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Sci Total Environ 2022 May 23:156187. Epub 2022 May 23.

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China. Electronic address:

Although anthropogenic groundwater recharge (AGR) can either elevate or decline the concentration of the nitrate (NO) in the phreatic aquifer with high hydraulic conductivity, the long-term impact of AGR on NO dynamics in the phreatic aquifer and its reason is seldom disclosed. In this study, the hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes (δH-HO and δO-HO) combined with mixing stable isotope analysis in R (MixSIAR) were used to group the study area into the dominant area of AGR by surface water (AGRSW) and the dominant area of natural groundwater recharged by precipitation (NGRP). Hydrochemical parameters and multiple stable isotopes, including δH-HO, δO-HO, δN-NO, δO-NO, and δC-DIC, were applied to explore the impacts of AGR on the concentration, biogeochemical processes, and main sources of nitrate. Read More

Drug Deliv 2022 Dec;29(1):1675-1683

Department of Microbiology, The Medicine School of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.

Biofilm formation is known to promote drug resistance in methicillin-resistant (MRSA), which is closely related to persistent infections in hospital settings. In this study, a DNA aptamer specific to penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) with a dissociation constant () of 82.97 ± 8. Read More

J Mater Chem B 2022 May 26. Epub 2022 May 26.

School of Advanced Materials Science & Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16419, Korea.

Imaging of bacterial infections can be used for a wide range of investigations, including diagnosis and pathogenesis of infections, and molecular probes targeting biological processes during infection have been used extensively. However, visualization of bacteria using molecular probes is still challenging due to the difficulty of directly targeting specific bacteria. Here, we propose a new fluorescent nano-bio probe based on a quorum-sensing (QS) antagonist for imaging drug-resistant bacteria. Read More

Sci Rep 2022 May 25;12(1):8838. Epub 2022 May 25.

Institute of Land Use, Engineering and Precision Farming Technology, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi 138, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary.

This study examined the physical properties of agricultural drought (i.e., intensity, duration, and severity) in Hungary from 1961 to 2010 based on the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2022 ;2456:349-365

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

This chapter describes protocols for the development of consensus chemical phenotypes or "metabolomes" of fungal populations using ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS). Isolates are cultured using multiple media conditions to elicit the expression of diverse secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. The mycelium and spent culture media are extracted using organic solvents and profiled by ultra-high pressure chromatography coupled with a high resolution Thermo Orbitrap XL mass spectrometer with the ability to trap and fragment ions to general MS spectra. Read More

BMC Genomics 2022 May 24;23(1):395. Epub 2022 May 24.

Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, PB, 76169-133, Iran.

J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2022 May 24;20(1):79. Epub 2022 May 24.

Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Background: Successful rhizosphere colonization by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is of crucial importance to perform the desired plant growth promoting activities. Since rhizocompetence is a dynamic process influenced by surrounding environmental conditions. In the present study, we hypothesized that bacterial isolates obtained from different tomato plant microhabitats (balk soil, rhizosphere, endorhiza, phyllosphere, and endoshoot) grown in different soils (sand, clay, and peat moss) will show different rhizocompetence abilities. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2022 May 20;101(20):e29190. Epub 2022 May 20.

Department of Gastroenteroanrectal Surgery, Huangshi Central Hospital of Edong Healthcare Group, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, Hubei, China.

Background: Accumulating evidence have revealed that pretreatment albumin to globulin ratio (AGR) may be a predictor of prognosis among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, these findings are inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of pretreatment AGR in CRC. Read More

mBio 2022 May 24:e0093022. Epub 2022 May 24.

Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.

Staphylococcus hominis is frequently isolated from human skin, and we hypothesize that it may protect the cutaneous barrier from opportunistic pathogens. We determined that S. hominis makes six unique autoinducing peptide (AIP) signals that inhibit the major virulence factor accessory gene regulator () quorum sensing system of Staphylococcus aureus. Read More

Neurol Sci 2022 May 23. Epub 2022 May 23.

Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Brain Science Research Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China.

Objectives: The growth and development of tumors are closely related to the initiation and amplification of the inflammatory response. Various inflammatory biomarkers had attained growing attention for nearly two decades and were discovered strongly associated with cancer patients' prognosis, indicating that systemic inflammatory response is possibly essential to cancer progression. However, little was known about the sensitive biomarkers associated with the detection, persistence, treatment, and prognosis of GBM. Read More

Cell Tissue Res 2022 May 23. Epub 2022 May 23.

Diabetes and Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Science, Bharathidasan University, 620 024, Tamilnadu, India.

There is a major unmet need for the development of effective therapies for diabetes induced inflammation. Increased adenosine-uridine rich elements (AREs) containing mRNAs of inflammatory molecules are reported in inflamed monocytes. Destabilizing these inflammatory mRNAs by the miR-16 could reduce inflammation. Read More

Heliyon 2022 May 18;8(5):e09457. Epub 2022 May 18.

Unidad de Investigación para la Generación y Síntesis de Evidencias en Salud, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru.

Background And Aims: The albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) has been used to predict severity and mortality in infectious diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of the AGR in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Read More

Meat Sci 2022 May 13;191:108846. Epub 2022 May 13.

Saint-Hyacinthe Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 3600 Casavant Boulevard West, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 8E3, Canada. Electronic address:

This paper reviews current information on meat analogues in the context of the Canadian Meat Industry and consumer. In Canada, plant-based meat analogues are widely available and their consumption is targeted to surge, while the potential for cultured meat remains questionable as many technical, economic, food safety and consumer acceptance issues are unresolved. Current funding support for meat protein alternatives suggests optimism for success provided a sufficient time horizon. Read More

Heart Vessels 2022 May 21. Epub 2022 May 21.

Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Nephrology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, Japan.

Despite advances in medicine, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains an increasing health concern associated with a high mortality rate. Research has shown sex-based differences in the clinical characteristics of patients with HF; however, definitive biomarkers for poor clinical outcomes of HFpEF in women are unavailable. We focused on the albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), a biomarker for malnutrition and inflammation and investigated its usefulness as a predictor of clinical outcomes of HFpEF in women. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2022 9;2022:8221622. Epub 2022 May 9.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 05355, Republic of Korea.

is a major human bacterial pathogen that carries a large number of virulence factors. Many virulence factors of are regulated by the accessory gene regulator () quorum-sensing system. Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) are one of the -mediated virulence determinants known to play a significant role in pathogenesis. Read More

Commun Biol 2022 05 18;5(1):474. Epub 2022 May 18.

Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Domestication Genomics, Corrensstrasse 3, 06466, Seeland, Germany.

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is an important and nutritious cereal crop, and there is a growing need to identify genes that contribute to improved oat varieties. Here we utilize a newly sequenced and annotated oat reference genome to locate and characterize quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting agronomic and grain-quality traits in five oat populations. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2022 May 15:113136. Epub 2022 May 15.

Division of Fundamental Agriscience Research, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8589, Japan. Electronic address:

A high-fat diet increases 12α-hydroxylated (12αOH) bile acid (BA) secretion in rats, and secondary BAs are responsible for the leaky gut. This study aimed to examine the role of primary 12αOH BAs in gut barrier impairment in rats using dietary cholic acid (CA) supplementation (0.5 g/kg diet). Read More

Appl Environ Microbiol 2022 May 18:e0033022. Epub 2022 May 18.

Bacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, Ryan Institute, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galwaygrid.6142.1, Ireland.

The alternative sigma factor B (σ) contributes to the stress tolerance of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes by upregulating the general stress response. We previously showed that σ loss-of-function mutations arise frequently in strains of L. monocytogenes and suggested that mild stresses might favor the selection of such mutations. Read More

J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2022 May 17. Epub 2022 May 17.

Laboratory of Cell and Tissue Biology, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, North 9, West 9, 060-8589, Sapporo, Japan.

In the mammary glands during pregnancy, the alveolar buds are first branched from the mammary ducts after which they form the alveolar luminal structure for milk production postparturition. Body temperature could increase for several reasons, such as infectious disease and heat stress. We have previously reported that high temperature adversely effects on the lactation capacity of mouse mammary epithelial cells (MECs). Read More

Plant Mol Biol 2022 May 17. Epub 2022 May 17.

Graduate School of Bioresource Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan.

Key Message: Alterations in DNA methylation levels of ROS, GA and ABA related gene promoters cause transcriptional changes upon imbibition to induce seed germination in barley seeds exposed to heat stress during grain filling. Environmental changes, especially changes in temperature, during seed development affect germination in several plant species. We have previously shown that heat stress during rice grain filling alters DNA methylation, an epigenetic mark important for gene silencing, regulates transcript levels of phytohormone metabolism genes, and delays seed germination. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2022 Apr 28;14(9). Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/[email protected] (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the etiologic agent of several types of cancer. Mast cells' role as either a driving or opposing force for cancer progression remains controversial. MicroRNAs are dysregulated in several HPV-induced cancers, and can influence mast cell biology. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2022 May 4;23(9). Epub 2022 May 4.

Department of Soil Microbiology and Symbiotic Systems, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, 18008 Granada, Spain.

FixK is a CRP/FNR-type transcription factor that plays a central role in a sophisticated regulatory network for the anoxic, microoxic and symbiotic lifestyles of the soybean endosymbiont . Aside from the balanced expression of the gene under microoxic conditions (induced by the two-component regulatory system FixLJ and negatively auto-repressed), FixK activity is posttranslationally controlled by proteolysis, and by the oxidation of a singular cysteine residue (C183) near its DNA-binding domain. To simulate the permanent oxidation of FixK, we replaced C183 for aspartic acid. Read More

Front Microbiol 2022 26;13:896311. Epub 2022 Apr 26.

Department of Dermatology and Allergology, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.

The virulence factors of the opportunistic human pathogen have been a main subject of research. In contrast, limited information is available on the mechanisms that allow the bacterium to accommodate to the conditions during carriage, a prerequisite for pathogenicity. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the adaptation of at different anatomical sites is reflected by differential gene regulation. Read More

ACS Omega 2022 May 20;7(17):14653-14665. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

Infection Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Neelakudi, Tiruvarur 610005, Tamilnadu, India.

Biofilm-producing () is less sensitive to conventional antibiotics than free-living planktonic cells. Here, we evaluated the antibiofilm activity of () and one of its constituent compounds 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (3-HBA) against multi-drug-resistant . We performed gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) to identify the major constituents in the methanolic extract of . Read More

Mol Biol Rep 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

Institute of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan.

Background: To supply high-quality cotton fibre for the textile industry, the development of long, strong and fine fibre cotton varieties is imperative. An interlinked approach was used to comprehend the role of fibre genes by analyzing interspecific progenies of cotton species. Wild Gossypium species and races are rich source of genetic polymorphism due to environmental dispersal and continuous natural selection. Read More

Cell Tissue Res 2022 May 13. Epub 2022 May 13.

National Research Institute of Fisheries Science, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Yokohama, 236-8648, Japan.

Unlike mammals, teleost fish have high aromatase activity (AA) in the pituitary. However, the cells responsible for oestradiol synthesis and the local physiological roles of this hormone remain unclear. Hence, we investigated the effects of age and development on steroidogenic activity, mRNA expression, and cyp19a1b localization in the pituitary gland of the Japanese pufferfish Takifugu rubripes. Read More

Sci Rep 2022 May 12;12(1):7855. Epub 2022 May 12.

Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Kita 9, Nishi 9, Sapporo, 060-8589, Japan.

Orchid seeds depend on colonization by orchid mycorrhizal (OM) fungi for their germination; therefore, the orchids and OM fungi have long maintained a close relationship (e.g., formation of the hyphal mass structure, peloton) during their evolution. Read More

Diabetes Obes Metab 2022 May 11. Epub 2022 May 11.

Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

Aim: HbA1c can fail to reflect average glucose levels, potentially compromising management decisions. We analyzed variability in the relationship between mean glucose and HbA1c in individuals with diabetes.

Materials And Methods: Three months of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and HbA1c data were obtained from 216 type 1 diabetes (T1D) individuals. Read More

Oecologia 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

Grassland Science, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany.

Eutrophication through atmospheric nutrient deposition is threatening the biodiversity of semi-natural habitats characterized by low nutrient availability. Accordingly, local management measures aiming at open habitat conservation need to maintain habitat-specific nutrient conditions despite atmospheric inputs. Grazing by wild herbivores, such as red deer (Cervus elaphus), has been proposed as an alternative to mechanical or livestock-based measures for preserving open habitats. Read More

Plant Dis 2022 May 10. Epub 2022 May 10.

Agriculture Canada, 430 Gouin, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada, J3B 3E6;

There is evidence of five clades of Plasmopara viticola in the world. Only two clades, riparia and aestivalis, have been identified as responsible for the downy mildew epidemics in Quebec, Canada. It was reported in 2021 that epidemics caused by clade riparia start 2 or 3 weeks before those caused by clade aestivalis and that clade aestivalis was more aggressive than clade riparia. Read More