Modulation of rhizosphere microbial community and metabolites by bio-functionalized nanoscale silicon oxide alleviates cadmium-induced phytotoxicity in bayberry plants

Cadmium (Cd) is an extremely toxic heavy metal that can originate from industrial activities and accumulate in agricultural soils. This study investigates the potential of biologically synthesized silicon oxide nanoparticles (Bio-SiNPs) in alleviating Cd toxicity in bayberry plants. Bio-SiNPs were synthesized using the bacterial strain Chryseobacterium sp. RTN3 and thoroughly characterized using advanced techniques. A pot experiment results demonstrated that Cd stress substantially reduced leaves biomass, photosynthesis efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activity, and induced oxidative damage in bayberry (Myrica rubra) plants. However, Bio-SiNPs application at 200 mg kg-1 significantly enhanced plant biomass, chlorophyll content (26.4 %), net photosynthetic rate (8.6 %), antioxidant enzyme levels, and mitigated reactive oxygen species production under Cd stress. Bio-SiNPs modulated key stress-related phytohormones by increasing salicylic acid (13.2 %) and abscisic acid (13.7 %) contents in plants. Bio-SiNPs augmented Si deposition on root surfaces, preserving normal ultrastructure in leaf cells. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that Bio-SiNPs treatment favorably reshaped structure and abundance of specific bacterial groups (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Acidobacteriota) in the rhizosphere. Notably, Bio-SiNPs application significantly modulated the key metabolites (phenylacetaldehyde, glycitein, maslinic acid and methylmalonic acid) under both normal and Cd stress conditions. Overall, this study highlights that bio-nanoremediation using Bio-SiNPs enhances tolerance to Cd stress in bayberry plants by beneficially modulating biochemical, microbial, and metabolic attributes.

Zinc oxide application alleviates arsenic-mediated oxidative stress via physio-biochemical mechanism in rice

Arsenic (As) pollution in cultivated soils poses a significant risk to the sustainable growth of agriculture and jeopardizes food security. However, the mechanisms underlying how zinc (Zn) regulates the toxic effects induced by As in plants remain poorly understood. Hence, this study aimed to explore the potential of ZnO as an effective and environmentally friendly amendment to alleviate As toxicity in rice, thereby addressing the significant risk posed by As pollution in cultivated soils. Through a hydroponic experiment, the study assessed the mitigating effects of different ZnO dosages (Zn5, 5 mg L-1; Zn15, 15 mg L-1; Zn30, 30 mg L-1) on rice seedlings exposed to varying levels of As stress (As0, 0 µM L-1; As25, 25 µM L-1). The findings of the study demonstrate significant improvements in plant height and biomass (shoot and root), with a notable increase of 16-40% observed in the Zn15 treatment, and an even more substantial enhancement of 29-53% observed in the Zn30 treatment under As stress, compared to respective control treatment. Furthermore, in the Zn30 treatment, the shoot and root As contents substantially reduced by 47% and 63%, respectively, relative to the control treatment. The elevated Zn contents in shoots and roots enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (POD, SOD, and CAT), and decreased MDA contents (13-25%) and H2O2 contents (11-27%), indicating the mitigation of oxidative stress. Moreover, the expression of antioxidant-related genes, OsSOD-Cu/Zn, OsCATA, OsCATB, and OsAPX1 was reduced when rice seedlings were exposed to As stress and significantly enhanced after Zn addition. Overall, the research suggests that ZnO application could effectively mitigate As uptake and toxicity in rice plants cultivated in As-contaminated soils, offering potential solutions for sustainable agriculture and food security.

Salicylic acid-doped iron nano-biostimulants potentiate defense responses and suppress Fusarium wilt in watermelon

INTRODUCTION

Chemo- and bio-genic metallic nanoparticles (NPs), as a novel nano-enabled strategy, have demonstrated a great potential in crop health management.

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to explore the efficacy of advanced nanocomposites (NCs), integrating biogenic (bio) metallic NPs and plant immunity-regulating hormones, in crop disease control.

METHODS

Iron (Fe) NPs were biosynthesized using cell-free supernatant of a Fe-resistant strains, Bacillus marisflavi ZJ-4. Further, salicylic acid-coated bio-FeNPs (SI) NCs were prepared via co-precipitation method under alkaline conditions. Both bio-FeNPs and SINCs were characterized using basic analytical techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and scanning/transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Bio-FeNPs and SINCs had variable shapes with average sizes of 72.35 nm and 65.87 nm, respectively. Under greenhouse conditions, bio-FeNPs and SINCs improved the agronomic traits of the watermelon plants, and SINCs outperformed bio-FeNPs, providing the maximum growth promotion of 32.5%. Soil-drenching with bio-FeNPs and SINCs suppressed Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum-caused Fusarium wilt in watermelon, and SINCs provided better protection than bio-FeNPs, through inhibiting the fungal invasive growth within host plants. SINCs improved the antioxidative capacity and primed a systemic acquired resistance (SAR) response via activating the salicylic acid signaling pathway genes. These findings indicate that SINCs can reduce the severity of Fusarium wilt in watermelon by modulating antioxidative capacity and potentiating SAR to restrict in planta fungal invasive growth.

CONCLUSION

This study provides new insights into the potential of bio-FeNPs and SINCs as biostimulants and bioprotectants for growth promotion and Fusarium wilt suppression, ensuring sustainable watermelon production.

Triboelectric Energy Harvesting from Highly Conjugated Fused Aromatic Ladder Structure Under Extreme Environmental Conditions

Practical application of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) has been challenging, particularly, under harsh environmental conditions. This work proposes a novel 3D-fused aromatic ladder (FAL) structure as a tribo-positive material for TENGs, to address these challenges. The 3D-FAL offers a unique materials engineering platform for tailored properties, such as high specific surface area and porosity, good thermal and mechanical stability, and tunable electronic properties. The fabricated 3D-FAL-based TENG reaches a maximum peak power density of 451.2 µW cm-2 at 5 Hz frequency. More importantly, the 3D-FAL-based TENG maintains stable output performance under harsh operating environments, over wide temperature (-45-100 °C) and humidity ranges (8.3-96.7% RH), representing the development of novel FAL for sustainable energy generation under challenging environmental conditions. Furthermore, the 3D-FAL-based TENG proves to be a promising device for a speed monitoring system engaging reconstruction in virtual reality in a snowy environment.

Reversible Ligand Detachment from CdSe Quantum Dots Following Photoexcitation

The nanocrystal-ligand boundaries of colloidal quantum dots (QDs) mediate charge and energy transfer processes that underpin photochemical and photocatalytic transformations at their surfaces. We used time-resolved infrared spectroscopy combined with transient electronic spectroscopy to probe vibrational modes of the carboxylate anchoring groups of stearate ligands attached to cadmium selenide (CdSe) QDs that were optically excited in solid nanocrystal films. The vibrational frequencies of surface-bonded carboxylate groups revealed their interactions with surface-localized holes in the excited states of the QDs. We also observed transient and reversible photoinduced ligand detachment from CdSe nanocrystals within their excited state lifetime. By probing both surface charge distributions and ligand dynamics on QDs in their excited states, we open a pathway to explore how the nanocrystal-ligand boundary can be understood and controlled for the design of QD architectures that most effectively drive charge transfer processes in solar energy harvesting and photoredox catalysis applications.

The Ser/Thr protein kinase FonKin4-poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase FonPARP1 phosphorylation cascade is required for the pathogenicity of watermelon fusarium wilt fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation), catalyzed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) and hydrolyzed by poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG), is a kind of post-translational protein modification that is involved in various cellular processes in fungi, plants, and mammals. However, the function of PARPs in plant pathogenic fungi remains unknown. The present study investigated the roles and mechanisms of FonPARP1 in watermelon Fusarium wilt fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon). Fon has a single PARP FonPARP1 and one PARG FonPARG1. FonPARP1 is an active PARP and contributes to Fon pathogenicity through regulating its invasive growth within watermelon plants, while FonPARG1 is not required for Fon pathogenicity. A serine/threonine protein kinase, FonKin4, was identified as a FonPARP1-interacting partner by LC-MS/MS. FonKin4 is required for vegetative growth, conidiation, macroconidia morphology, abiotic stress response and pathogenicity of Fon. The S_TKc domain is sufficient for both enzyme activity and pathogenicity function of FonKin4 in Fon. FonKin4 phosphorylates FonPARP1 in vitro to enhance its poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity; however, FonPARP1 does not PARylate FonKin4. These results establish the FonKin4-FonPARP1 phosphorylation cascade that positively contributes to Fon pathogenicity. The present study highlights the importance of PARP-catalyzed protein PARylation in regulating the pathogenicity of Fon and other plant pathogenic fungi.

Micronutrient-microbiome interplay: a critical regulator of soil-plant health

The delicate balance between soil micronutrients and the phytobeneficial microbiome is crucial for maintaining soil-plant health. Recently, Dai et al. established a correlation between elemental micronutrients and the soil microbiome that regulates plant quality and productivity, offering innovative and sustainable solutions to increase agricultural production in a changing climate.

The SUMOylation pathway regulates the pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum in watermelon through stabilizing the pH regulator FonPalC via SUMOylation

SUMOylation is a key post-translational modification, where small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) proteins regulate crucial biological processes, including pathogenesis, in phytopathogenic fungi. Here, we investigated the function and mechanism of the SUMOylation pathway in the pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon), the fungal pathogen that causes watermelon Fusarium wilt. Disruption of key SUMOylation pathway genes, FonSMT3, FonAOS1, FonUBC9, and FonMMS21, significantly reduced pathogenicity, impaired penetration ability, and attenuated invasive growth capacity of Fon. Transcription and proteomic analyses identified a diverse set of SUMOylation-regulated differentially expressed genes and putative FonSMT3-targeted proteins, which are predicted to be involved in infection, DNA damage repair, programmed cell death, reproduction, growth, and development. Among 155 putative FonSMT3-targeted proteins, FonPalC, a Pal/Rim-pH signaling regulator, was confirmed to be SUMOylated. The FonPalC protein accumulation was significantly decreased in SUMOylation-deficient mutant ∆Fonsmt3. Deletion of FonPalC resulted in impaired mycelial growth, decreased pathogenicity, enhanced osmosensitivity, and increased intracellular vacuolation in Fon. Importantly, mutations in conserved SUMOylation sites of FonPalC failed to restore the defects in ∆Fonpalc mutant, indicating the critical function of the SUMOylation in FonPalC stability and Fon pathogenicity. Identifying key SUMOylation-regulated pathogenicity-related proteins provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying Fon pathogenesis regulated by SUMOylation.

Metagenomic and biochemical analyses reveal the potential of silicon to alleviate arsenic toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Arsenic (As) pollution in agricultural systems poses a serious threat to crop productivity and food safety. Silicon (Si) has been reported to mitigate toxic effects of heavy metals in plants. However, the mechanisms behind Si-mediated alleviation of As toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) remain poorly understood. Here, we performed metagenomic and biochemical analyses to investigate the potential of Si in alleviating As toxicity to rice plants. As exposure reduced plant growth, chlorophyll contents, antioxidant enzyme levels and soil enzymes activity, while increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity and inducing alterations in the rhizosphere microbiome of rice seedlings. Silicon amendments enhanced rice growth (24%), chlorophyll a (25%), and chlorophyll b (26.7%), indicating enhanced photosynthetic capacity. Si amendments also led to the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes viz., superoxide dismutase (15.4%), and peroxidase (15.6%), resulting in reduced ROS activity and oxidative stress compared to the As-treated control. Furthermore, Si treatment reduced uptake and translocation of As in rice plants, as evidenced by the analysis of elemental contents. Microscopic examination of leaf and root ultrastructure showed that Si mitigated As-induced cellular damage and maintained normal morphology. Metagenomic analysis of the rice rhizosphere microbiome revealed that Si application modulated composition and diversity of microbial communities e.g., Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. Additionally, Si amendments upregulated the relative expression levels of OsGSH, OsPCs, OsNIP1;1 and OsNIP3;3 genes, while the expression levels of the OsLis1 and OsLis2 genes were significantly downregulated compared with As-treated rice plants. Overall, these findings contribute to our understanding of Si-mediated plant resilience to As stress and offer potential strategies for sustainable agriculture in As-contaminated regions.

Mathematical Modeling and Optimization of Highly Efficient Nontoxic All-Inorganic CsSnGeI3-Based Perovskite Solar Cells with Oxide and Kesterite Charge Transport Layers

Despite exceptional optoelectronic properties and rapidly increasing efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the issues of toxicity and device instability have hampered the commercialization of this renewable energy technology. Lead (Pb) being the main culprit creates major environmental risks and therefore must be replaced with a nontoxic material such as tin (Sn), germanium (Ge), etc. Moreover, replacing organic cations in the perovskite's ABX3 structure with inorganic ones like cesium (Cs) helps aid the stability issues. This study uses six different kesterite-based hole transport layers (HTLs) and three different metal oxide-based electron transport layers (ETLs) to numerically simulate and optimize all-inorganic CsSnGeI3 PSCs. Metal oxide ETLs are used in this study due to their large band gap, while kesterite HTLs are used due to their excellent conductive properties. All of the simulations are performed under standard testing conditions. A total of 18 novel planar (n-i-p) PSCs are modeled by the combination of various charge transport layers (CTLs), and the device optimization was done to enhance the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of the PSCs. Furthermore, the effect of CTLs on the energy band alignment, electric field, quantum efficiency, light absorption, and recombination rate is analyzed. Additionally, a detailed analysis of the impact of defect density (Nt), interface defects (ETL/Perv, Perv/HTL), temperature, and work function on the functionality of 18 different CsSnGeI3-based PSCs is conducted. The simulation findings demonstrate that SnO2/CsSnGeI3/CNTS is the most efficient optimized PSC among all of the simulated structures, with a PCE of 27.33%, Jsc of 28.04 mA/cm2, FF of 85%, and Voc of 1.14 V.

Harnessing probiotics and prebiotics as eco-friendly solution for cleaner shrimp aquaculture production: A state of the art scientific consensus

In recent years, the advancement and greater magnitude of products, which led to the intensification in shrimp aquaculture is the result of utilization of modern tools and synchronization with other fields of science like microbiology and biotechnology. This intensification led to the elevation of disorders such as the development of several diseases and complications associated with biofouling. The use of antibiotics in aquaculture is discouraged due to their certain hazardous paraphernalia. Consequently, there has been a growing interest in exploring alternative strategies, with probiotics and prebiotics emerging as environmentally friendly substitutes for antibiotic treatments in shrimp aquaculture. This review highlighted the results of probiotics and prebiotics administration in the improvement of water quality, enhancement of growth and survival rates, stress resistance, health status and disease resistance, modulation of enteric microbiota and immunomodulation of different shrimp species. Additionally, the study sheds light on the comprehensive role of prebiotics and probiotics in elucidating the mechanistic framework, contributing to a deeper understanding of shrimp physiology and immunology. Besides their role in growth and development of shrimp aquaculture, the eco-friendly behavior of prebiotics and probiotics have made them ideal to control pollution in aquaculture systems. This comprehensive exploration of prebiotics and probiotics aims to address gaps in our understanding, including the economic aspects of shrimp aquaculture in terms of benefit-cost ratio, and areas worthy of further investigation by drawing insights from previous studies on different shrimp species. Ultimately, this commentary seeks to contribute to the evolving body of knowledge surrounding prebiotics and probiotics, offering valuable perspectives that extend beyond the ecological dimensions of shrimp aquaculture.

Interface engineering and defect passivation for enhanced hole extraction, ion migration, and optimal charge dynamics in both lead-based and lead-free perovskite solar cells

The study elucidates the potential benefits of incorporating a BiI3 interfacial layer into perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Using MAPbI3 and MAGeI3 as active layers, complemented by the robust TiO2 and Spiro-OMeTAD as the charge-transport-layers, we employed the SCAPS-1D simulation tool for our investigations. Remarkably, the introduction of the BiI3 layer at the perovskite-HTL interface significantly enhanced hole extraction and effectively passivated defects. This approach minimized charge recombination and ion migration towards opposite electrodes, thus elevating device performance relative to conventional configurations. The efficiency witnessed a rise from 19.28 to 20.30% for MAPbI3 and from 11.90 to 15.57% for MAGeI3. Additionally, MAGeI3 based PSCs saw an improved fill-factor from 50.36 to 62.85%, and a better Jsc from 13.22 to 14.2 mA/cm2, signifying reduced recombination and improved charge extraction. The FF for MAPbI3 based PSCs saw a minor decline, while the Voc slightly ascended from 1.24 to 1.25 V and Jsc from 20.01 to 21.6 mA/cm2. A thorough evaluation of layer thickness, doping, and temperature further highlighted the critical role of the BiI3 layer for both perovskite variants. Our examination of bandgap alignments in devices with the BiI3 interfacial layer also offers valuable understanding into the mechanisms fueling the observed improvements.

Quantum dots: next shift to combat plant diseases

Plant diseases caused by microbial pathogens significantly reduce agriculture productivity and worsen food insecurity. Recently, Qiu et al. revealed that polyethyleneimine (PEI)-coated MXene quantum dots (QDs) improve tolerance in cotton seedlings against Verticillium wilt disease by maintaining oxidative system homeostasis. This finding shows how customized QDs can be used to enhance crop disease resistance.

Chemically processed CdTe thin films for potential applications in solar cells - Effect of Cu doping

Thin films of cadmium telluride (CdTe) have attained the attention of researchers due to the potential application in solar cells. However, cost-effective fabrication of solar cells based on thin films along with remarkable efficiency and control over optical properties is still a challenging task. This study presents an analysis of the structural, optical and electrical properties of undoped and Cu-doped CdTe thin films fabricated on ITO coated glass substrates using an electrodeposition process with a focus on practical applications. Electrolytes of cadmium (Cd), tellurium (Te) and copper (Cu) are prepared with a low molarity of 0.1 M. Thin films are deposited by keeping current density in the range of 0.12-0.3 mA/cm2. Copper doping is varied (2-10 wt%) for the optimized sample. X-ray diffraction crystallography indicates that both undoped CdTe and Cu-doped CdTe films crystallize into a dominant hexagonal lattice. Direct energy band gap is observed for both undoped and doped conditions. The study revealed a drop in the optical band gap energy to ∼1.46 eV with the increase in doping (Cu) concentration from 2 to 10 wt%. Increase in mobility and conductivity is observed with the increase in current density of the deposited undoped CdTe thin films. Whereas, Cu doping of 6 wt% produced thin films with acceptable mobility and conductivity for the doped samples. Furthermore, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy unveiled a multitude of emission peaks encompassing the visible spectrum, arising from the combination of electrons and holes through both direct and indirect recombination processes. Findings of this study suggest that chemically produced CdTe thin films would be suitable for use as low-cost applications pertaining to solar cells.

A comprehensive review on the advancements and challenges in perovskite solar cell technology

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as revolutionary technology in the field of photovoltaics, offering a promising avenue for efficient and cost-effective solar energy conversion. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the progress and developments in PSCs, beginning with an introduction to their fundamental properties and significance. Herein, we discuss the various types of PSCs, including lead-based, tin-based, mixed Sn-Pb, germanium-based, and polymer-based PSCs, highlighting their unique attributes and performance metrics. Special emphasis is given to halide double PSCs and their potential in enhancing the stability of PSCs. Charge transport layers and their significance in influencing the overall efficiency of solar cells are discussed in detail. The review also explores the role of tandem solar cells as a solution to overcome the limitations of single-junction solar cells, offering an integrated approach to harness a broader spectrum of sunlight. This review concludes with challenges associated with PSCs and perspective on the future potential of PSCs, emphasizing their role in shaping a sustainable energy landscape. Through this review readers will gain a comprehensive insight into the current state-of-the-art in PSC technology and the avenues for future research and development.

Evaluating the influence of novel charge transport materials on the photovoltaic properties of MASnI3 solar cells through SCAPS-1D modelling

In recent decades, substantial advancements have been made in photovoltaic technologies, leading to impressive power conversion efficiencies (PCE) exceeding 25% in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Tin-based perovskite materials, characterized by their low band gap (1.3 eV), exceptional optical absorption and high carrier mobility, have emerged as promising absorber layers in PSCs. Achieving high performance and stability in PSCs critically depends on the careful selection of suitable charge transport layers (CTLs). This research investigates the effects of five copper-based hole transport materials and two carbon-based electron transport materials in combination with methyl ammonium tin iodide (MASnI3) through numerical modelling in SCAPS-1D. The carbon-based CTLs exhibit excellent thermal conductivity and mechanical strength, while the copper-based CTLs demonstrate high electrical conductivity. The study comprehensively analyses the influence of these CTLs on PSC performance, including band alignment, quantum efficiency, thickness, doping concentration, defects and thermal stability. Furthermore, a comparative analysis is conducted on PSC structures employing both p-i-n and n-i-p configurations. The highest-performing PSCs are observed in the inverted structures of CuSCN/MASnI3/C60 and CuAlO2/MASnI3/C60, achieving PCE of 23.48% and 25.18%, respectively. Notably, the planar structures of Cu2O/MASnI3/C60 and CuSbS2/MASnI3/C60 also exhibit substantial PCE, reaching 20.67% and 20.70%, respectively.

Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Foods: Unraveling the Knowledge Gaps on Their Persistence in Food Production Systems

In this review, the intricate issue about the occurrence levels of mycotoxins in foods is discussed aiming to underline the main knowledge gaps on the persistence of these toxicants in the food production system. Mycotoxins have been a key challenge to the food industry, economic growth, and consumers' health. Despite a breadth of studies over the past decades, the persistence of mycotoxins in foods remain an overlooked concern that urges exploration. Therefore, we aimed to concisely underline the matter and provide possible biochemical and metabolic details that can be relevant to the food sector and overall public health. We also stress the application of computational modeling, high-throughput omics, and high-resolution imaging approaches, which can provide insights into the structural and physicochemical characteristics and the metabolic activities which occur in a stored cereal grain's embryo and endosperm and their relationship with storage fungi and mycotoxins on a cellular level. In addition, there is a need for extensive collaborative network and funding, which will play a key role in finding effective solutions against the persistence of mycotoxins at the genetic and molecular to metabolic levels in the food system.

Comprehensive analysis of heterojunction compatibility of various perovskite solar cells with promising charge transport materials

The allure of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which has captivated the interest of researchers, lies in their versatility to incorporate a wide range of materials within the cell's structure. The compatibility of these materials plays a vital role in the performance enhancement of the PSC. In this study, multiple perovskite materials including FAPbI3, MAGeI3 and MASnI3 are numerically modelled along with the recently emerged kesterite (CBTS, CMTS, and CZTS) and zinc-based (ZnO and CdZnS) charge transport materials. To fully explore the potential of PSCs and comprehend the interplay among these materials, a total of 18 PSC structures are modeled from different material combinations. The impact of band gap, electron affinity, absorption, band alignment, band offset, electric field, recombination rate, thickness, defects, and work function were analyzed in detail through a systematic approach. The reasons for varying performance of different PSCs are also identified. Based on the simulated results, the most suitable charge transport materials are CdZnS/CMTS for FAPbI3 producing a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.05%, ZnO/CZTS for MAGeI3 with PCE of 17.28% and ZnO/CBTS for MASnI3 with a PCE of 24.17%.

Dynamic interplay between nano-enabled agrochemicals and the plant-associated microbiome

The plant-associated microbiome is known to be a critical component for crop growth, nutrient acquisition, resistance to pathogens, and abiotic stress tolerance. Conventional approaches have been attempted to manipulate the plant-soil microbiome to improve plant performance; however, several issues have arisen, such as collateral negative impacts on microbiota composition. The lack of reliability and robustness of conventional techniques warrants efforts to develop novel alternative strategies. Nano-enabled approaches have emerged as promising platforms for enhancing agricultural sustainability and global food security. Specifically, the use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) as nanoscale agrochemicals has great potential to modulate the plant-associated microbiome. We review the dynamic interplay between nano-agrochemicals and the plant-associated microbiome for the safe development and use of nano-enabled microbiome engineering.

Fertilization of Microbial Composts: A Technology for Improving Stress Resilience in Plants

Microbial compost plays a crucial role in improving soil health, soil fertility, and plant biomass. These biofertilizers, based on microorganisms, offer numerous benefits such as enhanced nutrient acquisition (N, P, and K), production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and control of pathogens through induced systematic resistance. Additionally, they promote the production of phytohormones, siderophore, vitamins, protective enzymes, and antibiotics, further contributing to soil sustainability and optimal agricultural productivity. The escalating generation of organic waste from farm operations poses significant threats to the environment and soil fertility. Simultaneously, the excessive utilization of chemical fertilizers to achieve high crop yields results in detrimental impacts on soil structure and fertility. To address these challenges, a sustainable agriculture system that ensures enhanced soil fertility and minimal ecological impact is imperative. Microbial composts, developed by incorporating characterized plant-growth-promoting bacteria or fungal strains into compost derived from agricultural waste, offer a promising solution. These biofertilizers, with selected microbial strains capable of thriving in compost, offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative for agricultural practices. In this review article, we explore the potential of microbial composts as a viable strategy for improving plant growth and environmental safety. By harnessing the benefits of microorganisms in compost, we can pave the way for sustainable agriculture and foster a healthier relationship between soil, plants, and the environment.

Biogenic silicon nanoparticles mitigate cadmium (Cd) toxicity in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) by modulating the cellular oxidative stress metabolism and reducing Cd translocation

Nano-enabled strategies have emerged as promising alternatives to resolve heavy metals (HMs) related harms in an eco-friendly manner. Here, we explored the potential of biogenic silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) in alleviating cadmium (Cd) stress in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) plants by modulating cellular oxidative repair mechanisms. Biogenic SiNPs of spherical shapes with size ranging between 14 nm and 35 nm were synthesized using rice straw extract and characterized through advanced characterization techniques. A greenhouse experiment results showed that SiNPs treatment at 250 mg kg-1 significantly improved growth parameters, including fresh weight (33.3 %) and dry weight (32.6 %) of rapeseed plants than Cd-treated control group. Photosynthesis and leaf gas exchange parameters were also positively influenced by SiNPs treatment, indicating enhanced photosynthetic efficiency. Additionally, SiNPs treatment at 250 mg kg-1 increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (19.1 %), peroxidase (33.4 %), catalase (14.4 %), and ascorbate peroxidase (33.8 %), which may play a crucial role in ROS scavenging and reduction in Cd-induced oxidative stress. TEM analysis revealed that SiNPs treatment effectively mitigated Cd-induced damage to leaf ultrastructure, while qPCR analysis showed that SiNPs treatment changed the expressions of the antioxidant defense and stress related genes. Moreover, SiNPs treatment significantly influenced the Cd accumulation and Si contents in plants. Overall, our findings revealed that biogenic SiNPs have great potential to serve as a sustainable, eco-friendly, and non-toxic alternative for the remediation of Cd toxicity in rapeseed plants.

Nanobiotechnology to advance stress resilience in plants: Current opportunities and challenges

A sustainable and resilient crop production system is essential to meet the global food demands. Traditional chemical-based farming practices have become ineffective due to increased population pressures and extreme climate variations. Recently, nanobiotechnology is considered to be a promising approach for sustainable crop production by improving the targeted nutrient delivery, pest management efficacy, genome editing efficiency, and smart plant sensor implications. This review provides deeper mechanistic insights into the potential applications of engineered nanomaterials for improved crop stress resilience and productivity. We also have discussed the technology readiness level of nano-based strategies to provide a clear picture of our current perspectives of the field. Current challenges and implications in the way of upscaling nanobiotechnology in the crop production are discussed along with the regulatory requirements to mitigate associated risks and facilitate public acceptability in order to develop research objectives that facilitate a sustainable nano-enabled Agri-tech revolution. Conclusively, this review not only highlights the importance of nano-enabled approaches in improving crop health, but also demonstrated their roles to counter global food security concerns.

Dynamic crosstalk between silicon nanomaterials and potentially toxic trace elements in plant-soil systems

Agricultural soil pollution with potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) has emerged as a significant environmental concern, jeopardizing food safety and human health. Although, conventional remediation approaches have been used for PTEs-contaminated soils treatment; however, these techniques are toxic, expensive, harmful to human health, and can lead to environmental contamination. Nano-enabled agriculture has gained significant attention as a sustainable approach to improve crop production and food security. Silicon nanomaterials (SiNMs) have emerged as a promising alternative for PTEs-contaminated soils remediation. SiNMs have unique characteristics, such as higher chemical reactivity, higher stability, greater surface area to volume ratio and smaller size that make them effective in removing PTEs from the environment. The review discusses the recent advancements and developments in SiNMs for the sustainable remediation of PTEs in agricultural soils. The article covers various synthesis methods, characterization techniques, and the potential mechanisms of SiNMs to alleviate PTEs toxicity in plant-soil systems. Additionally, we highlight the potential benefits and limitations of SiNMs and discusses future directions for research and development. Overall, the use of SiNMs for PTEs remediation offers a sustainable platform for the protection of agricultural soils and the environment.

Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops: The Key to Global Food Security

Plant diseases are a major threat to global food security [...].

Comparative expression analysis of sucrose phosphate synthase gene family in a low and high sucrose Pakistani sugarcane cultivars

Sugarcane is the world's largest cultivated crop by biomass and is the main source of sugar and biofuel. Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) enzymes are directly involved in the synthesis of sucrose. Here, we analyzed and compared one of the important gene families involved in sucrose metabolism in a high and low sucrose sugarcane cultivar. A comprehensive in silico analysis of the SoSPS family displayed their phylogenetic relationship, gene and protein structure, miRNA targets, protein interaction network (PPI), gene ontology and collinearity. This was followed by a spatial expression analysis in two different sugarcane varieties. The phylogenetic reconstruction distributed AtSPS, ZmSPS, OsSPS, SoSPS and SbSPS into three main groups (A, B, C). The regulatory region of SoSPS genes carries ABRE, ARE, G-box, and MYC as the most dominant cis-regulatory elements. The PPI analysis predicted a total of 14 unique proteins interacting with SPS. The predominant expression of SPS in chloroplast clearly indicates that they are the most active in the organelle which is the hub of photosynthesis. Similarly, gene ontology attributed SPS to sucrose phosphate synthase and glucosyl transferase molecular functions, as well as sucrose biosynthetic and disaccharide biological processes. Overall, the expression of SPS in CPF252 (high sucrose variety) was higher in leaf and culm as compared to that of CPF 251 (low sucrose variety). In brief, this study adds to the present literature about sugarcane, sucrose metabolism and role of SPS in sucrose metabolism thereby opening up further avenues of research in crop improvement.

Advancements in Myocardial Infarction Management: Exploring Novel Approaches and Strategies

In the landscape of healthcare, the management of myocardial infarction (MI) stands as a pivotal challenge and a critical juncture where advancements are reshaping the trajectory of patient care. Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, remains a foremost contributor to global morbidity and mortality. Conventional management strategies have historically focused on rapid restoration of blood flow through revascularization techniques. However, the last decade has witnessed a profound transformation, with a burgeoning emphasis on precision medicine and innovative interventions. This contextual backdrop sets the stage for a deep dive into the realm of novel diagnostic modalities, spanning high-sensitivity biomarkers, advanced imaging techniques, and data-driven algorithms. These innovations facilitate not only early detection but also the stratification of patients, paving the way for individualized treatment plans. By targeting the underlying mechanisms of myocardial damage, these interventions hold the promise of attenuating the impact of MI and promoting cardiac regeneration. It examines the integration of telemedicine, wearable devices, and remote monitoring platforms, bridging the gap between patients and caregivers while enabling timely interventions. Additionally, the psychosocial aspects of MI recovery are explored, highlighting the integration of psychological support and lifestyle interventions to enhance long-term well-being. By exploring novel diagnostics, innovative therapies, and holistic patient-centered strategies, it underscores the collaborative efforts of medical practitioners, researchers, and technological pioneers in reshaping the trajectory of MI care. As we stand at the intersection of medical advancement and compassionate patient management, embracing these novel approaches promises a future where the impact of myocardial infarction can be mitigated, and lives can be extended and enriched.

The Bidirectional Link Between Diabetes and Kidney Disease: Mechanisms and Management

The complex and mutually influential connection between diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant focal point in the current healthcare landscape. Diabetes, a medical condition characterized by elevated blood glucose levels resulting from impaired insulin action or secretion, has become a significant global epidemic. It poses considerable challenges to healthcare systems and affects millions of individuals worldwide. Concurrently, CKD, characterized by the gradual decline of kidney function, has become a persistent health challenge. This narrative review explores the complex relationship between these two conditions, shedding light on their significant implications for public health, clinical practice, and biomedical research. The correlation between diabetes and kidney disease is not merely coincidental. Diabetes is recognized as a significant risk factor for CKD, as individuals with diabetes are considerably more vulnerable to developing renal complications. Diabetic nephropathy, a distinct type of kidney disease closely associated with diabetes, is a significant factor in developing end-stage renal disease. It is imperative to implement efficient diabetes management strategies to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent potential kidney damage. On the other hand, kidney disease may contribute to the development of diabetes. The kidneys regulate glucose levels by filtering the blood and selectively reabsorbing glucose as necessary. In compromised kidney function, such as CKD, impaired glucose metabolism can give rise to insulin resistance and diabetes. As a result, the management of kidney disease plays a dual role in both preserving renal function and preventing diabetes in individuals who are at risk. The coexistence of diabetes and kidney disease in a patient presents complex clinical challenges. Achieving effective management requires a meticulous balance between glycemic control and preservation of renal function. Failing to maintain this delicate equilibrium can lead to cardiovascular complications and subsequent hospitalizations. This comprehensive narrative review aims to thoroughly examine the pathophysiological mechanisms that connect diabetes and kidney disease. It will provide insights into the clinical manifestations and diagnostic methods, explore various approaches to managing the condition, discuss the crucial role of nutrition, delve into pharmacological interventions, emphasize the importance of patient education and self-care, and shed light on emerging research areas. In addition to impacting individual health outcomes, this reciprocal relationship has significant implications for healthcare systems, socioeconomic landscapes, and public health policy. Comprehending this complex interaction is crucial for making well-informed clinical judgments, improving patient care, and developing a more efficient public health approach to address the interconnected issues of diabetes and kidney disease.

Rice straw based silicon nanoparticles improve morphological and nutrient profile of rice plants under salinity stress by triggering physiological and genetic repair mechanisms

The agricultural sector is facing numerous challenges worldwide, owing to global climate change and limited resources. Crop production is limited by numerous abiotic constraints. Among them, salinity stress as a combination of osmotic and ionic stress adversely influences the physiological and biochemical processes of the plant. Nanotechnology facilitates the production of crops either directly by eradicating the losses due to challenging environmental conditions or indirectly by improving tolerance against salinity stress. In this study, the protective role of silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) was determined in two rice genotypes, N-22 and Super-Bas, differing in salinity tolerance. The SiNPs were confirmed through standard material characterization techniques, which showed the production of spherical-shaped crystalline SiNPs with a size in the range of 14.98-23.74 nm, respectively. Salinity stress adversely affected the morphological and physiological parameters of both varieties, with Super-Bas being more affected. Salt stress disturbed the ionic balance by minimizing the uptake of K+ and Ca2+ contents and increased the uptake of Na+ in plants. Exogenous SiNPs alleviated the toxic effects of salt stress and promoted the growth of both N-22 and Super-Bas, chlorophyll contents (16% and 13%), carotenoids (15% and 11%), total soluble protein contents (21% and 18%), and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Expression analysis from quantitative real-time PCR showed that SiNPs relieved plants from oxidative bursts by triggering the expression of HKT genes. Overall, these findings demonstrate that SiNPs significantly alleviated salinity stress by triggering physiological and genetic repair mechanisms, offering a potential solution for food security.

Genome-wide characterization of the PLATZ gene family in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) with putative functions in biotic and abiotic stress response

Plant AT-rich sequence and zinc-binding (PLATZ) proteins are plant-specific transcription factors involved in growth, development, and stress responses. Here, we conducted a genome-wide characterization of the watermelon ClPLATZ family and examined its expression responsiveness to defense hormones and pathogen infection along with putative functions in biotic and abiotic stress responses. The watermelon genome contains 12 putative ClPLATZ genes, encoding proteins with a characteristic PLATZ domain, and their promoters contain various cis-elements related to plant growth, development, phytohormones and stress response. The ClPLATZ genes, except ClPLATZ6, are differentially expressed in response to defense hormones (e.g., salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate) and fungal infections caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum and Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum. Most ClPLATZ proteins interact with other proteins (viz., ClDP, ClRPT2a, and ClRPC53). Among ClPLATZ proteins, ClPLATZ8, 9, 10, and 11 are predominately localized in the nucleus. ClPLATZ3 and 8 positively, but ClPLATZ11 negatively regulate resistance against Pseudomonas syringe pv. tomato DC3000 in transgenic Arabidopsis lines. ClPLATZ8 and 11 positively regulate stress tolerance to NaCl and mannitol during seed germination in transgenic Arabidopsis. In conclusion, the characterization of the ClPLATZ family provides insights into the biological functions of ClPLATZ genes in growth, development, and stress response in watermelon. Further, the involvement of certain ClPLATZ genes in biotic and abiotic stress response in transgenic Arabidopsis suggests their potential application in engineering stress-tolerant crops.

The Extracellular Lipopeptides and Volatile Organic Compounds of Bacillus subtilis DHA41 Display Broad-Spectrum Antifungal Activity against Soil-Borne Phytopathogenic Fungi

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon) is a devastating soil-borne fungus causing Fusarium wilt in watermelon. The present study investigated the biochemical mechanism underlying the antifungal activity exhibited by the antagonistic bacterial strain DHA41, particularly against Fon. Molecular characterization based on the 16S rRNA gene confirmed that DHA41 is a strain of Bacillus subtilis, capable of synthesizing antifungal lipopeptides, such as iturins and fengycins, which was further confirmed by detecting corresponding lipopeptide biosynthesis genes, namely ItuB, ItuD, and FenD. The cell-free culture filtrate and extracellular lipopeptide extract of B. subtilis DHA41 demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth of Fon, Didymella bryoniae, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium graminearum, and Rhizoctonia solani. The lipopeptide extract showed emulsification activity and inhibited Fon mycelial growth by 86.4% at 100 µg/mL. Transmission electron microscope observations confirmed that the lipopeptide extract disrupted Fon cellular integrity. Furthermore, B. subtilis DHA41 emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that exhibited antifungal activity against Fon, D. bryoniae, S. sclerotiorum, and F. graminearum. These findings provide evidence that B. subtilis DHA41 possesses broad-spectrum antifungal activity against different fungi pathogens, including Fon, through the production of extracellular lipopeptides and VOCs.

Degradation of α-Subunits, Doa1 and Doa4, are Critical for Growth, Development, Programmed Cell Death Events, Stress Responses, and Pathogenicity in the Watermelon Fusarium Wilt Fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) regulates protein quality or control and plays essential roles in several biological and biochemical processes in fungi. Here, we present the characterization of two UPS components, FonDoa1 and FonDoa4, in watermelon Fusarium wilt fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon), and their biological functions. FonDoa1 localizes in both the nucleus and cytoplasm, while FonDoa4 is predominantly present in the cytoplasm. Both genes show higher expression in germinating macroconidia at 12 h. Deletion of FonDoa1 or FonDoa4 affects vegetative growth, conidiation, conidial germination/morphology, apoptosis, and responses to environmental stressors. FonDoa1, but not FonDoa4, positively regulates autophagy. The targeted disruption mutants exhibit significantly attenuated pathogenicity on watermelon due to defects in the infection process and invasive fungal growth. Further results indicate that the WD40, PFU, and PUL domains are essential for the function of FonDoa1 in Fon pathogenicity and environmental stress responses. These findings demonstrate the previously uncharacterized biological functions of FonDoa1 and FonDoa4 in phytopathogenic fungi, providing potential targets for developing strategies to control watermelon Fusarium wilt.

Evaluation of sugarcane promising clones based on the morphophysiological traits developed from fuzz

Sugarcane is one of the critical commercial crops and principal sources of ethanol and sugar worldwide. Unfavorable conditions and poor seed setting rates hinder variety development in sugarcane. Countries like Pakistan directly import fuzz (true seed) and other propagation material from the USA, China, Brazil, etc. In this study, we imported fuzz from China, developed 29 genotypes germinating in the glasshouse, and evaluated at field conditions along with two local checks (CPF-251 and HSF-240). Morphophysiological data were recorded, including plant height (PH), cane length (CL), internodal length (IL), tiller number (TN), brix percentage (B), cane diameter (CD), chlorophyll a (Chl. a), chlorophyll b (Chl. b), and total chlorophyll (T. Chl). Results showed highly significant (p < 0.001) differences among the sugarcane accessions for all the studied traits. High broad-sense heritability (81.89% to 99.91%) was recorded for all the studied parameters. Genetic Advance (GA) ranges from 4.6% to 65.32%. The highest GA was observed for PH (65.32%), followed by CL (63.28%). Chlorophyll leaching assay was also performed at different time points (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 min). All the genotypes showed the same leaching trend at all times, and better performing genotypes showed less leaching compared to poor performing, indicating the high amount of cutin and wax on the leaf surface. Correlation analysis showed that PH, CL, IL, and TN had significant associations. Principal components analysis (PCA) further confirms these results. Based on PCA and correlation results, PH, CL, IL, and TN can be utilized as a selection criterion for sugarcane improvement. Genotypes such as NS-4a, NS-5, NS-6, NS-8, NS-9, and NS-15 are recommended for future breeding programs related to sugarcane variety development.

Cyclic Lipopeptides of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DHA6 Are the Determinants to Suppress Watermelon Fusarium Wilt by Direct Antifungal Activity and Host Defense Modulation

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon), poses a serious threat to watermelon productivity. We previously characterized six antagonistic bacterial strains, including DHA6, capable of suppressing watermelon Fusarium wilt under greenhouse conditions. This study investigates the role of extracellular cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) produced by strain DHA6 in Fusarium wilt suppression. Taxonomic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence categorized strain DHA6 as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry identified five families of CLPs, i.e., iturin, surfactin, bacillomycin, syringfactin, and pumilacidin, in the culture filtrate of B. amyloliquefaciens DHA6. These CLPs exhibited significant antifungal activity against Fon by inducing oxidative stress and disrupting structural integrity, inhibiting mycelial growth and spore germination. Furthermore, pretreatment with CLPs promoted plant growth and suppressed watermelon Fusarium wilt by activating antioxidant enzymes (e.g., catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase) and triggering genes involved in salicylic acid and jasmonic acid/ethylene signaling in watermelon plants. These results highlight the critical roles of CLPs as determinants for B. amyloliquefaciens DHA6 in suppressing Fusarium wilt through direct antifungal activity and modulation of plant defense responses. This study provides a foundation for developing B. amyloliquefaciens DHA6-based biopesticides, serving as both antimicrobial agents and resistance inducers, to effectively control Fusarium wilt in watermelon and other crops.

Boosting efficiency of eco-friendly perovskite solar cell through optimization of novel charge transport layers

Formamidinium tin triiodide (FASnI₃) is a suitable candidate for the absorber layer in perovskite solar cells (PSC) because of its non-toxicity, narrow band gap, thermal stability and high carrier mobility. This study focuses on the analysis and improvement in the performance of FASnI₃-based PSCs using various inorganic charge transport materials. The copper-based materials such as Cu₂O, CuAlO₂, CuSCN and CuSbS₂ are introduced as hole transport layers due to their earth abundance, ease of manufacturing, high charge mobilities and chemical stability. Similarly, fullerene derivates (PCBM and C₆₀) are deployed as electron transport layers due to their mechanical strength, thermal conductivity and stability. The effect of these materials on optical absorption, quantum efficiency, energy band alignment, band offsets, electric field and recombination are studied in detail. The reasons for the low performance of the cell are identified and improved through design optimization. The PSC performance is analysed in both inverted and conventional architecture. Among all the structures, the best result is achieved through ITO/CuSCN/FASnI₃/C₆₀/Al with an efficiency of 27.26%, V_oc of 1.08 V, J_sc of 29.5 mAcm^-2 and FF of 85.6%.

Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling reveals toxicity and molecular action mechanisms of bioengineered chitosan‑iron nanocomposites against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) pathogen, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is the most devastating bacterial pathogen, which jeopardizes the sustainable rice (Oryza sativa L.) production system. The use of antibiotics and conventional pesticides has become ineffective due to increased pathogen resistance and associated ecotoxicological concerns. Thus, the development of effective and sustainable antimicrobial agents for plant disease management is inevitable. Here, we investigated the toxicity and molecular action mechanisms of bioengineered chitosan‑iron nanocomposites (BNCs) against Xoo using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. The transcriptomic and proteomics analyses revealed molecular antibacterial mechanisms of BNCs against Xoo. Transcriptomic data revealed that various processes related to cell membrane biosynthesis, antioxidant stress, DNA damage, flagellar biosynthesis and transcriptional regulator were impaired upon BNCs exposure, which clearly showing the interaction of BNCs to Xoo pathogen. Similarly, proteomic profiling showed that BNCs treatment significantly altered the levels of functional proteins involved in the integral component of the cell membrane, catalase activity, oxidation-reduction process and metabolic process in Xoo, which is consistent with the results of the transcriptomic analysis. Overall, this study suggested that BNCs has great potential to serve as an eco-friendly, sustainable, and non-toxic alternative to traditional agrichemicals to control the BLB disease in rice.

Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Body Weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) in Public Sector Undergraduate Medical Students of Peshawar

Objective

To determine the effects of fasting on weight and eventually on Body Mass Index (BMI) in medical students of a Public Sector Medical College.

Methods

It was a prospective analytical study conducted in a Public Sector Medical College in Peshawar City from 28th March to 20th May 2022 (1443 Hijri). Convenience Sampling was used and 115 students (58 male and 57 female) of 1st Year MBBS to Final Year MBBS were enrolled. Four readings of weight were taken, one before, two during, and one after Ramadan. A well-structured self-administered questionnaire was used to inquire about basic demographic characteristics, sleep patterns during Ramadan and normal routine, and family history of obesity. The collected data were analyzed through SPSS software and a repeated measures ANOVA test was used for drawing statistical conclusions.

Results

A slight increase in the mean weight was observed during the second week of Ramadan while a loss of 0.4 kg occurred during the fourth week of Ramadan, F (1, 81) = 1777.55; p < 0.0001. The same pattern was observed for BMI, F (1, 81) = 2705.18; p < 0.0001. However, the weight and the BMI were regained in two to three weeks following Ramadan.

Conclusion

Ramadan offers a non-hazardous way of weight loss. Further studies across different geographical locations with larger sample sizes should be conducted to identify and quantify the association between weight and fasting and also to identify potential confounders.

Mental Health Disparities Among Homosexual Men and Minorities: A Systematic Review

Mental health disparities in sexual minorities, particularly homosexual and bisexual men, are a significant public health concern. This study examines six key themes: general psychiatric issues, health services, minority stress, trauma and PTSD, substance and drug misuse, and suicidal ideation. The aim is to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the evidence, identify potential intervention and prevention strategies, and address knowledge gaps in understanding the unique experiences of homosexual and bisexual men. Reported as per the PRISMA Statement 2020 guidelines, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched until February 15, 2023, with no language restrictions. A combination of the following keywords and MeSH terms was used: homosexual, bisexual, gay, men who have sex with men, mental health, psychiatric disorders, health disparities, sexual minorities, anxiety, depression, minority, stress, trauma, substance, drug misuse, and/or suicidality. Out of 1,971 studies located through database searching, 28 were included in this study pooling a total of 199,082 participants from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Israel, Switzerland, and Russia. Thematic findings of all the studies were tabulated and thereby synthesized. Addressing mental health disparities in gay, bisexual men, and sexual minorities requires evidence-based, comprehensive approaches, culturally competent care, accessible services, targeted prevention strategies, community-based support, public awareness, routine screenings, and research collaboration. This inclusive, research-informed approach can effectively reduce mental health issues and enable optimal well-being in these populations.

FonTup1 functions in growth, conidiogenesis and pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum through modulating the expression of the tricarboxylic acid cycle genes

The Tup1-Cyc8 complex is a highly conserved transcriptional corepressor that regulates intricate genetic network associated with various biological processes in fungi. Here, we report the role and mechanism of FonTup1 in regulating physiological processes and pathogenicity in watermelon Fusarium wilt fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon). FonTup1 deletion impairs mycelial growth, asexual reproduction, and macroconidia morphology, but not macroconidial germination in Fon. The ΔFontup1 mutant exhibits altered tolerance to cell wall perturbing agent (congo red) and osmotic stressors (sorbitol or NaCl), but unchanged sensitivity to paraquat. The deletion of FonTup1 significantly decreases the pathogenicity of Fon toward watermelon plants through attenuating the ability to colonize and grow within the host. Transcriptome analysis revealed that FonTup1 regulates primary metabolic pathways, including the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, via altering the expression of corresponding genes. Downregulation of three malate dehydrogenase genes, FonMDH1-3, occurs in ΔFontup1, and disruption of FonMDH2 causes significant abnormalities in mycelial growth, conidiation, and virulence of Fon. These findings demonstrate that FonTup1, as a global transcriptional corepressor, plays crucial roles in different biological processes and pathogenicity of Fon through regulating various primary metabolic processes, including the TCA cycle. This study highlights the importance and molecular mechanism of the Tup1-Cyc8 complex in multiple basic biological processes and pathogenicity of phytopathogenic fungi.

Bacillus altitudinis-Stabilized Multifarious Copper Nanoparticles Prevent Bacterial Fruit Blotch in Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.): Direct Pathogen Inhibition, In Planta Particles Accumulation, and Host Stomatal Immunity Modulation

The nano-enabled crop protecting agents have been emerging as a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternative to conventional chemical pesticides. Here, the antibacterial activity and disease-suppressive potential of biogenic copper nanoparticles (bio-CuNPs) against bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), caused by Acidovorax citrulli (Ac), in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) is discussed. CuNPs are extracellularly biosynthesized using a locally isolated bacterial strain Bacillus altitudinis WM-2/2, and have spherical shapes of 29.11-78.56 nm. Various metabolites, such as alcoholic compounds, carboxylic acids, alkenes, aromatic amines, and halo compounds, stabilize bio-CuNPs. Foliar application of bio-CuNPs increases the Cu accumulation in shoots/roots (66%/27%), and promotes the growth performance of watermelon plants by improving fresh/dry weight (36%/39%), through triggering various imperative physiological and biochemical processes. Importantly, bio-CuNPs at 100 µg mL^-1 significantly suppress watermelon BFB through balancing reactive oxygen species system, improving photosynthesis capacity, and modulating stomatal immunity. Bio-CuNPs show obvious antibacterial activity against Ac by inducing oxidative stress, biofilm inhibition, and cellular integrity disruption. These findings demonstrate that bio-CuNPs can suppress watermelon BFB through direct antibacterial activity and induction of active immune response in watermelon plants, and highlight the value of this approach as a powerful tool to increase agricultural production and alleviate food insecurity.

Calcium and L-glutamate present the opposite role in managing arsenic in barley

Arsenic contamination in agricultural soils has posed tremendous threat to sustainable crop production and human health via food chain. Calcium and Glutamate have been well-documented in metal(loid)s detoxification, but it is poorly understood how they regulate arsenic-induced toxicity to plants. In this study, the effect of glutamate and calcium at high concentration on arsenic toxicity and accumulation in barley seedling was accessed in terms of plant growth, photosynthetic efficacy, arsenic uptake, translocation and accumulation, antioxidant defense, nutrient uptake and the expression of As transporters. Our results have demonstrated that calcium could effectively ameliorate arsenic toxicity to barley seedlings, which is mainly attributed to its beneficial effect on increasing nutrient uptake, reducing the aboveground arsenic accumulation and enhancing antioxidative defense capacity. However, it is unexpected that glutamate considerably exacerbated the arsenic toxicity to barley seedlings. More importantly, for the first time, glutamate was observed to tremendously facilitate the root-to-shoot translocation of arsenic by 41.8- to 60.8-fold, leading to 90% of the total amount of As accumulating in barley shoots. The reason of this phenomenon can be well explained by the glutamate-triggered enormous upregulation of genes involved in arsenic uptake (HvPHT1;1, HvPHR2 and HvNIP3;2), reduction (HvHAC1;1), translocation (HvABCC7, HvNIP1;1 and HvNIP3;3) and intracellular sequestration (HvABCC1). These findings suggest that calcium and glutamate function as the opposite player in managing arsenic, with calcium being an effective alleviator of arsenic stress to ensure the safe production of crops; while glutamate being a highly efficient phytoextraction agent for phytoremediation of arsenate-contaminated soils.

Projecting the excess mortality related to diurnal temperature range: A nationwide analysis in China

The projection of excess mortality due to diurnal temperature range (DTR) in future has not been evaluated yet in China. Based on daily cause-specific mortality data from 266 cities in China, this study aimed to examine the association between DTR and mortality, which help project the future mortality burden attributable to DTR by considering the modification effects of altitude and population migration. We first found that every 10 °C increase in the DTR would result in a 3.3 % (95 % confidence interval: 2.6 %-4.1 %) excess risk of non-accidental mortality. The unit risk of DTR-associated cause-specific mortality at moderate or high altitudes was significantly lower than at lower altitudes, especially for cardiovascular disease. Subsequently, DTR-associated excess mortality in 2017 in China was 233,154 deaths (with a population-weighted attributable fraction of 2.9 %). Furthermore, we projected DTR-attributable additional mortality in the future, with the associated mortalities to be 221,860 deaths in 2050-2059 (2050s) and 132,305 deaths in 2090-2099 (2090s), under the SSP1-2.6 scenario. Meanwhile, the regional inequalities were exacerbated by 18 % in 2050s and 13 % in 2090s when considering the modification effects of city altitude. Future population migration would increase excess mortality in most areas in central and southern China, and reduce the disease burden in most areas in eastern, western, and northern China. Our findings underpinned that regional strategies should be adopted to mitigate excess mortality attributable to global climate change.

Performance analysis and optimization of inverted inorganic CsGeI3 perovskite cells with carbon/copper charge transport materials using SCAPS-1D

Organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of more than 25%. However, the organic compound in the material is causing structural degradation of the PSC owing to heat (thermal instability), humidity and moisture. This has led to the exploration of only inorganic perovskite materials. Inorganic PSCs such as caesium have seen a breakthrough by achieving highly stable PSC with PCE exceeding 15%. In this work, the inorganic non-toxic PSC of caesium germanium tri-iodide (CsGeI₃) is numerically modelled in SCAPS-1D with two carbon-based electron transport layers (ETLs) and two copper-based hole transport layers (HTLs). This study introduces in-depth numerical modelling and analysis of CsGeI₃ through continuity and Poisson equations. Cu HTLs are selected to increase the electric conductivity of the cell, while carbon-based ETL is used to increase the thermal conductivity of the PSC. A total of four unique PSC structures are designed and presented. A systematic approach is adopted to obtain the optimized PSC design parameters for maximum performance. From the optimized results, it is observed that the C₆₀/CsGeI₃/CuSCN structure is the highest performance PSC, with open-circuit voltage (V _oc) of 1.0169 V, short-circuit current density (J _sc) of 19.653 mA cm^-2, fill factor of 88.13% and the PCE of 17.61%. Moreover, the effect of quantum efficiency, electric field, interface recombination, interface defects, layer thickness, defect density, doping concentration, working temperature and reflection coating on the cell performance are studied in detail.

Lower Limb Salvage For Tumours Around The Knee Using Oncological Resections And Megaprosthetic Reconstructions

BACKGROUND

This descriptive case series documented the clinical presentation of tumours around the knee in our population and explored the outcome of lower limb salvage with oncological resections and megaprosthetic reconstructions. The variables analysed included return of knee function, disease free survival and any complications observed over a follow up period of 5-years.

METHODS

The study spanned over a period of 13-years. It included adult patients of all genders who presented with tumours around the knee and underwent tumour resections followed by megaprosthetic reconstructions at our institute.

RESULTS

Out of 73 patients, there were 43 (58.90%) males and 30 (41.09%) females. Their ages ranged between 16-53 years with a mean of 32.97±10.68 years. The tumours included giant cell tumours (n=41), osteosarcomas (n=24), Spindle cell sarcoma (n=5), chondrosarcoma (n=2) and Ewing's sarcoma (n=1). The average postoperative musculoskeletal tumour society (MSTS) score was 84.65%. Various complications encountered included superficial infections/ delayed wound healing among 9 (12.32%) patients, local recurrence in 6 (8.21%), deep infections among 5 (6.84%) and transient palsy of peroneal nerve in 3 (4.10%) cases. There was aseptic loosening and traumatic disruption of extensor mechanism one each (1.36%). There were 7 (9.58%) mortalities in our series.

CONCLUSIONS

Giant cell tumours and osteosarcomas were the most frequent tumours observed around the knee. The tumours affected relatively younger population. Safe oncological resections of the tumours followed by megaprosthetic reconstructions provided reasonable outcome in the majority of patients.

Adjustment of self-initiated and organizational expatriates: The moderating role of cross-cultural training

Globalization and the international labor movement made the ability to work anywhere globally. These individuals are usually organizational expatriates (OEs) deployed to overseas assignments by their employers or self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) who choose to relocate and work in a foreign country. Therefore, this study examines and contrasts the variations in cross-cultural adjustment (CCA) between Chinese SIEs and OEs in Pakistan. Furthermore, it aims to understand how cross-cultural training (CCT) influences the adaptation of Chinese SIEs and OEs. Data were obtained from 35 Chinese expatriates with 17 SIEs and 18 OEs employing a qualitative technique and were analyzed via thematic analysis in MAXQDA 20. According to the study, both SIEs and OEs face distinct hurdles to their CCA in Pakistan, including cultural taboos, language obstacles, and work variations. While numerous aspects that will favorably affect their CCA, including the accessibility of necessities, the friendliness of the Pakistani people, and the brethren relations between Pakistan and China, assist them in making a smooth transition to life in Pakistan. Furthermore, the results indicate that the mediating role of pre-departure CCT and the host country mentors' support and facilitations acquired through online resources contribute to both Chinese SIEs and OEs' CCA in Pakistan.

26.48% efficient and stable FAPbI3 perovskite solar cells employing SrCu2O2 as hole transport layer

In general, formamidinium lead tri-iodide (FAPbI₃) based perovskite solar cells are more stable than their methylammonium lead tri-iodide (MAPbI₃) counterparts. However, when it comes to power conversion efficiency (PCE), MAPbI₃ solar cells are far better. This work aimed to enhance the power conversion efficiency of FAPbI₃ solar cells without compromising their thermal stability. The numerical analysis of 6 different proposed structures with 2 carbon based electron transport materials (C₆₀, PCBM) and 3 copper based hole transport materials (SrCu₂O₂, CuSCN, CuSbS₂) is performed using SCAPS-1D software. The parameters are used from various theoretical and experimental published works. In order to investigate the performance of each proposed structure, the defect density, layer thickness and doping concentration of the absorber layer, electron transport layer (ETL) and hole transport layer (HTL) are varied, and optimized parameters are enumerated. The best simulation result having PCE of 26.48% is achieved with 1.25 V open circuit voltage (V _OC), 23.51 mA cm^-2 short circuit current (J _SC) and 89.5% fill factor (FF) for FTO/PCBM/FAPbI₃/SrCu₂O₂/Au. The proposed structure also showed good thermal stability at 300 K. Moreover, the effects of the different charge transport layer on the energy band alignment, electric field, recombination and IV characteristics are also investigated in detail.

Bio-Functionalized Manganese Nanoparticles Suppress Fusarium Wilt in Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) by Infection Disruption, Host Defense Response Potentiation, and Soil Microbial Community Modulation

The use of nanofabricated materials is being explored for the potential in crop disease management. Chemically synthesized micronutrient nanoparticles (NPs) have been shown to reduce crop diseases; however, the potential of biogenic manganese NPs (bio-MnNPs) in disease control is unknown. Here, the potential and mechanism of bio-MnNPs in suppression of watermelon Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon) are reported. Bio-MnNPs are synthesized by cell-free cultural filtrate of a waterrmelon rhizosphere bacterial strain Bacillus megaterium NOM14, and are found spherical in shape with a size range of 27.0-65.7 nm. Application of bio-MnNPs at 100 µg mL^-1 increases Mn content in watermelon roots/shoots and improves growth performance through enhancing multiple physiological processes, including antioxidative capacity. Bio-MnNPs at 100 µg mL^-1 suppress Fusarium wilt through inhibiting colonization and invasive growth of Fon in watermelon roots/stems, and inhibit Fon vegetative growth, conidiation, conidial morphology, and cellular integrity. Bio-MnNPs potentiate watermelon systemic acquired resistance by triggering the salicylic acid signaling upon Fon infection, and reshape the soil microbial community by improving fungal diversity. These findings demonstrate that bio-MnNPs suppress watermelon Fusarium wilt by multiple ex planta and in planta mechanisms, and offer a promising nano-enabled strategy for the sustainable management of crop diseases.

Recombinant Oil-Body-Expressed Oleosin-hFGF5 in Arabidopsis thaliana Regulates Hair Growth

FGF5 (Fibroblast Growth Factor) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family, which not only regulates growth and development but also inhibits hair regeneration. The oil-body expression vector pOTB-hFGF5 was constructed by the genetic engineering method and it was transformed into Arabidopsis by flora dip. T3 homozygous transgenic Arabidopsis was obtained after screening and propagation by the PCR and Western blot methods. The recombinant oil-body-expressed oleosin-hFGF5 can inhibit the proliferation of hair follicle epithelial cells and it exhibits the pharmacological activity of inhibiting hair regeneration in vivo by protein hybridization and imunohistochemistry. At the same time, the potential mechanism of recombinant oil-body-expressed oleosin-hFGF5 inhibiting hair growth was also revealed by RNA-Seq. This implies that the recombinant oil-body-expressed oleosin-hFGF5 has a good effect on inhibiting hair growth.

Barley Resistance to Fusarium graminearum Infections: From Transcriptomics to Field with Food Safety Concerns

Global climate change and the urgency to transform food crops require substantial breeding efforts to meet the food security challenges. Barley, an important cereal, has remained a preferential host of phytotoxic diseases caused by the Fusarium graminearum that not only severely reduces the crop yield but also compromises its food quality due to the accumulation of mycotoxins. To develop resistance against Fusarium infections, a better understanding of the host-pathogen interaction is inevitable and could be tracked through molecular insights. Here, we focused precisely on the potential gene targets that are exclusive to this devastating pathosystem and could be harnessed for fast breeding of barley. We also discuss the eco-friendly applications of nanobio hybrid and the CRISPR technology for barley protection. This review covers the critical information gaps within the subject and may be useful for the sustainable improvement of barley from the perspective of food and environmental safety concerns.

Antimicrobial activity of the biologically synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles against important rice pathogens

Global rice production is seriously affected by many abiotic and biotic factors. Among the aggressive rice pathogens, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (X. o. pv. oryzae), Bipolaris oryzae (B. oryzae) and Sphaerulina oryzina (S. oryzina) cause bacterial leaf blight, brown leaf spot and narrow brown leaf spot diseases, respectively. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) as antimicrobial agent to control rice pathogens. This is the first report of antifungal activity evaluation of ZnO NPs against B. oryzae and S. oryzina. A pre-characterized bacterial strain Escherichia sp. SINT7 was bio-prospected for synthesis of green ZnO NPs. The NPs were confirmed by a characteristic peak measured at 360.96 nm through UV-Vis spectroscopy. Further, the NPs were characterized to elucidate the surface capping molecules, crystallite structure and morphology by various spectroscopic and imaging techniques, which confirmed the spherical shape of NPs with size ranging from 13.07 to 22.25 nm. In vitro studies against X. o. pv. oryzae pathogen depicted the substantial antibacterial activity (up to 25.7 mm inhibition zone at 20 μg/ml NPs concentration). Similarly, ZnO NPs reduced the mycelial growth of B. oryzae and S. oryzina up to 72.68 and 95.78%, respectively at 50 μg/ml concentration on potato dextrose agar plates, while the mycelial biomass reduction was found to be 64.66 and 68. 49% for B. oryzae and S. oryzina, respectively on potato dextrose broth media as compared to control without the addition of NPs. The green ZnO NPs also significantly reduced the fungal spore germination and a disintegration of fungal hyphae for both fungal strains was observed under the microscope as a result of NPs treatment. Hence, it was concluded that biologically synthesized ZnO NPs are potential antimicrobials and could be compared in greenhouse pathogenicity assays with commercial pesticides to control rice pathogens.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01251-y.