Optimizing sustainable development in arid river basins: A multi-objective approach to balancing water, energy, economy, carbon and ecology nexus.

The ongoing water crisis poses significant threats to the socioeconomic sustainability and ecological security of arid and semi-arid river basins. Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within a complex socio-ecological nexus requires effective and balanced resource management. However, due to the intricate interactions between human societies and environmental systems, the tradeoffs and synergies of different SDGs remain unclear, posing a substantial challenge for collaborative management of natural resources. Here we introduce a gray fractional multi-objective optimization (GFMOP) model to balance multi-dimensional SDGs through a novel water-energy-economy-carbon-ecology nexus perspective. The model was applied to a typical arid river basin in Northwest China, where thirty-two scenarios were explored, considering factors such as shared socioeconomic pathways, carbon removal rates, water conveyance efficiencies, and ecological requirements. The results reveal a strong tradeoff between marginal benefit and carbon emission intensity, indicating that improving the economic efficiency of water use can simultaneously reduce emissions and protect the environment. Given the immense power generation potential, wind power development should be prioritized in the future, with its share in the energy structure projected to increase to 23.3% by 2060. Furthermore, promoting carbon capture technologies and expanding grassland coverage are recommended to achieve regional carbon neutrality, contributing 39.5% and 49.1% to carbon absorption during 2021-2060, respectively. Compared with traditional single-objective models, GFMOP demonstrates a superiority in uncovering interrelationships among multiple SDGs and identifying compromised alternatives within the compound socio-ecological nexus. The model also provides detailed strategies for resource allocation and pollutant control, offering valuable guidance to policymakers and stakeholders in pursuing sustainable and harmonious watershed management.

Glutathione-Disrupting Nanotherapeutics Potentiate Ferroptosis for Treating Luminal Androgen Receptor-Positive Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

The refractory luminal androgen receptor (LAR) subtype of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients is challenged by significant resistance to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and increased immunosuppression. Regarding the distinct upregulation of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in LAR TNBC tumors, we herein designed a GSH-depleting phospholipid derivative (BPP) and propose a BPP-based nanotherapeutics of RSL-3 (GDNS), aiming to deplete intracellular GSH and repress GPX4 activity, thereby potentiating ferroptosis for treating LAR-subtype TNBC. GDNS treatment drastically downregulated the expression of GSH and GPX4, resulting in a 33.88-fold enhancement of lipid peroxidation and significant relief of immunosuppression in the 4T1 TNBC model. Moreover, GDNS and its combination with antibody against programed cell death protein 1 (antiPD-1) retarded tumor growth and produced 2.83-fold prolongation of survival in the LAR-positive TNBC model. Therefore, the GSH-disrupting GDNS represents an encouraging strategy to potentiate ferroptosis for treating refractory LAR-subtype TNBC.

Downregulation of CIAPIN1 regulates the proliferation, migration and glycolysis of breast cancer cells via inhibition of STAT3 pathway.

Cytokine-induced apoptosis inhibitor 1 (CIAPIN1) is a protein that regulates apoptosis and programmed cell death. This research aims to evaluate its potential role in inhibiting breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and glycolysis and uncover its underlying molecular mechanism. We collected breast cancer tissue samples from eight patients between January 2019 and June 2023 in our Hospital to analyse CIAPIN1 expression. We transfected human breast cancer cell lines (MCF7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453, and MDA-MB-468) with siRNA of CIAPIN1. Finally, we determined protein expression using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. CIAPIN1 expression was elevated in both breast cancer tissue and serum. Overexpression of CIAPIN1 detected in the breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-468. In addition, CIAPIN1 overexpression increased cell proliferation and migration rate. CIAPIN1 downregulation suppressed cell proliferation while elevated cellular apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress in breast cancer cells. Moreover, CIAPIN1 inhibition remarkably suppressed pyruvate, lactate and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and reduced the pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) protein expression and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in breast cancer cells. Downregulation of CIAPIN1 suppresses cell proliferation, migration and glycolysis capacity in breast cancer cells by inhibiting the STAT3/PKM2 pathway.

An unprotected vulnerable relict subtropical conifer-Keteleeria evelyniana: Its forests, populations, growth and endangerment by invasive alien plant species in China.

Relict subtropical coniferous forests in China face severe fragmentation, resulting in declining populations, and some are under significant threat from invasive alien species. Despite the crucial importance of understanding forest dynamics, knowledge gaps persist, particularly regarding the impact of invasive plants on vulnerable natives like Keteleeria evelyniana. In this study, we investigated the impact of invasive plants on the regeneration of forests dominated by K. evelyniana, a subtropical relict species in southwestern China. For this purpose, we characterized forest dynamics of 160 forest plots featuring K. evelyniana as the primary dominant species and determined whether the presence of invasive plants was correlated with regeneration of K. evelyniana. We identified four distinct forest types in which K. evelyniana was dominant. We found that radial growth of K. evelyniana trees is faster in younger age-classes today than it was for older trees at the same age. The population structure of K. evelyniana in each forest type exhibited a multimodal age-class distribution. However, three forest types lacked established saplings younger than 10 years old, a situation attributed to the dense coverage of the invasive alien Ageratina adenophora. This invasive species resulted in a reduction of understory species diversity. Additionally, our analysis uncovered a significant negative correlation in phylogenetic relatedness (net relatedness index) between native and invasive alien plant species in eastern Yunnan. This suggests closely related invasive species face heightened competition, hindering successful invasion. Taken together, our findings indicate that successful establishment and habitat restoration of K. evelyniana seedling/saplings require effective measures to control invasive plants.

Morphological characterization and distribution of antennal sensilla of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using scanning electron microscopy.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a globally significant agricultural pest, causing severe damage to corn production in China. Chemical odor-based trapping is a major approach for FAW control, making it essential to understand the FAW antennal sensillum types to enhance development of effective chemical odor attractants. In this study, we comprehensively examined the antennal sensilla types of FAW, identifying eight types and two subtypes, including Böhm's bristles, sensilla trichoidea, sensilla chaetica (I and II), sensilla coeloconica, sensilla styloconica, sensilla squamiformia (I and II), sensilla auricillica, and sensilla basiconica. Sensilla chaetica II, and sensilla squamiformia II are reported for the first time for FAW in this study. Detailed low-voltage field emission scanning electron microscope (LVSEM) images and descriptions are provided for each sensillum type. This study provides the morphological information to aid in conducting antennal sensillum neurophysiological tests on FAW. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The types of sensilla of fall armyworm were examined, identifying eight types and two subtypes, including Böhm's bristles, sensilla trichoidea, sensilla chaetica (I and II), sensilla coeloconica, sensilla styloconica, sensilla squamiformia (I and II), sensilla auricillica, and sensilla basiconica. Detailed low-voltage field emission scanning electron microscope images and descriptions were provided for each sensillum type.

LIMK1 promotes the development of cervical cancer by up-regulating the ROS/Src-FAK/cofilin signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the mechanism of action of LIMK1 in cervical cancer progression. METHODS: The biological role of LIMK1 in regulating the growth, invasion, and metastasis of cervical cancer was studied in SiHa, CaSki cells and nude mice tumor models. The role of LIMK1 in the growth of cervical cancer was evaluated by HE staining. The role of LIMK1 in the invasion, metastasis, and proliferation of cervical cancer was evaluated by cell scratch, Transwell, and monoclonal experiments. The interaction among LIMK1, ROS, and Src was evaluated by Western blotting. The effects of regulating ROS and p-Src expression on LIMK1 in the migration/invasion and proliferation of cervical cancer cells were evaluated through cellular functional assays. RESULTS: Overexpression of LIMK1 promoted tumor growth in nude mice. Cell scratch, Transwell, and monoclonal experiments suggested that LIMK1 promoted the invasion, metastasis, and proliferation of cervical cancer cells. Western blotting suggested that LIMK1 can promote the expression of ROS-related proteins NOX2, NOX4, p-Src, and downstream proteins p-FAK, p-ROCK1/2, p-Cofilin-1, F-actin and inhibit the expression of p-SHP2 protein. Correction experiments showed that LIMK1 regulated the expression of p-FAK and p-Cofilin-1 proteins by regulating ROS and p-Src. Through the detection of cervical cancer cell functions, it was found that the activation of ROS and p-Src induced by LIMK1 is an early event that promotes the migration, proliferation, and invasion of cervical cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: LIMK1 promotes the expression of F-actin and promotes the development of cervical cancer by regulating the oxidative stress/Src-mediated p-FAK/p-ROCK1/2/p-Cofilin-1 pathway.

Computational Insights into SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Mutations and Nirmatrelvir Efficacy: The Effects of P132H and P132H-A173V.

Nirmatrelvir, a pivotal component of the oral antiviral Paxlovid for COVID-19, targets the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) as a covalent inhibitor. Here, we employed combined computational methods to explore how the prevalent Omicron variant mutation P132H, alone and in combination with A173V (P132H-A173V), affects nirmatrelvir's efficacy. Our findings suggest that P132H enhances the noncovalent binding affinity of Mpro for nirmatrelvir, whereas P132H-A173V diminishes it. Although both mutants catalyze the rate-limiting step more efficiently than the wild-type (WT) Mpro, P132H slows the overall rate of covalent bond formation, whereas P132H-A173V accelerates it. Comprehensive analysis of noncovalent and covalent contributions to the overall binding free energy of the covalent complex suggests that P132H likely enhances Mpro sensitivity to nirmatrelvir, while P132H-A173V may confer resistance. Per-residue decompositions of the binding and activation free energies pinpoint key residues that significantly affect the binding affinity and reaction rates, revealing how the mutations modulate these effects. The mutation-induced conformational perturbations alter drug-protein local contact intensities and the electrostatic preorganization of the protein, affecting noncovalent binding affinity and the stability of key reaction states, respectively. Our findings inform the mechanisms of nirmatrelvir resistance and sensitivity, facilitating improved drug design and the detection of resistant strains.

Analyzing variation of water inflow to inland lakes under climate change: Integrating deep learning and time series data mining.

The alarming depletion of global inland lakes in recent decades makes it essential to predict water inflow from rivers to lakes (WIRL) trend and unveil the dominant influencing driver, particularly in the context of climate change. The raw time series data contains multiple components (i.e., long-term trend, seasonal periodicity, and random noise), which makes it challenging for traditional machine/deep learning techniques to effectively capture long-term trend information. In this study, a novel FactorConvSTLnet (FCS) method is developed through integrating STL decomposition, convolutional neural networks (CNN), and factorial analysis into a general framework. FCS is more robust in long-term WIRL trend prediction through separating trend information as a modeling predictor, as well as unveiling predominant drivers. FCS is applied to typical inland lakes (the Aral Sea and the Lake Balkhash) in Central Asia, and results indicate that FCS (Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency = 0.88, root mean squared error = 67m³/s, mean relative error = 10%) outperforms the traditional CNN. Some main findings are: (i) during 1960-1990, reservoir water storage (WSR) was the dominant driver for the two lakes, respectively contributing to 71% and 49%; during 1991-2014 and 2015-2099, evaporation (EVAP) would be the dominant driver, with the contribution of 30% and 47%; (ii) climate change would shift the dominant driver from human activities to natural factors, where EVAP and surface snow amount (SNW) have an increasing influence on WIRL; (iii) compared to SSP1-2.6, the SNW contribution would decrease by 26% under SSP5-8.5, while the EVAP contribution would increase by 9%. The findings reveal the main drivers of shrinkage of the inland lakes and provide the scientific basis for promoting regional ecological sustainability.

Quantifying the mutual effects of water trading and systematic water saving in a water-scarce watershed of China.

In this study, a conjunctive water management model based on interval stochastic bi-level programming method (CM-ISBP) is proposed for planning water trading program as well as quantifying mutual effects of water trading and systematic water saving. CM-ISBP incorporates water resources assessment with soil and water assessment tool (SWAT), systematic water-saving simulation combined with water trading, and interval stochastic bi-level programming (ISBP) within a general framework. Systematic water saving involves irrigation water-saving technologies (sprinkler irrigation, micro-irrigation, low-pressure pipe irrigation), enterprise water-saving potential and water-saving subsidy. The CM-ISBP is applied to a real case of a water-scarce watershed (i.e. Dagu River watershed, China). Mutual effects of water trading and water-saving activities are simulated with model establishment and quantified through mechanism analysis. The fate of saved water under the systematic water saving is also revealed. The coexistence of the two systems would increase system benefits by [11.89, 12.19]%, and increase the water use efficiency by [40.04, 40.46]%. Thus mechanism that couples water trading and water saving is optimal and recommended according to system performance.

A tonoplast-localized TPK-type K+ transporter (TPKa) regulates potassium accumulation in tobacco.

Potassium ion (K+) is one of the most essential nutrients for the growth and development of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), however, the molecular regulation of K+ concentration in tobacco remains unclear. In this study, a two-pore K (TPK) channel gene NtTPKa was cloned from tobacco, and NtTPKa protein contains the unique K+ selection motif GYGD and its transmembrane region primarily locates in the tonoplast membrane. The expression of NtTPKa gene was significantly increased under low-potassium stress conditions. The concentrations of K+ in tobacco were significantly increased in the NtTPKa RNA interference lines and CRISPR/Cas9 knockout mutants. In addition, the transport of K+ by NtTPKa was validated using patch clamp technique, and the results showed that NtTPKa channel protein exclusively transported K+ in a concentration-dependent manner. Together, our results strongly suggested that NtTPKa is a key gene in maintaining K+ homeostasis in tobacco, and it could provide a new genetic resource for increasing the concentration of K+ in tobacco.

Water rights trading planning and its application in water resources management: A water-ecology-food nexus perspective.

Nexus approach provides an effective perspective for implementing synergetic management of water resources. In this study, an interval two-stage chance-constrained water rights trading planning model under water-ecology-food nexus perspective (ITCWR-WEF) is proposed to analyze the interaction between water trading and water-ecology-food (WEF) nexus, which fills in the water resources management gaps from a novel nexus perspective. ITCWR-WEF incorporates hydrological simulation with soil and water assessment tool (SWAT), water rights configuration with interval two-stage chance-constrained programming (ITCP), and multi-criterion analysis with Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The developed ITCWR-WEF is applied to a real case of Daguhe watershed, which has characteristics of water scarcity, food producing areas and fragile ecosystem. Initial water rights allocation is addressed before the trading. Mechanisms analysis is designed to reveal mutual effect of water rights trading and WEF nexus. Optimal water management scenario is identified through multi-criterion analysis. Results reveal that the mechanism of water rights trading with WEF nexus under low constraint-violation risk level of water availability and environment capacity is recommended to promote the rational water resources allocation to balance the economic goals, water environment and water supply security, as well as ecological and food water demand guarantees.

Alleviating sweetpotato salt tolerance through exogenous glutathione and melatonin: A profound mechanism for active oxygen detoxification and preservation of photosynthetic organs.

Salt stress profoundly impacts sweetpotato production. Exogenous glutathione (GSH) and melatonin (MT) promoted plant growth under stress, but their specific roles and mechanisms in sweetpotato salt tolerance need exploration. This study investigated GSH and MT's regulatory mechanisms in sweetpotato under salt stress. Salt stress significantly reduces both growth and biomass by hindering photosynthesis, root traits, K+ content, and K+/Na+ balance, leading to oxidative stress and excessive hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide ion (O2•-), and malondialdehyde (MDA) production and Na+ accumulation. Nevertheless, GSH (2 mM) and MT (25 µM) pre-treatments effectively mitigated salt-induced oxidative damage and protected the plasma membrane. They reduced osmotic pressure by enhancing K+ uptake, K+/Na+ regulation, osmolyte accumulation, and reducing Na+ accumulation. Improved stomatal traits, chloroplast and grana lamella preservation, and maintenance of mesophyll cells, cell wall, and mitochondrial structure were observed with GSH and MT pre-treatments under salt stress, therefore boosting the photosynthetic system and enhancing plant growth and biomass. Moreover, the findings also indicate that the positive outcomes of GSH and MT pre-treatments result from elevated antioxidant levels, enhanced enzymatic activity, and upregulated expression of sodium hydrogen exchanger 2 (NHX2), K+transporter 1 (AKT1), and cation/H+exchanger (CHX), CBL-interacting protein kinase 1 (CIPK1), and antioxidant enzyme genes. These mechanisms enhance structural stability in photosynthesis and reduce salt stress. Evidently, MT pre-treatment exhibited superior effects compared to GSH. These findings provide a firm theoretical basis for employing GSH and MT to enhance salt tolerance in sweetpotato cultivation.

Diosgenin biosynthesis pathway and its regulation in Dioscorea cirrhosa L.

Dioscorea cirrhosa L. (D. cirrhosa) tuber is a traditional medicinal plant that is abundant in various pharmacological substances. Although diosgenin is commonly found in many Dioscoreaceae plants, its presence in D. cirrhosa remained uncertain. To address this, HPLC-MS/MS analysis was conducted and 13 diosgenin metabolites were identified in D. cirrhosa tuber. Furthermore, we utilized transcriptome data to identify 21 key enzymes and 43 unigenes that are involved in diosgenin biosynthesis, leading to a proposed pathway for diosgenin biosynthesis in D. cirrhosa. A total of 3,365 unigenes belonging to 82 transcription factor (TF) families were annotated, including MYB, AP2/ERF, bZIP, bHLH, WRKY, NAC, C2H2, C3H, SNF2 and Aux/IAA. Correlation analysis revealed that 22 TFs are strongly associated with diosgenin biosynthesis genes (-r2- > 0.9, P < 0.05). Moreover, our analysis of the CYP450 gene family identified 206 CYP450 genes (CYP450s), with 40 being potential CYP450s. Gene phylogenetic analysis revealed that these CYP450s were associated with sterol C-22 hydroxylase, sterol-14-demethylase and amyrin oxidase in diosgenin biosynthesis. Our findings lay a foundation for future genetic engineering studies aimed at improving the biosynthesis of diosgenin compounds in plants.

Allelic variation of PmCBF03 contributes to the altitude and temperature adaptability in Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.).

Japanese apricot is an important subtropical deciduous fruit tree in China, widely distributed in different altitude areas. How does it adapt to the different temperature environments in these areas? In this study, we identified a low-temperature transcription factor PmCBF03 on chromosome 7 through adaptive analysis of populations at different altitudes, which has an early termination single nucleotide polymorphism mutation. There were two different types of variation, PmCBF03A type in high-altitude areas and PmCBF03T type in low-altitude areas. PmCBF03A gene increased the survival rate, Fv/Fm values, antioxidant enzyme activity, and expression levels of antioxidant enzyme genes, and reducing electrolyte leakage and accumulation of reactive oxygen species in transgenic Arabidopsis under low temperature and freezing stress. Simultaneously, PmCBF03A gene promoted the dormancy of transgenic Arabidopsis seeds than wild-type. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that PmCBF03A directly bound to the DRE/CRT element in the promoters of the PmCOR413, PmDAM6 and PmABI5 genes, promoting their transcription and enhanced the cold resistance and dormancy of the overexpressing PmCBF03A lines. While PmCBF03T gene is unable to bind to the promoters of PmDAM6 and PmABI5 genes, leading to early release of dormancy to adapt to the problem of insufficient chilling requirement in low-altitude areas.

Extracellular Matrix-Trapped Bioinspired Lipoprotein Prolongs Tumor Retention to Potentiate Antitumor Immunity.

The immunomodulatory effects of many therapeutic agents are significantly challenged by their insufficient delivery efficiency and short retention time in tumors. Regarding the distinctively upregulated fibronectin (FN1) and tenascin C (TNC) in tumor stroma, herein a protease-activated FN1 and/or TNC binding peptide (FTF) is designed and an extracellular matrix (ECM)-trapped bioinspired lipoprotein (BL) (FTF-BL-CP) is proposed that can be preferentially captured by the TNC and/or FN1 for tumor retention, and then be responsively dissociated from the matrix to potentiate the antitumor immunity. The FTF-BL-CP treatment produces a 6.96-, 9.24-, 6.72-, 7.32-, and 6.73-fold increase of CD3+CD8+ T cells and their interferon-γ-, granzyme B-, perforin-, and Ki67-expressing subtypes versus the negative control, thereby profoundly eliciting the antitumor immunity. In orthotopic and lung metastatic breast cancer models, FTF-BL-CP produces notable therapeutic benefits of retarding tumor growth, extending survivals, and inhibiting lung metastasis. Therefore, this ECM-trapping strategy provides an encouraging possibility of prolonging tumor retention to potentiate the antitumor immunity for anticancer immunotherapy.

Spatiotemporal evolution and Sustainably comprehensive zoning optimization of production-living-ecological functions in the Mountain-Flatland areas.

Examining the spatiotemporal changes of territorial space is crucial for addressing the conflict between economic-social development and the natural environment and achieving optimal territorial space utilization. However, there is a research gap regarding the spatial characteristics and optimization in the mountain-flatland area. To address this gap, this paper focuses on the urban agglomeration in Central Yunnan (UACY) as a representative mountain-flatland area. A mountain-flatland classification model was established. Based on the evaluation of production- living- ecological functions, the economic models were introduced to measure the balance degree, and further researched the spatiotemporal evolution and coupling coordination characteristics by spatial analysis from 2010 to 2020. The findings indicate the following: (1) The study area exhibited distinct mountain-flatland differentiation, with "western mountainous counties (MCs)/semi-mountainous and semi-flatland counties (SMSFCs), central flatland counties (FCs), and eastern SMSFCs". production function (PF) primarily formed a cluster in the central-northeastern areas of FCs and of SMSFCs, living function (LF) was highly clustered in the central areas of FCs, remained stable, and ecological function (EF) was significantly clustered in the northwestern regions of MCs and of SMSFCs, significantly enhanced in the northeast. (2) The imbalance degree followed the order LF > PF > EF, showing a decreasing trend primarily driven by intra-group imbalances within FCs, SMSFCs, and MCs. The coordinate areas were mainly concentrated in central FCs, and the dysfunctional areas was largely located in MCs and SMSFCs, the degree was improved, especially in northwestern and southeastern MCs and SMSFCs. (3) The study area fell into 18 functional areas, optimized into 13 areas, with recommendations for differentiated development control paths to achieve an optimization of PLEFs. These results provide theoretical references for promoting sustainable utilization of territorial resources and facilitating high-quality regional development in UACY and other parts of the country.

A Taguchi-STIRPAT input-output model for unveiling the pathways of reducing household carbon emissions under dual-carbon target-A case study of Fujian province.

This study develops a novel Taguchi-STIRPAT input-output (TSIO) model for exploring pathways to reduce carbon emission from the perspective of household consumption, through incorporating input-output model (IOM), Taguchi design (TD), and STIRPAT model. TSIO can not only identify the main factors (carbon emission intensity, consumption structure, per capita consumption, and population) and evaluate their effects on indirect household carbon emissions (IHC), but also predict IHC from a long-term perspective to achieve the dual-carbon target. TSIO is then applied to Fujian province (China), where multiple scenarios related to multiple factors with multiple levels are examined. Results reveal that (i) among all sectors, the highest contributors to IHC are residence (RES), followed by food, cigarettes, and drinks (FCD), and transport and communication (TC); it is suggested that the government can consider market mechanism to control these high-carbon emission consumption behaviors; (ii) the decline in the share of RES consumption has the largest effect on rural and urban IHC; the share of RES consumption is considered to be a key factor in predicting carbon emissions; (iii) under the optimal scenario, IHC would peak in 2025 and decrease to 10.07 × 106 ton in 2060; this scenario can effectively mitigate household carbon emissions by reducing carbon emission intensity and the share of RES consumption; at the same time, it can ensure a sustained increase in per capita consumption. The results unveil the pathways of household carbon reduction under the dual-carbon target in Fujian province and suggest the local government should adopt policies (such as taxation and financial incentives) to limit residential consumptions with high carbon emission intensity.

Changes in physicochemical properties and microbial community succession during leaf stacking fermentation.

Leaf stacking fermentation involves enzymatic actions of many microorganisms and is an efficient and environmentally benign process for degrading macromolecular organic compounds. We investigated the dynamics of metabolite profiles, bacterial and fungal communities and their interactions during fermentation using cigar leaves from three geographic regions. The results showed that the contents of total sugar, reducing sugar, starch, cellulose, lignin, pectin, polyphenol and protein in cigar tobacco leaves was significantly decreased during fermentation. Notably, the furfural, neophytadiene, pyridine, benzyl alcohol, geranylacetone, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, N-hexanal, 3-Methyl-1-butanol and 2,3-pentanedione were important features volatile aroma compounds during fermentation. The α-diversity of fungi and bacteria initially increased and then decreased during fermentation. An analysis of variance showed that microbial diversity was influenced by fermentation stages and growing locations, in which the all stages had greater impacts on α- and ß-diversity than all regions. Microbiome profiling had identified several core bacteria including Sphingomonas, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, Massilia and Fibrobacter. Fungal biomarkers included Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Cladosporium and Trichomonascus. Interestingly, the molecular ecological networks showed that the core taxa had significant correlations with metabolic enzymes and physicochemical properties; bacteria and fungi jointly participated in the carbohydrate and nitrogen compound degrading and volatile aroma compound chemosynthesis processes during fermentation. These studies provide insights into the coupling of material conversion and microbial community succession during leaf fermentation.

Extraction and characterization of anti-virus anthraquinones from Nicotiana tabacum-derived Aspergillus oryzae YNCA1220.

In this study, seven novel anthraquinones (1-7) and four described anthraquinones (8-11) were purified from Nicotiana tabacum-derived Aspergillus oryzae YNCA1220. It is worth noting that only analogs of 4 and 5 have been reported as natural products to date, while the nuclei of compounds 1-3, 6 and 7 were isolated for the first time in nature. Among them, compounds 1-3 bear an unusual anthra[2,3-b]furan-9,10-dione nucleus, 4 and 5 possess a rare 3-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl substituent, and 6 and 7 are new framework anthraquinones bearing a 6-methyl-1,7-dihydro-2H-azepin-2-one ring. Interestingly, the in vivo assays indicated that 1, 4 and 5 had inactivation effects against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) with inhibition rates of 41.6%, 55.4% and 38.6%, respectively, at a concentration of 50 µg/mL, which were better than that of the positive control agent, ningnanmycin (33.8%). Compounds 1, 4 and 5 also had protective effects with inhibition rates of 48.7%, 60.2% and 43.5% at the same concentration, while 4 had a better curative effect than ningnanmycin at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. In addition, mechanistic studies also revealed that a potent direct effect on TMV, the induction of SAR in tobacco plants, and the effective regulation of defense enzymes, defense genes, and defense hormones may be the reasons for the significant effects of 4 against TMV. At the same time, downregulation of the expression of total NtHsp70 protein by inhibiting the related Hsp70 genes may also be involved in tobacco resistance to TMV. To evaluate whether compounds have broader antiviral activities, the antirotavirus activities of new isolates were also evaluated and found to be highly effective with a therapeutic index (TI) value ranging from 11.6 to 17.7. This study suggests that the above anthraquinone compounds, particularly 4, have broad spectrum antiviral activities. The successful isolation and structure identification of the above anthraquinones provide new materials for the screening of anti-TMV agents and contribute to the improved utilization of N. tabacum-derived fungi.

Mechanism of the Change in the Intestinal Microbiota of C-Strain Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) after an Interspecific Transference between Rice and Corn.

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was first found in 2019 in Yunnan, China, and it was characterized as a corn strain; it was also found on rice strains there, and it damages rice in China, but little is known about the effect of host plant transfer on the intestinal microbiota and the activities of detoxification enzymes in the C-strain (corn strain) S. frugiperda. The intestinal microbiota and the protective enzyme activity of S. frugiperda that were transferred from rice plants were assessed, and the fourth generation of insects transferred from corn were studied; the gene types of S. frugiperda that were transferred from rice plants were tested using mitochondrial Tpi gene sequences. The results showed that the intestinal microbiota in the C-strain S. frugiperda were changed after the host transference, and the diversity and richness of the intestinal bacterial communities of the S. frugiperda feeding on rice were significantly reduced after the transfer of the host from corn. The predominant species of intestinal bacteria of the S. frugiperda on rice transferred from corn were Enterococcus and Enterobacter, with relative abundances of 28.7% and 66.68%; the predominant species of intestinal bacteria of the S. frugiperda that were transferred from rice and feeding on corn were Enterococcus (22.35%) and Erysipelatoclostridium (73.92%); and the predominant species of intestinal bacteria of S. frugiperda feeding on corn was Enterococcus, with a relative abundance of 61.26%. The CAT (catalase) activity of the S. frugiperda transferred from corn onto rice from corn was reduced, the POD (peroxidase) activity was significantly increased after the transfer from corn, and no significant variations were found for the SOD (superoxide dismutase), CarE (carboxylesterase), and GST (glutathione S-transferase) activities of S. frugiperda after the host plant transfer. The results showed that after feeding on rice, the activities of CAT and POD in the in S. frugiperda body changed in order to resist plant secondary metabolites from corn or rice, but there was no significant change in the detoxification enzymes in the body. In summary, switching the host plant between corn and rice induced variations in the intestinal microbiota in C-strain S. frugiperda owing to the strain difference between the C-strain and the R-strain (rice strain), and this was consistent with the results of the activities of detoxification enzymes. The results indicat that changes in intestinal microbiota and physiological enzymes may be important reasons for the adaptive capacity of C-strain S. frugiperda to rice.