Coordinated responses of leaf and nodule traits contribute to the accumulation of N in relay intercropped soybean

Maize(Zea mays L.)-soybean(Glycine max L.Merr.)relay intercropping provides a way to enhance land productivity.However,the late-planted soybean suffers from shading by the maize.After maize harvest,how the recovery growth influences the leaf and nodule traits remains unclear.A three-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of genotypes,i.e.,supernodulating(nts1007),Nandou 12(ND12),and Guixia 3(GX3),and crop configurations,i.e.,the interspecific row spacing of 45(I45),60(I60),75 cm(I75),and sole soybean(SS),on soybean recovery growth and N fixation.The results showed that intercropping reduced the soybean total leaf area(LA)by reducing both the leaf number(LN)and unit leaflet area(LUA),and it reduced the nodule dry weight(NW)by reducing both the nodule number(NN)and nodule diameter(ND)compared with the SS.The correlation and principal component analysis(PCA)indicated a co-variability of the leaf and nodule traits in response to the genotype and crop configuration interactions.During the recovery growth stages,the compensatory growth promoted soybean growth to reduce the gaps of leaf and nodule traits between intercropping and SS.The relative growth rates of ureide(RGR_U)and nitrogen(RGR_N)accumulation were higher in intercropping than in SS.Intercropping achieved more significant sucrose and starch contents compared with SS.ND12 and GX3 showed more robust compensatory growth than nts1007 in intercropping.Although the recovery growth of relay intercropping soybean improved biomass and nitrogen accumulation,ND12 gained a more significant partial land equivalent ratio(pLER)than GX3.The I60 treatment achieved more robust compensation effects on biomass and N accumulation than the other configurations.Meanwhile,I60 showed a higher nodule sucrose content and greater shoot ureide and N accumulation than SS.Finally,intercropping ND12 with maize using an interspecific row spacing of 60 cm was optimal for both yield advantage and N accumulation.

Soybean maize strip intercropping:A solution for maintaining food security in China

The practice of intercropping leguminous and gramineous crops is used for promoting sustainable agriculture,optimizing resource utilization,enhancing biodiversity,and reducing reliance on petroleum products.However,promoting conventional intercropping strategies in modern agriculture can prove challenging.The innovative technology of soybean maize strip intercropping(SMSI)has been proposed as a solution.This system has produced remarkable results in improving domestic soybean and maize production for both food security and sustainable agriculture.In this article,we provide an overview of SMSI and explain how it differs from traditional intercropping.We also discuss the core principles that foster higher yields and the prospects for its future development.

Knockdown of HE4 suppresses tumor growth and invasiveness in lung adenocarcinoma through regulation of EGFR signaling

It has been shown that the high expression of human epididymis protein 4(HE4)in most lung cancers is related to the poor prognosis of patients,but the mechanism of pathological transformation of HE4 in lung cancer is still unclear.The current study is expected to clarify the function and mechanism of HE4 in the occurrence and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD).Immunoblotting evaluated HE4 expression in lung cancer cell lines and biopsies,and through analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)dataset.Frequent HE4 overexpression was demonstrated in LUAD,but not in lung squamous cell carcinoma(LUSC),indicating that HE4 can serve as a biomarker to distinguish between LUAD and LUSC.HE4 knockdown significantly inhibited cell growth,colony formation,wound healing,and invasion,and blocked the G1-phase of the cell cycle in LUAD cell lines through inactivation of the EGFR signaling downstream including PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAF/MAPK pathways.The first-line EGFR inhibitor gefitinib and HE4 shRNA had no synergistic inhibitory effect on the growth of lung adenocarcinoma cells,while the third-line EGFR inhibitor osimertinib showed additive anti-proliferative effects.Moreover,we provided evidence that HE4 regulated EGFR expression by transcription regulation and protein interaction in LUAD.Our findings suggest that HE4 positively modulates the EGFR signaling pathway to promote growth and invasiveness in LUAD and highlight that targeting HE4 could be a novel strategy for LUAD treatment.

Maize-soybean relay cropping increases soybean yield synergistically by extending the post-anthesis leaf stay-green period and accelerating grain filling

Relay cropping of Poaceae and Fabaceae promotes high yield and land-use efficiency by allowing a double harvest.However,it is difficult to increase yield synergistically because of the reduced photosynthetic abilities of legume leaves under the shade of graminoids.Leaf photosynthetic capacity in relay cropping systems is associated with ecological niche differentiation and photosynthetic compensation after restoration of normal light.We conducted a field experiment in southwest China in 2020–2021 to evaluate the effects of three cropping patterns:maize–soybean relay cropping(IMS),monoculture maize(MM),and monoculture soybean(SS),and N application levels:no N application(NN:0 kg N ha^(−1)),reduced N(RN:180 kg N ha^(−1)),and conventional N(CN:240 kg N ha^(−1)).Compared to monocropping,relay cropping increased the stay-green traits of maize and soybean by 13%and 89%,respectively.Relay cropping prolonged the leaf stay-green duration in the maize and soybean lag phase by almost 4 and 8 days,respectively.Relay cropping maize(IM)increased the leaf area index(LAI)by 79.4%to 88.5%under NN and 55.5%to 148%under RN.Relay cropping soybean(IS)increased the LAI from 115%to 437%at days 40 to 50 after anthesis.IM increased yield by 65.6%.IS increased yield by 9.7%.HI and system yield were at their highest values under RN.In the relay cropping system,reduced N application extended green leaf duration,increased photosynthesis inside the canopy at multiple levels,ultimately increases soybean yield synergistically.

Relay-intercropping soybean with maize maintains soil fertility and increases nitrogen recovery efficiency by reducing nitrogen input

Optimized nitrogen(N)management can increase N-use efficiency in intercropping systems.Legume-nonlegume intercropping systems can reduce N input by exploiting biological N fixation by legumes.Measurement of N utilization can help in dissecting the mechanisms underlying N uptake and utilization in legume-nonlegume intercropping systems.An experiment was performed with three planting patterns:monoculture maize(MM),monoculture soybean(SS),and maize-soybean relay intercropping(IMS),and three N application levels:zero N(NN),reduced N(RN),and conventional N(CN)to investigate crop N uptake and utilization characteristics.N recovery efficiency and 15N recovery rate of crops were higher under RN than under CN,and those under RN were higher under intercropping than under the corresponding monocultures.Compared with MM,IMS showed a lower soil N-dependent rate(SNDR)in 2012.However,the SNDR of MM rapidly declined from 86.8%in 2012 to 49.4%in 2014,whereas that of IMS declined slowly from 75.4%in 2012 to 69.4%in 2014.The interspecific N competition rate(NCRms)was higher under RN than under CN,and increased yearly.Soybean nodule dry weight and nitrogenase activities were respectively 34.2%and 12.5%higher under intercropping than in monoculture at the beginning seed stage.The amount(Ndfa)and ratio(%Ndfa)of soybean N2 fixation were significantly greater under IS than under SS.In conclusion,N fertilizer was more efficiently used under RN than under CN;in particular,the relay intercropping system promoted N fertilizer utilization in comparison with the corresponding monocultures.An intercropping system helps to maintain soil fertility because interspecific N competition promotes biological N fixation by soybean by reducing N input.Thus,a maize-soybean relay intercropping system with reduced N application is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Far-red light: A regulator of plant morphology and photosynthetic capacity

Plant photosynthetic capacity directly determines crop yield. Light quality regulates photosynthetic capacity. This review discusses plant responses to far-red light from the phenotypic to the molecular level, focusing specifically on the improvement of photosynthetic capacity by adjustment of photosynthetic electron transport and the path of light energy. Far-red light can also regulate leaf angle and increase plant height and leaf area, via expression of associated genes, to capture more light energy.Thus, far-red light regulates plant morphology and photosynthetic capacity. Identifying the mechanism of this regulation may lead to increased crop yields.

Do migrant and resident species differ in the timing of increases in reproductive and thyroid hormone secretion and body mass? A case study in the comparison of pre-breeding physiological rhythms in the Eurasian Skylark and Asian Short-toed Lark

Background:Physiological preparation for reproduction in small passerines involves the increased secretion of reproductive hormones, elevation of the metabolic rate and energy storage, all of which are essential for reproduction. However, it is unclear whether the timing of the physiological processes involved is the same in resident and migrant species that breed in the same area. To answer this question, we compared temporal variation in the plasma concentration of luteinizing hormone(LH), testosterone(T), estradiol(E_2), triiothyronine(T_3) and body mass, between a migrant species, the Eurasian Skylark(Alauda arvensis) and a resident species, the Asian Short-toed Lark(Calandrella cheleensis), both of which breed in northeastern Inner Mongolia, China, during the 2014 and 2015 breeding seasons.Methods:Twenty adult Eurasian Skylarks and twenty Asian Short-toed Larks were captured on March 15, 2014 and 2015 and housed in out-door aviaries. Plasma LH, T(males), E_2(females), T_3 and the body mass of each bird were measured every six days from March 25 to May 6.Results:With the exception of T, which peaked earlier in the Asian Short-toed Lark in 2014, plasma concentrations of LH, T, E_2 and T_3 of both species peaked at almost the same time. However, Asian Short-toed Larks attained peak body mass earlier than Eurasian Skylarks. Plasma T_3 concentrations peaked 12 days earlier than plasma LH in both species. Generally, plasma LH, T, E_2, T_3 and body mass, peaked earlier in both species in 2014 than 2015.Conclusions:The timing of pre-reproductive changes in the endocrine system and energy metabolism can be the same in migrant and resident species; however, residents may accumulate energy reserves faster than migrants. Although migration does not affect the timing of pre-breeding reproductive and metabolic changes, migrant species may need more time to increase their body mass. T levels in resident species may be accelerated by higher spring temperatures that may also advance the pre-breeding preparation of both migrants and residents.

Assessing canopy nitrogen and carbon content in maize by canopy spectral reflectance and uninformative variable elimination

Assessing canopy nitrogen content(CNC) and canopy carbon content(CCC) of maize by hyperspectral remote sensing data permits estimating cropland productivity, protecting farmland ecology, and investigating the nitrogen and carbon cycles in the atmosphere. This study aimed to assess maize CNC and CCC using canopy hyperspectral information and uninformative variable elimination(UVE). Vegetation indices(VIs) and wavelet functions were adopted for estimating CNC and CCC under varying water and nitrogen regimes. Linear, nonlinear, and partial least squares(PLS) regression models were fitted to VIs and wavelet functions to estimate CNC and CCC, and were evaluated for their prediction accuracy.UVE was used to eliminate uninformative variables, improve the prediction accuracy of the models, and simplify the PLS regression models(UVE-PLS). For estimating CNC and CCC, the normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI, based on red edge and NIR wavebands) yielded the highest correlation coefficients(r > 0.88). PLS regression models showed the lowest root mean square error(RMSE) among all models. However, PLS regression models required nine VIs and four wavelet functions, increasing their complexity. UVE was used to retain valid spectral parameters and optimize the PLS regression models.UVE-PLS regression models improved validation accuracy and resulted in more accurate CNC and CCC than the PLS regression models. Thus, canopy spectral reflectance integrated with UVE-PLS can accurately reflect maize leaf nitrogen and carbon status.

Ⅲ–Ⅴ compound materials and lasers on silicon

Silicon-based photonic integration has attracted the interest of semiconductor scientists because it has high luminous efficiency and electron mobility.Breakthroughs have been made in silicon-based integrated lasers over the past few decades.Here we review three main methods of integration ofⅢ–Ⅴ materials on Si,namely direct growth,bonding,and selectivearea hetero-epitaxy.TheⅢ–Ⅴmaterials we introduced mainly include materials such as GaAs and InP.The lasers are mainly lasers of related communication bands.We also introduced the advantages and challenges of the three methods.

Macrophage-derived exosomal miR-342-3p promotes the progression of renal cell carcinoma through the NEDD4L/CEP55 axis

Due to its difficulty in early diagnosis and lack of sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy,renal cell carcinoma(RCC)remains to be a frequent cause of cancer-related death.Here,we probed into new targets for its early diagnosis and treatment for RCC.microRNA(miRNA)data of M2-EVs and RCC were searched on the Gene Expression Omnibus database,followed by the prediction of the potential downstream target.Expression of target genes was measured via RT-qPCR and Western blot,respectively.M2 macrophage was obtained viaflow cytometry with M2-EVs extracted.The binding ability of miR-342-3p to NEDD4L and to CEP55 ubiquitination was studied with their roles in the physical abilities of RCC cells assayed.Subcutaneous tumor-bearing mouse models and lung metastasis models were prepared to observe in vivo role of target genes.M2-EVs induced RCC growth and metastasis.miR-342-3p showed high expression in both M2-EVs and RCC cells.M2-EVs carrying miR-342-3p promoted RCC cell abilities to proliferate,invade and migrate.In RCC cells,M2-EV-derived miR-342-3p could specifically bind to NEDD4L and consequently elevate CEP55 protein expression via suppressing NEDD4L,thereby exerting tumor-promoting effects.CEP55 could be degraded by ubiquitination under the function of NEDD4L,and miR-342-3p delivered by M2-EVs facilitated the RCC occurrence and development by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.In conclusion,M2-EVs promote RCC growth and metastasis by delivering miR-342-3p to suppress NEDD4L and subsequently inhibit CEP55 ubiquitination and degradation via activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway,strongly driving the proliferative,migratory and invasive of RCC cells.

Low fabrication cost wavelength tunable WG-FP hybrid-cavity laser working over 1.7μm

A wide wavelength tuning range and single-mode hybrid cavity laser consists of a square Whispering-Gallery(WG)microcavity and a Fabry–Pérot(FP)was introduced and demonstrated.A wavelength tuning range over 12.5 nm from 1760.87 to 1773.39 nm which was single-mode emitting was obtained with the side-mode suppression ratio over 30 dB.The hybrid cavity laser does not need grating etching and special epitaxial structure,which reduces the fabrication difficulty and cost,and shows the potential for gas sensing with absorption lines in this range.

Research Progress of Polygonatum Germplasm Resources in China

Polygonatum is a traditional and precious Chinese medicine in China,as well as a traditional medicinal and food homologous material.It has a long history of cultivation and medicinal use.It not only has the effects of boosting qi and nourishing yin,nourishing the spleen and lungs,and tonifying the kidney,but also application value in food,health products,ornamental,cosmetics,etc.There are many varieties of Polygonatum resources all over China,which are easy to be mixed.There are three species of medicinal Polygonatum recorded in the 2015 edition of Pharmacopeia of the People s Republic of China.In order to sustainably use and fully develop Polygonatum medicinal resources,we conducted textual research on relevant data and research on the distribution of Polygonatum resources,germplasm identification,genetic diversity and breeding research,so as to provide a reference for the selection and breeding of polygonatum,artificial cultivation and the development and utilization of potential Polygonatum resources and for the solution of the contradiction between supply and demand in the Polygonatum market.

HIF-1αpromotes virus replication and cytokine storm in H1N1 virus-induced severe pneumonia through cellular metabolic reprogramming

The mortality of patients with severe pneumonia caused by H1N1 infection is closely related to viral replication and cytokine storm.However,the specific mechanisms triggering virus replication and cytokine storm are still not fully elucidated.Here,we identified hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)as one of the major host molecules that facilitates H1N1 virus replication followed by cytokine storm in alveolar epithelial cells.Specifically,HIF-1αprotein expression is upregulated after H1N1 infection.Deficiency of HIF-1αattenuates pulmonary injury,viral replication and cytokine storm in vivo.In addition,viral replication and cytokine storm were inhibited after HIF-1αknockdown in vitro.Mechanistically,the invasion of H1N1 virus into alveolar epithelial cells leads to a shift in glucose metabolism to glycolysis,with rapid production of ATP and lactate.Inhibition of glycolysis significantly suppresses viral replication and inflammatory responses.Further analysis revealed that H1N1-induced HIF-1αcan promote the expression of hexokinase 2(HK2),the key enzyme of glycolysis,and then not only provide energy for the rapid replication of H1N1 virus but also produce lactate,which reduces the accumulation of the MAVS/RIG-I complex and inhibits IFN-α/βproduction.In conclusion,this study demonstrated that the upregulation of HIF-1αby H1N1 infection augments viral replication and cytokine storm by cellular metabolic reprogramming toward glycolysis mainly through upregulation of HK2,providing a theoretical basis for finding potential targets for the treatment of severe pneumonia caused by H1N1 infection.

植物荫蔽胁迫的激素信号响应

植物的生长发育与光信号密切相关,外界光强、光质的变化会改变植物的生长发育状态。在自然或人工生态系统中,植株个体的光环境往往会被其周围植物所影响,导致荫蔽胁迫,其主要表现为光合有效辐射以及红光与远红光比值(R:FR)降低。荫蔽胁迫对植物生长发育的多个时期均有影响,如抑制种子萌发、促进幼苗下胚轴伸长及促进植物花期提前等,这对农业生产不利,会导致作物产量以及品质的降低。植物激素是调控植物生长发育的关键内源因子。大量研究表明,生长素(IAA)、赤霉素(GA)及油菜素甾醇(BR)等植物激素均参与介导植物的荫蔽胁迫响应。当植物处于荫蔽胁迫时,光信号的改变会影响植物激素的合成及信号转导。不同植物激素对荫蔽胁迫的响应各不相同,但其信号通路之间却存在互作关系,从而形成复杂的网络状调控路径。该文总结了几种主要植物激素(生长素、赤霉素、油菜素甾醇及乙烯)响应荫蔽胁迫的机理,重点论述了荫蔽胁迫对植物激素合成及信号通路的影响,以及植物激素调控荫蔽胁迫下植物生长的分子机理,并对未来潜在的研究热点进行了分析。

生物和非生物逆境胁迫下的植物系统信号

复杂多变的自然环境使植物进化出许多适应策略,其中由局部胁迫引起的系统响应广泛存在,精细调节植物的生长发育和环境适应能力。植物系统响应的诱导因素首先引起植物从局部到全株范围的信号转导,这类信号称为系统信号。当受到外界刺激时,植物首先在受刺激细胞内触发化学信号分子的变化,如茉莉酸和水杨酸甲酯等在浓度和信号强度方面发生变化;进而,伴随着一系列复杂的信号转换,多种信号组分共同完成系统响应的激活。植物激素、小分子肽和RNA等被认为是缓慢系统信号通路中的关键组分,而目前也有大量研究阐释了由活性氧、钙信号和电信号相互偶联组成的快速系统信号通路。植物系统信号对其生存和繁衍至关重要,其精确的转导机制仍值得深入研究。该文综述了植物响应环境的系统信号转导研究进展,对关键的系统信号组分及其转导机制进行了总结,同时对植物系统信号传递的研究方向进行了展望。

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of essential oils from five parts of Chaihu(Radix Bupleuri Chinensis)

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the essential oils from flowers, leaves, stems, roots, and fruits of Chaihu(Radix Bupleuri Chinensis).METHODS: We extracted essential oils from different parts of Chaihu(Radix Bupleuri Chinensis) using a steam distillation method. The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). Data were collected in full scan mode(m/z 60-600). Volatile components were identified based on their retention indices and by comparing their mass spectra with those in the National Institute of Standards and Technology 2005 database assisted by tandem mass spectrometry information. The relative content of each constituent wasdetermined by area normalization.RESULTS: We identified 111 components, of which12 were common to all 5 parts, 30 were found only in roots, 14 were found only in flowers, 6 were found only in leaves, 4 were found only in stems,and 17 were found only in fruits.CONCLUSION: Our results show that the stems,flowers, leaves, and fruits of Chaihu(Radix Bupleuri Chinensis)contain a high concentration of essential oils, and that the exact composition of the essential oils differs among the plant parts. To develop new medicines and make full use of the Chaihu(Radix Bupleuri Chinensis)resource, it is important to characterize the essential oils from different parts of the plant. In future research, it will be important to determine the pharmacological effects of the various components and the essential oil mixtures.

Optimizing energy harvesting performance by tailoring ferroelectric/relaxor behavior in KNN-based piezoceramics

Piezoelectric energy harvesters(PEHs)fabricated using piezoceramics could convert directly the mechanical vibration energy in the environment into electrical energy.The high piezoelectric charge coefficient(d_(33))and large piezoelectric voltage coefficient(g_(33))are key factors for the high-performance PEHs.However,high d_(33)and large g_(33)are difficult to simultaneously achieve with respect to g_(33)=d_(33)/(e_(0)e_(r))and d_(33)=2Qe_(0)e_(r)P_(r).Herein,the energy harvesting performance is optimized by tailoring the CaZrO_(3)content in(0.964−x)(K_(0.52)Na_(0.48))(Nb_(0.96)Sb_(0.04))O_(3)-0.036(Bi_(0.5)Na_(0.5))ZrO_(3)-xCaZrO_(3)ceramics.First,the doping CaZrO_(3)could enhance the dielectric relaxation due to the compositional fluctuation and structural disordering,and thus reduce the domain size to~30 nm for x=0.006 sample.The nanodomains switch easily to external electric field,resulting in large polarization.Second,the rhombohedral-orthorhombic-tetragonal phases coexist in x=0.006 sample,which reduces the polarization anisotropy and thus improves the piezoelectric properties.The multiphase coexistence structures and miniaturized domains contribute to the excellent piezoelectric properties of d_(33)(354 pC/N).Furthermore,the dielectric relative permittivity(ε_(r))reduces monotonously as the CaZrO_(3)content increases due to the relatively low ion polarizability of Ca^(2+)and Zr^(4+).As a result,the optimized energy conversion coefficient(d_(33)×g_(33),5508×10^(−15)m^(2)/N)is achieved for x=0.006 sample.Most importantly,the assembled PEH with the optimal specimen shows the excellent output power(~48 mW)and lights up 45 red commercial light-emitting diodes(LEDs).This work demonstrates that tailoring ferroelectric/relaxor behavior in(K,Na)NbO_(3)-based piezoelectric ceramics could effectively enhance the electrical output of PEHs.

Nutritional evaluation of whole soybean curd made from different soybean materials based on amino acid profiles

Objectives:Amino acid profiles of whole soybean curds(WSCs)and conventional soybean curds(CSCs)were comparatively studied to 1.,evaluate their nutritional value and 2.,study the suitable soybean material to fabricate WSCs.Materials and Methods:Nine types of soybean materials were selected to make WSCs and CSCs.Protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score(PDCAAS)and principal component analysis were selected to perform the comparative analysis of amino acid profiles of the products.Results:Total contents of amino acids in WSCs and CSCs were 41.24-54.87 mg/g and 27.77-36.82 mg/g.Content ranges of essential amino acids were 13.59-19.38 mg/g and 8.46-11.76 mg/g for WSCs and CSCs.The essential amino acid pattern of WSCs was basically close to amino acid pattern spectrum requirements except valine and sulfur amino acids.As a limiting amino acid,methionine represented less than 0.4 for PDCAAS in all soybean curds except WSCs made from relay-cropping Nandou12 and Nandou25.Conclusions:The overall quality of amino acids in WSCs was higher than that in CSCs,indicating that WSCs indeed exhibited higher nutritional value than CSCs from the viewpoint of amino acid profile.WSCs with the high nutritional value could be made using Nandou25 and relay-cropping Nandou12 as materials.

Transcriptome Analysis of Monozygotic Twin Brothers with Childhood Primary Myelofibrosis

Primary myelofibrosis （PMF） is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder in human bone marrow. Over 50% of patients with myelofibrosis have mutations in JAK2, MPL, or CALR. However, these mutations are rarely detected in children, suggesting a difference in the pathogenesis of childhood PMF. In this study, we investigated the response to drug treatment of a monozygotic twin pair with typical childhood PMF. The twin exhibited different clinical outcomes despite following