Comprehensive evaluation of urban river ecological bank protection based on AHP-TOPSIS method.

An ecological revetment is a new type that combines natural vegetation with civil engineering technology to establish functions, such as flood control, drainage, ecology, and landscape. Various types of ecological and other bank protection lead to different bank protection effects. Urban river ecological bank protection can effectively prevent bank collapse and promote mutual infiltration between river water and soil and is important for maintaining the balance of the river ecosystem and enhancing the ecological service function of river bank protection.

High adsorption capacity of Mg-Al-modified biochar for phosphate and its potential for phosphate interception in soil.

In this study, Mg and/or Al modified biochars (MABC, MBC, ABC) prepared by co-precipitation were to explore their phosphate adsorption capacity from aqueous solution and the potential for soil phosphate interception. The results revealed that MABC composites contained more functional groups than MBC and showed a higher surface area than ABC. The surface of MABC contained dispersed MgAlO, Mg(OH), AlOOH and AlO crystals that were associated with its enhanced maximum phosphate adsorption capacity (153.

A Phytophthora capsici Effector Targets ACD11 Binding Partners that Regulate ROS-Mediated Defense Response in Arabidopsis.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a vital role in plant immune response, but the genes involved in the regulation of ROS are scantily reported. Phytophthora pathogens produce a large number of effectors to promote infection, but the modes of action adopted are largely unknown. Here, we report that RxLR207 could activate ROS-mediated cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana and was essential for virulence of P.

[Livestock and Poultry Faeces Nitrogen Loading Rate and Its Potential Return to Farmland in China].

To clearly analyze livestock and poultry faeces and the nitrogen loading rate of farmland in different provinces of China and their potential return to agricultural land, the changes of the output of various livestock and poultry faeces in China and the proportion of faeces from all types of livestock and poultry since 1978 were estimated in this paper based on statistical data and literature reviews using the pig manure equivalent (based on nitrogen) and the spatial distribution and pollution risk of livestock and the poultry faeces and nitrogen loading rates. Furthermore, the nitrogen return potential from animal faeces to farmland was analyzed and evaluated for different provinces of China in 2016. The results show that the pig manure equivalent (N) and total N from livestock and poultry faeces in China increases from 1978 to 2005 and is stable from 2005 to 2016.

Contribution and fate of maize residue-15N and urea-15N as affected by N fertilization regime.

Increasing amounts of crop residues are being returned to croplands. Understanding nitrogen (N) availability in crop residues under various N fertilization regimes is important in optimizing N management. Pot experiments were conducted to investigate the contribution, fate and residual effects of urea and maize residue-N using a 15N isotope technique.

Cadmium availability and uptake by radish (Raphanus sativus) grown in soils applied with wheat straw or composted pig manure.

Soil cadmium (Cd) availability and uptake by cherry-red radish (Raphanus sativus) grown in Cd-contaminated soils after addition with wheat straw or composted pig manure were studied. The results indicated that wheat straw application promoted radish growth until the second harvest, while pig manure application improved radish biomass in Acid Ferralsols regardless of harvesting seasons. Application with pig manure might be more effective in lowering the Cd uptake by radish than wheat straw.

The Arabidopsis thaliana TCP transcription factors: A broadening horizon beyond development.

The TCP family of transcription factors is named after the first 4 characterized members, namely TEOSINTE BRANCHED1 (TB1) from maize (Zea mays), CYCLOIDEA (CYC) from snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), as well as PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN FACTOR1 (PCF1) and PCF2 from rice (Oryza sativa). Phylogenic analysis of this plant-specific protein family unveils a conserved bHLH-containing DNA-binding motif known as the TCP domain. In accordance with the structure of this shared domain, TCP proteins are grouped into class I (TCP-P) and class II (TCP-C), which are suggested to antagonistically modulate plant growth and development via competitively binding similar cis-regulatory modules called site II elements.

Transcriptional control of flavonoid biosynthesis: fine-tuning of the MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) complex.

Flavonoids are plant secondary polyphenolic metabolites and fulfil many vital biological functions, offering a valuable metabolic and genetic model for studying transcriptional control of gene expression. Arabidopsis thaliana mainly accumulates 3 types of flavonoids, including flavonols, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins (PAs). Flavonoid biosynthesis involves a multitude of well-characterized enzymatic and regulatory proteins.

Redox Modulation Matters: Emerging Functions for Glutaredoxins in Plant Development and Stress Responses.

Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are small ubiquitous glutathione (GSH)-dependent oxidoreductases that catalyze the reversible reduction of protein disulfide bridges or protein-GSH mixed disulfide bonds via a dithiol or monothiol mechanism, respectively. Three major classes of GRXs, with the CPYC-type, the CGFS-type or the CC-type active site, have been identified in many plant species. In spite of the well-characterized roles for GRXs in Escherichia coli, yeast and humans, the biological functions of plant GRXs have been largely enigmatic.

TCP3 interacts with R2R3-MYB proteins, promotes flavonoid biosynthesis and negatively regulates the auxin response in Arabidopsis thaliana.

TCP proteins belong to the plant-specific bHLH transcription factor family, and function as key regulators of diverse developmental processes. Functional redundancy amongst family members and post-transcriptional down-regulation by miRJAW of several TCP genes complicate their functional characterization. Here, we explore the role of TCP3 by analyzing transgenic plants expressing miRJAW-resistant mTCP3 and dominant-negative TCP3SRDX.

Nitrogen use efficiency in grain production and the estimated nitrogen input/output balance in China agriculture.

Background: Understanding the nitrogen (N) use efficiency and N input/output balance in the agricultural system is crucial for best management of N fertilisers in China.

Results: In the last 60 years, N fertiliser consumption correlated positively with grain production. During that period the partial factor productivity of N (PFPN ) declined greatly from more than 1000 kg grain kg⁻¹ N in the 1950s to nearly 30 kg grain kg⁻¹ N in 2008.

Modulating and monitoring MAPK activity during programmed cell death in pollen.

Signal transduction through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades regulates many cellular responses. One example of a stimulus-mediated MAPK signaling network in plants is the self-incompatibility (SI) response in Papaver rhoeas, which represents an important mechanism to prevent self-fertilization. This involves interaction of pistil S-locus determinants with a pollen receptor in an incompatible interaction, resulting in a Ca(2+)-dependent signaling network involving activation of a MAPK, p56, and stimulation of several caspase-like activities, resulting in programmed cell death (PCD).

Arabidopsis basic leucine-zipper transcription factors TGA9 and TGA10 interact with floral glutaredoxins ROXY1 and ROXY2 and are redundantly required for anther development.

ROXY1 and ROXY2 are CC-type floral glutaredoxins with redundant functions in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) anther development. We show here that plants lacking the basic leucine-zipper transcription factors TGA9 and TGA10 have defects in male gametogenesis that are strikingly similar to those in roxy1 roxy2 mutants. In tga9 tga10 mutants, adaxial and abaxial anther lobe development is differentially affected, with early steps in anther development blocked in adaxial lobes and later steps affected in abaxial lobes.

Effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on behavioral impairments induced by psychological stress in rats.

This study was conducted to explore the effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on cognitive performances in psychological stress rats. An animal model of psychological stress was developed by restraint stress for three weeks. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups as follows: normal control group, stress control group and two stress groups with green tea polyphenols (GTPs) and EGCG modulation, respectively.

Protective effects of green tea polyphenols on cognitive impairments induced by psychological stress in rats.

This study was conducted to explore the modulation of GTPs on cognitive performances in psychological stress rats. Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups as follows: control group, stress group, and three stress groups with low, medium and high-doses of GTPs modulation respectively. The changes of cognitive performances were examined by open-field test, water maze and step-through test.

Nuclear activity of ROXY1, a glutaredoxin interacting with TGA factors, is required for petal development in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Glutaredoxins (GRXs) have thus far been associated mainly with redox-regulated processes participating in stress responses. However, ROXY1, encoding a GRX, has recently been shown to regulate petal primorida initiation and further petal morphogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. ROXY1 belongs to a land plant-specific class of GRXs that has a CC-type active site motif, which deviates from ubiquitously occurring CPYC and CGFS GRXs.

[Effects of psychological stress on performances in open-field test of rats and tyrosine's modulation].

Aim: To explore the effects of different doses of tyrosine modulation on behavioral performances in open field test of psychological stress rats.

Methods: The animal model of psychological stress was developed by restraint stress for 21 days. Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 10) as follows: control group (CT), stress control group (SCT), low, medium and high-doses of tyrosine modulation stress groups (SLT, SMT and SIT).

Self-incompatibility in Papaver: A MAP kinase signals to trigger programmed cell death.

Self-incompatibility (SI) in higher plants prevents inbreeding through specific recognition and rejection of incompatible ("self") pollen. In Papaver rhoeas, S proteins encoded by the pistil component of the S-locus interact with incompatible pollen, triggering a Ca(2+)-dependent signaling network resulting in programmed cell death (PCD). We recently showed that a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is involved in loss of pollen viability, stimulation of caspase-3-like (DEVDase) activity and later DNA fragmentation in incompatible pollen.

[Effect of green tea polyphenols on behavioral performances in psychological stress rats].

Objective: This study was conducted to explore the effects of green tea polyphenols modulation on changes of behavioral performances in psychological stress rats.

Methods: The animal model of psychological stress was developed by restraint stress for 3 weeks. Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups as follows: control group (CT), stress control group (SCT), and three stress groups with low, medium and high-doses of green tea polyphenols modulation respectively (SLG, SMG and SHG).

[The impairment of homocysteine on neurons and the related mechanisms].

Aim: To observe the impairment of homocysteine (Hcy) on neurons in vitro and the related mechanisms.

Methods: We examined the consequences of treatment of cultured rat cortical and hippocampal neurons with Hcy and detected the neurons' apoptosis, calcium influx, DNA damage and oxidative injury.

Results: Primary cortical and hippocampal neurons were treated with Hcy (250 micromol/L) for 4 h resulted in apoptosis time-dependently.

A mitogen-activated protein kinase signals to programmed cell death induced by self-incompatibility in Papaver pollen.

Self-incompatibility (SI) in higher plants is an important mechanism to prevent inbreeding and involves specific rejection of incompatible ("self") pollen. In field poppy (Papaver rhoeas), S proteins encoded by the stigma component of the S-locus interact with incompatible pollen, resulting in cessation of tip growth. This "self" interaction triggers a Ca(2+)-dependent signaling network, involving programmed cell death (PCD).

[Effects of zinc on the expression of metallothionein isoforms in stressed hippocampal neurons in vitro].

Aim: To evaluate the effects of different doses of zinc on the expression of metallothionein isoforms in stressed hippocampal neurons in vitro.

Methods: The cell stress model was developed by corticosterone. The cultured hippocampal neurons were assigned to seven groups as follows: control group, zinc deficiency group, and their corresponding stressed groups, as well as three different levels of zinc complementarity groups.

Effects of zinc on the induction of metallothionein isoforms in hippocampus in stress rats.

Metallothioneins (MTs) are involved in the cellular metabolism of zinc and in cytoprotection against stress factors. Hippocampus plays a specific role in the body's response to stressors. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc on the expression of metallothionein isoforms in the hippocampus of stress rats.

Actin depolymerization is sufficient to induce programmed cell death in self-incompatible pollen.

Self-incompatibility (SI) prevents inbreeding through specific recognition and rejection of incompatible pollen. In incompatible Papaver rhoeas pollen, SI triggers a Ca2+ signaling cascade, resulting in the inhibition of tip growth, actin depolymerization, and programmed cell death (PCD). We investigated whether actin dynamics were implicated in regulating PCD.