Phototropin 2 mediates daily cold priming to promote light responses in Arabidopsis.

Organisms adapt to predictable environmental changes via a biological mechanism called priming. Phototropin (phot) is a plant-specific blue light photoreceptor that mediates daily light-induced responses, such as chloroplast relocation, stomatal opening, and phototropism, to optimize photosynthesis. Phot also functions as a thermosensor for chloroplast relocation that may sense daily temperature decreases at night, thereby modulating light-induced responses at dawn; however, this hypothesis has not yet been fully explored.

G-quadruplex structures in 16S rRNA regions correlate with thermal adaptation in prokaryotes.

G-quadruplex (G4) structure is a nucleic acid secondary structure formed by guanine-rich sequences, playing essential roles in various biological processes such as gene regulation and environmental stress adaptation. Although prokaryotes growing at high temperatures have higher GC contents, the pattern of G4 structure associated with GC content variation in thermal adaptation remains elusive. This study analyzed 681 bacterial genomes to explore the role of G4 structures in thermal adaptation.

Wastewater biotreatment and bioaugmentation for remediation of contaminated sites at an oil recycling plant.

This work focused on the biotreatment of wastewater and contaminated soil in a used oil recycling plant located in Bizerte. A continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and a trickling filter (TF) were used to treat stripped and collected wastewater, respectively. The CSTR was started up and stabilized for 90 days.

Influence of sewage effluent discharge on putative pathogen community in drinking water sources: insights from full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.

The discharge of sewage effluent is a major source of microbial contamination in drinking water sources, necessitating a comprehensive investigation of its impact on pathogenic bacterial communities. This study utilized full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to identify putative pathogenic bacteria and analyze their community structures in drinking water sources subjected to different levels of fecal pollution: urban rivers with low, moderate, and high sewage effluent mixing ratios, and mountain streams with minimal human impact. The sewage effluent itself was also analyzed.

Magnetic Field-Accelerated Nonthermal Plasma Digestion for Field Pretreatment and Determination of Heavy Metals in Biological Samples.

Field analysis of heavy metals in biological samples is essential for assessing their potential threats to human health. The development of portable pretreatment and detection devices is crucial to address this challenge. Herein, a magnetic field-accelerated nonthermal plasma digestion device using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is designed for the rapid and environmentally friendly pretreatment of biological samples and subsequently combined with point discharge-optical emission spectrometry (PD-OES) for sensitive determination of heavy metals.

Dithiocarbamate-Based Sequence-Defined Oligomers as Promising Membrane-Disrupting Antibacterial Agents: Design, Activity, and Mechanism.

The emerging prevalence of antimicrobial resistance demands cutting-edge therapeutic agents to treat bacterial infections. We present a synthetic strategy to construct sequence-defined oligomers (SDOs) by using dithiocarbamate (DTC). The antibacterial activity of the synthesized library of SDOs was studied using a Gram-positive and a Gram-negative .

The role of the early-life gut microbiome in childhood asthma.

Asthma is a chronic disease affecting millions of children worldwide, and in severe cases requires hospitalization. The etiology of asthma is multifactorial, caused by both genetic and environmental factors. In recent years, the role of the early-life gut microbiome in relation to asthma has become apparent, supported by an increasing number of population studies, research, and intervention trials.

Ultra-precise ruler for ammonia nitrogen quantification in electrochemical synthesis experiments.

The field of electrochemical ammonia synthesis has made rapid advancements, attracting a large number of scientists to contribute to this area of research. Accurate detection of ammonia is crucial in this process for evaluating the efficiency and selectivity of electrocatalysts. In this study, we systematically investigate the indophenol blue method for ammonia detection, examining the effects of key factors such as solution pH, nitrate concentration, and metal ion concentration on measurement accuracy.

Construction of functional tissue-engineered microvasculatures using circulating fibrocytes as mural cells.

Mural cells are essential for maintaining the proper functions of microvasculatures. However, a key challenge of microvascular tissue engineering is identifying a cellular source for mural cells. We showed that , circulating fibrocytes (CFs) can (1) shear and stabilize the microvasculatures formed by vascular endothelial cells (VECs) in a collagen gel, (2) form gap junctions with VECs and (3) induce basement membrane formation.

sp. nov. and var. var. nov. (Zingiberaceae) from Northern Thailand.

Thailand hosts a diverse array of plants in the Zingiberaceae family, with over 150 endemic species, highlighting its significance in global biodiversity. The genus stands out for its ornamental and medicinal value. During a research expedition in Northern Thailand, a previously unknown species was discovered in Sukhothai province, expanding the known distribution range.

A novel small RNA regulates Locus of Enterocyte Effacement and site-specific colonization of enterohemorrhagic O157:H7 in gut.

Enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) is a contagious foodborne pathogen that specifically colonizes the human large intestine, which is regulated by different environmental stimuli within the gut. Transcriptional regulation of EHEC virulence and infection has been extensively studied, while the posttranscriptional regulation of these processes by small RNAs (sRNAs) remains not fully understood. Here we present a virulence-regulating pathway in EHEC O157:H7, in which the sRNA EvrS binds to and destabilizes the mRNA of Z2269, a novel transcriptional regulator.

SARS-CoV-2 CoCoPUTs: analyzing GISAID and NCBI data to obtain codon statistics, mutations, and free energy over a multiyear period.

A consistent area of interest since the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has been the sequence composition of the virus and how it has changed over time. Many resources have been developed for the storage and analysis of SARS-CoV-2 data, such as GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data), NCBI, Nextstrain, and outbreak.info.

The temperate forest phyllosphere and rhizosphere microbiome: a case study of sugar maple.

The interactions between sugar maple (, Marshall) and its microbial communities are important for tree fitness, growth, and establishment. Despite recent progress in our understanding of the rhizosphere and phyllosphere microbial communities of sugar maple, many outstanding knowledge gaps remain. This review delves into the relationships between sugar maple and its microbes, as climate change alters plant species distributions.

Optimizing lipopeptide bioactivity: The impact of non-ionic surfactant dressing.

The aim of the research is to increase the applicability of lipopeptides as drugs. To this end, non-ionic triblock copolymers, namely poloxamers, were applied. The physico-chemical properties of poloxamers vary depending on the length of the blocks.

The efficacy and safety of first-line monotherapies in primary therapy of invasive aspergillosis: a systematic review.

Objective: Several antifungals are available for the treatment of patients with invasive aspergillosis (IA). This study aims to evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of the first-line monotherapies in primary therapy of IA through network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP database, Wanfang database, and China Biology Medicine for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to July 2023 that evaluated the efficacy and safety of monotherapies.

Spatiotemporal variation in size-dependent growth rates in small isolated populations of Arctic charr ().

As a key life-history trait, growth rates are often used to measure individual performance and to inform parameters in demographic models. Furthermore, intraspecific trait variation generates diversity in nature. Therefore, partitioning out and understanding drivers of spatiotemporal variation in growth rate is of fundamental interest in ecology and evolution.

Sex in aging matters: exercise and chronic stress differentially impact females and males across the lifespan.

Assessing sex as a biological variable is critical to determining the influence of environmental and lifestyle risks and protective factors mediating behavior and neuroplasticity across the lifespan. We investigated sex differences in affective behavior, memory, and hippocampal neurogenesis following short- or long-term exposure to exercise or chronic mild stress in young and aged mice. Male and female mice were assigned control, running, or chronic stress rearing conditions for 1 month (young) or for 15 months (aged), then underwent a behavioral test battery to assess activity, affective behavior, and memory.

Turning residues into valuable compounds: organic waste conversion into odd-chain fatty acids via the carboxylate platform by recombinant oleaginous yeast.

Environmental concerns are rising the need to find cost-effective alternatives to fossil oils. In this sense, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are proposed as carbon source for microbial oils production that can be converted into oleochemicals. This investigation took advantage of the outstanding traits of recombinant Yarrowia lipolytica strains to assess the conversion of SCFAs derived from real digestates into odd-chain fatty acids (OCFA).

Uncovering mercury accumulation and the potential for bacterial bioremediation in response to contamination in the Singalila National Park.

Several recent investigations into montane regions have reported on excess mercury accumulation in high-altitude forest ecosystems. This study explored the Singalila National Park, located on the Singalila ridge of the Eastern Himalayas, revealing substantial mercury contamination. Particular focus was on Sandakphu (3636 m), the highest peak in West Bengal, India.

Cadmium Pollution Deteriorates the Muscle Quality of Labeo rohita by Altering Its Nutrients and Intestinal Microbiota Diversity.

The detrimental effects of cadmium (Cd), a hazardous heavy metal, on fish have triggered global concerns. While the ecotoxicity of Cd on fish has been investigated, the impact of Cd on muscle quality and its correlation with the gut microbiota in fish remains scarce. To comprehensively uncover Cd effects based on preliminary muscle Cd deposition, relevant studies, and ecological Cd pollution data, we exposed Labeo rohita to Cd under concentrations of 0.

Generative AI as a tool to accelerate the field of ecology.

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) models specializing in the generation of new data with the statistical patterns and properties of the data upon which the models were trained has profoundly influenced a range of academic disciplines, industry and public discourse. Combined with the vast amounts of diverse data now available to ecologists, from genetic sequences to remotely sensed animal tracks, generative AI presents enormous potential applications within ecology. Here we draw upon a range of fields to discuss unique potential applications in which generative AI could accelerate the field of ecology, including augmenting data-scarce datasets, extending observations of ecological patterns and increasing the accessibility of ecological data.

Halofuginone prevents inflammation and proliferation of high-altitude pulmonary hypertension by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

The inflammatory response of lung tissue and abnormal proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells are involved in the pathogenesis of high-altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH). Halofuginone (HF), an active ingredient derivative of Chang Shan (Dichroa febrifuga Lour. [Hydrangeaceae]), has antiproliferative, antihypertrophic, antifibrotic, and other effects, but its protective effects on HAPH remains unclear.

Confinement-induced Ni-based MOF formed on TiCT MXene support for enhanced capacitive deionization of chromium(VI).

MXenes, as a novel two-dimensional lamellar material, has attracted much attention. However, MXenes lamellar are prone to collapse and stacking under hydrogen bonding and interlayer van der Waals forces, which affects their electrochemical and capacitive deionization performance. A three-dimensional Ni-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate/TiCT (Ni-BTC/TiCT) composite electrode material was developed to enhance the electrochemical and capacitive deionization performance.

Unexpected species diversity in the understanding of selenium-containing soil invertebrates.

Yutangba, situated in Enshi City, Hubei Province, is globally noted for its high selenium (Se) content. Soil invertebrates are essential to the functionality and services of terrestrial ecosystems, yet their community composition in this region remains under-explored. This study utilized environmental DNA metabarcoding to investigate the interrelations among environmental factors, soil invertebrate diversity, and community characteristics concerning soil Se content, pH, and moisture content in the region.

Contrasting drought sensitivity of Eurasian and North American grasslands.

Extreme droughts generally decrease productivity in grassland ecosystems with negative consequences for nature's contribution to people. The extent to which this negative effect varies among grassland types and over time in response to multi-year extreme drought remains unclear. Here, using a coordinated distributed experiment that simulated four years of growing-season drought (around 66% rainfall reduction), we compared drought sensitivity within and among six representative grasslands spanning broad precipitation gradients in each of Eurasia and North America-two of the Northern Hemisphere's largest grass-dominated regions.