Fast and Selective Cysteine Conjugation Using para-Quinone Methides.

An efficient and selective method for cysteine conjugation utilizing para-quinone methides (p-QMs) was developed. p-QM labeling exhibits high specificity toward the cysteine residue, as evidenced by its reactivity with various amino acid derivatives, peptides, and proteins. Notably, the p-QM-cysteine reactions display robust kinetics with rate constants up to 1.67 × 104 M-1·s-1. Furthermore, p-QM conjugation enables us to attach a fluorescent probe to a HER2 nanobody, resulting in selective labeling of HER2-positive SK-BR-3 cells.

COVID-19 epidemic investigation study of a follow-up cohort of patients with diabetic kidney disease.

Introduction: The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients in China is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate infection status in a DKD cohort post-renal biopsy and analyze vaccination and infection rates, as well as symptom severity, across various renal pathologies in DKD patients. Methods: This epidemiological survey, centered on COVID-19, employed a Chinese DKD and renal puncture follow-up cohort. A customized questionnaire enabled standardized data gathering. It collected data on clinical characteristics, vaccination and infection statuses, and diverse pathological types. The study analyzed the relationship between vaccination and infection statuses across various pathological types, evaluating characteristics and treatment outcomes in patients with infections. Results: In total, 437 patients with DKD from 26 Chinese provinces were followed up for a median of 44.6 ± 20 months. COVID-19 infection, vaccination, and novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) rates were 73.68%, 59.3%, and 6.63%, respectively. Ten patients with NCP had severe pneumonia or died of COVID-19. Renal pathology revealed that 167 (38.22%) patients had diabetic nephropathy (DN), 171 (39.13%) had non-diabetic renal disease (NDRD), and 99 had DN and NDRD (22.65%). The DN group had the lowest vaccination (54.5%), highest all-cause mortality (3.6%), and highest endpoint rates (34.10%). Compared to patients who were not vaccinated pre-infection (117 cases), vaccinated patients (198 cases) had reduced NCP (6.6% vs. 13.7%), severity (1.0% vs. 3.4%), and endpoint (9.10% vs. 31.60%) rates. Conclusion: Vaccination can prevent infection and diminish COVID-19 severity in patients with DKD; therefore, increasing vaccination rates is particularly important. Clinical Trial registration: ClinicalTrails.gov, NCT05888909.

Antibacterial Activity of Ethanol Extract from Australian Finger Lime.

Australian finger lime (Citrus australasica L.) has become increasingly popular due to its potent antioxidant capacity and health-promoting benefits. This study aimed to determine the chemical composition, antibacterial characteristics, and mechanism of finger lime extract. The finger lime extracts were obtained from the fruit of the Australian finger lime by the ethanol extraction method. The antibacterial activity of the extract was examined by detecting the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for two Gram-positive and four Gram-negative bacterial strains in vitro, as well as by assessing variations in the number of bacteria for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) in vivo. GC-MS analysis was used to identify the antibacterial compounds of the extract. The antibacterial mechanisms were investigated by assessing cell permeability and membrane integrity, and the bacterial morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The extract demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Gram-negative bacterial species, such as Escherichia coli, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Xanthomonas campestris, Xanthomonas citri, and CLas. Among the six strains evaluated in vitro, B. subtilis showed the highest susceptibility to the antimicrobial effects of finger lime extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract against the tested microorganisms varied between 500 and 1000 µg/mL. In addition, the extract was proven effective in suppressing CLas in vivo, as indicated by the lower CLas titers in the treated leaves compared to the control. A total of 360 compounds, including carbohydrates (31.159%), organic acid (30.909%), alcohols (13.380%), polyphenols (5.660%), esters (3.796%), and alkaloids (0.612%), were identified in the extract. We predicted that the primary bioactive compounds responsible for the antibacterial effects of the extract were quinic acid and other polyphenols, as well as alkaloids. The morphology of the tested microbes was altered and damaged, leading to lysis of the cell wall, cell content leakage, and cell death. Based on the results, ethanol extracts from finger lime may be a fitting substitute for synthetic bactericides in food and plant protection.

The gap-free genome and multi-omics analysis of Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' reveal the dynamics of fruit flavonoid biosynthesis.

Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' (CRC) has long been recognized for its nutritional benefits, health-promoting properties, and pharmacological potential. Despite its importance, the bioactive components of CRC and their biosynthetic pathways have remained largely unexplored. In this study, we introduce a gap-free genome assembly for CRC, which has a size of 312.97 Mb and a contig N50 size of 32.18 Mb. We identified key structural genes, transcription factors, and metabolites crucial to flavonoid biosynthesis through genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses. Our analyses reveal that 409 flavonoid metabolites, accounting for 83.30% of the total identified, are highly concentrated in the early stage of fruit development. This concentration decreases as the fruit develops, with a notable decline in compounds such as hesperetin, naringin, and most polymethoxyflavones observed in later fruit development stages. Additionally, we have examined the expression of 21 structural genes within the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, and found a significant reduction in the expression levels of key genes including 4CL, CHS, CHI, FLS, F3H, and 4'OMT during fruit development, aligning with the trend of flavonoid metabolite accumulation. In conclusion, this study offers deep insights into the genomic evolution, biosynthesis processes, and the nutritional and medicinal properties of CRC, which lay a solid foundation for further gene function studies and germplasm improvement in citrus.

Unveiling the Secrets of Oil Palm Genetics: A Look into Omics Research.

Oil palm is a versatile oil crop with numerous applications. Significant progress has been made in applying histological techniques in oil palm research in recent years. Whole genome sequencing of oil palm has been carried out to explain the function and structure of the order genome, facilitating the development of molecular markers and the construction of genetic maps, which are crucial for studying important traits and genetic resources in oil palm. Transcriptomics provides a powerful tool for studying various aspects of plant biology, including abiotic and biotic stresses, fatty acid composition and accumulation, and sexual reproduction, while proteomics and metabolomics provide opportunities to study lipid synthesis and stress responses, regulate fatty acid composition based on different gene and metabolite levels, elucidate the physiological mechanisms in response to abiotic stresses, and explain intriguing biological processes in oil palm. This paper summarizes the current status of oil palm research from a multi-omics perspective and hopes to provide a reference for further in-depth research on oil palm.

Correlation between retinal vascular geometric parameters and pathologically diagnosed type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are common microvascular complications of diabetes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between retinal vascular geometric parameters and pathologically diagnosed type 2 DN and to determine the capacity of retinal vascular geometric parameters in differentiating DN from non-diabetic renal disease (NDRD). Methods: The study participants were adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease who underwent a renal biopsy. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed to evaluate associations between retinal vessel geometry parameters and pathologically diagnosed DN. Multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were performed to establish a differential diagnostic model for DN. Results: In total, 403 patients were examined in this cross-sectional study, including 152 (37.7%) with DN, 157 (39.0%) with NDRD and 94 (23.3%) with DN combined with NDRD. After univariate logistic regression, total vessel fractal dimension, arteriolar fractal dimension and venular fractal dimension were all found to be associated with DN. In multivariate analyses adjusting for age, sex, blood pressure, diabetes, DR and other factors, smaller retinal vascular fractal dimensions were significantly associated with DN (P < .05). We developed a differential diagnostic model for DN combining traditional clinical indicators and retinal vascular geometric parameters. The area under the curve of the model established by multivariate logistic regression was 0.930. Conclusions: Retinal vessel fractal dimension is of great significance for the rapid and non-invasive differentiation of DN. Incorporating retinal vessel fractal dimension into the diagnostic model for DN and NDRD can improve the diagnostic efficiency.

A new perspective on proteinuria and drug therapy for diabetic kidney disease.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease worldwide and significantly increases the risk of premature death due to cardiovascular diseases. Elevated urinary albumin levels are an important clinical feature of DKD. Effective control of albuminuria not only delays glomerular filtration rate decline but also markedly reduces cardiovascular disease risk and all-cause mortality. New drugs for treating DKD proteinuria, including sodium-glucose cotransporter two inhibitors, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and endothelin receptor antagonists, have shown significant efficacy. Auxiliary treatment with proprietary Chinese medicine has also yielded promising results; however, it also faces a broader scope for development. The mechanisms by which these drugs treat albuminuria in patients with DKD should be described more thoroughly. The positive effects of combination therapy with two or more drugs in reducing albuminuria and protecting the kidneys warrant further investigation. Therefore, this review explores the pathophysiological mechanism of albuminuria in patients with DKD, the value of clinical diagnosis and prognosis, new progress and mechanisms of treatment, and multidrug therapy in patients who have type 2 diabetic kidney disease, providing a new perspective on the clinical diagnosis and treatment of DKD.

Corrigendum: Gut microbiome alterations during gastric cancer: evidence assessment of case-control studies.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1406526.].

Corrigendum: Positive association between blood ethylene oxide levels and metabolic syndrome: NHANES 2013-2020.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1365658.].

Genome-wide identification of SAMS gene family in Cucurbitaceae and the role of ClSAMS1 in watermelon tolerance to abiotic stress.

S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) is widely involved in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress response. SAM synthetase (SAMS) is the key enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of SAM from methionine and ATP. However, the SAMS gene family has not been identified and their functions have not been characterized in most Cucurbitaceae plants. Here, a total of 30 SAMS genes were identified in nine Cucurbitaceae species and they were categorized into 3 subfamilies. Physicochemical properties and gene structure analysis showed that the SAMS protein members are tightly conserved. Further analysis of the cis-regulatory elements (CREs) of SAMS genes' promoter implied their potential roles in stress tolerance. To further understand the molecular functions of SAMS genes, watermelon SAMSs (ClSAMSs) were chosen to analyze the expression patterns in different tissues and under various abiotic stress and hormone responses. Among the investigated genes, ClSAMS1 expression was observed in all tissues and found to be up-regulated by abiotic stresses including salt, cold and drought treatments as well as exogenous hormone treatments including ETH, SA, MeJA and ABA. Furthermore, knockdown of ClSAMS1 via virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) decreased SAM contents in watermelon seedings. The pTRSV2-ClSAMS1 plants showed reduced susceptibility to drought, cold and NaCl stress, indicating a positive role of ClSAMS1 in abiotic stresses tolerance. Those results provided candidate SAMS genes to regulate plant resistance against abiotic stresses in Cucurbitaceae plants.

Gut microbiome alterations during gastric cancer: evidence assessment of case-control studies.

Objectives: The study aims to systematically identify the alterations in gut microbiota that observed in gastric cancer through comprehensive assessment of case-control studies. Methods: The systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was conducted to identify case-control studies that compared the microbiomes of individuals with and without gastric cancer. Quality of included studies was evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). Meta-analyses utilized a random-effects model, and subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess study heterogeneity. All data analyses were performed using the "metan" package in Stata 17.0, and the results were described using log odds ratios (log ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 33 studies involving 4,829 participants were eligible for analysis with 29 studies provided changes in α diversity and 18 studies reported ß diversity. Meta-analysis showed that only the Shannon index demonstrated statistical significance for α-diversity [-5.078 (-9.470, -0.686)]. No significant differences were observed at the phylum level, while 11 bacteria at genus-level were identified significant changed, e.g., increasing in Lactobacillus [5.474, (0.949, 9.999)] and Streptococcus [5.095, (0.293, 9.897)] and decreasing in Porphyromonas and Rothia with the same [-8.602, (-11.396, -5.808)]. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the changes of 9 bacterial genus were robust. Subgroup analyses on countries revealed an increasing abundance of Helicobacter and Streptococcus in Koreans with gastric cancer, whereas those with gastric cancer from Portugal had a reduced Neisseria. Regarding the sample sources, the study observed an increase in Lactobacillus and Bacteroides in the gastric mucosa of people with gastric cancer, alongside Helicobacter and Streptococcus. However, the relative abundance of Bacteroides decreased compared to the non-gastric cancer group, which was indicated in fecal samples. Conclusion: This study identified robust changes of 9 bacterial genus in people with gastric cancer, which were country-/sample source-specific. Large-scale studies are needed to explore the mechanisms underlying these changes. Systematic Review: Unique Identifier: CRD42023437426 https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023437426.

Positive association between blood ethylene oxide levels and metabolic syndrome: NHANES 2013-2020.

Purpose: The exposure of Ethylene oxide (EO) is linked to systemic inflammatory response and various cardiovascular risk factors. Hemoglobin's binding to ethylene oxide (HbEO) was used to measure serum EO level. This research aims to explore the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and HbEO, and between HbEO and components of metabolic syndrome. Method: This research included 1842 participants from 2013 to 2020 in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Weighted logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between HbEO and metabolic syndrome risk, using odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The restricted cubic spline plot explores whether there is a dose-response relationship between HbEO and MetS risk. Subgroup analysis was performed to analyze study heterogeneity. Results: Significant differences were found in gender, educational level, marital status, diabetes status and hypertension among different groups (P < 0.001, P = 0.007, P = 0.003, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). The serum HbEO level exhibited positive correlation with metabolic syndrome risk in Q2 level (OR=1.64, 1.04~2.48), Q3 level (OR=1.99, 1.29~3.08), and Q4 level (OR=2.89, 1.92~4.34). The dose-response association suggested a possible linear association between serum HbEO and metabolic syndrome risk (P-overall=0.0359, P-non-linear=0.179). L-shaped association was found between HbEO and the risk of MetS in female population, obese population and mid-age and elder population (P-overall<0.001, P-non-linear=0.0024; P-overall=0.0107, P-non-linear=0.0055 P-overall<0.001 P-non-linear=0.0157). Conclusion: This study indicates a linear correlation between MetS and HbEO, with MetS risk escalating as HbEO levels increase. The prevalence of MetS varies depending on BMI, age and gender, and these factors can also influence MetS prevalence when exposed to EO.

Case report of a novel mutation in the TNC gene in Chinese patients with nonsyndromic hearing loss.

RATIONALE: Hereditary hearing loss is known to exhibit a significant degree of genetic heterogeneity. Herein, we present a case report of a novel mutation in the tenascin-C (TNC) gene in Chinese patients with nonsyndromic hearing loss (NSHL). PATIENT CONCERNS: This includes a young deaf couple and their 2-year-old baby. DIAGNOSES: Based on the clinical information, hearing test, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), Sanger sequencing, protein function and structure analysis, and model prediction, in our case, the study results revealed 2 heterozygous mutations in the TNC gene (c.2852C>T, p.Thr951Ile) and the TBC1 domain family member 24 (TBC1D24) gene (c.1570C>T, p.Arg524Trp). These mutations may be responsible for the hearing loss observed in this family. Notably, the heterozygous mutations in the TNC gene (c.2852C>T, p.Thr951Ile) have not been previously reported in the literature. INTERVENTIONS: Avoid taking drugs that can cause deafness, wearing hearing AIDS, and cochlear implants. OUTCOMES: Regular follow-up of family members is ongoing. LESSONS: The genetic diagnosis of NSHL holds significant importance as it helps in making informed treatment decisions, providing prognostic information, and offering genetic counseling for the patient's family.

Arterial stiffness is associated with handgrip strength in relatively healthy Chinese older adults.

Background: Increased arterial stiffness and low handgrip strength (HGS) are associated with poor health outcomes and are a severe health risk for older adults. However, there is limited evidence and mixed results on whether there is an association between them. Therefore, this study focused on the association between arterial stiffness and HGS in relatively healthy older adults in Beijing, China. Methods: In 2016, 2,217 adult volunteers were recruited in Beijing. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and the ankle-brachial index were measured using an automatic vascular profiling system. Carotid artery intima-media thickness and common carotid artery-internal diameter (CCAID) were evaluated using Doppler ultrasound, and HGS was measured with a dynamometer. Low HGS was determined using the Asian Sarcopenia Working Group 2019 criteria. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions evaluated the relationship between arterial stiffness and HGS. Results: Ultimately, 776 relatively healthy older adults (mean age 69.05 ± 6.46 years) were included. Based on the AWGS2019 criteria, 137 participants were defined as having low HGS. Compared to the normal HGS group, the low HGS group was older and had higher baPWV (p < 0.001) but lower CCAID, body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin (Hb) (p < 0.05). The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that baPWV was negatively correlated with HGS (ß = -0.173, t = -2.587, p = 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that baPWV and CCAID were associated with an increased risk of low HGS (odds ratio (OR) per SD increase: 1.318, p = 0.007; OR per SD increase: 0.541, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Arterial stiffness and HGS were significantly negatively correlated in relatively healthy Chinese older adults. Low HGS is associated with increased arterial stiffness. Encouraging exercise training to improve HGS, thereby reducing arterial stiffness and the risk of cardiovascular events, may be a simple and effective intervention.

Validity and applicability of the global leadership initiative on malnutrition criteria in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: There are no standardized assessment criteria for selecting nutritional risk screening tools or indicators to assess reduced muscle mass (RMM) in the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. We aimed to compare the consistency of different GLIM criteria with Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and protein-energy wasting (PEW). Methods: In this study, nutritional risk screening 2002 first four questions (NRS-2002-4Q), Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), and Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF) tools were used as the first step of nutritional risk screening for the GLIM. The RMM is expressed using different metrics. The SGA and PEW were used to diagnose patients and classify them as malnourished and non-malnourished. Kappa (κ) tests were used to compare the concordance between the SGA, PEW, and GLIM of each combination of screening tools. Results: A total of 157 patients were included. Patients with Chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 1-3 accounted for a large proportion (79.0%). The prevalence rates of malnutrition diagnosed using the SGA and PEW were 18.5% and 19.7%, respectively. The prevalence of GLIM-diagnosed malnutrition ranges from 5.1% to 37.6%, depending on the different screening methods for nutritional risk and the different indicators denoting RMM. The SGA was moderately consistent with the PEW (κ = 0.423, p < 0.001). The consistency among the GLIM, SGA, and PEW was generally low. Using the NRS-2002-4Q to screen for nutritional risk, GLIM had the best agreement with SGA and PEW when skeletal muscle index (SMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and hand grip strength (HGS) indicated a reduction in muscle mass (SGA: κ = 0.464, 95% CI 0.28-0.65; PEW: κ = 0.306, 95% CI 0.12-0.49). Conclusion: The concordance between the GLIM criteria and the SGA and PEW depended on the screening tool used in the GLIM process. The inclusion of RMM in the GLIM framework is important. The addition of HGS could further improve the performance of the GLIM standard compared to the use of body composition measurements.

Enhancing Ni/Co Activity by Neighboring Pt Atoms in NiCoP/MXene Electrocatalyst for Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution.

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate neighboring Pt atoms can enhance the metal activity of NiCoP for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, it remains a great challenge to link Pt and NiCoP. Herein, we introduced curvature of bowl-like structure to construct Pt/NiCoP interface by adding a minimal 1 ‰-molar-ratio Pt. The as-prepared sample only requires an overpotential of 26.5 and 181.6 mV to accordingly achieve the current density of 10 and 500 mA cm-2 in 1 M KOH. The water dissociation energy barrier (Ea) has a ~43 % decrease compared with NiCoP counterpart. It also shows an ultrahigh stability with a small degradation rate of 10.6 µV h-1 at harsh conditions (500 mA cm-2 and 50 °C) after 3000 hrs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (sXAS), and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) verify the interface electron transfer lowers the valence state of Co/Ni and activates them. DFT calculations also confirm the catalytic transition step of NiCoP can change from Heyrovsky (2.71 eV) to Tafel step (0.51 eV) in the neighborhood of Pt, in accord with the result of the improved Hads at the interface disclosed by in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) tests.

Association between blood volatile organic aromatic compound concentrations and hearing loss in US adults.

OBJECTIVE: Benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene, collectively referred to as benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BEX), constitute the main components of volatile organic aromatic compounds (VOACs) and can have adverse effects on human health. The relationship between exposure to BEX and hearing loss (HL) in the adult U.S. population was aimed to be assessed. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 2003-2004, 2011-2012, and 2015-2016 were analyzed. This dataset included complete demographic characteristics, pure-tone audiometry measurements, and volatile organic compound detection data from the NHANES database. A weighted multivariate logistic regression model was employed to investigate the associations between blood BEX concentrations HL, low-frequency hearing loss (SFHL), and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL). RESULTS: 2174 participants were included, with weighted prevalence rates of HL, SFHL, and HFHL being 46.81%, 25.23%, and 45.86%, respectively. Exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene, and cumulative BEX concentrations increased the risk of hearing loss (odds ratios [ORs] were 1.36, 1.22, 1.42, 1.23, and 1.31, respectively; all P < 0.05). In the analysis with SFHL as the outcome, ethylbenzene, m-/p-xylene, o-xylene, benzene, and overall BEX increased the risk (OR 1.26, 1.21, 1.28, 1.20, and 1.25, respectively; all P < 0.05). For HFHL, exposure to ethylbenzene, m-/p-xylene, o-xylene, benzene, and overall BEX increased the risk (OR 1.36, 1.22, 1.42, 1.22, and 1.31, respectively; all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that a positive correlation between individual or cumulative exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene and the risk of HL, SFHL, and HFHL. Further research is imperative to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms by which organic compounds, notably BEX, in causing hearing loss and to validate these findings in longitudinal environmental studies.

cGMP functions as an important messenger involved in SlSAMS1-regulated salt stress tolerance in tomato.

Salt stress adversely affects the growth, development, and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). SAM Synthetase (SAMS), which is responsible for the biosynthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM, a precursor of polyamine biosynthesis), participates in plant response to abiotic stress. However, the regulatory mechanism of SAMS-mediated salt stress tolerance remains elusive. In this study, we characterized a SAMS homologue SlSAMS1 in tomato. We found that SlSAMS1 is highly expressed in tomato roots, and its expression can be induced by salt stress. Crucially, overexpression of SlSAMS1 in tomato enhances salt stress tolerance. Through metabolomic profiling, we identified some differentially accumulated metabolites, especially, a secondary messenger guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) which may play a key role in SlSAMS1-regulated salt tolerance. A series of physiological and biochemical data suggest that cGMP alleviates salt stress-induced growth inhibition, and potentially acts downstream of the polyamine-nitric oxide (PA-NO) signaling pathway to trigger H2O2 signaling in response to salt stress. Taken together, the study reveals that SlSAMS1 regulates tomato salt tolerance via the PA-NO-cGMP-H2O2 signal module. Our findings elucidate the regulatory pathway of SlSAMS1-induced plant response to salt stress and indicate a pivotal role of cGMP in salt tolerance.

Adverse effects of knocking down chitin synthase A on female reproduction in Culex pipiens pallens (Diptera: Culicidae).

BACKGROUND: Current mosquito-borne disease vector control strategies, largely based on chemical insecticides, are seriously threatened by increasing resistance worldwide. There is also growing concerned about the adverse effects of insecticides on nontarget organisms and the environment, therefore effective and ecologically friendly alternative approaches are urgently needed. Targeting critical steps of reproduction is considered a potential way to control mosquito populations. Herein, we focused on the roles of chitin synthase A (encoded by chsa) in the reproduction of female mosquitoes. RESULTS: The injection of small interfering RNA targeting Cpchsa in female Culex pipiens pallens (Diptera: Culicidae) had antireproductive effects, including decreased follicle numbers, egg-laying, and hatching rate. Scanning electron microscopy observations showed that Cpchsa silencing caused a defective egg envelope, including absence of the vitelline membrane and cracked chorion layers, which resulted in abnormal permeability. Widely distributed nurse cell apoptosis and follicular epithelial cell autophagy were observed in Cpchsa-silenced ovaries during the vitellogenesis phase. Consistent with the detective egg envelope formation during oogenesis, the exochorionic eggshell structures were also affected in eggs deposited by Cpchsa-silenced mosquitoes. CONCLUSION: This study provided fundamental evidence for the role of chitin synthase A in the female reproductive process of mosquitoes and might result in a novel alternative strategy for mosquito control. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Diversity Analysis and Function Prediction of Bacterial Communities in the Different Colored Pericarp of Citrus reticulata cv. 'Shatangju' Due to 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' Infection.

Huanglongbing (HLB), caused by the Candidatus Liberibacter spp., is the most devastating disease in the citrus industry. HLB significantly affects and alters the microbial community structure or potential function of the microbial community of leaves and roots. However, it is unknown how the microbial community structure of the pericarp with different pigments is affected by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). This study identified the enriched taxa of the microbial community in the citrus pericarp with normal or abnormal pigment and determine the effects of HLB on the pericarp microbial community using 16S rRNA-seq. The alpha and beta diversity and composition of microbial communities were significantly different between normal and abnormal pigment pericarp tissues of ripe fruits infected by CLas. Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota, Acidobacteriota, and Desulfobacterota dominated the pericarp microbiota composition in WDYFs (whole dark yellow fruits) samples. The relative abundance of most genera in WDYFs was higher than 1%, such as Burkholderia, and Pelomonas. However, with the exception of the HLB pathogen, the relative abundance of most genera in the abnormal-colored pericarp samples was less than 1%. CLas decreased the relative abundance of pericarp taxonomic. The predicted function of microbial was more plentiful and functional properties in the WDYF sample, such as translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis, amino acid transport and metabolism, energy production and conversion, and some other clusters of orthologous groups (COG) except for cell motility. The results of this study offer novel insights into understanding the composition of microbial communities of the CLas-affected citrus pericarps and contribute to the development of biological control strategies for citrus against Huanglongbing.