Search Results (26)

Global warming is associated with an increased frequency and intensity of heat waves, which severely threaten crop production and sustainable agriculture. As sessile organisms, plants evolved complex heat stress memory mechanisms to cope with recurring heat waves. Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) are at the core of plant heat stress responses and memory. They regulate basal thermotolerance, acquired thermotolerance, and the maintenance of acquired thermotolerance. These processes involve multiple mechanisms, including temperature perception, activation of heat shock protein expression, and integration of hormonal and epigenetic signals. Here, we review the pivotal role HSFs play in the formation of heat stress memory, their structural characteristics, functional differentiation, and signal perception and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. We further discuss the functional conservation and the diversity of HSFs across multiple species—for instance, HSFA2 acts as a conserved regulator of heat stress memory in Arabidopsis, tomato, wheat, and barley—and outline future research directions, including the functional characterization of heat shock transcription factor (HSF) subfamilies, investigation of their roles under stress combination, and strategies to balance stress tolerance with growth and development. We hope that our review will provide a theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of crop thermotolerance as well as contribute to efforts directed at ensuring food security in the face of climate change. Full article

To address core challenges involving severe reservoir heterogeneity, complex fracture systems, and rapid energy depletion encountered in the development of tight oil reservoirs in the G5 block of the Nanpu Sag, this study performs a systematic analysis of geological characteristics and optimizes an integrated geology–engineering development strategy. Through the integration of 3D seismic and well-logging data, the “sandwich-style” superposition architecture of sand bodies in the Es₃⁴ sub-member is quantitatively characterized. It reveals that productivity is co-controlled by high-quality main channel sand bodies (permeability: 0.5–1 mD) and high-density fracture zones (linear density: 3.2 fractures·m⁻¹) along structural ridges. Consequently, a comprehensive technical system is established, incorporating trajectory optimization for high-angle wells, differential stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) fracturing based on the Reservoir Quality Index (RQI), and CO₂ huff-n-puff for energy supplementation. Field applications demonstrate that optimized well placement increased the drilling encounter rate of high-quality reservoirs from 42% to 78%, while CO₂ huff-n-puff technology successfully restored the formation pressure coefficient from 0.65 to 0.82. The implementation of this integrated approach extended the stable production period of typical wells to 18 months, significantly mitigating production decline and increasing the ultimate recovery factor of the block to 14.5%, which provides a favorable recovery level for a complex fault-block tight oil reservoir compared with the generally low primary-recovery performance reported for analogous tight oil systems in rift-basin settings. This study confirms that the coupling zone of fracture systems along structural ridges and high-quality sand bodies represents the optimal target for economic development. The proposed geology–engineering synergy model provides a transferable technical paradigm for the efficient development of similar complex fault-block tight oil reservoirs. Full article

Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is notorious for its wide host range, serious damage caused, and the difficulties involved in controlling it. Populus deltoides ‘Shalinyang’ (PdS) has demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect on the larval growth and the adult lifespan of A. glabripennis and can be used as an “attract-and-kill” tree in mixed shelterbelt construction. However, how A. glabripennis react to this resistant poplar remains unclear. This research employed transcriptomics techniques to study transcriptional responses in the midgut of A. glabripennis after consuming PdS, Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (EA), and Salix matsudana Koidz (SM), respectively. One of the key findings revealed that the PIK3-Akt signaling pathway was suppressed in A. glabripennis feeding on PdS compared with those feeding on EA or SM. Further RNA interference results demonstrated that silencing the AglaAkt gene significantly decreased the levels of AKT, phospho-AKT, vitellogenin, vitellogenin receptor, and vitellin in A. glabripennis. Therefore, we speculate that the AglaAkt gene may be an underlying target gene that causes the low reproductive capacity of A. glabripennis when feeding on PdS. This finding provides important insights into the role of the AglaAkt gene in mediating the reproductive development in A. glabripennis and its molecular response to the resistant poplar. Full article

To promote the resource utilization of industrial solid waste, this study developed a multi-source industrial solid waste cementitious material (MSWC) for fluidized solidified soil (FSS), which consists of steel slag (SS), granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), circulating fluidized bed fly ash (CFBFA), desulfurization gypsum (DG) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Firstly, the influence of industrial solid waste contents on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of FSS solidified with MSWC (MSWC-FSS) was studied, and the optimal proportion for MSWC was determined as SS:GBFS:CFBFA:DG:OPC = 20:40:15:5:20. Then, the effects of water reducers (PCE and FDN) and early-strength agents (Na₂SO₄ and CaCl₂) on the flow expansion, setting time and UCS of MSWC-FSS were studied. With the increase of PCE and FDN, the flow expansion, setting time and UCS of MSWC-FSS increased. With the increase of Na₂SO₄ and CaCl₂, the flow expansion and setting time of MSWC-FSS decreased, and 3 d and 7 d UCS increased, and 28 d UCS first increased and then decreased. The best mixing scheme of water reducer and admixture is 0.5% PCE and 1% Na₂SO₄, respectively. Finally, the sustainability of MSWC-FSS was assessed. The heavy metal leaching of MSWC-FSS met the safety requirements. For FSS cementitious materials, the cost and carbon emissions of MSWC were only 43.9% and 22.4% of OPC, respectively. Full article

The processes responsible for high-grade disseminated gold mineralization remain poorly constrained, hindering effective exploration. This study integrates petrography, BPMA, and LA-ICP-MS analysis of magnetite from marble- and granite-hosted ores with contrasting gold grades, to constrain wall-rock-induced changes in the thermodynamic environment. BPMA results show distinct mineral assemblages: granite-hosted ores are characterized by quartz (52.31%)-K-feldspar (19.65%)-sericite (9.56%)-pyrite (8.36%), whereas marble-hosted ores feature pyrrhotite (33.90%)-chlorite (27.50%)-pyrite (15.22%)-magnetite (1.94%). The closed intergrowths of magnetite with gold and sulfides, along with the magnetite Ga-V (Grant-Vaughan) discrimination diagram, indicate a hydrothermal origin for magnetite formed during the mineralization stage. Geochemical data show that marble-hosted magnetite has lower V and chalcophile element (Co, Ni, Sn, Zn) concentrations than granite-hosted magnetite. Considering the partitioning behavior of these elements in magnetite, these differences indicate magnetite crystallization under increasing oxygen fugacity (fO₂) and decreasing sulfur fugacity (fS₂). Thermodynamic modeling results demonstrate that these changes in fO₂ and fS₂ destabilized gold-sulfur complexes in the ore-forming fluid, significantly enhancing gold precipitation efficiency and ultimately leading to the formation of high-grade ores in marble. Full article

The laboratory toxicity and physiological effects of three biopesticides—the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, the biocontrol bacterium Bacillus safensis, and the botanical insecticide Artemisia ordosica essential oil—were evaluated against Megalurothrips usitatus, a major pest of alfalfa. All three biopesticides caused concentration-dependent mortality in M. usitatus. Among them, B. bassiana showed the highest corrected mortality (88.42%) and the shortest median lethal time (LT₅₀ = 4.51 days), indicating strong insecticidal activity. The median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values at 7 days post-treatment were 4.48 × 10⁵ CFU/mL for B. bassiana, 1.67 × 10⁵ CFU/mL for B. safensis, and 2.907 mg/L for A. ordosica essential oil. Moreover, exposure to high concentrations of each agent significantly altered the activities of the protective enzyme peroxidase (POD) and the detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST). Our study supports the use of these biopesticides for thrips management and provides a scientific basis for the eco-friendly and sustainable control of alfalfa pests. Full article

To investigate the effects of seasonal grazing on ground-dwelling insect communities in desert steppe, this study conducted a controlled experiment in the desert steppe of Yanchi County, Ningxia, during 2022–2023. Five grazing regimes were established: spring-summer grazing (Sp+Su), spring-autumn grazing (Sp+Au), summer-autumn grazing (Su+Au), year-round continuous grazing (Annual), and no grazing (Control, CK). Insects were collected using pitfall traps and categorized into herbivorous and predatory functional groups. Combined with monitoring of vegetation community structure, we analyzed the regulatory mechanisms of grazing on insect diversity. The results showed that different grazing regimes had significantly divergent effects on herbivorous and predatory insects. Herbivorous insect diversity was significantly highest under the Annual grazing regime, while Sp+Au grazing effectively controlled herbivorous insect occurrence, resulting in the lowest abundance. Predatory insects exhibited the highest abundance but the lowest diversity under Su+Au grazing, whereas the CK regime increased their species richness. Beta diversity analysis indicated that total replacement diversity (Repl) was dominant, suggesting that grazing primarily influenced community structure by altering species composition rather than changing species number. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) results revealed clustering characteristics of insect community structures under different grazing regimes. Redundancy analysis (RDA) and generalized additive models (GAMs) identified vegetation height and predatory insect abundance as key factors driving changes in herbivorous insects. Vegetation density and biomass exhibited nonlinear regulatory effects on herbivorous insects. Based on these findings, we recommend adopting either a hybrid strategy of “year-round continuous grazing combined with seasonal rest” or specifically the “spring + autumn” (Sp+Au) grazing regime. These approaches aim to synergistically achieve the goals of pest control and biodiversity conservation in desert steppe ecosystems. Full article

This study explored the beta diversity patterns of tenebrionid beetles and their driving factors across four grassland types in Ningxia. A total of 32 monitoring sites were surveyed, capturing 5328 individuals from 47 tenebrionid species. Permutation multivariate dispersion (PERMDISP) and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) revealed significant differences in community composition among the four grassland types (Stress = 0.091). Beta diversity decomposition indicated that species replacement primarily drives beta diversity among four temperate grassland types. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) showed that mean temperature, field water holding capacity, total soil phosphorus, biomass of Asteraceae, biomass of Leguminosae, and frequency of Leguminosae significantly explained variations in dominant species abundance (p < 0.05). Mantel tests revealed that beta diversity was positively correlated with differences in mean temperature, field water holding capacity, total soil phosphorus, and Asteraceae biomass (p < 0.01), but negatively correlated with Leguminosae frequency (p < 0.05). Overall, daily mean temperature was the primary driver of diversity, with synergistic effects from climate, elevation, soil, and vegetation. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of environmental factors influencing tenebrionid diversity, offering insights for grassland biodiversity conservation. Full article

Phortica okadai, a vector of Thelazia callipaeda, is associated with an increasing incidence of thelaziasis. The complex habitat and chemosensory system of P. okadai are critical for its proliferation and expansion. However, ultrastructural data across developmental stages remain limited. This study used scanning electron microscopy to examine the ultrastructure of P. okadai developmental stages, with a focus on head sensilla. The results showed that the eggs of P. okadai are dark brown and cylindro-oval. The larvae are vermiform, divided into 11 segments. The pupae are marked by a conspicuous respiratory tubercle, and the posterior spiracle contains three distinct spiracular slits. Among five types of sensilla (trichoid, intermediate, chaetica, coeloconic, and basiconic), coeloconic, intermediate, and trichoid sensilla were predominantly found on the antennae, while basiconic and chaetica sensilla were distributed on both the antennae and the maxillary palps of P. okadai. The analysis revealed that the absence of dorsal appendages on the eggs distinguishes P. okadai from D. melanogaster. Males have longer antennae and exhibit sexual dimorphism in the length of sensilla (ChII, TB, and LB). This study provides the first comprehensive ultrastructural characterization of P. okadai developmental stages and head sensilla, laying a foundation for species identification and olfactory system research. Full article

Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) is one of the most important pests harming alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in Ningxia. In the field, Orius strigicollis (Poppius) is abundant. It has a high search efficiency and consumption rate of prey on a wide range of thrips and is often used as a biological control agent for these insects. To understand the predatory function and biological control potential of O. strigicollis on M. usitatus, the predatory ability of adults of O. strigicollis on second-instar larvae and adults of M. usitatus was measured under indoor conditions, and the Holling II and Hassell–Varley models were fitted to calculate the predatory function response, search efficiency, intraspecific interference, and predation preference of O. strigicollis on second-instar larvae and adults of M. usitatus. Our results showed that the predatory ability of O. strigicollis on second-instar larvae of M. usitatus was 78.62, and the theoretical maximum daily predation was 76.92. The predatory ability of O. strigicollis on adults of M. usitatus was 52.79, and the theoretical maximum daily predation was 52.62. The daily predation of O. strigicollis was positively correlated with prey density and negatively correlated with search efficiency. The rate of predatory action on prey decreased with an increasing O. strigicollis density, while the intensity of apportioned competition increased with an increasing O. strigicollis density. The results of the prey preference experiment showed that the preference of O. strigicollis for second-instar larvae of M. usitatus was significantly higher than for adults of M. usitatus. In conclusion, the indoor experiment data can provide an effective reference for the use of O. strigicollis to control M. usitatus infestation, providing an important biological control agent for controlling M. sativa thrips. Full article

The desert steppe in Ningxia is the largest natural steppe type in the region, characterized by a fragile ecological environment and low carrying capacity. Gravel–sand mulching, a local agricultural practice, involves using a sand and gravel covering layer to maintain soil warmth and moisture. However, this method has led to ecological problems, such as habitat loss and biodiversity loss. Tenebrionidae, one of the most widely distributed beetle families, is commonly used to indicate habitat degradation and is a significant steppe pest in desert steppe areas. This study, conducted in the gravel–sand mulching areas of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, Ningxia, classified the habitat loss from low to high in these areas into five grades (I-V) and examined the effects of habitat loss on Tenebrionidae. We collected 6565 Tenebrionidae, with Blaps femoralis, Anatolica nureti, and Pterocoma vittata being the dominant species. The findings reveal that habitat loss grade I had the highest abundance, diversity index, and evenness index of Tenebrionidae, significantly higher than those of grades II–IV. Habitat loss had a significant negative effect on Tenebrionidae abundance, a significant positive effect on the richness index, no significant effect on the vegetation diversity index, a significant positive effect on soil available potassium (APP), and a significant negative effect on soil total phosphorus (TP). Redundancy analysis indicated a positive correlation between Tenebrionidae abundance and the vegetation diversity index; a negative correlation between Tenebrionidae richness, the diversity index, and vegetation indices; a positive correlation between Tenebrionidae abundance and soil TP; and a negative correlation between the Tenebrionidae diversity index and soil TP and soil APP. These findings will contribute to biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration and provide a theoretical basis for steppe management, sustainable agricultural development, and pest monitoring in desert steppe environments. Full article

Arthropods play a crucial role in ecological processes and agricultural productivity. Soil physicochemical properties, indicators of soil health, are closely linked to arthropod communities. Gravel-sand mulching, commonly employed in arid farming, initially enhances water retention and temperature regulation but may contribute to land degradation with prolonged use. This study investigated how varying tillage durations affected soil properties and arthropod diversity under gravel-sand mulching. The analysis employed multiple comparison methods, covariance analysis (ANCOVA), non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), and redundancy analysis (RDA). The results indicated that while soil fertility was better preserved in cultivated fields compared to in the desert grassland, arthropod diversity significantly decreased with longer cultivation periods. A total of 1099 arthropods from 79 species were sampled, by Barber trap. The highest diversity was observed in native grassland (NG), with 305 arthropods from 39 species, while tillage 21 years (GPS-21Y) exhibited the lowest diversity, with only 103 arthropods from 6 species. Dominant species included the carnivores Labidura japonica and Cataglyphis aenes. The analysis revealed low similarity in arthropod communities between GPS-21Y and other fields and high similarity in soil physicochemical properties between NG and the transition zone (STZ). RDA showed available potassium (APP) was negatively correlated with arthropod species diversity and concentration, total Nitrogen (TN) was positively correlated with arthropod species diversity but negatively correlated with species concentration, total phosphorus (TP) was negatively correlated with arthropod species diversity and concentration. This study provides insights into the relationship between maintaining soil fertility and supporting arthropod diversity in grassland agriculture. While soil fertility and arthropod diversity were correlated, continuous cropping practices negatively impacted arthropod diversity, offering valuable information for pest management and sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

Lymantria xylina Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is a potentially invasive pest, similar to Lymantria dispar asiatica Vnukovskij and Lymantria dispar japonica Motschulsky (Lepidoptera: Erebidae). To evaluate its potential for spread and flight distance related to egg deposition on vessels at ports, we employed a flight mill to assess the flight capabilities of its adults under varying conditions. Our findings revealed that females primarily flew short distances and ceased flying after 3:00 AM, whereas males covered much longer distances throughout the day. Sex, age, and flight duration significantly influenced flight ability. Females exhibited weaker flight capability than males, and their ability declined with increasing age or flight duration. Notably, 1-day-old moths displayed the strongest flight ability, with average flight distances of up to 3.975 km for females and 8.441 km for males. By the fifth day, females no longer flew, and males experienced reduced flight ability. After continuous hanging for 16 h, females lost most of their flight capacity, while males remained capable of flight even after 32 h. Additionally, female flight ability decreased significantly after mating, possibly due to factors such as egg-carrying capacity, weight, and load ratio. This study provides a foundation for assessing the risk of long-distance dispersal of L. xylina via ocean-going freighters, considering female moths’ phototactic flight and oviposition. Full article

The abnormality in N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is involved in the course of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), while the intervention of 27-Hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) can affect the m6A methylation modification in the brain cortex. Disordered gut microbiota is a key link in 27-OHC leading to cognitive impairment, and further studies have found that the abundance of Roseburia intestinalis in the gut is significantly reduced under the intervention of 27-OHC. This study aims to investigate the association of 27-OHC, Roseburia intestinalis in the gut, and brain m6A modification in the learning and memory ability injury. In this study, 9-month-old male C57BL/6J mice were treated with antibiotic cocktails for 6 weeks to sweep the intestinal flora, followed by 27-OHC or normal saline subcutaneous injection, and then Roseburia intestinalis or normal saline gavage were applied to the mouse. The 27-OHC level in the brain, the gut barrier function, the m6A modification in the brain, and the memory ability were measured. From the results, we observed that 27-OHC impairs the gut barrier function, causing a disturbance in the expression of m6A methylation-related enzymes and reducing the m6A methylation modification level in the brain cortex, and finally leads to learning and memory impairment. However, Roseburia intestinalis supplementation could reverse the negative effects mentioned above. This study suggests that 27-OHC-induced learning and memory impairment might be linked to brain m6A methylation modification disturbance, while Roseburia intestinalis, as a probiotic with great potential, could reverse the damage caused by 27-OHC. This research could help reveal the mechanism of 27-OHC-induced neural damage and provide important scientific evidence for the future use of Roseburia intestinalis in neuroprotection. Full article

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with different types of potassium and magnesium on the reproductive performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunity of sows. Forty-five Landrace × Yorkshire sows at the late gestation stage (85 d) were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 15). Sows in the control group (CON), potassium chloride and magnesium sulfate group (PM), and potassium-magnesium sulfate group (PMS) were fed with a basal diet, a basal diet supplemented with magnesium sulfate (0.20%) and potassium chloride (0.15%), or a basal diet supplemented with potassium-magnesium sulfate (0.45%), respectively. The results showed that dietary supplementation with PMS did not yield significant effects on the reproductive performance compared with the CON group (p > 0.05). However, it significantly elevated the level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in plasma and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in colostrum (p < 0.05). Furthermore, PMS significantly augmented the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) while reducing the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in comparison to the CON group (p < 0.05). Compared with the PM group, the PMS group significantly reduced the incidence rate of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (p < 0.05) and significantly decreased the concentration of the proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) level in plasma (p < 0.05). These results indicated that dietary supplementation with PMS during late gestation could enhance sows’ antioxidant capacity and the IgA level in colostrum. These findings will provide a theoretical reference for the use of magnesium and potassium in sow production to improve sows’ health. Full article