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Influenza viral infection causes acute upper respiratory diseases in humans, posing severe risks to global public health. However, current vaccines provide limited protection against mismatched circulating influenza A viruses. Here, the immune responses induced in mice by novel double-layered protein nanoparticles were investigated. The nanoparticles were composed of influenza nucleoprotein (NP) cores and hemagglutinin (HA) or matrix 2 protein ectodomain (M2e) shells. Vaccination with the nanoparticles significantly enhanced M2e-specific serum antibody titers and concomitant ADCC responses. Robust NP-specific T cell responses and robust HA neutralization were also detected. Moreover, vaccination with a trivalent nanoparticle combination containing two routinely circulated HA, conserved M2e, and NP reduced lung virus titers, pulmonary pathologies, and weight loss after homologous virus challenge. This combination also improved survival rates against heterologous and heterosubtypic influenza virus challenges. Our results demonstrate that the trivalent combination elicited potent and long-lasting immune responses conferring influenza viral cross-protection. The double-layered protein nanoparticles combination composed of conserved NP as core and two routinely circulated HAs and conserved M2e as shell induces broad immune protection against divergent influenza A viruses. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which examined the ecological landscapes and eco-tourism development in the South Dongting Lake wetland in China. Overview of the general situation of the South Dongting Lake wetland; Evaluation of the eco-tourism value in the wetland; Analysis of landscape resource divisions and structure in the area.

Background and Aims: Selection effect (SE) and complementarity effect (CE) are often considered as two key indicators to mediate the positive diversity-productivity relationship in the maize-legume intercropping system, as intercropping generally enables crops to use the available resources more efficiently than monoculture. Yet, it is unclear whether soil moisture drives the SE and CE transformation, plant-plant interaction, and accordingly affect the productivity. Methods: A two-year field experiment was conducted to explore the impacts of soil water status (with and without plastic mulching) on interspecific interaction and productivity and its key mechanism in the maize-faba bean intercropping system. Results: Low soil moisture reduced the net effect (NE) and land equivalent ratio (LER) with evident yield loss (NE < 0 and LER = 1.05), whereas the improved soil moisture reversed this trend and resulted in overyielding (NE > 0 and LER = 1.13). Regardless of soil moisture, faba bean was the dominant species and maize was the inferior one. Low soil moisture promoted the contribution of SE to productivity (P < 0.05). In contrast, high moisture turned to lower the competition intensity of faba bean against maize and accordingly promote the transformation of biodiversity effect from SE to CE. The main mechanism was that the water competition imposed by faba bean strips on maize ones decreased the NE through reducing photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency of maize. Conclusion: The adaptive transitions of interspecific relationship and the biodiversity effect were driven by soil water availability. This novel phenomenon should be emphasized in the crop diversity management of intercropping system in the rainfed region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma is the most fatal and insidious malignancy, due to the existence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and the high invasiveness of tumor cells. Abnormal mitochondrial viscosity has been identified as a key feature of malignancies. Therefore, this study reports on a novel fluorescent probe for mitochondrial viscosity, called ZVGQ, which is based on the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) effect. The probe uses 3-dicyanomethyl-1,5,5-trimethylcyclohexene as an electron donor moiety and molecular rotor, and triphenylphosphine (TPP) cation as an electron acceptor and mitochondrial targeting group. ZVGQ is highly selective, pH and time stable, and exhibits rapid viscosity responsiveness. In vitro experiments showed that ZVGQ could rapidly recognize to detect the changes in mitochondrial viscosity induced by nystatin and rotenone in U87MG cells and enable long-term imaging for up to 12 h in live U87MG cells. Additionally, in vitro 3D tumor spheres and in vivo orthotopic tumor-bearing models demonstrated that the probe ZVGQ exhibited exceptional tissue penetration depth and the ability to penetrate the BBB. The probe ZVGQ not only successfully visualizes abnormal mitochondrial viscosity changes, but also provides a practical and feasible tool for real-time imaging and clinical diagnosis of glioblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a fluorescent probe, TPABF-HS, was developed for detecting hydrogen sulfide (H2S) using a human serum albumin (HSA)-binding-based approach for amplifying the fluorescence signal and extending the linear correlation range. Compared to the most recent probes for H2S, the most interesting feature of the detection system developed herein was the especially wide linear range (0–1000 μM (0–100 eq.)), which covered the physiological and pathological levels of H2S. TPABF-HS could be used in applications high sensitivity and selectivity with an LOD value of 0.42 μM. Further, site-competition experiments and molecular docking simulation experiments indicated that signal amplification was realized by the binding of the TPABF fluorophore to the naproxen-binding site of HSA. Moreover, the extension of the measurement span could allow for applications in living cells and Caenorhabditis elegans for imaging both exogenous and endogenous H2S. This work brings new information to the strategy of signal processing by exploiting fluorescent probes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first influenza virus infection (imprinting) can lead to long-term immune memory and influence subsequent vaccinations and infections. Previously, we reported a polyethyleneimine (PEI)-Aichi hemagglutinin (HA)/CpG (PHC) nanoparticle with cross-protective potential against homologous and heterologous influenza strains. Here we studied how influenza immune imprinting influences the antibody responses to the PHC vaccination and the protection against heterosubtypic virus challenges. We found that pre-existing virus immunity can maintain or synergize the vaccine-induced antibody titers, depending on the imprinting virus HA phylogenetic group. The HA group 1 virus (PR8, H1N1)-imprinted mice displayed comparable antigen-specific antibody responses to those without imprinting post-PHC vaccination. In contrast, the group 2 virus (Phi, H3N2)-imprinted mice showed significantly more robust and balanced antibodies post-vaccination, conferring complete protection against body weight loss and lung inflammation upon heterosubtypic reassortant A/Shanghai/2/2013 (rSH, H7N9) virus challenge. Our findings suggest that influenza imprinting from the same HA phylogenetic group can synergize subsequent vaccination, conferring heterosubtypic protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

mRNA-based vaccine technology has been significantly developed and enhanced, particularly highlighted by the authorization of mRNA vaccines for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Various biomaterials are developed in nano-scales and applied as mRNA vaccine delivery platforms. However, how these mRNA nanoplatforms influence immune responses has not been thoroughly studied. Hence, we have reviewed the current understanding of various mRNA vaccine platforms. We discussed the possible pathways through which these platforms moderate the host's innate immunity and contribute to the development of adaptive immunity. We shed light on their development in reducing biotoxicity and enhancing antigen delivery efficiency. Beyond the built-in adjuvanticity of mRNA vaccines, we propose that supplementary adjuvants may be required to fine-tune and precisely control innate immunity and subsequent adaptive immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Plant-plant interactions are determined by resource availability. However, its responses to differences in soil phosphorus (P) and water and the rhizospheric driving mechanism have not been systematically revealed. Methods: A pot-culture experiment was conducted in monoculture and in mixture with maize and grass pea. Resource stress treatments were created by organic and inorganic P applications (phytate and KH2PO4) as well as drought and well-watered treatments to address the above issue. Results: Intercropping increased system yield and biomass by 3.5% and 4.5% on average in soils with sufficient P and water, and by 12.0% and 11.7% under stressful conditions respectively. With increasing water and P availability, the yield-based interaction types transited from mutually facilitated to maize facilitated with grass pea as facilitator. Comparatively, the biomass-based facilitation shifting from maize facilitated and grass pea neutral to both being facilitated with increasing stress. This shift was probably mediated by complementary use of soil water in the two species, and rhizospheric acidification in grass pea. Also, rhizospheric interactions promoted phosphatase secretion by 5.3–22.2%, and mobilized organic P to buffer P limitation under P-deficient soils. Regardless of crop species, reproductive and vegetative biomass fell into a typical allometric pattern (α > 1). The rhizospheric interactions drove the differentiated biomass allocation patterns and the species-specific interaction transition. Conclusion: High P and water environments intensified the asymmetric interspecific competition. The trait-dependent facilitation shift was mechanically driven by rhizospheric interaction in intercropping systems. The findings update the understanding on stress gradient hypothesis in a modified model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) stem is currently regarded as an extremely promising immunogen for designing universal influenza vaccines. The appropriate antigen-presenting vaccine vector would be conducive to increasing the immunogenicity of the HA stem antigen. In this study, we generated chimeric virus-like particles (cVLPs) co-displaying the truncated C-terminal of DnaK from Escherichia coli and H1 stem or full-length H1 antigen using the baculovirus expression system. Transmission electronic micrography revealed the expression and presentation of H1 stem antigens on the surface of VLPs. Vaccinations of mice with the H1 stem cVLPs induced H1-specific immune responses and provided heterologous immune protection in vivo, which was more effective than vaccinations with VLPs displaying H1 stem alone in protecting mice against weight loss as well as increasing survival rates after lethal influenza viral challenge. The results indicate that the incorporation of the truncated C-terminal of DnaK as an adjuvant protein into the cVLPs significantly enhances the H1-specific immunity and immune protection. We have explicitly identified the VLP platform as an effective way of expressing HA stem antigen and revealed that chimeric VLP is an vaccine vector for developing HA stem-based universal influenza vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended to update the variable hemagglutinin antigens. Here, we first designed a virus-like particle (VLP) displaying consensus multi-neuraminidase (NA) subtypes (cN1, cN2, B cNA) and M2 ectodomain (M2e) tandem repeat (m-cNA-M2e VLP). Vaccination of mice with m-cNA-M2e VLP induced broad NA inhibition (NAI), and M2e antibodies as well as interferon-gamma secreting T cell responses. Mice vaccinated with m-cNA-M2e VLP were protected against influenza A (H1N1, H5N1, H3N2, H9N2, H7N9) and influenza B (Yamagata and Victoria lineage) viruses containing substantial antigenic variations. Protective immune contributors include cellular and humoral immunity as well as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Furthermore, comparable cross protection by m-cNA-M2e VLP vaccination was induced in aged mice. This study supports a novel strategy of developing a universal vaccine against influenza A and B viruses potentially in both young and aged populations by inducing multi-NA subtype and M2e immunity with a single VLP entity. Author summary: Current influenza vaccine is based on strain-specific neutralizing immunity to hemagglutinin (HA). The effectiveness of seasonal vaccine is unpredictable and could be below 20% due to continuous changes in HA. Thereby, influenza remains a high risk to human health worldwide. Here, we developed a universal influenza vaccine candidate displaying consensus multi-neuraminidase (NA) subtypes and M2 ectodomain (M2e) tandem repeat. A single vaccine entity inducing immunity to conserved M2e and multi subtype NA proteins was found to be effective in conferring broad cross protection against antigenically diverse influenza A and B viruses in young and aged mice. This study provides impactful insight into developing a universal influenza vaccine in young and aged populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological soil crust (BSC) establishment as a nature-based strategy (NbS) may restore the functionality of degraded soils in semiarid agroecosystems. However, this issue is little documented. To address this issue, a BSC-inoculated (broken-skin inoculation, moss) field experiment was conducted in a semiarid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) field in 2018 and 2019, with the treatments as follows: 1) conventional flat planting (control), 2) flat planting with BSC inoculation (BSC), 3) ridge-furrow planting (RF) and 4) sectional ridge-furrow planting (SRF). The result showed that compared with the control, alfalfa biomass was evidently increased in BSC, RF and SRF treatments at the second growing season. Relative to the control, the BSC treatment harvested the highest soil total porosity, mean weight diameter, and macroaggregate proportion (>2 mm) (p < 0.05; significantly greater than RF and SRF). Also, the BSC inoculation remarkably improved soil microbial biomass carbon (C) & nitrogen (N), soil organic C and total N by 46%, 35%, 16% and 29% respectively, also significantly greater than RF and SRF (p < 0.05). This phenomenon was tightly correlated with the optimized soil C fractions as affected by the BSC inoculation, since dissolved organic C, oxidizable organic C, particulate organic C, light fraction organic C and heavy fraction organic C were promoted by 17%, 29%, 13%, 40% and 14% in the BSC treatment respectively, relative to the control (p < 0.05). Therefore, the BSC inoculation significantly improved soil quality in alfalfa field. This outcome was closely associated with the increased soil cohesion and microaggregate proportion, and decreased soil C-N ratio under the BSC. The optimized physiochemical properties boosted C mineralization and the utilization of soil C & N by microbial organisms. Therefore, the BSC establishment can act as a promising NbS to conserve the degraded soils in semiarid agroecosystems. [Display omitted] • Biological soil crust (BSC) as nature-based strategy was tested in alfalfa field. • BSC improved stability of soil physical structure relative to flat planting. • BSC significantly enhanced soil liable carbon and microbial carbon & nitrogen. • BSC showed ecological advantages over natural ridge-furrow planting strategies. • BSC is a promising nature-based strategy to restore the degraded semiarid soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current influenza vaccine is not effective in providing cross-protection against variants. We evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of multi-subtype neuraminidase (NA) and M2 ectodomain virus-like particle (m-cNA-M2e VLP) and chimeric M2e-H3 stalk protein vaccines (M2e-H3 stalk) in ferrets. Our results showed that ferrets with recombinant m-cNA-M2e VLP or M2e-H3 stalk vaccination induced multi-vaccine antigen specific IgG antibodies (M2e, H3 stalk, NA), NA inhibition, antibody-secreting cells, and IFN-γ secreting cell responses. Ferrets immunized with either m-cNA-M2e VLP or M2e-H3 stalk vaccine were protected from H1N1 and H3N2 influenza viruses by lowering viral titers in nasal washes, trachea, and lungs after challenge. Vaccinated ferret antisera conferred broad humoral immunity in naïve mice. Our findings provide evidence that immunity to M2e and HA-stalk or M2e plus multi-subtype NA proteins induces cross-protection in ferrets. • Universal influenza vaccines (m-cNA-M2e VLP, M2e-H3 stalk) induced IgG for M2e, H3 stalk, and multi-subtype NA in ferrets. • Ferret antisera to m-cNA-M2e VLP vaccination showed NA inhibition activity against H1N1 and H3N2 viruses. • Universal influenza vaccination induces protection by lowering viral titers in ferrets after H1N1 or H3N2 virus challenge. • Ferrets' antisera after m-cNA-M2e and M2e-H3 stalk vaccination can protect against a broad range of influenza viruses in mice when co-inoculated with virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional inactivated split seasonal influenza vaccine offers low efficacy, particularly in the elderly and against antigenic variants. Here, to improve the efficacy of seasonal vaccination for the elderly population, we tested whether supplementing seasonal bivalent (H1N1 + H3N2) split (S) vaccine with M2 ectodomain repeat and multi-subtype consensus neuraminidase (NA) proteins (N1 NA + N2 NA + flu B NA) on a virus-like particle (NA-M2e) would induce enhanced cross-protection against different influenza viruses in aged mice. Immunization with split vaccine plus NA-M2e (S + NA-M2e) increased vaccine-specific IgG antibodies towards T-helper type 1 responses and hemagglutination inhibition titers. Aged mice with NA-M2e supplemented vaccination were protected against homologous and heterologous viruses at higher efficacies, as evidenced by preventing weight loss, lowering lung viral loads, inducing broadly cross-protective humoral immunity, and IFN-γ+ CD4 and CD8 T cell responses than those with seasonal vaccine. Overall, this study supports a new strategy of NA-M2e supplemented vaccination to enhance protection against homologous and antigenically different viruses in the elderly. • Seasonal split vaccine plus NA-M2e resulted in enhanced Th1 type IgG2a and HAI titers in aged mice. • S + NA-M2e vaccination induced higher IgG antibody levels for HA, NA, and M2e in aged mice. • Supplemented split vaccination provided enhanced efficacy of homo and hetero viruses in aged mice. • Antisera from supplemented split vaccinated aged mice conferred broad cross protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A benzofuranone-based fluorescent probe, Fur-SH , was developed for monitoring sulfite. • Optimization of optical properties of fluorophores by different structural modifications. • Smaller full width at half maxima, rapid response (5 min) and wide pH window. • Reliable linear range, high sensitivity, high selectivity towards sulfite. • Applied into the biological imaging of sulfite in living MCF-7 cells and in zebrafish. In this work, we reported a fluorescent probe Fur-SH , a derivative of benzofuranone, which was used to detect H 2 S in living cells and zebrafish. Based on the three structural characteristics of the probe, the effects of different structural modifications on the optical properties of the fluorophore were compared. Then, the fluorophore Fur-OH was synthesized by modifying diethylamino group with benzofuranone as the main skeleton. With 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene as the recognition group and diethylamino as the electron donor, the push–pull electron effect occurred with nitro group, which led to fluorescence quenching, and an openable fluorescent probe Fur-SH was formed. The probe Fur-SH (λ ex = 510 nm; λ em = 570 nm) had the advantages of smaller full width at half maxima, rapid response (5 min) and wide pH window. The quantitative properties of the probe were excellent, reaching saturation at 50 equivalents of substrate. The probe Fur-SH showed high sensitivity to H 2 S, with LOD of 48.9 nM and LOQ of 50 nM. At present, the probe Fur-SH had been applied to fluorescence imaging of MCF-7 cells and zebrafish. By comparing the effects of different structures on the optical properties of fluorophores, this work was expected to be helpful to the development of fluorescent probes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemagglutinin (HA)-based current vaccines provide suboptimum cross protection. Influenza A virus contains an ion channel protein M2 conserved extracellular domain (M2e), a target for developing universal vaccines. Here we generated reassortant influenza virus rgH3N2 4xM2e virus (HA and NA from A/Switzerland/9715293/2013/(H3N2)) expressing chimeric 4xM2e-HA fusion proteins with 4xM2e epitopes inserted into the H3 HA N-terminus. Recombinant rgH3N2 4xM2e virus was found to retain equivalent growth kinetics as rgH3N2 in egg substrates. Intranasal single inoculation of mice with live rgH3N2 4xM2e virus was effective in priming the induction of M2e specific IgG antibody responses in mucosal and systemic sites as well as T cell responses. The rgH3N2 4xM2e primed mice were protected against a broad range of different influenza A virus subtypes including H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2. The findings support a new approach to improve the efficacy of current vaccine platforms by recombinant influenza virus inducing immunity to HA and cross protective M2e antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptive management of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) provides a new option for sustainable agriculture. Previous studies showed that the functional role of AMF was frequently dependent on soil moisture and planting densities in the semiarid environment. However, a systematic quantitative analysis of the effects of AMF inoculation on crop productivity and soil quality needs to be investigated. Therefore, a 2-year field experiment was conducted to test the inoculation effects of AMF (Funneliformis mosseae) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity and soil quality in the semiarid Loess Plateau under two water regimes (irrigated and non-irrigated) with seven plant densities in year 2017 and 2018. Our results showed that in the non-irrigated treatment, inoculation with AMF greatly increased dryland wheat aboveground biomass, crop productivity, water use efficiency, rhizosphere soil organic carbon, soil organic carbon to total nitrogen ratio, microbial biomass carbon to nitrogen ratio, and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen (P < 0.05) compared to the non-inoculated treatment. For example, compared with non-inoculated plants, the grain yield in the non-irrigated but inoculated plants increased by 59 ± 28% in 2017 and 36 ± 2.8% in 2018, and the water use efficiency for grain increased by 53 ± 26% and 25 ± 12% in 2017 and 2018, respectively. However, the different results were observed under irrigated conditions. In the irrigated treatment, AMF inoculation had a slightly positive effect on grain yield and soil quality at low plant density but was negative at higher plant densities. Here we demonstrated for the first time that AMF inoculation significantly improved wheat productivity and soil quality, while its effects were conditionally density- and moisture-dependent. Therefore, optimizing AMF addition is an effective measure for sustainable agricultural development and provides a novel solution for the management of soil degradation management in the semiarid area of the Loess Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing the yield loss of inferior crop species is crucial for improving the production of intercropping systems, particularly in drought-prone regions. Yet, the physiological mechanism of yield loss caused by interspecific competition in response to soil water availability is unclear. A two-year (2018–2019) field experiment was conducted to explore the impacts of interspecific competition on yield formation of the inferior crop in the maize-faba bean intercropping system with and without plastic film mulching in a semiarid rainfed region. The plant-water relation, and yield formation in association with nitrogen (N) remobilization were determined and compared. Results indicated that the land equivalent ratio of the intercropping system was greater than 1, regardless of whether treated with plastic mulching. However, the net effect of the intercropping system was significantly greater than 0 only under plastic mulching. Intercropping with faba beans prolonged the anthesis-silking interval of maize by 93.7% (p < 0.05) and the bald tip length by 56.2% (p < 0.05). This trend resulted in insufficient pollination of tassels and an increased kernel abortion rate in maize (p < 0.05). Moreover, the amount of dry matter and N transfer to grain in vegetative organs decreased by 34.0% and 23.2% (p < 0.05), respectively. Physiologically, this brought about yield loss in the intercropped maize. Water competition from faba bean significantly reduced the soil water availability in the intercropped maize strips, regardless of whether treated with plastic mulching. However, plastic mulching alleviated the competition for water between faba bean and maize, and thus kernel abortion in maize was significantly reduced. Our findings reveal the physiological mechanism of yield loss in intercropped inferior species, by connecting kernel formation and remobilization function, in the semi-arid and rainfed intercropping systems. Specific water or nutrient management strategies might be needed for inferior crops to further improve the total productivity of cereal-legume intercropping system in drought-prone environments. [Display omitted] • The yield loss mechanism of inferior crops in legume-based intercropping system is unclear. • Growth loss of maize in cogrowth period cannot be compensated in late seed filling period. • Water competition lowered remobilization function and increased kernel abortion of maize. • Plastic mulching (PM) weakened plant competition and conducive to maize final yield formation. • PM is a promising option to improve the productivity of intercropping system in rainfed regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is unclear how interspecific resource competition affects crop leaf senescence in association with nitrogen (N) remobilization and overyielding in semiarid intercropping systems. To address this issue, maize intercropped with soybean (weakly competitive species) and wheat (strongly competitive species) was examined across three consecutive years to explore the effects of resource competition on maize relative and absolute yield gain, leaf senescence traits, N remobilization and physiological activities in a typical semiarid site. High yield (171.8 g plant−1), relative yield (0.63) and net effect (0.99 t ha−1) of maize were observed in the maize soybean intercropping system, while the opposite trend was found in the maize wheat intercropping systems. Overall, maize benefited from intercropping with soybean but was negatively affected by intercropping with wheat. Interestingly, both intercropping systems significantly delayed the onset time of maize leaf senescence by approximately 5–20 days and prolonged the senescence duration by approximately 8–18 days. Intercropping with soybean increased maize leaf dry matter remobilization from 7.3 to 12.5 g per plant−1 and reduced N remobilization from 0.81 to 0.45 g plant−1, respectively. However, when intercropped with wheat, dry matter and N remobilization of maize leaves were decreased, at 4.8 and 0.13 g plant−1, respectively. Therefore, excessive delay and prolonged leaf senescence reduced leaf dry matter translocation and N to the grain which impaired yield formation. Our findings provided novel insights into the physiological mechanism of overyielding from the perspective of leaf senescence traits and remobilization function in the semiarid intercropping systems. [Display omitted] • Interspecific competition affects leaf senescence traits and N remobilization in maize. • Interspecific competition delayed the onset time and the duration of leaf senescence. • High competitiveness promoted physiological vigor in leaves, which promotes C&N remobilization. • Leaf senescence as affected by resource competition provides new insights into overyielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping, the simultaneous production of two or more crops on the same field, offers opportunities for sustainable agricultural intensification by providing higher yield per unit of land than monoculture. However, intercropping is largely ignored when evaluating regional carbon (C) cycle and ecosystem service function. We hypothesized that interspecific interactions in intercropping systems might induce changes in rhizosphere soil properties and accordingly affect carbon emission. To test the hypothesis, three intercropping systems including maize-soybean (2 M:4 S, 2-row maize: 4-row soybean), wheat-soybean (4 W:4 S), and maize-wheat (2 M:4 W) were established to explore the effects of interspecific interactions on land equivalent ratio (LER), C emission and soil properties in a typical semiarid rainfed site from 2019 to 2020. The results showed that interspecific facilitation (LER>1 and RII>0) was observed when soybean was intercropped with maize and wheat. On average, soil C emission was substantially increased by 10.6%, compared with their respective monocultures. Particularly, the intercropping with soybean not only alleviated N deficiency in the rhizosphere of maize or wheat, but also improved water use efficiency (WUE) of maize or wheat via complementary effect. Moreover, facilitating process evidently promoted the input of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and easily oxidized organic carbon (EOOC) in rhizosphere soils (P < 0.05). This resulted in greater microbial activities, N mineralization rate, and inorganic N supply in the maize and wheat strips. However, the belowground competition from the intercropped wheat significantly lowered soil moisture and inorganic N content in maize strips. Also, soil labile C input (DOC and EOOC) and microbial activities were declined, while carbon emission was evidently lowered by 7.4%. Interestingly, the trade-off between grain yield production and carbon emission showed that interspecific facilitation promoted the yield per unit of carbon emission, indicating higher carbon emission efficiency. Yet, interspecific competition led to an opposite trend. The findings enhanced the understandings on carbon emission efficiency and its potential management strategy regarding crop diversity and green production in semiarid agroecosystems. [Display omitted] • Soybean intercropped with cereal promoted crop yield, showing plant facilitation. • Plant facilitation was resulted from water complementary use and N enrichment. • Increased labile carbon input and microbial activities enhanced carbon emission. • Yet, wheat-maize mixture showed an opposite trend due to interspecific competition. • Soybean-led rhizosphere interaction promoted carbon production efficiency & yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccinations are expected to aid in building immunity against pathogens. This objective often requires the addition of an adjuvant with certain vaccine formulations containing weakly immunogenic antigens. Adjuvants can improve antigen processing, presentation, and recognition, thereby improving the immunogenicity of a vaccine by simulating and eliciting an immune response. Chemokines are a group of small chemoattractant proteins that are essential regulators of the immune system. They are involved in almost every aspect of tumorigenesis, antitumor immunity, and antimicrobial activity and also play a critical role in regulating innate and adaptive immune responses. More recently, chemokines have been used as vaccine adjuvants due to their ability to modulate lymphocyte development, priming and effector functions, and enhance protective immunity. Chemokines that are produced naturally by the body’s own immune system could serve as potentially safer and more reliable adjuvant options versus synthetic adjuvants. This review will primarily focus on chemokines and their immunomodulatory activities against various infectious diseases and cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]