Role of KOH-activated biochar on promoting anaerobic digestion of biomass from Pennisetumgianteum.

Pennisetum giganteum is a promising non-food crop feedstock for biogas production due to its high productivity and bio-methane potential. However, the accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFA) usually restricts the conversion efficiency of P. giganteum biomass (PGB) during anaerobic digestion (AD). Here, the role of KOH-activated biochar (KB) in improving the AD efficiency of PGB and the related mechanisms were investigated in detail. The results revealed that KB exhibited excellent electrical conductivity, electron transfer capacity and specific capacitance, which might be related to the decrease in the electron transfer resistance after adding KB to the AD process. In addition, the KB addition not only reinforced metabolisms of energy and VFAs but also promoted the conversion of VFAs to methane, leading to a 52% increase in the methane production rate. Bioinformatics analysis showed that Smithella and Methanosaeta were key players in the KB-mediated AD process of PGB. The stimulatory effect of methanogenesis probably resulted from the establishment of direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) between VFA-oxidizing acetogens (e.g., Smithella) and Methanosaeta. These findings provided a key step to improve the PGB-based AD process.

Magnetite-boosted syntrophic conversion of acetate to methane during thermophilic anaerobic digestion.

Using a batch thermophilic anaerobic system established with 60 mL serum bottles, the mechanism on how microbial enrichments obtained from magnetite-amended paddy soil via repeated batch cultivation affected methane production from acetate was investigated. Magnetite-amended enrichments (MAEs) can improve the methane production rate rather than the methane yield. Compared with magnetite-unamended enrichments, the methane production rate in MAE was improved by 50%, concomitant with the pronounced electrochemical response, high electron transfer capacity, and fast acetate degradation. The promoting effects might be ascribed to direct interspecies electron transfer facilitated by magnetite, where magnetite might function as electron conduits to link the acetate oxidizers (Anaerolineaceae and Peptococcaceae) with methanogens (Methanosarcinaceae). The findings demonstrated the potential application of MAE for boosting methanogenic performance during thermophilic anaerobic digestion.

HPV E7-drived ALKBH5 promotes cervical cancer progression by modulating m6A modification of PAK5.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a causative agent of cervical cancer (CC). N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is implicated in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. However, the involvement of m6A modification in HPV-involved CC remains unclear. Here we showed that HPV E6/7 oncoproteins affected the global m6A modification and E7 specifically promoted the expression of ALKBH5. We found that ALKBH5 was significantly upregulated in CC and might serve as a valuable prognostic marker. Forced expression of ALKBH5 enhanced the malignant phenotypes of CC cells. Mechanistically, we discovered that E7 increased ALKBH5 expression through E2F1-mediated activation of the H3K27Ac and H3K4Me3 histone modifications, as well as post-translational modification mediated by DDX3. ALKBH5-mediated m6A demethylation enhanced the expression of PAK5. The m6A reader YTHDF2 bound to PAK5 mRNA and regulated its stability in an m6A-dependent manner. Moreover, ALKBH5 promoted tumorigenesis and metastasis of CC by regulating PAK5. Overall, our findings herein demonstrate a significant role of ALKBH5 in CC progression in HPV-positive cells. Thus, we propose that ALKBH5 may serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for CC patients.

COPS6 promotes tumor progression and reduces CD8+ T cell infiltration by repressing IL-6 production to facilitate tumor immune evasion in breast cancer.

Due to poor T cell infiltration, tumors evade immune surveillance. Increased CD8+ T cell infiltration in breast cancer suggests a satisfactory response to immunotherapy. COPS6 has been identified as an oncogene, but its role in regulating antitumor immune responses has not been defined. In this study, we investigated the impact of COPS6 on tumor immune evasion in vivo. Tumor transplantation models were established in C57BL/6 J mice and BALB/c nude mice. Flow cytometry was conducted to identify the role of COPS6 on tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. By analyzing the TCGA and GTEx cohort, we found that COPS6 expression was significantly up-regulated in a variety of cancers. In human osteosarcoma cell line U2OS and non-small cell lung cancer cell line H1299, we showed that p53 negatively regulated COPS6 promoter activity. In human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, COPS6 overexpression stimulated p-AKT expression as well as the proliferation and malignant transformation of tumor cells, whereas knockdown of COPS6 caused opposite effects. Knockdown of COPS6 also significantly suppressed the growth of mouse mammary cancer EMT6 xenografts in BALB/c nude mice. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that COPS6 was a mediator of IL-6 production in the tumor microenvironment and a negative regulator of CD8+ T cell tumor infiltration in breast cancer. In C57BL6 mice bearing EMT6 xenografts, COPS6 knockdown in the EMT6 cells increased the number of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, while knockdown of IL-6 in COPS6KD EMT6 cells diminished tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells. We conclude that COPS6 promotes breast cancer progression by reducing CD8+ T cell infiltration and function via the regulation of IL-6 secretion. This study clarifies the role of p53/COPS6/IL-6/CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes signaling in breast cancer progression and immune evasion, opening a new path for development of COPS6-targeting therapies to enhance tumor immunogenicity and treat immunologically "cold" breast cancer.

SHMT2 promotes the tumorigenesis of renal cell carcinoma by regulating the m6A modification of PPAT.

OBJECTIVE: Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) is the first rate-limiting enzyme for serine/glycine biosynthesis and one carbon metabolism. Here, we explore the underlying mechanism of how SHMT2 functions in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) initiation. METHODS: In this study, SHMT2 expression was assessed in RCC tissues. In vitro experiments were performed to investigate the functional role of SHMT2. The detailed mechanisms of SHMT2-mediated PPAT were addressed. RESULTS: Increased SHMT2 facilitated RCC cell proliferation by inducing the G1/S phase transition. And SHMT2 promoted the expression of PPAT. Mechanism dissection revealed that SHMT2 enhanced the m6A modification through the endogenous methyl donor SAM mediated by SHMT2 via serine/glycine one carbon metabolic networks. SHMT2-catalyzed serine/glycine conversion regulated PPAT expression in an m6A-IGF2BP2-dependent manner. SHMT2 promoted RCC cell proliferation by upregulating PPAT expression. CONCLUSIONS: SHMT2 promotes RCC tumorigenesis by increasing PPAT expression. Thus, SHMT2 may be a novel potential therapeutic target for RCC.

Bacterial Cytochrome P450 Catalyzed Post-translational Macrocyclization of Ribosomal Peptides.

Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a fascinating group of natural products that exhibit diverse structural features and bioactivities. P450-catalyzed RiPPs stand out as a unique but underexplored family. Herein, we introduce a rule-based genome mining strategy that harnesses the intrinsic biosynthetic principles of RiPPs, including the co-occurrence and co-conservation of precursors and P450s and interactions between them, successfully facilitating the identification of diverse P450-catalyzed RiPPs. Intensive BGC characterization revealed four new P450s, KstB, ScnB, MciB, and SgrB, that can catalyze the formation of Trp-Trp-Tyr (one C-C and two C-N bonds), Tyr-Trp (C-C bond), Trp-Trp (C-N bond), and His-His (ether bond) crosslinks, respectively, within three or four residues. KstB, ScnB, and MciB could accept non-native precursors, suggesting they could be promising starting templates for bioengineering to construct macrocycles. Our study highlights the potential of P450s to expand the chemical diversity of strained macrocyclic peptides and the range of biocatalytic tools available for peptide macrocyclization.

[Detection of chondroitin sulfate in Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum and Cervi Cornu of different specifications and its application in quality evaluation].

The present study comprehensively compared the content of chondroitin sulfate in Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum(CCP) and Cervi Cornu(CC) of different specifications and explored the feasibility of chondroitin sulfate as an indicator to distinguish between CCP and CC. Twenty-two batches of CCP of different specifications(two-branched velvet antler and three-branched velvet antler) from 15 habitats, CC from 6 habitats, and 60 batches of CCP slices prepared from different parts(wax slices, powder slices, gauze slices, and bone slices) were collected. High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to determine chondroitin sulfate content in CCP and CC of different specifications. Cluster analysis was used to classify CCP slices of different specifications. The results showed that CCP contained abundant chondroitin sulfate. The average content of chondroitin sulfate was 2.35 mg·g~(-1) in two-branched velvet antler and 1.79 mg·g~(-1) in three-branched velvet antler, significantly higher than 0.11 mg·g~(-1) in CC. Chondroitin sulfate content in wax slices, powder slices, gauze slices, and bone slices were 7.81, 8.39, 1.33, and 0.54 mg·g~(-1), respectively. Cluster analysis showed that gauze slices and bone slices could be clustered into one category and distinguished from wax slices and powder slices. CCP slices prepared from different parts could be separated well through chondroitin sulfate content. Based on the five principles of Q-marker selection, chondroitin sulfate can be used as a potential Q-marker for the identification of CCP and CC, as well as a potential quality indicator for CCP slices of different specifications(wax slices, powder slices, gauze slices, and bone slices). This research provides data support for CCP quality evaluation.

The biological function of IGF2BPs and their role in tumorigenesis.

The insulin-like growth factor-2 mRNA-binding proteins (IGF2BPs) pertain to a highly conservative RNA-binding family that works as a post-transcriptional fine-tuner for target transcripts. Emerging evidence suggests that IGF2BPs regulate RNA processing and metabolism, including stability, translation, and localization, and are involved in various cellular functions and pathophysiologies. In this review, we summarize the roles and molecular mechanisms of IGF2BPs in cancer development and progression. We mainly discuss the functional relevance of IGF2BPs in embryo development, neurogenesis, metabolism, RNA processing, and tumorigenesis. Understanding IGF2BPs role in tumor progression will provide new insight into cancer pathophysiology.

Algibacter onchidii sp. nov., a symbiotic bacterium isolated from a marine invertebrate.

A novel symbiotic bacterium, designated strain XY-114T, was isolated from the cerata of an Onchidium marine invertebrate species collected in the South China Sea. Strain XY-114T was an aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and short rod-shaped bacterium (0.5-0.8 µm wide and 1.0-1.5 µm long) without flagellum. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain XY-114T belonged to the genus Algibacter with the highest similarity of 97.2 % to the closest phylogenetic relative Algibacter aestuarii KYW371T. Cells grew at 15-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum 7.0-8.0) and at NaCl concentrations of 0.5-5.0 % (w/v; optimum 1.5-3.0 %). The major fatty acids (>10 %) were summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The predominant polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-6. Flexirubin-type pigments were absent. The genome size of strain XY-114T was 3.4 Mbp, with 34.9 mol% of DNA G+C content. The average nucleotide identity, digital DNA-DNA hybridization and amino acid identity values between strain XY-114T and A. aestuarii KYW371T were 74.5 %, 17.0±1.8 % and 73.9 %. Characterization based on phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic evidence demonstrated that strain XY-114T represents a novel species of the genus Algibacter, for which the name Algibacter onchidii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XY-114T (=KCTC 72217T=MCCC 1K03606T).

Muricauda onchidii sp. nov., isolated from a marine invertebrate from South China Sea, and transfers of Flagellimonas algicola, Flagellimonas pacifica and Flagellimonas maritima to Muricauda algicola comb. nov., Muricauda parva nom. nov. and Muricauda aurantiaca nom. nov., respectively, and emended description of the genus Muricauda.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and non-motile strain (XY-359T) was isolated from the mouth of a marine invertebrate Onchidium species from the South China Sea. It grew at pH 6.0-8.5 (optimum, pH 7.5), at 15-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and in the presence of 0.5-4.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.5 %). It could not hydrolyse Tweens 20, 40, 60 or 80 and no flexirubin-type pigments were produced. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, six unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified polar lipids. The major fatty acids were iso-C17:0 3-OH, iso-C15:1 G and iso-C15:0 3-OH. The respiratory quinone was MK-6. Strain XY-359T showed the greatest degree of 16S rRNA sequence similarity to Flagellimonas algicola AsT0115T (96.54 %), followed by Muricauda flava DSM 22638T (96.27 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and 31 core genes indicated that strain XY-359T belongs to the genus Muricauda. The genome size of strain XY-359T was 4 207 872 bp, with 39.1 mol% of DNA G+C content. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain XY-359T and F. algicola AsT0115T were 74.58 % and 18.5 %, respectively, and those between strain XY-359T and M. flava DSM 22638T were 74.2 % and 18.3 %. The combined phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data suggest that strain XY-359T represents a novel species of the genus Muricauda, for which the name Muricauda onchidii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XY-359T (=MCCC 1K03658T =KCTC 72218T). Moreover, based on the proposal of nesting Spongiibacterium and Flagellimonas within Muricauda by García (Validation List No. 193) and the analyses of phylogenetic trees and average amino acid identities in this study, the transfers of F. algicola, F. pacifica and F. maritima to the genus Muricauda as Muricauda algicola comb. nov., Muricauda parva nom. nov. and M. aurantiaca nom. nov., respectively, are proposed, with an emended description of the genus Muricauda.

[Analysis of material basis of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus in different growth stages based on chromatography].

Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus in six growth stages was taken as materials to study the species and content changes of material basis, which were detected by UPLC, GC and MS chromatography, including lignans, nucleosides, aroma components and fatty acids. The results showed that the texture, color and taste of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus in six growth stages were different. On the material basis, 12 lignans were detected by UPLC-MS, and the content of total lignans was higher in the samples from late August to early September, among which the highest content of schisandrin was 0.67%±0.01%, followed by schizandrol B, angeloylgomisin H and schisandrin B, and the total content increased with the maturity of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus. Thirteen kinds of nucleosides were detected by UPLC. The total nucleoside content was the highest in late July samples, in which the contents of uridine and guanosine were higher and decreased after maturity. Aroma components and fatty acids were identified by GC-MS. A total of 53 aroma components were detected and the highest total content was appeared in late August samples, of which ylangene was higher and bergamotene was followed. A total of 24 kinds of fatty acids were detected. The fruits matured basically in August, and the content of fatty acids in the samples was the highest, among which linoleic acid content was top the list and oleic acid was the second. To sum up, the maturity of Schisandra chinensis fruit is related to the content and variety of various material bases, and the growth period has different influences on the quality of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus. Therefore, the appropriate harvesting time should be determined according to the change law of target components. The results of this study can provide reference for the quality evaluation of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus material basis.

Pseudooceanicola onchidii sp. nov., isolated from a marine invertebrate from the South China Sea.

A novel bacterial strain, XY-99T, was isolated from the epidermis of a marine invertebrate of the genus Onchidium from seawater of the South China Sea. The cells of the strain were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, and oval-shaped (0.8-1.0 µm wide and 1.0-1.5 µm long) without a flagellum. The strain grew at temperatures of 15-37 °C (optimum, 35-37 °C), at pH 5.5-9.5 (optimum 7.5), and at NaCl concentrations of 0-12.0 % (w/v) (optimum 1.5-3.0 %). The major fatty acids (>10 %) were summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0 and 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c. The predominant polar lipid was diphosphatidylglycerol. The respiratory quinone was Q-10. The closet phylogenetic neighbours were Pseudooceanicola flagellatus DY470T and Pseudooceanicola nitratireducens JLT1210T, showing 97.5 and 97.3 % of 16 s rRNA gene sequence similarity. The genome size of XY-99T was 3 673 499 bp, with 64.5 % DNA G+C content. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between XY-99T and Pseudooceanicola flagellatus DY470T were 72.8 and 14.0 %, respectively, while they were 79.3 and 22.3 % between XY-99T and Pseudooceanicola nitratireducens JLT1210T. Characterization based on phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic evidence demonstrated that XY-99T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudooceanicola, for which the name Pseudooceanicola onchidii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XY-99T (=KCTC 72211T=MCCC 1K03607T).

Algoriphagus kandeliae sp. nov., isolated from mangrove rhizosphere soil.

Strain XY-J91T, a Gram-stain-negative, reddish orange, non-spore-forming and short-rod-shaped marine bacterium, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of the mangrove plant Kandelia candel (L.) Druce in Mai Po Nature Reserve, Hong Kong. The strain showed growth at 15-50 °C (optimum 40 °C), at pH 5.5-9.5 (optimum 7.0-8.0) and with 0-8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1-2 %). The only respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified phospholipid. The G+C content of strain XY-J91T was 40.4 mol%. Strain XY-J91T exhibited highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the type strains of Algoriphagus marincola SW-2T (96.66 %), Algoriphagus taiwanensis CC-PR-82T (96.21%), Algoriphagus ornithinivorans JC2052T (96.16%), Algoriphagus confluentis HJM-2T (95.73%) and Algoriphagus zhangzhouensis 12C11T (95.52 %). Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic evidence presented, strain XY-J91T represents a novel species of the genus Algoriphagus, for which the name Algoriphagus kandeliae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XY-J91T (=MCCC 1K03612T=KCTC 72216T).

Preparation of Alkyl Indium Reagents by Iodine-Catalyzed Direct Indium Insertion and Their Applications in Cross-Coupling Reactions.

An efficient method for the synthesis of alkyl indium reagent by means of an iodine-catalyzed direct indium insertion into alkyl iodide in THF is reported. The thus-generated alkyl indium reagents effectively underwent Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with various aryl halides, exhibiting good compatibility to a variety of sensitive functional groups. By replacing THF with DMA and using 0.75 equiv of iodine, less reactive alkyl bromide could be used as substrate for indium insertion with equal ease.

Kandeliimicrobium roseum gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Rhodobacteraceae isolated from mangrove rhizosphere soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-flagellated, short rod-shaped bacterium, designated XY-R6T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a mangrove plant, Kandelia candel (L.) Druce, in Mai Po Nature Reserve, Hong Kong. Growth of strain XY-R6T was observed at pH 5.0-9.5 (optimum 6.5-8.0), between 8 and 42 °C (optimum 28-34 °C), and in the presence of 0-9.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1-4 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-10. The major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c) (55.61 %), C19 : 0cycloω8c (21.59 %) and C16 : 0 (11.24 %). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, aminolipid, phosphatidylcholine and diphosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain XY-R6T was 69.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, revealed that strain XY-R6T belonged to the family Rhodobacteraceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria and formed a distinct lineage, showing the highest gene sequence similarities to the members of genus Wenxinia(94.5-94.3 %), followed by the genera Profundibacterium (94.3 %), Defluviimonas(93.8-92.5 %), Oceanicola (93.8 %) and Cereibacter (93.7 %). Similarities to other genera within the family Rhodobacteraceae were below 94.0 %. Based on comprehensive phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characterization, it is indicated that strain XY-R6T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Rhodobacteraceae, for which the name Kandeliimicrobium roseum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with XY-R6T (=MCCC 1K01498T=KCTC 52266T=DSM 104294T) as the type strain.

Euzebya rosea sp. nov., a rare actinobacterium isolated from the East China Sea and analysis of two genome sequences in the genus Euzebya.

Rare Actinobacteria, known as non-Streptomyces, hold great potential to produce new bioactive compounds for drug development. A strain designated DSW09T, which belongs those rare Actinobacteria, was isolated from surface seawater of the East China Sea. The cells were aerobic, Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped (0.4 µm wide and 1.5-4.0 µm long). The closest relative was Euzebya tangerina F10T (96.46 % of 16S rRNA gene similarity). Cell growth occurred at 15-45 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (pH 6.0-7.0) and at NaCl concentrations of 0.5-5.0 % (w/v; 1.0-4.0 %). The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C15 : 0iso 2OH), C17 : 1ω8c and C16 : 0. The predominant polar lipid was diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The cell-wall peptidoglycan was A1 γ-type, containing meso-DPA. The major cell-wall sugars were rhamnose and ribose. The genome size was 5 509 297 bp with a 71.29 mol% G+C content for strain DSW09T, while 4 781 440 bp with a 68.87 mol% G+C content for E. tangerina F10T. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain DSW09T and E. tangerina F10T were 73.44 % and 16.43 %, respectively. Based on phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic evidence and genomic analyses, strain DSW09T is a novel species of genus Euzebya, for which the name Euzebya rosea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DSW09T (=DMS 104446T=MCCC 1K03290T).

[Clinical Effect of Treating Refractory Pressure Ulcers by Jinchuang Ointment].

Objective To observe the clinical effect of Jinchuang Ointment (JO) for treatment of refractory pressure ulcers. Methods Totally 306 patients with phase II , IIl, IV refractory pressure ul- cers were randomly assigned to the traditional Chinese herbal medicine ointment group, the JO group, the MepilexAg group,102 cases in each group. Each ulcer was scored using pressure ulcer scale for healing (PUSH) designed by National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) before treatment, at day 7, 14, and 21 after treatment, respectively. The healing rate of pressure ulcer was observed at day 21. Results There was significant difference in PUSH score of the 3 groups between before treatment and at day 7/14)21 after treatment (P <0. 01). PUSH score was better in the JC group, as compared with that in the other two groups (P <0. 05) at day 14 and 21 after treatment. There was no significant difference in PUSH score between the traditional Chinese herbal medicine ointment group and the MepilexAg group (P >0. 05). Conclusions JO had significant effect in treatment of patients with phase II , III, IV pressure ulcers. The rate of wound healing at day 14/21 was significantly higher than that of traditional Chinese herbal medicine ointment and MepilexAg.

Effects of whole nutritional formula foods on nutritional improvement and intestinal flora in malnourished rats.

Food for special medical purposes (FSMP) has received increasing attention as an enteral nutritional supplement. To investigate the effects of whole nutritional formula (WNF) containing dietary fiber and regular formula on nutritional supplementation and improvement of intestinal microecology, a rat malnutrition model was established with the formulations of WNF, FOS, and SDF (10, 20 g/kg bw) administered by gavage for 30 days. The results showed that the three formulations effectively improved the nutritional status of the malnourished rats, significantly increasing the level of IgG, increasing the abundance of Bacteroidetes, and affecting the content of propionic acid (PRO). The nutritional status of rats is closely related to growth performance, nutritional indexes, and immunoglobulin index, which cause changes in the composition of the intestinal flora. The above results showed that WNF positively affected the nutritional improvement, immune level, and intestinal health of rats. The comprehensive evaluation also suggested that the formulation containing ginseng water-soluble dietary fiber (ginseng-SDF) had the most significant effect.

Nano magnetite-loaded biochar boosted methanogenesis through shifting microbial community composition and modulating electron transfer.

A batch anaerobic fermentation system was employed to clarify how nano magnetite-loaded biochar can improve methanogenic performance of the propionate-degrading consortia (PDC). The nano magnetite-loaded biochar was prepared in a sequential hydrothermal and pyrolysis procedure using the household waste (HW), biogas residue (BR) and Fe (NO3)3 as pristine materials. Comprehensive characterization showed that the nano magnetite-loaded biochar ameliorated the biochar properties with large specific surface area, high electrochemical response and low electron transfer resistance. PDC supplemented with the magnetite/BR-originated biochar composites displayed excellent methanogenic performance, where the methane production rate was enhanced by 1.6-fold compared with the control. The nano magnetite-loaded biochar promoted methane production probably by promoting direct interspecies electron transfer between syntrophic bacteria (e.g., Syntrophobacter and Thauera) and their partners (e.g., Methanosaeta). In this process, magnetite might be responsible for triggering rapidly extracellular electron release, whereas both external functional groups and intrinsic graphitic matrices of biochar might work as electron bridges for electron transport.