The rapid rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a critical global health crisis, driven by the widespread emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) pathogens. This growing threat, coupled with the stagnation in the development of novel antibiotics, necessitates the investigation of alternative antimicrobial strategies. Plant-derived essential oils (EOs) have emerged as promising candidates due to their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, multi-targeted mechanisms, and capacity to enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotics. Recent studies have underscored the potential of EOs in disrupting biofilms, inhibiting quorum sensing, modulating efflux pumps, and reversing resistance in a variety of bacterial pathogens, including those listed as priorities by the World Health Organization. Notably, many of these effects have been demonstrated against resistant strains isolated directly from clinical samples, thereby enhancing the translational significance of EOs. In addition to their antimicrobial properties, advances in analytical, omics-based, and microfluidic technologies have further elucidated the mechanisms of EOs and may accelerate their therapeutic development. Nevertheless, challenges such as variability in composition, lack of standardized testing protocols, and limited in vivo data continue to impede clinical application. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review is to critically examine the advances over the past decade in the antibacterial activity of plant EOs against clinical isolates, with a particular focus on their efficacy against resistant bacterial pathogens and their potential role in combating AMR.

Three muscadine grape genotypes (Muscadinia rotundifolia (Michx.) Small) were evaluated for their metabolite profiling and antioxidant activities at different berry developmental stages. A total of 329 metabolites were identified using UPLC-TOF-MS analysis (Ultimate 3000LC combined with Q Exactive MS and screened with ESI-MS) in muscadine genotypes throughout different developmental stages. Untargeted metabolomics study revealed the dominant chemical groups as amino acids, organic acids, sugars, and phenolics. Principal component analysis indicated that developmental stages rather than genotypes could explain the variations among the metabolic profiles of muscadine berries. For instance, catechin, epicatechin-3-gallate, and gallic acid were more accumulated in ripening seeds (RIP-S). However, tartaric acid and malonic acid were more abundant during the fruit-set (FS) stage, and malic acid was more abundant in the veraison (V) stage. The variable importance in the projection (VIP > 0.5) in partial least-squares–discriminant analysis described 27 biomarker compounds, representing the muscadine berry metabolome profiles. A heatmap of Pearson’s correlation analysis between the 27 biomarker compounds and antioxidant activities was able to identify nine antioxidant determinants; among them, gallic acid, 4-acetamidobutanoic acid, trehalose, catechine, and epicatechin-3-gallate displayed the highest correlations with different types of antioxidant activities. For instance, DPPH and FRAP conferred a similar antioxidant activity pattern and were highly correlated with gallic acid and 4-acetamidobutanoic acid. This comprehensive study of the metabolomics and antioxidant activities of muscadine berries at different developmental stages is of great reference value for the plant, food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical sectors.

Muscadine grape is rich in stilbenes, which include resveratrol, piceid, viniferin, pterostilbene, etc. Resveratrol has been extensively studied for its biological activities; however, the synergistic effect of stilbene compounds in berry extracts is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of stilbene-rich muscadine berry extract and pure resveratrol. Stilbenes were extracted from ripened berries of muscadine grape cultivars, Pineapple, and Southern Home. HPLC analysis was performed to determine quantity of stilbenes. The extracts were tested for their cytotoxic activity against A549 (lung carcinoma cells), triple negative breast cancer (HCC-1806) and HepG2 (human liver cancer) cells. The stilbene-rich extracts of the muscadine berry extracts showed cytotoxic activity against all of the cells tested. The extracts at 1 μg/mL induced death in 50–80% of cells by 72 h of treatment. About 50 μg/mL of resveratrol was required to induce a similar response in the cells. Further, modulation of genes involved in tumor progression and suppression was significantly (p < 0.0005) higher with the HepG2 cells treated with stilbene-rich berry extracts than the pure resveratrol. This shows that the synergistic activity of stilbenes present in muscadine grape berries have more potent anti-cancer activity than the resveratrol alone.

Reduced expression of MADS-box gene AGAMOUS-LIKE11 (VviAGL11) is responsible for stenospermocarpic seedlessness in bunch grapes. This study is aimed to characterize the VviAGL11 orthologous gene (VroAGL11) in native muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia) at the molecular level and analyze its divergence from other plants. The VroAGL11 transcripts were found in all muscadine cultivars tested and highly expressed in berries while barely detectable in leaves. RT-PCR and sequencing of predicted ORFs from diverse grape species showed that AGL11 transcripts were conservatively spliced. The encoded VroAGL11 protein contains highly conserved MADS-MEF2-like domain, MADS domain, K box, putative phosphorylation site and two sumoylation motifs. The muscadine VroAGL11 proteins are almost identical (99%) to that of seeded bunch cultivar, Chardonnay, except in one amino acid (A79G), but differs from mutant protein of seedless bunch grape, Sultanina, in two amino acids, R197L and T210A. Phylogenetic analysis showed that AGL11 gene of muscadine and other Vitis species formed a separate clade than that of other eudicots and monocots. Muscadine grape cultivar “Jane Bell” containing the highest percentage of seed content in berry (7.2% of berry weight) had the highest VroAGL11 expression, but almost none to nominal expression in seedless cultivars Fry Seedless (muscadine) and Reliance Seedless (bunch). These findings suggest that VroAGL11 gene controls the seed morphogenesis in muscadine grapes like in bunch grape and can be manipulated to induce stenospermocarpic seedlessness using gene editing technology.

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), originally is from South America and currently infests over 128 million ha in the US. Its presence has caused significant social, environmental, and economic impacts. Over the decades, chemical insecticides have controlled these pest ants successfully. However, this method is costly and unsustainable because red imported fire ant re-establishes colonies quickly after chemical application. Thus, it is important to develop additional strategies for managing the red imported fire ant in the US. Solenopsis invicta virus 3 is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus specific for S. invicta that offers promise as a classical biological control agent or biopesticide for control of S. invicta. Surveys were conducted to determine the prevalence of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 in alates of S. invicta collected from 5 urban areas (Tallahassee, Pensacola, Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Panama City) and 5 adjacent rural areas (Quincy, Jay, Macclenny, Lake City, and Blountstown) of North Florida, USA, using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique. The prevalence of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 varied widely from city to city. No statistically significant differences in alate infection rate was found between urban and rural cities sampled. Areas in which no infections of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 were detected may be good candidates for the introduction of this virus as a biological control agent to help manage this pest locally.

Sleep is an essential component of a healthy lifespan, influencing both physical and mental well-being along with good quality of life. Adequate sleep quality and quantity are associated with a host of health advantages, including enhanced immune function, learning and memory, emotional well-being, and cardiovascular health. Chronic sleep deprivation, or poor sleep quality, is associated with a variety of negative health outcomes, including an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, depression, cancer, and even premature death. One compelling argument in favor of sleep as a predictor of a healthy lifespan is its effect on cellular repair and regeneration. During sleep, the body goes through important activities such as tissue repair, muscular growth, and memory consolidation. Sleep also helps the brain eliminate toxins and metabolic waste, which contributes to its optimal functioning. Without adequate sleep, these important processes are jeopardized, resulting in accelerated aging and greater susceptibility to chronic illnesses. Furthermore, sleep is essential for maintaining hormone balance, particularly those involved in appetite regulation and metabolism. Sleep disturbances can disrupt the regulation of these hormones, resulting in weight gain, metabolic diseases, and, ultimately, a shorter life span. Finally, prioritizing optimal sleep is pivotal for increasing longevity and general health. Emphasizing the importance of sleep hygiene and treating sleep-related dysfunctions should be part of the modern approach to extending healthy life.