Rubber intercropping with arboreal and herbaceous species alleviated the global warming potential through the reduction of soil greenhouse gas emissions.

Agroforestry systems are known to enhance soil health and climate resilience, but their impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in rubber-based agroforestry systems across diverse configurations is not fully understood. Here, six representative rubber-based agroforestry systems (encompassing rubber trees intercropped with arboreal, shrub, and herbaceous species) were selected based on a preliminary investigation, including Hevea brasiliensis intercropping with Alpinia oxyphylla (AOM), Alpinia katsumadai (AKH), Coffea arabica (CAA), Theobroma cacao (TCA), Cinnamomum cassia (CCA), and Pandanus amaryllifolius (PAR), and a rubber monoculture as control (RM). Soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and GHG emission characteristics were determined at 0-20 cm soil depth.

Enhancing food and nutrition security in Himalayan foothills with neglected and underutilized millets.

Global food production predominantly depends on a limited number of cereal crops; however, numerous other crops have the potential to support the nutrition and economy of many local communities in developing countries. The different crop species characterized as having relatively low perceived economic importance or agricultural significance are known as underutilized crops. Millet is one of the underutilized crops with significant potential to address nutrient and hunger-related challenges in many developing countries like Nepal due to its versatility and climate resilience.

Effect of artificial fish nest placement on spawning site preference and reproductive efficiency in reservoir fish with adhesive and demersal eggs.

Artificial fish nests are common tools in fisheries management, providing spawning grounds to enhance the size and diversity of fish populations. This study aimed to explore the effects of deployment locations on the reproductive efficiency and preferences of fish with adhesive and demersal eggs using artificial nests. Floating artificial nests were deployed in three regions (upstream, midstream, and downstream) of a reservoir in Zhejiang, China, at locations with three topographical types: steep slope (reservoir shore, slopes > 60°), gentle slope (reservoir shore, slopes < 30°), and confluence (middle thread of channel).

Multidimensional library for the improved identification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

As the occurrence of human diseases and conditions increase, questions continue to arise about their linkages to chemical exposure, especially for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Currently, many chemicals of concern have limited experimental information available for their use in analytical assessments. Here, we aim to increase this knowledge by providing the scientific community with multidimensional characteristics for 175 PFAS and their resulting 281 ion types.

Natural variation of CTB5 confers cold adaptation in plateau japonica rice.

During cold acclimation in high-latitude and high-altitude regions, japonica rice develops enhanced cold tolerance, but the underlying genetic basis remains unclear. Here, we identify CTB5, a homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) transcription factor that confers cold tolerance at the booting stage in japonica rice. Four natural variations in the promoter and coding regions enhance cold response and transcriptional regulatory activity, enabling the favorable CTB5 allele to improve cold tolerance.

Comparative study on the inactivation and immunogenicity of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Mycoplasma hyorhinis vaccines prepared using different inactivants.

The present study aimed to investigate the optimal inactivants and inactivation conditions for preparing inactivated vaccines of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Mycoplasma hyorhinis. Mycoplasma inactivation was performed using formaldehyde, thimerosal, β-propiolactone (BPL), and binary ethylenimine (BEI) and compared. The results showed that M.

Validation of Machine Learning-assisted Screening of PKC Ligands: PKC Binding Affinity and Activation.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of serine/threonine kinases, and PKC ligands have the potential to be therapeutic seeds for cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and human immunodeficiency virus infection. However, in addition to desired therapeutic effects, most PKC ligands also exhibit undesirable pro-inflammatory effects. The discovery of new scaffolds for PKC ligands is important for developing less inflammatory PKC ligands, such as bryostatins.

Ratiometric fluorescent aptasensor based on DNA-gated FeO@Uio-66-NH and Exo I-assisted signal amplification.

Background: Ochratoxin A (OTA) is toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi and can pose a serious threat to food safety and human health. Due to the high stability and toxicity, OTA contamination in agricultural products is of great concern. Therefore, the development of a highly sensitive and reliable OTA detection method is crucial to ensure food safety.

Effects of rumen-degradable starch on lactation performance, gastrointestinal fermentation, and plasma metabolomic in dairy cows.

This study investigated the effects of rumen-degradable starch (RDS) on lactation performance, gastrointestinal fermentation, and plasma metabolomics in dairy cows. Six mid-lactation cows, fitted with rumen, duodenum, and ileum cannulas, were used in a duplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 28-day periods. The cows were fed a low RDS (LRDS; 62.

The synergistic roles of MsRCI2B and MsRCI2E in the regulation of ion balance and ROS homeostasis in alfalfa under salt stress.

Under salt stress, plasma membrane proteins regulate ion homeostasis and the balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we investigated the functions of two small membrane proteins-MsRCI2B (tailless) and MsRCI2E (tailed)-encoded by the RCI2 (Rare Cold Inducible 2) gene family in Medicago sativa (alfalfa). We identified the distinct subcellular localization and expression patterns of these proteins under salt stress.

Physicochemical properties and in vitro hypolipidemic activities of three different bonding state pectic polysaccharide fractions extracted sequentially from pear pulp.

In this study, water-soluble fraction (WSF), chelator-soluble fraction (CSF), and sodium carbonate-soluble fraction (NSF) were sequentially fractionated from pear pulp, of which physicochemical properties and hypolipidemic activities in vitro were evaluated. They showed distinct monosaccharide composition, surface morphology, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrums. WSF and NSF were identified as high methyl-esterified pectic polysaccharides with degrees of methyl esterification (DM) of 85.

Chinese yam polysaccharide induces the differentiation and natural antibody secretion of IgM B cells to prevent Aeromonas hydrophila infection in grass carp.

Chinese yam polysaccharide (CYP) is an effective immunostimulant, however, its efficacy in grass carp, an important commercial fish species in Asia, remains untested. Here, our study evaluated the immunostimulatory effects of CYP on IgM B cells in vitro and on humoral immunity and immune defense against Aeromonas hydrophila infection in vivo. In vitro stimulation experiments showed that CYP could induce the secretion of IgM antibodies, because it could stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of head kidney IgM B cells.

Time-series analysis reveals metabolic and transcriptional dynamics during mulberry fruit development and ripening.

Understanding the global transcriptomic and metabolic changes during mulberry growth and development is essential for the enhancing fruit quality and optimizing breeding strategies. By integrating phenotypic, metabolomic, and transcriptomic data across 18 developmental and ripening stages of Da10 mulberry fruit, a global map of gene expression and metabolic changes was generated. Analysis revealed a gradual progression of morphological, metabolic, and transcriptional changes throughout the development and ripening phases.

Lignin-coordinated niobium-based catalyst for the efficient conversion of industrial lignin in choline chloride-lactic acid integrated with ethanol deep eutectic solvent.

Catalytic depolymerization is a favorable option for the valorization of industrial lignin. In this study, a new strategy was demonstrated for the efficient reductive depolymerization of industrial lignin based on a complex solvent of choline chloride-lactic acid (ChCl-LA) DES integrated with ethanol and a C-supported N-doped niobium-based catalyst with industrial lignin as carbon source (NBC@N-LC). It was found that the introduction of ethanol significantly improved the conversion of industrial lignin in ChCl-LA.

Effects of isolation methods on physicochemical properties of defatted starch from the acorn (Quercus brantii).

This study explores the innovative combined effects of alkaline isolation with ultrasound pretreatment on the physicochemical properties of acorn (Quercus brantii) starch. The optimal pH for maximizing the yield of alkaline-isolated acorn starch (AAS) was determined, followed by comparison with alkaline-isolated defatted acorn starch (ADAS), ultrasound-pretreated acorn starch (UAS), and ultrasound-pretreated defatted acorn starch (UDAS). The results demonstrated substantial improvements in yield and purity, with the highest yield (68.

The strigolactones-mediated DNA demethylation activates the phosphoinositide pathway in response to salt stress.

Salt stress severely affects the growth and development of tomato. Strigolactones (SLs) and DNA methylation have been shown to be involved in the growth and development and response to salt stress in tomato. However, the regulation of SLs on DNA methylation in tomato under salt stress remains unclear.

Lactobacillus acidophilus YL01 and its exopolysaccharides ameliorate obesity and insulin resistance in obese mice via modulating intestinal specific bacterial groups and AMPK/ACC signaling pathway.

Probiotics intervention by Lactobacillus acidophilus has potential effect on alleviating obesity and insulin resistance. However, the limited knowledge of functional substances and potential regulatory mechanisms hinder their widespread application. Herein, L.

(P)ppGpp synthetase Rel facilitates cellulose formation of biofilm by regulating glycosyltransferase in Brucella abortus.

Biofilms are complex adhesive structures that establish chronic infection and allow robust protection from external stressors such as antibiotics. Cellulose as one of the compositions of bacteria biofilm which protect bacteria from stress, host immune responses and resistance to antibiotics. Bacterial stress responses are regulated via guanosine pentaphosphate and tetraphosphate (p)ppGpp.

MMP2 regulates proliferation and differentiation in chicken primary myoblasts, and RNA-seq screens for key genes.

The growth and development of chicken skeletal muscle directly affects chicken meat production, which is very important for broiler industry. Matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) exists in skeletal muscle. However, the underlying regulating of MMP2 remain unknown.

Biological studies reveal the role of trpA gene in biofilm formation, motility, hemolysis and virulence in Vibrio anguillarum.

Vibrio anguillarum is a pathogen responsible for vibriosis in aquaculture animals. The formation of bacterial biofilm contributes to infections and increases resistance to antibiotics. Tryptophanase and its substrate tryptophan have been recognized as signal molecules regulating bacterial biofilm formation.

Isolation, characterization, and genome sequencing analysis of a novel phage HBW-1 of Salmonella.

Salmonella presents a significant threat to the health of animals and humans, especially with the rise of strains resistant to multiple drugs. This highlights the necessity for creating sustainable and efficient practical approaches to managing salmonellosis. The most recent and safest approach to combat antimicrobial resistance-associated infections is lytic bacteriophages.

Lead/cadmium impacts on zeolite-tobermorite: Nutrient release and sediment stability.

To realize the comprehensive utilization of large amounts of high-ash coal slime and comprehensively understand the excellent performance of nutrient release and lead and cadmium adsorption of high-ash coal slime silicon composite materials, green and safe mild hydrothermal conditions (200 °C) were used to prepare the rich-rich coal slime. Zeolite/tobermorite composites (Z-TOBs) were used in this study. Batch adsorption tests and repeated extraction tests were used to determine whether silicon, potassium, and calcium nutrients of Z-TOBs have sustained release properties and are affected by pH.

Placental PFAS concentrations are associated with perturbations of placental DNA methylation.

The placenta is crucial for fetal development, is affected by PFAS toxicity, and evidence is accumulating that gestational PFAS perturb the epigenetic activity of the placenta. Gestational PFAS exposure can adversely affect offspring, yet individual and cumulative impacts of PFAS on the placental epigenome remain underexplored. Here, we conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) to examine the relationships between placental PFAS levels and DNA methylation in a cohort of mother-infant dyads in Arkansas (N=151).

Self-organization from organs to embryoids by activin in early amphibian development.

Embryonic development is a complex self-organizing process orchestrated by a series of regulatory events at the molecular and cellular levels, resulting in the formation of a fully functional organism. This review focuses on activin protein as a mesoderm-inducing factor and the self-organizing properties it confers. Activin has been detected in both unfertilized eggs and embryos, suggesting its involvement in early developmental processes.