Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is a highly consumed vegetable rich in carotenoids, known for their potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-protecting properties. While genetic and molecular studies have largely focused on wild and Western carrot cultivars (cvs), little is known about the evolutionary interactions between closely related Eastern and Western cvs. In this study, we conducted comparative transcriptome profiling of root tissues from Eastern (UHSBC-23-1) and Western (UHSBC-100) carrot cv. to better understand differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with storage root development and vascular cambium (VC) tissue patterning. Through reference-guided TopHat mapping, we achieved an average mapping rate of 73.87% and identified a total of 3544 DEGs (p < 0.05). Functional annotation and gene ontology classification revealed 97 functional categories, including 33 biological processes, 19 cellular components, 45 metabolic processes, and 26 KEGG pathways. Notably, Eastern cv. exhibited enrichment in cell wall, plant-pathogen interaction, and signal transduction terms, while Western cv. showed dominance in photosynthesis, metabolic process, and carbon metabolism terms. Moreover, constructed gene regulatory network (GRN) for both cvs. obtained orthologs with 1222 VC-responsive genes of Arabidopsis thaliana. In Western cv, GRN revealed VC-responsive gene clusters primarily associated with photosynthetic processes and carbon metabolism. In contrast, Eastern cv. exhibited a higher number of stress-responsive genes, and transcription factors (e.g., MYB15, WRKY46, AP2/ERF TF connected via signaling pathways with NAC036) were identified as master regulators of xylem vessel differentiation and secondary cell wall thickening. By elucidating the comparative transcriptome profiles of Eastern and Western cvs. for the first time, our study provides valuable insights into the differentially expressed genes involved in root development and VC tissue patterning. The identification of key regulatory genes and their roles in these processes represents a significant advancement in our understanding of the evolutionary relations and molecular mechanisms underlying secondary growth of carrot and regulation by vascular cambium.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide. According to the WHO, every year, there is an increase in the rate of death globally due to CVDs, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Several risk factors contribute to the development of CVDs, one of which is hypoxia, defined as a reduction in oxygen levels. This major stressor affects aerobic species and plays a crucial role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Research has uncovered the “hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) switch” and investigated the onset, progression, acute and chronic effects, and adaptations of hypoxia, particularly at high altitudes. The hypoxia signalling pathways are closely linked to natural rhythms such as the circadian rhythm and hibernation. In addition to genetic and evolutionary factors, epigenetics also plays an important role in postnatal cardiovascular responses to hypoxia. Oxidized LDL-C initiates atherosclerosis amidst oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular remodelling in CVD pathogenesis. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant biomarkers are needed to identify individuals at risk of cardiovascular events and enhance risk prediction. Among these, C-reactive protein (CRP) is a recognized marker of vascular inflammation in coronary arteries. Elevated pro-atherogenic oxidized LDL (oxLDL) expression serves as an antioxidant marker, predicting coronary heart disease in apparently healthy men. Natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory molecules protect the heart by reducing oxidative stress, enhancing vasodilation, and improving endothelial function. For instance, the flavonoid quercetin exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects primarily by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, thereby enhancing cellular antioxidant defense and reducing reactive oxygen species. Carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, exhibit potent antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals and preserving mitochondrial integrity. The alkaloid berberine mediates cardiovascular benefits through activation of AMO-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B [NF-kB] signalling, improving lipid metabolism and suppressing inflammatory cytokines. Emerging evidence highlights microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential regulators of oxidative stress via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog (SIRT1). While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, their benefits are likely to include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, notably reducing the susceptibility of low-density lipoproteins to oxidation. Additionally, the interactions between organs under hypoxia signalling underscore the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework that can support the identification of therapeutic targets, advance clinical research, and enhance treatments, including FDA-approved drugs and those in clinical trials. Promising natural products, including polysaccharides, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and peptides, as well as traditional Indian medicines, have demonstrated anti-hypoxic properties. Their mechanisms of action include increasing haemoglobin, glycogen, and ATP levels, reducing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, preserving mitochondrial function, and regulating genes related to apoptosis. These findings emphasise the importance of anti-hypoxia research for the development of effective therapies to combat this critical health problem. A recent approach to controlling CVDs involves the use of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapeutics through low-dose dietary supplementation. Despite their effectiveness at low doses, further research on ROS, antioxidants, and nutrition, supported by large multicentre trials, is needed to optimize this strategy.

Background/Objectives: Carrot is a major root vegetable in the Apiaceae owing to its abundant carotenoids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The modern dark orange western carrot was derived from sequential domestication events from the white-rooted wild form to the pale orange-, purple-, or yellow-rooted eastern carrot. Genetic and molecular studies between eastern and western carrots are meager despite their evolutionary relatedness. Methods: Twelve RNA seq libraries obtained from distinct eastern and western cultivars at vegetative and reproductive developmental stages were utilized to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to decode the key molecular genetic changes in carotenoid and flowering pathways. Results: In the carotenoid pathway, an upregulation of the PSY, CRTISO, and LCYE genes was observed in the western cultivar, while the eastern cultivar exhibited a higher abundance of downstream enzymes, particularly CCD and NCED1. These later enzymes are crucial in linking apocarotenoids and xanthin-mediated ABA signaling. In the flowering pathway, we noted a greater expression of DEGs associated with the photoperiod and vernalization pathways in the western cultivar. In contrast, the eastern cultivar displayed a dominance of genes from the autonomous pathway (FLD, LD, FLK, and PEBP) that function to repress FLC. The experimental validation of 12 key genes through quantitative real-time PCR further confirms their functional role in carrots. Conclusions: The identified key regulatory genes in these major pathways are valuable for designing breeding strategies for manipulating carotenoid content and flowering time while developing climate-specific carrots. The knowledge of carotenoid and flowering pathways is advantageous in producing nutritionally improved roots and seeds in carrots across diverse climates.

Swarna (MTU7029), an Indian mega-variety of rice, is cultivated on an estimated 8Mha of land. There is a pressing need to address yield stagnation and wider adaptability to irrigated lowland and rainfed ecologies as a result of the negative consequences of climate change and population growth. The present study was aimed at improving Swarna for two yield-related traits through marker-assisted backcross breeding strategy by introgression of OsSPL14 (panicle branching) and SCM2 (stronger culm). Foreground and background selection was carried out at each generation. Homozygous BC2F2 plants harbouring both yield-enhancing genes were identified and advanced through pedigree selection till BC2F5 and evaluated in station trials. Three promising lines possessing higher yield over recurrent parent were identified, and a single line, IET 27661 exhibited superior yield in multi-location trials of the All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Programme (AICRIP) and was found to be promising.