Transcriptomic insights into shared responses to Fusarium crown rot infection and drought stresses in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

KEY MESSAGE: Shared changes in transcriptomes caused by Fusarium crown rot infection and drought stress were investigated based on a single pair of near-isogenic lines developed for a major locus conferring tolerance to both stresses. Fusarium crown rot (FCR) is a devastating disease in many areas of cereal production worldwide. It is well-known that drought stress enhances FCR severity but possible molecular relationship between these two stresses remains unclear. To investigate their relationships, we generated several pairs of near isogenic lines (NILs) targeting a locus conferring FCR resistance on chromosome 2D in bread wheat. One pair of these NILs showing significant differences between the two isolines for both FCR resistance and drought tolerance was used to investigate transcriptomic changes in responsive to these two stresses. Our results showed that the two isolines likely deployed different strategies in dealing with the stresses, and significant differences in expressed gene networks exist between the two time points of drought stresses evaluated in this study. Nevertheless, results from analysing Gene Ontology terms and transcription factors revealed that similar regulatory frameworks were activated in coping with these two stresses. Based on the position of the targeted locus, changes in expression following FCR infection and drought stresses, and the presence of non-synonymous variants between the two isolines, several candidate genes conferring resistance or tolerance to these two types of stresses were identified. The NILs generated, the large number of DEGs with single-nucleotide polymorphisms detected between the two isolines, and the candidate genes identified would be invaluable in fine mapping and cloning the gene(s) underlying the targeted locus.

lncRNA Oip5-as1 inhibits excessive mitochondrial fission in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by modulating DRP1 phosphorylation.

BACKGROUND: Aberrant mitochondrial fission, a critical pathological event underlying myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury, has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Oip5-as1 is increasingly recognized for its regulatory roles, particularly in MI/R injury. However, its precise mechanistic role in modulating mitochondrial dynamics remains elusive. This study aims to elucidate the mechanistic role of Oip5-as1 in regulating mitochondrial fission and evaluate its therapeutic potential against MI/R injury. METHODS: To simulate in vitro MI/R injury, HL-1 cardiomyocytes were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Lentiviral vectors were employed to achieve overexpression or knockdown of Oip5-as1 in HL-1 cells by expressing Oip5-as1 or shRNA targeting Oip5-as1, respectively. The impact of Oip5-as1 on mitochondrial dynamics in HL-1 cells was assessed using CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, and biochemical assays. MI/R injury was induced in mice by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Conditional knockout mice for Oip5-as1 were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology, while overexpression of Oip5-as1 in mice was achieved via intramyocardial administration of AAV9 vectors. In mice, the role of Oip5-as1 was evaluated through echocardiographic assessment, histopathological staining, and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, Western blotting, RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to investigate Oip5-as1's underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: The expression levels of Oip5-as1 are significantly decreased in MI/R-injured HL-1 cells and myocardium. In HL-1 cells undergoing H/R injury, overexpression of Oip5-as1 attenuated excessive mitochondrial fission, preserved mitochondrial functionality, and reduced cellular apoptosis, while knockdown of Oip5-as1 exhibited the opposite effects. Furthermore, in a mouse model of MI/R injury, overexpression of Oip5-as1 diminished mitochondrial fission, myocardial infarct size and improved cardiac function. However, knockout of Oip5-as1 exacerbated myocardial injury and cardiac dysfunction, which were significantly reversed by treatment with a mitochondrial division inhibitor-1 (Mdivi-1). Mechanistically, Oip5-as1 selectively interacts with AKAP1 and CaN proteins, inhibiting CaN activation and subsequent DRP1 dephosphorylation at Ser637, thereby constraining DRP1's translocation to the mitochondria and its involvement in mitochondrial fission. CONCLUSIONS: Our study underscores the pivotal role of Oip5-as1 in mitigating excessive mitochondrial fission during MI/R injury. The findings not only enhance our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying MI/R injury but also identify Oip5-as1 as a potential therapeutic target for ameliorating MI/R injury.

Artificial utilization of saline-sodic land promotes carbon stock: The importance of large macroaggregates.

Soil aggregates are essential functional units involved in soil carbon sequestration, particularly in saline-sodic soils prone to severe carbon loss. In the present study, the distribution of aggregate-associated carbon fractions and their influencing factors were investigated after artificial utilization of saline soil in the Songnen Plain, Northeast China. Physicochemical properties, enzymatic activities, and bacterial communities were measured in various hierarchical aggregates among two natural land-use types (saline wasteland and degraded grassland) and three anthropogenic land-use types (artificial forest, upland field, and paddy field). The results indicated that, compared to saline wasteland, anthropogenic land use was witnessed an increase in macroaggregate proportions, and PF in large macroaggregates increased the most, while UF and FL were mainly increased in small macroaggregates. After transforming from natural land to anthropogenic land, the aggregate-associated carbon fractions (total organic carbon, readily soluble organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and microbial biomass carbon) increased, especially in small macroaggregates. All enzyme activities increased after artificial utilization, hydrolase (urease, amylase, and invertase), catalase, and ß-glucosidase activities were highest in the small macroaggregates. Bacterial biomass was increased in all three aggregate types compared to natural land. Due to the influence of various factors on soil carbon storage, through partial least squares path modeling revealed that large macroaggregates were conducive to carbon storage. These findings suggested that artificial utilization of saline soil can increase large macroaggregate proportions and the abundance of aggregate-associated carbon, resulting in increased soil carbon stocks, with PF having the greatest carbon sequestration capacity.

Calcium-based polymers for suppression of soil acidification by improving acid-buffering capacity and inhibiting nitrification.

Soil acidification is a major threat to agricultural sustainability in tropical and subtropical regions. Biodegradable and environmentally friendly materials, such as calcium lignosulfonate (CaLS), calcium poly(aspartic acid) (PASP-Ca), and calcium poly γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA-Ca), are known to effectively ameliorate soil acidity. However, their effectiveness in inhibiting soil acidification has not been studied. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of CaLS, PASP-Ca, and γ-PGA-Ca on the resistance of soil toward acidification as directly and indirectly (i.e., via nitrification) caused by the application of HNO3 and urea, respectively. For comparison, Ca(OH)2 and lignin were used as the inorganic and organic controls, respectively. Among the materials, γ-PGA-Ca drove the substantial improvements in the pH buffering capacity (pHBC) of the soil and exhibited the greatest potential in inhibiting HNO3-induced soil acidification via protonation of carboxyl, complexing with Al3+, and cation exchange processes. Under acidification induced by urea, CaLS was the optimal one in inhibiting acidification and increasing exchangeable acidity during incubation. Furthermore, the sharp reduction in the population sizes of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) confirmed the inhibition of nitrification via CaLS application. Therefore, compared to improving soil pHBC, CaLS may play a more important role in suppressing indirect acidification. Overall, γ-PGA-Ca was superior to PASP-Ca and CaLS in enhancing the soil pHBC and the its resistance to acidification induced by HNO3 addition, whereas CaLS was the best at suppressing urea-driven soil acidification by inhibiting nitrification. In conclusion, these results provide a reference for inhibiting soil re-acidification in intensive agricultural systems.

Inferring circadian gene regulatory relationships from gene expression data with a hybrid framework.

BACKGROUND: The central biological clock governs numerous facets of mammalian physiology, including sleep, metabolism, and immune system regulation. Understanding gene regulatory relationships is crucial for unravelling the mechanisms that underlie various cellular biological processes. While it is possible to infer circadian gene regulatory relationships from time-series gene expression data, relying solely on correlation-based inference may not provide sufficient information about causation. Moreover, gene expression data often have high dimensions but a limited number of observations, posing challenges in their analysis. METHODS: In this paper, we introduce a new hybrid framework, referred to as Circadian Gene Regulatory Framework (CGRF), to infer circadian gene regulatory relationships from gene expression data of rats. The framework addresses the challenges of high-dimensional data by combining the fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm with dynamic time warping distance. Through this approach, we efficiently identify the clusters of genes related to the target gene. To determine the significance of genes within a specific cluster, we employ the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Subsequently, we use a dynamic vector autoregressive method to analyze the selected significant gene expression profiles and reveal directed causal regulatory relationships based on partial correlation. CONCLUSION: The proposed CGRF framework offers a comprehensive and efficient solution for understanding circadian gene regulation. Circadian gene regulatory relationships are inferred from the gene expression data of rats based on the Aanat target gene. The results show that genes Pde10a, Atp7b, Prok2, Per1, Rhobtb3 and Dclk1 stand out, which have been known to be essential for the regulation of circadian activity. The potential relationships between genes Tspan15, Eprs, Eml5 and Fsbp with a circadian rhythm need further experimental research.

[Clinical and genetic analysis of a patient with primary distal renal tubular acidosis due to variants of ATP6V0A4 gene].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and genetic etiology of a patient with primary distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA). METHODS: A child who was diagnosed with primary dRTA at the Xi'an Children's Hospital in April 2021 due to poor appetite and persistent crying was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient was collected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out for the child. Candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing of his family members. RESULTS: The child, a 1-month-and-18-day male, had featured poor appetite, persistent crying, poor weight gain and dehydration. Laboratory examination has suggested metabolic acidosis, hyperchloremia, hypokalemia, abnormal alkaline urine and anemia. Ultrasonographic examination of the urinary system revealed calcium deposition in renal medulla. DNA sequencing revealed that he has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the ATP6V0A4 gene, namely c.1363dupA (p.M455NfsX14) and c.2257C>T (p.Q753X), which were respectively inherited from his father and mother. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, both variants were classified as pathogenic (PVS1+PM3+PM2_Supporting). CONCLUSION: The compound heterozygous variants of c.1363dupA (p.M455NfsX14) and c.2257C>T (p.Q753X) of the ATP6V0A4 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of primary dRTA in this patient. Discovery of the c.2257C>T (p.Q753X) variant has also expanded the mutational spectrum of the ATP6V0A4 gene.

TRIM33 Modulates Inflammation and Airway Remodeling of PDGF-BB-Induced Airway Smooth-Muscle Cells by the Wnt/ß-Catenin Pathway.

Asthma is a chronic airway disease involving airway inflammation and remodeling. Studies showed that tripartite motif-containing protein 33 (TRIM33) regulated natural immunity, inflammation, and pulmonary fibrosis. However, the role and regulatory mechanism of TRIM33 in children's asthma are unclear. In this study, the TRIM33 expressions in serum samples and platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB)-induced airway smooth-muscle cells (ASMCs) were evaluated. A gain-of-function experiment was performed, and cell proliferation and migration were detected using CCK-8 and wound healing assays. Besides, the protein levels of EMT biomarkers and airway-remodeling markers were determined by Western blot assay. ELISA analyzed the contents of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α in the supernatant. The modulation of Smad4 expression and subsequent activation of Wnt/ß-catenin by TRIM33 were also assessed. We found that TRIM33 was downregulated in the serum from children who were asthma patients and PDGF-BB-induced ASMCs. TRIM33 overexpression showed decrease of PDGF-BB-induced ASMC proliferation and migration. Moreover, the augment of TRIM33 reduced the PDGF-BB-induced cell EMT and airway-remodeling marker levels and suppressed the secretions of inflammatory cytokines in PDGF-BB-induced ASMCs. Additionally, TRIM33 overexpression inhibited activation of Wnt/ß-catenin via reducing Smad4 expression to regulate asthma inflammation and airway remodeling. All in all, our study revealed that TRIM33 expression was downregulated in children who were asthma patients and PDGF-BB-induced ASMCs. TRIM33 modulated PDGF-BB-induced inflammation and airway remodeling of ASMCs by the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway via regulating Smad4, which may provide a new treatment direction for asthma.

Image enhancement for fluorescence microscopy based on deep learning with prior knowledge of aberration.

In this Letter, we propose a deep learning method with prior knowledge of potential aberration to enhance the fluorescence microscopy without additional hardware. The proposed method could effectively reduce noise and improve the peak signal-to-noise ratio of the acquired images at high speed. The enhancement performance and generalization of this method is demonstrated on three commercial fluorescence microscopes. This work provides a computational alternative to overcome the degradation induced by the biological specimen, and it has the potential to be further applied in biological applications.

Learning-based Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor for high-order aberration detection: erratum.

An erratum is presented to correct the sizes of feature maps of Fig. 1(a) in [Opt. Express27, 33504 (2019)10.1364/OE.27.033504].

Deep learning assisted Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor for direct wavefront detection.

The conventional Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWS) requires wavefront slope measurements of every micro-lens for wavefront reconstruction. In this Letter, we applied deep learning on the SHWS to directly predict the wavefront distributions without wavefront slope measurements. The results show that our method could provide a lower root mean square wavefront error in high detection speed. The performance of the proposed method is also evaluated on challenging wavefronts, while the conventional approaches perform insufficiently. This Letter provides a new approach, to the best of our knowledge, to perform direct wavefront detection in SHWS-based applications.

Learning-based Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor for high-order aberration detection.

We present a learning-based Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWS) to achieve the high-order aberration detection without image segmentation or centroid positioning. Zernike coefficient amplitudes of aberrations measured from biological samples are referred and expanded to generate the training datasets. With one SHWS pattern inputted, up to 120th Zernike modes could be predicted within 10.9 ms with 95.56% model accuracy by a personal computer. The statistical experimental results show that compared with traditional modal-based SHWS, the root mean squared error in phase residuals of this method is reduced by ∼40.54% and the Strehl ratio of the point spread functions is improved by ∼27.31%. The aberration detection performance of this method is also validated on a mouse brain slice with 300 µm thickness and the median improvement of peak-to-background ratio of this method is ∼30% to 40% compared with traditional SHWS. With the high detection accuracy, simple processes, fast prediction speed and good compatibility, this work offers a potential approach to improve the wavefront sensing ability of SHWS, which could be combined with an existing adaptive optics system and be further applied in biological applications.

Fabrication of nitrogen-doped carbon dots biomass composite hydrogel for adsorption of Cu (II) in wastewater or soil and DFT simulation for adsorption mechanism.

With the increase of Cu (II) content, its bioaccumulation becomes a potential pollution to the environment. It is necessary to design an economical and efficient material to remove Cu (II) without causing other environmental hazards. A novel material of alginate composite bead (ALG@NCDs) was synthesized by embedding N-doped carbon dots into pure alginate bead for the adsorption of Cu (II) from wastewater and contaminated soil. The initial concentration, the amount of adsorbent, temperature, adsorption time, and pH value were optimized for the adsorption of Cu (II). According to the Langmuir isothermal adsorption model, the maximum adsorption amount of the material to Cu (II) was 152.44 mg/g. The results of selective adsorption showed that ALG@NCDs had higher affinity to Cu (II) than to Pb (II), Co (II), Ni (II), and Zn (II). After five adsorption-desorption experiment, adsorption capacity of the ALG@NCDs was kept 89% of the initial adsorption capacity. Its Cu (II) adsorption mechanism was studied by density functional theory calculations. In addition, the material could effectively adsorb Cu (II) and release the phytonutrient Ca (II) simultaneously when applied to actual wastewater and soil. The fabricated ALG@NCDs would be a promising material for the adsorption of Cu (II) from wastewater or soil.

Reactive oxygen species-responsive hydrophobic crosslinked chitosan films based on triple-function crosslinkers.

Chitosan is widely used in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive films but remains great challenges owing to its weak mechanical strength and strong hydrophilicity. Herein, we synthesized novel hydrophobic crosslinked CS films with ROS-responsive properties and excellent physicochemical properties. A novel crosslinker, 2-((10-carboxydecyl)thio)succinic acid, with long-chain alkanes, three carboxyl groups, and sulfhydryl groups was synthesized and then used to produce thioether-containing crosslinked CS membranes. The results suggested that crosslinking could significantly increase the tensile strength of the film from 15.67 MPa to 24.32 MPa. The compact structure of crosslinked chitosan film improved the hydrophobicity and degradability, reduced the thermal stability and swelling rates, exhibited excellent non- cytotoxicity. The in vitro release studies revealed that crosslinked chitosan films could displayed the highest flux about 1.40 mg/ (cm2 h) and significant NR fluorescence change over 80 %. Collectively, our results demonstrate the applicability of these films as ROS-responsive drug delivery systems.

Analyzing Cattle Activity Patterns with Ear Tag Accelerometer Data.

In this study, we equip two breeds of cattle located in tropical and temperate climates with smart ear tags containing triaxial accelerometers to measure their activity levels across different time periods. We produce activity profiles when measured by each of four statistical features, the mean, median, standard deviation, and median absolute deviation of the Euclidean norm of either unfiltered or high-pass-filtered accelerometer readings over five-minute windows. We then aggregate the values from the 5 min windows into hourly or daily (24 h) totals to produce activity profiles for animals kept in each of the test environments. To gain a better understanding of the variation between the peak and nadir activity levels within a 24 h period, we divide each day into multiple equal-length intervals, which can range from 2 to 96 intervals. We then calculate a statistical measure, called daily differential activity (DDA), by computing the differences in feature values for each interval pair. Our findings demonstrate that patterns within the activity profile are more clearly visualised from readings that have been subject to high-pass filtering and that the median of the acceleration vector norm is the most reliable feature for characterising activity and calculating the DDA measure. The underlying causes for these differences remain elusive and is likely attributable to environmental factors, cattle breeds, or management practices. Activity profiles produced from the standard deviation (a feature routinely applied to the quantification of activity level) showed less uniformity between animals and larger variation in values overall. Assessing activity using ear tag accelerometers holds promise for monitoring animal health and welfare. However, optimal results may only be attainable when true diurnal patterns are detected and accounted for.

Converted paddy to upland in saline-sodic land could improve soil ecosystem multifunctionality by enhancing soil quality and alleviating microbial metabolism limitation.

Soil salinization is one of the major soil degradation threats worldwide, and parameters related to soil quality and ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) are crucial for evaluating the success of reclamation efforts in saline-sodic wasteland (WL). Microbial metabolic limitation is also one of the main factors that influences EMF in agricultural cropping systems. A ten-year localization experiment was conducted to reveal the key predictors of soil quality index (SQI) values, microbial metabolic characteristics, and EMF in different farmland cropping systems. A random forest model showed that the ß-glucosidase (BG), cellobiosidase (CBH) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (SHC) of the SQI factors were the main driving forces of soil EMF. Compared to monoculture models, such as paddy field (PF) or upland field (UF), the converted paddy field to upland field (CF) cropping system was most effective at improving EMF in reclaimed saline-sodic WL, increasing this metric by 275.35 %. CF integrates practices from both PF and UF planting systems, improved soil quality and relieves microbial metabolic limitation. Specifically, both CF and PF significantly reduced soil pH (by 16-23 %) and sodium adsorption ration (SAR) (by 65-83 %) and significantly reduced the abundance of large macroaggregates. Moreover, CF significantly improved soil saturated hydraulic conductivity relative to PF and UF (p < 0.05), indicating an improvement in soil physical properties. Overall, although reclamation improved SQI compared to WL (0.25), the EMF of CF (0.56) was significantly higher than that of other treatments (p < 0.05). Thus, while increasing SQI can improve soil EMF, it was not as effective alone as it was when combined with more comprehensive efforts that focus on improving various soil properties and alleviating microbial metabolic limitations. Therefore, our results suggested that future saline-sodic wasteland reclamation efforts should avoid monoculture systems to enhance soil EMF.

Enhancement of the controlled-release properties of chitosan membranes by crosslinking with suberoyl chloride.

A novel crosslinking agent, suberoyl chloride, was used to crosslink N-phthaloyl acylated chitosan and improves the properties of chitosan membranes. Membranes with different crosslinking degrees were synthesized. The derivatives were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹³C solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which indicated that the crosslinking degrees ranged from 0 to 7.4%. The permeabilities of various plant nutrients, including macroelements (N, P, K), microelements (Zn²âº and Cu²âº), and a plant growth regulator (naphthylacetic acid), were varied by moderate changes in crosslinking degree, indicating that the controlled-release properties can be regulated in this way. The film-forming ability of native chitosan was maintained, whilst mechanical properties, hydrophobicity and controlled permeability were improved. These dramatic improvements occurred with a small amount of added suberoyl chloride; excessive crosslinking led to membranes with unwanted poor permeability. Thus, both the mechanical properties and permeability of the crosslinked membrane can be optimized.

Characteristics and correlation of gray matter volume and somatic symptoms in adolescent patients with depressive disorder.

Background: Adolescent patients with depressive disorders commonly exhibit somatic symptoms, which have a significant negative impact on their treatment and prognosis. Despite this, specific brain imaging characteristics of these symptoms have been poorly studied. Methods: The Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAMD-17), Children's Functional Somatization scale (CSI), and Toronto Alexithymia scale (TAS) were used to evaluate the clinical symptoms of adolescent depression. We analyzed the correlation between brain gray matter volume (GMV) and clinical symptoms in adolescent patients with depression and somatic symptoms. Results: The depression subgroups with and without functional somatic symptoms (FSS) had higher scores on the HAMD-17, CSI, and TAS than the normal control group. The group with FSS had higher HAMD-17, CSI, and TAS scores than the depression group without FSS (p < 0.05). CSI and TAS scores were positively correlated (r = 0.378, p < 0.05). The GMV of the right supplementary motor area was higher in the depression groups with and without FSSs than in the normal control group, and the GMV was higher in the group without FSS than in the group with FSS (F = 29.394, p < 0.05). The GMV of the right supplementary motor area was negatively correlated with CSI in the depressed group with FSS (r = -0.376, p < 0.05). In the group with depression exhibiting FSS, CSI scores were positively correlated with GMV of the middle occipital gyrus (pr = 0.665, p = 0.0001), and TAS scores were positively correlated with GMV of the caudate nucleus (pr = 0.551, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Somatic symptoms of adolescent depressive disorder are associated with alexithymia; moreover, somatic symptoms and alexithymia in adolescent patients with depressive disorders are correlated with GMV changes in different brain regions.

Evaluation of Expression of Cytochrome P450 Aromatase and Inflammatory, Oxidative, and Apoptotic Markers in Testicular Tissue of Obese Rats (Pre)Treated with Garlic Powder.

Today, adolescent obesity is recognized as an epidemic and a cause of reproductive disorders. Decreased testosterone levels occur due to functional defects in the hypothalamus-pituitary axis, excessive activity of cytochrome P450 aromatase enzyme, and testicular dysfunction in these people. Oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis are also the main mechanisms of testicular damage during obesity. The use of herbal products such as garlic can improve this disorder due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of pretreatment and treatment of garlic powder on the expression of cytochrome P450 aromatase enzyme and the expression of genes involved in testosterone synthesis, inflammation, oxidative damage, apoptosis in testicular tissue, and metabolic function of liver tissue in young male obese rats. Eighty male Wistar rats were divided into the controlled and treated groups. Serum levels of lipid, glucose, and insulin as metabolic factors were measured along with the testicular antioxidant and inflammation markers. The expression of Bcl2, Bax, and caspase-3 along with NF-κB, SREBP-1c, CPT-1beta, Nrf-2, CD36, FAS, CYP19A1, P450scc, StAR, 17ßHSD, PPARα, and aromatase (CYP19, P450arom) was also measured. Testicular histological evaluation and spermatogenic process was also performed. The results showed that oxidative, inflammatory, and metabolic factors significantly increased in obese rats. The testicular expression of aromatase, NF-κB, Bax, and caspase 3 increased and Nrf2 expression decreased in obese rats, while (pre) treatment with garlic powder significantly decreased the expression of these genes in obese rats. These results were also confirmed by the findings of the histological evaluation and sperm analysis. It can be concluded that garlic powder could improve reproductive dysfunction in obese rats.

Ameliorative effect of calcium poly(aspartic acid) (PASP-Ca) and calcium poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA-Ca) on soil acidity in different horizons.

Soil acidification is a worldwide eco-environmental problem detrimental to plant growth and threatening food security. In this study, calcium poly(aspartic acid) (PASP-Ca) and calcium poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA-Ca) were obtained through cation exchange and used to mitigate soil acidity owing to high solubility and complexing capability. Three rates at 6.7, 13.4, and 20.1 g kg-1, denoted as PASP-Ca1, PASP-Ca2, and PASP-Ca3, and γ-PGA-Ca (7.4 g kg-1) were surface-applied and compared with conventional lime (CaCO3, 2.5 g kg-1) along with control in two soil layers (top soil 0-10 cm, subsoil 10-20 cm). After leaching, various soil properties and aluminum fractions were measured to assess their ameliorative performance and mechanisms. Although lime achieved the highest soil pH (6.91) in the topsoil followed by PASP-Ca and γ-PGA-Ca (pH: 5.57-6.33), it had less effect on subsoil increase (5.3) vs. PASP-Ca and γ-PGA-Ca (pH: 5.44-5.74). Surface-applied PASP-Ca demonstrated efficiency in elevating soil pH and reducing exchangeable acidity, mainly as exchangeable Al3+, whereas γ-PGA-Ca addition superiorly improved soil pH buffering capacity (pHBC). Moreover, PASP-Ca and γ-PGA-Ca addition improved organic carbon by 34.4-44.9%, available P by 4.80-20.71%, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) by 6.19-29.2%, thus greatly enhanced soil fertility. Ca2+ from polyAA-Ca promoted the displacement of exchangeable Al3+ or H+ from soil colloid, which were subsequently complexed or protonated and facilitated leaching. Additionally, the transformation into stable organo-aluminum fractions via complexation inhibited further hydrolysis. Under PASP-Ca or γ-PGA-Ca addition, the saturation of aluminum in cation exchange complex was reduced 2.91-7.81% compared to the control without addition amendments. Thus, PASP-Ca and γ-PGA-Ca can serve as potent ameliorants to alleviate soil acidity and aluminum toxicity for sustainable agricultural development.

Immobilizing arsenic in soil via amine metal complex: a case study using iron-ethylenediamine.

Fe-based nanomaterials have been extensively investigated for their application in mitigating arsenic (As) pollution in groundwater, sediment, and soils. Here, an iron-ethylenediamine (Fe-EDA) complex was synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy before its use as an amendment to ameliorate As-polluted soils. Column leaching tests at three Fe-EDA application rates (1%, 3%, and 5%) were conducted, and their results were compared with those acquired after using nano zerovalent iron (nZVI) and Fe3O4, to assess their efficiency to amend As-contaminated paddy soils. After leaching, stabilization efficiency and soil chemical characteristics were determined. Additionally, As fractions were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy by employing a sequential extraction procedure to evaluate the performance of the treatments and understand the underlying their mechanisms. Compared with the control treatment, the Fe-EDA treatment reduced As release by more than 35.33% in the 2nd leaching cycle, whereas nZVI and Fe3O4 decreased the As release by 11.84% and 24.60%, respectively. Moreover, the optimal addition of the Fe-EDA chelate was 5%, which stabilized more than 50% As in the soil from the 7th to 11th leaching cycles. After sequential extraction, the Fe-Mn oxide binding fraction, which was originally 12.65%, increased to 21.5%, 18.23%, and 21.71% after the application of nZVI, Fe3O4, and Fe-EDA amendments, respectively. Furthermore, our treatments promoted the binding of the As fraction with crystalline Fe (III) (oxyhydr)oxide (F3); however, other fractions did not increase considerably, suggesting that the Fe-EDA complex could effectively stabilize As through electrostatic attraction between the arsenate anion and EDA, as well as As-O-Fe bond formation via a coordinating reaction. Overall, Fe-EDA was found to be a potent amendment for mitigating As-polluted soil.