Observational studies indicate a bidirectional association between epilepsy and cancer, yet causal insight remains limited. This study employed bidirectional Mendelian randomisation (MR) to investigate their potential complex genetic connections. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data for epilepsies (all-type [AE], generalized [GE], focal [FE]) and 15 cancers were sourced from IEU Open GWAS. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at genome-wide significance (P < 5e-8 or 5e-6) served as instruments. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analyses explored mediating pathways. Sensitivity analyses included Cochran's Q and MR-PRESSO. Forward MR linked esophageal adenocarcinoma and neuroblastoma to AE; breast, lung, and invasive mucinous ovarian cancers to GE; esophageal adenocarcinoma, neuroblastoma, and mucinous ovarian cancer to FE. Reverse MR suggested that genetic liability to all three epilepsy subtypes was significantly associated with a higher risk of lung cancer. eQTL analysis implicated iroquois homeobox 3 (IRX3), colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), and Fibrillin-2 (FBN2) as shared genetic mechanisms, suggesting roles in metabolic reprogramming, inflammation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. This study supports a bidirectional genetic association between specific cancers and epilepsy subtypes, which is likely driven by shared genetic mechanisms.
To clarify the pathogenesis of lily root rot, we compared the rhizosphere fungal community and soil enzyme activities of healthy and diseased Lilium brownii var. viridulum plants from a six-year continuous monoculture field. Urease, sucrase, and acid phosphatase activities were significantly suppressed in diseased rhizosphere. High-throughput ITS sequencing revealed a drastic reduction in fungal richness (Chao1) and a shift in community structure. Ascomycota relative abundance surged, while Basidiomycota and Zygomycota declined sharply. Pathogenic genera (Fusarium, Gibberella, Neonectria, etc.) were significantly enriched, whereas several potentially beneficial genera (Mortierella, Trichoderma, Cladorrhinum, etc.) were depleted. These findings characterize the microecological imbalance underlying lily root rot and provide a foundation for future biocontrol strategies.
Securing vegetable oil supplies in arid regions remains a global challenge due to water scarcity. We conducted a three-year (2021-2023) field trial in Uzbekistan to evaluate sowing date and seeding rate effects on seed oil content of two winter camelina varieties ('Penzyak' and 'Karat') on light sierozem soils. Three sowing dates (October 10, 20, and November 1) and four seeding rates (8.0, 10.0, 12.0, and 14.0 million viable seeds ha(-1)) were evaluated within a three-way factorial design. Variety was the primary determinant of lipid concentration (p < 0.0001), with 'Penzyak' (40.03% +/- 0.30%) outperforming 'Karat' (36.60% +/- 0.30%). Early sowing and lower seeding rates independently increased oil accumulation. The optimal combination, 'Penzyak' sown on October 10 at 8.0 million seeds ha(-1), yielded the maximum seed oil content of 42.96% +/- 0.57%. Delayed sowing (November 1) significantly reduced oil content (p < 0.0001), compounded at higher densities (sowing date & times; seeding rate interaction, p = 0.0077). Although the 8.0 million seeds ha(-1) maximized lipid concentration, 10.0 million seeds ha(-1) provided an effective risk-aversion buffer during delayed sowing. Future multi-location trials evaluating total seed yield (kg ha(-1)) are necessary to formulate volumetric production guidelines for Central Asian crop rotations.
Onion production in Burkina Faso is predominantly off-season and remains insufficient to meet the annual consumption needs of the population. This deficit is partly due to postharvest losses caused by bulb rot during storage, primarily induced by Aspergillus niger. The objective of this study was to evaluate in vivo the effectiveness of O. gratissimum essential oil in inoculated onion bulbs. This study first evaluated the pathogenicity of A. niger on onion bulbs of the Violet Galmi, Safari, and Damani varieties after mycelial and conidial inoculations. The in vivo antifungal efficacy of O. gratissimum essential oil was then investigated on inoculated bulbs at concentrations of 0.15%, 1.50%, and 15%. The results obtained evidenced that mycelial inoculation caused a significantly higher mean rot intensity (40.28%) than conidial inoculation (4.39%). In addition, treatment with O. gratissimum essential oils at concentrations of 1.5% and 15% reduced the rot intensity by 37.19% and 47.67%, respectively. These findings demonstrate the promising antifungal potential of O. gratissimum essential oil as a biopesticide for protecting postharvest onion bulbs and reducing storage losses.
Apple anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. is an important disease affecting tropical highland apple production in Indonesia. This study characterized Colletotrichum isolates associated with apple anthracnose based on morphology, pathogenicity, and ITS-based molecular analysis. Symptomatic apple fruits were collected from four major apple-producing areas in East Java, Indonesia. Isolates were evaluated for colony morphology, radial growth, microscopic characteristics, and pathogenicity using wounded and non-wounded inoculation methods on apple fruits at different developmental stages. Morphological observations revealed variation in colony pigmentation, mycelial growth, and conidial morphology among isolates. ITS sequence analysis showed high similarity (99.48-100%) to taxa within the genus Colletotrichum, including isolates closely related to C. gloeosporioides, C. siamense, C. nymphaeae, and C. aenigma. Pathogenicity assays confirmed that all isolates caused anthracnose symptoms, with lesion development varying among isolates and fruit developmental stages under both wounded and non-wounded conditions. Young, intermediate, and mature fruits, corresponding to 1, 2.5, and 4 months after fruit set, respectively, showed differential responses, with intermediate-stage fruits exhibiting greater lesion development under wounded conditions. These findings demonstrate considerable variability among Colletotrichum isolates and support improved diagnosis and disease management strategies in tropical apple production systems.
