Biology subjects

Huang, J. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Huang, J. L..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

The response of the relationship between carbon components and soil aggregates in vegetable fields to continuous input of different carbon sources

AimsTo address the issue of declining soil organic carbon (SOC) in vegetable fields, this study investigated the effects of continuous input of different carbon sources on soil carbon pool dynamics. Methods:A five-year field plot experiment was conducted to analyze the impact of organic fertilizer, biochar, and their combined application on soil organic carbon components, aggregate stability, and carbon pool characteristics. Results:The continuous application of biochar and organic fertilizer significantly increased the content of soil organic carbon components. Organic fertilizer contributed more actively to labile organic carbon fractions, whereas biochar primarily supplied stable organic carbon. All treatments enhanced the proportion of macroaggregates (>0.25 mm) and improved aggregate stability, with organic fertilizer exhibiting superior effects compared to biochar. Organic fertilizer also promoted organic carbon sequestration in aggregates by enriching readily oxidizable organic carbon (ROC) and water-soluble organic carbon (DOC). In contrast, biochar application significantly increased inert organic carbon (IOC), leading to higher total SOC compared to organic fertilizer alone. Carbon pool characteristic indices improved significantly under continuous biochar and organic fertilizer application. Organic fertilizer treatment showed a higher carbon pool activity index, while biochar outperformed in other indices. The combined application yielded the most favorable results. Correlation analysis revealed that soil aggregate stability was significantly associated with DOC and microbial biomass carbon (MBC). Both biochar and organic fertilizer enhanced soil available nutrient content, which increased dynamically over time. Principal component analysis confirmed that the combined application of organic fertilizer and biochar was most effective for soil carbon sequestration and fertility improvement. Conclusion:Biochar and organic fertilizer differentially influenced soil organic carbon composition. Organic fertilizer improved carbon pool characteristics by mediating macroaggregate formation through labile organic carbon (e.g., DOC and MBC), while biochar contributed directly to carbon sequestration due to its inert and stable nature. Their combined application synergistically enhanced the formation and stability of soil macroaggregates, improved soil carbon pool characteristics, and optimized nutrient availability in vegetable fields. This version improves clarity, conciseness, and flow while maintaining scientific accuracy. Let me know if youd like any further refinements! HighlightsThe continuous application of biochar and organic fertilizer changed soil carbon components, enhanced aggregate stability and soil carbon pool characteristics. Biochar and organic fertilizer increased soil available nutrient content, enhanced soil carbon sequestration and fertility. The continuous application of biochar and organic fertilizer changed the carbon components in the aggregates, and the influence mechanism was different. The combined application had synergistic effect.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2025

Focus-Tunable Two-Photon Fiberscope Enabling in vivo Imaging at Selected Depths

Miniaturized two-photon imaging devices enable real-time in vivo and in situ imaging at subcellular resolution, highly valuable for clinical applications and basic research (such as neuroscience). However, achieving high-quality volumetric imaging at varying depths remains challenging. In this study, we demonstrated a 2P fiberscope capable of three-dimensional imaging over a cylindrical volume of a 350 m diameter and a 400 m depth. Depth scanning was achieved by incorporating a miniature electrowetting-based varioptic lens (VL) into a two-dimensional scanning 2P fiberscope, whose focus was tuned by modulating the VL drive voltage. The performance of the fiberscope was first characterized using phantoms and then demonstrated by ex vivo imaging of fluorescently stained convallaria and GFP mouse brain sections, as well as in vivo dynamic GCaMP-based calcium imaging of cortical neurons in an awake mouse.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Sinorhizobium meliloti BR-bodies promote fitness during host colonization

Biomolecular condensates, such as the nucleoli or P-bodies, are non-membrane-bound assemblies of proteins and nucleic acids that facilitate specific cellular processes. Like eukaryotic P-bodies, the recently discovered bacterial ribonucleoprotein bodies (BR-bodies) organize the mRNA decay machinery, yet the similarities in molecular and cellular functions across species have been poorly explored. Here, we examine the functions of BR-bodies in the nitrogen-fixing endosymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti, which colonizes the roots of compatible legume plants. Assembly of BR-bodies into visible foci in S. meliloti cells requires the C-terminal intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of RNase E, and foci fusion is readily observed in vivo, suggesting they are liquid-like condensates that form via mRNA sequestration. Using Rif-seq to measure mRNA lifetimes, we found a global slowdown in mRNA decay in a mutant deficient in BR-bodies, indicating that compartmentalization of the degradation machinery promotes efficient mRNA turnover. While BR-bodies are constitutively present during exponential growth, the abundance of BR-bodies increases upon cell stress, whereby they promote stress resistance. Finally, using Medicago truncatula as host, we show that BR-bodies enhance competitiveness during colonization and appear to be required for effective symbiosis, as mutants without BR-bodies failed to stimulate plant growth. These results suggest that BR-bodies provide a fitness advantage for bacteria during infection, perhaps by enabling better resistance against the host immune response. SignificanceWhile eukaryotes often organize their biochemical pathways in membrane-bound organelles, bacteria generally lack such subcellular structures. Instead, membraneless compartments called biomolecular condensates have recently been found in bacteria to enhance biochemical activities. Bacterial ribonucleoprotein bodies (BR-bodies), as one of the most widespread biomolecular condensates identified to date, assemble the mRNA decay machinery via the intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of proteins. However, the implications of such assemblies are unclear. Using a plant-associated symbiont, we show that the IDR of its mRNA degradation protein is necessary for condensate formation. Absence of BR-bodies results in slower mRNA decay and ineffective symbiosis, suggesting that BR-bodies play critical roles in regulating biochemical pathways and promoting fitness during host colonization.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Paracrine signaling by pancreatic delta cells determines the glycemic set point in mice

Pancreatic islets contain several endocrine cell types that coordinate to maintain blood glucose homeostasis. While {beta} and cells are thought to be the main drivers of glucose homeostasis through insulin and glucagon secretion respectively, the contribution of {delta} cells and somatostatin (SST) secretion to establishing the glycemic set point remains unresolved. Here we remove local SST signaling from {delta} cells within the pancreatic islet to investigate their contribution to the glycemic set point. Our data demonstrate that ablating {delta} cells or SST leads to a sustained decrease in the glycemic set point. This coincides with a decreased glucose threshold for insulin response from {beta} cells, leading to increased insulin secretion to the same glucose challenge. In contrast, cell ablation had no effect on glycemic set point. Collectively, these data establish the physiological role of {delta} cells in determining the glycemic set point through their interaction with {beta} cells.

physiology↗