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This study aimed to evaluate antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and the genetic diversity of Aeromonas isolated from migratory birds from Guangxi Province, Guangdong Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Jiangxi Province, and Inner Mongolia in China. A total of 810 samples were collected, including fresh feces, cloacal swabs, and throat swabs. The collected samples were processed and subjected to bacteriological examination. The resistance to 21 antibiotics was evaluated. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using concatenated gltA-groL-gyrB-metG-PPSA-recA sequences. Eight putative virulence factors were identified by PCR and sequencing, and a biofilm formation assay was performed using a modified microtiter plate method. In total, 176 Aeromonas isolates were isolated including A. sobria, A. hydrophila, A. veronii, and A. caviae. All isolates showed variable resistance against all 16 tested antibiotic discs, and only one antibiotic had no reference standard. Six kinds of virulence gene markers were discovered, and the detection rates were 46.0% (hlyA), 76.1% (aerA), 52.3% (alt), 4.5% (ast), 54.0% (fla), and 64.2% (lip). These strains were able to form biofilms with distinct magnitudes; 102 were weakly adherent, 14 were moderately adherent, 60 were non-adherent, and none were strongly adherent. Our results suggest that migratory birds carry highly virulent and multidrug-resistant Aeromonas and spread them around the world through migration, which is a potential threat to public health.

The aim of the experiment was to study the nutrient composition and fermentation quality of mixed silage of corn straw and potato starch residue in different proportions. Using the corn stalk and potato starch residue as raw materials, the experiment adopted a two-factor experimental design, taking different mixing ratios of raw materials (CKB1, CKB2, CKB3) and different mixing ratios after adding bacteria (AB1, AB2, AB3) as treatments. The conventional nutrition and fermentation quality of mixed silage was analyzed after 30 days. The results showed that the interaction of different raw material ratios and bactericides had significant effects on pH values, lactic acid, acetic acid, acid detergent fiber and ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen content of silage (P<0.05). Under the same mixing ratio of raw materials, the addition of bactericides could increase the lactic acid content of silage (P<0.05), and decrease the pH value, acetic acid and ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen content (P<0.05). Under the same treatment, the concentration of crude protein and soluble carbohydrate and relative feeding value of silage decreased, while the concentration of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and crude ash increased. The concentration of dry matter, crude ash, soluble carbohydrate, pH value, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber and their relative feeding value were significantly affected by different raw material ratios (P<0.05). The study indicates that potato starch residue to corn straw is 7:3, and the better silage effect is obtained by adding bactericide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and the genetic diversity of Aeromonas isolated from migratory birds from Guangxi Province, Guangdong Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Jiangxi Province, and Inner Mongolia in China. A total of 810 samples were collected, including fresh feces, cloacal swabs, and throat swabs. The collected samples were processed and subjected to bacteriological examination. The resistance to 21 antibiotics was evaluated. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using concatenated gltA-groL-gyrB-metG-PPSA-recA sequences. Eight putative virulence factors were identified by PCR and sequencing, and a biofilm formation assay was performed using a modified microtiter plate method. In total, 176 Aeromonas isolates were isolated including A. sobria, A. hydrophila, A. veronii, and A. caviae. All isolates showed variable resistance against all 16 tested antibiotic discs, and only one antibiotic had no reference standard. Six kinds of virulence gene markers were discovered, and the detection rates were 46.0% (hlyA), 76.1% (aerA), 52.3% (alt), 4.5% (ast), 54.0% (fla), and 64.2% (lip). These strains were able to form biofilms with distinct magnitudes; 102 were weakly adherent, 14 were moderately adherent, 60 were non-adherent, and none were strongly adherent. Our results suggest that migratory birds carry highly virulent and multidrug-resistant Aeromonas and spread them around the world through migration, which is a potential threat to public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We collected the experimental dataset of a spring-maize in Hetao irrigation district (Bayannaoer, Inner Mongolia) during 2012 and 2013, as well as the crop data observed in related agrometeorological stations to investigate the impacts of light and temperature variation on maize development during the seedling stage to derive adequate light and temperature indices for different suitability. Furthermore, polynomial fitting was applied to interpolate the temperature indices for each day of the whole seedling period to draw the dynamics of the temperature indices and to better characterize its influence on maize development during the seedling stage. The results suggested that the emergence and development rates increased by 11% and 12%, respectively when the average temperature increased 1 °C during the sowing-emergence period and emergence-jointing period, and the biological lowest temperature was 7.4 and 11.9 °C, respectively. The optimum temperature at the sowing-emergence stage ranged from 16.0 to 18.0 °C, and the leaf area index at the three-leaf stage reached 0.0172 and above. The optimum temperature at the emergence-jointing stage ranged from 21.6 to 23.0 °C, and the photosynthesis/growth of plant tissue was positively correlated with the temperature. The leaf area index in the jointing period could reach 2.15 and the plant height was 120 cm. At the emergence-jointing stage, when the sunshine percentage ≥74%, or the daily sunshine hours ≥11.0 h • d-1, or the total sunshine hours ≥540 h, the dry mass of plant tissue could reach more than 34 g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The miR156-targeted SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN LIKE (SPL) transcription factors function as an endogenous age cue in regulating plant phase transition and phase-dependent morphogenesis, but the control of SPL output remains poorly understood. In Arabidopsis thaliana the spatial pattern of trichome is a hallmark of phase transition and governed by SPLs. Here, by dissecting the regulatory network controlling trichome formation on stem, we show that the miR171-targeted LOST MERISTEMS 1 (LOM1), LOM2 and LOM3, encoding GRAS family members previously known to maintain meristem cell polarity, are involved in regulating the SPL activity. Reduced LOM abundance by overexpression of miR171 led to decreased trichome density on stems and floral organs, and conversely, constitutive expression of the miR171-resistant LOM (rLOM) genes promoted trichome production, indicating that LOMs enhance trichome initiation at reproductive stage. Genetic analysis demonstrated LOMs shaping trichome distribution is dependent on SPLs, which positively regulate trichome repressor genes TRICHOMELESS 1 (TCL1) and TRIPTYCHON (TRY). Physical interaction between the N-terminus of LOMs and SPLs underpins the repression of SPL activity. Importantly, other growth and developmental events, such as flowering, are also modulated by LOM-SPL interaction, indicating a broad effect of the LOM-SPL interplay. Furthermore, we provide evidence that MIR171 gene expression is regulated by its targeted LOMs, forming a homeostatic feedback loop. Our data uncover an antagonistic interplay between the two timing miRNAs in controlling plant growth, phase transition and morphogenesis through direct interaction of their targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporal changes in air temperature and urban heat island (UHI) effects during 1956-1998 were compared between a coastal city, Ji'nan, and an inland city, Xi'an, which were similar in latitude, size and development. During 1956-1978, except that the annual mean minimum temperature in Ji'nan increased by 0.37 °C·10 a-1, the temperature variables in the two cities did not display any apparent trend. During 1979-1998, all temperature variables of the two cities showed an increasing trend. Comparing with that in Ji'nan, the increasing rate of annual mean maximum temperature and annual mean temperature in Xi'an was greater, but that of annual mean minimum temperature was smaller. In the two cities, heat island effect occurred during 1956-1978 but without any apparent trend, whereas during 1979-1998, this effect increased with time, especially in Xi'an where the annual mean minimum temperature and annual mean temperature increased by 0.22 °C·10 a-1 and 0.32 °C·10 a-1, respectively. Both the level and the inter-annual variation of the heat island effect were much greater in Ji'nan than in Xi'an, but the increasing rate of this effect was greater in Xi'an than in Ji'nan. Obvious differences were observed in the increasing rate of annual mean maximum air temperature, annual mean air temperature, and annual mean minimum temperature as well as the heat island effect in Ji'nan, whereas negligible differences were found in Xi'an. Among the three temperature variables, annual mean minimum temperature displayed the most obvious increasing trend and was most affected by heat island effect, while annual mean maximum temperature was most variable inter-annually. Geographical location not only affected the magnitude of urban warming, but also affected the mode of urban warming and the strength of heat island effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The miR156-targeted SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN LIKE (SPL) transcription factors function as an endogenous age cue in regulating plant phase transition and phase-dependent morphogenesis, but the control of SPL output remains poorly understood. In Arabidopsis thaliana the spatial pattern of trichome is a hallmark of phase transition and governed by SPLs. Here, by dissecting the regulatory network controlling trichome formation on stem, we show that the miR171-targeted LOST MERISTEMS 1 (LOM1), LOM2 and LOM3, encoding GRAS family members previously known to maintain meristem cell polarity, are involved in regulating the SPL activity. Reduced LOM abundance by overexpression of miR171 led to decreased trichome density on stems and floral organs, and conversely, constitutive expression of the miR171-resistant LOM (rLOM) genes promoted trichome production, indicating that LOMs enhance trichome initiation at reproductive stage. Genetic analysis demonstrated LOMs shaping trichome distribution is dependent on SPLs, which positively regulate trichome repressor genes TRICHOMELESS 1 (TCL1) and TRIPTYCHON (TRY). Physical interaction between the N-terminus of LOMs and SPLs underpins the repression of SPL activity. Importantly, other growth and developmental events, such as flowering, are also modulated by LOM-SPL interaction, indicating a broad effect of the LOM-SPL interplay. Furthermore, we provide evidence that MIR171 gene expression is regulated by its targeted LOMs, forming a homeostatic feedback loop. Our data uncover an antagonistic interplay between the two timing miRNAs in controlling plant growth, phase transition and morphogenesis through direct interaction of their targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We collected the experimental dataset of a spring-maize in Hetao irrigation district (Bayannaoer, Inner Mongolia) during 2012 and 2013, as well as the crop data observed in related agrometeorological stations to investigate the impacts of light and temperature variation on maize development during the seedling stage to derive adequate light and temperature indices for different suitability. Furthermore, polynomial fitting was applied to interpolate the temperature indices for each day of the whole seedling period to draw the dynamics of the temperature indices and to better characterize its influence on maize development during the seedling stage. The results suggested that the emergence and development rates increased by 11% and 12%, respectively when the average temperature increased 1 °C during the sowing-emergence period and emergence-jointing period, and the biological lowest temperature was 7.4 and 11.9°C , respectively. The optimum temperature at the sowing-emergence stage ranged from 16.0 to 18.0°C , and the leaf area index at the three-leaf stage reached 0.0172 and above. The optimum temperature at the emergence-jointing stage ranged from 21.6 to 23.0°0C , and the photosynthesis/growth of plant tissue was positively correlated with the temperature. The leaf area index in the jointing period could reach 2.15 and the plant height was 120 cm. At the emergence-jointing stage, when the sunshine percentage 74%, or the daily sunshine hours ≥11.0 h . d-1 , or the total sunshine hours ≥540 h, the dry mass of plant tissue could

Adsorption behaviors of phosphate on the desert particulates of inflow Yellow River were investigated in natural water (river water and sea water) and the experimental data was fitted by both the improved Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm adsorption models. The results show that (1) With more clear physical meaning and more reasonable fitting parameters, the improved Langmuir isotherm adsorption model is much better for describing phosphate adsorption on the desert particulates than the improved Freundlich isotherm adsorption model; (2) The maximum phosphorus (P) adsorption capacity Qmac is in the range of 41.322-357.143 mg x kg(-1), which is the biggest in Y2 (Juyanhai Lake particulates). There is remarkable positive correlation between Qmax and organic matter of the particulates (Y1-Y5); (3) Except for Y1 (Badain Jaran Desert particulates), the EPC0 (zero equilibrium P concentration) of the particulates are higher than the concentration of P in corresponding water. The EPC0 of P adsorption on Y1 in Yellow River is lower than P concentration in corresponding water (0.010 mg x L(-1) < 0.053 mg x L(-1)), while the EPC0 of P adsorption on Y1 in Bohai Sea water is higher than the P concentration in their corresponding water (0.109 mg x L(-1) > 0.074 mg x L(-1)), which shows that Y1 adsorbs P from the water of the Yellow River, then it releases its NAP (native adsorbed exchangeable phosphorus) into Bohai Seawater. However, in the process of the P exchange between other desert particulates and their corresponding water, only desorption phenomenon were observed, which means all other desert particulates release P to their corresponding water; (4) The adsorption isotherms of phosphate on the desert particulates of inflow Yellow River are cross-axis-type with over 0.00, a new cross-axis-type adsorption-desorption model, which provide a better explanation for adsorption characteristics of P and for the dual role of natural particulates.

Temporal changes in air temperature and urban heat island (UHI) effects during 1956-1998 were compared between a coastal city, Ji' nan, and an inland city, Xi' an, which were similar in latitude, size and development. During 1956-1978, except that the annual mean minimum temperature in Ji' nan increased by 0.37 degrees C x 10 a(-1), the temperature variables in the two cities did not display any apparent trend. During 1979-1998, all temperature variables of the two cities showed an increasing trend. Comparing with that in Ji' nan, the increasing rate of annual mean maximum temperature and annual mean temperature in Xi' an was greater, but that of annual mean minimum temperature was smaller. In the two cities, heat island effect occurred during 1956-1978 but without any apparent trend, whereas during 1979-1998, this effect increased with time, especially in Xi' an where the annual mean minimum temperature and annual mean temperature increased by 0.22 degrees C x 10 a(-1) and 0.32 degrees C x 10 a(-1), respectively. Both the level and the inter-annual variation of the heat island effect were much greater in Ji' nan than in Xi' an, but the increasing rate of this effect was greater in Xi' an than in Ji' nan. Obvious differences were observed in the increasing rate of annual mean maximum air temperature, annual mean air temperature, and annual mean minimum temperature as well as the heat island effect in Ji' nan, whereas negligible differences were found in Xi' an. Among the three temperature variables, annual mean minimum temperature displayed the most obvious increasing trend and was most affected by heat island effect, while annual mean maximum temperature was most variable inter-annually. Geographical location not only affected the magnitude of urban warming, but also affected the mode of urban warming and the strength of heat island effect.

Objective: To observe the effect of electro-warmed needle (EWN, of Inner-Mongolian medicine) on fatigue rats' behavior, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortex (HPA) axis activity and immune system so as to reveal its neuro-endocrino-immune mechanism., Methods: Male SD rats were randomized into control (n=20), model (n=20) and EWN (n=19) groups. Fatigue model was established by forcing the rat to swim in a water pool till exhaustion, once daily, continuously for 21 days. "Dinghui" (central spot over the bregmatic bone) and "Xinxue" (the center of the depression beneath the 7th thoracic vertebra) were punctured with silver needles which were warmed electrically by using a MLY-I Electrical Needle-warming Apparatus, once every 3 days, 7 sessions altogether. On the 21st day of modeling, swim-exhaustion duration (SED), and immobility time and struggle times in tail suspension test were measured. Twenty-four hours after the last swim, the rats' serum TNF-alpha, ACTH an corticosterone contents were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)., Results: Compared with control group SED, immobility time and struggle times in tail suspension test in model group decreased, increased and lowered respectively and significantly (P < 0.01, 0.05); while in comparison with model group, the first 2 indexes of EWN group increased and lowered respectively and significantly (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between EWN and model groups in struggle times (P > 0.05). Compared with control group, serum TNF-alpha, ACTH and corticosterone contents in model group increased significantly (P < 0.01), while in comparison with model group, the 3 indexes of EWN group were significantly lower (P < 0.01, 0.05)., Conclusion: EWN treatment can reduce fatigue-induced increase of serum TNF-alpha, ACTH and corticosterone levels, and raise motor ability, suggesting a favorable regulation of HPA axis and immune function after EWN and improvement of fatigue in fatigue