Potential Secretory Transporters and Biosynthetic Precursors of Biological Nitrification Inhibitor 1,9-Decanediol in Rice as Revealed by Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses

Biological nitrification inhibitors(BNIs)are released from plant roots and inhibit the nitrification activity of microorganisms in soils,reducing NO_(3)^(‒)leaching and N2O emissions,and increasing nitrogenuse efficiency(NUE).Several recent studies have focused on the identification of new BNIs,yet little is known about the genetic loci that govern their biosynthesis and secretion.We applied a combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis to investigate possible biosynthetic pathways and transporters involved in the biosynthesis and release of BNI 1,9-decanediol(1,9-D),which was previously identified in rice root exudates.Our results linked four fatty acids,icosapentaenoic acid,linoleate,norlinolenic acid,and polyhydroxy-α,ω-divarboxylic acid,with 1,9-D biosynthesis and three transporter families,namely the ATP-binding cassette protein family,the multidrug and toxic compound extrusion family,and the major facilitator superfamily,with 1,9-D release from roots into the soil medium.Our finding provided candidates for further work on the genes implicated in the biosynthesis and secretion of 1,9-D and pinpoint genetic loci for crop breeding to improve NUE by enhancing 1,9-D secretion,with the potential to reduce NO_(3)^(‒)leaching and N2O emissions from agricultural soils.

Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase:ion pump,signal transducer,or cytoprotective protein,and novel biological functions

Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase is a transmembrane protein that has important roles in the maintenance of electrochemical gradients across cell membranes by transporting three Na^(+)out of and two K^(+)into cells.Additionally,Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase participates in Ca^(2+)-signaling transduction and neurotransmitter release by coordinating the ion concentration gradient across the cell membrane.Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase works synergistically with multiple ion channels in the cell membrane to form a dynamic network of ion homeostatic regulation and affects cellular communication by regulating chemical signals and the ion balance among different types of cells.Therefo re,it is not surprising that Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase dysfunction has emerged as a risk factor for a variety of neurological diseases.However,published studies have so far only elucidated the important roles of Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase dysfunction in disease development,and we are lacking detailed mechanisms to clarify how Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase affects cell function.Our recent studies revealed that membrane loss of Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase is a key mechanism in many neurological disorders,particularly stroke and Parkinson's disease.Stabilization of plasma membrane Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase with an antibody is a novel strategy to treat these diseases.For this reason,Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase acts not only as a simple ion pump but also as a sensor/regulator or cytoprotective protein,participating in signal transduction such as neuronal autophagy and apoptosis,and glial cell migration.Thus,the present review attempts to summarize the novel biological functions of Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase and Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase-related pathogenesis.The potential for novel strategies to treat Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase-related brain diseases will also be discussed.

Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Biological Parameters in Patients Treated with Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate

Chronic hepatitis B causes a liver disease characterized by inflammation of the liver parenchyma. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of biological parameters in patients treated with Tenofovir for chronic B infection at the Commune V referral health center in Bamako. We obtained a prevalence of 14.15%. The most represented age group was 31 - 40 years, with 36.8%. The sex ratio was 1.44 in favour of men. Viral load was undetectable after 18 months of treatment in 25 patients (42.37%). Tenofovir, the 1st-line drug in Mali, is effective on the biological parameters monitored in patients.

Biological soil crusts and their potential applications in the sand land over Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is now experiencing ecological degradation risks as a result of climate change and human activities.The alpine grassland ecology in permafrost zones is fragile and susceptible to deterioration due to its high altitude,low temperature,and limited oxygen,which complicates the repair of damaged land.Biological soil crusts(BSCs)are crucial for land restoration in plateau regions because they can thrive in harsh conditions and have environmentally beneficial traits.Inoculated biological soil crust(IBSC)has shown success in low-altitude desert regions,but may not be easily duplicated to the plateau environment.Therefore,it is essential to do a comprehensive and multifaceted analysis of the basic theoretical comprehension and practical application of BSCs on the Tibetan Plateau.This review article aims to provide a brief summary of the ecological significance and the mechanisms related to the creation,growth,and progression of BSCs.It discusses the techniques used for cultivating BSCs in laboratories and using them in the field,focusing on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau circumstance.We thoroughly discussed the potential and the required paths for further studies.This study may be used as a basis for selecting suitable microbial strains and accompanying supplemental actions for implementing IBSCs in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Secondary Metabolites of Entomopathogenic Fungi, Biological Alternative for the Control of Agricultural Pests and Disease: Present and Perspectives

The use of entomopathogenic fungi (EF) in recent years has been highly effective against the different orders of insects considered pests of agricultural importance and their conidia have been commonly applied, but it has been reported that these are sensitive to the environmental conditions. For this reason, biopesticides products have been formulated based on secondary metabolites, recently. These biomolecules participate as biological control agent, such as: cyclic depsipeptides, amino acids, polyketides, polyphenols and terpenoids, affecting their morphology, life cycle and insect behavior. The use of secondary metabolites of entomopathogenic fungi opens the possibility of application in a more efficient way for the control of agricultural pests in a compatible with the environment and human health;therefore, it is important to know, analyzing the type of molecules, their effects, and their different methods of application.

The biological functions and metabolic pathways of valine in swine

Valine is an essential amino acid and a type of branched-chain amino acid. Due to the involvement of branchedchain amino acids in various metabolic pathways, there has been a surge of interests in valine nutrition and its role in animal physiology. In pigs, the interactions between valine and other branched-chain amino acids or aromatic amino acids are complex. In this review, we delve into the interaction mechanism, metabolic pathways, and biological functions of valine. Appropriate valine supplementation not only enhances growth and reproductive performances, but also modulates gut microbiota and immune functions. Based on past observations and interpretations, we provide recommended feed levels of valine for weaned piglets, growing pigs, gilts, lactating sows, barrows and entire males. The summarized valine nutrient requirements for pigs at different stages offer valuable insights for future research and practical applications in animal husbandry.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of an Aloe barbadensis Based Biological Insecticide against Pests of Abelmochus esculentus for Promoting Ecological Agriculture (Far-North, Cameroon)

Chemical insecticides have been considered as a means to combat crop pests. Although their effectiveness is evident, their impact on the environment is increasingly being discussed. The aim of this study is to determine the agro-ecological potential of a biological insecticide (C25H32O12) based on Aloe barbadensis in a Sahelian context. For this purpose, a completely randomized block experimental design with 3 replications and 4 treatments was set up to experiment with Aloe barbadensis as a bioinsecticide against pests of Abelmoschus esculentus. However, data were collected using an observation and parameter monitoring grid. This includes the cultivation of Abelmoschus esculentus, soil preparation, seeding and watering, plot labeling, preparation of the bioinsecticide (selection and preparation of raw materials, grinding of Aloe barbadensis miller and extraction of the crude bioinsecticide, quantification of treatment doses and dilution, and obtaining the formulated bioinsecticide), plant watering, plant treatment, and finally parameter monitoring. The results obtained reveal that the level of damage is significantly high in the control treatment T0 (63%) compared to the other treatments, with 29% for treatment T1, 7% for T2, and 1% for T3, implying a strong action capability of this insecticide against pests of Abelmoschus esculentus. Therefore, it can be concluded that for a normal growing season of Abelmoschus esculentus, this biological insecticide should be sprayed 12 times. Furthermore, this biological insecticide is unique in that it does not inflict any gastric toxicity on the pests, which gives it the characteristic of being a repellent. It is a biological insecticide whose efficacy period has been tested, with a minimum duration of 21 days. In conclusion, this formulated bioinsecticide based on Aloe barbadensis demonstrates significant efficacy against pests of Abelmoschus esculentus. In the future, we will consider experimenting with its effectiveness against pests of other plants.

Comparative proteomics reveals the response and adaptation mechanisms of white Hypsizygus marmoreus against the biological stress caused by Penicillium

White Hypsizygus marmoreus is a popular edible mushroom.Its mycelium is easy to be contaminated by Penicillium,which leads to a decrease in its quality and yield.Penicillium could compete for limited space and nutrients through rapid growth and produce a variety of harmful gases,such as benzene,aldehydes,phenols,etc.,to inhibit the growth of H.marmoreus mycelium.A series of changes occurred in H.marmoreus proteome after contamination when detected by the label-free tandem mass spectrometry(MS/MS)technique.Some proteins with up-regulated expression worked together to participate in some processes,such as the non-toxic transformation of harmful gases,glutathione metabolism,histone modification,nucleotide excision repair,clearing misfolded proteins,and synthesizing glutamine,which were mainly used in response to biological stress.The proteins with down-regulated expression are mainly related to the processes of ribosome function,protein processing,spliceosome,carbon metabolism,glycolysis,and gluconeogenesis.The reduction in the function of these proteins affected the production of the cell components,which might be an adjustment to adapt to growth retardation.This study further enhanced the understanding of the biological stress response and the growth restriction adaptation mechanisms in edible fungi.It also provided a theoretical basis for protein function exploration and edible mushroom food safety research.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and Associated Biological Markers in a Congolese Population of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Brazzaville

The search for new biomarkers predictive of type 2 diabetes currently constitutes a research avenue in Bioclinical. Total homocysteine remains a preferred target due to its involvement in the occurrence of degenerative complications in type 2 diabetics. The aim of this work was to study hyperhomocysteinemia and other biochemical markers associated with T2D in the Congolese population. This was an analytical case-control study carried out between October 2022 and October 2023. The study population consisted of 150 subjects including 100 T2D patients and 50 control subjects. The main clinical data were collected on a pre-established form. Homocysteine determination was carried out by the sandwich ELISA method. The other biochemical markers were measured by colorimetric enzymatic methods. Hyperhomocysteinemia was present in 27.3% (41/150) of the entire study population. Type 2 diabetics had a frequency of hyperhomocysteinemia of 36% (36/100) and control 10% (5/50) (p = 0.001). The mean hyperhomocysteinemia concentration was 31.9 μmol/l with extremes ranging from 18 to 103 μmol/l. Means of biological markers between diabetics and controls showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.01). The risk factors associated with this HHcy were: sex (OR = 3.5), age (OR = 9.4), sedentary lifestyle (OR = 3.4) and glycosylated hemoglobin (OR = 12) with a p-value <0.05 respectively. Our results suggest that hyperhomocysteinemia can be considered as a predictive biomarker in the bioclinic of Congolese type 2 diabetic patients.

Enhancing Energy Efficiency with a Dynamic Trust Measurement Scheme in Power Distribution Network

The application of Intelligent Internet of Things(IIoT)in constructing distribution station areas strongly supports platform transformation,upgrade,and intelligent integration.The sensing layer of IIoT comprises the edge convergence layer and the end sensing layer,with the former using intelligent fusion terminals for real-time data collection and processing.However,the influx of multiple low-voltage in the smart grid raises higher demands for the performance,energy efficiency,and response speed of the substation fusion terminals.Simultaneously,it brings significant security risks to the entire distribution substation,posing a major challenge to the smart grid.In response to these challenges,a proposed dynamic and energy-efficient trust measurement scheme for smart grids aims to address these issues.The scheme begins by establishing a hierarchical trust measurement model,elucidating the trust relationships among smart IoT terminals.It then incorporates multidimensional measurement factors,encompassing static environmental factors,dynamic behaviors,and energy states.This comprehensive approach reduces the impact of subjective factors on trust measurements.Additionally,the scheme incorporates a detection process designed for identifying malicious low-voltage end sensing units,ensuring the prompt identification and elimination of any malicious terminals.This,in turn,enhances the security and reliability of the smart grid environment.The effectiveness of the proposed scheme in pinpointing malicious nodes has been demonstrated through simulation experiments.Notably,the scheme outperforms established trust metric models in terms of energy efficiency,showcasing its significant contribution to the field.

Study of the Constraints of Millet Production (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and the Peasant Perception of Biological Control in the Tahoua Region

Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is the Sahelian crop par excellence due to its adaptation to the particular production conditions in this region. Unfortunately, in recent years this crop has been threatened by very strong parasitic pressure and drought during the production period. The objective of this study is to analyze the main constraints of millet production and the solutions known to producers. A survey was carried out in November 2022 with a sample of 298 producers in five municipalities in the Tahoua region. The main constraints are drought and pressure from crop pests (locust, millet ear miner, floricultural insects) according to 57.9% of respondents. The millet ear miner is the most formidable pest according to 55% of respondents. Thus, the average yield obtained in a year of good production without the leafminer is 194 kg/ha and that obtained in a year of millet ear leafminer is around 27 kg to 43 kg/ha depending on the municipality. The yield obtained this last campaign after the attack of this leafminer varies from 64 to 77 kg/ha depending on the municipalities compared to a potential yield of over 1000 kg/ha. More than half of producers (58.1%) are unaware of the existence of biological control compared to only 12.5% who are aware of this alternative method. Work to popularize this technology is necessary in the five municipalities and the entire region in general.

Bioactive compounds in Hericium erinaceus and their biological properties:a review

Hericium erinaceus is a nutritious edible and medicinal fungi,rich in a variety of functional active ingredients,with various physiological functions such as antioxidation,anticancer,and enhancing immunity.It is also effective in protecting the digestive system and preventing neurodegenerative diseases.In this review paper,we summarize the sources,structures and efficacies of the main active components in H.erinaceus fruiting body,mycelium,and culture media,and update the latest research progress on their biological activities and the related molecular mechanisms.Based on this information,we provide detailed challenges in current research,industrialization and information on the active ingredients of H.erinaceus.Perspectives for future studies and new applications of H.erinaceus are proposed.

Progress in the Use of Glucocorticoids and Biological Agents in Non-Infectious Uveitis

One of the main immune-mediated diseases that lead to avoidable blindness is non-infectious uveitis. Glucocorticoids are the first-line therapy choice for noninfectious uveitis;however, biologics are also showing promise in the management of this condition. The description of glucocorticoid and biologic usage in non-infectious uveitis is the main topic of this paper.

A novel small-animal locomotor activity recording device for biological clock research

The rodent running-wheel recording apparatus is a reliable approach for studying cir-cadian rhythm.This study demonstrated how to construct a simple and intelligent running-wheel recording system.The running wheel was attached to the cage's base,whereas the Hall sensor was attached to the cage's cover.Then,the RJ25 adaptor relayed the running signal to the main control board.Finally,the main control board was connected to the USB port of the computer with the USB connection.Data were collected using the online-accessible,self-created software Magturning.Through Magturning,generated data were saved and exported in real time.Afterward,the device was validated by collecting data on the locomotor activities of mice under dif-ferent light conditions.In conclusion,this new device can record circadian activity of rodents.Our device is appropriate for interdisciplinary investigations related to biological clock research.

OsNPF3.1,a nitrate,abscisic acid and gibberellin transporter gene,is essential for rice tillering and nitrogen utilization efficiency

Low-affinity nitrate transporter genes have been identified in subfamilies 4-8 of the rice nitrate transporter 1(NRT1)/peptide transporter family(NPF),but the OsNPF3 subfamily responsible for nitrate and phytohormone transport and rice growth and development remains unknown.In this study,we described OsNPF3.1 as an essential nitrate and phytohormone transporter gene for rice tillering and nitrogen utilization efficiency(NUtE).OsNPF3.1 possesses four major haplotypes of its promoter sequence in 517 cultivars,and its expression is positively associated with tiller number.Its expression was higher in the basal part,culm,and leaf blade than in other parts of the plant,and was strongly induced by nitrate,abscisic acid(ABA)and gibberellin 3(GA_3)in the root and shoot of rice.Electrophysiological experiments demonstrated that OsNPF3.1 is a pH-dependent low-affinity nitrate transporter,with rice protoplast uptake assays showing it to be an ABA and GA_3 transporter.OsNPF3.1 overexpression significantly promoted ABA accumulation in the roots and GA accumulation in the basal part of the plant which inhibited axillary bud outgrowth and rice tillering,especially at high nitrate concentrations.The NUtE of OsNPF3.1-overexpressing plants was enhanced under low and medium nitrate concentrations,whereas the NUtE of OsNPF3.1 clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)plants was increased under high nitrate concentrations.The results indicate that OsNPF3.1 transports nitrate and phytohormones in different rice tissues under different nitrate concentrations.The altered OsNPF3.1 expression improves NUtE in the OsNPF3.1-overexpressing and CRISPR lines at low and high nitrate concentrations,respectively.

The Impact of Privatization on Terminal Efficiency: A Case Study of Tema Port

Port and terminal efficiency are of utmost importance to the container shipping industry due to their significance in enhancing the competitive advantage of ports within a region. Consequently, there have always been notable variations of studies around it. This paper analyzes the impact of privatization on terminal efficiency using the Port of Tema as a Case Study. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the efficiency trends of the public and private terminals in the port over the years. To achieve this objective, DEA-CCR methodology was employed to calculate the annual technical efficiency trends of the private and public terminals using four input variables and three output variables. The main results of the paper indicated that the public and private terminals were efficient for multiple years. However, the efficiency scores over the years demonstrated inconsistency, exhibiting notable fluctuations. The findings of this study will aid policymakers across the region on policies relating to the efficiency and ownership structure of ports and terminals.

Bibliometric analysis of the status and trend of biological soil crusts research from 1912 to 2023

Biological soil crusts(BSCs)play an important role in soil development and ecological function,and it is more important for quantitatively analyzing the processes and trends of BSCs to identify the advantages and disadvantages of BSCs research for the development and application of BSCs theory.Bibliometric analysis of 2,186 BSCs literatures from Web of Science showed an exponential growth trend,as China and the United States as the top 2 in terms of publication volume.High quality publications are mainly from European and American countries,such as the United States,Germany and Spain.The top 3 publishers are Journal of Arid Environments,Soil Biology&Biochemistry and Plant and Soil,and disciplines include ecology,environmental science,and soil science,etc..Research institutions mainly affiliate to the Chinese Academy of Sciences,United States Department of the Interior,United States Geological Survey,Hebrew University of Jerusalem,Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas,and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos.Authors mainly come from United States,Israel,Spain and China.Funds are mainly from the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Spanish Government,Chinese Academy of Sciences,and National Science Foundation of the United States.Biological soil crusts(biocrusts,cyanobacteria,lichens,moss crusts,bryophytes),drylands,climate change,photosynthesis and desert are high-frequency keywords.Future research will focus on the driving mechanisms of BSCs on global biogeochemical cycles,maintaining global biodiversity on important ecological processes,global C,N,and P cycles.The impact on biological invasion,sandstorms,and water balance,multifunctional and reciprocal mechanisms for maintaining the stability of desert and sandy ecosystems,and impact on the formulation of management policies for arid ecosystems,corresponding to global climate change,and the estimation of regional,local,and microscale distribution of BSCs based on machine deep learning modeling gradually focus on.The ecosystem service functions of BSCs,the soil and water conservation and soil stability mediated by BSCs in arid and semi-arid regions,and the excavation of stress resistant genes for BSCs will be emphasized.

Mg-doped,carbon-coated,and prelithiated SiO_(x) as anode materials with improved initial Coulombic efficiency for lithium-ion batteries

Silicon suboxide(SiO_(x),x≈1)is promising in serving as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries with high capacity,but it has a low initial Coulombic efficiency(ICE)due to the irreversible formation of lithium silicates during the first cycle.In this work,we modify SiO_(x) by solid-phase Mg doping reaction using low-cost Mg powder as a reducing agent.We show that Mg reduces SiO_(2) in SiO_(x) to Si and forms MgSiO_(3) or Mg_(2)SiO_(4).The MgSiO_(3) or Mg_(2)SiO_(4) are mainly distributed on the surface of SiO_(x),which suppresses the irreversible lithium-ion loss and enhances the ICE of SiO_(x).However,the formation of MgSiO_(3) or Mg_(2)SiO_(4) also sacrifices the capacity of SiO_(x).Therefore,by controlling the reaction process between Mg and SiO_(x),we can tune the phase composition,proportion,and morphology of the Mg-doped SiO_(x) and manipulate the performance.We obtain samples with a capacity of 1226 mAh g^(–1) and an ICE of 84.12%,which show significant improvement over carbon-coated SiO_(x) without Mg doping.By the synergistical modification of both Mg doping and prelithiation,the capacity of SiO_(x) is further increased to 1477 mAh g^(–1) with a minimal compromise in the ICE(83.77%).

Multifunctional interfacial molecular bridge enabled by an aggregation-induced emission strategy for enhancing efficiency and UV stability of perovskite solar cells

The interface defects between the electron transport layer(ETL)and the perovskite layer,as well as the low ultraviolet(UV)light utilization rate of the perovskite absorption layer,pose significant challenges for the commercialization of perovskite solar cells(PSCs).To address this issue,this paper proposes an innovative multifunctional interface modulation strategy by introducing aggregation-induced emission(AIE)molecule 5-[4-[1,2,2-tri[4-(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)phenyl]ethylene]phenyl]benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid(H_(8)ETTB)at the SnO_(2)ETL/perovskite interface.Firstly,the interaction of H_(8)ETTB with the SnO_(2)surface,facilitated by its carboxyl groups,is effective in passivating surface defects caused by noncoord inated Sn and O vacancies.This interaction enhances the conductivity of the SnO_(2)film and adjusts energy levels,leading to enhanced charge carrier transport.Simultaneously,H_(8)ETTB can passivate noncoord inated Pb^(2+)ions at the perovskite interface,promoting perovskite crystallization and reducing the interface energy barrier,resulting in a perovskite film with low defects and high crystalline quality.More importantly,the H_(8)ETTB molecule,can convert UV light into light absorbable by the perovskite,thereby reducing damage caused by UV light and improving the device's utilization of UV.Consequently,the champion PSC based on SnO_(2)-H_(8)ETTB achieves an impressing efficiency of 23.32%and significantly improved photostability compared with the control device after continuous exposure to intense UV radiation.In addition,the Cs_(0.05)(FA_(0.95)MA_(0.05))_(0.95)Pb(I_(0.95)Br_(0.05))_(3)based device can achieve maximum efficiency of 24.01%,demonstrating the effectiveness and universality of this strategy.Overall,this innovative interface bridging strategy effectively tackles interface defects and low UV light utilization in PSCs,presenting a promising approach for achieving highly efficient and stable PSCs.

Recent advances in zwitterionic nanoscale drug delivery systems to overcome biological barriers

Nanoscale drug delivery systems(nDDS)have been employed widely in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of drugs against diseases with reduced side effects.Although several nDDS have been successfully approved for clinical use up to now,biological barriers between the administration site and the target site hinder the wider clinical adoption of nDDS in disease treatment.Polyethylene glycol(PEG)-modification(or PEGylation)has been regarded as the gold standard for stabilising nDDS in complex biological environment.However,the accelerated blood clearance(ABC)of PEGylated nDDS after repeated injections becomes great challenges for their clinical applications.Zwitterionic polymer,a novel family of antifouling materials,have evolved as an alternative to PEG due to their super-hydrophilicity and biocompatibility.Zwitterionic nDDS could avoid the generation of ABC phenomenon and exhibit longer blood circulation time than the PEGylated analogues.More impressively,zwitterionic nDDS have recently been shown to overcome multiple biological barriers such as nonspecific organ distribution,pressure gradients,impermeable cell membranes and lysosomal degradation without the need of any complex chemical modifications.The realization of overcoming multiple biological barriers by zwitterionic nDDS may simplify the current overly complex design of nDDS,which could facilitate their better clinical translation.Herein,we summarise the recent progress of zwitterionic nDDS at overcoming various biological barriers and analyse their underlyingmechanisms.Finally,prospects and challenges are introduced to guide the rational design of zwitterionic nDDS for disease treatment.