Effect of microbial inoculum on composting efficiency in the composting process of spent mushroom substrate and chicken manure.

This work aimed to investigate the microbial mechanisms for the improvement of composting efficiency driven by the compound microbial inoculum (MI) (Bacillus subtilis SL-44, Enterobacter hormaechei Rs-189 and Trichoderma reesei) during co-composting of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and chicken manure (CM). The treatments used in the study were as follows: 1) MI (inoculation with microbial inoculum), 2) CI (inoculation with commercial microbial inoculum), and 3) CK (without inoculation). The results demonstrated that MI increased the seed germination index (GI) by 25.11%, and contents of humus, humic acid (HA) and available phosphorus (AP) were correspondingly promoted by 12.47%, 25.93% and 37.16%, respectively. The inoculation of MI increased the temperature of the thermophilic stage by 3-7 °C and achieved a cellulose degradation rate of 52.87%. 16S rRNA gene analysis indicated that Actinobacteria (11.73-61.61%), Firmicutes (9.46-65.07%), Proteobacteria (2.86-32.17%) and Chloroflexi (0.51-10.92%) were the four major phyla during the inoculation composting. Bacterial metabolic functional analysis revealed that pathways involved in amino acid and glycan biosynthesis and metabolism were boosted in the thermophilic phase. There was a positive correlation between bacterial communities and temperature, humification and phosphorus fractions. The average dry weight, fresh weight and seedling root length in the seedling substrates adding MI compost were 1.13, 1.23 and 1.06 times higher than those of the CK, respectively. This study revealed that biological inoculation could improve the composting quality and efficiency, potentially benefiting the resource utilization of agricultural waste resources.

Role of SIRT3 in neurological diseases and rehabilitation training.

Sirtuin3 (SIRT3) is a deacetylase that plays an important role in normal physiological activities by regulating a variety of substrates. Considerable evidence has shown that the content and activity of SIRT3 are altered in neurological diseases. Furthermore, SIRT3 affects the occurrence and development of neurological diseases. In most cases, SIRT3 can inhibit clinical manifestations of neurological diseases by promoting autophagy, energy production, and stabilization of mitochondrial dynamics, and by inhibiting neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress (OS). However, SIRT3 may sometimes have the opposite effect. SIRT3 can promote the transfer of microglia. Microglia in some cases promote ischemic brain injury, and in some cases inhibit ischemic brain injury. Moreover, SIRT3 can promote the accumulation of ceramide, which can worsen the damage caused by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). This review comprehensively summarizes the different roles and related mechanisms of SIRT3 in neurological diseases. Moreover, to provide more ideas for the prognosis of neurological diseases, we summarize several SIRT3-mediated rehabilitation training methods.

Insight into the microbial mechanisms for the improvement of spent mushroom substrate composting efficiency driven by phosphate-solubilizing Bacillus subtilis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the microbial mechanisms for the improvement of composting efficiency after Bacillus subtilis inoculation with soluble phosphorus function in the spent mushroom substrate (SMS) aerobic composting. The methods in this study, including redundant analysis (RDA), co-occurrence network analyze and Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt 2) were carried out studying the dynamic changes of phosphorus (P) components, microbial interactions and metabolic characteristics in the SMS aerobic composting inoculated with phosphorus-solubilizing B. subtilis (PSB). An increase in germination index (GI) (up to 88.4%), total nitrogen (TN) (16.6 g kg-1), available P content (0.34 g kg-1) and total P (TP) content (3.20 g kg-1) and a decrease in total organic carbon (TOC), C/N and electrical conductivity (EC) in final composting stage indicated B. subtilis inoculation could further improve maturity quality of the composting product compared with CK. Other results also demonstrated that PSB inoculation increased the stability of compost, humification degree and bacterial diversity, contributing to P fractions transformation in the composting process. Co-occurrence analysis suggested that PSB strengthened microbial interactions. Metabolic function of bacterial community analysis showed pathways such as carbohydrate metabolism, and amino acid metabolism in the composting were increased by effects of PSB inoculation. In summary, this study reveals a useful basis for better regulating the P nutrient level of the SMS composting and reducing environmental risks by inoculating B. subtilis with P solubilizing function.

Design, synthesis, and in vivo evaluation of GO-SWL-Ahx-K-SWL.

In order to acquire both expanded binding ability with the EphA2 receptor and superior drug delivery capacity, we designed and synthesized the modified GO-SWL-Ahx-K-SWL conjugate as a potential targeted therapeutic drug for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Various characterization methods have confirmed that the conjugate is consistent with the theoretical peptide. The cytotoxicity test results showed that the conjugate was slightly more toxic to A549 cells than in 3 T3 cells, and the toxicity increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) fusion imaging was performed to evaluate the conjugate binding to EphA2 receptor in vivo. The images showed obvious radioactive concentration in tumor tissues and significantly higher ratios of the tumor and muscle in the 125I-GO-SWL-Ahx-K-SWL group (10.78) than in the 125I-SWL-Ahx-K-SWL group (5.21) at all three time points (P < 0.01).

De novo transcriptome sequencing of Capsicum frutescens. L and comprehensive analysis of salt stress alleviating mechanism by Bacillus atrophaeus WU-9.

Salt stress, as one of the most severe environmental stresses, can cause a series of changes in plants. However, the explanation of plant salt stress alleviating mechanism of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) was hindered by the limited availability of transcriptomic information for salt stress-treated plants grown in a microorganism-controlled environment. Our previous reports have selected Bacillus atrophaeus WU-9 as PGPR significantly alleviating pepper (Capsicum frutescens. L) salt stress. In this work, the RNA-seq analysis of salt stress-treated and untreated plants, grown with and without WU-9 in a microorganism-controlled environment, was used to reveal the plant salt stress alleviating mechanisms of WU-9. Twelve sequencing libraries, prepared by treating with WU-9 and salt (150 mM NaCl for 36 h), were constructed by RNA-Seq technique. Non-inoculated seedlings mainly respond to salt stress through regulation of signal transduction, such as ethylene-activated signaling pathway, signaling and cell communication, etc. And ethylene signal participated in salt stress response in pepper through regulating defense responses, fruit ripening and senescence. WU-9 inoculation under salt stress mainly improves salt tolerance and plant growth by regulating salt stress-responding ethylene and auxin signal transduction, utilization of proline, photosynthesis, antioxidant enzyme activities and cell enlargement. Furthermore, 86 differentially expressed genes and 20 transcription factors were identified as associated with salt stress response and tolerance. Thus, this innovative transcriptomic study identified the salt stress response and alleviation in C. frutescens. L with PGPR inoculation. This result provided novel insights into the salinity alleviation in pepper regulated by PGPR.

CELF1 promotes matrix metalloproteinases gene expression at transcriptional level in lens epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: RNA binding proteins (RBPs)-mediated regulation plays important roles in many eye diseases, including the canonical RBP CELF1 in cataract. While the definite molecular regulatory mechanisms of CELF1 on cataract still remain elusive. METHODS: In this study, we overexpressed CELF1 in human cultured lens epithelial SRA01/04 cells and applied whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) method to analyze the global differences mediated by CELF1. We then analyzed public RNA-seq and CELF1-RNA interactome data to decipher the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: The results showed that transcriptome profile was globally changed by CELF1 overexpression (CELF1-OE). Functional analysis revealed CELF1 specifically increased the expression of genes in extracellular matrix disassembly, extracellular matrix organization, and proteolysis, which could be classified into matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) family. This finding was also validated by RT-qPCR and public mouse early embryonic lens data. Integrating analysis with public CELF1-RNA interactome data revealed that no obvious CELF1-binding peak was found on the transcripts of these genes, indicating an indirectly regulatory role of CELF1 in lens epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that CELF1-OE promotes transcriptional level of MMP genes; and this regulation may be completed by other ways except for binding to RNA targets. These results suggest that CELF1-OE is implicated in the development of lens, which is associated with cataract and expands our understanding of CELF1 regulatory roles as an RNA binding protein.

Isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from entomopathogenic nematode-insect host relationship to examine bacterial pathogenicity on Trichoplusia ni.

Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from infected pupae of Galleria mellonella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora hosted within the pupae of G. mellonella. Insect consumption and surface application of P. aeruginosa resulted in 83.33% and 81.66% mortality of Trichoplusia ni larvae, respectively. In contrast, 50% mortality was shown when T. ni larvae were fed with K. pneumoniae, and no larvae were killed when applying the bacterium to the larval cuticle. This report shows that two opportunistic human pathogens found in the insect-nematode ecosystem could kill insect pests.

Bacillus subtilis SL-13 biochar formulation promotes pepper plant growth and soil improvement.

The use of microbial fertilizers can help to avoid the harmful effects of traditional agricultural fertilizers and pesticides; however, there are many constraints on the practical application of such fertilizers. In this study, microbial biochar formulations (MBFs) were obtained by loading biochar, created from agricultural waste, with Bacillus subtilis SL-13. The effects of the MBF on pepper plant growth and soil fertility were studied in pot experiments. The MBF improved the soil texture and environment and favored plant growth. Compared with B. subtilis SL-13-only and biochar-only treatments, the MBF treatments exhibited a significant increase in pepper plant growth and physiological indices and a significant improvement in the physical-chemical properties and activities of several enzymes in the soil. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that MBFs not only retain the beneficial effect of biochar in improving the soil properties but also improve the performance of B. subtilis SL-13 in promoting plant growth.

Association between prenatal exposure to cooking oil fumes and full-term low birth weight is mediated by placental weight.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence regarding the association between prenatal exposure to cooking oil fumes (COF) and full-term low birth weight (FTLBW) is still controversial, and the mechanism remains unclear. This study thus aims to explore the association of prenatal COF exposure with off-spring FT-LBW as well as the mediating role of placenta in their association. METHODS: A case-control study enrolling 266 pregnant women delivering FTLBW newborns (cases) and 1420 delivering normal birth weight (NBW) newborns (controls) was conducted. Information on prenatal COF exposure, socio-demographics, and obstetric conditions were collected at the Women's and Children's Hospitals of Shenzhen and Foshan in Guangdong, China. Linear and hierarchical logistic regression models were undertaken to explore the associations among COF exposure, placenta and birth weight, as well as the mediation effect of placental weight. RESULTS: After controlling for potential confounders, prenatal COF exposure was significantly associated with the higher risk of FT-LBW (OR = 1.31, 95% CI= 1.06-1.63) and the lower placental weight (ß = -0.12, 95% CI= -0.23 ~ -0.005). Compared with mothers who never cooked, those cooking sometimes (OR= 2.99, 95% CI= 1.48-6.04) or often (OR= 3.41, 95% CI= 1.40-8.34) showed a higher risk of FT-LBW, and likewise, those cooking for less than half an hour (OR= 2.08, 95% CI= 1.14-3.79) or cooking between half to an hour (OR= 2.48, 95% CI= 1.44-4.29) were also more likely to exhibit FT-LBW. Different cooking methods including pan-frying (OR= 2.24, 95% CI= 1.30-3.85) or deep-frying (OR= 1.78, 95% CI= 1.12-2.85) during pregnancy were associated with increased FT-LBW risks as well. The further mediation analysis illustrated that placental weight mediated 15.96% (95% CI: 12.81~28.80%) and 15.90% (95% CI= 14.62%~16.66%) of the associations of cooking during pregnancy and frequency of prenatal COF exposure, respectively, with FT-LBW.

Plant growth promotion and alleviation of salinity stress in Capsicum annuum L. by Bacillus isolated from saline soil in Xinjiang.

To maintain the growth and development of pepper in saline condition, candidates of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were isolated, and detected to plant growth promoting (PGP) potential under salt stress was investigated. Thirteen bacterial strains with 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity, WU-1-13, were isolated from saline soil in Xinjiang, China. The isolates were shown to belong to the genera Bacillus by partial sequencing analysis of their respective 16 S rRNA genes. Seven isolates had the ability to solubilize phosphate. Moreover, the amount of solubilized phosphate was significantly high (P < 0.05), which ranged from 157.33 µg/mL to 922.41 µg/mL. All tested bacterial strains were shown to produce a large amount of ACC deaminase and NH3. Furthermore, nine strains were detected for siderophore production. On the aspect of extracellular enzyme, all bacterial isolates produced lipase, amylase and cellulose, whereas only a minority produced chitinase (15.4%) and 10 isolates produced ß-glucanase or protease. In growth room experiments, the results showed that the strain WU-5 exhibited better growth promotion of pepper seedlings in terms of fresh weight (75.60%), dry weight (86.68%), shoot length (12.12%) and root length (146.52%) over the control under saline stress followed by WU-13. Furthermore, seedlings accumulated high amounts of proline induced by the different PGPR inoculation treatments to alleviate the negative effects of salt stress. Further growth-promoting assays under different salt stress were set up to confirm that the fresh and dry weight, shoot and root length of pepper plants inoculated by three strains all were significantly higher than non-inoculated control under different saline stress. In summary, the results demonstrated that WU-9, which induced high levels of proline production and antioxidant enzyme activities, and three strains (WU-5, WU-9 and WU-13) can be of great value in maintaining the growth and development of seedlings on saline lands.

Combinations of CYP2A6*4 and Glutathione S-Transferases Gene Polymorphisms Modify the Association Between Maternal Secondhand Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy and Small-for-Gestational-Age.

INTRODUCTION: Risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth varied considerably in women exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) during pregnancy. We examined whether this variation was explained by mothers' one Phase I (CYP2A6*4, activation of tobacco toxics) and two Phase II (GSTM1 and GSTT1, detoxification) metabolic genotypes. METHODS: We enrolled 468 Chinese pregnant women (115 delivering SGA and 353 delivering non-SGA newborns) shortly before delivery. SHS exposure during pregnancy was defined as self-reported daily exposure time being more than 0 minute. We fitted multivariable logistic regression models to examine whether CYP2A6*4, GSTM1, and GSTT1 gene polymorphsims and their combinations modified the association between SHS exposure and SGA. RESULTS: In the total sample, more mothers of SGA newborns were exposed to SHS during pregnancy than mothers of non-SGA newborns (38.3% vs. 31.4%). CYP2A6*4, GSTM1, and GSTT1 genes alone could not modify the association between SHS exposure and SGA. The combination of CYP2A6*4 and GSTT1 high-risk genotypes (CYP2A6*1/*1 and GSTT1-absent [high-risk] vs. other combinations as a whole [low-risk]) significantly (P value, .045) modified the association between SHS exposure and SGA. Among mothers with high-risk genotypes, SHS during pregnancy was significantly associated with SGA (confounder-adjusted odds ratio, 2.31 [95% confidence interval, 1.20-4.42]). Among mothers with low-risk genotypes, however, SHS exposure during pregnancy was not associated with SGA (1.14 [0.64-2.04]). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese pregnant women with the combination of CYP2A6*1/*1 and GSTT1-absent genotypes are at particularly high-risk of SHS-related SGA.

Comparison of secondhand smoke exposure measures during pregnancy in the development of a clinical prediction model for small-for-gestational-age among non-smoking Chinese pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare predictive values of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) by different measures for secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure during pregnancy and to develop and validate a prediction model for SGA using SHS exposure along with sociodemographic and pregnancy factors. METHODS: We compared the predictability of different measures of SHS exposure during pregnancy for SGA among 545 Chinese pregnant women, and then used the optimal SHS measure along with other clinically available factors to develop and validate a prediction model for SGA. We fit logistic regression models to predict SGA by single measures of SHS exposure (self-report, serum cotinine and CYP2A6*4) and different combinations (self-report+cotinine, cotinine+CYP2A6*4, self-report+CYP2A6*4 and self-report+cotinine+CYP2A6*4). RESULTS: We found that self-reported SHS exposure alone predicted SGA (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve or area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC), 0.578) better than the other two single measures (cotinine, 0.547; CYP2A6*4, 0.529) or as accurately as combined SHS measures (0.545-0.584). The final prediction model that contained self-reported SHS exposure, prepregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain velocity during the second and third trimesters, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension and the third-trimester biparietal diameter Z-score could predict SGA fairly accurately (AUROC, 0.698). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported SHS exposure at peribirth performs better in predicting SGA than a single measure of serum cotinine at the same time, although repeated biochemical cotinine assessments throughout pregnancy may be optimal. Our simple prediction model is fairly accurate and can be potentially used in routine prenatal care.

Influence of CYP2A6*4 genotypes on maternal serum cotinine among Chinese nonsmoking pregnant women.

INTRODUCTION: Serum cotinine is a common biomarker for smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, but it can be affected by the activity of nicotine-metabolizing enzymes. This study investigated the influence of CYP2A6*4 genotypes on serum cotinine among nonsmoking pregnant women. METHODS: We analyzed the data from 545 Chinese nonsmoking pregnant women in a case-control study on SHS exposure and birth outcomes in southern China. Participants self-reported their status and duration of SHS exposure during pregnancy right after delivery in hospital. Research staff used polymerase chain reaction to genotype CYP2A6*4 and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure cotinine levels in maternal serum samples collected before delivery. We stratified women by their self-reported SHS exposure status and CYP2A6*4 genotypes and then compared their median levels of serum cotinine. RESULTS: Among women who self-reported non-SHS exposure (n = 317), the median serum cotinine levels were 2.83ng/ml for those with CYP2A6*1/*1 genotype, 1.39ng/ml for CYP2A6*1/*4, and 0.77ng/ml for CYP2A6*4/*4, respectively. Among women who self-reported SHS exposure (n = 228), the median cotinine levels were 3.32ng/ml for those with CYP2A6*1/*1 genotype, 2.38ng/ml for CYP2A6*1/*4, and 1.56ng/ml for CYP2A6*4/*4, respectively. Strikingly, self-reported SHS-exposed women with CYP2A6*1/*4 or CYP2A6*4/*4 genotype had significantly lower (rather than higher) median cotinine levels than self-reported non-SHS-exposed women with CYP2A6*1/*1 genotype (p = .012). CONCLUSIONS: CYP2A6*4 genotype is associated with lower serum cotinine among Chinese nonsmoking pregnant women. Measuring CYP2A6*4 genotype may help to improve the validity of SHS exposure measurement by serum cotinine in pregnant women and possibly also in other nonpregnant populations.

Hua-Feng-Dan alleviates LPS-induced neuroinflammation by inhibiting the TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB pathway: Through Integrating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation.

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation is the pathological basis of many neurological diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases and stroke. Hua-Feng-Dan (HFD) is a well-established traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for centuries to treat stroke and various other brain-related ailments. OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which HFD mitigates neuroinflammation by combining network pharmacology and in vitro experiments. METHODS: TCMSP and SymMap databases were used to extract active compounds and their related targets. The neuroinflammation-related targets were obtained from the GeneCards database. The common targets of HFD and neuroinflammation were used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. MCODE plug-in was used to find the hub module genes. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used to dissect the hub module genes. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 microglial neuroinflammation model was utilized to assess the therapeutic effects of HFD on neuroin- flammation. Western blotting analysis was performed to examine the core target proteins in the TLR4/My- D88/NF-κB signaling pathway, potentially implicated in HFD's therapeutic effects on neuroinflammation. Hoechst 33342 staining and JC-1 staining were employed to evaluate neuronal apoptosis. RESULTS: Through network pharmacology, 73 active compounds were identified, with quercetin, beta-sitos- terol, luteolin, and (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate recognized as important compounds. Meanwhile, 115 com- mon targets of HFD and neuroinflammation were identified, and 61 targets were selected as the hub targets uti- lizing the MCODE algorithm. The results of in vitro experiments demonstrated that HFD significantly inhibit- ed microglial-mediated neuronal inflammation induced by LPS. Integrating the predictions from network phar- macology with the in vitro experiment results, it was determined that the mechanism of HFD in mitigating neu- roinflammation is closely related to the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, HFD demonstrated the capacity to shield neurons from apoptosis by curbing the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors subsequent to microglial activation. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrated that HFD had an inhibitory effect on LPS-induced neuroinflammation in microglia and elucidated its underlying mechanism. These findings will offer a theoretical foundation for the clinical utilization of HFD in treating neurodegenerative diseases associated with neuroinflammation.

Preparation of pH-sensitive carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles loaded with ginsenoside Rb1 and evaluation of drug release in vitro.

Oral absorption of ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) is often hindered by the gastrointestinal tract. Carboxymethyl chitosan deoxycholic acid loaded with ginsenoside Rb1 nanoparticles (CMDA@Rb1-NPs), were prepared as a delivery system using a self-assembly technique with amphipathic deoxycholic acid grafted carboxymethyl chitosan as the carrier, which improved the stability and embedding rate of Rb1. In addition, the CMDA@Rb1-NPs was encapsulated with sodium alginate by ion crosslinking method with additional layer (CMDAlg@Rb1-NPs). Scanning electron microscopy showed that the nanoparticles were spherical, evenly distributed, smooth and without obvious adhesion. By evaluating drug loading, entrapment efficiency, the encapsulation efficiency of Rb1 increased from 60.07 % to 72.14 % after grafting deoxycholic acid improvement and optimization. In vitro release results showed that the cumulative release of Rb1 by CMDAlg-NPs showed a pH dependent effect, which was <10 % in simulated gastric juice with pH 1.2, completely released with pH 7.4 for about 48 h. In addition, Rb1 and CMDAlg@Rb1-NPs had inhibitory effects on A549 cells, and the inhibitory effect of CMDAlg@Rb1-NPs was better. Therefore, all results indicated that CMDA/Alg@Rb1 nanoparticles might be a novel drug delivery system to improve the stability and embedding rate of Rb1, and has the potential to be applied in oral pharmaceutical preparations.

Real-world evaluation of first-line treatment of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer with atezolizumab plus platinum/etoposide: a focus on patients with brain metastasis.

PURPOSE: A previous real-world study conducted in China confirmed that first-line atezolizumab, in combination with etoposide/platinum (EP), leads to significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) compared to EP alone in patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). The present study aimed to provide updated survival outcome data and evaluate the clinical efficacy of atezolizumab plus chemotherapy in ES-SCLC patients with brain metastasis (BM). METHODS: This retrospective study included 225 patients with ES-SCLC who were treated with EP alone (EP group) or a combination of EP + atezolizumab (atezolizumab group). Survival outcomes for the total study sample and patients in the BM subgroup were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The atezolizumab group continued to demonstrate significantly longer PFS than the EP group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.68). The median overall survival (OS) was 26.2 months in the atezolizumab group vs. 14.8 months in the EP group (HR, 0.63). Additionally, among the BM patients in our study, the median PFS was found to be longer in the atezolizumab group (7.0 months) than in the EP group (4.1 months) (HR, 0.46). The OS of the BM patients did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of atezolizumab to EP as a first-line treatment for ES-SCLC was found to improve survival outcomes. This treatment combination may also prolong PFS in patients with BM, regardless of the administration of cranial irradiation. However, among the BM patients in our study, there was no significant difference in OS between the two treatment groups.

Combined control of plant diseases by Bacillus subtilis SL44 and Enterobacter hormaechei Wu15.

Co-incubation of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) have been proposed as a potential alternative to pesticides for controlling fungal pathogens in crops, but their synergism mechanisms are not yet fully understood. In this study, combined use of Bacillus subtilis SL44 and Enterobacter hormaechei Wu15 could decrease the density of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Rhizoctonia solani and enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria on the mycelial surface, thereby mitigating disease severity. Meanwhile, PGPR application led to a reorganization of the rhizosphere microbial community through modulating its metabolites, such as extracellular polymeric substances and chitinase. These metabolites demonstrated positive effects on attracting and enhancing conventional periphery bacteria, inhibiting fungal pathogens and promoting soil health effectively. The improvement in the microbial community structure altered the trophic mode of soil fungal communities, effectively decreasing the proportion of saprotrophic soil and reducing fungal plant diseases. Certain combinations of PGPR have the potential to serve as precise instruments for managing plant pathogens.

Isolation, purification, and identification of antifungal protein produced by Bacillus subtilis SL-44 and anti-fungal resistance in apple.

Apple anthracnose is a fruit fungal disease that is currently recognized as one of the most severe threats to apples worldwide. In this study, antifungal protein from Bacillus subtilis SL-44 was isolated, purified, identified, and applied for Colletotrichum gloeosporioides control. The antagonistic experiment showed that SL-44 had an excellent broad spectrum against plant pathogenic fungi. The optimal fermentation conditions were as follows: initial pH was 7, inoculum volume was 2%, and rotational speed was 180 r/min. The optimized yield of antifungal protein increased by 45.83% compared with that before. The crude protein was isolated and purified by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow, and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. LC-MS analyzed that antifungal protein was likely to be a novel protein with a molecular weight of 42 kDa. The mechanism revealed that the antifungal protein may disrupt the cell wall structure of C. gloeosporioides and function as its antifungal action. Additionally, antifungal protein significantly alleviated the size of the lesion to more than 70% in the apple infection protection test. In conclusion, antifungal protein has remarkable potential in developing fungicides for the biological control of apple anthracnose. HIGHLIGHTS: 1. B. subtilis SL-44 had broad-spectrum antagonism against plant pathogenic fungi. 2. The optimal fermentation conditions for extracting antifungal protein were optimized. 3. The antifungal protein is a novel protein with a molecular weight of 42 kDa. 4. The mechanism of antifungal protein may disrupt the cell wall structure of C. gloeosporioides.

Preparation of pH-sensitive chitosan-deoxycholic acid-sodium alginate nanoparticles loaded with ginsenoside Rb1 and its controlled release mechanism.

Ginsenoside is a natural extract of the genus ginseng, which has tumor preventive and inhibiting effects. In this study, ginsenoside loaded nanoparticles were prepared by an ionic cross-linking method with sodium alginate to enable a sustained slow release effect of ginsenoside Rb1 in the intestinal fluid through an intelligent response. Chitosan grafted hydrophobic group deoxycholic acid was used to synthesize CS-DA, providing loading space for hydrophobic Rb1. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the nanoparticles was spherical with smooth surfaces. The encapsulation rate of Rb1 enhanced with the increase of sodium alginate concentration and could reach to 76.62 ± 1.78 % when concentration was 3.6 mg/mL. It was found that the release process of CDA-NPs was most consistent with the primary kinetic model which is a diffusion-controlled release mechanism. CDA-NPs exhibited good pH sensitivity and controlled release properties in buffer solutions of different pH's at 1.2 and 6.8. The cumulative release of Rb1from CDA-NPs in simulated gastric fluid was <20 % within 2 h, while could release completely around 24 h in the simulated gastrointestinal fluid release system. It was demonstrated that CDA3.6-NPs can effectively control release and intelligently deliver ginsenoside Rb1, which is a promising alternative way for oral delivery.

Whole genome analysis of Enterobacter cloacae Rs-2 and screening of genes related to plant-growth promotion.

The genus Enterobacter is widely recognized for its biotechnology potential in improving soil environment and crop growth promotion. To further explore these biotechnological potentials, we sequenced and analyzed the whole genome of Enterobacter cloacae Rs-2. The analysis showed that the total length of the Rs-2 genome was 6,965,070,514 bp, and GC content was 55.80%; the annotation results of GO and COG databases showed that the genome contains a variety of growth-promoting genes, such as iscU, glnA, glnB (nitrogen fixation); iucABCD (siderophore synthesis) and fepA, fcuA, fhuA, and pfeA, etc. (siderophore transport); ipdC (secreted IAA) and gcd, pqqBCDEF (dissolved phosphorus), etc. No pathogenic factors such as virulence genes were found. The application of Rs-2 as a soil inoculant in pot experiments showed great potential for growth promotion. This study proved the plant growth-promoting ability of Rs-2 at the molecular level through genetic screening and analysis, which provided guidance for the further improvement of the strain and laid a foundation for its application in agricultural production.