An Unusual Crystalline Porous Framework Constructed from Multitypes of Cages with Proton Conduction Property and Heterogeneous Catalytic Activity for Pyrazole Synthesis.

An unusual crystalline porous framework constructed from four types of cages, including all-inorganic Keggin-type polyoxometalate (POM) cages [H3W12O40]5-, organic hexamethylenetetramine (Hmt) cages, nanosized silver-Hmt coordination cages, and giant POM-silver-Hmt cages, was hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. The framework features a highly symmetrical structure with one-dimensional nanoscale channels and holds good thermal/solvent stability, which endow it with proton conduction properties and heterogeneous catalytic activity for pyrazole. This paper not only contributes to broadening the structural diversity of cage-based crystalline porous framework materials but also sheds new light on the design of new functional framework materials.

Bis-piperidine alkaloids from the peels of Areca catechu.

Four new alkaloids, arecatines A-D (1-4), were isolated from the peels of Areca catechu. Compound 1 is an unusual piperidine-pyridine hybrid alkaloid, whereas compounds 2-4 feature bis-piperidine alkaloids. Their structures were elucidated by UV, IR, HRESIMS, and NMR spectra analysis. The molecular docking analysis indicated that compound 3 exhibited the best binding affinity with the GABAA receptor, indicating its potential anti-epilepsy activity.

Triblock polyadenine-based electrochemical aptasensor for ultra-sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen via exonuclease III-assisted target recycling and hybridization chain reaction.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a key colon biomarker, demands a precise detection method for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. This study introduces a novel electrochemical aptasensor using a triblock polyadenine probe for ultra-sensitive detection of CEA. The method leverages Exonuclease III (Exo III)-assisted target recycling and hybridization chain reaction. The triblock polyadenine probe self-assembles on the bare gold electrode through the strong affinity between adenine and gold electrode, blocking CEA diffusion and providing a large immobilization surface. CEA binding to hairpin probe 1 (HP1), followed by the hybridization between HP1 and hairpin probe 2 (HP2), triggers DNA cleavage by Exo III, amplifying the signal via a hybridization chain reaction and producing numerous dsDNA walkers that generates a dramatic electrochemical impedance signal. Under optimized conditions, the aptasensor achieved two ultra-low detection limits: 0.39 ag∙mL-1 within the concentration range of 5 ag∙mL-1 to 5 × 106 ag∙mL-1, and 1.5 ag∙mL-1 within the concentration range of 5 × 106 ag∙mL-1 to 1 × 1010 ag∙mL-1. Its performance in human serum samples meets the practical standards, offering a promising new tool for ultrasensitive tumor marker detection, potentially revolutionizing early cancer diagnosis.

Potential Adverse Outcome Pathways of Chlorinated Organophosphate Flame Retardants.

What is already known about this topic?: Chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (Cl-OPFRs) are frequently detected chemicals in the environment and biological samples, yet there is a lack of systematic evaluation regarding the adverse effects and toxicological mechanisms of Cl-OPFRs. What is added by this report?: This study utilizes the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework to assess the health implications and mechanisms of Cl-OPFRs, identifying multi-system toxicity, with a particular emphasis on reproductive issues and the possible toxic mechanisms. What are the implications for public health practice?: These results enhance knowledge of the health hazards linked to Cl-OPFRs, supporting the creation of focused risk evaluations and suitable regulatory actions.

A dual responsive nitric oxide / ß-lapachone co-delivery platform for redox imbalance-enhanced tumor therapy.

Nitric oxide (NO) / ß-Lapachone (Lap) combined therapy by causing oxidative stress is an effective tumor therapy strategy. Herein, a dual-responsive lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) LSNO for NO / Lap co-delivery were constructed from the zinc-coordinated lipid (DSNO(Zn)) and the hydrophobic drug Lap in the presence of helper lipids (DOPE and DSPE-PEG2000). The zinc-coordinated structure in LSNO might elevate the Zn2+ content in tumor cells, contributing to antioxidant imbalance. The fluorescent assays proved the light-triggered NO release and fluorescent self-reporting abilities of LSNO. In addition, the LNPs had good drug release behavior under high concentration of GSH, indicating the NO / drug co-delivery capacity. In vitro antitumor assays showed that the NO / Lap combination treatment group could induce more significant tumor cell growth inhibition and cell apoptosis than individual NO or Lap treatment. The following mechanism studies revealed that NO / Lap combination treatment led to distinct oxidative stress by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and peroxynitrite anion (ONOO-). On the other hand, the intracellular redox balance could be further disrupted by Lap-induced NADPH consumption and Zn2+ / NO-induced reductase activities downregulation, thus promoting the degree of cell damage. Besides, it was also found that NO and Lap could directly damage nuclear DNA and induce mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby leading to caspase-3 activation and tumor cell death. These results proved that LSNO could serve as a promising multifunctional tumor therapy platform.

Gas engine CCHP system optimization: An energy, exergy, economic, and environment analysis and optimization based on developed northern goshawk optimization algorithm.

This paper aims to enhance the design and operation of a Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power (CCHP) system utilizing a gas engine as the primary energy source for a residential building in China. An Energy, Exergy, Economic, and Environment (4E) analysis is employed to assess the system's performance and impact based on energy, exergy, economic, and environmental criteria. The effectiveness of the DNGO algorithm is evaluated on a case study site and compared with Northern Goshawk Optimization (NGO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA). The findings demonstrate that the DNGO algorithm identifies the optimal gas engine size of 130 kW. The algorithm's search capabilities are greatly enhanced by this unique blend, surpassing what traditional methods can offer. The DNGO algorithm brings several advantages, including unparalleled energy efficiency, reduced exergy destruction, and a substantial decrease in C O 2 emissions. This not only supports environmental sustainability but also aligns with global standards. Economically, the algorithm enhances the performance of the CCHP system, evident through a reduced payback period and increased annual profit. Additionally, the algorithm's rapid convergence rate allows it to reach the optimal solution faster than its counterparts, making it advantageous for time-sensitive applications. Incorporating innovative methods like chaos theory, the DNGO algorithm effectively avoids local optima, enabling a broader search for the best solution. The utilization of Lévy flight further enhances the algorithm's ability to escape local optima and navigate the search space more efficiently. Additionally, swarm intelligence is employed to simulate the collective behavior of decentralized systems, aiding in problem-solving. This research represents a significant advancement in optimization techniques for CCHP systems and offers a fresh perspective to the field of swarm-based optimization algorithms.

The burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to high fasting plasma glucose：Findings from the global burden of disease study 2019.

AIM: High fasting plasma glucose (HFPG) is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Few studies have evaluated the CVD burden attributable to HFPG globally. It is urgent to investigate the current epidemiological pattern and past trends of CVD attributable to HFPG. METHODS: We used the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019 to describe the CVD burden attributable to HFPG in 2019 and evaluate temporal trends between 1990 and 2019. RESULTS: Global Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) cases and death cases of HFPG-related CVD were approximately 72,591,163 and 3,763,298 in 2019, with an increase of 107.4 % and 114.6 % compared with 1990, respectively. Despite the increases, the age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDAR) and age-standardized death rate (ASDR) of HFPG-related CVD contributed to 895.2 per 100,000 people and 48.4 per 100,000 people in 2019, with an estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of -0.22 and -0.31, respectively, from 1990. The highest ASDAR and ASDR of HFPG-related CVD were in 2019 observed in the low-middle SDI (Socio-demographic Index) and middle-SDI regions. Low SDI and some low-middle SDI regions showed an increase in ASDAR and ASDR of HFPG-related CVD from 1990 to 2019. Males are more affected by HFPG-related CVD than females across all years. The CVD burden attributable to HFPG in the elderly are higher than those in the young in 2019. The main causes of the global CVD burden attributable to HFPG in 2019 were ischemic heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. CONCLUSION: The CVD burden attributable to HFPG remains a serious public health challenge threatening human health worldwide. It is necessary to develop more targeted and specific strategies to reduce CVD burden attributable to HFPG, especially in males, elderly, and lower SDI regions.

Neuroprotective Effect and Mechanism of Tanreqing Injection on Ischemic Stroke: Insights from Network Pharmacology and in vivo Experiments.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the neuroprotective effects and mechanism of Tanreqing Injection (TRQ) on treating ischemic stroke based on network pharmacology and in vivo experimental validation. METHODS: The chemical compounds of TRQ were retrieved based on published data, with targets retrieved from PubChem, Therapeutic Target Database and DrugBank. Network visualization and analysis were performed using Cytoscape, with protein-protein interaction networks derived from the STRING database. Enrichment analysis was performed using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes Genomes pathway and Gene Ontology analysis. In in vivo experiments, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used. Infarct volume was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium hydrochloride staining and protein expressions were analyzed by Western blot. Molecular docking was performed to predict ligand-receptor interactions. RESULTS: We screened 81 chemical compounds in TRQ and retrieved their therapeutic targets. Of the targets, 116 were therapeutic targets for stroke. The enrichment analysis showed that the apelin signaling pathway was a key pathway for ischemic stroke. Furthermore, in in vivo experiment we found that administering with intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 mL/kg TRQ every 6 h could significantly reduce the infarct volume of MCAO rats (P<0.05). In addition, protein levels of the apelin receptor (APJ)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway were increased by TRQ (P<0.05). In addition, 41 chemical compounds in TRQ could bind to APJ. CONCLUSIONS: The neuroprotective effect of TRQ may be related to the APJ/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. However, further studies are needed to confirm the findings.

Aequorivita sediminis sp. nov. and Aequorivita marina sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

Two Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, strictly aerobic strains, forming yellow colonies and designated F6058T and S2608T, were isolated from marine sediment collected in Weihai, PR China. Both strains grow at 4-40 °C (optimum, 30-33 °C), pH 6.0-7.5 (optimum, pH 6.5) and in the presence of 0-7.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The optimum NaCl concentrations for strains F6058T and S2608T were 2.0 % and 2.5 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains F6058T and S2608T share an evolutionary lineage with members of the genus Aequorivita. The isolates exhibited a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.7 % to each other. Strains F6058T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Aequorivita xiaoshiensis F64183T (98.8 %), and S2608T was most similar to Aequorivita capsosiphonis A71T (96.9 %). Iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0 3-OH were the major fatty acids of strains F6058T and S2608T. The sole respiratory quinone of both isolates was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The polar lipid profiles of the isolates both consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphoglycolipids; however, strain F6058T exhibited one glycolipid, one aminolipid and two unidentified polar lipids, and strain S2608T also had two glycolipids and one unidentified polar lipid. The DNA G+C contents of strains F6058T and S2608T were 34.6 % and 37.7 mol%, respectively. Based on their phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic characteristics, strains F6058T and S2608T were considered to represent novel species of the genus Aequorivita, for which the names Aequorivita sediminis sp. nov. and Aequorivita marina sp. nov. were proposed. The type strains are F6058T (=KCTC 92653T=MCCC 1H01358T) and S2608T (KCTC 92652T=MCCC 1H01361T).

[Spatiotemporal Interaction Characteristics and Transition Mechanism of Carbon Intensity in China's Transportation Industry].

This research was conducted using many spatial analysis approaches to dissect the spatiotemporal interactive characteristics of carbon emission intensity within the transportation sector from 2002 to 2020. An in-depth exploration of their transition mechanisms was conducted by nesting the obtained timewarp types with the panel quantile model. Finally, the geodetector model aligned with different transition mechanisms was employed to investigate and analyze the interaction effects among various factors influencing carbon intensity in the transportation sector. The results indicated that:① The carbon emission intensity of the transportation sector in 30 provinces and regions of China showed an overall downward trend with fluctuations, and the spatial clustering level was relatively stable. ② The spatiotemporal interactive features of ESTDA revealed that the relationship between the northwest region and its adjacent spatial units was unstable, with significant variations and fluctuations. In contrast, economically developed areas such as coastal cities in the eastern part had established mature transportation networks, resulting in a relatively stable local spatial pattern, though a few areas still exhibited spatiotemporal competitiveness. ③ The spatiotemporal transition of carbon intensity in the transportation sector could be categorized into four driving or constraining modes(the population economy urbanization constraint model, population economy urbanization facility constraint model, technology consumption industry-driven model, and technology industry regulation-driven model). Most provinces were influenced by the low quantile constraint and high quantile drive modes, with only a few affected by the high quantile constraint and low quantile drive modes, the majority of which were located in the northwest or southwest regions. ④ Further, we introduced the geographical detector model based on the identified mechanism of carbon emission intensity transition in the transportation sector, emphasizing the coordinated development of multiple factors and strengthening inter-regional collaborative governance.

The influence of near-infrared carbon dots on the conformational variation and enzymatic activity of glucose oxidase: A multi-spectroscopic and biochemical study with molecular docking.

In recent years, the exceptional biocatalytic properties of glucose oxidase (GOx) have spurred the development of various GOx-functionalized nanocatalysts for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Carbon dots, renowned for their excellent biocompatibility and distinctive fluorescence properties, effectively incorporate GOx. Given the paramount importance of GOx's enzymatic activity in therapeutic efficacy, this study conducts a thorough exploration of the molecular-level binding dynamics between GOx and near-infrared carbon dots (NIR-CDs). Utilizing various spectrometric and molecular simulation techniques, we reveal that NIR-CDs form a ground-state complex with GOx primarily via hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces, interacting directly with amino acid residues in GOx's active site. This binding leads to conformational change and reduces thermal stability of GOx, slightly inhibiting its enzymatic activity and demonstrating a competitive inhibition effect. In vitro experiments demonstrate that NIR-CDs attenuate the GOx's capacity to produce H2O2 in HeLa cells, mitigating enzyme-induced cytotoxicity and cellular damage. This comprehensive elucidation of the intricate binding mechanisms between NIR-CDs and GOx provides critical insights for the design of NIR-CD-based nanotherapeutic platforms to augment cancer therapy. Such advancements lay the groundwork for innovative and efficacious cancer treatment strategies.

Preparation and chromatographic evaluation of 9-oxa-10-phosphophenanthrene 10-oxide bonded phenyl stationary phase and investigation of its retention mechanism through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND: In reversed-phase liquid chromatography, the C18 alkyl bonded phase, as the primary stationary phase, is widely used in pharmaceutical and food analysis. The phenyl bonded phase often serves as a complementary choice to the C18 phase to enhance the separation performance of specific categories of compounds. However, both C18 and the currently available phenyl bonded phase chromatography columns show room for further optimization in improving the separation efficiency of specific compound classes, such as dihydroflavonoids. Additionally, the potential role and impact of introducing phosphorus groups into chromatographic stationary phases have not been fully explored, indicating a promising direction for research. RESULTS: In the present work, we prepared a novel phenyl stationary phase by bonding 9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene 10-oxide onto silica gel. The obtained material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The results show that 9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene 10-oxide was successfully bonded on the silica surface with a load of 3.90 %. Further chromatographic characterization in high-performance liquid chromatography exhibited high column efficiency (40,792 plates m-1 for the determination of biphenyl) and good stability (RSD of 0.28 %∼5.38 %). Moreover, we made a detailed study of the column separation mechanism by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy titration experiment. Comparing to commercial phenyl column, the proposed stationary phase showed shorter retention time and higher throughput. In addition, the stationary phase has a strong ability to separate multiple types of compounds, which provides a new strategy for the separation of complex samples, such as active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine. SIGNIFICANCE: We have developed a novel phenyl column and conducted a comprehensive examination of its chromatographic performance, demonstrating excellent separation capabilities and high efficiency for both nonpolar and moderately polar aromatic compounds. Additionally, we explored the impact of phosphorus-containing groups on the separation performance of chromatographic stationary phases.

Machine-Learning-Assisted Rational Design of Si─Rhodamine as Cathepsin-pH-Activated Probe for Accurate Fluorescence Navigation.

High-performance fluorescent probes stand as indispensable tools in fluorescence-guided imaging, and are crucial for precise delineation of focal tissue while minimizing unnecessary removal of healthy tissue. Herein, machine-learning-assisted strategy to investigate the current available xanthene dyes is first proposed, and a quantitative prediction model to guide the rational synthesis of novel fluorescent molecules with the desired pH responsivity is constructed. Two novel Si─rhodamine derivatives are successfully achieved and the cathepsin/pH sequentially activated probe Si─rhodamine─cathepsin-pH (SiR─CTS-pH) is constructed. The results reveal that SiR─CTS-pH exhibits higher signal-to-noise ratio of fluorescence imaging, compared to single pH or cathepsin-activated probe. Moreover, SiR─CTS-pH shows strong differentiation abilities for tumor cells and tissues and accurately discriminates the complex hepatocellular carcinoma tissues from normal ones, indicating its significant application potential in clinical practice. Therefore, the continuous development of xanthene dyes and the rational design of superior fluorescent molecules through machine-learning-assisted model broaden the path and provide more advanced methods to researchers.

Efficacy of Shenglin decoction in preventing acute severe lymphocytopenia in patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) followed by maintenance therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors offers the best chance of cure for patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A significant challenge in this regimen is the occurrence of acute severe lymphopenia (ASL), which can compromise treatment efficacy. Currently, there are no effective strategies for preventing and treating ASL. Shenglin decoction (SLD), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine formulation, has demonstrated preliminary efficacy in mitigating ASL. However, robust evidence from clinical trials and a clear understanding of its mechanism of action are still needed. This study aims to comprehensively assess the efficacy, safety, and underlying mechanisms of SLD in the prevention of ASL. Methods: This prospective, dual-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial will enroll 140 stage III NSCLC patients. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to a control group or an experimental group. Both groups will undergo definitive CCRT. Alongside the commencement of CCRT, the experimental group will receive an additional oral SLD intervention for a duration of three months. The primary outcome is the incidence rate of ASL, defined as the proportion of patients who experience at least one instance of a total lymphocyte count falling below 0.5 × 10^9 cells/L within 3 months of initiating CCRT treatment. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of fecal samples to assess gut microbiota, as well as metabolomic analysis of fecal/blood samples, will be conducted to explore potential mechanisms. Discussion: This study protocol aims to rigorously evaluate the efficacy and safety of SLD, as well as elucidate its mechanism of action in preventing ASL. Successful outcomes could establish SLD as an evidence-based intervention for ASL prevention in NSCLC patients undergoing CCRT. Trial Registration: The trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR2300071788, https://www.chictr.org.cn/).

Two new chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Tripterygium wilfordii.

Tripterygium wilfordii has been historically employed as a conventional botanical insecticide and a plant of medicinal significance. A new dihydroagarofuran sesquiterpene (1) and a new acyclic compound (2), along with seven known compounds (3-9), have been isolated from the aerial parts of Tripterygium wilfordii. The identification of the structures of novel compounds were accomplished through comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, encompassing HRESIMS, NMR, UV, IR, and a comparative analysis with spectroscopic data from compounds previously characterised. In in-vitro bioassay, compound 8 exhibited significant inhibitory activity for NO release in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, with an IC50 value of 15.7 µM.

Taming Janus-Faced Quinoline-Derived Fluorescent Probes for Dual-Channel Distinguishable Visualization of HSO3- and HClO in Dried Foods and Living Cells.

With the booming development of food manufacturing, developing ideal analytical tools to precisely quantify food additives is highly sought after in the food science field. Herein, a new series of quinoline-derived multifunctional fluorescent probes has been synthesized. Bearing double reactive sites, these compounds display fluorescence response toward both bisulfite (HSO3-) and hypochlorous acid (HClO). Among these compact structures, compound ethyl-2-cyano-3-(6-(methylthio)quinolin-2-yl)acrylate (QTE) was screened out. Probe QTE not only shows ratiometric variation toward HSO3- with little cross talk but also performs turn-off signal toward HClO. In addition, probe QTE has been utilized for bioimaging of HClO in living cells. Furthermore, the HSO3- content in dried food samples has been appraised by QTE with satisfactory results. Meanwhile, relying on the apparent chromaticity change, a flexible dark-box device has been elaborated for chromatic analysis, promoting visualization of HSO3- in the field.

Photostabilities and anti-tumor effects of curcumin and curcumin-loaded polydopamine nanoparticles.

Currently, the photostability of photosensitizer curcumin is the main bottleneck limiting their application, reducing the bioavailability of curcumin. Studying the effect of different light sources on the photostabilities of curcumin and loading it onto polydopamine nanocarriers with better biocompatibility will help improve its light utilization efficiency. In this study, we investigated the photostabilities of curcumin and a polydopamine-based nanoparticle (polydopamine-curcumin composite nanoparticles, PDA-Cur NPs) loaded with curcumin through in vitro and in vivo experiments to achieve better antitumor effects. The results demonstrated that curcumin has good photostability in dark, but with significant photodegradation rates in both red and blue light. Blue light has a faster effect on the photodegradation of curcumin, with a degradation rate of 42.1% after 10 minutes, which is about 1.7 times that of the red light. Our study successfully synthesized PDA-Cur NPs, demonstrating its ability to stably load and release curcumin, with a loading percentage of 65.7% after 2 hours and 41.9% release in 8 hours (pH 6.0). Compared with single curcumin treatments, the photodegradation rates of PDA-Cur NPs in red and blue light treatments were reduced by 46% and 50%, respectively. Meanwhile, PDA-Cur NPs exhibited remarkable antitumor efficacy due to PDT and promote apoptosis in cancer cells, which both better than that of single curcumin treatments. Moreover, in MCF-7 tumor-bearing mice, the PDA-Cur NPs led to significant tumor growth inhibition effects, without causing evident systemic damage in vivo. The findings highlight the potential of PDA-Cur NPs as anticancer photosensitizer with greatly increased utilization of curcumin in PDT.

Effects of combined microplastic and cadmium pollution on sorghum growth, Cd accumulation, and rhizosphere microbial functions.

The interaction between microplastics (MPs) and cadmium (Cd) poses a threat to agricultural soil environments, and their effects on plant growth and rhizosphere microbial community functions are not yet clear. In this study, energy sorghum was used as a test plant to investigate the effects of two types of MPs, polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE), at different particle sizes (13 µm, 550 µm) and concentrations (0.1%, 1% w/w), and Cd, as well as their interactions, on the growth of sorghum in a soil-cultivation pot experiment. The results showed that the combined effects of MP and Cd pollution on the dry weight and Cd accumulation rate in sorghum varied depending on the type, concentration, and particle size of the MPs, with an overall trend of increasing stress from combined pollution with increasing Cd content and accumulation. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that combined MP and Cd pollution increased bacterial diversity, and the most significant increase was observed in the abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE), Shannon, and Sobs indices in the 13 µm 1% PS+Cd treatment group. Metagenomic analysis based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathways revealed that 19 groups of metabolic pathways, including microbial metabolism and methane metabolism, differed significantly under combined MP and Cd pollution. Hierarchical clustering results indicated that Cd treatment and combined MP and Cd treatment affected the abundances of sorghum rhizosphere soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling genes and that the type of MP present was an important factor affecting N and P cycling genes. The results of this study provide a basis for exploring the toxic effects of combined MP and Cd pollution and for conducting soil environmental risk assessments.