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Soils contaminated with multiple heavy metals pose a significant threat to human health and ecosystem functionality. Following a "treat pollution with waste" strategy, we synthesized Mg‐Fe‐Al ternary layered double hydroxides (LDHs) from waste Bayer red mud for the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils. Characterization using XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDS methods revealed a characteristic layered structure rich in functional groups, offering reaction sites for heavy metal passivation. Passivation experiments showed that the application of Mg‐Fe‐Al LDHs (2.5 wt.%) reduced the availability of Pb (29.7%), Cd (64.1%) and Cu (66.0%) in contaminated soil from a sulphide iron ore area in southern Sichuan Province. Simulated acid rain experiments showed leachate concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Cu reduced by 43.3%, 72.7% and 42.4%, respectively. This work provides a reference for the development of high‐performance and environmentally friendly adsorption‐stabilizing materials for green remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reduce the use of fungicide and ensure food safety, it is necessary to develop fungicide with low toxicity and high efficiency to reduce residues. Azoxystrobin (AZOX), which is derived from mushrooms, is an excellent choice. However, conventional AZOX release is difficult to regulate. In this paper, a pH-responsive fungicide delivery system for the preparation of AZOX by impregnation method was reported. The Zinc metal–organic framework/Biomass charcoal (ZIF-8/BC) support was first prepared, and subsequently, the AZOX-ZIF-8/BC nano fungicide was prepared by adsorption of AZOX onto ZIF-8/BC by dipping. Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is one of the most important crop diseases worldwide. AZOX-ZIF-8/BC could respond to oxalic acid produced by Botrytis cinerea to release loaded AZOX. When pH = 4.8, it was 48.42% faster than when pH = 8.2. The loading of AZOX on ZIF-8/BC was 19.83%. In vitro and pot experiments showed that AZOX-ZIF-8/BC had significant fungicidal activity, and 300 mg/L concentration of AZOX-ZIF-8-BC could be considered as a safe and effective control of Botrytis cinerea. The above results indicated that the prepared AZOX-ZIF-8/BC not only exhibited good drug efficacy but also demonstrated pH-responsive fungicide release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant stomata close rapidly in response to a rise in the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) or salicylic acid (SA) and after recognition of pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Stomatal closure is the result of vacuolar convolution, ion efflux, and changes in turgor pressure in guard cells. Phytopathogenic bacteria secrete type III effectors (T3Es) that interfere with plant defense mechanisms, causing severe plant disease symptoms. Here, we show that the virulence and infection of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc), which is the causal agent of rice bacterial leaf streak disease, drastically increased in transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants overexpressing the Xoc T3E gene XopAP, which encodes a protein annotated as a lipase. We discovered that XopAP binds to phosphatidylinositol 3,5‐bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,5)P2), a membrane phospholipid that functions in pH control in lysosomes, membrane dynamics, and protein trafficking. XopAP inhibited the acidification of vacuoles by competing with vacuolar H+‐pyrophosphatase (V‐PPase) for binding to PtdIns(3,5)P2, leading to stomatal opening. Transgenic rice overexpressing XopAP also showed inhibition of stomatal closure when challenged by Xoc infection and treatment with the PAMP flg22. Moreover, XopAP suppressed flg22‐induced gene expression, reactive oxygen species burst and callose deposition in host plants, demonstrating that XopAP subverts PAMP‐triggered immunity during Xoc infection. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that XopAP overcomes stomatal immunity in plants by binding to lipids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, is an economically and nutritionally important freshwater crustacean in China. However, in recent years, some diseases have emerged in M. nipponense. In the present study, a pathogenic bacterium from M. nipponense with a red hepatopancreas was isolated. Then, through phenotypic analysis, biochemical analysis and genotypic identification, the MN strain was identified as a member of the Bacillus cereus group. The pathogenic mechanism analysis showed that the MN strain had virulence genes, including nheA, cytK and bceT gene, and could secrete urease and haemolysin. Furthermore, the drug sensitivity test suggested Cefazolin, amikacin, gentamicin and chloramphenicol could significantly inhibit the growth of the MN strain. All these results provide a theoretical basis for clinical medication to prevent or treat disease caused by MN strain in M. nipponense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kernel dehydration rate (KDR) is a crucial production trait that affects mechanized harvesting and kernel quality in maize; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL), qKDR1, as a non-coding sequence that regulates the expression of qKDR1 REGULATED PEPTIDE GENE (RPG). RPG encodes a 31 amino acid micropeptide, microRPG1, which controls KDR by precisely modulating the expression of two genes, ZmETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3-like 1 and 3, in the ethylene signaling pathway in the kernels after filling. microRPG1 is a Zea genus-specific micropeptide and originated de novo from a non-coding sequence. Knockouts of microRPG1 result in faster KDR in maize. By contrast, overexpression or exogenous application of the micropeptide shows the opposite effect both in maize and Arabidopsis. Our findings reveal the molecular mechanism of microRPG1 in kernel dehydration and provide an important tool for future crop breeding., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests Y.Y., W.L., Yuanfang Liu, J.X., L.Z., and Jianbing Yan are authors on patent applications related to this work. J.X. is employed by WIMI Biotechnology Co., Ltd., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The emergence and re-emergence of abundant viruses from bats that impact human and animal health have resulted in a resurgence of interest in bat immunology. Characterizing the immune receptor repertoire is critical to understanding how bats coexist with viruses in the absence of disease and developing new therapeutics to target viruses in humans and susceptible livestock. In this study, IGH germline genes of Chiroptera including Rhinolophus ferrumequinum , Phyllostomus discolor, and Pipistrellus pipistrellus were annotated, and we profiled the characteristics of Rhinolophus affinis (RA) IGH CDR3 repertoire. The germline genes of Chiroptera are quite different from those of human, mouse, cow, and dog in evolution, but the three bat species have high homology. The CDR3 repertoire of RA is unique in many aspects including CDR3 subclass, V/J genes access and pairing, CDR3 clones, and somatic high-frequency mutation compared with that of human and mouse, which is an important point in understanding the asymptomatic nature of viral infection in bats. This study unveiled a detailed map of bat IGH germline genes on chromosome level and provided the first immune receptor repertoire of bat, which will stimulate new avenues of research that are directly relevant to human health and disease.IMPORTANCEThe intricate relationship between bats and viruses has been a subject of study since the mid-20th century, with more than 100 viruses identified, including those affecting humans. While preliminary investigations have outlined the innate immune responses of bats, the role of adaptive immunity remains unclear. This study presents a pioneering contribution to bat immunology by unveiling, for the first time, a detailed map of bat IGH germline genes at the chromosome level. This breakthrough not only provides a foundation for B cell receptor research in bats but also contributes to primer design and sequencing of the CDR3 repertoire. Additionally, we offer the first comprehensive immune receptor repertoire of bats, serving as a crucial library for future comparative analyses. In summary, this research significantly advances the understanding of bats' immune responses, providing essential resources for further investigations into viral tolerance and potential zoonotic threats., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.