed it to inactive cell walls: up to 55 % in shoot and 22 % in root (compared to 47 % and 22 % in Cd treatment). The primary mechanism was the change in cell wall's main ingredient: lignin. MgO NPs increased lignin content by 50.62 % compared to Cd treatment. To further investigate the underlying molecular mechanism, multi-omics analysis was conducted. Comparing Cd + MgO NPs with Cd, 1358 DEGs (694 up, 664 down) and 160 DEMs (44 up, 116 down) were identified. Furthermore, we identified ABA-regulated phenylpropanoid pathway as the key mechanism for lignin synthesis. MgO NPs boosted ABA levels by 6.72 % compared to Cd treatment. The multi-omics analysis revealed upregulation of ABA synthesis and signal transduction, leading to increased phenylpropanoid pathway metabolites and gene expressions. Notably, POD, a key enzyme, increased by 92.05 %. It was concluded that MgO NPs represent a highly efficient alternative for enhancing plant resistance to Cd., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The liver is the second largest organ in the body, playing a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and regulating metabolism. However, the prevalence of liver diseases has been rising steadily due to an increase in both infectious and non-infectious factors. Medicinal plants offer a remarkable opportunity to enhance our healthcare system by addressing various diseases through their ability to control oxidative stress and support metabolic processes. This revision improves readability while retaining the original meaning. In the present study, purified methanol extracts of Martynia annua and Polygonum viviparum at different concentrations were used to explore the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential against abiotic stress on liver cells.  Firstly total flavonoids and total phenolic contents of both plants were measured and then their antioxidant activities were determined through DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP assay. Moreover, bioactive compounds and in vitro hepatoprotective potential among these plants were determined through LC-MS and Liver Slice Culture assay respectively. In P. viviparum high amounts of TPC and TFC were observed with maximum antioxidant potential in terms of DPPH inhibition at 84% and high ferric-reducing ability at 240 mg/mL. The presence of different phytoconstituents like Myricetin, Gallic acid, Ferulic acid, Chlorogenic acid, Sweroside, Morroniside, Echonoside, Swertiamarin and Protocatechuic acid were confirmed in M. annua and P. viviparum in LC-MS study. The maximum hepatoprotective potential in terms of minimum cytotoxicity 6% and 9% were observed in M. annua and P. viviparum respectively. It was revealed that both plants have stunning hepatoprotective properties to prevent liver from toxicants and their related complications due to high antioxidant potential and active metabolites.

Glutathione (GSH) has a beneficial effect on the response of plants to cadmium (Cd) stress. The physiological and molecular processes by which glutathione influences Cd tolerance in purple flowering stalks (a Brassica vegetable) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of exogenous GSH in alleviating Cd toxicity in purple flowering stalks. On day 10 of the Cd stress treatment, spraying of GSH resulted in an increase in the net photosynthetic rate by 18.48%; enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and the endogenous GSH and ascorbic acid contents; reduced the malondialdehyde and proline content 32.45% and 24.65%, respectively; and reduced the Cd content in the roots by 2.93%. On day 5, the transcriptome analysis showed that the application of GSH up-regulated the expression of 27 genes in the photosynthetic pathway. In contrast, GSH application led to the down-regulation of most genes involved in GSH metabolism, sulfur metabolism, and arginine and proline metabolism. These findings will aid future studies of the response of purple flowering stalks to Cd stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Dopamine (DA) has attracted attention because of its effects on Haematococcus lacustris biomass, astaxanthin production, and physiological responses. The alga treated with 25 μM DA combined with 1 g L -1 sodium chloride exhibited 7.63 %, 41.25 %, and 52.04 % increases in biomass (1.41 g L -1 ), astaxanthin content (32.37 mg/g), and astaxanthin productivity (3.51 mg L -1 d -1 ) respectively, compared with the salinity stress and high light. Exogenous DA treatment promoted lipid synthesis while reducing carbohydrate and protein contents. Moreover, carotenogenesis and lipogenesis-associated genes were upregulated under DA induction. Inhibition of reactive oxygen species and autophagy, along with mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, promoted astaxanthin accumulation under DA. Furthermore, DA application boosted astaxanthin biosynthesis by regulating the levels of respiratory metabolic intermediates, the γ-aminobutyric acid shunt, and important phytohormones. These findings present a potential and successful biotechnological approach for enhancing biomass and astaxanthin production in H. lacustris under stressful conditions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Understanding the impacts and mechanisms of different antibiotics on organic phosphorus (OP) mineralization is crucial for promoting the rational utilization of resources and protecting the ecological environment. In this study, the effects of four commonly used antibiotics (sulfadiazine, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and ampicillin) on the mineralization of OP were explored using16S rRNA gene sequencing technology. The results showed that ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and ampicillin negatively affected the mineralization capacity of OP, whereas sulfadiazine positively influenced OP mineralization. The content and composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and microbial phenotypes (biofilm formation and stress tolerance) were directly correlated with differences in OP mineralization capacity. Microbial diversity, network complexity and stability, and key microorganisms indirectly influenced OP mineralization by regulating EPS content and composition and microbial phenotypes. In summary, this study reveals specific impacts of different antibiotics on OP mineralization, offering valuable insights for addressing "phosphorus limitation" and "phosphorus load" amid various antibiotic stresses., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Gamma-decanolactone (GD) is a monoterpene compound with anticonvulsant, antiparkinsonian, and neuroprotective effects in preclinical trials. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity and antioxidant profile of GD in silico and in the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) experimental model. The C. elegans was used to determine the median lethal concentration (LC 50 ) of GD, as well as its effect on survival, development, reproduction, pharyngeal pumping, and stress resistance assays. The in silico study did not indicate hepatotoxic, cardiotoxic, or mutagenic potential to GD. It reduced the worms' survival, both at the L1 and L4 stages, in a concentration-dependent manner with an LC 50 value of 212.16 ± 5.56 μmol/mL. GD did not alter the development, reproduction, and pharyngeal pumping under normal experimental conditions in the three concentrations tested (25, 50, and 100 μmol/mL). In the thermal stress assay, GD did not change the survival pattern of the worms. Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) reduced the survival of C. elegans and decreased the number of pharyngeal pumping, with these effects being reversed by GD. Also, GD presents an antioxidant activity by modulation the expression of the stress response genes such as sod-3, ctl-1,2,3, and gst-4. In conclusion, GD showed low toxicity in the C. elegans model and antioxidant profile both in the in silico study and in vivo assays., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Ricinus communis, a plant of significant industrial value for its oil, is renowned for its robust root system and vigorous growth, qualities that render it an exemplary candidate for the ecological remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. The impact of heavy metal stress on root development is characterized by inhibition, a phenomenon whose underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. To shed light on this, a study was conducted wherein varying concentrations of the exogenous auxin, IBA, were applied to the roots of Ricinus communis to scrutinize its influence on the endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) metabolism in seedlings and to delineate the molecular underpinnings of its effects on root morphology. It was observed that IBA significantly amplified the total root surface area by a factor of 1.29 and increased the number of root tips by 40.11% under lead (Pb) stress, and by 32.29% and 91.19%, respectively, under zinc (Zn) stress. These findings underscore the efficacy of IBA in promoting the proliferation of lateral roots in seedlings subjected to stress induced by either Pb or Zn. Further analysis of auxin signaling pathways revealed that the presence of Pb or Zn impedes root growth and lateral root formation by perturbing auxin transporters and signaling molecules. Notably, IBA was found to foster the development of lateral roots by modulating the expression of specific transporters. Post-application of IBA, the endogenous levels of IAA in roots exhibited a 2.80-fold elevation under Pb stress, IBA stimulated the activity of key biosynthetic enzymes, such as RcNIT and RcTAR, culminating in elevated IAA levels. Conversely, under Zn stress, IBA was observed to diminish the levels of RcTAR, which in turn led to reduced IAA levels. These outcomes contribute to a deeper comprehension of the modulatory role of IBA in the context of heavy metal stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Carnosic acid (CA) is recognized as an antioxidant that confers protection to plants against various forms of oxidative stress, including UV-B stress. However, limited research has been conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its defence against UV-B stress. In this study, we demonstrated that CA exhibits more efficacy compared to other antioxidants in UV-B resistance. Moreover, CA was found to enhance the accumulation of secondary metabolites in Arabidopsis leaves. Through the analysis of differentially expressed genes in response to UV-B stress with or without CA treatment, we uncovered that the exogenous application of CA effectively activates the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in Arabidopsis to improve resistance of Arabidopsis to UV-B stress., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Lipid-lowering drugs such as gemfibrozil (GFB) are widely used and highly biologically active, contributing to their persistence in wastewater and subsequent release into aquatic ecosystems. However, the potential impacts and toxic mechanisms of these emerging pollutants on non-target marine organisms, particularly keystone bivalves like Mytilus edulis, remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of GFB (25 µg l -1 ) on oxidative, nitrosative, and dicarbonyl stress in M. edulis, and explored how abiotic stressors such as elevated temperature and air exposure modulate these effects. Our results indicated that GFB and temperature interact to significantly influence oxidative stress markers, including lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonylation (PC) levels in mussels. Notably, the combination of GFB and warming exhibited antagonistic effects, leading to reduced LPO levels in both submerged and air-exposed mussels. Air exposure alone elevated PC levels across all groups, while warming reduced these levels. Total antioxidant capacity increased during air exposure, with GFB exerting minimal influence on this parameter. Nitrosative stress, as indicated by nitric oxide levels, was significantly affected by GFB only under air exposure conditions. The glutathione system underwent notable alterations, with glutathione reductase activity stimulated during immersion and suppressed during air exposure. Dicarbonyl stress markers, including methylglyoxal and glyoxalase enzyme activities, generally intensified in response to GFB during air exposure. Overall, environmentally relevant concentrations of GFB induced oxidative and dicarbonyl stress in M. edulis, suggesting a shift toward glycolytic metabolism that could impair energy-dependent processes like reproduction. Combined stressor scenarios involving GFB and warming typically exhibited antagonistic rather than synergistic effects. Despite these biochemical disruptions, the mussels demonstrated resilience, particularly during air exposure, highlighting the complexity of environmental stress interactions. These findings emphasize the importance of considering multiple stressors in pollution risk assessments for aquatic ecosystems., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Green synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) are an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach to reduce heavy metal stress in plants. Among heavy metals, cadmium (Cd) possesses higher toxicity to the crops and ultimately reduces their growth and yield. The current study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of green synthesized SiO 2 NPs to reduce toxic effects of Cd in melon (Cucumis melo) by regulating physiological parameters, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, and modulating stress-related gene expression. The SiO 2 NPs were synthesized using Artemisia annua plant extract having spherical shape and size within the range of 40-70 nm and characterized using advanced spectroscopic and analytical techniques. The application of SiO 2 NPs (75 mg/L) significantly improved physiological parameters such as shoot length (SL), root length (RL), leaf fresh weight (LFW), root fresh weight (RFW), leaf dry weight (LDW) and root dry weight (RDW) by 14%, 20%, 15%, 16%, 14%, and 28%, respectively, compared to Cd-stressed plants. Photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids) showed a notable increase of 15% and 40%, respectively. Furthermore, the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, POD, CAT, and APX were enhanced by 28.67%, 35.45%, 32.07%, and 42.75%, respectively. In addition, applying SiO 2 NPs increased the concentration of macronutrients N, P, and K by 33%, 40%, and 37%, respectively, compared to Cd-stressed plants. Moreover, SiO 2 NPs upregulated the expression of several stress-related genes and reduced Cd accumulation in shoots and roots. This study reveals that green synthesized SiO 2 NPs effectively reduced the Cd toxicity in melon by improving morphological and physiological parameters, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, and regulating the expression of stress-related genes. These findings suggest that green synthesized SiO 2 NPs could play a crucial role in sustainable agriculture by protecting crops from heavy metal stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Zn is a common heavy metal pollutant in water bodies and accounts for the largest proportion of heavy metal pollutants in many rivers entering the sea. This study investigated the growth and physiological response characteristics of Sargassum fusiforme under different divalent Zn ion concentration gradients. We observed that low concentration Zn 2+ treatment (<2 mg L -1 ) exerted no significant effect on the growth rate, photosynthesis, and nitrogen metabolism-related indicators of S. fusiforme. Treatment with medium to high Zn 2+ concentrations (2-25 mg L -1 ) significantly affected the growth rate, photosynthetic activity, nitrogen absorption rate, antioxidant enzyme activity, membrane lipids, and DNA peroxidation damage-related indicators of S. fusiforme. Under medium-to-high concentration treatments, the SOD activity of S. fusiforme decreased with increasing concentration, and the CAT activity increased with increasing treatment concentration. The MDA and H 2 O 2 contents increased with increasing Zn 2+ concentrations. At a Zn 2+ concentration of 5 mg L -1 , the relative conductivity of S. fusiforme significantly increased. Treatment with higher Zn 2+ concentrations significantly increased the 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) content, poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) activity, and Histone H2AX content of S. fusiforme, thus indicating that Zn 2+ stress causes DNA damage. All Zn 2+ concentrations induced mannitol accumulation, and soluble protein content decreased with increasing Zn 2+ concentration. In summary, we observed that a Zn 2+ concentration of 2-5 mg L -1 may be the critical value for the response of S. fusiforme to Zn 2+ stress. Higher concentrations of Zn in the environment can exert toxic effects on the growth, development, and biomass accumulation of S. fusiforme. This study provides a reference for the risk assessment and aquaculture management of seaweeds., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Manganese (Mn) is an essential element for plant growth but can be toxic at high levels. Pecan (Carya illinoensis), an important nut-producing species, has been observed to exhibit tolerance to high Mn levels. In this study, pecan seedlings were exposed to a nutrient solution containing either 2 μM (control) or 1000 μM (excess) MnSO 4 to investigate the physiological mechanisms. Despite substantial increases in Mn concentration in all pecan tissues, the presence of excess Mn did not induce visible symptoms of Mn toxicity on pecan leaves, nor did it result in any changes in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters also remained unchanged. Subsequent examination revealed more cell layers and greater cell numbers in leaf palisade mesophyll tissue of Mn-treated plants compared with the control group. Cell length, and cell area decreased significantly in response to excess Mn, but total chloroplast area was unchanged and chloroplast structure remained intact. Subcellular fractionation analysis demonstrated that the cell walls, and to a lesser extent the soluble fraction, contained the majority of the Mn in leaves. The presence of excess Mn caused a marked increase in leaf concentrations of malic acid and citric acid, potential chelators of Mn. Our results suggest that the majority of Mn was sequestered in the leaf cell walls and may have been present as less-toxic chelated organic acids, thereby safeguarding the primary Mn target, the chloroplast, and ultimately conferring robust Mn tolerance in pecan., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The hormetic effects of antibiotics on Scenedesmus sp. werecompared with nitrogen limitationstrategies. We observed that 100 and 1000 nM supplementation with antibiotics could stimulate bothα-linolenic acid (ALA) and α-tocopherol productivities. Although nitrogen limitation had the best overall biomass and chlorophyll a productivity (∼ 43.83 % and 109.07 % ↑, respectively), tetracycline (1000 nM, T 1000 ) was the best antibiotic for biomass (∼ 12.08 % ↑) while erythromycin (100 nM, E 100 ) was the best for chlorophyll a (∼ 52.19 % ↑). The antibiotics also triggered accumulation of monounsaturated fatty acids, like C16:1 and C18:1, which the nitrogen stress strategies failed to achieve. Rifampicin (100 nM, R 100 ) and E 100 , with ∼3.92-4.14-fold increase in α-tocopherol and ∼4.41-4.81-fold increases in ALA productivities, reiterate the role of moderate stresses in stimulating high-value metabolites in microalgae. Our results provide an alternative medium engineering strategy for stimulating algal metabolites without compromising on the biomass. However, further studies are underwaytosafely remediate cultivation effluents and elucidate the physiological mechanisms of individual antibiotics to develop a more holistic strategy for targeted algal farming., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Heavy metal stress is one of the exorbitant problems faced by plants. Lead (Pb) stress is one of the prevalent stressors in agricultural fields. Nanofertilizers are being currently employed for mitigating heavy metal stress in plants. This study assessed the suitability of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) in ameliorating Pb stress in Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. var. Pusa Jagannath. The tested plants were grown in pots using a randomized block design, placed in herbal garden of Jamia Hamdard and treated with different amounts of Pb and nanozinc viz. control (T0), 250 ppm ZnONPs (T1), 500 ppm ZnONPs (T2), 1000 ppm ZnONPs (T3), 250 μM Pb (T4), 500 μM Pb (T5), and their combinations i.e. 250 μM Pb and 500 ppm ZnONPs (T6), 500 μM Pb and 500 ppm ZnONPs (T7), 250 μM Pb and 1000 ppm ZnONPs (T8) and 500 μM Pb and 1000 ppm ZnONPs (T9). The plants were tested for variations in morpho-physiological parameters, yield traits, biochemical attributes, antioxidant enzyme activity, and cell viability using confocal microscopy. Maximum dose of Pb (500 μM) decreased morphological and yield traits such as leaf area (-51%), shoot length (-17%), root length (-34%), number of seeds per plant (-73%), weight of the seeds (-35%), pod number (-47%), shoot and root fresh weight by -63% and -56%, along with reduction in total chlorophyll (-12%), carotenoid (-38%) content, nitrate reductase (-64%) activity, total soluble protein (-40%), total soluble sugar (-31%) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and APX by -14%, -4%, -15% respectively) in comparison to control. Stress markers like proline (195%) and MDA (266%) were elevated in Pb-treated plants.The increased level of total phenol content (89%) and total flavonoid content (478%) was also noted in Pb treated plants which acted as non-enzymatic antioxidant defense. The foliar application of ZnONPs (1000 ppm) was found to be effective in ameliorating Pb induced stress, as depicted by the increases in root length (43%), shoot length (38%), pod number (46%), seed weight (70%), number of seeds per plant (105%), chlorophyll content (41%), carotenoid content (28%), total soluble protein content (20%), and nitrate reductase activity (59%) in comparison to control. When ZnONPs (1000 ppm) was supplemented in Pb (250 μM) treated plants, antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT increased by 83%, and APX by 75%) and stress markers such as proline amplified by 387%, and total soluble sugar (61%), with respect to control. ZnONPs also improved the cell viability under Pb stress as revealed by confocal microscopy. In summary, foliar spray of ZnONPs proved effective in mitigating the Pb-induced stress in mustard which could be an effective strategy to alleviate the deleterious effects of Pb stress (500 μM) in mustard plants so as to realize its sustainable production under abiotic stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ni phytotoxicity has been attributed to its multidirectional detrimental effects on plant cell structure and function. However, relatively little is known about Ni's impact on phenolic metabolism in plants. The objective of our study was to obtain insight into the effect of Ni treatment on phenolic compound composition, phenol-related enzyme activities, and lignin accumulation in cucumber plants. Besides growth reduction, the chlorophyll a and carotenoid contents as well as the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, namely, the maximum photochemical efficiency of PS II and non-photochemical quenching, were significantly decreased in the Ni-treated cucumber plants. Application of Ni resulted in changes in the phenolic acid and flavonoid profiles; however, the total content of the detected phenolic compounds remained unchanged in the leaf and slightly decreased in the root. The Ni-induced release of free phenolic acids from their conjugates was found in the leaf. Ni treatment led to a marked increase in leaf peroxidase activities assayed with various phenolic substrates, while it did not influence phenyl ammonia lyase and polyphenol oxidase activities. Increased lignin deposition was observed in the leaf blade of Ni-exposed plants. Neither lignin accumulation nor induction of peroxidase activities were found in the root. Our results indicate that the Ni effect on phenolic compound composition and related enzyme activities is organ-specific. The observed changes in the content of individual compounds might result rather from the metal-triggered conversions of the compounds constitutively present in the cucumber tissues than from de novo synthesis.

The management of anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing surgery presents unique challenges, particularly in mitigating stress responses and ensuring stability. Etomidate may alleviate adrenocortical and immune stress. This study aims to investigate the anesthetic effects of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) supplemented with etomidate during anorectal surgery in elderly patients. The medical records of 49 cases treated with CSEA and etomidate (ETO group) and 48 cases treated with CSEA alone (control group) were reviewed and analyzed. All patients received ropivacaine hydrochloride for anesthesia, with the ETO group additionally receiving an infusion of etomidate for sedation. Parameters such as arterial blood gas, visual analog scale (VAS), Ramsay sedation scale (RSS), serum cortisol and norepinephrine levels, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and lymphocyte ratios were assessed at different time points. Compared to the control group, the ETO group showed increased mean arterial pressure, decreased heart rate, and elevated arterial SpO2 30 minutes after anesthesia. The ETO group also had higher RSS scores, lower VAS scores, and reduced serum cortisol and norepinephrine levels. Additionally, decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-8, were observed, along with an increase in the regulatory cytokine IL-10. An increased proportion of CD4+ T cells and a higher CD4/CD8 ratio were also noted. This study demonstrates the benefits of using etomidate to mitigate adrenocortical and immune stress in elderly patients undergoing anorectal surgery.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity and quality can be threatened by soil cadmium (Cd) contamination, posing a concern to food security. Salicylic acid (SA) is an endogenously produced signaling molecule that activates the defense system imparting abiotic stress tolerance in plants. Hence, an experiment was conducted to explore the roles of foliar application of SA in ameliorating Cd toxicity in two wheat varieties. The treatments comprised of, a) Cd stress: i) Cd 0  = control (No Cd), Cd 1  = 500 µM Cd stress at 30 days after sowing (DAS); SA applications: (i) SA 0  = control (No SA) (ii) SA 1  = 0.5 mM SA at 32 DAS, and c) Wheat varieties: (i) Anaj-17 and (ii) Akbar-19. The experiment was carried out with three replicates in a completely randomized design (CRD). The findings of the study have revealed that Cd stress prominently reduced the plant growth and yield, gaseous exchange attributes, and relative water content of both wheat varieties, and more reduction was observed in Anaj-17 as compared to Akbar-19. Plant height, economic yield, photosynthetic rate, and relative water content were decreased by (9.80 and 8.20%), (12.2 and 6.58%), (20 and 11.32%), and (12.5 and 10%) in Anaj-17 and Akbar-19 respectively. Further, SPAD value and chlorophyll fluorescence decreased under Cd toxicity in both wheat cultivars as compared to non-stress conditions. Contrarily, electrolyte leakage and Cd contents were increased in the plants as compared to the control. However, the foliar applications of SA in Cd-stressed plants significantly improved the plant growth and yield attributes, relative water content, gas exchange attributes, and chlorophyll content in both wheat varieties as compared to control-no SA applied. In addition, chlorophyll fluorescence and nutrient uptake were also improved under SA applications as compared to control. However, SA played an ameliorative role in reducing Cd-toxicity by reducing the electrolyte leakage and Cd uptake by the plants. Among the varieties, Akbar-19 outperformed the Anaj-17 to impart Cd toxicity under SA applications based on plant morphophysiological attributes. Hence, the outcomes of the experiment recommended that the foliar treatment of SA amended the Cd tolerance of wheat varieties by improving plant physiological and biochemical attributes., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

The DAF-2/insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) pathway plays an evolutionarily conserved role in regulating reproductive development, life span, and stress resistance. In Caenorhabditis elegans, DAF-2/IIS signaling is modulated by an extensive array of insulin-like peptides (ILPs) with diverse spatial and temporal expression patterns. However, the release dynamics and specific functions of these ILPs in adapting to different environmental conditions remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the ILP, insulin-3 (INS-3), plays a crucial role in modulating the response to various environmental stressors in C. elegans. ins-3 mutants display increased resistance to heat, oxidative stress, and starvation; however, this advantage is countered by slower reproductive development under favorable conditions. We find that ins-3 expression is downregulated in response to environmental stressors, whereas, the neurohormone tyramine, which is released during the acute flight response, increases ins-3 expression. We show that tyramine induces intestinal calcium (Ca2+) transients through the activation of the TYRA-3 receptor. Our data support a model in which tyramine negatively impacts environmental stress resistance by stimulating the release of INS-3 from the intestine via the activation of a TYRA-3-Gαq-IP3 pathway. The release of INS-3 systemically activates the DAF-2 pathway, resulting in the inhibition of cytoprotective mechanisms mediated by DAF-16/FOXO. These studies offer mechanistic insights into a brain-gut communication pathway that weighs adaptive strategies to respond to acute and long-term stressors., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2025 Veuthey et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Key Message: Melatonin increases Pb tolerance in P. ovata seedlings via the regulation of growth and stress-related phytohormones, ROS scavenging and genes responsible for melatonin synthesis, metal chelation, and stress defense. Lead (Pb) is a highly toxic heavy metal that accumulates in plants through soil and air contamination and impairs its plant growth and development. Because of its pharmaceutical importance, improvements in Plantago ovata yield against abiotic stresses are necessary. Melatonin (MEL) is a stress-alleviating biostimulator and our results showed a reduction in Pb induced phytotoxicity by enhancing plant growth attributes and balancing protective osmolytes. Pb-induced reactive oxygen species accumulation, including superoxide and peroxide free radicals and their mitigation through enzymatic antioxidants, was demonstrated in presence of MEL. Cell viability and Pb bioaccumulation were determined to understand the extent of cellular damage. Moreover, MEL increased secondary metabolite (flavonoids and anthocyanins) contents by 2-3-fold at the lowest Pb concentrations. Similar increases in the relative expression of genes (PoPAL and PoPPO), which are responsible for the production of non-enzymatic antioxidants, were observed. Notably, the upregulation of the PoCOMT gene up to 4-fold indicates increased melatonin production, as manifested in the phytomelatonin level. MEL supplementation also increased the auxin (IAA) level by 3-fold in the 100 µM Pb treatment group, while the abscisic acid (ABA) level decreased (1.4-fold) and the expression of PoMYB (a stress-related transcription factor) increased (up to 2.66-fold). Additionally, we found extreme downregulation (up to 18-fold) in the relative expression of PoMT 2 (a metal binding thiol compound) with melatonin treatment, which is otherwise upregulated (by 6-fold) during Pb stress. In the current study, these effects collectively revealed that MEL contribute to enhanced plant growth and Pb stress tolerance., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The increasing level of cadmium (Cd) contamination in soil due to anthropogenic actions is a significant problem. This problem not only harms the natural environment, but it also causes major harm to human health via the food chain. The use of chelating agent is a useful strategy to avoid heavy metal uptake and accumulation in plants. In this study, randomized design pot experiment was conducted to evaluate potential role of malic acid (MA) and tartaric acid (TA) foliar spray to mitigate Cd stress in Spinacia oleracea L plants. For Cd stress, S. oleracea plants were treated with CdCl 2 solution (100 µM). For control, plants were given distilled water. One week after Cd stress, MA and TA foliar spray was employed at concentration of 100 and 150 µM for both. The results of this study revealed that Cd stress (100 µM) significantly reduced growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments and related parameters and gas exchange attributes. Cadmium stress also stimulated antioxidant defense mechanism in S. oleracea. Cd stressed plants had elevated levels of Cd metal ions in root and consumable parts (i.e. leaves) and caused severe oxidative damages in the form of increased lipid peroxidation and electrolytic leakage. MA and TA supplements at both low and high levels (100 and 150 µM) effectively reversed the devastating effects of Cd stress and improved growth, photosynthesis and defense related attributes of S. oleracea plants. These supplements also prevented excessive accumulation of Cd metal ions as indicated by lowered Cd metal contents in MA and TA treated plants. These findings demonstrated that MA and TA treatments can potentially reduce Cdl induced phytotoxicity in plants by reducing its uptake and enhancing photosynthesis and defense related parameters., Competing Interests: Statements & declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval and consent to participate: We declare that the manuscript reporting studies do not involve any human participants, human data or human tissues. So, it is not applicable. Our experiment follows with the relevant institutional, national, and international guidelines and legislation., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

The contamination of Chinese medicinal materials with cadmium (Cd) is a pressing global issue that poses significant risks to human health. The beneficial effects of selenium (Se) have been established in improving plant growth and reducing Cd accumulation in plant under Cd stress. This study employed soil cultivation experiments to investigate the remediation effects of exogenous Se (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg kg⁻ 1 ) under varying levels of Cd stress (0, 0.6 and 4 mg kg⁻ 1 ). The findings revealed that Cd stress markedly impaired seedling growth, biomass, and physiological characteristics in Artemisia argyi. Regardless of Cd levels, exogenous Se significantly enhanced seedling biomass, improved antioxidant enzyme activity, and increased the plant's antioxidant capacity, thereby mitigating Cd stress. Additionally, exogenous Se promoted A. argyi plant growth, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the shoots, and under two Cd stress environments of 0.6 and 4 mg kg⁻ 1 , the application of 1 mg kg⁻ 1 Se reduced the Cd content in the aboveground parts of seedlings by 31.99 and 82.21%, respectively. We conclude 1 mg kg⁻ 1 Se could represent a promising strategy to contribute to the development and sustainability of crop production on soils contaminated with Cd at a concentration of up to 0.6 and 4 mg kg⁻ 1 . These results indicate that exogenous Se activates physiological and biochemical defense mechanisms in A. argyi seedlings against Cd stress, offering a foundation for cultivating high-yield, high-quality A. argyi in Cd-contaminated soils., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics declarations: All methods performed in this study including the collection of plant materials were in compliance with the relevant institutional, national, and international guidelines and legislation. Experimental research and field studies on plants: Experimental research and field studies on plants (wild), including the collection of plant material comply with the IUCN Policy Statement on Research Involving Species at Risk of Extinction and the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Salinity and cadmium exposure to agrarian land lowers crop yield and imposes toxicity in the food chain, ultimately affecting sustainable agriculture. Melatonin (Mel) and calcium (Ca) have been reported as potent regulators of plant growth and stress resistance. Based on this scenario, this study investigated the sole and combined effects of Mel and Ca on improving the antioxidant properties, mineral content, germination of sprout, and stress tolerance of soybean seedlings under salt and cadmium (Cd) stress. Optimal doses of 20 µM Mel and 1 mM Ca were identified to enhance sprout quality and seed germination. Treatments with Mel > 20 µM inhibited germination, while the combination of Mel (20 µM) and Ca (1 mM) significantly improved germination, mineral content (Ca, P, K), and antioxidant properties, including DPPH(2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) activity, polyphenols, flavonoids, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. However, melatonin > 50 µM could completely cease the sprouting, whereas a Ca concentration of up to 10 mM was observed to be normal in sprouting. Additionally, this combination reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and enhanced the proline, indicating decreased oxidative stress in soybean seedlings under stress conditions. Among various treatments tested, the Mel-Ca combination was most effective in enhancing sprout biomass, antioxidant activity, and seed viability under Salt+Cd stress. These findings underscore the synergistic role of Ca in optimizing melatonin pretreatment for stress mitigation in soybean seeds and also address the precaution for a possible negative impact of melatonin effects.

Background: Heavy metal contamination, particularly from lead (Pb), poses a significant threat to plant agriculture worldwide, adversely affecting growth, physiological functions, and yield. Signalling molecules such as calcium and salicylic acid are known to mitigate various stresses in plants, prompting this study to explore their interaction with Pb stress in wheat., Methods: A pot experiment was conducted in which wheat grains were primed with either distilled water, 5 mM calcium (Ca), or 0.05 mM salicylic acid (SA) for 12 h. Following germination, seedlings were exposed to 100 mM Pb six days later, while the control group received water irrigation. Growth parameters, physiological changes, molecular responses, and yield characteristics were assessed to understand the impact of the treatments., Results: The application of Ca and SA acid significantly ameliorated Pb-induced reductions in growth parameters, yield criteria, and phenolic content. These treatments also reduced oxidative stress by restoring osmoprotectants, Pb ion content, and antioxidant enzyme activities to normal levels. Additionally, they downregulated genes that were overexpressed in Pb-stressed wheat., Conclusions: Ca and SA treatments effectively mitigate lead toxicity in wheat by protecting growth, enhancing physiological resilience, and maintaining productivity. These findings suggest that leveraging chemical stimulants such as calcium and salicylic acid constitutes a viable strategy for reducing the detrimental impacts of heavy metal stress on crop yields., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval: Not applicable. Consent to participate: The authors agreed to participate in this work. Consent for publication: The authors agreed to publish this work., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

With freshwater resources becoming scarce worldwide, mariculture is a promising avenue to sustain aquaculture development, especially by incorporating brackish and saline groundwater (GW) use into fish farming. A 75-day rearing trial was conducted to evaluate fish growth, immune response, overall health, and water quality of Chelon ramada cultured in brackish GW and fed on a basal diet (BD) augmented with rosemary oil (RO) or RO + zymogen forte™ (ZF) as an anti-flatulent. Five treatments were administrated in triplicate: T1: fish-fed BD without additives (control group); T2: fish-fed BD + 0.5 g RO /kg diet; T3: fish-fed BD + 0.5 g RO and 1 g ZF /kg diet; T4: fish-fed BD + 1 g RO /kg diet; T5: fish-fed BD + 1 g RO and 1 g ZF /kg diet. Three hundred fish (8.51 ± 0.01 g/fish) were housed in 15 fiberglass tanks (1500-L tank). The results revealed significant improvements (P < 0.05) in growth performance, survival, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-1. Additionally, there were decreases in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and the levels of nitrogen by-products (NH 4 , NH 3 , and NO 2 ) and pathogenic bacterial counts in the rearing water when fish were fed diets supplemented with RO and RO + ZF. Furthermore, significant reductions in the levels of plasma stress indicators (cortisol, creatinine, and glucose) were detected. In addition, there were significant enhancements observed in the levels of innate immune markers, such as white blood cells, total protein, albumin, and immunoglobulin. The complement system, specifically complement 3 and complement 4, also showed considerable improvements. Furthermore, there were increases in plasma heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP90, as well as enhanced antioxidant activity. These gains were associated with healthier liver and intestines. The investigation demonstrated that adding 0.5-1 g RO / kg diet or RO + ZF to a C. ramada diet has many benefits, including reducing the levels of nitrogen by-product chemicals and pathogenic bacterial load in GW used in growth tanks. Furthermore, significant improvements were observed in the rates of growth and associated hormones, efficiency of feed utilization, blood indicators, immune function, condition of internal organs (namely the intestine and liver), and overall health of the fish., Competing Interests: Declarations. Guidelines: All methodologies were performed following relevant guidelines and regulations. Arrive guidelines: The authors affirm that the study was conducted in adherence to the ARRIVE guidelines. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Alexandria University, Egypt. (Approval No. 19/23/08/08/3/36). Also, the authors purchased the experimental fish at their own expense, and therefore informed consent was not required before conducting experiments on the fish. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Informed consent: Not applicable., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This investigation looked at the ameliorative role of camel whey protein hydrolysates-diet (PH) in Oreochromis niloticus stocked under alkaline conditions. One hundred sixty fish (16.02 ± 0.14 g) were allocated equally into four groups with four replications for 30 days. The first (control) and second (alkaline) groups were fed basal diets and maintained in fresh and alkaline water, respectively. The third and fourth groups were fed on a PH diet (basal diet containing 75 g PH/kg) and maintained in fresh water and alkaline water, respectively. The hematology, immune-antioxidant indices, immune-regulatory genes, histopathological investigation of the spleen, and resistance to Aeromonas sobria were investigated. The results showed that the alkaline condition induced hematological disorders (lowered red blood cells, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and white blood cell count) and immunosuppression (lowered phagocytic activity and index, lysozyme, nitric oxide, and complement 3) in the exposed fish. Alkaline exposure induced oxidative stress through elevation of the malondialdehyde and reduction in the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione S-reductase, and reduced glutathione). The immune modulatory genes (tolls like receptor-5, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-10, interleukin-17, nuclear factor kappa beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) were down-regulated by exposure to alkaline conditions. The microscopic section of the spleen of the fish subjected to alkaline conditions showed notable hyperplasia of the melanomacrophage centers, besides vascular congestion, endothelial cell hypertrophy, and mild hypercellularity in the erythroid and lymphoid elements. In addition, few sections manifested more pronounced erythroid hyperplasia than the lymphoid one. The survival of the fish subjected to alkaline conditions was reduced during the A. sobria challenge. Feeding on a PH diet, the hematology was restored and the immune-antioxidant functions were modulated. Modulation of the immune-regulatory genes and increased survivability of the alkaline-exposed fish were noticed when fed on the PH diet. Consequently, we can recommend enriching the Nile tilapia diet with a 75 g PH/kg diet especially when reared under alkaline conditions to support the immune functions of the fish., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval: This study has been authorized by the Zagazig University Authority for Animal Use in Research (ZU-IACUC/2/F/393/2023), and all applicable institutional standards were followed when caring for and using animals in this study. Consent to participate: All authors have participated in this work. Consent for publication: All authors review and approve the manuscript for publication. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Copper (Cu) pollution resulting from human activities has emerged as a prominent issue stemming from industrial development. The entry of copper into the soil, either directly or through industrial wastewater, exerts adverse effects on plant growth, leading to its accumulation in significant quantities within the plant and subsequent endangerment of human health through the food chain. DCPTA [2-(3, 4-dichlorophenoxy) triethylamine] mitigates certain abiotic stresses, yet the precise mechanism by which it alleviates Cu-induced phytotoxicity remains unknown. This study has demonstrated that DCPTA reduces the impact of copper stress on plants by enhancing leaf pigment and photosynthesis, regulating root growth, and balancing the antioxidant system. Furthermore, the accumulation of Cu in leaves and roots of cucumber treated with DCPTA was significantly lower than that in seedlings treated with Cu alone. Transcriptome analysis showed that copper absorption, transport, detoxification genes, cell wall component related genes and nitrogen metabolism related genes played a crucial role. In conclusion, exogenous application of DCPTA can partially alleviate copper stress in cucumber., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ammonium (NH₄⁺) is a primary nitrogen source for many species, yet NH₄⁺-rich wastewater presents a substantial risk to environment. Chlorella sorokiniana is widely recognized for wastewater treatment. The development of high NH₄⁺ tolerant strains has the potential to significantly enhance wastewater treatment efficiency and reduce treatment costs. This study reports the identification of a C. sorokiniana strain designated hact (high ammonium concentration tolerance). This strain demonstrates a remarkable tolerance to NH₄⁺ (1000 mg/L). Integrative analyses of physiology, metabolomics, and transcriptomics demonstrated that transport inhibition is the principal resistance mechanism against high NH₄⁺ stress in C. sorokiniana. Notably, under elevated NH₄⁺ conditions, the hact strain maintained robust intracellular homeostasis. In contrast, the wild-type (WT) strain exhibited suppressed metabolic activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and an excess of detrimental metabolites such as amines. This research enriches our understanding of microalgal molecular responses to high NH₄⁺ stress, paving the way for the development of engineered optimization strategies for microalgal bioremediation systems treating NH₄⁺-rich wastewater., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Epigenetics plays an important role in plant growth and development and in environmental adaptation. Alfalfa, an important forage crop, is rich in nutrients. However, little is known about the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the response of alfalfa to cadmium (Cd) stress. Here, we performed DNA methylation (5mC), RNA methylation (m 6 A) and transcriptomic sequencing analyses of alfalfa roots under Cd stress. Whole-genome methylation sequencing and transcriptomic sequencing revealed that Cd stress reduced DNA methylation levels. Moreover, a reduced 5mC methylation level was associated with decreased expression of several DNA methyltransferase genes. Compared with those under normal (CK) conditions, the m 6 A modification levels under Cd stress were greater and were positively correlated with gene expression in alfalfa roots. We also found a negative correlation between the 5mC level and the m 6 A level, especially in CG and CHG contexts. In yeast, the overexpression of MsNARMP5 (natural resistance-associated macrophage protein) and MsPCR2 (plant cadmium resistance 2), which are modified by 5mC or m 6 A, significantly increased Cd stress tolerance. These results provide candidate genes for future studies on the mechanism of Cd stress tolerance in alfalfa roots and valuable information for studying heavy metal stress in alfalfa breeding., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Copper is used to treat algal blooms, macrophyte infestations and other environmental issues, but its rising ambient levels harm aquatic animals, especially their intestines. However, its impact on turtles' digestive health is not well understood, and the risks are unclear. This study investigates the effects of copper on the intestinal health of Chinese stripe-necked turtle, focusing on histomorphology, mucosal barrier function, gene expression, and gut microbiota. Copper stress caused intestinal damage, characterized by shortened villi, inflammatory cell infiltration, and reduced epithelial layer thickness, as well as decreased acidic mucins, increased villi edema and inflammation. The mRNA expression level of bacteriostatic enzymes significantly reduced. Furthermore, This study found that copper exposure increases gut permeability by suppressing tight junction genes and triggers an inflammatory response in the gut, as indicated by elevated inflammatory cytokines. At the phylum level, Firmicutes exhibited a significant decrease, whereas Bacteroidota displayed a notable increase, and Fusobacteriota showed a substantial reduction in relative abundance in copper-treated groups. Similarly, at genus level Romboutsia, Cetobacterium decreased, while Turicibacter and Sarcina significantly increases in copper-treated groups compared to the control. This indicating the unique properties of copper including its essentiality, reactivity, and accumulation enables it to profoundly impact gut bacteria, altering both their composition and function. Copper's dual role as a nutrient and toxicant uniquely impacts gut microbes. Our findings suggest that copper stress compromises the intestinal physical, immune, chemical, and microbial barrier in M. sinensis, all of which contribute to the turtle's poor health., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Application of algicides produced by naturally occurring bacteria is considered an environmentally friendly approach to control harmful algal blooms. However, few studies assess the effects of bacterial algicides on non-target species, either independently or with other stressors. Here, we measured sub-lethal effects of dinoflagellate-specific algicide IRI-160AA on the estuarine fish Fundulus heteroclitus and Menidia menidia in laboratory experiments. Plasma cortisol levels were measured to test whether a neuroendocrine stress response was induced in these fish following exposure to the algicide alone, and in combination with diel-cycling hypoxia and/or pH, at 25 and 30 °C. Results show that exposure to IRI-160AA does not significantly affect cortisol levels in either species, at either temperature tested, whether exposure occurs independently or with co-occurring hypoxia and/or pH cycles as potential multiple stressors. These results support the application of IRI-160AA as an environmentally friendly approach to control harmful algal blooms in estuarine environments., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Drought stress severely damages wheat growth and photosynthesis, and plants at the grain-filling stage are the most sensitive to drought throughout the entire period of development. Exogenous spraying of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) can alleviate the damage to wheat caused by drought stress, but the mechanism regulating the proline pathway remains unknown. Two wheat cultivars, drought-sensitive Zhoumai 18 and drought-tolerant Zhengmai 1860, were used as materials when the plants were cultivated to the grain-filling stage. The results show that under drought stress, SNP pretreatment effectively improved the physiological basis of photosynthesis and water use efficiency of the two cultivars, increased their tolerance to photosystem II (PSII) damage, and maintained a normal photosynthetic rate and yield. Drought stress induced an increase in pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase ( TaP5CS ) gene transcription, and a comparatively greater increase was detected in Zhengmai 1860. When SNP treatment was applied before drought exposure, TaP5CS transcription was further enhanced. Induction of TaP5CS transcription promoted proline accumulation in response to drought stress, increased osmotic ability, and maintained the net photosynthetic rate, thereby increasing the accumulation of dry matter and yield traits. In this study, exogenous SNP regulates the transcription of genes related to the proline metabolism pathway and provides a theoretical basis for the establishment of wheat cultivation technology using SNP to resist drought stress.

The continuous contamination of heavy metals (HMs) in our ecosystem due to industrialization, urbanization and other anthropogenic activities has become a serious environmental constraint to successful crop production. Lead (Pb) toxicity causes ionic, oxidative and osmotic injuries which induce various morphological, physiological, metabolic and molecular abnormalities in plants. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is widely used to elucidate drought stress induction and alleviation mechanisms in treated plants. Some recent studies have unveiled the potential of PEG in regulating plant growth and developmental procedures including seed germination, root and shoot growth and alleviating the detrimental impacts of abiotic stresses in plants. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the effects of seed priming with various concentrations (10%, 20%, 30% and 40%) of PEG on the growth and development of radish plants growing under Pb stress (75 mg/kg soil). Lead toxicity reduced root growth (32.89%), shoot growth (32.81%), total chlorophyll (56.25%) and protein content (58.66%) in treated plants. Similarly, plants showed reduced biomass production of root (35.48%) and shoot (31.25%) under Pb stress, while 30% PEG seed priming enhanced biomass production of root (28.57%) and shoot (35.29%) under Pb contaminated regimes. On the other hand, seedlings obtained from 30% PEG priming demonstrated a notable augmentation in the concentrations of photosynthetic pigments, antioxidative activity and biomass accumulation of the plants. PEG-treated plants showed modulations in the enzymatic activities of peroxidase (PO), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). These changes collectively played a role in mitigating the adverse effects of Pb on plant physiology. Our data revealed that PEG interceded stress extenuation encompasses numerous regulatory mechanisms including scavenging of ROS through antioxidant and non-antioxidants, improved photosynthetic activity and appropriate nutrition. Hence, it becomes necessary to elucidate the beneficial role of PEG in developing approaches for improving plant growth and stress tolerance., Competing Interests: Naim Ahmad Yasin is an Academic Editor for PeerJ., (©2025 Sajid et al.)

Maize (Zea mays L.) faces significant challenges to its growth and productivity from heavy metal stress, particularly Chromium (Cr) stress, which induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and damages photosynthetic tissues. This study aimed to investigate the effects of fulvic acid (FA) application, via foliar spray or root irrigation, on mitigating chromium stress in maize by evaluating its impact on antioxidant activity and growth parameters. Two maize varieties, P3939 and 30Y87, were subjected to chromium stress (CrCl 3 ·6H 2 O) at concentrations of 300 µM and 100 µM for a duration of 5 weeks. The experiment was conducted in a wire house under natural environmental conditions at the Seed Centre, Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Physiological assessments included electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll pigment content, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) in maize leaves. Growth parameters were also monitored. The results revealed that chromium stress significantly reduced chlorophyll content and increased oxidative stress, as evidenced by elevated MDA levels and electrolyte leakage. However, FA application notably mitigated these effects: chlorophyll content improved by 15%, and MDA levels decreased significantly. Irrigation with FA was particularly effective, reducing MDA levels by 40% compared to the 300 µM chromium treatment. Furthermore, while chromium stress enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, FA application further boosted total soluble protein levels and antioxidant enzyme activities under stress conditions. In conclusion, FA application demonstrates potential in improving maize tolerance to heavy metal stress by enhancing the antioxidant defense system and preserving photosynthetic pigments. These findings highlight FA's promise as a practical strategy for mitigating the negative impacts of chromium stress on maize, promoting sustainable agricultural practices in contaminated environments., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: All methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations. We have obtained permission to collect plant material and seedlings. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Cadmium (Cd), as one of the most toxic nonessential elements, severely prohibits plant growth and development. Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) play essential roles in plant response to abiotic stress. However, the potential mechanism of H 2 S and MeJA in alleviating Cd stress in plants remains unclear. In the current study, the importance and crosstalk of H 2 S and MeJA in the Cd tolerance of cucumber seedlings have been investigated. Our results revealed that Cd stress obviously prohibited the growth of cucumber seedlings. Optimal concentrations of H 2 S donor sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) or MeJA treatment, respectively, or in combination, significantly enhanced seedling growth under Cd stress. However, the positive effects of H 2 S during seedling growth were obviously reversed by the application of MeJA biosynthesis inhibitors, which implied that MeJA might be involved in the H 2 S-improved growth of cucumber seedlings under Cd stress. Moreover, Cd stress resulted in the increase in hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), superoxide radical (O 2 ·- ) accumulation, and impaired the functioning of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle. Both H 2 S and MeJA decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and ameliorated the negative effects of Cd stress through significantly increasing the ratio of ascorbate (AsA)/dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG). Besides that, the expression level of ROS scavenge genes was significantly upregulated by the application of exogenous H 2 S or MeJA treatment. Moreover, H 2 S and MeJA significantly enhanced the chlorophyll concentration and inhibited chlorophyll degradation through decreasing the expression levels of chlorophyll catabolic enzymes. Additionally, exogenous H 2 S and MeJA obviously enhanced the chlorophyll fluorescence. However, MeJA biosynthesis inhibitors significantly suppressed the positive role of H 2 S. The above results suggested MeJA is involved in H 2 S-induced Cd stress alleviation in cucumber seedlings through enhancing ROS-scavenge capacity and improving the photosynthesis system.

Increasing aquaculture production requires high-density farming, which induces stress, necessitating supplements to mitigate its effects and ensure fish health. The aim of this study was to examine how CaNa2EDTA (EDTA) affects the growth, immune response and antioxidant activity in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The fish were raised at three different stocking densities: low (LD = 2.00 kg/m3), medium (MD = 3.50 kg/m3), and high (HD = 5.00 kg/m3). Each density group was fed with one of four levels of EDTA supplementation (E0 = 0 g/kg, E1 = 5 g/kg, E2 = 10 g/kg, and E3 = 15 g/kg) for 60 days. Each diet was tested in triplicate (n = 66 fish per replicate in LD, 116 per replicate in MD, and 166 per replicate in HD). After 60 days, the results of this study declared that LD group showed better growth than the MD and HD groups, and among all groups, those fed the E1 diet grew better than those on other diets. The study found significant changes in the chemical composition of the fish and the activity of digestive enzymes across all treatments. Antioxidant enzyme levels and cortisol were higher in the HD group compared to the LD and MD groups. However, fish in the HD group fed the E1 diet had the lowest levels of antioxidant enzymes and cortisol. Malondialdehyde levels were higher in the HD group compared to the LD and MD groups, with the lowest levels seen in fish on the E1 diet in the HD group. The expression of Somatostatin-1 did not increase in the MD group compared to the LD and HD groups. The gene expression levels of pro-opiomelanocortin-α and Interleukin 1-β were not significantly affected by either stocking density or EDTA supplementation. In conclusion, EDTA supplementation improved growth and antioxidant response in tilapia, with the best results seen at a dose of 5 g/kg in the high-density group, suggesting that this approach could be beneficial in intensive tilapia farming., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2025 Komal et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Winter wild oat (Avena sterilis subsp. ludoviciana (Durieu) Gillet & Magne) has been considered the most common and troublesome weed in wheat fields of Iran. The widespread and continuous use of herbicides has led to the emergence and development of resistant biotypes in A. ludoviciana, making it one of the most important herbicide-resistant weeds within field crops. Considering the importance of understanding the mechanisms underlying resistance to herbicides and identifying key proteins involved in the response to Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) and Acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor herbicides in A. ludoviciana. This study aimed to identify the proteins involved in herbicide resistance in A. ludoviciana using the Isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantification (iTRAQ) technique. In this study, a total of 18,313 peptides were identified with ≤ 0.01 FDR, which could be classified into 484 protein groups. Additionally, 138 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in the resistant biotype (R), while 93 DEPs were identified in the susceptible biotype (S). Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that these DEPs mainly consisted of proteins related to photosynthesis, respiration, amino acid synthesis and translation, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, defense proteins, and detoxification. Furthermore, enrichment pathway analysis using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) showed that the most important pathways included metabolic pathways, carbohydrate metabolism, secondary metabolites, amino acid synthesis, and photosynthesis. The function of DEPs indicated that some proteins, such as cytochrome P450, play a direct role in herbicide detoxification. Overall, the results of this study demonstrated the complex response of the resistant biotype to herbicides and its ability to increase antioxidant capacity through up-regulated detoxification proteins, particularly cytochrome P450 (Q6YSB4), and defense proteins, particularly superoxide dismutase (Q0DRV6) and polyamine oxidase (Q7XR46). In the resistant A. ludoviciana populations, in addition to the activation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense systems, other strategies such as reduced photosynthesis and respiration, increased transcription and translation activity, enhanced lipid metabolism, regulation of cellular processes and homeostasis, and up-regulation of proteins associated with signaling and ion channels play a role in resistance to herbicide. Overall these findings provide new insights into the role of different proteins in resistance to herbicides and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of herbicide resistance in A. ludoviciana., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y27632 on bioenergetic capacity and resilience of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) under metabolic stress., Methods: Bovine CECs (BCECs) were treated with Y27632 and subjected to bioenergetic profiling using the Seahorse XFp Analyzer. The effects on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production through oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis were measured. BCECs were also challenged with monensin to induce metabolic stress. Cell viability, apoptosis, intracellular sodium levels, and hexokinase localization were assessed using calcein AM assay, flow cytometry, fluorescence imaging, and immunostaining, respectively., Results: Y27632 increased maximal ATP production rates via both oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, thereby expanding the overall bioenergetic capacity in BCECs. Under monensin-induced metabolic stress, ROCK inhibitor pretreatment significantly enhanced glycolytic ATP production and reduced apoptosis compared with untreated cells. Y27632 also facilitated sodium export by increasing Na/K-ATPase activity, as evidenced by lower intracellular sodium levels. Additionally, Y27632 promoted the translocation of hexokinase 2 to mitochondria under stress conditions, thereby enhancing glycolytic capacity. The effect of Y27632 on cell viability and sodium export was abrogated when cells were forced to rely on oxidative phosphorylation in galactose media, indicating that the protective effects of Y27632 are dependent on glycolytic ATP production under monensin stress., Conclusions: ROCK inhibitor Y27632 enhances the bioenergetic capacity of BCECs, allowing the cells to better withstand metabolic stress by rapidly generating ATP to meet increased energy demands, maintaining ion homeostasis and reducing apoptosis.

Growing evidence suggests that a flavonoid-rich diet can prevent or reverse the effects of stressors, although the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. One common and abundant flavonoid found in numerous foods is quercetin. This study utilizes the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis, a valid model organism for learning and memory, and a simple but robust learning paradigm-operant conditioning of aerial respiration-to explore the behavioral and transcriptional effects of different stressors on snails' cognitive functions and to investigate whether quercetin exposure can prevent stress effects on learning and memory formation. Our findings demonstrate that three different stressors-severe food deprivation, lipopolysaccharide injection (an inflammatory challenge), and fluoride exposure (a neurotoxic agent)-block memory formation for operant conditioning and affect the expression levels of key targets related to stress response, energy balance, and immune response in the snails' central ring ganglia. Remarkably, exposing snails to quercetin for 1 h before stress presentation prevents these effects at both the behavioral and transcriptional levels, demonstrating the potent stress-preventive properties of quercetin. Despite the evolutionary distance from humans, L. stagnalis has proven to be a valuable model for studying conserved mechanisms by which bioactive compounds like quercetin mitigate the adverse effects of various stressors on cognitive functions across species. Moreover, these findings offer insights into quercetin's potential for mitigating stress-induced physiological and cognitive impairments., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Copper (Cu) is a vital trace element necessary for plants growth and development. It acts as a co-factor for enzymes and plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, antioxidant systems, and hormone signaling transduction. However, excessive amounts of Cu can disrupt normal physiological metabolism, thus hindering plant growth, development, and reducing yield. In recent years, the widespread abuse of Cu-containing fungicides and industrial Cu pollution has resulted in significant soil contamination. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to uncover the adverse effects of excessive Cu on plant growth and delve into the molecular mechanisms employed by plants to counteract the stress caused by excessive Cu. Recent studies have confirmed the inhibitory effects of excess Cu on mineral nutrition, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and antioxidant enzyme activity. This review systematically outlines the ways in which plants tolerate excessive Cu stress and summarizes them into eight Cu-tolerance strategies. Furthermore, it highlights the necessity for further research to comprehend the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the responses to excessive Cu stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The expanded lethal (2) essential for life [l(2)efl] gene family is responsive to proteostatic stresses. Their protein products are core components of the stress response mechanism and are emerging as promising biomarkers for cellular stress in Apis mellifera. However, l(2)efl (LOC410857) uniquely remains unresponsive to heat stress within this gene family, and research examining its role in adaptation to other types of stress across diverse bee species is scarce. To address this knowledge gap, we cloned the l(2)efl gene from Apis cerana cerana [Accl(2)efl] and conducted a bioinformatics analysis on the encoded protein, aiming to elucidate the potential functions of Accl(2)efl. Our study encompassed assessing the role of Accl(2)efl in the response of bees to various stressful environments and its involvement in tolerance to heavy metals (Cd and Hg). Furthermore, we employed the RNAi technology to delve into the response mechanisms of Accl(2)efl under Cd and Hg stress. Our findings revealed that Accl(2)efl was activated when exposed to CdCl 2 or HgCl 2 . Following the knockdown of Accl(2)efl, we observed that genes, such as defensins, were upregulated through the activation of the Toll signaling pathway. Conversely, the peroxisome signaling pathway was inhibited, resulting in a notable decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity. This led to a substantial elevation in Cd and Hg concentrations within hemolymph, accompanied by an increased mortality rate among bees re-exposed to CdCl 2 or HgCl 2 . Combined, our data indicated that Accl(2)efl may plays a role in the tolerance of Apis cerana cerana to Cd/Hg stress. These findings provide a scientific basis for the further exploration of the role of Accl(2)efl in the response of bees to Cd/Hg stress and for enhancing the anti-Cd/Hg stress signaling network. They further lay a theoretical foundation for identifying new stress biomarkers for bees as well as indicators for the detection of environmental pollution., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests. Wen-feng Chen reports financial support was provided by Jining Medical University. Wen-feng Chen has patent pending to Jining Medical University. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The heavy metal cadmium (Cd) is highly poisonous and has received significant attention from environmental scientists due to its harmful impacts on plants. Oryza glumaepatula is a wild rice that contains useful genes against biotic and abiotic stresses. Therefore, the current study used SG007, a single-segment substitution line (SSSL), generated by crossing O. glumaepatula with an elite rice cultivar (HJX74), to evaluate the resistance potential against Cd. Moreover, we assessed the efficacy of strigolactone GR24 (1 μM) against Cd toxicity (100 μM) by investigating physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms in both cultivars (i.e., SG007 and HJX74). The findings of this study revealed that Cd toxicity declined the chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids by 50%, 20%, and 44% in SG007, and 58%, 39%, and 59% in HJX74 by enhancing electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) by 113%, 184%, and 119% in SG007 and 248%, 273% and 195% in HJX74, respectively. GR24 improved growth under Cd stress in both cultivars, and SG007 exhibited better plant growth parameters, antioxidant enzymatic activities, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and nitric oxide (NO) levels than HJX74 under Cd toxicity. GR24 with SG007 regulated expressions of Cd transporters and reduced the cytological disruptions in cell organelles. The combined utilization of SG007 and GR24 reduced Cd accumulation and oxidative stress and improved plant growth parameters and enzymatic activities. In conclusion, our study highlights the potential of utilizing SG007 in conjunction with GR24 as a practical strategy to mitigate Cd pollution in rice. The results not only underscore the beneficial effects of strigolactone GR24 in alleviating Cd-induced stress but also emphasize the valuable genetic traits of O. glumaepatula in developing rice lines with enhanced tolerance to heavy metals, offering broader implications for sustainable agriculture and crop improvement in contaminated environments., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a cardiac hormone involved in the regulation of water/sodium balance and blood pressure, is also secreted by endothelial cells, where it exerts protective effects in response to stress. Autophagy is an intracellular self-renewal process involved in the degradation of dysfunctional cytoplasmic elements. ANP was recently reported to act as an extracellular regulator of cardiac autophagy. However, its role in the regulation of endothelial autophagy has never been investigated. Here, we tested the effects of ANP in the regulation of autophagy in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We found that ANP rapidly increases autophagy and autophagic flux at physiological concentrations through its predominant pathway, mediated by natriuretic peptide receptor type A (NPR-A) and protein kinase G (PKG). We further observed that ANP is rapidly secreted by HUVEC under stress conditions, where it mediates stress-induced autophagy through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Finally, we found that the protective effects of ANP in response to high-salt loading or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α are blunted by concomitant inhibition of autophagy. Overall, our results suggest that ANP acts as an endogenous autophagy activator in endothelial cells. The autophagy mechanism mediates the protective endothelial effects exerted by ANP., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Nanoparticles, such as copper oxide nanoparticle (CuO NP) and polystyrene nanoplastic (PSNP), are increasingly released into aquatic environments, and pose potential risks to aquatic animals such as brine shrimps. Understanding the toxicity of these nanoparticles, especially when combined, is very important to assess their environmental effects. Therefore, this work describes the toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastic (PSNP) and CuO nanoparticles (CuO NPs) for brine shrimp (Artemiasalina). The body length and stress biomarkers, including the activity of SOD, CAT, GST, Acid phosphatase, AChE, level of MDA and GSH, and expression of the hsp70 gene were quantified. The 48h-EC50 values for PSNP, CuO NPs, and their combination were determined as 1.024 and 5.089, and 0.512 mg L -1 , respectively. The combined exposure groups showed the highest growth inhibition. This was associated with increased activity of SOD and GST, decreased activity of CAT, a significant decrease in the level of GSH, a significant increase in the MDA level, and expression of the hsp70 gene (P < 0.05). Moreover, an increased ACP and reduced AChE activity were observed in exposure groups. This study indicated that PSNP and CuO NPs have synergistic toxicity for A.salina, underscoring the importance of further investigation into their combined effect on aquatic animals., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Starting life in space and implementing spaceflight missions requires raising of plants in special conditions, where various stresses, including microgravity, are applied to plant. The use of stimulants is known as a promising effective approach that enhances plant resistance encountered a variety of abiotic stresses. In this study, the impact of two stimulants, melatonin and chitosan, in reducing negative effects of clinorotation on Rocket (Eruca sativa L.) seedlings was investigated from a physiological and biochemical point of view. For this purpose, a completely randomized experiment was designed where the treatments included control (without stimulants and normal gravity), melatonin (100 μM), chitosan (230 M), microgravity, microgravity + melatonin, and microgravity + chitosan. The results disclosed that the microgravity significantly impaired the plant growth and morphology, while exogenous application of melatonin and chitosan improved the plant growth parameters under stress conditions. Under microgravity, there was a reduction of 46.15% in shoot length (4.9 mm) and 41.44% in root length (4.7 mm) compared with the control (9.1 mm; 8.03 mm), respectively. Clinorotation led to a marked increment in the enzymes activity, wherein the POD, SOD and CAT activities increased by 75.13%, 72.67%, and 53.42%, respectively, compared with the control seedlings. In addition, supply of these two stimulants strengthened the scavenging of radial oxygen species and helped the plant to tolerate stress conditions, by activated the enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems. These results can pave the road for more studies and broad application of biological stimuli to overcome the space harsh environmental conditions by plants., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Excessive manganese (Mn) concentrations affect plant gene expression, alter metabolite content, and impede plant growth. Rice plants are particularly susceptible to Mn toxicity stress in acidic soil; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are so far unclear. This study used transcriptomic and metabolomic sequencing to examine roots and leaves of rice plants subjected to Mn toxicity stress. The findings showed that high Mn stress increased the content of malondialdehyde, proline, and soluble sugar in rice roots by 262.28 %, 803.37 %, and 167.25 %, respectively. In rice roots, the enzymatic activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) elevated by 119.69 %, 408.44 %, 151.97 %, and 27.19 %, respectively. In rice leaves, the proline content increased by 632.45 %, whereas the enzymatic activities of POD, SOD, CAT, and APX were elevated by 167.17 %, 14.08 %, 103.60 %, and 146.74 %, respectively. Mn toxicity stress decreased soluble protein content in rice roots, and in the leaves, it reduced the soluble protein, soluble sugar, and chlorophyll contents. In addition, Mn toxicity led to reduced biomass accumulation, plant height, stem diameter, and root growth. The contents of salicylic acid (increased by 118.40 % in roots and 66.38 % in leaves) and jasmonic acid (decreased by 50.18 % in roots and increased by 143.97 % in leaves) were also affected. Transcriptome analysis identified differentially expressed genes associated with transcription factors, antioxidant enzymes, and metal transporters. Metabolomics revealed 176 and 214 different metabolites in the roots and leaves, respectively, that under Mn toxicity stress affected major metabolic pathways associated with fatty and amino acids. The phenylalanine metabolism pathway was significantly enriched in both the roots and leaves. Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed three key pathways: lysine degradation and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in roots and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism in leaves. Metabolic substances and genes associated with metabolic enzymes were identified. These results enhance our understanding of the molecular processes underlying the responses of rice to Mn toxicity stress and provide a basis for breeding Mn-tolerant rice varieties., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)