Salinity poses a danger to food security; hence, it is necessary to create crop types that can withstand salt to meet the growing demand for food. The goal of the current study was to examine the morphological and biochemical responses of wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em> L.) genotypes under salt stress. Salt tolerance in ten wheat cultivars and five selected F1 hybrids was assessed at the germination and seedling stage. Genotypes were assessed for seven traits under control (0 mM NaCl) and salinity stress (150, 200, and 250 mM NaCl). According to the findings, salt stress significantly impacted every wheat genotype. However, according to the STI value at 250 mM NaCl stress, Kharchia-65 was the most tolerant cultivar among the tested ones, followed by Pasban-90 and Krl-1-4. Also, Misr-3 is a promising Egyptian cultivar with moderate susceptibility. H5 (Pasban-90 × Kharachia-65) recorded the highest STI value among the tested hybrids. SDS-PAGE showed the appearance of some new bands under salinity conditions (200 and 250 mM NaCl). Protein bands with molecular weights 37.5, 40, and 48.6 kDa appeared in salt-treated cultivars at both concentrations. The current study’s findings may aid in developing salinity-tolerant wheat varieties. Ultimately, Kharachia-65 and H5 (Pasban-90 × Kharachia-65) recorded higher tolerance to salt stress. This data can be used in wheat breeding programs for salt-affected areas.

The editors of <em>OBM Genetics</em> would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2025. We greatly appreciate the contribution of expert reviewers, which is crucial to the journal's editorial process. We aim to recognize reviewer contributions through several mechanisms, of which the annual publication of reviewer names is one. Reviewers can download a certificate of recognition directly from our submission system. Additionally, reviewers can sign up to the Web of Science Reviewer Recognition Service (formerly Publons) (<a href="https://webofscience.com/wos/">https://webofscience.com/wos/</a>) to receive recognition. Of course, in these initiatives we are careful not to compromise reviewer confidentiality. Many reviewers see their work as a voluntary and often unseen part of their role as researchers. We are grateful for the time reviewers donate to our journals and the contribution they make.

An episomal vector is a plasmid- or virus-based vector that is present extrachromosomally in cells after transfection. Although it disappears during cell proliferation, it can exist in non-dividing cells, such as neuronal and muscular cells, and continues to express a gene of interest (GOI). Such episomal vectors are usually based on sequences from DNA viruses such as bovine papillomavirus 1 and Epstein-Barr virus. When cells are transfected with an episomal vector harboring a drug-resistance gene and subsequently cultivated in a medium containing a selective drug, the transfected cells would survive and continue to express the GOI. However, cultivating these cells in the absence of a drug may result in plasmid loss and reduced GOI expression. This seamless property of an episomal vector is especially advantageous for generating specific cells, as exemplified by induced pluripotent stem cells (which have been transdifferentiated after transfection of fibroblasts with reprogramming factors) without exogenous DNA. Moreover, the episomal vector has been improved using chromosomal S/MAR (scaffold/matrix attached region) derived from the β-interferon gene with episomal retention properties. This improved vector enables long-term expression of GOI, even in the absence of a selective drug. This property will be beneficial for its application in various scientific fields, including basic research (i.e., the generation of genetically modified animals) and gene therapy. This review describes the utility and applications of episomal vector-based gene expression systems.

Low phenotypic and genotypic variability for yield-attributing traits and susceptibility to salinity stress are constraints of mungbean productivity. The objectives of the study are to phenotype a set of exotic mungbean genotypes for yield-attributing traits and salinity tolerance, as well as to conduct genetic analysis of these traits for efficient selection. Three consecutive experiments were conducted to fulfill these objectives. In the first experiment, 26 mungbean genotypes were evaluated for yield traits under a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Significant variation was found for all studied traits. Genotypes Durdona, BARI Mung-6, Binamoog-8, and BMX 1137 were high-yielding, while Binamoog-8, Binamoog-9, BMX 11140, BMX 11154, and BMX 11157 were categorized as early maturing. Traits including plant height, primary branches, pods per plant (PPP), pod length (PL), 100-seed weight (HSW), and yield per plant exhibited high heritability and genetic advance as a percentage of the mean. Yield per plant showed a significant positive correlation with PPP, PL, and HSW. In experiment II, the salinity tolerance of nine high-yielding mungbean genotypes was evaluated at the seedling stage using a completely randomized design with two treatments: control and salt stress (EC = 8 dS/m). Fourteen-day-old seedlings were subjected to salt stress for 7 days. Data on various root and shoot traits were recorded along with biochemical characteristics, including chlorophyll content, root and shoot Na<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup> ratio, lipid peroxidation, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, and proline content. These characteristics led to the identification of the genotypes Durdona and BMX 1131 as salt-tolerant at the seedling stage. The third experiment assessed the reproductive-stage salinity tolerance in pot culture under 8 dS/m salt stress using an RCBD with three replications. Saline stress was imposed after opening the first flower and continued for three weeks. Salt stress significantly reduced yield and related traits in most genotypes. BMX 1141 showed the most significant yield reduction (74.73%), whereas BMX 11111, BMX 11122, BMX 11170, BMX 1131, and Durdona exhibited lower declines. Stress tolerance indices classified Durdona as salt-tolerant at the reproductive stage. These findings underscore the potential for breeding salt-tolerant mungbean genotypes using Durdona to enhance mungbean productivity.

Ongoing global conflicts and humanitarian crises have led to unprecedented displacement, including millions of separated children, many of whom, especially infants, cannot be traced using traditional methods. This paper advocates for the establishment of a voluntary, privacy-protected global DNA database, managed by an extra-governmental entity, to facilitate family reunification. It presents a comprehensive socio-technical framework that synthesizes a novel operational model with the requisite legal and ethical safeguards for responsible implementation. The proposed model moves beyond traditional reactive methods by focusing on a proactive strategy of collecting DNA from at-risk populations prior to a crisis. The framework’s ethical architecture is built upon stringent informed consent protocols, data confidentiality and security, individual data sovereignty, trauma-informed approaches integrated with psychosocial support, and strict adherence to international human rights law and the highest data protection standards. Addressing risks such as state misuse, improper data sharing, and genetic exceptionalism is paramount to ensure the database serves purely humanitarian ends and protects vulnerable populations. The paper concludes that the system’s viability is contingent upon its independent, extra-governmental governance, which is essential for building trust and preventing misuse, ultimately offering an invaluable tool to reunite families and uphold the fundamental right to family life.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor, with poor prognosis despite advancements in understanding its biology. Melatonin, a key regulator of metabolism and cellular homeostasis, is known for its neuroprotective and anti-cancer properties. While traditionally linked to pineal gland secretion, emerging evidence suggests that glioblastoma cells can produce melatonin within their mitochondria. This study investigates whether serum shock can influence endogenous melatonin production and mitochondrial gene expression in glioblastoma cells (U87-MG). U87-MG cells were subjected to serum shock (50% horse serum for 2 hours, followed by serum-free conditions for 8 hours). Melatonin levels in cell supernatants and lysates were quantified using ELISA, while cell proliferation was assessed via BrdU staining and flow cytometry. Additionally, qRT-PCR was used to analyze the expression of key mitochondrial and circadian genes (TFAM, BMAL1, PPARGC1A, and DNM1L). Our findings reveal a significant increase in both intracellular and extracellular melatonin levels in serum-shocked cells compared to controls (p < 0.0003). Notably, TFAM, PPARGC1A, BMAL1, and DNM1L expression levels were significantly upregulated (p < 0.0002), suggesting enhanced mitochondrial activity and circadian regulation. Although serum shock slightly increased the proliferation rate of U87-MG cells, the effect was not statistically significant. These results indicate that serum shock induces metabolic adaptation in glioblastoma cells, enhancing endogenous melatonin production and mitochondrial gene expression. This study highlights the potential role of intrinsic melatonin in glioblastoma metabolism, warranting further research into its implications for tumor progression and therapeutic strategies.

Human ring chromosomes (RCs) constitute one of the rarest described inborn chromosomal rearrangements. At first, they seem to be just another subgroup of structural chromosomal aberrations like translocations, inversions, or insertions. However, RCs are more complex, as they almost always occur in conjunction with a mosaic karyotype constitution, resulting in mosaic monosomy of the affected chromosome. Most likely due to the latter effect, a genotype-phenotype correlation is still not available. To proceed with solving this problem, a new database is presented here, which summarizes all constitutional RCs– currently, ~1900 cases have been included. The RC-database (<a href="https://cs-tl.de/DB/CA/RC/0-Start.html">https://cs-tl.de/DB/CA/RC/0-Start.html</a>) has been included in the ChromosOmics database (<a href="https://cs-tl.de/DB.html">https://cs-tl.de/DB.html</a>), which already consists of a corresponding collection on small supernumerary marker chromosomes, chromosomal heteromorphisms, constitutional chromosomal breakpoints, and uniparental disomy. Like all others, the RC-database is freely accessible. As first results, the approximate frequency of RCs per chromosome can be assessed, and it can be suggested that the number of RC-carriers with no or minor clinical signs and symptoms is overall ~8%. However, the latter varies clearly according to the chromosomal origin of the RC.<strong>Keyword</strong><strong>s</strong>Mosaic; copy number variation (CNV); subtelomeric loss; infertility; ring chromosome

Oil palm is the most productive vegetable oil crop compared to other oil-bearing crops because it produces the highest oil yield per hectare. Palm oil is very versatile since it is used for producing food and beverages, personal care and cosmetics, cleaning products, biofuel, and bioenergy. To cater to the increasing demand in the global palm oil market, much research has been done to improve the oil's yield and modify its quality in addition to the oil palm height through breeding. Due to its long breeding cycle, oil palm planting materials have been improved using biotechnological approaches such as genetic engineering and genome editing. The ability to transform oil palm with high efficiency is the key to effect genome modification of the palm. The current oil palm transformation efficiency for <i>Agrobacterium</i>-mediated transformation is very low compared to other monocots such as rice, maize, and wheat. Over the last few decades, numerous studies have been conducted to enhance the transformation efficiency, providing a more reliable landscape for CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. In this review, we discussed the progress made in oil palm genetic transformation, focusing on the <i>Agrobacterium</i>-mediated transformation, and outline possible strategies to enhance transformation and regeneration efficiencies. The progress and prospect of <i>Agrobacterium</i>-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for improving oil palms agronomic traits, such as oil yield, plant height, fruit color, and resistance to resist biotic and abiotic stresses, were also discussed.

Deletion of chromosome 1p36 encompassed various genes; however, the role of the <em>CAMTA1</em> gene in the 1p36 region is less investigated. We report a child with developmental delay, a history of congenital heart abnormality, self-injurious behavior, nystagmus, and facial dysmorphism. Chromosomal microarray revealed a 257.2 kb deletion of chromosome 1p36.31, with <em>CAMTA1</em> as the only involved gene. We explore overlapping clinical features of both chromosome 1p36 deletion and <em>CAMTA1 </em>intragenic deletion, including intellectual disability/developmental delay, behavior abnormalities, hypotonia, eye problems, and movement disorder. Based on previous studies, our case showed that haploinsufficiency in the first three exons of <em>CAMTA1</em> in the CG-1 domain gave rise to movement disorders. Regular follow-up and rehabilitation are paramount to improving a patient’s quality of life. Furthermore, parental testing is warranted to determine parental origin and assist in reproductive and genetic counseling.

Harlequin ichthyosis (HI) is among the most severe hereditary skin conditions of autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) in newborns, associated with a mutation of the <em>ABCA12</em> gene. Patients have a typical clinical appearance at birth. A thick layer of armor-like scales covers the entire body. Affected newborns have abnormal facial features, such as ectropion, eclabium, and ears and nose flattening. Although HI was formerly assumed to be fatal, more intensive neonatal care and early retinoid therapy may improve the patients' survival rates. This case report aims to present a case of a 5-year-old boy born with HI who survived with isotretinoin treatment since day 5 of life. Despite advances in medical care, HI remains a challenging condition with an abnormality that lasts a lifetime and can lead to a variety of medical difficulties following birth.