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Breast cancer (BC) significantly contributes to cancer-related mortality in women, underscoring the criticality of early detection for optimal patient outcomes. Mammography is a key tool for identifying and diagnosing breast abnormalities; however, accurately distinguishing malignant mass lesions remains challenging. To address this issue, we propose a novel deep learning approach for BC screening utilizing mammography images. Our proposed model comprises three distinct stages: data collection from established benchmark sources, image segmentation employing an Atrous Convolution-based Attentive and Adaptive Trans-Res-UNet (ACA-ATRUNet) architecture, and BC identification via an Atrous Convolution-based Attentive and Adaptive Multi-scale DenseNet (ACA-AMDN) model. The hyperparameters within the ACA-ATRUNet and ACA-AMDN models are optimized using the Modified Mussel Length-based Eurasian Oystercatcher Optimization (MML-EOO) algorithm. The performance is evaluated using a variety of metrics, and a comparative analysis against conventional methods is presented. Our experimental results reveal that the proposed BC detection framework attains superior precision rates in early disease detection, demonstrating its potential to enhance mammography-based screening methodologies.

Heavy metal stress affects crop growth and yields as wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) growth and development are negatively affected under heavy metal stress. The study examined the effect of cobalt chloride (CoCl 2 ) stress on wheat growth and development. To alleviate this problem, a pot experiment was done to analyze the role of sulfur-rich thiourea (STU) in accelerating the defense system of wheat plants against cobalt toxicity. The experimental treatments were, i) Heavy metal stress (a) control and (b) Cobalt stress (300 µM), ii) STU foliar applications; (a) control and (b) 500 µM single dose was applied after seven days of stress, and iii) Wheat varieties (a) FSD-2008 and (b) Zincol-2016. The results revealed that cobalt stress decreased chlorophyll a by 10%, chlorophyll b by 16%, and carotenoids by 5% while foliar application of STU increased these photosynthetic pigments by 16%, 15%, and 15% respectively under stress conditions as in contrast to control. In addition, cobalt stress enhances hydrogen peroxide production by 11% and malondialdehyde (MDA) by 10%. In comparison, STU applications at 500 µM reduced the production of these reactive oxygen species by 5% and by 20% by up-regulating the activities of antioxidants. Results have revealed that the activities of SOD improved by 29%, POD by 25%, and CAT by 28% under Cobalt stress. Furthermore, the foliar application of STU significantly increased the accumulation of osmoprotectants as TSS was increased by 23% and proline was increased by 24% under cobalt stress. Among wheat varieties, FSD-2008 showed better adaptation under Cobalt stress by showing enhanced photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant activities compared to Zincol-2016. In conclusion, the foliar-applied STU can alleviate the negative impacts of Cobalt stress by improving plant physiological attributes and upregulating the antioxidant defense system in wheat. Graphical Abstract

Heavy metals (HMs) contamination, owing to their potential links to various chronic diseases, poses a global threat to agriculture, environment, and human health. Nickel (Ni) is an essential element however, at higher concentration, it is highly phytotoxic, and affects major plant functions. Beneficial roles of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and organic amendments in mitigating the adverse impacts of HM on plant growth has gained the attention of scientific community worldwide. Here, we performed a greenhouse study to investigate the effect of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA @ 10 − 5 M) and compost (1% w/w) individually and in combination in sustaining cauliflower growth and yield under Ni stress. In our results, combined application proved significantly better than individual applications in alleviating the adverse effects of Ni on cauliflower as it increased various plant attributes such as plant height (49%), root length (76%), curd height and diameter (68 and 134%), leaf area (75%), transpiration rate (36%), stomatal conductance (104%), water use efficiency (143%), flavonoid and phenolic contents (212 and 133%), soluble sugars and protein contents (202 and 199%), SPAD value (78%), chlorophyll ‘a and b’ (219 and 208%), carotenoid (335%), and NPK uptake (191, 79 and 92%) as compared to the control. Co-application of IAA and compost reduced Ni-induced electrolyte leakage (64%) and improved the antioxidant activities, including APX (55%), CAT (30%), SOD (43%), POD (55%), while reducing MDA and H 2 O 2 contents (77 and 52%) compared to the control. The combined application also reduced Ni uptake in roots, shoots, and curd by 51, 78 and 72% respectively along with an increased relative production index (78%) as compared to the control. Hence, synergistic application of IAA and compost can mitigate Ni induced adverse impacts on cauliflower growth by immobilizing it in the soil.

Background Water stress is a major danger to crop yield, hence new approaches to strengthen plant resilience must be developed. To lessen the negative effects of water stress on wheat plants, present study was arranged to investigate the role of synergistic effects of biochar, trans-zeatin riboside (t-ZR), and Azospirillum brasilense on soil improvement and enzymatic activity in water-stressed wheat. Results In a three-replication experiment comprising of four treatments (T 0 : Control, T 1 : Drought stress (DS), T 2 : DS + t-ZR with biochar, T 3 : DS +  A. brasilense with biochar), we observed notable improvements in soil quality and enzymatic activities in water-stressed wheat plants with the application of t-ZR and A. brasilense with biochar. In drought stress, Treatment having the application of A. brasilense with biochar performs best as compared to the other and significant increased the enzymatic activities such as peroxidase (7.36%), catalase (8.53%), superoxide dismutase (6.01%), polyphenol oxidase (14.14%), and amylase (16.36%) in wheat plants. Different enzymatic activities showed different trends of results. Soil organic C, dissolved organic C, dissolved organic N also enhanced 29.46%, 8.59%, 22.70% respectively with the application of A. brasilense with biochar under drought stress condition. Conclusions The synergistic action of A. brasilense and biochar creates an effective microbiological environment that supports essential plant physiological processes during drought stress. This enhancement is attributed to improved soil fertility and increased organic matter content, highlighting the potential of these novel strategies in mitigating water stress effects and enhancing crop resilience.

Heavy metals (HMs) contamination, owing to their potential links to various chronic diseases, poses a global threat to agriculture, environment, and human health. Nickel (Ni) is an essential element however, at higher concentration, it is highly phytotoxic, and affects major plant functions. Beneficial roles of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and organic amendments in mitigating the adverse impacts of HM on plant growth has gained the attention of scientific community worldwide. Here, we performed a greenhouse study to investigate the effect of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA @ 10.sup.- 5 M) and compost (1% w/w) individually and in combination in sustaining cauliflower growth and yield under Ni stress. In our results, combined application proved significantly better than individual applications in alleviating the adverse effects of Ni on cauliflower as it increased various plant attributes such as plant height (49%), root length (76%), curd height and diameter (68 and 134%), leaf area (75%), transpiration rate (36%), stomatal conductance (104%), water use efficiency (143%), flavonoid and phenolic contents (212 and 133%), soluble sugars and protein contents (202 and 199%), SPAD value (78%), chlorophyll 'a and b' (219 and 208%), carotenoid (335%), and NPK uptake (191, 79 and 92%) as compared to the control. Co-application of IAA and compost reduced Ni-induced electrolyte leakage (64%) and improved the antioxidant activities, including APX (55%), CAT (30%), SOD (43%), POD (55%), while reducing MDA and H.sub.2O.sub.2 contents (77 and 52%) compared to the control. The combined application also reduced Ni uptake in roots, shoots, and curd by 51, 78 and 72% respectively along with an increased relative production index (78%) as compared to the control. Hence, synergistic application of IAA and compost can mitigate Ni induced adverse impacts on cauliflower growth by immobilizing it in the soil.

The study seeks to contribute novel insights into the efficacy of rhizobacteria, simultaneous Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus subtilis inoculation as a means to not only mitigate the detrimental impacts of salt stress but also to potentially achieve superior results in terms of wheat biomass production. The experimental design involved a pot experiment where wheat plants were subjected to nine treatments {T 0  = Control [No seed inoculation with any bacterial strain + Non-saline soil (2.16 dS/m)], T 1  = Saline soil (6.0 dS/m), T 2  = Saline soil +  Azospirillum brasilense , T 3  = Saline soil +  Bacillus subtilis , T 4  = Saline soil +  A. brasilense  +  B. subtilis , T 5  = Highly saline (10 dS/m), T 6  = Highly saline +  Azospirillum brasilense , T 7  = Highly saline +  Bacillus subtilis , T 8  = Highly saline +  A. brasilense  +  B. subtilis }. A. brasilense and B. subtilis individually exhibited positive effects in alleviating the detrimental influence of salt stress but combined application of both rhizobacteria showed superior effectiveness, particularly in saline and highly saline environments. A. brasilense and B. subtilis were found to enhance wheat plant growth by fostering improvements in photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, and crop growth rate, particularly in stressful conditions. Both rhizobacteria were improved biomass of wheat crop and other growth parameters. This study demonstrated the potential of A. brasilense and B. subtilis as beneficial rhizobacteria for enhancing wheat biomass production in the face of salt stress. Combined application of A. brasilense and B. subtilis could be a promising strategy for improving wheat growth under saline soils.

Allelopathy involves plants releasing allelochemicals, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, and influencing their physiological and morphological characteristics. Donor plants with allelopathic capabilities dominate, which affects the survival of other plant species. The effect of Lepidium didymum stem aqueous extract (SAE) on Lens culinaris and Melilotus albus was investigated in this study. The experiment involved extracting compounds from the stems of L. didymum and applying varying concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, and 4%) of these stem extracts to test plant seeds and seedlings. Multiple parameters, including germination percentage, growth parameters, and biochemical activities, were measured and compared to those of the control group. Germination percentage, seedling growth, seedling length, fresh and dry biomass, chlorophyll, and carotenoid content decreased notably, especially at higher concentrations (4%), whereas proline content increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Scanning electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural abnormalities in the roots of treated plants compared to those in  the control. GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of  31 volatile chemicals in the methanolic stem extract. The compounds found in the major amounts are benzyl nitrile (29.19%), lauric acid (7.86%), benzene acetic acid (6.44%), 11-bromoundecanoic acid (7.36%), palmitic acid (4.85%), dodecanoic acid (4.80%), menthol, trans-1,3, cis-1,4 (3.28%), 11-bromoundecanoic acid (7.36%), and linolenic acid (8.64%). These compounds may be responsible for imparting allelopathic effects on the test species L. culinaris and M. albus . Our study revealed that the stem of L. didymum possesses a high concentration of water-soluble allelochemicals, which are thought to reduce test plant growth and can be used as potential weedicides.