Mitochondrial stress response and myogenic differentiation

Regeneration and repair are prerequisites for maintaining effective function of skeletal muscle under high energy demands, and myogenic differentiation is one of the key steps in the regeneration and repair process. A striking feature of the process of myogenic differentiation is the alteration of mitochondria in number and function. Mitochondrial dysfunction can activate a number of transcriptional, translational and post-translational programmes and pathways to maintain cellular homeostasis under different types and degrees of stress, either through its own signaling or through constant signaling interactions with the nucleus and cytoplasm, a process known as the mitochondrial stress responses (MSRs). It is now believed that mitochondrial dysfunction is closely associated with a variety of muscle diseases caused by reduced levels of myogenic differentiation, suggesting the possibility that MSRs are involved in messaging during myogenic differentiation. Also, MSRs may be involved in myogenesis by promoting bioenergetic remodeling and assisting myoblast survival during myogenic differentiation. In this review, we will take MSRs as an entry point to explore its concrete regulatory mechanisms during myogenic differentiation, with a perspective to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment and repair of related muscle diseases.

Impact of SUSAN Denoising and ComBat Harmonization on Machine Learning Model Performance for Malignant Brain Neoplasms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Feature variability in radiomics studies due to technical and magnet strength parameters is well known and may be addressed through various pre-processing methods. However, very few studies have evaluated downstream impact of variable pre-processing on model classification performance in a multi-class setting. We sought to evaluate the impact of SUSAN denoising and ComBat harmonization on model classification performance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 493 cases (410 internal and 83 external dataset) of glioblastoma (GB), intracranial metastatic disease (IMD) and primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) underwent semi-automated 3D-segmentation post baseline image processing (BIP) consisting of resampling, realignment, co-registration, skull stripping and image normalization. Post BIP, two sets were generated, one with and another without SUSAN denoising (SD). Radiomics features were extracted from both datasets and batch corrected to produce four datasets: (a) BIP, (b) BIP with SD, (c) BIP with ComBat and (d) BIP with both SD and ComBat harmonization. Performance was then summarized for models using a combination of six feature selection techniques and six machine learning models across four mask-sequence combinations with features derived from one-three (multi-parametric) MRI sequences.

RESULTS

Most top performing models on the external test set used BIP+SD derived features. Overall, use of SD and ComBat harmonization led to a slight but generally consistent improvement in model performance on the external test set.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of image pre-processing steps such as SD and ComBat harmonization may be more useful in a multiinstitutional setting and improve model generalizability. Models derived from only T1-CE images showed comparable performance to models derived from multiparametric MRI.

Photocatalytic Reduction of Nitrobenzene to Aniline by an Intriguing {Ru(C6H6)}-Based Heteropolytungstate

In this paper, we have successfully synthesized a structurally novel heteropolytungstate via coordination of four {Ru(C6H6)} and trivacant {TeW9O33} clusters, formulated as Cs4Na2H2[Te2W20O72(H2O){(C6H6)Ru}4]·12H2O (1). Compound 1 inherited the strong absorption of [Ru(C6H6)Cl2]2 in the visible region and {TeW9O33} in the UV region, providing a good basis for photocatalysis. As expected, compound 1 showed good photocatalytic activity in the visible-light-driven reduction of nitrobenzene using N2H4·H2O as a reductant with a yield of 99.8%, a high turnover number (TON = 330), and a high turnover frequency (TOF = 24 h-1). The cyclic experiment of nitrobenzene reduction indicated that compound 1 was an effective and stable heterogeneous catalyst. Finally, the nitrobenzene reduction pathway was affirmed using condensation with azobenzene as a reaction intermediate based on control experiments.

Green Nanopesticide: pH Response and Molybdenum Selenide Carrier with Photothermal Effect to Transport Prochloraz to Inhibit Sclerotinia Disease

Accurate pesticide delivery is a key factor in improving pesticide utilization, which can effectively reduce the use of pesticides and environmental risks. In this study, we developed a nanocarrier preparation method which can be controlled by pH/near-infrared response. Mesoporous molybdenum selenide (MoSe2) with a high loading rate was used as the core, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) with acid response was used as the shell, and prochloraz (Pro) was loaded to form a pH-/near-infrared-responsive core-shell nanosystem (Pro@MoSe2@PAA NPs, abbreviated as PMP). Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection secretes oxalic acid, forming an acidic microenvironment. In an acidic environment, PMP could quickly release Pro, and the cumulative release amount of Pro at pH = 5.0 was 3.1 times higher than that at pH = 7.4, and the efficiency of releasing Pro in the acidic environment was significantly enhanced. In addition, the release rate of PMP under near-infrared light irradiation was also significantly improved, and the cumulative release of Pro under simulated sunlight was 2.35 times higher than that under no light. The contact angles of PMP droplets on rapeseeds were reduced by 31.2 and 13.9% compared to Pro and MoSe2, respectively, which proved that the nanosystems had good wettability. In addition, PMP shows excellent adhesion and resistance to simulated rain washout. In the plate antibacterial experiment, the inhibitory effect of 0.5 μg/mL PMP on S. sclerotiorum was as high as 75.2% after 6 days, which showed a higher bactericidal activity than Pro. More importantly, PMP shows excellent biocompatibility and safety to plants, microorganisms, and cells. In a word, PMP is a green nanopesticide with a dual response of pH/near-infrared light, which provides a new strategy for the sustainable development of agriculture.

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Are Key to Promoting the Growth and Furanocoumarin Synthesis of Angelica dahurica var. formosana under Low-Nitrogen Conditions

Microbiomes are the most important members involved in the regulation of soil nitrogen metabolism. Beneficial interactions between plants and microbiomes contribute to improving the nitrogen utilization efficiency. In this study, we investigated the Apiaceae medicinal plant Angelica dahurica var. formosana. We found that under a low-nitrogen treatment, the abundance of carbon metabolites in the rhizosphere secretions of A. dahurica var. formosana significantly increased, thereby promoting the ratio of C to N in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils, increasing carbon sequestration, and shaping the microbial community composition, thus promoting a higher yield and furanocoumarin synthesis. Confirmation through the construction of a synthetic microbial community and feedback experiments indicated that beneficial plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria play a crucial role in improving nitrogen utilization efficiency and selectively regulating the synthesis of target furanocoumarins under low nitrogen conditions. These findings may contribute additional theoretical evidence for understanding the mechanisms of interaction between medicinal plants and rhizosphere microorganisms.

Removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from water by plasma treatment: Insights into structural effects and underlying mechanisms

Non-thermal plasma emerges as a promising technology for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) decomposition due to its notable efficacy and environmentally friendly characteristics. In this study, we demonstrated the efficacy of a falling film dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) system for the removal of 10 PFAS, including perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) and hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) oligomer acids. Results showed that compounds with fluoroalkyl chain length>4 were effectively decomposed within 100 min, with long-chain PFAS demonstrating more pronounced removal performance than their short-chain analogues. The superior removal but low defluorination observed in HFPO oligomer acids could be ascribed to their ether-based structural features. The integration of experimental results with density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the synergistic effects of various reactive species are pivotal to their efficient decomposition, with electrons, OH•, and NO2• playing essential roles. In contrast, the degradation of PFSAs was more dependent on electron attack than that of PFCAs and HFPO oligomer acids. Significantly, the most crucial degradation pathway for HFPO oligomer acids was the cleavage of ether CO, whether through radical or electron attack. Furthermore, the demonstrated effective removal in various water matrices showed the potential of the plasma system for removing PFAS in complex aquatic environments. This study provided mechanistic insights into PFAS degradation behavior in plasma processes, and it underscored the vital influence of molecular structures on degradability, thereby contributing to the further development and regulation of plasma-based technologies for treating PFAS in water.

A systematic strategy for investigating the pharmacological effects and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicinal formula: Guilin Xiguashuang as a case

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicinal formula (TCMF) has specific advantages in treating diseases. However, the pharmacological effects and mechanism of TCMF composed of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) with unclear active components or targets have not yet been fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVES

This research proposed a strategy for elucidating the pharmacological effects and mechanism to address this issue systematically.

METHODS

With Guilin Xiguashuang (GLXGS) taken as a case, this study newly provided the multi-level assays, which decomposes TCMF into components, TCM, and TCMF levels. The main pharmacological effects were acquired through a comprehensive analysis based on the active components, pharmacological effects of TCM, and clinical efficacy of TCMF, respectively. The core targets and pathways were further identified and verified to elucidate the mechanism.

RESULTS

The main pharmacological effects of GLXGS were anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, immunoregulatory, and wound healing. Moreover, the mechanism analysis demonstrated that GLXGS was involved in the regulation of NF-κB and VEGF signaling pathways and core targets, such as IL-6 and TNF-α. Finally, unproven immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory mechanism were verified using RAW264.7 and THP-1 cells. GLXGS was verified to down-regulate IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CD86 in lipopolysaccharides-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, while enhancing polarization in both RAW264.7 and THP-1 cells, which were consistent with analysis results.

CONCLUSION

The present research provides a systematic strategy for the pharmacological effect prediction and mechanism analysis of TCMF, which is of great significance for studying complex TCMF.

[Research Progress on End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide Detection Technology Based on Non-Dispersive Infrared Method]

The concentration of end-tidal carbon dioxide is one of the important indicators for evaluating whether the human respiratory system is normal. Accurately detecting of end-tidal carbon dioxide is of great significance in clinical practice. With the continuous promotion of the localization of end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring technology, its application in clinical practice in China has become increasingly widespread in recent years. The study is based on the non-dispersive infrared method and comprehensively elaborates on the detection principle, gas sampling methods, key technologies, and technological progress of end-tidal carbon dioxide detection technology. It comprehensively introduces the current development status of this technology and provides reference for application promotion and further improvement.

[Development of Wireless Wearable Sleep Monitoring System Based on EEG Signal]

A wireless wearable sleep monitoring system based on EEG signals is developed. The collected EEG signals are wirelessly sent to the PC or mobile phone Bluetooth APP for real-time display. The system is small in size, low in power consumption, and light in weight. It can be worn on the patient's forehead and is comfortable. It can be applied to home sleep monitoring scenarios and has good application value. The key performance indicators of the system are compared with the industry-related medical device measurement standards, and the measurement results are better than the special standards.

Measurements of All-Particle Energy Spectrum and Mean Logarithmic Mass of Cosmic Rays from 0.3 to 30 PeV with LHAASO-KM2A

We present the measurements of all-particle energy spectrum and mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays in the energy range of 0.3-30 PeV using data collected from LHAASO-KM2A between September 2021 and December 2022, which is based on a nearly composition-independent energy reconstruction method, achieving unprecedented accuracy. Our analysis reveals the position of the knee at 3.67±0.05±0.15  PeV. Below the knee, the spectral index is found to be -2.7413±0.0004±0.0050, while above the knee, it is -3.128±0.005±0.027, with the sharpness of the transition measured with a statistical error of 2%. The mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays is almost heavier than helium in the whole measured energy range. It decreases from 1.7 at 0.3 PeV to 1.3 at 3 PeV, representing a 24% decline following a power law with an index of -0.1200±0.0003±0.0341. This is equivalent to an increase in abundance of light components. Above the knee, the mean logarithmic mass exhibits a power law trend towards heavier components, which is reversal to the behavior observed in the all-particle energy spectrum. Additionally, the knee position and the change in power-law index are approximately the same. These findings suggest that the knee observed in the all-particle spectrum corresponds to the knee of the light component, rather than the medium-heavy components.

Integrated Transcriptome and Proteome Analysis Reveals the Regulatory Mechanism of Root Growth by Protein Disulfide Isomerase in Arabidopsis

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI, EC 5.3.4.1) is a thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase that plays a crucial role in catalyzing the oxidation and rearrangement of disulfides in substrate proteins. In plants, PDI is primarily involved in regulating seed germination and development, facilitating the oxidative folding of storage proteins in the endosperm, and also contributing to the formation of pollen. However, the role of PDI in root growth has not been previously studied. This research investigated the impact of PDI gene deficiency in plants by using 16F16 [2-(2-Chloroacetyl)-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1-methyl-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester], a small-molecule inhibitor of PDI, to remove functional redundancy. The results showed that the growth of Arabidopsis roots was significantly inhibited when treated with 16F16. To further investigate the effects of 16F16 treatment, we conducted expression profiling of treated roots using RNA sequencing and a Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics approach at both the transcriptomic and proteomic levels. Our analysis revealed 994 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the transcript level, which were predominantly enriched in pathways associated with "phenylpropane biosynthesis", "plant hormone signal transduction", "plant-pathogen interaction" and "starch and sucrose metabolism" pathways. Additionally, we identified 120 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) at the protein level. These proteins were mainly enriched in pathways such as "phenylpropanoid biosynthesis", "photosynthesis", "biosynthesis of various plant secondary metabolites", and "biosynthesis of secondary metabolites" pathways. The comprehensive transcriptome and proteome analyses revealed a regulatory network for root shortening in Arabidopsis seedlings under 16F16 treatment, mainly involving phenylpropane biosynthesis and plant hormone signal transduction pathways. This study enhances our understanding of the significant role of PDIs in Arabidopsis root growth and provides insights into the regulatory mechanisms of root shortening following 16F16 treatment.

Genetic linkage map construction and QTL analysis for plant height in proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)

KEY MESSAGE

A genetic linkage map representing proso millet genome was constructed with SSR markers, and a major QTL corresponding to plant height was mapped on chromosome 14 of this map. Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) has the lowest water requirements of all cultivated cereal crops. However, the lack of a genetic map and the paucity of genomic resources for this species have limited the utility of proso millet for detailed genetic studies and hampered genetic improvement programs. In this study, 97,317 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed based on the genome sequence of the proso millet landrace Longmi 4. Using some of these markers in conjunction with previously identified SSRs, an SSR-based linkage map for proso millet was successfully constructed using a large mapping population (316 F2 offspring). In total, 186 SSR markers were assigned to 18 linkage groups corresponding to the haploid chromosomes. The constructed map had a total length of 3033.42 centimorgan (cM) covering 78.17% of the assembled reference genome. The length of the 18 linkage groups ranged from 88.89 cM (Chr. 15) to 274.82 cM (Chr. 16), with an average size of 168.17 cM. To our knowledge, this is the first genetic linkage map for proso millet based on SSR markers. Plant height is one of the most important traits in crop improvement. A major QTL was repeatedly detected in different environments, explaining 8.70-24.50% of the plant height variations. A candidate gene affecting auxin biosynthesis and transport, and ROS homeostasis regulation was predicted. Thus, the linkage map and QTL analysis provided herein will promote the development of gene mining and molecular breeding in proso millet.

{Ru(C6 H6 )}-Decorating Heteropolymolybdate for Highly Activity Photocatalytic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol to Benzaldehyde

An unclassical structure of {Ru(C6 H6 )}-based polyoxometalate, Cs6 H4 [Te2 Mo12 O46 {Ru(C6 H6 )}] ⋅ 16.5H2 O (1), has been successfully constructed from {Te2 Mo12 O46 }-type heteropolymolybdate and {Ru(C6 H6 )} group, which structure type was discovered for the first time. Compound 1 not only possesses strong light-harvesting ability, but also exhibits high carrier separation efficiency and lower charge transfer resistance. Under visible light irradiation, compound 1 displayed excellent catalytic activity and circularity in the conversion of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde (yield=94 %; turnover number=500; turnover frequency=20.8 h-1 ). Finally, the electron paramagnetic resonance measurement and energy level matching analysis provide theoretical basis for the derivation of the reaction mechanism.

Insight into the allergenicity and structure changes of parvalbumin from Trachinotus ovatus induced by dense-phase carbon dioxide

Parvalbumin (PV) is a major allergen in fish, and traditional treatments cannot reduce its sensitization. The effects of dense-phase carbon dioxide (DPCD) treatment on the sensitization and spatial structure of PV in Trachinotus ovatus were evaluated in this study. Western blotting and indirect ELISA were used to determine the allergenicity changes and spatial conformations of PV treated by DPCD. Tris-tricine-SDS-PAGE, circular dichroism, surface hydrophobicity, endogenous fluorescence, UV spectrophotometry, free amino group, total sulfhydryl group and SEM analyses were applied to characterize PV structure. The results showed that DPCD treatment (15 MPa, 30 min, 50 °C) could reduce PV-induced allergic reactions by 39-41 %, which destroyed the normal conformational epitopes and reduced the risk of PV-induced allergy. The secondary structure changed from ordered to disordered with a decreased content of α-helical groups, while the internal hydrophobic groups were exposed. The total sulfhydryl group content decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The surface hydrophobicity and ultraviolet absorption spectrum were enhanced, and the endogenous fluorescence peak shifted to a long wavelength. Meanwhile, the content of free amino groups increased significantly (P < 0.05). This study could provide a theoretical basis and a promising technical approach for reduction of PV allergenicities.

Feedback regulation of the isoprenoid pathway by SsdTPS overexpression has the potential to enhance plant tolerance to drought stress

In order to maintain the dynamic physiological balance, plants are compelled to adjust their energy metabolism and signal transduction to cope with the abiotic stresses caused by complex and changeable environments. The diterpenoid natural compound and secondary metabolites, sclareol, derived from Salvia sclarea, has gained significant attention owing to its economic value as a spice material and diverse physiological activities. Here, we focused on the roles and regulatory mechanisms of the sclareol diterpene synthase gene SsdTPS in the resistance of S. sclarea to abiotic stresses. Our results suggested that abiotic stresses could induce the response and upregulation of SsdTPS expression and isoprenoid pathway in S. sclarea. Ectopic expression of SsdTPS conferred drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis, compared with wild-type. Overexpression of SsdTPS enhanced the transcription of ABA signal transduction synthetic regulators and induced the positive feedback upregulating key regulatory genes in the MEP pathway, thereby promoting the increase of ABA content and improving drought tolerance in transgenic plants. In addition, SsdTPS-overexpressed transgenic Arabidopsis improved the responses of stomatal regulatory genes and ROS scavenging enzyme activities and gene expression to drought stress. This promoted the stomatal closure and ROS reduction, thus enhancing water retention capacity and reducing oxidative stress damage. These findings unveil the potentially positive role of SsdTPS in orchestrating multiple regulatory mechanisms and maintaining homeostasis for improved abiotic stress resistance in S. sclarea, providing a novel insight into strategies for promoting drought resistance and cultivating highly tolerant plants.

RADseq-based population genomic analysis and environmental adaptation of rare and endangered recretohalophyte Reaumuria trigyna

Genetic diversity reflects the survival potential, history, and population dynamics of an organism. It underlies the adaptive potential of populations and their response to environmental change. Reaumuria trigyna is an endemic species in the Eastern Alxa and West Ordos desert regions in China. The species has been considered a good candidate to explore the unique survival strategies of plants that inhabit this area. In this study, we performed population genomic analyses based on restriction-site associated DNA sequencing to understand the genetic diversity, population genetic structure, and differentiation of the species. Analyses of 92,719 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) indicated that overall genetic diversity of R. trigyna was low (HO = 0.249 and HE = 0.208). No significant genetic differentiation was observed among the investigated populations. However, a subtle population genetic structure was detected. We suggest that this might be explained by adaptive diversification reinforced by the geographical isolation of populations. Overall, 3513 outlier SNPs were located in 243 gene-coding sequences in the R. trigyna transcriptome. Potential sites under diversifying selection occurred in genes (e.g., AP2/EREBP, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, FLS, and 4CL) related to phytohormone regulation and synthesis of secondary metabolites which have roles in adaptation of species. Our genetic analyses provide scientific criteria for evaluating the evolutionary capacity of R. trigyna and the discovery of unique adaptions. Our findings extend knowledge of refugia, environmental adaption, and evolution of germplasm resources that survive in the Ordos area.

IFN-γ decreases PD-1 in T lymphocytes from convalescent COVID-19 patients via the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway

Post-COVID-19 syndrome may be associated with the abnormal immune status. Compared with the unexposed age-matched elder group, PD-1 in the CD8+ T cells from recovered COVID-19 patients was significantly lower. IFN-γ in the plasma of COVID-19 convalescent patients was increased, which inhibited PD-1 expression in CD8+ T cells from COVID-19 convalescent patients. scRNA-seq bioinformatics analysis revealed that AKT/GSK3β may regulate the INF-γ/PD-1 axis in CD8+ T cells from COVID-19 convalescent patients. In parallel, an IFN-γ neutralizing antibody reduced AKT and increased GSK3β in PBMCs. An AKT agonist (SC79) significantly decreased p-GSK3β. Moreover, AKT decreased PD-1 on CD8+ T cells, and GSK3β increased PD-1 on CD8+ T cells according to flow cytometry analysis. Collectively, we demonstrated that recovered COVID-19 patients may develop long COVID. Increased IFN-γ in the plasma of recovered Wuhan COVID-19 patients contributed to PD-1 downregulation on CD8+ T cells by regulating the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway.

Effect of micro-nano bubbles on the remediation of saline-alkali soil with microbial agent

The widespread distribution of saline-alkali soil around the world affects the health of ecological systems and the development of the national economy by limiting the growth of plants. However, the commonly used remediation technologies have the drawbacks of low efficiency, high cost, and secondary pollution. This study investigated the feasibility and efficacy of novel combined micro-nanobubbles (MNBs) and microbial agent (MA) technology for the remediation of saline-alkali soil. The results demonstrated that the combined MA-MNBs method greatly renovated the properties of saline-alkali soil compared with the technologies of single utilization of MA or MNBs process in the laboratory. The method resulted in a reduction of soil electrical conductivity and pH levels, an improvement in soil fertility, and the formation of soil aggregates. Moreover, the method significantly impacted the growth of plants, particularly in plant length, dry weight, and rhizome elongation. Further high-throughput sequencing and gene expression analysis revealed that the MA-MNBs method enhanced the abundance of soil microbial community compared with single MA and MNBs treatment. Gene enrichment analysis revealed that the MA-MNBs method could compensate for the shortcomings of single MA treatment and enhance the expression of energy metabolism and salt stress-related genes attributed to MNBs treatment, thereby significantly improving the growth and development of plants. Consistently, 6115 kg/ha of rice was yielded in the field for the saline-alkali soils using this MA-MNBs method, with zero crops before remediation. This study provided a novel, efficient, and green strategy for the remediation of saline-alkali soil without adding any chemicals.

Simultaneous remediation of diesel-polluted soil and promoted ryegrass growth by non-thermal plasma pretreatment

The remediation of petroleum-polluted soil has garnered significant global attention. In this study, a pot-culture experiment was conducted to assess the feasibility of using non-thermal plasma (NTP) as an efficient and economic-friendly pretreatment method in the phytoremediation of diesel-polluted soil. The remediation effectiveness was evaluated via both the removal of diesel and the ryegrass growth. Specifically, at the 50th d of ryegrass growth, the increase of diesel removal efficiency with NTP pretreatment ranged from 16 % to 30 %. Moreover, both clean and diesel-polluted soils pretreated by NTP promoted the growth of ryegrass in shoot lengths and biomass especially after the 35th d. It was found that nitrate nitrogen fixed by NTP not only stimulated the nitrate reductase activities in leaves and promoted plant growth, but also was transformed to more ammonia nitrogen for organism life activity. Subsequent investigation proved that the related nitrogen-metabolism activities of microbes were enriched in rhizosphere soils with NTP pretreatment. Furthermore, NTP treatment increased the abundance of beneficial microbial communities in diesel soil rhizosphere on the 42nd d of growth period. In addition, changes in the proportions of soil dissolved organic matter indicated enhanced nutrient cycling in soils with NTP pretreatment. These promotional effects underscored the contribution of NTP pretreatment in rapidly detoxifying diesel-contaminated soil within 10 min and accelerated the establishment of ryegrass ecosystem. This study provides valuable insights into the role of nitrogen fixation and offers an efficient and promising advanced approach for the phytoremediation of diesel-polluted soil with NTP pretreatment.

Visible-Light-Responsive Polyoxometalate@Metal-Organic Frameworks Involving Ir Metalloligands for Highly Selective Photocatalytic Oxidation of Sulfides to Sulfoxide

The synthesis of highly efficient visible-light-responsive photocatalysts is fundamental to solving the problems of low efficiency and poor selectivity in photocatalytic organic synthesis reactions. We synthesized a crystalline polyoxometalate @metal-organic framework material {Zn4 (H2 O)8 [Ir(ppy)2 (dcbpy)]4 [SiW12 O40 ]} ⋅ 4H2 O (Ir-SiW) by self-assembly of Ir metalloligands with POMs. The introduction of Ir metalloligands extends the light absorbing range to visible light, improving the efficient utilization of solar energy. The transfer of photogenerated electrons from Ir metalloligands to SiW12 was observed under visible light irradiation, which boosted the carrier separation efficiency. The synergistic effect of the two components increased the photocatalytic thioether oxidation activity, and the product methyl phenyl sulfoxide for 2.5 h under visible light irradiation (λ >400 nm) reached 99.5 %, which was higher than those of other POM-based photocatalysts. Meanwhile, the yield of methyl phenyl sulfoxide was still higher than 97 % after three cycles, demonstrating the high stability and reusability of Ir-SiW.

Effects of Land Use Type Transformation on the Structure and Diversity of Soil Bacterial Communities

Soil microbiota are significantly influenced by their microenvironments. Therefore, to understand the impacts of various land use patterns on the diversity and composition of soil bacterial communities, this study focused on three typical land use types-NF (natural forest), AF (artificial forests), and FL (farmland)-in the Heilongjiang Central Station Black-billed Capercaillie National Nature Reserve, located in the southwestern part of Heihe City, Heilongjiang Province, China. Using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we examined the soil bacterial community structures in these different land use types and explored their correlation with soil environmental factors. The following were our main observations: (1) Significant variations in soil chemical properties among different land use patterns were observed. In artificial forests, total nitrogen (TN), alkali hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN), total phosphorus (TP), and available phosphorus (AP) were higher compared to farmland and significantly higher than those in natural forests. Furthermore, the organic carbon content (SOC) in natural forests was higher than in artificial forests and significantly higher than in farmland. (2) Comparative analysis using the Shannon and Simpson indices revealed that bacterial community diversity was higher in artificial forests than in natural forests, which was significantly higher than in farmland. (3) The effect of different land use types on soil bacterial community structure was not significant. The three land types were dominated by Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Proteobacteria exhibited a higher relative abundance in farmland and artificial forests compared to natural forests, whereas Actinobacteria exhibited the lowest relative abundance in natural forests. (4) Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that SOC, TN, AN, and AP were key environmental factors influencing the microbial communities of soil. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that land use practices can significantly alter soil nutrient levels, thereby influencing the structure of bacterial communities.

Fine-Scale Genetic Structure of Curculio chinensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Based on Mitochondrial COI: The Role of Host Specificity and Spatial Distance

The Camellia weevil, Curculio chinensis (Chevrolat, 1978), is a dominant oligophagous pest that bores into the fruit of oil-tea Camellia. Genetic differentiation among populations in various hosts can easily occur, which hinders research on pest management. In this study, the genetic structure, genetic diversity, and phylogenetic structure of local C. chinensis populations were examined using 147 individuals (from 6 localities in Jiangxi), based on 2 mitochondrial COI markers. Results indicated that the C. chinensis population in Jiangxi exhibits a high haplotype diversity, especially for the populations from Cam. meiocarpa plantations. Structural differentiation was observed between Haplogroup 1 (73 individuals from Ganzhou, Jian, and Pingxiang) in the monoculture plantations of Cam. meiocarpa and Haplogroup 2 (75 individuals from Pingxiang and Jiujiang) in Cam. oleifera. Two haplogroups have recently undergone a demographic expansion, and Haplogroup 1 has shown a higher number of effective migrants than Haplogroup 2. This suggests that C. chinensis has been spreading from Cam. meiocarpa plantations to other oil-tea Camellia, such as Cam. oleifera. The increased cultivation of oil-tea Camellia in Jiangxi has contributed to a unique genetic structure within the C. chinensis population. This has, in turn, expanded the distribution of C. chinensis and increased migration between populations.

Nanocomplexes film composed of gallic acid loaded ovalbumin/chitosan nanoparticles and pectin with excellent antibacterial activity: Preparation, characterization and application in coating preservation of salmon fillets

Active packaging has been recognized as an effective approach to extend the shelf life of food, but the rapid release of active substances limits the preservation effect. In this study, gallic acid (GA)-loaded ovalbumin (OVA)/chitosan (CS) nanoparticles with slow-release properties were prepared and embedded into the pectin matrix to refine the rapid release of GA in the pectin and elongate the shelf life of salmon fillets. Our results showed that GA could be released continuously from the OVA/CS nanoparticles. The pectin film incorporated with GA-loaded OVA/CS nanoparticles exhibited good light barrier and mechanical properties. The opacity value of the film reached 1.65 ± 0.06 UA/mm, and the tensile strength and elongation at break were 15.97 ± 1.55 MPa and 7.29 ± 0.42 %, respectively. In addition, the pectin film combined with GA-loaded OVA/CS nanoparticles showed improved antibacterial activity against two common biogenic amine-producing bacteria (Morganella morganii and Escherichia coli). Moreover, the nanocomposite film delayed salmon fillets' biogenic amine generation, and the shelf life was extended by 3 days compared with the control group. These promising properties supported using the GA-loaded OVA/CS nanoparticle-pectin films as preservation materials for fish.

Efficacy of Sulforaphane in Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Multi-center Trial

Sulforaphane has been reported to possibly improve core symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders from mostly small size studies. Here we present results of a larger randomized clinical trial (N = 108) in China. There were no significant changes in caregiver rated scales between sulforaphane and placebo groups. However, clinician rated scales showed a significant improvement in the sulforaphane group, and one third of participants showed at least a 30% decrease in score by 12 weeks treatment. The effects of sulforaphane were seen across the full range of intelligence and greater in participants over 10 years. Sulforaphane was safe and well-tolerated even for young children. The inconsistent results between caregiver and clinician rated scales suggest more clinical trials are needed to confirm our findings.