Functional study of ZmHDZ4 in maize (Zea mays) seedlings under drought stress.

Background: Maize is a major feed and industrial crop and pivotal for ensuring global food security. In light of global warming and climate change, improving maize tolerance to water deficit is crucial. Identification and functional analysis of drought tolerance genes have potential practical importance in understanding the molecular mechanisms of drought stress.

Extraction of Genomic DNA from Soil Samples by Polyethylene Glycol-Modified Magnetic Particles via Isopropanol Promotion and Ca Mediation.

Obtaining reliable and informative DNA data from soil samples is challenging due to the presence of interfering substances and typically low DNA yields. In this work, we prepared poly(ethylene glycol)-modified magnetic particles (PEG@FeO) for DNA purification. The particles leverage the facilitative effect of calcium ions (Ca), which act as bridges between DNA and PEG@FeO by coordinating with the phosphate groups of DNA and the hydroxyl groups on the particles.

Membrane separation assisted colorimetric/fluorescent detection of β-galactosidase-positive bacteria in milk and milk powder based on the oxidase-like activity of CoOOH nanosheets.

Species-specific enzymes provide a substantial boost to the precision and selectivity of identifying dairy products contaminated with foodborne pathogens, due to their specificity for target organisms. In this study, we developed cobalt oxyhydroxide nanosheets (CoOOH NSs) for a dual-mode biosensor capable of detecting β-galactosidase (β-Gal)-positive bacteria in milk and milk powder. The sensor exploits the oxidase-mimicking activity of CoOOH NSs, where β-Gal converts the substrate β-D-galactopyranoside to p-aminophenol, reducing CoOOH NSs to Co and inhibiting the formation of the blue product from 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylben-zidine.

ZmABF4-ZmVIL2/ZmFIP37 module enhances drought tolerance in maize seedlings.

Drought, as a primary environmental factor, imposes significant constraints on developmental processes and productivity of plants. PHDs were identified as stress-responsive genes in a wide range of eukaryotes. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing PHD genes in maize under abiotic stress conditions are still largely unknown and require further investigation.

Synergistic consideration of co-treatment of sewage sludge, low-rank coal, and straw for sustainable resource utilization and enhanced energy efficiency: a review.

This article provides a comprehensive exploration of the imperative necessity for coupling the utilization of low-rank coal, sewage sludge, and straw. It studies the challenges and limitations of individual utilization methods, addressing the unique hurdles associated with feedstocks. It focused on achieving integrated and sustainable resource management, emphasizing efficient resource utilization, waste minimization, and environmental impact reduction.

Synergistic blending of biomass, sewage sludge, and coal for enhanced bioenergy production: Exploring residue combinations and optimizing thermal conversion parameters.

Creating renewable energy from lignocellulosic biomass is essential for a sustainable future. Due to their abundance and the possibility of producing cheap and clean energy, non-lignocellulosic wastes like sewage sludge from industrial and municipal wastes have drawn attention as a feasible alternative to fossil fuels. These abundant, cost-effective resources may help minimize the effects of climate change since they produce less pollution.

Analysis of the molecular mechanisms regulating how ZmEREB24 improves drought tolerance in maize (Zea mays) seedlings.

Drought stress is one of the most limiting factors of maize productivity and can lead to a sharp reduction in the total biomass when it occurs at the seedling stage. Improving drought tolerance at the seedling stage is of great importance for maize breeding. The AP2/ERF transcription factor family plays a critical role in plant response to abiotic stresses.

ZmC2H2-149 negatively regulates drought tolerance by repressing ZmHSD1 in maize.

Drought is a major abiotic stress that limits maize production worldwide. Therefore, it is of great importance to improve drought tolerance in crop plants for sustainable agriculture. In this study, we examined the roles of Cys /His zinc-finger-proteins (C2H2-ZFPs) in maize's drought tolerance as C2H2-ZFPs have been implicated for plant stress tolerance.

ZmELF6-ZmPRR37 module regulates maize flowering and salt response.

The control of flowering time in maize is crucial for reproductive success and yield, and it can be influenced by environmental stresses. Using the approaches of Ac/Ds transposon and transposable element amplicon sequencing techniques, we identified a Ds insertion mutant in the ZmPRR37 gene. The Ds insertion showed a significant correlation with days to anthesis.

Conversion of low-rank coal and sewage sludge into syngas for HSO production and straw hydrolysis.

This study investigates the potential of using sewage sludge and low-rank coal for the sustainable production of sulfuric acid, which can then be used for the hydrolysis of straw through ASPEN PLUS simulation. Pyrolysis and gasification processes were used to convert sewage sludge and low-rank coal into syngas, which were then purified and oxidized to produce HSO and NH gas. The pyro-gasification enhanced syngas yield.

Effects of salinity on methane emissions and methanogenic archaeal communities in different habitat of saline-alkali wetlands.

The increase in temperature caused by global climate change has promoted the salinization of wetlands. Inland saline-alkaline wetlands have an environment of over-humidity and shallow water and are hot spots for CH emissions. However, there are few reports on the effect of salinity on CH emissions in inland saline-alkaline wetlands.

Advancements in low-temperature NH-SCR of NO using Ba-based catalysts: a critical review of preparation, mechanisms, and challenges.

Presently, selective catalytic reduction (SCR), with either carbon monoxide, urea, hydrocarbons, hydrogen, or ammonia as a reductant, has become a nitrogen oxide (NO) removal technology (NO conversion) of many catalytic companies and diesel engine exhaust gas. Although, there exists a serious threat of low-temperature limitations. So far, certain scientists have shown that barium-based (Ba-based) catalysts have the potential to be highly effective at SCR of NO at low temperatures when ammonia is used as the reducing agent.

ZmGI2 regulates flowering time through multiple flower development pathways in maize.

GIGANTEA (GI) encodes a component of the circadian clock core oscillator and has been identified as a regulatory pathway of the circadian rhythm and photoperiodic flowering in model plants. However, the regulatory pathway of GI affecting flowering time is unknown in maize. Here, we identified that the zmgi2 mutant flowered earlier than the wild type under long day (LD) conditions, whereas the difference in flowering time was not apparent under short day (SD) conditions.

Water level of inland saline wetlands with implications for CO and CH fluxes during the autumn freeze-thaw period in Northeast China.

Zhalong wetland is the largest inland saline wetland in Asia and susceptible to imbalance and frequent flooding during the freeze-thaw period. Changes in water level and temperature can alter the rate of greenhouse gas release from wetlands and have the potential to alter Earth's carbon budget. However, there are few reports on how water level, temperature, and their interactions affect greenhouse gas flux in inland saline wetland during the freeze-thaw period.

Inulin intervention attenuates hepatic steatosis in rats via modulating gut microbiota and maintaining intestinal barrier function.

Increasing evidence has suggested the mitigatory efficacy of prebiotic inulin on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nevertheless, its action mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, inulin consumption effectively ameliorated high-sucrose diet-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation, and rehabilitated liver lipogenesis regulators, including carbohydrate response element-binding protein, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha. Furthermore, inulin supplementation restored the intestinal barrier integrity and function by up-regulating expressions of tight junction proteins (zonula occludens-1, claudin-1 and occludin).

Multi-omics analyses reveal the specific changes in gut metagenome and serum metabolome of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the specific alterations in gut microbiome and serum metabolome and their interactions in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: The stool samples from 32 PCOS patients and 18 healthy controls underwent the intestinal microbiome analysis using shotgun metagenomics sequencing approach. Serum metabolome was analyzed by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

ZmDWF1 regulates leaf angle in maize.

Leaf angle (LA) is a critical agronomic trait enhancing grain yield under high-density planting in maize. A number of researches have been conducted in recent years to investigate the quantitative trait loci/genes responsible for LA variation, while only a few genes were identified through map-based cloning. Here we cloned the ZmDWF1 gene, which was previously reported to encode Δ24-sterol reductase in the brassinosteroids (BRs) biosynthesis pathway.

Exploration of the Mechanism of Lianhua Qingwen in Treating Influenza Virus Pneumonia and New Coronavirus Pneumonia with the Concept of "Different Diseases with the Same Treatment" Based on Network Pharmacology.

The 31 main components of Lianhua Qingwen (LHQW) were obtained through a literature and database search; the components included glycyrrhizic acid, emodin, chlorogenic acid, isophoroside A, forsythia, menthol, luteolin, quercetin, and rutin. Sixty-eight common targets for the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) and influenza virus pneumonia (IVP) were also obtained. A "component-target-disease" network was constructed with Cytoscape 3.

ZmERF21 directly regulates hormone signaling and stress-responsive gene expression to influence drought tolerance in maize seedlings.

Drought stress adversely impacts crop development and yield. Maize frequently encounters drought stress during its life cycle. Improvement of drought tolerance is a priority of maize breeding programs.

Resorufin-based fluorescent probe with elevated water solubility for visualizing fluctuant peroxynitrite in progression of inflammation.

Inflammation is a significant protective response in biological systems and associated with various diseases. Peroxynitrite (ONOO) as a highly active oxidant participates in the inflammatory process of organisms. Thus, it is necessary to construct novel fluorescent probes for exploring inflammation-related diseases through detecting endogenous ONOO.

ZmCCT regulates photoperiod-dependent flowering and response to stresses in maize.

Background: Appropriate flowering time is very important to the success of modern agriculture. Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major cereal crop, originated in tropical areas, with photoperiod sensitivity.

Dietary synbiotic ameliorates constipation through the modulation of gut microbiota and its metabolic function.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mitigatory effect of a novel synbiotic (SBT) on constipation from the perspective of gut microbiome and metabolome. Here, intake of SBT effectively attenuated diphenoxylate-induced constipation, recuperated colonic epithelial integrity and increased serum levels of gastrointestinal excitatory neurotransmitters (P substance, vasoactive intestinal peptide, motilin, gastrin and serotonin). 16S rRNA sequencing showed that SBT intake rehabilitated the composition and functionality of gut microbiota.