The medicinal flora of the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, is widely used by rural and highland communities; however, scientific information regarding its phytochemical profile, antioxidant capacity, and toxicological safety remains scarce and fragmentary. The present study evaluated the relationship among the qualitative phytochemical profile, total phenolic content (Folin–Ciocalteu), in vitro antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP), and preliminary toxicity (Artemia salina lethality assay) of 20 ethanolic extracts obtained from 15 native medicinal species, using an integrative multivariate statistical approach (Spearman correlation, hierarchical clustering, FAMD, PLS, and PERMANOVA). A very strong positive association was found between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (ρ = 0.72–0.92; adjusted p < 0.005), consistently confirmed across all analytical approaches. Because the Folin–Ciocalteu assay quantifies total reducing capacity rather than phenolic compounds exclusively, this association is interpreted as a quantitative relationship between reducing power and radical-scavenging activity rather than as evidence of a specific structural class. In contrast, qualitative phytochemical screening showed no predictive capacity for antioxidant activity (η² < 0.05; PERMANOVA, R2 ≤ 0.033). The Arbutus bicolor and Eysenhardtia polystachya extracts were identified as those with the highest antioxidant potential. Preliminary toxicity and antioxidant activity exhibited functional independence (ρ ≈ 0). The data obtained for A. bicolor constitute the first quantitative evidence of antioxidant capacity and preliminary toxicity for this species native to the Sierra Madre Occidental. The multivariate approach employed provides a replicable analytical framework for the systematic exploration of regional medicinal flora and identifies A. bicolor and E. polystachya as priority candidates for chromatographic characterization (HPLC-DAD, LC–MS/MS).
Abstract This paper aimed to design a biochar-based nanobiocomposite from bamboo to remove fifth-generation cephalosporin antibiotics, such as Ceftaroline, from pharmaceutical wastewater. Porous biochar was prepared by pyrolysis of bamboo biomass at 500 °C (BBC-A500) and 700 °C with KOH activation (BBC-Fe10), whereas iron nanoparticles were produced via a chemical reduction pathway and later linked to the biochar network. This was systematically characterized by a series of analyses, i.e., SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, BET, and XPS, which verified the presence of stable iron loading, a high specific surface area, and numerous surface functional groups. XPS analysis confirmed mixed Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ surface states (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ratio = 0.92), which are catalytically active for Fenton-like reactions. The degradation experiment was also conducted in batch mode to evaluate degradation performance as a function of contact time, pH, catalyst load, and oxidant concentration. This elimination was carried out in a two-step mechanism, in which preliminary adsorption concentrated Ceftaroline molecules on the biochar surface, and catalytic oxidation was conducted via Fenton-like oxidation by encapsulated iron nanoparticles. The resulting reactive species are generated to enable rapid and extensive degradation of antibiotics, and mechanistic probing indicated that hydroxyl radicals — both free and surface-bound — were the predominant oxidizing species, with minor contributions from superoxide and singlet oxygen. The composite achieved 98% removal within 60 min (k_app = 0.092 min⁻¹) and retained 82% activity after five cycles, with cumulative Fe leaching below 1.5%. Overall, the adsorption-oxidation synergy makes the bamboo biochar-iron nanocomposite a promising solution for treating pharmaceutical effluents.
Abstract Assessing the sublethal behavioral effects of pesticides on honey bees ( Apis mellifera ) is a key component of honey bee risk assessment. In this study, we aimed to refine experimental conditions for RFID-based tracking and to evaluate the sublethal effects of fenobucarb (FNC) and carbendazim (CBZ) on honey bee homing performance. Individually tagged forager bees were exposed to sublethal doses of FNC (0.00025 and 0.0025 µg/bee) or CBZ (0.005 and 0.05 µg/bee) and monitored for 24 h. Behavioral endpoints, including the return rate, first-return time, and frequency of out-of-hive trips, were quantified via RFID detection at the hive entrance. Control and solvent-control groups showed high (> 90%) and comparable return rates, indicating high baseline homing performance and no apparent effect of solvent exposure. FNC exposure at both doses did not significantly affect homing success, median return time, or frequency of out-of-hive trips relative to solvent exposure. At the lower dose, CBZ exposure significantly reduced the return rate; however, this effect was not observed at the higher dose and was not accompanied by changes in median return time or frequency of out-of-hive trips, suggesting the absence of a consistent or dose-dependent behavioral response. Considering the overall pattern across behavioral endpoints, no consistent adverse effects on homing-related behavior were observed for either substance under the study conditions. Overall, the refined RFID methodology provided consistent and reliable measurements of sublethal behavioral performance in honey bees.
Abstract Drought stress severely affects tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth, yield, and fruit quality. Although RNA-seq has identified drought-responsive genes in tomato, differences in experimental design and stress conditions can limit the reproducibility of DEG-based results. This study performed a meta-analysis of four independent public RNA-seq datasets comprising 51 tomato leaf samples to identify drought-responsive candidate genes supported across datasets. Differential gene expression data from individual datasets were integrated with heterogeneity assessment, identifying 5,681 heterogeneity-filtered drought-responsive meta-DEGs after study-coverage and heterogeneity-based filtering. Fixed- and random-effects pooled directions agreed for 5,647 genes (99.4%), and 3,294 genes remained significant at a random-effects FDR < 0.05. The prioritized candidate genes included those associated with MAPK signaling, auxin-responsive and redox regulation, phenylpropanoid, lipid, and cuticle metabolism, and proteolysis. GO enrichment of effect-size-significant meta-DEGs represented in at least three datasets identified nominally enriched terms related to protein processing, proteolysis, transport-related processes, photosynthesis, auxin response, and redox homeostasis. In ‘Micro-Tom’ plants subjected to soil-drying-induced drought stress, RT-qPCR analysis of ten representative genes revealed distinct temporal expression patterns. The drought-responsive marker genes SlPP2C3 , SlAREB1 , and SlNCED1 were also induced during progressive soil drying, providing molecular evidence of a response to irrigation withdrawal. These results demonstrate that RNA-seq-based meta-analysis combined with heterogeneity assessment can prioritize drought-responsive candidates in tomato and provide a candidate set for future functional studies.
Abstract Background Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, often leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage and subsequent neurological deficits. The kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) plays a crucial role in vascular cell function during IA. However, the mechanism responsible for KDR’s role in IA remains unclear. Methods Human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) were treated with angiotensin II (Ang II) to simulate an in vitro IA model. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the mRNA expression levels of KDR and Wilms’ tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP). Western blotting was employed to detect the protein expression of KDR and WTAP. Cell viability was assessed using a cell counting kit-8 assay, while cell apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by flow cytometry. Fluorometric assay was conducted to evaluate reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Colorimetric assays were used to determine the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as Fe 2+ levels. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to validate m6A modification of KDR mRNA and the regulatory effect of WTAP on KDR. Results Treatment with Ang II induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in hBMECs. KDR and WTAP expression were significantly reduced in the arterial wall tissues of IA patients and in Ang II-treated hBMECs. Overexpression of KDR attenuated Ang II-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in hBMECs. In addition, WTAP was found to promote KDR expression in a m6A-dependent manner. Moreover, overexpression of WTAP protected hBMECs from Ang II-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis by upregulating KDR. Conclusion WTAP-induced upregulation of KDR mitigated Ang II-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in hBMECs. These findings suggest that targeting the WTAP-KDR axis could have significant clinical implications for the prevention and treatment of IA.
