Effect of ammonium stress on phosphorus solubilization of a novel marine mangrove microorganism Bacillus aryabhattai NM1-A2 as revealed by integrated omics analysis.

BACKGROUND: Phosphorus is one of the essential nutrients for plant growth. Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) can alleviate available P deficiency and enhance plant growth in an eco-friendly way. Although ammonium toxicity is widespread, there is little understanding about the effect of ammonium stress on phosphorus solubilization (PS) of PSMs. RESULTS: In this study, seven PSMs were isolated from mangrove sediments. The soluble phosphate concentration in culture supernatant of Bacillus aryabhattai NM1-A2 reached a maximum of 196.96 mg/L at 250 mM (NH4)2SO4. Whole-genome analysis showed that B. aryabhattai NM1-A2 contained various genes related to ammonium transporter (amt), ammonium assimilation (i.e., gdhA, gltB, and gltD), organic acid synthesis (i.e., ackA, fdhD, and idh), and phosphate transport (i.e., pstB and pstS). Transcriptome data showed that the expression levels of amt, gltB, gltD, ackA and idh were downregulated, while gdhA and fdhD were upregulated. The inhibition of ammonium transporter and glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase (GS/GOGAT) pathway contributed to reducing energy loss. For ammonium assimilation under ammonium stress, accompanied by protons efflux, the glutamate dehydrogenase pathway was the main approach. More 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG) was induced to provide abundant carbon skeletons. The downregulation of formate dehydrogenase and high glycolytic rate resulted in the accumulation of formic acid and acetic acid, which played key roles in PS under ammonium stress. CONCLUSIONS: The accumulation of 2-OG and the inhibition of GS/GOGAT pathway played a key role in ammonium detoxification. The secretion of protons, formic acid and acetic acid was related to PS. Our work provides new insights into the PS mechanism, which will provide theoretical guidance for the application of PSMs.

Integration of Microbial Transformation Mechanism of Polyphosphate Accumulation and Sulfur Cycle in Subtropical Marine Mangrove Ecosystems with Spartina alterniflora Invasion.

Excessive phosphorus can lead to eutrophication in marine and coastal ecosystems. Sulfur metabolism-associated microorganisms stimulate biological phosphorous removal. However, the integrating co-biotransformation mechanism of phosphorus and sulfur in subtropical marine mangrove ecosystems with Spartina alterniflora invasion is poorly understood. In this study, an ecological model of the coupling biotransformation of sulfur and phosphorus is constructed using metagenomic analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction strategies. Phylogenetic analysis profiling, a distinctive microbiome with high frequencies of Gammaproteobacteria and Deltaproteobacteria, appears to be an adaptive characteristic of microbial structures in subtropical mangrove ecosystems. Functional analysis reveals that the levels of sulfate reduction, sulfur oxidation, and poly-phosphate (Poly-P) aggregation decrease with increasing depth. However, at depths of 25-50 cm in the mangrove ecosystems with S. alterniflora invasion, the abundance of sulfate reduction genes, sulfur oxidation genes, and polyphosphate kinase (ppk) significantly increased. A strong positive correlation was found among ppk, sulfate reduction, sulfur oxidation, and sulfur metabolizing microorganisms, and the content of sulfide was significantly and positively correlated with the abundance of ppk. Further microbial identification suggested that Desulfobacterales, Anaerolineales, and Chromatiales potentially drove the coupling biotransformation of phosphorus and sulfur cycling. In particular, Desulfobacterales exhibited dominance in the microbial community structure. Our findings provided insights into the simultaneous co-biotransformation of phosphorus and sulfur bioconversions in subtropical marine mangrove ecosystems with S. alterniflora invasion.

Effects of Spartina alterniflora Invasion on Nitrogen Fixation and Phosphorus Solubilization in a Subtropical Marine Mangrove Ecosystem.

Nitrogen fixation (NF) and phosphorus solubilization (PS) play a key role in maintaining the stability of mangrove ecosystems. In China, the invasion of Spartina alterniflora has brought a serious threat to the mangrove ecosystem. However, systematic research on NF and PS in mangrove sediments has not been conducted, and limited studies have focused on the response of NF and PS to S. alterniflora invasion, particularly at different sediment depths. In the present study, shotgun metagenomics and quantitative PCR were used to study the 0- to 100-cm sediment profile of the mangrove ecosystem in the Beibu Gulf of China. Results showed that the PS potential of mangrove sediments was primarily caused by enzymes encoded by phoA, phoD, ppx, ppa, and gcd genes. S. alterniflora changed environmental factors, such as total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total organic carbon, and enhanced the potential of NF and PS in sediments. Moreover, most microorganisms involved in NF or PS (NFOPSMs) responded positively to the invasion of S. alterniflora. Cd, available iron, and salinity were the key environmental factors that affected the distribution of NF and PS genes (NFPSGs) and NFOPSMs. A strong coupling effect was observed between NF and PS in the mangrove ecosystem. S. alterniflora invasion enhanced the coupling of NF and PS and the interaction of microorganisms involved in NF and PS (NFAPSM), thereby promoting the turnover of NP and improving sediment quality. Finally, 108 metagenome-assembled genomes involved in NF or PS were reconstructed to further evaluate NFOPSMs. IMPORTANCE This study revealed the efficient nutrient cycling mechanism of mangroves. Positive coupling effects were observed in sediment quality, NF and PS processes, and NFOPSMs with the invasion of S. alterniflora. This research contributed to the understanding of the effects of S. alterniflora invasion on the subtropical mangrove ecosystem and provided theoretical guidance for mangrove protection, restoration, and soil management. Additionally, novel NFOPSMs provided a reference for the development of marine biological fertilizers.

Efficacy and safety of Jia Wei Bushen Yiqi formulas as an adjunct therapy to systemic glucocorticoids on acute exacerbation of COPD: study protocol for a randomized, double-blinded, multi-center, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Systemic glucocorticoids are effective for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation but have serious adverse effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can bring additional benefits to these patients but has few adverse effects. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Jia Wei Bushen Yiqi (JWBY) formulas in patients who suffer from COPD exacerbations and to investigate whether the short-term (5-days) systemic glucocorticoid therapy is non-inferior to the long-term (9-day) regime. METHODS: In this multi-center, randomized, double-blinded trial, eligible inpatients with COPD exacerbation are randomly assigned to four groups (A, B, C, and D). Group A will receive placebo plus 5-day prednisone, group B will receive placebo plus 9-day prednisone, group C will receive JWBY formulas plus 5-day prednisone, and group D will receive JWBY formulas plus 9-day prednisone. The primary outcomes are the time interval to the patient's next exacerbation during a 180-day following up and the COPD assessment test (CAT) during treatment. Secondary outcomes include lung function, TCM syndrome assessment, laboratory tests, and safety. The changes of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenaline axis (HPA axis) and inflammatory cytokine will be measured as well. DISCUSSION: By demonstrating the advantages of utilizing TCM and an appropriate duration of systemic glucocorticoids, this effectiveness comparison trial will provide new references to physicians on how to improve the management of COPD exacerbation. The results of HPA axis and inflammation cytokine measurements will shed light on the molecular mechanisms and entail further mechanism studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.chictr.org.cn ChiCTR1900023364. Registered on 24 May 2019.

Kidney-Qi deficiency diagnosed by Deng's diagnosis standard was not correlated with aging based on clinical observation of 90 participants.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory that kidney-Qi deficiency (KQD) is considered to be the main cause of aging using cross-sectional study. METHODS: Demographic and lifestyle characteristics of 90 healthy participants were collected with a self-administered questionnaire. KQD syndrome was diagnosed according to Deng's diagnosis standard. Creatinine-adjusted urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) and 8-isomeric-prostaglandin2α (8-iso-PGF2α), salivary advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), malondialdehyde (MDA) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) were selected as aging markers and measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in participant characteristics between the KQD group and non-KQD (NKQD) group (P > 0.05). Levels of 8-OH-dG, 8-iso-PGF2α, AOPPs, and MDA increased with age, except for a slight decrease in 8-OH-dG in the older group. The increase in 8-iso-PGF2α was significant (P < 0.05). DHEA-S significantly decreased with increasing age (P < 0.01). 8-OH-dG levels were higher in the KQD group compared with the NKQD group. Levels of urinary 8-iso-PGF2α, salivary AOPPs, and MDA in the KQD group were lower than in the NKQD group. Salivary DHEA-S was higher in the KQD group compared with the NKQD group. However, differences between KQD group and NKQD group were not significant. CONCLUSION: The current results suggested that KQD syndrome, as diagnosed by Deng's standard, does not underlie the aging phenotype.

A Study of Traditional Chinese Medicine Body Constitution Associated with Overweight, Obesity, and Underweight.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the associations among the nine types of body constitution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with the outcomes of overweight, obesity, and underweight. METHOD: Participants aged 30 to 90 years were recruited from communities in Shanghai and assessed using a self-administered questionnaire pertaining to their demographics, lifestyles, and self-reported medical history. The data of 3748 participants with complete information was available for the analysis. Multinomial logistic regression (MLR) analysis was performed to determine the associations among the TCM constitution variables and the health outcomes. RESULTS: The standards of classification and determination of the constitution in TCM were used to gauge the patients' constitution type. MLR revealed independent and significant associations among the Qi_Deficient and Yang_Deficient groups with the outcomes of overweight, obesity, and underweight (P < 0.10 for all). MLR revealed independent and significant associations among the Qi_Deficient and Yang_Deficient groups with the outcomes of overweight, obesity, and underweight (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed significant negative correlations between the Qi_Deficient and Yang_Deficient groups with the outcomes of overweight, obesity, and underweight. On the other hand, positive correlations were found between Phlegm_Dampness and the outcomes of overweight and obesity.

Regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and immunologic function contributed to the anti-inflammatory effect of acupuncture in the OVA-induced murine asthma model.

Asthma is a complex inflammatory disease of the airways and acupuncture is one of the effective therapies widely used to treat asthma in China. The aim of the study was to evaluate the regulatory role of acupuncture in airway inflammation and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in OVA-induced murine asthma model. Our results demonstrated that acupuncture was effective in suppression of AHR, inhibition of total leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte and eosinophil counts in BALF, attenuation of airway inflammation and TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-5 and eotaxin secretion. Furthermore, the HPA axis activity was also regulated by acupuncture, which included promotion of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol secretion in the plasma. Our findings revealed that acupuncture could attenuate airway inflammation and regulate HPA axis and immunologic function in the OVA-induced murine asthma model, which may provide support to better understand the contribution of acupuncture to the regulation of airway inflammation and HPA axis activity in asthma.

The Anticancer Properties of Herba Epimedii and Its Main Bioactive Componentsicariin and Icariside II.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. Compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicines have been an important source of anticancer drugs and adjuvant agents to potentiate the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs and improve the side effects of chemotherapy. Herba Epimedii is one of most popular herbs used in China traditionally for the treatment of multiple diseases, including osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, hypertension and common inflammatory diseases. Studies show Herba Epimedii also possesses anticancer activity. Flavonol glycosides icariin and icariside II are the main bioactive components of Herba Epimedii. They have been found to possess anticancer activities against various human cancer cell lines in vitro and mouse tumor models in vivo via their effects on multiple biological pathways, including cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis, and a variety of signaling pathways including JAK2-STAT3, MAPK-ERK, and PI3k-Akt-mTOR. The review is aimed to provide an overview of the current research results supporting their therapeutic effects and to highlight the molecular targets and action mechanisms.