DataSheet_1_Effects of biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on winter wheat growth and soil N2O emissions in different phosphorus environments.docx

IntroductionPromoting crop growth and regulating denitrification process are two main ways to reduce soil N2O emissions in agricultural systems. However, how biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can regulate crop growth and denitrification in soils with different phosphorus (P) supplies to influence N2O emission remains largely unknown.MethodHere, an eight-week greenhouse and one-year field experiments biochar and/or AMF (only in greenhouse experiment) additions under low and high P environments were conducted to characterize the effects on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and N2O emission.ResultsWith low P supply, AMF addition decreased leaf Mn concentration (indicates carboxylate-releasing P-acquisition strategies), whereas biochar addition increased leaf Mn concentration, suggesting biochar and AMF addition regulated root morphological and physiological traits to capture P. Compared with low P supply, the high P significantly promoted wheat growth (by 16-34%), nutrient content (by 33-218%) and yield (by 33-41%), but suppressed soil N2O emissions (by 32-95%). Biochar and/or AMF addition exhibited either no or negative effects on wheat biomass and nutrient content in greenhouse, and biochar addition promoted wheat yield only under high P environment in field. However, biochar and/or AMF addition decreased soil N2O emissions by 24-93% and 32% in greenhouse and field experiments, respectively. This decrease was associated mainly with the diminished abundance of N2O-producing denitrifiers (nirK and nirS types, by 17-59%, respectively) and the increased abundance of N2O-consuming denitrifiers (nosZ type, by 35-65%), and also with the increased wheat nutrient content, yield and leaf Mn concentration.DiscussionThese findings suggest that strengthening the plant-soil-microbe interactions can mitigate soil N2O emissions via manipulating plant nutrient acquisition and soil denitrification.</p

Enhancement of Electricity Production of Microbial Fuel Cells by Using DNA Nanostructures as Electron Mediator Carriers

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are recognized as eco-friendly technology to convert chemical energy from waste into electricity by biocatalytic microorganisms and biomass as fuel feedstocks. Here, a three-dimensional DNA origami nanostructure serving as electron mediator-methylene blue (MB) carriers was first employed to enhance the electron production and transfer in the anode compartment of Escherichia coli system-based MFCs. By loading MB molecules on DNA origami nanostructures, the MFC with the MB/DNA origami-modified carbon felt (CF) electrode showed the highest voltage production (64 mV) and power density (5.78 mW/m2) compared to bare CF and MB-modified CF electrodes. The enhanced MFC performance was attributed to the larger interface area of DNA origami-assisted MB loading and a biocompatible bacterial growth environment on the anode, which led to E. coli adhesion and fast electron transfer. Furthermore, the MFC with MB/DNA origami modifications could stably operate for three cycles (20 days) with constant voltage discharge without further addition of media. These results show that DNA origami is a promising material serving as an electron mediator carrier for sustainable energy systems, which could get over the drawbacks of carrier-free MFCs, such as short lifetime, continuously adding supplies, and toxicity to both the microorganisms and the natural environment

Novel lncRNA 803 related to Marek’s disease inhibits apoptosis of DF-1 cells

Marek’s disease (MD) is a neoplastic disease that significantly affects the poultry industry. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial regulatory factors in various biological processes, including tumourigenesis. However, the involvement of novel lncRNAs in the course of MD virus (MDV) infection is still underexplored. Here, we present the first comprehensive characterization of differentially expressed lncRNAs in chicken spleen at different stages of MDV infection. A series of differentially expressed lncRNAs was identified at each stage of MDV infection through screening. Notably, our investigation revealed a novel lncRNA, lncRNA 803, which exhibited significant differential expression at different stages of MDV infection and was likely to be associated with the p53 pathway. Further analyses demonstrated that the overexpression of lncRNA 803 positively regulated the expression of p53 and TP53BP1 in DF-1 cells, leading to the inhibition of apoptosis. This is the first study to focus on the lncRNA expression profiles in chicken spleens during MDV pathogenesis. Our findings highlight the potential role of the p53-related novel lncRNA 803 in MD pathogenesis and provide valuable insights for decoding the molecular mechanism of MD pathogenesis involving non-coding RNA. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSDifferentially expressed lncRNAs in spleens of chickens infected with Marek’s disease virus at different stages were identified for the first time.The effects of novel lncRNA 803 on p53 pathway and apoptosis of DF-1 cells were reported for the first time. Differentially expressed lncRNAs in spleens of chickens infected with Marek’s disease virus at different stages were identified for the first time. The effects of novel lncRNA 803 on p53 pathway and apoptosis of DF-1 cells were reported for the first time.</p

DataSheet_1_Multidimensional analysis reveals environmental factors that affect community dynamics of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in poplar roots.docx

IntroductionPoplar is a tree species with important production and application value. The symbiotic relationship between poplar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has a key role in ecosystem functioning. However, there remain questions concerning the seasonal dynamics of the AMF community in poplar roots, the relationship between AMF and the soil environment, and its ecological function.MethodPoplar roots and rhizosphere soil were sampled at the end of April and the end of October. The responses of AMF communities to season, host age, and host species were investigated; the soil environmental factors driving community changes were analyzed.ResultsThe diversity and species composition of the AMF community were higher in autumn than in spring. Season, host age, host species, and soil environmental factors affected the formation of the symbiotic mycorrhizal system and the AMF community. Differences in the communities could be explained by soil pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, available potassium, and glomalin content.DiscussionThe AMF community was sensitive to changes in soil physicochemical properties caused by seasonal dynamics, particularly total potassium. The change in the mycorrhizal symbiotic system was closely related to the growth and development of poplar trees.</p

Solubility Measurement and Thermodynamic Modeling of 4‑Nitrophthalimide in Twelve Pure Solvents at Elevated Temperatures Ranging from (273.15 to 323.15) K

The solubility of 4-nitrophthalimide in different solvents are of great importance for the design of its purification process via crystallization. The work reported new solubility data for 4-nitrophthalimide in 12 pure solvents of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, cyclohexanone, acetone, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, 2-butanone, chloroform, 1,4-dioxane benzyl alcohol and <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylformamide. They were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography at <i>T</i> = (273.15 to 323.15) K under pressure of 0.1 MPa. The 4-nitrophthalimide solubility in the selected solvents increased with the temperature increase. At a given temperature, the solubility of 4-nitrophthalimide is largest in <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylformamide and lowest in chloroform. The solubility data in the these solvents ranked as <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylformamide > cyclohexanone > (1,4-dioxane, acetone, 2-butanone, benzyl alcohol) > ethyl acetate > acetonitrile > methanol > ethanol > isopropanol > chloroform. The experimental solubility data were correlated by modified Apelblat equation, <i>λh</i> equation, Wilson model, and NRTL model. The obtained values of root-mean-square deviation and relative average deviation are all less than 16.17 × 10^–4 and 1.58%, respectively. The modified Apelblat equation achieved the best correlating results in totally

Timely Inhibition of Notch Signaling by DAPT Promotes Cardiac Differentiation of Murine Pluripotent Stem Cells

<div><p>The Notch signaling pathway plays versatile roles during heart development. However, there is contradictory evidence that Notch pathway either facilitates or impairs cardiomyogenesis <i>in vitro</i>. In this study, we developed iPSCs by reprogramming of murine fibroblasts with GFP expression governed by <i>Oct4</i> promoter, and identified an effective strategy to enhance cardiac differentiation through timely modulation of Notch signaling. The Notch inhibitor DAPT (N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester) alone drove the iPSCs to a neuronal fate. After mesoderm induction of embryoid bodies initiated by ascorbic acid (AA), the subsequent treatment of DAPT accelerated the generation of spontaneously beating cardiomyocytes. The timed synergy of AA and DAPT yielded an optimal efficiency of cardiac differentiation. Mechanistic studies showed that Notch pathway plays a biphasic role in cardiomyogenesis. It favors the early–stage cardiac differentiation, but exerts negative effects on the late-stage differentiation. Therefore, DAPT administration at the late stage enforced the inhibition of endogenous Notch activity, thereby enhancing cardiomyogenesis. In parallel, DAPT dramatically augmented the expression of <i>Wnt3a</i>, <i>Wnt11</i>, <i>BMP2</i>, and <i>BMP4</i>. In conclusion, our results highlight a practicable approach to generate cardiomyocytes from iPSCs based on the stage-specific biphasic roles of Notch signaling in cardiomyogenesis.</p></div

DAPT promotes cardiac differentiation from intermediate mesoderm.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Experimental strategies to optimize the induction procedure of four groups designated as G1 to G4. (<b>B</b>) The percentage of contracting EBs was counted at day 8, day 12 and day 16 among these groups. Data obtained from three independent experiments were shown as means ± s.d (*<i>p</i><0.05, **<i>p</i><0.01). (<b>C</b>) Immunofluorescence staining of α-actinin (Red) in AA (G3) and AA plus DAPT (G4) groups at day 16. GFP-positive expression indicated the existence of endogenous Oct4, representing undifferentiated iPSCs. Nuclei were counterstained with Hoechst33342 (Blue). Scale bar 50 µm. (D) Immunofluorescence staining of Tropnin T (Red) in AA (G3) and AA plus DAPT (G4) groups at day 16. Nuclei were counterstained with Hoechst33342 (Blue). Scale bar 50 µm. (<b>E</b>) Percentage of Troponin T-positive cells was calculated from at least five randomly selected fields at day 16. Data obtained from three independent experiments were shown as means ± s.d (*<i>p</i><0.05). (<b>F</b>) The expression of α-actinin, Oct4, and Nanog was determined by Western blot analysis. Results are representative of three independent experiments.</p

Crystal Structure, Multiplex Photoluminescence, and Magnetic Properties of a Series of Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Based on Quinoline Carboxylate Ligand

A series of novel one-dimensional (1D) lanthanide coordination polymers, [Ln­(pqc)­(Hpqc)­(NO₃)₂]_<i>n</i> (Ln = Sm (<b>1</b>), Eu (<b>2</b>), Gd (<b>3</b>), Tb (<b>4</b>), Dy (<b>5</b>), Ho (<b>6</b>), Er (<b>7</b>), Tm (<b>8</b>), Yb (<b>9</b>), or Lu (<b>10</b>); Hpqc = 2-phenyl-4-quinolinecarboxylic acid), have been synthesized via solvothermal reaction at low temperature and then characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Polymers <b>1</b>–<b>10</b> are isostructural and feature a 1D chain based on binuclear units in which Ln³⁺ polyhedra are interconnected by bridging Hpqc ligands and terminal nitrates. The infinite chains are further extended to a three-dimensional supramolecular framework through π···π stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions. This series affords an opportunity to study the lanthanide contraction effect, demonstrating that the sum of Ln–O distances proportional to this contraction follow a quadratic decay as a function of the number <i>n</i> of f electrons. The photoluminescence spectra show that these complexes are highly sensitized by Hpqc and exhibit characteristic Ln³⁺ (Sm (<b>1</b>), Eu (<b>2</b>), Tb (<b>4</b>), Er (<b>7</b>), and Yb (<b>9</b>)) and ligand centered (Dy (<b>5</b>), Ho (<b>6</b>), Tm (<b>8</b>), and Lu (<b>10</b>)) luminescence in both visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions. The magnetic properties of <b>4</b>–<b>7</b> have also been investigated

DAPT promotes the late-stage cardiac differentiation by Notch inhibition.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Immunoblot analysis demonstrated the protein amount of Notch1. After AA induction for 4 days, iPSCs were subsequently treated by AA in the presence or absence of DAPT during the cardiomyocyte differentiation. Cell lysates were analyzed for Notch1 or β-actin (upper panel). Normalized densitometric quantification of Notch1 bands was performed with images of three independent experiments (lower panel). (<b>B</b>) Real-time PCR analysis was performed to determine the expression of Notch family genes expression at indicated time points. (<b>C</b>) and (<b>D</b>) Real-time PCR analysis of <i>Wnt3a</i>, <i>Wnt11, BMP2, and BMP4</i> expression. (<b>E</b>) Immunoblot analysis demonstrated the protein amount of β-catenin. β-actin was used as the internal control. All data are shown as means ± s.d (n = 3) (*<i>p</i><0.05, **<i>p</i><0.01).</p

DAPT elevates the expression of cardiac transcriptional factors.

<p>(<b>A</b>) After AA induction for 4 days, iPSCs were subsequently treated by AA or AA plus DAPT. Real-time PCR analysis was performed to estimate the relative level of cardiac-specific and pluripotency-associated genes. (<b>B</b>) Real-time PCR analysis of mesoderm, cardiac progenitor and cardiac-specific transcription factor markers. Data are shown as relative gene expression with means ± s.d (n = 3) (*<i>p</i><0.05, **<i>p</i><0.01).</p