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Apricaphanius saourensis was described in 2006 from the Saoura River in western Algeria, and is currently listed as possibly extinct in the wild. We recently discovered an aphaniid population in a very isolated secondary wadi of the Guir River about 115 Km northwest of A. saourensis’ type locality, which we hypothesized could belong to A. saourensis based on images taken from living individuals. We report here results of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses that suggest that this Guir River population indeed represents the rediscovery in the wild of A. saourensis.

In bilaterians, particularly arthropods, body segments are often functionally differentiated along the anterior-posterior axis, resulting in lineage-specific morphologies. Although the acquisition of novel traits in body segments or appendages is considered a key driver of animal evolution, the loss or reduction of these structures has also contributed to the adaptation to new environments and emergence of novel body plans. Members of the family Caprellidae (Caprelloidea: Amphipoda: Crustacea), commonly known as skeleton shrimps, exhibit an unusual body plan characterized by highly elongated thoracic segments (pereonites) and a markedly reduced abdomen derived from the pleon (pleonites and urosomites). Caprellids also lack most appendages that are retained on the pleon in non-caprellid amphipods. Despite these distinctive features, the internal organization of organs within the reduced body segments of caprellids remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted histological observations of Caprella scaura and found that organs essential for survival and reproduction, particularly the digestive and reproductive systems, are entirely located within the pereonites. Comparative observations of a related non-caprellid amphipod Podocerus sp., revealed a similar distribution of reproductive organs in the pereonites, whereas the pleon contained only extensions of the digestive organs. These results suggest that, in the common ancestor of Caprelloidea, essential organs were already positioned within the pereonites. Furthermore, previous studies indicate that pleonal appendages became functionally reduced in caprellids in association with specialization for an epiphytic lifestyle. The anatomical organization, together with functional changes in appendages, may have facilitated the evolution of the highly degenerated body plan characteristic of caprellids.

Ershiwei Chenxiang Pill (ECP) is effective in treating cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. High-altitude hypertension (HAH) is pathophysiologically distinct from general hypertension, primarily due to chronic hypoxia-induced mechanisms such as aberrant activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway and altered vascular remodeling. The molecular mechanism of ECP against HAH remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate this mechanism using network pharmacology and molecular docking. The effective components and target proteins of ECP were screened by the TCMSP database and TCMID database. The HAH genes were retrieved from NCBI, OMIM, and GeneCards databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to screen core targets. The distribution of the target in the organ was also assessed. The GO and KEGG enrichment analysis was carried out by the DAVID6.8 database. Finally, AutoDock 4.2.6 software was used for molecular docking verification. A total of 125 active components and 308 potential targets from ECP were identified, with 57 overlapping targets with HAH. PPI analysis revealed 14 key targets. GO analysis yielded 397 biological processes, 39 cellular components, and 52 molecular functions. KEGG analysis identified 207 pathways, among which the HIF-1 signaling pathway, Fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis were highlighted as most biologically relevant to HAH. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinities between four key components (apigenin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, chrysoeriol, baicalein) and six core targets (VEGFA, PPARG, HIF1A, ESR1, MMP9, CAV1), with binding energies ranging from − 6.7 to -9.2 kcal/mol. This study systematically reveals that ECP may treat HAH through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanisms, with a core emphasis on modulating hypoxia-responsive pathways (e.g., HIF-1) and vascular function. These findings offer novel insights into the mechanistic basis of ECP in HAH treatment and provide a foundation for further experimental validation.

Highlights

Invasive plant species are often regarded as ecological pioneers because of their ability to cause substantial economic and environmental impacts when colonizing new habitats. Consequently, predictive frameworks increasingly focus on identifying traits that confer invasiveness and facilitate adaptation to novel environments. The invasion success of many species has been attributed to pronounced phenotypic and anatomical plasticity. In this study, we investigated root structural modifications in Ipomoea carnea to elucidate anatomical mechanisms underlying its invasive success along a salinity gradient ranging from non-saline to hypersaline conditions. Root samples were collected from thirty ecophysiologically distinct sites representing saline and non-saline habitats across Punjab Province and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan. Based on soil salinity of the native habitats, populations were classified into non-saline (ECe < 4 dS m⁻¹), low-saline (ECe 4–8 dS m⁻¹), and highly saline (ECe > 8 dS m⁻¹) categories. Root anatomical analyses revealed pronounced, salinity-dependent structural adjustments. Sodium (Na⁺) accumulation in roots increased markedly under hypersaline conditions (155.49 mg g^–1 in plants from the highest saline site), accompanied by significant reductions in root radius (498.3 μm), cortical thickness (187.9 μm), stelar area (0.36 mm²), and the number of metaxylem vessels (15.5 per root). Among these traits, the thinning of the cortical region emerged as a prominent adaptive feature, potentially limiting ion influx and metabolic costs under saline stress. In contrast, increased thickness of sclerenchyma in plants from Namal (78.4 μm) under non-saline habitats and epidermal tissues in plants from Buchal (32.6 μm) under high salinity suggests enhanced mechanical support and barrier functions. Collectively, these coordinated microstructural modifications likely contribute to ion homeostasis and stress tolerance, thereby facilitating the persistence and invasive success of I. carnea in highly saline environments.

Fresh leaves of Wrightia tinctoria plant is used by traditional healers in India for wound healing. Even though few research studies conducted on the wound healing property of dry leaves, no scientific proof available for fresh leaf extract of W. tinctoria. The present work aims to analyse the phytochemical components in the fresh leaves of W. tinctoria and also to investigate the wound healing potential in excision wound model. The methanolic extract of fresh leaves possess high levels of phytochemical compounds and the GC-MS analysis indicated the presence of major phytochemicals 8-prenylnaringenin, bilobalide and trans-cinnamic acid. Methanolic extract recorded superior antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities than other solvent extracts and also protected from intracellular generation of ROS in PBMC cells. Further, it induced angiogenesis in CAM model and found to be safe based on MTT assay. In vivo studies revealed that ointment prepared from methanolic extract of W. tinctoria fresh leaf healed the wound faster (100%) than betadine-treated on 13th day. Hence, methanolic extract of fresh leaves of W. tinctoria could be explored as potential candidate for the development of green and safe wound healing drug.

This study aimed to investigate the vasorelaxant potential of M. chamomilla extract and its modulatory effects on calcium ion channels.In vitro experiments assessed the extract’s impact on voltage-gated and GPCR-mediated calcium channels in aortic preparations. In vivo, the Tail Cuff method evaluated blood pressure-lowering effects in adrenaline-induced hypertensive rats. Phytochemical profiling was performed via GC-MS, and molecular docking assessed interactions of key compounds with vascular regulation targets (7VFS, 8THK, 3NOS). In vitro, 5 µg/ mL of the extract slightly increased aortic contractility (3.9 ± 3.4%), whereas 60 µg/ mL markedly reduced it (89.5 ± 3.1%). At 50 µg/ mL, it inhibited phenylephrine-induced GPCR-mediated contractions by 84.9 ± 3.8%. In vivo, 40 mg/kg of the extract lowered systolic and diastolic pressures to 150 mmHg and 110 mmHg, respectively. GC-MS identified pinocarveol, coumarin, apigenin derivatives, and dicaffeoylquinic acids. Molecular docking revealed strong affinities of apigenin-7-O-neohesperidoside and other compounds to key vascular targets. Both experimental approaches consistently demonstrated vasorelaxant activity, likely linked to polyphenol and flavonoid content. M. chamomilla extract exhibits significant vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects, mediated through modulation of calcium channels and bioactive polyphenols. These findings support its potential as a therapeutic agent for hypertension and hypoxia-related cardiovascular disorders, warranting further clinical investigation.

Plant diseases caused by diverse organisms are a constant risk to environmental sustainability and global food security. Understanding of plant immune systems is essential to control the plant diseases and increase the agricultural sustainability. Recent advances in spatial biology and single-cell technology have revolutionized the study of plant immune responses, offering a novel cell-state-specific gene regulator designate as primary immune responder (PRIMER) cells which provides a better insight of plant defense signaling mechanisms. These understandings open new possibilities for the scientists to develop advanced strategies to protect crops from diseases. This review provides an overview of emerging evidence on how PRIMER cells play as a warrior and revolutionizing plant immune responses. We also provide an insight that how PRIMER cells could be a central framework for translating single-cell plant immunity into sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural strategies. Further, several outstanding questions associated with the PRIMER cells are also discussed.

Desert plants persist by coordinating structural and metabolic responses to water scarcity and salinity. However, the specific trait combinations that enable the halophytic grass Sporobolus ioclados to dominate heterogeneous habitats of the Cholistan desert remain insufficiently resolved. We investigated habitat-linked anatomical and biochemical adjustments that explain performance across sand dunes, sandy plains, and saline flats. Mature plants were sampled from replicated sites, ions, photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes, and antioxidant metabolites were quantified using standard spectrophotometric and colorimetric protocols, and root and stem tissues were examined microscopically to assess epidermal, cortical, sclerenchymatous, vascular, and pith traits. Root area, cortex thickness, and vascular bundle diameter increased by 35–60% under saline conditions compared with dune populations, while stem area declined by nearly 28%. Sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride concentrations rose markedly in saline-site plants (Na⁺ 145.3 ± 6.2 mg g⁻¹ DW; K⁺ 92.6 ± 4.5 mg g⁻¹; Ca²⁺ 68.4 ± 3.1 mg g⁻¹; Cl⁻ 110.2 ± 5.4 mg g⁻¹), exceeding dune values by two- to threefold. Chlorophyll a and b declined by 41% and 37%, respectively, while carotenoids remained relatively stable (2.8 ± 0.3 mg g⁻¹ FW). Osmoprotectants and energy reserves increased significantly under saline stress, with proline (3.9 ± 0.2 µmol g⁻¹ FW), total free amino acids (24.7 ± 1.5 µmol g⁻¹ FW), soluble proteins (7.2 ± 0.4 mg g⁻¹ FW), and soluble sugars (15.6 ± 0.9 mg g⁻¹ FW) showing 1.5–2.5-fold elevation compared with dune populations. Phenolics (4.1 ± 0.3 mg g⁻¹ FW), flavonoids (3.6 ± 0.2 mg g⁻¹ FW), and hydrogen peroxide (2.9 ± 0.1 µmol g⁻¹ FW) also rose sharply, reflecting enhanced antioxidant activity. These integrated anatomical and biochemical adjustments enable S. ioclados to persist under extreme saline arid conditions and highlight its ecological significance and potential for the restoration of degraded rangelands.