Changes in grassland soil types lead to different characteristics of bacterial and fungal communities in Northwest Liaoning, China

IntroductionSoil microbial communities are critical in regulating grassland biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem functions, but the mechanisms of how environmental factors affect changes in the structural composition and diversity of soil microbial communities in different grassland soil types is not fully understood in northwest Liaoning, China.MethodsWe investigated the characteristics and drivers of bacterial and fungal communities in 4 grassland soil types with 11 sites across this region using high-throughput Illumina sequencing.Results and DiscussionActinobacteria and Ascomycota were the dominant phyla of bacterial and fungal communities, respectively, but their relative abundances were not significantly different among different grassland soil types. The abundance, number of OTUs, number of species and diversity of both bacterial and fungal communities in warm and temperate ecotone soil were the highest, while the warm-temperate shrub soil had the lowest microbial diversity. Besides, environmental factors were not significantly correlated with soil bacterial Alpha diversity index. However, there was a highly significant negative correlation between soil pH and Shannon index of fungal communities, and a highly significant positive correlation between plant cover and Chao1 index as well as Observed species of fungal communities. Analysis of similarities showed that the structural composition of microbial communities differed significantly among different grassland soil types. Meanwhile, the microbial community structure of temperate steppe-sandy soil was significantly different from that of other grassland soil types. Redundancy analysis revealed that soil total nitrogen content, pH and conductivity were important influencing factors causing changes in soil bacterial communities, while soil organic carbon, total nitrogen content and conductivity mainly drove the differentiation of soil fungal communities. In addition, the degree of connection in the soil bacterial network of grassland was much higher than that in the fungal network and soil bacterial and fungal communities were inconsistently limited by environmental factors. Our results showed that the microbial community structure, composition and diversity of different grassland soil types in northwest Liaoning differed significantly and were significantly influenced by environmental factors. Microbial community structure and the observation of soil total nitrogen and organic carbon content can predict the health changes of grassland ecosystems to a certain extent

Different responses of soil fungal and bacterial communities to nitrogen addition in a forest grassland ecotone

IntroductionContinuous nitrogen deposition increases the nitrogen content of terrestrial ecosystem and affects the geochemical cycle of soil nitrogen. Forest-grassland ecotone is the interface area of forest and grassland and is sensitive to global climate change. However, the structure composition and diversity of soil microbial communities and their relationship with soil environmental factors at increasing nitrogen deposition have not been sufficiently studied in forest-grassland ecotone.MethodsIn this study, experiments were carried out with four nitrogen addition treatments (0 kgN·hm−2·a−1, 10 kgN·hm−2·a−1, 20 kgN·hm−2·a−1 and 40 kgN·hm−2·a−1) to simulate nitrogen deposition in a forest-grassland ecotone in northwest Liaoning Province, China. High-throughput sequencing and qPCR technologies were used to analyze the composition, structure, and diversity characteristics of the soil microbial communities under different levels of nitrogen addition.Results and discussionThe results showed that soil pH decreased significantly at increasing nitrogen concentrations, and the total nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen contents first increased and then decreased, which were significantly higher in the N10 treatment than in other treatments (N:0.32 ~ 0.48 g/kg; NH4+-N: 11.54 ~ 13 mg/kg). With the increase in nitrogen concentration, the net nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, and ammoniation rates decreased. The addition of nitrogen had no significant effect on the diversity and structure of the fungal community, while the diversity of the bacterial community decreased significantly at increasing nitrogen concentrations. Ascomycetes and Actinomycetes were the dominant fungal and bacterial phyla, respectively. The relative abundance of Ascomycetes was negatively correlated with total nitrogen content, while that of Actinomycetes was positively correlated with soil pH. The fungal community diversity was significantly negatively correlated with nitrate nitrogen, while the diversity of the bacterial community was significantly positively correlated with soil pH. No significant differences in the abundance of functional genes related to soil nitrogen transformations under the different treatments were observed. Overall, the distribution pattern and driving factors were different in soil microbial communities in a forest-grassland ecotone in northwest Liaoning. Our study enriches research content related to factors that affect the forest-grassland ecotone

Mannose-modified erythrocyte membrane-encapsulated chitovanic nanoparticles as a DNA vaccine carrier against reticuloendothelial tissue hyperplasia virus

IntroductionThe erythrocyte membranes used in nanovaccines include high membrane stability, long circulation life, adaptability and extremely good bio compatibility. Nanoparticles encapsulated by erythrocyte membranes are widely used as ideal drug delivery vehicles because of their high drug loading, long circulation time, and excellent biocompatibility. The mannose modification of delivery materials can help target mannose receptors (MRs) to deliver antigens to antigen-presenting cells (APCs).MethodsIn this study, the antigen gene gp90 of avian reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) was encapsulated with carboxymethyl chitosan (CS) to obtain CSgp90 nanoparticles, which were coated with mannose-modied fowl erythrocyte membranes to yield CS-gp90@M-M nanoparticles. The physicochemical characterization and immune response of the CS-gp90@M-M nanoparticles were investigated in vitro and in vivo.ResultsCS-gp90@M-M nanoparticles were rapidly phagocytized in vitro by macrophages to induce the production of cytokines and nitric oxide. In vivo, CS-gp90@M-M nanoparticles increased cytokine levels, the CD4+/8+ ratio, REV-specific antibodies in the peripheral blood of chicks, and the mRNA levels of immune-related genes in the spleen and bursa of immunized chicks. CS-gp90@M-M nanoparticles could be targeted to lymphoid organs to prolong the retention time of the nanoparticles at the injection site and lymphatic organs, leading to a strong, sustained immune response. Moreover, the CS-gp90@M-M nano-vaccine showed a lasting immunoprotective effect and improved the body weight of chicks after the challenge.ConclusionOverall, CS-gp90@M-M nanoparticles can be used in vaccine designs as an effective delivery carrier with immune response-enhancing effects

Constructing interfacial boron-nitrogen moieties in turbostratic carbon for electrochemical hydrogen peroxide production

Electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) provides a green route for decentralized H2O2 synthesis, where astructure-selectivity relationship is pivotal for the control of a highly selective and active two-electron pathway. Here, we report the fabrication of a boron and nitrogen co-doped turbostratic carbon catalyst with tunable B-N-C configurations (CNB-ZIL) by the assistance of a zwitterionic liquid (ZIL) for electrochemical hydrogen peroxide production. Combined spectroscopic analysis reveals a fine tailored B-N moiety in CNB-ZIL, where interfacial B-N species in a homogeneous distribution tend to segregate into hexagonal boron nitride domains at higher pyrolysis temperatures. Based on the experimental observations, a correlation between the interfacial B-N moieties and HO2- selectivity is established. The CNB-ZIL electrocatalysts with optimal interfacial B-N moieties exhibit a high HO2- selectivity with small overpotentials in alkaline media, giving a HO2- yield of ~1787 mmol gcatalyst-1 h-1 at -1.4 V in a flow-cell reactor

Sustainability and Fast Fashion : Exploring Factors Influencing Consumer Behavior Among Young Generation in China

The rise of fast fashion in the global fashion industry has changed the consumption patterns of consumers. However, fast fashion consumption patterns are unsustainable and constitute a risk to environmental and social sustainability. As China is a major player in the global textile industry, its young consumer is particularly attracted to fast fashion. Although the Chinese young generation is more educated than the previous generation, their attitudes and intentions do not always lead to actual behavior. This study aims to explore the factors that influence the consumer behavior of young Chinese consumers toward fast fashion products in the context of sustainability. Seven hypotheses based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, with four additional extension factors, were constructed to form the research hypothesis system. A total of 309 valid questionnaires were collected after screening by relevant criteria. Data analysis and hypothesis testing were completed using SPSS 26.0 statistical software. The final results indicate that the consumer behavior of young Chinese consumers toward fast fashion products is negatively influenced by their Attitude, Perceived Behavioral Control, and Perceived Consumer Effectiveness. On the other hand, Face Consciousness has a positive impact on it. This study could serve as a guide to encourage consumers to prioritize sustainability and environmental issues, leading to greater awareness and social responsibility, and inspire fast fashion retailers to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable products, as well as provide a basis for the government to introduce relevant regulations to reduce the resource waste and environmental pollution caused by the fast fashion industry

Sustainability and Fast Fashion : Exploring Factors Influencing Consumer Behavior Among Young Generation in China

The rise of fast fashion in the global fashion industry has changed the consumption patterns of consumers. However, fast fashion consumption patterns are unsustainable and constitute a risk to environmental and social sustainability. As China is a major player in the global textile industry, its young consumer is particularly attracted to fast fashion. Although the Chinese young generation is more educated than the previous generation, their attitudes and intentions do not always lead to actual behavior. This study aims to explore the factors that influence the consumer behavior of young Chinese consumers toward fast fashion products in the context of sustainability. Seven hypotheses based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, with four additional extension factors, were constructed to form the research hypothesis system. A total of 309 valid questionnaires were collected after screening by relevant criteria. Data analysis and hypothesis testing were completed using SPSS 26.0 statistical software. The final results indicate that the consumer behavior of young Chinese consumers toward fast fashion products is negatively influenced by their Attitude, Perceived Behavioral Control, and Perceived Consumer Effectiveness. On the other hand, Face Consciousness has a positive impact on it. This study could serve as a guide to encourage consumers to prioritize sustainability and environmental issues, leading to greater awareness and social responsibility, and inspire fast fashion retailers to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable products, as well as provide a basis for the government to introduce relevant regulations to reduce the resource waste and environmental pollution caused by the fast fashion industry

B-A chromosome translocations possessing an A centromere partly overcome the root-restricted process of chromosome elimination in Aegilops speltoides

Some eukaryotes exhibit dramatic genome size differences between cells of different organs, resulting from the programmed elimination of chromosomes. Aegilops speltoides is an annual diploid species from the Poaceae family, with a maximum number of eight B chromosomes (Bs) in addition to its inherent seven pairs of standard A chromosomes (As). The Bs of this species undergo precise elimination in roots early in embryo development. In areal parts of the plant, the number of Bs is stable. To affect the root restricted process of B chromosome elimination, we employed X-ray mutagenesis, and different types of restructured Bs were identified. Standard Bs were observed in all analyzed shoots of mutagenized plants, while B-A translocations were only observed in 35.7% of F<sub>1</sub> plants. In total 40 different B variants inconsistently escaped the elimination process in roots. As a result, mosaicism of B chromosome variants was found in roots. Only a small B chromosome fragment fused to an A chromosome was stably maintained in roots and shoots across F<sub>1</sub> to F<sub>3</sub> generations. The absence of B-A translocation chromosomes possessing a derived B centromere in root cells implies that the centromere of the B is a key component of the chromosome elimination process

Development and Validation of a Prediction Model of the Risk of Pneumonia in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Objective. To establish a prediction model of pneumonia risk in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients to reduce unnecessary chest CT scans. Materials and Methods. The model was constructed based on a retrospective cohort study. We selected SARS-CoV-2 test-positive patients and collected their clinical data and chest CT images from the outpatient and emergency departments of Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, China. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were utilized to identify predictors of pneumonia risk for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. These predictors were then incorporated into a nomogram to establish the model. To ensure its performance, the model was evaluated from the aspects of discrimination, calibration, and clinical validity. In addition, a smoothed curve was fitted using a generalized additive model (GAM) to explore the association between the pneumonia grade and the model’s predicted probability of pneumonia. Results. We selected 299 SARS-CoV-2 test-positive patients, of whom 205 cases were in the training cohort and 94 cases were in the validation cohort. Age, CRP natural log-transformed value (InCRP), and monocyte percentage (%Mon) were found to be valid predictors of pneumonia risk. This predictive model achieved good discrimination of AUC in the training and validation cohorts which was 0.7820 (95% CI: 0.7254–0.8439) and 0.8432 (95% CI: 0.7588–0.9151), respectively. At the cut-off value of 0.5, it had a sensitivity and specificity of 70.75% and 66.33% in the training cohort and 76.09% and 73.91% in the validation cohort, respectively. With suitable calibration accuracy shown in calibration curves, decision curve analysis indicated high clinical value in predicting pneumonia probability in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. The probability of pneumonia predicted by the model was positively correlated with the actual pneumonia classification. Conclusion. This study has developed a pneumonia risk prediction model that can be utilized for diagnostic purposes in predicting the probability of pneumonia in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2