Improve Stress Resistance Research Articles

Real‐Time Lactate Detection in A Dynamic Environment Using Micrsensing Needles

AbstractThis study introduces a novel microneedle‐based lactate sensor with SU‐8 micropillar enhancement, designed for real‐time monitoring in dynamic environments. Utilizing inkjet‐printing technology, the sensor demonstrates enhanced sensitivity and a reduced limit of detection (LoD), addressing critical challenges in clinical applications like hemodialysis and patient monitoring in ICU. Design enhancements in the medical steel needle improve stress resistance during insertion, contributing to the sensor's reliability. The experimental findings demonstrate that the microneedle is capable of achieving a high level of linearity at 0.99, with a sensitivity of 3.38 µA mM−1/mm−2–0.5 µA mM−1/mm−2 observed within the range of 0.1–0.5 mM and 1–10 mM, respectively. Meanwhile, the microneedle exhibits a low limit of detection (LoD) of 0.01 mM when tested in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) with varying lactate concentrations. Moreover, it demonstrates a linearity of 0.98, sensitivity of 1.13 µA mM−1 mm−2, and the same LoD of 0.01 mM in urine. The sensor maintains its performance at flow rates up to 500 mL min−1. Overall, this flexible and inkjet‐printed lactate sensor represents a significant advancement in real‐time clinical monitoring technology.

Interplays of Cuticle Biosynthesis and Stomatal Development: From Epidermal Adaptation to Crop Improvement.

Crop production is limited by environmental stresses such as a water deficit, salinity, and extreme temperature. Lipophilic cuticle and stomatal pore govern plant transpirational water loss and photosynthetic gas exchange and contribute to plant adaptation to stressful environments. Intricate interplays between cuticle biosynthesis and stomatal development are supported by increasing evidence from phenotypic observations. Several mutants, initially identified as being deficient in cuticle development, have exhibited altered phenotypes in terms of stomatal ridges, numbers, patterns, and shapes. Similarly, mutants with abnormal stomatal patterning have shown defective cuticle formation. Recently, signaling components and transcription factors orchestrating cuticle biosynthesis and stomatal formation have been characterized in both model and crop plants. In this review, we summarize the genetic interplay between cuticle biosynthesis and stomata formation. Current strategies and future perspectives on exploiting the intertwined cuticle biosynthesis and stomatal development for crop stress resistance improvement are discussed.

Integrating kinetic dynamics into sculpture and pottery for improved artistic form and structural stability

This study investigates the impact of integrating kinetic dynamics into creating sculptures and pottery to enhance structural stability and artistic form. Traditional methods often prioritize aesthetics over structural resilience, whereas this research aims to assess whether kinetic principles can improve both aspects. Art pieces were divided into two groups: one created using traditional techniques (Control Group) and another using kinetic dynamics (experimental group). Key variables such as stress resistance, load capacity, aesthetic fluidity, and durability under environmental stressors were measured. The experimental group exhibited a significant improvement in stress resistance, with a mean increase of 22.4% compared to the Control Group (p = 0.0001). Aesthetic fluidity scores were also higher in the experimental group, averaging 8.6 compared to 7.0 in the Control Group (p = 0.00001). Additionally, the experimental group demonstrated superior durability, with a 16.7% increase in strength retention under humidity, temperature fluctuations, and mechanical vibrations (p = 0.00001). These key findings suggest that integrating kinetic dynamics enhances the structural integrity of sculptures and pottery and improves their aesthetic appeal and environmental resilience. The results provide a compelling case for applying kinetic principles in art, offering new opportunities for artists to create visually striking and durable works.

Worldwide study on field trials of biotechnological crops: new promises but old policy hurdles

Field trials (FTs) are a necessary step towards future commercialization of biotech crops and products thereof, whether for research and development or cultivation approval. A total of 187 FTs in 30 countries have been compiled for 2022 and 2023 using a survey and intergovernmental databases. FTs have been classified according to methods, crops and traits. Compiled FTs are mostly conducted by the public sector on eight plant species with improved stress resistance, industrial application, yield, and quality. Regarding genome editing (GenEd), 23 FTs (12% of total) are carried out in 6 countries, on 10 crops. Regulations were examined in 141 countries to discuss why in some countries FTs are not performed, although basic biotech research is carried out. The EU particularly is compared to the rest of the world. Regarding the new proposal in the EU for GenEd product classification, it was found that all recent FTs of such products fall in the category that the EU would consider as ‘equivalent to conventional plants’ (NGT-1). We also studied current cultivation approvals to highlight differences with crops tested in the field and those may be approved in the future.

Evaluating the Restoration of External Root Resorption Under Biomechanical Stress: A Finite Element Analysis.

Root resorption is a complex problem in endodontic treatment that considerably affects the structural integrity of teeth. This study aims to assess the biomechanical efficacy of various restorative materials and approaches in treating external root resorption, emphasizing their capacity to improve stress resistance and guarantee long-term success. This research employed finite element analysis (FEA) to assess stress distribution in mandibular premolars with external root resorption. Eight models, demonstrating apical and mid-level resorption, were repaired using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine, or a mixture of these materials with gutta-percha. In order to evaluate each technique's biomechanical performance, the models were exposed to both vertical and oblique stresses. The findings demonstrated that complete canal obturation with Biodentine or MTA greatly lowered stress levels, with Biodentine exhibiting a marginal advantage. The hybrid approach utilizing gutta-percha produced elevated stress concentrations, especially under oblique loading conditions. MTA and Biodentine are effective in enhancing resistance to biomechanical forces in teeth with external resorption. However, the combination of gutta-percha with these materials reduces resistance, especially under oblique forces. These findings highlight the importance of material selection in restoring resorbed teeth and improving clinical outcomes.

Enhancement of ketocarotenoid production using the heterologous orange protein from Ipomoea batatas in indigenous microalga Ettlia sp.

Astaxanthin, one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, is used in high-value industries such as those of cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and food products derived from microalgae. In this study, Ettlia sp. mutants were generated by expressing two types of heterologous orange proteins, IbOr and IbOr-R96H, in which the 96th arginine of IbOr was substituted with histidine derived from Ipomoea batatas to enhance astaxanthin production. The Ett-IbOr-R96H mutant showed a 2.4-fold increase in β-carotene content compared to the wildtype (4.59 mg g−1DCW), reaching 10.82 mg g−1 under high-light conditions via two-phase cultivation. Under the stress treatment combination of high-light intensity and nitrogen deprivation, total carotenoid content increased to 17.24 mg L−1 and 21.94 mg L−1 in Ett-IbOr and Ett-IbOr-R96H, respectively. The astaxanthin and canthaxanthin contents in Ett-IbOr-R96H was 4.89 mg L−1 and 0.47 mg L−1, respectively, which were 1.8- and 1.5-fold higher, respectively, than those in Ett-IbOr. Additionally, photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) recovered in Ett-IbOr-R96H under dual-stress conditions compared to the wildtype while reactive oxygen species levels decreased throughout the cultivation period. Our findings suggest that the heterologous IbOr expression in Ettlia sp. may be an effective approach for enhancing the production of ketocarotenoids and improving stress resistance for industrial applications.

Genome-wide analysis of flavonoid biosynthetic genes in Musaceae (Ensete, Musella, and Musa species) reveals amplification of flavonoid 3ʹ,5ʹ-hydroxylase

Abstract Flavonoids in Musaceae are involved in pigmentation and stress responses, including cold resistance, and are a component of the healthy human diet. Identification and analysis of the sequence and copy number of flavonoid biosynthetic genes are valuable for understanding the nature and diversity of flavonoid evolution in Musaceae species. In this study, we identified 71–80 flavonoid biosynthetic genes in chromosome-scale genome sequence assemblies of Musaceae, including those of Ensete glaucum, Musella lasiocarpa, Musa beccarii, M. acuminata, M. balbisiana and M. schizocarpa, checking annotations with BLAST and determining the presence of conserved domains. The number of genes increased through segmental duplication and tandem duplication. Orthologues of both structural and regulatory genes in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway are highly conserved across Musaceae. The flavonoid 3ʹ,5ʹ-hydroxylase gene F3ʹ5ʹH was amplified in Musaceae and ginger compared with grasses (rice, Brachypodium, Avena longiglumis, and sorghum). One group of genes from this gene family amplified near the centromere of chromosome 2 in the x = 11 Musaceae species. Flavonoid biosynthetic genes displayed few consistent responses in the yellow and red bracts of Musella lasiocarpa when subjected to low temperatures. The expression levels of MlDFR2/3 (dihydroflavonol reductase) increased while MlLAR (leucoanthocyanidin reductase) was reduced by half. Overall, the results establish the range of diversity in both sequence and copy number of flavonoid biosynthetic genes during evolution of Musaceae. The combination of allelic variants of genes, changes in their copy numbers, and variation in transcription factors with the modulation of expression under cold treatments and between genotypes with contrasting bract-colours suggests the variation may be exploited in plant breeding programmes, particularly for improvement of stress-resistance in the banana crop.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) application for coping with salinity and drought: a bibliometric network multi-analysis.

Rhizobacteria play a crucial role in plant growth and yield, stimulating primary production and improving stress resistance. Climate change has several consequences worldwide that affect arable land and agriculture. Studies on plant-soil-microorganism interactions to enhance plant productivity and/or resistance to abiotic stress may open new perspectives. This strategy aims to make agricultural-relevant plant species able to complete their biological cycle in extreme soils with the help of inoculated or primed plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). We provide an overview of the evolution of interest in PGPR research in the last 30 years through: (i) a quantitative search on the Scopus database; (ii) keyword frequencies and clustering analysis, and (iii) a keyword network and time-gradient analysis. The review of scientific literature on PGPR highlighted an increase in publications in the last 15 years, and a specific time gradient on subtopics, such as abiotic stresses. The rise in PGPR as a keyword co-occurring with salinity and drought stresses aligns with the growing number of papers from countries directly or partly affected by climate change. The study of PGPR, its features, and related applications will be a key challenge in the next decades, considering climate change effects on agriculture. The increased interest in PGPR leads to deeper knowledge focused specifically on researching agriculturally sustainable solutions for soils affected by salinity and drought.

Characterization of bZIP Transcription Factors in Transcriptome of Chrysanthemum mongolicum and Roles of CmbZIP9 in Drought Stress Resistance.

bZIP transcription factors play important roles in regulating plant development and stress responses. Although bZIPs have been identified in many plant species, there is little information on the bZIPs in Chrysanthemum. In this study, bZIP TFs were identified from the leaf transcriptome of C. mongolicum, a plant naturally tolerant to drought. A total of 28 full-length bZIP family members were identified from the leaf transcriptome of C. mongolicum and were divided into five subfamilies based on their phylogenetic relationships with the bZIPs from Arabidopsis. Ten conserved motifs were detected among the bZIP proteins of C. mongolicum. Subcellular localization assays revealed that most of the CmbZIPs were predicted to be localized in the nucleus. A novel bZIP gene, designated as CmbZIP9, was cloned based on a sequence of the data of the C. mongolicum transcriptome and was overexpressed in tobacco. The results indicated that the overexpression of CmbZIP9 reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased the peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities as well as the expression levels of stress-related genes under drought stress, thus enhancing the drought tolerance of transgenic tobacco lines. These results provide a theoretical basis for further exploring the functions of the bZIP family genes and lay a foundation for stress resistance improvement in chrysanthemums in the future.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Pattern Analysis of GATA Gene Family in Orchidaceae.

The GATA transcription factors play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stress. Despite extensive studies of GATA genes in many plants, their specific functions and mechanisms in orchids remain unexplored. In our study, a total of 149 GATA genes were identified in the genomes of seven sequenced orchid species (20 PeqGATAs, 23 CgGATAs, 24 CeGATAs, 23 DcaGATAs, 20 DchGATAs, 27 DnoGATAs, and 12 GelGATAs), classified into four subfamilies. Subfamily I typically contains genes with two exons, while subfamily II contains genes with two or three exons. Most members of subfamilies III and IV have seven or eight exons, with longer introns compared to subfamilies I and II. In total, 24 pairs (CgGATAs-DchGATAs), 27 pairs (DchGATAs-DnoGATAs), and 14 pairs (DnoGATAs-GelGATAs) of collinear relationships were identified. Cis-acting elements in GATA promoters were mainly enriched in abscisic acid (ABA) response elements and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) elements. Expression patterns and RT-qPCR analysis revealed that GATAs are involved in the regulation of floral development in orchids. Furthermore, under high-temperature treatment, GL17420 showed an initial increase followed by a decrease, GL18180 and GL17341 exhibited a downregulation followed by upregulation and then a decrease, while GL30286 and GL20810 displayed an initial increase followed by slight inhibition and then another increase, indicating diverse regulatory mechanisms of different GATA genes under heat stress. This study explores the function of GATA genes in orchids, providing a theoretical basis and potential genetic resources for orchid breeding and stress resistance improvement.

Drought stimulus enhanced stress tolerance in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by improving physiological characteristics, growth, and water productivity

The impact of drought events on the growth and yield of wheat plants has been extensively reported; however, limited information is available on the changes in physiological characteristics and their effects on the growth and water productivity of wheat after repeated drought stimuli. Moreover, whether appropriate drought stimulus can improve stress resistance in plants by improving physiological traits remains to be explored. Thus, in this study, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of intermittent and persistent mild [65%–75% soil water-holding capacity (SWHC)], moderate (55%–65% SWHC), and severe drought (45%–55% SWHC) stress on the growth, physiological characteristics, yield, and water-use efficiency (WUE) of winter wheat. After the second stress stimulus, persistent severe drought stress resulted in 30.98%, 234.62%, 53.80%, and 31.00% reduction in leaf relative water content, leaf water potential, photosynthetic rate (Pn), and indole-3-acetic acid content (IAA), respectively, compared to the control plants. However, abscisic acid content, antioxidant enzyme activities, and osmoregulatory substance contents increased significantly under drought stress, especially under persistent drought stress. After the second rehydration stimulus (ASRR), the actual and maximum efficiency of PSII and leaf water status in the plants exposed to intermittent moderate drought (IS2) stress were restored to the control levels, resulting in Pn being 102.56% of the control values; instantaneous WUE of the plants exposed to persistent severe drought stress was 1.79 times that of the control plants. In addition, the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione reductase, as well as the content of proline, under persistent mild drought stress increased by 52.98%, 33.47%, 51.95%, 52.35%, and 17.07% at ASRR, respectively, compared to the control plants, which provided continuous antioxidant protection to wheat plants. This was also demonstrated by the lower H2O2 and MDA contents after rehydration. At ASRR, the IAA content in the IS2 and persistent moderate drought treatments increased by 36.23% and 19.61%, respectively, compared to the control plants, which favored increased aboveground dry mass and plant height. Compared to the control plants, IS2 significantly increased wheat yield, WUE for grain yield, and WUE for biomass, by 10.15%, 32.94%, and 33.16%, respectively. Collectively, IS2 increased grain growth, yield, and WUE, which could be mainly attributed to improved physiological characteristics after drought-stimulated rehydration.

Ameliorative impacts of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on seedling growth, physiological biomarkers, and gene expression in eight wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under salt stress

Highlights1. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been proven to promote seedling growth in wheat varieties exposed to salt stress. As a result, there was enhanced root growth, longer shoot length, and improved overall health of the seedlings.2. GABA has been shown to enhance physiological indicators (chlorophyll levels and enhanced relative water content) in wheat varieties under salt stress conditions and minimize membrane impairment, all of which indicate improved stress resistance and general plant well-being.3. GABA therapy has been found to increase gene expression in wheat cultivars subjected to salt stress. This includes the upregulation of stress-responsive genes and the downregulation of genes associated with negative stress responses, ultimately leading to improved resilience and adaptation to harsh growing conditions.4. The impact of GABA on seedling growth, physiological biomarkers, and gene expression can change depending on the unique wheat cultivar. Each wheat variety may show distinct reactions to GABA therapy, emphasizing the need for cultivar-specific studies and customized strategies to optimize the advantages of GABA in reducing salt stress in wheat farming.

Improvement of Stress Resistance of Microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum by Emulsion Electrospinning.

Probiotics have become increasingly recognized for their potential health-promoting properties; however, the viability of probiotics can be affected by storage and transportation processes as well as the stressful environment of the human digestive tract, preventing them from achieving effective concentration (107 CFU/mL). In this regard, the embedding technology of probiotics provides an effective protection method. Dextran-based water in water (W/W) emulsion loaded with Lactobacillus plantarum was used as spinning solution to prepare Lactobacillus plantarum-loaded electrospun fibers. The structure of the W/W emulsion and the electrospun fibers was charactered. Lactobacillus plantarum were uniformly embedded in the internal phase of the W/W emulsion and the loading efficiency was 9.70 ± 0.40 log CFU/g. After 240 min digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, and temperature treatment in 65 °C and 72 °C, the loaded probiotics maintained high activity. Even after 5 days of storage in room temperature and 4 °C, the loaded probiotic activity levels remained high, with counts >8 log CFU/g. These results suggest that probiotics encapsulated by emulsion electrospinning could be potentially delivered in a novel food delivery system used in the future food industry.

Insights into the genetic structure and domestication patterns in cultivated populations of Neopyropia yezoensis

Neopyropia yezoensis is a commercially important seaweed that has been subjected to industrial cultivation for more than six decades, making it a longstanding and economically valuable marine resource. However, there is a paucity of genomic information on its genetic structure and underlying domestication patterns. We examined 124 N. yezoensis samples collected from China and Japan, and identified 1,004,593 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our results indicated that the genetic background of the cultivated population in China is complex, with evidence of germplasm mixing within the same cultivation area. We identified the genomic signatures and SNP hotspots of domestication related to growth, reproductive regulation, and improved stress resistance, thereby highlighting potential target genes for future nori breeding programs. Finally, two SNP loci, which are significantly associated with length, were identified through a genome-wide association study and were located within the region of selective sweeps in cultivated populations. Functional analysis indicated that one of the SNP loci might be involved in the regulation of flavin metabolism and transport. Our results will help elucidate the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of nori, and guide future breeding and conservation strategies.

Unlocking the potential of chicken liver byproducts: Identification of antioxidant peptides through in silico approaches and anti-aging effects of a selected peptide in Caenorhabditis elegans

Chicken meat processing generates a substantial number of byproducts, which are either underutilized or improperly disposed. In this study, we employed in silico approaches to identify antioxidant peptides in chicken liver byproducts. Notably, the peptide WYR exhibited remarkable 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity with an IC50 of 0.13 ± 0.01 mg/mL and demonstrated stability under various conditions, including thermal, pH, NaCl, and simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Molecular docking analysis revealed significant hydrogen bonding interactions, while molecular dynamics showed differential stability with ABTS and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). WYR exhibited improved stress resistance, decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), elevated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and modulated the expression of crucial genes through the insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IIS) signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and heat shock transcription factor-1 (HSF-1) pathways. These effects collectively contributed to the extension of Caenorhabditis elegans' lifespan. This study not only provides an effective method for antioxidant peptide analysis but also highlights the potential for enhancing the utilization of poultry byproducts.

Fmo induction as a tool to screen for pro-longevity drugs.

Dietary restriction (DR) and hypoxia (low oxygen) extend lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans through the induction of a convergent downstream longevity gene, fmo-2. Flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs) are highly conserved xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes with a clear role in promoting longevity in nematodes and a plausible similar role in mammals. This makes them an attractive potential target of small molecule drugs to stimulate the health-promoting effects of longevity pathways. Here, we utilize an fmo-2 fluorescent transcriptional reporter in C. elegans to screen a set of 80 compounds previously shown to improve stress resistance in mouse fibroblasts. Our data show that 19 compounds significantly induce fmo-2, and 10 of the compounds induce fmo-2 more than twofold. Interestingly, 9 of the 10 high fmo-2 inducers also extend lifespan in C. elegans. Two of these drugs, mitochondrial respiration chain complex inhibitors, interact with the hypoxia pathway to induce fmo-2, whereas two dopamine receptor type 2 (DRD2) antagonists interact with the DR pathway to induce fmo-2, indicating that dopamine signaling is involved in DR-mediated fmo-2 induction. Together, our data identify nine drugs that each (1) increase stress resistance in mouse fibroblasts, (2) induce fmo-2 in C. elegans, and (3) extend nematode lifespan, some through known longevity pathways. These results define fmo-2 induction as a viable approach to identifying and understanding mechanisms of putative longevity compounds.

P-hydroxybenzaldehyde protects Caenorhabditis elegans from oxidative stress and β-amyloid toxicity.

Gastrodia elata is the dried tuber of the orchid Gastrodia elata Bl. It is considered a food consisting of a source of precious medicinal herbs, whose chemical composition is relatively rich. Gastrodia elata and its extracted fractions have been shown to have neuroprotective effects. P-hydroxybenzaldehyde (p-HBA), as one of the main active components of Gastrodia elata, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidative stress, and cerebral protective effects, which has potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to verify the role of p-HBA in AD treatment and to investigate its mechanism of action in depth based using the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model. In this study, we used paralysis, lifespan, behavioral and antistress experiments to investigate the effects of p-HBA on AD and aging. Furthermore, we performed reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, thioflavin S staining, RNA-seq analysis, qPCR validation, PCR Array, and GFP reporter gene worm experiment to determine the anti-AD effects of p-HBA, as well as in-depth studies on its mechanisms. p-HBA was able to delay paralysis, improve mobility and resistance to stress, and delay aging in the AD nematode model. Further mechanistic studies showed that ROS and lipofuscin levels, Aβ aggregation, and toxicity were reduced after p-HBA treatment, suggesting that p-HBA ameliorated Aβ-induced toxicity by enhancing antioxidant and anti-aging activity and inhibiting Aβ aggregation. p-HBA had a therapeutic effect on AD by improving stress resistance, as indicated by the down-regulation of NLP-29 and UCR-11 expression and up-regulation of PQN-75 and LYS-3 expression. In addition, the gene microarray showed that p-HBA treatment played a positive role in genes related to AD, anti-aging, ribosomal protein pathway, and glucose metabolism, which were collectively involved in the anti-AD mechanism of p-HBA. Finally, we also found that p-HBA promoted nuclear localization of DAF-16 and increased the expression of SKN-1, SOD-3, and GST-4, which contributed significantly to inhibition of Aβ toxicity and enhancement of antioxidative stress. Our work suggests that p-HBA has some antioxidant and anti-aging activities. It may be a viable candidate for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

Drying-wetting cycle enhances stress resistance of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in a model soil

Outbreaks of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 in farms are often triggered by heavy rains and flooding. Most cells die with the decreasing of soil moisture, while few cells enter a dormant state and then resuscitate after rewetting. The resistance of dormant cells to stress has been extensively studied, whereas the molecular mechanisms of the cross-resistance development of the resuscitated cells are poorly known. We performed a comparative proteomic analysis on O157:H7 before and after undergoing soil dry-wet alternation. A differential expression of 820 proteins was identified in resuscitated cells compared to exponential-phase cells, as determined by proteomics analysis. The GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed that up-regulated proteins were associated with oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, the citrate cycle (TCA cycle), aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, ribosome activity, and transmembrane transporters, indicating increased energy production and protein synthesis in resuscitated O157:H7. Moreover, proteins related to acid, osmotic, heat, oxidative, antibiotic stress and horizontal gene transfer efficiency were up-regulated, suggesting a potential improvement in stress resistance. Subsequent validation experiments demonstrated that the survival rates of the resuscitated cells were 476.54 and 7786.34 times higher than the exponential-phase cells, with pH levels of 1.5 and 2.5, respectively. Similarly, resuscitated cells showed higher survival rates under osmotic stress, with 7.5%, 15%, and 30% NaCl resulting in survival rates that were 460.58, 1974.55, and 3475.31 times higher. Resuscitated cells also exhibited increased resistance to heat stress, with survival rates 69.64 and 139.72 times higher at 55 °C and 90 °C, respectively. Furthermore, the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) efficiency of resuscitated cells was significantly higher (153.12-fold) compared to exponential phase cells. This study provides new insights into bacteria behavior under changing soil moisture and this may explain O157:H7 outbreaks following rainfall and flooding, as the dry-wet cycle promotes stress cross-resistance development.

Genome-wide identification, expression analysis, and abiotic stress response of the CBL and CIPK gene families in Artocarpus nanchuanensis

Artocarpus nanchuanensis, the northernmost species in the jackfruit genus, has great economic and horticultural value due to its nutritious fruit and beautiful tree shape. Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) act as plant-specific Ca2+ sensors and participate in regulating plant responses to various abiotic stresses by interacting with CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs). However, the characteristics and functions of the CBL and CIPK genes in A. nanchuanensis are still unclear. Here, we identified 14 CBL and 33 CIPK genes from the A. nanchuanensis genome, and based on phylogenetic analysis, they were divided into 4 and 7 clades, respectively. Gene structure and motif analysis indicated that the AnCBL and AnCIPK genes were relatively conserved. Colinear analysis showed that segmental duplication contributed to the expansion of the AnCBL and AnCIPK gene families. Expression analysis showed that AnCBL and AnCIPK genes were widely expressed in various tissues of A. nanchuanensis and exhibited tissue-specific expression. In addition, three genes (AnCBL6, AnCIPK7/8) may play important roles in response to salt, cold, and drought stresses. In summary, this study lays an important foundation for the improvement of stress resistance in A. nanchuanensis and provides new insight for the functional research on CBL and CIPK gene families.

Genome-Wide Identification of NAC Family Genes in Oat and Functional Characterization of AsNAC109 in Abiotic Stress Tolerance.

The plant-specific NAC gene family is one of the largest transcription factor families, participating in plant growth regulation and stress response. Despite extensive characterization in various plants, our knowledge of the NAC family in oat is lacking. Herein, we identified 333 NAC genes from the latest release of the common oat genome. We provide a comprehensive overview of the oat NAC gene family, covering gene structure, chromosomal localization, phylogenetic characteristics, conserved motif compositions, and gene duplications. AsNAC gene expression in different tissues and the response to various abiotic stresses were characterized using RT-qPCR. The main driver of oat NAC gene family expansion was identified as segmental duplication using collinearity analysis. In addition, the functions of AsNAC109 in regulating abiotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis were clarified. This is the first genome-wide investigation of the NAC gene family in cultivated oat, which provided a unique resource for subsequent research to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for oat stress tolerance and provides valuable clues for the improvement of stress resistance in cultivated oat.