Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background Tobacco plants are typically high potassium (K)-demanding during growth and development, but the bioavailability of the nutrient in tobacco-growing soils is often limited. Aim and methodology The present study aimed at screening highly efficient potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB) through in vitro experiments, and to grasp their potential role in mineral dissolution for nutrients release. The effects of these bacterial inoculants on soil nutrient bioavailability, macronutrient acquisition, soil bacterial community characteristics, and tobacco seedling biomass were investigated through a greenhouse pot experiment. Results The in vitro experiments showed that the SKL51 (Paenibacillus sp. ) , SKT41 (Klebsiella oxytoca) , and PTG11 (Enterobacter hormaechei) strains were more efficient at solubilizing K than the reference strain RT (Bacillus mucilaginosus) . During the 7-day incubation with K-feldspar, the average solubilized potassium by SKL51, SKT41 and PTG11 was 28.8 ± 6.8, 30.1 ± 6.7 and 29.1 ± 1.0 μg mL −1 , respectively. The highest potential K solubility enhanced by the three KSB was 55.1%, 39.0% and 41.1%, respectively. Additionally, these bacteria exhibited differences in their potential to solubilize other nutrients, with SKT41 enhancing the dissolution of feldspar the most for Si 4+ (13.2 ± 2.9 μg mL −1 ), PTG11 for Ca 2+ (174.1 ± 29.4 μg mL −1 ) and SKL51 for Mg 2+ (52.7 ± 3.0 μg mL −1 ). The three KSB secreted various low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) that were variably correlated with solubilized mineral nutrients. The results of the greenhouse pot experiment showed that soil inoculation with PTG11 was the most effective at increasing seedling height by 45% and dry biomass by 83%. The relative abundances of Acinetobacter , Asaia , Bacillus , Bacteroides , Faecalibacterium , Pseudoclavibacter and Sphingomonas , which are associated with the development of both root systems and plant aboveground parts increased significantly ( p  < 0.05), thereby contributing to shifts in soil bacterial community structure and correlating with improved soil properties. Conclusion PTG11 and SKL51 had significant effects on soil bacterial community structure, and nutrient mobilization, thereby promoting plant growth in support of ecological benefits and environmental friendliness.

PurposeTo assess the management and safety of epidural or general anesthesia for Cesarean delivery in parturients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and their newborns, and to evaluate the standardized procedures for protecting medical staff.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the cases of parturients diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection disease (COVID-19). Their epidemiologic history, chest computed tomography scans, laboratory measurements, and SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid positivity were evaluated. We also recorded the patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics, anesthesia and surgery-related data, maternal and neonatal complications, as well as the health status of the involved medical staff.ResultsThe clinical characteristics of 17 pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 were similar to those previously reported in non-pregnant adult patients. All of the 17 patients underwent Cesarean delivery with anesthesia performed according to standardized anesthesia/surgery procedures. Fourteen of the patients underwent continuous epidural anesthesia with 12 experiencing significant intraoperative hypotension. Three patients received general anesthesia with tracheal intubation because emergency surgery was needed. Three of the parturients are still recovering from their Cesarean delivery and are receiving in-hospital treatment for COVID-19. Three neonates were born prematurely. There were no deaths or serious neonatal asphyxia events. All neonatal SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid tests were negative. No medical staff were infected throughout the patient care period.ConclusionsBoth epidural and general anesthesia were safely used for Cesarean delivery in the parturients with COVID-19. Nevertheless, the incidence of hypotension during epidural anesthesia appeared excessive. Proper patient transfer, medical staff access procedures, and effective biosafety precautions are important to protect medical staff from COVID-19.

Background Accumulating evidence has highlighted the importance of microglial and astrocyte responses in the pathological development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). However, the mechanisms involved are not well understood. Methods A perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) mouse model was generated by administering etomidate, and cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests. Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents were recorded to analyze neuronal activity. In addition, microglia and astrocytes were isolated by magnetic-activated cell sorting, and genes that were activated in these cells were identified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results We observed dramatic cognitive impairment at 1 and 3 weeks after etomidate was administered to 18 month-old mice. Microglia and astrocytes isolated from the hippocampus showed significant microglial activation during the early pathological stage (i.e., 1 week after etomidate injection) and an A1-specific astrocyte response during the late pathological stage (i.e., 3 weeks after etomidate injection). Furthermore, when microglia were eliminated before etomidate was injected, the A1-specific astrocyte activation response was significantly reduced, and cognitive function improved. However, when microglia were eliminated after etomidate application, astrocyte activation and cognitive function were not significantly altered. In addition, activating microglia immediately after a sedative dose of etomidate was injected markedly increased A1-specific astrocyte activation and cognitive dysfunction. Conclusions A1-specific astrocyte activation is triggered by activated microglia during the initial pathological stage of PND and induces long-term synaptic inhibition and cognitive deficiencies. These results improve our understanding of how PND develops and may suggest therapeutic targets.

Manipulating the reversible redox chemistry of transition metal dichalcogenides for energy storage often faces great challenges as it is difficult to regulate the discharged products directly. Herein we report that tensile-strained MoSe 2 (TS-MoSe 2 ) can act as a host to transfer its strain to corresponding discharged product Mo, thus contributing to the regulation of Gibbs free energy change (Δ G ) and enabling a reversible sodium storage mechanism. The inherited strain results in lattice distortion of Mo, which adjusts the d-band center upshifted closer to the Fermi level to enhance the adsorbability of Na 2 Se, thereby leading to a decreased Δ G of the redox chemistry between Mo/Na 2 Se and MoSe 2 . Ex situ and in situ experiments revealed that, unlike the unstrained MoSe 2 , TS-MoSe 2 shows a highly reversible sodium storage, along with an evidently improved reaction kinetics. This work sheds light on the study on electrochemical energy storage mechanism of other electrode materials. Manipulating the redox chemistry of transition metal dichalcogenides still faces challenges. Here the authors report that tensile-strained MoSe2 can pass on the strain to its sodiated product Mo, and thus regulate the Gibbs free energy in the charging process to enable the reversible sodium storage.

Licorice, a natural medicine derived from the roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza species, possesses a wide range of therapeutic applications, including antiviral properties. Glycyrrhizic acid (GL) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) are the most important active ingredients in licorice. Glycyrrhetinic acid 3-O-mono-β-d-glucuronide (GAMG) is the active metabolite of GL. GL and its metabolites have a wide range of antiviral activities against viruses, such as, the hepatitis virus, herpes virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and so on. Although their antiviral activity has been widely reported, the specific mechanism of action involving multiple links such as the virus itself, cells, and immunity are not clearly established. In this review, we will give an update on the role of GL and its metabolites as antiviral agents, and detail relevant evidence on the potential use and mechanisms of actions. Analyzing antivirals, their signaling, and the impacts of tissue and autoimmune protection may provide promising new therapeutic strategies.

Atomically dispersed metal-N-C structures are efficient active sites for catalyzing benzene oxidation reaction (BOR). However, the roles of N and C atoms are still unclear. We report a polymerization-regulated pyrolysis strategy for synthesizing single-atom Fe-based catalysts, and present a systematic study on the coordination effect of Fe-N x C y catalytic sites in BOR. The special coordination environment of single-atom Fe sites brings a surprising discovery: Fe atoms anchored by four-coordinating N atoms exhibit the highest BOR performance with benzene conversion of 78.4% and phenol selectivity of 100%. Upon replacing coordinated N atoms by one or two C atoms, the BOR activities decrease gradually. Theoretical calculations demonstrate the coordination pattern influences not only the structure and electronic features, but also the catalytic reaction pathway and the formation of key oxidative species. The increase of Fe-N coordination number facilitates the generation and activation of the crucial intermediate O=Fe=O species, thereby enhancing the BOR activity. Atomically dispersed metal-N-C are efficient active site for benzene oxidation but the roles of N and C atoms are still unclear. Here the authors report a highly-active single-atom Fe-based benzene oxidation catalyst and provide deep insights into the structure-activity relationship at atomic level.

Purpose Reduced cognitive function associated with aging has gained increasing attention as the US population ages. Magnesium plays a critical role in vitamin D biosynthesis and metabolism; and deficiencies in magnesium and vitamin D show associations with poor cognition. However, no study has examined their interaction. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of magnesium intake and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations, indicating vitamin D status, with cognition, and interaction between these nutrients in older adults. Methods Based on the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014, the study included 2466 participants aged ≥ 60 years who completed the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and had data available on serum 25(OH)D and magnesium intake. Cognitive impairment was defined as a DSST score lower than the lowest quartile. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. Results Higher total magnesium intake was independently associated with higher DSST scores (highest quartile vs lowest: β  = 4.34, 95% CI 1.14–7.54). The association of total magnesium intake with high DSST score was primarily observed among women, non-Hispanic whites, physically active participants and those with sufficient vitamin D status, although the interactions were not significant. The odds of cognitive impairment was reduced with increasing intake of total magnesium ( p trend < 0.01) and higher level of serum 25(OH)D ( p trend = 0.05). Conclusions Findings suggest that high magnesium intake alone may improve cognitive function in older adults, and the association may be stronger among subjects with sufficient vitamin D status. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

This study aimed to investigate time trends in diet quality and the consumption of major food groups and nutrients by race/ethnicity among adults in the United States. Dietary data from 19,192 adults aged ≥ 20 years from four National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) cycles (2011–2018) were included. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2015 scores (range: 0–100; higher scores indicate better diet quality) and dietary consumption of food groups and nutrients were estimated for each cycle. Linear regression was used to test trends. For the overall population, the estimated overall HEI-2015 scores significantly decreased (p for trend = 0.011). However, decreases were observed in the estimated consumption of added sugars and total carbohydrates, while the estimated consumption of soy products and polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly increased. A significant decrease in overall HEI-2015 score was observed in the non-Hispanic white group, but not in other racial/ethnic groups. Decreases in added sugar intake were found in the non-Hispanic black and Hispanic groups; sodium intake significantly decreased in the non-Hispanic Asian group. From 2011 to 2018, there was a decrease in estimated overall diet quality in US adults; however, there were improvements in certain nutrients and dietary components. Nevertheless, disparities in diet quality exist among racial/ethnic groups.

This study examined overall and sex-specific associations of serum lipid-soluble micronutrients including α- and γ-tocopherols, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D), retinol, and six major carotenoids with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic lever disease (MASLD) using the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. This analysis included 3956 adults (1991 men, 1965 women) aged ≥ 20 years. Steatotic liver disease was determined through transient elastography examination. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for MASLD associated with micronutrients were estimated using logistic regressions. Higher serum α-tocopherol (highest vs. lowest quartile: OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.05–2.22, p = 0.03) and γ-tocopherol (highest vs. lowest quartile: OR = 4.15, 95% CI = 3.00–5.74, p < 0.0001) levels were associated with increased odds of MASLD. Higher serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with reduced odds of MASLD (highest vs. lowest quartile: OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.27–0.61, p = 0.0001). Inverse associations with the condition were also observed for carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, α-cryptoxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, combined lutein and zeaxanthin, and lycopene) in the serum (Ps < 0.05). The results were comparable between men and women, except for those on α-tocopherol, for which a positive association was only observed for men (p = 0.01). Our results suggest potential protective associations of serum 25(OH)D and carotenoids with MASLD. The positive associations between tocopherols and MASLD may reflect pathophysiological conditions associated with the condition.