The aim of this study was to elucidate the antichlamydial activity and mechanism of the natural product berberinein vitro. Firstly, the antichlamydial activity of berberine was evaluated. The data showed that berberine inhibited the formation of inclusion body and the titer of infectious progenies in a dose-dependent manner for bothChlamydia trachomatisL2 andChlamydia muridarumMoPn. Secondly, host cell viability was measured with CCK-8 kit to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the compound. No significant host cytotoxicity was observed when berberine concentration was not higher than 8 μmol/L. Then, the effect of berberine on the chlamydial infection process was examined by the pretreatment of compound with host cells orChlamydia. Pretreatment assays showed that berberine could weakly directly act onChlamydiabut not host cells to disturb the chlamydial infection process. Finally, the effect of berberine on the chlamydial proliferation process was analyzed. Later treatment and withdrawal assay revealed that the EB→RB transformation stage at 2－12 h of chlamydial period is the mainly target for berberine. The long-term tolerance assay displayed that berberine delayed the chlamydial development cycle, but could not kill it completely. In conclusion, berberine has a broad-spectrum antichlamydial activityin vitro, and its inhibitory effect on the proliferation period was stronger than that on the infection process.

The extracellular polysaccharide extract (ZJ1-EPS) ofBifidobacterium longumZJ1 strain isolated from the feces of centenarians was used to explore the effect and mechanism of ZJ1-EPS inhibition of AGEs by pyruvaldehyde (MGO)-induced bovine serum albumin (BSA) and non-enzymatic glycosylation (AGEs) in human skin cells and glucose-induced zebrafish AGEs, respectively. The results showed that ZJ1-EPS had a significant inhibitory effect on the formation of products in the middle and late stages of protein non-enzymatic glycosylation. This study revealed that the exopolysaccharide extract ofBifidobacteriumhas the effect of inhibiting the production of AGEs, suggesting its mechanism of action and application potential for skin anti-aging.

o study the effect and mechanism of trivalent chromium on lipid metabolism in saccharomyces cerevisiae, total lipid, fatty acids, and triacylglycerol content in yeast were detected by oil red O staining and thin layer chromatography. The number of lipid droplets in yeast cells was observed by inverted fluorescence microscopy, and the fatty acid composition in yeast cells was analyzed by GC-MS. The effect of trivalent chromium on yeast lipid content was observed. Real time quantitative PCR further detected the transcription of genes related to yeast lipid metabolism and analyzed the mechanism of changes in yeast lipid content. Finally, the functional conservation was verified in SMMC-7721 cells. The results indicated that when treated with 100 μmol/L trivalent chromium, the contents of total lipids, fatty acids and triacylglycerol were reduced, the number of lipid droplets was decreased in cells, and the composition of fatty acids was regulated in yeast cells. The transcription of fatty acid uptake genesFAA1andFAA3and triacylglycerol synthesis genesDGA1andPAH1was significantly down-regulated by trivalent chromium in yeast cells. The lipid content and transcription of fatty acid uptake genesACSL1,ACSL3and triglyceride synthesis geneDGAT2was also reduced by trivalent chromium in SMMC-7721 cells. It is implied that trivalent chromium might control the lipid reduction by regulating the genes expressions involved in fatty acid uptake and triacylglycerol synthesis.

To comprehensively analyze the genetic information ofPenicillium oxalicumSG-4, a combination of second-generation Illumina sequencing and third-generation PacBio sequencing was employed to sequence the complete genome of the SG-4 strain. Following genome assembly, gene prediction, and functional annotation, collinearity analysis was conducted on the whole genome and the gene clusters involved in secondary metabolite synthesis were predicted. The results showed that the genome size of SG-4 was 31.17 Mb, consisting of 9 scaffolds (including mitochondria), with GC content of 50.5%, and encompassing 8430 protein-coding genes along with 175 tRNA genes and 50 rRNA genes. Compared with the databases of swiss-prot, Pfam, NR, GO, and KEGG, the COG database annotated the largest number of genes to up to 7483. Through bioinformatics analysis, a total of 28 biosynthesis gene clusters of secondary metabolites were identified in the SG-4 genome, with 14 gene clusters having unknown functions. By correlating NRPS-related gene clusters with transcriptome data, the relationship between these gene clusters and the trend of Sanxiapeptin synthesis was analyzed, resulting in identification of 9 relevant gene clusters. Among them, one particular gene cluster might be a potential candidate responsible for Sanxiapeptin synthesis. This study enhanced our understanding ofP. oxalicum’s genomic information, laying a foundation for comprehensive characteristics as well as revealing the biosynthesis pathway of Sanxiapeptin.

Due to difficulties in the separation and extraction of β-glucosidase, as well as its low enzymatic activity, the industrial applications of β-glucosidase have been restricted. β-glucosidase geneBgls3was cloned from the metagenome of rumen microorganisms domesticated fromMiscanthus sinensisand subjected to bioinformatics analysis. The recombinant plasmid pET30a(+)-Bgls3 was constructed and successfully expressed inEscherichia coliBL21(DE3). Subsequently, the enzymatic properties of Bgls3 were investigated, and the catalytic mechanism of Bgls3 was analyzed by homology modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics. The results showed that the gene encoding β-glucosidase,Bgls3, consists of 2340 base pairs, which encodes 779 amino acids. Bgls3 possesses structural domain characteristics of β-glucosidase. Through SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, the molecular weight of Bgls3 was determined to be 85.27 ku. Bgls3 enzyme showed good activity in a wide temperature and pH range, and the maximum enzyme activity can reach 306.2 U/mg. Homology modeling was used to obtain the structural model of Bgls3, which exhibited structural features consistent with those of glycoside hydrolase family 3. The molecular docking results revealed that the substrate pNPG binds to the pocket region between protein domains Ⅰ and Ⅱ of Bgls3. Key amino acids involved in the hydrolysis of pNPG by Bgls3 were identified as D88, K193, E294, Y240, R160, W273, S395, E486 and H194. Molecular dynamics analysis showed that hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions, and water bridge interactions were the fundamental forces involved in the binding of Bgls3 with pNPG, and amino acid residues relevant to the activity of Bgls3 were determined. The results of this study expanded the enzyme resources for the study and application of β-glucosidase and provided a theoretical basis for rational modification of Bgls3.

A heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification strain ZH7 was isolated from aquaculture pond sediment. The strain ZH7 was identified asAcinetobactersp. by morphological observations, physiological and biochemical assays and 16S rDNA sequencing. The impact of various factors (carbon source, C/N ratio, temperature, pH, shaking speed, NaCl concentration) on the strain’s growth and denitrification performance was investigated. And the heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification performance of the strain in single nitrogen source and mixed nitrogen source under the optimal conditions was also investigated. The results showed that the strain ZH7 could use sodium acetate as a carbon source, and achieved removal rates of ammonium nitrogen (NH+4-N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO－3-N) exceeding 95% under conditions of C/N of 12－16, temperature of 30 ℃, shaking speed of 180 r/min and pH value of 7－9. In mixed nitrogen source conditions (ammonium and nitrate nitrogen), the strain preferentially utilized ammonium nitrogen. The nitrogen removal process followed the Compertz model, with the maximum removal rate for ammonia nitrogen significantly higher than that for nitrate nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen, withRmof 12.61, 7.17 and 7.23 mg/(L·h), respectively. The strain ZH7 demonstrated the efficient denitrification capabilities and can be considered a potential candidate for biological denitrification.

To increase the biological nitrogen removal efficiency of these saline wastewater, a heterotrophic nitrification bacterium was enriched and isolated from industrial wastewater sludge. The strain was characterized by Gram staining and molecular biology. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results were analyzed in Blast database for homology and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. The effects of carbon source type, different C/N, initial pH, temperature and NaCl concentration on the denitrification effect of the strain were studied. The results showed that the isolated heterotrophic nitrobacteria strain wasAlcaligenessp., named XN-1. Both the maximum NH+4-N removal rate and the maximum cell growth were obtained under sodium acetate with the values of 100% and 0.42, respectively When C/N 15－20, with initial pH 7－10, temperature at 30－35 ℃, and salinity in the rang of 0－4%, the highest ammonia nitrogen removal rate of 100% was obtained. Strain XN-1 had highly efficient heterotrophic nitrification ability and great potential in nitrogen removal treatment of saline wastewater.

In order to clarify the effect ofLycium barbarumexosomes on proliferation inhibition and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cell A549, the exosomes were extracted by ultra-fast centrifugation method. The morphology of exosomes was detected by transmission electron microscopy, and the diameter distribution of exosomes was detected by particle size analysis. A549 cells were treated with the extractedL. barbarumexosomes. The effect ofL. barbarumexosomes on A549 cells proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method, EdU was used to detect the effect ofL. barbarumexosomes on A549 cells, the migration efficiency of cells was detected by cell scratch method and Transwell, the cloning ability of cells was detected by cell cloning method.The apoptosis rate of cells was detected by flow cytometry, Western Blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the protein and gene expression of apoptosis pathway. The results showed that the extracted exosomes were saucer-like under electron microscope, and the size was 40－200 nm, which was consistent with the shape characteristics of the exosomes. Compared with control group,L. barbarumexosomes group could inhibit A549 cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent way (P<0.01). The cell migration ability and cell cloning ability in different concentrations ofL. barbarumberry exosomes decreased in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.01), while the cell apoptosis rate increased in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.01).L. barbarumexosomes could up-regulate the pro-apoptotic factors such as Cl-Caspase3, p53 and Bax in a concentration dependent manner, and down-regulate the proteins and genes of anti-apoptotic factors such as Bcl-2 (P<0.01). The conclusion was thatL. barbarumexosomes could inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells and promote the apoptosis of A549 cells, andL. barbarumexosomes could also induce apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway.

In order to evaluate the control effect ofEucalyptus camaldulensis, E. maidenii, E.globulus, E. robusta, E. camphora, E. tereticornis, E. triflora, Citrus maxima, C. limon, C. sinensis,andC. reticulataplant essential oils againstSitophilus oryzaeandOryzaephilus surinamensis, the fumigant and contact toxicity activities of essential oils were tested. The essential oils of 11 kinds of plants were extracted by steam distillation. Filter paper impregnation was used for testing fumigant toxicity, topical application method was employed for contact toxicity studies. The fumigant toxicities of essential oils fromE. camaldulensisagainstS. oryzaewere the best, with LC50 of 29.42 mg/L, followed by essential oils fromE. globulus, with LC50 of 39.22 mg/L. The fumigant toxicities of essential oils fromE. camaldulensisagainstO. surinamensiswere the best, with LC50 of 4.97 mg/L, followed by essential oils fromE. globulus, with an LC50 of 11.27 mg/L. The essential oils ofC. maximadisplayed contact toxicity againstS. oryzaewith LD50 values of 29.84 μg/adult, followed by essential oils fromE. camaldulensis, with LD50 of 61.92 μg/adult. The essential oils ofE. camaldulensisexhibited contact toxicity againstO. surinamensiswith LD50 values of 7.74 μg/adult, followed by essential oils fromE. triflora, with LD50 of 16.22 μg/adult. The essential oil ofE. camaldulensisrevealed significant fumigation activity against bothS. oryzaeandO. surinamensis. Its contact activity againstS. oryzaewas second only to that ofC. maxima, and its contact activity againstO. surinamensiswas also the best. The main component of the essential oil fromE. camaldulensiswas (+)-spathulenol (18.48%), while the essential constituent of the essential oil fromC. maximawas D-limonene (37.79%). This study revealed that the essential oils ofE.camaldulensis, C. maximahad the potential to controlS. oryzaeandO. surinamensis, and provided a basis for further understanding the interaction between pests and essential oils.

To explore the impact of different cultivation periods on the exudates ofLavandula angustifoliain Yili, Xinjiang, non-targeted metabolomic analysis was conducted by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) on the rhizosphere soil samples of 1-year-old, 3-year-old, and 5-year-old lavender plants(named L1, L3, and L5), as well as soil samples without lavender cultivation (L0). The results indicated that root exudates included nine main categories: organic acids, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, vitamins and cofactors, hormones, peptides, antibiotics, and steroids. Compared to L0, L1, L3, and L5 resulted in the identification of 26, 17, and 21 significantly different exudates, respectively (P＜0.001). Additionally, L1, L3, and L5 exhibited enrichment in 13, 10, and 9 significantly different metabolic pathways (P＜0.05), respectively. Compared to L1, L3 and L5 showed 27 (P＜0.05) and 9 significantly different exudates (P＜0.001), respectively, and enrichment in 4 and 9 significantly different metabolic pathways (P＜0.05), respectively. Furthermore, when compared to L3, L5 presented 13 significantly different exudates (P＜0.05) and enrichment in 6 significantly different metabolic pathways (P＜0.05). Overall, the exudates ofLavandula angustifoliaroot system underwent significant changes as the cultivation period extended, with sterols initially decreasing and then increasing, while vitamins, peptides, and nucleotides gradually decreased.

In order to solve the problem in natural reproduction, domestication and transplanting of endangered plantTaihangia rupestrisvar.ciliate, its tissue culture technique was studied. Furthermore, based on the analysis of soil physicochemical properties in habitat ofT. rupestrisvar.ciliate,the soil conditions for domestication and transplanting of its cultured planets were established. The results were as follows: moderately mature leaves and petioles were the suitable explants for callus induction easy to be sampled with slight sampling disturbance to wildT. rupestrisvar.ciliate. The explants were sterilized in 0.1% aqueous mercuric chloride for 12 minutes, and then, had the lowest pollution rate and the highest success rate. The results of orthogonal test showed that the optimal medium formula for callus induction was as follows: 6-BA 0.1 mg/L+NAA 2.0 mg/L+2,4-D 0.5 mg/L ( or without 2,4-D )+agar 0.7 g/L+sucrose 30 g/L, pH 5.8. The problem of explant browning in callus induction ofT. rupestrisvar.ciliatewas effectively solved by reducing the culture temperature to 20 ℃. Then, the medium formula MS+6-BA 1.0 mg/L+NAA 0.2 mg/L+agar 0.7 g/L+sucrose 30 g/L, pH 5.8, was the most appropriate for the differentiation of indefinite buds. And the rooting culture medium was 1/3 MS+IBA 0.5 mg/L+KT 0.15 mg/L+agar 0.7 g/L+sucrose 30 g/L, pH 5.8. Measurement results showed that the volume weight was 1.0－1.1 g/cm3, the pH was 7.7－7.8, and the total phosphorus (TP), organic matter and available manganese content of habitat soil were positively related to the growth ofT. rupestrisvar.ciliate, according to which the suitable transplanting medium for the cultured plantlets was garden soil∶rice husk carbon∶organic fertilizer 2∶2∶1 with relative air humidity 80%－90% and moderate shading in the early stage of transplanting. Under this cultivation technique, the survival rate reached 42.53%, and the growth was good.

During overwintering of the years 2018－2023, a total of 59 species of waterbirds belonging to 12 families and 7 orders, including 5 species of first-level nationally protected waterbirds and 9 species of second-level nationally protected waterbirds, were recorded. The results showed that there were significant differences in the diversity indexes of waterbird communities among different foraging guilds, and the change range of diversity index for different types was Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index > Margalef Richness Index > Simpson Dominance Index > Pielou Evenness Index. The response of waterbird populations in different foraging guilds was different to water level changes. Among them, there was a significant negative correlation between the populations of fish-eating group, sedge-eating group and invertebrate-eating group and water level. Water level changes had significant impact on the area of three habitats: water body, grassland and mudflat. In the future, water level regulation should be optimized to maintain abundant food resources for overwintering waterbirds, which is of great significance for improving the diversity of waterbird communities in Caizi Lake.

STR polymorphism analysis was performed on Malay pangolins based on 76 individuals. 16 STR molecular markers were selected for specific individual identification of Malay pangolins. To develop corresponding STR primer sequences, a rapid individual identification method for Malay pangolins was constructed by combining fluorescence PCR composite amplification technology and capillary electrophoresis technology. Through blind testing experiments, the results showed that the 16 selected STR loci had high identification accuracy and could be used for individual identification of Malay pangolins. The samples taken in the blind test experiment included muscles, viscera, and scales. The results showed that the selected STR molecular markers had good amplification stability and were suitable for the inspection and identification of various types of tissue samples. Due to the short amplification fragments, this method is particularly suitable for Malay pangolin scale nail samples with low or highly degraded DNA. It will solve the problems of accurate sentencing in cases of poaching, transportation, trafficking, edible and medicinal Malay pangolins, and will also contribute to the conservation biology research of Malay pangolins.

To investigate the effects of melatonin on the proliferation and function of porcine placenta trophoblast cells (pTr), pTr cells were treated with different concentrations of melatonin (0, 10 nmol /L, 100 nmol/L, 1 μmol/L, 10 μmol/L and 100 μmol/L) for 48 hours. The effect of melatonin on the proliferation and function of pTr cells was analyzed by detecting the number of cells, the secretion levels of VEGF, EGF, E2, P4 and the mRNA expression levels of related genes. The results showed that the concentration of 10 μmol/L melatonin significantly promoted the proliferation of pTr (P<0.05). The secretion levels of VEGF, EGF, E2 and P4 were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group, 10 μmol/L melatonin significantly up-regulated the expression ofMT1,CDK4,SLC2A1,VEGF, andEGFRin pTr cells (P<0.05), and the expression ofVEGFR2,EGF,ESR1, andPGR(P<0.01). In conclusion, 10 μmol/L melatonin could promote the proliferation of pTr cells by directly binding to MT1, or indirectly by regulating the expression ofCDK4andSLC2A1genes. In addition, melatonin might also improve placental function in pigs by regulating the expression of growth factors and their receptors and steroid hormone receptors and promoting the synthesis and secretion of growth factors and reproductive hormones.

The quorum sensing system, as a critically important communication mechanism among microorganisms, has a close and intricate interaction with the bacteria-bacteriophage. This paper reviewed the role of quorum sensing systems in mediating the formation of bacterial biofilms, the synthesis of various surface proteins in bacteria, the role of prokaryotic adaptive immune systems in resisting bacteriophage infections, and regulation of the switch of phage lysis-lysogeny to optimize phage survival and reproduction. By summarizing the research results on the interactions between the quorum sensing system and bacteria- bacteriophage, it was hoped this effort would provide a comprehensive exploration of the mechanisms underlying the quorum sensing system interaction between bacteria-bacteriophages，which provided the theoretical basis for phage control of the spread and treatment of drug-resistant pathogens.

The current epidemic status, pathogenesis of rabies, the neutralizing antigen sites of RABV glycoprotein and the neutralization mechanism of the monoclonal antibodies against RABV infection were briefly described. The screening techniques, recognition sites, action mechanism and neutralization effects of almost all of the monoclonal antibodies against RABV which are currently available on the market or under development worldwide were also introduced. The paper further analyzed the problems existing in the application of the above mentioned monoclonal antibodies and the disadvantage of rabies immune globulin in the current post-exposure prophylaxis of RABV infection, including the limited blood supply, neutralization titers, the quality control and potential virus infection, which implies that the more attention should be paid to the development of full human monoclonal antibodies against RABV, especially for their neutralization efficiency and breadth. Taken together, the full human monoclonal antibodies drugs targeting the phylogroup Ⅱ/Ⅲ of glycoprotein and the cocktail targeting multiple antigenic sites are potential efficient strategy to the development of post-exposure prophylaxis of RABV infection.

Bovine type Ⅰ collagen was used as the research object. The main purpose was to develop the reference material of bovine type Ⅰ collagen. The characterizations, such as infrared spectroscopy (IR), triple helix structure, thermal stability, amino acid sequence coverage, terminal peptide residue, molecular weight et al, were analyzed. The homogeneity and stability were evaluated using the content of hydroxyproline and the SDS-PAGE, respectively. The value assignment and uncertainty assessment were evaluated using the content of hydroxyproline from eight laboratories. The results indicated that bovine type Ⅰ collagen met the requirement of collagen. The homogeneity of bovine type Ⅰ collagen was excellent in confidence coefficient of 95%. And it had good stability within 2 and 4 weeks at 4 ℃, 1 and 2 weeks at 25 ℃, repeated freezing and thawing 1, 3 and 5 times, and 6 months at －20 ℃. The certified value of the hydroxyproline was 11.17% with the expanded uncertainty of 0.03 in confidence coefficient of 95%. Therefore, the bovine type Ⅰ collagen could be used as national reference material for the quality evaluation of collagen products.

The quality problem of uneven-colored of tomato fruit is taken as the breakthrough point for a teaching experiment by using the problem-based learning method. Students were guided to propose the possible environmental factors which affected fruit colour change. And then, they were encouraged to put forward a reasonable hypothesis to explain the reason of uneven-colored fruit. According to the assumption, the teacher helped students to design a comprehensive experiment, including different temperatures treatment combined with different light intensities treatment. The students were guided to confirm that high temperature inhibited the level of lycopene synthesis gene to block the lycopene accumulation, which resulting in an uneven fruit coloring, through the results of fruit phenotype observation, chlorophyll/lycopene content, fruit firmness and gene expression. Through this experiment, students could really feel the close relationship between agricultural production and scientific research, and realize the importance of theory guiding practice. Therefore, PBL combined with the agricultural production plays an important role in cultivating students’ ability of integrating multi-disciplinary knowledge, students’ scientific thinking, and innovative research ability.

The talent cultivation is the main core competitiveness of the “Double First-Class” construction in universities, and the construction of a high-quality curriculum system is an important support for improving the quality of talent cultivation. With the goal of cultivating top-notch innovative talents, an integrated innovative talent cultivation model of “synthetic biology course-the second classroom-competition” has been formed through more than ten years of teaching exploration and practice in our university. This curricular system consists of a high-quality teaching team from USTC and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, course content of the hot topics and lately development of synthetic biology, online and offline mixed teaching mode including virtual simulate experiment and micro lessons, practical skills training and cross-specialty cooperation in “encoding life” association, and the research training of high-level biology competitions represented by the international genetically engineered machine (iGEM) competition. All these together dramatically improved undergraduate students’ ability of self-learning, scientific research innovation, and team collaboration. Up to now, excellent results have been achieved in the international and domestic competitions such as iGEM, the International Directional Evolution Competition, and the Synthetic Biology Competition, continuously advancing towards the goal of cultivating top-notch innovative students with ideals, responsibilities, and excellence in character and learning.

This paper delves into the triadic approach of “curriculum system optimization, entrepreneurship institutional support, and industrial cluster development” that University of Cambridge employs to effectively translate research achievements into impactful innovations in the biomedical field while cultivating top-tier talent. The university strengthens students’ innovative and practical abilities through interdisciplinary curriculum optimization and the cultivation of entrepreneurial thinking. By utilizing the Cambridge Enterprise platform, Cambridge effectively manages and commercializes research outputs. Additionally, the construction of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC) facilitates deep integration between academy, research, and industry, providing a unique ecosystem for nurturing entrepreneurial talent. These successful practices offer valuable insights for Chinese universities in enhancing research translation rates and developing high-quality talents aligned with market needs, thereby advancing innovation in the biomedical industry.