Amorphophallus muelleri possesses significant economic value due to its high glucomannan content and superior quality. However, above-zero low temperatures severely restrict its distribution and yield. Despite this, the plant’s resistance mechanisms and regulatory responses to chilling stress remain poorly understood. This study examined the physiological, morphological, and molecular responses of both its roots and leaves to sustain chilling stress at 4°C for seven days. By integrating metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses, we characterized organ-specific alterations in secondary metabolism and identified key molecular pathways activated in response to low temperature, to elucidate the adaptive strategies employed by A. muelleri. Our results indicated that leaves were more susceptible to chilling injury than roots. All organs sharing two conserved core pathways: linoleic acid and its related lipid metabolism, and flavonoid-related biosynthesis (including flavone and flavonol biosynthesis). These pathways form the fundamental basis for cold tolerance by maintaining membrane stability and alleviating oxidative stress. Distinct organ-specific strategies were identified: leaves prioritized membrane remodeling via dramatic upregulation of FAD3 (231.4-fold relative to the control); roots enhanced flavone, flavonol, and flavonoid accumulation through F3H and CHS induction; corms activated galactose metabolism for energy supply and raffinose synthesis. These findings provide novel insights into A. muelleri’s integrated cold adaptation mechanisms, offering candidate genes and strategies for breeding cold-tolerant genotypes to improve seedling survival and productivity of tropical/subtropical tuber crops under suboptimal temperatures.

AkNBS-LRR43 and AkNBS-LRR100 positively regulate immunity in Amorphophallus konjac against Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum by enhancing antioxidant activity and reducing oxidative damage. Amorphophallus konjac, an economically important Araceae species rich in konjac glucomannan (KGM), faces production losses from biotic/abiotic stresses. Nucleotide-binding-site leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) genes, crucial for plant immunity, remain understudied in A. konjac. Here, we comprehensively analyzed 146 AkNBS-LRR genes, characterizing their structure, chromosomal distribution, phylogeny, cis-elements and expression patterns. Furthermore, two candidate genes (AkNBS-LRR43/100) were functionally validated. The AkNBS-LRRs showed chromosomal preference (chr1/2/3/5/9/11) and clustered into five phylogenetic subclasses (CNL_E predominant). These genes harbored abundant cis-elements associated with growth and stress responses. Functional annotation implicated their roles in signal transduction, development, and biotic/abiotic stress responses. Transcriptome profiling revealed pathogen-responsive differential expression patterns. RT-qPCR revealed differential AkNBS-LRR expression during Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) infection, with AkNBS-LRR43/100 showing pronounced upregulation. Subcellular localization confirmed their nuclear targeting. Transgenic A. konjac plants transiently overexpressing AkNBS-LRR43/100 showed significantly reduced lesion expansion under pathogen infection compared to controls. Concurrently, these transgenic plants exhibited increased activities of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), along with decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, which may lead to enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity and consequently to reduced disease symptom development. These findings suggest that AkNBS-LRR43/100 may function as positive regulators in A. konjac disease resistance by enhancing antioxidant capacity.

Amorphophallus is valued for its glucomannan-rich tubers and ornamental inflorescences. We sequenced the first complete chloroplast genome of Amorphophallus atroviridis Hett, 1994 using the PacBio Revio platform. The assembled chloroplast genome is 175,133 bp in length and contains a large single-copy region (94,561 bp), a small single-copy region (14,862 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (32,855 bp each). A total of 128 genes were annotated, including 84 protein-coding genes, 36 transfer RNA genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis of 14 Araceae species confirmed a monophyletic Amorphophallus clade, with A. atroviridias closely related to five species. This study provides a fundamental resource for phylogenetic studies and further genetic research in Araceae.

Amorphophallus mossambicensis (Schott ex Garcke) N.E.Br 1901, distributed from Tanzania to southern Africa in arid shrubland and deserts, had its complete chloroplast genome assembled to resolve its phylogenetic position. The genome was 168,728 bp, comprising LSC (90,388 bp), SSC (14,572 bp), two IRs (31,884 bp each), and 35.78% GC content. It encoded 130 genes: 85 protein-coding, 37 tRNA, and 8 rRNA. Phylogenetic analysis grouped all Amorphophallus into a major clade with three subclades, while A. mossambicensis diverged as a distinct African lineage. This study provides foundational genomic resources for exploring genetic and evolutionary relationships between Asian and African Amorphophallus lineages.

Electrocatalytic oxidative coupling provides a sustainable route for C-C bond formation between alcohol molecules by precisely regulating the electronic structure of the catalyst and the reaction microenvironment. In this work, we report an electrosynthetic strategy for the directed synthesis of cinnamaldehyde (CAL) through the anodic co-oxidative coupling of benzyl alcohol (PhCH2OH) and ethanol (EtOH) using a Cu2O-Ni/NiO heterogeneous catalyst. The designed heterostructure catalyst possesses dual-metal synergistic sites to accelerate coupling kinetics and suppress overoxidation of intermediates. Moreover, a salting-out strategy is introduced to modulate the reaction environment, balancing the rates of selective oxidation and condensation by regulating the hydration behavior and local concentration of reactive aldehyde intermediates. At a current density of 80 mA/cm2, this electrosynthetic system achieved an 86% conversion rate for PhCH2OH and a selectivity of 67% toward CAL. This work provides new understandings of the interfacial design of non-noble metal catalysts and electrolyte engineering for selective electrocatalytic coupling reactions, which could be implemented in a wide range of biomass-derived alcohols upgrading.

ABSTRACT Background This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of negative lymph nodes (LNnegs) identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and treatment implications in patients with N0 locoregionally advanced NPC. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 753 patients with T3–4N0M0 NPC receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with or without induction chemotherapy (IC) at two independent hospitals. Pre‐treatment and post‐radiotherapy MRI scans were performed. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) stratified patients by radiological LNneg features. Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier analysis were performed with overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoint. Results Neck LNneg levels and the short‐axial diameter (SD) of the largest cervical LNneg were identified as significant factors associated with OS through Cox analysis (all p ≤ 0.009). Incorporating these two factors, RPA categorized patients into RPA‐I (n = 177; ≥ 4 LNneg levels and SD decreased by > 40%) and RPA‐II (n = 576; < 4 LNneg levels, or ≥ 4 levels and SD decreased by ≤ 40%). The 5‐year OS in RPA‐I was significantly better than in RPA‐II (98.3% vs. 89.5%; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.05–0.50; p < 0.001), validated after propensity score matching (n = 177 vs. 177; HR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.06–0.70; p = 0.005). The OS advantage of RPA‐I was significantly influenced by the cumulative cisplatin dose during CCRT (≥ 200 mg/m2, p < 0.001; < 200 mg/m2, p = 0.660), but was independent of IC (all p ≥ 0.040). Conclusions Dispersed LNnegs with a considerable decrease in the SD of the largest cervical LNneg in T3–4N0M0 NPC indicated a low OS risk and potential benefit from a cumulative cisplatin dose of ≥ 200 mg/m2 in CCRT.

The chloroplast genome of Amorphophallus allenii, a rare species endemic to limestone habitats, was sequenced to resolve phylogenetic uncertainties within the genus. Using PacBio HiFi sequencing, we performed a de novo assembly and obtained a complete circular genome of 170,657 bp, featuring a typical quadripartite structure. The genome encodes 126 genes, including 81 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 37 tRNA genes. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses based on whole plastome, coding sequence, and protein alignments robustly support the placement of A. allenii within the Continental Asia I clade, with A. muelleri identified as its closest relative. This study provides a reliable genomic resource that clarifies the species’ phylogenetic position and establishes a foundation for investigating evolutionary diversification and biogeographic patterns in the genus Amorphophallus.

Soil salinity represents a major global agricultural constraint that significantly limits soybean productivity. While melatonin (MT) has demonstrated potential as a priming agent to enhance abiotic stress tolerance, the optimal application concentration and specific physiological mechanisms underlying its alleviation of salt stress remain poorly defined. Consequently, this study investigated the effects of exogenous MT (0, 50, 100, 250, 500 µmol/L) on seed germination and seedling physiology in two soybean varieties subjected to 100 mmol/L NaCl stress. The 100 µmol/L MT treatment proved to be the most effective, significantly alleviating salt-induced inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth. It enhanced the activity of key antioxidant enzymes, including peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), and elevated osmolyte content, while reducing oxidative stress markers (H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde, MDA). Crucially, hormonal profiling revealed that the mitigation of salt stress was associated with a fundamental shift in hormonal homeostasis. The optimal MT treatment orchestrated a pronounced decrease in the stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA) alongside a concurrent rise in key growth-promoting hormones (e.g., IAA, GA, JA), thereby redirecting the plant’s metabolism from stress containment back toward growth. Conversely, a high MT concentration (500µmol/L) exacerbated stress damage. Multivariate analyses confirmed positive correlations between germination/growth and antioxidant capacity/growth-promoting hormones, and negative correlations with oxidative stress/ABA. The variety DS-7 exhibited stronger salt tolerance than DS-4, which is attributed to its inherently higher capacity for antioxidant activity and osmotic adjustment. In conclusion, 100 µmol/L exogenous melatonin significantly enhances soybean salt tolerance by boosting antioxidant defense, regulating osmotic balance, and optimizing hormonal homeostasis. The superior inherent traits of the DS-7 variety further contribute to its resilience. These findings provide a foundation for utilizing melatonin to improve soybean establishment in saline soils.

Pcc is one of the key pathogenic factors responsible for destructive soft rot in konjac. To date, the assembly and functional adaptation of the plant endophytic microbiome under Pcc stress remain poorly understood. Here, we found that Pcc stress leads to rapid reorganization of the endogenous microbiome in multiple organs of both susceptible and resistant konjac plants. Under Pcc stress, the negative interactions within the bacterial-fungal interdomain network intensified, suggesting an increase in ecological competition between bacterial and fungal taxa. We further discovered that the relative abundance dynamics of the classes Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes, as core fungal taxa, changed in response to Pcc stress. By isolating culturable microorganisms, we demonstrated that 46 fungal strains strongly inhibited the growth of Pcc. This implies that endophytic fungal taxa in konjac may protect the host plant through ecological competition or by inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Metagenomic analysis demonstrated that microbial communities associated with resistant Amorphophallus muelleri exhibited unique advantages over susceptible Amorphophallus konjac in enhancing environmental adaptability, regulating plant immune signaling, strengthening cell walls, and inducing defense responses. Our work provides important evidence that endophytic fungal taxa play a key role in the host plant's defense against necrotizing bacterial pathogens.

Introduction:The seeds of Amorphophallus muelleri represent a unique category of herbaceous seeds that arise from triploid apomixis. They necessitate an exceptionally protracted maturation phase of 8 months, followed by a dormancy period of 4 months, before they can germinate and give rise to fully formed new plants. Currently, the connection between endophytic microbial communities in A. muelleri seeds and the host plant's development is largely unexplored. Methods:Herein, we analyzed the temporal dynamics of the endophytic bacterial and fungal communities from seed germination to seedling establishment (seven stages) through amplicon sequencing. Results and discussion:The results showed that plant developmental stage explained the large variation in endophytic bacterial and fungal communities in A. muelleri and that multiple microbial attributes (e.g., α, β-diversity, community composition, and bacterial and fungal ecological networks) are driven by the developmental state of A. muelleri. Metagenomic analyses further indicated that the four stages after rooting have higher microbial functional diversity. Microbial functional genes involved in cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis, inorganic ion transport and metabolism, and carbon degradation were abundant in A. muelleri seeds from Stage 1 to Stage 3 (before rooting). From Stage 4 to Stage 7 (after rooting), microbial functional genes involved in the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, starch and sucrose metabolism, and energy production and conversion were more abundant. Coincidentally, more abundant Proteobacteria, and Basidiomycota taxa related to carbon degradation were found in stages 1-3, while more Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium and Stenotrophomonas taxa associated with nitrogen cycling and plant growth promotion were observed in stages 4-7. These findings have greatly improved our basic understanding of the assembly and functional adaptability of the endophytic microbiome during A. muelleri plant development and are helpful for the mining, development and utilization of functional microbial resources.

Konjac is one of the important economic crops for poverty alleviation in mountainous areas of Yunnan Province, China. However, there are always various biotic and abiotic stress during its growth, leading to production reduction and quality decline. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are an important class of genes involved in calcium ion signal transmission within plant tissue cells, yet their presence and functions in konjac remain unexplored. This study aimed to identify the members of the AkCDPK gene family in the Amorphophallus konjac genome and understand their evolution and responses to various stresses. A total of 29 AkCDPK genes were identified and categorized into four subgroups that unevenly distributed across 12 chromosomes. Most AkCDPK have undergone purifying selection during evolution. Cis-acting element analysis revealed that several AkCDPK are involved in phytohormone induction, defence, stress response, and plant development. Expression analysis indicated tissue specificity, and responses to salt, drought, and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum stress. AkCDPK15, encoding 582 amino acids, was cloned. AkCDPK15 was mainly localised on the cell membrane, and overexpression in tobacco revealed that it can positively regulate the tolerance of transgenic tobacco strains to salt and drought stress. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for future research on the function of the CDPK gene family in A. konjac, potentially aiding in the development of stress-resistant konjac varieties.

Heavy metal pollution poses substantial challenges to human health and aquatic ecosystems. This study investigates a coupled technology for lipid production and cadmium adsorption utilizing microalgae regulated by fulvic acid (FA). Under the combination of 40 mg L-1 FA and cadmium (Cd) treatment, Monoraphidium sp. QLZ-3 exhibited the highest biomass (3.27 g L-1), lipid content (52.73 %), and lipid productivity (193.26 mg L-1 d-1), which were enhanced by 20.10 %, 15.81 % and 40.27 % respectively compared with the control. Notably, FA application significantly increased cadmium removal efficiency to 100 %. Moreover, the synergistic effect of FA and Cd enhanced the biomass, lipid production, and energy yield (92.38 kJ L-1) by accelerating nitrogen consumption, inhibiting carbohydrate synthesis, and elevating levels of reactive oxygen species and mitogen-activated protein kinase. FA had a minimal impact on fatty acid composition and biodiesel properties. The majority of the biodiesel quality parameters met the specifications for commercial biodiesel. Proteomic analysis revealed that exogenous FA promoted cell growth and lipid accumulation by upregulating the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the nitrogen assimilation pathway, and activating Ca2+ signaling in QLZ-3 under cadmium treatment. Additionally, calcium ion (Ca2+) and reactive oxidative species (ROS) were identified as key factors in promoting cell growth and lipid synthesis under the influence of Cd and FA. These findings collectively indicate that FA can boost both biomass and lipid production, as well as the efficient removal of Cd2+, providing a theoretical foundation for the optimization of microalgal biomass and lipid production and the bioremediation of heavy metal contamination in aquatic environments.

IntroductionThe Araceae family is a large family of angiosperms containing many economically valuable and ecologically important species, such as Amorphophallus, Zantedeschia elliottiana, and Spirodela intermedia. The WRKY family is one of the largest plant-specific transcription factor families and plays a crucial role in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses.MethodsIn this study, WRKY family members were identified and characterized in four species—Amorphophallus konjac, Amorphophallus albus, Zantedeschia elliottiana, and Spirodela intermedia—using bioinformatics approaches. Characterization included analyses of physicochemical properties, gene structure, phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal distribution, collinearity, and cis-regulatory elements. Expressions were specifically performed in A. konjac using transcriptomics data to examine AkWRKY expression across various tissues and stages of corm development. These expression profiles were further validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), including tissue types (leaf, petiole, corm, and root); hormone treatments (abscisic acid (ABA)); jasmonic acid (JA); salicylic acid (SA); biotic stress (infection by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc)), and abiotic stresses (low temperature, drought, and salt).ResultsA total of 79, 57, 59, and 36 WRKY members were identified in A. konjac, A. albus, Z. elliottiana, and S. intermedia, respectively, with the majority predicted to be localized in the nucleus. Most WRKY members contained the conserved heptapeptide WRKYGQK domain within their motifs, and genes within the same subgroup shared similar gene structures and motif distributions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most Araceae WRKY members belong to Group II. Collinearity analysis indicated that segmental duplication was the primary driving force for the expansion of the WRKY gene family in these Araceae species (Ka/Ks < 1), suggesting the action of purifying selection. Cis-element analysis revealed that the promoter regions of WRKY genes contain numerous regulatory elements associated with plant growth and development, hormone regulation, stress responses, and light responses. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that AkWRKYs exhibit tissue-specific expression patterns in leaves, petioles, corms, and roots, with most genes revealing up-regulated expression during developmental stages 2 to 3 of the corm. To elucidate the expression patterns of AkWRKYs under biotic and abiotic stresses, qRT-PCR was used to analyze the expression profiles of 14 AkWRKYs in response to ABA, JA, SA treatments, Pcc infection, as well as low temperature, drought, and salt stress. These 14 AkWRKY members displayed significantly differential expression characteristics under hormone regulation, biotic stress, and abiotic stress, responding to various stress treatments to different degrees over time.ConclusionAmong the 79 identified AkWRKY members, AkWRKY38 and 53 exhibited high expression levels in A. konjac under hormone treatments, biotic stress (Pcc infection), and abiotic stresses (low temperature, drought, and salt stress). This study provided new insights into the roles of WRKYs in A. konjac responses to soft rot disease, low temperature, drought, and salt stress. Additionally, it laid a foundation for breeding stress-resistant A. konjac cultivars.

The GRAS gene family is a plant-specific group of genes that play critical roles in various biological processes, including plant growth and development, responses to adverse stress, light signaling, hormone signaling, and others. To elucidate the characteristics of the GRAS transcription factor family in Amorphophallus konjac (AkGRAS), we identified GRAS family members based on whole-genome data and bioinformatics methods. We further analyzed their physicochemical properties, gene structure, evolutionary relationships, regulatory networks, and stress response patterns using bioinformatics tools. A total of 57 AkGRAS genes were identified in the A. konjac genome. Most of the encoded proteins were unstable, hydrophilic proteins with molecular weights ranging from 15.78 to 90.82 kDa. Chromosomal localization analysis revealed that the 57 AkGRAS genes were unevenly distributed across 13 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis classified the 57 AkGRAS genes into eleven subgroups: DELLA, Os04, SHR, PAT1, HAM, SCR, SCL28, SCL4/7, LAS, LISCL, and SCL3. Six pairs of duplicated genes were identified within the AkGRAS gene family. Protein-protein functional associations analysis suggested that the top three functionally associated proteins were RGA, PAT1-2, and NSP2 in Arabidopsis thaliana. Enrichment analysis predicted the involvement of AkGRAS genes in numerous biological processes. To investigate the expression patterns of AkGRAS genes under Abscisic Acid (ABA), Jasmonic Acid (JA), Salicylic Acid (SA), Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc), low temperature, drought, and Salt stresses, we analyzed RNA-seq data and performed RT-qPCR assays. Our results indicated that these genes exhibited tissue-specific expression and diverse responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Specifically, AkGRAS07, AkGRAS09, and AkGRAS19 expression were upregulated under Pcc infection. AkGRAS19, AkGRAS34, AkGRAS38, and AkGRAS39 were upregulated in response to low-temperature stress. Additionally, AkGRAS09, AkGRAS19, AkGRAS34, and AkGRAS38 were highly induced by drought stress. Notably, AkGRAS23 and AkGRAS53 showed markedly higher expression levels under the 21-day natural drought treatment compared to other conditions. Furthermore, AkGRAS07, AkGRAS09, AkGRAS19, AkGRAS34 and AkGRAS38 were strongly upregulated under 24 h salt treatment. This study identified candidate GRAS genes in A. konjac that may play crucial roles in biotic and abiotic stress responses. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for further research on the functions of AkGRAS genes and their underlying mechanisms in A. konjac stress tolerance.

The electroreductive conversion of waste nitrate (NO₃⁻) to high-value ammonia (NH₃) offers an alternative to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. However, this reaction involves multistep electron-coupled proton transfer, posing kinetic challenges for NH₃ generation. Herein, an a-CuCoOx-based tandem electrocatalyst for nitrate-to-ammonia conversion is presented. In 1 M KOH with 50 mM NO₃⁻, the amorphous catalyst achieves a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 95.61% and a NH₃ yield rate of 4.01 mg h⁻¹ cm⁻2 at -0.3 V versus RHE, outperforming its crystalline counterpart (FE: 80.21%; yield rate: 0.91 mg h⁻¹ cm⁻2). Integrated into a Zn-NO₃⁻ battery, a-CuCoOx exhibits peak power density of 7.21 mW cm⁻2 and robust stability. Systematic electrochemical and kinetic analyses revealed that the amorphous structure and Cu-Co synergy enhance active hydrogen (H*) generation and accelerate nitrite-to-ammonia conversion. This study provides insights into designing advanced amorphous electrocatalysts for sustainable energy and catalysis.

Maize is very sensitive to salt stress during seed germination and seedling growth periods, which can seriously affect the development of the maize industry. In this study, we applied exogenous melatonin (MT) to treat maize seeds and seedlings to investigate the alleviation mechanism of salt damage in maize. Phenotypic analyses showed that 100 µmol/L MT alleviated the effects of salt stress on maize seed germination, and germination index and vigor index were increased compared with salt treatment. MT also alleviated the effects of salt stress on biomass and photosynthesis of maize seedlings, and at a concentration of 100 µmol/L, root and shoot lengths were increased, Gs and Tr were significantly elevated, and LWUEint and LWUEins were decreased. MT also scavenged ROS accumulation, reduced MDA, H2O2, and O2− production, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities and osmoregulatory substances in maize seedlings, but too high a concentration exacerbated oxidative and osmotic stresses. In addition, MT reduced Na+ content and increased K+ content in leaves and roots of maize seedlings. The principal components analysis explained 99.1% of the total variance in the first two axes (PC1 and PC2), and the differences between the treatment groups along the PC1 and PC2 axes were obvious. Correlation analysis elucidated the correlation between the indicators. Random forest analysis showed that different treatments had significant effects on germination percentage (GP), free proline (FP), CAT, and leaf intrinsic water use efficiency (LWUEint). Partial least squares analysis showed that photosynthetic parameters and pigment content played an important role in the salt tolerance of maize seedlings. In conclusion, the application of exogenous MT can effectively alleviate the negative effects of salt stress on the growth of maize seeds and seedlings, especially at a concentration of 100 µmol/L, which is the most effective.

Dopamine (DA) has attracted attention because of its effects on Haematococcus lacustris biomass, astaxanthin production, and physiological responses. The alga treated with 25 mu M DA combined with 1 g L -1 sodium chloride exhibited 7.63 %, 41.25 %, and 52.04 % increases in biomass (1.41 g L-1), astaxanthin content (32.37 mg/g), and astaxanthin productivity (3.51 mg L -1 d-1) respectively, compared with the salinity stress and high light. Exogenous DA treatment promoted lipid synthesis while reducing carbohydrate and protein contents. Moreover, carotenogenesis and lipogenesis-associated genes were upregulated under DA induction. Inhibition of reactive oxygen species and autophagy, along with mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, promoted astaxanthin accumulation under DA. Furthermore, DA application boosted astaxanthin biosynthesis by regulating the levels of respiratory metabolic intermediates, the gamma- aminobutyric acid shunt, and important phytohormones. These findings present a potential and successful biotechnological approach for enhancing biomass and astaxanthin production in H. lacustris under stressful conditions.

Irrigation is crucial for agricultural production. With the rise in data availability related to agriculture, we developed an irrigation decision support application, CornSoyWater (http://cornsoywater.unl.edu). The application uses real-time weather data and forecasts along with field-specific soil and crop management details to run multiple crop simulations. The outputs include current crop stage, soil water balance, and irrigation recommendations. The application visualizes the user's fields on Google Maps, indicating irrigation needs with color-coded icons. As of now, CornSoyWater operates across ten western U.S. Corn Belt states, and has been validated by field data. It has been highly promoted by Nebraska agricultural educators and has more than a thousand registered users. This crop irrigation scheduling tool enables irrigators to better utilize water resources, increase productivity, and reduce production costs across the western U.S. Corn Belt.

Amorphophallus muelleri, a naturally occurring variant of konjac, holds considerable ecological, economic, and medicinal significance due to its high konjac glucomannan (KGM) content. While the importance of seed germination as a complex physiological process is widely recognized, the regulatory network governing konjac seed germination remains largely unexplored. To better understand the fundamental molecular processes, we conducted a simultaneous examination of the transcriptome and non-targeted metabolome profiles of A. muelleri seeds at seven stages of germination, including dry seed, seed protrusion, seed germination; seedling coating outcrop, seedling cotyledons formation, seedling leaf with brown, and seedling leaf with green. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed a reprogramming of seed metabolism during germination, marked by changes in phytohormones, flavonoids, starch, and sucrose. The levels of abscisic acid (ABA) were found to decline, particularly post-germination. A CYP707A gene (DN5757_c0_g1) linked to ABA catabolism was associated with reduced ABA levels during seed germination. The upregulation of mRNAs encoding cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (C4H) correlated with an increase in p-coumaric acid levels. Full activation of photosynthesis facilitated seedling growth at the post-germination stage. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), two modules linked to plant hormone biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and flavonoid biosynthesis were identified. Significantly, further results suggest that ABA may inhibit the germination process by involving gene expression. Using an exploratory multiomics dataset, our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the germination process of A. muelleri seeds, elucidating the temporal-specific expression patterns of key candidate genes and metabolites, as well as shedding light on the role of ABA in the germination of konjac seeds.

Globally, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths. Rutecarpine (RUT), a quinazolinocarboline alkaloid that is naturally occurring and present in Chinese medicinal herbs, has been shown to have anticancer properties in several cancer cell lines. However, the specific antitumor mechanisms of RUT in NSCLC remain unclear. This study demonstrates that RUT induces apoptosis and significantly reduces the viability of NSCLC cell lines. This effect is achieved by stimulating intracellular ROS production, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. The decreased cell viability observed with RUT treatment is attributed to the elimination of ROS and apoptosis through the suppression of ROS by N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Furthermore, RUT therapy elevated the production of CXCL10 and CCL5 in NSCLC cell lines and markedly activated the STING pathway in NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, RUT substantially decreased the levels of PD-L1 protein in NSCLC cells. Notably, in vivo experiments demonstrated that RUT significantly inhibits mouse NSCLC tumor growth in mice, exhibiting anti-tumor activity by elevating CD8+ T cells. These findings strongly support RUT as a promising anti-cancer drug for NSCLC.