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Straw incorporation increases the amount of nutrients in soil and greatly impacts soil nitrogen and microbial communities. In this study, 15N‐labeled corn straw was used as the material, the experiment consisted of five treament (AS: placing the straw 15 cm above the soil surface, SM: using the straw to mulch the soil surface, B15: burying the straw 15 cm below the ground surface, B30: burying the straw 30 cm below the ground surface, B45: burying the straw 45 cm below the ground surface). The changes in 15N abundance in straw were analyzed. An estimation method for nitrogen release and uptake by field‐incorporated straw was proposed, and the relationships between nitrogen release and uptake and related microbes were established. The results showed that the exchange of nitrogen between maize straw buried in soil at different depths and the environment was not significant. The corn straw exposed to the air absorbed more nitrogen from the environment in the second year of decomposition, and the larger the area exposed to the air was, the more nitrogen was absorbed from the environment. The relative abundances of Burkholderiales, Flavobacteriales, Pseudomonadales, and Sphingobacteriales were significantly positively correlated with the straw decomposition rate and nitrogen release rate. The relative abundance of Rhizobiales was significantly negatively correlated with the straw decomposition rate and nitrogen release rate. The relative abundances of Sphingobacteriales, Flavobacteriales, and Pseudomonadales were significantly negatively correlated with the straw nitrogen uptake rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the adsorption and reusability of polypropylene (PP) fiber membranes, the organically modified saponite (Sap@P(St‐co‐MMA)) was prepared by solution polymerization. Furthermore, PP‐based nanocomposite fiber membranes with strong oil adsorption, thermal stability, and reusability were prepared via melt‐blown technology. The increased specific surface area of PP‐based nanocomposite fiber membranes (PP‐1.5%) provided more active sites for the oil adsorption. Simultaneous rheology and Fourier transform infrared measurements tests showed that Sap@P(St‐co‐MMA) enhanced the crystallinity of PP matrix, promoted the regular arrangement of molecules, and improved the intermolecular interaction force, which was beneficial for the oil adsorption. The adsorption of PP‐1.5% (1.5 wt% addition of Sap@P(St‐co‐MMA)) fiber membrane for xylene and kerosene reached a maximum of 15.84 and 22.84 g g−1, respectively. In the treatment of coal tar wastewater, the removal rate of oil can reach 62.9%, and the removal rate can still reach 51.17% after five cycles of experiments. In summary, PP‐1.5% fiber membrane does not produce secondary pollution to the environment, and is a kind of oil removal material with good application prospect. Highlights: PP‐based nanocomposites fiber membrane with strong oil adsorption was prepared.Organically modified saponite had strong heterogenous nucleation for PP matrix.Sap@P(St‐co‐MMA) increased the specific surface area of PP‐based fiber membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation in the testes induced by infection and autoimmunity contributes significantly to male infertility, a public health issue. Current therapies using antibiotics and broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory drugs are ineffective against non-bacterial orchitis and induce side effects. This highlights the need to explore the pathogenesis of orchitis and develop alternative therapeutic strategies. In this study, we demonstrated that Gasdermin D (GSDMD) was activated in the testes during uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)-induced acute orchitis, and that GSDMD in macrophages induced inflammation and affected spermatogenesis during acute and chronic orchitis. In testicular macrophages, GSDMD promoted inflammation and antigen presentation, thereby enhancing the T-cell response after orchitis. Furthermore, the pharmacological inhibition of GSDMD alleviated the symptoms of UPEC-induced acute orchitis. Collectively, these findings provide the first demonstration of GSDMD's role in driving orchitis and suggest that GSDMD may be a potential therapeutic target for treating orchitis. Synopsis: Inflammation in the testis triggered by infection or an autoimmune disorder may lead to male infertility. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)-induced orchitis and experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) mouse models were used to identify the critical role of the Gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of orchitis. The cleavage of GSDMD in testis is induced by UPEC infection. Gsdmdfl/flCx3cr1-cre mice are protected from UPEC-induced acute orchitis and chronic EAO. GSDMD deficiency reduces inflammatory response and antigen presentation capacities of macrophages, thereby impairing CD8 + T-cell response. The FDA-approved drug DMF inhibiting GSDMD activation alleviates UPEC-induced acute orchitis. Inflammation in the testis triggered by infection or an autoimmune disorder may lead to male infertility. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)-induced orchitis and experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) mouse models were used to identify the critical role of the Gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of orchitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intestinal epithelium is the fastest renewing tissue in mammals and its regenerative process must be tightly controlled to minimize the risk of dysfunction and tumorigenesis. The orderly expression and activation of Yes‐associated protein (YAP) are the key steps in driving intestinal regeneration and crucial for intestinal homeostasis. However, the regulatory mechanisms controlling this process remain largely unknown. Here, it is discovered that evolutionarily conserved signaling intermediate in Toll pathways (ECSIT), a multi‐functional protein, is enriched along the crypt–villus axis. Intestinal cell‐specific ablation of ECSIT results in the dysregulation of intestinal differentiation unexpectedly accompanied with enhanced YAP protein dependent on translation, thus transforming intestinal cells to early proliferative stem "‐like" cells and augmenting intestinal tumorigenesis. Loss of ECSIT leads to metabolic reprogramming in favor of amino acid–based metabolism, which results in demethylation of genes encoding the eukaryotic initiation factor 4F pathway and their increased expression that further promotes YAP translation initiation culminating in intestinal homeostasis imbalance and tumorigenesis. It is also shown that the expression of ECSIT is positively correlated with the survival of patients with colorectal cancer. Together, these results demonstrate the important role of ECSIT in regulating YAP protein translation to control intestinal homeostasis and tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuroinflammation has been widely accepted as a cause of the degenerative process. Increasing interest has been devoted to developing intervening therapeutics for preventing neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease (PD). It is well known that virus infections, including DNA viruses, are associated with an increased risk of PD. In addition, damaged or dying dopaminergic neurons can release dsDNA during PD progression. However, the role of cGAS, a cytosolic dsDNA sensor, in PD progression remains unclear. Methods: Adult male wild‐type mice and age‐matched male cGAS knockout (cGas−/−) mice were treated with MPTP to induce neurotoxic PD model, and then behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA were conducted to compare disease phenotype. Chimeric mice were reconstituted to explore the effects of cGAS deficiency in peripheral immune cells or CNS resident cells on MPTP‐induced toxicity. RNA sequencing was used to dissect the mechanistic role of microglial cGAS in MPTP‐induced toxicity. cGAS inhibitor administration was conducted to study whether GAS may serve as a therapeutic target. Results: We observed that the cGAS‐STING pathway was activated during neuroinflammation in MPTP mouse models of PD. cGAS deficiency in microglia, but not peripheral immune cells, controlled neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity induced by MPTP. Mechanistically, microglial cGAS ablation alleviated the neuronal dysfunction and inflammatory response in astrocytes and microglia by inhibiting antiviral inflammatory signaling. Additionally, the administration of cGAS inhibitors conferred the mice neuroprotection during MPTP exposure. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings demonstrate microglial cGAS promote neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration during the progression of MPTP‐induced PD mouse models and suggest cGAS may serve as a therapeutic target for PD patients. Limitations of the Study: Although we demonstrated that cGAS promotes the progression of MPTP‐induced PD, this study has limitations. We identified that cGAS in microglia accelerate disease progression of PD by using bone marrow chimeric experiments and analyzing cGAS expression in CNS cells, but evidence would be more straightforward if conditional knockout mice were used. This study contributed to the knowledge of the role of the cGAS pathway in PD pathogenesis; nevertheless, trying more PD animal models in the future will help us to understand the disease progression deeper and explore possible treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We identified four climatic stages between 6.2 and 1.3 cal kyr before present (BP) based on pollen and charcoal concentrations by high‐resolution Accelerated mass spectrometer (AMS) 14C‐dated sediment profile from Taiwan's Toushe Basin. From 6.2 to 4.6 cal kyr BP, the region was warm‐wet with infrequent wildfires and dominant subtropical evergreen broad‐leaved forests. The climate was cooler‐drier from 4.6 to 3.0 cal kyr BP, with a decline in forest and increased fire frequency. From 3.0 to 2.1 cal kyr BP, climate further cooled and dried, with the development of alpine meadows and higher fire frequency. The region became warmer and wetter from 2.1 to 1.3 cal kyr BP, accompanied by forest recovery. Climatic changes were linked to changes in East Asia Summer Monsoon intensity, which is mainly controlled by solar radiation. Wildfires were likely controlled by precipitation variability that is influenced by East Asia Summer Monsoon and El Niño–Southern Oscillation. Toushe Basin experienced drought conditions and frequent wildfires during the El Niño years. Plain Language Summary: The purpose of our study is to reveal the relationship between paleoclimate, vegetation, and wildfire. The study area is located in the Toushe Basin, central Taiwan. Through palynological and charcoal analysis, the vegetation, climate, and wildfire history of the past 6,000 to 1,000 years in the study area were reconstructed. The study found that after 4,600 years, the East Asian summer monsoon continued to weaken until approximately 2,000 years ago, during which time the climate was dry and cool, and wildfires were frequent. In addition, it is found that the climate in this region is mainly controlled by the changes in solar radiation. The cycle of climate change coincides with that of solar activity. In El Niño years, the Toushe Basin was dry and frequent wildfires occurred. Key Points: Four climatic stages identified between 6.2 and 1.3 cal kyr BP based on pollen and charcoal concentrationsClimatic changes were linked to changes in East Asia Summer Monsoon intensity, which is mainly controlled by solar radiationThe Toushe Basin experienced drought conditions and frequent paleowildfires during the El Niño years [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Th17 cells contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases by secreting interleukin‐17 (IL‐17), which activates its receptor (IL‐17R) that is expressed on epithelial cells, macrophages, microglia, and resident neuroectodermal cells. However, the mechanisms through which IL‐17R‐mediated signaling contributes to the development of autoimmune disease have not been completely elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that Raf‐1 kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) deficiency in mice ameliorates the symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Adoptive T‐cell‐transfer experiments demonstrate that RKIP plays a predominant role in Th17‐mediated, but not in Th1‐mediated immune responses. RKIP deficiency has no effect on Th17‐cell differentiation ex vivo, nor does it affect Th17‐cell differentiation in EAE mice. However, RKIP significantly promotes IL‐17R‐induced proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production. Mechanistically, RKIP directly interacts with IL‐17RA and Act1 to promote the formation of an IL‐17R‐Act1 complex, resulting in enhanced MAPK‐ and P65‐mediated NF‐κB activation and downstream cytokine production. Together, these findings indicate that RKIP functions as an essential modulator of the IL‐17R‐Act1 axis in IL‐17R signaling, which promotes IL‐17‐induced inflammation and autoimmune neuroinflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin 17 ( IL-17) is an important inducer of tissue inflammation and is involved in numerous autoimmune diseases. However, how its signal transduction is regulated is not well understood. Here, we report that nuclear Dbf2-related kinase 1 ( NDR1) functions as a positive regulator of IL-17 signal transduction and IL-17-induced inflammation. NDR1 deficiency or knockdown inhibits the IL-17-induced phosphorylation of p38, ERK1/2, and p65 and the expression of chemokines and cytokines, whereas the overexpression of NDR1 promotes IL-17-induced signaling independent of its kinase activity. Mechanistically, NDR1 interacts with TRAF3 and prevents its binding to IL-17R, which promotes the formation of an IL-17R-Act1- TRAF6 complex and downstream signaling. Consistent with this, IL-17-induced inflammation is significantly reduced in NDR1-deficient mice, and NDR1 deficiency significantly protects mice from MOG-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis ( EAE) and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid ( TNBS)-induced colitis likely by its inhibition of IL-17-mediated signaling pathway. NDR1 expression is increased in the colons of ulcerative colitis ( UC) patients. Taken together, these findings suggest that NDR1 is involved in the development of autoimmune diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A direct access to multisubstituted 1,3-dienes by α-exclusive alkylidenation of crotonic derivatives has been developed. This protocol, mediated by titanium tetrachloride chelation, features excellent regio- and stereoselectivity, mild reaction conditions, easy operation and wide substrate scope. Conversions of the derived dienes to other useful molecules were also explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dajiuhu mire deposit is a sensitive archive of palaeoenvironmental evolution in the East Asian monsoon region. The aim of this study of the elemental geochemistry of a sediment core from Dajiuhu was to improve our understanding of the geochemical behaviour of elements in peat deposits, as well as the environmental and climatic history of the East Asian monsoon region since the Late Pleistocene. We conducted a principal components analysis ( PCA) on inorganic geochemical data obtained by ICP- MS and XRFS from a sediment core spanning the last 16 ka. In addition, spectral analysis was applied to the PC1 score profile to test periodicities. The PCA results suggest that variations in elemental concentrations in the Dajiuhu core are controlled by three main factors: input of inorganic mineral matter, effect of biological processes and a combination of changes in redox conditions and biological processes. Interpretation of the data suggests that monsoon precipitation increased, albeit with significant volatility, during the last deglaciation (16.0-11.3 cal. ka BP). The early Holocene (11.3-9.4 cal. ka BP) was a humid period, and was followed by monsoon deterioration in the early stages of the middle Holocene. A warm and wet climate dominated between 7.0 and 4.2 cal. ka BP, correlating with the Holocene Climatic Optimum. After a two-step decrease in monsoon precipitation, beginning at 4.2 cal. ka BP, the climate became more arid until 0.9 cal. ka BP, after which humidity once again increased. The spectral analysis revealed statistically significant periodicities of approximately 1480, 360, 316, 204 and 188 years, indicating solar forcing for the East Asian monsoon evolution over millennial to centennial time scales and a link between the East Asian monsoon and North Atlantic climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is an effective generator of reactive oxygen species. Marked expression of CYP2E1 occurs in the heart and it is known to be regulated in the course of progression of myocardial ischemia and cardiomyopathy. We provide evidence that the expression of CYP2E1 is strongly up-regulated in cTnT transgenic mice with dilated cardiomyopathy. Heart tissue-specific CYP2E1 transgenic mice were produced to study the effects of CYP2E1 overexpression on the heart. Increased mortality, chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction, as well as myocyte disarray, interstitial fibrosis, ultrastructural degeneration with myofibrillar disorganization and mitochondria damage, were observed in CYP2E1 transgenic mice and cTnT transgenic mice. In addition, levels of HO and malondialdehyde were increased and levels of glutathione and total antioxidant capability were strongly reduced in CYP2E1 transgenic mice and cTnT transgenic mice. Myocyte apoptosis was significantly increased by 19-fold in CYP2E1 transgenic mice and by 11-fold in cTnT transgenic mice, respectively, compared to wild-type mice. Mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic signal transduction events, such as cytochrome c release from mitochondria into the cytosol and the expression of cleaved (active) caspases 3 and 9, were significantly increased in CYP2E1 transgenic mice and cTnT transgenic mice. These results demonstrate that CYP2E1 over-expression produces apoptosis and that the up-regulation of CYP2E1 in cTnT transgenic mice also correlates with apoptosis in this model. Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is an effective generator of reactive oxygen species. In this study we provided evidence that expression of CYP2E1 was strongly up-regulated in cTnT transgenic mice with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The overexpression of CYP2E1 caused DCM phenotype, cardiac oxidative stress and myocyte apoptosis, all of which were similar to that in cTnT transgenic mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of airborne pollen and spore trapping in Nanjing city, eastern China, using a Burkard pollen trap during two consecutive years (2013–2014). A total of 103 pollen and spore taxa were identified. Two concentration peaks are observed in the annual cycle, a spring peak dominated by arboreal pollen types (Morus, Cupressaceae, Pinus, Pterocarya, and Quercus) and a fall peak dominated by upland herbs (Compositae, Poaceae, Humulus, and Cruciferae). Wetland herbs and ferns dominate summer assemblages and winter assemblages are characterized by sporadic records of Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae, and Pinus. Strong year‐to‐year differences in measured pollen concentration are seen, probably in response to interyear differences in weather. Compared to long‐term means, 2013 was comparatively hot and dry and 2014 had a higher than average number of rain days during the flowering periods. Rising temperatures in early spring are connected with the timing of flowering and therefore pollen release, while rainfall during the flowering period appeared to remove pollen from the air, leading to lower recorded pollen concentration values. Four taxa, Cupressaceae, Quercus, Pinus, and Humulus, were considered in more detail. Each has a different pattern of variation in pollen concentration between the studied years. Cross correlation between pollen concentration and daily temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation at lags from 0 to −30 days also showed different responses for each taxon, suggesting that pollen signal responses to weather conditions have to be considered at a taxon level rather than at the assemblage level. Key Points: Two pollen concentration peaks were recorded, a spring peak dominated by arboreal pollen types and a fall peak dominated by upland herbsPollen concentration values were markedly different between the two years, probably reflecting differences in weatherPollen signal responses to weather conditions have to be considered at a taxon level rather than at the assemblage level [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]