The intersection of high blood pressure and diabetes creates a particularly hazardous health landscape, where their combined effects are far greater than the sum of their parts. When these two conditions form, it causes a pathway toward heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. This review examines the global health burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and their association with hypertension and diabetes, focusing on how these conditions contribute to increased cardiovascular and renal complications. Recent groundbreaking studies have revealed that certain diabetes medications, originally designed to lower blood sugar but provide remarkable protection for the heart and kidneys themselves. CVDs contribute to a significant global health burden, with disability-adjusted life years projected to rise from 153 million in 2010 to 187 million in 2030. Hypertension and diabetes, affecting 31.1

This study was designed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Taverniera nummularia leaf extract through a green synthesis approach and to evaluate their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous extracts of Taverniera nummularia leaves as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles was carried out using UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. The UV–visible spectrum showed a characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at 407 nm, confirming the formation of AgNPs. FTIR analysis revealed hydroxyl functional groups from plant biomolecules responsible for the reduction of silver ions. SEM analysis confirmed spherical nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 120–200 nm. XRD patterns demonstrated the crystalline structure of the synthesized nanoparticles. The green synthesized AgNPs exhibited antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial species. Additionally, significant free radical scavenging activity was observed in DPPH, ABTS, and hydrogen peroxide assays, indicating notable antioxidant potential. Taverniera nummularia leaf extract is an effective reducing and stabilizing agent for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The synthesized AgNPs demonstrate promising antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and may have potential applications in biomedical research, particularly in the development of nano-drug delivery systems and other clinical applications.

Erythromycin, a widely used macrolide antibiotic, frequently enters agricultural soils through organic amendments (e.g., manure, sludge) and wastewater irrigation. However, the influence of agricultural management practices on the fate of such antibiotics in soil is poorly understood. In this study, we employed 14C-erythromycin to explore its transformation and fate under different agricultural management practices, including chicken manure amendment, activated sludge amendment (surface or mixing applications), and flooding. Erythromycin was rapidly mineralized in the unamended soil (t1/2 = 7.5 days, 91.8% at 120 days). However, the addition of chicken manure or flooding significantly inhibited the mineralization (47.3 and 69.0% at 120 days, respectively), promoted bound residue formation, and extended its half-life to 23.7-36.8 days. In contrast, activated sludge amendment enhanced erythromycin transformation with mixing applications (t1/2 = 7.2 days), while the surface application had limited effect (t1/2 = 8.0 days). High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that these practices significantly altered soil microbial communities, and in particular, fluctuations in the abundances of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria may have influenced erythromycin transformation. These findings underscore the urgent need to understand the environmental fate and risks of antibiotics under different agricultural practices and identify management practices that can effectively reduce antibiotic persistence and protect environmental health.

Quinoline is a nitrogen-containing heterocycle compound widely used in the medical industry for its pharmacological properties, such as its antimalarial, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. Beyond its medical significance, quinoline shows promising applications in agriculture as a safe and effective pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer. This review explores the evolution of quinoline research, beginning with its history and synthesis and transitioning to its biological activities and their relevance in agriculture. It then highlights the potential applications of quinoline in modern agriculture, such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, for increasing crop yields and resilience while reducing crop waste. Moreover, it discusses formulation strategies that can enhance the efficacy of quinoline. Finally, the review addresses potential challenges, such as toxicity and environmental impact, underscoring the need for further research to harness quinoline’s full potential in sustainable agriculture.

The use of neonicotinoids in agricultural seed treatments faces increased scrutiny due to their adverse effects such as induced pollinator decline. Cycloxaprid is a promising alternative to traditional neonicotinoids with higher efficiency and improved safety profiles. This study systematically investigated the uptake, translocation, and metabolism of cycloxaprid in rice, maize, and water spinach after seed treatment, using 14C isotope tracing and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Results indicated that less than 11% of cycloxaprid was absorbed by the seedlings, with over 85% released into soils. Cycloxaprid predominantly accumulated in the roots and lower leaves, with minimal translocation to upper leaves or edible parts. Subcellular analysis revealed that cycloxaprid and its metabolites predominantly bonded with internal plant matrix molecules, limiting their transport within the plants. Additionally, seven metabolites of cycloxaprid were identified, and a preliminary metabolic pathway in plants was proposed. Compared to conventional neonicotinoids, cycloxaprid displayed lower potential for plant uptake and vertical translocation, thereby reducing risks to nontarget species like pollinators. These findings provide important theoretical support for the promotion of cycloxaprid as a safe seed treatment agent and offer new perspectives for the sustainable use and risk management of neonicotinoid pesticides.

Ionizing radiation presents an important solution for virus inactivation. However, its efficacy for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) inactivation and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study demonstrates radiosensitivity and radiation-induced biological changes in SARS-CoV-2 using 20 wild-type and mutant strains. The results show that 1.2 kGy of electron beam (E-beam) or 0.9 kGy of X-ray irradiation can eliminate 99.99% of SARS-CoV-2 particles. The Delta and various Omicron variants exhibit heightened sensitivity to radiation compared to the wild-type, showing nearly 99.99% inactivation efficiency at 1.0 and 0.8 kGy. The relationship between irradiation dose and the logarithmic reduction in virus load adheres to a dose-response model, characterized by extremely narrow windows. Spike (S) protein disruption, rather than the commonly accepted nucleic acid cleavage, is identified as the primary inactivation mechanism (triggering a conformation transition of S protein from pre-fusion to post-fusion with minimal impact on nucleic acid integrity). This study introduces the concept of targeting critical proteins in coronavirus inactivation, offering valuable insight for infectious coronavirus disease control and vaccine development. (c) 2025 THE AUTHORS. Published by Elsevier LTD on behalf of Chinese Academy of Engineering and Higher Education Press Limited Company. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Lodging is the bending, collapse of stems or the uprooting of plants typically triggered by external forces like rain, irrigation, wind or dense canopy structures. It is a common physiological disorder affecting a variety of cereal and oil crops, such as maize, rice, wheat and rapeseed. Lodging reduces photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient transport and hampers mechanical harvesting resulting in substantial yield and economic loss. Therefore, enhancing lodging resistance has become a key strategy for improving yield and sustainable agriculture in rapeseed. This review analyzes the factors causing lodging in rapeseed, including root and stem lodging, and discussed key traits such as stem diameter, plant height, and internode length influencing resistance. The biochemical and physiological basis of lodging resistance is also explored, with a focus on lignin composition in stem cell walls. Furthermore the genetic basis is discussed, including quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and genes associated with stem strength. The review also considers how mapping these QTLs and identifying candidate genes can be applied to improve lodging resistance in rapeseed. In conclusion, this review underscores the critical role of lodging resistance in Brassica napus (B. napus) and provides a detailed mechanism of its physiological and mechanical basis. Lodging is a multifactorial challenge influenced by plant traits and mechanical stress, but it can be mitigated through integrated genetic and agronomic approaches. Graphical abstract shows the factors and benefits influencing crop lodging, Highlighting key elements like genetic factors and agronomic practices. It showcases benefits such as improved crop yield and enhanced grain quality, crucial for effective lodging management.

Population growth, climate change, and overuse of chemicals are straining agriculture and reducing global crop yields. Light is a vital source for photosynthesis in which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Light-emitting Diodes (LEDs) are a type of lighting technology recognized for their energy-efficient features and ability to emit steady photons over an extended period. Here we discuss, the phosphor-converted LEDs that have emerged as a promising lighting solutions for indoor agriculture due to their spectral tunability and energy efficiency. In this review, we explore at the use of pc-LEDs in indoor crop production, investigating the impacts on plant growth and development. It also explains how phosphor conversion works, why specific light wavelengths matter for photosynthesis and plant structure, and how tailoring LED light spectra can support plants at different stages of growth. This review also explores the economic and environmental benefits of implementing phosphor-converted LEDs in indoor farming, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize sustainable food production systems. We hope this mini-review will provide a useful mechanistic framework for future analysis and open new avenues in agricultural research. The Graphical Abstract explores the optimization of plant growth, potentially by comparing LED light intensities for indoor farming, and analyzing genes linked to desired traits. The figure is designed with Biorender.

Exogenous substances and cellular metabolism both produce free radicals in cells. The produced free radicals react with cell biomolecules, including DNA. The ensuing destruction of DNA, also known as oxidative DNA damage, which is connected to aging, carcinogenesis, and mutagenesis. The Aristida adscensionis plays an essential role in the modulation of free radicals. We examined the antioxidant therapy of individual or combined forms of the Aristida adscensionis and Rumex hypogaeus plant extracts. We noticed that Aristida adscensionis showed scavenging activity at various concentrations i.e. 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 ?g/ml was 42%, 50%, 62%, 69% and 75% respectively. The scavenging activity of Rumex hypogaeus at various concentrations was 43%, 52%, 58%, 66% and 75% against the standard of ascorbic acid. We noticed that the combined mixture of both plant extracts elucidated a significant antioxidant potential at different concentrations of 100 ?g/ml, 500 ?g/ml, and 1000 ?g/ml which were 58%, 70%, 74%, 81% and 86 %. Our research study demonstrates that combinaion of both plants' extract mixtures had a more substantial antioxidant capacity than each extract individually. This property of these plants can be used for cancer treatment, however further robust data is required.

DNA binding proteins with one finger (Dof) transcription factors are essential for seed development and defence against various biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Genomic analysis of Dof has not been determined yet in pitaya (Selenicereus undatus). In this study, we have identified 26 Dof gene family members, renamed as HuDof-1 to HuDof-26, and clustered them into seven subfamilies based on conserved motifs, domains, and phylogenetic analysis. The gene pairs of Dof family members were duplicated by segmental duplications that faced purifying selection, as indicated by the Ka/Ks ratio values. Promoter regions of HuDof genes contain many cis-acting elements related to phytohormones including abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, gibberellin, temperature, and light. We exposed pitaya plants to different environmental stresses and examined melatonin’s influence on Dof gene expression levels. Signifcant expression of HuDof-2 and HuDof-6 were observed in different developmental stages of flower buds, flowers, pericarp, and pulp. Pitaya plants were subjected to abiotic stresses, and transcriptome analysis was carried out to identify the role of Dof gene family members. RNA-sequencing data and reverse transcription quantitative PCR-based expression analysis revealed three putative candidate genes (HuDof-1, HuDof-2, and HuDof-8), which might have diverse roles against the abiotic stresses. Our study provides a theoretical foundation for functional analysis through traditional and modern biotechnological tools for pitaya trait improvement.

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) genome-editing technique has revolutionized our understanding of plant genomes. Over a decade ago, scientists began using CRISPR/Cas to rapidly breed plant species, model and non-model crops, and modify plant genomes to study specific genes and metabolic pathways. While the CRISPR/Cas system holds immense potential for genome editing, numerous obstacles may prevent it from fully realizing this potential. This paper reviews the history and current state of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing technology in rapeseed. Our discussion focuses on the advancements CRISPR/Cas9 has made in enhancing plant characteristics such as yield traits, quality, and disease resistance. To provide comprehensive insights for research focused on gene function studies or genetic improvement through genome editing technology, we review the latest progress in plant applications using emerging precise genome editing technologies and discuss the limitations, including technological hurdles. We also explore CRISPR/Cas applications in oilseed rape to achieve improved results within this framework. This review covers genes controlling abiotic stresses in rapeseed at various developmental stages and examines related literature on CRISPR/Cas technology applications. While much remains to be discovered, the existing background information will guide future investigations into genetic enhancement using CRISPR, beyond what is discussed here. We believe this literature will inspire deep interest and create new opportunities for scientists working on rapeseed improvement.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (COVID-19) has put millions of people at risk in an increasing number of countries, suggesting a serious threat to global public health. The first identification in late 2019, the strain has undergone several changes that have resulted in several genetically different variations that are cause for concern. By comprising the Delta, Gamma, Beta, and Alpha variations, each of which has shown evidence of increased virulence, transmissibility, or capacity for immune evasion as compared to ancestral strains. Their advancement over ancestral strains in transmission was discovered by genomic surveillance, highlighting the vital necessity for monitoring the evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Remdesivir and other treatments showed promising results in reducing the duration of the disease; however, the development of antivirals to prevent the emergence of new variations is still an important goal. The vaccine also provides hope, although its effectiveness against new genotypes needs to be evaluated. Pakistan is also facing the implications of COVID-19. The months-long closing of colleges and universities affected education as well. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, creating efficient antiviral therapies and guaranteeing vaccination accessibility continue to be critical concerns.

Pinus roxburghii (P. roxburghii) is an important ecological and industrial conifer of the Himalayas. Plant boom is incredibly impacted by way of environmental stresses, in particular high ranges of nitrogen (N) and ozone (O3). This work aims to explore how these factors affect the total protein content and chlorophyll levels of P. roxburghii. Three consortiums were inoculated with two-year-old P. roxburghii seedlings. The stresses of 100 kg N h−1 and 100 ppb O3 were applied for 1 month to study their effect on chlorophyll level and total protein content. To evaluate their potential mitigating effects, the fungal consortium presented promising outcomes for the chosen plant species. The elevated metabolic activities and photosynthesis rate were determined by improved total protein content and high chlorophyll level (p

Context Heat shock proteins play a vital role in cellular homeostasis by protecting proteins against various environmental stresses, which facilitates the survival of plants under unfavourable conditions. Aims We aimed to provide the first comprehensive genomic and expression analysis of the HSP70 gene family in betel palm (Areca catechu) to elucidate its role in heat stress response. Methods Genomic analysis revealed 34 putative HSP70 genes distributed across 13 chromosomes. These were renamed AcatHSP70 and classified into five subfamilies (A–E) based on phylogenetic analysis. These genes are mostly localised in the chloroplast, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Gene ontology revealed that these genes are mostly involved in heat stress. The gene duplication events of HSP70 genes involved only segmental duplications. We subjected betel palm seedlings (2 years old) to heat stress under controlled conditions for 30 days at high, low, and room temperatures for expression analyses of HSP70 genes. Key results Expression analysis revealed eight putative candidate genes (AcatHSP70-3, AcatHSP70-13, AcatHSP70-22, AcatHSP70-19, AcatHSP70-21, AcatHSP70-24, AcatHSP70-25, and AcatHSP70-26) that showed significantly higher expression under high-temperature stress. AcatHSP70-5 showed higher expression under low-temperature treatment, and AcatHSP70-16 was responsive at room temperature treatment. Conclusion We conclude that the majority of AcatHSP70 genes play a crucial role under thermal stress conditions, and respond to high-temperature stress as shown by the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Implications This comprehensive characterisation of the HSP70 gene family provides novel insights into the thermal protection mechanisms of betel palms in changing climates.

Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), a key alternative to deca-BDE (BDE-209), has been ubiquitous in the receiving ecosystem. However, little is known about its uptake process and fate in plants. Here, the plant absorption, distribution, and metabolism of 14C-DBDPE under two distinct exposure pathways (i.e., soil-root and airborne dust-leaf) were investigated with three vegetables (cherry radish, water spinach, and eggplant). DBDPE was absorbed and primarily accumulated in directly exposed roots and leaves, with translocation factors to other tissues of 0.04-0.77 and 0.73-12.80 × 10-3, respectively. DBDPE in exposed leaves was more difficult to transport as most DBDPE did not enter the interior of the leaves but was stored in waxes (>90%). Furthermore, DBDPE within leaves was found to enter mostly through waxy layer penetration (>97%). The majority of 14C-DBDPE was localized in cell walls (52.6 and 75.6%, respectively) and organelles (22.7 and 45.5%, respectively) of exposed tissues, substantially restricting its in-plant translocation. Debrominated products were detected in exposed roots, but barely found in exposed leaves, as most DBDPE was blocked by the waxy layer. Moreover, DBDPE was stable in soils and dust without degradation. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the environmental fate of DBDPE in soil-plant and airborne dust-plant systems.

The COVID-19 pandemic, sparked by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has triggered an unparalleled global health crisis with far-reaching consequences. SARS-CoV-2 primarily spreads through respiratory droplets, utilizing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors in the respiratory system for cellular entry and replication, underscoring the critical need for preventive measures. The emergence of worrisome mutations has led to the development of more transmissible variants, heightening the virus's potential impact. Diagnostic testing, including reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), antigen detection, and serology, plays a pivotal role in identifying. COVID-19 diagnostic tests include the ABBOTT ID NOW™ COVID-19 test (95% sensitivity and 100% specificity), the COBAS® SARS-CoV-2 test (98.8% sensitivity and 99% specificity), the SOFIA® 2 SARS ANTIGEN FIA test (91.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity), the XPERT® XPRESS SARS-CoV-2 test (95.4% sensitivity and 97% specificity), and the ACCULA SARS-CoV-2 test (98% sensitivity and 100% specificity). While vaccines include the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (95% efficacy), Moderna vaccine (94.10% efficacy), Johnson & Johnson vaccine (66% efficacy), Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine (76% efficacy), Sinovac vaccine (50.38% efficacy), Sinopharm vaccine (79% efficacy), Bharat Biotech (Covaxin) vaccine (81% efficacy), Sputnik V vaccine (91.60% efficacy), Novavax vaccine (96.4% efficacy), and Covovax vaccine (100% efficacy). The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the ongoing necessity for global cooperation among scientific and medical communities to understand this emerging pathogen, mitigate health impacts, and advance long-term solutions through continuous therapeutic and vaccine research.

Abstract The salt-overly sensitive ( SOS) gene is a signaling gene that helps plants to respond to high salinity stress. It is activated when cells are exposed to high levels of sodium ions, and it leads to a number of changes in gene expression that help the plant cope with high salinity stress. However, The SOS gene in Arecha palm has not been studied, despite being present in various plant species. We have identified 10 members of the AcatSOS family of genes, which are dispersed randomly over 5 chromosomes in the genome of Areca catechu. Using the phylogenetic analysis of 10 AcatSOS genes and two additional species rice and Arabidopsis—the tree is divided into 5 subfamilies: Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, Group 4 and Group 5. Each gene in the AcatSOS family was identified on its physiochemical properties. The plastid and vacuole contain most of the localization signals. Furthermore, there were numerous cis-acting areas and light-responsive elements in the promoter sequences of the AcatSOS genes. After the Areca palm genome was sequenced, segmental and tendom duplications were discovered, providing evidence of a major driving force in the evolution of the AcatSOS gene family. Areca palms share numerous genes, in terms of orthologous relationships, with other monocotyledonous plants because of their evolutionary affinity and related heritage. The development of the leaf, endocarp, and epicarp is regulated by the AcatSOS genes, according to circular heat. AcatSOS-4, AcatSOS-6 and AcatSOS-8 are highly regulated in plants. Genome-wide characterization of the SOS gene expression patterns has revealed that the expression of these genes is regulated in a complex manner. It is influenced by several factors, including the level of salinity stress, the developmental stage of the plant, and the tissue type.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding RNA molecules that have been shown to be involved in a wide range of biological processes, including cancer. miRNAs are known to regulate the expression of genes, and their dysregulation has been linked to the development of cancer. In recent years a great deal of attention is received by miRNAs due to their potential as biomarkers for cancer. Biomarkers are measurable indicators of a biological state, and they can be used to diagnose, monitor, and treat diseases. miRNAs can be detected in biological fluids such as blood and saliva. This makes them ideal candidates for early cancer detection and monitoring. We herein reviewed current methods for the isolation of circulating miRNAs. Provide the most recent update about clinical trials aiming at using miRNAs as biomarkers for cancer. Additionally, we highlighted some pitfalls that should be realized to take advantage of the massive potential of miRNAs as a cancer biomarker. However, the potential of miRNAs as cancer biomarkers is very promising but advancements in factors such as miRNA isolation methods, and the type of samples are critical to incorporate miRNA-based diagnostic and prognostic markers in modern-day treatment regimens for cancer. This review concludes that miRNAs have enormous clinical significance as cancer biomarkers and recommends carefully selecting methods for the isolation of miRNAs based on the type of sample, and the downstream applications to generate clinically relevant results.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most extensively cultivated crops around the world, and Pakistan’s weather favor production and cultivation. Despite the ease of cultivating potatoes and the nominal labor supplies, Pakistan’s output of potatoes has not yet achieved a promising level when compared to nearby nations like India and Bangladesh. The crop's low production in Pakistan is caused by several biotic and abiotic stresses that instigated several pathogenic diseases such as early blight, bacterial wilt, viral infections, nematode infestations and late blight. Late blight disease is one of the most dreaded diseases of potatoes globally. It is caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans which is highly adaptive to fungicides. Several fungicides have been in use against this disease for a long time, however, it has developed a high degree of resistant strains to these fungicides due to their unselective use over time and ultimately may cause colossal losses to the crop. In response, scientists have developed different potato varieties like Setanta, Nicola, Cara and Acoustic that are highly resistant to late blight. Similarly, cultural methods are also employed to combat late blight disease. This article provides an overview of the implications of late blight disease in potato cultivation and explores various strategies to reduce yield losses brought on by this disease via the application of synthetic fungicides.