Environmental Stress Tolerance Research Articles

The application ozone within the food industry, mode of action, current and future applications, and regulatory compliance.

The food industry faces numerous challenges today, with the prevention and reduction of microbial contamination being a critical focus. While traditional chemical-based methods are effective and widely used, rising energy costs, the development of microbial tolerances, and growing awareness of the ecological impact of chemical biocides have renewed interest in novel biocides. Ozone, in both its gaseous and aqueous forms, is recognized as a potent disinfectant against bacteria, viruses, and fungi due to its high oxidation potential. Our review highlights several studies on the applications of ozone within the food industry, including its use for surface and aerosol disinfection and its capacity to reduce viable Listeria monocytogenes, a pertinent foodborne pathogen harbouring environmental and biocide stress tolerances and biofilm former. We also explore the use of ozone in food treatment and preservation, specifically on blueberries, apples, carrots, cabbage and cherry tomatoes. While ozone is an effective disinfectant, it is important to consider material incompatibility, and the risks associated with prolonged human exposure to high concentrations. Nevertheless, for certain applications, ozone proves to be an efficacious and valuable alternative or complementary method for microbial control. Compliance with the Biocide Products Regulation (BPR) will require ozone device manufacturers to produce proven efficacy and safety data in line with British standards based on European standards (BS EN), and researchers to propose adaptations to account for ozone's unique properties.

In vivo fitness of sul gene-dependent sulfonamide-resistant Escherichia coli in the mammalian gut.

The widespread sulfonamide resistance genes sul1, sul2, and sul3 in food and gut bacteria have attracted considerable attention. In this study, we assessed the in vivo fitness of sul gene-dependent sulfonamide-resistant Escherichia coli, using a murine model. High fitness costs were incurred for sul1 and sul3 gene-dependent E. coli strains in vivo. A fitness advantage was found in three of the eight mice after intragastric administration of sul2 gene-dependent E. coli strains. We isolated three compensatory mutant strains (CMSs) independently from three mice that outcompeted the parent strain P2 in vivo. Whole-genome sequencing revealed seven identical single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutations in the three CMSs compared with strain P2, an additional SNP mutation in strain S2-2, and two additional SNP mutations in strain S2-3. Furthermore, tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomic analysis revealed abundant differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the CMSs compared with P2. Of these, seven key fitness-related DEPs distributed in two-component systems, galactose and tryptophan metabolism pathways, were verified using parallel reaction monitoring analysis. The DEPs in the CMSs influenced bacterial motility, environmental stress tolerance, colonization ability, carbohydrate utilization, cell morphology maintenance, and chemotaxis to restore fitness costs and adapt to the mammalian gut environment.IMPORTANCESulfonamides are traditional synthetic antimicrobial agents used in clinical and veterinary medical settings. Their long-term excessive overuse has resulted in widespread microbial resistance, limiting their application for medical interventions. Resistance to sulfonamides is primarily conferred by the alternative genes sul1, sul2, and sul3 encoding dihydropteroate synthase in bacteria. Studying the potential fitness cost of these sul genes is crucial for understanding the evolution and transmission of sulfonamide-resistant bacteria. In vitro studies have been conducted on the fitness cost of sul genes in bacteria. In this study, we provide critical insights into bacterial adaptation and transmission using an in vivo approach.

Transcriptome analysis of the common moss Bryum pseudotriquetrum grown under Antarctic field condition.

Mosses are distributed all over the world including Antarctica. Although Antarctic mosses show active growth in a short summer season under harsh environments such as low temperature, drought and high levels of UV radiation, survival mechanisms for such multiple environmental stresses of Antarctic mosses have not yet been clarified. In the present study, transcriptome analyses were performed using one of the common mosses Bryum pseudotriquetrum grown under an Antarctic field and artificial cultivation conditions. Totally 88205 contigs were generated by de novo assembly, among which 1377 and 435 genes were significantly up and downregulated, respectively, under Antarctic field conditions compared with artificial cultivation conditions at 15°C. Among the upregulated genes, a number of lipid metabolism-related and oil body formation-related genes were identified. Expression levels of these genes were increased by artificial environmental stress treatments such as low temperature, salt and osmic stress treatments. Consistent with these results, B. pseudotriquetrum grown under Antarctic field conditions contained large amounts of fatty acids, especially α-linolenic acid, linolenic acid and arachidonic acid. In addition, proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, which enhance membrane fluidity, to the total fatty acids was also higher in B. pseudotriquetrum grown under Antarctic field conditions. Since lipid accumulation and unsaturation of fatty acids are generally important factors for the acquisition of various environmental stress tolerance in plants, these intracellular physiological and metabolic changes may be responsible for the survival of B. pseudotriquetrum under Antarctic harsh environments.

Whole genome sequence analysis and in vitro probiotic characteristics of Lactococcus lactis ZFM559

Lactococcus lactis, a candidate probiotic, is extensively applied in the fermentation of the food industry and is recognized for its potential to enhance human health. In this study, L. lactis ZFM559, which exhibits probiotic properties, was isolated from fresh milk. In vitro assays have demonstrated it has the ability to inhibit and co-aggregate with multiple pathogenic strains, as well as good tolerance to high osmotic pressure (10% NaCl), low pH (3.0), and simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Moreover, L. lactis ZFM559 is capable of producing folate and inhibiting α-glucosidase activity. Whole-genome sequencing has revealed the components of its genome, which include one circular chromosome and three linear plasmids. Functional annotation of the genome has identified the pathway for γ-aminobutyric acid synthesis, genes and enzymes associated with flavor production and lactose decomposition, and proteins related to environmental stress tolerance. Additionally, a complete gene cluster (including LanT, HlyD, LcnB, and GlyS) for the synthesis of bacteriocins was identified. In summary, L. lactis ZFM559 can be considered a probiotic with significant potential for applications in the food industry and human health.

Recent progress in the role of seed endophytic bacteria as plant growth-promoting microorganisms and biocontrol agents.

The importance of microorganisms residing within the host plant for their growth and health is increasingly acknowledged, yet the significance of microbes associated with seeds, particularly seed endophytic bacteria, remains underestimated. Seeds harbor a wide range of bacteria that can boost the growth and resilience of their host plants against environmental challenges. These endophytic associations also offer advantages for germination and seedling establishment, as seed endophytic bacteria are present during the initial stages of plant growth and development. Furthermore, plants can selectively choose bacteria possessing beneficial traits, which are subsequently transmitted through seeds to confer benefits to future generations. Interestingly, even with the ongoing discovery of endophytes in seeds through high-throughput sequencing methods, certain endophytes remain challenging to isolate and culture from seeds, despite their high abundance. These challenges pose difficulties in studying seed endophytes, making many of their effects on plants unclear. In this article, a framework for understanding the assembly and function of seed endophytes, including their sources and colonization processes was outlined in detail and available research on bacterial endophytes discovered within the seeds of various plant species has also been explored. Thus, this current review aims to provide valuable insights into the mechanism of underlying seed endophytic bacteria-host plant interactions and offers significant recommendations for utilizing the seed endophytic bacteria in sustainable agriculture as plant growth promoters and enhancers of environmental stress tolerance.

Interactive abiotic and biotic stressor impacts on a stream-dwelling amphibian.

Organisms within freshwater and marine environments are subject to a diverse range of often co-occurring abiotic and biotic stressors. Despite growing awareness of the complex multistress systems at play in aquatic ecosystems, many questions remain regarding how simultaneous stressors interact with one another and jointly impact aquatic species. We looked at multistress interactions in a protected stream ecosystem in Mendocino County, California. Specifically, we examined how diurnal temperature variation, turbidity, and predator cues altered the movement speed of larval Pacific giant salamanders (Dicamptodon tenebrosus). In a second experiment, we looked at how simulated low-flow summer conditions impact the expression of heat-shock proteins (HSPs) in the same species. Larvae moved almost one and a half times faster in the presence of chemical cues from trout and suspended sediment, and almost two times faster when both sediment and trout cues were present but were only marginally affected by temperature and visual cues from conspecifics. Interestingly, the order of stressor exposure also appeared to influence larval speed, where exposure to sediment and trout in earlier trials tended to lead to faster speeds in later trials. Additionally, larvae exposed to low-flow conditions had more variable, but not statistically significantly higher, expression of HSPs. Our findings highlight the potential interactive effects of an abiotic stressor, sedimentation, and a biotic stressor, and predator chemical cues on an ecologically important trait: movement speed. Our findings also demonstrate the likely role of HSPs in larval salamander survival in challenging summer conditions. Taken together, these findings show that larval D. tenebrosus responds behaviorally to biotic and abiotic stressors and suggests a possible pathway for physiological tolerance of environmental stress. Consideration of multistress systems and their effects is important for understanding the full effects of co-occurring stressors on aquatic organisms to guide appropriate conservation and management efforts based on ecologically relevant responses of organisms within an environment.

The Effects of a New Citrus Rootstock Citrus junos cv. Shuzhen No. 1 on Performances of Ten Hybrid Citrus Cultivars

The importance of rootstock in citrus production lies in its crucial role in determining tree growth, environmental stress tolerance, and fruit quality. Citrus junos Siebold ex Tanaka cv. Shuzhen No. 1, a recently developed rootstock, demonstrates excellent graft compatibility and abiotic stress tolerance. The objective of this study was to assess ten hybrid citrus cultivars grafted onto two C. junos rootstock selections, with the aim of determining the potential for industrial utilization of the new citrus rootstock. All graft junctions are mature and well established. Vigorous growth characterized all ten citrus cultivars on Shuzhen No. 1, with the largest tree’s height reaching 280.33 cm (Wogan scion) and the widest scion’s diameter being 67.52 cm (Chunjian scion). However, the scion-to-rootstock diameter ratio was the lowest at 0.62 (Chunxiang scion). C. junos rootstock selections significantly affected fruit weight (five of ten scions) and fruit color (seven of ten scions) but had negligible impact on peel thickness (nine of ten scions). Furthermore, rootstock type had a significant influence on fruit quality. In conclusion, our findings indicate strong graft compatibility between all scions and C. junos rootstocks, which can impact overall size and fruit quality. Based on these results, Shuzhen No. 1 is recommended as a valuable citrus rootstock.

Multi-locus genome-wide association study reveal genomic regions underlying root system architecture traits in Ethiopian sorghum germplasm.

The identification of genomic regions underlying the root system architecture (RSA) is vital for improving crop abiotic stress tolerance. To improve sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) for environmental stress tolerance, information on genetic variability and genomic regions linked to RSA traits is paramount. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate common quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) via multiple methodologies and identify genomic regions linked to RSA traits in a panel of 274 Ethiopian sorghum accessions. Multi-locus genome-wide association study was conducted using 265,944 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism markers. Considering the QTN detected by at least three different methods, a total of 17 reliable QTNs were found to be significantly associated with root angle, number, length, and dry weight. Four QTNs were detected on chromosome SBI-05, followed by SBI-01 and SBI-02 with three QTNs each. Among the 17 QTNs, 11 are colocated with previously identified root traits quantitative trait loci and the remaining six are genome regions with novel genes. A total of 118 genes are colocated with these up- and down-streams of the QTNs. Moreover, five QTNs were found intragenic. These QTNs are S5_8994835 (number of nodal roots), S10_55702393 (number of nodal roots), S1_56872999 (nodal root angle), S9_1212069 (nodal root angle), and S5_5667192 (root dry weight) intragenic regions of Sobic.005G073101, Sobic.010G198000, Sobic.001G273000, Sobic.009G013600, and Sobic.005G054700, respectively. Particularly, Sobic.005G073101, Sobic.010G198000, and Sobic.009G013600 were found responsible for the plant growth hormone-induced RSA. These genes may regulate root development in the seedling stage. Further analysis on these genes might be important to explore the genetic structure of RSA of sorghum.

Advancements and Prospects of Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) in Maize.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have emerged as a powerful tool for unraveling intricate genotype-phenotype association across various species. Maize (Zea mays L.), renowned for its extensive genetic diversity and rapid linkage disequilibrium (LD), stands as an exemplary candidate for GWAS. In maize, GWAS has made significant advancements by pinpointing numerous genetic loci and potential genes associated with complex traits, including responses to both abiotic and biotic stress. These discoveries hold the promise of enhancing adaptability and yield through effective breeding strategies. Nevertheless, the impact of environmental stress on crop growth and yield is evident in various agronomic traits. Therefore, understanding the complex genetic basis of these traits becomes paramount. This review delves into current and future prospectives aimed at yield, quality, and environmental stress resilience in maize and also addresses the challenges encountered during genomic selection and molecular breeding, all facilitated by the utilization of GWAS. Furthermore, the integration of omics, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, epigenomics, and phenomics has enriched our understanding of intricate traits in maize, thereby enhancing environmental stress tolerance and boosting maize production. Collectively, these insights not only advance our understanding of the genetic mechanism regulating complex traits but also propel the utilization of marker-assisted selection in maize molecular breeding programs, where GWAS plays a pivotal role. Therefore, GWAS provides robust support for delving into the genetic mechanism underlying complex traits in maize and enhancing breeding strategies.

Deciphering metabolite profiling in grafted Solanum nigrum: A comprehensive GC-MS and FTIR analysis

Vegetable grafting plays a significant role in modern agricultural practices, effectively managing abiotic and biotic stresses. Additionally, it offers the advantage of enhancing the phenotypic traits of the scion. This technique has gained widespread acceptance in commercial cultivation, particularly in crops like tomato, watermelon, melon, eggplant, etc., but has not been reported in Solanum nigrum. The appeal lies in its swiftness compared to the traditional method of breeding vegetables with improved environmental stress tolerance. This study focused on identifying and studying the components present in the leaves and fruits of both grafted and ungrafted Solanum nigrum. The GC-MS analysis unveiled a multitude of bioactive compounds, some of which are well-known antioxidants and possess anti-inflammatory properties. These beneficial attributes make them potentially valuable for promoting health and well-being. In addition, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to identify functional groups in the methanolic extracts. The FTIR findings confirmed the existence of diverse functional groups, such as alkanes, alkynes, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and nitriles, within the selected grafted Solanum nigrum samples. The research outcomes suggest that the extracts could be valuable in managing fungal infections in crops, which may contribute to the successful grafting of Solanum nigrum onto wild rootstocks. The presence of bioactive compounds with antifungal properties in the extracts might enhance disease resistance, making a successful grafting process a viable solution for improved and extended production. This underscores the critical necessity for continued research, highlighting its potential benefits to various domains, including medicine and nutrition.

High-quality haplotype-resolved genome assembly for ring-cup oak (Quercus glauca) provides insight into oaks demographic dynamics.

Quercus section Cyclobalanopsis represents a dominant woody lineage in East Asian evergreen broadleaved forests. Regardless of its ecological and economic importance, little is known about the genomes of species in this unique oak lineage. Quercus glauca is one of the most widespread tree species in the section Cyclobalanopsis. In this study, a high-quality haplotype-resolved reference genome was assembled for Q. glauca from PacBio HiFi and Hi-C reads. The genome size, contig N50, and scaffold N50 measured 902.88, 7.60, and 69.28 Mb, respectively, for haplotype1, and 913.28, 7.20, and 71.53 Mb, respectively, for haplotype2. A total of 37,457 and 38,311 protein-coding genes were predicted in haplotype1 and haplotype2, respectively. Homologous chromosomes in the Q. glauca genome had excellent gene pair collinearity. The number of R-genes in Q. glauca was similar to most East Asian oaks but less than oak species from Europe and America. Abundant structural variation in the Q. glauca genome could contribute to environmental stress tolerance in Q. glauca. Sections Cyclobalanopsis and Cerris diverged in the Oligocene, in agreement with fossil records for section Cyclobalanopsis, which document its presence in East Asia since the early Miocene. The demographic dynamics of closely related oak species were largely similar. The high-quality reference genome provided here for the most widespread species in section Cyclobalanopsis will serve as an essential genomic resource for evolutionary studies of key oak lineages while also supporting studies of interspecific introgression, local adaptation, and speciation in oaks.

Advancing Crop Improvement Through CRISPR Technology in Precision Agriculture Trends-A Review

The advent of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technology has ushered in a new era in agricultural biotechnology, offering unprecedented opportunities for targeted genome editing and crop improvement. This review article presents a comprehensive examination of the advancements, applications, challenges, and future prospects of CRISPR technology within the context of precision agriculture. The integration of CRISPR with precision agriculture technologies signifies a major shift towards more efficient and sustainable farming practices, emphasizing the precise modification of crops to enhance yield, disease resistance, and environmental stress tolerance. The historical backdrop of agricultural biotechnology and the evolution of precision agriculture set the stage for understanding the transformative impact of CRISPR technology. CRISPR's superiority over traditional breeding and genetic modification techniques lies in its precision, speed, and cost-effectiveness. Detailed case studies of CRISPR-modified crops, such as disease-resistant wheat, drought-tolerant rice, and nutrient-efficient maize, highlight the technology's practical implications. These modifications not only enhance crop performance but also contribute to ecological sustainability and increased farmer income, demonstrating CRISPR's significant role in addressing global food security challenges. The application of CRISPR in agriculture is not without challenges. Regulatory hurdles, public perception, technical limitations, and ethical considerations present substantial obstacles to the widespread adoption of CRISPR-modified crops. The review addresses these challenges, offering insights into the complex interplay between technological innovation and societal acceptance. Further explores potential developments in CRISPR technology, including next-generation genome editing tools and the integration of synthetic biology. It underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations and adaptive policy frameworks to navigate the evolving technological and regulatory landscapes. The future of CRISPR in precision agriculture promises not only enhanced crop varieties but also a paradigm shift towards more data-driven, customized, and environmentally conscious farming practices. This review concludes that CRISPR technology, despite its challenges, holds immense promise for revolutionizing agriculture. Its continued development and responsible implementation are key to realizing its full potential in contributing to a sustainable and secure agricultural future.

Dark Pigments in Entomopathogenic Fungal Microsclerotia: Preliminary Evidence of a 1,8-Dihydroxynaphthalene-melanin-like Compound in Metarhizium robertsii.

Metarhizium robertsii microsclerotia are fungal aggregates composed of compacted, pigmented hyphae. As they are highly tolerant to desiccation and produce infective conidia, they are promising candidates to be formulated as bioinsecticides. Despite this potential, the nature of the pigments within these structures remains unclear. In this study, routine culture media used for the differentiation of M. robertsii microsclerotia were supplemented with four melanin inhibitors, and the resulting propagules were characterized. Inhibitors of the 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin biosynthetic pathway such as tricyclazole and guaiacol induced significant phenotypic and molecular modifications in the obtained M. robertsii propagules, which exhibited a more spherical shape, reduced size, and increased susceptibility to desiccation, heat, and oxidative stress than microsclerotia obtained without inhibitors. Additionally, genes encoding for a polyketide synthase (Mrpks2) and a putative 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxynaphthalene reductase (Mrthnr), potentially involved in the DHN-melanin biosynthetic pathway, were upregulated in fungi grown in the inhibitor-added media. In conclusion, M. robertsii microsclerotia contain melanins of type DHN that might play a role in both microsclerotia differentiation and environmental stress tolerance.

Enhanced Solubilization and Biodegradation of HMW-PAHs in Water with a Pseudomonas mosselii-Released Biosurfactant.

The treatment and reuse of wastewater are crucial for the effective utilization and protection of global water resources. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as one of the most common organic pollutants in industrial wastewater, are difficult to remove due to their relatively low solubility and bioavailability in the water environment. However, biosurfactants with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups are effective in overcoming these difficulties. Therefore, a biosurfactant-producing strain Pseudomonas mosselii MP-6 was isolated in this study to enhance the bioavailability and biodegradation of PAHs, especially high-molecular-weight PAHs (HMW-PAHs). FTIR and LC-MS analysis showed that the MP-6 surfactant belongs to rhamnolipids, a type of biopolymer, which can reduce the water surface tension from 73.20 mN/m to 30.61 mN/m at a critical micelle concentration (CMC = 93.17 mg/L). The enhanced solubilization and biodegradation of PAHs, particularly HMW-PAHs (when MP-6 was introduced), were also demonstrated in experiments. Furthermore, comprehensive environmental stress tolerance tests were conducted to confirm the robustness of the MP-6 biosurfactant, which signifies the potential adaptability and applicability of this biosurfactant in diverse environmental remediation scenarios. The results of this study, therefore, have significant implications for future applications in the treatment of wastewater containing HMW-PAHs, such as coking wastewater.

Nanotechnology: an Integrated Approach Towards Agriculture Production and Environmental Stress Tolerance in Plants

Nanotechnology: an Integrated Approach Towards Agriculture Production and Environmental Stress Tolerance in Plants

Characterization of rhizosphere Pseudomonas chlororaphis IRHB3 in the reduction of Fusarium root rot and promotion of soybean growth

Rhizosphere beneficial bacteria play an important role in plant health and disease control, and have been widely explored as biocontrol resources and agents for the ecological and sustainable management of soil-borne diseases. In our previous study, a bacterium strain IRHB3 was isolated from soybean rhizosphere under maize-soybean relay strip intercropping. To clarify the characterization of IRHB3 and its biocontrol effects of soybean root rot, we systemically investigated the taxonomy, biological characteristics, bacteriostatic activity, environmental stress tolerance of IRHB3, and also analyzed its effects on the control of root rot as well as growth promotion. Our results showed that IRHB3 as a Gram-negative bacterium was identified as Pseudomonas chlororaphis by multi-locus sequence analysis of 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoD and gapA. The colony was characterized by yellowish circular and rugby-shaped with rough surface and gullies under scanning electron microscropy.. IRHB3 not only activated kinds of hydrolase such as protease, caseinase, and cellulase, but was also capable of dissolving phosphorus, releasing siderophores and producing IAA. IRHB3 suspension treatment with proper concentration significantly promoted seed germination and seedling growth. Antagonistic assay showed that IRHB3 displayed good inhibition effects on various pathogenic fungi, especially aggressive Fusarium species causing root rot, with the average inhibition rate as high as 69.89%. And meanwhile, introducing IRHB3 into soil effectively alleviated the damage of F. oxysporum to soybean root. Moreover, IRHB3 had strong environmental adaptability of wide pH, low nutrition and salt stress. In conclusion, these results indicate that Pseudomonas chlororaphis IRHB3 from intercropped soybean rhizosphere is one kind of typically plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and has immense potential and strong environmental adapatability on the control of soil-borne fungal disease.

Урожайность и адаптивность сортов гороха в условиях подтайги Северного Зауралья

Abstract. The purpose of the study is a comparative characteristic of the yield of peas in the production and state variety testing of the Tyumen region, as well as a comprehensive assessment of pea varieties by yield and adaptability parameters in the conditions of a subtaiga of the region. Methods. The studies were carried out on the basis of statistical data of the pea yield in the production and state variety testing of the Tyumen region for 2017–2021, as well as data on the results of state variety testing of the varieties admitted to use for 2019–2021 under the conditions of a subtaiga (Nizhne-Tavdinskiy and Aromashevskiy STP). Coefficient of index of environmental conditions (Ij), stress tolerance (Y2 – Y1), yield variability (v, %), plasticity (bi), stability (Si2) and general adaptive ability (GAA) were calculated. Results. The variety Bagu (30.5 and 33.0 c/ha, respectively) was the best in terms of average yield and average yield in contrast conditions, and in terms of realizing the yield potential the variety Kumir was the best (74.7 %). Stress tolerance is low in all varieties, from –19.7 (Yamal) to –27.3 (Tomas), and yield variability is significant, from 30.5 % (Bagu) to 42.7 % (Agrointel). Strong responsiveness to changes in conditions was noted in the variety Salamanca (bi = 1.13), which makes it possible to attribute it to intensive. The varieties Yamal (Si2 = 3.30) and Salamanka (Si2 = 4.36) were the best stability. The varieties Bagu (GAA = 3.3) and Salamanka (GAA = 2.5) were the largest general adaptive ability. The varieties Bagu (sum of ranks 19), Salamanca (sum of ranks 24), Yamal (sum of ranks 31) and Thomas (sum of ranks 33) were recognized as the best by the sum of the ranks of the parameters of yield and adaptability. Scientific novelty. The yield and adaptive potential of admitted to use of pea varieties was revealed based on the results of their testing in 6 environments using a number of methodological approaches. Practical significance. The ranking of varieties according to the parameters of yield and adaptability made it possible to identify the best varieties according to the complex of signs and properties in the conditions of the subtaiga of the Tyumen region.

Increased mitochondria are responsible for the acquisition of gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has a particularly poor prognosis as it is often detected at an advanced stage and acquires resistance to chemotherapy early during its course. Stress adaptations by mitochondria, such as metabolic plasticity and regulation of apoptosis, promote cancer cell survival; however, the relationship between mitochondrial dynamics and chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains unclear. We here established human pancreatic cancer cell lines resistant to gemcitabine from MIA PaCa-2 and Panc1 cells. We compared the cells before and after the acquisition of gemcitabine resistance to investigate the mitochondrial dynamics and protein expression that contribute to this resistance. The mitochondrial number increased in gemcitabine-resistant cells after resistance acquisition, accompanied by a decrease in mitochondrial fission 1 protein, which induces peripheral mitosis, leading to mitophagy. An increase in the number of mitochondria promoted oxidative phosphorylation and increased anti-apoptotic protein expression. Additionally, enhanced oxidative phosphorylation decreased the AMP/ATP ratio and suppressed AMPK activity, resulting in the activation of the HSF1-heat shock protein pathway, which is required for environmental stress tolerance. Synergistic effects observed with BCL2 family or HSF1 inhibition in combination with gemcitabine suggested that the upregulated expression of apoptosis-related proteins caused by the mitochondrial increase may contribute to gemcitabine resistance. The combination of gemcitabine with BCL2 or HSF1 inhibitors may represent a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of acquired gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

CodY: An Essential Transcriptional Regulator Involved in Environmental Stress Tolerance in Foodborne Staphylococcus aureus RMSA24.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), as the main pathogen in milk and dairy products, usually causes intoxication with vomiting and various kinds of inflammation after entering the human body. CodY, an important transcriptional regulator in S. aureus, plays an important role in regulating metabolism, growth, and virulence. However, little is known about the role of CodY on environmental stress tolerance. In this research, we revealed the role of CodY in environmental stress tolerance in foodborne S. aureus RMSA24. codY mutation significantly reduced the tolerance of S. aureus to desiccation and oxidative, salt, and high-temperature stresses. However, S. aureus was more tolerant to low temperature stress due to mutation of codY. We found that the expressions of two important heat shock proteins-GroEL and DanJ-were significantly down-regulated in the mutant codY. This suggests that CodY may indirectly regulate the high- and low-temperature tolerance of S. aureus by regulating the expressions of groEL and danJ. This study reveals a new mechanism of environmental stress tolerance in S. aureus and provides new insights into controlling the contamination and harm caused by S. aureus in the food industry.

Aboriginal Food Practices and Australian Native Plant-Based Foods: A Step toward Sustainable Food Systems

The current food system and food choices have resulted in the increased human use of natural resources such as water and soil, and have directly impacted the ‘Global Syndemic’—climate change, obesity, and undernutrition. Revitalising Indigenous food systems and incorporating native plant-based foods into current food systems may have the potential to reduce diet-linked chronic diseases and environmental degradation, and are important steps toward Indigenous rights and self-determination. This study aims to identify and describe Aboriginal food practices and Australian native plant-based foods and their social, environmental, and economic impacts on sustainable food systems. A scoping review was conducted using the five-stage framework informed by Arksey and O’Malley. To describe the results, the framework for sustainable food systems from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations—FAO was used. Articles were included if they described the impacts of Aboriginal food practices on sustainable food systems, were confined to studies that were conducted in the Australian context, and included native Australian plant-based foods. A total of 57 studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. The major social impacts incorporated the nutritional and health benefits of Australian native plant-based foods, such as antidiabetic properties, anticancer and antioxidant activities, and cultural identification, involving Aboriginal ecological knowledge and their connection to their country. Within the environmental impacts category, studies showed that Australian native plant-based foods have environmental stress tolerance and some ecosystem benefits. The main economic impacts discussed in the literature were the source of income for remote communities and the potential market for Australian native plant-based foods. This review demonstrates that Aboriginal food practices and Australian native plant-based foods can contribute to more sustainable food systems and diets and give more voice and visibility to Aboriginal knowledge and aspirations. More research and investments are needed to face the challenges of including these foods in our current food systems.