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Measurements of respiratory properties have often been made at a single time point either during daytime using dark-adapted leaves or during nighttime. The influence of the day–night cycle on respiratory metabolism has received less attention but is crucial to understand photosynthesis and photorespiration. Here, we examined how CO2- and O2-based rates of leaf dark respiration (Rdark) differed between midday (after 30-min dark adaptation) and midnight in 8 C3 and C4 grasses. We used these data to calculate the respiratory quotient (RQ; ratio of CO2 release to O2 uptake), and assessed relationships between Rdark and leaf metabolome. Rdark was higher at midday than midnight, especially in C4 species. The day–night difference in Rdark was more evident when expressed on a CO2 than O2 basis, with the RQ being higher at midday than midnight in all species, except in rice (Oryza sativa). Metabolomic analyses showed little correlation of Rdark or RQ with leaf carbohydrates (sucrose, glucose, fructose, or starch) but strong multivariate relationships with other metabolites. The results suggest that rates of Rdark and differences in RQ were determined by several concurrent CO2-producing and O2-consuming metabolic pathways, not only the tricarboxylic acid cycle (organic acids utilization) but also the pentose phosphate pathway, galactose metabolism, and secondary metabolism. As such, Rdark was time-, type- (C3/C4) and species-dependent, due to the use of different substrates. Day–night variation in leaf dark respiration is associated with the use of different substrate types via several concurrent CO2-producing and O2-consuming metabolic pathways in C3 and C4 grasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recent advances have highlighted the relationships between gut dysbiosis and Parkinson's disease (PD). Microbiota transplantation from PD patients to mice can induce increased alpha‐synuclein‐mediated motor deficits. Human studies have identified differences in the gut microbiota of PD patients compared to healthy controls. We undertook a systematic review to evaluate the available evidence for the involvement of gut bacteria in the etiology of PD. Methods: The PubMed databank, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure databank, and Wanfang Data were searched from inception until June 2021 to identify human case–control studies that investigated relationships between PD and microbiota quantified from feces. We evaluated the resulting studies focusing on bacterial taxa that were different between PD patients and healthy controls. Results: Twenty‐six studies were found in which 53 microbial families and 98 genera exhibited differences between patients with PD and healthy controls. The genera identified by more than two studies as increased in PD were Bifidobacterium, Alistipes, Christensenella, Enterococcus, Oscillospira, Bilophila, Desulfovibrio, Escherichia/Shigella, and Akkermansia, while Prevotella, Blautia, Faecalibacterium, Fusicatenibacter, and Haemophilus had three or more reports of being lower in PD patients. More than one report demonstrated that Bacteroides, Odoribacter, Parabacteroides, Butyricicoccus, Butyrivibrio, Clostridium, Coprococcus, Lachnospira, Lactobacillus, Megasphaera, Phascolarctobacterium, Roseburia, Ruminococcus, Streptococcus, and Klebsiella were altered in both directions. Conclusion: Our review shows that the involvement of the gut microbiome in the etiology of PD may involve alterations of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs)‐producing bacteria and an increase in putative gut pathobionts. SCFAs‐producing bacteria may vary above or below an "optimal range," causing imbalances. Considering that Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Akkermansia are beneficial for human health, increased Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the PD gut microbiome may be associated with PD medications, especially COMT inhibitors, while a high level of Akkermansia may be associated with aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our understanding of the regulation of respiration in C4 plants, where mitochondria play different roles in the different types of C4 photosynthetic pathway, remains limited. We examined how leaf dark respiration rates (Rdark), in the presence and absence of added malate, vary in monocots representing the three classical biochemical types of C4 photosynthesis (NADP‐ME, NAD‐ME and PCK) using intact leaves and extracted bundle sheath strands. In particular, we explored to what extent rates of Rdark are associated with mitochondrial number, volume and ultrastructure. Based on examination of a single species per C4 type, we found that the respiratory response of NAD‐ME and PCK type bundle sheath strands to added malate was associated with differences in mitochondrial number, volume, and/or ultrastructure, while NADP‐ME type bundle sheath strands did not respond to malate addition. In general, mitochondrial traits reflected the contributions mitochondria make to photosynthesis in the three C4 types. However, despite the obvious differences in mitochondrial traits, no clear correlation was observed between these traits and Rdark. We suggest that Rdark is primarily driven by cellular maintenance demands and not mitochondrial composition per se, in a manner that is somewhat independent of mitochondrial organic acid cycling in the light. SUMMARY STATEMENT: We found distinct anatomical, ultrastructural and functional differences in mitochondria of leaves using the three classical biochemical types of C4 photosynthesis. Such differences reflect the roles of mitochondria in photosynthesis. However, we found no clear correlation between mitochondrial composition and leaf dark respiration rates, suggesting leaf dark respiration is likely driven by cellular maintenance demands but not mitochondrial composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: C4 photosynthesis involves a series of biochemical and anatomical traits that significantly improve plant productivity under conditions that reduce the efficiency of C3 photosynthesis. We explore how evolution of the three classical biochemical types of C4 photosynthesis (NADP‐ME, NAD‐ME and PCK types) has affected the functions and properties of mitochondria. Mitochondria in C4 NAD‐ME and PCK types play a direct role in decarboxylation of metabolites for C4 photosynthesis. Mitochondria in C4 PCK type also provide ATP for C4 metabolism, although this role for ATP provision is not seen in NAD‐ME type. Such involvement has increased mitochondrial abundance/size and associated enzymatic capacity, led to changes in mitochondrial location and ultrastructure, and altered the role of mitochondria in cellular carbon metabolism in the NAD‐ME and PCK types. By contrast, these changes in mitochondrial properties are absent in the C4 NADP‐ME type and C3 leaves, where mitochondria play no direct role in photosynthesis. From an eco‐physiological perspective, rates of leaf respiration in darkness vary considerably among C4 species but does not differ systematically among the three C4 types. This review outlines further mitochondrial research in key areas central to the engineering of the C4 pathway into C3 plants and to the understanding of variation in rates of C4 dark respiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundTreatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) requires at least six months and is compromised by poor adherence. In the directly observed therapy (DOT) scheme recommended by the World Health Organization, the patient is directly observed taking their medications at a health post. An alternative to DOT is video-observed therapy (VOT), in which the patients take videos of themselves taking the medication and the video is uploaded into the app and reviewed by a health care worker. We developed a comprehensive TB management system by using VOT that is installed as an app on the smartphones of both patients and health care workers. It was implemented into the routine TB control program of the Nanshan District of Shenzhen, China. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of VOT with that of DOT in managing the treatment of patients with pulmonary TB and to evaluate the acceptance of VOT for TB management by patients and health care workers. MethodsPatients beginning treatment between September 2017 and August 2018 were enrolled into the VOT group and their data were compared with the retrospective data of patients who began TB treatment and were managed with routine DOT between January 2016 and August 2017. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical features, treatment adherence, positive findings of sputum smears, reporting of side effects, time and costs of transportation, and satisfaction were compared between the 2 treatment groups. The attitudes of the health care workers toward the VOT-based system were also analyzed. ResultsThis study included 158 patients in the retrospective DOT group and 235 patients in the VOT group. The VOT group showed a significantly higher fraction of doses observed (P85% of their doses observed, while only 16.4% (26/158) of the DOT patients had >85% of their doses observed. All patients were cured without recurrences. The VOT management required significantly (P

C 4 photosynthesis involves a series of biochemical and anatomical traits that significantly improve plant productivity under conditions that reduce the efficiency of C 3 photosynthesis. We explore how evolution of the three classical biochemical types of C 4 photosynthesis (NADP-ME, NAD-ME and PCK types) has affected the functions and properties of mitochondria. Mitochondria in C 4 NAD-ME and PCK types play a direct role in decarboxylation of metabolites for C 4 photosynthesis. Mitochondria in C 4 PCK type also provide ATP for C 4 metabolism, although this role for ATP provision is not seen in NAD-ME type. Such involvement has increased mitochondrial abundance/size and associated enzymatic capacity, led to changes in mitochondrial location and ultrastructure, and altered the role of mitochondria in cellular carbon metabolism in the NAD-ME and PCK types. By contrast, these changes in mitochondrial properties are absent in the C 4 NADP-ME type and C 3 leaves, where mitochondria play no direct role in photosynthesis. From an eco-physiological perspective, rates of leaf respiration in darkness vary considerably among C 4 species but does not differ systematically among the three C 4 types. This review outlines further mitochondrial research in key areas central to the engineering of the C 4 pathway into C 3 plants and to the understanding of variation in rates of C 4 dark respiration., (© 2021 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2021 New Phytologist Foundation.)

Objective: To investigate the level of yogurt intake in the Chinese population and its relationship between the level of yogurt intake and metabolic syndrome., Methods: Samples were taken from populations in 8 cities in China. Dietary surveys, physical examinations, and blood sample were collected. The level of yogurt intake of the population were calculated and evaluated. The relationship between yogurt intake and metabolic syndrome and its components was analyzed by multiple logistic regression. The yogurt intake was investigated using a diet frequency questionnaire to record the frequency and intake of yogurt in the past month., Results: A total of 1508 respondents were included in this study, including 538 males and 970 females; the average age was 51.74 years; the distribution ratio in the North and South regions was 5∶4.The rate of Chinese population in 8 cities which eat yogurt was 50.1%. The intake of yogurt was 3.7 g/d. Yogurt accounts for 27.22% of dairy products. There were differences in the distribution of different yogurt intake groups in different genders, age groups, Body Mass Index(BMI)groups, regions, education levels, monthly income, and smoking. The differences in calcium, fruit, and total dairy product intake among different yogurt intake groups were statistically significant difference. Sample analysis found that yogurt intake was negatively correlated with metabolic syndrome and its components. We adjusted gender, age group, body mass index group, region, education grade, monthly income, smoking, total energy, protein, fat, Ca, fruit, total dairy products for multi-factor analysis and found that this negative correlation was weakened. But this negative correlation remained on abnormal blood glucose[OR=0.61(95%CI 0.42-0.89)]., Conclusion: The yoghurt intake of Chinese residents is low. The intake of yogurt has a negative correlation with abnormal blood glucose.

Objective: To investigate the dietary nutrition status of lactating mothers in Beijing and the relationship between dietary nutrition level and breast milk composition., Methods: Using convenient sampling, fifty-two lactating mothers were investigated and their breast milk was collected from May 2018 to July 2018. Dietary nutrient intake and the incidence of insufficiency nutrients intake were calculated. Dietary nutrient intake was compared with the dietary reference intake of Chinese residents. The relationship between dietary nutrition and breast milk composition was analyzed by multiple linear regression., Results: The total energy intake was(1674. 15±655. 85) kcal, which was lower than the recommended value; protein(72. 77(45. 33, 92. 25)g), fat(66. 94(39. 26, 83. 83)g) and carbohydrates((208. 34±85. 77)g) were insufficient, of which the energy supply ratio of carbohydrates(49. 8%) was lower than the recommended value, while the protein(17. 39%) and fat(35. 99%) were higher than the recommended value. The insufficiency rate of vitamin A(73. 1%), folic acid(76. 9%), calcium(75. 0%) were also high. The ratio of energy produced by three meals was about 3∶4∶3, and the proportion of high-quality protein in dietary protein exceeded 50%. The fat(P=0. 007), dry matter(P=0. 006) and total energy(P=0. 006) in breast milk were affected by the protein in the diet, but protein(P=0. 283)and sugar(P=0. 307) in breast milk were not affected by dietary factors., Conclusion: The intakes of many nutrients of lactating mother are insufficient, especially energy and macronutrients. The fat, dry matter and total energy in breast milk are affected by the protein in the diet.