Phytochemistry serves as a vital bridge between traditional medicinal knowledge and modern scientific research, with important implications for pharmaceutical and industrial applications. This review offers an updated and integrated perspective on Chelidonium majus (greater celandine), focusing on its isoquinoline alkaloids—the principal bioactive constituents—alongside emerging phytochemicals (e.g., lignanamides, polyphenols). Detailed biosynthetic pathways of isoquinoline alkaloids are described, tracing their formation from the shikimate pathway to multiple structural subclasses. Reported biological activities include anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and immunomodulatory effects. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer software (Scopus dataset, 2015–2025), enabling the identification of major research themes and temporal trends. These research tools supported a structured and data-driven overview of the current scientific landscape. However, additional studies are needed to optimize its therapeutic use while ensuring efficacy and safety.

Genome editing is one of the key technologies in contemporary plant biotechnology, which has been revolutionized using CRISPR/Cas systems that offer rapid, flexible, and precise options to improve agricultural characteristics, enhance stress tolerance, and accelerate breeding of crops and trees. Despite the significant benefits of CRISPR/Cas systems, their use is restricted by difficulties in genome-editing materials into plant cells. The conventional approaches include Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, particle bombardment and PEG-mediated transfection; these have contributed significantly to advancements in the field; however, dependent on specific plants and requiring tissue cultures, these methods lead to random transgene insertion and poor transformation efficiency. In addition, nanotechnology represents a novel method of delivering CRISPR cargos into plant cells using minimal invasiveness and potentially without DNA. This review provides a synopsis of the most employed CRISPR/Cas systems within plants, comparing the traditional delivery mechanisms and the various nanotechnological delivery vehicles, such as lipid nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, DNA nanostructures, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, magnetically responsive nanoparticles and green nanomaterials. This review discusses the present challenges of delivery efficacy, biocompatibility, cargo integrity, and regulatory issues, and provides suggestions for future research directions regarding nanotechnology-assisted genome editing for precision breeding, sustainable agriculture, production of crops tolerant to climate conditions, and forest biotechnology.

Cytokinin homeostasis has an indispensable role in plant developmental processes and is regulated, in part, by cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenases (CKXs), which irreversibly deactivate cytokinins. Recently developed CKX inhibitors offer a promising approach for modulating endogenous cytokinin activity and overcoming limitations in plant regeneration and micropropagation. In this study, we evaluated the effects of two diphenylurea-based CKX inhibitors, compounds 52 and 77, on the in vitro clonal propagation of two Populus alba clones, Villafranca and L-12. The compounds were applied at concentrations of 1 µM and 0.1 µM, either alone or in combination with 1 µM 2-isopentenyladenine (2iP) or 1 µM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). After 48 days, we analyzed multiplication parameters, biomass, pigment content, and biochemical parameters. For Villafranca, compound 52 at 0.1 µM yielded the highest multiplication rate (5.57), and media containing only inhibitors had a rooting percentage exceeding 80%. At 0.1 µM, the inhibitors tended to increase total chlorophyll content, but only in Villafranca. For L-12, multiplication rate was lower, showing no major differences across most formulations. L-12 exhibited a higher content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, as well as greater antioxidant capacity, but exhibited a lower rooting rate compared to Villafranca. Multiplication and rooting rate on the same medium, in the absence of exogenous cytokinins, were achieved differently in L-12 and Villafranca clones, indicating a genotype-dependent response.

The rapid expansion of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) across Eastern Europe has reshaped mesocarnivore communities, with potential influence on the dynamics of zoonotic disease. In Romania, where both Trichinella spp. and rabies remain public health concerns, updated data on wildlife reservoirs are essential. This study aims to provide an integrated assessment of Trichinella prevalence and rabies virus-neutralising antibody (RVNA) profiles in 134 wild canids (96 golden jackals and 38 red foxes, Vulpes vulpes) from northwestern Romania (August 2025–January 2026). Trichinella larvae were detected using the artificial digestion method, and infection intensity was expressed as larvae per gram. Rabies serology was performed using a commercial ELISA kit, with 0.5 IU/mL considered the protective threshold. Trichinella prevalence was significantly higher in foxes (78.9%) in comparison with jackals (60.4%), with similar larval burdens in both species. More than half of the individuals in both species exhibited RVNA titers below the protective threshold, indicating heterogeneous immunity levels in the population. No significant age- or sex-related differences in seroconversion were observed. These findings confirm intense sylvatic circulation of Trichinella spp. and highlight potential immunity gaps in wildlife rabies control. The results support the need for integrated, multi-pathogen surveillance and explicit inclusion of the golden jackal in disease monitoring and management strategies.

Apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) are widely cultivated due to their storability, adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, versatility, and affordability. In addition to these agronomic advantages, apples are a significant dietary source of nutrients and bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols, a major class of phytochemicals with several beneficial health effects. The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of peel and flesh of eighteen traditional old apple cultivars from the Banat region of Romania, evaluate their antioxidant activity, and characterize the colour parameters and individual phenolic profiles of two selected cultivars. The results showed considerable variation among cultivars, with ‘Caslere’ and ‘Măr de Jupani’ exhibiting the highest contents of bioactive compounds. Across the 18 cultivars, phenolic contents ranged from 218.17–1497.35 µg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry matter (DM) in the peel and 323.54–1111.65 µg GAE/g DM in the flesh, while flavonoid contents ranged from 1157.43–4796.05 and 1426.01–3697.16 µg rutin equivalents (RE)/g DM, respectively. Antioxidant activity ranged from 33.55–99.51% in the peel and 44.41–88.88% in the flesh, highlighting pronounced tissue-specific differences in bioactive compound distribution. Positive correlation was found between phenolic content and antioxidant activity. High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed cultivar-specific phenolic profiles, with rosmarinic acid and resveratrol among the predominant compounds, while epicatechin was particularly abundant in the peel of ‘Caslere’ cultivar. Colour analysis further demonstrated distinct differences between the two cultivars, reflecting variation in peel pigmentation and biochemical composition. These findings highlight the nutritional and functional value of traditional apple cultivars and support their conservation and valorization as valuable genetic resources and sources of health-promoting phytochemicals.