Based on published information, the occurrence and development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are potentially related to gut microbiota changes. Donepezil hydrochloride (DH), which enhances cholinergic activity by blocking acetylcholinesterase (AChE), is one of the first-line drugs for AD treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the USA. However, the potential link between the effects of DH on the pathophysiological processes of AD and the gut microbiota remains unclear. In this study, pathological changes in the brain and colon, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and AChE, and changes in intestinal flora were observed. The results showed that Aβ deposition in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of AD mice was significantly decreased, while colonic inflammation was significantly alleviated by DH treatment. Concomitantly, SOD activity was significantly improved, while AChE was significantly reduced after DH administration. In addition, the gut microbiota community composition of AD mice was significantly altered after DH treatment. The relative abundance of Akkermansia in the AD group was 54.8% higher than that in the N group. The relative abundance of Akkermansia was increased by 18.3% and 53.8% in the AD_G group and the N_G group, respectively. Interestingly, Akkermansia showed a potential predictive value and might be a biomarker for AD. Molecular docking revealed the binding mode and major forces between DH and membrane proteins of Akkermansia. The overall results suggest a novel therapeutic mechanism for treating AD and highlight the critical role of gut microbiota in AD pathology.

The subunit II of chloroplast ATP synthase is one of the two peripheral stalks, which associates the catalytic CF₁ with membrane-spanning CF_o. Although the structural and functional roles of chloroplast ATP synthase have been extensively examined, the physiological significance of subunit II in vivo is still unclear. In this work, we identified one Arabidopsis T-DNA insertion mutant of atpG gene encoding the subunit II of chloroplast ATP synthase. The atpg null mutant displayed an albino lethal phenotype, as it could not grow photoautotrophically. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that chloroplasts of atpg lacked the organized thylakoid membranes. Loss of subunit II affected the accumulation of CF₁-CF_o complex, however, it did not seem to have an effect on the CF₁ assembly. The light induced ATP formation of atpg was significantly reduced compared with the wild type. Based on these results, we suggested that ATPG was essential for the accumulation and function of chloroplast ATP synthase.

It is essential to review the outcome of nanomaterials on crop growth and development, as well as their underlying applications and risks in agriculture. The agricultural department need to seek a more efficient and sustainable production approach with the global population growth and increasing resource pressure. A number of results have demonstrated that nanomaterials have significant advantages in the enhancement of crop stress resistance, promoting growth and yields due to their unique physical and chemical properties. The paper summarizes the impact of nanomaterials on seed germination, vegetative, and reproductive growth by analyzing existing research. It discusses how nanomaterials improve crop adaptability by regulating the antioxidant system, enhancing photosynthesis, and optimizing nutrient absorption. In addition, the review highlights the potential risks associated with nanomaterials in soil ecosystems, food chain transmission, and human health, including possible negative impacts on soil organisms, microbial communities, and food safety. Finally, this review emphasizes the need for the enhancement of long-term ecological security assessments and the development of intelligent delivery systems in future research, which can ensure the safe and efficient application of nano-agricultural technologies.

Biochar, a carbon-rich product of biomass pyrolysis, is undergoing a paradigm shift from a conventional soil amendment to a precision regulation tool within smart agricultural systems. This review examines the evolving applications of biochar, integrating nanotechnology, sensor systems, and artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate precision management of carbon, water, and nutrient cycles. We investigate how the combination of biochar and intelligent technologies fosters closed-loop systems that enhance resource efficiency, mitigate climate change, and promote environmental sustainability. Key topics include the functional enhancement of biochar via nanosensor integration and its role in climate-smart agriculture. By synthesizing scientific evidence and case studies, we highlight biochar’s potential to tackle global agricultural challenges while underscoring the necessity for collaborative governance and technological innovation.

Several countries around the world are facing the issue of freshwater availability, where agriculture is highly dependent on irrigation, consuming 70% of this vital resource. Water availability is the most limiting factor for the crop production sector and one of the main regulators of the spatial distribution of plants. It is noted that in recent years, the methods of irrigation water application have been improved. Currently, research is directed towards irrigation strategies that reduce water applications. A partial root drying (PRD) technique involves irrigating one-half of the root zone while leaving the other half in relatively dry soil. This method is used in the production of various crops, such as potatoes and cotton. However, the mechanism of PRD, including the physiological and molecular biological processes involved, is not fully understood. In this study, tomato plants were treated with PRD and nitrogen (N) top-dressing. The results showed that PRD could significantly increase the fruit yield, photosynthetic activities, nitrate reductase activity, and fruit quality in the tomato plants, and PRD could also promote the concentrations of oxygen species (O₂⁻), malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline contents, and activities of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, PRD could enhance stress resistance by increasing disease resistance and NP1 and DRED3 antioxidant enzyme activity. Tomato plants treated with PRD compared to the control showed high photosynthetic activity, high yield, better quality of production, and low leaf blight incidence. Overall, the results indicate that PRD is a feasible approach that could be effectively utilized in tomato fields to improve plant growth and production compared with the control.