Pickering emulsion gel of polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich oils stabilized by zein-tannic acid green nanoparticles for storage and oxidation stability enhancement.

HYPOTHESIS: Poor storage stability and oxidative deterioration are the common drawbacks of edible oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). We hypothesized that the natural zein/tannic acid self-assembly nanoparticles (ZT NPs) could be employed as stabilizers to anchor at the oil-water interface, thus constructing Pickering emulsion gel (PKEG) system for three types of PUFA-rich oils, soybean oil (SO), fish oil (FO) and cod liver oil (CLO), to improve the storage and oxidation stability. EXPERIMENTS: ZT NPs were prepared by the anti-solvent coprecipitation method, and the three-phase contact angle, FT-IR, and XRD were mainly characterized. To observe the shell-core structure and oil-water interface details of SO/FO/CLO PKEGs by confocal laser scanning microscope and cryo-scanning electron microscope. Accelerated oxidation of FO was performed to assess the protective effect of PKEG on lipids. FINDINGS: The SO, FO, and CLO PKEGs stabilized by 2 % ZT NPs, with oil fraction (φ = 0.5-0.6), were obtained. PKEGs show high viscoelasticity, clear shell-core structure spatial network structure, and ideal storage stability. Under accelerated oxidation, the degree of oxidative rancidity of FO PKEG was obviously lower than that of free FO. Overall, this work opens up new possibilities for using natural PKEG to prevent oxidative deterioration and prolong the shelf-life of PUFA-rich oils.

Quinoa greens as a novel plant food: a review of its nutritional composition, functional activities, and food applications.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) is widely regarded as a versatile pseudo-cereal native to the Andes Mountains in South America. It has gained global recognition as a superfood due to its rich nutritional profile. While quinoa grains are well-known, there is an undiscovered potential in quinoa greens, such as sprouts, leaves, and microgreens. These verdant parts of quinoa are rich in a diverse array of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, including proteins, amino acids, bioactive proteins, peptides, polyphenols, and flavonoids. They have powerful antioxidant properties, combat cancer, and help prevent diabetes. Quinoa greens offer comparable or even superior benefits when compared to other sprouts and leafy greens, yet they have not gained widespread recognition. Limited research exists on the nutritional composition and biological activities of quinoa greens, underscoring the necessity for thorough systematic reviews in this field. This review paper aims to highlight the nutritional value, bioactivity, and health potential of quinoa greens, as well as explore their possibilities within the food sector. The goal is to generate interest within the research community and promote further exploration and wider utilization of quinoa greens in diets. This focus may lead to new opportunities for enhancing health and well-being through innovative dietary approaches.

Analysis of optical properties and response mechanism of H2S fluorescent probe based on rhodamine derivatives.

H2S plays a crucial role in numerous physiological and pathological processes. In this project, a new fluorescent probe, SG-H2S, for the detection of H2S, was developed by introducing the recognition group 2,4-dinitrophenyl ether. The combination of rhodamine derivatives can produce both colorimetric reactions and fluorescence reactions. Compared with the current H2S probes, the main advantages of SG-H2S are its wide pH range (5-9), fast response (30 min), and high selectivity in competitive species (including biological mercaptan). The probe SG-H2S has low cytotoxicity and has been successfully applied to imaging in MCF-7 cells, HeLa cells, and BALB/c nude mice. We hope that SG-H2S will provide a vital method for the field of biology.

Insights into the combined toxicity and mechanisms of BDE-47 and PFOA in marine blue mussel: An integrated study at the physiochemical and molecular levels.

The coexistence of multiple emerging contaminants imposes a substantial burden on the ecophysiological functions in organisms. The combined toxicity and underlying mechanism requires in-depth understanding. Here, marine blue mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis L.) was selected and exposed to 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) individually and in combination at environmental related concentrations to elucidate differences in stress responses and potential toxicological mechanisms. Characterization and comparison of accumulation, biomarkers, histopathology, transcriptomics and metabolomics were performed. Co-exposure resulted in differential accumulation patterns, exacerbated histopathological alterations, and different responses in oxidative stress and biomarkers for xenobiotic transportation. Moreover, the identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differential metabolites (DEMs) in mussels were found to be annotated to different metabolic pathways. Correlation analyses further indicated that DEGs and DEMs were significantly correlated with the above biomarkers. BDE-47 and PFOA altered the genes and metabolites related to amino acid metabolism, energy and purine metabolism, ABC transporters, and glutathione metabolism to varying degrees, subsequently inducing accumulation differences and combined toxicity. Furthermore, the present work highlighted the pivotal role of Nrf2-keap1 detoxification pathway in the acclimation of M. galloprovincialis to reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress induced by BDE-47 and PFOA. This study enabled more comprehensive understanding of combined toxic mechanism of multi emerging contaminants pollution.

The importance of starch chain-length distribution for in vitro digestion of ungelatinized and retrograded foxtail millet starch.

The digestibility of ungelatinized, short-term retrograded and long-term retrograded starch from foxtail millet was investigated and correlated with starch chain length distributions (CLDs). Some variations in starch CLDs of different varieties were obtained. Huangjingu and Zhonggu 9 had higher average chain lengths of debranched starch and lower average chain length ratios of amylopectin and amylose than Dajinmiao and Jigu 168. Compared to ungelatinized starch, retrogradation significantly increased the estimated glycemic index (eGI), whereas significantly decreased the resistant starch (RS). In contrast, long-term retrograded starches have lower eGI (93.33-97.37) and higher RS (8.04-14.55%) than short-term retrograded starch. PCA and correlation analysis showed that amylopectin with higher amounts of long chains and longer long chains contributed to reduced digestibility in ungelatinized starch. Both amylose and amylopectin CLDs were important for the digestibility of retrograded starch. This study helps a better understanding of the interaction of starch CLDs and digestibility during retrogradation.

Identification of LRRC46 as a novel candidate gene for high myopia.

High myopia (HM) is the primary cause of blindness, with the microstructural organization and composition of collagenous fibers in the cornea and sclera playing a crucial role in the biomechanical behavior of these tissues. In a previously reported myopic linkage region, MYP5 (17q21-22), a potential candidate gene, LRRC46 (c.C235T, p.Q79X), was identified in a large Han Chinese pedigree. LRRC46 is expressed in various eye tissues in humans and mice, including the retina, cornea, and sclera. In subsequent cell experiments, the mutation (c.C235T) decreased the expression of LRRC46 protein in human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-T). Further investigation revealed that Lrrc46-/- mice (KO) exhibited a classical myopia phenotype. The thickness of the cornea and sclera in KO mice became thinner and more pronounced with age, the activity of limbal stem cells decreased, and microstructural changes were observed in the fibroblasts of the sclera and cornea. We performed RNA-seq on scleral and corneal tissues of KO and normal control wild-type (WT) mice, which indicated a significant downregulation of the collagen synthesis-related pathway (extracellular matrix, ECM) in KO mice. Subsequent in vitro studies further indicated that LRRC46, a member of the important LRR protein family, primarily affected the formation of collagens. This study suggested that LRRC46 is a novel candidate gene for HM, influencing collagen protein VIII (Col8a1) formation in the eye and gradually altering the biomechanical structure of the cornea and sclera, thereby promoting the occurrence and development of HM.

The Easily Overlooked Effect of Global Warming: Diffusion of Heavy Metals.

Since industrialization, global temperatures have continued to rise. Human activities have resulted in heavy metals being freed from their original, fixed locations. Because of global warming, glaciers are melting, carbon dioxide concentrations are increasing, weather patterns are shifting, and various environmental forces are at play, resulting in the movement of heavy metals and alteration of their forms. In this general context, the impact of heavy metals on ecosystems and organisms has changed accordingly. For most ecosystems, the levels of heavy metals are on the rise, and this rise can have a negative impact on the ecosystem as a whole. Numerous studies have been conducted to analyze the combined impacts of climate change and heavy metals. However, the summary of the current studies is not perfect. Therefore, this review discusses how heavy metals affect ecosystems during the process of climate change from multiple perspectives, providing some references for addressing the impact of climate warming on environmental heavy metals.

Peptides Used for Heavy Metal Remediation: A Promising Approach.

In recent years, heavy metal pollution has become increasingly prominent, severely damaging ecosystems and biodiversity, and posing a serious threat to human health. However, the results of current methods for heavy metal restoration are not satisfactory, so it is urgent to find a new and effective method. Peptides are the units that make up proteins, with small molecular weights and strong biological activities. They can effectively repair proteins by forming complexes, reducing heavy metal ions, activating the plant's antioxidant defense system, and promoting the growth and metabolism of microorganisms. Peptides show great potential for the remediation of heavy metal contamination due to their special structure and properties. This paper reviews the research progress in recent years on the use of peptides to remediate heavy metal pollution, describes the mechanisms and applications of remediation, and provides references for the remediation of heavy metal pollution.

Wedelolactone suppresses breast cancer growth and metastasis via regulating TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is a malignant tumor with high invasion and metastasis. TGF-ß1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucially involved in the growth and metastasis of breast cancer. Wedelolactone (Wed) is extracted from herbal medicine Ecliptae Herba, which is reported to have antineoplastic activity. Here, we aimed to elucidate the efficacy and mechanism of Wed against breast cancer. METHODS: The effects of Wed on migration and invasion of 4T1 were detected. The expression of EMT-related markers was detected by Western blot and qPCR. The 4T1 orthotopic murine breast cancer model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Wed on the growth and metastasis of breast cancer through TGF-ß1/Smad pathway. RESULTS: Wed inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of 4T1. It exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition of p-Smad2/3. Wed also reversed the expression of EMT-markers induced by TGF-ß1. In addition, Wed suppressed the growth and metastasis of breast cancer in mice. It also affected p-Smad3 expression as well as EMT-related genes, suggesting that its anti-breast cancer effect may be related to the TGF-ß1/Smad pathway. CONCLUSION: Wed reverses EMT by regulating TGF-ß1/Smad pathway, potentially serving as a therapeutic agent for breast cancer. Wed is expected to be a potential drug to inhibit TGF-ß1/Smad pathway-related diseases.

Enhanced Tumor Site Accumulation and Therapeutic Efficacy of Extracellular Matrix-Drug Conjugates Targeting Tumor Cells.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) engages in regulatory interactions with cell surface receptors through its constituent proteins and polysaccharides. Therefore, nano-sized extracellular matrix conjugated with doxorubicin (DOX) is utilized to produce extracellular matrix-drug conjugates (ECM-DOX) tailored for targeted delivery to cancer cells. The ECM-DOX nanoparticles exhibit rod-like morphology, boasting a commendable drug loading capacity of 4.58%, coupled with acid-sensitive drug release characteristics. Notably, ECM-DOX nanoparticles enhance the uptake by tumor cells and possess the ability to penetrate endothelial cells and infiltrate tumor multicellular spheroids. Mechanistic insights reveal that the internalization of ECM-DOX nanoparticle is facilitated through clathrin-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis, intricately involving hyaluronic acid receptors and integrins. Pharmacokinetic assessments unveil a prolonged blood half-life of ECM-DOX nanoparticles at 3.65 h, a substantial improvement over the 1.09 h observed for free DOX. A sustained accumulation effect of ECM-DOX nanoparticles at tumor sites, with drug levels in tumor tissues surpassing those of free DOX by several-fold. The profound therapeutic impact of ECM-DOX nanoparticles is evident in their notable inhibition of tumor growth, extension of median survival time in animals, and significant reduction in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. The ECM platform emerges as a promising carrier for avant-garde nanomedicines in the realm of cancer treatment.

Targeting Inflammatory Lesions Facilitated by Galactosylation Modified Delivery System Eudragit/Gal-PLGA@Honokiol for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis.

Honokiol (HNK) is one of the bioactive ingredients from the well-known Chinese herbal medicine Magnolia officinalis, and its research interests is rising for its extensive pharmacological activities, including novel therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis (UC). However, further application of HNK is largely limited by its unique physicochemical properties, such as poor water solubility, low bioavailability, as well as unsatisfied targeting efficacy for inflammatory lesions. In this study, we constructed galactosylation modified PLGA nanoparticles delivery system for efficient target delivery of HNK to the colitic lesions, which could lay a research foundation for the deep development of HNK for the treatment of UC. D-galactose was grafted by chemical coupling reactions with PLGA to prepare Gal-PLGA, which was used as a carrier for HNK (Gal-PLGA@HNK nanoparticles (NPs)). To improve the colon targeting efficiency by oral administration of the NPs, Eudragit S100 was used for wrapping on the surface of Gal-PLGA@HNK NPs (E/Gal-PLGA@HNK NPs). Our results showed that the encapsulation efficiency and drug loading capacity of E/Gal-PLGA@HNK NPs were 90.72 ± 0.54% and 8.41 ± 0.02%, respectively. Its average particle size was 242.24 ± 8.42 nm, with a PDI value of 0.135 ± 0.06 and zeta-potential of -16.83 ± 1.89 mV. The release rate of HNK from E/Gal-PLGA@HNK NPs was significantly decreased when compared with that of free HNK in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, which displayed a slow-releasing property. It was also found that the cellular uptake of E/Gal-PLGA@HNK NPs was significantly increased when compared with that of free HNK in RAW264.7 cells, which was facilitated by D-galactose grafting on the PLGA carrier. Additionally, our results showed that E/Gal-PLGA@HNK NPs significantly improved colonic atrophy, body weight loss, as well as reducing disease activity index (DAI) score and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in UC mice induced by DSS. Besides, the retention time of E/Gal-PLGA@HNK NPs in the colon was significantly increased when compared with that of other preparations, suggesting that these NPs could prolong the interaction between HNK and the injured colon. Taken together, the efficiency for target delivery of HNK to the inflammatory lesions was significantly improved by galactosylation modification on the PLGA carrier, which provided great benefits for the alleviation of colonic inflammation and injury in mice.

Immunogenic cell death inducers for cancer therapy: An emerging focus on natural products.

BACKGROUND: Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a specific form of regulated cell death induced by a variety of stressors. During ICD, the dying cancer cells release damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which promote dendritic cell maturation and tumor antigen presentation, subsequently triggering a T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immune response. In recent years, a growing number of studies have demonstrated the potential of natural products to induce ICD and enhance tumor cell immunogenicity. Moreover, there is an increasing interest in identifying new ICD inducers from natural products. PURPOSE: This study aimed to emphasize the potential of natural products and their derivatives as ICD inducers to promote research on using natural products in cancer therapy and provide ideas for future novel immunotherapies based on ICD induction. METHOD: This review included a thorough search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to identify natural products with ICD-inducing capabilities. A comprehensive search for clinical trials on natural ICD inducers was also conducted using ClinicalTrials.gov, as well as the approved patents using the Espacenet and CNKI Patent Database. RESULTS: Natural compounds that induce ICD can be categorized into several groups, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Natural products can induce the release of DAMPs by triggering endoplasmic reticulum stress, activation of autophagy-related pathways, and reactive oxygen species generation, etc. Ultimately, they activate anti-tumor immune response and improve the efficacy of cancer treatments. CONCLUSION: A growing number of ICD inducers from natural products with promising anti-cancer potential have been identified. The detailed information presented in this review will contribute to the further development of natural ICD inducers and cancer treatment strategies based on ICD-induced responses.

Physicochemical characterization and anti-angiogenesis activity of polysaccharides from Amauroderma rugosum, a medicinal and edible mushroom.

Amauroderma rugosum (AR) is commonly recognized as a medicinal fungus, often used as an alternative to Ganoderma lucidum. There is a scarcity of comprehensive and in-depth research on its bioactive polysaccharides and their associated biological activities. Herein, we isolated the polysaccharide fractions extracted from AR (ARPs) and investigated their primary structure and anti-angiogenic activities, given that various diseases are associated with excessive angiogenesis. Four polysaccharide fractions including ARP-0, ARP-1, ARP-2, and ARP-5 were heteropolysaccharides with different molecular weights, monosaccharide compositions, and micromorphologies, highlighting their varying bioactive profiles. Treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with these polysaccharide fractions showed that only ARP-5 inhibited cell proliferation after vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation. Similarly, ARP-5 inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cells migration, invasion, and tube formation upon VEGF (50 ng/mL) treatment. Moreover, compared with the insignificant effects of ARP-0, ARP-1, and ARP-2, ARP-5 impeded angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos. Additionally, ARP-5 downregulated the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that ARP-5 exerts its anti-angiogenic activities by blocking the VEGF/VEGFR2-mediated angiogenesis signaling pathway. Taken together, the study findings shed light on the primary structure and bioactivity of ARPs.

Mechanism Analysis and Potential Applications of Atomic Oxygen Erosion Protection for Kapton-Type Polyimide Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Polyimide (PI) is widely used in aerospace applications due to its excellent properties. However, the high concentration of atomic oxygen (AO) in low-earth orbit (LEO) significantly degrades its performance. This study employs reactive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to analyze the AO erosion resistance of fluorinated polyimide (FPI) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) composite polyimide models. The 35 ps simulation results indicate that the PI/POSS composite exhibits the best protective performance. The protection mechanism involves the formation of an SiO2 carbonized layer that prevents the transmission of AO and heat to the polyimide matrix, resulting in a normalized mass of 84.1% after erosion. The FPI model shows the second-best protective effect, where the introduction of -CF3 groups enhances the thermal stability of the polyimide matrix, resulting in a normalized mass of 80.7% after erosion. This study explores the protective effects and mechanisms of different polyimide protection methods at the molecular level, providing new insights for the design of AO erosion protection systems.

Wutou decoction alleviates arthritis inflammation in CIA mice by regulating Treg cell stability and Treg/Th17 balance via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Wutou Decoction (WTD) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula, which has shown clinical efficacy in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Treg stability and Th17/Treg imbalance is an important immunological mechanism in RA progression. Whether WTD regulates CD4+ T cell subsets has not been thoroughly investigated yet. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to explore the potential role and mechanisms of WTD in regulating the diminished stability of Treg cells and the imbalance of CD4+ T cell subsets via in vivo and in vitro experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Firstly, the therapeutic effects of WTD on the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse and its potential regulatory function on CD4+ T cell subsets were evaluated in vivo. Animal specimens were collected after 31 days of treatment with WTD. The anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects of WTD were assessed through arthritis scoring, body weight, spleen index, serum IL-6 levels, and micro-PET/CT imaging. Gene enrichment analysis was performed to evaluate the activation T cell-related signaling pathway. Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportions of CD4+ T cell subsets in vitro and in vitro. Additionally, ELISA was used to assess the secretion of IL-10 and TGF-ß by Treg cells under inflammatory conditions. The suppressive function of Treg cells on cell proliferation under inflammatory conditions was examined using CFSE labeling. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the phosphorylation levels of STAT3 in CD4+ T cells from mouse spleen tissues. Western blotting was used to evaluate the phosphorylation levels of JAK2/STAT3 in Treg cells. RESULTS: WTD significantly alleviated joint inflammation in CIA mice. WTD reduced serum IL-6 levels in CIA mice, improved their body weight and spleen index. WTD treatment inhibited the activation of CD4+ T cell subgroup-related signaling in the joint tissues of CIA mice. In vitro and in vitro experiments showed that WTD increased the proportion of Treg cells and decreased the proportion of Th17 cells in CIA mice spleen. Furthermore, WTD promoted the secretion of IL-10 and TGF-ß by Treg cells and enhanced the inhibitory capacity of Treg cells on cell proliferation under inflammatory conditions. Immunofluorescence detected decreased STAT3 phosphorylation levels in CD4+ T cells from CIA mice spleen, while western blotting revealed a decrease in JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation levels in Treg cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation is a potential mechanism through which WTD improves Treg cell stability, balances CD4+ T cell subsets, and attenuates RA joint inflammation.

Electronic instability in pressured black phosphorus under strong magnetic field.

In this paper, we have systematically studied the electronic instability of pressured black phosphorous (BP) under strong magnetic field. We first present an effective model Hamiltonian for pressured BP near theLifshitzpoint. Then we show that when the magnetic field exceeds a critical value, the nodal-line semimetal (NLSM) state of BP with a small band overlap re-enters the semiconductive phase by re-opening a small gap. This results in a narrow-bandgap semiconductor with a partially flat valence band edge. Moreover, we demonstrate that above this critical magnetic field, two possible instabilities, i.e. charge density wave phase and excitonic insulator (EI) phase, are predicted as the ground state for high and low doping concentrations, respectively. By comparing our results with the experiment (Sunet al2018Sci. Bull.631539), we suggest that the field-induced instability observed experimentally corresponds to an EI. Furthermore, we propose that the semimetallic BP under pressure with small band overlaps may provide a good platform to study the magneto-exciton insulators. Our findings bring the first insight into the electronic instability of topological NLSM in the quantum limit.

Perioperative multivessel coronary artery spasm and cardiac arrest after cardiac surgery.

Postoperative coronary artery spasm, a rare but potentially fatal complication following cardiac surgery, warrants significant attention. This report discusses a 64-year-old male who suffered a severe coronary artery spasm leading to cardiac arrest following surgery. Initially stable, the patient rapidly developed critical ventricular arrhythmias and hypotension, resulting in cardiac arrest 4 h post-surgery. Emergency coronary angiography revealed extensive spasms, successfully managed with intracoronary nitroglycerine. This case stresses prompt recognition and management of coronary artery spasm after non-coronary cardiac procedures, underscoring coronary angiography's vital role in diagnosis and treatment.

Bile acid metabolism in health and ageing-related diseases.

Bile acids (BAs) have surpassed their traditional roles as lipid solubilizers and regulators of BA homeostasis to emerge as important signalling molecules. Recent research has revealed a connection between microbial dysbiosis and metabolism disruption of BAs, which in turn impacts ageing-related diseases. The human BAs pool is primarily composed of primary BAs and their conjugates, with a smaller proportion consisting of secondary BAs. These different BAs exert complex effects on health and ageing-related diseases through several key nuclear receptors, such as farnesoid X receptor and Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of these effects are still debated. Therefore, the modulation of signalling pathways by regulating synthesis and composition of BAs represents an interesting and novel direction for potential therapies of ageing-related diseases. This review provides an overview of synthesis and transportion of BAs in the healthy body, emphasizing its dependence on microbial community metabolic capacity. Additionally, the review also explores how ageing and ageing-related diseases affect metabolism and composition of BAs. Understanding BA metabolism network and the impact of their nuclear receptors, such as farnesoid X receptor and G protein-coupled receptor 5 agonists, paves the way for developing therapeutic agents for targeting BA metabolism in various ageing-related diseases, such as metabolic disorder, hepatic injury, cardiovascular disease, renal damage and neurodegenerative disease.

Copper-Catalyzed [4+1+1] Annulation of Ammonium Salts and Anthranils: Synthesis of 2,3-Diaroylquinolines.

A copper(I)-catalyzed protocol is developed for the synthesis of various 2,3-diaroylquinolines starting from achiral ammonium salts and anthranils through [4+1+1] annulation. Using copper(I) chloride as the sole catalyst, this reaction is featured with easily available starting materials, broad substrate scope, good yields and simple reaction conditions.

Impact of Vanadium-Titanium-Magnetite Mining Activities on Endophytic Bacterial Communities and Functions in the Root Systems of Local Plants.

This study utilized 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze the community structure and function of endophytic bacteria within the roots of three plant species in the vanadium-titanium-magnetite (VTM) mining area. The findings indicated that mining activities of VTM led to a notable decrease in both the biodiversity and abundance of endophytic bacteria within the root systems of Eleusine indica and Carex (p < 0.05). Significant reductions were observed in the populations of Nocardioides, concurrently with substantial increments in the populations of Pseudomonas (p < 0.05), indicating that Pseudomonas has a strong adaptability to this environmental stress. In addition, ß diversity analysis revealed divergence in the endophytic bacterial communities within the roots of E. indica and Carex from the VTM mining area, which had diverged to adapt to the environmental stress caused by mining activity. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that VTM mining led to an increase in polymyxin resistance, nicotinate degradation I, and glucose degradation (oxidative) (p < 0.05). Interestingly, we found that VTM mining did not notably alter the endophytic bacterial communities or functions in the root systems of Dodonaea viscosa, indicating that this plant can adapt well to environmental stress. This study represents the primary investigation into the influence of VTM mining activities on endophytic bacterial communities and the functions of nearby plant roots, providing further insight into the impact of VTM mining activities on the ecological environment.