Search

Glycoside hydrolases (GHs), enzymes that break down glycosidic bonds in carbohydrates and between carbohydrates and non-carbohydrates, are prevalent in plants, animals, microorganisms, and other organisms. The tomato is a significant crop that contains the GH17 gene family. However, its role in tomatoes has yet to be fully investigated. In this study, we identified 43 GH17 genes from the tomato genome, distributed unevenly across 12 chromosomes. We further analyzed their gene structure, phylogenetic relationships, promoter elements, and expression patterns. The promoter element analysis indicated their potential roles in response to biotic and abiotic stresses as well as phytohormone effects on growth and development. The expression studies across different tomato tissues revealed that 10 genes were specifically expressed in floral organs, with SlA6 prominently expressed early during bud formation. By using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology, SlA6 knockout plants were generated. Phenotypic characterization showed that pollen viability, pollen tube germination, fruit weight, and seed number were significantly reduced in the Sla6 mutant, but the soluble solids content (TSS) was significantly higher in the Sla6 mutant, suggesting that SlA6 affects pollen development and fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous trials have indicated that multimodal training could improve cognitive functions and moods in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, evidence was mainly obtained from studies in high-income countries. Objective: This trial aims to investigate the efficacy, safety, and potential mechanism of a multimodal intervention on cognitive function in individuals with MCI living in a community. Methods: In this single-blind, randomized controlled trial, 120 participants with MCI were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group received the multimodal intervention, while the control group received regular health education. Neuropsychological tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were conducted at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. Results: Fifty-nine and fifty-seven participants respectively in the intervention and control groups completed the trial. The intervention group shown improvements in primary outcome, Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) total score (mean difference –0.96, 95% CI [–1.58, –0.34], p = 0.003), and secondary outcomes: MMSE recall (–0.39, 95% CI [–0.71, –0.07], p = 0.019), MMSE language (–0.26, 95% CI [–0.44, –0.07], p = 0.007), Auditory Verbal Learning Test instantaneous memory (–3.30, 95% CI [–5.70, –0.89], p = 0.008), Digit Symbol Substitution Test total score (–2.91, 95% CI [–5.67, –0.15], p = 0.039), digit span forwards (–1.25, 95% CI [–1.93, –0.56], p < 0.001), and Digit Span Test (–1.33, 95% CI [–2.33, –0.34], p = 0.009) compared to the control group. Improvements were observed in structural and functional connectivity related to language, concentration, executive function, memory, and recall functioning via MRI in the intervention group. Conclusions: The multimodal intervention improved cognitive function in individuals with MCI in cognitive performance and neuroimaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the short-term behavior of a new partially pre-cast and partially encased composite (PPEC) beam is studied. This paper reports the results of a 4-point bending test on a full-scale PPEC beam and sets out the load displacement response, short-term stiffness, peak load capacity and failure mode of the proposed PPEC beam. In addition, a finite element analysis of the PPEC beam is carried out, and the numerical simulation results are compared with the test results. The results show that the finite element model can reflect the bending response of the PPEC beam. In this paper, three different calculation methods are used to compare the deflection of the PPEC beam. The results show that the values calculated by the bending-shear coupling method formula agree relatively well with the test results.

ABSTRACT: Soil microorganisms are influenced by climate change. However, the effect of climate change on soil cultivable bacteria are unclear. In this study, the composition and diversity of the soil cultivable bacterial community were explored by a dilution–plate method, PCR, and 16S rRNA sequencing in a desert steppe of northern China after repeated NH4NO3 amendments and precipitation manipulation for seven years. The experimental treatments were as follows: control (CK), N addition (+N), N addition plus water addition (+N+W), and N addition plus water reduction (+N-W). Among the treatment groups, 11 genera and 17 bacterial species were isolated. Nitrogen addition and precipitation manipulation significantly increased the number of cultivable bacteria in the 0.00-0.30 m layer compared to CK. Compared to +N treatment, the +N+W and +N–W treatments had no significant impact on the number of cultivable bacteria. Compared to the CK community, bacterial communities exposed to the other three treatments did not show shifts in the relative abundance of dominant genera and other cultivable bacteria, except for Pontibacter and Staphylococcus. The treatments +N+W and +N-W significantly modified the relative abundance of Pontibacter and Staphylococcus compared to the +N treatment. Available potassium and phosphorus, and moisture content contributed to the change in the composition of the cultivable bacterial community (p>0.05). Nitrogen addition and precipitation manipulation significantly decreased species richness in the 0.00-0.02 m layer, but they did not affect evenness and the Shannon-Wiener Index in the 0.00-0.30 m layer. This study provides insights into how the composition and diversity of the bacterial community is affected by climate change scenarios.