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The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) is an important mediator in the drought response, participating in, among other processes, stomatal movements. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the serine/threonine protein kinase, OST1, regulates this response, but the function of its maize homolog has yet to be established. Here, we isolated ZmOST1 and show that its encoded protein indeed acts to regulate guard cell movement. ZmOST1 was ubiquitously expressed throughout the plant, being highly expressed in guard cells, and inducible both by exogenous ABA and water stress. Transient expression of a ZmOST1‐GFP fusion protein, in maize mesophyll protoplasts, indicated its subcellular localization in the cytoplasm and nucleus. A Zmost1 loss‐of‐function mutant exhibited reduced sensitivity to ABA‐activated slow anion channels in maize guard cells, and reduced drought tolerance. Constitutive expression of ZmOST1, in an A. thaliana ost1‐1 mutant rescued the phenotype with respect both to the sensitivity of guard cell slow anion currents to ABA treatment and stomatal closure. Our findings indicate a positive regulatory role for ZmOST1 in guard cell ABA signaling and drought response in maize plants. The ZmOST1 null mutant exhibits hyposensitivity to ABA activated slow anion channels of guard cells in maize, and its constitutive expression in A. thaliana could rescue the guard cell phenotypes of ost1–1 mutant. These findings implied that ZmOST1 may be positively involved in guard cell ABA signaling and plant drought response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural management significantly affects methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from paddy fields. However, little is known about the underlying microbiological mechanism. Field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of the water regime and straw incorporation on CH4 and N2O emissions and soil properties. Quantitative PCR was applied to measure the abundance of soil methanogens, methane-oxidising bacteria, nitrifiers, and denitrifiers according to DNA and mRNA expression levels of microbial genes, including mcrA, pmoA, amoA, and nirK/nirS/nosZ. Field trials showed that the CH4 and N2O flux rates were negatively correlated with each other, and N2O emissions were far lower than CH4 emissions. Drainage and straw incorporation affected functional gene abundance through altered soil environment. The present (DNA-level) gene abundances of amoA, nosZ, and mcrA were higher with straw incorporation than those without straw incorporation, and they were positively correlated with high concentrations of soil exchangeable NH4+ and dissolved organic carbon. The active (mRNA-level) gene abundance of mcrA was lower in the drainage treatment than in continuous flooding, which was negatively correlated with soil redox potential (Eh). The CH4 flux rate was significantly and positively correlated with active mcrA abundance but negatively correlated with Eh. The N2O flux rate was significantly and positively correlated with present and active nirS abundance and positively correlated with soil Eh. Thus, we demonstrated that active gene abundance, such as of mcrA for CH4 and nirS for N2O, reflects the contradictory relationship between CH4 and N2O emissions regulated by soil Eh in acidic paddy soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.), a perennial leaf-harvested crop, favors warm/humid climate and acidic/well-drained soils, and demands high nitrogen (N) fertilizer inputs which lead to significant emissions of N2O. Potential mitigation options should be adopted to improve N use efficiency (NUE) and reduce environmental pollution in tea field system. A 3-year field experiment was carried out in a tea field in southern China from January 2014 to December 2016 to investigate the effect of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) application on N2O emissions in tea field system. Three practices, namely conventional treatment (CON, 105 kg N-oilcake ha−1 year−1 + 345 kg N-urea ha−1 year−1), treatment with a half amount of the N fertilizer (CRF50%, 105 kg N-oilcake ha−1 year−1 + 120 kg N CRF ha−1 year−1) and full amount of N fertilizer (CRF100%, 105 kg N-oilcake ha−1 year−1 + 345 kg N CRF ha−1 year−1) were used. Compared with the CON, our results showed that CRF50% reduced the N2O emissions by 26.2% (p > 0.05) and increased the tea yield by 31.3% (p > 0.05), while CRF100% significantly increased the N2O emissions by 96.7% (p < 0.05) and decreased the tea yield by 6.77% (p > 0.05). Overall, yield-scaled N2O emissions of tea were reduced by 44.5% (p > 0.05) under CRF50% and significantly increased by 100% (p < 0.05) under CRF100%, compared with CON. Based on the gross margin analysis, CRF50% obtained the highest net economic profit. Our findings suggest that reducing N input of CRF (CRF50%) is necessary and feasible for adoption in the current tea plantation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of combination of straw incorporation and water management on fluxes of CH4, N2O and soil heterotrophic respiration (Rh) in a paddy field in subtropical central China by using a static opaque chamber/gas chromatography method. Four treatments were set up: two rice straw incorporation rates at 0 (S1) and 6 (S2) t ha−1combined with two water managements of intermittent irrigation (W1, with mid-season drainage) and continuous flooding (W2, without mid-season drainage). The cumulative seasonal CH4emissions for the treatments of S1W2, S2W1 and S2W2 increased significantly by 1.84, 5.47 and 6.63 times, respectively, while seasonal N2O emissions decreased by 0.67, 0.29 and 1.21 times, respectively, as compared to S1W1 treatment. The significant increase in the cumulative Rh for the treatments S1W1, S2W1 and S2W2 were 0.54, 1.35 and 0.52 times, respectively, in comparison with S1W2. On a seasonal basis, both the CO2-equivalents (CO2e) and yield-scaled CO2e (GHGI) of CH4and N2O emissions increased with straw incorporation and continuous flooding, following the order: S2W2>S2W1>S1W2>S1W1. Thus, the practices of in season straw incorporation should be discouraged, while mid-season drainage is recommended in paddy rice production from a point view of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the heated discussion of deliberative democracy, the "priority of deliberative democracy" is proposed and demonstrated by many scholars, which based on China's non-competitive centralized system, diversified interests and traditional culture, argues that we should avoid electoral democracy and develop deliberative democracy firstly. However, this viewpoint is untenable because it not only misinterprets the idea of deliberative democracy itself, but also reverses the logic connection between electoral democracy and deliberative democracy. As the core framework of the representative democracy, electoral democracy has a logical priority. Without electoral democracy and the representative democracy which it maintains, deliberative democracy will lost its effective operation space in the system because of equal political rights of citizen lacks of protection. Furthermore, without the decision-making model of election and voting, deliberation is likely to be endless for failed to reach a consensus. Electoral democracy is the only way one can't bypass, only to promote and improve electoral democracy, other forms of democracy can be expected to be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical theory of natural law in the West takes three forms in its development: the naturalistic view of the nature, the humanistic view of the nature, and the stoic ethic view of natural law. And these forms of theory search and argue for the special value of politics and law. The naturalistic view of natural equity connotes the consciousness of law and rule, against the ethics of Heroism. The humanistic view of the natural equity distinguishes equity from law, and shapes the natural equity into the reflective concept that is superior to law and rule, and makes judgment of law and rule. The stoic ethic theory of natural law endows ethic values with independent mind life and individualistic life, and opposes the social ethic life against national political life, and holds the thoughts of the individuality and universality of human being by negative way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer (BC) stands as a predominant global malignancy, significantly contributing to female mortality. Recently uncovered, histone lysine lactylation (kla) has assumed a crucial role in cancer progression. However, the correlation with lncRNAs remains ambiguous. Scrutinizing lncRNAs associated with Kla not only improves clinical breast cancer management but also establishes a groundwork for antitumor drug development. We procured breast tissue samples, encompassing both normal and cancerous specimens, from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Utilizing Cox regression and XGBoost methods, we developed a prognostic model using identified kla-related lncRNAs. The model's predictive efficacy underwent validation across training, testing, and the overall cohort. Functional analysis concerning kla-related lncRNAs ensued. We identified and screened 8 kla-related lncRNAs to formulate the risk model. Pathway analysis disclosed the connection between immune-related pathways and the risk model of kla-related lncRNAs. Significantly, the risk scores exhibited a correlation with both immune cell infiltration and immune function, indicating a clear association. Noteworthy is the observation that patients with elevated risk scores demonstrated an increased tumor mutation burden (TMB) and decreased tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) scores, suggesting heightened responses to immune checkpoint blockade. Our study uncovers a potential link between Kla-related lncRNAs and BC, providing innovative therapeutic guidelines for BC management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a long-lived greenhouse gas that mainly originates from agricultural soils. More and more studies have explored the sources, influencing factors and effective mitigation measures of N2O in recent decades. However, the hierarchy of factors influencing N2O emissions from agricultural soils at the global scale remains unclear. In this study, we carry out correlation and structural equation modeling analysis on a global N2O emission dataset to explore the hierarchy of influencing factors affecting N2O emissions from the nitrogen (N) and non-N fertilized upland farming systems, in terms of climatic factors, soil properties, and agricultural practices. Our results show that the average N2O emission intensity in the N fertilized soils (17.83 g N ha−1 d−1) was significantly greater than that in the non-N fertilized soils (5.34 g N ha−1 d−1) (p< 0.001). Climate factors and agricultural practices are the most important influencing factors on N2O emission in non-N and N fertilized upland soils, respectively. For different climatic zones, without fertilizer, the primary influence factors on soil N2O emissions are soil physical properties in subtropical monsoon zone, whereas climatic factors are key in the temperate zones. With fertilizer, the primary influence factors for subtropical monsoon and temperate continental zones are soil physical properties, while agricultural measures are the main factors in the temperate monsoon zone. Deploying enhanced agricultural practices, such as reduced N fertilizer rate combined with the addition of nitrification and urease inhibitors can potentially mitigate N2O emissions by more than 60% in upland farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To effectively treat osteoarthritis (OA), the existing inflammation must be reduced before the cartilage damage can be repaired; this cannot be achieved with a single type of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Here, a hydrogel complex with logic‐gates function is proposed that can spatiotemporally controlled release two types of EVs: interleukin 10 (IL‐10)+ EVs to promote M2 polarization of macrophage, and SRY‐box transcription factor 9 (SOX9)+ EVs to increase cartilage matrix synthesis. Following dose‐of‐action screening, the dual EVs are loaded into a matrix metalloporoteinase 13 (MMP13)‐sensitive self‐assembled peptide hydrogel (KM13E) and polyethylene glycol diacrylate/gelatin methacryloyl‐hydrogel microspheres (PGE), respectively. These materials are mixed to form a "microspheres‐in‐gel" KM13E@PGE system. In vitro, KM13E@PGE abruptly released IL‐10+ EVs after 3 days and slowly released SOX9+ EVs for more than 30 days. In vivo, KM13E@PGE increased the CD206+ M2 macrophage proportion in the synovial tissue and decreased the tumor necrosis factor‐α and IL‐1β levels. The aggrecan and SOX9 expressions in the cartilage tissues are significantly elevated following inflammation subsidence. This performance is not achieved using anti‐inflammatory or cartilage repair therapy alone. The present study provides an injectable, integrated delivery system with spatiotemporal control release of dual EVs, and may inspire logic‐gates strategies for OA treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The etiology of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), a prevalent degenerative disease in the elderly, remains to be fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to identify immune infiltration and oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers in IVDD, aiming to provide further insights into the intricate pathogenesis of IVDD. The Gene Expression microarrays were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We conducted enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) terms. Subsequently, the R language packages CIBERSORT, MCPcounter, and WGCNA were employed to compare immune infiltration levels between IVDD samples and control samples. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the Search Tools for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database to identify significant gene clusters. To identify hub genes, we employed Cytoscape's Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plug-in. The mRNA levels of hub genes in the cell model were validated by qPCR, while Western blotting was used to validate their protein levels. The GSE70362 dataset from the GEO database identified a total of 1799 genes that were differentially expressed. Among these, 43 genes were found to be differentially expressed and also associated with OS. The differentially expressed genes associated with OS and the immune-related module genes identified through WGCNA were further intersected, resulting in the identification of 10 key genes that were differentially expressed and played crucial roles in both immune response and OS. Subsequently, we validated four diagnostic markers (PPIA, MAP3K5, PXN, and JAK2) using the GSE122429 external dataset. In a cellular model of OS in NP cells, we have identified the upregulation of PPIA and PXN genes, which could serve as novel markers for IVDD. The study successfully identified and validated differentially expressed genes associated with oxidative stress and immune infiltration in IVDD samples compared to normal ones. Notably, the newly discovered biomarkers PPIA and PXN have not been previously reported in IVDD-related research. [Display omitted] • Novel biomarkers associated with oxidative stress and immune infiltration in IVDD were identified and validated by qPCR. • We finally identified the up-regulation of PPIA and PXN genes, which could be used as novel markers for IVDD. • Four diagnostic markers PPIA, MAP3K5, PXN and JAK2 were identified using the GSE122429 external dataset for validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated atmospheric reactive nitrogen (Nr) emissions and the subsequent nitrogen (N) deposition have negatively impacted the global environment, particularly in China. In order to assess the long-term trends in atmospheric N deposition in the south of China, Taojiang County in Hunan Province was selected as a representative rural area for study. We analyzed interannual variation in atmospheric Nr, including gaseous ammonia (NH3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrate acid (HNO3) vapor, particulate ammonium (NH4+), and nitrate (NO3−) in air and NH4+-N and NO3−-N in precipitation from 2011 to 2020. The 10-year average atmospheric wet-plus-dry N deposition was 41.9 kg N ha−1 yr−1, which decreased by approximately 24% after 2012, indicating that NH3 and NOx emissions were effectively reduced by emission controls introduced in 2013. Wet deposition accounted for approximately 74% of the total N deposition and was significantly influenced by annual precipitation amount. Reduced N (NH3, pNH4+, and NH4+ in rainwater) was the dominant form, comprising approximately 58% of the total N deposition, while oxidized N (pNO3−, NO2, HNO3, and NO3− in rainwater) accounted for 42% of the total N deposition. Atmospheric HNO3, NO2, and NH3 concentrations and deposition declined by 30–80% over the decade, while particulate NH4+ and NO3− concentrations and deposition remained at relatively stable levels, which suggests that ongoing research and policy should focus on rural particulate pollution. Future strategies must concentrate on the integrated control of NH3 and NOx emissions to mitigate air pollution and protect human health, particularly in rural areas because current abatement efforts are primarily directed toward urban areas and the industrial sector, whereas non-point source NH3 pollution, influenced mainly by agricultural activities, dominates in rural regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current understanding of breast cancer (BC) progression and prognosis related to Anoikis-associated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is limited. The objective of this study is to investigate the prognostic relevance of these long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their association with the tumor microenvironment (TME) in breast cancer. We acquired RNA sequencing data and clinical records from breast cancer patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). These individuals were categorized into low- and high-risk groups based on their median risk scores. To identify seven prognostically significant lncRNAs linked to Anoikis, we employed a series of statistical analyses, including univariate Cox regression, the least absolute shrinkage selection operator (LASSO) regression, and multivariate Cox regression. Finally, we established a prognostic model involving seven Anoikis-related lncRNAs: GAS1RR, LINC01929, LINC01235, LINC02676, MAPT-IT1, TFAP2A-AS1, and LINC02446. Utilizing this model, we observed that patients classified as high-risk experienced a less favorable prognosis compared to their low-risk counterparts. Multifactorial Cox regression analysis validated the reliability of the risk score as an indicator of prognosis. ROC curve analysis confirmed its predictive accuracy. The functional enrichment analysis revealed a notable concentration of differentially expressed genes in immune-related pathways. Subsequently, utilizing single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), we illustrated that low-risk BC patients displayed significant immune cell infiltration and enrichment in immune-related pathways, suggesting a more favorable response to immunotherapy. Furthermore, drug sensitivity analysis revealed enhanced efficacy of standard chemotherapeutic agents in low-risk patients. Our novel model is a valuable tool for predicting survival in breast cancer (BC) patients, making it applicable in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we aimed to have a comprehensive understanding of nucleus pulposus related long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and mRNA expression profiles in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). In total, 2418 mRNAs and 528 lncRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in the IDD group compared with the Control group. Combining microarray datasets and sequencing data, 5 overlapping DEMs and 7 overlapping DELs were identified. NF-κB signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were strongly linked with enriched GO terms and KEGG pathways. The ceRNA network suggested that lnc-TMEM44-AS1-hsa-miR-206-HDAC4 may be one crucial axis in IDD. PPI network analysis was constructed with 309 nodes and 129 edges. And the highest connectivity degrees were ALB, APOB and CCL2. This study suggested that specific lncRNAs and ceRNA axes may be crucial in the development of IDD. It provides a new perspective for delaying IDD process and enhancing intervertebral disc repair. • We aimed to have a comprehensive understanding of nucleus pulposus related lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles in IDD. • 2418 mRNAs and 528 lncRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in the IDD group compared with the Control group. • Combining microarray datasets and sequencing data, 5 overlapping DEMs and 7 overlapping DELs were identified. • The ceRNA network suggested that lnc-TMEM44-AS1-hsa-miR-206-HDAC4 may be one crucial axis in IDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying the best management practices (BMPs) for reducing nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions in tea field poses challenges due to numerous economic and environmental objectives involved, alongside intricate trade-off relationships amongst them, particularly within the context of climate change. This study proposed a hybrid approach that integrates field observations, the WNMM agroecosystem model, and the NSGA-III optimization algorithm. This integrated method aimed to comprehensively optimize fertilizer application (including rate, type, and method) and nitrification inhibitor addition in order to maximize crop yield potential and minimize N 2 O emissions, while also to enhance nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE), reduce N loss through leaching and volatilization, and minimize changes in soil organic matter in tea fields of subtropical Central China. The optimized fertilizer application rates based on Pareto fronts for the historical period (1985–2021), SSP2–4.5 (2023–2100) and SSP5–8.5 (2023–2100) are considerably lower than the practices commonly employed by local farmers (450 kg N ha−1). Specifically, the optimized rates meeting the dual objectives of stabling yield (> 3825 kg ha−1) and reducing N 2 O emissions (< 4.73 kg N ha−1) are even lower, accounting for 33–38 % of the local rate. Importantly, under the conditions of future climate warming, a combination of intercropping sorghum and deep placement of fertilizers is necessary to realize effective many-objective optimization for N 2 O reduction. However, controlled-release fertilizers show a limited effect on N 2 O emission reduction. In summary, this study illustrated the significant potential of implementing many-objective optimized management practices to save fertilizer and reduce N 2 O emissions without compromising crop yield in tea field. Importantly, the adoption of specific practices such as intercropping sorghum and implementing deep placement of fertilizers can be effective strategies to address climate change-related issues, including N leaching, volatilization, and soil organic matter loss. These findings offer valuable theoretical guidance for tea farmers and local governments. • The validated WNMM exhibited strong performance in predicting N 2 O emissions within subtropical tea field system. • Significant opportunities exist to save fertilizer and mitigate N 2 O while maintaining crop yield amidst climate change. • The optimized N rates for historical and future climate scenarios were considerably lower than the conventional practices. • A combination of BNI and DP was essential to reduce N 2 O emissions amidst future climate warming conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]