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Obeticholic acid (OCA), a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist with favorable effects on fatty and glucose metabolism, has been considered the leading candidate drug for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) treatment. However, its limited effectiveness in resolving liver fibrosis and lipotoxicity-induced cell death remains a major drawback. Ferroptosis, a newly recognized form of cell death characterized by uncontrolled lipid peroxidation, is involved in the progression of NASH. Nitric oxide (NO) is a versatile biological molecule that can degrade extracellular matrix. In this study, we developed a PEGylated thiolated hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) loaded with OCA, as well as a ferroptosis inhibitor liproxsatin-1 and a NO donor S-nitrosothiol (ONL@MSN). Biochemical analyses, histology, multiplexed flow cytometry, bulk-tissue RNA sequencing, and fecal 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing were utilized to evaluate the effects of the combined nanoparticle (ONL@MSN) in a mouse NASH model. Compared with the OCA-loaded nanoparticles (O@MSN), ONL@MSN not only protected against hepatic steatosis but also greatly ameliorated fibrosis and ferroptosis. ONL@MSN also displayed enhanced therapeutic actions on the maintenance of intrahepatic macrophages/monocytes homeostasis, inhibition of immune response/lipid peroxidation, and correction of microbiota dysbiosis. These findings present a promising synergistic nanotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of NASH by simultaneously targeting FXR, ferroptosis, and fibrosis.

Abstract Flash Joule heating (FJH) is an emerging and profitable technology for converting inexhaustible biomass into flash graphene (FG). However, it is challenging to produce biomass FG continuously due to the lack of an integrated device. Furthermore, the high-carbon footprint induced by both excessive energy allocation for massive pyrolytic volatiles release and carbon black utilization in alternating current-FJH (AC-FJH) reaction exacerbates this challenge. Here, we create an integrated automatic system with energy requirement-oriented allocation to achieve continuous biomass FG production with a much lower carbon footprint. The programmable logic controller flexibly coordinated the FJH modular components to realize the turnover of biomass FG production. Furthermore, we propose pyrolysis-FJH nexus to achieve biomass FG production. Initially, we utilize pyrolysis to release biomass pyrolytic volatiles, and subsequently carry out the FJH reaction to focus on optimizing the FG structure. Importantly, biochar with appropriate resistance is self-sufficient to initiate the FJH reaction. Accordingly, the medium-temperature biochar-based FG production without carbon black utilization exhibited low carbon emission (1.9 g CO2-eq g−1 graphene), equivalent to a reduction of up to ~86.1% compared to biomass-based FG production. Undoubtedly, this integrated automatic system assisted by pyrolysis-FJH nexus can facilitate biomass FG into a broad spectrum of applications.

Study Region: A well-irrigated area along the Yellow River in the North China Plain. Study Focus: High nitrate concentrations in groundwater induced by soil nitrate leaching are found worldwide. In this research, we examined the main processes and mechanisms of nitrate leaching with 16 years of long-term observational data to evaluate the potential threat of nitrate pollution to the groundwater in a well-irrigated area. New Hydrological Insights for the Region: This study uncovered significant differences in the primary mechanisms of nitrate leaching in the region at different stages in response to the continuous groundwater table decline. In the first stage, groundwater tables were less than 5 m, nitrate leaching was mainly driven by irrigation or precipitation with average annual percolation of 116.8 mm. In the second stage, groundwater overexploitation led to a decline in the groundwater table, inducing the internal drainage and nitrate leaching of the lower root zone. In the third stage, a further decline of groundwater table almost cut off the hydrological connection of root zone to the groundwater, which hampered water percolation and thus nitrate leaching from the root zone during next irrigation or precipitation. However, one extreme precipitation as much as in 2021 washed out almost all the accumulated nitrate in the root zone. The findings provide a reference for nitrogen management and groundwater protection in similar regions.

Diamond is the hardest natural material, boasting a variety of remarkable properties. However, due to increased demand and technological advancements, natural diamond has struggled to meet the specialized requirements of various industries. This paper offers a comprehensively critical review of diamond synthesis, modification, and cutting tool in ultra-precision machining based on the remarkable properties of diamond. Firstly, the paper outlines the outstanding properties of diamonds and breakthroughs in the original performance achieved by doping elements. Secondly, the paper focuses on recent progress in high temperature high pressure (HTHP), specifically those involving solvent-catalysts and element catalysts. The advancements in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) for diamond synthesis, emphasizing improvements in growth rate and quality, are thoroughly reviewed and summarized. Thirdly, the mechanisms of boron doping and interface modification are analyzed. Finally, the paper presents the fabrication of diamond tools and their wear mechanisms during the machining of difficult-to-cut materials and explores assisted-machining methods. Notably, the future direction of diamond synthesis will emphasize producing large-sized diamond with high growth rates, as well as doping and the preparation of diamond/metal composite materials. This critical review provides a comprehensive review of diamond preparation, modification, and cutting tools in ultra-precision machining. It serves as a valuable reference for relevant research endeavors.

IntroductionSoil microbes are central in governing soil multifunctionality and driving ecological processes. Despite biochar application has been reported to enhance soil biodiversity, its impacts on soil multifunctionality and the relationships between soil taxonomic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning remain controversial in paddy soil.MethodsHerein, we characterized the biodiversity information on soil communities, including bacteria, fungi, protists, and nematodes, and tested their effects on twelve ecosystem metrics (including functions related to enzyme activities, nutrient provisioning, and element cycling) in biochar-amended paddy soil.ResultsThe biochar amendment augmented soil multifunctionality by 20.1 and 35.7% in the early stage, while the effects were diminished in the late stage. Moreover, the soil microbial diversity and core modules were significantly correlated with soil multifunctionality.DiscussionOur analysis revealed that not just soil microbial diversity, but specifically the biodiversity within the identified microbial modules, had a more pronounced impact on ecosystem functions. These modules, comprising diverse microbial taxa, especially protists, played key roles in driving ecosystem functioning in biochar-amended paddy soils. This highlights the importance of understanding the structure and interactions within microbial communities to fully comprehend the impact of biochar on soil ecosystem functioning in the agricultural ecosystem.

IntroductionAmmonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) have been proven to be key microorganisms driving the ammonia oxidation process. However, under different fertilization practices, there is a lack of research on the impact of interaction between predators and AOA or AOB on nitrogen cycling at the multi-trophic level.MethodsIn this study, a network-oriented microscopic culture experiment was established based on four different long-term fertilization practices soils. We used the nitrification inhibitors 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxide-3-oxyl (PTIO) and 3, 4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) inhibited AOA and AOB, respectively, to explore the impact of interaction between protists and AOA or AOB on nitrogen transformation.ResultsThe results showed that long-term nitrogen application promoted the potential nitrification rate (PNR) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission, and significantly increased the gene abundance of AOB, but had no obvious effect on AOA gene abundance. DMPP significantly reduced N2O emission and PNR, while PTIO had no obvious effect on them. Accordingly, in the multi-trophic microbial network, Cercozoa and Proteobacteria were identified as keystone taxa of protists and AOB, respectively, and were significantly positively correlated with N2O, PNR and nitrate nitrogen. However, Nitrososphaerota archaeon as the keystone species of AOA, had an obvious negative linkage to these indicators. The structural equation model (SEM) showed that AOA and AOB may be competitors to each other. Protists may promote AOB diversity through direct trophic interaction with AOA.ConclusionThe interaction pattern between protists and ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms significantly affects potential nitrification rate and N2O emission, which has important implications for soil nitrogen cycle.

To apply AquaCrop to the study of agricultural soil moisture in the North China Plain, a water-treatment experiment on summer maize was carried out at the Fengqiu experimental station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences from 2017 to 2018. A water treatment was used to achieve field water capacities of 20 (W1), 40 (W2), and 60 (W3) cm soil layers under irrigation, and a rain-fed treatment (W0) was added. The model parameters were calibrated using the measured data in 2017. Then, they were applied to 2018 to verify the ability of the model to simulate water stress. The results showed that the variation trends for crop yield, canopy coverage, total soil water content, and the curve in the growth cycle simulated via AquaCrop were consistent with the actual observations; the results of a discrete analysis showed that the values of b (regression coefficient), R2 (determination coefficient), and EF (efficiency) were close to 1, and the values of the RMSE (root mean square error) were close to 0, which proved that the model could simulate dynamic changes in summer maize yield, canopy coverage, and total soil water content well. AquaCrop had good applicability in the North China Plain and could be applied to the study of agricultural water consumption and water-use efficiency in this area. The simulated values obtained can serve as an easily obtainable source of long-term experimental data in areas with frequent non-extreme weather events.

Introduction: Ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) have been proven to be key microorganisms driving the ammonia oxidation process. However, under different fertilization practices, there is a lack of research on the impact of interaction between predators and AOA or AOB on nitrogen cycling at the multi-trophic level. Methods: In this study, a network-oriented microscopic culture experiment was established based on four different long-term fertilization practices soils. We used the nitrification inhibitors 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxide-3-oxyl (PTIO) and 3, 4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) inhibited AOA and AOB, respectively, to explore the impact of interaction between protists and AOA or AOB on nitrogen transformation. Results: The results showed that long-term nitrogen application promoted the potential nitrification rate (PNR) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission, and significantly increased the gene abundance of AOB, but had no obvious effect on AOA gene abundance. DMPP significantly reduced N2O emission and PNR, while PTIO had no obvious effect on them. Accordingly, in the multi-trophic microbial network, Cercozoa and Proteobacteria were identified as keystone taxa of protists and AOB, respectively, and were significantly positively correlated with N2O, PNR and nitrate nitrogen. However, Nitrososphaerota archaeon as the keystone species of AOA, had an obvious negative linkage to these indicators. The structural equation model (SEM) showed that AOA and AOB may be competitors to each other. Protists may promote AOB diversity through direct trophic interaction with AOA. Conclusion: The interaction pattern between protists and ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms significantly affects potential nitrification rate and N2O emission, which has important implications for soil nitrogen cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]