Expression of Cry1Ab/2Aj Protein in Genetically Engineered Maize Plants and Its Transfer in the Arthropod Food Web.

While transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize provides pest resistance and a reduced application of chemical pesticides, a comprehensive environmental risk assessment is mandatory before its field release. This research determined the concentrations of Bt protein in plant tissue and in arthropods under field conditions in Gongzhuling City, northeastern China, to provide guidance for the selection of indicator species for non-target risk assessment studies. Bt maize expressing Cry1Ab/2Aj and non-transformed near-isoline were grown under identical environmental and agricultural conditions. Cry1Ab/2Aj was detected in plant tissues and arthropods collected from Bt maize plots during pre-flowering, flowering, and post-flowering. The expression of Cry1Ab/2Aj varied across growth stages and maize tissues, as well as in the collected arthropods at the three growth stages. Therefore, representative species should be chosen to cover the whole growing season and to represent different habitats and ecological functions. Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), Rhopalosiphum padi (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Heteronychus arator (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), and Somaticus angulatus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are suitable non-target herbivores. Propylea japonica (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Paederus fuscipes (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), Chrysoperla nipponensis (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), and spiders are suggested predators. Apis cerana and Apis mellifera ligustica (both Hymenoptera: Apidae) represent pollinators and Folsomia candida (Collembola: Isotomidae) decomposers.

Phytochemicals, Pharmacological Effects and Molecular Mechanisms of Mulberry.

There are numerous varieties of mulberry, and each has high medicinal value and is regarded as a promising source of traditional medicines and functional foods. Nevertheless, the nutrients and uses of mulberry differ from species (Morus alba L., Morus nigra L. and Morus rubra L.). Phenolic compounds are prominent among the biologically active ingredients in mulberry, especially flavonoids, anthocyanins and phenolic acids. Epidemiologic studies suggest that mulberry contains a rich, effective chemical composition and a wide range of biological activity, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and so on. However, compared with other berries, there has been a lack of systematic research on mulberry, and this hinders its further expansion as a functional fruit. The main purpose of this review is to provide the latest data regarding the effective chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of mulberry to support its further therapeutic potential and health functions.

Lactobacillus acidophilus LA85 ameliorates cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression by modulating Notch and TLR4/NF-κB signal pathways and remodeling the gut microbiota.

Lactobacillus acidophilus, as the main probiotic in the small intestine, has a role in modulating intestinal immune activity; however, its potential molecular regulatory mechanisms have rarely been investigated. To investigate the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA85 in immunoprophylaxis, LA85 at the dose of 1 × 108 CFU mL-1, 1 × 109 CFU mL-1, and 1 × 1010 CFU mL-1 were orally administered to immunocompromised ICR mice that had been treated intraperitoneally with 80 mg kg-1 cyclophosphamide. The experimental results showed that LA85 could regulate the Notch signaling pathway and promote intestinal mucosal repair. And it could enhance the immune response of the body through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. 16S rDNA gene sequencing revealed that LA85 reduced the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and reshaped the gut microbiota. Furthermore, we discovered the correlation between Erysipelatoclostridium, Rikenella, and the intestinal Notch signaling pathway, and further discovered the potential mechanism of LA85 in intestinal mucosal repair. Based on the results of the study, we found that the effect of high doses of LA85 was more significant. Therefore, LA85 can be used as a dietary supplement to potentially enhance the immune capacity of patients.

[Research progress on the mechanism of ferroptosis in septic cardiomyopathy].

Sepsis is a serious complication of infection, and its further development may lead to multi-organ dysfunction syndrome. Sepsis cardiomyopathy is a common complication of sepsis and has been directly linked to high mortality. Although the pathogenesis of septic cardiomyopathy is not fully understood, in-depth study of the pathogenesis of septic cardiomyopathy and the identification of its potential therapeutic targets may reduce mortality in patients with sepsis. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent mode of cell death that has been shown to be involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of many diseases. Some related studies have reported that ferroptosis may be a potential mechanism of septic cardiomyopathy. This review provides new insights into the mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction, lipid peroxidation, xc-system, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), iron metabolism and the role of ferroptosiswith septic cardiomyopathy for further research and treatment of septic cardiomyopathy.

Impact of Transgenic Cry1Ab/2Aj Maize on Abundance of Non-Target Arthropods in the Field.

Transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize has broad prospects for application in China. Before commercialization, it is necessary to assess possible ecological impacts, including impacts on non-target arthropods (NTAs) in the field. In the present study, transgenic Bt maize expressing cry1Ab/2Aj and its corresponding non-transformed near isoline were planted under the same environmental and agricultural conditions, and arthropods in the field were collected during the three main growth stages of maize. In a one year trial, the results showed the composition of NTA communities in the transgenic and control maize fields were similar. There were no significant differences for community-level parameters of species richness (S), Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), evenness index (J) and Simpson's dominant concentration (C) between the two types of maize fields. Likewise, a Bray-Curtis dissimilarity and distance analysis showed that Cry1Ab/2Aj toxin exposure did not increase community dissimilarities between Bt and non-Bt maize plots and that the structure of the NTAs community was similar on the two maize varieties. Furthermore, planting of the transgenic cry1Ab/2Aj maize did not affect the density or composition of non-target decomposers, herbivores, predators, parasitoids and pollinator guilds. In summary, our results showed that planting of Bt maize producing Cry1Ab/Cry2Aj proteins do not adversely affect population dynamics and diversity of NTAs.