Antibacterial activity evaluation of a novel K3-specific phage against Acinetobacter baumannii and evidence for receptor-binding domain transfer across morphologies.

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) poses a serious public health challenge due to its notorious antimicrobial resistance, particularly carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB). In this study, we isolated a virulent phage, named P1068, from medical wastewater capable of lysing CRAB, primarily targeting the K3 capsule type. Basic characterization showed that P1068 infected the A. baumannii ZWAb014 with an optimal MOI of 1, experienced a latent period of 10 â€‹min and maintained stability over a temperature range of 4-37 â€‹°C and pH range of 3-10. Phylogenetic and average nucleotide identity analyses indicate that P1068 can be classified as a novel species within the genus Obolenskvirus of the Caudoviricetes class as per the most recent virus classification released by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Additionally, according to classical morphological classification, P1068 is identified as a T4-like phage (Myoviridae). Interestingly, we found that the tail fiber protein (TFP) of P1068 shares 74% coverage and 88.99% identity with the TFP of a T7-like phage (Podoviridae), AbKT21phiIII (NC_048142.1). This finding suggests that the TFP gene of phages may undergo horizontal transfer across different genera and morphologies. In vitro antimicrobial assays showed that P1068 exhibited antimicrobial activity against A. baumannii in both biofilm and planktonic states. In mouse models of intraperitoneal infection, P1068 phage protected mice from A. baumannii infection and significantly reduced bacterial loads in various tissues such as the brain, blood, lung, spleen, and liver compared to controls. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that phage P1068 might be a potential candidate for the treatment of carbapenem-resistant and biofilm-forming A. baumannii infections, and expands the understanding of horizontal transfer of phage TFP genes.

Different structural connectivity patterns in the subregions of the thalamus, hippocampus, and cingulate cortex between schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia (SCZ) and psychotic bipolar disorder (PBD) are two major psychotic disorders with similar symptoms and tight associations on the psychopathological level, posing a clinical challenge for their differentiation. This study aimed to investigate and compare the structural connectivity patterns of the limbic system between SCZ and PBD, and to identify specific regional disruptions associated with psychiatric symptoms. METHODS: Using sMRI data from 146 SCZ, 160 PBD, and 145 healthy control (HC) participants, we employed a data-driven approach to segment the hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and cingulate cortex into subregions. We then investigated the structural connectivity patterns between these subregions at the global and nodal levels. Additionally, we assessed psychotic symptoms by utilizing the subscales of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) to examine correlations between symptom severity and network metrics between groups. RESULTS: Patients with SCZ and PBD had decreased global efficiency (Eglob) (SCZ: adjusted P<0.001; PBD: adjusted P = 0.003), local efficiency (Eloc) (SCZ and PBD: adjusted P<0.001), and clustering coefficient (Cp) (SCZ and PBD: adjusted P<0.001), and increased path length (Lp) (SCZ: adjusted P<0.001; PBD: adjusted P = 0.004) compared to HC. Patients with SCZ showed more pronounced decreases in Eglob (adjusted P<0.001), Eloc (adjusted P<0.001), and Cp (adjusted P = 0.029), and increased Lp (adjusted P = 0.024) compared to patients with PBD. The most notable structural disruptions were observed in the hippocampus and thalamus, which correlated with different psychotic symptoms, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of distinct structural connectivity disruptions in the limbic system of patients with SCZ and PBD. These findings might contribute to our understanding of the neuropathological basis for distinguishing SCZ and PBD.

Polystyrene nanoplastics induce cell type-dependent secondary wall reinforcement in rice (Oryza sativa) roots and reduce root hydraulic conductivity.

Nanoplastics (NPs) have been demonstrated the ability to penetrate plant roots and cause stress. However, the extent of NPs penetration into various root tissues and the corresponding plant defense mechanisms remain unclear. This study examined the penetration and accumulation patterns of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) in different cell types within rice roots, and explored how the roots quickly modify their cell wall structure in response. The findings showed that fully developed sclerenchyma cells in rice roots effectively prevented the invasion of PS-NPs. Meanwhile, PS-NPs triggered the accumulation of lignin and suberin in specific cells such as the exodermis, sclerenchyma, and xylem vessels. PS-NPs at a concentration of 50 mg L-1 increased cell wall thickness by 18.6 %, 21.1 %, and 22.4 % in epidermis, exodermis, and sclerenchyma cells, respectively, and decreased root hydraulic conductivity by 14.8 %. qPCR analysis revealed that PS-NPs influenced the cell wall synthesis pathway, promoting the deposition of lignin and suberin monomers on the secondary wall through the up-regulation of genes such as OsLAC and OsABCG. These results demonstrate that PS-NPs can induce cell type-specific strengthening of secondary walls and barrier formation in rice roots, suggesting the potential role of plant secondary wall development in mitigating NPs contamination risks in crops.

Striatum and globus pallidus structural abnormalities in schizophrenia: A retrospective study of the different stages of the disease.

BACKGROUND: The basal ganglia are important structures for the release of dopamine in the limbic circuits of the midbrain, and the striatum and globus pallidus are the major nuclei of the basal ganglia, and the dysfunction of these regions has been the basis of many models that have attempted to explain the underlying mechanisms of schizophrenia symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the volume of the striatum subregion and globus pallidus in three different stages of schizophrenia, and to analyze whether these volume changes were related to antipsychotic drugs and schizophrenia symptoms. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the volume of the striatum and globus pallidus in patients with schizophrenia at three different stages. The study included 57 patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FSZ), 51 patients with early-stage schizophrenia (ESZ), 86 patients with chronic schizophrenia (CSZ), and 191 healthy controls (HC), all of whom underwent structured magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Covariance analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 was used for covariance analysis to determine whether there were significant differences in striatal subregion and globus pallidus volume between groups, and stratified analysis was used to further eliminate the effect of age on brain volume. Finally, the correlation analysis between the region of interest and the cumulative dose of antipsychotic drugs and psychotic symptoms was performed. RESULTS: The comparison between the different stages of the illness showed significant volume differences in the left caudate nucleus (lCAU) (F = 2.665, adjusted p = 0.048), left putamen (lPUT) (F = 12.749, adjusted p < 0.001), left pallidum (lPAL) (F = 41.111, adjusted p < 0.001), and right pallidum (rPAL) (F = 14.479, adjusted p < 0.001). Post-hoc analysis with corrections showed that the volume differences in the lCAU subregion disappeared. Further stratified analysis controlling for age showed that compared with the HC, the lPAL (t = 4.347, p < 0.001) was initially significantly enlarged in the FSZ group, the lPUT (t = 4.493, p < 0.001), rPUT (t = 2.190, p = 0.031), lPAL (t = 7.894, p < 0.001), and rPAL (t = 4.983, p < 0.001) volumes were all significantly increased in the ESZ group, and the lPUT (t = 3.314, p = 0.002), lPAL (t = 6.334, p < 0.001), and rPAL (t = 3.604, p < 0.001) subregion volumes were also significantly increased in the CSZ group. Correlation analysis showed that lPUT and bilateral globus pallidus were associated with cumulative dose of antipsychotics, but were not associated with clinical symptoms in each subregion. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that different subregions of the striatum and globus pallidus show significant volume differences at different stages of schizophrenia compared to HC. These volume differences may be strong radiographic evidence for schizophrenia. In addition, the lPAL was the only significantly different brain region observed in the FSZ group, suggesting that it may be a sensitive indicator of early brain structural changes in schizophrenia. Finally, our findings support the hypothesis that antipsychotic drugs have an effect on the volume of brain structures.

New Awareness of the Interplay Between the Gut Microbiota and Circadian Rhythms.

Circadian rhythms influence various aspects of the biology and physiology of the host, such as food intake and sleep/wake cycles. In recent years, an increasing amount of genetic and epidemiological data has shown that the light/dark cycle is the main cue that regulates circadian rhythms. Other factors, including sleep/wake cycles and food intake, have necessary effects on the composition and rhythms of the gut microbiota. Interestingly, the gut microbiota can affect the circadian rhythm of hosts in turn through contact-dependent and contact-independent mechanisms. Furthermore, the gut microbiota has been shown to regulate the sleep/wake cycles through gut-brain-microbiota interaction. In addition to diabetes, the gut microbiota can also intervene in the progression of neuro- degenerative diseases through the gut-brain-microbiota interaction, and also in other diseases such as hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis, where it is thought to have a spare therapeutic potential. Even though fecal microbiota transplantation has good potential for treating many diseases, the risk of spreading intestinal pathogens should not be ignored.

Volumes of hippocampal subfields suggest a continuum between schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.

Objective: There is considerable debate as to whether the continuum of major psychiatric disorders exists and to what extent the boundaries extend. Converging evidence suggests that alterations in hippocampal volume are a common sign in psychiatric disorders; however, there is still no consensus on the nature and extent of hippocampal atrophy in schizophrenia (SZ), major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). The aim of this study was to verify the continuum of SZ - BD - MDD at the level of hippocampal subfield volume and to compare the volume differences in hippocampal subfields in the continuum. Methods: A total of 412 participants (204 SZ, 98 MDD, and 110 BD) underwent 3 T MRI scans, structured clinical interviews, and clinical scales. We segmented the hippocampal subfields with FreeSurfer 7.1.1 and compared subfields volumes across the three diagnostic groups by controlling for age, gender, education, and intracranial volumes. Results: The results showed a gradual increase in hippocampal subfield volumes from SZ to MDD to BD. Significant volume differences in the total hippocampus and 13 of 26 hippocampal subfields, including CA1, CA3, CA4, GC-ML-DG, molecular layer and the whole hippocampus, bilaterally, and parasubiculum in the right hemisphere, were observed among diagnostic groups. Medication treatment had the most effect on subfields of MDD compared to SZ and BD. Subfield volumes were negatively correlated with illness duration of MDD. Positive correlations were found between subfield volumes and drug dose in SZ and MDD. There was no significant difference in laterality between diagnostic groups. Conclusion: The pattern of hippocampal volume reduction in SZ, MDD and BD suggests that there may be a continuum of the three disorders at the hippocampal level. The hippocampus represents a phenotype that is distinct from traditional diagnostic strategies. Combined with illness duration and drug intervention, it may better reflect shared pathophysiology and mechanisms across psychiatric disorders.

The rate-limiting procedure of 3D DNA walkers and their applications in tandem technology.

DNA walkers, artificial dynamic DNA nanomachines, can mimic actin to move rapidly along a predefined nucleic acid track. They can generally be classified as one- (1D), two- (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) DNA walkers. In particular, 3D DNA walkers demonstrate amazing sustainable walking ability, strong enrichment ability, and fantastic signal amplification ability. In light of these, 3D DNA walkers have been widely used in fields such as biosensors, bioanalysis and cell imaging. Most notably, the strong compatibility of 3D DNA walkers allows their integration with a range of amplification strategies, effectively enhancing signal transduction and amplifying biosensor sensing signals. Herein, we first systematically expound the walking principle of the 3D walkers in this review. Then, by presenting representative examples, the research direction of 3D walkers in recent years is discussed. Furthermore, we also categorize and evaluate diverse tandem signal amplification strategies in 3D walkers. Finally, the challenges and development trends of 3D DNA walkers in the emerging field of analysis are carefully discussed. It is believed that this work can provide new ideas for researchers to quickly understand 3D DNA walkers and their applications in diverse biosensors.

Machine learning combined with MALDI-TOF MS has the potential ability to identify serotypes of the avian pathogen Riemerella anatipestifer.

AIM: Combining MALDI-TOF MS and machine learning to establish a new rapid method to identify two important serotypes of Rimerella anatipestifer. METHODS AND RESULTS: MALDI-TOF MS was performed on 115 R. anatipestifer strains (serotype 1, serotype 2, and other serotypes) to explore its ability to identify serotypes of R. anatipestifer. Raw spectral data were generated in diagnostic mode; these data were preprocessed, clustered, and analysed using principal component analysis. The results indicated that MALDI-TOF MS completely differentiated serotype 1 from serotype 2 of R. anatipestifer; the potential serotype-associated m/z loci are listed. Furthermore, Random Forest and Support Vector Machine were used for modelling to identify the two important serotypes, and the results of cross-validation indicated that they had ∼80% confidence to make the right classification. CONCLUSION: We proved that MALDI-TOF MS can differentiate serotype 1 from serotype 2 of R. anatipestifer. Additionally, the identification models established in this study have high confidence to screen out these two important serotypes from other serotypes.

Endothelin receptor B enhances liver injury and pro-inflammatory responses by increasing G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 expression in primary biliary cholangitis.

Severe diseases like cirrhosis and liver failure can be developed from primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Endothelin-2 (EDN2) and endothelin receptor B (EDNRB) are related to the pathogenesis of PBC. However, the roles of EDN2 and EDNRB in PBC-related liver injury and inflammation along with molecular mechanisms are poorly defined. In this study, histopathologic alterations of liver tissues were assessed through hematoxylin-eosin staining. Alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST), and γ-Glutamyltranspetidase (GGT) (4 liver function indexes) serum levels were detected with corresponding activity assay kits. Also, we determined the levels of M2 subtype anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA-M2), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor-necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in serum with ELISA assay. Later, RT-qPCR assay was used to measure the expression of genes at mRNA levels, while western blotting and immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect protein levels of genes. Our results showed that the liver tissues of PBC patients and mice presented with severe hepatocyte injury and inflammatory cell infiltration as well as destruction of intrahepatic small bile ducts. ALP, AST, ALT, GGT, AMA-M2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α serum levels were higher in PBC patients and mice. Besides, EDN2 and EDNRB were highly expressed in serums and livers of PBC patients and mice. EDNRB potentiated PBC-related liver injury and pro-inflammatory responses, as evidenced by observation of serious liver pathologic injury and increased serum levels of ALP, AST, ALT, AMA-M2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in PBC mice following EDNRB overexpression. EDNRB overexpression or activation via its agonist IRL-1620 TFA triggered liver injury and pro-inflammatory responses, increased GRK2 expression and induced NF-κB expression and activation in wild-type mice. EDNRB knockdown or inhibition by Bosentan alleviated liver damage and inflammation, reduced GRK2 expression, and inhibited NF-κB in PBC mice. These findings suggested EDNRB loss or inhibition weakened liver injury and pro-inflammatory responses by down-regulating GRK2 and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway in PBC mice.

Electroconvulsive therapy efficacy in adolescents with mental illness: A retrospective comparison.

Background: There is limited evidence on the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in adolescents with mental illness. The present study reported outcomes of adolescents with mental illness treated with ECT aimed at providing evidence for large-scale feasibility. Objectives: The primary objective of this trial was to examine the differences in demographic and clinical data between responders and non-responders. The secondary objective was to determine whether ECT produced differential readmission rates, the burden of oral medication, and social function in responders and non-responders in the long term. Methods: Patients aged 14-18 years diagnosed with schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), or bipolar disorder (BD) who received ECT between 2015 and 2020 were included in the study. Demographic and clinical data were compared, and both short-term and long-term outcomes were assessed: response on the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale and readmission at follow-up. The independent-sample t-test was used to compare the continuous variables and the X 2 test was used to compare the dichotomous variables with statistical significance at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Four hundred ten adolescents (aged 14-18 years, 53.90% female) received ECT for SCZ, MDD, and BD. The response rate for SCZ, MDD, and BD were 65.61, 78.57, and 69.95%, respectively. Both SCZ (P = 0.008) and BD (P = 0.008) groups had a significant elder age in responders than in non-responders. Besides that MDD responders had a significantly larger number of ECT sessions than non-responders (P = 0.046), the study failed to find a significant difference in other ECT parameters. A significantly higher proportion of readmission was found in BD non-responders than in responders (P = 0.029), there was no difference in the rate of readmission in other diagnostic groups. Conclusions: These data suggested that ECT is an effective treatment for adolescents with severe mental illness, and the rate of readmission was low in the long term. The present study supports that large-scale systematic studies are warranted for further investigation of the response rate of ECT for treating adolescents with mental illness.

Insights into amphicarpy from the compact genome of the legume Amphicarpaea edgeworthii.

Amphicarpy (seed heteromorphy) is a unique and fascinating reproductive strategy wherein a single plant produces both aerial and subterranean fruits. This strategy is believed to be an adaptation to life under stressful or uncertain environments. Here, we sequenced and de novo assembled a chromosome-level genome assembly of the legume Amphicarpaea edgeworthii Benth. The 299-Mb A. edgeworthii genome encodes 27 899 protein-coding genes and is the most compact sequenced legume genome reported until date. Its reduced genome size may be attributed to the reduced long-terminal repeat retrotransposon content, which stems from the unequal homologous recombination. Gene families related to immunity and stress resistance have been contracted in A. edgeworthii, which is consistent with the notion that the amphicarpic reproductive strategy may be a complementary mechanism for its weak environmental-adaptation ability. We demonstrated the 'ABCE' model for the differentiation of chasmogamous and cleistogamous flowers. In addition, the characteristics of aerial and subterranean seeds in hard-seededness were explored. Thus, we suggest that the A. edgeworthii genome, which is the first of an amphicarpic plant, offers significant insights into its unusual reproductive strategy that is a key resource towards comprehending the evolution of angiosperms.

[Characteristics of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Output and Loss Flux in the Shipanqiu Watershed, Three Gorges Reservoir Area].

As the source of non-point pollution in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, small watershed is a key control object in alleviating deterioration of water quality. In the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, the Shipanqiu small watershed with various land-use types was selected as the research object, and the water quantity and quality of the outlet section of the watershed were continuously monitored. We carried out analysis of the small watershed runoff loss and nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants with concentration, analyzed the morphology change characteristics of runoff erosion, calculated the small watershed of pollutant emission flux, and analyzed the nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient loss and main human and natural factors, especially in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area of agriculture where nonpoint source pollution research has important practical significance. The results showed that the rainfall in the watershed varied significantly with the seasons, and the rainfall was mainly distributed from April to June, which was the main output period of nitrogen and phosphorus loss in the small watershed, accounting for 58.94% and 67.60% of the total nitrogen and phosphorus load, respectively, in the whole year. The total annual runoff in the Shipanqiu small watershed was 8.02×104 m3, and the annual total nitrogen loss flux was 5.04 kg·hm-2, of which nitrate nitrogen (2.54 kg·hm-2) was the main part. The total phosphorus output was 0.534 kg·hm-2, and the soluble total phosphorus (0.422kg·hm-2) accounted for 79.00% of the total phosphorus flux. The loss flux of total nitrogen was 9.51 times that of total phosphorus, and the non-point source pollution risk of nitrogen was much greater than that of phosphorus. Therefore, for the Shipanqiu small watershed, it is especially important to prevent nitrogen loss in paddy fields when fertilization and rainfall coincide.

[Effects of Fertilizer Reduction and Application of Organic Fertilizer on Soil Nitrogen and Phosphorus Nutrients and Crop Yield in a Purple Soil Sloping Field].

The reduction in chemical fertilizers combined with organic fertilizers is a national strategy to achieve environmental friendliness and maintain the quality of cultivated land. It is of great significance for the prevention and control of soil pollution and the sustainable development of agriculture. In this study, purple soil and sloping land in the Three Gorges Reservoir area was studied. The field experiment method was used to study the control, conventional fertilization, optimized fertilization, biochar (fertilizer combined with biochar), and straw under rapeseed/corn rotation mode. The effects of five treatments on soil nitrogen/phosphorus form, crop nitrogen and phosphorus content, fertilizer utilization rate, and crop yield were studied in the field (fertilizer reduction combined with straw returning). The results showed that the soil ammonium nitrogen content was the highest in the rapeseed season, which was 4.51 mg·kg-1. The contents of ammonium nitrogen and alkali nitrogen in the treated corn season were significantly higher than those in the rape season. The reduction in chemical fertilizers can guarantee and increase the total nitrogen content of the soil. Among them, the total nitrogen content in the rapeseed and corn seasons treated with straw was the highest (0.56 g·kg-1 and 0.60 g·kg-1, respectively). The soil treated with straw in the rapeseed season had the highest available phosphorus content (0.76 mg·kg-1). Compared with conventional treatment, the reduction of chemical fertilizers combined with organic fertilizer did not significantly reduce the total phosphorus content of soil. The reduction of fertilization combined with organic fertilizer showed a slight increase in yield but showed the highest yield of rapeseed treated by biochar (2328 kg·hm-2) and the highest yield of conventionally treated maize (5838 kg·hm-2). However, there was no significant difference in each treatment (P>0.05). Regardless of the rapeseed season or the corn season, the reduction of fertilization treatment generally improved the agronomic utilization rate of nitrogen fertilizer and phosphate fertilizer. In the purple soil area, the combination of chemical fertilizer reduction and biochar and straw returning were beneficial to improve soil nutrients, improve fertilizer utilization, and reduce the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and phosphate fertilizer application on crop yield.

[Response of Nitrogen Loss Flux in Purple Soil Sloping Field to Reduced Fertilizer and Combining Straw].

The purple soil sloping field is considered as the main source of sediment and non-point source pollution in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. To prevent and control the non-point source pollution, it is indispensable to explore the characteristics of nitrogen loss in the overland flow and interflow of purple soil sloping field in Three Gorges Reservoir area. The purple soil sloping runoff plots, located in the Shibaozhai Experimental Station of Chengdu Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Zhongxian County, Chongqing, were studied. The experiment included no fertilization treatment (CK), traditional fertilization treatment (T1), amended fertilization treatment (T2), and reduced fertilizer with straw treatment (T3). According to the data of volume of the interflow and runoff and the leach concentration and flux of nitrogen forms under rapeseed-maize rotation system, the response of nitrogen leaching flux to reduce fertilizer with straw application can be definite in purple soil sloping plots. The results show that the ratio of interflow to total runoff is 60.14%-88.56%, and the flux of nitrogen leaching in the interflow accounts for 72.88%-92.35% of total nitrogen loss flux. Ammonium was mainly leached by the overland flow. In addition, nitrate was mainly leached by the interflow and was the main form of nitrogen leaching. The fluxes of ammonium and nitrate under different treatments followed the order T1 > T2 > T3 > CK. The total nitrogen flux of T3 was 20.07 kg·(hm2·a)-1, which was 43.59% and 39.55% lower than that of T1 and T2, respectively. The reduced fertilizer with straw application significantly decreased the leaching flux of ammonium, nitrate, and total nitrogen, and weakened the effect on runoff nitrogen leaching in the purple soil sloping plots.

[Effect of Fertilizer Reduction and Biochar Application on Soil Nitrogen Loss in Purple Upland].

This study seeks to clarify the effect of biochar application on nitrogen loss patterns and flux in purple arid sloping land, so as to provide a scientific basis for improving the quality of farmland and reducing the risk of agricultural non-point source pollution in purple arid sloping land. The effects of four treatments on surface runoff and soil nitrogen loss patterns and fluxes in purple arid sloping land were studied by field experiments, including no fertilization (control), conventional fertilization, optimized fertilization, and biochar (fertilizer reduction and biochar application). The results showed that:① Of the fertilization treatments, the total runoff of conventional treatment was the highest at 16133 L·a-1, and the total runoff of biochar treatment was the lowest at 11893 L·a-1. In each fertilization treatment, soil midstream was the main mode of runoff, accounting for 61.80%-68.60% of the total loss. Compared with the control (no fertilization treatment), the sediment loss in other fertilization treatments was decreased, with conventional treatment showing the most significant effect. ② Ammonium nitrogen is mainly lost by surface runoff, accounting for 86.51%-96.58% of the total loss flux. Biochar treatment had the highest loss flux at 0.69 kg·(hm2·a)-1, and the control treatment had the lowest at 0.17 kg·(hm2·a)-1. ③ The concentration of granular nitrogen in the production flow of each fertilization treatment was higher than that of the control treatment, and the loss flux of granular nitrogen in the conventional fertilization treatment was the highest at 2.87 kg·(hm2·a)-1. ④ There was a significant positive correlation between total nitrogen concentration and nitrate nitrogen concentration in the soil midstream and surface runoff of each fertilization treatment (P<0.01). Nitrate nitrogen is the main form of total nitrogen loss, and both take soil midstream as the main way of loss. The total nitrogen loss through soil flow accounted for 72.86%-89.13%, and that of conventional fertilization was the highest at 35.58 kg·(hm2·a)-1, whereas that of biochar treatment was the lowest at 21.49 kg·(hm2·a)-1. Reducing the amount of fertilizer and applying biochar can significantly reduce the runoff and nitrogen flux, and effectively prevent and control the risk of agricultural non-point source pollution.

A novel cis antisense RNA AsfD promotes Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi motility and biofilm formation.

Bacterial non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) can participate in multiple biological processes, including motility, biofilm formation, and virulence. Using high-throughput sequencing and transcriptome analysis of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), we identified a novel antisense RNA located at the opposite strand of the flhDC operon. In this study, a northern blot and qRT-PCR were used to confirm the expression of this newfound antisense RNA in S. Typhi. Moreover, 5' RACE and 3' RT-PCR were performed to reveal the molecular characteristics of the antisense RNA, which was 2079 nt - 2179 nt in length, covered the entire flhDC operon sequence, and termed AsfD. The level of AsfD expression was higher during the stationary phase of S. Typhi and activated by the regulators, OmpR and Fis. When AsfD was overexpressed, the level of flagellar gene flhDC transcription increased; moreover, the level of fliA and fljB expression, as well as the motility and biofilm formation of S. Typhi were also enhanced. The results of this study suggest that AsfD is likely to enhance the motility and biofilm formation of S. Typhi by up-regulating flhDC expression.

Growth hormone receptor promotes breast cancer progression via the BRAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

Growth hormone receptor (GHR), a member of the class I cytokine receptor family, plays key roles in cancer progression. Recently, GHR has been reported to be associated with breast cancer development, but the molecular mechanism of GHR in this malignancy is not fully understood. To investigate this issue, we stably inhibited GHR in breast cancer cell lines, which were observed to reduce cell proliferation, tumor growth and induction of apoptosis, and arrest the cell-cycle arrest at the G1-S phase transition. In addition, GHR silencing suppressed the protein levels of B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF), Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and Extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK). These findings suggest that GHR may mediate breast cell progression and apoptosis through control of the cell cycle via the BRAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

Aquaporins and their function in root water transport under salt stress conditions in Eutrema salsugineum.

Eutrema salsugineum is considered as extremophile model species. To gain insights into the root hydraulic conductivity and the role played by aquaporins in E. salsugineum, we investigated the aquaporin family profiles, plant water status and root hydraulic conductivity under standard (salt-free) and salt stress conditions. We found that there was no variation in the relative electric conductivity of the leaves when the salt concentration was less than 200 mM NaCl, and the transpiration rate dropped to 60.6% at 100 mM NaCl for 14 days compared to that at standard conditions. The pressure chamber techniques indicated that the root hydraulic conductivity of E. salsugineum was repressed by salt stress. However, propionic acid, usually used as an aquaporin inhibitor, unexpectedly enhanced the root hydraulic conductivity of E. salsugineum. The aquaporin family in E. salsugineum was profiled and the PIP aquaporin expression was investigated at the transcriptional and translational levels. Finally, two EsPIPs were identified to play a role in salt stress. The overall study provides evidence on how halophytes maintain their water status and aquaporin regulation pattern under salt stress conditions.

[Response of the Soil N2O Emission and Ammonia-oxidizing Microorganism Community to the Maize Straw Return with Reducing Fertilizer in Purple Soil].

Crop straw is an important agricultural source, which can replace chemical fertilizers. A field experiment with six different amounts of fertilization combined with maize straw residues was carried out in purple soil, including the control (CK), conventional fertilizing (F), straw return with conventional fertilizing (100FS), straw return with 70% conventional fertilizing (70FS), straw return with 60% conventional fertilizing (60FS), and straw return with 50% regular fertilizing (50FS), to determine the response of the soil N2O emission and ammonia-oxidizing microorganism community distribution to straw return with reducing fertilizer. The dynamic characteristics of the N2O emission in purple soil were observed using an in situ closed chamber and gas chromatography-based system. The ammonia-oxidizing microorganism community distribution was analyzed with multiple molecular techniques (DNA-based clone library and qPCR) linked to physical-chemical soil properties. The results show that the combination of straw with fertilizer increases the N2O emission and cumulative N2O emission. The highest N2O emission[57.59-6238.02 µg·(m2·h)-1]and cumulative N2O emission (60.76 kg·hm-2) were observed for the 100FS treatment. Compared with the F treatment, the soil ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen contents are reduced and the soil organic matter increases after crop straw return with chemical fertilizer. However, significant changes of the soil total nitrogen and pH were not observed. The bacterial ammonia oxidizer (AOB) amoA gene abundance is higher than that of the archaeal ammonia oxidizer (AOA). The AOA amoA gene abundance during F treatment (50.9×103 copies·g-1) is significantly higher than that of others, while the AOB amoA abundance gene of the F treatment is the lowest (1.36×105 copies·g-1). The 100FS reduces the community diversity and Pielou index of AOA and AOB amoA gene. Their amoA gene abundance significantly declines during 100FS treatment. However, the increment of the AOA and AOB amoA gene diversity and dominant increment of AOB amoA gene abundance are significant when applying straw with reducing fertilizer. The specific AOA indicator OTU1 may be most important with respect to the direct and indirect production of N2O in purple soil. The redundancy analysis (RDA) shows that the community structure of AOA is remarkably relevant to the soil ammonium nitrogen, organic matter, and available phosphorus (P<0.05) and that the community structure of AOB is remarkably relevant to the soil dissolved organic nitrogen, total nitrogen, available potassium, and available phosphorus (P<0.05). The tolerance to different environments and ecological niches of AOB is weaker than that of AOA. Our results illustrate that the maize straw return with 60%-70% regular fertilizing dramatically increases the community diversity and abundance of the AOA and AOB amoA genes and partly mitigates the soil N2O emission without significantly decreasing the vegetable yields.