Plant stress could be defined as any unfavorable condition or substance that can affect or block the metabolism, growth or development of a plant. The response of the plant may vary depending on the frequency and intensity of the stressor, as well as the developmental stage of the plant. Plants, throughout their life cycle, are exposed to a large number of conditions or stressors. Abiotic stress is stress caused by non-living agents. Depending on the nature of the causal agent, it can be divided into physical and chemical. Physical (actually, physical-chemical) stresses include water deficits, salinity (in its osmotic component), temperature extremes (heat, cold, freezing), excessive or insufficient irradiation, anaerobiosis caused by waterlogging or flooding, mechanical stress caused by wind or excessive soil compaction and stress induced by wounds or injuries. Chemical stress is caused by salinity (in its ionic or toxic component), by the lack of mineral elements and by environmental pollutants such as sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), chlorofluorocarbon compounds (CFCs), ozone (O3) and metals. The abiotic stresses that most negatively affect growth and production are probably drought, salt stress and temperature stress (high and low temperatures), all of which are associated with climate change.

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In this reprint, state-of-the-art research and review articles on emerging material systems for additive manufacturing (AM) are collected, with a focus on the process–structure–properties relationships. Additive manufacturing (AM) has grown and evolved rapidly in recent years. There are many exciting research and translational works in many areas of application, such as biomedical, aerospace and electronics. These advancements are typically coupled with materials development, which has resulted in more functionalities added to 3D-printed parts, such as multi-material fabrications and integration with machine learning or digital twins. Such enhancements in functionalities have enabled the evolution of AM from a rapid prototyping tool to an actual manufacturing solution. In this reprint, two reviews and thirteen original research articles are included to highlight the latest development in the field of materials science for AM.

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Light is an essential factor for the growth and quality of horticultural plants and its effects depend upon parameters such as duration, intensity and quality. It is an energy source for photosynthesis as well as a signal triggering plant photomorphogenesis and physiological, biochemical and molecular responses. However, solar light strongly differs between winter and summer conditions, with excess light in open field cultivations imposing severe stress on plants, especially during summer months, while supplementary light sources are implemented in greenhouse crop production to complement natural light when it is insufficient. On the other hand, artificial lighting is used as the sole lighting source in plant factories and nurseries (i.e., healing chambers, plant tissue culture). In order to enhance sustainability and profitability, light must be studied and efficiently applied within horticultural crop production. Novel technologies such as light-emitting diodes, new transparent greenhouse covering materials, photoselective nettings, growth chambers and plant factories showcase the critical role of light interacting with plants from the level of seed germination to growth rate, product quality and postharvest storage. This Special Issue focuses on recent findings in horticultural crops with regard to light characteristics (i.e., quality, quantity etc.) presented as research papers, short communications and review articles.

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In recent years, researchers have shown a special interest in natural products as alternative methods for the prevention, treatment, and/or management of various skin illnesses and disorders, primarily due to their natural availability, efficacity, reduced cost, and minimal toxicity. In a similar vein, synthetic bioactives, as well as small molecules, have been studied in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical studies as potential drugs or supplements. This Special Issue of Nutrients comprises an array of literature reviews, original communications, and studies on the roles of natural products, synthetic bioactives, and small molecules in a variety of skin disorders and diseases, such as aging, atopic dermatitis, cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, melanoma, allergies, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, and more, which were investigated through in vitro and ex vivo approaches, preclinical trials, cell-based assays, and animal models. The mechanisms of action of certain compounds are proposed, while others are currently under investigation. The authors of the papers also explore technologies designed to improve the bioavailability and delivery of certain compounds. In lieu of ongoing research on a variety of skin disorders, the wealth of information published in this Special Issue can act as a springboard for the development of new preventive and therapeutic modalities for the management of skin diseases.

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This Reprint, entitled “Recent Researches in Polymer and Plastic Processing”, presents a curated selection of ten scientific articles from the journal Materials, offering a comprehensive overview of current trends and innovations in polymer science. Under the guiding theme of Polymers Reimagined—From Surface Engineering to Sustainable Recycling, this publication explores the following: Plasma-based surface treatments to enhance coating adhesion; The inkjet printability of biodegradable starch-based films; The impact of infill density reduction on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed PLA structures within a circular economy framework; The optimization of injection molding parameters using BP neural networks and NSGA-II algorithms; The strengthening of SGFRP-BMC composites through fiber shortening and electron beam irradiation; The use of asphalt as a low-cost plasticizer in polyacrylonitrile-based synthetic fiber production; The development of hydrogels incorporating plant-based ashes for internal curing in cementitious materials; UV-assisted degradation of PET using nonmetallic dibasic ionic liquids; Advanced recycling techniques for recovering EVA, PVDF, and PET from end-of-life photovoltaic modules. This volume is an essential resource for researchers, engineers, and students interested in advanced polymer processing, sustainable materials, and industrial applications. It highlights the transformative potential of polymers in shaping a more efficient and environmentally responsible future.

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Our common knowledge on oxidative stress has evolved substantially over the years and has been mostly focused on the fundamental chemical reactions and the most relevant chemical species involved in the human pathophysiology of oxidative stress-associated diseases. Thus, reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) were identified as the key players initiating, mediating, and regulating the cellular and biochemical complexity of oxidative stress either as physiological (acting pro-hormetic) or as pathogenic (causing destructive vicious circle) process. The papers published in this particular Special Issue of the Cells demonstrate the impressive pathophysiological relevance of ROS and RNS in a range of contexts, including the relevance of second messengers of free radicals like 4-hydroxynonenal, allowing us to assume that even more detailed mechanisms of their positive and negative effects lie in wait, and should assist in better monitoring of the major modern diseases and the development of advanced integrative biomedicine treatments.

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In a rapidly globalizing world, it is crucial for industries to consider waste minimization and therefore adopt and implement environmentally friendly and sustainable/circular waste/water/wastewater management and treatment strategies. For this purpose, priority should be given to the reuse of the treated process stream, the recovery of beneficial nutrients, and the valorization of waste/wastewater-derived by-products to create a more eco-friendly and sustainable production model. On the other hand, due to the limiting high costs and the various process-related difficulties associated with traditional methods, there is a need to explore cost-effective, manageable, environmentally sound, and profitable treatment methods that will effectively remove/recover excess nutrients/contaminants from industrial waste streams. In this context, it is critical and urgent to deploy proper innovative and techno-sustainable water/wastewater treatment solutions from an environmental standpoint, while fulfilling the expanding industrial demands worldwide.

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Zooplankton are of key importance in the structure and functioning of aquatic food webs. They contribute to a large part of the functional and structural biodiversity of predator and prey plankton communities. Promptly responding to long-term and seasonal changes in the physical and chemical environment, they are sensitive indicators of patterns and mechanisms of impact drivers, both natural and human induced. In this volume, we aim to present evidence for both long-term and seasonal changes in zooplankton community structure and dynamics, investigating different approaches from population dynamics to advanced molecular techniques and reconstructing past communities from subfossil remains in lake sediments.

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