Stem internode length determines height to first pod (HFP), an important trait for mechanical harvesting in legume crops. In the present study, this trait in lentil was (Lens culinaris Medik.) examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of epidermal cells in stem internodes of two parents, Flip92-36L and ILL-1552, with long and short HFP, respectively. No significant differences in cell length, but differences in cell width were seen. This indicates that HFP was determined by cell number rather than cell length. The candidate gene family for HFP, Suppressor of Overexpression of Constans 1 (SOC1), a member of the MADS-box transcription factor family, controls both flowering time (FT) and HFP traits. Six LcSOC1 genes were identified in this study, and their expression was analysed. Most of the genes studied showed constitutive expression during vegetative growth, flowering, and seed development stages. Expression of LcSOC1-a seems to be involved in the transition to flowering and FT, whereas expression of LcSOC1-b2 was strongly associated with HFP but not FT. Two haplotypes with two SNP each were identified in LcSOC1-b2 among eight sequenced lentil accessions, and an SNP-based ASQ marker was developed and used for genotyping of a lentil germplasm collection. Significant association between LcSOC1-b2 haplotypes and HFP was found in this study, indicating a primary role for this gene in internode length, potentially by regulating cell number.

Background/Objectives: Ceftriaxone (Ctx) is a third-generation cephalosporin widely used to treat infections caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. However, its clinical efficacy may be limited by rapid systemic elimination and suboptimal tissue distribution. Erythrocyte-based targeted drug delivery systems (TDDSs) have emerged as a promising approach to prolong drug circulation and enhance site-specific accumulation. This study investigated the pharmacokinetic profile and tissue distribution of ceftriaxone encapsulated in autologous erythrocytes (RBC-Ctx) compared with free ceftriaxone (Free-Ctx) following intravenous administration in rats. Methods: Ceftriaxone was encapsulated into autologous rat erythrocytes using a hypoosmotic hemolysis loading technique. Drug-loaded erythrocytes are called pharmacocytes. Adult male Wistar rats received a single intravenous injection of Free-Ctx or RBC-Ctx at an equivalent ceftriaxone dose of 340 mg/kg. Plasma samples were collected over 24 h for pharmacokinetic analysis, while the liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, heart, pancreas, and skeletal muscle were harvested at 1 and 12 h for tissue distribution studies. Ceftriaxone concentrations were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Results: Erythrocyte encapsulation significantly modified the pharmacokinetic behavior of ceftriaxone. Compared with Free-Ctx, RBC-Ctx prolonged the elimination half-life (4.4 ± 0.6 vs. 1.8 ± 0.1 h), increased systemic exposure (AUC₀–last, 1.6 ± 0.1 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2 mg·h/mL), reduced total body clearance (218.2 ± 11.0 vs. 294.0 ± 48.8 mL/h/kg), and increased the apparent volume of distribution at steady state (688.3 ± 61.0 vs. 435.0 ± 23.1 mL/kg). In addition, RBC-Ctx was associated with a distinct relative tissue-distribution pattern of ceftriaxone, particularly in reticuloendothelial system-rich organs such as the liver and spleen, while ceftriaxone remained detectable in several tissues at 12 h after administration. In contrast, ceftriaxone concentrations following Free-Ctx declined markedly or became undetectable over the same period. Conclusions: Encapsulation of ceftriaxone into autologous erythrocytes substantially prolonged systemic circulation, enhanced drug exposure, reduced clearance, and altered the relative tissue distribution of ceftriaxone. These findings demonstrate that erythrocyte-based carriers effectively modulate ceftriaxone pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution, supporting their potential as a targeted antibiotic delivery platform for improving antimicrobial therapy, particularly for infections involving reticuloendothelial system-associated tissues. Further studies in experimental models of infection and inflammation are warranted to evaluate therapeutic efficacy under pathological conditions and to optimize this delivery strategy.

Accessions of Russian wildrye, Psathyrostachys juncea, an important pasture fodder crop, were arranged in group A with high silicon content in leaves and group B with low silicon content. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses revealed low Si accumulation in roots but higher deposition in leaves of plants from group A, whereas, in contrast, plants from group B showed significantly higher Si content in roots but lower in leaves. Three identified PjLsi genes encoding influx and efflux of silicon were differentially expressed, with higher levels in plants from group A, including PjLsi1 and PjLsi3 in leaves, and PjLsi2 in roots, compared to those from group B. A working model was proposed based on differences in microscopy and gene expression analyses. Sanger sequencing revealed one SNP in the conservative gene PjLsi1, and 14 and 29 SNPs in the more polymorphic DNA sequences of PjLsi2 and PjLsi3, respectively. Allele-specific qPCR (ASQ) markers were developed based on optimally identified SNPs and successfully used for genotyping of all three PjLsi genes in a germplasm collection comprising 72 P. juncea accessions. Highly significant differences were found between groups of genotypes in all three PjLsi genes using ASQ markers with corresponding Si content in the studied accessions, including those from groups A and B. The developed ASQ markers can be tested as candidates in marker-assisted selection for genotyping of hybrid breeding lines and for identification of the best P. juncea genotypes with minimal Si content in leaves of pasture fodder crop.

Background/Objectives: Diabetic foot ulcers are characterized by persistent inflammation, impaired angiogenesis, and delayed tissue regeneration. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an important regulator of wound repair; however, its therapeutic application may be limited by rapid degradation and poor retention within the wound environment. This study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of local administration of EGF and ceftriaxone using autologous red blood cell-derived carriers (RBCDCs) in an experimental model of diabetic wound healing in rats. Methods: Experiments were conducted on 30 albino Wistar rats (250 ± 20 g) with experimentally induced diabetic wounds. In the RBCDC treatment groups, separately prepared drug-loaded RBCDC formulations containing EGF or ceftriaxone were locally administered into the wound. The corresponding comparison groups received the same active agents in free form according to an identical treatment schedule, while an additional control group received topical Levomekol. Results: RBCDC-mediated administration of EGF and ceftriaxone significantly accelerated wound closure and was associated with earlier resolution of inflammation, granulation tissue maturation, re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis compared with the corresponding free-drug formulations. On day 9, tissue EGF concentration was higher in the RBCDC (EGF + Ctx) group than in the corresponding free-drug group. Additional formulation characterization demonstrated ceftriaxone encapsulation and in vitro release from RBCDCs, as well as in vitro EGF release from EGF-loaded RBCDCs. Conclusions: Autologous RBCDCs represent a promising local drug-carrier platform for the administration of regenerative and antimicrobial agents in experimental diabetic wounds. Further studies are required to establish local pharmacokinetics, systemic exposure, carrier stability, and the mechanisms responsible for the observed therapeutic effects.