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Aim Dietary fiber is a key modulator of the gut microbiome, yet its specific role following antibiotic exposure remains under-characterized in large populations. Previous studies suggest high-fiber diets promote recovery, but often rely on small cohorts. We aimed to re-evaluate these microbial signatures and their association with current microbiome states in a large, diverse adult population. Methods We analyzed 16 S rRNA gene sequencing data from the American Gut Project (AGP). Participants with recent antibiotic exposure were stratified by high-fiber (HF; N  = 971) or low-fiber (LF; N  = 955) intake. We assessed alpha and beta diversity and identified differentially abundant genera using LEfSe. Key biomarkers were validated using ANCOM-BC and multivariable linear regression adjusting for age, sex, and BMI. Results Contrary to previous models, high-fiber intake was not associated with a uniform enrichment of commensal Clostridia. Instead, Bifidobacterium and Lachnospira were identified as genus-level biomarkers significantly enriched in the HF group, while Bacteroides and Parabacteroides were enriched in the LF group. These associations were confirmed to be robust by multivariable linear regression ( P  < 0.001). High-fiber intake was not associated with significantly higher alpha diversity within the one-month post-antibiotic timeframe. Conclusion Post-antibiotic microbiome signatures associated with fiber intake are distinct and specific. We identified Bifidobacterium and Lachnospira as robust targets for dietary interventions, challenging simplistic models of recovery and highlighting the need for precision nutrition strategies to enhance gut resilience.

Catalytic combustion is an efficient and economic technology for eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in industrial environments. This study evaluated the synergistic catalytic properties of bimetallic oxides, viz., CoM/γ-Al2O3 (M = Cu, Fe, or Ni), for improving the combustion efficiency of toluene. The CoM/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by an impregnation method and characterized by using advanced techniques. Among the bimetallic catalysts, CoCu/γ-Al2O3 exhibited the best performance. The findings revealed that owing to the strong synergistic interaction between Cu, Co, and the γ-Al2O3 support, the active species in the CoCu/γ-Al2O3 catalyst were effectively stabilized, and they significantly enhanced the redox performance and acidity of the catalyst, demonstrating superior catalytic activity and sulfur resistance. Conversely, the CoFe/γ-Al2O3 catalyst performed poorly, exhibiting a significant decline in its activity owing to sulfur poisoning. The insights from this study provide theoretical support for designing efficient, sulfur-resistant catalysts that are crucial to reducing industrial VOC emissions.

Drought stress can severely affect sugarcane growth and yield. The objective of this research was to identify candidate genes in sugarcane tillering seedlings in response to drought stress. We performed a comparative phenotypic, physiological and transcriptomic analysis of tiller seedlings of drought-stressed and well-watered “Guire 2” sugarcane, in a time-course experiment (5 days, 9 days and 15 days). Physiological examination reviewed that SOD, proline, soluble sugars, and soluble proteins accumulated in large amounts in tiller seedlings under different intensities of drought stress, while MDA levels remained at a stable level, indicating that the accumulation of osmoregulatory substances and the enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities helped to limit further damage caused by drought stress. RNA-seq and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed to identify genes and modules associated with sugarcane tillering seedlings in response to drought stress. Drought stress induced huge down-regulated in gene expression profiles, most of down-regulated genes were mainly associated with photosynthesis, sugar metabolism and fatty acid synthesis. We obtained four gene co-expression modules significantly associated with the physiological changes under drought stress (three modules positively correlated, one module negatively correlated), and found that LSG1-2, ERF1-2, SHKA, TIL, HSP18.1, HSP24.1, HSP16.1 and HSFA6A may play essential regulatory roles as hub genes in increasing SOD, Pro, soluble sugar or soluble protein contents. In addition, one module was found mostly involved in tiller stem diameter, among which members of the BHLH148 were important nodes. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms by which sugarcane tillering seedlings respond to drought stress.

In this study, we focused on evaluating the impact of Pseudomonas abietaniphila BHJ04 on the growth of Pinus massoniana seedlings and its biocontrol efficacy against pine wilt disease (PWD). Additionally, the colonization dynamics of P. abietaniphila BHJ04 on P. massoniana were examined. The growth promotion experiment showed that P. abietaniphila BHJ04 significantly promoted the growth of the branches and roots of P. massoniana. Pot control experiments indicated that strain BHJ04 significantly inhibited the spread of PWD. There were significant changes in the expression of several genes related to pine wood nematode defense in P. massoniana, including chitinase, nicotinamide synthetase, and triangular tetrapeptide-like superfamily protein isoform 9. Furthermore, our results revealed significant upregulation of genes associated with the water stress response (dehydration-responsive proteins), genetic material replication (DNA/RNA polymerase superfamily proteins), cell wall hydrolase, and detoxification (cytochrome P450 and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase superfamily genes) in the self-regulation of P. massoniana. Colonization experiments demonstrated that strain BHJ04 can colonize the roots, shoots, and leaves of P. massoniana, and the colonization amount on the leaves was the greatest, reaching 160,000 on the 15th day. However, colonization of the stems lasted longer, with the highest level of colonization observed after 45 d. This study provides a preliminary exploration of the growth-promoting and disease-preventing mechanisms of P. abietaniphila BHJ04 and its ability to colonize pines, thus providing a new biocontrol microbial resource for the biological control of plant diseases.

Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. In this study, we aimed to explore whether polydatin can achieve therapeutic effects in experimental asthma in a rat model by suppressing ferroptosis and its potential mechanism of inhibiting ferroptosis. We established a rat asthma model, and five experimental groups were established: the control group, model group, polydatin group, 3‐MA group, and Fer‐1 group. We compared general conditions, behavioral changes, Fe3+deposition, pathological changes, pulmonary function, serum IgE levels, ferroautophagy‐related genes, and ferroptosis‐related genes expression among the groups. Following the polydatin intervention, the mental state of the rats stabilized, their fur condition improved, and both food intake and body weight increased. The incubation period of asthma lengthened, and they sneezed and scratched less frequently. Additionally, polydatin reduced serum IgE levels and Fe3+ deposition, enhanced lung function and pathological alterations, and also downregulated the expression of nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4), Bcl‐2 homologous domain protein (Beclin1), Fe2+, malondialdehyde (MDA), and 4‐hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE) in lung tissue. Levels of ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), ubiquitin‐binding protein p62 (P62), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) were all upregulated. In conclusion, in this rat model, polydatin was capable of reducing Fe2+ overload by inhibiting the NCOA4‐mediated ferroautophagy. This, in turn, inhibited ferroptosis in the lung tissues, thereby alleviating asthma symptoms. Further studies, including clinical trials, are required to validate this result. In this research, a rat model of asthma was created using OVA, and polydatin served as an intervention. By inhibiting ferroautophagy mediated by NCOA4 and averting ferroptosis, polydatin has been demonstrated to reduce asthma. This work presents new ideas for investigating the mechanism of polydatin's ability to alleviate asthma, in addition to experimental support and theoretical underpinnings for this claim.

Auxin response factors (ARFs) are involved in auxin-mediated transcriptional regulation in plants. In this study, we performed functional characterization of SlARF6A in tomato. SlARF6A is located in the nucleus and exhibits transcriptional activator activity. Overexpression of SlARF6A increased chlorophyll contents in the fruits and leaves of tomato plants, whereas downregulation of SlARF6A decreased chlorophyll contents compared with those of wild-type (WT) plants. Analysis of chloroplasts using transmission electron microscopy indicated increased sizes of chloroplasts in SlARF6A -overexpressing plants and decreased numbers of chloroplasts in SlARF6A -downregulated plants. Overexpression of SlARF6A increased the photosynthesis rate and accumulation of starch and soluble sugars, whereas knockdown of SlARF6A resulted in opposite phenotypes in tomato leaves and fruits. RNA-sequence analysis showed that regulation of SlARF6A expression altered the expression of genes involved in chlorophyll metabolism, photosynthesis and sugar metabolism. SlARF6A directly bound to the promoters of SlGLK1 , CAB , and RbcS genes and positively regulated the expression of these genes. Overexpression of SlARF6A also inhibited fruit ripening and ethylene production, whereas downregulation of SlARF6A increased fruit ripening and ethylene production. SlARF6A directly bound to the SAMS1 promoter and negatively regulated SAMS1 expression. Taken together, these results expand our understanding of ARFs with regard to photosynthesis, sugar accumulation and fruit development and provide a potential target for genetic engineering to improve fruit nutrition in horticulture crops.

Abstract Background Currently, individuals with lived experience of mental illness face significant barriers in accessing mental health services, including persistent stigma, insufficient support resources, and limited accessibility of traditional service models. In recent years, digital mental health interventions have developed rapidly. Among them, Artificial Intelligence (AI) avatars, characterized by their high accessibility, interactive anthropomorphism, and emotional responsiveness, offer new possibilities for bridging existing service gaps. However, existing research has predominantly focused on efficacy verification, leaving a lack of in-depth exploration into the specific psychological and social mechanisms through which they exert therapeutic effects in this population. Therefore, this study aims to empirically and systematically analyze the potential therapeutic pathways and mechanisms of action of AI avatars in providing mental health support to this group. Methods The study recruited 96 participants who self-reported lived experience of mental illness and current moderate psychological distress. They were randomly assigned to Group A (n = 48) and Group B (n = 48). Group A engaged in structured dialogue support via an interactive interface with an AI avatar trained on principles of empathy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, for 20 minutes twice a week over a period of 6 weeks. Group B received standardized mental health education text materials of equal frequency and duration. Assessments were conducted before and at the end of the intervention using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS), and a self-developed Working Alliance Inventory (measuring the sense of connection with the avatar). Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to test the intervention effects, and path analysis was employed to preliminarily explore the mediating role of the working alliance. Results Repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant group (A vs. B) × time (pre- vs. post-intervention) interaction for K10 scores (F (1, 94) =21.37, p<.001, η2 = 0.19) and loneliness scores (F (1, 94) =18.52, p<.001, η2 = 0.16). Group A demonstrated a significant reduction in K10 scores (mean difference = −5.82, p<.001) and loneliness (mean difference = −4.15, p<.001) after the intervention, whereas no significant changes were observed in Group B. Path analysis indicated that the working alliance formed with the AI avatar significantly mediated the alleviation of psychological distress (indirect effect β = −0.31, p=.002). Discussion The study confirms that structured interaction with an AI avatar can effectively reduce psychological distress and loneliness in individuals with lived experience of mental illness, and that the therapeutic effect is partially achieved through the establishment of a positive working alliance. This suggests that the therapeutic mechanism of AI avatars may stem from providing a safe, accessible, and non-judgmental interactive space, operating through pathways of emotional resonance and cognitive restructuring. The findings provide mechanistic evidence for developing digital therapeutic tools targeting mental health vulnerable groups. Future research should focus on the long-term maintenance of effects, the impact of the avatar's level of anthropomorphism, and further exploration of its differential pathways of action across various subgroups. Funding No. KT2510097.

The stability and mechanical and thermodynamic properties of Al11RE3 intermetallics (RE = Sc, Y and lanthanide La-Lu) have been investigated by combining first-principles and Debye model calculations. It was found that the formation enthalpies of the Al11RE3 intermetallics are all negative, indicating that they are stable; moreover, the experimental values of Al11La3 and Al11Ce3 are in good agreement with the predicted values, which are −0.40 kJ/mol and −0.38 kJ/mol, respectively. The calculated results of the mechanical properties reveal that the Young’s modulus E and shear modulus G of Al11RE3 (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm) intermetallics are obviously greater than that of Al, implying that the stiffness, toughness, and tensile strength of them are significantly greater than those of aluminum, and that they, as strengthen phases, can effectively improve the mechanical property of aluminum alloys. The Poisson’s ratio v of Al11Sc3 (0.37) is the largest, and the heterogeneity is obvious. All the Al11RE3 intermetallics can enhance the thermostability of the aluminum because of their lower Gibbs free energy F in the range of −5.002~−4.137 eV/atom and thermal expansion coefficient α of Al in the range of 2.34~2.89 × 10−5/K at 300K, as well as higher entropy and constant volume-specific heat than aluminum at finite temperatures. With an increase in the atomic number, different change trends were observed for the formation enthalpy ΔHf, bulk modulus B, Young’s modulus E, and shear modulus G. This paper can provide ideas and help for designing a high-performance, heat-resistant aluminum alloy.

l -Lactate has emerged as a crucial metabolic intermediate, moving beyond its traditional view as a mere waste product. The recent discovery of l -lactate-driven protein lactylation as a post-translational modification has unveiled a pathway that highlights the role of lactate in cellular signalling. In this Perspective, we explore the enzymatic and metabolic mechanisms underlying protein lactylation and its impacts on both histone and non-histone proteins in the contexts of physiology and diseases. We discuss growing evidence suggesting that this modification regulates a wide range of cellular functions and is involved in various physiological and pathological processes, such as cell-fate determination, development, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and autoimmune disorders. We propose that protein lactylation acts as a pivotal mechanism, integrating metabolic and signalling pathways to enable cellular adaptation, and highlight its potential as a therapeutic target in various diseases. In this Perspective, the functions of the recently identified post-translational-modification protein l -lactylation in the regulation of cellular metabolism and signalling are discussed, highlighting the potential of l -lactylation as a therapeutic target.

Objective The co‐morbidity of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)/autoimmune nodopathies with nephropathy has been gradually known in recent years. This study was intended to explore the clinical, serological and neuropathological features of seven patients with CIDP/autoimmune nodopathies and nephropathy. Methods Among 83 CIDP patients, seven were identified with nephropathy. Their clinical, electrophysiological and laboratory examination data were collected. The nodal/paranodal antibodies were tested. The sural biopsies were performed in all the patients, and renal biopsies were operated in 6 patients. Results Six patients had chronic onsets and one had an acute onset. Four patients exhibited peripheral neuropathy preceding nephropathy while two showed concurrent onset of neuropathy and nephropathy, and one started with nephropathy. All the patients showed demyelination in electrophysiological examination. Nerve biopsies showed mild to moderate mixed neuropathies including demyelinating and axonal changes in all patients. Renal biopsies showed membranous nephropathy in all 6 patients. Immunotherapy was effective in all patients, with two patients showing good response to corticosteroid treatment alone. Four of the patients were positive to anti‐CNTN1 antibody. Compared with anti‐CNTN1 antibody‐negative patients, antibody‐positive patients had a higher proportion of ataxia (3/4 vs. 1/3), autonomic dysfunction (3/4 vs. 1/3), less frequent antecedent infections (1/4 vs. 2/3), higher cerebrospinal fluid proteins (3.2 g/L vs. 1.69 g/L), more frequent conduction block on electrophysiological examination (3/4 vs. 1/3), higher myelinated nerve fiber density, and positive CNTN1 expression in the glomeruli of kidney tissues. Conclusion Anti‐CNTN1 antibody was the most frequent antibody in this group of patients with CIDP/autoimmune nodopathies and nephropathy. Our study suggested that there might be some clinical and pathological differences between the antibody positive and negative patients.