Regulation of arginine methyltransferase 3 by a Wolbachia-induced microRNA in Aedes aegypti and its effect on Wolbachia and dengue virus replication

The gram-negative endosymbiotic bacteria, Wolbachia, have been found to colonize a wide range of invertebrates, including over 40% of insect species. Best known for host reproductive manipulations, some strains of Wolbachia have been shown to reduce the host life span by about 50% and inhibit replication and transmission of dengue virus (DENV) in the mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects still are not well understood. Our previous studies showed that Wolbachia uses host microRNAs (miRNAs) to manipulate host gene expression for its efficient maintenance and limiting replication of DENV in Ae. aegypti. Protein arginine methyltransferases are structurally and functionally conserved proteins from yeast to human. In mammals, it has been reported that protein arginine methyltransferases such as PRMT1, 5 and 6 could regulate replication of different viruses. Ae. aegypti contains eight members of protein arginine methyltransferases (AaArgM1-8). Here, we show that the wMelPop strain of Wolbachia introduced into Ae. aegypti significantly induces the expression of AaArgM3. Interestingly, we found that Wolbachia uses aae-miR-2940, which is highly upregulated in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, to upregulate the expression of AaArgM3. Silencing of AaArgM3 in a mosquito cell line led to the inhibition of Wolbachia replication, but had no effect on the replication of DENV. These results provide further evidence that Wolbachia uses the host miRNAs to manipulate host gene expression and facilitate colonization in Ae. aegypti mosquito

Preparation and properties of biodegradable spent tea leaf powder/poly(propylene carbonate) composite films

Abstract: The aim of the present work is to develop novel biobased lightweight material with improved tensile and thermal properties. Spent tea leaf powder (STLP) is used as a filler to improve the tensile and thermal properties of polypropylene carbonate (PPC). Tea is an important material of hotels and household and spent tea leaf forms a conjugal solid waste. Composite films are obtained by solution casting method. These films are characterized by Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and tensile testing to examine the effect of filler content on the properties of the composites. The results have shown that composite films are having increased tensile strength due to enhanced interfacial adhesion between the filler and the matrix. In addition, the composite films have also exhibited higher thermal degradation temperatures compared to pure polypropylene carbonate. The morphology results indicate that there is a good interface interaction between STLP and PPC. Results of the study reveal STLP to be a promising green filler for polymer plastics

Simulating soil salinity dynamics, cotton yield and evapotranspiration under drip irrigation by ensemble machine learning

We thank the China Scholarship Council (CSC) for providing a scholarship (202206710073) to Zewei Jiang. This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (B220203009), the Postgraduate Research & Practice Program of Jiangsu Province (KYCX22_0669), the Water Conservancy Science and Technology Project of Jiangxi Province (201921ZDKT06, 202124ZDKT09), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51879076), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (B210204016), Science & Technology Specific Projects in Agricultural High-tech Industrial Demonstration Area of the Yellow River Delta, Grant No: 2022SZX01.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Transcriptome analysis of Deinagkistrodon acutus venomous gland focusing on cellular structure and functional aspects using expressed sequence tags

BACKGROUND: The snake venom gland is a specialized organ, which synthesizes and secretes the complex and abundant toxin proteins. Though gene expression in the snake venom gland has been extensively studied, the focus has been on the components of the venom. As far as the molecular mechanism of toxin secretion and metabolism is concerned, we still knew a little. Therefore, a fundamental question being arisen is what genes are expressed in the snake venom glands besides many toxin components? RESULTS: To examine extensively the transcripts expressed in the venom gland of Deinagkistrodon acutus and unveil the potential of its products on cellular structure and functional aspects, we generated 8696 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from a non-normalized cDNA library. All ESTs were clustered into 3416 clusters, of which 40.16% of total ESTs belong to recognized toxin-coding sequences; 39.85% are similar to cellular transcripts; and 20.00% have no significant similarity to any known sequences. By analyzing cellular functional transcripts, we found high expression of some venom related genes and gland-specific genes, such as calglandulin EF-hand protein gene and protein disulfide isomerase gene. The transcripts of creatine kinase and NADH dehydrogenase were also identified at high level. Moreover, abundant cellular structural proteins similar to mammalian muscle tissues were also identified. The phylogenetic analysis of two snake venom toxin families of group III metalloproteinase and serine protease in suborder Colubroidea showed an early single recruitment event in the viperids evolutionary process. CONCLUSION: Gene cataloguing and profiling of the venom gland of Deinagkistrodon acutus is an essential requisite to provide molecular reagents for functional genomic studies needed for elucidating mechanisms of action of toxins and surveying physiological events taking place in the very specialized secretory tissue. So this study provides a first global view of the genetic programs for the venom gland of Deinagkistrodon acutus described so far and an insight into molecular mechanism of toxin secreting. All sequences data reported in this paper have been submitted into the public database [GenBank: DV556511-DV565206]

Experimental analysis of energy consumption of building roof energy-saving technologies based on time difference comparison test

The roof plays a pivotal role as it directly engages with solar radiation absorption and external heat exchange, significantly influencing the building’s overall energy dynamics. To assess the performance of green roofs and cool roofs, a roof performance test facility was established in Nanjing. Time-difference comparison experiments were conducted to measure and analyze the energy-saving effects of cool roofs, green roofs, and conventional roofs during both summer and winter conditions. The study aimed to investigate how their thermal performance impacts building energy consumption. The study’s findings reveal that under summer conditions, the incorporation of a cool roof system leads to a substantial enhancement in energy efficiency, achieving an impressive 13.2% energy savings compared to conventional roofing solutions. In contrast, the implementation of a green roof system results in a more modest energy-saving rate of 4.1%. Transitioning to winter conditions, the adoption of a cool roof system shows a marginal increase of 2.8% in energy consumption compared to conventional roofs. Interestingly, the green roof system stands out as an energy-efficient option during winter, demonstrating a significant 4.9% reduction in energy consumption. This approach ensured reliable and valid results to provide a comprehensive view of how different roof types respond to varying climatic conditions

Effect of host shift on the gut microbes of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

BackgroundGut microbes play an important role in the adaptation of insects. Polyphagous insects usually undergo changes in gut microbiota after host shift. The Bactrocera cucurbitae have a wide range of hosts, but the dynamic of gut microorganisms during host shift have not been thoroughly investigated. To understand the role of gut microbes in insect adaptation, it is necessary to study the dynamics of insect gut microorganisms during host transfer.MethodsUsing Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and its four hosts as study subjects, we investigated the dynamics of gut microbes during host transfer and the effects of different hosts on the gut microbial composition of B. cucurbitae.ResultsThe results showed that the Chao1 index of B. cucurbitae decreased significantly during host transfer, and the intestinal microorganisms were significantly affected by the original host, host, and generations. Furthermore, predicated changes in the abundance of secondary metabolite pathways after host transfer suggested that microorganisms may play an important role in the degradation of secondary metabolites, among which Providencia and Morganella have important functions in the gut of B. cucurbitae.ConclusionThis implied that microorganisms play a function in the host transfer process of B. cucurbitae and may be an important cofactor in the adaptation of B. cucurbitae to different hosts and environments, providing new research ideas for the future control of B. cucurbitae

Reassortant between Human-Like H3N2 and Avian H5 Subtype Influenza A Viruses in Pigs: A Potential Public Health Risk

Human-like H3N2 influenza viruses have repeatedly been transmitted to domestic pigs in different regions of the world, but it is still uncertain whether any of these variants could become established in pig populations. The fact that different subtypes of influenza viruses have been detected in pigs makes them an ideal candidate for the genesis of a possible reassortant virus with both human and avian origins. However, the determination of whether pigs can act as a “mixing vessel” for a possible future pandemic virus is still pending an answer. This prompted us to gather the epidemiological information and investigate the genetic evolution of swine influenza viruses in Jilin, China.Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from pigs with respiratory illness in Jilin province, China from July 2007 to October 2008. All samples were screened for influenza A viruses. Three H3N2 swine influenza virus isolates were analyzed genetically and phylogenetically.Influenza surveillance of pigs in Jilin province, China revealed that H3N2 influenza viruses were regularly detected from domestic pigs during 2007 to 2008. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that two distinguishable groups of H3N2 influenza viruses were present in pigs: the wholly contemporary human-like H3N2 viruses (represented by the Moscow/10/99-like sublineage) and double-reassortant viruses containing genes from contemporary human H3N2 viruses and avian H5 viruses, both co-circulating in pig populations.The present study reports for the first time the coexistence of wholly human-like H3N2 viruses and double-reassortant viruses that have emerged in pigs in Jilin, China. It provides updated information on the role of pigs in interspecies transmission and genetic reassortment of influenza viruses

The characteristics of soil salinization effects on nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in upland fields

The influence of soil salinization on nitrogen (N) transformation is largely unknown, which impedes the reasonable management of N in saline fields. A comprehensive meta-analysis was thus conducted to evaluate the effects of salinity and relative soil physicochemical properties on net N mineralization and nitrification in upland soils. Results showed that effects of salinity on the net-N mineralization rate (Min) and nitrification rate (Nit) changed with the salinity level and incubation time. Generally, the inhibitory effect of salt on Min and Nit decreased gradually with incubation time. At 14–16 days of soil incubation, significant stimulatory effects on Min were observed in middle-level (ECe: 12–16 dS m-1) and high-level (ECe >16 dS m-1) saline soils, and on Nit in low-level (ECe: 4–12 dS m-1) saline soils. Regression analysis revealed that the effects of soil organic carbon (SOC), total N (TN), C/N, pH, and clay content on Min and Nit were closely related to salinity levels. Nit at 5–7 days of soil incubation first enhanced and then decreased with C/N increase, and the threshold value was 34.7. The effect of pH on Nit changed with salinity levels, and shifted from stimulation to inhibition with increasing pH. Min at 5–7 days of soil incubation in middle-level group first increased with increasing pH, and decreased when pH was higher than 8.1. Salinization deeply affected soil properties, which further influenced N turnover via alteration of the availability of substrates and microbial biomass and activities. Our findings suggest that the influence of salinity on soil N turnover closely related with salinity level, and salinity level should be considered fully when optimizing N management in saline upland fields

Thermal Properties of TiO2/PbS Nanoparticle Solar Cells

Photovoltaic performance is shown to depend on ligand capping on PbS nanoparticle solar cells by varying the temperature between 140K and 350K. The thermal response of open‐circuit voltage, short‐circuit current density, fill‐factor and shunt resistance varies between the ligands. A large increase in short‐circuit current density at low temperatures is observed for 1,2‐ethanedithiol and 3‐mercaptopropionic acid and a relatively constant short-circuit current density is observed for the stiffer 1,4‐benzenedithiol. Dark data provide evidence for tunnelling transport being the dominant charge conduction mechanism for all three ligand devices with recombination occurring within deep trap states. Under illumination, devices exhibit band‐to‐band recombination, indicated by an ideality factor of nearly unity

Simulating soil salinity dynamics, cotton yield and evapotranspiration under drip irrigation by ensemble machine learning

Cotton is widely used in textile, decoration, and industry, but it is also threatened by soil salinization. Drip irrigation plays an important role in improving water and fertilization utilization efficiency and ensuring crop production in arid areas. Accurate prediction of soil salinity and crop evapotranspiration under drip irrigation is essential to guide water management practices in arid and saline areas. However, traditional hydrological models such as Hydrus require more variety of input parameters and user expertise, which limits its application in practice, and machine learning (ML) provides a potential alternative. Based on a global dataset collected from 134 pieces of literature, we proposed a method to comprehensively simulate soil salinity, evapotranspiration (ET) and cotton yield. Results showed that it was recommended to predict soil salinity, crop evapotranspiration and cotton yield based on soil data (bulk density), meteorological factors, irrigation data and other data. Among them, meteorological factors include annual average temperature, total precipitation, year. Irrigation data include salinity in irrigation water, soil matric potential and irrigation water volume, while other data include soil depth, distance from dripper, days after sowing (for EC and soil salinity), fertilization rate (for yield and ET). The accuracy of the model has reached a satisfactory level, R2 in 0.78-0.99. The performance of stacking ensemble ML was better than that of a single model, i.e., gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT); random forest (RF); extreme gradient boosting regression (XGBR), with R2 increased by 0.02%-19.31%. In all input combinations, other data have a greater impact on the model accuracy, while the RMSE of the S1 scenario (input without meteorological factors) without meteorological data has little difference, which is -34.22%~19.20% higher than that of full input. Given the wide application of drip irrigation in cotton, we recommend the application of ensemble ML to predict soil salinity and crop evapotranspiration, thus serving as the basis for adjusting the irrigation schedule