bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gluten-Free Diet Alters the Gut Microbiome in Women with Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Authors: Rodziewicz Aleksandra , Szewczyk Adrian , Bryl Ewa
Published: February 2024

The gut microbiome may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). Diet has a critical impact on the gut microbiome, and it has been shown that a gluten-free diet can negatively affect its composition. A gluten-free diet is popular among patients, and therefore the aim of this study was to check whether it affects thyroid function and gut microbiome composition in AIT. Thirty-one women with AIT complied with a gluten-free diet for 8 weeks. After the first 4 weeks, participants were divided into two groups: the first group received gluten in capsules and the other one—rice starch (placebo). Blood and stool samples were examined before diet (T0), after 4 weeks (T1) and after 8 weeks of diet (T2). The only significant difference in blood parameters was observed between T1 and T2 in the placebo group for the thyroid peroxidase antibody level. After the first 4 weeks, a significant increase in Desulfobacterota, Proteobacteria, Prevotella and Parasutterella and a significant decrease in Actinobacteriota, Coriobacteriaceae and Bifidobacterium were observed. The detected microbiome alterations may indicate increasing inflammation; however, further research is required, and for now, a gluten-free diet should be used cautiously in AIT.
An Explainable Prediction for Dietary-Related Diseases via Language Models
Authors: Choi Insu , Kim Jihye , Kim Woo Chang
Published: February 2024

Our study harnesses the power of natural language processing (NLP) to explore the relationship between dietary patterns and metabolic health outcomes among Korean adults using data from the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII). Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) analysis, we identified three distinct dietary patterns: “Traditional and Staple”, “Communal and Festive”, and “Westernized and Convenience-Oriented”. These patterns reflect the diversity of dietary preferences in Korea and reveal the cultural and social dimensions influencing eating habits and their potential implications for public health, particularly concerning obesity and metabolic disorders. Integrating NLP-based indices, including sentiment scores and the identified dietary patterns, into our predictive models significantly enhanced the accuracy of obesity and dyslipidemia predictions. This improvement was consistent across various machine learning techniques—XGBoost, LightGBM, and CatBoost—demonstrating the efficacy of NLP methodologies in refining disease prediction models. Our findings underscore the critical role of dietary patterns as indicators of metabolic diseases. The successful application of NLP techniques offers a novel approach to public health and nutritional epidemiology, providing a deeper understanding of the diet–disease nexus. This study contributes to the evolving field of personalized nutrition and emphasizes the potential of leveraging advanced computational tools to inform targeted nutritional interventions and public health strategies aimed at mitigating the prevalence of metabolic disorders in the Korean population.
Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and Risk Factors in Two Sympatric Invasive Carnivores (Procyon lotor and Nyctereutes procyonoides) from Zgorzelec County, Poland
Authors: Osten-Sacken Natalia , Pikalo Jutta , Steinbach Peter , Heddergott Mike
Published: February 2024

The intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is distributed worldwide and infects many species of warm-blooded animals. Most mammals, including humans, can serve as intermediate hosts. This pathogen, with its zoonotic potential, causes toxoplasmosis, a condition that can range from subclinical to fatal in humans. It is therefore important to assess the occurrence of the pathogen, even if only indirectly through the detection of antibodies. Epidemiological data on the seroprevalence in wild animals, including invasive species, are rare in Poland. Therefore, we tested 197 wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) and 89 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) from Zgorzelec County, southwestern Poland, for the presence of antibodies. Samples were collected between January 2019 and December 2020 and analysed using a commercial indirect modified agglutination test (MAT, cut-off 1:25). The statistical analysis revealed significant differences in seroprevalence between the two predatory species. Of the 197 surveyed raccoons, 96 (48.73%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 41.73–55.73%) tested positive, while 25 of the 89 raccoon dogs (28.09%; 95% CI: 18.70–37.48%) were positive. Regarding risk factors, body weight and sex influenced the presence of T. gondii antibodies in both the species, with a higher likelihood of seropositivity among heavier animals and females, respectively. For raccoon dogs, juveniles were more likely to be seropositive than adults at a given weight. Our results suggest that T. gondii infection is widespread in the regional raccoon and raccoon dog populations, indicating a high level of parasite circulation in the environment.
Detection of mecA Genes in Hospital-Acquired MRSA and SOSA Strains Associated with Biofilm Formation
Authors: González-Vázquez Rosa , Córdova-Espinoza María Guadalupe , Escamilla-Gutiérrez Alejandro , Herrera-Cuevas María del Rocío , González-Vázquez Raquel , Esquivel-Campos Ana Laura , López-Pelcastre Laura , Torres-Cubillas Wendoline , Mayorga-Reyes Lino , Mendoza-Pérez Felipe , Gutiérrez-Nava María Angélica , Giono-Cerezo Silvia
Published: February 2024

Methicillin-resistant (MR) Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and others, except for Staphylococcus aureus (SOSA), are common in healthcare-associated infections. SOSA encompass largely coagulase-negative staphylococci, including coagulase-positive staphylococcal species. Biofilm formation is encoded by the icaADBC operon and is involved in virulence. mecA encodes an additional penicillin-binding protein (PBP), PBP2a, that avoids the arrival of β-lactams at the target, found in the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This work aims to detect mecA, the bap gene, the icaADBC operon, and types of SCCmec associated to biofilm in MRSA and SOSA strains. A total of 46% (37/80) of the strains were S. aureus, 44% (35/80) S. epidermidis, 5% (4/80) S. haemolyticus, 2.5% (2/80) S. hominis, 1.25% (1/80) S. intermedius, and 1.25% (1/80) S. saprophyticus. A total of 85% were MR, of which 95.5% showed mecA and 86.7% β-lactamase producers; thus, Staphylococcus may have more than one resistance mechanism. Healthcare-associated infection strains codified type I-III genes of SCCmec; types IV and V were associated to community-acquired strains (CA). Type II prevailed in MRSA mecA strains and type II and III in MRSOSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococci other than Staphylococcus aureus). The operon icaADBC was found in 24% of SA and 14% of SOSA; probably the arrangement of the operon, fork formation, and mutations influenced the variation. Methicillin resistance was mainly mediated by the mecA gene; however, there may be other mechanisms that also participate, since biofilm production is related to genes of the icaADBC operon and methicillin resistance was not associated with biofilm production. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen surveillance to prevent the spread of these outbreaks both in the nosocomial environment and in the community.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Structured High-Order but Single Laguerre–Gauss LGp0 Laser Beams
Authors: Aït-Ameur Kamel
Published: February 2024

Most laser applications are based on the focusing of a Gaussian laser beam (GLB). When the latter is subject to a phase aberration such as the optical Kerr effect (OKE) or spherical aberration (SA), it is recognised that the focusing performance of the GLB is degraded. In this paper, it is demonstrated that high-order radial Laguerre–Gauss LGp0 beams are more resilient than the GLB when subject to the OKE or SA. This opens up opportunities to replace with advantages the usual GLB with a high-order LGp0 beam for some applications.
Multi-Layered Metamaterial Absorber: Electromagnetic and Thermal Characterization
Authors: Khuyen Bui Xuan , Viet Ngo Nhu , Son Pham Thanh , Nguyen Bui Huu , Anh Nguyen Hai , Chi Do Thuy , Hai Nguyen Phon , Tung Bui Son , Lam Vu Dinh , Zheng Haiyu , Chen Liangyao , Lee Youngpak
Published: February 2024

Metamaterials, recognized as advanced artificial materials endowed with distinctive properties, have found diverse applications in everyday life, military endeavors, and scientific research. Starting from monolayer metamaterials, multilayer ones are increasingly researched, especially in the field of electromagnetic wave absorption. In this article, we propose a multilayer metamaterial-absorber (MA) structure comprising two resonant layers crafted with copper and FR-4 dielectric. The presented multilayer MA structure exhibited an absorption greater than 90% in a frequency range from 4.84 to 5.02 GHz, with two maximum absorption peaks at 4.89 and 4.97 GHz. The bandwidth of the multilayer MA surpassed that of the individual single-layer MAs, with extension fractions reaching 360% and 257%, respectively. Through the simulation and calculation, the field distribution and equivalent circuit model elucidated that both individual magnetic resonances and their interplay contribute significantly to the absorption behavior of the multilayer MA. The absorption of the proposed multilayer MA structure was also investigated for the oblique incidence in the transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes. In the TE mode, the absorption intensity of two maximum peaks was maintained at over 93% up to an incident angle of 40 degrees and dropped to below 80% at an incident angle of 60 degrees. In the TM mode, the absorption was more stable and not significantly affected by the incident angle, ranging from 0 to 60 degrees. An absorption greater than 97% was observed when the incident angle increased from 0 to 60 degrees in the TM mode. Additionally, the approach in our work was further demonstrated by adding more resonant layers, making 3- and 4-layer structures. The results indicated that the absorption bandwidths of the 3- and 4-layer structures increased by 16% and 33%, respectively, compared to the bilayer structure. Furthermore, we analyzed the thermal distribution within the MA to understand the dissipation of absorbed electromagnetic energy. This research offers valuable insight into the augmented MA through a multilayer structure, presenting the implications for microwave applications like electromagnetic shielding, as well as in the design of MAs for terahertz devices and technologies, including emission and thermal imaging. These findings contribute to the advancement of knowledge in enhancing the absorption capabilities across various frequency ranges, expanding the potential applications of metamaterials.
Antibiotic Effect of High-Power Blue Laser Radiation
Authors: Hintmann Mattes , Zimbelmann Stanislav , Emde Benjamin , Biedendieck Rebekka , Jahn Dieter
Published: February 2024

The development of sustainable alternatives to chemical and mechanical biofilm removal for submerged technical devices used in freshwater and marine environments represents a major technical challenge. In this context, the antibiotic impact of blue light with its low absorption underwater provides a potentially useful alternative. However, former technical limitations led to hours of treatment. Here, we applied high-power blue laser irradiation (1500 W) with a wavelength of 448 nm to demonstrate its strong antibiotic and algicidal effect on different bacteria and algae in seconds. High-power blue light treatment (139 W/cm2) for only 8.9 s led to the efficient deactivation of all tested organisms. Analyses of the underlying biological mechanisms revealed the absorption of the blue light by endogenous chromophores (flavins, tetrapyrroles) with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In agreement, Escherichia coli transcriptome analyses demonstrated a stress response at the level of DNA damage repair, respiration, and protein biosynthesis. Spectroscopic measurements of the irradiated algae indicated the irreversible damage of chlorophyll by photooxidation with the formation of singlet oxygen. In conclusion, high-power blue laser radiation provides a strong sustainable tool for the removal of biofouling in a very short time for applications in aquatic systems.
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) Development in Time: How Differential Parenchyma Tissue Growth Affects Leafy Head Formation
Authors: Liu Zihan , Alemán-Báez Jorge , Visser Richard G. F. , Bonnema Guusje
Published: February 2024

This study aims to categorize the morphological changes during cabbage (B. oleracea ssp. capitata) development, seedling, rosette, folding, and heading, and to elucidate the cellular mechanisms of the leaf curvature, essential for the formation of the leafy head. We followed the growth of two cabbage cultivars with distinct head shapes (round and pointed) and one non-heading collard cultivar; we phenotyped the size and volume of the whole plant as well as the size, shape, and curvature of the leaves during growth. By integrating these phenotypic data, we determined the four vegetative stages for both cabbages. The histological phenotypes of microtome sections from five distinct leaf positions of the rosette, folding, and heading leaves at two timepoints during leaf growth were quantified and revealed variations in cellular parameters among leaf types, between leaf positions, and between the adaxial and abaxial sides. We identified two synergistic cellular mechanisms contributing to the curvature of heading leaves: differential growth across the leaf blade, with increased growth at the leaf’s center relative to the margins; and the increased expansion of the spongy parenchyma layer compared to the palisade parenchyma layer, resulting in the direction of the curvature, which is inwards. These two processes together contribute to the typical leafy heads of cabbages.
Urban Flora Riches: Unraveling Metabolic Variation Along Altitudinal Gradients in Two Spontaneous Plant Species
Authors: Mogîldea Elena Daniela , Mitoi Monica Elena , Biță-Nicolae Claudia , Murariu Dumitru
Published: February 2024

Using resilient, self-sustaining plants in urban green spaces enhances environmental and cultural benefits and reduces management costs. We assessed two spontaneous plant species, Linaria vulgaris Mill. and Cichorium intybus L., in four sites from the surrounding urban areas, ranging in altitude from 78 to 1040 m. Protection against UV-B radiation is crucial for plants at higher altitudes, guiding our focus on UV-visible absorption spectra, fluorometric emission spectra, secondary metabolite accumulation, and pigment dynamics in leaves. Our findings revealed a slight increase in UV-absorbing compounds with altitude and species-specific changes in visible spectra. The UV-emission of fluorochromes decreased, while red emission increased with altitude but only in chicory. Polyphenols and flavonoids showed a slight upward trend with altitude. Divergent trends were observed in condensed tannin accumulation, with L. vulgaris decreasing and C. intybus increasing with altitude. Additionally, chicory leaves from higher altitudes (792 and 1040 m) contained significantly lower triterpene concentrations. In L. vulgaris, chlorophyll pigments and carotenoids varied with sites, contrasting with UV absorbance variations. For C. intybus, pigment variation was similar to absorbance changes in the UV and VIS range, except at the highest altitude. These observations provide valuable insights into species-specific strategies for adapting to diverse environmental contexts.
Aging-Induced Reduction in Safflower Seed Germination via Impaired Energy Metabolism and Genetic Integrity Is Partially Restored by Sucrose and DA-6 Treatment
Authors: Lv Tang , Li Juan , Zhou Lanyu , Zhou Tao , Pritchard Hugh W. , Ren Chaoxiang , Chen Jiang , Yan Jie , Pei Jin
Published: February 2024

Seed storage underpins global agriculture and the seed trade and revealing the mechanisms of seed aging is essential for enhancing seed longevity management. Safflower is a multipurpose oil crop, rich in unsaturated fatty acids that are at high risk of peroxidation as a contributory factor to seed aging. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for safflower seed viability loss are not yet elucidated. We used controlled deterioration (CDT) conditions of 60% relative humidity and 50 °C to reduce germination in freshly harvested safflower seeds and analyzed aged seeds using biochemical and molecular techniques. While seed malondialdehyde (MDA) and fatty acid content increased significantly during CDT, catalase activity and soluble sugar content decreased. KEGG analysis of gene function and qPCR validation indicated that aging severely impaired several key functional and biosynthetic pathways including glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism, antioxidant activity, and DNA replication and repair. Furthermore, exogenous sucrose and diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (DA-6) treatment partially promoted germination in aged seeds, further demonstrating the vital role of impaired sugar and fatty acid metabolism during the aging and recovery processes. We concluded that energy metabolism and genetic integrity are impaired during aging, which contributes to the loss of seed vigor. Such energy metabolic pathways as glycolysis, fatty acid degradation, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) are impaired, especially fatty acids produced by the hydrolysis of triacylglycerols during aging, as they are not efficiently converted to sucrose via the glyoxylate cycle to provide energy supply for safflower seed germination and seedling growth. At the same time, the reduced capacity for nucleotide synthesis capacity and the deterioration of DNA repair ability further aggravate the damage to DNA, reducing seed vitality.
Productivity and Species Diversity of Plant Communities Are Higher inside than outside the West Ordos National Nature Reserve, Northern China
Authors: Guo Pu , Lu Qi , Li Shuai
Published: February 2024

Nature reserves play an important role in the protection of biological habitats and the maintenance of biodiversity, but the performance and mechanisms of desert steppe nature reserves in improving plant community productivity, biodiversity and soil nutrient content are still largely unknown. To investigate the conservation effects of desert steppe nature reserve management on plant productivity and biodiversity, we compared the plant biomass, diversity and soil nutrient content inside and outside the West Ordos National Nature Reserve through sample survey, biomass determination, diversity index calculation and soil nutrient content determination. We found the following: (1) The aboveground biomass and belowground biomass of plant communities in the nature reserve were significantly larger than those outside the reserve; and the aboveground biomass of plant communities in shrub–steppe was significantly larger than that of herb grassland in both the nature reserve and the outside of the reserve. (2) The Margalef richness index, Shannon–Wiener index and Simpson index were significantly greater in the reserve than outside the nature reserve. In the desert steppe, the establishment of the nature reserve increased the α-diversity of the plant community. (3) The soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN) were greater in the nature reserve than outside the reserve, and for the 10–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers, the SOC and STN were significantly greater in the core protected zone of the reserve than outside the reserve. The reserve significantly increased the nutrient content of the deeper soil layers. (4) The aboveground biomass of the plant community had a significant positive linear relationship with the species richness index, the Shannon index, and the Simpson index. There was a positive correlation between the diversity of the plant community and the soil nutrients. In summary, the nature reserve improved local plant productivity, biodiversity and the soil nutrient content, and the soil nutrient content in deeper soil layers may be the driving factor for the increase in productivity and biodiversity, which deepens our understanding of the conservation effectiveness of the nature reserve and its mechanisms.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis Reveal bZIP Transcription Factors Mediated Hormones That Functions during Early Somatic Embryogenesis in Dimocarpus longan
Authors: Zhai Tingkai , Lan Shuoxian , Xv Luzhen , Zhang Xueying , Ma Xiangwei , Li Zhuoyun , Gao Jie , Chen Yukun , Lai Zhongxiong , Lin Yuling
Published: February 2024

The basic leucine zip (bZIP) transcription factors (TFs) are a group of highly conserved gene families that play important roles in plant growth and resistance to adversity stress. However, studies on hormonal regulatory pathways and functional analysis during somatic embryogenesis (SE) in Dimocarpus longan is still unavailable. In this study, a total of 51 bZIP family members were systematically identified in the whole genome of longan, a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of DlbZIP (bZIP family members of D. longan) was performed, and subcellular localization and profiles patterns after transiently transformed DlbZIP60 were analyzed. The combined analysis of RNA-seq, ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq showed that four members have different H3K4me1 binding peaks in early SE and differentially expressed with increased chromatin accessibility. Comparative transcriptome analysis of bZIPs expression in early SE, different tissues and under 2,4-D treatment revealed that DlbZIP family might involved in growth and development during longan early SE. The qRT-PCR results implied that DlbZIP family were subjected to multiple hormonal responses and showed different degrees of up-regulated expression under indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments, which indicated that they played an important role in the hormone synthesis pathways associated with the early SE of longan. Subcellular localization showed that DlbZIP60 was located in the nucleus, and the contents of endogenous IAA, MeJA and ABA were up-regulated in transiently DlbZIP60 overexpressed cell lines. These results suggest that DlbZIP60 may mediate hormones pathways that functions the development during early SE in longan.
Responses of Crop Yield, Soil Fertility, and Heavy Metals to Spent Mushroom Residues Application
Authors: Tang Qichao , Liu Weijia , Huang Han , Peng Zhaohui , Deng Liangji
Published: February 2024

Waste mushroom residues are often returned to fields as organic amendments. Here, we estimated the effects of the continuous applications of different spent mushroom substrates for 2 years on crop yields, soil nutrients, and heavy metals in paddy fields. The study comprised seven treatments: no fertilization (CK) and mineral NPK fertilizer (CF), as well as NPK fertilizer combined with Enoki mushroom residue (EMR50), Oyster mushroom residue (OMR50), Auricularia polytricha mushroom residue (APR50), Shiitake mushroom residue (SMR50), and Agaricus bisporus residue (ABR50). The grain yield was highest under the APR50 treatment. The short-term application of waste mushroom residue significantly increased SOC, TN, TP, and TK content relative to the CK treatment. The SOC, TP, and TK were highest under ABR50. Both total Cr and Cd contents were highest under CF treatment. The highest cumulative ecological risk was observed under OMR50 treatment. In addition, crop yield was positively correlated with SOC, TN, TP, and TP. Our results highlight that further research and innovation are needed to optimize the benefits and overcome the challenges of mushroom residue application.
Evaluation of Parameters Affecting Agrobacterium-Mediated Transient Gene Expression in Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)
Authors: Mohammad Tasnim , Ghogare Rishikesh , Morton Lauren B. , Dhingra Amit , Potlakayala Shobha , Rudrabhatla Sairam , Dhir Sarwan K.
Published: February 2024

Industrial hemp Cannabis sativa L. is an economically important crop mostly grown for its fiber, oil, and seeds. Due to its increasing applications in the pharmaceutical industry and a lack of knowledge of gene functions in cannabinoid biosynthesis pathways, developing an efficient transformation platform for the genetic engineering of industrial hemp has become necessary to enable functional genomic and industrial application studies. A critical step in the development of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation in the hemp genus is the establishment of optimal conditions for T-DNA gene delivery into different explants from which whole plantlets can be regenerated. As a first step in the development of a successful Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation method for hemp gene editing, the factors influencing the successful T-DNA integration and expression (as measured by transient β-glucuronidase (GUS) and Green Florescent Protein (GFP) expression) were investigated. In this study, the parameters for an agroinfiltration system in hemp, which applies to the stable transformation method, were optimized. In the present study, we tested different explants, such as 1- to 3-week-old leaves, cotyledons, hypocotyls, root segments, nodal parts, and 2- to 3-week-old leaf-derived calli. We observed that the 3-week-old leaves were the best explant for transient gene expression. Fully expanded 2- to 3-week-old leaf explants, in combination with 30 min of immersion time, 60 µM silver nitrate, 0.5 µM calcium chloride, 150 µM natural phenolic compound acetosyringone, and a bacterial density of OD600nm = 0.4 resulted in the highest GUS and GFP expression. The improved method of genetic transformation established in the present study will be useful for the introduction of foreign genes of interest, using the latest technologies such as genome editing, and studying gene functions that regulate secondary metabolites in hemp.
Coconut (Cocos nucifera (L.)) Water Improves Glucose Uptake with Concomitant Modulation of Antioxidant and Purinergic Activities in Isolated Rat Psoas Muscles
Authors: Erukainure Ochuko L. , Chukwuma Chika I.
Published: February 2024

The present study investigated the effect of coconut water on glucose uptake and utilization, and metabolic activities linked to hyperglycemia in isolated rat psoas muscles. Coconut water was subjected to in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic assays, which cover 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities. Psoas muscles were isolated from male Sprague Dawley rats and incubated with coconut water in the presence of glucose. Control consisted of muscles incubated with glucose only, while normal control consisted of muscles not incubated in coconut water and/or glucose. The standard antidiabetic drug was metformin. Incubation with coconut water led to a significant increase in muscle glucose uptake, with concomitant exacerbation of glutathione level, and SOD and catalase activities, while suppressing malondialdehyde level, and ATPase and E-NTDase activities. Coconut water showed significant scavenging activity against DPPH, and significantly inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities. LC-MS analysis of coconut water revealed the presence of ellagic acid, butin, quercetin, protocatechuic acid, baicalin, and silibinin. Molecular docking analysis revealed potent molecular interactions between the LC-MS-identified compounds, and AKT-2 serine and PI-3 kinase. These results indicate the potential of coconut water to enhance glucose uptake, while concomitantly improving antioxidative and purinergic activities. They also indicate the potential of coconut water to suppress postprandial hyperglycemia. These activities may be attributed to the synergistic effects of the LC-MS-identified compounds.
Phytopathogenic Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens Strains Circulating on Leguminous Plants, Alternative Hosts and Weeds in Russia
Authors: Tokmakova Anna D. , Tarakanov Rashit I. , Lukianova Anna A. , Evseev Peter V. , Dorofeeva Lyubov V. , Ignatov Alexander N. , Dzhalilov Fevzi S.-U. , Subbotin Sergei A. , Miroshnikov Konstantin A.
Published: February 2024

Many bacterial plant pathogens have a broad host range important for their life cycle. Alternate hosts from plant families other than the main (primary) host support the survival and dissemination of the pathogen population even in absence of main host plants. Metabolic peculiarities of main and alternative host plants can affect genetic diversity within and between the pathogen populations isolated from those plants. Strains of Gram-positive bacterium Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens were identified as being causal agents of bacterial spot and wilt diseases on leguminous plants, and other crop and weed plants, collected in different regions of Russia. Their biochemical properties and susceptibility to copper compounds have been found to be relatively uniform. According to conventional PCR assays, all of the isolates studied were categorised as pathovar Curtobacterim flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens, a pathogen of legumes. However, the strains demonstrated a substantial diversity in terms of virulence on several tested host plants and different phylogenetic relationships were revealed by BOX-PCR and alanine synthase gene (alaS) sequencing.
Influence of Various Tea Utensils on Sensory and Chemical Quality of Different Teas
Authors: Guo Haowei , Pan Yani , Li Chunlin , Fu Yi , Cao Yanyan , Chu Qiang , Chen Ping
Published: February 2024

The choice of tea utensils used for brewing significantly impacts the sensory and chemical attributes of tea. In order to assess the influence of various tea sets on the flavor and chemical composition of different tea varieties, a combination of sensory evaluation and high-performance liquid chromatography was employed. The results showed that the content of amino acids in the tea liquid brewed with tin tea utensils was relatively higher, which could exhibit freshness in taste, thus suitable for brewing green tea and white tea. The content of polyphenols, soluble carbohydrates, and water extract in the tea liquid brewed with a porcelain tea set was relatively higher; the sweetness and thickness of the tea liquid were increased, so it was more beneficial to brew black tea. The purple sand tea set was suitable for brewing oolong tea and dark tea, and could endow their respective quality characteristics. Ultimately, these research findings provide a scientific basis for the selection of tea utensils tailored to different types of tea.
Preserving Ethnoveterinary Medicine (EVM) along the Transhumance Routes in Southwestern Angola: Synergies between International Cooperation and Academic Research
Authors: Solazzo David , Moretti Maria Vittoria , Tchamba José J. , Rafael Marina Filomena Francisco , Tonini Matteo , Fico Gelsomina , Basterrecea Txaran , Levi Silvano , Marini Lorenzo , Bruschi Piero
Published: February 2024

This study delves into the ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) practiced by pastoralists along the transhumance routes in southwestern Angola. Within the framework of three cooperation projects, we conducted 434 interviews, collecting information on 89 taxa used for treating 16 livestock diseases. The most cited species was Ptaeroxylon obliquum (132 citations), followed by Salvadora persica (59) and Elaeodendron transvaalense (49). Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) was the disease most cited (223 citations; 44 species), followed by wounds (95; 20) and Newcastle (86; 14). We found that 30 species and 48 uses have not been previously reported in the ethnoveterinary literature. Jaccard index (mean value = 0.13) showed a greatly diversified knowledge among the ethnic groups: Kuvale and Nyaneka were the most knowledgeable and should be included in the various strategies for disseminating EVM in the area. Most informants recognized that abundance of some species decreased in the last years as a result of human activities and climatic changes. Finally, we discuss challenges in preserving the EVM in the area. Our findings suggest that preservation of the EVM in southwestern Angola is widely impacted by the access to biomedicine. Future studies should investigate the opportunity to integrate traditional medicine into mainstream development projects, which is crucial for decolonizing the veterinary sector in Angola.
A Distinct Arabidopsis Latent Virus 1 Isolate Was Found in Wild Brassica hirta Plants and Bees, Suggesting the Potential Involvement of Pollinators in Virus Spread
Authors: Reingold Victoria , Eliyahu Avi , Luria Neta , Leibman Diana , Sela Noa , Lachman Oded , Smith Elisheva , Mandelik Yael , Sadeh Asaf , Dombrovsky Aviv
Published: February 2024

During our search for aphid-pathogenic viruses, a comovirus was isolated from wild asymptomatic Brassica hirta (white mustard) plants harboring a dense population of Brevicoryne brassicae aphids. The transmission-electron-microscopy visualization of purified virions revealed icosahedral particles. The virus was mechanically transmitted to plants belonging to Brassicaceae, Solanaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Fabaceae families, showing unique ringspot symptoms only on B. rapa var. perviridis plants. The complete viral genome, comprised of two RNA segments, was sequenced. RNA1 and RNA2 contained 5921 and 3457 nucleotides, respectively, excluding the 3′ terminal poly-adenylated tails. RNA1 and RNA2 each had one open-reading frame encoding a polyprotein of 1850 and 1050 amino acids, respectively. The deduced amino acids at the Pro-Pol region, delineated between a conserved CG motif of 3C-like proteinase and a GDD motif of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, shared a 96.5% and 90% identity with the newly identified Apis mellifera-associated comovirus and Arabidopsis latent virus 1 (ArLV1), respectively. Because ArLV1 was identified early in 2018, the B. hirta comovirus was designated as ArLV1-IL-Bh. A high-throughput-sequencing-analyses of the extracted RNA from managed honeybees and three abundant wild bee genera, mining bees, long-horned bees, and masked bees, sampled while co-foraging in a Mediterranean ecosystem, allowed the assembly of ArLV1-IL-Bh, suggesting pollinators’ involvement in comovirus spread in weeds.
Plant Growth Promotion and Plant Disease Suppression Induced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Strain GD4a
Authors: Yang Piao , Yuan Pu , Liu Wenshan , Zhao Zhenzhen , Bernier Matthew C. , Zhang Chunquan , Adhikari Ashna , Opiyo Stephen Obol , Zhao Lijing , Banks Fredrekis , Xia Ye
Published: February 2024

Botrytis cinerea, the causative agent of gray mold disease (GMD), invades plants to obtain nutrients and disseminates through airborne conidia in nature. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain GD4a, a beneficial bacterium isolated from switchgrass, shows great potential in managing GMD in plants. However, the precise mechanism by which GD4a confers benefits to plants remains elusive. In this study, an A. thaliana-B. cinerea-B. amyloliquefaciens multiple-scale interaction model was used to explore how beneficial bacteria play essential roles in plant growth promotion, plant pathogen suppression, and plant immunity boosting. Arabidopsis Col-0 wild-type plants served as the testing ground to assess GD4a’s efficacy. Additionally, bacterial enzyme activity and targeted metabolite tests were conducted to validate GD4a’s potential for enhancing plant growth and suppressing plant pathogens and diseases. GD4a was subjected to co-incubation with various bacterial, fungal, and oomycete pathogens to evaluate its antagonistic effectiveness in vitro. In vivo pathogen inoculation assays were also carried out to investigate GD4a’s role in regulating host plant immunity. Bacterial extracellular exudate (BEE) was extracted, purified, and subjected to untargeted metabolomics analysis. Benzocaine (BEN) from the untargeted metabolomics analysis was selected for further study of its function and related mechanisms in enhancing plant immunity through plant mutant analysis and qRT-PCR analysis. Finally, a comprehensive model was formulated to summarize the potential benefits of applying GD4a in agricultural systems. Our study demonstrates the efficacy of GD4a, isolated from switchgrass, in enhancing plant growth, suppressing plant pathogens and diseases, and bolstering host plant immunity. Importantly, GD4a produces a functional bacterial extracellular exudate (BEE) that significantly disrupts the pathogenicity of B. cinerea by inhibiting fungal conidium germination and hypha formation. Additionally, our study identifies benzocaine (BEN) as a novel small molecule that triggers basal defense, ISR, and SAR responses in Arabidopsis plants. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain GD4a can effectively promote plant growth, suppress plant disease, and boost plant immunity through functional BEE production and diverse gene expression.
Elevation Influences Belowground Biomass Proportion in Forests by Affecting Climatic Factors, Soil Nutrients and Key Leaf Traits
Authors: Zhang Xing , Wang Yun , Wang Jiangfeng , Yu Mengyao , Zhang Ruizhi , Mi Yila , Xu Jiali , Jiang Ruifang , Gao Jie
Published: February 2024

Forest biomass allocation is a direct manifestation of biological adaptation to environmental changes. Studying the distribution patterns of forest biomass along elevational gradients is ecologically significant for understanding the specific impacts of global change on plant resource allocation strategies. While aboveground biomass has been extensively studied, research on belowground biomass remains relatively limited. Furthermore, the patterns and driving factors of the belowground biomass proportion (BGBP) along elevational gradients are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the specific influences of climatic factors, soil nutrients, and key leaf traits on the elevational pattern of BGBP using data from 926 forests at 94 sites across China. In this study, BGBP data were calculated from the root biomass to the depth of 50 cm. Our findings indicate considerable variability in forest BGBP at a macro scale, showing a significant increasing trend along elevational gradients (p < 0.01). BGBP significantly decreases with increasing temperature and precipitation and increases with annual mean evapotranspiration (MAE) (p < 0.01). It decreases significantly with increasing soil phosphorus content and increases with soil pH (p < 0.01). Key leaf traits (leaf nitrogen (LN) and leaf phosphorus (LP)) are positively correlated with BGBP. Climatic factors (R2 = 0.46) have the strongest explanatory power for the variation in BGBP along elevations, while soil factors (R2 = 0.10) and key leaf traits (R2 = 0.08) also play significant roles. Elevation impacts BGBP directly and also indirectly through influencing such as climate conditions, soil nutrient availability, and key leaf traits, with direct effects being more pronounced than indirect effects. This study reveals the patterns and controlling factors of forests’ BGBP along elevational gradients, providing vital ecological insights into the impact of global change on plant resource allocation strategies and offering scientific guidance for ecosystem management and conservation.
Agrobacterium Transformation of Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) KUNTZE): A Small Experiment with Great Prospects
Authors: Fizikova Anastasia , Subcheva Elena , Kozlov Nikolay , Tvorogova Varvara , Samarina Lidia , Lutova Ludmila , Khlestkina Elena
Published: February 2024

Tea has historically been one of the most popular beverages, and it is currently an economically significant crop cultivated in over 50 countries. The Northwestern Caucasus is one of the northernmost regions for industrial tea cultivation worldwide. The domestication of the tea plant in this region took approximately 150 years, during which plantations spreading from the Ozurgeti region in northern Georgia to the southern city of Maykop in Russia. Consequently, tea plantations in the Northern Caucasus can serve as a source of unique genotypes with exceptional cold tolerance. Tea plants are known to be recalcitrant to Agrobacterium-mediated transfection. Research into optimal transfection and regeneration methodologies, as well as the identification of tea varieties with enhanced transformation efficiency, is an advanced strategy for improving tea plant culture. The aim of this study was to search for the optimal Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transfection protocol for the Kolkhida tea variety. As a result of optimizing the transfection medium with potassium phosphate buffer at the stages of pre-inoculation, inoculation and co-cultivation, the restoration of normal morphology and improvement in the attachment of Agrobacterium cells to the surface of tea explants were observed by scanning electron microscopy. And an effective method of high-efficiency Agrobacteria tumefaciens-mediated transfection of the best local tea cultivar, Kolkhida, was demonstrated for the first time.
Identification of WRKY Family Members and Characterization of the Low-Temperature-Stress-Responsive WRKY Genes in Luffa (Luffa cylindrica L.)
Authors: Liu Jianting , Peng Lijuan , Cao Chengjuan , Bai Changhui , Wang Yuqian , Li Zuliang , Zhu Haisheng , Wen Qingfang , He Shuilin
Published: February 2024

The plant-specific WRKY transcription factor family members have diverse regulatory effects on the genes associated with many plant processes. Although the WRKY proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana and other species have been thoroughly investigated, there has been relatively little research on the WRKY family in Luffa cylindrica, which is one of the most widely grown vegetables in China. In this study, we performed a genome-wide analysis to identify L. cylindrica WRKY genes, which were subsequently classified and examined in terms of their gene structures, chromosomal locations, promoter cis-acting elements, and responses to abiotic stress. A total of 62 LcWRKY genes (471–2238 bp) were identified and divided into three phylogenetic groups (I, II, and III), with group II further divided into five subgroups (IIa, IIb, IIc, IId, and IIe) in accordance with the classification in other plants. The LcWRKY genes were unevenly distributed across 13 chromosomes. The gene structure analysis indicated that the LcWRKY genes contained 0–11 introns (average of 4.4). Moreover, 20 motifs were detected in the LcWRKY proteins with conserved motifs among the different phylogenetic groups. Two subgroup IIc members (LcWRKY16 and LcWRKY31) contained the WRKY sequence variant WRKYGKK. Additionally, nine cis-acting elements related to diverse responses to environmental stimuli were identified in the LcWRKY promoters. The subcellular localization analysis indicated that three LcWRKY proteins (LcWRKY43, LcWRKY7, and LcWRKY23) are localized in the nucleus. The tissue-specific LcWRKY expression profiles reflected the diversity in LcWRKY expression. The RNA-seq data revealed the effects of low-temperature stress on LcWRKY expression. The cold-induced changes in expression were verified via a qRT-PCR analysis of 24 differentially expressed WRKY genes. Both LcWRKY7 and LcWRKY12 were highly responsive to the low-temperature treatment (approximately 110-fold increase in expression). Furthermore, the LcWRKY8, LcWRKY12, and LcWRKY59 expression levels increased by more than 25-fold under cold conditions. Our findings will help clarify the evolution of the luffa WRKY family while also providing valuable insights for future studies on WRKY functions.
Reproducible Polybutylene Succinate (PBS)-Degrading Artificial Consortia by Introducing the Least Type of PBS-Degrading Strains
Authors: Shin Nara , Kim Su Hyun , Oh Jinok , Kim Suwon , Lee Yeda , Shin Yuni , Choi Suhye , Bhatia Shashi Kant , Kim Yun-Gon , Yang Yung-Hun
Published: February 2024

Polybutylene succinate (PBS) stands out as a promising biodegradable polymer, drawing attention for its potential as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics due to its biodegradability and reduced environmental impact. In this study, we aimed to enhance PBS degradation by examining artificial consortia composed of bacterial strains. Specifically, Terribacillus sp. JY49, Bacillus sp. JY35, and Bacillus sp. NR4 were assessed for their capabilities and synergistic effects in PBS degradation. When only two types of strains, Bacillus sp. JY35 and Bacillus sp. NR4, were co-cultured as a consortium, a notable increase in degradation activity toward PBS was observed compared to their activities alone. The consortium of Bacillus sp. JY35 and Bacillus sp. NR4 demonstrated a remarkable degradation yield of 76.5% in PBS after 10 days. The degradation of PBS by the consortium was validated and our findings underscore the potential for enhancing PBS degradation and the possibility of fast degradation by forming artificial consortia, leveraging the synergy between strains with limited PBS degradation activity. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that utilizing only two types of strains in the consortium facilitates easy control and provides reproducible results. This approach mitigates the risk of losing activity and reproducibility issues often associated with natural consortia.
Factors Influencing Food Powder Flowability
Authors: Suhag Rajat , Kellil Abdessamie , Razem Mutasem
Published: February 2024

The flowability of food powders is a critical determinant of their processing efficiency, product quality, and overall operational success. This review delves into the intricacies of powder flowability, elucidating the factors that govern it and exploring various methods for its evaluation and enhancement. Particle size and distribution, particle shape, surface properties, moisture content, and storage conditions stand as the key determinants of powder flowability. Finer powders, with their increased interparticle cohesive forces, tend to exhibit poorer flowability. Particle shape also plays a role, with irregular or elongated particles flowing less readily than spherical ones. Surface properties influence interparticle friction, thereby impacting flow behavior. Moisture content significantly affects flowability, as increased moisture can lead to liquid bridge formation, hindering powder movement. Storage temperature, on the other hand, generally enhances powder flow due to reduced interparticle cohesive forces at higher temperatures. This highlights the need to understand the factors influencing food powder flowability and to employ appropriate evaluation strategies for optimizing food powder processing efficiency, product quality, and overall production success.