This review discusses the transformative potential of integrating multi-omics data and artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing horticultural research, specifically plant phenotyping. The traditional methods of plant phenotyping, while valuable, are limited in their ability to capture the complexity of plant biology. The advent of (meta-)genomics, (meta-)transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics has provided an opportunity for a more comprehensive analysis. AI and machine learning (ML) techniques can effectively handle the complexity and volume of multi-omics data, providing meaningful interpretations and predictions. Reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of this area of research, in this review, readers will find a collection of state-of-the-art solutions that are key to the integration of multi-omics data and AI for phenotyping experiments in horticulture, including experimental design considerations with several technical and non-technical challenges, which are discussed along with potential solutions. The future prospects of this integration include precision horticulture, predictive breeding, improved disease and stress response management, sustainable crop management, and exploration of plant biodiversity. The integration of multi-omics and AI holds immense promise for revolutionizing horticultural research and applications, heralding a new era in plant phenotyping.

Physical exercise strongly affects human metabolism and causes biochemical changes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between routine plasma biomarker levels and recovery efficiency in soccer players during an entire competitive match season. The players participating in the study were divided into a midfielder/defender group (seven midfielders and seven defenders) and a goalie/substitute group (six persons—goalkeepers and players with a short cumulative match-time). The fasting capillary blood samples were taken 17–24 h after each competitive match. The blood plasma was used to determine the creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, iron and magnesium levels of the athletes. The levels of (AST) (aspartate aminotransferase), (ALT) (alanine aminotransferase) and (Cr) creatinine were higher in the midfielder/defender group than in the control group, but only AST and Cr significantly varied over time (AST decreased, and Cr increased with time). The (LDH) (lactate dehydrogenase) activity and urea level were significantly lower in the midfielder/defender group than in the goalie/substitute group, and it significantly varied over time (LDH decreased, and urea increased with time). No differences in the (CK) creatine kinase and (ALP) alkaline phosphatase activities between the groups was found, although CK increased significantly with time in the midfielder/defender group (particularly midfielders in the spring round). In midfielders, the AST activity and the iron level were significantly lower in the spring than in the autumn round. On the contrary, ALT, CK, urea and magnesium levels were significantly higher in the spring than in autumn round. A long-term measurement of biochemical parameters in elite soccer players indicated that AST, CK, LDH and creatinine levels, when analyzed together, could constitute a useful set of markers for monitoring recovery periods.

This study was aimed at examining the impact of common types of physical efforts used to determine the aerobic and anaerobic performance of the participants on the complement system in their peripheral blood. Fifty-one physically active young males aged 16 years old (range 15–21 years) were divided into two age groups (younger, 15–17 years old and older, 18–21 years old) and performed two types of intensive efforts: aerobic (endurance; 20-m shuttle run test; Beep) and anaerobic (speed; repeated speed ability test; RSA). Venous blood samples were collected before and after each exercise (5 and 60 min) to profile the complement system components, namely the levels of C2, C3, C3a, iC3b, and C4. The endurance effort caused a decrease in the post-test C3 (p < 0.001 for both age groups) and increase in post-test C3a (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 for the younger and older group, respectively), recovery iC3b (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 for younger and older group, respectively), recovery C2 (p < 0.01 for both age groups), and post-test C4 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 for the younger and older group, respectively) levels, while the speed effort caused a decrease only in the post-test C2 (p < 0.05 for younger participants) and post-test C4 levels (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 for the younger and older group, respectively) and an increase in the recovery C3a level (p < 0.05). Our study provides evidence that different types of physical effort promote different immune responses in physically active young men. Aerobic exercise induced the activation of an alternative pathway of the complement system, whilst the anaerobic effort had little influence. A better understanding of the post-exercise immune response provides a framework to prescribe physical activity to achieve different health outcomes.

The study was aimed at designing a health exercise program appealing to inactive young men, and then testing the men’s metabolic responses to the program using common diagnostic markers of general health. Six men, aged 22–29 years, took a part in training program to increase their motor performance and improve general health conditions. Body composition parameters, clinical chemistry variables (metabolites, albumin, total protein, ferritin, C reactive protein, lipid profile, ions, and selected enzymes activities) and blood morphology parameters were determined. Motor performance measured before and after a 4-month-long macrocycle indicated an increase in endurance, pace, and agility of the participants. Significant differences were found in analyzed enzymes activities. There was a significant increase in C-reactive protein levels from pre- to post-training. Additionally, changes in hematological biomarkers were seen that suggest erythropoiesis might significantly increase, specifically during the last 2-month-long mesocycles. The proposed training program induced small improvements in endurance, pace, and agility. It was also confirmed that changes in aspartate (AST) and alanine (ALT) activities emerge before any increase in creatine kinase (CK) activity that is important in monitoring of the training loads. Observed changes in red blood cell-related parameters suggest increase in erythropoiesis in the second half of the training cycle.

Increasingly popular, recreational diving is a physical activity that takes place under extreme environmental conditions, which include hyperoxia, hyperbaria and exposure to cold water. The effects of these factors on the human body induce increased levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in divers’ bodies, which may modulate damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMPs), their receptors and the antioxidant response. This study involved 21 divers who descended to a depth of 40 metres. Determinations of selected intracellular DAMPs (high-mobility group box protein 1,HMGB1, S100 calcium-binding proteins A9 and A8, S100A8 and S100A9, heat shock protein family A member 1A, HSPA1A (Hsp70), heat shock protein family B, (small) member 1, HSPB1(Hsp27), thioredoxin, TXN), their receptors (Toll-like receptor 4, TLR4 and receptors for advanced glycation end products, RAGE), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and antioxidant defence markers were performed before, after and 1 h after the dive. A significant transient reduction in HMGB1 expression was observed immediately after the dive at both the mRNA and protein levels. We noted an increase in S100A9 expression, which occurred 1 h post-dive compared to the post-dive time point, and a post-dive decrease in TLR4 expression only at the mRNA level. Diving also influenced the expression of genes encoding key enzymes associated with glutathione synthesis, (glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit, GCLC and glutathione synthetase, GSS), and reduced plasma glutathione levels. However, no significant changes were observed in the expression of NF-κB, nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) or circulating DAMP receptors (TLR4 and RAGE). The findings suggest an adaptive response to diving-induced oxidative stress, which appears to be a protective mechanism against an excessive inflammatory response. To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyse the role of intracellular DAMPs in recreational divers.

Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Szczecińskiego