Molecular Phylogenetics and the Evolution of Morphological Complexity in Aytoniaceae (Marchantiophyta).

Aytoniaceae are one of the largest families of complex thalloid liverworts (Marchantiopsida), consisting of about 70 species, with most species being distributed in temperate areas. However, the phylogeny and evolution of the morphological character of Aytoniaceae are still poorly understood. Here, we employed two chloroplast loci, specifically, rbcL and trnL-F, along with a 26S nuclear ribosomal sequence to reconstruct the phylogeny and track the morphological evolution of Aytoniaceae. Our results reveal that Aytoniaceae are monophyletic, and five monophyletic clades were recovered (i.e., Asterellopsis-Cryptomitrium, Calasterella, Mannia, Reboulia-Plagiochasma, and Asterella). Asterella was divided into five clades (i.e., Asterella lindenbergiana, subg. Saccatae, subg. Phragmoblepharis, subg. Wallichianae, and subg. Asterella), except for Asterella palmeri, which is the sister of Asterellopsis grollei. Bayesian molecular clock dating indicates that the five primary clades within Aytoniaceae underwent divergence events in the Cretaceous period. Asterellopsis differentiated during the early Upper Cretaceous (c. 84.2 Ma), and Calasterella originated from the late Lower Cretaceous (c. 143.0 Ma). The ancestral Aytoniaceae plant is reconstructed as the absence of a pseudoperianth, lacking equatorial apertures, and having both male and female reproductive organs on the main thallus. At present, Asterellopsis consists of two species known in Asia and America with the new transfer of Asterella palmeri to Asterellopsis. A new subgenus, Asterella subg. Lindenbergianae, is proposed.

Is RNA editing truly absent in the complex thalloid liverworts (Marchantiopsida)? Evidence of extensive RNA editing from Cyathodium cavernarum.

RNA editing is a crucial modification in plants' organellar transcripts that converts cytidine to uridine (C-to-U; and sometimes uridine to cytidine) in RNA molecules. This post-transcriptional process is controlled by the PLS-class protein with a DYW domain, which belongs to the pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein family. RNA editing is widespread in land plants; however, complex thalloid liverworts (Marchantiopsida) are the only group reported to lack both RNA editing and DYW-PPR protein. The liverwort Cyathodium cavernarum (Marchantiopsida, Cyathodiaceae), typically found in cave habitats, was newly found to have 129 C-to-U RNA editing sites in its chloroplast and 172 sites in its mitochondria. The Cyathodium genus, specifically C. cavernarum, has a large number of PPR editing factor genes, including 251 DYW-type PPR proteins. These DYW-type PPR proteins may be responsible for C-to-U RNA editing in C. cavernarum. Cyathodium cavernarum possesses both PPR DYW proteins and RNA editing. Our analysis suggests that the remarkable RNA editing capability of C. cavernarum may have been acquired alongside the emergence of DYW-type PPR editing factors. These findings provide insight into the evolutionary pattern of RNA editing in land plants.

Effect of duck interferon-α and an anti-cap protein polyclonal antibody against duck circovirus.

Duck circovirus (DuCV) is one of the most prevalent viruses in the duck breeding industry, and causes persistent infection and severe immunosuppression. Currently, there is a serious lack of prevention and control measures and no commercial vaccine against DuCV. Therefore, effective antiviral drugs are important for treating DuCV infection. Interferon (IFN) is an important component of antiviral innate immunity, but it remains unclear whether duck IFN-α has a clinical effect against DuCV. Antibody therapy is an important way to treat viral infections. The DuCV structural protein (cap) is immunogenic, and it remains to be determined whether an anti-cap protein antibody can effectively block DuCV infection. In this study, the duck IFN-α gene and the DuCV structural protein cap gene were cloned, expressed and purified in Escherichia coli to prepare duck recombinant IFN-α and the cap protein. Then, rabbits were immunized with the recombinant cap protein to prepare a rabbit polyclonal antibody. This study investigated the antiviral effect of duck recombinant IFN-α and the anti-cap protein antibody and their combined effect on Cherry Valley ducks infected with DuCV. The results showed that the treatment significantly alleviated the clinical symptoms of immune organ atrophy and immunosuppression compared with the control. The histopathological damage of the target organs was alleviated, and replication of DuCV in the immune organs was significantly inhibited. The treatment also reduced the damage caused by DuCV to the liver and immune function, and increased the level of the DuCV antibody in the blood, thereby improving antiviral activity. Notably, the combination of duck IFN-α and the polyclonal antibody completely blocked DuCV infection after 13 days under the experimental conditions, showing a better inhibitory effect on DuCV infection than single treatments. These results showed that duck recombinant IFN-α and the anti-cap protein antibody can be used as antiviral drugs to clinically treat and control DuCV infection, particularly the vertical transmission of the virus in breeding ducks.

Stepwise changes in flavonoids in spores/pollen contributed to terrestrial adaptation of plants.

Protecting haploid pollen and spores against UV-B light and high temperature, 2 major stresses inherent to the terrestrial environment, is critical for plant reproduction and dispersal. Here, we show flavonoids play an indispensable role in this process. First, we identified the flavanone naringenin, which serves to defend against UV-B damage, in the sporopollenin wall of all vascular plants tested. Second, we found that flavonols are present in the spore/pollen protoplasm of all euphyllophyte plants tested and that these flavonols scavenge reactive oxygen species to protect against environmental stresses, particularly heat. Genetic and biochemical analyses showed that these flavonoids are sequentially synthesized in both the tapetum and microspores during pollen ontogeny in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We show that stepwise increases in the complexity of flavonoids in spores/pollen during plant evolution mirror their progressive adaptation to terrestrial environments. The close relationship between flavonoid complexity and phylogeny and its strong association with pollen survival phenotypes suggest that flavonoids played a central role in the progression of plants from aquatic environments into progressively dry land habitats.

The endomembrane system: how does it contribute to plant secondary metabolism?

New organelle acquisition through neofunctionalization of the endomembrane system (ES) with respect to plant secondary metabolism is a key evolutionary strategy for plant adaptation, which is overlooked due to the complexity of angiosperms. Bryophytes produce a broad range of plant secondary metabolites (PSMs), and their simple cellular structures, including unique organelles, such as oil bodies (OBs), highlight them as suitable model to investigate the contribution of the ES to PSMs. In this opinion, we review latest findings on the contribution of the ES to PSM biosynthesis, with a specific focus on OBs, and propose that the ES provides organelles and trafficking routes for PSM biosynthesis, transportation, and storage. Therefore, future research on ES-derived organelles and trafficking routes will provide essential knowledge for synthetic applications.

Hexavalent chromium disrupts the skin barrier by targeting ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway apoptosis in keratinocytes.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), a toxic heavy metal, is ubiquitous in daily life. Exposure to this toxic substance in occupational settings can cause dermatitis and cancer. As the body's largest organ, the skin plays a crucial role in protecting the organism against external aggressions. While previous studies have focused on the effects of Cr(VI) on skin inflammation, this study investigates the potential toxicity of Cr(VI) from the skin barrier and integrity perspective. The in vivo results of this study showed that mice exposed to Cr(VI) experienced skin deterioration and hemorrhaging, as well as a reduction in the thickness of the collagen fiber layer. TUNEL and Occludin staining results revealed that Cr(VI)'s toxicity primarily targeted keratinocytes. Experiments in vitro demonstrated that Cr(VI) treatment decreased the activity of HaCaT cells, altered cell morphology, and increased LDH secretion. Further research revealed that Cr(VI) could modify membrane permeability, impair membrane integrity, and reduce the protein expression of ZO-1 and Occludin. In addition, it was discovered that Cr(VI) promoted cell apoptosis and inhibited AKT activation. However, the addition of a caspase inhibitor and an AKT activator prevented Cr(VI)-induced injury to the cell membrane barrier, indicating that apoptosis plays a crucial role in this process. The addition of three apoptotic pathway inhibitors, confirmed that Cr(VI) damaged the cell barrier through ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway apoptosis. Moreover, the use of a ROS inhibitor significantly reduced Cr(VI)-induced apoptosis and cell barrier injury. In conclusion, this study provides an experimental foundation for the treatment of skin injury caused by Cr(VI).

Comparison study of protective effects of porcine bile acids and sheep bile acids against heat stress in chickens.

BACKGROUND: Heat stress (HS) is known to exert negative effects on the poultry and breeding industry, resulting in severe economic losses. Bile acids (BAs), an important component of bile, play a crucial role in improving the production performance of livestock and poultry, alleviating stress injury, and ensuring the health of livestock and poultry. At present, porcine BAs are widely used because of their therapeutic effects on HS; however, it remains unclear whether the same effects are exerted by sheep BAs, which are different from porcine BAs and have different compositions. In this study, we compared the anti-HS effects of porcine BAs and sheep BAs in the diet by establishing an HS model of chicks and investigating the chicken performance, HS-related genes' expression, oxidative stress markers, jejunal histoarchitecture, inflammatory cytokines' expression, jejunal secreted immunoglobulin A concentration, and cecal bacterial flora. RESULTS: The results showed that the addition of sheep BAs to the diet increased the average daily weight gain and the feed conversion ratio of chicks. Under HS, sheep BAs were more effective than porcine BAs in improving the activities of lactate dehydrogenase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase in serum and the content/activity of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione in serum and tissue, in reducing the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of heat shock proteins (HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90) in the liver and jejunum, and in improving the histological structure and the expression of tight junction proteins (occludin and zonula occludens-1) and enriching intestinal bacterial flora. However, porcine BAs were significantly inferior to sheep BAs in reducing the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors (interleukin-6, interleukin-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor-α). CONCLUSION: The effect of sheep BAs was more significant than porcine BAs was in alleviating HS injury in chicks, suggesting that sheep BAs have great potential as new feed nutrition and health additive to improve poultry production performance and prevent HS. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pathogenicity of duck circovirus and fowl adenovirus serotype 4 co-infection in Cherry Valley ducks.

Duck circovirus (DuCV) is one of the most prevalent infectious viruses in the duck industry in China. Although the clinical symptoms vary, it often causes immunosuppression in the host and leads to secondary infection with other pathogens. Fowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4) mainly infects chickens and causes hydropericardium hepatitis syndrome. However, the incidence of infection in ducks has increased in recent years, and the phenomenon of mixed infection with DuCV is very common, resulting in more severe clinical morbidity. However, there is no systematic study evaluating the presence of mixed infection. To explore the synergistic pathogenicity of DuCV and FAdV-4 co-infection in Cherry Valley ducks, a comparative experiment was established between DuCV and FAdV-4 co-infection and single infection animal models. It was found that DuCV and FAdV-4 co-infected ducks showed more pronounced clinical signs of pericardial effusion, hepatitis and immunosuppression; more severe tissue damage in target organs; and more significant levels of viral load, biochemical indicators and immune indicators in various organs compared with Cherry Valley ducks infected with just one virus. The results showed that co-infection with DuCV and FAdV-4 may promote greater viral replication, causing more severe tissue damage and immunosuppression than infection with just one virus. Therefore, the monitoring and prevention of the two viruses should be strengthened clinically, with a particular focus on the potential harm of DuCV as it carries the highest infection rate.

The role of transforming growth factor beta-1 protein in Escherichia coli secondary infection induced by H9N2 avian influenza virus in chickens.

The H9N2 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) is common in poultry production. It causes mild clinical signs but rarely leads to poultry mortalities. However, higher mortality can occur in chickens with co-infections, especially avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), which results in huge economic losses for the poultry industry. Unfortunately, the mechanism of co-infection remains unknown. Our previous studies screened several proteins associated with bacterial adhesion, including transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-ß1), integrins, cortactin, E-cadherin, vinculin, and fibromodulin. Herein, we investigated the contribution of TGF-ß1 to APEC adhesion after H9N2 infection. We first infected H9N2 and APEC in chicken, chicken embryo and DF-1 cells, and demonstrated that H9N2 infection promotes APEC adhesion to hosts in vitro and in vivo by plate count method. Through real-time fluorescence quantification and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, it was demonstrated that H9N2 infection not only increases TGF-ß1 expression but also its activity in a time-dependent manner. Then, through exogenous addition of TGF-ß1 and overexpression, we further demonstrated that TGF-ß1 can increase the adhesion of endothelial cells to DF-1 cells. Furthermore, the capacity of APEC adhesion to DF-1 cells was significantly decreased either by adding a TGF-ß1 receptor inhibitor or using small interfering RNAs to interfere with the expression of TGF-ß1. To sum up, H9N2 infection can promote the upregulation of TGF-ß1 and then increase the adhesion ability of APEC. Targeting TGF-ß1 and its associated pathway will provide valuable insights into the clinical treatment of E. coli secondary infection induced by H9N2 infection.

Evaluation of the antiviral effect of four plant polysaccharides against duck circovirus.

Recently, outbreaks of duck circovirus (DuCV) are frequently occurring worldwide due to secondary infections caused by post infection-induced immunosuppression. Due to a lack of preventive drugs and vaccines, the waterfowl industry losses are ever increasing. In this study, we extracted Astragalus polysaccharides (APS), pine pollen polysaccharides (PPPS), Aloe vera polysaccharides (AVE), and Ficus carica polysaccharides (FCPS) from Astragalus, pine pollen, aloe, and F. carica leaves, respectively. We randomly divided 150 one-day-old Cherry Valley ducks into five groups, which were inoculated with the DuCV solution and orally administered APS, PPPS, AVE, FCPS, and phosphate buffer saline (PBS), respectively. We collected the duck immune organs and serum samples at 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, and 48 days post-infection (dpi). Using clinical symptom analysis, molecular biology experiments, and serological experiments, we proved that plant polysaccharides could (a) improve the duck immunity, (b) reduce the viral load, and (c) mitigate DuCV-induced damage to immune organs, with both APS and PPPS having significant effects. Moreover, we detected viral load and cytokines within the first 8 dpi. Since the body's innate immunity could inhibit viral replication within five days of virus infection, 1-5 dpi was the best treatment time. Among the four polysaccharides showing in vitro anti-apoptotic activity, APS and PPPS significantly inhibited the DuCV infection-induced apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Overall, since our findings show APS and PPPS having significant anti-DuCV effects both in vivo and in vitro, they can be promising candidates for preventing DuCV infection in ducks.

New insights into the phylogeny of the complex thalloid liverworts (Marchantiopsida) based on chloroplast genomes.

Marchantiopsida (complex thalloid liverworts) are one of the earliest lineages of embryophytes (land plants), and well-known for their air pores and chambers, pegged rhizoids, and absence of organellular RNA editing sites. Despite their importance to an understanding of early embryophyte evolution, many key nodes within this class remain poorly resolved, owing to the paucity of genetic loci previously available for phylogenetic analyses. Here, we sequenced 54 plastomes, representing 28 genera, nearly all families, and all orders of Marchantiopsida. Based on these plastomes, we present a hypothesis of deep relationships within the class, and make the first investigations of gene contents and synteny. Overall, the Marchantiopsida plastomes were well-conserved, with the exception of the genus Cyathodium that has plastomes with higher GC content, fewer single sequence repeats (SSRs), and more structural variations, implying that this genus might possess RNA editing sites. Abundant repetitive elements and six highly divergent regions were identified as suitable for future infrafamilial taxonomic studies. The phylogenetic topology of Sphaerocarpales, Neohodgsoniales and Blasiales within Marchantiopsida was essentially congruent with previous studies but generally we obtained higher support values. Based on molecular evidence and previous morphological studies, we include Lunulariales in Marchantiales and suggest the retention of narrowed delimitation of monotypic families. The phylogenetic relationships within Marchantiales were better resolved, and 13 monophyletic families were recovered. Our analyses confirmed that the loss of intron 2 of ycf3 is a synapomorphy of Marchantiidae. Finally, we propose a new genus, Asterellopsis (Aytoniaceae), and present an updated classification of Marchantiopsida. The highly supported phylogenetic backbone provided here establishes a framework for future comparative and evolutionary studies of the complex thalloid liverworts.

Will climate change cause the global peatland to expand or contract? Evidence from the habitat shift pattern of Sphagnum mosses.

Peatlands play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. Sphagnum mosses (peat mosses) are considered to be the peatland ecosystem engineers and contribute to the carbon accumulation in the peatland ecosystems. As cold-adapted species, the dominance of Sphagnum mosses in peatlands will be threatened by climate warming. The response of Sphagnum mosses to climate change is closely related to the future trajectory of carbon fluxes in peatlands. However, the impact of climate change on the habitat suitability of Sphagnum mosses on a global scale is poorly understood. To predict the potential impact of climate change on the global distribution of Sphagnum mosses, we used the MaxEnt model to predict the potential geographic distribution of six Sphagnum species that dominate peatlands in the future (2050 and 2070) under two greenhouse gas emission scenarios (SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5). The results show that the mean temperature of the coldest quarter, precipitation of the driest month, and topsoil calcium carbonate are the main factors affecting the habitat availability of Sphagnum mosses. As the climate warms, Sphagnum mosses tend to migrate northward. The suitable habitat and abundance of Sphagnum mosses increase extensively in the high-latitude boreal peatland (north of 50°N) and decrease on a large scale beyond the high-latitude boreal peatland. The southern edge of boreal peatlands would experience the greatest decline in the suitable habitat and richness of Sphagnum mosses with the temperature rising and would be a risk area for the transition from carbon sink to carbon source. The spatial-temporal pattern changes of Sphagnum mosses simulated in this study provide a reference for the development of management and conservation strategies for Sphagnum bogs.

A Novel Predictive Model for Adrenocortical Carcinoma Based on Hypoxia- and Ferroptosis-Related Gene Expression.

Background: The impact of hypoxia on ferroptosis is important in cancer proliferation, but no predictive model combining hypoxia and ferroptosis for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) has been reported. The purpose of this study was to construct a predictive model based on hypoxia- and ferroptosis-related gene expression in ACC. Methods: We assessed hypoxia- and ferroptosis-related gene expression using data from 79 patients with ACC in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Then, a predictive model was constructed to stratify patient survival using least absolute contraction and selection operation regression. Gene expression profiles of patients with ACC in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were used to verify the predictive model. Results: Based on hypoxia-related gene expression, 79 patients with ACC in the TCGA database were divided into three molecular subtypes (C1, C2, and C3) with different clinical outcomes. Patients with the C3 subtype had the shortest survival. Ferroptosis-related genes exhibited distinct expression patterns in the three subtypes. A predictive model combining hypoxia- and ferroptosis-related gene expression was constructed. A nomogram was constructed using age, sex, tumor stage, and the predictive gene model. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses revealed that the gene signature was mainly related to the cell cycle and organelle fission. Conclusion: This hypoxia-and ferroptosis-related gene signature displayed excellent predictive performance for ACC and could serve as an emerging source of novel therapeutic targets in ACC.

Vacuoles in Bryophytes: Properties, Biogenesis, and Evolution.

Vacuoles are the most conspicuous organelles in plants for their indispensable functions in cell expansion, solute storage, water balance, etc. Extensive studies on angiosperms have revealed that a set of conserved core molecular machineries orchestrate the formation of vacuoles from multiple pathways. Usually, vacuoles in seed plants are classified into protein storage vacuoles and lytic vacuoles for their distinctive morphology and physiology function. Bryophytes represent early diverged non-vascular land plants, and are of great value for a better understanding of plant science. However, knowledge about vacuole morphology and biogenesis is far less characterized in bryophytes. In this review, first we summarize known knowledge about the morphological and metabolic constitution properties of bryophytes' vacuoles. Then based on known genome information of representative bryophytes, we compared the conserved molecular machinery for vacuole biogenesis among different species including yeast, mammals, Arabidopsis and bryophytes and listed out significant changes in terms of the presence/absence of key machinery genes which participate in vacuole biogenesis. Finally, we propose the possible conserved and diverged mechanism for the biogenesis of vacuoles in bryophytes compared with seed plants.

Anti-tumor activity of polysaccharides extracted from Pinus massoniana pollen in colorectal cancer- in vitro and in vivo studies.

The prevalence and mortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been increasing dramatically worldwide. Pinus massoniana pollen, a well-known natural food, is one of the most commonly consumed traditional medicines in China. P. massoniana pollen polysaccharides (PPPS) have antitumor effects, but it remains unclear whether they can inhibit CRC. Here, we have demonstrated that PPPS inhibited CRC cell proliferation effectively, induced morphology changes, triggered apoptosis by upregulating key apoptosis-related proteins, and arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. Moreover, PPPS markedly inhibited CRC cell metastasis by downregulating MMP-9 and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In vivo, PPPS exhibited potent antitumor activity and no observable toxicity in BALB/c nude mice bearing HCT-116 tumors. Most strikingly, PPPS pre-treatment dramatically inhibited the growth of incipient tumors, although not as effectively as in the PPPS-Ther group. Thus, our results suggest that PPPS can be a potential anti-CRC agent, paving the way for developing complex carbohydrates for tumor prevention and treatment.

Pine pollen polysaccharides promote cell proliferation and accelerate wound healing by activating the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway.

Natural medicine can be used to develop wound healing agents due to its excellent characteristics of promoting rapid wound healing. Pine pollen polysaccharides (PPPS), a water-soluble polysaccharide with hydrophilicity and viscosity, which is suitable for the development of wound dressing. The purpose of this study is to explore the role and mechanism of PPPS in the process of wound healing. The results showed that PPPS could accelerate the wound healing, promote cell proliferation, transform the cell cycle from G1 phase to S and G2 phase, and increase the expression of Cyclin B1 in vitro. These effects of PPPS were achieved by activating JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway. Similarly, PPPS could accelerate the healing of mouse cutaneous wounds, and could promote the growth of chicken embryo chorioallantoic vessels. In conclusion, this study indicates that PPPS is a new promising natural agent for promoting wound healing.

Effects of duck circovirus on immune function and secondary infection of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Duck circovirus (DuCV) infection occurs frequently in ducks in China and is generally believed to lead to immunosuppression and secondary infection, though there has been a lack of detailed research and direct evidence. In this study, one-day-old Cherry Valley ducklings were artificially infected with DuCV alone and co-infected with DuCV and Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). The immune indexes at 32 d old were systematically monitored, including immune organ weight, lymphocyte transformation rate, IL-10, IL-12, soluble CD4 (sCD4), soluble CD8 (sCD8), IFN-γ, viral loads in each organ, APEC colonization, and so on. The results showed the development of immune organs in ducklings was affected, resulting in a decrease in the lymphocyte transformation rate (LTR), IL-12, sCD4, sCD8, IFN-γ and an increase in IL-10 content at 8 to 32 d postinfection (dpi). In the detection of virus loads in some organs, it was found that 8 dpi, DuCV existed stably in various organs, suggesting the importance of preventing and controlling the virus in the early stage of culture. The results of exploring the DuCV infection that shows some influence on secondary infection by APEC. The results showed that DuCV infection could significantly enhance the pathogenicity of APEC and the colonization ability of APEC in vivo. DuCV can induce more serious APEC infection in 24 dpi than in 14 dpi. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that DuCV infection will affect the immune system, cause immunosuppression, and lead to more serious secondary infection.

Radionuclide and trace metal accumulation in a variety of mosses used as bioindicators for atmospheric deposition.

Mosses can be used as biological monitors to study metal pollution and the depositional fluxes of radionuclides. In this study, we analysed the concentrations of radionuclides (210Pb (210Pbex), 7Be, 137Cs, 40K, 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra and 228Th) and metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Al, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, V and Mn) in moss and soil samples from two different regions. The metal concentrations were higher in mainland China than in the Arctic region, and this is likely associated with the comparatively lower rates of industrial production and human activity in the Arctic region. Principal component analysis and correlation results revealed two radionuclides sources types in mosses, i.e., soil (40K, 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra and 228Ra) and atmospheric (210Pb (210Pbex), 7Be 137Cs). Clustering and correlation analyses showed that different sources such as traffic (suspended dust), fossil fuels, dry and wet deposition (atmosphere and rainfall), and soil contributed to metal accumulation in mosses. The correlation between radionuclides and metals supported these observations, confirmed the accuracy of our results, and suggests that radionuclides are useful for identifying the source of metals in moss samples. The concentration ratios (CR) values of the radionuclides and the bioaccumulation factor (BCF) and enrichment factor (EF) values of metals in mosses helped identify the most environmentally sensitive moss, i.e., BS (Bryum paradoxum), which can be used for screening and monitoring radionuclides and metal pollution in urban atmospheres. These results support the use of analysing radionuclides in mosses to identify metal sources, and the potential use of mosses can to determine the atmospheric deposition fluxes of radionuclides.

The complete plastome of Andreaea rupestris Hedw. (Andreaeaceae, Bryophyta).

Andreaea rupestris Hedw., one of the lantern mosses, is the lectotype of the genus Andreaea Hedw. (Andreaeaceae). Here we present its complete plastome. The plastome of A. rupestris is successfully assembled from raw reads sequenced by HiSeq X ten system. Its total length is 135,214 bp consisting of four regions: large single copy (LSC) region (92,780 bp), small single copy (SSC) region (21,102 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs; 10,666 bp per each). It contains 134 genes (88 coding genes, 8 rRNAs, and 38 tRNAs). The overall GC content is 30.3% and in the LSC, SSC, and IR regions are 27.5%, 26.5%, and 46.2%, respectively. The present data will be an important sequence resource for further studies on the important early diverging lineage of mosses.

The complete plastome of Polytrichum commune Hedw. (Polytrichaceae, Bryophyta).

Polytrichum commune, one of hair-cap mosses, is the type species of the genus Polytrichum Hedw. (Polytrichaceae). Here we present its complete plastome. The plastome of P. commune is successfully assembled from raw reads sequenced by HiSeq X ten system. Its total length is 126,323 bp consisting of four regions: large single copy (LSC) region (88,070 bp), small single copy (SSC) region (16,717 bp), and inverted repeats (IRs; 9,680 bp per each). It contains 128 genes (84 coding genes, eight rRNAs, and 36 tRNAs); nine genes (four rRNAs and five tRNAs) are duplicated in IR regions. The overall GC content is 28.9% and in the LSC, SSC and IR regions is 26.1%, 25.1%, and 45.5%, respectively. This plastome is an important sequence resource for further studies on the class Polytrichopsida.