A simplified SynCom based on core-helper strain interactions enhances symbiotic nitrogen fixation in soybean.

Synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) are a promising tool for making full use of the beneficial functions imparted by whole bacterial consortia. However, the complexity of reconstructed SynComs often limits their application in sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, inter-strain interactions are often neglected during SynCom construction.

Aculeanoids A-D, the second 17-nor fusicoccane diterpenoids with immunosuppressive activity from Aspergillus aculeatus.

Chemical investigation on the secondary metabolites of Aspergillus aculeatus led to the identification of ten modified fusicoccane-type diterpenoids aculeanoids A-J (1-10). Their structures and absolute configurations were characterized by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, DP4+ analysis, Mo(OAc)-induced ECD, single-crystal X-ray diffractions, and ECD calculations. Compounds 1-4 belong to a rare class of 17-nor fusicoccane diterpenoids, with only one previously reported example.

Natural variation in the GmVPE1 promoter contributes to phosphorus re-translocation to seeds and improves soybean yield.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential yet frequently deficient plant nutrient. Optimizing P distribution and recycling between tissues is vital for improving P utilization efficiency (PUE). Yet, the mechanisms underlying the transport and re-translocation of P within plants remain unclear.

Sources of PM exposure and health benefits of clean air actions in Shanghai.

Estimating PM exposure and its health impacts in cities involves large uncertainty due to the limitations of model resolutions. Consequently, attributing the sources of PM-related health impacts at the city level remains challenging. We characterize the health impacts associated with chronic PM exposure and anthropogenic emissions in Shanghai using a chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) and its adjoint.

Enhancing Neuron Activity Promotes Functional Recovery by Inhibiting Microglia-Mediated Synapse Elimination After Stroke.

Background: Activating glutamatergic neurons in the ipsilesional motor cortex can promote functional recovery after stroke. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Clarifying key molecular mechanisms involved in recovery could help understand the development of neuromodulation strategies after stroke.

Efficient and Robust Europium(III)-Based Hybrid Lanthanide Scintillators for Advanced X-Ray Imaging.

Scintillators that convert ionizing radiation into low-energy photons are essential for medical diagnostics and industrial inspections. Despite advances in X-ray scintillators, challenges remain in achieving high efficiency, environmental compatibility, stability, and flexibility. Here, we present experimental investigations of a new type of europium(III)-based hybrid ternary complex scintillators for improved X-ray detection and imaging.

Fluorofenidone alleviates cigarette smoke exposure-induced chronic lung injury by targeting ferroptosis.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common condition that poses significant health risks to humans. Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis (PIF) often manifests in advanced stages of COPD. Fluorofenidone (AKF) has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including anti-fibrotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Development of a validated novel bead extraction method for the detection of anti-PEG antibodies in human serum.

Aims: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used in many applications including drug development. Due to exposure to environmental products, there is a high prevalence of preexisting anti-PEG antibodies in the global human population. The presence of anti-PEG antibodies is a concern for potentially reducing the efficacy of therapeutics after administration and represents a risk of safety events after exposure to PEGylated drug products.

Evaluating coarse PM composition and sources based on bulk and molecular speciation of PM and PM in Nanjing, East China.

To understand the differences in the composition and sources of PM and PM caused by coarse particles, integrated PM and PM samples were synchronously collected in Nanjing, East China, in summer 2020 and winter 2020/2021. Bulk and molecular speciation and light absorption measurements of aerosol extracts were performed, followed by positive matrix factorization (PMF) based on the PM and PM data sets, respectively. The difference in average concentrations of total bulk species between PM and PM was mainly caused by the distribution of considerable NO, SO, Ca, and organic carbon (OC) in coarse particles.

A simplified pre-conceptional laparoscopic cervical cerclage for cervical insufficiency: a retrospective study from a single center.

Background: Cervical insufficiency is a pathological condition in obstetrics in which the cervix fails to retain the fetus before uterine contractions or labor (painless cervical dilatation). Patients usually have fetal loss in the mid-trimester or spontaneous pre-term birth due to painless cervical dilation. For non-pregnant women with cervical insufficiency, prophylactic laparoscopic abdominal cerclage (LAC) has been reported to improve pregnancy outcomes, such as live birth, neonatal survival, and full-term delivery rate.

ND-FISH with New Oligo Probes for Chromosome Identification of Revealing Karyotypic Variation and Divergence of Asteraceae Species.

Chicory ( L., 2n = 18), belonging to the Asteraceae family, exhibits significant edible, medicinal, and pasture values. Moderate research has been performed on identifying Chicory species' chromosomes using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and C-banding.

Unlocking full potential of bamboo waster: Efficient co-production of xylooligosaccharides, lignin, and glucose through low-dosage mandelic acid hydrolysis with alkaline processing.

Mandelic acid (MA), a natural and environmentally friendly organic acid, demonstrates high selectivity and efficiency in hydrolyzing hemicellulose, making it an excellent candidate for xylooligosaccharides (XOS) production at low acid dosages. Despite its potential, the application of MA for XOS production has not been evaluated. The study first investigated the effectiveness of MA in hydrolyzing hemicellulose in bamboo into XOS.

Spatiotemporal variations of PM organic molecular markers in five central cities of the Yangtze River Delta, East China in autumn and winter: Implications for regional and local sources of organic aerosols.

Information on the spatiotemporal variations in the composition and sources of organic aerosols (OA) is needed to identify regional influences and to establish effective control measures. Here, 23-h PM samples were collected in five central cities of the Yangtze River Delta in eastern China, including Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, and Zhenjiang, every three days from 2020/09/01 to 2021/02/28. Each sample was analyzed for water-soluble inorganic ions, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and organic molecular markers (OMMs).

A Satellite-Based Indicator for Diagnosing Particulate Nitrate Sensitivity to Precursor Emissions: Application to East Asia, Europe, and North America.

Particulate nitrate is a major component of fine particulate matter (PM) and a key target for improving air quality. Its formation is varyingly sensitive to emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO ≡ NO + NO), ammonia (NH), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Diagnosing the dominant sensitivity is critical for effective pollution control.

Unlocking nitrogen management potential via large-scale farming for air quality and substantial co-benefits.

China's sustained air quality improvement is hindered by unregulated ammonia (NH) emissions from inefficient nitrogen management in smallholder farming. Although the Chinese government is promoting a policy shift to large-scale farming, the benefits of this, when integrated with nitrogen management, remain unclear. Here we fill this gap using an integrated assessment, by combining geostatistical analysis, high-resolution emission inventories, farm surveys and air quality modeling.

Benzoic acid facilitates ANF in monocot crops by recruiting nitrogen-fixing Paraburkholderia.

Associative nitrogen fixation contributes large portion of N input to agro-ecosystems through monocot-diazotrophic associations. However, the contribution of associative nitrogen fixation is usually neglected in modern agriculture, and the underlying mechanisms of association between monocot and diazotrophs remain elusive. Here, we demonstrated that monocot crops employ mucilage and associated benzoic acid to specially enrich diazotrophic partners in response to nitrogen deficiency, which could be used for enhancing associative nitrogen fixation in monocot crops.

Crystal structure and function of a phosphate starvation responsive protein phosphatase, GmHAD1-2 regulating soybean root development and flavonoid metabolism.

Phosphate (Pi) availability is well known to regulate plant root growth. However, it remains largely unknown how flavonoid synthesis participates in affecting plant root growth in response to Pi starvation. In the study, the crystal structure of a plant protein phosphatase, GmHAD1-2, was dissected using X-ray crystallography for the first time.

Bioengineering and management for efficient and sustainable utilization of phosphorus in crops.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth, but low P availability in soils is also a primary constraint to crop production. To meet the increasing demands for food, P fertilizer applications have been increased, causing the accumulation of surplus P in soils, which has led to the frequency and magnitude of associated risk effects on agroecosystems. Finding solutions for efficient and sustainable crop P utilization is, therefore, an urgent priority.

Loss of Nrf2 aggravates ionizing radiation-induced intestinal injury by activating the cGAS/STING pathway via Pirin.

Ionizing radiation (IR)-induced intestinal injury remains a major limiting factor in abdominal radiation therapy, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, mouse models of IR-induced intestinal injury were established, and the effect of IR on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was determined. More severe IR-induced intestinal damage was observed in Nrf2 knockout (KO) mice than in wild-type mice.

Recent Advances in Diagnosing and Treating Post-Prostatectomy Urinary Incontinence.

Radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy are common first-line treatments for clinically localized prostate cancer. Despite advances in surgical technology and multidisciplinary management, post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI) remains a common clinical complication. The incidence and duration of PPI are highly heterogeneous, varying considerably between individuals.

The role of mesenchymal stem cells in attenuating inflammatory bowel disease through ubiquitination.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition of the digestive tract and one of the autoimmune diseases, is becoming a disease of significant global public health concern and substantial clinical burden. Various signaling pathways have been documented to modulate IBD, but the exact activation and regulatory mechanisms have not been fully clarified; thus, a need for constant exploration of the molecules and pathways that play key roles in the development of IBD. In recent years, several protein post-translational modification pathways, such as ubiquitination, phosphorylation, methylation, acetylation, and glycolysis, have been implicated in IBD.