Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses provide insights into regulation mechanisms during bulbous stem development in the Chinese medicinal herb plant, Stephania kwangsiensis.

BACKGROUND: Stephania kwangsiensis Lo (Menispermaceae) is a well-known Chinese herbal medicine, and its bulbous stems are used medicinally. The storage stem of S. kwangsiensis originated from the hypocotyls. To date, there are no reports on the growth and development of S. kwangsiensis storage stems. RESULTS: The bulbous stem of S. kwangsiensis, the starch diameter was larger at the stable expanding stage (S3T) than at the unexpanded stage (S1T) or the rapidly expanding stage (S2T) at the three different time points. We used ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and Illumina sequencing to identify key genes involved in bulbous stem development. A large number of differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Based on the differential expression profiles of the metabolites, alkaloids, lipids, and phenolic acids were the top three differentially expressed classes. Compared with S2T, significant changes in plant signal transduction and isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis pathways occurred at both the transcriptional and metabolic levels in S1T. In S2T compared with S3T, several metabolites involved in tyrosine metabolism were decreased. Temporal analysis of S1T to S3T indicated the downregulation of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, including lignin biosynthesis. The annotation of key pathways showed an up-down trend for genes and metabolites involved in isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, whereas phenylpropanoid biosynthesis was not completely consistent. CONCLUSIONS: Downregulation of the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway may be the result of carbon flow into alkaloid synthesis and storage of lipids and starch during the development of S. kwangsiensis bulbous stems. A decrease in the number of metabolites involved in tyrosine metabolism may also lead to a decrease in the upstream substrates of phenylpropane biosynthesis. Downregulation of lignin synthesis during phenylpropanoid biosynthesis may loosen restrictions on bulbous stem expansion. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome profiles of S. kwangsiensis bulbous stems. These data provide guidance for the cultivation, breeding, and harvesting of S. kwangsiensis.

Characteristics of Nutrition and Metabolism in Dogs and Cats.

Domestic dogs and cats have evolved differentially in some aspects of nutrition, metabolism, chemical sensing, and feeding behavior. The dogs have adapted to omnivorous diets containing taurine-abundant meat and starch-rich plant ingredients. By contrast, domestic cats must consume animal-sourced foods for survival, growth, and development. Both dogs and cats synthesize vitamin C and many amino acids (AAs, such as alanine, asparagine, aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, proline, and serine), but have a limited ability to form de novo arginine and vitamin D3. Compared with dogs, cats have greater endogenous nitrogen losses and higher dietary requirements for AAs (particularly arginine, taurine, and tyrosine), B-complex vitamins (niacin, thiamin, folate, and biotin), and choline; exhibit greater rates of gluconeogenesis; are less sensitive to AA imbalances and antagonism; are more capable of concentrating urine through renal reabsorption of water; and cannot tolerate high levels of dietary starch due to limited pancreatic α-amylase activity. In addition, dogs can form sufficient taurine from cysteine (for most breeds); arachidonic acid from linoleic acid; eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid from α-linolenic acid; all-trans-retinol from ß-carotene; and niacin from tryptophan. These synthetic pathways, however, are either absent or limited in all cats due to (a) no or low activities of key enzymes (including pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase, cysteine dioxygenase, ∆6-desaturase, ß-carotene dioxygenase, and quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase) and (b) diversion of intermediates to other metabolic pathways. Dogs can thrive on one large meal daily, select high-fat over low-fat diets, and consume sweet substances. By contrast, cats eat more frequently during light and dark periods, select high-protein over low-protein diets, refuse dry food, enjoy a consistent diet, and cannot taste sweetness. This knowledge guides the feeding and care of dogs and cats, as well as the manufacturing of their foods. As abundant sources of essential nutrients, animal-derived foodstuffs play important roles in optimizing the growth, development, and health of the companion animals.

Characteristics of the Digestive Tract of Dogs and Cats.

As for other mammals, the digestive system of dogs (facultative carnivores) and cats (obligate carnivores) includes the mouth, teeth, tongue, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and accessory digestive organs (salivary glands, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder). These carnivores have a relatively shorter digestive tract but longer canine teeth, a tighter digitation of molars, and a greater stomach volume than omnivorous mammals such as humans and pigs. Both dogs and cats have no detectable or a very low activity of salivary α-amylase but dogs, unlike cats, possess a relatively high activity of pancreatic α-amylase. Thus, cats select low-starch foods but dogs can consume high-starch diets. In contrast to many mammals, the vitamin B12 (cobalamin)-binding intrinsic factor for the digestion and absorption of vitamin B12 is produced in: (a) dogs primarily by pancreatic ductal cells and to a lesser extent the gastric mucosa; and (b) cats exclusively by the pancreatic tissue. Amino acids (glutamate, glutamine, and aspartate) are the main metabolic fuels in enterocytes of the foregut. The primary function of the small intestine is to digest and absorb dietary nutrients, and its secondary function is to regulate the entry of dietary nutrients into the blood circulation, separate the external from the internal milieu, and perform immune surveillance. The major function of the large intestine is to ferment undigested food (particularly fiber and protein) and to absorb water, short-chain fatty acids (serving as major metabolic fuels for epithelial cells of the large intestine), as well as vitamins. The fermentation products, water, sloughed cells, digestive secretions, and microbes form feces and then pass into the rectum for excretion via the anal canal. The microflora influences colonic absorption and cell metabolism, as well as feces quality. The digestive tract is essential for the health, survival, growth, and development of dogs and cats.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Inhibit Tumor Progression and Suppress Lung Metastases in Mouse Models of Breast Cancer.

Systemic exposure to starch-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) can stimulate antitumor T cell responses, even when little IONP is retained within the tumor. Here, we demonstrate in mouse models of metastatic breast cancer that IONPs can alter the host immune landscape, leading to systemic immune-mediated disease suppression. We report that a single intravenous injection of IONPs can inhibit primary tumor growth, suppress metastases, and extend survival. Gene expression analysis revealed the activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways involving signaling via Toll/Interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-ß (TRIF), a TLR pathway adaptor protein. Requisite participation of TRIF in suppressing tumor progression was demonstrated with histopathologic evidence of upregulated IFN-regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), a downstream protein, and confirmed in a TRIF knockout syngeneic mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. Neither starch-coated polystyrene nanoparticles lacking iron, nor iron-containing dextran-coated parenteral iron replacement agent, induced significant antitumor effects, suggesting a dependence on the type of IONP formulation. Analysis of multiple independent clinical databases supports a hypothesis that upregulation of TLR3 and IRF3 correlates with increased overall survival among breast cancer patients. Taken together, these data support a compelling rationale to re-examine IONP formulations as harboring anticancer immune (nano)adjuvant properties to generate a therapeutic benefit without requiring uptake by cancer cells.

Effects of dietary forage neutral detergent fiber and rumen degradable starch ratios on chewing activity, ruminal fermentation, ruminal microbes and nutrient digestibility of Hu sheep fed a pelleted total mixed ration.

Pelleted total mixed ration (P-TMR) feeding, which has become a common practice in providing nutrition for fattening sheep, requires careful consideration of the balance between forage neutral detergent fiber (FNDF) and rumen degradable starch (RDS) to maintain proper rumen functions. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the dietary FNDF/RDS ratio (FRR) on chewing activity, ruminal fermentation, ruminal microbes, and nutrient digestibility in Hu sheep fed a P-TMR diet. This study utilized eight ruminally cannulated male Hu sheep, following a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 31 d each period. Diets consisted of four FRR levels: 1.0 (high FNDF/RDS ratio, HFRR), 0.8 (middle high FNDF/RDS ratio, MHFRR), 0.6 (middle low FNDF/RDS ratio, MLFRR), and 0.4 (low FNDF/RDS ratio, LFRR). Reducing the dietary FRR levels resulted in a linear decrease in ruminal minimum pH and mean pH, while linearly increasing the duration and area of pH below 5.8 and 5.6, as well as the acidosis index. Sheep in the HFRR and MHFRR groups did not experience subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), whereas sheep in another two groups did. The concentration of total volatile fatty acid and the molar ratios of propionate and valerate, as well as the concentrate of lactate in the rumen linearly increased with reducing dietary FRR, while the molar ratio of acetate and acetate to propionate ratio linearly decreased. The degradability of NDF and ADF for alfalfa hay has a quadratic response with reducing the dietary FRR. The apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber linearly decreased when the dietary FRR was reduced. In addition, reducing the dietary FRR caused a linear decrease in OTUs, Chao1, and Ace index of ruminal microflora. Reducing FRR in the diet increased the percentage of reads assigned as Firmicutes, but it decreased the percentage of reads assigned as Bacteroidetes in the rumen. At genus level, the percentage of reads assigned as Prevotella, Ruminococcus, Succinivibrio, and Butyrivibrio linearly decreased when the dietary FRR was reduced. The results of this study demonstrate that the dietary FRR of 0.8 is crucial in preventing the onset of SARA and promotes an enhanced richness of ruminal microbes and also improves fiber digestibility, which is a recommended dietary FRR reference when formulating P-TMR diets for sheep.

Forage neutral detergent fiber (FNDF) and rumen degradable starch (RDS) are key components of carbohydrates in the diet for ruminants, which would reflect saliva secretion and the acid production potential of feed. However, appropriate FNDF to RDS ratios (FRR) applicable to ruminants under the condition of pelleted total mixed ration (P-TMR) feeding have not been reported. In this study, we investigated the effects of the dietary FRR on chewing activity, ruminal fermentation, ruminal microbial communities, and nutrient digestibility of Hu sheep under P-TMR feeding. The results indicate that reducing dietary FRR levels would induce acidosis in sheep, which negatively affected fiber utilization and ruminal bacterial communities. The FRR of 0.8 was a recommended dietary FRR when formulating a P-TMR diet for fattening sheep, as indicated by decreased ruminal acidosis risk and increased richness of ruminal microbes in the rumen as well as nutrient digestibility.

Comparative physiology and transcriptome response patterns in cold-tolerant and cold-sensitive varieties of Solanum melongena.

BACKGROUND: Climate change has led to severe cold events, adversely impacting global crop production. Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), a significant economic crop, is highly susceptible to cold damage, affecting both yield and quality. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms governing cold resistance, including the identification of key genes and comprehensive transcriptional regulatory pathways, is crucial for developing new varieties with enhanced tolerance. RESULTS: In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of leaf physiological indices and transcriptome sequencing results. The orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) highlighted peroxidase (POD) activity and soluble protein as crucial physiological indicators for both varieties. RNA-seq data analysis revealed that a total of 7024 and 6209 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from variety "A" and variety "B", respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment of DEGs demonstrated that the significant roles of starch and sucrose metabolism, glutathione metabolism, terpenoid synthesis, and energy metabolism (sucrose and starch metabolism) were the key pathways in eggplant. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) shown that the enrichment of numerous cold-responsive genes, pathways, and soluble proteins in the MEgrep60 modules. Core hub genes identified in the co-expression network included POD, membrane transporter-related gene MDR1, abscisic acid-related genes, growth factor enrichment gene DELLA, core components of the biological clock PRR7, and five transcription factors. Among these, the core transcription factor MYB demonstrated co-expression with signal transduction, plant hormone, biosynthesis, and metabolism-related genes, suggesting a pivotal role in the cold response network. CONCLUSION: This study integrates physiological indicators and transcriptomics to unveil the molecular mechanisms responsible for the differences in cold tolerance between the eggplant cold-tolerant variety "A" and the cold-sensitive variety "B". These mechanisms include modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), elevation in osmotic carbohydrate and free proline content, and the expression of terpenoid synthesis genes. This comprehensive understanding contributes valuable insights into the molecular underpinnings of cold stress tolerance, ultimately aiding in the improvement of crop cold tolerance.

Transcriptional dynamics in source-sink tissues identifies molecular factors regulating the corm development process in saffron (Crocus sativus L.).

AIMS: Geophytic plants have evolved to develop underground storage organs (USO) in the active growing season to withstand harsh environments as well as to coordinate growth and reproduction when conditions are favourable. Saffron is an autumn flowering geophyte and an expensive spice crop restricted to certain geographical locations in the world. Saffron, being sterile, does not produce seeds and thus propagates only through corms, the quality of which determines its yield. Corm development in saffron is unexplored and the underlying molecular mechanism is still elusive. In this study, we performed an extensive characterisation of the transcriptional dynamics in the source (leaf) and sink (corm) tissues during corm development in saffron. KEY RESULTS: Via morphological and transcriptome studies, we identified molecular factors regulating corm development process in saffron, which defined corm development into three stages: the initiation stage demonstrates enhanced vegetative growth aboveground and swelling of shoot base belowground due to active cell division & carbohydrate storage; the bulking stage comprises of increased source and sink strength, active photosynthesis, circadian gating and starch accumulation; the maturation stage represents reduced source and sink strength, lowered photosynthesis, sugar transport, starch synthesis and cell cycle arrest. UTILITY: The global view of transcriptional changes in source and sink identifies similar and new molecular factors involved in the saffron corm development process compared to USO formation in other geophytes and provides a valuable resource for dissecting the molecular network underlying the corm development. We propose a hypothetical model based on data analysis, of how molecular factors via environmental cues can regulate the corm development process in saffron.

Microstructural studies of imitation cheese with a shift in continuous phase.

When casein is replaced with starch in imitation cheese, the functionality changes. Three different microscopy methods were applied to understand the microstructural differences in the product depending on which component dominates the microstructure. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) for component identification. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Cryogenic Scanning Electron Microscopy (Cryo-SEM) for studying surface structures. Differences in the surface structures were detected between SEM and Cryo-SEM. In SEM, starch appeared rough and protein smooth, while in Cryo-SEM no starch roughness of the surface was found. A change in starch modification and effects of protein prehydration was also analysed. Adding octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) modified starch for emulsifying properties resulted in a microstructure with fragmented protein at a protein level of 7 %, but not at 9 or 12 %. Protein prehydration had limited effect on microstructure. On a macrostructural level, the change to an emulsifying starch increased hardness in imitation cheese with 7 and 9 % protein. Protein prehydration slightly decreased the hardness, but the difference was not significant at all concentrations. This research provides valuable information about the microstructure of imitation cheese at a 50/50 composition, how the microstructure changes with an emulsifying starch and what occurs after a protein prehydration was included in the production.

The effect of konjac glucomannan on enzyme kinetics and fluorescence spectrometry of digestive enzymes: An in vitro research from the perspective of macromolecule crowding.

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) can significantly prolong gastrointestinal digestion. However, it is still worth investigating whether the macromolecular crowding (MMC) induced by KGM is correlated with digestion. In this paper, the MMC effect was quantified by fluorescence resonance energy transfer and microrheology, and the digests of starch, protein, and oil were determined. The digestive enzymes were analyzed by enzyme reaction kinetic and fluorescence quenching. The results showed that higher molecular weight (604.85 âˆ¼ 1002.21 kDa) KGM created a larger MMC (>0.8), and influenced the digestion of macronutrients; the digests of starch, protein, and oil all decreased significantly. MMC induced by KGM decreased the Michaelis-Menten constants (Km and Vmax) of pancreatic α-amylase (PPA), pepsin (PEP), and pancreatic lipase (PPL). The larger MMC (>0.8) induced by KGM resulted in the decrease of fluorescence quenching constants (Ksv) in PPA and PPL, and the increase of Ksv in PEP. Therefore, varying degrees of MMC induced by KGM could play a role in regulating digestion and the inhibitory effect on digestion was more significant in a relatively more crowded environment induced by KGM. This study provides theoretical support for the strategies of nutrient digestion regulation from the perspective of MMC caused by dietary fiber.

Impact of soluble soybean polysaccharide on the gelatinization and retrogradation of corn starches with different amylose content.

Polysaccharides have a significant impact on the physicochemical properties of starch, and the objective of this study was to examine the effect of incorporating soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) on the gelatinization and retrogradation of corn starches (CS) with varying amylose content. In contrast to high-amylose corn starch (HACS), the degree of gelatinization of waxy corn starch (WCS) and normal corn starch (NCS) decreased with the addition of SSPS. The inclusion of SSPS resulted in reduced swelling power in all CS, and led to a decrease in gel hardness of the starches. The intermolecular forces between SSPS and CS were primarily hydrogen bonding, and a gel network structure was formed, thereby retarding the short-term and long-term retrogradation of CS. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed that the addition of SSPS in starches led to a loose network structure with larger poles and a reduced ordered structure after retrogradation, as observed from the cross-section of formed gels. These findings suggested that SSPS has great potential for applications in starchy foods, as it can effectively retard both gelatinization and retrogradation of starches.

Influences of emerging drying technologies on rice quality.

Rice is an important staple food in the world. Drying is an important step in the post-harvest handling of rice and can influence rice qualities and thus play a key role in determining rice commercial and nutritional value. In rice processing, traditional drying methods may lead to longer drying times, greater energy consumption, and unintended quality losses. Thus, it is imperative to improve the physical, chemical, and milling properties of rice while preserving its nutritional value, flavor, and appearance as much as possible. Additionally, it is necessary to increase the efficiency with which heat energy is utilized during the thermal processing of freshly harvested paddy. Moreover, this review provides insights into the current application status of six different innovative drying technologies such as radio frequency (RF) drying, microwave (MW) drying, infrared (IR) drying, vacuum drying (VD), superheated steam (SHS) drying, fluidized bed (FB) drying along with their effect on the quality of rice such as color, flavor, crack ratio, microstructure and morphology, bioactive components and antioxidant activity as well asstarch content and glycemic index. Dielectric methods of drying due to volumetric heating results in enhanced drying rate, improved heating uniformity, reduced crack ratio, increased head rice yield and better maintain taste value of paddy grains. These novel emerging drying techniques increased the interactions between hydrated proteins and swollen starch granules, resulting in enhanced viscosity of rice flour and promoted starch gelatinization and enhanced antioxidant activity which is helpful to produce functional rice. Moreover, this review not only highlights the existing challenges posed by these innovative thermal technologies but also presents potential solutions. Additionally, the combination of these technologies to optimize operating conditions can further boost their effectiveness in enhancing the drying process. Nevertheless, future studies are essential to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanism of quality changes induced by emerging processing technologies. This knowledge will help expand the application of these techniques in the rice processing industry.

A multihole nozzle controls recrystallization of high-moisture extruded maize starches: Effect of cooling die temperature.

Hot extrusion is utilized for starch modification due to its high mechanical input and product output. Amylose recrystallization commences and primarily depends on intermolecular interactions after conventional extrusion. Hence, the design of a new component based on the existed extrusion system was aimed at facilitating molecular aggregation, potentially accelerating starch recrystallization. In this study, a nozzle sheet comprising 89 holes was integrated into the cooling die. The impact of the multihole nozzle on the structure and in vitro digestibility of extruded maize starches after retrogradation was examined at varying cooling die temperatures. The results showed that the nozzle-assembled extrusion system operated effectively without additional mechanical or yield losses. At 50 °C, the crystallinity of nozzle-produced starch was approximately 70 % higher than that of conventionally extruded starch, predominantly owing to the B-type allomorph of the amylose double helix. Recrystallized amylopectin was also found in these nozzle-produced starches, indicating that multihole nozzle-induced uniaxial elongational flow resulted in the rapid starch crystallization. The increased formation of recrystallized amylose led to improved molecular order in starch structures while reducing their digestibility. These findings revealed a new approach to improve starch crystallinity by incorporating a nozzle sheet in the extrusion process.

Exploring Deep Learning to Predict Coconut Milk Adulteration Using FT-NIR and Micro-NIR Spectroscopy.

Accurately identifying adulterants in agriculture and food products is associated with preventing food safety and commercial fraud activities. However, a rapid, accurate, and robust prediction model for adulteration detection is hard to achieve in practice. Therefore, this study aimed to explore deep-learning algorithms as an approach to accurately identify the level of adulterated coconut milk using two types of NIR spectrophotometer, including benchtop FT-NIR and portable Micro-NIR. Coconut milk adulteration samples came from deliberate adulteration with corn flour and tapioca starch in the 1 to 50% range. A total of four types of deep-learning algorithm architecture that were self-modified to a one-dimensional framework were developed and tested to the NIR dataset, including simple CNN, S-AlexNET, ResNET, and GoogleNET. The results confirmed the feasibility of deep-learning algorithms for predicting the degree of coconut milk adulteration by corn flour and tapioca starch using NIR spectra with reliable performance (R2 of 0.886-0.999, RMSE of 0.370-6.108%, and Bias of -0.176-1.481). Furthermore, the ratio of percent deviation (RPD) of all algorithms with all types of NIR spectrophotometers indicates an excellent capability for quantitative predictions for any application (RPD > 8.1) except for case predicting tapioca starch, using FT-NIR by ResNET (RPD < 3.0). This study demonstrated the feasibility of using deep-learning algorithms and NIR spectral data as a rapid, accurate, robust, and non-destructive way to evaluate coconut milk adulterants. Last but not least, Micro-NIR is more promising than FT-NIR in predicting coconut milk adulteration from solid adulterants, and it is portable for in situ measurements in the future.

The roles of non-structural carbohydrates in fruiting: a review focusing on mango (Mangifera indica).

Reproductive development of fruiting trees, including mango (Mangifera indica L.), is limited by non-structural carbohydrates. Competition for sugars increases with cropping, and consequently, vegetative growth and replenishment of starch reserves may reduce with high yields, resulting in interannual production variability. While the effect of crop load on photosynthesis and the distribution of starch within the mango tree has been studied, the contribution of starch and sugars to different phases of reproductive development requires attention. This review focuses on mango and examines the roles of non-structural carbohydrates in fruiting trees to clarify the repercussions of crop load on reproductive development. Starch buffers the plant's carbon availability to regulate supply with demand, while sugars provide a direct resource for carbon translocation. Sugar signalling and interactions with phytohormones play a crucial role in flowering, fruit set, growth, ripening and retention, as well as regulating starch, sugar and secondary metabolites in fruit. The balance between the leaf and fruit biomass affects the availability and contributions of starch and sugars to fruiting. Crop load impacts photosynthesis and interactions between sources and sinks. As a result, the onset and rate of reproductive processes are affected, with repercussions for fruit size, composition, and the inter-annual bearing pattern.

Diet modulates strongyle infection and microbiota in the large intestine of horses.

The use of anthelminthic drugs has several drawbacks, including the selection of resistant parasite strains. Alternative avenues to mitigate the negative effects of helminth infection involve dietary interventions that might affect resistance and/or tolerance by improving host immunity, modulating the microbiota, or exerting direct anthelmintic effects. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of diet on strongyle infection in horses, specifically through immune-mediated, microbiota-mediated, or direct anthelmintic effects. Horses that were naturally infected with strongyles were fed either a high-fiber or high-starch diet, supplemented with either polyphenol-rich pellets (dehydrated sainfoin) or control pellets (sunflower and hay). When horses were fed a high-starch diet, they excreted more strongyle eggs. Adding sainfoin in the high-starch diet reduced egg excretion. Additionally, sainfoin decreased larval motility whatever the diet. Moreover, the high-starch diet led to a lower fecal bacterial diversity, structural differences in fecal microbiota, lower fecal pH, lower blood acetate, and lower hematocrit compared to the high-fiber diet. Circulating levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, lipopolysaccharides, procalcitonin, and white blood cells proportions did not differ between diets. Overall, this study highlights the role of dietary manipulations as an alternative strategy to mitigate the effect of helminth infection and suggests that, in addition to the direct effects, changes in the intestinal ecosystem are the possible underlying mechanism.

Partial substitution of chemical fertilizer by organic fertilizer increases yield, quality and nitrogen utilization of Dioscorea polystachya.

This field experiment aimed to investigate the effects of different ratios of organic and inorganic fertilizers with maintaining equal nitrogen application rates on the yield, quality, and nitrogen uptake efficiency of Dioscorea polystachya (yam). Six treatments were set, including a control without fertilizer (CK), sole application of chemical fertilizer (CF), sole application of organic fertilizer (OM), 25% organic fertilizer + 75% chemical fertilizer (25%OM + 75%CF), 50% organic fertilizer + 50% chemical fertilizer (50%OM + 50%CF), and 75% organic fertilizer + 25% chemical fertilizer (75%OM + 25%CF). The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications. Various yield parameters, morphology, quality indicators, and nitrogen utilization were analyzed to assess the differences among treatments. The results indicated that all fertilizer treatments significantly increased the yield, morphology, quality indicators, and nitrogen utilization efficiency compared to the control. Specifically, 25%OM + 75%CF achieved the highest yield of 31.96 t hm-2, which was not significantly different from CF (30.18 t hm-2). 25%OM + 75%CF exhibited the highest values at 69.23 cm in tuber length and 75.86% in commodity rate, 3.14% and 1.57% higher than CF respectively. Tuber thickness and fresh weight of 25%OM + 75%CF showed no significant differences from CF, while OM and 50%OM+50%CF exhibited varying degrees of reduction compared to CF. Applying fertilizer significantly enhanced total sugar, starch, crude protein, total amino acid, and ash contents of D. polystachya (except ash content between CK and OM). Applying organic fertilizer increased the total sugar, starch, crude protein, total amino acid, and ash contents in varying degrees when compared with CF. The treatment with 25%OM+75%CF exhibited the highest increases of 6.31%, 3.78%, 18.40%, 29.70%, and 10%, respectively. Nitrogen content in different plant parts followed the sequence of tuber > leaves > stems > aerial stem, with the highest nitrogen accumulation observed in 25%OM + 75%CF treatment. Nitrogen harvest index did not show significant differences among treatments, fluctuating between 0.69 and 0.74. The nitrogen apparent utilization efficiency was highest in 25%OM + 75%CF (9.89%), followed by CF (9.09%), both significantly higher than OM (5.32%) and 50%OM + 50%CF (6.69%). The nitrogen agronomic efficiency varied significantly among treatments, with 25%OM + 75%CF (33.93 kg kg-1) being the highest, followed by CF (29.68 kg kg-1), 50%OM + 50%CF (21.82 kg kg-1), and OM (11.85 kg kg-1). Nitrogen partial factor productivity was highest in 25%OM + 75%CF treatment (76.37 kg kg-1), followed by CF (72.11 kg kg-1), both significantly higher than 50%OM + 50%CF (64.25 kg kg-1) and OM (54.29 kg kg-1), with OM exhibiting significantly lower values compared to other treatments. In conclusion, the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers can effectively enhance the yield, quality, and nitrogen utilization efficiency of D. polystachya. Particularly, the treatment with 25% organic fertilizer and 75% chemical fertilizer showed the most promising results.

Purine permease (PUP) family gene PUP11 positively regulates the rice seed setting rate by influencing seed development.

KEY MESSAGE: Purine permease PUP11 is essential for rice seed development, regulates the seed setting rate, and influences the cytokinin content, sugar transport, and starch biosynthesis during grain development. The distribution of cytokinins in plant tissues determines plant growth and development and is regulated by several cytokinin transporters, including purine permease (PUP). Thirteen PUP genes have been identified within the rice genome; however, the functions of most of these genes remain poorly understood. We found that pup11 mutants showed extremely low seed setting rates and a unique filled seed distribution. Moreover, seed formation arrest in these mutants was associated with the disappearance of accumulated starch 10 days after flowering. PUP11 has two major transcripts with different expression patterns and subcellular locations, and further studies revealed that they have redundant positive roles in regulating the seed setting rate. We also found that type-A Response Regulator (RR) genes were upregulated in the developing grains of the pup11 mutant compared with those in the wild type. The results also showed that PUP11 altered the expression of several sucrose transporters and significantly upregulated certain starch biosynthesis genes. In summary, our results indicate that PUP11 influences the rice seed setting rate by regulating sucrose transport and starch accumulation during grain filling. This research provides new insights into the relationship between cytokinins and seed development, which may help improve cereal yield.

Metabolome and transcriptome analyses reveal changes of rapeseed in response to ABA signal during early seedling development.

Seed germination is an important development process in plant growth. The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a critical role during seed germination. However, the mechanism of rapeseed in response to ABA is still elusive. In order to understand changes of rapeseed under exogenous ABA treatment, we explored differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between mock- and ABA-treated seedlings. A widely targeted LC-MS/MS based metabolomics were used to identify and quantify metabolic changes in response to ABA during seed germination, and a total of 186 significantly DEMs were identified. There are many compounds which are involved in ABA stimuli, especially some specific ABA transportation-related metabolites such as starches and lipids were screened out. Meanwhile, a total of 4440 significantly DEGs were identified by transcriptomic analyses. There was a significant enrichment of DEGs related to phenylpropanoid and cell wall organization. It suggests that exogenous ABA mainly affects seed germination by regulating cell wall loosening. Finally, the correlation analysis of the key DEMs and DEGs indicates that many DEGs play a direct or indirect regulatory role in DEMs metabolism. The integrative analysis between DEGs and DEMs suggests that the starch and sucrose pathways were the key pathway in ABA responses. The two metabolites from starch and sucrose pathways, levan and cellobiose, both were found significantly down-regulated in ABA-treated seedlings. These comprehensive metabolic and transcript analyses provide useful information for the subsequent post-transcriptional modification and post germination growth of rapeseed in response to ABA signals and stresses.

Transcriptomic analysis of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber development reveals new insights into starch biosynthesis.

Potato tubers are rich sources of various nutrients and unique sources of starch. Many genes play major roles in different pathways, including carbohydrate metabolism during the potato tuber's life cycle. Despite substantial scientific evidence about the physiological and morphological development of potato tubers, the molecular genetic aspects of mechanisms underlying tuber formation have not yet been fully understood. In this study, for the first time, RNA-seq analysis was performed to shed light on the expression of genes involved in starch biosynthesis during potato tuber development. To this end, samples were collected at the hook-like stolon (Stage I), swollen tips stolon (Stage II), and tuber initiation (Stage III) stages of tuber formation. Overall, 23 GB of raw data were generated and assembled. There were more than 20000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs); the expression of 73 genes involved in starch metabolism was further studied. Moreover, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression profile of the starch biosynthesis DEGs was consistent with that of the RNA-seq data, which further supported the role of the DEGs in starch biosynthesis. This study provides substantial resources on potato tuber development and several starch synthesis isoforms associated with starch biosynthesis.

The Anti-Microbial Peptide Citrocin Controls Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms by Breaking Down Extracellular Polysaccharide.

Citrocin is an anti-microbial peptide that holds great potential in animal feed. This study evaluates the anti-microbial and anti-biofilm properties of Citrocin and explores the mechanism of action of Citrocin on the biofilm of P. aeruginosa. The results showed that Citrocin had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of P. aeruginosa with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 0.3 mg/mL. All five concentrations (1/4MIC, 1/2MIC, MIC, 2MIC, and 4MIC) of Citrocin inhibited P. aeruginosa biofilm formation. Citrocin at the MIC, 2MIC and 4MIC removed 42.7%, 76.0% and 83.2% of mature biofilms, respectively, and suppressed the swarming motility, biofilm metabolic activity and extracellular polysaccharide production of P. aeruginosa. Metabolomics analysis indicated that 0.3 mg/mL of Citrocin up- regulated 26 and down-regulated 83 metabolites, mainly comprising amino acids, fatty acids, organic acids and sugars. Glucose and amino acid metabolic pathways, including starch and sucrose metabolism as well as arginine and proline metabolism, were highly enriched by Citrocin. In summary, our research reveals the anti-biofilm mechanism of Citrocin at the metabolic level, which provides theoretical support for the development of novel anti-biofilm strategies for combatting P. aeruginosa.