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Polyaspartic acid (PASP), a biodegradable and eco-friendly fertilizer synergist that shows potential to enhance nutrient use efficiency in agricultural systems, has its integrative role with rhizosphere microorganisms remain insufficiently explored. This study integrated outdoor pot experiments, soil biochemical analysis, and microbiome sequencing to investigate the effects of co-application of PASP and the plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) Enterobacter asburiae S13 on potato growth, with four treatments set up including blank control (CK), sole application of PASP (S0P1), sole inoculation of PGPR (S1P0), and co-application of PASP and PGPR (S1P1), and 25 pots per treatment as replicates. The results showed that, compared with the S0P1 treatment, the S1P1 treatment significantly increased plant height (9.59%), stem diameter (28.39%), root length (38.61%), as well as root and shoot biomass (21.26% and 25.17%, respectively) (ANOVA, Duncan’s test, p < 0.05). It also enhanced ammonium nitrogen (40.00%), nitrate nitrogen (57.70%), available potassium (47.56%), and urease activity in the rhizosphere soil (ANOVA, Duncan’s test, p < 0.05). 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the S1P1 treatment enriched beneficial taxa such as Paucibacter and Massilia, while suppressing competitive genera such as Duganella and Pedobacter. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that available potassium and ammonium nitrogen were the key factors shaping the microbial community structure. In conclusion, combining PASP with PGPR synergistically improves soil nutrient availability and reshapes the rhizosphere microbiome, resulting in enhanced potato growth, thus demonstrating its potential as a dual-function biostimulant for eco-efficient and sustainable potato production systems.

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Terminalia chebula (TC) on Tibetan yak-origin Salmonella-induced diarrhea and dysentery in mice. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10), and the oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), reduced glutathione (GSH-PX), and catalase (CAT) in the serum of mice were measured using ELISA kits. Using microbial diversity sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics detection techniques, the relevant mechanisms of TC treatment in a mouse Salmonella infection model were evaluated. The results showed the following: TC can effectively reduce the diarrhea rate; alleviate weight loss caused by Salmonella invasion; reduce the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in serum; and increase the concentrations of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. TC can improve the body’s antioxidant levels to heal the damage caused by oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. The histological section results show that TC can significantly improve gastric and intestinal tissue lesions and has no toxic effects on the liver and kidneys. 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing analysis suggests that Lactobacillus, Enterorhabdus, Alistipes (bacterial community), Lodderomyces, Saccharomyces, and Penicillium (fungal community) may be key functional microbial communities in TC. Non-targeted metabolomics also suggests that the antibacterial treatment of dysentery with chebulic acid may be related to regulation of the Ras signaling pathway, long-term potentiation, the MAPK signaling pathway, metabolic pathways, and gut microbiome composition. Conclusion: TC has clear clinical efficacy in treating bacterial diarrhea, presenting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Its roles in regulating the gut microbiome and metabolic pathways and products were determined as the main reason for its therapeutic effect in a mouse gastroenteritis model caused by Salmonella infection.

Salmonella is an important foodborne pathogen that can cause a range of illnesses in humans; it has also been a key focus for monitoring in the field of public health, including gastroenteritis, sepsis, and arthritis, and can also cause a decline in egg production in poultry and diarrhea and abortion in livestock, leading to death in severe cases, resulting in huge economic losses. This study aimed to investigate the isolation rate, antimicrobial resistance, serotypes, and genetic diversity of Salmonella isolated from yak feces in various regions on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. A total of 1222 samples of yak dung were collected from major cities in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau area, and the sensitivity of the isolated bacteria to 10 major classes of antibiotics was determined using the K-B paper disk diffusion method for drug susceptibility. Meanwhile, the serotypes of the isolated bacteria were analyzed using the plate agglutination test for serum antigens, and their carriage of drug resistance and virulence genes was determined using PCR and gel electrophoresis experiments. The isolated bacteria were also classified using MLST (Multi-Locus Sequence Typing). The overall isolation rate for Salmonella was 18.25% (223/1222), and the results of the antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that 98.65% (220/223) of the isolated bacteria were resistant to multiple antibiotics. In the 223 isolates of Salmonella, eight classes of 20 different resistance genes, 30 serotypes, and 15 different types of virulence genes were detected. The MLST analysis identified 45 distinct sequence types (STs), including five clonal complexes, of which ST34, ST11, and ST19 were the most common. These findings contribute valuable information about strain resources, genetic profiles, and typing data for Salmonella in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau area, facilitating improved bacterial surveillance, identification, and control in yak populations. They also provide certain data supplements for animal Salmonella infections globally, filling research gaps.

The main element influencing the quality of potato starch is the environment. To investigate the effects of different altitude cultivation locations on the molecular structure and physicochemical properties of starch, two potato varieties, Jiusen No.1 B1 and Qingshu No.9 B2, were planted in three different altitude zones: A1 at low altitude (Chongzhou 450 m), A2 at middle altitude (Xichang 2800 m), and A3 at high altitude (Litang 3650 m). The results showed that the average volume, number, surface area diameter, average branched polymerization degree, crystallinity, and gelatinization temperature of two potato granules in high altitude areas were significantly lower than those in middle and low altitude areas were, and the gelatinization performance of potato starch was affected according to the correlation of starch structure characteristics. Potato starch with more short-branched chains and less long branched chains resulted in a lower gelatinization temperature in high altitude areas. The results showed that Jiusen No. 1 and Qingshu No. 9 were mainly affected by accumulated radiation and accumulated rainfall in Litang, a high altitude area, and by effective accumulated temperature in Xichang, a middle altitude area. This study quantified the influence of meteorological factors on the main starch quality of potato tubers. The results can be used as a theoretical basis for the scientific planting of high-quality potatoes.

Virus-free seed potatoes are generally divided into pre-elite seeds and certified seeds. To study the differences in dry matter accumulation and distribution between pre-elite seeds and certified seeds through a field randomized block two-factor experiment, pre-elite seeds and certified seeds of four varieties were selected to explore the differences in growth characteristics between the two levels of virus-free potatoes and to find a way to improve potato seed expansion efficiency. The results showed that the growth process of pre-elite seeds was slower and the growth period was longer than certified seeds. The dry matter accumulation of pre-elite seeds in various organs was lower than in certified seeds, and the distribution ratio in the roots and stems of each variety was also lower than the certified seed, while there was no significant difference in the leaf and tuber distribution ratio. The average dry matter accumulation rate in both pre-elite and certified seeds was sorted by size of tubers > leaves > stems > roots; however, it was significantly lower in pre-elite seeds than in certified seeds. Tuber fresh weight, tuber volume, tuber number, and the theoretical yield of certified seeds were higher than those of pre-elite seeds. Experiments have shown that appropriately prolonging the harvest time of virus-free potatoes, especially pre-elite seeds, and increasing the proportion of dry matter allocated to roots and stems by pre-elite seeds in the early growth stages can effectively increase yield.

Adiponectin (APN) deficiency has also been associated with Alzheimer‐like pathologies. Recent studies have illuminated the importance of APN signaling in reducing Aβ accumulation, and the Aβ elimination mechanism remains rudimentary. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the APN role in reducing Aβ accumulation and its associated abnormalities by targeting autophagy and lysosomal protein changes. To assess, we performed a combined pharmacological and genetic approach while using preclinical models and human samples. Our results demonstrated that the APN level significantly diminished in the plasma of patients with dementia and 5xFAD mice (6 months old), which positively correlated with Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), and negatively correlated with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), respectively. APN deficiency accelerated cognitive impairment, Aβ deposition, and neuroinflammation in 5xFAD mice (5xFAD*APN KO), which was significantly rescued by AdipoRon (AR) treatment. Furthermore, AR treatment also markedly reduced Aβ deposition and attenuated neuroinflammation in APP/PS1 mice without altering APP expression and processing. Interestingly, AR treatment triggered autophagy by mediating AMPK‐mTOR pathway signaling. Most importantly, APN deficiency dysregulated lysosomal enzymes level, which was recovered by AR administration. We further validated these changes by proteomic analysis. These findings reveal that APN is the negative regulator of Aβ deposition and its associated pathophysiologies. To eliminate Aβ both extra‐ and intracellular deposition, APN contributes via the autophagic/lysosomal pathway. It presents a therapeutic avenue for AD therapy by targeting autophagic and lysosomal signaling. Our study revealed that adiponectin (APN) deficiency accelerates Aβ deposition, neuroinflammation, and cognitive behaviors impairments. However, AdipoRon treatment could reverse these pathological changes. Further molecular studies show APN contributes to AD‐like deficits via the autophagy‐lysosomal pathway. Thus, APN is the negative regulator of Aβ deposition and its associated pathologies.

Background Polyaspartic Acid-Calcium (PASP-Ca) is a versatile and eco-friendly amino acid complex, primarily recognized for bolstering nitrogen use efficiency and crop productivity. However, the core significance of this complex remains enigmatic in potato crop. We hypothesized that simultaneous application of PASP-Ca with potato genotypes characterized by substantial root systems and high genetic potentials for nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) would best address this knowledge gap. Methods The synergistic effect of various PASP-Ca treatments on morph physiological, N-related, and enzymatic parameters coupled with their transcript levels (shoot and root) in four potato genotypes having contrasting NUEs under low and high N supplies in aeroponics. Results PASP-Ca markedly boosted plant growth, yield components, and photosynthetic efficiency, with pronounced effects observed in nitrogen-efficient genotypes, especially Qingshu-9, emphasizing the importance of genotype selection in optimizing nitrogen utilization. Moreover, PASP-Ca treatments, particularly LN-P100 significantly enhances root system architecture (RSA), contributing to expanded root dimensions and improved nutrient acquisition capacity, especially under nitrogen-deficient conditions. Carbohydrate metabolism in potato tubers benefits from PASP-Ca treatment, leading to increased starch content, thereby impacting tuber quality. Among the N-assimilating enzymes, a large genotypic variation was observed for glutamine synthetase (GS), which may be considered a potential trait for improving NUE. Molecular analysis further elucidated the underlying mechanisms, demonstrating the upregulation of essential genes involved in nitrogen metabolism. Conclusions The potential efficacy of PASP-Ca synergist as a novel accelerant for enhancing potato crop growth, biomass production, and nitrogen utilization efficiency, all coalescing seamlessly with the ethos of sustainable agricultural practices.

Depression is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders. Although the pathogenesis of depression is still unknown, environmental risk factors and genetics are implicated. Copper (Cu), a cofactor of multiple enzymes, is involved in regulating depression-related processes. Depressed patients carrying the apolipoprotein ε4 allele display more severe depressive symptoms, indicating that ApoE4 is closely associated with an increased risk of depression. The study explored the effect of low-dose Cu exposure and ApoE4 on depression-like behavior of mice and further investigates the possible mechanisms. The ApoE4 mice and wild-type (WT) mice were treated with 0.13 ppm CuCl2 for 4 months. After the treatment, ApoE4 mice displayed obvious depression-like behavior compared with the WT mice, and Cu exposure further exacerbated the depression-like behavior of ApoE4 mice. There was no significant difference in anxiety behavior and memory behavior. Proteomic analysis revealed that the differentially expressed proteins between Cu-exposed and nonexposed ApoE4 mice were mainly involved in the Ras signaling pathway, protein export, axon guidance, serotonergic synapse, GABAergic synapse, and dopaminergic synapse. Among these differentially expressed proteins, immune response and synaptic function are highly correlated. Representative protein expression changes are quantified by western blot, showing consistent results as determined by proteomic analysis. Hippocampal astrocytes and microglia were increased in Cu-exposed ApoE4 mice, suggesting that neuroglial cells played an important role in the pathogenesis of depression. Taken together, our study demonstrated that Cu exposure exacerbates depression-like behavior of ApoE4 mice and the mechanisms may involve the dysregulation of synaptic function and immune response and overactivation of neuroinflammation.

The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, situated in northwest China, boasts a unique geographical position and a consequent variety of environmental characteristics. T. truncatus is prevalent throughout this region as the primary pest affecting various crops. In this study, we analyzed the microbial community structures of endosymbiotic bacteria in T. truncatus collected from 17 regions and three host plants in Xinjiang using 16S rRNA sequencing. Through composition analysis of the endosymbiotic bacteria in T. truncatus from Xinjiang, it was found that the dominant bacterial phyla were Pseudomonadota and Bacillota. At the genus level, in addition to Wolbachia, Cardinium, and Spiroplasma (common symbiotic bacteria in T. truncatus), the infection rate of Rickettsia in T. truncatus in Xinjiang was found to be 92.8%. The diversity of the endosymbiotic bacteria community in T. truncatus is shaped by both host plant species and geographical region. Specifically, the endosymbiotic bacterial diversity in T. truncatus populations on corn was significantly higher than that observed in populations on cotton and soybean (p < 0.05). Furthermore, we discovered the diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria in T. truncatus was significantly higher in southern Xinjiang than in northern Xinjiang (p < 0.05).