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This editorial published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology discusses the advancements in thyroid cancer research, specifically focusing on molecular characterization and prediction models for recurrence. The article emphasizes the importance of accurate molecular and genetic characterization to differentiate between less aggressive and more aggressive thyroid tumors. It also explores the use of biomarkers and prediction models to improve the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules. The document provides a summary of three studies related to thyroid cancer research, which identify genes associated with recurrence, analyze the genetic landscape of thyroid cancer in Chinese patients, and investigate the shared molecular mechanisms between thyroid cancer and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. These studies contribute to our understanding of thyroid cancer and may lead to personalized treatment options. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the role of three receptors, MtLYK2R108, MtLYK3R108, and MtLYK2bisR108, in mediating nodulation in Medicago truncatula (M. truncatula), a legume plant. The study found that all three receptors have redundant functions and can complement nodulation defects in mutant plants. MtLYK2bisR108 appears to play a major role in nodulation due to its higher expression levels. The findings challenge the previous two-receptor model and suggest a one-receptor model with multiple specificities in M. truncatula. The study provides valuable insights into the nodulation process and genetic materials for studying rhizobium symbiosis. [Extracted from the article]

Host range specificity is a prominent feature of the legume-rhizobial symbiosis. Sinorhizobium meliloti and Sinorhizobium medicae are two closely related species that engage in root nodule symbiosis with legume plants of the Medicago genus, but certain Medicago species exhibit selectivity in their interactions with the two rhizobial species. We have identified a Medicago receptor-like kinase, which can discriminate between the two bacterial species, acting as a genetic barrier against infection by most S. medicae strains. Activation of this receptor-mediated nodulation restriction requires a bacterial gene that encodes a glycine-rich octapeptide repeat protein with distinct variants capable of distinguishing S. medicae from S. meliloti. This study sheds light on the coevolution of host plants and rhizobia, shaping symbiotic selectivity in their respective ecological niches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Enhancing crop yields is a contemporary challenge of the modern world, and selenium (Se) has been shown to improve plant health against various abiotic stressors. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of Se on the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments, nitrogen metabolism, antioxidant metabolism, flavonoid synthesis and nodulation of cowpea plants. Methods: We carried out a soil experiment with five Se application rates (0, 7.5, 15, 30, and 45 µg kg−1) and a hydroponics experiment with four Se concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 15 µmol L−1). Results: Both experiments revealed hormetic-like responses of cowpea plants to Se, at both molecular and whole-plant levels. Se dose-dependently increased the synthesis of chlorophylls, carotenoids and pheophytin as well as the efficiency of enzymatic antioxidant metabolism by decreasing MDA levels and increasing CAT and APX activity. Selenium also enhanced nitrate reductase activity, resulting in greater biosynthesis of amino acids and proteins in the leaves. However, the dose responses were not identical in the two experiments. Hormetic-like biphasic responses were uniquely revealed for daidzein, genistein, and kaempferol in the hydroponics experiment. Selenium also enhanced the number of nodules in roots, which generated increases in the production of ureides and greater production of shoot dry weight in both experiments. Low rates of Se stimulated the translocation of allantoic acid from nodules to leaves. Conclusions: This study adds new insights regarding Se effect on antioxidant and nitrogen metabolism, photosynthetic pigments and nodulation, which can increase cowpea yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: While the effects of fertilizer nitrogen (N) on N fixation in soybean nodules lead to both local inhibition and systemic regulation, the specific mechanism is not clear. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which systemic N regulation affects soybean root growth and N fixation. Methods: Dual-root soybean plants containing unilateral nodulation were cultivated using grafting and sand culture with the addition of N-containing nutrient solution to the non-nodulated root portion and N-free nutrient solution to the nodulated portion during the VC-R1 period (28 d). The effects of N supplementation on changes in the expression of genes and proteins, as well as metabolite levels, in nodules and roots were examined, together with an evaluation of alterations in metabolic pathways in response to the indirect N supply. Results: The results demonstrated that a 28-day supply of N to non-nodulated part of the root reduced nodulation while promoting the growth of the root system on the nodulation side. A comparative evaluation of the soybean plants cultivated with and without N supplementation revealed that N promoted the synthesis of signaling compounds, such as asparagine and trehalose, in nodules and inhibited flavonoid-associated metabolic pathways. Starch syntheis in nodules under long-term high-N was inhibited while the metabolism of organic acids was enhanced. Long-term indirect N supply also influenced pathways associated with amino acid metabolism and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway in the roots. Conclusion: The different response metabolic pathways of roots and nodules supported the different characteristics of soybean roots and nodules after indirect nitrogen supply. Additionally, the duration of nitrogen supply affects the regulatory pathway of nitrogen fixation of nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Legumes have evolved a nitrogen‐fixing symbiotic interaction with rhizobia, and this association helps them to cope with the limited nitrogen conditions in soil. The compatible interaction between the host plant and rhizobia leads to the formation of root nodules, wherein internalization and transition of rhizobia into their symbiotic form, termed bacteroids, occur. Rhizobia in the nodules of the Inverted Repeat‐Lacking Clade legumes, including Medicago truncatula, undergo terminal differentiation, resulting in elongated and endoreduplicated bacteroids. This transition of endocytosed rhizobia is mediated by a large gene family of host‐produced nodule‐specific cysteine‐rich (NCR) peptides in M. truncatula. Few NCRs have been recently found to be essential for complete differentiation and persistence of bacteroids. Here, we show that a M. truncatula symbiotic mutant FN9285, defective in the complete transition of rhizobia, is deficient in a cluster of NCR genes. More specifically, we show that the loss of the duplicated genes NCR086 and NCR314 in the A17 genotype, found in a single copy in Medicago littoralis R108, is responsible for the ineffective symbiotic phenotype of FN9285. The NCR086 and NCR314 gene pair encodes the same mature peptide but their transcriptional activity varies considerably. Nevertheless, both genes can restore the effective symbiosis in FN9285 indicating that their complementation ability does not depend on the strength of their expression activity. The identification of the NCR086/NCR314 peptide, essential for complete bacteroid differentiation, has extended the list of peptides, from a gene family of several hundred members, that are essential for effective nitrogen‐fixing symbiosis in M. truncatula. Significance Statement: Our results demonstrate the requirement of NCR086/NCR314, which are members of the nodule‐specific cysteine‐rich peptide family, for effective symbiotic interaction between Medicago truncatula and the tested rhizobia strains. The NCR086/NCR314 peptides are encoded by a highly similar gene pair in M. truncatula A17 that was duplicated following the separation of lines M. truncatula A17 and Medicago littoralis R108. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Gene innovation plays an essential role in trait evolution. Rhizobial symbioses, the most important N2‐fixing agent in agricultural systems that exists mainly in Leguminosae, is one of the most attractive evolution events. However, the gene innovations underlying Leguminosae root nodule symbiosis (RNS) remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the gene gain event in Leguminosae RNS evolution through comprehensive phylogenomic analyses. We revealed that Leguminosae‐gain genes were acquired by gene duplication and underwent a strong purifying selection. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses showed that the innovated genes were enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, particular downstream of chalcone synthase (CHS). Among them, Leguminosae‐gain type Ⅱ chalcone isomerase (CHI) could be further divided into CHI1A and CHI1B clades, which resulted from the products of tandem duplication. Furthermore, the duplicated CHI genes exhibited exon–intron structural divergences evolved through exon/intron gain/loss and insertion/deletion. Knocking down CHI1B significantly reduced nodulation in Glycine max (soybean) and Medicago truncatula; whereas, knocking down its duplication gene CHI1A had no effect on nodulation. Therefore, Leguminosae‐gain type Ⅱ CHI participated in RNS and the duplicated CHI1A and CHI1B genes exhibited RNS functional divergence. This study provides functional insights into Leguminosae‐gain genetic innovation and sub‐functionalization after gene duplication that contribute to the evolution and adaptation of RNS in Leguminosae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Quantifying the phylogenetic diversity of temperate trees is essential for understanding the processes that have shaped the modern distribution of temperate broadleaf forest and other major forest biomes. Here, we focus on Fagales, an iconic member of forests worldwide, to uncover global diversity and endemism patterns and investigate the distribution of root nodule symbiosis (RNS), an important morphological specialisation in this clade, as a key factor behind these patterns. Location: Global. Taxon: Fagales. Methods: We combined phylogenetic data covering 60.2% of living species, fine‐scale distribution models covering 90% of species, and nodulation data covering all species to investigate the distribution of species richness and phylogenetic diversity at fine spatial scales compared to the distribution of RNS. We identify abiotic environmental factors associated with RNS and with Fagales diversity in general. Results: We find the highest species richness in temperate east Asia, eastern North America, and equatorial montane regions of Asia and Central America. By contrast, relative phylogenetic diversity (RPD) is highest at higher latitudes, where RNS also predominates. We found a strong spatial structuring of regionalisations of Fagales floras, reflecting distinct Northern and Southern Hemisphere floras (except a unique Afro‐Boreal region), each with distinct RNS‐environment relationships. Main Conclusions: Although species richness and phylogenetic regionalisation for Fagales accord well with traditional biogeographic concepts for temperate forests, this is not the case for RPD. RNS is almost universal in the highest RPD regions, which may reflect ecological filtering promoting RNS in these regions. Our results highlight the utility of global‐scale, clade‐specific spatial phylogenetics and its utility for understanding drivers of diversity in species‐rich clades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restoring native plant species on degraded landscapes is challenging. Symbiotic partners in the plant rhizosphere can aid in nutrient acquisition, pathogen protection, stress tolerance, and many other processes. However, these microbes are often absent in altered landscapes and need to be re-integrated to improve restoration efforts. We evaluated, within a laboratory setting, the ability of commercial and indigenous rhizobia strains to form nodules on lupine species used for rangeland seedings in the Great Basin region of the Western United States and ascertained if these strains could be applied through a seed coating. We also evaluated if a compost amendment applied via seed coating could further enhance the performance of the rhizobia strains. Our analysis showed that successful nodulation could occur using commercial and wildland-collected indigenous strains through either a liquid culture applied to seedlings or as a dry seed coating. However, the number of root nodules and the presence of a pink color (indicating nitrogen fixation) were typically higher in the commercial product than in the indigenous strains. Compost did not improve nodulation or the performance of the nodules; however, this treatment alone improved shoot growth. Overall, these results suggest that commercial rhizobium may be more effective in improving plant growth, and future research with native rhizobia may want to consider identifying strains compatible with seed-coating delivery. Longer-term studies are now merited for assessing how the rhizobia strains evaluated in this study influence plant growth, particularly in a field setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legumes acquire nitrogen-fixing ability by forming root nodules. Transferring this capability to more crops could reduce our reliance on nitrogen fertilizers, thereby decreasing environmental pollution and agricultural production costs. Nodule organogenesis is complex, and a comprehensive transcriptomic atlas is crucial for understanding the underlying molecular events. Here, we utilized spatial transcriptomics to investigate the development of nodules in the model legume, Lotus japonicus. Our investigation has identified the developmental trajectories of two critical regions within the nodule: the infection zone and peripheral tissues. We reveal the underlying biological processes and provide gene sets to achieve symbiosis and material exchange, two essential aspects of nodulation. Among the candidate regulatory genes, we illustrate that LjNLP3, a transcription factor belonging to the NIN-LIKE PROTEIN family, orchestrates the transition of nodules from the differentiation to maturation. In summary, our research advances our understanding of nodule organogenesis and provides valuable data for developing symbiotic nitrogen-fixing crops. Legumes develop root nodules to access nitrogen. A spatial transcriptomic analysis of Lotus japonicus uncovered key molecular mechanisms and genes involved in nodule development, promoting the creation of novel nitrogen-fixing crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host plants benefit from legume root nodule symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria under nitrogen-limiting conditions. In this interaction, the hosts must regulate nodule numbers and distribution patterns to control the degree of symbiosis and maintain root growth functions. The host response to symbiotic bacteria occurs discontinuously but repeatedly at the region behind the tip of the growing roots. Here, live-imaging and transcriptome analyses revealed oscillating host gene expression with approximately 6-hour intervals upon bacterial inoculation. Cytokinin response also exhibited a similar oscillation pattern. Cytokinin signaling is crucial to maintaining the periodicity, as observed in cytokinin receptor mutants displaying altered infection foci distribution. This periodic regulation influences the size of the root region responsive to bacteria, as well as the nodulation process progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Samples classified as indeterminate correspond to 10-20% of cytologies obtained by fine needle biopsy of thyroid nodules, preventing an adequate distinction between benign and malignant lesions and leading to diagnostic thyroidectomies that often prove unnecessary, as most cases are benign. Furthermore, although the vastmajority of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) have such a good prognosis that active surveillance is permitted as an initial therapeutic option, relapses are not rare, and a non-negligible number of patients experience poor outcomes. MicroRNAs(miR)emergeaspotentialbio markers capable of helping to define more precise management of patients in all these situations. Methods: Aiming to investigate the clinical utility of miR-146b-5p in the diagnostic of thyroid nodules and evaluating its prognostic potential in a realworld setting, we studied 89 thyroid nodule samples, correlating miR-146b-5p expression with clinical tools such as the 8th edition from the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC/UICC) and the American Thyroid Association Guideline Stratification Systems for the rate of recurrence (RR). Results: miR-146b-5p expression levels distinguished benign from malignant thyroid FNA samples (p< 0.0001). For indeterminate nodules, overexpression of miR-146b-5p with a cut-off of 0.497 was able to diagnose malignancy with a 90% accuracy; specificity=87.5%; sensitivity=100%. An increased expression of miR-146b-5p was associated with greater RR (p=0.015). A cut-off of 2.21 identified cases with more vascular involvement (p=0.013) and a cut-off of 2.420 was associated with a more advanced TNM stage (p-value=0.047). Discussion: We demonstrated that miR-146b5p expression in FNA samples is able to differentiate benign frommalignant indeterminate nodules and is associatedwith an increased risk of recurrence andmortality, suggesting that this single miRNAmay be a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker in the personalized management of DTC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legumes perform symbiotic nitrogen fixation through rhizobial bacteroids housed in specialised root nodules. The biochemical process is energy‐intensive and consumes a huge carbon source to generate sufficient reducing power. To maintain the symbiosis, malate is supplied by legume nodules to bacteroids as their major carbon and energy source in return for ammonium ions and nitrogenous compounds. To sustain the carbon supply to bacteroids, nodule cells undergo drastic reorganisation of carbon metabolism. Here, a comprehensive quantitative comparison of the mitochondrial proteomes between root nodules and uninoculated roots was performed using data‐independent acquisition proteomics, revealing the modulations in nodule mitochondrial proteins and pathways in response to carbon reallocation. Corroborated our findings with that from the literature, we believe nodules preferably allocate cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvates towards malate synthesis in lieu of pyruvate synthesis, and nodule mitochondria prefer malate over pyruvate as the primary source of NADH for ATP production. Moreover, the differential regulation of respiratory chain‐associated proteins suggests that nodule mitochondria could enhance the efficiencies of complexes I and IV for ATP synthesis. This study highlighted a quantitative proteomic view of the mitochondrial adaptation in soybean nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the role of LysM receptors, specifically LYS6 and LYS7, in regulating arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) in Lotus japonicus. AM is a beneficial interaction between plants and fungi that aids in nutrient exchange. The study found that LYS7 is upregulated in roots infected with AM fungi, suggesting its involvement in AM. Mutants lacking LYS6 and LYS7 showed reduced colonization and arbuscule formation by AM fungi, highlighting the importance of these receptors in AM regulation. The study also revealed that LYS6 is involved in the expression of AM-induced genes and the induction of calcium spiking. Overall, LYS6 and LYS7, along with their downstream signaling pathways, are crucial for the initial response to AM in Lotus japonicus. [Extracted from the article]

Biological nitrogen fixation in legume plants depends on the diversity of rhizobia present in the soil. Rhizobial strains exhibit specificity towards host plants and vary in their capacity to fix nitrogen. The increasing interest in rhizobia diversity has prompted studies of their phylogenetic relations. Molecular identification of Rhizobium is quite complex, requiring multiple gene markers to be analysed to distinguish strains at the species level or to predict their host plant. In this research, 50 rhizobia isolates were obtained from the root nodules of five different Pisum sativum L. genotypes ("Bagoo", "Respect", "Astronaute", "Lina DS", and "Egle DS"). All genotypes were growing in the same field, where ecological farming practices were applied, and no commercial rhizobia inoculants were used. The influence of rhizobial isolates on pea root nodulation and dry biomass accumulation was determined. 16S rRNA gene, two housekeeping genes recA and atpD, and symbiotic gene nodC were analysed to characterize rhizobia population. The phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that 46 isolates were linked to Rhizobium leguminosarum; species complex 1 isolate was identified as Rhizobium nepotum, and the remaining 3 isolates belonged to Rahnella spp., Paenarthrobacter spp., and Peribacillus spp. genera. RecA and atpD gene analysis showed that the 46 isolates identified as R. leguminosarum clustered into three genospecies groups (B), (E) and (K). Isolates that had the highest influence on plant dry biomass accumulation clustered into the (B) group. NodC gene phylogenetic analysis clustered 46 R. leguminosarum isolates into 10 groups, and all isolates were assigned to the R. leguminosarum sv. viciae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is demonstrated to trigger the systemic immune response of the organism and facilitate the treatment of metastatic tumors. However, SDT‐mediated neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation can promote tumor cell spread, thus weakening the therapeutic effectiveness of metastatic tumors. Herein, the amorphous CoW‐layered double hydroxide (a‐CoW‐LDH) nanosheets are functionalized with a peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) inhibitor, i.e., YW3‐56, to construct a multifunctional nanoagent (a‐LDH@356) for synergistic SDT/immunotherapy. Specifically, a‐CoW‐LDH nanosheets can act as a sonosensitizer to generate abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS) under US irradiation. After loading with YW3‐56, a‐LDH@356 plus US irradiation not only effectively induces ROS generation and immunogenic cell death, but also inhibits the elevation of citrullinated histone H3 (H3cit) and the release of NETs, enabling a synergistic enhancement of anti‐tumor metastasis effect. Using 4T1 tumor model, it is demonstrated that combining a‐CoW‐LDH with YW3‐56 stimulates an anti‐tumor response by upregulating the proportion of immune‐activated cells and inducing polarization of M1 macrophages, and inhibits immune escape by downregulating the expression of PD‐1 on immune cells under US irradiation, which not only arrests primary tumor progression with a tumor inhibition rate of 69.5% but also prevents tumor metastasis with the least number of lung metastatic nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considerable attention has been directed towards exploring the potential efficacy of miR-155 in the realm of cancer immunotherapy. Elevated levels of miR-155 in dendritic cells (DCs) have been shown to enhance their maturation, migration, cytokine secretion, and their ability to promote T cell activation. In addition, overexpression of mir155 in M2 macrophages boost the polarization towards the M1 phenotype. Conversely, miR-155 has the propensity to induce the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells like regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the tumor tissue. To account for this discrepancy, it is imperative to get help from a drug that could deal with immunosuppressive effect. Curcumin (CUR) exhibits the capacity to prompt Tregs converse into T helper 1 cells, fostering the polarization of M2 tumor-associated macrophage towards the M1 phenotype, and impeding the recruitment and aggregation of MDSCs within the tumor microenvironment. Nonetheless, CUR is known to exert an immunosuppressive impact on DCs by hindering the expression of maturation markers, cytokines, and chemokines, thereby prevent DCs response to immunostimulatory agents. Hence, a reactive oxygen species/glutathione dual responsive drug conveyance platform (CUR/miR155@DssD-Hb NPs) was devised to co-deliver CUR and miR155, with the aim of exploring their synergistic potential in bolstering a sustained and robust anti-tumor immune response. In vitro and in vivo results have suggested that CUR/miR155@DssD-Hb NPs can effectively inhibit the viability of 4T1 and B16F10 tumor cells, trigger the release of damage associated molecular patterns, stimulate DCs maturation, subsequent activation of CD8+ T cells, diminish immunosuppressive cell populations (MDSCs, Tregs, M2 TAMs and exhausted T cells), promote the formation of long-term immunity and lessen the formation of metastatic nodules in the lungs. In summary, the co-delivery system integrating CUR and miR155 (CUR/miR155@DssD-Hb NPs) demonstrates promise as a promising strategy for the immunotherapy of melanoma and triple negative breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite nodules is a key clinical characteristic which has prognostic value of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, there is no gene-level predictive model for Satellite nodules in liver cancer. For the 377 HCC cases collected from the dataset of Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), their original pathological data were analyzed to extract information regarding satellite nodules status as well as other relevant pathological data. Then, this study employed statistical modeling for prognostic model establishment in TCGA, and validation in International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) cohorts and GSE76427. Through rigorous statistical analyses, 253 differential satellite nodules-related genes (SNRGs) were identified, and four key genes related to satellite nodules and prognosis were selected to construct a prognostic model. The high-risk group predicted by our model exhibited an unfavorable overall survival (OS) outlook and demonstrated an association with adverse worse clinical characteristics such as larger tumor size, higher alpha-fetoprotein, microvascular invasion and advanced stage. Moreover, the validation of the model's prognostic value in the ICGC and GSE76427 cohorts mirrored that of the TCGA cohort. Besides, the high-risk group also showed higher levels of resting Dendritic cells, M0 macrophages infiltration, alongside decreased levels of CD8+ T cells and γδT cells infiltration. The prognostic model based on SNRGs can reliability predict the OS of HCC and is likely to have predictive value of immunotherapy for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mungbean (Vigna radiata) has gained increasing significance as a crucial grain legume in Nepal's tropical and sub-tropical regions due to its short growth cycle and soil fertility enhancement properties. This research was conducted at Agronomy farm of Lamjung campus, to assess how mungbean performs under varying row spacing and Npk fertilizer levels. The study employed two-factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with three row spacing levels (20 cm, 25 cm, and 30 cm) and three NPK fertilizer doses (10:10:10, 20:20:20, and 30:30:30 kg NPK/ha) as treatments. The investigation explored phenological and yield attributing parameters. Interestingly, the outcomes showed that row spacing had negligible impact on root growth attributes, including root length and nodule formation. However, root nodule number increased with higher NPK fertilizer levels, particularly notable with the application of (30:30:30) kg NPK/ha, resulting in the highest nodules per plant (140.40), while the lowest nodules (91.35) were observed with (10:10:10) kg NPK/ha. Vital traits like plant height, branch and leaf counts, pod set, pod length, and seed weight were unresponsive to both NPK doses and row spacing levels. In contrast, grain yield exhibited a substantial increase with NPK fertilizer application, with the highest yield (1263.55 kg/ha) achieved with (30:30:30) kg NPK/ha and the lowest (929.27 kg/ha) with (10:10:10) kg NPK/ha. Therefore, this study shows strong correlations, especially between root nodules and grain yield, emphasized key links. NPK doses impacted vital root nodules for nitrogen fixation and suggests dense planting of Pratikshya mung beans with increased NPK fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nodular chromite ore deposits are found in ophiolites and crop out in structures interpreted as former dykes. Most of them are transposed parallel to the plastic foliation of the host peridotite. Many studies have been conducted in order to decipher the origin and evolution of nodular chromite but the outstanding lack of consensus paves the way for an integrated field, geochemical and microstructural approach to be carried out. We sampled the well-characterized Maqsad chromitite dyke that crops out at the top of the mantle–crust dunitic transition zone in the Oman ophiolite and that was not affected by transposition. The spectacular variations in nodule size and texture and their distribution within the dyke have been perfectly preserved which is a rather unique situation. We selected about 40 nodules representative of the shapes and size variability of this ore deposit. Nodules have been classified in three categories: Type-1 nodules are large skeletal chromite grains associated with amphibole and olivine filling their former porosity; Type-3 nodules have a central nucleus of chromite/silicate surrounded by a mantle of close-packed chromite grains. Their shape is best described as almond-like, and they may reach 3 cm in length; Type-2 includes all of the intermediate nodules shapes and sizes between type-1 and type-3 varieties. Electron Probe MicroAnalyser (EPMA) transects and maps show that mineral chemical variations in type-1 nodules and in the nuclei of type-2 and type-3 nodules record out of equilibrium crystal growth. They exhibit high XCr and relatively low-TiO2 and likely resulted from transient interactions between hydrothermal fluids and basaltic melts. Contrary to type-1 and nuclei, the mantles of type-2 and -3 nodules have lower Cr2O3 contents, decreasing toward the nodule edges. They are richer in TiO2 than type-1 nodules but concentration patterns of this element along edge to edge transects are quite variable. The chromite mantles of type-2 and -3 are best understood as the fractional crystallization products of a parent melt of type-1 nodules in different pFluids and/or redox conditions. The analysis of the distribution of the misorientation axis between the skeletal grains and the adjacent chromite grains in the mantle (N  = 222 in 28 nodules) revealed a clustering around a [111] axis across the whole range of misorientation angles. Accordingly, we suggest that the growth of the Maqsad nodules is achieved by accretion of finer euhedral chromite grains onto a skeletal chromite grain by juxtaposition of their flat crystal facets. Combined EDS-EBSD mapping together with EPMA transects revealed that a ~1-mm-thick rim of high XCr, displaying a homothetic shape to its corresponding nuclei, is a common feature in the mantle when the nodule sizes exceed about 1 cm. We interpret this observation as the result of the accretion of grains with higher XCr compositions during the nodule construction. Overall, our new study of the Maqsad nodular chromitite highlights the peculiar and transient conditions needed to give rise to the textural and chemical complexity that is preserved in these enigmatic rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In root nodule symbioses (RNS) between nitrogen (N)‐fixing bacteria and plants, bacterial symbionts cycle between nodule‐inhabiting and soil‐inhabiting niches that exert differential selection pressures on bacterial traits. Little is known about how the resulting evolutionary tension between host plants and symbiotic bacteria structures naturally occurring bacterial assemblages in soils. We used DNA cloning to examine soil‐dwelling assemblages of the actinorhizal symbiont Frankia in sites with long‐term stable assemblages in Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia nodules. We compared: (1) phylogenetic diversity of Frankia in soil versus nodules, (2) change in Frankia assemblages in soil versus nodules in response to environmental variation: both across succession, and in response to long‐term fertilization with N and phosphorus, and (3) soil assemblages in the presence and absence of host plants. Phylogenetic diversity was much greater in soil‐dwelling than nodule‐dwelling assemblages and fell into two large clades not previously observed. The presence of host plants was associated with enhanced representation of genotypes specific to A. tenuifolia, and decreased representation of genotypes specific to a second Alnus species. The relative proportion of symbiotic sequence groups across a primary chronosequence was similar in both soil and nodule assemblages. Contrary to expectations, both N and P enhanced symbiotic genotypes relative to non‐symbiotic ones. Our results provide a rare set of field observations against which predictions from theoretical and experimental work in the evolutionary ecology of RNS can be compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil, the world's largest soybean producer, owes its success to the cultivation of glyphosate-resistant (GR) cultivars. However, the soybean yields lag behind those obtained in areas managed for high productivity. Glyphosate-induced hormesis holds promise for increasing crop yields, but the potential evolution of resistance in certain weed species poses a challenge to foliar applications under field conditions. This study assessed the effects of a hormesis-inducing glyphosate dose [90 g acid equivalent (ae) ha−1] on the agronomic characteristics and yield of four GR soybean cultivars. The evaluation was conducted in field settings across various Brazilian locations, considering foliar, seed, and seed + foliar treatments. The results showed variations in dry mass, root nodules, nutrient composition, plant height, pods, and yield, primarily influenced by environmental conditions, soil quality, and, ultimately, the interaction between GR cultivars and treatments. Total dry mass consistently increased with glyphosate, with seed and seed + foliar treatments showing the most substantial increases (7–21%). All three treatments increased nodulation by up to 36% across locations and cultivars, with seed + foliar treatment causing notable increases in nodule dry mass (up to 56%), followed by seed treatment (41%). Nutrient composition, especially for N, P, Br, and Fe, displayed location-dependent variations. Plant height varied among locations and cultivars, with minimal differences between treatments. Glyphosate treatments increased pod numbers (10 to 35%) and yields (11 to 42%) of soybean in seed and seed + foliar treatments. The findings highlight the potential of glyphosate hormesis as a viable tool for improving yields of GR soybean cultivars at the field level. However, the extent of benefits depends on the agronomic conditions of location, choice of cultivars, and herbicide application method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The symbiotic nitrogen fixation between rhizobia and peanuts offers an advantage in reducing nitrogen fertilizer inputs, decreasing the incidence rate of peanuts, and enhancing soil fertility. Inoculating rhizobia agent is an effective pathway to improve both the quality and yield of peanuts, contributing to food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This study conducted a one-year field experiment in a subtropical humid monsoon climate area in Southeast China to investigate the effects of rhizobia agents on the growth and crop yield of four peanut varieties (i.e., Taihua No.4, No.6, No.8, and No.10). Our research showed that inoculation with rhizobia agent can increase the plant height, lateral branch length, fresh root weight, and leaf area of the four peanut varieties. Meanwhile, inoculation with a rhizobia agent can significantly (p < 0.05) increase the ~50% number of root nodules. Especially for the early-maturing and drought-resistant variety, Taihua No.4 exhibited the highest number of nodules and peanut fruits per plant in the pod-setting stage after inoculation with rhizobia agent, i.e., 24.5 and 18.0, respectively. Under the conventional fertilization conditions (N-P2O5-K2O 15-15-15, 450 kg/hm2), Taihua No.4 and No.6 inoculated with rhizobia agent achieved higher yield increase rates of 11.0% and 11.6% compared to other peanut varieties. This study indicated that the Taihua No.4 and No.6 are the most suitable peanut varieties for rhizobia inoculation and promotion, with enormous potential for yield increase. Meanwhile, optimizing rhizobia inoculation techniques and evaluating soil health status, economic benefits of peanuts, and applicable regions should be explored in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soybean (Glycine max. L. Merr) can satisfy a large portion of its requirement for nitrogen (N) by living in symbiosis with symbiotic bacteria. However, this source of N may be inadequate in varieties with high yield potential. To fully exploit this potential, soybeans should additionally utilize mineral forms of nitrogen present in the soil. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of varied nitrogen fertilizer application rates on the dry weight of the separated parts of soybean plants and the whole plant, including the number and weight of root nodules, the potential to reduce atmospheric nitrogen (N2), and the content and uptake of nitrogen. Four levels of pre-sowing nitrogen fertilizer supply were tested: 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg N·ha−1. Measurements of the tested parameters were taken during the flowering stage and the fully ripe stage. During the flowering stage, a reduction in the number of root nodules was observed following the application of 120 and 180 kg N·ha−1. In the fully ripe stage, each increase in nitrogen application caused a systematic decrease in the number of nodules on the roots. Increasing the level of nitrogen application therefore reduced the N2 fixation potential of soybeans, regardless of the developmental stage. The use of high doses of nitrogen in soybean cultivation did not increase seed yield or the weight of the entire plant. With high doses of nitrogen, the content and accumulation of nitrogen in soybean seeds and total mass did not increase. Therefore, the content and yield of crude protein did not increase. The main organ of nitrogen accumulation in the soybean flowering stage was the leaves (58.6–64.8% of total N uptake), however, in the fully ripe stage, it was the seeds (66.8–74.2% of total N uptake). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting the pilosebaceous unit, commonly presenting as comedones, papules, pustules, or nodules on the face, upper limbs, torso, and back, with comedones formation being the primary pathology leading to disfiguring inflammation, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and psychological impact. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of two genetic variants in the promoter region of the tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) gene and their association with insulin resistance (IR) in acne patients. To understand how these variants contribute to AV and its associated IR. Subjects and methods: An analytical cross‐sectional study with a case‐control design and research evaluation was carried out on 87 AV patients and 73 healthy volunteers. The medical histories of both groups were obtained, as well as the severity and duration of inflammation among acne sufferers, as well as demographic data. Biochemical analysis was performed on both sets of participants, including fasting blood glucose levels, insulin levels while fasting, IR, and serum TNF‐α. PCR‐RFLP analysis identified −863 G > A (rs1800630) and −308 G > A (rs1800629) variations, and real‐time PCR analysis evaluated TNF‐α gene expression in both patients and healthy people. Results: Acne patients exhibited significantly higher levels of IR, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, serum TNF‐α, and TNF‐α folding change, when compared to healthy controls. The co‐dominant model for −863 G > A and −308 G > A variants exhibited significant variations between the two groups. Severe acne patients who had the A/A genotype for −308 variants exhibited higher levels of IR, serum TNF‐α, and TNF‐α folding change. Highly significant positive linear correlation between IR, serum TNF‐α, and TNF‐α folding change in severe AV. Conclusion: There is a correlation between AV, especially severe acne, and the −863 G > A and −308 G > A polymorphism, which influences TNF‐α gene expression and serum TNF‐α levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Inoculation with climate-adapted rhizobia is able to increase legume productivity in drought-prone regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. Enhanced nodulation might additionally affect plant-soil interactions and control rhizosphere carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools. Methods: We investigated inoculation effects on nodulation and biological N2 fixation (BNF) of Vigna unguiculata and consequent effects on C and N pools in two Namibian soils. Three treatments (Bradyrhizobium sp.1–7 inoculant, non-inoculated, N-fertilised with 50 kg N ha−1) were applied in rhizoboxes at 45% and 20% maximum water holding capacity. Nodule development was photo-documented, and rhizobia-DNA sequences were identified. BNF was assessed by δ15N enrichment, and organic C and N pools were analysed in bulk and root adherent soil. Results: Plant growth initially enhanced mineral N losses from the rhizosphere at flowering stage (6 weeks growth), but led to a re-increase of N, and organic C contents after ripening (10 weeks). Inoculation had no effect on nodulation and soil C and N pools, indicating that both soils contained sufficient indigenous rhizobia to allow effective nodulation. However, the inoculant strain was more competitive in establishing itself in the root nodules, depending on the local conditions, showing a need for regional adjustment of inoculation strategies. Conclusion: Water stress was the main limitation for nodulation and, in combination with soil type, substantially affected rhizosphere and bulk soil C and N contents. The temporally enhanced rhizodeposition after ripening could be able to maintain soil C and N pools after legume cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The increase in frequency of freeze–thaw episodes with the diminution of snow cover protection due to climate change compromises the winter survival of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Symbiosis with cold-tolerant rhizobial strains can improve the ability of alfalfa to survive and grow under stressful conditions. Methods: Six strains of Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) meliloti were tested in combination with two alfalfa populations bred to differ in their levels of freezing tolerance. Plants of each different combination were grown for eight weeks in a growth chamber before being exposed to temperatures promoting their acclimation to cold. Plants were then exposed to a freezing stress (-11ºC) and regrown for three weeks. Shoot, root and nodule biomass were measured before cold acclimation and three weeks after the freezing stress. Results: After freezing stress, the alfalfa population A-TF7 had shoot and root biomasses that were respectively 19% and 15% larger than cultivar A-TF0. Alfalfa plants inoculated with strain NRG34 showed both a larger shoot biomass and a higher nodule dry weight than plants inoculated with any other strains. Assessment of freezing damages on nodules showed that plants inoculated with NRG34 had the largest proportion of undamaged nodules or of nodules with a regeneration zone. Conclusion: This study shows for the first time a relationship between nodule and shoot regrowth after a freezing stress, the latter being linked with the proportion of nodules showing less freezing damage. Our results demonstrated that both the choice of alfalfa populations and S. meliloti strains adapted to stress are complementary to increasing alfalfa persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of antibiotics in irrigation water is an emerging problem. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of irrigation using water-containing ciprofloxacin on alfalfa (Medicago sativa) nitrogen and carbon fixation, number of root nodules, root and stem length, and root and stem weight. A surface layer of soil from Piracicaba, Brazil, was used in controlled conditions. The soil pH was adjusted to neutral levels, and alfalfa (M. sativa) was grown. Seeds inoculated with Rhizobium sp. were distributed in 12 pots comprising three treatments employing three repetitions and three controls. The experiment was conducted in a plant growth chamber, where six irrigations were carried out with contaminated water with ciprofloxacin at 0, 1, 10, and 100 μg L−1 for 40 days. The presence of ciprofloxacin in irrigation water decreased carbon fixation in alfalfa leaves by up to 8.9%, reducing the number of root nodules by 96% at 100 μg L−1 and leading to their elongation. However, it had no significant effect on soil nitrogen and carbon, similarly in stem length and, finally, in root and stem biomass. This indicates the tolerance capacity of alfalfa to the tested concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecologically and economically vital symbiosis between nitrogen-fixing rhizobia and leguminous plants is often thought of as a bi-partite interaction, yet studies increasingly show the prevalence of non-rhizobial endophytes (NREs) that occupy nodules alongside rhizobia. Yet, what impact these NREs have on plant or rhizobium fitness remains unclear. Here, we investigated four NRE strains found to naturally co-occupy nodules of the legume Medicago truncatula alongside Sinorhizobium meliloti in native soils. Our objectives were to (1) examine the direct and indirect effects of NREs on M. truncatula and S. meliloti fitness, and (2) determine whether NREs can re-colonize root and nodule tissues upon reinoculation. We identified one NRE strain (522) as a novel Paenibacillus species, another strain (717A) as a novel Bacillus species, and the other two (702A and 733B) as novel Pseudomonas species. Additionally, we found that two NREs (Bacillus 717A and Pseudomonas 733B) reduced the fitness benefits obtained from symbiosis for both partners, while the other two (522, 702A) had little effect. Lastly, we found that NREs were able to co-infect host tissues alongside S. meliloti. This study demonstrates that variation of NREs present in natural populations must be considered to better understand legume–rhizobium dynamics in soil communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Medicago truncatula is a model legume for fundamental research on legume biology and symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Tnt1, a retrotransposon from tobacco, was used to generate insertion mutants in M. truncatula R108. Approximately 21 000 insertion lines have been generated and publicly available. Tnt1 retro‐transposition event occurs during somatic embryogenesis (SE), a pivotal process that triggers massive methylation changes. We studied the SE of M. truncatula R108 using leaf explants and explored the dynamic shifts in the methylation landscape from leaf explants to callus formation and finally embryogenesis. Higher cytosine methylation in all three contexts of CG, CHG, and CHH patterns was observed during SE compared to the controls. Higher methylation patterns were observed in assumed promoter regions (~2‐kb upstream regions of transcription start site) of the genes, while lowest was recorded in the untranslated regions. Differentially methylated promoter region analysis showed a higher CHH methylation in embryogenesis tissue samples when compared to CG and CHG methylation. Strong correlation (89.71%) was identified between the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and the site of Tnt1 insertions in M. truncatula R108 and stronger hypermethylation of genes correlated with higher number of Tnt1 insertions in all contexts of CG, CHG, and CHH methylation. Gene ontology enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis identified genes and pathways enriched in the signal peptide processing, ATP hydrolysis, RNA polymerase activity, transport, secondary metabolites, and nitrogen metabolism pathways. Combined gene expression analysis and methylation profiling showed an inverse relationship between methylation in the DMRs (regions spanning genes) and the expression of genes. Our results show that a dynamic shift in methylation happens during the SE process in the context of CG, CHH and CHG methylation, and the Tnt1 retrotransposition correlates with the hyperactive methylation regions. Significance Statement: Dynamic shift in methylation happens during the somatic embryogenesis process in Medicago truncatula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the role of a protein called VAPYRIN (VPY) in the process of rhizobial infection in legume plants. Rhizobial infection is necessary for legumes to fix nitrogen, and the study focuses on the specific amino acid Asp394 in VPY. The research found that Asp394 is crucial for the interaction between VPY and another protein called LIN, as well as for the localization and function of VPY during infection. The study suggests that Asp394 may play a significant role in the interaction between VPY and other components of the infectosome complex, but further research is needed to fully understand its function in plant-microbe interactions. [Extracted from the article]

Rhizobia are bacteria that symbiosis with host plant, as shown in the root nodules formation, and provide nitrogen that can be absorbed by plants in greater quantities than rhizobacteria. Available Nitrogen, which absorbed by plants, is the essential requirement for plant growth because its role in increasing yield and quality, hence it is needed in greater quantities than other nutrients. The study aimed to determine the macroscopic and microscopic diversity of rhizobia isolates from the groundnut nodules and their potential as PGPRs, and to identify 16S rRNA isolates with the best potential as PGPRs molecularly. The methods used were isolation from root nodules, screening of PGPR potential, molecular identification based on the 16S rRNA gene, and phylogenetic analysis to determine their kinship. Based on the isolation results, 17 Gram-negative isolates were obtained white to pink or orange color on AG media with various colony characteristics in terms of shape, margin, elevation, and texture. KT 20, which was selected as rhizobia isolate with the best potential as PGPR, has ammonium concentration of 23.12 ppm, synthesizes IAA with a concentration of 10.36 ppm, and phosphates solubilization activity, although its ability to synthesize proteases is low. The results of molecular identification of 16S rRNA showed that KT 20 belongs to the Rhizobium genus with a similarity of 99.48 % and bootstrap value of 96 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a case study of a rare type of ovarian tumor called Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor (SLCT). SLCTs are composed of Sertoli and Leydig cells and make up less than 0.5% of all ovarian tumors. The article describes the cytomorphologic features of an SLCT found in an uncommon metastatic site in a young female. The study highlights the importance of accurate cytologic diagnosis and clinical correlation in determining the prognosis and appropriate treatment for SLCTs. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are a family of transmembrane receptors that play key roles in identifying invading pathogens and activating innate immunity. TLR1 has been reported to be associated with the risk of gastric cancer (GC) but that was based on only a simple statistical analysis. Methods: We genotyped the TLR1 in 526 GC patients to investigate the association between the variation and gastric cancer survival by the multiplex polymerase chain reaction and sequencing method. The rs4833095 variation (chr4:38798089 [GRCh38. p14], T > C) in the TLR1 gene was genotyped in 526 patients who underwent GC resection. The associations between genotype, survival, and recurrence were investigated. The potential role of TLR1 in stomach cancer was investigated using clinical data from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue samples. Results: Patients with the T/C and C/C genotypes of rs4833095 had a lower risk of recurrence than those with the T/T genotype. Recurrence‐free periods were substantially longer in patients with the T/C or C/C genotypes (22.6 and 22.3 months, respectively) than in those with the T/T genotype (20.7 months). Patients with the T/C or C/C genotype, low expression levels of VEGF1, high expression levels of ERBB2 and ERCC1, the absence of cancer nodules, a tumor size of less than 5 cm, and poor differentiation had a considerably reduced risk of recurrence. Conclusions: TLR1 rs4833095 was correlated with the postresection prognosis of patients with gastric cancer, suggesting that TLR1 may have a role in the onset or progression of gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochars produced from different feedstocks and at different pyrolysis temperatures may have various chemical and physical properties, affecting their potential use as alternative microbial carrier materials. In this study, biochars were produced from pine wood and oak feedstocks at various temperatures (400°C, 500°C, 600°C, 700°C and 800°C), characterized, and assessed for their potential as carriers for Bradyrhizobium japonicum (CB1809) strain. The biochars were then stored at two different storage temperatures (28°C and 38°C) for up to 90 days. Furthermore, the study also explored the role of potentially ideal carriers as inoculants in the growth of Glycine max L. (soybean) under different moisture levels i.e., 55% water holding capacity (WHC) (D0), 30% WHC (D1) and, 15% WHC (D2) using a mixture of 50% garden soil and 50% sand. The results were compared to a control group (without inoculants) and a peat inoculant. Among all the materials derived from pine wood and oak, pine wood biochar pyrolyzed at 400℃ (P-BC400) exhibited the highest CFU count, with values of 10.34 and 9.74 Log 10 CFU g− 1 after 90 days of storage at 28℃ and 38℃, respectively. This was notably higher compared to other biochars and peat carriers. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in plant properties: shoot and root dry biomass (174% and 367%), shoot and root length (89% and 85%), number of leaves (71%), membrane stability index (27%), relative water content (26%), and total chlorophyll (140%) were observed in plants treated with P-BC400 carrier inoculant compared to the control at D2; however, lower enrichment of δ13C (37%) and δ15N (108%) with highest number of root nodules (8.3 ± 1.26) and nitrogenase activity (0.869 ± 0.04) were observed under D2, as evident through PCA analysis, showing more nitrogen (N) fixation and photosynthetic activity. Overall, this experiment concluded that biochar pyrolyzed at lower temperatures, especially P-BC400, was the most suitable candidate for rhizobial inoculum and promoted soybean growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) exhibit diverse applications, including antimicrobial, UV-blocking, and catalytic properties, due to their unique structure and properties. This study focused on the characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized from Juglans regia leaves and their application in mitigating the impact of simultaneous infection by Meloidogyne arenaria (root-knot nematode) and Macrophomina phaseolina (root-rot fungus) in cowpea plants. The characterization of ZnO NPs was carried out through various analytical techniques, including UV–visible spectrophotometry, Powder-XRD analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, and SEM-EDX analysis. The study confirmed the successful synthesis of ZnO NPs with a hexagonal wurtzite structure and exceptional purity. Under in vitro conditions, ZnO NPs exhibited significant nematicidal and antifungal activities. The mortality of M. arenaria juveniles increased with rising ZnO NP concentrations, and a similar trend was observed in the inhibition of M. phaseolina mycelial growth. SEM studies revealed physical damage to nematodes and structural distortions in fungal hyphae due to ZnO NP treatment. In infected cowpea plants, ZnO NPs significantly improved plant growth parameters, including plant length, fresh mass, and dry mass, especially at higher concentrations. Leghemoglobin content and the number of root nodules also increased after ZnO NP treatment. Additionally, ZnO NPs reduced gall formation and egg mass production by M. arenaria nematodes and effectively inhibited the growth of M. phaseolina in the roots. Furthermore, histochemical analyses demonstrated a reduction in oxidative stress, as indicated by decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation in ZnO NP-treated plants. These findings highlight the potential of green-synthesized ZnO NPs as an eco-friendly and effective solution to manage disease complex in cowpea caused by simultaneous nematode and fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macro-element for plants, and understanding the characteristics of the absorption and transport of P in crops is essential. The low availability of P restricts the growth, nitrogen fixation, and yield of soybean plants. In this research, the radioisotope 33P was supplied to the culture solution to trace the absorption and transport of P in nodulated soybean plants monitored using an imaging plate. The absorption rate of 33P was almost the same under the light and dark conditions. The absorption rate of 33P in the decapitated roots was near to that of the intact plants under light. These results indicate that the P absorption is not affected by evapotranspiration over a short time period. Conversely, the 33P transport from the roots to the shoot was significantly lower under dark conditions than it was under light conditions, although some 33P reached the top of the shoots under both the light and dark conditions. The transport of P to the shoots depends on the transpiration supplemented by the root pressure. The multiplication value of the 33P concentration in the xylem sap and transpiration rate was almost equivalent to the transport rate of 33P in the intact shoots. This value may be adaptable and used to estimate the transport rate of P for the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is highly efficient in the biological N2 fixation (BNF) process through the association of bacteria of the genus Bradyrhizobium in the root nodules of the plants. However, there are still doubts about the need to complement soybean N demand through N fertilization in high‐yield environments. In addition, the real impact of co‐inoculation of soybean with Azospirillum brasilense and Bradyrhizobium spp. is not yet clear in such environments. A field experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2021 with six soybean cropping seasons in a crop rotation scheme with black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb), maize (Zea mays L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under no‐till (NT) in Southern Brazil. Soybean seeds were co‐inoculated with A. brasilense (strains Ab‐V5 and Ab‐V6) shortly after inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, and different levels of N fertilization were used in top dressing at the start of pod formation (R3). Soybean nutritional status and grain yield were not benefited by co‐inoculation with A. brasilense. Since the increased inoculum rate of A. brasilense co‐inoculated with rhizobia in soybean compromised both N nutrition and grain yield, this practice should not be encouraged. There was no need to complement soybean N demand through N fertilization during the reproductive stage. Soybean achieved grain yields of 5.0–5.7 Mg ha−1 and, even so, there was no need to complement N demand through N fertilization. The results suggest that soybean N demand in a high‐yielding environment under NT could be satisfied exclusively through the optimization of BNF. Core Ideas: Benefits of co‐inoculation of soybean with Azospirillum brasilense are unclear.Late N fertilization in soybean is an unnecessary practice.Co‐inoculation and N fertilization did not improve soybean nutrition and yield.N fertilization for no‐till soybean production should not be encouraged.Increased inoculum rate of A. brasilense in soybean should not be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During symbiosis, C that rhizobia respire to power N fixation can be stored as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), shown to support rhizobia survival under laboratory starvation. We collected soil in 2015 from four replicate plots per treatment in two long‐term experiments at Waseca, MN. Treatments differed in the intervals between soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] hosts. We measured PHB accumulation in eight nodules per plant from four soybean (cv. MN0095) trap plants per soil sample. Trap plants were arranged in a greenhouse, common‐garden experiment, and PHB accumulation was measured using flow cytometry. Treatments sampled after long intervals without soybean (greater than 2 years) showed a greater relative abundance of high‐PHB strains. Treatments sampled after the first year of soybean following 5 years of a non‐host crop showed a decreased relative abundance of high‐PHB strains, compared to treatments sampled after long intervals without soybean. The latter result is consistent with the hypothesis (not tested directly here) that some high‐PHB strains were "sanctioned" by plants as less beneficial. Our results suggest that rhizobia strains with the tendency to allocate more C to N fixation at the expense of PHB accumulation may be less likely to persist where soybean is grown infrequently or where soil conditions make PHB particularly valuable. However, with typical 2‐year rotations in Minnesota, differences in PHB storage are unlikely to have a major effect on the relative survival of strains. Core Ideas: By supporting their more beneficial root nodules, soybeans may enrich the soil with better rhizobia.To benefit future crops, these more beneficial rhizobia strains must survive in soil between soybean crops.We found that strains that hoard more of the lipid, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), survive longer in the field.Hoarding more PHB could divert carbon from nitrogen fixation, a possible tradeoff.But differences in strain survival mainly occurred beyond the usual 2‐year gap between soybean crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 635 nm diode laser with different powers on undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells obtained from buccal fat pad. Human buccal fat stem cells were cultured in DMEM containing 10% FBS, penicillin, and streptomycin under 5% CO2 and 95% humidity. Cells were cultured in 96‐well plate and 24 h later, laser irradiation with 635 nm diode laser was performed in four groups of 200, 300, 400, and 500 mW powers in addition to the control group with the same energy density of 4 J/cm2. MTT and flow cytometry assay was performed to evaluate cell proliferation and viability on 2 and 4 days after irradiation. Alizarin red assay and real‐time PCR (OPN, OCN, ALP, and RUNX‐2 genes) was performed to evaluate osteogenic differentiation. According to the MTT assay, none of the mentioned powers of 635 nm diode laser had significant effect on cell proliferation. Cells irradiated with power of 400 mW and 500 mW significantly showed a greater number of necrotic cells compared to the control group in Day 4. Cells irradiated with 300 mW power significantly exhibited a greater amount of nodule formation compared to all groups. Results of this study indicated that 635 nm diode laser with energy density of 4 J/cm2 has a positive effect inducing osteogenic differentiation when applying with a power of 300 mW in buccal fat pad mesenchymal stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Legume plants develop two types of root postembryonic organs, lateral roots and symbiotic nodules, using shared regulatory components. The module composed by the microRNA390, the Trans‐Acting SIRNA3 (TAS3) RNA and the Auxin Response Factors (ARF)2, ARF3, and ARF4 (miR390/TAS3/ARFs) mediates the control of both lateral roots and symbiotic nodules in legumes.Here, a transcriptomic approach identified a member of the Lateral Organ Boundaries Domain (LBD) family of transcription factors in Medicago truncatula, designated MtLBD17/29a, which is regulated by the miR390/TAS3/ARFs module. ChIP‐PCR experiments evidenced that MtARF2 binds to an Auxin Response Element present in the MtLBD17/29a promoter. MtLBD17/29a is expressed in root meristems, lateral root primordia, and noninfected cells of symbiotic nodules.Knockdown of MtLBD17/29a reduced the length of primary and lateral roots and enhanced lateral root formation, whereas overexpression of MtLBD17/29a produced the opposite phenotype. Interestingly, both knockdown and overexpression of MtLBD17/29a reduced nodule number and infection events and impaired the induction of the symbiotic genes Nodulation Signaling Pathway (NSP) 1 and 2.Our results demonstrate that MtLBD17/29a is regulated by the miR390/TAS3/ARFs module and a direct target of MtARF2, revealing a new lateral root regulatory hub recruited by legumes to act in the root nodule symbiotic program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The legume-rhizobium symbiosis represents a unique model within the realm of plant-microbe interactions. Unlike typical cases of pathogenic invasion, the infection of rhizobia and their residence within symbiotic cells do not elicit a noticeable immune response in plants. Nevertheless, there is still much to uncover regarding the mechanisms through which plant immunity influences rhizobial symbiosis. In this study, we identify an important player in this intricate interplay: Lotus japonicus PRP1, which serves as a positive regulator of plant immunity but also exhibits the capacity to decrease rhizobial colonization and nitrogen fixation within nodules. The PRP1 gene encodes an uncharacterized protein and is named Pathogenesis-Related Protein1, owing to its orthologue in Arabidopsis thaliana , a pathogenesis-related family protein (At1g78780). The PRP1 gene displays high expression levels in nodules compared to other tissues. We observed an increase in rhizobium infection in the L. japonicus prp1 mutants, whereas PRP1 -overexpressing plants exhibited a reduction in rhizobium infection compared to control plants. Intriguingly, L. japonicus prp1 mutants produced nodules with a pinker colour compared to wild-type controls, accompanied by elevated levels of leghaemoglobin and an increased proportion of infected cells within the prp1 nodules. The transcription factor Nodule Inception (NIN) can directly bind to the PRP1 promoter, activating PRP1 gene expression. Furthermore, we found that PRP1 is a positive mediator of innate immunity in plants. In summary, our study provides clear evidence of the intricate relationship between plant immunity and symbiosis. PRP1, acting as a positive regulator of plant immunity, simultaneously exerts suppressive effects on rhizobial infection and colonization within nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many insects selectively associate with specific microbes in long-term, symbiotic relationships. Maintaining these associations can be vital for the insect hosts' development, but insects must also contend with potential coinfections from other microbes in the environment. Fending off microbial threats while maintaining mutualistic microbes has resulted in many insects developing specialized symbiotic organs to house beneficial microbes. Though locally concentrated in these organs, symbiont establishment can have global consequences for the insect, including influence over the success of coinfecting microbes in colonizing the insect host. We use a transcriptomic approach to examine how the mutualistic symbiosis between the agricultural pest Anasa tristis and bacteria in the genus Caballeronia affects insect gene expression locally within the symbiotic organs and in the insect host at large. We simultaneously determine whether Caballeronia colonization impacts insect host responses to infection with the plant pathogen Serratia marcescens, which it vectors to plants. We found that no significant differential gene expression was elicited by infection with S. marcescens. This was a surprising finding given previous work indicating that symbiotic A. tristis clear S. marcescens infection rapidly compared to aposymbiotic individuals. Our results indicate that symbiotic and nonsymbiotic tissues in A. tristis differ greatly in their gene expression, particularly following successful symbiont colonization. We found evidence for local downregulation of host immunity and upregulation of cell communication within the symbiotic organs, functions which can facilitate the success of the A. tristis-Caballeronia symbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legumes house nitrogen-fixing endosymbiotic rhizobia in specialised polyploid cells within root nodules. This results in a mutualistic relationship whereby the plant host receives fixed nitrogen from the bacteria in exchange for dicarboxylic acids. This plantmicrobe interaction requires the regulation of multiple metabolic and physiological processes in both the host and symbiont in order to achieve highly efficient symbiosis. Recent studies have showed that the success of symbiosis is influenced by the circadian clock of the plant host. Medicago and soybean plants with altered clock mechanisms showed compromised nodulation and reduced plant growth. Furthermore, transcriptomic analyses revealed that multiple genes with key roles in recruitment of rhizobia to plant roots, infection and nodule development were under circadian control, suggesting that appropriate timing of expression of these genes may be important for nodulation. There is also evidence for rhythmic gene expression of key nitrogen fixation genes in the rhizobium symbiont, and temporal coordination between nitrogen fixation in the bacterial symbiont and nitrogen assimilation in the plant host may be important for successful symbiosis. Understanding of how circadian regulation impacts on nodule establishment and function will identify key plant-rhizobial connections and regulators that could be targeted to increase the efficiency of this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative therapies associating natural products and nanobiotechnology show new perspectives on controlled drug release. In this context, nanoemulsions (NEs) present promising results for their structural design and properties. Hesperetin (HT), a flavonoid mainly found in citrus fruits, presents highlighted bone benefits. In this context, we developed a hesperetin-loaded nanoemulsion (HT-NE) by sonication method and characterized it by dynamic light scattering, analyzing its encapsulation efficiency, and cumulative release. The biocompatibility in human osteoblasts Saos-2-like was evaluated by the cytotoxicity assay and IC50. Then, the effects of the HT-NE on osteogenesis were evaluated by the cellular proliferation, calcium nodule formation, bone regulators gene expression, collagen quantification, and alkaline phosphatase activity. The results showed that the formulation presented ideal values of droplet size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential, and the encapsulation efficiency was 74.07 ± 5.33%, showing a gradual and controlled release. Finally, HT-NE was shown to be biocompatible and increased cellular proliferation, and calcium nodule formation, regulated the expression of Runx2, ALPL, and TGF-β genes, and increased the collagen formation and alkaline phosphatase activity. Therefore, the formulation of this NE encapsulated the HT appropriately, allowing the increasing of its effects on mechanisms to improve or accelerate the osteogenesis process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In the process of symbiosis, ΔcopG1 in the type IV secretion system (T4SS) demonstrated the ability to invade root cells but was unable to survive and multiply within root cells. Conversely, traG1 and virD21 were found to be essential in the early stages of nodule formation. Intriguingly, copG1 is required for nod gene expression and acts as a repressor of T4SS genes. Moreover, the absence of copG1 results in certain proteins not being produced, especially T3SS (nopX and nopP) and C4-dicarboxylic acid (dct), which affects the symbiosis between Bradyrhizobium sp. SUTN9-2 and legumes. These findings support the hypothesis that the copG1 gene may serve as a new regulator of the symbiotic process. The symbiotic interaction between leguminous and Bradyrhizobium sp. SUTN9-2 mainly relies on the nodulation process through Nod factors (NFs), while the type IV secretion system (T4SS) acts as an alternative pathway in this symbiosis. Two copies of T4SS (T4SS1 and T4SS2) are located on the chromosome of SUTN9-2. ΔT4SS1 reduces both nodule number and nitrogenase activity in all SUTN9-2 nodulating legumes. The functions of three selected genes (copG1, traG1, and virD21) within the region of T4SS1 were examined. We generated deleted mutants and tested them in Vigna radiata cv. SUT4. ΔtraG1 and ΔvirD21 exhibited lower invasion efficiency at the early stages of root infection but could be recently restored. In contrast, ΔcopG1 completely hindered nodule organogenesis and nitrogenase activity in all tested legumes. ΔcopG1 showed low expression of the nodulation gene and ttsI but exhibited high expression levels of the T4SS genes, traG1 and trbE1. The secreted proteins from ΔT4SS1 were down-regulated compared to the wild-type. Although ΔcopG1 secreted several proteins after flavonoid induction, T3SS (nopP and nopX) and the C4-dicarboxylate transporter (dct) were not detected. These results confirm the crucial role of the copG1 gene as a novel key regulator in the symbiotic relationship between SUTN9-2 and legumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has mainly focused on breeding, timber supply, and physiological–biochemical characteristics of Paulownia fortunei. However, there has been limited attention given to its endophytic rhizobia and its potential benefits for plant growth due to a lack of knowledge about the existence of root nodules. In this study, we isolated nine bacterial strains from the root nodules after occasionally discovering the nodular‐like structure in uncultivated three year P. fortunei roots and then sequenced the 16S rDNA and nifA sequencing to conduct the bacterial strain identifications. We then determined the carbon use capability and nitrogenase activity of the bacterial strains. The result of 16S rDNA sequencing indicated that the endophytic rhizobia belongs to the genus Agrobacterium, Rhizobium, Herbaspirillum and Burkholderia. The results of nifA sequencing indicated that the nifA gene was sequenced in strain PG‐3, PG‐5, PG‐6, PG‐7, PG‐8 and PG‐9 rather than in strain PG‐1, PG‐2 and PG‐4. Besides, the nitrogenase activity of strain PG‐9 was significantly higher than other bacterial strains. Redundancy analysis (RDA) results indicated that fructose, glucose, and sucrose were significantly related to the plant height, diameter, and biomass rather than other carbon sources and nitrogenase activity. Our research revealed that the majority of bacterial strains isolated from P. fortunei exhibited a broad carbon utilization pathway and have the potential to promote plant growth after re‐Inoculation. This study aims to investigate the phylogeny of endophytic rhizobia in P. fortunei, and expand the range of non‐legume hosts studied for future research on biological N‐fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the recruitment of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) conserved genes for ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis. ECM symbiosis, which is a more recent form of symbiosis than AM symbiosis, involves the formation of a mantle around the root and an intercellular Hartig net. The study found that ECM host species from the Fagales order maintained the majority of AM-conserved genes, unlike other non-AM hosts. Transcriptome analysis revealed that several of these maintained genes were induced in ECM symbiosis, suggesting that ECM formation recruits AM-derived mechanisms. The study focuses on ECM-only hosts, which are plant species that exclusively engage in ECM symbiosis and have lost the ability to form AM symbiosis. The researchers discovered that ECM-only hosts maintain 64% of the AM-conserved orthologous groups (OGs), highlighting the importance of these genes in ECM symbiosis. They also identified specific genes, such as RAM2, involved in lipid biosynthesis and arbuscule formation in ECM roots. The study suggests that the preservation of AM-conserved genes in ECM-only hosts supports their role in ECM symbiosis. [Extracted from the article]

Bacterial strains isolated from root nodules of the legume plant Hedysarum arcticum B. Fedtsch growing on Samoylov Island in the Lena River delta (Arctic zone of Yakutia) were assigned to the genera Rhizobium (family Rhizobiaceae) and Mesorhizobium (Phyllobacteriaceae) of the order Hyphomicrobiales (class Alphaproteobacteria) according to the rrs gene sequencing data. According to phylogenetic analysis of concatemers of the atpD, dnaK, gyrB, and rpoB genes, the strains belonged to the species Rhizobium giardinii and Mesorhizobium norvegicum. The strains were shown to be facultative psychrotrophs growing at 5 and 28°C. These microsymbionts are promising for further study of their symbiotic efficiency regarding other forage legume species, with an aim to establish highly productive agrophytocenoses in the Far North. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glycitin, generated from the seeds of the legume soybean, has an essential function in antioxidant, obesity inhibition, and wound healing promotion. Furthermore, recent research has shown that it has anti-inflammatory and cartilage-protective properties. Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the osteogenic effects of glycitin and the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), as well as their interaction. Materials and Methods: We isolated rabbit BMSCs by whole bone marrow adherent method and cultured, identified, and induced differentiation. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method was used to determine the proliferation ability of BMSCs with different concentrations of glycitin at different times; reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), collagen type I (Col-1), and osteocalcin (OC) mRNA; and a kit was used to determine the activities of alkaline phosphatase and triglycerides (TG) in BMSCs. A Western blot was used to detect the expression of TGF-β protein in each group. Results: On the fifth day of BMSC primary culture, the morphology of long spindle-shaped cells might be plentiful, dominated by a daisy-like or whirling arrangement. They proliferated rapidly and fused to 70%–80% on the eighth day of culture; the third generation of BMSCs was taken for phenotyping, and the detection results of flow cytometry analysis showed that the surface antigenic markers of BMSCs, CD44, and CD90 were positive, whereas CD34 and CD45 were negative; after osteogenic induction of BMSCs, visible calcified nodules were evident. There was cartilage matrix formation after osteogenic induction; glycitin promoted BMSC proliferation in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner, and BMSC proliferation increased significantly at 20 µM glycitin for 3–5 days; glycitin increased the expression of Runx2, Col-1, and OC mRNA in BMSCs and increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) while decreasing the activity of TG. Meanwhile, 20 µM glycitin dramatically increased the expression of TGF-β. Conclusion: These findings imply that glycitin increases BMSCs proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. By regulating the TGF-β signaling pathway, glycitin modulates the differentiation of BMSCs into osteoblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]