The explosive increase in the use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sprayers has put forward new requirements for pesticide formulations, and there is an imperative necessity to develop targeted, precise, and efficient pesticide formulations based on the surface characteristics of targets to meet the demand for low-volume spraying by UAVs. Herein, a performance-matched oxaziclomefone nanosuspension (NS) was constructed based on the hydrophobic surface characteristics of barnyardgrass for UAV sprayers. The results showed that the solid surface free energy of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of barnyardgrass at different growth stages ranged from 23.73 to 28.00 mJ m^–2 and was dominated by dispersive components. The average sizes of micro-nanostructures on the barnyardgrass surfaces ranged from 251.7 to 266.8 nm, and the oxaziclomefone nanoparticles in the NS could be suitably embedded into the micro-nanostructures of the barnyardgrass surface. The atomization test showed that the NS could significantly decrease the percentage of spray droplets with sizes for droplet drift. Due to the precise regulation of the formulation components, the NS exhibited superior wetting, spreading, and adhesion performance on the barnyardgrass surface. Moreover, the NS remarkably enhanced the uptake and translocation of oxaziclomefone in barnyardgrass. Field trials showed that, compared to the commercial formulation, the NS could significantly improve the control efficacy against barnyardgrass in direct-seeded rice fields while demonstrating acceptable safety for rice. Our research provides a novel, promising, and feasible strategy for the development of pesticide formulations based on target surface characteristics and for improving the physicochemical properties of dilutions, which is valuable for enhancing dosage delivery efficiency and improving control efficiency against pests for UAV sprayers.

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a newly identified pathogen that can potentially undergo cross-species transmission to threaten the safety of swine and humans. The mechanism by which PDCoV nonstructural protein 14 (nsp14) inhibits the expression of IFN-β is unknown. In this study, we showed that PDCoV nsp14 degrades the MAVS, MyD88 and TRAF3 proteins in host cells by proteasomal and autophagy pathways. PDCoV nsp14 recruits the E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCH8 for catalyzing MAVS, MyD88 and TRAF3 protein ubiquitination. These proteins were recognized and transported to lysosomes by the cargo receptor NDP52 for degradation to inhibit the expression of IFN-β. Furthermore, MAVS, MyD88 and TRAF3 were also found to degrade PDCoV nsp14 by selective autophagy. These results reveal the dual function of selective autophagy in the PDCoV nsp14 and host proteins, which can promote the ubiquitination of viral particles and host antiviral proteins to degrade them both for regulating the relationship between virus infection and host innate immunity.

While straw mulching has the potential to reduce fertilizer-nitrogen (N) losses in intensively managed cropland, how soil organic carbon (SOC) regulates this fate of fertilizer-N at soil aggregate or profile scales remains unresolved. Here, micro-plots were nested within a four-year field experiment to assess fertilizer-N fates and their linkages with SOC fractions and stabilization processes via ¹⁵N-tracing and ¹³C natural abundance analyses. Three treatments were included: (i) conventional N application (FN), (ii) reduced N application (RN), and (iii) reduced N with straw mulching (RS). While RN reduced crop yields compared to FN, RS achieved comparable yields and 7.71% higher N recovery efficiency (P<0.05). The δ¹³C fractionation between aggregates and bulk soil was significantly positively correlated with the fertilizer-N content in the >2 mm and <0.053 mm fractions, indicating that N retention was coupled with SOC stabilization processes. Compared with RN, RS resulted in a 2−3.4 times greater SOC conversion probability into the <0.053 mm fraction and a 1.4 times higher aggregate-associated fertilizer-N content. SOC fractions differentially regulated the profile distribution of fertilizer-N, with nonlabile organic carbon (C) correlated positively, while dissolved organic C correlated negatively but increased plant N recovery. Compared with RN, RS increased the SOC stock by 24%, reduced NO₃⁻-N accumulation by 37%, and immobilized 36% more N into the microbial biomass (P<0.05). Our findings demonstrate that straw mulching increases N recovery by mediating SOC fractionation, stabilization, and microbial N immobilization. These results provide new insights into SOC–N interactions that could aid in the development of optimal soil C and N management strategies.

Ovulation is paramount for female animal fertility, necessitating a thorough understanding of its process and molecular underpinnings. This study aimed to delineate the temporal dynamics of ovulation in the goat ovary. Utilizing single-cell sequencing, we analyzed follicular fluid samples obtained at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h post-hCG administration, identifying 4 cell types and 6 myeloid cell subtypes. We elucidated gene expression and functional changes in granulosa cells (GCs) over the time course of ovulation. Notably, our study detected and confirmed immune cell infiltration at 6 h post-luteinizing hormone (LH) peak. Additionally, cell–cell communication analysis revealed strong predicted interactions between GCs and macrophages, involving signaling programs associated with immune-cell recruitment, extracellular-matrix remodeling, and oocyte maturation. Collectively, our investigation has established a comprehensive single-cell transcriptome atlas of the ovulatory goat follicular microenvironment for advancing exploration into ovulation mechanisms and developing therapies for ovulatory disorders.

The bean bug, Riptortus pedestris, is a major pest of soybeans in East Asian countries. Male-released aggregation pheromones attract both adults and nymphs, offering potential for eco-friendly pest control. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the detection of the aggregation pheromones remain unclear. In the present study, functional analysis using the Xenopus oocyte expression system demonstrated that two ORs (OR23h and OR109d) were responsible for sensing aggregation pheromones, with the primary component (E)-2-hexenyl (E)-2-hexenoate (E2HE2H) being shared by the two ORs. Further quantitative PCR (qPCR) profiling indicated that OR109d was expressed only in male antennae, while OR23h was expressed in both sexes at similar levels. RNA interference (RNAi) assays demonstrated that dsOR23h-treatment significantly reduced the electroantennographic (EAG) response of (E)-2-hexenyl (Z)-3-hexenoate (E2HZ3H) in both sexes. Furthermore, simultaneous RNAi knockdown of the two ORs significantly reduced the male EAG response to E2HE2H and abolished male attraction to this compound. These results were consistent with the sex expression profile, demonstrating the sex and functional differentiation between the two ORs. Taken together, this study characterizes the ORs responsible for chemical perception and the associated aggregation behaviors driven by these pheromones. Thus, this study enhances our understanding of olfactory signaling in a hemipteran insect and contributes to the knowledge required for improved pest management.

Chemical fumigants such as dazomet (DZ) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) effectively suppress soil-borne pathogens but there is uncertainty regarding the restoration of soil ecological functions in continuous cropping obstacles after fumigation, such as microbe-mediated organic carbon cycling. However, the mechanism by which microbial remediation measures enhance carbon mineralization activity after soil fumigation remains unclear. In this study, we conducted microcosm experiments to investigate the impacts of Bacillus velezensis inoculation on exogenous organic carbon (EOC) mineralization and bacterial community composition and interactions following chemical fumigation. Relative to fumigation alone, B. velezensis addition increased cumulative EOC mineralization by 27% in DZ-treated soils and by 22% in DMDS-treated soils. This enhancement was associated with the enrichment of core taxa and keystone species, which collectively increased microbial activity. Structural equation modeling further confirmed that core taxa (OTU56, belonging to Bacillus) induced positive interactions with indigenous species, which drove the observed enhancement in EOC mineralization. We conclude that B. velezensis facilitates the rapid recovery of soil carbon mineralization after fumigation by selectively reshaping the bacterial community and strengthening bacterial cooperative networks. This work provides a mechanistic framework for microbially driven ecological restoration of fumigant-impacted continuous-cropping obstacle soils and informs the development of sustainable soil-management practices in chemically challenged agroecosystems.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) can cause colibacillosis, which is economically devastating to poultry industries worldwide. The bacterial membrane is critical to its environment adaptability and virulence. The inner membrane protein TolA maintains membrane integrity, but its roles in the fitness and pathogenesis of APEC are not completely understood. Thus, a tolA gene mutant and complemented strains of APEC were constructed and characterized. Mutant strain ΔtolA showed damage in the inner and outer membranes, as well as altered morphology, impaired flagella production, reduced motility, increased outer membrane vesicle (OMV) production, and reduced resistance to antibiotics and environmental stress. Deletion of the tolA gene resulted in significant reductions in biofilm formation and interbacterial competition, due to the downregulated expression of biofilm-associated genes and type VI secretion system (T6SS) genes, respectively. In addition, the mutant strain exhibited reductions in serum bactericidal resistance, cell infection capacity, intracellular survival, consequently leading to attenuated bacterial survival and virulence in mice. Compared with the wild-type and complemented strains, the mutant strain induced less expression of inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) in HD-11 macrophages, consistent with the pathological damage in mice. In conclusion, inner membrane protein TolA contributes to the antibiotic resistance, environmental adaptability, biofilm formation and virulence of APEC.

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a naturally occurring isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in the body. However, whether its dietary addition impacts porcine liver health remains unclear, and if it does, the mechanisms are unknown. In this study, supplementing the diet of growing pigs with 1 g kg^–1 SFN was found to improve growth performance and hepatocellular proliferation. Further analyses revealed that SFN reduced hepatic and serum malondialdehyde levels, while increasing glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity in the liver. Transcriptomic and proteomic studies demonstrated that SFN down-regulated multiple pathways, including oxidative phosphorylation, inflammatory responses, IL-6-JAK-STAT3 signaling, and TNFα signaling via NFκB. Meanwhile, it upregulated NRF2/GPX4/HO-1 expression and reduced IL-6 and TNFα expression. Mechanistic studies identified potential NR1D1 and NRF2 binding elements in the promoters of the GPX4 and HO-1 genes in the liver. Furthermore, metabolomic profiling revealed a decline in serum β-hydroxybutyrate levels after the administration of SFN, while further analysis confirmed that SFN enhanced a type of epigenetic modification in the liver, lysine β-hydroxybutyrylation (Kbhb). These results highlight the protective roles of SFN against liver inflammation and oxidative damage, and a novel mechanism involving NRF2 and NR1D1 synergy is proposed, although the promotion of hepatic Kbhb by SFN still requires further exploration.

Nitrogen (N) leaching is a major pathway of N loss in subtropical crop production systems, contributing to groundwater pollution and thus posing serious threats to human health. However, the characteristics of annual N leaching in subtropical open-field vegetable systems and the effectiveness of integrative N fertilization management practices in reducing N leaching remain poorly understood. In this study, two plot-based field experiments were conducted with open-field Chinese cabbage–pepper rotation system in subtropical Southwest China to quantify annual N leaching and evaluate the effectiveness of integrated N fertilization management practices. Experiment 1 compared five N fertilizer application rates using conventional urea, while Experiment 2 compared different N sources including conventional urea, organic fertilizer, nitrification inhibitor-based fertilizer, and controlled-release urea which were all applied at the optimized N rate. Results showed that the annual N leaching under farmers’ N practice (FNP) was 251 kg N ha⁻¹, with contributions of 55, 31, and 14% from the pepper season, Chinese cabbage season, and fallow period, respectively. Total N leaching increased exponentially with N rate. The seasonal N leaching factor was 32% for pepper and 17% for Chinese cabbage in the FNP treatment, respectively. Compared to FNP, optimizing N rate based on crop requirement and soil supply significantly reduced N leaching by 68% and gray water footprint by 66−75%, while improving N use efficiency (NUE) from 35 to 54%. In Experiment 2, mixing organic and inorganic fertilizers, applying nitrification inhibitor, and using controlled-release urea further reduced annual N leaching by 27, 54, and 25%, respectively, compared to conventional urea. These practices also improved crop yields by 2−11% and NUE by 10−13%, and lowered gray water footprint by 28−58%. In summary, integrative N stewardship practices, particularly use of nitrification inhibitors under optimized N rates, effectively reduced N leaching while achieving high NUE and vegetable yields, providing a promising strategy for sustainable subtropical vegetable production