Pb contaminated soil influence on aboveground biomass and bioactive compounds in leaves of mulberry.

This study investigated the effects of soil lead (Pb), biochar, and partial root zone drought (PRD) on mulberry (Morus alba L.) branches and leaves biomass, Pb accumulation, and bioactive compounds including 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) and flavonoids. Three-factor pot experiments were conducted with biochar, PRD, and soil Pb at four concentration levels (0, 50, 200, and 800 mg kg-1). Results revealed that mulberry aboveground biomass did not decrease significantly across the soil Pb levels. Pb concentration of mulberry leaves do not increase significantly when soil Pb was 200 mg kg-1; however, it significantly accumulated under 800 mg kg-1. There was a dose-effect between the Pb concentration in branches and the soil Pb levels. Mulberry leaf flavonoids were affected by the interaction of soil Pb and biochar. The interaction between two of the three factors significantly affected leaves DNJ concentration. The combination of biochar and PRD maintained the biomass of mulberry and did not significantly increase Pb in leaves under 200 mg kg-1 soil Pb concentration. In summary, mulberry has a higher resistance to soil Pb stress, and it can be planted in moderate Pb-contaminated soils for no loss of biomass and can safely harvest the branches and leaves.Novelty statementAn economic benefit is a key to the practical application and sustainability of phytoremediation. Based on this, we studied the effects of soil Pb on biomass, Pb accumulation, and bioactive substance concentration of harvesting organs in mulberry.Phytoremediation is not isolated, and techniques, such as soil amendments and water management also play a role. In this study, we found that biochar and partial root-zone irrigation had a synergistic effect on the response of mulberry to soil Pb, which could be co-applied in the phytoremediation of lead-contaminated soil.The concentration of heavy metals is the key to ensuring product safety in heavy metal contaminated soil. We found that Pb concentration in leaf and stem of mulberry did not significantly increase under 200 mg kg-1 soil Pb, while increased at 800 mg kg-1 soil Pb. Therefore, planting mulberry on 200 mg kg-1 Pb contaminated soil can safely harvest branches and leaves.

Synergistic effects of HSE and LTR elements from hsp70 gene promoter of Ulva prolifera (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta) upon temperature induction1.

Besides heat stress, the 70 kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70s) have been shown to respond to cold stress. However, the involved cis-acting elements remain unknown. The hsp70 gene from the green macroalga Ulva prolifera (Uphsp70) has been cloned, from which one heat shock element HSE and one low-temperature-responsive element LTR were found in the promoter. Using the established transient expression system and quantitative GUS assay, a series of element deletion experiments were performed to determine the functions of HSE and LTR in response to temperature stress. The results showed that under cold stress, both HSE and LTR were indispensable, since deletion leads to complete loss of promoter activity. Under heat stress, although the HSE could respond independently, coexistence with LTR was essential for high induced activity of the Uphsp70 promoter. Therefore, synergistic effects exist between HSE and LTR elements in response to temperature stress in Ulva, and extensive bioinformatics analysis showed that the mechanism is widespread in algae and plants, since LTR coexists widely with HSE in the promoter region of hsp70. Our findings provide important supplements to the knowledge of algal and plant HSP70s response to temperature stress. We speculated that for algal domestication and artificial breeding, HSE and LTR elements might serve as potential molecular targets to temperature acclimation.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on admission predicts early perihematomal edema growth after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Poor functional outcome is associated with perihematomal edema (PHE) expansion after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The inflammatory response is crucial for the onset and progression of PHE. This study aimed to determine the connection between admission neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and early PHE development. We retrospectively analyzed patients with ICH admitted to the Chaohu Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2021 to December 2022. The primary outcome measure was absolute PHE, defined as the volume of the follow-up PHE minus admission PHE. A semiautomated measurement tool (3D Slicer) was used to calculate the volumes of cerebral hematoma and cerebral edema. Spearman's correlation analysis determined the relationship between NLR and absolute PHE. The multiple linear regression model was constructed to analyze the predictive relation of admission NLR on early PHE expansion. A total of 117 patients were included. The median hematoma and PHE volumes on admission were 9.38 mL (interquartile range [IQR], 4.53-19.54) and 3.54 mL (IQR, 1.33-7.1), respectively. The median absolute PHE was 2.26 mL (IQR, 1.25-4.23), and the median NLR was 3.10 (IQR, 2.26-3.86). Spearman's correlation test showed a positive correlation between admission NLR and absolute PHE (r = .548, P < .001). Multiple linear regression analyses suggested that for every 1-unit increase in admission NLR (B = .176, SE = .043, Beta = .275, P < .001), there was a 0.176 mL increase in absolute PHE. Admission neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) significantly and positively predicted early perihematomal edema (PHE) expansion.

Biosynthesis of a Phycocyanin Beta Subunit with Two Noncognate Chromophores in Escherichia coli.

Recombinant phycobiliprotein can be used as fluorescent label in immunofluorescence assay. In this study, pathway for phycocyanin beta subunit (CpcB) carrying noncognate chromophore phycoerythrobilin (PEB) and phycourobilin (PUB) was constructed in Escherichia coli. Lyase CpcS and CpcT could catalyze attachment of PEB to Cys84-CpcB and Cys155-CpcB, respectively. However, PEB was attached only to Cys84-CpcB when both CpcS and CpcT were present in E. coli. A dual plasmid expression system was used to control the expression of lyases and the attachment order of PEB to CpcB. The production of PEB-Cys155-CpcB was achieved by L-arabinose-induced expression of CpcS, CpcB, Ho1, and PebS, and then the attachment of PEB to Cys84-CpcB was achieved by IPTG-induced expression of CpcS. The doubly chromophorylated CpcB absorbed light maximally at 497.5 nm and 557.0 nm and fluoresced maximally at 507.5 nm and 566.5 nm. An amount of light energy absorbed by PUB-Cys155-CpcB is transferred to PEB-Cys84-CpcB in doubly chromophorylated CpcB, conferring a large stokes shift of 69 nm for this fluorescent protein. There are interactions between chromophores of CpcB which possibly together with the help of lyases lead to isomerization of PEB-Cys155-CpcB to PUB-Cys155-CpcB.

Solid state fermentation by Fomitopsis pinicola improves physicochemical and functional properties of wheat bran and the bran-containing products.

Wheat bran was solid state fermented by Fomitopsis pinicola. The results showed that the processing properties were increased by fermentation and the content of total phenol and alkylresorcinols was 5.91 and 1.55 times of the unfermented bran respectively by the 6th day. The total antioxidant capacity was 5.73 times of the unfermented sample by the 4th day. Electronic nose analysis showed that the fermented wheat bran had a special flavor. GC-MS analysis found that 4-ethyl-2-methoxy-phenol was the main flavor substance, which was sharply increased during the fermentation. Furthermore, the textural properties of the dough and bread containing fermented bran were significantly improved. The content of phytic acid in the bread was significantly decreased, while the protein, total phenol and alkylresorcinols contents were significantly increased. Results suggest that solid state fermentation by Fomitopsis pinicola is a promising way to improve wheat bran to a nutritious and flavorful cereal food ingredient.

Hypoglycemic effects of wheat bran alkyresorcinols in high-fat/high-sucrose diet and low-dose streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic male mice and protection of pancreatic ß cells.

In the present study, the hypoglycemic effects of wheat bran alkyresorcinols (ARs) were investigated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice induced by a high-fat/high-sucrose diet (HFSD) combined with low dose streptozotocin (STZ). After the consumption of 5 mg kg-1 d-1 acarbose (positive control) and different doses of wheat bran ARs (50, 200 and 500 mg kg-1 d-1) for 4 weeks, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels in T2DM mice were found to be reduced significantly (p < 0.05), and the effects of 200 and 500 mg kg-1 d-1 administration were better than that of 50 mg kg-1 d-1. The results of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) also showed that both acarbose and AR administration significantly increased the glucose tolerance of the T2DM mice. Then, the fasting serum insulin levels (FINS) were significantly reduced by AR treatment, and the effect of 500 mg kg-1 d-1 AR administration was better than that of 5 mg kg-1 d-1 acarbose. The profile of plasma lipids was analyzed simultaneously, and the results showed that the contents of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly decreased, while the content of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was increased significantly after 200 and 500 mg kg-1 d-1 AR treatment (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 200 and 500 mg kg-1 d-1 ARs significantly increased the content of hepatic glycogen and the activity of glucokinase (p < 0.01) in T2DM mice. The relative mRNA levels of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) in the liver tissue were increased markedly in 200 and 500 mg kg-1 d-1 AR treatment groups (p < 0.01), and the relative mRNA levels of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in the epididymal adipose tissue were increased significantly in all AR treatment groups, especially significantly higher than acarbose (p < 0.01). Histological analyses revealed that treatment with ARs exerted a protective role on pancreatic ß-cells. The results indicated that ARs could be an effective hypoglycemic active ingredient in whole grain diets.

Ultrasound-assisted compatible in situ hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse in cellulase-aqueous-N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide system for improved saccharification.

To fully exploit the benefits of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) in lignocelluloses bioconversion, a compatible system was established for efficient in situ saccharification of cellulose in NMMO-aqueous media in which the NMMO is able to activate and solubilize the cellulose, and the cellulases possess high stability and activity. Cellulase retained its original activity after being pre-incubated in 15% and 20% (w/v) NMMO solutions. After optimization of reaction parameters, high saccharification rate (96.5%) was obtained in aqueous-NMMO media by ultrasound assisted treatment of cellulose. The viscosity and FTIR analysis revealed that NMMO-treated cellulose under ultrasonic condition was porous and amorphous, which led to improved saccharification. The addition of trifle lignin in lower concentration improved the saccharification efficiency of sugarcane bagasse, while higher concentration interferes with hydrolysis. In conclusion, these findings provided great implications to develop a continuous process NMMO-cellulases system for transformation of native biomass.