Effect of infection of potato plants by Potato virus Y (PVY), Potato virus S (PVS), and Potato virus M (PVM) on content and physicochemical properties of tuber starch.

Potato virus Y (PVY), Potato virus S (PVS), and Potato virus M (PVM) infection of potato plants leads to decreased dry matter and starch content in tubers. Starch samples from potato tubers infected with PVY, PVS, and PVM had higher amylose content. Granules of starch isolated from potato tubers infected by PVS exhibit larger granules than starch granules isolated from tubers of healthy plants. In contrast, in the case of PVM and PVY infection, starch granules were significantly smaller in diameter. A decrease in the degree of crystallinity has been observed in all samples of starches obtained from the tubers of infected plants compared to starch isolated from tubers of healthy plants. A slight decrease in gelatinization temperature was noted for starch samples isolated from tubers infected by PVY and PVM, and a slight increase in gelatinization temperature for starch samples isolated from tubers infected by PVS compared to starch isolated from tubers of healthy plants. In all samples of starch obtained from tubers of infected plants, an increase in the value of gelatinization enthalpy was observed. Thus, it can be concluded that damage to potato plants by PVM and PVY leads to a significant decrease in the quality of starch in tubers. At the same time, infection by PVS had practically no considerable effect.

Regulation of Flowering Time by Improving Leaf Health Markers and Expansion by Salicylic Acid Treatment: A New Approach to Induce Flowering in Malus domestica.

In the external coincidence model, internal and external molecular signals, provided by the circadian clock and sunlight, respectively, are required to induce flowering. Salicylic acid (SA) applications during floral induction have multiple effects. In the current study, Malus × domestica plants were exposed to SA during the flower-induction stage to analyze the effect on various health markers and flowering. A total of 56 equal-sized Fuji/M9 trees that were about 7 years old were randomly divided into two groups. The first group (SA-treated) was sprayed with 4 mM SA solution, while the second group was sprayed with distilled water which served as control (CK). The SA applications increased various leaf pigments. Abiotic stress markers were increased in CK during the flower-induction stage. In the SA-treated group, non-enzymatic antioxidants increased, whereas in the control group, enzymatic antioxidants increased during the flower-induction stage. Histo-morphometric properties of leaves were significantly improved in the SA-treated group. The relative expression of the mRNA levels of MdMED80, -81, -3, and -41 were significantly increased in SA-treated leaves, leading to an early and increased flowering phenotype. Thus, SA increased leaf expansion and health-related marker levels, which lead to early induction of flowering in M. domestica. Overall, our work established a role for leaf health assessments in the regulation of flowering in M. domestica.

Chronic cement dust load induce novel damages in foliage and buds of Malus domestica.

Cement industry-derived pollutants appear to play multiple roles in stimulating abiotic stress responses in plants. Cement dust deposition on agriculture fields can affect soils, photosynthesis, transpiration and respiration of plants. Here, we characterised the acute physiological responses of Malus × domestica leaves to different cement dust concentrations. The cement dust was sprinkled over plants daily for 2 months at 10 and 20 g/plant, with 0 g/plant serving as the control. Leaf physiological responses revealed significant increases in oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity levels. Additionally, ascorbic acid, soluble sugar, free amino acid, and pigment levels decreased after exposure to cement dust. Macroscopic morphometric parameters, such as weight, dry matter content, and lengths and widths of leaves and buds, were significantly reduced in the cement-treated groups. A histological analysis of leaves and buds revealed decreased cellular areas, cellular damage, and abridged leaf thickness, while an ion leakage assay confirmed the negative effects on tissue integrity. These results provide evidence that cement dust is a hazardous pollutant that induces abiotic stress responses and has degradative effects on leaf health, pigment and biochemical metabolite levels, and anatomical features. Studies to determine the elemental residues of cement dust present in edible plant parts and the adverse impacts of their consumption on human health are strongly recommended.

Sea-Buckthorn Flavonoids Alleviate High-Fat and High-Fructose Diet-Induced Cognitive Impairment by Inhibiting Insulin Resistance and Neuroinflammation.

Sea-buckthorn flavonoids (SFs) have been used as functional food components for their bioactive potential in preventing metabolic complications caused by diet, such as obesity and inflammation. However, the protective effect of SFs on cognitive functions is not fully clear. In this study, a high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD)-induced obese mice model was treated with SFs for 14 weeks. It was found that the oral SF administration (0.06% and 0.31% w/w, mixed in diet) significantly reduced bodyweight gain and insulin resistance in the HFFD-fed mice. SFs significantly prevented HFFD-induced neuronal loss and memory impairment in behavioral tests. Additionally, SFs also suppressed the HFFD-induced synaptic dysfunction and neuronal damages by increasing the protein expressions of PSD-95. Furthermore, SF treatment activated the ERK/CREB/BDNF and IRS-1/AKT pathways and inactivated the NF-κB signaling and its downstream inflammatory mediator expressions. In conclusion, SFs are a potential nutraceutical to prevent high-energy density diet-induced cognitive impairments, which could be possibly explained by their mediating effects on insulin signaling and inflammatory responses in the brain.