Altered redox processes, defense responses, and flowering time are associated with survival of the temperate Camelina sativa under subtropical conditions

Sporadic and unpredictable extreme hot weather events associated with global warming have been an increasingly serious problem and are difficult to test under natural field conditions. In this study, we used subtropical summer to mimic extreme hot weather under realistic field conditions to test for heat tolerance in the cold-adapted emergent oil crop, Camelina sativa. Utilizing a forward genetic screen, Camelina was screened for heat-adapted genotypes, resulting in the identification of three subtropical summer tolerant (sst) mutants. The sst mutants were late flowering and exhibited altered expression of the key flowering genes FLOWER LOCUS C and FLOWER LOCUS T. With RNA-seq assay, it was found that redox and defense related genes were significantly enriched in the up-regulated genes of the sst mutants. Consistently, reduced hydrogen peroxide production and enhanced resistance to a fungal pathogen were observed. Overall, our results suggested that to breed temperate crops to adapt to the subtropics, flowering time, antioxidant ability, and defense signaling could be the potential targets.Peer reviewe

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the diploid blueberry Vaccinium darrowii provides insights into its subtropical adaptation and cuticle synthesis

Vaccinium darrowii is a subtropical wild blueberry species that has been used to breed economically important southern highbush cultivars. The adaptive traits of V. darrowii to subtropical climates can provide valuable information for breeding blueberry and perhaps other plants, especially against the background of global warming. Here, we assembled the V. darrowii genome into 12 pseudochromosomes using Oxford Nanopore long reads complemented with Hi-C scaffolding technologies, and we predicted 41 815 genes using RNA-sequencing evidence. Syntenic analysis across three Vaccinium species revealed a highly conserved genome structure, with the highest collinearity between V. darrowii and Vaccinium corymbosum. This conserved genome structure may explain the high fertility observed during crossbreeding of V. darrowii with other blueberry cultivars. Analysis of gene expansion and tandem duplication indicated possible roles for defense- and flowering-associated genes in the adaptation of V. darrowii to the subtropics. Putative SOC1 genes in V. darrowii were identified based on phylogeny and expression analysis. Blueberries are covered in a thick cuticle layer and contain anthocyanins, which confer their powdery blue color. Using RNA sequencing, we delineated the cuticle biosynthesis pathways of Vaccinium species in V. darrowii. This result can serve as a reference for breeding berries whose colors are appealing to customers. The V. darrowii reference genome, together with the unique traits of this species, including its diploid genome, short vegetative phase, and high compatibility in hybridization with other blueberries, make V. darrowii a potential research model for blueberry species.Peer reviewe

Comparative Genomics Reveals Potential Mechanisms of Plant Beneficial Effects of a Novel Bamboo-Endophytic Bacterial Isolate Paraburkholderia sacchari Suichang626

Plant-beneficial microbes have drawn wide attention due to their potential application as bio-control agents and bio-fertilizers. Moso bamboo, which is among the monocots with the highest growth rate, lives perennially with abundant microbes that may benefit annually growing crops. Genome information of moso bamboo associated bacteria remains underexplored. We isolated and identified a novel Paraburkholderia strain Suichang626 from moso bamboo roots. Growth promoting effects of Suichang626 on both moso bamboo and seedlings of the model dicot Arabidopsis thaliana were documented in laboratory conditions. To gain insight into the genetic basis of this growth promotion effect, we sequenced the genome of Suichang626. Evidenced by genome-wide phylogeny data, we propose that Suichang626 is a novel strain of Paraburkholderia sacchari. Gene homologs encoding biosynthesis of the plant growth-promoting chemicals, acetoin and 2,3-butanediol, were identified in the genome of Suichang626. Comparative genomics was further performed with plant-beneficial and plant/animal pathogenic species of Paraburkholderia and Burkholderia. Genes related to volatile organic compounds, nitrogen fixation, and auxin biosynthesis were discovered specifically in the plant growth-promoting species of both genera.Peer reviewe

Arabidopsis MLO2 is a negative regulator of sensitivity to extracellular reactive oxygen species

The atmospheric pollutant ozone (O-3) is a strong oxidant that causes extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, has significant ecological relevance, and is used here as a non-invasive ROS inducer to study plant signalling. Previous genetic screens identified several mutants exhibiting enhanced O-3 sensitivity, but few with enhanced tolerance. We found that loss-of-function mutants in Arabidopsis MLO2, a gene implicated in susceptibility to powdery mildew disease, exhibit enhanced dose-dependent tolerance to O-3 and extracellular ROS, but a normal response to intracellular ROS. This phenotype is increased in a mlo2 mlo6 mlo12 triple mutant, reminiscent of the genetic redundancy of MLO genes in powdery mildew resistance. Stomatal assays revealed that enhanced O-3 tolerance in mlo2 mutants is not caused by altered stomatal conductance. We explored modulation of the mlo2-associated O-3 tolerance, powdery mildew resistance, and early senescence phenotypes by genetic epistasis analysis, involving mutants with known effects on ROS sensitivity or antifungal defence. Mining of publicly accessible microarray data suggests that these MLO proteins regulate accumulation of abiotic stress response transcripts, and transcript accumulation of MLO2 itself is O-3 responsive. In summary, our data reveal MLO2 as a novel negative regulator in plant ROS responses, which links biotic and abiotic stress response pathways.Peer reviewe

Spatiotemporal response characteristics of transient electromagnetic field in water-bearing goaves and their applications

Objective and Methods This study aims to enhance the accuracy of the mine transient electromagnetic method (MTEM) in of imaging of water-bearing goaves. Based on the geological conditions of the Gaojialiang Coal Mine, this study simulated the spatiotemporal response characteristics of the induced magnetic field in the water-bearing goaf model under varying stratigraphic spacings using finite element software COMSOL. Accordingly, this study analyzed the distribution patterns of the induced magnetic field on the apparent resistivity pseudosections and the plots of the differentials of longitudinal apparent conductivity. Using the results, the water-bearing conditions of goaves in the Ordos Gaojialiang Coal Mine were successfully identified during field detection. Results and ConclusionsThe results indicate that the induced magnetic field in water-bearing bodies exhibited lower decay rates than that in rock layers. The time-varying voltage decay curves can be divided into four distinct stages: the initial stable, relatively slow, relatively rapid, and final stable decay stages sequentially. A greater stratigraphic spacing was associated with an earlier turning point between the initial stable and relatively slow decay stages, longer relatively slow and relatively rapid decay stages, and higher induced voltage. The maximum magnetic induction frequently occurred within the water-bearing goaves, decreasing linearly with an increase in the stratigraphic spacing. The second-order differentials of longitudinal apparent conductivity can effectively identify interfaces between high and low resistivity, with a smaller stratigraphic spacing corresponding to a higher amplitude of the second-order differentials. In the water detection of goaves along mining faces 20302 and 20313 in the Gaojialiang Coal Mine, the turning points of induced-voltage decay occurred at 718.51 μs and 1004.31 μs, respectively. The variations in the voltages between adjacent channels and the second-order differentials of longitudinal apparent conductivity reveal that water accumulation occurred at depths ranging from 36 to 120 m and from 24 to 168 m, respectively laterally and the rock-water interfaces were located at depths of 66 m and 72 m, respectively. These findings were verified through drilling. The results of this study can serve as a guide for water detection and drainage in goaves and hold great significance for ensuring the safe production of mines

Transcriptomics and Functional Genomics of ROS-Induced Cell Death Regulation by RADICAL-INDUCED CELL DEATH1

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Job burnout among primary healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional study in China

ObjectiveThis study evaluated job burnout among primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) in China during the COVID-19 pandemic, explored its influencing factors, and examined PHCWs' preferences for reducing job burnout.MethodWe conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study in Heilongjiang, Sichuan, Anhui, Gansu, and Shandong Provinces. An electronic questionnaire survey was conducted through convenience sampling in communities from May to July 2022. We collected sociodemographic characteristics, job burnout level, job satisfaction, and preferred ways to reduce job burnout among PHCWs.ResultsThe job burnout rate among PHCWs in China was 59.87% (937/1565). Scores for each dimension of job burnout were lower among PHCWs who had a better work environment (emotional exhaustion OR: 0.60; depersonalization OR: 0.73; personal accomplishment OR: 0.76) and higher professional pride (emotional exhaustion OR: 0.63; depersonalization OR: 0.70; personal accomplishment OR: 0.44). PHCWs with higher work intensity (emotional exhaustion OR: 2.37; depersonalization OR: 1.34; personal accomplishment OR: 1.19) had higher scores in all job burnout dimensions. Improving work environments and raising salaries were the preferred ways for PHCWs to reduce job burnout.ConclusionStrategies should be developed to improve job satisfaction among PHCWs, enhance their professional identity, and alleviate burnout to ensure the effective operation of the healthcare system, especially during periods of overwork

Cell death regulation but not abscisic acid signaling is required for enhanced immunity to Botrytis in Arabidopsis cuticle-permeable mutants

Prevailing evidence indicates that abscisic acid (ABA) negatively influences immunity to the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea in most but not all cases. ABA is required for cuticle biosynthesis, and cuticle permeability enhances immunity to Botrytis via unknown mechanisms. This complex web of responses obscures the role of ABA in Botrytis immunity. Here, we addressed the relationships between ABA sensitivity, cuticle permeability, and Botrytis immunity in the Arabidopsis thaliana ABA-hypersensitive mutants protein phosphatase2c quadruple mutant (pp2c-q) and enhanced response to aba1 (era1-2). Neither pp2c-q nor era1-2 exhibited phenotypes predicted by the known roles of ABA; conversely, era1-2 had a permeable cuticle and was Botrytis resistant. We employed RNA-seq analysis in cuticle-permeable mutants of differing ABA sensitivities and identified a core set of constitutively activated genes involved in Botrytis immunity and susceptibility to biotrophs, independent of ABA signaling. Furthermore, botrytis susceptible1 (bos1), a mutant with deregulated cell death and enhanced ABA sensitivity, suppressed the Botrytis immunity of cuticle permeable mutants, and this effect was linearly correlated with the extent of spread of wound-induced cell death in bos1. Overall, our data demonstrate that Botrytis immunity conferred by cuticle permeability can be genetically uncoupled from PP2C-regulated ABA sensitivity, but requires negative regulation of a parallel ABA-dependent cell-death pathway.Peer reviewe

Case study of a rhizosphere microbiome assay on a bamboo rhizome with excessive shoots.

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The impact of multipollutant exposure on hepatic steatosis: a machine learning-based investigation into multipollutant synergistic effects

IntroductionThis study examines the synergistic effects of multi-pollutant exposure on hepatic lipid accumulation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through the application of an explainable machine learning framework. This approach addresses the limitations of traditional models in managing complex environmental interactions.MethodsUsing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015–2016 (n = 494), we developed a stacked ensemble model that integrates LASSO, support vector machines (SVM), neural networks, and XGBoost to analyze urinary biomarkers of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Environmental Pollution Exposure Index (EPEI) was constructed to quantify cumulative effects, with SHAP values employed to identify critical pollutants and thresholds. Subgroup analyses were conducted to assess heterogeneity across different Body Mass Index (BMI), diabetes, and hyperlipidemia statuses.Results2-Hydroxynaphthalene was identified as the predominant pollutant (SHAP = 0.89), with cobalt and VOC metabolites (e.g., N-Acetyl-S-(2-carbamoylethyl)-L-cysteine) also contributing significantly. The EPEI demonstrated strong associations with obesity-related parameters (PLF: 7.02 vs. 3.41 in high/low-exposure groups, p < 0.0001) and hyperlipidemia (OR = 2.28 vs. 1.08, p = 2.7e-06). The model demonstrated an amplification of effects in subgroups with severe obesity (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 2.08–3.24) and impaired fasting glucose.DiscussionThis study establishes a machine learning framework for assessing multi-pollutant risks in NAFLD, identifying 2-Hydroxynaphthalene as a significant hepatotoxicant and EPEI as a quantifiable metric of exposure. The findings highlight the metabolic vulnerabilities associated with obesity and early dysglycemia, thereby informing precision prevention strategies. Methodological advancements integrate exposomics with interpretable artificial intelligence, facilitating targeted interventions in environmental health