Salinity decreases the contribution of microbial necromass to soil organic carbon pool in arid regions

Saline soils are widely distributed in arid areas but there is a lack of mechanistic understanding on the effect of salinity on the formation and biochemical composition of soil organic carbon (SOC). We investigated the effects of salinity on the accumulation of microbial necromass under natural vegetation and in cropland in salt-affected arid areas stretching over a 1200-km transect in northwest China. Under both natural vegetation and cropland, microbial physiological activity (indicated by microbial biomass carbon normalized enzymatic activity) decreased sharply where the electrical conductivity approached 4 ds m-1 (a threshold to distinguish between saline and non-saline soils), but microbial biomass was only slightly affected by salinity. These indicated that a larger proportion of microbes could be inactive or dormant in saline soils. The contribution of fungal necromass C to SOC decreased but the contribution of bacterial necromass C to the SOC increased with increasing soil salinity. Adding fungal and bacterial necromass C together, the contribution of microbial necromass C to SOC in saline soils was 32-39 % smaller compared with non-saline soils. Fungal necromass C took up 85-86 % of microbial necromass C in non-saline soils but this proportion dropped to 60-66 % in saline soils. We suggested that the activity, growth, and turnover rate of microbes slowed by salinity was responsible for the decreased accumulation of fungal necromass in saline compared with non-saline soils, while the increased accumulation of bacterial residue in saline soils could be induced mainly by its slower decomposition. Soil microbial biomass was a poor predictor for the accumulation of microbial necromass in saline soils. We demonstrated a reduced contribution of microbial necromass to SOC and a shift in its composition towards the increase in bacterial origin in saline relative to non-saline soils. We concluded that salinity profoundly changes the biochemistry of SOC in arid regions.

Qiju Dihuang Pill protects the lens epithelial cells via alleviating cuproptosis in diabetic cataract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Qiju Dihuang Pill (QDP) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription for the treatment of eye diseases. Novel literature reports that copper-induced cell death, called as cuproptosis, is a copper-dependent and differs distinctly from other types of cell death.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aims to investigate whether QDP could protect lens epithelial cells via alleviating copper-induced death in diabetic cataract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The different concentration of QDP medicated serum was administrated on high glucose (HG)-induced human lens epithelial cells (HLECs). The copper concentration was tested using Elabscience Copper Assay kit. The proliferation was detected using CCK-8 and EdU assays. The molecular binding was identified using RIP-PCR and luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

Results indicated that HG culture condition triggered the copper concentration and repressed the proliferation of HLECs. Then, the elesclomol-Cu (Es-Cu) administration up-regulated the copper concentration and inhibited the proliferation, and cuproptosis inhibitor tetrathiomolybdate (TTM) could specifically reverse the consequence. QDP treatment reduced the copper concentration and cuproptosis-related genes (SLC31A1, FDX1). MeRIP-Seq and RIP-PCR confirmed that QDP reduced the stability of SLC31A1 mRNA through m6A modified site, and copper actually synergized the molecular binding efficiency. Rescue assay verified the role of QDP and SLC31A1 on HLECs' cuproptosis characteristic.

CONCLUSION

This research identified the protective role of QDP on HG-induced HLECs in DC through decreasing m6A/SLC31A1-mediated cuproptosis in DC. This finding provides novel insights into mechanisms for QDP and sheds light on the multifaceted role of traditional prescription on DC.

Tumour-associated neutrophils: Potential therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer immunotherapy

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly malignant tumour of the digestive system with poor therapeutic response and low survival rates. Immunotherapy has rapidly developed in recent years and has achieved significant outcomes in numerous malignant neoplasms. However, responses to immunotherapy in PC are rare, and the immunosuppressive and desmoplastic tumour microenvironment (TME) significantly hinders their efficacy in PC. Tumour-associated neutrophils (TANs) play a crucial role in the PC microenvironment and exert a profound influence on PC immunotherapy by establishing a robust stromal shelter and restraining immune cells to assist PC cells in immune escape, which may subvert the current status of PC immunotherapy. The present review aims to offer a comprehensive summary of the latest progress in understanding the involvement of TANs in PC desmoplastic and immunosuppressive functions and to emphasise the potential therapeutic implications of focusing on TANs in the immunotherapy of this deleterious disease. Finally, we provide an outlook for the future use of TANs in PC immunotherapy.

Preoperative serum CA125 level is a good prognostic predictor in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma after hepatectomy: A single-center retrospective study

Serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) is associated with the prognosis of various malignancies, including ovarian and pancreatic cancer. The relationship between preoperative serum CA125 level and the survival of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has not been fully studied. The aim of this study was to explore the prognostic value of CA125 in ICC after hepatectomy. We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological data of 178 ICC patients who underwent hepatic resection. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed to estimate the relationships of serum CA125, α-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 with the prognosis of ICC. The predictive value of CA125 for the prognosis of ICC patients was demonstrated by univariate analyses and Cox proportional hazards models. CA125 was correlated with tumor size, differentiation, capsulation, tumor node-metastasis stage, recurrence, and CEA. Univariate analysis indicated that CA125, sex, tumor number, tumor size, differentiation, surgical resection margin, tumor node metastasis stage, and CEA were risk factors for both the overall survival and the disease-free survival of ICC patients. Cox proportional hazards models showed that preoperative elevated CA125, a tumor size > 5 cm, and an R1 surgical resection margin were independent prognostic predictors of overall survival and disease-free survival. CA125 also had strong predictive value for the prognosis of different ICC subgroups, including patients without lymph node metastasis and with elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels. Preoperative elevated serum CA125 level is a noninvasive, simple, and reliable indicator of the prognosis of ICC patients after hepatectomy.

Distribution and correlation between antibiotic resistance genes and host-associated markers before and after swine fever in the longjiang watershed

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are abundantly shed in feces. Thus, it is crucial to identify their host sources so that ARG pollution can be effectively mitigated and aquatic ecosystems can be properly conserved. Here, spatiotemporal variations and sources of ARGs in the Longjiang watershed of South China were investigated by linking them with microbial source tracker (MST) indicators. The most frequently detected ARGs (>90%) were sulI, sulII, bla_TEM, tetW, ermF, and the mobile element intI1. Spatial distribution analyses showed that tributaries contributed significantly more sulI, sulII, and ermF contamination to the Longjiang watershed than the main channel. MST indicator analysis revealed that the Longjiang watershed was contaminated mainly by human fecal pollution. Livestock- and poultry-associated fecal pollution significantly declined after the swine fever outbreak. The occurrence of most ARGs is largely explained by human fecal pollution. In contrast, pig fecal pollution might account for the prevalence of tetO. Moreover, combined human-pig fecal pollution contributed to the observed bla_NDM-1 distribution in the Longjiang watershed. Subsequent analysis of the characteristics of MST markers disclosed that the relatively lower specificities of BacHum and Rum-2-Bac may lead to inaccurate results of tracking ARG pollution source. The present study determined spatiotemporal variations and ARG origins in the Longjiang watershed by combining MST markers. It also underscored the necessity of using multiple MST markers simultaneously to identify and characterize ARG pollution sources accurately.

The crystal structure of (E)-3′,6′-bis(diethylamino)-2-((5-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)spiro[isoindoline-1,9′-xanthen]-3-one, C39H45N5O3

C33H31BrN4O3, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 11.8558(12) Å, b = 12.1159(11) Å, c = 24.014(2) Å, β = 94.812(2)°, V = 3437.3(6) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt (F) = 0.0574, wRref (F 2) = 0.1725, T = 296(2) K.

Deletion in KRT75L4 linked to frizzle feather in Xiushui Yellow Chickens

Bird feathers are the product of interactions between natural and artificial selection. Feather-related traits are important for chicken selection and breeding. Frizzle feather is characterized by the abnormally development of feathers in chickens. In the current study, frizzle feather characteristics were observed in a local breed called Xiushui Yellow Chicken in Jiangxi, China. To determine the molecular mechanisms that underlie frizzle feather in Xiushui Yellow Chicken, four populations of three breeds (Xiushui Yellow Chicken with frizzle feathers, Xiushui Yellow Chicken with normal feathers, Guangfeng White-Ear Yellow Chicken, and Ningdu Yellow Chicken) were selected for whole-genome resequencing. Using a comparative genome strategy and genome-wide association study, a missense mutation (g.5281494A>G) and a 15-bp deletion (g.5285437-5285451delGATGCCGGCAGGACG) in KRT75L4 were identified as candidate mutations associated with frizzle feather in Xiushui Yellow Chicken. Based on genotyping performed in a large Xiushui Yellow Chicken population, the g.5285437-5285451delGATGCCGGCAGGACG mutation in KRT75L4 was confirmed as the putative causative mutation of frizzle feather. These results deepen the understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for frizzle feather, as well as facilitating the molecular detection and selection of the feather phenotype in Xiushui Yellow Chickens.

Quantitative analysis methods for studying fenestrations in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. A comparative study

Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells (LSEC) line the hepatic vasculature providing blood filtration via transmembrane nanopores called fenestrations. These structures are 50-300 nm in diameter, which is below the resolution limit of a conventional light microscopy. To date, there is no standardized method of fenestration image analysis. With this study, we provide and compare three different approaches: manual measurements, a semi-automatic (threshold-based) method, and an automatic method based on user-friendly open source machine learning software. Images were obtained using three super resolution techniques - atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and structured illumination microscopy (SIM). Parameters describing fenestrations such as diameter, area, roundness, frequency, and porosity were measured. Finally, we studied the user bias by comparison of the data obtained by five different users applying provided analysis methods.

Non-microbial methane emissions from tropical rainforest soils under different conditions

Non-microbial methane (NM-CH4), emissions from soil might play a significant role in carbon cycling and global climate change. However, the production mechanisms and emission potential of soil NM-CH4 from tropical rainforest remain highly uncertain. In order to explore the laws and characteristics of NM-CH4 emission from tropical rainforest soils. Incubation experiments at different environmental conditions (temperatures, soil water contents, hydrogen peroxide) and for soils with different soil organic carbon (SOC) contents were conducted to investigate the NM-CH4 emission characteristics and its influence factors of soils (0-10cm) that collected from a tropical rainforest in Hainan, China. Incubation results illustrated that soil NM-CH4 release showed a linear increase with the incubation time in the first 24 hours at 70 °C, whereas the logarithmic curve increase was found in 192 h incubation. Soil NM-CH4 emission rates under aerobic condition were significantly higher than that of under anaerobic condition at first 24 h incubation. The increasing of temperature, suitable soil water contents (0-100%), and hydrogen peroxide significantly promoted soil NM-CH4 emission rates at the first 24 h incubation. However, excessive soil water contents (200%) inhibited soil NM-CH4 emissions. According to the curve simulated from the NM-CH4 emission rates and incubation time at 70 °C of aerobic condition, soil would no longer release NM-CH4 after 229 h incubation. The NM-CH4 emissions were positively corelated with SOC contents, and the average soil NM-CH4 emission potential was about 6.91 ug per gram organic carbon in the tropical mountain rainforest. This study revealed that soils in the tropical rainforest could produce NM-CH4 under certain environment conditions and it supported production mechanisms of thermal degradation and reactive oxygen species oxidation. Those results could provide a basic data for understanding the soil NM-CH4 production mechanisms and its potential in the tropical rainforest.

Ar plasma-assisted P-doped Ni3S2 with S vacancies for efficient electrocatalytic water splitting

Doping engineering is considered an effective way to improve the electrocatalytic water splitting performance of catalysts. In this paper, P-doped Ni₃S₂/NF was prepared by Ar plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition, where the P dopant was efficiently introduced into Ni₃S₂/NF under the assistance of Ar plasma. Meanwhile, numerous vacancies were generated due to plasma bombardment. In the doping process, the P dopants replace the S vacancies, which contributes to the strong bonding between the P dopants and Ni₃S₂. Due to the synergistic effect of the P dopants and S vacancies, the S_v-Ni₃S_2-xP_x-4 catalyst has low HER and OER overpotentials of 89 mV and 216 mV at 10 mA cm^-2, with a lower impedance value and good stability. The present work shows a facile route to introduce dopants and vacancies into catalyst materials for adding active sites, eventually improving their electrocatalytic performance.

Suspended state heteroaggregation kinetics of kaolinite and fullerene (nC60) in the presence of tannic acid: Effect of π-π interactions

The colloidal heteroassociation between natural mineral colloids and engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) can reduce the bioavailability and toxicity of the ENPs. However, the efficacy of this heteroassociation-based entrapment of ENPs depends on the intrinsic material properties of the particles and the physicochemical parameters of the aquatic environment. Natural organic matter (NOM)-induced surface modifications of clay colloids, functionalization of ENPs, and efficiency of counterions as effective coagulants profoundly affect the effectiveness of heteroaggregation-based attenuation of anthropogenic colloids. In this study, tannic acid (TA), a surrogate of NOM, prevented the edge-to-face self-association of sodium-saturated kaolinite (Na-kaolinite) at acidic pH, as evaluated from the transverse proton spin-spin relaxation data (T₂). Likewise, fullerene water suspension (FWS) adhesion to Na-kaolinite prevented the self-association of Na-kaolinite and enhanced the colloidal stability. At pH 4 and diffusion-limited aggregation regime salt concentrations, the Na-kaolinite and FWS heteroaggregation rates were lower than the Na-kaolinite homoaggregation rates, and eventually reached a plateau. The higher colloidal stability of the Na-kaolinite and FWS binary mixture than that of Na-kaolinite, regardless of stronger charge screening by Ca²⁺_, reflects steric stabilization. However, at pH 7, the increased electrostatic barrier reduces the feasibility of colloidal heteroassociation between Na-kaolinite and FWS; thus, higher salt concentrations are required to initiate aggregation. Weak adsorption of TA on Na-kaolinite at pH 7 facilitated stronger π-π interactions with FWS. All suspensions exhibited faster aggregate growth at pH 7 than pH 4, possibly due to the stronger cation response at pH 7. In situ atomic force microscopy imaging and line profile plots of Na-kaolinite, TA, and FWS mixture in CaCl₂ further corroborated the difference in the heteroaggregation rates observed at the two different pH values. Thus, TA-induced surface functionalization of FWS and the consequent increased electrostatic barrier to heteroassociation with Na-kaolinite may facilitate the environmental mobility of FWS in aquatic media.