Manure substitution improves maize yield by promoting soil fertility and mediating the microbial community in lime concretion black soil

Synthetic nitrogen(N)fertilizer has made a great contribution to the improvement of soil fertility and productivity,but excessive application of synthetic N fertilizer may cause agroecosystem risks,such as soil acidification,groundwater contamination and biodiversity reduction.Meanwhile,organic substitution has received increasing attention for its ecologically and environmentally friendly and productivity benefits.However,the linkages between manure substitution,crop yield and the underlying microbial mechanisms remain uncertain.To bridge this gap,a three-year field experiment was conducted with five fertilization regimes:i)Control,non-fertilization;CF,conventional synthetic fertilizer application;CF_(1/2)M_(1/2),1/2 N input via synthetic fertilizer and 1/2 N input via manure;CF_(1/4)M_(3/4),1/4 N input synthetic fertilizer and 3/4 N input via manure;M,manure application.All fertilization treatments were designed to have equal N input.Our results showed that all manure substituted treatments achieved high soil fertility indexes(SFI)and productivities by increasing the soil organic carbon(SOC),total N(TN)and available phosphorus(AP)concentrations,and by altering the bacterial community diversity and composition compared with CF.SOC,AP,and the soil C:N ratio were mainly responsible for microbial community variations.The co-occurrence network revealed that SOC and AP had strong positive associations with Rhodospirillales and Burkholderiales,while TN and C:N ratio had positive and negative associations with Micromonosporaceae,respectively.These specific taxa are implicated in soil macroelement turnover.Random Forest analysis predicted that both biotic(bacterial composition and Micromonosporaceae)and abiotic(AP,SOC,SFI,and TN)factors had significant effects on crop yield.The present work strengthens our understanding of the effects of manure substitution on crop yield and provides theoretical support for optimizing fertilization strategies.

Transcriptome analysis suggests mechanisms for a novel flowering type: Cleistogamous wheat

Wheat is one of the most important staple crops worldwide.Fusarium head blight severely reduces wheat yield and quality.Cultivation of a novel type of cleistogamous wheat mutant,ZK001,which was created by static magnetic field treatment,is a new strategy for controlling Fusarium head blight.However,little is known about the mechanism of cleistogamy in wheat.The present study demonstrated that anthers of ZK001 were retained on the glumes at all flowering stages,whereas those of YM18 were extruded from the paleae and lemmae.There was a clear difference in the morphological characteristics of lodicules between YM18 and ZK001.Lodicule calcium and potassium contents were significantly higher in YM18 than in ZK001 from white to yellow anther stages.In Fusarium head blight resistance,the diseased kernel rate and deoxynivalenol content of ZK001 were markedly lower than those of YM18 and QM725.Comparative transcriptome analysis of YM18 and ZK001 was performed to identify regulatory mechanisms of cleistogamy.The main differentially expressed genes identified in the spikelets of YM18 and ZK001 at the green anther stage were associated with cell walls,carbohydrates,phytohormones,water channel,and ion binding,transport,and homeostasis.These differentially expressed genes may play an important role in regulating cellular homeostasis,osmotic pressure,and lodicule development.The results indicate that ZK001 lost the ability to push the lemmae and paleae apart during the flowering stage because of the thin lodicules.ZK001 was speculated to provide structural barriers for Fusarium head blight during the flowering stage.The thin lodicule of ZK001 results from low levels of soluble sugar,calcium ions,and potassium ions in the lodicules.These levels are regulated by differentially expressed genes.

Seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)in patients with cancer and the impact of anti-tumor treatment on antibodies

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)among patients with cancer and followed up changes in SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies to explore the impact of anti-tumor treatment in patients.Methods Patients with cancer who visited the Outpatient Clinic of Oncology,Tongji Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,Wuhan,China between March 9 and April 30,2020 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study.SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin(Ig)G,IgM,and viral load at various time points during the disease course were determined.Results We examined the serological results of 779 patients with cancer.The overall seroprevalence(IgG-positive or IgM-positive)rate of SARS-CoV-2 was 3.4%.The probability of seropositivity was significantly higher in patients with gastric cancer than in those without gastric cancer(odds ratio:6.349,95%confidence interval:2.191–18.396).Follow-up data showed that SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG levels decreased and the polymerase chain reaction test result remained negative in seropositive patients with cancer.Conclusion This study investigated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in coronavirus disease(COVID-19)-positive patients with cancer in Wuhan,China.The seropositivity in patients with cancer was lower than or similar to that in the general population.Irrespective of anti-tumor therapy,the levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies decreased in these patients.More studies are needed to better understand the impact of anti-tumor therapy on change in the levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Fulminant Myocarditis Complicated by Stiff-person Syrndrom A Case Report

This case report described a 61-year-old woman who presented with dizziness,headache,muscle ache,diplopia,and vomiting who lost consciousness.Upon hospital admission,the levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and partial pressure of carbon dioxide were increased markedly.Loss of consciousness occurred twice after removal of invasive ventilator support.Coronary angiography demonstrated no stenosis in coronary arteries.Ultrasonography revealed inactivity of respiratory muscles.Oculomotor disturbance and autonomic-nerve dysfunctions were observed.Serum antibody against glutamic acid decarboxylase was positive.The rare phenotypes of persistent stiffness of muscles in the neck,face,bilateral upper and lower limbs were observed.The patient was diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis complicated by Stiff-person syndrome.Immunomodulatory treatment(glucocorticoids and immunoglobulins)elicited satisfactory therapeutic effects.In this case report,it was found that fulminant myocarditis and Stiff-person syndrome shared a common pathogenesis:"cytokine storm".Such patients may benefit from early treatment with immunomodulatory agents.

UGT1A4 -142T>G基因多态性与双相情感障碍患儿体内拉莫三嗪血药浓度的相关性

目的分析评估UGT1A4-142T>G基因多态性对双相情感障碍患儿拉莫三嗪血浆浓度的影响。方法收集2019年1月至2024年5月就诊于新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院的因双相情感障碍服用拉莫三嗪治疗至少21 d患儿的血样,采用超高效液相色谱法测定拉莫三嗪血浆药物浓度,采用第一代Sanger测序方法检测患儿UGT1A4-142T>G基因型,分析患儿UGT1A4-142T>G基因多态性与拉莫三嗪血药浓度的相关性。结果共收集82例患儿,男14例,女68例,平均年龄为(15.51±1.72)岁,拉莫三嗪平均给药剂量为(196.54±90.25)mg/d,平均血药浓度为(4.66±2.64)μg/mL,平均浓度剂量比(CDR)为(1.44±1.22)μg·kg/(mL·mg)。患儿拉莫三嗪血药浓度与给药剂量呈正相关(r=0.541,P<0.05)。UGT1A4-142T>G基因分型分别为TT基因型(52例)、GT基因型(25例)和GG基因型(5例)。UGT1A4-142T>G不同基因型患儿的性别、年龄、BMI、拉莫三嗪给药剂量、拉莫三嗪血药浓度和CDR比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。其中,GG基因型组患儿的年龄大于TT基因型组[(16.34±1.19)岁比(15.77±1.54)岁],BMI低于TT基因型组[(18.69±2.34)kg/m^(2)比(20.72±3.53)kg/m^(2)],拉莫三嗪血药浓度高于TT基因型组[(5.63±1.48)μg/mL和(4.56±2.82)μg/mL],差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);GT基因型组患儿的BMI、拉莫三嗪给药剂量低于TT基因型组[(19.87±5.01)kg/m^(2)比(20.72±3.53)kg/m^(2),(164.79±77.95)mg/d和(208.26±86.95)mg/d],CDR高于TT基因型组[(1.78±1.24)μg·kg/(mL·mg)和(1.33±1.15)μg·kg/(mL·mg)],差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论UGT1A4-142T>G基因突变影响拉莫三嗪血药浓度,双相情感障碍患儿如需使用拉莫三嗪建议检测UGT1A4-142T>G的遗传表型。

A trial of pirfenidone in hospitalized adult patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019

To the Editor:Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),which broke out in 2019,has become a global pandemic.Similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV)in 2003,SARS-CoV-2 could cause acute lung injury and cytokine storms characterized by the increased interleukin(IL)-8,IL-6,and tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α).[1]Perspective studies in those survivors from the severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS)epidemic in 2003 revealed that those SARS patients manifested varying degrees of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.[2]Similarly,patients with severe COVID-19 are also featured by the diffuse alveolar damage along with alveolar interstitial fibrosis.[3]

Diagnostic evaluation of plasma aldosterone concentration to plasma renin activity ratio in primary aldosteronism

Using the plasma aldosterone concentration to plasma renin activity ratio(PAC/PRA ratio)as the screening test of choice for primary aldosteronism in hypertensive patients,we studied the clinical character-istics and the diagnostic value of PAC/PRA ratio in primary aldosteronism.The plasma aldosterone concen-tration(PAC)and plasma renin activity(PRA)levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 902 hypertensive patients from out-patient clinics or hospitals.One hundred and twenty-six suspected primary aldosteronism patients whose PAC/PRA ratio was>25 ng/dL/ng/mL/hr had a lamellar computed tomography(CT)scan in the adrenal gland and follow-up visits.The proportion of primary aldosteronism in hypertensive patients was 14%(126/902).There were 54 patients with unilateral or bilateral hyperplasia and 25 patients with adenoma according to the CT scan.39%(49/126)of the patients with primary aldosteronism had hypokalemia.Twenty-five patients received surgical treatment.The efficacy and cure rates were 100%(25/25)and 48%(12/25),respect-ively.The effective rate of aldactone and the single-drug cure rate were 89%(48/54)and 24%(13/54),respectively.Primary aldosteronism affects over 10%of hypertensive patients in China.The PAC/PRA ratio can be considered as a routine screening test in hypertensives,especially resistant hypertensive patients and a high PAC/PRA ratio is an invaluable index in primary aldosteronism diagnosis.