DNA Reaction Circuits to Establish Designated Biological Functions in Multicellular Community.

In multicellular organisms, individual cells are coordinated through complex communication networks to accomplish various physiological tasks. Aiming to establish new biological functions in the multicellular community, we used DNA as the building block to develop a cascade of nongenetic reaction circuits to establish a dynamic cell-cell communication network. Utilizing membrane-anchored amphiphilic DNA tetrahedra (TDN) as the nanoscaffold, reaction circuits were incorporated into three unrelated cells in order to uniquely regulate their sense-and-response behaviors. As a proof-of-concept, this step enabled these cells to simulate significant biological events involved in T cell-mediated anticancer immunity. Such events included cancer-associated antigen recognition and the presentation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), APC-facilitated T cell activation and dissociation, and T cell-mediated cancer targeting and killing. By combining the excellent programmability and molecular recognition ability of DNA, our cell-surface reaction circuits hold promise for mimicking and manipulating many biological processes.

Impact of digital empowerment on labor employment in manufacturing enterprises: Evidence from China.

Many studies have examined the influence of digital technologies, such as robots and artificial intelligence, on enterprise labor, but few have investigated the underlying mechanisms and impact paths of digital empowerment on labor employment. Therefore, this study uses data on manufacturing enterprises listed on China's Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share markets from 2011 to 2020, and applies a panel fixed effect model to test the relationship between digital empowerment and labor employment, and the mechanisms underlying this relationship. We find that digital empowerment increases labor employment. However, the effects are heterogeneous: firms with better corporate governance, more competitive industry, and less favorable regional business environments are more motivated to optimize the structure of their labor resources. Through robustness test and mediation effect model test, we find that digital empowerment can improve enterprise human capital by increasing economies scale and managerial efficiency, especially the employment of R&D and innovation personnel and management personnel; it can also affect the amount of human capital by improving total factor productivity.

Aptamer-Based Nongenetic Reprogramming of CARs Enables Flexible Modulation of T Cell-Mediated Tumor Immunotherapy.

Innovating the design of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) beyond conventional structures would be necessary to address the challenges of efficacy, safety, and applicability in T cell-based cancer therapy, whereas excessive genetic modification might complicate CAR design and manufacturing, and increase gene editing risks. In this work, we used aptamers as the antigen-recognition unit to develop a nongenetic CAR engineering strategy for programming the antitumor activity and specificity of CAR T cells. Our results demonstrated that aptamer-functionalized CAR (Apt-CAR) T cells could be directly activated by recognizing target antigens on cancer cells, and then impart a cytotoxic effect for cancer elimination in vitro and in vivo. The designable antigen recognition capability of Apt-CAR T cells allows for easy modulation of their efficacy and specificity. Additionally, multiple features, e.g., tunable antigen-binding avidity and the tumor microenvironment responsiveness, could be readily integrated into Apt-CAR design without T cell re-engineering, offering a new paradigm for developing adaptable immunotherapeutics.

Domain-Targeted Membrane Partitioning of Specific Proteins with DNA Nanodevices.

The cell membrane exhibits a remarkable complexity of lipids and proteins that dynamically segregate into distinct domains to coordinate various cellular functions. The ability to manipulate the partitioning of specific membrane proteins without involving genetic modification is essential for decoding various cellular processes but highly challenging. In this work, by conjugating cholesterols or tocopherols at the three bottom vertices of the DNA tetrahedron, we develop two sets of nanodevices for the selective targeting of lipid-order (Lo) and lipid-disorder (Ld) domains on the live cell membrane. By incorporation of protein-recognition ligands, such as aptamers or antibodies, through toehold-mediated strand displacement, these DNA nanodevices enable dynamic translocation of target proteins between these two domains. We first used PTK7 as a protein model and demonstrated, for the first time, that the accumulation of PTK7 to the Lo domains could promote tumor cell migration, while sequestering it in the Ld domains would inhibit the movement of the cells. Next, based on their modular nature, these DNA nanodevices were extended to regulate the process of T cell activation through manipulating the translocation of CD45 between the Lo and the Ld domains. Thus, our work is expected to provide deep insight into the study of membrane structure and molecular interactions within diverse cell signaling processes.

COVID-19 Rebound After VV116 vs Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: With the widespread use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs, accumulating data have revealed potential viral load rebound after treatment. Objective: To compare COVID-19 rebound after a standard 5-day course of antiviral treatment with VV116 vs nirmatrelvir-ritonavir. Design, Setting, and Participants: This is a single-center, investigator-blinded, randomized clinical trial conducted in Shanghai, China. Adult patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and within 5 days of SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled between December 20, 2022, and January 19, 2023, and randomly allocated to receive either VV116 or nirmatrelvir-ritonavir. Interventions: Participants in the VV116 treatment group received oral 600-mg VV116 tablets every 12 hours on day 1 and 300 mg every 12 hours on days 2 through 5. Participants in the nirmatrelvir-ritonavir treatment group received oral nirmatrelvir-ritonavir tablets with 300 mg of nirmatrelvir plus 100 mg of ritonavir every 12 hours for 5 days. Participants were followed up every other day until day 28 and every week until day 60. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was viral load rebound (VLR), defined as a half-log increase in viral RNA copies per milliliter compared with treatment completion. Secondary outcomes included a reduction in the cycle threshold value of 1.5 or more, time until VLR, and symptom rebound, defined as an increase of more than 2 points in symptom score compared with treatment completion. The primary outcome and secondary outcomes were analyzed using the full analysis set. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using the per protocol set. Adverse events were analyzed using the safety analysis set. Results: The full analysis set included 345 participants (mean [SD] age, 53.2 [16.8] years; 175 [50.7%] were men) who received VV116 (n = 165) or nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (n = 180). Viral load rebound occurred in 33 patients (20.0%) in the VV116 group and 39 patients (21.7%) in the nirmatrelvir-ritonavir group (P = .70). Symptom rebound occurred in 41 of 160 patients (25.6%) in the VV116 group and 40 of 163 patients (24.5%) in the nirmatrelvir-ritonavir group (P = .82). Viral whole-genome sequencing of 24 rebound cases revealed the same lineage at baseline and at viral load rebound in each case. Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial of patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, viral load rebound and symptom rebound were both common after a standard 5-day course of treatment with either VV116 or nirmatrelvir-ritonavir. Prolongation of treatment duration might be investigated to reduce COVID-19 rebound. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: ChiCTR2200066811.

[Distribution of Typical Resistant Bacteria and Resistance Genes in Source Water of the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River].

The Yellow River water of an urban area located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River was taken as the research object， in which the seasonal and along-range distribution of total culturable bacteria， typical antibiotic resistant bacteria （amoxicillin resistant bacteria and sulfamethoxazole-resistant bacteria）， and their corresponding typical resistance genes ï¼»ß-lactam resistance gene （blaCTX-M） and sulfamamide resistance genes （sulI and sulⅡ）， as well as intⅠ1 were investigated. The results showed that the total culturable bacteria， ß-lactam-resistant bacteria and sulfonamide-resistant bacteria in the Yellow River Basin were significantly affected by temperature and human activities. The composition and quantity of their genera had obvious spatiotemporal distribution characteristics， in which Bacillus and Pseudomonas were dominant in the composition and number of bacteria. The abundance of resistance genes decreased with the decrease in temperature. The proportion of ß-lactam resistance genes in the total genes was higher than that of sulfanilamide genes， and sulI was the dominant gene in sulfanilamide genes. Correlation analysis showed that class Ⅰ integron played an important role in accelerating the spread of resistance genes. This study offers insight into the status quo of water resistance pollution in the Yellow River and provides theoretical support for the risk assessment of resistance genes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River Basin.

Aptamer-Based Multiparameter Analysis for Molecular Profiling of Hematological Malignancies.

The subtypes of hematological malignancies (HM) with minimal molecular profile differences display an extremely heterogeneous clinical course and a discrepant response to certain treatment regimens. Profiling the surface protein markers offers a potent solution for precision diagnosis of HM by differentiating among the subtypes of cancer cells. Herein, we report the use of Cell-SELEX technology to generate a panel of high-affinity aptamer probes that are able to discriminate subtle differences among surface protein profiles between different HM cells. Experimental results show that these aptamers with apparent dissociation constants (Kd) below 10 nM display a unique recognition pattern on different HM subtypes. By combining a machine learning model on the basis of partial least-squares discriminant analysis, 100% accuracy was achieved for the classification of different HM cells. Furthermore, we preliminarily validated the effectiveness of the aptamer-based multiparameter analysis strategy from a clinical perspective by accurately classifying complex clinical samples, thus providing a promising molecular tool for precise HM phenotyping.

Innovative association network of new energy vehicle charging stations in China: Structural evolution and policy implications.

New energy vehicles (NEVs) can effectively reduce emissions and alleviate global climate problems, and are crucial to global sustainable development. China is the world's largest seller of NEVs, but charging stations have always been a major constraint to the development of NEVs. To clearly characterize the structural characteristics of an innovation association network of NEV charging stations, this study analyzes the structural characteristics of China's innovation association network of NEV charging stations with the patent data since 2007 in the Incopat Global Patent Database from the three perspectives of province, city and patent applicant using method of social network analysis (SNA). The findings show the following: (1) The innovation association network of NEV charging stations has been expanded constantly, with the association strength evidently increasing. (2) The innovation association network of NEV charging stations exhibits a typical core-periphery structure, with the quantity of nodes with high association strength varying little, and the quantity of nodes with low- and medium-association strengths exhibiting an evident increasing trend. (3) The effect of regional central cities is enhanced, with an evident group structure. There has been no information barrier caused by excessive small group formation in the province association network, whereas there are small group development trends in city and patent applicant cooperation networks. In addition, policy recommendations for further expanding technological innovation in charging stations to promote the development of the NEV industry are discussed based on the study results.

Iron-doped carbon nanotubes with magnetic enhanced Fe(VI) degradation of arsanilic acid and inorganic arsenic: Role of intermediate iron species and electron transfer.

Arsanilic acid (p-AsA), a prevalently used feed additive, is frequently detected in environment posing a great threat to humans. Potassium ferrate (Fe(VI)) was an efficient way to tackle arsenic contamination under acid and neutral conditions. However, Fe(VI) showed a noneffective removal of p-AsA under alkaline conditions due to its oxidation capacity attenuation. Herein, a magnetic iron-doped carbon nanotubes (F-CNT) was successfully prepared and further catalyzed Fe(VI) to remove p-AsA and total As species. The Fe(VI)/F-CNT system showed an excellent capability to oxidize p-AsA and adsorb total As species over an environment-related pH range of 6-9. The high-valent iron intermediates Fe(V)/Fe(IV) and the mediated electron-transfer played a significant part in the degradation of p-AsA according to the probes/scavengers experiments and galvanic oxidation process. Moreover, the situ formed iron hydroxide oxide and F-CNT significantly improved the adsorption capacity for total As species. The electron-donating groups (semiquinone and hydroquinone) and high graphitization of F-CNT were responsible for activating Fe(VI) based on the analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Density functional theory calculations and the detected degradation products both indicated that the amino group and the C-As bond of p-AsA were main reactive sites. Notably, Fe(VI)/F-CNT system was resistant to the interference from Cl-, SO42-, and HCO3-, and could effectively remove p-AsA and total As species even in the presence of complex water matrix. In summary, this work proposed an efficient method to use Fe(VI) for degrading pollutants under alkaline conditions and explore a new technology for livestock wastewater advanced treatment.

Comparison of two emergency cervical cerclage techniques in twin pregnancies: A retrospective cohort study matched with cervical dilation.

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the efficacy of emergency cervical cerclage (ECC) performed with the combined McDonald-Shirodkar technique in twin pregnancies between 18 and 26 weeks of pregnancy with painless cervical dilation 1 to 6 cm. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study matched with the degree of cervical dilation was conducted. The study group (case group) included women with twin pregnancies undergoing combined McDonald-Shirodkar approach with cervical dilation ≥1 cm between 18 to 26 weeks of gestation at four institutions, from December 2015 to December 2022. To minimize confounding factors, we elucidated the causality structure using a directed acyclic graph and performed 1:1 case-control matching. A control group underwent the McDonald approach. The primary outcome was gestational age (GA) at delivery. The secondary outcomes were pregnancy latency; the rates of spontaneous preterm birth at <28, <30, <32, and <34 weeks; and neonatal outcomes. Additional subanalysis was performed by dividing the patients into two subgroups of women with cervical dilation ≥3 cm and <3 cm. RESULTS: A total of 84 twin pregnancies were managed with either the combined McDonald-Shirodkar approach (case group: n = 42) or the McDonald approach (control group: n = 42). Demographic characteristics were not significantly different in the two groups (P > 0.05). After adjusting for confounders that were represented by a directed acyclic graph, median GA at delivery was significantly higher (30.5 vs 27 weeks; Bate: 3.40 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.13-4.67], P < 0.001) and median pregnancy latency was significantly longer (56 vs 28 days; Bate: 24.04 [95% CI, 13.31-34.78], P < 0.001) in the case group compared with the control group. Rates of spontaneous preterm birth at <28, <30, <32, and <34 weeks were significantly lower in the case group than in the control group. For neonatal outcomes, there was higher birth weight (1543.75 vs 980 g; Bate: 420.08 [95% CI, 192.18-647.98], P < 0.001) and significantly lower overall perinatal mortality (7.1% vs 31%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.16 [95% CI, 0.04-0.70], P = 0.014) in the case group compared with the control group. When cervical dilation was ≥3 cm, the combined McDonald-Shirodkar procedure can significantly reduce perinatal mortality (8.3% vs 46.7%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.09 [95% CI, 0.01-0.77], P = 0.028), significantly decrease the risk of delivery at <28 and <30 weeks, and prolong GA at delivery and pregnancy latency compared with the McDonald procedure. CONCLUSIONS: ECC performed with the combined McDonald-Shirodkar procedure in women with twin pregnancies who have cervical dilation 1 to 6 cm in midtrimester pregnancy may reduce the rate of spontaneous preterm birth and improve perinatal and neonatal outcomes compared with the McDonald procedure, especially for twin pregnancies in women with cervical dilation of 3 to 6 cm and prolapsed membranes.

Development and validation of models for predicting preterm birth and gestational latency following emergency cervical cerclage: A multicenter cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Emergency cervical cerclage is a recognized method for preventing mid-trimester pregnancy loss and premature birth; however, its benefits remain controversial. This study aimed to establish preoperative models predicting preterm birth and gestational latency following emergency cervical cerclage in singleton pregnant patients with a high risk of preterm birth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from patients who received emergency cerclage between 2015 and 2023 in three institutions. Patients were grouped into a derivation cohort (n = 141) and an independent validation cohort (n = 61). Univariate and multivariate logistic and Cox regression analyses were used to identify independent predictive variables and establish the models. Harrell's C-index, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves and areas under the curves, calibration curve, and decision curve analyses were performed to assess the models. RESULTS: The models incorporated gestational weeks at cerclage placement, history of prior second-trimester loss and/or preterm birth, cervical dilation, and preoperative C-reactive protein level. The C-index of the model for predicting preterm birth before 28 weeks was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.82-0.93) in the derivation cohort and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71-0.92) in the independent validation cohort; The C-index of the model for predicting gestational latency was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.66-0.75) and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.71-0.84), respectively. In the derivation set, the areas under the curves were 0.84, 0.81, and 0.84 for predicting 1-, 3- and 5-week pregnancy prolongation, respectively. The corresponding values for the external validation were 0.78, 0.78, and 0.79, respectively. Calibration curves showed a good homogeneity between the observed and predicted ongoing pregnant probabilities. Decision curve analyses revealed satisfactory clinical usefulness. CONCLUSIONS: These novel models provide reliable and valuable prognostic predictions for patients undergoing emergency cerclage. The models can assist clinicians and patients in making personalized clinical decisions before opting for the cervical cerclage.

Functional Nucleic Acid-Based Immunomodulation for T Cell-Mediated Cancer Therapy.

T cell-mediated immunity plays a pivotal role in cancer immunotherapy. The anticancer actions of T cells are coordinated by a sequence of biological processes, including the capture and presentation of antigens by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), the activation of T cells by APCs, and the subsequent killing of cancer cells by activated T cells. However, cancer cells have various means to evade immune responses. Meanwhile, these vulnerabilities provide potential targets for cancer treatments. Functional nucleic acids (FNAs) make up a class of synthetic nucleic acids with specific biological functions. With their diverse functionality, good biocompatibility, and high programmability, FNAs have attracted widespread interest in cancer immunotherapy. This Review focuses on recent research progress in employing FNAs as molecular tools for T cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy, including corresponding challenges and prospects.

Aquaculture activities influencing the generation of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol: a case study in the aquaculture regions of Hongze Lake, China.

Contamination by odor substances such as geosmin (GSM) and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) was examined in the cultured water from aquaculture farming in the region of the Hongze Lake in 2022, and some factors influencing residual levels of them in the water were analyzed. Geographically, high concentrations of GSM were located mainly in the north and northeast culture areas of the lake, while those of 2-MIB were found in the northeast and southwest. Analysis of the water in the enclosure culture revealed significant differences in the concentrations of GSM and 2-MIB among the cultured species. The mean concentrations of GSM in culture water were ranked in the order: crab > the four major Chinese carps > silver and bighead carp, and silver and bighead carp > crab > the four major Chinese carps for 2-MIB. The concentration of GSM was significantly higher at 38.99 ± 18.93 ng/L in crab culture water compared to other fish culture water. Significant differences were observed in GSM concentrations between crab enclosure culture and pond culture, while 2-MIB levels were comparable. These findings suggest that cultural management practices significantly affect the generation of odor substances. The taste and odor (T&O) assessment revealed that the residual levels of GSM and 2-MIB in most samples were below the odor threshold concentrations (OTCs), although high levels of GSM and 2-MIB in all water bodies were at 30.9% and 27.5%, respectively. Compared with the corresponding data from other places and the regulation guidelines of Japan, USA, and China, the region in the Hongze Lake is generally classified as a slightly T&O area, capable of supporting the aquaculture production scale.

A General Copper Catalytic System for Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling of Unactivated Secondary and Primary Alkyl Halides with Arylborons.

Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings (SMC) are powerful tools for the construction of carbon-carbon bonds. However, the couplings of sp3-hybridized alkyl halides with arylborons often encounter several problematic issues such as sluggish oxidation addition of alkyl halides and competitive ß-hydride elimination side pathways of metal-alkyl species. In precedent reports, copper is mainly utilized for the coupling of sp2-aryl halides, and the cross-couplings with unactivated alkyl halides are far less reported. Herein, we demonstrate that a high-efficiency copper system enabled the coupling of arylborons with various unactivated secondary and primary alkyl halides including bromides, iodides, and even robust chlorides. The present system features broad scope, excellent functionality tolerance, scalability, and practicality. Moreover, the current system could be applied for the late-stage functionalization of complex molecules in moderate to high efficiency.

Quantitative benefit and risk assessment of arsenic and nutrient levels in tilapia products sold on Chinese e-commerce platforms.

E-commerce platforms have become a significant sales channel for processed tilapia products such as frozen tilapia fillets, pickled tilapia, and canned tilapia in China. As food safety issues are worldwide concerned, the imbalance between the nutritional benefits of fish and the risk of contamination has become a major constraint on fish consumption. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the safety of tilapia products sold on e-commerce platforms. We conducted a quantitative benefit-risk assessment of arsenic and nutrient levels for tilapia products sold on Chinese e-commerce platforms using the hazard quotient (HQ). A total of 147 tilapia products were collected from the central Chinese e-commerce platforms Tmall, Taobao, and Jingdong for arsenic determination. Arsenic concentrations in tilapia products ranged from 0.004 to 0.820 mg·kg-1. The inorganic arsenic content of tilapia products was lower than the national limit (0.1 mg·kg-1). One-way analysis of variance revealed that there was no significant difference in arsenic levels in tilapia products among different regions (p > 0.05), while there was a significant difference in product form, with canned tilapia containing significantly higher arsenic levels than frozen tilapia fillets and pickled tilapia fillets (p < 0.05). We conducted an aquaculture experiment to analyze the nutrient levels of tilapia. The mean value of EPA + DHA content of tilapia was 20.634 mg·100 g-1. The HQ values of tilapia products ranged from 0.004 to 0.736. In a word, the nutritional benefits of consuming tilapia products exceed the risk of arsenic exposure. These data can help demonstrate that tilapia products are low-risk, high-yield nutritious food and provide relevant safety recommendations for consumers purchasing processed tilapia products online.

Association of SARS-CoV-2 viral load with abnormal laboratory characteristics and clinical outcomes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

We conducted a retrospective, analytical cross-sectional and single-centre study that included 190 hospitalised COVID-19 patients in the Fujian Provincial Hospital South Branch between December 2022 and January 2023 to analyse the correlation of viral loads of throat swabs with clinical progression and outcomes. To normalise the Ct value as quantification of viral loads, we used RNase P gene as internal control gene and subtracted the Ct value of SARS-CoV-2 N gene from the Ct value of RNase P gene, termed △Ct. Most patients were discharged (84.2%), and only 10 (5.6%) individuals who had a lower △Ct value died. The initial △Ct value of participants was also significantly correlated with some abnormal laboratory characteristics, and the duration time of SARS-CoV-2 was longer in patients with severe symptoms and a lower △Ct value at admission. Our study suggested that the △Ct value may be used as a predictor of disease progression and outcomes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

Advanced degradation of refractory organic compounds in electroplating wastewater by an in-situ electro-catalytic biological coupling reactor: Removal performance, microbial community and possible mechanism.

A high-efficiency treatment system for advanced degradation of refractory organic compounds such as saccharin sodium (SS) and polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) in electroplating wastewater was proposed, which coupled ion exchange, electrocatalysis, and microbial interactions through ion exchange particle electrode (IEPE) in a reactor, named in-situ electro-catalytic biological coupling reactor (i-SECBCR). A small-scale experimental test system was established and a feasibility investigation was conducted under the condition of 1.248 L/h continuous flow. The results revealed that (1) the i-SECBCR showed higher average removal rates of SS, PEG 6000, COD and NH4+-N, i.e. 88.48 %, 41.26 %, 66.81 % and 51.61 %,which meant an increase by 5.04 %, 12.05 %, 0.46 %, and 34.50 %, respectively, compared with BAF; (2) the optimal current intensity (CI) of i-SECBCR for simultaneous removal of SS, PEG 6000, COD and NH4+-N was 0.40 mA cm-2; (3) Rhodobacter, Defluviimonas, unclassified_f__Microscillaceae, Pseudoxanthomonas, Novosphingobium, and unclassified_f__Xanthobacteraccae accounted for the main bacterial community in i-SECBCR; (4) the possible degradation mechanism was attributed mainly to the synergistic effect of ion exchange, electrocatalytic oxidation and biology. Therefore, the i-SECBCR was suitable to simultaneously advanced remove SS, PEG 6000, COD and NH4+-N in electroplating wastewater.

The Gill-Associated Bacterial Community Is More Affected by Exogenous Chlorella pyrenoidosa Addition than the Bacterial Communities of Water and Fish Gut in GIFT Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Aquaculture System.

Microalgae has been widely used in aquaculture to improve both the water environment and fish growth; however, the current understanding of the effects of microalgae addition on the key players involved in regulating the water environment and fish health, such as microorganisms, remains limited. Here, a 50-day mesocosm experiment was set up to simulate the culture of Genetic Improvement of Farmed Tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus) with an average weight of 14.18 ± 0.93 g and an average length of 82.77 ± 2.80 mm. Different amounts of Chlorella pyrenoidosa were added into these artificial systems to investigate dynamics of bacterial communities in aquaculture water, fish gill, and gut using amplicon-based high-throughput sequencing technology. Our results showed that Chlorella pyrenoidosa addition increased diversity and network complexity of gill-associated bacterial communities rather than those of the water and gut. Furthermore, more biomarkers in the gill-associated bacterial communities were detected in response to Chlorella pyrenoidosa addition than the water and fish gut samples. These findings highlighted the high sensitivity of gill-associated bacterial communities in response to the Chlorella pyrenoidosa addition, implying Chlorella pyrenoidosa addition could play important roles in regulating the fish mucosal immunity by altering the gill-associated microbiota.

Contrasting response of soil microbiomes to long-term fertilization in various highland cropping systems.

Soil microbiomes play important roles in supporting agricultural ecosystems. However, it is still not well-known how soil microbiomes and their functionality respond to fertilization in various cropping systems. Here we examined the effects of 36 years of phosphorus, nitrogen, and manure application on soil bacterial communities, functionality and crop productivity in three contrasting cropping systems (i.e., continuous leguminous alfalfa (AC), continuous winter wheat (WC), and grain-legume rotation of winter wheat + millet - pea - winter wheat (GLR)) in a highland region of China's Loess Plateau. We showed that long-term fertilization significantly affected soil bacterial communities and that the effects varied with cropping system. Compared with the unfertilized control, fertilization increased soil bacterial richness and diversity in the leguminous AC system, whereas it decreased those in the GLR system. Fertilization, particularly manure application, enlarged the differences in soil bacterial communities among cropping systems. Soil bacterial communities were mostly affected by the soil organic carbon and nitrogen contents in the WC and GLR systems, but by the soil available phosphorous content in the AC system. Crop productivity was closely associated with the abundance of fertilization-responsive taxa in the three cropping systems. Our study highlights that legume and non-legume cropping systems should be disentangled when assessing the responses of soil microbial communities to long-term fertilizer application.