Northwest A&F University

A pair of chitosan receptors confer broad-spectrum fungal resistance

Chitosan, a major fungal cell wall component, activates plant immunity, yet the underlying perception mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we identified OsFID1, an apoplast-localized DUF26 domain protein, as a chitosan-binding receptor essential for chitosan-triggered immuni...

From acquisition to recycling: Vegetation restoration reshapes microbial nitrogen-cycling strategies in a semi-arid sandy land

Reestablishing nitrogen (N) cycling is critical for stabilizing ecosystems in semi-arid sandy lands, yet the microbial mechanisms driving functional reorganization during vegetation restoration remain unclear. This study investigated the coupling of soil physicochemical propertie...

High value‐added use of natural plant products in crop protection: construction of novel N ‐sulfonylpyrrolomatrine derivatives from a naturally tetracyclic quinolizidine alkaloid sophocarpine via the Van Leusen reaction as aphicidal agents

Abstract BACKGROUND Nowadays, structural modifications of natural products have been one of procedures for research and development of new pesticide candidates. Here, by using a naturally tetracyclic quinolizidine alkaloid sophocarpine as the lead compound, a series of N ‐sulfony...

Fibro-Adipogenic Progenitor-Derived Pentraxin 3 Promotes Porcine Slow-Twitch Myofiber Formation by Suppressing the TLR4/TGFβ/SMAD2/3 Signaling Pathway

Abstract Skeletal muscle fiber-type composition is a critical factor influencing pork quality. However, the key proteins governing muscle fiber-type transformation remain largely unclear. Here, we define the secreted protein landscape underlying muscle fiber-type transformation r...

Curvularia lunata as a versatile pathogen causing leaf spot diseases in diverse plant species and its management strategies

Curvularia lunata poses a significant threat to agricultural ecosystems worldwide, causing substantial yield losses and economic consequences across a variety of crops. As a prominent phytopathogenic fungus known for its affinity for leaf spot diseases, its proliferation warrants...

Cellular mechanism of gain-of-function mutation I173M in sheep MC4R gene identified in year-round and seasonal estrus breeds through whole-genome resequencing

Abstract Background Investigating key genes regulating year-round estrus can improve sheep reproductive performance and industry efficiency. Although several candidate genes have been proposed, the key regulators underlying estrus seasonality remain unclear. Therefore, this study...

From iron to sugar: How aerated drip irrigation increases soluble sugar content in citrus fruit through soil microbial communities

Root-zone hypoxia is common in citrus orchards on red soils and limits sugar accumulation in fruit. Aerated drip irrigation (ADI) may improve the soil redox environment, but whether it regulates fruit soluble sugar through microbially driven iron transformation is unclear. A fiel...

An ovary‐enriched lipase gene, LOC118266188 , is required for embryonic development and female fertility in Spodoptera frugiperda

Abstract BACKGROUND The regulatory functions of ovary‐enriched genes in female reproduction are well characterized in model insects, but remain largely unexplored in agricultural pests such as the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda . This study aimed to identify ovary‐enr...

Village-Level Institutional Capacity and Farmers’ Willingness to Participate in Agricultural Water Governance

Insufficient farmer participation constrains sustainable agricultural water governance and collective action. Village-level agricultural water governance organizations connect institutional provision with farmers’ behavioral responses, but evidence on the association between thei...

Lateral flow immunoassay for highly sensitive antibody detection of Clostridium perfringens ε toxin

ε-toxin, secreted by Clostridium perfringens , causes severe enterotoxemia in sheep and goats, resulting in substantial economic losses in the small ruminant industry. Monitoring ε-toxin-specific antibody levels is essential for early disease surveillance, vaccine-induced immunit...

The Dual Role of 2,4-Diacetylphloroglucinol in Pseudomonas bijieensis Y5 against Apple Valsa Canker: Antifungal Activity and Immune Response

Abstract Apple Valsa canker is a destructive fungal disease limiting sustainable apple production. Biological control using antagonistic microorganisms is therefore of great importance. This study evaluated Pseudomonas bijieensis Y5 as a biocontrol agent and clarified the role of...

SfHsp20.2 is required for male fertility by controlling eupyrene sperm bundle morphogenesis and sperm migration in the fall armyworm

Abstract BACKGROUND The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda , is a destructive pest threatening global food security. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a promising eco‐friendly control strategy, which relies on exploring genes regulating male fertility. Small heat shock prot...

Machine-Learning-Driven Dual-Mode Immunoassay Based on Nanobody and Natural Fluorescent Probe for Ultrasensitive Quantification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic bacterial pathogen posing severe threat to environmental safety and human health. To achieve rapid and accurate detection, we developed a nanobody-based colorimetric-fluorescent dual-mode sandwich immunosensor using...

Freeze–thaw cycles alter soil pore-size distribution and enhance soil water accumulation under no–tillage on the Loess Plateau

No-tillage (NT) has frequently been reported to increase the risk of soil compaction while enhancing soil water content. In cold regions, freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) strongly influence soil structure and hydrothermal regimes. However, it remains unclear whether FTC can effectively i...

Selenium Alleviates Mercury Toxicity in Ophiocordyceps sinensis: Mechanistic Insights from Integrated Phenotypic and Transcriptomic Analyses

Ophiocordyceps sinensis, a valuable medicinal and nutritional resource, faces significant mercury (Hg) contamination risks. Total Hg content in some samples from key producing regions exceeds the 0.2 mg/kg limit set by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, raising ecological and food safety...

Establishment of Sertoli Cell Lines from Giant Pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are a critically protected endangered species in China, but current understanding of their testicular physiology and regulatory mechanisms for spermatogenesis remains limited. Sertoli cells (SCs), the sole somatic cell type within seminiferou...

Repurposing ritonavir to induce proteasomal degradation of IE1 for inhibition of human cytomegalovirus replication

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a major pathogen affecting immunocompromised individuals. Current antiviral drugs target the mid-to-late stages of viral replication but are limited by toxicity and drug resistance. The IE1 protein serves as a key early regulator of HCMV replicatio...

Photoaging-driven amplification of polystyrene microplastic toxicity in wheat: physiological and multi-omics insights

Microplastics (MPs) in agroecosystems displayed phytotoxicity; however, the differential effects of pristine and photoaged MPs remain unclear. Herein, we examined the effects and mechanisms of polystyrene (PS) MPs on wheat ( Triticum aestivum L .) based on pristine and photoaged...

Aggregate size regulates soil carbon priming through divergent microbial CN acquisition strategies

Soil aggregates create heterogeneous microenvironments that influence soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover and microbial communities. However, how aggregate size regulates priming effects (PE) through microbial life-history strategies and C N acquisition pathways remains unclear. W...

N-enriched biochar with an optimized C:N ratio enhances crop growth by regulating enzymatic activities, soil properties, and photosynthetic efficiency under varying N fertilization

Biochar is widely used to enhance soil fertility and productivity, but the role of its C:N ratio and its interaction with varying nitrogen (N) application rates remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of N-enriched biochar (NB) with different carbon-to-nitroge...