Unlocking the future of brain research: MOFs, TMOs, and MOFs/TMOs for electrochemical NTMs detection and analysis.

The central nervous system relies heavily on neurotransmitters (NTMs), and NTM imbalances have been linked to a wide range of neurological conditions. Thus, the development of reliable detection techniques is essential for advancing brain studies. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), transition metal oxides (TMOs), and MOFs-derived TMOs (MOFs/TMOs) as materials for electrochemical (EC) sensors targeting the detection of key NTMs, specifically dopamine (DA), epinephrine (EP), and serotonin (SR). The unique properties and diverse families of MOFs and TMOs, along with their nanostructured hybrids, are discussed in the context of EC sensing. The review also addresses the challenges in detecting NTMs and proposes a systematic approach to tackle these obstacles. Despite the vast amount of research on MOFs and TMOs-based EC sensors for DA detection, the review highlights the gaps in the literature for MOFs/TMOs-based EC sensors specifically for EP and SR detection, as well as the limited research on microneedles (MNs)-based EC sensors modified with MOFs, TMOs, and MOFs/TMOs for NTMs detection. This review serves as a foundation to encourage researchers to further explore the potential applications of MOFs, TMOs, and MOFs/TMOs-based EC sensors in the context of neurological disorders and other health conditions related to NTMs imbalances.

Interactions between microplastics and insects in terrestrial ecosystems-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The presence of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial ecosystems has been confirmed worldwide. Due to their widespread distribution and diversity in habitats, insects will readily interact with MPs via various pathways. Although the topic of MP-insect interactions is still in the early stages of research, it is becoming increasingly important. We used a META approach with phylogenetic control and subgroup examination to summarize the evidence from both field and laboratory experiments in quantitative form. The field evidence suggests that insects can take and transfer MPs along food chains via ingestion and adherence. Also, they are active in the bio-fragmentation of MPs and the generation of secondary pollutants. The exposure to MPs impaired key biological traits of insects, mainly their behavior and health, such as reducing climbing ability and increasing oxidative stress. In terms of exposure conditions, the small-sized MPs can induce more severe effects on the insects, while the insect response to MPs was not significantly reliant on exposure times or MP concentrations based on the current evidence available. We propose that insects not only play roles in the redistribution of MPs spatially and in food chains via bio-fragmentation but are also threatened by MPs. Our research deepens our understanding of the environmental risks posed by MPs in insect ecosystems.

Strong yet flexible ceramic aerogel.

Ceramic aerogels are highly efficient, lightweight, and chemically stable thermal insulation materials but their application is hindered by their brittleness and low strength. Flexible nanostructure-assembled compressible aerogels have been developed to overcome the brittleness but they still show low strength, leading to insufficient load-bearing capacity. Here we designed and fabricated a laminated SiC-SiOx nanowire aerogel that exhibits reversible compressibility, recoverable buckling deformation, ductile tensile deformation, and simultaneous high strength of up to an order of magnitude larger than other ceramic aerogels. The aerogel also shows good thermal stability ranging from -196 °C in liquid nitrogen to above 1200 °C in butane blow torch, and good thermal insulation performance with a thermal conductivity of 39.3 ± 0.4 mW m-1 K-1. These integrated properties make the aerogel a promising candidate for mechanically robust and highly efficient flexible thermal insulation materials.

Microstructural Inhomogeneity in the Fusion Zone of Laser Welds.

This paper investigated evolutions of α-Al sub-grains' morphology and crystalline orientation in the fusion zone during laser welding of 2A12 aluminum alloys. Based on this, a new method for assessing the weldability of materials was proposed. In laser deep-penetration welding, in addition to the conventional columnar and equiaxed dendrites, there also exhibited a corrugated structure with several 'fine-coarse-fine' transformations. In such regions, an abnormal α-Al coarsening phenomenon was encountered, with a more dispersed crystalline orientation arrangement and a decreased maximum pole density value. Particularly, structural alterations appeared more frequently in the weld bottom than the top. The above results indicated that the laser-induced keyhole presented a continually fluctuating state. Under such a condition, the solid-liquid transformation exhibited an unstable solidification front, a fluctuant undercooling, and a variational solidification rate. Meanwhile, the welding quality of this material is in a critical state to generate pores. Therefore, the appearance and relevant number of corrugated regions can be considered as a new way for judging the weldability, which will help to narrow the processing window with better welding stability.

Interactions between Helicobacter pylori infection and host metabolic homeostasis: A comprehensive review.

The microbiota actively and extensively participates in the regulation of human metabolism, playing a crucial role in the development of metabolic diseases. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), when colonizing gastric epithelial cells, not only induces local tissue inflammation or malignant transformation but also leads to systemic and partial changes in host metabolism. These shifts can be mediated through direct contact, toxic components, or indirect immune responses. Consequently, they influence various molecular metabolic events that impact nutritional status and iron absorption in the host. Unraveling the intricate and diverse molecular interaction links between H. pylori and human metabolism modulation is essential for understanding pathogenesis mechanisms and developing targeted treatments for related diseases. However, significant challenges persist in comprehensively understanding the complex association networks among H. pylori itself, the infected host's status, the host microbiome, and the immune response. Previous metabolomics research has indicated that H. pylori infection and eradication may selectively shape the metabolite and microbial profiles of gastric lesions. Yet, it remains largely unknown how these diverse metabolic pathways, including isovaleric acid, cholesterol, fatty acids, and phospholipids, specifically modulate gastric carcinogenesis or affect the host's serum metabolism, consequently leading to the development of metabolic-associated diseases. The direct contribution of H. pylori to metabolisms still lacks conclusive evidence. In this review, we summarize recent advances in clinical evidence highlighting associations between chronic H. pylori infection and metabolic diseases, as well as its potential molecular regulatory patterns.

Antibacterial activity of the novel compound Sudapyridine (WX-081) against Mycobacterium abscessus.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate sudapyridine (WX-081) antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium abscessus in vitro and its effect on in vivo bacterial growth and host survival using a zebrafish model of M. abscessus infection. Methods: WX-081 in vitro antibacterial activity was assessed based on growth inhibition of M. abscessus standard strain ATCC19977 and 36 clinical isolates. Maximum tolerated concentrations (MTCs) of WX-081, bedaquiline, and azithromycin and inhibition of M. abscessus growth were assessed in vivo after fluorescently labelled bacilli and drugs were injected into zebrafish. Bacterial counts were analysed using one-way ANOVA and fluorescence intensities of zebrafish tissues were analysed and expressed as the mean ± SE. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted to assess intergroup differences in survival of M. abscessus-infected zebrafish treated with different drug concentrations using a log-rank test, with a p value <0.05 indicating a difference was statistically significant. Results: Drug sensitivity testing of M. abscessus standard strain ATCC19977 and 36 clinical isolates revealed MICs ranging from 0.12-0.96 µg/mL and MIC50 and MIC90 values of 0.48 µg/mL and 0.96 µg/mL, respectively. Fluorescence intensities of M. abscessus-infected zebrafish tissues was lower after treatment with the WX-081 MTC (62.5 µg/mL) than after treatment with the azithromycin MTC (62.5 µg/mL) and the bedaquiline MTC (15.6 µg/mL). When the concentration of WX-081 increased from 1.95µg/mL to 1/8 MTC(7.81µg/mL), the survival rate of zebrafish at 4-9 dpf decreased from 90.00% to 81.67%. Conclusion: WX-081 effectively inhibited M. abscessus growth in vitro and in vivo and prolonged survival of M. abscessus-infected zebrafish, thus indicating that WX-081 holds promise as a clinical treatment for M. abscessus infection.

Antibacterial activity of the novel oxazolidinone contezolid (MRX-I) against Mycobacterium abscessus.

Objective: To evaluate contezolid (MRX-I) antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium abscessus in vitro and in vivo and to assess whether MRX-I treatment can prolong survival of infected zebrafish. Methods: MRX-I inhibitory activity against M. abscessus in vitro was assessed by injecting MRX-I into zebrafish infected with green fluorescent protein-labelled M. abscessus. Thereafter, infected zebrafish were treated with azithromycin (AZM), linezolid (LZD) or MRX-I then maximum tolerated concentrations (MTCs) of drugs were determined based on M. abscessus growth inhibition using one-way ANOVA. Linear trend analysis of CFU counts and fluorescence intensities (mean ± SE values) was performed to detect linear relationships between MRX-I, AZM and LZD concentrations and these parameters. Results: MRX-I anti-M. abscessus minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and MTC were 16 µg/mL and 15.6 µg/mL, respectively. MRX-I MTC-treated zebrafish fluorescence intensities were significantly lower than respective LZD group intensities (whole-body: 439040 ± 3647 vs. 509184 ± 23064, p < 0.01); head: 74147 ± 2175 vs. 95996 ± 8054, p < 0.05). As MRX-I concentration was increased from 0.488 µg/mL to 15.6 µg/mL, zebrafish whole-body, head and heart fluorescence intensities decreased. Statistically insignificant differences between the MRX-I MTC group survival rate (78.33%) vs. corresponding rates of the 62.5 µg/mL-treated AZM MTC group (88.33%, p > 0.05) and the 15.6 µg/mL-treated LZD MTC group (76.67%, p > 0.05) were observed. Conclusion: MRX-I effectively inhibited M. abscessus growth and prolonged zebrafish survival when administered to M. abscessus-infected zebrafish, thus demonstrating that MRX-I holds promise as a clinical treatment for human M. abscessus infections.

A Hidden Pathway for Human Exposure to Micro- and Nanoplastics-The Mechanical Fragmentation of Plastic Products during Daily Use.

In numerous environmental compartments around the world, the existence of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in the environment has been verified. A growing number of studies have looked at the interaction between MNPs and human activities due to the risks they may pose to humans. Exposure pathways are key factors in measuring MNPs risks. However, current research largely ignores the contribution of mechanical fragmentation pathways to MNPs exposure during the daily use of plastic products. Our critical review demonstrated the research gap between MNP fragmentation and risk assessments via a network analysis. The release of fragmented MNPs and their properties were also described at various scales, with emphasis on environmental stressors and mechanical fragmentation. In the scenarios of daily use, plastic products such as food packaging and clothing provide acute pathways of MNPs exposure. The release tendency of those products (up to 102 mg MNPs) are several orders of magnitude higher than MNPs abundances in natural compartments. Despite the limited evidence available, waste recycling, landfill and municipal activities represented long-term pathways for MNPs fragmentation and point sources of MNPs pollution in environmental media. Assessing the health effects of the fragmentation process, unfortunately, is further hampered by the current absence of human exposure impact assessments for secondary MNPs. We proposed that future studies should integrate aging evaluation into risk assessment frameworks and establish early warning signs of MNPs released from plastic products.

Replacement Dose for Overt Hypothyroidism induced by Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 Antibodies.

BACKGROUND: The present recommendations, consensus, or guidelines for the replacement dosage for hypothyroidism induced by programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy are not uniform, and there are very few special clinical trials that have examined the replacement dosage for it. OBJECTIVES: This article illustrates the clinical characteristics of hypothyroidism induced by PD-1 antibodies (Abs) and reports the recommended replacement dosage for hypothyroidism. METHODS: Eighteen patients with overt primary hypothyroidism induced by PD-1 Abs (group 1) were selected from 655 patients with different tumor types. Retrospective analysis was performed on patients in group 1 and 18 patients with natural courses of overt primary hypothyroidism who were age- and sex-matched with the patients in group 1 (group 2). The replacement dosages required for the patients in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Thyroid dysfunction occurred in group 1 after approximately 3.0±1.4 cycles of PD-1 therapy (1-6 stages), with a median time of 61.5 days. The median time of onset of hypothyroidism among all patients was 87.5 days (30-240 days). Most of the patients with hypothyroidism were asymptomatic, and the onset of hypothyroidism was independent of age, sex, TPOAb, TgAb and TSH in group 1 (P>0.05). The average replacement dosage for patients in group 1 was 1.80.6 µg/kg/d (0.6-3.2 µg/kg/d). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that sex, age, TPOAb, TgAb and TSH were not correlated with drug dosage. CONCLUSION: It seemed that the average maintenance dosage of levothyroxine might need to be 1.8 µg/kg/day for patients with overt hypothyroidism induced by PD-1 Abs.

Heat stroke alters hippocampal and cerebellar transmitter metabonomics.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms underlying heat stroke (HS)-induced hippocampal injury remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the HS-induced metabonomics of hippocampal and cerebellar transmitters. METHODS: The HS model was established with male Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to heat exposure of up to 42 °C at a humidity of (55.0±5.0)%. The hippocampal and cerebellar transmitters and metabolites of rats were tested via ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The primary transmitters and metabolites were identified by principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The major metabolic pathways for HS were selected after enrichment. The brain injury was evaluated by histological tests. RESULTS: HS induced hippocampal and cerebellar injuries in rats. HS upregulated the protein levels of hippocampal glutamate, glutamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, L-tryptophan (Trp), 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid, and kynurenine; however, it downregulated asparagine, tryptamine, 5-hydroxytryptophan, melatonin, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), and vanillylmandelic acid. HS also sharply elevated the protein levels of cerebellar methionine and Trp, and decreased the levels of serotonin, L-alanine, L-asparagine, L-aspartate, cysteine, norepinephrine, spermine, spermidine, and tyrosine. Hippocampal glutamate, monoamine transmitters, cerebellar aspartate acid, and catecholamine transmitters' metabolic pathways were identified as the main metablic pathways in HS. CONCLUSION: The hippocampus and cerebellum were injured in rats with HS, possibly induced the disorder of hippocampal glutamate and serotonin metabolism, cerebellar aspartate acid and catecholamine transmitter metabolism, and related metabolic pathways.

Heat stress-induced intestinal epithelial cells necroptosis via TLR3-TRIF-RIP3 pathway was dependent on p53.

BACKGROUND: Heatstroke is a life-threatening disease. Present study was aimed to investigate the mechanism in heat induced intestinal epithelial cell death. METHOD: Heat stress in vitro model was established on IEC cells with 42℃ for 2 h. Caspase-8 inhibitor, Caspase-3 inhibitor, RIP3 inhibitor, TLR3 agonist, poly(I:C) and p53 knockdown were used to determine the signaling pathway. Heatstroke in vivo model was established on C57BL/6 mice, with a temperature of 35.5℃±0.5℃ and a relative humidity of 60% ± 5%. The intestine necroptosis and inflammatory cytokines were measured. Pifithrin α (3 mg/kg) and p53 knockout mice were used to evaluate the role of p53. RESULTS: Heat stress-induced reduction of cell viability was remarkable reversed by RIP3 inhibitor. Heat stress induced upregulation of TLR3 and facilitate the formation of TRIF-RIP3 complex. The heat stress induced upregulation of RIP3 and p-RIP3 were normalized by the deletion of p53. Meanwhile, p53 knockout decreased TLR3 expression and blocked the formation of TLR3-TRIF complex. The deletion of p53 blocked the decreased cell viability and restored the activation of RIP3-MLKL signaling after heat stress, however, which were abolished by re-expression of p53 via Tp53 OE. Increased the expression of TLR3 in the p53-deficient cells could not affect the heat stress induced necrotic cell death, which suggests that heat stress induced necroptosis via TLR3-TRIF-RIP3 signaling pathway is dependent on p53. CONCLUSION: Heat stress promoted p53 phosphorylation, then upregulated TLR3 and enhanced the interaction of TRIF-RIP3, which would activate the RIP3-MLKL signaling pathway to mediate necroptosis in intestinal epithelial cells.

Zirconium-Directed Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Coenzyme A@GNCs with Enhanced Phosphorescence for Developing Ultrasensitive Tracer Probe of Dipicolinic Acid, a Biomarker of Bacterial Spores.

Luminescent gold nanoclusters (GNCs) are a class of attractive quantum-sized nanomaterials bridging the gap between organogold complexes and gold nanocrystals. They typically have a core-shell structure consisting of a Au(I)-organoligand shell-encapsulated few-atom Au(0) core. Their luminescent properties are greatly affected by their Au(I)-organoligand shell, which also supports the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect. However, so far, the luminescent Au nanoclusters encapsulated with the organoligands containing phosphoryl moiety have rarely been reported, not to mention their AIE. In this study, coenzyme A (CoA), an adenosine diphosphate (ADP) analogue that is composed of a bulky 5-phosphoribonucleotide adenosine moiety connected to a long branch of vitamin B5 (pantetheine) via a diphosphate ester linkage and ubiquitous in all living organisms, has been used to synthesize phosphorescent GNCs for the first time. Interestingly, the synthesized phosphorescent CoA@GNCs could be further induced to generate AIE via the PO32- and Zr4+ interactions, and the observed AIE was found to be highly specific to Zr4+ ions. In addition, the enhanced phosphorescent emission could be quickly turned down by dipicolinic acid (DPA), a universal and specific component and also a biomarker of bacterial spores. Therefore, a Zr4+-CoA@GNCs-based DPA biosensor for quick, facile, and highly sensitive detection of possible spore contamination has been developed, showing a linear concentration range from 0.5 to 20 µM with a limit of detection of 10 nM. This study has demonstrated a promising future for various organic molecules containing phosphoryl moiety for the preparation of AIE-active metal nanoclusters.

Aptasensors with palladium nanoparticle-modified hemin-containing metal-organic frameworks as the signal marker for detection of exosomes.

Zr-metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) have received increasing interest for their use as the signal marker in the development of sandwich-structured aptasensors for the detection of exosomes. However, Zr4+ ions of the Zr-MOFs can interact with not only the exosomes, but also the aptamers, leading to possible false positives and a large background response. In the present study, we report for the first time aptasensors with Pd nanoparticle (NP)-decorated and hemin-embedded UiO-66 MOFs serving as the signal amplification marker to eliminate false positives and decrease the background response of aptasensors. To construct aptasensors for detection of exosomes, CD63-specific aptamers were tethered onto magnetic Fe3O4 particles coated with polydopamine (PDA) and UiO-66-NH2 using glutaraldehyde crosslinking for capturing the exosomes. To prepare highly catalytic Zr-MOF-based signal markers, UiO-66 MOFs were modified with hemin followed by Pd NPs. The as-prepared Pd-decorated hemin-embedded MOFs showed high catalytic activity towards the chromogenic oxidation reaction of TMB by H2O2. Moreover, the decoration with Pd NPs led to the change of the surface charge state of the catalytic hemin-embedded UiO-66 MOFs from positive to negative, weakening the interaction between the signal marker and the negatively charged aptamers. Therefore, the as-prepared aptasensors showed an improved sensing performance towards exosomes with a linear concentration range from 4.28 × 102 to 4.28 × 105 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 86.2 particles per µL. The as-prepared aptasensors also showed high sensitivity and selectivity to the exosomes from different origins including the HeLa cell line and MCF-7 cell line.

A timeline of surgical lighting - Is automated lighting the future?

High quality surgical lighting is central to successful performance in the operating room and therefore to both patient care and treatment. This article discusses the origins of surgical lighting from the 1800s to today, with a focus on the four main forms. Their uses, advantages, and disadvantages are evaluated in an effort to identify the improvements required to improve today's current state of surgical lighting. Whilst these four mainstream types have served well for the past thirty years, the literature exposes opportunities for improvement and can be used to guide the pathway to transition from manual conventional methods to a more automated lighting (AL) approach. The concept of AL has been proposed using established and known technical approaches such as artificial intelligence (AI), 3D sensor tracking algorithms and thermal imaging. Whilst AL seems incredibly promising, further focused research must be undertaken to maximise its' effectiveness and allow for successful integration of this new technology into operating rooms today.

Highly cross-linked carbon tube aerogels with enhanced elasticity and fatigue resistance.

Carbon aerogels are elastic, mechanically robust and fatigue resistant and are known for their promising applications in the fields of soft robotics, pressure sensors etc. However, these aerogels are generally fragile and/or easily deformable, which limits their applications. Here, we report a synthesis strategy for fabricating highly compressible and fatigue-resistant aerogels by assembling interconnected carbon tubes. The carbon tube aerogels demonstrate near-zero Poisson's ratio, exhibit a maximum strength over 20 MPa and a completely recoverable strain up to 99%. They show high fatigue resistance (less than 1.5% permanent degradation after 1000 cycles at 99% strain) and are thermally stable up to 2500 °C in an Ar atmosphere. Additionally, they possess tunable conductivity and electromagnetic shielding. The combined mechanical and multi-functional properties offer an attractive material for the use in harsh environments.

Endothelial glycocalyx injury is involved in heatstroke-associated coagulopathy and protected by N-acetylcysteine.

Introduction: Damage to endothelial glycocalyx (EGCX) can lead to coagulation disorders in sepsis. Heat stroke (HS) resembles sepsis in many aspects; however, it is unclear whether EGCX injury is involved in its pathophysiology. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the damage of EGCX and the development of coagulation disorders during HS. Methods: We retrospectively collected 159 HS patients and analyzed coagulation characteristics and prognosis of HS patients with or without disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). We also replicated a rat HS model and measured coagulation indexes, pulmonary capillary EGCX injury in HS rats. Finally, we evaluated the effect of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on HS-initiated EGCX injury and coagulation disorders. Results: Clinical data showed that HS patients complicated with DIC had a higher risk of death than HS patients without DIC. In a rat HS model, we found that rats subjected to heat stress developed hypercoagulability and platelet activation at the core body temperature of 43°C, just before the onset of HS. At 24 h of HS, the rats showed a consumptive hypo-coagulation state. The pulmonary capillary EGCX started to shed at 0 h of HS and became more severe at 24 h of HS. Importantly, pretreatment with NAC substantially alleviated EGCX damage and reversed the hypo-coagulation state in HS rats. Mechanically, HS initiated reactive oxidative species (ROS) generation, while ROS could directly cause EGCX damage. Critically, NAC protected against EGCX injury by attenuating ROS production in heat-stressed or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated endothelial cells. Discussion: Our results indicate that the poor prognosis of HS patients correlates with severe coagulation disorders, coagulation abnormalities in HS rats are associated with the damage of EGCX, and NAC improves HS-induced coagulopathy, probably through its protection against EGCX injury by preventing ROS generation.

Holes on surfaces of the weathered plastic fragments from coastal beaches.

The surface morphology of weathered plastics undergoes a variety of changes. In this study, 3950 plastic fragments from 26 beaches around the world, were assessed to identify holes. Holes were identified on 123 fragments on 20 beaches, with the highest frequency (10.3 %) being identified at Qesm AL Gomrok Beach in Egypt. The distribution of holes could be divided into even, single-sided, and random types. The external and internal holes were similar in size (37 ± 15 µm) of even type fragments. The external holes were larger than the internal holes in single-sided (516 ± 259 µm and 383 ± 161 µm) and random (588 ± 262 µm and 454 ± 210 µm) fragment types. The external hole sizes were positively correlated with the internal hole sizes for each type. This study reports a novel deformation phenomenon on the surface of weathered plastics and highlights their potential effects on plastics.

Litter inputs exert greater influence over soil respiration and its temperature sensitivity than roots in a coniferous forest in north-south transition zone.

The changes in carbon inputs of litter and roots to forest soils caused by climate change will result in a serious cascade effect on soil respiration and its temperature sensitivity (Q10). To differentiate and quantify the effects of surface litter and living roots on soil respiration and Q10, and further explore the role of abiotic factors and microbial properties on soil respiration and Q10, a short-term (two years) detritus input and removal treatment experiment was conducted in a coniferous forest of central China. Soil temperature, soil moisture, C/N, microbial biomass and community composition were analyzed to explore the drive mechanisms of soil respiration and Q10 in response to carbon inputs. The results showed that litter addition increased soil respiration by 22 %, while litter or roots removal did not affect soil respiration, which might be ascribed to the "priming effects" mediated by fresh plant litter. We also found that litter addition increased Q10, while litter removal decreased Q10. Litter addition significantly enhanced the microbial biomass for any single functional group and altered soil microbial community composition. Structural equation model further proved that microbial biomass and community composition exerted stronger impacts on Q10 than do soil abiotic factors. Soil moisture, microbial biomass and community structure were main factors in predicting soil respiration. The study highlights the important role of litter inputs compared with living roots in carbon cycling in short-term and deepens our understanding on the complex relationships among soil respiration, soil micro-environment and microbial community composition.