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Abstract Studies have shown that the microbiome of saline‐tolerant plants plays a significant role in promoting salt stress in non‐saline‐tolerant plants, but the microorganisms are still unclear. In the present study, the microbial diversity changes in Suaeda salsa (L.) Pall. in the Yellow River Delta region were investigated. In the bacterial community, the dominant bacteria in the rhizosphere soil of the low‐saline soil (YDL), moderate‐saline soil (YDM), and high‐saline soil (YDH) groups were Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota (at the phylum level), while Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant fungi in the fungal community. At the family level, with the increase of salinity, the relative abundance of Rhodobacteraceae (bacterial community), Thermoascaceae, and Phaffomycetaceae (fungal community) gradually increased; and to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports on the relationship between Thermoascaceae and Phaffomycetaceae families with salt stress. At the genus level, Salinimicrobium (bacterial community) was the dominant bacterium in the rhizosphere soil of the YDL, YDM, and YDH groups, while with the increase of salinity, the relative abundance of Byssochlamys and Wickerhamomyces (fungal community) gradually increased, and to the best of our knowledge there are no reports on the relationship between Byssochlamys and salt stress. Salinity mainly affected the bacterial community abundance, but it had little effect on the fungi community abundance. The bacterial community of the YDH group was dominated by bacteria of unknown origin (52.76%), while bacteria of unknown origin accounted for 26.46% and 20.78% of the bacterial communities in the YDM and YDL groups, respectively. The fungi community of the YDH group was dominated by YDL group fungi (relative abundance of 44.44%), followed by YDM group fungi (29.42%) and fungi of unknown origin (26.14%). These results provide a better understanding of the rhizosphere microbial diversity of saline–alkali‐tolerant plants, laying a foundation for developing a saline–alkali‐tolerant plant microbiome.

Background While the guidelines acknowledge the anticipated benefits of using an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in individuals with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). However, the potential adverse effects have received less attention.Methods and analysis To address this issue comprehensively, we will explore various databases such as the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE and PubMed. Our study will include CPVT patients, both with and without ICD implantation. Two researchers will evaluate the eligible studies independently and gather pertinent data. The quality of the studies included will be assessed using either the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale or the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Data analysis will be conducted using RevMan.Ethics and dissemination Because this research depends exclusively on existing studies, obtaining patient informed consent and ethics approval is unnecessary. The results of this meta-analysis will be shared at conferences or in peer-reviewed journals.PROSPERO registration number CRD42022370824.

Abstract Background Leadless pacemakers are a recent technological advancement. It has many advantages, but there are still a few serious complications. Case presentation This article reports the case of a patient with an endocardial tear and dissection caused by contact with the tip of the Micra cup during surgery and summarises the relevant data. Conclusions This case report details the occurrence and management of the incident and provides some guidance for future clinical management.

Water quality and aquatic ecosystems along lakeshores are vital for ecological balance and human well-being. However, research has primarily focused on plankton, with benthic niches being largely overlooked. To enhance understanding of benthic microbial communities, we utilized 16S and 18S rRNA sequencing alongside multivariate statistical methods to analyze samples from the shoreline of Lake Taihu in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province. Our results reveal a marked difference in species composition between benthic and planktonic microorganisms, with benthic cyanobacteria predominantly comprising filamentous genera like Tychonema, while 95% of planktonic cyanobacteria were Cyanobium. The β-diversity of benthic microorganisms was notably higher than that of planktonic counterparts. The neutral community model indicated that stochastic processes dominated planktonic microbial assembly, while deterministic processes prevailed in benthic communities. Null models showed that homogeneous selection influenced benthic community assembly, whereas planktonic communities were affected by undominated processes and dispersal limitation. Network analysis indicated that planktonic networks were more stable than benthic networks. Importantly, dominant benthic cyanobacterial genera posed potential toxin risks, highlighting the need for enhanced monitoring and ecological risk assessment. Overall, these findings enhance our understanding of benthic and planktonic microbial communities in lakeshores and offer valuable insights for aquatic assessment and management in eutrophicated environments.

Shiraia bambusicola is a typical parasitic medicinal fungus of the family Shiraiaceae. The fruiting bodies of S. bambusicola cannot be cultivated artificially, and active substances can be effectively produced via fermentation. The mechanism of conidia production is a research hotspot in the industrial utilization and growth development of S. bambusicola. This study is the first to systematically study the proteomics of conidiospore formation from S. bambusicola. Near-spherical conidia were observed and identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence detection. A total of 2,840 proteins were identified and 1,976 proteins were quantified in the mycelia and conidia of S. bambusicola. Compared with mycelia, 445 proteins were differentially expressed in the conidia of S. bambusicola, with 165 proteins being upregulated and 280 proteins being downregulated. The Gene Ontology (GO) annotation results of differential proteomics showed that the biological process of S. bambusicola sporulation is complex. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathway analysis showed that the differential proteins were mainly involved in starch and sucrose metabolism, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, microbial metabolism in diverse environments, and other processes. Our in-depth speculative analysis showed that proteins related to carbohydrate metabolism were differentially expressed in conidiospore formation of S. bambusicola, suggesting the involvement of saccharides. Conidiation may increase the synthesis and release of ethanol and polysaccharide proteins such as glycoside hydrolase (GH), suppress host immunity, and facilitate S. bambusicola to infect and colonize of the host. In-depth analysis of differential proteomes will help reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the conidiospore formation of S. bambusicola, which has strong theoretical and practical significance.

The increase in UV-B radiation at the Earth’s surface due to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer is a notable facet of contemporary climate change patterns. The macroalgae inhabiting the intertidal zone exhibit a diverse array of adaptive strategies to cope with dramatic environmental changes. In this study, we integrated physiological, transcriptomic and metabolomic data from energy metabolism perspective to elucidate the responses and recovery mechanism of N. haitanensis to UV-B radiation exposure. UV-B radiation has a harmful impact on the photosynthetic performance of N. haitanensis. However, an increase in photosynthetic performance and upregulated expression of genes related to photosynthesis were observed during recovery, suggesting that the effect of UV-B on N. haitanensis was dynamic photoinhibition. Recovery experiments revealed that most genes and metabolites related to glycolysis were significantly upregulated, suggesting that glycolysis was activated to promote energy production. In addition, the TCA cycle was also activated, as evidenced by the increase in key substances and the upregulated expression of key enzyme-encoding genes during recovery. Correspondingly, ATP was also abundantly accumulated. These results suggested that the TCA cycle provided ATP for N. haitanensis to repair UV-B damage. Meanwhile, amino acid metabolism was enhanced during recovery as a source of intermediates for the TCA cycle. Therefore, photosynthesis, glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and amino acid metabolism synergistically cooperate to provide material and energy for recovery after UV-B radiation. This study is important for understanding the adaptive strategies of intertidal macroalgae in response to UV-B radiation.

IntroductionSuaeda salsa is a typical wetland plant species in coastal areas that plays an important role in protecting the marine eco-environment. The rhizosphere microorganisms of S. salsa are responsible for its growth and development.MethodEighteen samples were collected from three areas, including the natural S. salsa-growing area (YDJ), artificial S. salsa restoration area (YDB), and nonrestoration area (BKS), and high-throughput sequencing technology was employed to explore the characteristics of the rhizosphere microorganisms of S. salsa in the Yellow River Delta.ResultsThe results illustrated that the abundance and diversity of soil bacteria were highest in the YDJ group, fungal abundance was highest in the YDJ group, and fungal diversity was greatest in the YDB group. In total, 26,663 operational taxonomy units (OTUs) were found in soil bacteria, among which 9,095, 8,023, and 11,001 were detected in the BKS, YDB, and YDJ groups, respectively. 11,619 OTUs were found in soil fungi, among which 4,278, 4,552, and 5,100 were detected in the BKS, YDB, and YDJ groups, respectively. The YDJ group had the highest number of OTUs for bacteria and fungi among the three groups.DiscussionS. salsa in natural wetland conditions tended to be similar to artificially restored S. salsa. The composition of fungi in the S. salsa rhizosphere had greater similarities than that of the bacteria. Proteobacteria had the highest abundance among bacterial communities, and Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Olpidiomycota were dominant in the fungal communities of the three groups. The correlation results found that power of hydrogen (pH) was significantly and negatively correlated with the abundance of Acidobacteriota and Proteobacteria. Meanwhile, electrical conductivity (EC) was significantly and positively correlated with the abundance of Firmicutes and negatively correlated with that of Proteobacteria. Regarding fungi, pH and EC were significantly and negatively correlated with the abundance of Chytridiomycota. Our findings provided some theoretical data for S. salsa conservation and wetland restoration.

Abstract Purpose As an invasive plant, Parthenium hysterophorus severely impacts the ecological environment of the Yellow River Delta and reduces biodiversity in the invaded areas. The effects of P. hysterophorus invasion on the local environment became increasingly critical, while few information was available for the effects of P. hysterophorus invasion on soil bacteria. The present study aimed to reveal the impacts of hysterophorus on the fungal communities in the Yellow River Delta. Methods Sixteen soil samples including four groups (ROOT group, YRR group, YNR group, and GBS group) were collected. High-throughput methods were used to explore the fungal composition of the P. hysterophorus-invaded surrounding environment and native plant-growed environment. Results Our results showed that the ACE (351.97) and Chao1 (351.95) values of the rhizosphere soils of P. hysterophorus (YRR group) were the highest among the four groups, whereas the non-rhizosphere soil samples of P. hysterophorus (YNR group) had the highest Shannon (7.188) and Simpson (0.984) values. The total number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) obtained from the four groups was 1965, with 161 common OTUs among different groups. At the phylum level, both Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant fungi, with Ascomycota having the highest abundance. At the genus level, except for the endophytic fungi of P. hysterophorus roots (ROOT group), Fusarium, Mortierella, Comoclathris, and Cladosporium were the dominant fungi in three groups. The fungal communities within the roots of P. hysterophorus were distant from other groups, indicating that the composition of the fungal communities within the roots had a low degree of similarity to the other three groups. LEfSe analysis showed that Ascomycota at the phylum level and Cladosporium, Curvularia, and Alternaria at the genus level play essential roles in the ROOT group, and Comoclathris plays a vital role in the YNR group. Conclusions This study explored the effects of P. hysterophorus invasion on the local soil fungal communities by analyzing the fungal communities in P. hysterophorus roots, rhizosphere soil, non-rhizosphere soil, and rhizosphere soil of native plants. Generally, P. hysterophorus rhizosphere fungi specifically affect the surrounding environment.

Background: While desmosomal junctions and gap junction remodeling are among the arrhythmogenic substrates, the fate of desmosomal and gap junctions in high-pacing-induced heart failure remains unclear. This aim of this study was to determine the fate of desmosomal junctions in high-pacing-induced heart failure. Methods: Dogs were randomly divided into 2 equal groups, a high-pacing-induced heart failure model group (heart failure group, n = 6) and a sham operation group (control group, n = 6). Echocardiography and cardiac electrophysiological examination were performed. Cardiac tissue was analyzed by immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. The expression of desmoplakin and desmoglein-2 proteins was detected by western blot. Results: A significant decrease in ejection fraction, significant cardiac dilatation, diastolic and systolic dysfunction, and ventricular thinning occurred after 4 weeks in high-pacing-induced dog model of heart failure. Effective refractory period action potential duration at 90% repolarization was prolonged in the heart failure group. Immunofluorescence analysis and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated connexin-43 lateralization accompanies desmoglein-2 and desmoplakin remodeling in the heart failure group. Western blotting showed that the expression of desmoplakin and desmoglein-2 proteins was higher in heart failure than in normal tissue. Conclusion: Desmosome (desmoglein-2 and desmoplakin) redistribution and desmosome (desmoglein-2) overexpression accompanying connexin-43 lateralization were parts of a complex remodeling in high–pacing-induced heart failure.

Metal mesh transparent electrodes present a promising alternative to Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO) due to their adjustable period and favourable trade-off between transmittance and conductivity. In this work, a template-free, non-high temperature hybrid additive manufacturing approach of the polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/Cu core–shell structure high-resolution metal mesh flexible transparent electrode (FTE) is proposed. The electric field-driven (EFD) 3D printing method was employed to print ultra-fine lines with widths as low as 1 μm. The composite-plating process combining electroless plating and electroplating has solved the structural defects of single deposition process. The prepared FTE has an excellent conductivity down to 1 Ω/sq and 89% light transmission (at 550 nm). Its exceptional mechanical properties and environmental stability make it suitable for diverse working environments. Even after undergoing 2000 bends at a radius of 3 mm, the resistance change rate remains as low as 1.4%. The resistance exhibits an approximately 8% change rate in the acid–base environment experiments conducted over 72 h. The flexible touch screen prepared with this FTE exhibits excellent writing performance in both flat and curved working scenarios. Furthermore, the significant potential of this FTE in the field of optoelectronics is effectively demonstrated through its exceptional luminescent performance in electroluminescent devices.

Abstract Background Seagrasses are a polyphyletic group of monocotyledonous angiosperms that have evolved to live entirely submerged in marine waters. Thus, these species are ideal for studying plant adaptation to marine environments. Herein, we sequenced the chloroplast (cp) genomes of two seagrass species (Zostera muelleri and Halophila ovalis) and performed a comparative analysis of them with 10 previously published seagrasses, resulting in various novel findings. Results The cp genomes of the seagrasses ranged in size from 143,877 bp (Zostera marina) to 178,261 bp (Thalassia hemprichii), and also varied in size among different families in the following order: Hydrocharitaceae > Cymodoceaceae > Ruppiaceae > Zosteraceae. The length differences between families were mainly related to the expansion and contraction of the IR region. In addition, we screened out 2,751 simple sequence repeats and 1,757 long repeat sequence types in the cp genome sequences of the 12 seagrass species, ultimately finding seven hot spots in coding regions. Interestingly, we found nine genes with positive selection sites, including two ATP subunit genes (atpA and atpF), three ribosome subunit genes (rps4, rps7, and rpl20), one photosystem subunit gene (psbH), and the ycf2, accD, and rbcL genes. These gene regions may have played critical roles in the adaptation of seagrasses to diverse environments. In addition, phylogenetic analysis strongly supported the division of the 12 seagrass species into four previously recognized major clades. Finally, the divergence time of the seagrasses inferred from the cp genome sequences was generally consistent with previous studies. Conclusions In this study, we compared chloroplast genomes from 12 seagrass species, covering the main phylogenetic clades. Our findings will provide valuable genetic data for research into the taxonomy, phylogeny, and species evolution of seagrasses.

AbstractAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease. The mechanism was complex. Genetic mutations of Toll-like receptor (TLR) may be associated with AD, yet still unclear. We aim to provide specific evidence of the association of TLR2, TLR9 gene polymorphisms with AD. Publications were selected according to the criteria. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was applied to evaluate the quality. The value of ORs and 95%CIs were applied to measure the associations. According to the heterogeneity, the effects model of fixed or random was selected in data combination. For TLR2 gene rs5743708 polymorphism, under allele and recessive contrasts, the pooled data showed a significant correlation, which was A vs a, OR = 0.51 (95%CI: 0.30, 0.86); AA vs Aa + aa, OR = 0.54 (95%CI: 0.33, 0.88). For TLR2 gene rs4696480 polymorphism, under allele, homozygous, heterozygous, and dominant contrasts, the pooled data showed a significant correlation, which was A vs a, OR = 0.79 (95%CI: 0.64, 0.97), AA vs aa, OR = 0.65 (95%CI: 0.43, 0.97), Aa vs aa, OR = 0.68 (95%CI: 0.48, 0.97), AA + Aa vs aa, OR = 0.67 (95%CI: 0.49, 0.93). There are significant associations of TLR2 gene rs5743708, rs4696480 polymorphisms with atopic dermatitis, while no associations are found in TLR9 gene rs5743836, rs187084 polymorphisms.

Abstract Background Seagrasses are higher marine flowering plants that evolved from terrestrial plants, but returned to the sea during the early evolution of monocotyledons through several separate lineages. Thus, they become a good model for studying the adaptation of plants to the marine environment. Sequencing of the mitochondrial (mt) genome of seagrasses is essential for understanding their evolutionary characteristics. Results In this study, we sequenced the mt genome of two endangered seagrasses (Zostera japonica and Phyllospadix iwatensis). These data and data on previously sequenced mt genomes from monocotyledons provide new evolutionary evidence of genome size reduction, gene loss, and adaptive evolution in seagrasses. The mt genomes of Z. japonica and P. iwatensis are circular. The sizes of the three seagrasses (including Zostera marine) that have been sequenced to date are smaller than that of other monocotyledons. Additionally, we found a large number of repeat sequences in seagrasses. The most abundant long repeat sequences were 31–40 bp repeats. Our study also found that seagrass species lost extensive ribosomal protein genes during evolution. The rps7 gene and the rpl16 gene of P. iwatensis are exceptions to this trend. The phylogenetic analysis based on the mt genome strongly supports the previous results. Furthermore, we identified five positive selection genes (atp8, nad3, nad6, ccmFn, and matR) in seagrasses that may be associated with their adaptation to the marine environment. Conclusions In this study, we sequenced and annotated the mt genomes of Z. japonica and P. iwatensis and compared them with the genome of other monocotyledons. The results of this study will enhance our understanding of seagrass adaptation to the marine environment and can inform further investigations of the seagrass mt genome.

Objective: To evaluate the association between IL-25, IL-33 and AD more generally. Methods: Databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, CNKI and Sinomed were searched. Based on the criteria, publications were collected. The evaluation of study quality was through Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Fixed or random effect model was selected according to the between-study heterogeneity to evaluate the association. The analysis procedure and the construction plots were using Review Manager 5.3 software. Results: Six studies were included. A total of 282 subjects were included from four studies to analyze the association between IL-25 and AD. The level of IL-25 was significantly elevated in AD patients, comparing with the control subjects (SMD = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.64, 1.14, p < 0.05). For IL-33, a total of 247 subjects were included from two studies, and the level of IL-33 was also significantly elevated in AD patients comparing to the control subjects (SMD = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.80, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The serum levels of IL-25, IL-33 are elevated in AD patients of this study. The IL-25 and IL-33 are significantly associated with the risk of AD. Further studies with larger samples, in multiple countries and focused on different age groups are need.

Abstract The epiphytic bacteria are the most abundant microorganisms on marine macroalga. However, there are few studies on the distribution of these epiphytic bacteria on male and female Sargassum thunbergii. In this study, the composition and diversity of epiphytic bacterial communities on male and female S. thunbergii were investigated by using the traditional culture-based method and 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that the dominant bacterial phyla and genera were the same on both male and female S. thunbergii. However, there were significant differences in the relative abundance of epiphytic bacteria at the genus level. Furthermore, male and female S. thunbergii had their own indicative species and specific bacteria. In addition, the predicted functions of the epiphytic bacteria mainly differed in transport and metabolism, environmental adaptation and spore development. This study enriches the baseline knowledge of epiphytic bacteria related to dioecious algae and paves the way for further studies of the relationships between epiphytic microbial communities and the sex of algae.

BackgroundIncreasing numbers of studies demonstrated that picosecond lasers (Picos) were effective and safe for melasma. However, A limited number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding Picos contribute to a modest level of evidence. Topical hydroquinone (HQ) remains to be the first-line therapy.ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of non-fractional picosecond Nd:YAG laser (PSNYL), non-fractional picosecond alexandrite laser (PSAL), and 2% HQ cream in the treatment of melasma.MethodSixty melasma patients with Fitzpatrick skin types (FST) III-IV were randomly assigned to the PSNY, PSAL, and HQ groups at a 1:1:1 ratio. Patients in PSNYL and PSAL groups received 3 laser sessions at 4-week intervals. The 2% HQ cream was applied twice daily for 12 weeks in patients of the HQ group. The primary outcome, the melasma area and severity index (MASI) score, was evaluated at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24. The patient assessment score by quartile rating scale was rated at weeks 12, 16, 20, and 24.ResultsFifty-nine (98.3%) subjects were included in the analysis. Each group showed significant change from baseline in MASI scores from week 4 to week 24. The MASI score in the PSNYL group showed the greatest reduction compared to the PSAL group (p = 0.016) and HQ group (p = 0.018). The PSAL group demonstrated comparable MASI improvement as the HQ group (p = 0.998). The PSNYL group had the highest patient assessment score, followed by the PSAL group and then the HQ group, although only the differences between PSNYL and HQ groups at weeks 12 and 16 were significant. Four patients (6.8%) experienced recurrence. Other unanticipated events were transient and subsided after 1 week to 6 months.ConclusionThe efficacy of non-fractional PSNYL was superior to that of non-fractional PSAL, which was not inferior to 2% HQ, thus non-fractional Picos providing an alternative for melasma patients with FSTs III-IV. The safety profiles of PSNYL, PSAL, and 2% HQ cream were similar.Clinical Trial Registrationhttps://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=130994, ChiCTR2100050089.

Seed development is a crucial phase in the life cycle of seed-propagated plants. As the only group of angiosperms that evolved from terrestrial plants to complete their life cycle submerged in marine environments, the mechanisms underlying seed development in seagrasses are still largely unknown. In the present study, we attempted to combine transcriptomic, metabolomic, and physiological data to comprehensively analyze the molecular mechanism that regulates energy metabolism in Zostera marina seeds at the four major developmental stages. Our results demonstrated that seed metabolism was reprogrammed with significant alteration of starch and sucrose metabolism, glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle), and the pentose phosphate pathway during the transition from seed formation to seedling establishment. The interconversion of starch and sugar provided energy storage substances in mature seeds and further acted as energy sources to support seed germination and seedling growth. The glycolysis pathway was active during Z. marina germination and seedling establishment, which provided pyruvate for TCA cycle by decomposing soluble sugar. Notably, the biological processes of glycolysis were severely inhibited during Z. marina seed maturation may have a positive effect on seed germination, maintaining a low level of metabolic activity during seed maturation to preserve seed viability. Increased acetyl-CoA and ATP contents were accompanied with the higher TCA cycle activity during seed germination and seedling establishment, indicating that the accumulations of precursor and intermediates metabolite that can strengthen the TCA cycle and facilitate energy supply for Z. marina seed germination and seedling growth. The large amount of oxidatively generated sugar phosphate promotes fructose 1,6-bisphosphate synthesis to feed back to glycolysis during seed germination, indicating that the pentose phosphate pathway not only provides energy for germination, but also complements the glycolytic pathway. Collectively, our findings suggest these energy metabolism pathways cooperate with each other in the process of seed transformation from maturity to seedling establishment, transforming seed from storage tissue to highly active metabolic tissue to meet the energy requirement seed development. These findings provide insights into the roles of the energy metabolism pathway in the complete developmental process of Z. marina seeds from different perspectives, which could facilitate habitat restoration of Z. marina meadows via seeds.

Abstract Purpose To study the structure of the epiphytic bacterial community of the male and female Porphyra haitanensis, in order to explore the similarities and differences of epiphytic bacterial community structure between dioecious macroalgae. Methods Collection of male and female Porphyra haitanensis from the intertidal zone of Niushan Island, Fujian, China. Epiphytic bacteria were collected and studied, and the community composition and diversity of epiphytic bacteria were explored using high-throughput sequencing technology. Results There was no significant difference between male and female Porphyra haitanensis on α-diversity and β-diversity. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the core microbiota in male and female Porphyra haitanensis. Bacteria from the Maribacter (male 14.87%, female 1.66%) and the Tenacibaculum (male 1.44%, female 25.78%) were the most indicative epiphytic bacterial taxa on male and female Porphyra haitanensis. Conclusions Sex differences have some influence on the construction of epiphytic bacterial communities in Porphyra haitanensis, but they are not the decisive factors affecting the construction of epiphytic bacterial communities in Porphyra haitanensis.

Novacetimonas cocois WE7 (formally named Komagataeibacter cocois WE7) is a strain isolated from contaminated coconut milk, capable of producing bacterial cellulose (BC). We sequenced its genome to investigate why WE7 cannot synthesize BC from glucose efficiently. It contains about 3.5 Mb and six plasmid DNAs. N. cocois WE7 contains two bcs operons (bacterial cellulose operon, bcs I and bcs II); the absence of bcs III operons may lead to reduced BC production. From genome predictions, glucose, sucrose, fructose, maltose, and glycerol can be utilized to generate BC, with WE7 unable to metabolize carbohydrate carbon sources through the Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas (EMP) pathway, but rather through the Hexose Monophosphate Pathway (HMP) and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) pathways. It has a complete gluconic acid production pathway, suggesting that BC yield might be very low when glucose, maltose, and trehalose are used as carbon sources. This study represents the first genome analysis of N. cocois. This information is crucial for understanding BC production and regulation mechanisms in N. cocois and lays a foundation for constructing engineered strains tailored for diverse BC application purposes.

A three-dimensional upwind conservation element and solution element method (CESE) in cylindrical coordinates is first developed to effectively solve the unsteady reactive Euler equations governing a hydrogen–air rotating detonation engine (RDE) with coaxial structures. The effects of the annular width on the structure of the detonation front and the relationship between the thrust and mass flow rate are then investigated. Additionally, RDEs with various injection conditions are systematically analyzed regarding flow patterns and propulsion performance. The results reveal a positive correlation between the specific impulse and the area ratio of the injection slot to the head-end wall. Nevertheless, the specific impulse shows minimal dependence on the injector slot’s location when the area ratio is constant. Ultimately, it is concluded that the area ratio between the injector and the head-end wall is critical in determining the loss of specific impulse.

Abstract Umami and sweet sensations provide animals with important dietary information for detecting and consuming nutrients, whereas bitter sensation helps animals avoid potentially toxic or harmful substances. Enormous progress has been made toward animal sweet/umami taste receptor (Tas1r) and bitter taste receptor (Tas2r). However, information about amphibians is mainly scarce. This study attempted to delineate the repertoire of Tas1r/Tas2r genes by searching for currently available genome sequences in 14 amphibian species. This study identified 16 Tas1r1, 9 Tas1r2, and 9 Tas1r3 genes to be intact and another 17 Tas1r genes to be pseudogenes or absent in the 14 amphibians. According to the functional prediction of Tas1r genes, two species have lost sweet sensation and seven species have lost both umami and sweet sensations. Anurans possessed a large number of intact Tas2rs, ranging from 39 to 178. In contrast, caecilians possessed a contractive bitter taste repertoire, ranging from 4 to 19. Phylogenetic and reconciling analysis revealed that the repertoire of amphibian Tas1rs and Tas2rs was shaped by massive gene duplications and losses. No correlation was found between feeding preferences and the evolution of Tas1rs in amphibians. However, the expansion of Tas2rs may help amphibians adapt to both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Bitter detection may have played an important role in the evolutionary adaptation of vertebrates in the transition from water to land.

The enhancement of harmful ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280–320 nm wavelength) radiation is a serious problem generally faced by photosynthetic organisms. Previous studies have reported that the currently increasing level of UV-B radiation received on earth can promote the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by altering the antioxidant defense system or by hampering of photosynthesis system of plants. However, the relationship between the UV-B-induced ROS production, antioxidant capacity, and photosynthetic performance in macroalgae remains unclear. In this study, the regulation of the antioxidant system and photosynthetic activity by ROS triggered by UV-B radiation were investigated in an intertidal seaweed, Neoporphyra haitanensis. The contents of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde increased with enhanced UV-B radiation, indicating N. haitanensis experienced oxidative stress. Increased activities of antioxidant enzymes showed a positive response of enzymatic antioxidants to maintain the balance of ROS under low UV-B conditions. Likewise, an accumulation of non-enzymatic antioxidants occurred and glutathione redox status was maintained at a high level, suggesting that the ascorbate–glutathione cycle played an indispensable role in detoxifying ROS. Nevertheless, high UV-B radiation markedly inhibited the efficiency of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, causing oxidative damage and a depression of photosynthesis. The addition of ROS scavengers alleviated the increased oxidation level caused by UV-B radiation, implying that oxidative damage under UV-B condition was ascribed to accumulated ROS. The activation of the antioxidant defense system was also modulated by ROS. Additionally, the decreased photosynthetic activities induced by enhanced UV-B radiation were reversed by ROS scavengers, indicating that ROS-mediated oxidative damage caused by UV-B radiation is one of the important causes of photo-inhibitory damage in N. haitanensis. Overall, these results shed some light on the close relationship between UV-B-induced ROS production, the antioxidant defense system, and photosynthetic performance in macroalgae, which helps to reveal their survival strategies for adapting to highly variable marine intertidal environments.

The enhancement of ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) radiation reaching the Earth’s surface due to ozone layer depletion is an important topic. Macroalgal species growing in the intertidal zone are often directly exposed to UV-B radiation periodically as the tide changes. In order to better understand the response of macroalgae to UV-B stressed condition, we studied the dominant dioecious intertidal macroalgae Sargassum thunbergii. After consecutive UV-B radiation treatments, we used metabonomics models to analyze and compare the maximum photosynthetic electron transport rate (ETRmax), central carbon cycle metabolism (CCCM) gene expression level, CCCM enzymic activities [pyruvate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase (PDH and CS)], and carbon-based metabolite (including pyruvate, soluble sugar, total amino acid, and lipids) content in male and female S. thunbergii. The results showed that under low and high UV-B radiation, the ETRmax values and six targeted CCCM gene expression levels were significantly higher in males than in females. Under high UV-B radiation, only the CS activity was significantly higher in males than in females. There was no significant difference in PDH activity between males and females. The CCCM models constructed using the metabonomics analysis demonstrate that S. thunbergii males and females exhibit obvious gender differences in their responses to UV-B radiation, providing us with a new understanding of the macroalgal gender differences under UV-B radiation, as past investigations always underestimated their diecious characteristics.

Seagrass is a significant primary producer of coastal ecosystems; however, the continued degradation of seagrass beds is a serious problem that has attracted widespread attention from researchers. Rhizosphere microorganisms affect seagrass and participate in many life activities of seagrass. This study explored the relationship between the composition of microbes in the rhizosphere and the surrounding environment of Ruppia sinensis by using High-throughput sequencing methods. The dominant bacterial groups in the rhizosphere surface sediments of R. sinensis and the surrounding environment are Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Firmicutes. Moreover, the dominant fungal groups are Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Chytridiomycota. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were identified in microbial communities among different groups (rhizosphere, bulk sediment, and surrounding seawater). Seventy-four ASVs (For bacteria) and 48 ASVs (For fungal) were shared among seagrass rhizosphere, surrounding sediment, and seawater. The rhizosphere was enriched in sulfate-reducing bacteria and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. In general, we obtained the rhizosphere microbial community of R. sinensis, which provided extensive evidence of the relative contribution of the seagrass rhizosphere and the surrounding environment.

Abstract The exotic plant Spartina alterniflora is expanding rapidly along China's coast regions, seriously threatening native ecosystems. Soil bacteria are important for biogeochemical cycles, including those of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, in wetland ecosystems. There is growing evidence that microorganisms are important in case of plant invasion. In the present study, we studied the interlacing area of S. alterniflora and Suaeda heteroptera, selected soil of invaded and non‐invaded regions and explored the effect of the composition and diversity of bacterial communities in coastal wetlands. The bacterial community composition of invasive and noninvasive areas was subjected to high‐throughput sequencing. In the five areas tested, the main bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, and Acidobacteria; the richness of the bacterial community in the soil increased after S. alterniflora invasion, most changes occurred at the genus level. The relative abundances of Desulfobulbus and Sulfurovum were higher in invasive areas than in noninvaded areas. PCA, RDA, and LEfSe analyses found that the S. alterniflora invasion significantly influenced the bacterial community and physicochemical properties of wetland soil. In conclusion, soil microbial community composition was tightly associated with S. alterniflora invasion. This study provide an important scientific basis for further research on the invasion mechanism of S. alterniflora.

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation is a major environmental stress that suppresses or activates defense responses in organisms. UV-B radiation affecting growth and development in intertidal species have been researched for a long time, but a series of unknown knowledge remain in the male and female macroalgae comparison. To compare the different responses of male and female Sargassum thunbergii macroalgae under UV-B radiation, PSII photochemical efficiency determination, metabolomic analysis, and main carbon-based metabolites (including soluble sugar, total amino acid, and lipid) content measuring have been performed in our experiments. Results showed that males have significantly superiority performance in the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Fv/Fm, Y(II), and Y(NO) either low or high UV-B radiation treatments. Metabolomics analysis revealed that carbon and nitrogen metabolism pathways in male and female S. thunbergii were significant components responding to enhanced UV-B radiation. Based on measuring, female S. thunbergii lipid content expressed higher than males without any stimulation. Additionally, under low UV-B radiation stimulation, females total amino acid content shown significantly higher than control group and their lipid content also significantly higher than males. Under high UV-B radiation, males soluble sugar, total amino acid, and lipid content significantly varied from females, which meant that enhancing UV-B stress might altered mainly carbon-based metabolites flowing directions. The present study elucidated the potential role of enhanced UV-B radiation in regulating macroalgae physiological responses, metabolites changing, and reflecting differences between male and female S. thunbergii, contributing to understanding of brown-macroalgae diecious adopting mechanisms in defending intertidal UV-B stresses.

Parthenium hysterophorus L., as an invasive plant, has negatively impacted the ecosystem functioning and stability of the terrestrial ecosystem in China. However, little information was available for its effects on microorganisms in the Yellow River Delta (YRD), the biggest newly-formed wetland in China. In the present study, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to obtain the bacterial community in soils and roots of different plant species, including P. hysterophorus and some native ones in the YRD. Our results showed that the Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, Gemmatimonadota, and Actinobacteriota were dominant in the rhizosphere soils of P. hysterophorus (84.2%) and Setaria viridis (86.47%), and the bulk soils (80.7%). The Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota were dominant within the root of P. hysterophorus. A total of 2468 bacterial OTUs were obtained from different groups among which 140 were observed in all the groups; 1019 OTUs were shared by P. hysterophorus non-rhizosphere soil bacteria (YNR) P. hysterophorus rhizosphere soil bacteria (YRR) groups. The indexes of the ACE (823.1), Chao1 (823.19), Simpson (0.9971), and Shannon (9.068) were the highest in the YRR groups, showing the greatest bacterial community diversity. Random forest analysis showed that the Methylomirabilota and Dadabacteria (at the phylum level) and the Sphingomonas, and Woeseia (at the genus level) were identified as the main predictors among different groups. The LEfSe results also showed the essential role of the Acidobacteriota in the YRR group. The SourceTracker analysis of the bacterial community of the YRR group was mainly from GBS groups (average 53.14%) and a small part was from YNR groups (average 6.56%), indicating that the P. hysterophorus invasion had a more significant effect on native plants’ rhizosphere microorganisms than soil microorganisms. Our observations could provide valuable information for understanding the bacterial diversity and structure of the soil to the invasion of P. hysterophorus.

Seagrasses are marine flowering plants found in tropical and sub-tropical areas that live in coastal regions between the sea and land. All seagrass species evolved from terrestrial monocotyledons, providing the opportunity to study plant adaptation to sea environments. Here, we sequenced the chloroplast genomes (cpGenomes) of three Zostera species, then analyzed and compared their cpGenome structures and sequence variations. We also performed a phylogenetic analysis using published seagrass chloroplasts and calculated the selection pressure of 17 species within seagrasses and nine terrestrial monocotyledons, as well as estimated the number of shared genes of eight seagrasses. The cpGenomes of Zosteraceae species ranged in size from 143,877 bp (Zostera marina) to 152,726 bp (Phyllospadix iwatensis), which were conserved and displayed similar structures and gene orders. Additionally, we found 17 variable hotspot regions as candidate DNA barcodes for Zosteraceae species, which will be helpful for studying the phylogenetic relationships and interspecies differences between seagrass species. Interestingly, nine genes had positive selection sites, including two ATP subunit genes (atpA and atpF), two ribosome subunit genes (rps4 and rpl20), two DNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes (rpoC1 and rpoC2), as well as accD, clpP, and ycf2. These gene regions may have played key roles in the seagrass adaptation to diverse environments. The Branch model analysis showed that seagrasses had a higher rate of evolution than terrestrial monocotyledons, suggesting that seagrasses experienced greater environmental pressure. Moreover, a branch-site model identified positively selected sites (PSSs) in ccsA, suggesting their involvement in the adaptation to sea environments. These findings are valuable for further investigations on Zosteraceae cpGenomes and will serve as an excellent resource for future studies on seagrass adaptation to sea environments.

The Polygonum sibiricum (Laxm.) Tzvelev, an important herbal species used to protect seawalls, has a solid resistance to salinity and alkali and can grow on alkali spots in saline–alkali soils. So far, the composition, population, and characteristics of its rhizosphere biological community related to the adaptation salt–alkali environment were still unknown. In the present study, rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil samples from the P. sibiricum on Chenier Island were collected. High-throughput sequencing was conducted to obtain the structural diversity of rhizosphere microbial communities. Our results showed that the dominant bacteria groups in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Gemmatimonadota, and Actinobacteriota. The dominant fungi groups in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil samples were Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Mortierellomycota. The results of the ASVs (amplicon sequence variants) showed that fungi have more ASVs in common. The PERMANOVA analysis showed that the bacteria among different groups were significantly different. The PCoA (principal coordinates analysis) study also showed that the structures of the bacterial and fungal communities between the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere were distinct. Function results showed that the relative abundance in COG (Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins) functional annotation was significantly different between the two groups. In addition to the general function prediction and carbohydrate transport and metabolism, the COG of the non-rhizosphere was higher than that of the rhizosphere. Our findings benefited the knowledge for studying and conserving the molecule-level adaptive mechanisms of P. sibiricum.

Oenococcus oeni is the main microorganism that undergoes malolactic fermentation (MLF) in the winemaking industry due to its excellent adaptability to harsh wine environments. The start of MLF is often delayed or even fails, and low pH appears to be a crucial parameter. To study the function of the trxA gene in acid stress, a plasmid containing the trxA gene of O. oeni SD-2a was heterologously expressed in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1. The recombinant strain (WCFS1-trxA) grew better than the control strain (WCFS1-Vector) under acid stress. The expression of thioredoxin system genes was much higher in the recombinant strain compared with the control strain under acid stress. In addition, a series of physiological and biochemical assays were conducted. The ATP content was lower in the recombinant strain, while the cell membrane fluidity and integrity improved in the recombinant strain. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, intracellular GSH level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity assays showed that the recombinant strain decreased the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation by improving the SOD activity. In conclusion, heterologous expression of trxA improves the SOD activity of L. plantarum WCFS1, reducing bacterial ROS and increasing cell membrane fluidity and integrity, enhancing the tolerance of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1 under acid stress.

As a typical invasive species, Spartina alterniflora is widely recognized as one of the primary threats to biodiversity in various habitats, including wetlands. Although the invasion by S. alterniflora has been managed in multiple ways, it may reappear after treatment. How S. alterniflora affects the soil microbial community in coastal wetlands during its regeneration process has not yet been clarified. Here, rhizosphere soil samples (RSPs) and bulk soil samples (SSPs) were collected in the S. alterniflora community and a high-throughput sequencing method was conducted to analyze the composition and diversity of soil microorganisms. Meanwhile, we also obtain the soil physicochemical properties. In the present study, there was no significant difference in the alpha diversity of both bacterial and fungal communities in the SSP and RSP groups. The PCoA (principal coordinate analysis) also showed that the microbial community structure did not differ significantly between the SSP and RSP groups. The results showed that except for pH, the total sulfur (TS) content, total nitrogen (TN) content, and electrical conductivity (EC) did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between the SSP and RSP groups. The composition of the bacterial and fungal community in the rhizosphere of S. alterniflora was similar to that found in the surrounding soils. The top two dominant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria and Desulfobacterota in the present study. Venn diagram results also support this view; most OTUs belong to the common OTUs of the two groups, and the proportion of unique OTUs is relatively small. The LEfSe (LDA effect size) analysis showed that Campylobacterota (at the phylum level) and Sulfurimonas (at the genus level) significantly increased in the RSP group, implying that the increased Sulfurimonas might play an essential role in the invasion by S. alterniflora during the under-water period. Overall, these results suggest that the bacterial and fungal communities were not significantly affected by the S. alterniflora invasion due to the short invasion time.

Heavy metals are major pollutants that pose threats to wetland environments. In the present study, surface sediments from wetlands vegetated by invasive species Spartina alterniflora in the Yellow River Delta were collected and determined for the mass fractions of Co, Ni, As, Cd and Pb. Results showed mass fractions of Co, Ni, As, Cd and Pb in the sediments of the S. alterniflora communities ranged from 8.5 to 16.0, 13.9–27.9, 3.2–13.8, 0.08–0.24, and 17.6–37.5 mg/kg dw, respectively, generally presenting an order of Pb > Ni > Co > As > Cd. The levels of heavy metals in sediments in the S. alterniflora communities were higher than those in the wetland vegetated by the native plant species Suaeda heteroptera. Correlations among metal elements were highly significant, suggesting that they might have the same sources. Clay and TOC were important factors affecting the spatial distribution of metals. The Igeo values of the investigated elements in the sediments were frequently lower than 0, revealing the slight pollution status of these metals. Relatively slight values of Eri and RI suggested that the potential ecological risks caused by the 5 metals were low. Our findings could provide a better understanding of the correlation between metal pollution and bio-invasion in wetland ecosystems.

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common liver diseases globally and its negative impact has grad- ually attracted attention. Method: In order to explore whether camphor seed oil has a certain link effect on NAFLD, we identified its remodeling of intestinal flora and liver function index through the use of camphor seed kernel oil as food treatment (CCSKO). Results: Our results showed that camphor seed oil significantly improved the liver index, TG content and histopathology of the NAFLD mice compared with other groups. Meanwhile, we found significant differences in the intestinal microbiota of mice in different treatment groups. Discussion: The CCSKO treatment might significantly increase the abundance of Bacteroidetes, which were involved in many important metabolic activities in the human colon, including carbohydrate fermentation, utilization of nitrogenous substances, and biotransformation of bile acids and other steroids. Conclusions: These findings indicate a strong contribution in shaping the gut microbiota by treatment groups, shedding light on the impact of camphor tree seed kernel oil on gut microbiota.

Neanthes japonica has high commercial value. The gut microbes in N. japonica can maintain the normal biological functions of the host. However, information on the gut bacterial community of N. japonica and its relationship with the surrounding environment is unclear. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing technology to investigate the bacterial communities in the gut of N. japonica and soil. The results showed that the bacterial community diversity and structure differed obviously between the gut and soil samples. Bacterial richness and diversity in the gut samples decreased considerably compared to soil samples. In addition, dominant bacterial taxa varied significantly between the gut and soil samples. The dominant phyla in the gut and soil samples were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota and Planctomycetota. The dominant genus in the gut was Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, while the dominant genera in the soil were Woeseia and Subgroup_23. In conclusion, the similarity between the bacterial communities in soil and the gut of N. japonica was small, indicating that soil had little effect on the establishment of the gut bacterial community. This study provides a better understanding of the gut bacterial community in N. japonica and the influence of the external environment on the colonization of the gut bacterial community.

Background. Cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) is implicated in cardioprotection in chronic heart failure (CHF) by downregulating inflammation response. Mitochondrial injuries play an important role in ventricular remodeling of the CHF process. Herein, we aim to investigate whether CAP elicitation prevents ventricular remodeling in CHF by protecting myocardial mitochondrial injuries and its underlying mechanisms. Methods and Results. CHF models were established by ligation of anterior descending artery for 5 weeks. Postoperative survival rats were assigned into 5 groups: the sham group (sham, n=10), CHF group (CHF, n=11), Vag group (CHF+vagotomy, n=10), PNU group (CHF+PNU-282987 for 4 weeks, n=11), and Vag+PNU group (CHF+vagotomy+PNU-282987 for 4 weeks, n=10). The antiventricular remodeling effect of cholinergic elicitation was evaluated in vivo, and H9C2 cells were selected for the TNF-α gradient stimulation experiment in vitro. In vivo, CAP agitated by PNU-282987 alleviated the left ventricular dysfunction and inhibited the energy metabolism remodeling. Further, cholinergic elicitation increased myocardium ATP levels and reduced systemic inflammation. CAP induction alleviates macrophage infiltration and cardiac fibrosis, of which the effect is counteracted by vagotomy. Myocardial mitochondrial injuries were ameliorated by CAP activation, including the reserved ultrastructural integrity, declining ROS overload, reduced myocardial apoptosis, and enhanced mitochondrial fusion. In vitro, TNF-α intervention significantly exacerbated the mitochondrial damage in H9C2 cells. Conclusion. CAP elicitation effectively improves ischemic ventricular remodeling by suppressing systemic and cardiac inflammatory response, attenuating cardiac fibrosis and potentially alleviating the mitochondrial dysfunction linked to hyperinflammation reaction.

Spartina alterniflora invasion has negative effects on the structure and functioning of coastal wetland ecosystems. Therefore, many methods for controlling S. alterniflora invasion have been developed. S. alterniflora control methods can affect plant community, which results in changes in microbial communities and subsequent changes in soil ecological processes. However, the effects of controlling S. alterniflora on soil microbial communities remain poorly understood. We aimed to examine the responses of bacterial and fungal communities to invasion control methods (cutting plus tilling treatment: CT; mechanical rolling treatment: MR). Soil bacterial and fungal community diversity and composition structure were assessed using high-throughput sequencing technology. The findings of the study showed that bacterial diversity and richness in the CT treatment reduced substantially, but fungal diversity and richness did not show any remarkable change. Bacterial and fungal diversity and richness in the MR treatment were not affected considerably. In addition, the two control methods significantly changed the soil microbial community structure. The relative abundance of bacteria negatively associated with nutrient cycling increased considerably in the CT treatment. The considerable increases in the relative abundance of certain bacterial taxa in the MR treatment may promote soil nutrient cycling. Compared with mechanical rolling, soil bacterial community diversity and structure were more sensitive to cutting plus tilling.

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) serve as the first line of defense in the plant antioxidant enzyme system, and play a primary role in the removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, our understanding of the functions of the SOD family in Zostera marina is limited. In this study, a systematic analysis was conducted on the characteristics of the SOD genes in Z. marina at the whole-genome level. Five SOD genes were identified, consisting of two Cu/ZnSODs, two FeSODs, and one MnSOD. Phylogenetic analysis showed that ZmSOD proteins could be divided into two major categories (Cu/ZnSODs and Fe-MnSODs). Sequence motifs, gene structure, and the 3D-modeled protein structures further supported the phylogenetic analysis, with each subgroup having similar motifs, exon-intron structures, and protein structures. Additionally, several cis-elements were identified that may respond to biotic and abiotic stresses. Transcriptome analysis revealed expression diversity of ZmSODs in various tissues. Moreover, qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression level of most ZmSOD genes trended to decreased expression with the increase of temperature, indicating that heat stress inhibits expression of ZmSODs and may result in reduced ability of ZmSODs to scavenge ROS. Our results provide a basis for further functional research on the SOD gene family in Z. marina, which will help to determine the molecular mechanism of ZmSOD genes in response to environmental stress.

The development of strain sensors with high sensitivity and stretchability is essential for health monitoring, electronic skin, wearable devices, and human-computer interactions. However, sensors that combine high sensitivity and ultra-wide detection generally require complex preparation processes. Here, a novel flexible strain sensor with high sensitivity and transparency was proposed by filling a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) solution into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) channel films fabricated via an electric field-driven (EFD) 3D printing and molding hybrid process. The fabricated flexible strain sensor with embedded MWCNT networks had superior gauge factors of 90, 285, and 1500 at strains of 6.6%, 14%, and 20%, respectively. In addition, the flexible strain sensors with an optical transparency of 84% offered good stability and durability with no significant change in resistance after 8000 stretch-release cycles. Finally, the fabricated flexible strain sensors with embedded MWCNT networks showed good practical performance and could be attached to the skin to monitor various human movements such as wrist flexion, finger flexion, neck flexion, blinking activity, food swallowing, and facial expression recognition. These are good application strategies for wearable devices and health monitoring.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Lepidium latifolium Linnaeus was assembled and characterized in the present study. The plastome is 153,989 bp in length, which is comprised of a large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,565 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,526 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,449 bp. The overall GC content of the plastome was 36.5%. The new sequence comprised 125 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 8 ribosomal RNA genes, and 33 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that L. latifolium L. was close to Lepidium meyenii and Lepidium virginicum.

Abstract Background The wolf (Canis lupus) is one of the most widely distributed terrestrial mammals, because it is well adapted to various ecological niches and their corresponding pathogen environments. Immunological competence is a crucial factor involved in adapting to a changing environment and fighting pathogen infection in animals. In this study, the peripheral blood transcriptome of wolves was generated via RNA-seq to advance understanding of the wolf immunome, with a special focus on the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) and toll-like receptor (TLR) gene families, which are involved in pathogen recognition and defense. Results The blood transcriptomic libraries of eight wolves originating from Tibet and Inner Mongolia were sequenced, and approximately 383 million reads were generated. Using a genome-guided assembly strategy, we obtained 123,851 unigenes, with a mean length of 845 bp and an N50 length of 1121 bp. On the basis of BLAST searches against the NCBI non-redundant protein database (Nr), a total of 36,192 (29.22%) unigenes were annotated. For functional classification, 24,663 unigenes were assigned to 13,016 Gene Ontology (GO) terms belonging to 51 sub-categories of the three main GO categories. Additionally, 7682 unigenes were classified into 6 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) categories, in which the most represented functional sub-categories were signal transduction and the immune system, and 16,238 unigenes were functionally classified into 25 Eukaryotic Orthologous Groups (KOG) categories. We observed an overall higher ω (d N/d S) value at antigen-binding sites (ABSs) than at non-ABS regions as well as clear evidence of intergenic/intragenic recombination events at wolf MHC I loci. Additionally, our analysis revealed that carnivorous TLRs were dominated by purifying selection, with mean ω values at each TLR locus ranging from 0.173 to 0.527. However, we also found significant instances of positive selection that acted on several codons in pathogen recognition domains and were linked to species-specific differences in pathogen recognition. Conclusions This study represents the first attempt to characterize the blood transcriptome of the wolf and to highlight the value of investigating the immune system. Balancing selection and recombination have contributed to the historical evolution of wolf MHC I genes. Moreover, TLRs in carnivores have undergone adaptive evolution against the background of purifying selection, and a high level of adaptive evolution was detected in the wolf TLR system.

Abstract The gut microbiota of mammals is a complex ecosystem, which is essential for maintaining gut homeostasis and the host’s health. The high throughput sequencing allowed us to gain a deeper insight into the bacterial structure and diversity. In order to improve the health status of the endangered golden takins, we first characterized the fecal microbiota of healthy golden takins using high throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes V3–V4 hypervariable regions. Our results showed that, Firstly, the gut microbiota community comprised 21 phyla, 40 classes, 62 orders, 96 families, and 216 genera. Firmicutes (67.59%) was the most abundant phylum, followed by Bacteroidetes (23.57%) and Proteobacteria (2.37%). Secondly, the golden takin maintained higher richness in spring than in the winter while community diversity and evenness was not significantly different. Thirdly, four female golden takins demonstrated highly similar microbiota and the five golden takin males had relatively highly similar microbiota. All of our results might indicate that the fecal microbiota of golden takins were influenced by the season and the animal’s sex. The findings provided theoretical basis regarding the gut microbiota of golden takins and may offer new insights to protect this endangered species.

Macrocystis integrifolia, one species of brown alga, is one of the largest and most complex and dynamic ecosystems in the ocean, which can be also used as plant fertilizer. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genome of M. integrifolia was reconstructed from whole genome Illumina sequencing survey data. The size of M. integrifolia mitochondrial DNA is 37,366 bp, including 3 rRNAs, 25 tRNAs, 35 proteins and 2 ORFs. The phylogenetic tree, which was established based on mitochondrial genomes of brown algae, indicated that M. integrifolia is at an earlier stage of differentiation in Laminariaceae.

A high performance metamaterial device for electromagnetic energy harvesting is presented. The unit cell of the metamaterial device consists of four identical omega ring resonators arranged in rotational symmetry, and each omega ring is loaded with a 50 Ω resistor that mimics the input impedance of a rectifier circuit. A proof-of-concept prototype is designed for operation at the frequency of 5.8 GHz. Here, the efficient energy harvesting is validated by the energy dissipated in each resistor. Based on the full absorption concept, the metamaterial device achieves a harvesting efficiency up to 93.1% under normal incidence. In addition, the energy harvester shows polarization independent and wide-angle incident frequency responses with good harvesting characteristics over the entire operating range. The surface current distribution is analyzed to gain an insight into the energy harvesting mechanism. Moreover, the harvester prototype is manufactured and measured, and the simulated and measured results are in good agreement. Due to the enhanced electromagnetic energy harvesting efficiency, the proposed device is a good candidate for microwave power transmission.

As nontraditional model organisms with extreme physiological and morphological phenotypes, snakes are believed to possess an inferior taste system. However, the bitter taste sensation is essential to distinguish the nutritious and poisonous food resources and the genomic evidence of bitter taste in snakes is largely scarce. To explore the genetic basis of the bitter taste of snakes and characterize the evolution of bitter taste receptor genes (Tas2rs) in reptiles, we identified Tas2r genes in 19 genomes (species) corresponding to three orders of non-avian reptiles. Our results indicated contractions of Tas2r gene repertoires in snakes, however dramatic gene expansions have occurred in lizards. Phylogenetic analysis of the Tas2rs with NJ and BI methods revealed that Tas2r genes of snake species formed two clades, whereas in lizards the Tas2r genes clustered into two monophyletic clades and four large clades. Evolutionary changes (birth and death) of intact Tas2r genes in reptiles were determined by reconciliation analysis. Additionally, the taste signaling pathway calcium homeostasis modulator 1 (Calhm1) gene of snakes was putatively functional, suggesting that snakes still possess bitter taste sensation. Furthermore, Phylogenetically Independent Contrasts (PIC) analyses reviewed a significant correlation between the number of Tas2r genes and the amount of potential toxins in reptilian diets, suggesting that insectivores such as some lizards may require more Tas2rs genes than omnivorous and carnivorous reptiles.

Simulating hydraulic transients in ultra-long water (oil, gas) transmission or large-scale distribution systems are time-consuming, and exploring ways to improve the simulation efficiency is an essential research direction. The parallel implementation of the method of characteristics (MOC) on graphics processing unit (GPU) chips is a promising approach for accelerating the simulations, because GPU has a great parallelization ability for massive but simple computations, and the explicit and local features of MOC meet the features of GPU quite well. In this paper, we propose and verify a GPU implementation of MOC on a single chip for more efficient simulations of hydraulic transients. Details of GPU-MOC parallel strategies are introduced, and the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method are verified by simulating the benchmark single pipe water hammer problem. The transient processes of a large scale water distribution system and a long-distance water transmission system are simulated to investigate the computing capability of the proposed method. The results show that GPU-MOC method can achieve significant performance gains, and the speedup ratios are up to hundreds compared to the traditional method. This preliminary work demonstrates that GPU-MOC parallel computing has great prospects in practical applications with large computing load.

Background: Gap junction remodeling is an important cause of ventricular arrhythmia in heart failure. However, it remains unclear whether renal denervation (RDN) regulates gap junction remodeling in heart failure. To explore the effect of RDN on gap junction remodeling in dogs with high-pacing-induced heart failure. Methods: Fifteen dogs were randomly divided into control (n=5), heart failure (HF) (n=5), and RDN+HF (n=5) group. A high-pacing-induced-heart failure model was established using rapid right ventricular pacing for 4 weeks. The RDN+HF group underwent surgical and chemical ablation of both renal arteries before 4 weeks rapid right ventricular pacing. After 4 weeks, echocardiography, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry test for norepinephrine and epinephrine, and pathological analysis were performed in the above 3 groups. Further, immunohistochemical staining was used to detect tyrosine hydroxylase, ChaT, connexin 43 (Cx43), and connexin 40 (Cx40). Connexin 43 and Cx40 expression was detected by western blotting. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the gap junction. Results: Compared to the control group, myocardial fibrosis and sympathetic hyperactivity were observed in the HF group. Immunohistochemical staining and western blotting showed that Cx40 expression and Cx43 expression was significantly reduced in the HF group. Compared with the HF group, the RDN+HF group showed reduced sympathetic hyperactivity, Cx40 expression, Cx40/Cx43 ratio, and increased Cx43 expression. Conclusion: Renal denervation alleviates gap junction remodeling in high-pacinginduced heart failure dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]