Effects of salinity and betaine addition on anaerobic granular sludge properties and microbial community succession patterns in organic saline wastewater.

In this study, the effects of different salinity gradients and addition of compatible solutes on anaerobic treated effluent water qualities, sludge characteristics and microbial communities were investigated. The increase in salinity resulted in a decrease in particle size of the granular sludge, which was concentrated in the range of 0.5-1.0 mm. The content of EPS (extracellular polymeric substances) in the granular sludge gradually increased with increasing salinity and the addition of betaine (a typical compatible solute). Meanwhile, the microbial community structure was significantly affected by salinity, with high salinity reducing the diversity of bacteria. At higher salinity, Patescibacteria and Proteobacteria gradually became the dominant phylum, with relative abundance increasing to 13.53% and 12.16% at 20 g/L salinity. Desulfobacterota and its subordinate Desulfovibrio, which secrete EPS in large quantities, dominated significantly after betaine addition.Their relative abundance reached 13.65% and 7.86% at phylum level and genus level. The effect of these changes on the treated effluent was shown as the average chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate decreased from 82.10% to 79.71%, 78.01%, 68.51% and 64.55% when the salinity gradually increased from 2 g/L to 6, 10, 16 and 20 g/L. At the salinity of 20 g/L, average COD removal increased to 71.65% by the addition of 2 mmol/L betaine. The gradient elevated salinity and the exogenous addition of betaine played an important role in achieving stability of the anaerobic system in a highly saline environment, which provided a feasible strategy for anaerobic treatment of organic saline wastewater.

Efficacy of Ketorolac Tromethamine Diluted Saline Irrigant on Postoperative Sequelae in Patients Undergoing Lower Third Molar Impaction Surgery: A Prospective Clinical Study.

Background Lower third molar surgery is very commonly performed for minor oral surgery by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. One of the main chief complaints that patients report back to the clinic after getting their lower third molar impaction surgery is immediate postoperative pain. In our study, we have compared the efficacy of ketorolac tromethamine diluted saline solution over plain saline solution used as an irrigant in reducing postoperative swelling and pain. Aim The aim of the current study is to analyse the efficiency of ketorolac tromethamine diluted saline solution over normal saline without any drug dilution in reducing postoperative sequelae like pain and swelling after surgical removal of the lower third molar. Materials and methods This study was carried out at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, from April 2023 to July 2023. The study included 50 individuals who wanted to prophylactically get the lower third molar removed surgically. These participants were divided into two groups. One group received ketorolac diluted saline irrigant while the other group received plain saline (0.9% NaCl) as irrigant. Postoperatively, pain and swelling were evaluated in both groups. Both pain and swelling were measured preoperatively, postoperatively after 48 hours, and postoperatively after seven days. The swelling was measured using a 4-point measuring scale, and pain measurement was done using a 10-point visual analogue scale. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Version 23.0, Armonk, NY). For the comparison of continuous variables between the two groups, an unpaired t-test was used. The normality of the results obtained was checked using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The results were considered statistically significant if the P-value was less than 0.05. Results Based on the results obtained it was found that participants who were included in the ketorolac saline group had comparatively lower postoperative pain scores than participants in the plain saline group and this was statistically significant (P=0.001). Postoperative swelling was also comparatively lower in the ketorolac tromethamine saline group but the results were not statistically significant at the end of day 7 (P=0.09). Conclusion Upon observing the cumulative results obtained, we conclude that ketorolac saline (10mg/100mL) was more efficacious in terms of pain reduction than the regular saline solution in impacted lower third molar surgery.

Robotic Left Hepatectomy Using the Glissonean Approach and Saline-Linked Bipolar Clamp-Crush Technique.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported a saline-linked bipolar clamp-crush technique as a novel robotic liver resection method. Herein, we present the surgical techniques and outcomes of robotic left hepatectomy using the Glissonean approach and our liver transection technique. METHODS: The key procedures included the following: (1) encircling the left Glissonean pedicle using the Tip-Up fenestrated grasper, (2) dissecting the liver parenchyma using the saline-linked bipolar clamp-crush technique, (3) moving the endoscope one trocar to the right to facilitate visualisation of the liver transection plane, and (4) stapling the left pedicle and left hepatic vein. Seven robotic left hepatectomies were performed. RESULTS: The median operative time and estimated blood loss were 395 min and 50 mL, respectively. The median length of postoperative hospital stay was 9 days. Pneumothorax was the only severe postoperative complication. CONCLUSIONS: Robotics left hepatectomy using the Glissonean approach and the saline-linked bipolar clamp-crush technique appears safe and feasible.

High-efficiency breeding of Bacillus siamensis with hyper macrolactins production using physical mutagenesis and a high-throughput culture system.

Macrolactins have attracted considerable attention due to their value and application in medicine and agriculture. However, poor yields severely hinder their broader application in these fields. This study aimed to improve macrolactins production in Bacillus siamensis using a combined atmospheric and room-temperature plasma mutagenesis and a microbial microdroplet culture system. After 25 days of treatment, a desirable strain with macrolactins production 3.0-fold higher than that of the parental strain was successfully selected. The addition of 30 mg/L ZnSO4 further increased macrolactins production to 503 ± 37.6 µg/mL, representing a 30.9 % improvement in production compared to controls. Based on transcriptome analysis, the synthesis pathways of amino acids, fengycin, and surfactin were found to be downregulated in IMD4036. Further fermentation experiments confirmed that inhibition of the comparative fengycin synthesis pathway was potentially driving the increased production of macrolactins. The strategies and possible mechanisms detailed in this study can provide insight into enhancing the production of other secondary metabolites toxic to the producer strains.

Neurotoxic mechanisms of dexamethasone in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells: Insights into bioenergetics, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.

Despite the known therapeutic uses of dexamethasone (DEX), the specific mechanisms underlying its neurotoxic effects in neuronal cells, particularly in undifferentiated human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells, remain inadequately understood. This study aims to elucidate these mechanisms, emphasizing bioenergetics, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, thereby providing novel insights into the cellular vulnerabilities induced by chronic DEX exposure. The findings revealed significant reductions in cell viability, altered membrane integrity with LDH leakage, decreased intracellular ATP production, and the electron transport chain complexes I and III activity inhibition. DEX significantly increased the release of the reactive species and peroxidation of lipids, as well as of Nrf2 expression. At the same time, it simultaneously led to a decline in the activities of the antioxidant catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes, along with a depletion of glutathione reserves. The apoptosis process was exhibited by a significant elevation of caspases 3 and 8 activities with overexpression of mRNA BAX, inhibition of BCL-2, and a significant upregulation of the BAX/BCL-2 ratio. Assessment of neuronal development genes (GAP43, CAMK2A, CAMK2B, TUBB3, and Wnts) by quantitative PCR assay showed increased expression of CAMK2A, CAMK2B, and Wnt3a with a significant reduction in GAP43 mRNA levels. Collectively, this study proved that DEX was cytotoxic to SH-SY5Y via bioenergetic disruption, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.

Gossypol derivate as a green anti-corrosion agent in the aqueous phase of crude oil.

Keeping recruitment of green and cost-effective solutions for environmental challenges in view, the current work was designed to solve the problems related to metal corrosion in the aqueous phases of crude oil in chemical industries. Green materials can play an important role in protecting metals from this corrosion. Hence, the green anti-corrosion material based upon gossypol derivate is suggested to solve the above problems. The electrochemical characteristics were appraised by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical noise methods. The thermodynamics were studied by gravimetric analyses. The surface morphology was scrutinized using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Density functional theory and molecular dynamic simulations were exploited in theoretical analyses. The gossypol derivate is green, non-toxic, more efficient, non-volatile, and chemically stable anti-corrosion material for gas and oil industries. Carbon steel corrosion simulated in aqueous phases of crude oil (NaCl solutions (1.0 M) saturated with H2S and CO2) was maximally prohibited by forming a protective layer of binaphthalene. Its protection degree is 96.71% (at 100.0 mg/L/0.107 mM). The gossypol ring is a suitable core for preparing the next modification materials to protect against corrosion. The rigid adsorption progressed mainly via hydroxyl functional moieties. Compared to the inhibition behavior of the neutral form of gossypol, the optimized protonated form causes a greater inhibition.

Efficacy of hypertonic saline in treatment of corneal edema: A randomized crossover trial.

Background: To determine the efficacy of sodium chloride (NaCl) 5% drops in comparison to 6% ointment and study tear Osmolarity as an objective measure correlating with clinical findings in the treatment of corneal edema. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, interventional, open-label, crossover study of 40 eyes of 40 patients with corneal edema due to Bullous keratopathy and Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. Subjects were divided into 2 groups by simple randomization: group A received NaCl 5% drops and group B received NaCl 6% ointment. Both treatments were administered four times daily for seven days. Subsequently, after a 1-week wash-out period, switch over of treatment was done. Central corneal thickness (CCT) and tear osmolarity were primarily efficacy variables. Results: Baseline parameters were comparable. The median reduction in CCT from baseline (706.7 ± 58.41 µm), at 6 hours with NaCl 5% drops was 23 µm (-27, 74) and that with NaCl6% ointment was 37.5 µm (-7, 85). The reduction in CCT was more with 6% ointment (p = 0.013). The difference in reduction in CCT between two treatments at one week was not statistically significant, although there was a substantial reduction in thickness with each treatment individually. The change in tear osmolarity from the baseline at 2 Hours with both NaCl5% drops and 6% ointment was significant, and it remained so till 6 h. Side-effects such as stickiness, stinginess, blurring, and foreign body sensation were more with 6% eye ointment. Conclusion: Topical NaCl 6% eye ointment in QID dosage is more effective than NaCl 5% drops in the medical management of corneal edema. In patients symptomatically intolerant to ointment, NaCl 5% eye drops may be prescribed as an effective option.

Molecular cloning and functional characterization in response to saline-alkali stress of the MhZEP gene in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Soil salinization is one of the major environmental factors that restrict plant growth and development. Zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) functions in ABA biosynthesis and the xanthophyll cycle and has a vital role in plant responses to various environmental stresses. It was found by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) that MhZEP responded to saline-alkali stress and showed the highest expression at 48 h of saline-alkali stress, which was 14.53-fold of 0 h. The MhZEP gene was cloned from the apple rootstock begonia (Malus halliana Koehne) and its protein physicochemical properties were analyzed. Subsequently, the functional characterization of MhZEP (ID: 103403091) was further investigated in Arabidopsis thaliana. The MhZEP contained a complete open reading frame with a length of 1998 bp, and encoded 665 amino acids with an isoelectric point of 7.18. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that MhZEP was the most homologous and closely related to Glycine max. Compared with wild-type, transgenic plants grew better under saline-alkali stress and the MhZEP-OE line showed higher chlorophyll content, carotenoid content, enzyme activities (POD, SOD, CAT and APX) and K+ content, whereas they had lower chlorosis and Na+ content than the wild type (WT), which indicated that they had strong resistance to stress. The expression levels of saline-alkali stress-related genes in A. thaliana MhZEP-OE were examined by qRT-PCR, and it was found that the MhZEP improved the tolerance of A. thaliana to saline-alkali stress tolerance by regulating the expression of carotenoid synthesis genes (MhPSY, MhZDS, MhLYCB and MhVDE) and ABA biosynthesis genes (MhNCED5, MhABI1 and MhCYP707A2). And the potassium-sodium ratio in the cytoplasm was increased to maintain ionic homeostasis by modulating the expression of Na+ transporter genes (MhCHX15 and MhSOS1) and K+ transporter genes (MhHKT1;1, MhNHX1 and MhSKOR1). Moreover, the expression of H+-ATPase genes (MhAHA2 and MhAHA8) was increased to reduce the oxidative damage caused by saline-alkali stress. In summary, MhZEP acted as an essential role in plant resistance to saline-alkali stress, which lays the foundation for further studies on its function in apple.

GDSL in Lilium pumilum (LpGDSL) Confers Saline-Alkali Resistance to the Plant by Enhancing the Lignin Content and Balancing the ROS.

In order to explore the response mechanism of Lilium pumilum (L. pumilum) to saline-alkali stress, we successfully cloned LpGDSL (GDSL lipase, Gly-Asp-Ser-Leu) from L. pumilum. The qRT-PCR results indicated that the LpGDSL expression was higher in the leaves of L. pumilum, and the expression of the LpGDSL reached the highest level at 12 h in leaves under 11 mM H2O2, 200 mM NaCl, 25 mM Na2CO3, and 20 mM NaHCO3. The bacteriophage overexpressing LpGDSL was more tolerant than the control under different NaHCO3 contents. Overexpressed and wild-type plants were analyzed for phenotype, chlorophyll content, O2- content, H2O2 content, lignin content, and so on. Overexpressed plants had significantly higher resistance than the wild type and were less susceptible to saline-alkali stress. The yeast two-hybrid and BiFC assays demonstrated the existence of an interaction between LpGDSL and LpBCP. The yeast one-hybrid assay and transcriptional activation assay confirmed that B3 transcription factors could act on LpGDSL promoters. Under saline-alkali stress, L. pumilum will promote the expression of LpGDSL, which will then promotes the accumulation of lignin and the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to reduce its damage, thus improving the saline-alkali resistance of the plant.

Performance and microbial mechanism in sulfide-driven autotrophic denitrification by different inoculation sources in face of various sulfide and sulfate stress.

To develop a reliable sulfide (S2-) autotrophic denitrification (SAD) process under S2- and SO42- salinity stresses, the biofilm performance and microbial mechanisms were comparatively studied using different inocula of activated sludge (AS) and intertidal sediment (IS). Biofilm IS enriched more denitrification genes (0.34 %) and S2- oxidation genes (0.29 %) than those with AS. Higher denitrification performance was obtained under S2- (100 mg/L) and SO42- (5-15 g/L Na2SO4) stresses, but no significantly differences were observed under levels of 0-200 mg/L S2- and 30 g/L Na2SO4. Notably, biofilm samples in SAD systems with IS still had more S2- oxidation genes at high S2- levels of 100-200 mg/L and Na2SO4 level of 30 g/L. The key functional genus Thiobacillus accumulated well at 30 g/L Na2SO4, but was strongly inhibited at 200 mg/L S2-. The findings were advantage to SAD application under sulfide and salinity stresses.

Electrochemical and computational evaluation of hydrazide derivative for mild steel corrosion inhibition and anticancer study.

In the present study the authors' main goal is to avoid the corrosive attack of the chloride ions of 3.5% NaCl solution in saline medium on the mild steel (MS), by addition of small amount of a new derivative of the hydrazide called ligand (HL), as a corrosion inhibitor. This study had been achieved by employing different electrochemical measurements such as, open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentio-dynamic polarization (PDP) methods. The results of the electrochemical test (OCP), showed that, the open circuit potential of the mild steel in saline solution, was guided to more positive direction in presence of the ligand (HL), at its ideal concentration (1 × 10-3 M), compared to the (OCP), of the mild steel in absence of (HL). The results of the electrochemical methods, EIS and PDP presented that, the ligand (HL), was acted as a good corrosion inhibitor for hindering the corrosion process of the mild steel in 3.5% sodium chloride, as it was recorded a good percentage of the inhibition efficiency (77.45%, 53.41%, by EIS and PDP techniques respectively), at its optimum concentration (1 × 10-3 M). Also, the corrosion rate of the mild steel in the saline medium without (HL), was listed about (0.0017 mm/year), while in existence of (HL), was decreased to a value about (0.00061 mm/year). As well, some of electrical properties of (HL), and its derivative [Pd(II), Cr(III), and Ru(III)], complexes were investigated such as; the activation energy (Ea(ac)), which recorded values in the range of 0.02-0.44 (eV) range and electrical conductivity which listed values at room temperature in the range of 10-5-10-8 S.cm-1. The results of the AC and DC electrical conductivity measurements for (HL), and its derivative [Pd(II), Cr(III) and Ru(III)] complexes indicate semiconducting nature which suggests that these compounds could be used in electronic devices. Also, the complexes exhibited higher conductivity values than (HL). Photophysical studies showed good florescence properties of HL that indicated that it can be used to determine most of the drugs with no fluorescence properties by quenching and calculating quantum yield. Moreover, the hydrazide ligand (HL), has shown selectivity as an active anticancer candidate drug for both breast and colon cancer in humans. Density function theory demonstrated that, the frontier molecular orbital HOMOs of the complexes have exhibited similar behavior and the charge density has localized in the metallic region of all the studied complexes. Also, the values of the energy gap of the ligand (HL), and its complexes Pd(II), Cr(III) and Ru(III), had been arranged in this order HL > Cr(III) > Ru(III) > Pd(II). All characterization using different spectroscopic techniques were reported to elucidate the proposed structures such as; thermal analysis, elemental analysis of C, H, and N atoms, spectral analysis using IR, UV, 1H NMR techniques, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyses.

Dynamics of salt precipitation at pore scale during CO2 subsurface storage in saline aquifer.

CO2 storage in deep saline aquifers is an effective strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emission. However, salt precipitation triggered by evaporation of water into injected dry CO2 causes injectivity reduction. Predicting the distribution of precipitated salts and their impact on near-well permeability remains challenging. Therefore, a detailed investigation of the interactions between salt precipitation and porous domain is essential for of revealing the mechanisms of pore blockage due to salt crystallization. Through series of microfluidic experiments, direct observations, coupled with detailed imaging processing, form the basis for explaining these phenomena and provide a relationship between water and salt saturations, highlighting the critical roles played by local capillary-driven flow and water film along grains in influencing water relocation. The results reveal two distinct types of salt crystallization: occurring inside the brine with smooth edges and at the CO2-brine interface with rough edges. Furthermore, the impact of local heterogeneity and surface wettability on salt precipitation patterns is discussed. The transition region between the porous domains and inlet/outlet channels exhibits brine backflow and a larger amount of salt accumulation. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the dynamic process of salt dry-out occurring during CO2 injection at the pore scale.

MsMIOX2, encoding a MsbZIP53-activated myo-inositol oxygenase, enhances saline-alkali stress tolerance by regulating cell wall pectin and hemicellulose biosynthesis in alfalfa.

Alfalfa is one of the most widely cultivated forage crops worldwide. However, soil salinization restricts alfalfa growth and development and affects global productivity. The plant cell wall is the first barrier against various stresses. Therefore, elucidating the alterations in cell wall architecture is crucial for stress adaptation. This study aimed to clarify the impact of myo-inositol oxygenase 2 (MsMIOX2) on cell wall pectin and hemicellulose biosynthesis under saline-alkali stress and identify the upstream transcription factors that govern MsMIOX2. MsMIOX2 activation induced cell wall pectin and hemicellulose accumulation under saline-alkali stress. The effects of MsMIOX2 in saline-alkali tolerance were investigated by characterizing its overexpression and RNA interference lines. MsMIOX2 overexpression positively regulated the antioxidant system and photosynthesis in alfalfa under saline-alkali stress. MsMIOX2 exhibited myo-inositol oxygenase activity, which increased polysaccharide contents, facilitated pectin and hemicellulose biosynthesis, and extended the cell wall thickness. However, MsMIOX2 RNA interference decreased cell wall thickness and alleviated alfalfa saline-alkali stress tolerance. In addition, MsbZIP53 was identified as an upstream transcriptional MsMIOX2 regulator by yeast one-hybrid, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, dual-luciferase, and beta-glucuronidase assays. MsbZIP53 overexpression increased MsMIOX2 expression, elevated MIOX activity, reinforced the antioxidant system and photosynthesis, and increased saline-alkali stress tolerance in alfalfa. In conclusion, this study presents a novel perspective for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of saline-alkali stress tolerance in alfalfa and emphasizes the potential use of MsMIOX2 in alfalfa breeding.

A clinical risk score for predicting acute kidney injury in sepsis patients receiving normal saline in Northern Thailand: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Normal saline is commonly used for resuscitation in sepsis patients but has a high chloride content, potentially increasing the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). This study evaluated risk factors and developed a predictive risk score for AKI in sepsis patients treated with normal saline. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized the medical and electronic health records of sepsis patients who received normal saline between January 2018 and May 2020. Predictors of AKI used to construct the predictive risk score were identified through multivariate logistic regression models, with discrimination and calibration assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and the expected-to-observed (E/O) ratio. Internal validation was conducted using bootstrapping techniques. RESULTS: AKI was reported in 211 of 735 patients (28.7%). Eight potential risk factors, including norepinephrine, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, serum chloride, respiratory failure with invasive mechanical ventilation, nephrotoxic antimicrobial drug use, history of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers use, history of liver disease, and serum creatinine were used to create the NACl RENAL-Cr score. The model demonstrated good discrimination and calibration (AUROC, 0.79; E/O, 1). The optimal cutoff was 2.5 points, with corresponding sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value scores of 71.6%, 72.5%, 51.2%, and 86.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The NACl RENAL-Cr score, consisting of eight critical variables, was used to predict AKI in sepsis patients who received normal saline. This tool can assist healthcare professionals when deciding on sepsis treatment and AKI monitoring.

Usefulness of the Upright Posture Test in the Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism.

Objective: To assess the usefulness of the upright posture stimulation test (UPT) in the confirmation of primary aldosteronism (PA) in patients in whom saline tests (ST) were inconclusive. Methods: One hundred eighty-seven adult patients with possible PA were retrospectively included and compared to 25 control subjects. Blood samples were obtained after a 1-hour supine posture and during 2 hours of ambulation. An increase in plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) ≥ 50% with a suppressed renin (≤10.1 ng/L; ≤1 ng/mL/hour) and a cortisol increase ≤50% were considered abnormal. Results: PA patients had higher basal PAC and lower basal direct renin concentration (DRC) (P < .0001) and a higher maximal PAC (P = .0025) and lower maximal DRC (DRCmax) (P < .0001) during UPT compared to controls. PA was confirmed in 145 patients (77.5%), based on either oral/IV ST or UPT. DRCmax ≤12 ng/L during UPT was a predictor of PA (receiver operating characteristic curve sensitivity 93.8%, specificity 88%), and 95.6% of PA patients increased PAC ≥50% on UPT (median 222.2%), while renin remained suppressed. All 41 PA patients with false-negative IV ST (PAC < 162 pmol/L) and 88.9% with borderline response (162-240 pmol/L) had a DRCmax ≤12, while, respectively, 97.6% and 100% increased aldosterone by ≥50%. Similar responses to UPT were found in lateralized (28/63) and bilateral PA source (35/63). PA diagnosis increased from 23.6% to 88.8% using UPT results instead of IV ST and were confirmed at pathology and clinical outcome after adrenalectomy (n = 22). Conclusion: UPT can be useful to confirm PA, particularly in patients with suspected false-negative ST.

Genome­wide analysis of the GT8 gene family in apple and functional identification of MhGolS2 in saline-alkali tolerance.

Members of the glycosyltransferase 8 (GT8) family play an important role in regulating gene expression in response to many kinds of biotic and abiotic stress. In this study, 56 members of the apple GT8 family were identified, and their gene structure, phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal localization, and promoter cis-acting elements were comprehensively analyzed. Subsequently, 20 genes were randomly selected from the evolutionary tree for qRT-PCR detection, and it was found that MhGolS2 was significantly overexpressed under stress conditions. MhGolS2 was isolated from M.halliana and transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana, tobacco and apple callus tissues were successfully obtained. The transgenic plants grew better under stress conditions with higher polysaccharide, chlorophyll and proline content, lower conductivity and MDA content, significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, CAT) and maintenance of low Na+/K+ as compared to the wild type. Meanwhile, the expression levels of reactive oxygen species-related genes (AtSOD, AtPOD, and AtCAT), Na+ transporter genes (AtCAX5, AtSOS1, and AtHKT1), H+-ATPase genes (AtAHA2 and AtAHA8), and raffinose synthesis-related genes (AtSTS, AtRFS1, and AtMIPS) were significantly up-regulated, while the expression levels of K+ transporter genes (AtSKOR, AtHAK5) were reduced. Finally, the Y2H experiment confirmed the interaction between MhGolS2 and MhbZIP23, MhMYB1R1, MhbHLH60, and MhNAC1 proteins. The above results indicate that MhGolS2 can improve plant saline-alkali tolerance by promoting polysaccharide synthesis, scavenging reactive oxygen species, and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. This provides excellent stress resistance genes for the stress response regulatory network in apple.

Delineation of fresh groundwater potentiality zones in saline coastal aquifers, Southwest Bangladesh using remote sensing and GIS approaches.

Bay of Bengal in southern Bangladesh is a major source of water from coastal aquifers, but prone to contamination by seawater intrusion, making climate-vulnerable populations and economies unfit for potable, agricultural water, adopting crops, etc. The study area located in Khulna district lies in the southwestern coast of the country is among the most vulnerable due to its salinity issues. Therefore, this study identified fresh groundwater potential zones in the southwestern coastal zones of the country suited for community usage helping coastal peoples meet their demands. This study focused on twelve thematic layers employing remote sensing and GIS with analytical hierarchy process. Here, groundwater salinity is 84% brackish to saline over 70% of the region [electric conductivity: 295-16,295 micro-Siemens/cm]. However, groundwater chloride in 88% signifies a slightly to medium salty zone. The annual average rainfall reduced surface water infiltration in 75% of the area with little to very slightly soil salinity. The fresh groundwater resource zone has classified based on its potentiality as: very high (0.52%)-for drinking, agricultural irrigation, or industrial work; high (25%)-marginal salinity suitable for agricultural or industrial uses; low (11%)-low salinity, but usable for high salt tolerant crops in irrigation; and very low (64%)-very high groundwater salinity, and not suitable for human consumption and community uses. Finally, this study will help develop sustainable groundwater resources in the coastal region and a fresh groundwater supply plan in saline-prone areas.

Self-reported chronic therapy use after 24-weeks of follow-up by participants who completed the simplify randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Highly effective CFTR modulator therapy (HEMT) has improved the health of many people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), offering opportunities to discontinue burdensome therapies. SIMPLIFY included randomized, controlled trials that confirmed non-inferiority of discontinuing versus continuing dornase alfa (DA) or hypertonic saline (HS) for 6 weeks in pwCF on HEMT. In this study of post-trial treatment use by SIMPLIFY participants, we hypothesized that randomization to discontinue DA or HS during the trial would be associated with a higher likelihood of non-use of each medication during follow-up. METHODS: We electronically surveyed SIMPLIFY participants every 4 weeks for 24 weeks after trial completion but before the main trial results were publicly disclosed. We asked them how often they used medications during the previous week. We estimated covariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of DA or HS non-use by logistic regression with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: After exclusions mostly due to lack of any surveys, 472 participants were included in the analysis population, 181 from the HS trial and 291 from the DA trial. Approximately half of the analysis population completed all six surveys. At every month of follow-up in both trials, the percentage of individuals reporting non-use of DA or HS during the previous week was greater among those randomized to discontinue therapy. Among participants with responses at 24 weeks, 30/122 (24.6 %) in the HS trial and 79/222 (35.6 %) in the DA trial reported non-use of the respective study medication. After adjusting for covariates, participants randomized to discontinue DA were 8.7-times (95 % CI: 4.3-17.7) more likely to not use DA during follow-up than those randomized to continue DA, and participants randomized to discontinue HS were 5.2-times (95 % CI: 2.1-12.8) more likely to not use HS during follow-up compared to those randomized to continue. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy pwCF on ETI, randomization to discontinue DA or HS during SIMPLIFY was associated with greater odds of not using each medication after the trial compared to randomization to continue. These findings suggest that participation in a treatment discontinuation trial can influence participants' post-trial treatment decisions. This possibility may be relevant during discussions about research participation and clinical care.

Biochar and wood vinegar altered the composition of inorganic phosphorus bacteria community in saline-alkali soils and promoted the bioavailability of phosphorus.

As an important part of the ecosystem, saline-alkali soils are in urgent need of efficient and environmentally friendly soil conditioners. Biochar and wood vinegar are regarded as organic soil improvement and plant growth regulators to improve soil physicochemical properties and promote crop growth. However, the mechanism of how inorganic phosphorus bacteria increase phosphorus when biochar and wood vinegar applied to saline-alkali soils is not clear. Herein, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of biochar and wood vinegar with different rates on physicochemical properties of saline-alkali soils and inorganic phosphorus bacteria diversities and to discuss the mechanism of biochar and wood vinegar on available phosphorus by pot experiments. The application of biochar and wood vinegar exhibited an effect on the decrease in pH and salt contents and the increase in soil porosity, soil nutrients, and hundred-grain weight of rice. The 600 kg ha-1 biochar and 1800 kg ha-1 wood vinegar group showed the most significant increment in available phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and neutral phosphatase activities, with the increases of 49.24%, 40.35%, 48%, and 149%, respectively. The 600 kg ha-1 biochar and 1200 kg ha-1 wood vinegar group significantly enhanced microbial biomass phosphorus concentrations by 41.29%. Moreover, biochar and wood vinegar shifted inorganic phosphorus bacteria composition structure and promoted its diversities, more so at a higher rate of wood vinegar application. The dominant species of inorganic phosphorus bacteria were Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Pseudomonas, and Rhizobium in saline-alkali soils. The Alphaproteobacteria and Hydrogenophaga were the key microorganisms reducing pH and salt contents and increasing available phosphorus contents in saline-alkali soils. In conclusion, the application of biochar and wood vinegar was a useful strategy to improve saline-alkali soils.

Impact of diverse mineral hardness in electrodialysis water on the ionotropic gelation mechanism of low methoxyl pectin.

In this study, the effect of desalinated lava seawater via electrodialysis (ED water) on the formation and properties of low methoxyl pectin (LMP) gels was investigated. Additionally, the syneresis, microstructure, gelation mechanism, and thermostability of the gel samples were analyzed. When the ED water content exceeded 25 %, pectin gels with viscosities and textures that differed from those of the sol were formed. The highest gel hardness (9.38 N) was observed when 50 % ED water was mixed with LMP. However, when 75 % ED water was added, the pore size of the LMP gel became the largest, and excess water was released from the gel, resulting in a weak gel strength (4.98 N). The formation and properties of the gel structure were found to be mainly due to the ionic bonds between the minerals in the ED water and the free carboxyl groups of pectin, and it was confirmed that the hydrogen bonds within the pectin chains also had an effect. These results suggest that the interaction between the ED water and LMP can be widely used in various industrial fields, including low-sugar gels or viscosity-enhancing agents with diverse rheological properties.