A tripartite bacterial-fungal-plant symbiosis in the mycorrhiza-shaped microbiome drives plant growth and mycorrhization.

BACKGROUND: Plant microbiomes play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and plant growth, and are shaped by a complex interplay between plants, microbes, and the environment. The role of bacteria as mediators of the 400-million-year-old partnership between the majority of land plants and, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is still poorly understood. Here, we test whether AM hyphae-associated bacteria influence the success of the AM symbiosis. RESULTS: Using partitioned microcosms containing field soil, we discovered that AM hyphae and roots selectively assemble their own microbiome from the surrounding soil. In two independent experiments, we identified several bacterial genera, including Devosia, that are consistently enriched on AM hyphae. Subsequently, we isolated 144 pure bacterial isolates from a mycorrhiza-rich sample of extraradical hyphae and isolated Devosia sp. ZB163 as root and hyphal colonizer. We show that this AM-associated bacterium synergistically acts with mycorrhiza on the plant root to strongly promote plant growth, nitrogen uptake, and mycorrhization. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight that AM fungi do not function in  isolation and that the plant-mycorrhiza symbiont can recruit beneficial bacteria that support the symbiosis. Video Abstract.

The microbial contribution to litter decomposition and plant growth.

Soil and plant roots are colonized by highly complex and diverse communities of microbes. It has been proposed that bacteria and fungi have synergistic effects on litter decomposition, but experimental evidence supporting this claim is weak. In this study, we manipulated the composition of two microbial kingdoms (Bacteria and Fungi) in experimental microcosms. In microcosms that were inoculated with fungi, litter loss was 47% higher than in microcosms that were not inoculated or only inoculated with bacteria. Combined inoculation with both bacteria and fungi did not significantly enhance decomposition compared with the fungi-only treatments, and, as such, we found no evidence for complementary effects using our experimental setup. Inoculation with fungi also had a positive impact on plant growth after 4 and 8 weeks (480% and 710% growth stimulation, respectively). After 16 weeks, plant biomass was highest in microcosms where both bacteria and fungi were present pointing to fungal-bacterial complementarity in stimulating plant growth. Overall, this study suggests that fungi are the main decomposers of plant litter and that the inoculated fungi contribute to plant growth in our experimental system.

Comprehensive Analysis of Physiological, Biochemical and Flavor Characteristics Changes in Crucian Carp (Carassius auratus) under Different Concentrations of Eugenol.

Eugenol is a widely used fishery anesthetic. This study investigated the effects of various concentrations of eugenol on blood physiological and biochemical indexes, and muscle flavor, in crucian carp (Carassius auratus). To determine the appropriate concentration of eugenol anesthetic for use in crucian carp transportation and production operations, we evaluated seven anesthesia groups of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 mg/L and one control group (without eugenol) to determine the effects on blood physiological and biochemical indexes, and muscle flavor. The red blood cells and platelets of crucian carp decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with eugenol treatment. With increasing eugenol concentration, the white blood cells and hemoglobin did not change significantly, whereas lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase increased significantly (p < 0.05). The content of phosphorus, magnesium, and sodium increased after anesthesia, whereas the content of potassium decreased with increasing eugenol concentration. After anesthesia, the content of albumin and total protein in the serum decreased with increasing eugenol concentration (p < 0.05); triglyceride first increased and subsequently decreased (p < 0.05); blood glucose content first increased and then decreased (p < 0.05); and no significant difference was observed in total cholesterol content (p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed in muscle glycogen and liver glycogen content after eugenol anesthesia (p > 0.05). The eugenol-based anesthesia test did not indicate major liver histomorphological effects, but the very small number of gill sheet edema cases observed requires further study. Analysis of electronic nose data indicated that eugenol treatment affected the flavor of the fish. The anesthesia concentration of 20-80 mg/L had some effect on the physiology and biochemistry of crucian carp, thus providing a reference for the application of eugenol in crucian carp transportation and experimental research.

Study on the Regulation Mechanism of Quality Deterioration Due to Chilling Stress and Dry Exposure during Anhydrous Storage and Transportation of Yesso Scallop Patinopecten yessoensis.

In this paper, the quality change of Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) in the process of anhydrous storage and transportation after cold acclimation and induced dormancy was studied, and the regulation mechanism of quality degradation during storage and transportation in the process of gradient chilling stress and drying exposure was further explored. The results show that, when transferred from hydrous to anhydrous states, the breathing pattern of the scallops changed from aerobic to anaerobic. Their gill filaments were altered and their apparent vitality constantly declined, which was reflected by the edge shrinkage of the pallium and the direct proportions of the edge reduction rate and the stimulus response period. After being in the anhydrous state for 4 d, the AEC value dropped to 67.59%. At this time, if they were placed under hydration again, the scallops resumed a good growth state. By proteomics analysis, it was revealed that cold acclimation and dry exposure mainly led to changes in biological functions and pathways, such as mitochondrial inner membrane and ATP hydrolysis activity. In addition, it can be seen from the functional annotation and enrichment analysis of the metabolite KEGG that cold acclimation promoted the purine metabolism of scallops, while dry exposure inhibited the metabolism of saturated fatty acids. In this study, the infrared sensing mode was used for the first time, too, in order to record the heart-rate changes of the scallops during circulation, which shows that non-destructive vitality monitoring of Lamellibranchia is feasible.

Corrigendum: Epidemiological characteristics an outbreak of ST11 multidrug-resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in Anhui, China.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.996753.].

Effect of Vanillin on the Anaesthesia of Crucian Carp: Effects on Physiological and Biochemical Indices, Pathology, and Volatile Aroma Components.

The anaesthetic effect of vanillin on crucian carp was investigated using different concentrations of vanillin, with a nonvanillin control. The effective concentration range of vanillin anaesthesia was determined from the behavioural characteristics of crucian carp during the anaesthesia onset and recovery phases. Physiological and biochemical indices, and the electronic nose response to the fish muscle, were measured over the range of effectiveanaestheticc concentrations. An increased concentration of vanillin shortened the time taken to achieve deep anaesthesia but increased the recovery time. The levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, haemoglobinn, platelets, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, total protein, and serum albumin were lower than the control in the vanillin treatment group. Triglycerides and total cholesterol were not significantly affected. Histology showed no effect of vanillin on the liver, except at 1.00 g/L vanillin. Vanillin resulted in a nondose-responsive effect on the gill tissue, increasing the width and spacing of the gill lamellae. E-Nose analysis of the carp-muscle flavour volatiles was able to distinguish between different vanillin treatment concentrations. GC-IMS identified 40 flavour compounds, including 8 aldehydes, 11 alcohols, 10 ketones, 2 esters, and 1 furan. Vanillin had aanaestheticic effect on crucian carp and these findings provide a theoretical basis for improving the transport and experimental manipulation of crucian carp.

Epidemiological characteristics an outbreak of ST11 multidrug-resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in Anhui, China.

Klebsiella pneumoniae has become a primary threat to global health because of its virulence and resistance. In 2015, China reported multidrug-resistant (MDR) and hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKp) isolates. The emergence of MDR-hvKp poses a significant threat to public health. We collected 76 MDR K. pneumoniae isolates from the same hospital, of which there were a total of six MDR-hvKp isolates. We performed multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and capsular typing, whole genome sequencing, comparative genome analysis, and phylogenetic analysis as well as phenotypic experiments, including growth curves, mucoviscosity assay, Galleria mellonella infection model, human whole blood survival, and human neutrophil bactericidal assay to further characterize the samples. We identified six large plasmids carrying extended spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) genes or carbapenemase genes (bla CTX-M-65, bla KPC-2, bla SHV-12, bla SHV-158), 9 plasmids containing other drug resistance genes, and 7 hypervirulence plasmids carrying rmpA and rmpA2 in ST11 MDR-hvKp isolates. Some of these plasmids were identical, whereas others differed only by insertion elements. In addition, we identified a plasmid, p21080534_1, that carries hypervirulence genes (iucABCD, iutA, rmpA2), a carbapenemase gene (bla KPC-2), and an ESBL gene (bla SHV-12), as well as MDR-hvKp 21072329, which did not carry rmpA or rmpA2, but exhibited hypervirulence and hypermucoviscosity. ST11 MDR-hvKp derived from hypervirulence and multidrug resistance plasmids not only causes significant treatment difficulties, but also represents an unprecedented challenge to public health. Therefore, urgent measures are needed to limit further spread.

Berberine at sub-inhibitory concentration inhibits biofilm dispersal in Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen, which has multiple drug resistance and can cause serious infections. Recent studies have shown that berberine has antibacterial activity and it can affect biofilm formation of S. aureus. However, the berberine effect on the biofilm of S. aureus is controversial. In this study, we investigate the effect of berberine on the biofilm development in S. aureus NCTC8325 and explore the possible mechanism. Susceptibility test shows that berberine inhibits growth of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) at different concentrations. S. aureus NCTC8325 is chosen as a model strain to explore further the berberine effect. The MIC of berberine for S. aureus NCTC8325 is 256 µg ml-1. Berberine below 32 µg ml-1 inhibits the dispersal of biofilm and stimulates clumping of cells of NCTC8325 in a concentration-dependent manner, while not showing obvious inhibition on the bacterial growth. The transcription of the key negative regulator of biofilm dispersal AgrA is decreased and an agrA mutant forms biofilm reaching to a similar level of biomass to WT in the presence of berberine at 32 µg ml-1. Transcription of some genes involving synthesis of biofilm structure components, including polysaccharide intracellular adhesin (PIA), proteins and eDNA were also up-regulated, especially icaA for PIA synthesis. And consistently, PIA content was increased in cells exposed to berberine at 32 µg ml-1. This study reveals the dependence of berberine inhibition of biofilm dispersal on the Agr system, which is the first report exploring the molecule mechanism of the berberine effect on the biofilm of S. aureus.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Capacity and Gut Microbiota Modulatory Effects of Different Kinds of Berries.

Berries are fairly favored by consumers. Phenolic compounds are the major phytochemicals in berries, among which anthocyanins are one of the most studied. Phenolic compounds are reported to have prebiotic-like effects. In the present study, we identified the anthocyanin profiles, evaluated and compared the antioxidant capacities and gut microbiota modulatory effects of nine common berries, namely blackberry, black goji berry, blueberry, mulberry, red Chinese bayberry, raspberry, red goji berry, strawberry and white Chinese bayberry. Anthocyanin profiles were identified by UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS. In vitro antioxidant capacity was evaluated by four chemical assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and ORAC). In vivo antioxidant capacity and gut microbiota modulatory effects evaluation was carried out by treating healthy mice with different berry extracts for two weeks. The results show that most berries could improve internal antioxidant status, reflected by elevated serum or colonic T-AOC, GSH, T-SOD, CAT, and GSH-PX levels, as well as decreased MDA content. All berries significantly altered the gut microbiota composition. The modulatory effects of the berries were much the same, namely by the enrichment of beneficial SCFAs-producing bacteria and the inhibition of potentially harmful bacteria. Our study shed light on the gut microbiota modulatory effect of different berries and may offer consumers useful consumption guidance.

Comparative genomic analyses of Polymyxin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains from China.

BACKGROUND: Mobile colistin resistance like gene (mcr-like gene) is a new type of polymyxin resistance gene that can be horizontally transferred in the Enterobacteriaceae. This has brought great challenges to the treatment of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and K. pneumoniae. RESULTS: K. pneumoniae 16BU137 and E. coli 17MR471 were isolated from the bus and subway handrails in Guangzhou, China. K. pneumoniae 19PDR22 and KP20191015 were isolated from patients with urinary tract infection and severe pneumonia in Anhui, China. Sequence analysis indicated that the mcr-1.1 gene was present on the chromosome of E. coli 17MR471, and the gene was in the gene cassette containing pap2 and two copies of ISApl1.The mcr-1.1 was found in the putative IncX4 type plasmid p16BU137_mcr-1.1 of K. pneumoniae 16BU137, but ISApl1 was not found in its flanking sequence. Mcr-8 variants were found in the putative IncFIB/ IncFII plasmid pKP20191015_mcr-8 of K. pneumoniae KP20191015 and flanked by ISEcl1 and ISKpn26. CONCLUSION: This study provides timely information on Enterobacteriaceae bacteria carrying mcr-like genes, and provides a reference for studying the spread of mcr-1 in China and globally.

Characterization of YAG:Ce phosphor dosimeter by the co-precipitation method for radiotherapy.

Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) doped with Ce was synthesized via the co-precipitation method with NH4HCO3 as the precipitant. The spectroscopic properties and the effects of the Ce doping concentration and sintering atmosphere on the crystal phase were investigated. The dosimeter of YAG:Ce phosphor material was prepared to study the radioluminescence (RL) characteristics of a clinical linear accelerator. A satisfying linear relationship between the radiation dose and RL signal was obtained, which provided a reference for the YAG:Ce phosphor material used in radiotherapy and real-time remote radiation detection.

Effects of salbutamol on the kinetics of sevoflurane and the occurrence of early postoperative pulmonary complications in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized controlled study.

Bronchodilators dilate the bronchi and increase lung volumes, thereby improving respiratory physiology in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, their effects on sevoflurane kinetics remain unknown. We aimed to determine whether inhaled salbutamol affected the wash-in and wash-out kinetics of sevoflurane and the occurrence of early postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients with COPD undergoing elective surgery. This randomized, placebo-controlled study included 63 consecutive patients with COPD allocated to the salbutamol (n = 30) and control groups (n = 33). The salbutamol group received salbutamol aerosol (2 puffs of ~200 µg) 30 min before anesthesia induction and 30 min before surgery completion. The control group received a placebo. Sevoflurane kinetics were determined by collecting end-tidal samples from the first breaths at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 15 min before the surgery (wash-in) and after closing the vaporizer (wash-out). PPCs were recorded for 7 days. The salbutamol group had higher end-tidal to inhaled sevoflurane ratios (p<0.05, p<0.01) than the control group, from 3 to 10 min during the wash-in period, but no significant differences were observed during the wash-out period. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen to the fraction of inhaled oxygen was significantly higher in the salbutamol group at 30 (320.3±17.6 vs. 291.5±29.6 mmHg; p = 0.033) and 60 min (327.8±32.3 vs. 309.2±30.5 mmHg; p = 0.003). The dead space to tidal volume ratios at 30 (20.5±6.4% vs. 26.3±6.0%, p = 0.042) and 60 min (19.6±5.1% vs. 24.8±5.5%, p = 0.007) and the incidence of bronchospasm (odds ratio [OR] 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23-0.67, p = 0.023) and respiratory infiltration (OR 0.52, 95% CI, 0.40-0.65, p = 0.017) were lower in the salbutamol group. In patients with COPD, salbutamol accelerates the wash-in rate of sevoflurane and decreases the occurrence of postoperative bronchospasm and pulmonary infiltration within the first 7 days.

Case Report: Reversible Neurotoxicity and a Clinical Response Induced by BCMA-Directed Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Against Multiple Myeloma With Central Nervous System Involvement.

Isolated central nervous system involvement in multiple myeloma (CNS-MM) is rare and carries extremely poor prognosis. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CART) targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is demonstrated as a promising strategy in MM treatment, but the clinical safety and efficacy of BCMA-CART against isolated CNS-MM remain elusive. Here we report on a 56-year-old male with refractory isolated CNS-MM who received autologous BCMA-CART therapy and developed grade 4 neurological complications. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analyses showed significant expansion of CART cells and a substantially elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) level. Intravenous methylprednisolone was administered and the symptoms resolved gradually. Unexpectedly, the level of IL-6 in the CSF was maintained for another 3 days even after the relief of the neurological symptoms. A partial response was achieved and sustained for 5.5 months. This is the first report describing a patient with isolated CNS-MM treated using BCMA-CART therapy. The results demonstrated that BCMA-CART cells administered intravenously trafficked into the CSF, eradicated tumor cells, and induced severe but reversible neurological adverse events. This single-patient report suggests that BCMA-CART therapy can be considered as an alternative option for isolated CNS-MM. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03196414.

Integration of small RNA, degradome and proteome sequencing in Oryza sativa reveals a delayed senescence network in tetraploid rice seed.

Seed of rice is an important strategic resource for ensuring the security of China's staple food. Seed deterioration as a result of senescence is a major problem during seed storage, which can cause major economic losses. Screening among accessions in rice germplasm resources for traits such as slow senescence and increased seed longevity during storage is, therefore, of great significance. However, studies on delayed senescence in rice have been based mostly on diploid rice seed to date. Despite better tolerance have been verified by the artificial aging treatment for polyploid rice seed, the delayed senescence properties and delayed senescence related regulatory mechanisms of polyploid rice seed are rarely reported, due to the lack of polyploid rice materials with high seed set. High-throughput sequencing was applied to systematically investigate variations in small RNAs, the degradome, and the proteome between tetraploid and diploid rice seeds. Degradome sequencing analysis of microRNAs showed that expression of miR-164d, which regulates genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, was changed significantly, resulting in decreased miRNA-mediated cleavage of target genes in tetraploid rice. Comparisons of the expression levels of small RNAs (sRNAs) in the tetraploid and diploid libraries revealed that 12 sRNAs changed significantly, consistent with the findings from degradome sequencing. Furthermore, proteomics also showed that antioxidant enzymes were up-regulated in tetraploid rice seeds, relative to diploids.

Extraluminal bronchial blocker placement using both nostrils for lung isolation in a patient with limited mouth opening: A CARE-compliant case report.

RATIONALE: The establishment of lung isolation is often particularly challenging for the anesthesiologist in patients with difficult airway. Usually, orotracheal intubation with double lumen tube is the commonly used technique for achieving 1 lung anesthesia. Whereas, in patients with limited mouth opening and restricted cervical mobility, this technique becomes extremely difficult and hazardous. We report a case in which bronchial blocker placement was succeeded via both nostrils in a difficult airway due to restricted mouth opening. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 50-year-old, non-smoking female with a painless mass in the left upper lobe. She had a 10-year history of ankylosing spondylitis and squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth after 5 operations 4 years previously. DIAGNOSES: Left upper lobe adenocarcinoma, ankylosing spondylitis and oral squamous cell carcinoma. INTERVENTIONS: To achieve 1 lung anesthesia, both nostrils were used for extraluminal bronchial blocker placement. OUTCOMES: Initially, oral intubation was selected for establishing a patent airway but failed. Then switched to nasal canal for insertion, after several attempts, a conventional nasal intubation tube (internal diameter 6.0 mm) was placed via 1 nostril under topical anesthesia, with the aid of a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope, and a bronchial blocker was advanced to the desired position via the other nostril. LESSONS: In difficult airway with limited mouth opening and restricted cervical mobility, multidisciplinary experts participated discussion is a prerequisite for contemplating a scientific plan. Preoperative computed tomography scan and 3-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction would be helpful in detecting the narrowest part of airway conduit and determining a safe, reliable, and feasible airway program.

Comparation of CART19 and autologous stem-cell transplantation for refractory/relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard treatment for R/R B-NHL, while chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) therapy targeting CD19 emerges as an alternative strategy. Here we report a comparative analysis of the two strategies in a single center. METHODS: We performed a prospective single-arm study of CAR-T therapy in 29 patients with R/R B-NHL and compared the outcomes with contemporaneous 27 patients who received ASCT. NHL was diagnosed by histopathological assessments, and the safety and efficacy were compared. RESULTS: The CAR-T group exhibited better rates of CR (48.0% vs. 20.8%, P=0.046) and one-year OS (74.4% vs. 44.5%, P=0.044) compared with the ASCT group. Subpopulation analysis showed that patients with IPI scores ≥ 3 achieved significantly higher ORR and CR rates in the CAR-T group than in the ASCT group (ORR: 72.0% vs. 10.0%, P=0.002; CR: 38.9% vs 0% P=0.030, respectively). The most common severe adverse events in the CAR-T group were cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity and infection compared with cytopenia, gastrointestinal toxicity and infection in the ASCT group. Additionally, the incidence of non-hematologic severe adverse events (SAEs) was markedly lower in the CAR-T group than in the ASCT group (20.7% vs. 48.1% P=0.030). CONCLUSION: CAR-T therapy exhibited superior clinical outcomes in safety and efficacy over ASCT in patients with R/R B-NHL, suggesting CAR-T may be a recommended alternative to ASCT.

Dehydrofreezing of peach: Blanching, D-sodium erythorbate vacuum infiltration, vacuum dehydration, and nitrogen packaging affect the thawed quality of peach.

Peach slices were blanched (BL), vacuum infiltrated with D-sodium erythorbate (SE), predehydrated, and then nitrogen packaged (NP) before freezing to improve their quality. Our results showed that the BL, SE, and NP pretreatments remarkably improved the quality of frozen peaches. Frozen peaches pretreated by SE+NP+BL showed the highest total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity after thawing at 20°C for 24 hr. The soluble solids content and firmness of low-maturity peaches dehydrated to 25% dehydration of their weight were 11.1% and 211.2% higher than those of the control samples, respectively, while their drip loss was 71.9% lower than that of the controls. In conclusion, pretreatment by BL, predehydration, SE, and NP before freezing can significantly improve the quality of frozen peaches after thawing. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: We believe that our study results have practical applications because the method of vacuum dehydration combined with blanching, nitrogen packaging, and D-sodium erythorbate treatment of peaches maintains their original taste, inhibits color change, and decreases drip loss. This method is suitable for fruit frozen and stored at a commercial freezing temperature of -20°C and does not need advanced equipment or technology. It can be easily carried out during the fruit freezing process and can be applied to other frozen stored fruits besides peaches.