Guillermo Antonio Silva-Martínez

Seed development influences reserve accumulation, grain quality, seed maturation, and subsequent crop performance, yet stage-associated transcriptional changes remain poorly characterized in grain amaranth. Here, we performed exploratory transcriptomic profiling of three reproductive stages of Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. Revancha: ovule (OV), immature seed (IS), and mature seed (MS). One composite RNA-seq library was generated for each stage from pooled tissues collected during three independent sampling events. The composite-sampling strategy did not provide independent biological replication or allow estimation of biological dispersion. Transcript-abundance patterns were evaluated using exploratory expression contrasts, functional annotation, Gene Ontology and KEGG analyses, and targeted expression and chromatin assays. OV was characterized by transcripts associated with structural organization and early developmental processes, whereas IS showed increased representation of metabolic and biosynthetic functions consistent with active reserve accumulation. MS displayed transcript-abundance patterns associated with stress responses, redox homeostasis, abscisic acid-associated processes, and desiccation-related protection. Selected genes related to gibberellin metabolism, reserve regulation, developmental control, and cellular protection showed stage-associated expression patterns. Across developmental-stage comparisons, 1083 genes showed higher and 2801 lower transcript representation in OV relative to IS, whereas 5692 and 4424 genes, respectively, differed between OV and MS, and 6399 and 4128 between IS and MS. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and targeted H3K4me3 ChIP-PCR provided complementary evidence for selected loci. Because each developmental stage was represented by a single composite RNA-seq library, the transcriptomic contrasts are interpreted as exploratory and hypothesis-generating rather than as statistically replicated developmental effects. Therefore, this study provides a stage-resolved transcriptomic resource for grain amaranth and prioritizes candidate genes and biological processes for future functional, physiological, and breeding-oriented studies of seed maturation and composition.

In recent years, microplastics (MPs) pollution in agricultural soils has increased markedly, largely due to the improper management of plastic mulch films used to improve crop growing conditions. In this context, the present study evaluated the use of biochar (BC) as a soil amendment for mulch-derived MPs-contaminated soils in a radish (Raphanus sativus L.) crop under greenhouse conditions. A pot experiment was established in soils contaminated with MPs (0.5% w/w) and amended with four BC rates (w/w): 0% (Control), 1% (BC1), 3% (BC3), and 5% (BC5). Soil physicochemical indicators were assessed, together with germination, leaf, and radish bulb growth parameters. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions until the radishes reached commercial maturity. Most of the soil’s physicochemical indicators, such as hydrogen potential (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), water holding capacity (WHC), total organic carbon (TOC), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), ammonium (N–NH₄⁺) and nitrates (N–NO₃⁻), showed significant differences between treatments (p < 0.05), with the exception of the carbon-nitrogen ratio (C/N), which did not vary significantly (p ≥ 0.05). No significant differences were observed among treatments (p ≥ 0.05) for germination indicators. For leaf traits, dry biomass was significantly lower in BC1 than in the other treatments (p < 0.05). For radish bulb traits, fresh weight was significantly higher in BC3 (p < 0.05) compared with the other treatments. Similarly, total plant fresh weight showed significant differences among treatments, with BC3 exhibiting the highest value (p < 0.05). Overall, the BC3 treatment provided the greatest improvement in radish development in MPs-contaminated soil. However, further research involving different types of MPs, BCs, or other crop species is needed to more comprehensively assess the impact of BC on agricultural soils contaminated with MPs.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading global cause of mortality, largely driven by atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by lipid accumulation and immune-cell infiltration in arterial walls. Macrophages play a central role by forming foam cells and secreting pro-atherogenic cytokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β, which destabilize atherosclerotic plaques, expanding the lipid core and increasing the risk of thrombosis and ischemia. Despite the significant health burden of subclinical atherosclerosis, few targeted therapies exist. Current treatments, including monoclonal antibodies, are limited by high costs and immunosuppressive side effects, underscoring the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. In this study, we employed in silico drug repositioning to identify multitarget inhibitors against TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β, leveraging a virtual screening of 2750 FDA-approved drugs followed by molecular dynamics simulations to assess the stability of selected cytokine–ligand complexes. This computational approach provides structural insights into potential inhibitors. Additionally, we highlight nutraceutical options, such as fatty acids (oleic, linoleic and eicosapentaenoic acid), which exhibited strong and stable interactions with key cytokine targets. Our study suggests that these bioactive compounds could serve as effective new therapeutic approaches for atherosclerosis.

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a crucial role in the gene regulation of processes related to the response to different types of stress in fungi. These receptors act as sensors of extracellular signals and transmit the information to the interior of the cell through G-proteins. In the presence of different and specific types of stresses, GPCRs activate signaling cascades that culminate in the activation of transcription factors, which regulate the expression of genes associated with the stress response, including those induced by changes in environmental pH. GPCR-mediated gene regulation allows fungi to adapt to adverse conditions such as osmotic, thermal, oxidative, or nutritional stress, as well as fluctuations in environmental pH. This review focuses on the understanding of how GPCRs modulate the stress response in fungi and their crucial role in advancing our knowledge of the physiology and adaptability of these microorganisms in their changing environment.

The domestication process of agaves has allowed this plant to adapt to different environmental conditions, which has led to the emergence of subspecies of the same species with altered morphological characteristics. This may lead to differences in their nutritional properties. For this reason, the aim of this study was to determine the differences in the physiochemical properties of two subspecies of Agave salmiana (crassispina and salmiana) grown in regions with different environmental characteristics. Although both regions have clay soils, some differences in cation exchange capacity (CEC) and nutrient concentration were found, which may have induced changes in leaf size in Agave during the adaptation process. Slight differences were observed in the thickness of the cuticle membrane in both agaves, but significant differences were found between the adaxial and abaxial sides. Moreover, only some macronutrients were significantly different in both agaves, so the subspecies and the development zone apparently have no influence on their composition. No significant differences were found in the color of the leaves based on the growing region of the agaves. However, the removal of the cuticle affects color perception, with significant differences observed between leaves with and without cuticles. According to the results obtained, the growing region of the Agave subspecies has a drastic effect on plant size and some nutritional traits and pigments but a lesser effect on overall coloration. The two subspecies of Agave salmiana, crassispina and salmiana, have different characteristics that enable them to adapt efficiently.

The growing demand for quality food has intensified agricultural practices, thus deteriorating soil fertility. In response, reclamation techniques such as minimum, zero, or no tillage have been applied, especially in the Bajio region of the State of Guanajuato, Mexico. However, a reliable tool to evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques remains elusive. This study evaluated the effect of zero tillage and conventional tillage by developing a Soil Quality Index (SQI) from eight agricultural soils in the Bajio region. A set of 26 physicochemical indicators was used, reducing them by means of principal component analysis (PCA). Subsequently, the SQI methodology called “unified weighted” was applied. The resulting SQI_u included key indicators such as C/N, SND, ESP, and Fe. Although significant differences in soil quality were observed among the samples tested, the SQI_u was unable to discern soil quality under the different tillage schemes. This may be attributed to the limited application time of zero tillage, which might not be sufficient to achieve significant recovery of SQI indicators. Nevertheless, the SQI_u could be useful as a monitoring tool to evaluate the progress of soil recovery under zero tillage, both in the studied area and in similar contexts at the national or international level.

Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDSs) constitute a heterogeneous group of connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility. Asymptomatic EDSs, joint hypermobility without associated syndromes, EDSs, and hypermobility spectrum disorders are the commonest phenotypes associated with joint hypermobility. Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by extreme flexibility of the joints, along with pain and other symptoms. JHS can be a sign of a more serious underlying genetic condition, such as EDS, which affects the cartilage, bone, fat, and blood. The exact cause of JHS could be related to genetic changes in the proteins that add flexibility and strength to the joints, ligaments, and tendons, such as collagen. Membrane proteins are a class of proteins embedded in the cell membrane and play a crucial role in cell signaling, transport, and adhesion. Dysregulated membrane proteins have been implicated in a variety of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders; recent studies have suggested that membrane proteins may also play a role in the pathogenesis of JHS. This article presents an exploration of the causative factors contributing to musculoskeletal pain in individuals with hypermobility, based on research findings. It aims to provide an understanding of JHS and its association with membrane proteins, addressing the clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of JHS.