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Salt stress, as one of the most severe environmental stresses, can cause a series of changes in plants. However, the explanation of plant salt stress alleviating mechanism of plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) was hindered by the limited availability of transcriptomic information for salt stress‐treated plants grown in a microorganism‐controlled environment. Our previous reports have selected Bacillus atrophaeus WU‐9 as PGPR significantly alleviating pepper (Capsicum frutescens. L) salt stress. In this work, the RNA‐seq analysis of salt stress‐treated and untreated plants, grown with and without WU‐9 in a microorganism‐controlled environment, was used to reveal the plant salt stress alleviating mechanisms of WU‐9. Twelve sequencing libraries, prepared by treating with WU‐9 and salt (150 mM NaCl for 36 h), were constructed by RNA‐Seq technique. Non‐inoculated seedlings mainly respond to salt stress through regulation of signal transduction, such as ethylene‐activated signaling pathway, signaling and cell communication, etc. And ethylene signal participated in salt stress response in pepper through regulating defense responses, fruit ripening and senescence. WU‐9 inoculation under salt stress mainly improves salt tolerance and plant growth by regulating salt stress‐responding ethylene and auxin signal transduction, utilization of proline, photosynthesis, antioxidant enzyme activities and cell enlargement. Furthermore, 86 differentially expressed genes and 20 transcription factors were identified as associated with salt stress response and tolerance. Thus, this innovative transcriptomic study identified the salt stress response and alleviation in C. frutescens. L with PGPR inoculation. This result provided novel insights into the salinity alleviation in pepper regulated by PGPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses a highly fidelity computational simulator of pulmonary physiology to evaluate the impact of a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) modulator on gas exchange in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) as a complication. Three virtual patients with COPD were configured in the simulator based on clinical data. In agreement with previous clinical studies, modeling systemic application of an sGC modulator results in reduced partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and increased partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) in arterial blood, if a drug‐induced reduction of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) equal to that observed experimentally is assumed. In contrast, for administration via dry powder inhalation (DPI), our simulations suggest that the treatment results in no deterioration in oxygenation. For patients under exercise, DPI administration lowers PH, whereas oxygenation is improved with respect to baseline values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LINKED CONTENT: This article is linked to Panaccione et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16848 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) cluster coordination, communication obstruction may cause situational misjudgement and increase the risk of decision‐making errors. Therefore, based on evolutionary game theory, this research aimed to study the behaviour decision‐making selection problem in the process of UAV swarm missions in limited communication networks. First, the evolution process of the UAV swarm confrontation game is analyzed and the decision‐making risks associated with the communication network of the UAV swarm during coordination, which are caused by the complex confrontation environment are identified. Second, the decision‐making risks and mechanisms of UAV swarm communication is discussed and an evolutionary game mathematical model for the cooperative strategy of a UAV swarm under communication constraints is established. Finally, the influence of various key parameters is simulated and analyzed, such as the initial strategy probability of both parties, amount of platform information data, information analysis and utilization ability, and information interaction coefficient, on the evolution of the UAV swarm strategy. This research provides a theoretical basis and feasible reference for the improvement of UAV mission decision response mechanisms and system model construction, which have important theoretical value and practical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Insufficient data exist for peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG), which primarily affects patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Aims: To evaluate the risk factors and treatment response of PPG in IBD patients in a real‐life cohort. Methods: Cases of PPG were identified retrospectively using ICD‐9/10 codes in patients with IBD who had an ostomy at a tertiary care centre. Disease‐specific characteristics were compared between groups with and without PPG, and response to therapy was evaluated in patients with PPG. Results: The cohort included 41 IBD patients with PPG and 123 IBD controls with an ostomy who never developed PPG. Patients with PPG were more likely to be female (76% vs 51%, P = 0.006), had higher BMIs (29.78 ± 0.89 vs 23.53 ± 0.51, P < 0.0001) and had increased usage of pouch belts (97% vs 71%, P = 0.0008) compared to controls. There were no differences in age at surgery (41.76 ± 2.60 vs 43.49 ± 1.50, P = 0.57) or IBD diagnosis (63% vs 54% Crohn's disease, P = 0.28) between PPG and controls. 85% of PPG patients achieved complete resolution with different treatments, including surgery. Complete resolution with topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors alone were low (14% and 13% respectively). Higher rates of complete resolution were reported with anti‐tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents (63%) and surgical interventions (80%). Conclusions: Female gender, higher BMI and pouch belts were associated with increased risk of developing PPG. Most PPG cases resolved after treatment with the highest rates of complete resolution seen with anti‐TNF agents and surgical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The timing and extent of cell division are crucial for the correct patterning of multicellular organism. In Arabidopsis, root ground tissue maturation involves the periclinal cell division of the endodermis to generate two cell layers: endodermis and middle cortex. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this pattern formation remains unclear.Here, we report that phytohormone brassinosteroid (BR) and redox signal hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) interdependently promote periclinal division during root ground tissue maturation by regulating the activity of SHORT‐ROOT (SHR), a master regulator of root growth and development.BR‐activated transcription factor BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT1 (BZR1) directly binds to the promoter of SHR to induce its expression, and physically interacts with SHR to increase the transcripts of RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOGs (RBOHs) and elevate the levels of H2O2, which feedback enhances the interaction between BZR1 and SHR. Additionally, genetic analysis shows that SHR is required for BZR1‐promoted periclinal division, and BZR1 enhances the promoting effects of SHR on periclinal division.Together, our finding reveals that the transcriptional module of BZR1‐SHR fine‐tunes periclinal division during root ground tissue maturation in response to hormone and redox signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Symbiotic nitrogen (N2) fixation plays a vital role in sustainable agriculture. Efficient N2 fixation requires various materials, including phosphate (Pi); however, the molecular mechanism underlying the transport of Pi into nodules and bacteroids remains largely unknown.A nodule‐localized Pi transporter, GmPT7, was functionally characterized in soybean (Glycine max) and its role in N2 fixation and yield was investigated via composite and whole transgenic plants.GmPT7 protein was localized to the plasma membrane and showed transport activity for Pi in yeast. Altered expression of GmPT7 changed 33Pi uptake from rhizosphere and translocation to bacteroids. GmPT7 was mainly localized to the outer cortex and fixation zones of the nodules. Overexpression of GmPT7 promoted nodulation, and increased plant biomass, shoot nitrogen and phosphorus content, resulting in improved soybean yield by up to 36%. Double suppression of GmPT5 and GmPT7 led to nearly complete elimination of nodulation and over 50% reduction in plant biomass, shoot nitrogen and phosphorus content, indicating that both GmPT7 and GmPT5 contribute to Pi transport for N2 fixation.Taken together, our results indicate that GmPT7 is a transporter responsible for direct Pi entry to nodules and further to fixation zones, which is required for enhancing symbiotic N2 fixation and grain yield of soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]