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Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) is an important foodfish species. It has been cultured in Singapore since the 1980s. A selective breeding program to improve growth, meat quality and disease resistance has been ongoing in Singapore since 2004. In 2012, outbreaks of the big belly disease (BBD) occurred in two batches of offspring generated by a mass-cross among F1 brooders in a hatchery. After the outbreaks, only 437 survived in 6000 F2 juveniles. Molecular parentage analysis with 10 microsatellites revealed that four parents (F1) produced high percentage of offspring that survived the BBD outbreaks. Eighty-two BBD survivor offspring (F2) were selected based on their growth performance at 90 days post hatch (dph), family origin and allelic diversity. They were used as brooders to generate F3. In a period of five years, these F2 brooders produced six batches of offspring, where no outbreak of BBD occurred. In the same period, outbreaks of BBD occurred in 4 out of 18 batches produced by F2 brooders selected for growth, with mortality rates ranging from 85.1% to 95.4%. In F3, the average body weight (57.1 ± 1.09 g, n = 3068) of the line for BBD survival was slightly lower than that (60.6 ± 2.29 g, n = 4280) of the line for growth at 90 dph. In both lines, the body weight of F3 was much higher than that (46.90 ± 0.19 g, n = 12117) of F2. The genetic diversity in the line for BBD survival (F3) was much lower than that in F3 line for growth due to small founder population. These data indicate that the selection of BBD survival during BBD outbreaks using molecular parentage analysis is effective to reduce BBD outbreaks. Avoiding further reduction of genetic diversity is essential in the line selected for increased survival against BBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We performed the current research to describe healthcare providers' perspectives toward withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (WLST) and advanced directive (AD) of patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and to identify influencing factors of their perspectives. Methods: Healthcare providers were recruited during a professional conference on disorders of consciousness (DoC). Participants completed self-administered questionnaires which included demographics, personal perspectives regarding WLST and the perception of ADs. Results: A total of 230 Chinese healthcare providers (female: 69.7%) were included. Only a small proportion reported positive attitudes toward withdrawing artificial nutrition and hydration (35.2%), antibiotics (30.9%), and do-not-resuscitation orders (23.5%) in UWS patients. As for predictors' identification, religion was significantly associated with the positive attitude toward DNR order (p = 0.004). Moreover, although 47.4% of the participants had never heard of ADs before of conference, almost all of them would consider ADs (95.7%) thereafter, especially for non-neurologists (p = 0.033). Conclusion: The propensity to WLST for UWS in China is low and perspective on WLST is significantly associated with individual characteristics. The attitudes of healthcare providers toward integrating ADs in the decisional process are positive. Future research regarding ADs and their predictors should be carried out to improve the quality of end-of-life care of UWS in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Dendrobium, part of the Orchidaceae family, encompasses species of significant medicinal, nutritional, and economic value. However, many Dendrobium species are threatened by environmental stresses, low seed germination rates, and overharvesting. Mitochondria generate the energy necessary for various plant life activities. Despite their importance, research on the mitochondrial genomes of Dendrobium species is currently limited. To address this gap, we performed a comprehensive genetic analysis of four Dendrobium species--D. flexicaule, D. nobile, D. officinale, and D. huoshanense--focusing on their mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes to elucidate their genetic architecture and support conservation efforts. We utilized advanced sequencing technologies, including Illumina for highthroughput sequencing and Nanopore for long-read sequencing capabilities. Our findings revealed the multichromosomal mitochondrial genome structures, with total lengths ranging from 596,506 bp to 772,523 bp. The mitochondrial genomes contained 265 functional genes, including 64-69 protein-coding genes, 23-28 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes. We identified 647 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 352 tandem repeats, along with 440 instances of plastid-to-mitochondrial gene transfer. Additionally, we predicted 2,023 RNA editing sites within the mitochondrial protein-coding genes, predominantly characterized by cytosine-to-thymine transitions. Comparative analysis of mitochondrial DNA across the species highlighted 25 conserved genes, with evidence of positive selection in five genes: ccmFC, matR, mttB, rps2, and rps10. Phylogenetic assessments suggested a close sister relationship between D. nobile and D. huoshanense, and a similar proximity between D. officinale and D. flexicaule. This comprehensive genomic study provides a critical foundation for further exploration into the genetic mechanisms and biodiversity of Dendrobium species, contributing valuable insights for their conservation and sustainable utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic inflammation is epidemiologically linked to the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling gut inflammation remains insufficient, hindering the development of targeted therapies for IBD and CRC. In this study, we uncovered C15ORF48/miR-147 as a negative regulator of gut inflammation, operating through the modulation of epithelial cell metabolism. C15ORF48/miR-147 encodes two molecular products, C15ORF48 protein and miR-147-3p microRNA, which are predominantly expressed in the intestinal epithelium. C15ORF48/miR-147 ablation leads to gut dysbiosis and exacerbates chemically induced colitis in mice. C15ORF48 and miR-147-3p work together to suppress colonocyte metabolism and inflammation by silencing NDUFA4, a subunit of mitochondrial complex IV (CIV). Interestingly, the C15ORF48 protein, a structural paralog of NDUFA4, contains a unique C-terminal α-helical domain crucial for displacing NDUFA4 from CIV and its subsequent degradation. NDUFA4 silencing hinders NF-κB signaling activation and consequently attenuates inflammatory responses. Collectively, our findings have established the C15ORF48/miR-147-NDUFA4 molecular axis as an indispensable regulator of gut homeostasis, bridging mitochondrial metabolism and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Robot-assisted upper-limb rehabilitation has been studied for many years, with many randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of robotic-assisted training on affected limbs. The current trend directs towards end-effector devices. However, most studies have focused on the effectiveness of rehabilitation devices, but studies on device sizes are relatively few. Goal: Systematically review the effect of a portable rehabilitation robot (PRR) on the rehabilitation effectiveness of paralysed upper limbs compared with non-robotic therapy. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted on literature that included the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) obtained from the PubMed and Web of Science (WoS) electronic databases until June 2023. Results: A total of 9 studies, which included RCTs, were completed and a meta-analysis was conducted on 8 of them. The analysis involved 295 patients. The influence on upper-limb function before and after treatment in a clinical environment is analysed by comparing the experimental group using the portable upper-limb rehabilitation robot with the control group using conventional therapy. The result shows that portable robots prove to be effective (FMA: SMD = 0.696, 95% = 0.099 to .293, p < 0.05). Discussion: Both robot-assisted and conventional rehabilitation effects are comparable. In some studies, PRR performs better than conventional rehabilitation, but conventional treatments are still irreplaceable. Smaller size with better portability has its advantages, and portable upper-limb rehabilitation robots are feasible in clinical rehabilitation. Conclusion: Although portable upper-limb rehabilitation robots are clinically beneficial, few studies have focused on portability. Further research should focus on modular design so that rehabilitation robots can be decomposed, which benefits remote rehabilitation and household applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Cervical cancer, a prevalent gynecological malignant tumor, poses a significant threat to women’s health and lives. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has emerged as a promising avenue for treating cervical cancer. For patients with persistent or recurrent metastatic cervical cancer, If the sequence of dead receptor ligand-1 (PD-L1) is positive, ICI show significant clinical efficacy. PD-L1 expression serves as a valuable biomarker for assessing ICI therapeutic efficacy. However, the complex tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), encompassing immune cell composition and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) status, also exerts a profound influence on tumor immunity and prognosis. Given the remarkable strides made by ICI treatments in improving the survival rates of cervical cancer patients, it becomes essential to identify a comprehensive biomarker that integrates various TIME aspects to enhance the effectiveness of ICI treatment. Therefore, the quest for biomarkers linked to multiple facets of TIME in cervical cancer is a vital pursuit. Methods: In this study, we have developed an Immune-Associated Gene Prognostic Index (IRGPI) with remarkable prognostic value specifically for cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC). The Cancer Genome Atlas CESC dataset (n = 305) was meticulously analyzed to pinpoint key immune-related genes via weighted gene co-expression network analysis and differential gene expression assays. Subsequently, we employed Cox regression analysis to construct the IRGPI. Furthermore, the composition of immune cells and TIL status were examined using CIBERSORT and TIDE. Tumor expression of Epigen, LCN10, and P73 were determined with immunohistochemistry. Results: The resulting IRGPI, composed of EPGN, LCN10, and TP73 genes, displayed a strong negative correlation with patient survival. The discovery was validated with a patient cohort from our hospital. The IRGPI not only predicts the composition of immune cell subtypes such as Macrophages M1, NK cells, Mast cells, Plasma cells, Neutrophils, Dendritic cells, T cells CD8, and T cells CD4 within CESC, but also indicates TIL exclusion, dysfunction, and PD-1 and PD-L1 expression. Therefore, the IRGPI emerges as a promising biomarker not only for prognostic assessment but also for characterizing multiple immune features in CESC. Additionally, our results underscored the significant associations between the IRGPI and immune cell composition, TIL exclusion, and dysfunction, along with PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in the TIME. Conclusion: Consequently, the IRGPI stands out as a biomarker intimately connected to both the survival and TIME status of CESC patients, offering potential insights into immunotherapy strategies for CESC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of heat stress (HS) on physiological, blood biochemical, and energy metabolism in Dazu black goats. Six wether adult Dazu black goats were subjected to 3 experimental periods: high HS (group H, temperature-humidity index [THI] > 88) for 15 d, moderate HS (group M, THI was 79-88) for 15 d, and no HS (group L, THI < 72) for 15 d. Rectal temperature (RT) and respiratory rate (RR) were determined on d 7 and 15 of each period, and blood samples were collected on d 15 of each period. All goats received glucose (GLU) tolerance test (GTT) and insulin (INS) tolerance test on d 7 and d 10 of each period. The results showed that HS decreased dry matter intake (DMI) and INS concentrations (p < 0.05), and increased RT, RR, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), cortisol (COR), and total protein (TP) concentrations (p < 0.05). Compared to group L, the urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration increased and GLU concentration decreased in group H (p < 0.05).During the GTT, the area under the curve (AUC) of GLU concentrations increased by 12.26% (p > 0.05) and 40.78% (p < 0.05), and AUC of INS concentrations decreased by 26.04% and 14.41% (p < 0.05) in groups H and M compared to group L, respectively. The INS concentrations were not significant among the three groups (p > 0.05) during the ITT. A total of 60 differentially expressed metabolites were identified in response to groups H and M. In HS, changes in metabolites related to carbohydrate metabolism and glycolysis were identified (p < 0.05). The metabolites related to fatty acid βoxidation accumulated, glycogenic and ketogenic amino acids were significantly increased, while glycerophospholipid metabolites were decreased in HS (p < 0.05). HS significantly increased 1-methylhistidine, creatinine, betaine, taurine, taurolithocholic acid, inosine, and hypoxanthine, while decreasing vitamin E in blood metabolites (p < 0.05). In summary, HS changed the metabolism of fat, protein, and energy, impaired GLU tolerance, and mainly increased amino acid metabolism to provide energy in Dazu black goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combining diterpene ginkgolide meglumine injection (DGMI) with edaravone for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. This is particularly relevant because Western drugs, excluding intravenous thrombolysis, have shown limited success. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted using multiple databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure WanFang, VIP, and Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) until June 2023. The data were analyzed using fixed-effects and random-effects models in Review Manager. The mean difference with 95% confidence interval was calculated for each outcome. Results: Eighteen studies involving 1,636 participants were included in the analysis. The DGMI group showed significant reductions in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, and C-reactive protein (CRP) level, compared to the control group. Furthermore, the DGMI group showed a significant improvement in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The combination of DGMI and edaravone was more effective in reducing neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels following brain tissue injury than edaravone alone. Additionally, DGMI complemented edaravone in reducing rheological parameters associated with ischemic stroke, including hematocrit, plasma viscosity, platelet adhesion rate, and erythrocyte deformation index. Conclusion: The combination of DGMI and edaravone significantly improved the therapeutic efficacy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, more extensive and high-quality clinical trials are required to validate these underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), specifically targeting the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), is challenged by the emergence of therapeutic resistance. Resistance mechanisms to ALK TKIs can be broadly classified into ALK-dependent and ALK-independent pathways. Here, we present a case with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) harboring an ALK rearrangement. The patient had developed resistance to sequential ALK TKI therapies, with an acquired ETV6-NTRK3 (E4:N14) fusion as a potential mechanism of ALK-independent resistance to lorlatinib. Subsequently, the patient was treated with the combination of brigatinib plus entrectinib and demonstrated a positive response, achieving an 8-month progression-free survival. Our case provides a potential treatment option for LUAD patients with ALK rearrangements and highlights the utility of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in uncovering genetic alterations that can guide the selection of effective treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Forest medicinal compound systems in agroforestry ecosystems represent a multi-layered cultivation approach that utilizes forest resources efficiently. However, research on how these systems affect soil nutrients and microbial communities is limited. Methods: This study compared the soil chemical properties and microbial communities of Bletilla striata (C) grown alone versus in agroforestry systems with apple (PB), pear (LB), and peach trees (TB), aiming to understand the impact of these systems on soil health and microbial diversity. Results: Soil in the GAB systems showed increased levels of essential nutrients but lower pH and ammonium nitrogen levels compared to the control. Significant improvements in organic matter, total phosphorus, and total potassium were observed in TB, PB, and LB systems, respectively. The bacterial diversity increased in GAB systems, with significant changes in microbial phyla indicative of a healthier soil ecosystem. The correlation between soil properties and bacterial communities was stronger than with fungal communities. Discussion: Integrating B. striata with fruit trees enhances soil nutrients and microbial diversity but may lead to soil acidification. Adjustments such as using controlled-release fertilizers and soil amendments like lime could mitigate negative impacts, improving soil health in GAB systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study was to forecast the core targets of formononetin through network pharmacology and to assess its potential anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) effects using molecular docking and animal experimentation. Active compounds were filtered from the Swiss ADME database, while drug targets were extrapolated from TTD, GeneCards, and DrugBank databases. Targets overlapping between drug and disease were pinpointed, and PPI networks were subsequently developed. Both GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were executed. The AutodockVina software facilitated molecular docking to examine formononetin's estrogen activity. Mice diagnosed with BPH were grouped into control, TP, 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg + fulvestrant (20 mg/kg/week), and 10 mg/kg + fulvestrant (20 mg/kg/week) groups. Pathological deviations were discerned through H&E and Masson staining. Estrogen receptor and cell cycle gene expressions were quantified by qPCR. Our findings pinpointed 35 potential protein targets bridging formononetin and BPH, with ER-α, EGFR, ER-β, CYP19A1, AChE, and PPARA being the focal targets. The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that formononetin's targets predominantly revolved around cellular responses to estradiol stimulation, estrogen biosynthesis, steroid hormone receptor activity, steroid binding, and other related processes. These extended to pathways like steroid hormone biosynthesis and estrogen signaling. Molecular docking deduced a stronger affinity of formononetin for ER-β than for ER-α. Examination of pathological sections in formononetin-treated BPH mice demonstrated its significant inhibitory effect on BPH. Concurrently, the estrogen receptor inhibitor, fulvestrant, markedly dampened formononetin's therapeutic efficacy. qPCR assessments revealed that formononetin effectively curtailed ER-β expression within hyperplastic prostate tissues. Moreover, post-formononetin treatment led to a decline in expression levels of cell cycle-related genes, such as CDK1, cyclin A2, CDK2, and cyclin B1. However, this trend was notably stunted with the introduction of an estrogen receptor inhibitor. In summation, through the combined insights of network pharmacology and animal testing, we ascertained that formononetin mitigated cell cycle progression via the estrogen receptor when addressing prostatic hyperplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal body size variation is of particular interest in evolutionary biology, but the genetic basis remains largely unknown. Previous studies have shown the presence of two parallel evolutionary genetic clusters within the fish genus Epinephelus with evident divergence in body size, providing an excellent opportunity to investigate the genetic basis of body size variation in vertebrates. Herein, we performed phylotranscriptomic analysis and reconstructed the phylogeny of 13 epinephelids originating from the South China Sea. Two genetic clades with an estimated divergence time of approximately 15.4 million years ago were correlated with large and small body size, respectively. A total of 180 rapidly evolving genes and two positively selected genes were identified between the two groups. Functional enrichment analyses of these candidate genes revealed distinct enrichment categories between the two groups. These pathways and genes may play important roles in body size variation in groupers through complex regulatory networks. Based on our results, we speculate that the ancestors of the two divergent groups of groupers may have adapted to different environments through habitat selection, leading to genetic variations in metabolic patterns, organ development, and lifespan, resulting in body size divergence between the two locally adapted populations. These findings provide important insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying body size variation in groupers and species differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Counterproductive work behavior wastes organizational resources and significantly damages organizational development. The importance of employees' counterproductive work behaviors in organizations is becoming increasingly obvious. This is directly related to the sustainable development and survival of organizations. This study believes that employee's behavior is closely related to leadership style. In particular, employees' in small- and medium-sized enterprises are often manipulated and deceived by leaders, resulting in dissatisfaction and counterproductive work behavior. In order to address this behavior, this study collected survey data from 289 employees from Chinese SMEs to explore the relationship between perceived abusive supervision and organizational political behavior in Machiavellian leadership and counterproductive work behavior. The results suggest that Machiavellian positive influence counterproductive work behavior through a mediating role of perceived abusive supervision. Furthermore, leader organizational political behavior moderates the indirect effect of perceived abusive supervision such that the effect is stronger when leader organizational political behavior is high. This study aimed to identify the variables that increase employees counterproductive work behavior, propose recommendations for reducing employees' counterproductive work behavior, expanded the scope of counterproductive work behavior research, and provided a theoretical basis for related studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Comunicar (English Edition) is the property of Oxbridge Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Comunicar (English Edition) is the property of Oxbridge Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This letter examines the impact of risk preference and social insurance on household financial market participation and diversification using the 2017 and 2019 China Household Finance Survey. A multi-value treatment model addresses the selection bias between risk preference and household financial investment, considering the moderation role of social insurance in between. Overall, our results show that high-risk takers are more likely to participate in the financial market and diversify their portfolios than low-risk takers. Focusing on rural and urban differentials, we find marked differences in the impacts of risk preference and social insurance on household financial investment. Having social insurance may widen the difference in investment decisions between high- and low-risk takers in urban areas; the latter group tends not to participate in or diversify when socially insured. In contrast, having social insurance encourages low- and intermediate-risk preferred rural households to participate in the financial market and diversify their financial portfolios. Our work highlights the different consequences of social insurance on investment incentives for rural and urban households. Whilst there are obvious benefits of having social insurance for rural households via risk-sharing, there is an undesired consequence of incentive distortion of urban households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Combining adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression of Cre recombinase with genetically modified floxed animals is a powerful approach for assaying the functional role of genes in regulating behavior and metabolism. Extensive research in diverse cell types and tissues using AAV-Cre has shown it can save time and avoid developmental compensation as compared with using Cre driver mouse line crossings. We initially sought to study the impact of the ablation of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) using intracranial AAV-Cre injection in adult animals. Methods: In the present study, we stereotactically injected AAV8-hSyn-Cre or a control AAV8-hSyn-GFP in both Crh-floxed and wild-type mouse PVN to assess behavioral and metabolic impacts. We then used immunohistochemical markers to systematically evaluate the density of hypothalamic peptidergic neurons and glial cells. Results: We found that delivery of one specific preparation of AAV8-hSyn-Cre in the PVN led to the development of obesity, hyperphagia, and anxiety-like behaviors. This effect occurred independent of sex and in both floxed and wild-type mice. We subsequently found that AAV8-hSyn-Cre led to neuronal cell death and gliosis at the site of viral vector injections. These behavioral and metabolic deficits were dependent on injection into the PVN. An alternatively sourced AAV-Cre did not reproduce the same results. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that delivery of a specific batch of AAV-Cre could lead to cellular toxicity and lesions in the PVN that cause robust metabolic and behavioral impacts. These alterations can complicate the interpretation of Cre-mediated gene knockout and highlight the need for rigorous controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of invasion from exotic alien plants is enhanced by the increased global flow of humans and trade. Exploring the colonizing ability of invasive alien organisms in local areas is conducive to formulating prevention and control measures. At present, model prediction of potential distribution areas has been frequently used, while there are relatively few experimental tests. Yellow top [Flaveria bidentis (L.) Kuntze] is a globally problematic invasive plant that has become wide-spread throughout northern China. Model predictions were controversial as to whether Flaveria bidentis will spread to southern China. In 2018, seven fitness traits were measured, and seeds were collected from individual plants in 31 populations (899 individuals) of Flaveria bidentis in northern China (invaded area). In 2019, the collected were sown in a common garden in southern China (uninvaded area) under two treatments: manual weeding and no manual weeding. Annual monitoring of the occurrence of Flaveria bidentis seedlings in a common garden in southern China was conducted from 2020 to 2022. Our results showed that in southern China, the 31 populations of Flaveria bidentis could all complete their life history in the common garden with manual weeding. However, in the common garden without manual weeding, the life cycle could not be completed and no surviving seedlings were found in the three-year survey. Compared with the values observed in northern China, the plant height, 1000-grain weight, germination vigor, germination rate and germinable seed number per plant were significantly decreased in the manually weeded common garden in southern China, but the seed number per plant was significantly increased, so the germinable seed number per plant could still reach 4104 ± 1026. Comparison of the phenotypic differentiation coefficient and phenotypic plasticity index showed that the phenotypic difference in different populations was mainly influenced by environmental differences. The above results showed that once Flaveria bidentis is free from biotic resistance from local plants in southern China, it can complete its life cycle and produce abundant offspring, thus achieving colonization, and strong phenotypic plasticity is conducive to its adaptation and diffusion. Therefore, in southern China, monitoring of Flaveria bidentis should be strengthened to prevent it from producing seeds, and the native plant cover is conducive to inhibiting the germination of seeds that may be contained in the soil and seedling growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low efficiency of protease hydrolysis on wool keratin limits the development of protease-based wool shrink-proofing finishing. In this paper, a highly efficient protease catalytic system consisting of a trihydroxy organ phosphine compound and the protease Savinase 16L was used for wool shrinkproofing treatment by multiple padding. The directional friction effect, area shrinkage, fineness, and strength of wool samples were measured. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential, and amino acid analyses were used to characterize the structure of the wool samples. Additionally, the dyeing properties of the treated wool were also investigated. The results showed that the hydrolysis of wool fiber scales using the protease catalytic system was an uneven process from point to surface. The padding treatments could promote a synergistic process of biochemical keratin degradation and physical scale removal, improving the efficiency and uniformity of the reaction. The area of the treated wool sample shrank by 1.65% after the TM31 5 x 4N test, while the tenacity decreased by 9.69%. The isoelectric point of the treated fiber increased from 4.37 to 6.09. Under dyeing conditions, the positively charged surface of the treated wool increased, which significantly increased the adsorption rate of the fiber for negatively charged dyes. In addition, the increase in the surface roughness and surface dyeing seat resulted in a significant increase in the color depth of the treated wool fibers after dyeing. This study provides a feasible route for the industrial application of the protease method for the shrink-proofing treatment of wool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the major threats to the current DeFi (Decentralized Finance) ecosystem, reentrant attack induces data inconsistency of the victim smart contract, enabling attackers to steal on-chain assets from DeFi projects, which could terribly do harm to the confidence of the blockchain investors. However, protecting DeFi projects from the reentrant attack is very difficult, since generating a call loop within the highly automatic DeFi ecosystem could be very practicable. Existing researchers mainly focus on the detection of the reentrant vulnerabilities in the code testing, and no method could promise the non-existent of reentrant vulnerabilities. In this paper, we introduce the database lock mechanism to isolate the correlated smart contract states from other operations in the same contract, so that we can prevent the attackers from abusing the inconsistent smart contract state. Compared to the existing resolutions of front-running, code audit, andmodifier, our method guarantees protection resultswith better flexibility. And we further evaluate our method on a number of de facto reentrant attacks observed from Etherscan. The results prove that our method could efficiently prevent the reentrant attack with less running cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decades of research using remotely sensed data have extracted evidence for the presence of an ocean in the northern lowlands of Mars in the Hesperian (∼3.3 Ga), but these claims have remained controversial due to the lack of in situ analysis of the associated geologic unit, the Vastitas Borealis Formation (VBF). The Tianwen-1/Zhurong rover was targeted to land within the VBF near its southern margin and has traversed almost 2 km southward toward the interpreted shoreline. We report here on the first in situ analysis of the VBF that reveals sedimentary structures and features in surface rocks that suggest that the VBF was deposited in a marine environment, providing direct support for the existence of an ancient (Hesperian) ocean on Mars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the mechanisms underlying the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function (BEF) is critical for the implementation of productive and resilient ecosystem management. However, the differences in BEF relationships along altitudinal gradients between forests and shrublands are poorly understood, impeding the ability to manage terrestrial ecosystems and promote their carbon sinks. Using data from 37962 trees of 115 temperate forest and 134 shrubland plots of Taihang Mountains Priority Reserve, we analyzed the effects of species diversity, structural diversity, climate factors and soil moisture on carbon storage along altitudinal gradients in temperate forests and shrublands. We found that: (1) Structural diversity, rather than species diversity, mainly promoted carbon storage in forests. While species diversity had greater positive effect on carbon storage in shrublands. (2) Mean annual temperature (MAT) had a direct negative effect on forest carbon storage, and indirectly affected forest carbon storage by inhibiting structural diversity. In contrast, MAT promoted shrubland carbon storage directly and indirectly through the positive mediating effect of species diversity. (3) Increasing altitudinal gradients enhanced the structural diversity-carbon relationship in forests, but weakened the species diversity-carbon relationship in shrublands. Niche and architectural complementarity and different life strategies of forests and shrubs mainly explain these findings. These differential characteristics are critical for our comprehensive understanding of the BEF relationship and could help guide the differentiated management of forests and shrublands in reaction to environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of the study was to compare the consistency of various staining methods, including H&E, Methylene Blue, Warthin-Starry (WS), Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Quantum dots immunohistochemistry (QDs-IHC), in detecting Helicobacter pylori (HP) in cases of mild, moderate and severe chronic gastritis. Methods: Biopsy samples were obtained from 225 patients with chronic gastritis at the Department of Pathology, Yichang Central People's Hospital between January 2019 and October 2019. The presence of HP was detected using H&E, Methylene Blue, W-S, IHC, and QDs-IHC. Results: The positive rates for HP detection using H&E, Methylene Blue, W-S, IHC, and QDs-IHC were 42.22%, 51.11%, 53.78%, 59.11%, and 58.67%, respectively. In cases of mild chronic gastritis, the consistency of test results between H&E, Methylene Blue, W-S, and QDs-IHC with IHC were Kappa=0.196, P=0.033, Kappa=0.706, P<0.001, Kappa=0.717, P<0.001, and Kappa=0.968, P<0.001, respectively. Similarly, in cases of moderate chronic gastritis, Kappa values between H&E, Methylene Blue, W-S, and QDs-IHC with IHC were 0.356, P<0.001, 0.655, P<0.001, 0.741, P<0.001, and 0.946, P<0.001, respectively. For cases of severe chronic gastritis, the Kappa values between the staining methods and IHC were 0.271, P=0.037, 0.421, P=0.002, 0.621, P<0.001, and 1, P< 0.001, respectively. Conclusion: The study showed that the positivity rate of IHC was significantly higher than that of H&E, Methylene Blue, and W-S in detecting HP infection in chronic gastritis cases. In terms of consistency with IHC, QDs-IHC was the most reliable staining method across all severity grades, while the agreement between H&E and IHC was poor, and that between Methylene Blue and W-S with IHC was average. Pathology departments may choose the most appropriate staining method based on their specific needs, considering the staining time, contrast, and cost of each method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pyrotinib is a novel irreversible pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). However, real-world data of pyrotinib-containing therapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and developing brain metastases (BMs) are limited, and the genomic profile of this subpopulation is almost undefined. Methods and materials: Patients with BM of HER2-positive MBC (n = 35) treated with pyrotinib-containing therapy were enrolled in this analysis. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and toxicity profiles were evaluated. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for disease progression were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards models. Targeted next-generation sequencing of 618 cancer-relevant genes was performed on plasma and primary breast tumors from patients with BM and without BM. Results: The median PFS time was 8.00 (95% CI, 5.98-10.017) months, and the median OS time was 23 (95% CI, 10.412-35.588) months. The ORR was 45.7%, and the DCR was 74.3%. In the Cox multivariate analysis, prior exposure to brain radiotherapy (HR = 3.268), received pyrotinib as third- or higher-line treatment (HR = 4.949), subtentorial brain metastasis (HR = 6.222), and both supratentorial and subtentorial brain metastases (HR = 5.863) were independently associated with increased risk of progression. The frequent grade 3-4 adverse event was increased direct bilirubin (14.3%), and two patients suffered from grade 3-4 diarrhea. In the exploratory genomic analysis, altered frequencies of FGFR3, CD276, CDC73, and EPHX1 were higher in the BM group. The consistency of mutated profiles of plasma and primary lesion in the BM group was significantly lower (30.4% vs. 65.5%; p = 0.0038). Conclusions: Pyrotinib-containing therapy shows favorable effectiveness and tolerable safety in patients with BM of HER2-positive MBC, particularly in a population that is brain radiotherapy-naïve, received pyrotinib as first- or second-line treatment, and developed supratentorial brain metastasis. In the exploratory genomic analysis, patients with BM showed distinct genomic features from patients without BM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 induces acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and leads to severe immunological changes that threatens the lives of COVID-19 victims. Studies have shown that both the regulatory T cells and macrophages were deranged in COVID-19-induced ALI. Herbal drugs have long been utilized to adjust the immune microenvironment in ALI. However, the underlying mechanisms of herbal drug mediated ALI protection are largely unknown. This study aims to understand the cellular mechanism of a traditional Chinese medicine, Qi-Dong-Huo-Xue-Yin (QD), in protecting against LPS induced acute lung injury in mouse models. Our data showed that QD intrinsically promotes Foxp3 transcription via promoting acetylation of the Foxp3 promoter in CD4+ T cells and consequently facilitates CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs development. Extrinsically, QD stabilized ß-catenin in macrophages to expedite CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs development and modulated peripheral blood cytokines. Taken together, our results illustrate that QD promotes CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs development via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways and balanced cytokines within the lungs to protect against LPS induced ALI. This study suggests a potential application of QD in ALI related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study is to make a diagnosis and a classification for congenital central slip hypoplasia. The surgical treatment was determined according to the classification. Methods: A retrospective study of 25 treated digits in 13 patients with congenital central slip hypoplasia was carried out. The central slip was classified into two types. Type I: The distance between the insertion of central slip and the proximal interphalangeal joint was shorter than or equal to 5 mm. Type II: The distance between the insertion of central slip and the proximal interphalangeal joint was longer than 5 mm. Tendon advancement or tendon graft was used for type I or II, respectively. Results: The preoperative mean extension lag was 91° (range, 80°-100°), and the mean follow-up duration was 18 months (range, 9-24 months). The postoperative mean extension lag was 19° (range, 0°-50°). No matter whether in type I or II, the postoperative ranges of proximal interphalangeal joint extension had significant improvement compared with the preoperative ones. There was no statistical difference of proximal interphalangeal joint extension lag changes before and after surgery between the two types. Conclusion: Congenital central slip hypoplasia could be classified into two types. Either tendon advancement or tendon graft might be effective, which depended on the classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decades of research using remotely sensed data have extracted evidence for the presence of an ocean in the northern lowlands of Mars in the Hesperian (∼3.3 Ga), but these claims have remained controversial due to the lack of in situ analysis of the associated geologic unit, the Vastitas Borealis Formation (VBF). The Tianwen-1/Zhurong rover was targeted to land within the VBF near its southern margin and has traversed almost 2 km southward toward the interpreted shoreline. We report here on the first in situ analysis of the VBF that reveals sedimentary structures and features in surface rocks that suggest that the VBF was deposited in a marine environment, providing direct support for the existence of an ancient (Hesperian) ocean on Mars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Cutaneous tuberculosis with various manifestations can be divided into several clinical types according to the host's immune status and infective route. However, the etiological factors of this disease remain unclear. The objective of this study is to investigate the pathogens associated with the occurrence and different types of cutaneous tuberculosis. Methods: 58 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from cutaneous tuberculosis over the last 20 years were sequenced and analyzed for genomic characteristics including lineage distribution, drug-resistance mutations, and mutations potentially associated with different sites of infection. Results: The M. tuberculosis strains from four major types of cutaneous tuberculosis and pulmonary tuberculosis shared similar genotypes and genomic composition. The strains isolated from cutaneous tuberculosis had a lower rate of drug resistance. Phylogenic analysis showed cutaneous tuberculosis and pulmonary tuberculosis isolates scattered on the three. Several SNPs in metabolism related genes exhibited a strong correlation with different infection sites. Conclusions: The different infection sites of TB may barely be affected by large genomic changes in M. tuberculosis isolates, but the significant difference in SNPs of drug resistance gene and metabolism-related genes still deserves more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional constipation (FC) is a high morbidity gastrointestinal disease for which dysfunction in the enteric nervous system is a major pathogenesis mechanism. To enhance our understanding of the involvement of intestinal microbiota and its metabolites in the pathogenesis of FC, we conducted a shotgun metagenomic sequencing analysis of gut microbiota and serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) analysis in 460 Chinese women with different defecation frequencies. We observed that the abundance of Fusobacterium_varium, a butyric acidproducing bacterium, was positively correlated (P = 0.0096) with the frequency of defecation; however, the concentrations of serum butyric acid was negatively correlated (P = 3.51E-05) with defecation frequency. These results were verified in an independent cohort (6 patients with FC and 6 controls). To further study the effects of butyric acid on intestinal nerve cells, we treated mouse intestinal neurons in vitro with various concentrations of butyrate (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2.5 mM). We found that intestinal neurons treated with 0.5 mM butyrate proliferated better than those in the other treatment groups, with significant differences in cell cycle and oxidative phosphorylation signal pathways. We suggest that the decreased butyrate production resulting from the reduced abundance of Fusobacterium in gut microbiota affects the proliferation of intestinal neurons and the energy supply of intestinal cells. However, with FC disease advancing, the consumption and excretion of butyric acid reduce, leading to its accumulation in the intestine. Moreover, the accumulation of an excessively high amount of butyric acid inhibits the proliferation of nerve cells and subsequently exacerbates the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic protozoa, which exists widely in nature and is mainly distributed in soil and water. Acanthamoeba usually exists in two forms, trophozoites and cysts. The trophozoite stage is one of growth and reproduction while the cyst stage is characterized by cellular quiescence, commonly resulting in human infection, and the lack of effective monotherapy after initial infection leads to chronic disease. Acanthamoeba can infect several human body tissues such as the skin, cornea, conjunctiva, respiratory tract, and reproductive tract, especially when the tissue barriers are damaged. Furthermore, serious infections can cause Acanthamoeba keratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, skin, and lung infections. With an increasing number of Acanthamoeba infections in recent years, the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba is becoming more relevant to mainstream clinical care. This review article will describe the etiological characteristics of Acanthamoeba infection in detail from the aspects of biological characteristic, classification, disease, and pathogenic mechanism in order to provide scientific basis for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Acanthamoeba infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for cervical cancer, patients with cervical cancer invading the lower one‑third of the vagina require bilateral inguinal lymphatic area preventive irradiation. However, it is not clear whether they need preventive inguinal area irradiation. Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the necessity of bilateral inguinal lymphatic area irradiation for patients with cervical cancer with invasion of the lower one‑third of the vagina. Settings and Design: Patients without inguinal lymph node metastasis were divided into preventive radiotherapy and nonpreventive radiotherapy groups. The occurrence of inguinal skin damage, lower extremity edema, and femoral head necrosis was observed during and after treatment. Methods and Material: In total, 184 patients with cervical cancer with invasion of the lower one‑third of the vagina were selected. A trial and control method was used to select 180 patients without inguinal lymph node metastasis. Statistical Analysis: Comparison between groups was performed using a t test. Data were enumerated using frequency (percentage), and comparison between groups was performed using a Chi‑square test. Results: Imaging examination revealed inguinal lymph node enlargement in 7.07% of patients, and only four cases (2.17%) were further confirmed by pathology. The inguinal lymph node metastasis rate in these patients was very low. The prophylactic irradiation group showed a high occurrence rate of side injury. In the follow‑up of both groups, no recurrence was detected in the inguinal lymph nodes. Conclusions: Prophylactic irradiation of inguinal lymph nodes is not essential for patients without pathological metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in recent years not only caused a global pandemic but resulted in enormous social, economic, and health burdens worldwide. Despite considerable efforts to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), various SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged, and their underlying mechanisms of pathogenicity remain largely unknown. Furthermore, effective therapeutic drugs are still under development. Thus, an ideal animal model is crucial for studying the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and for the preclinical evaluation of vaccines and antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 and variant infections. Currently, several animal models, including mice, hamsters, ferrets, and non-human primates (NHPs), have been established to study COVID-19. Among them, ferrets are naturally susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and are considered suitable for COVID-19 study. Here, we summarize recent developments and application of SARS-CoV-2 ferret models in studies on pathogenesis, therapeutic agents, and vaccines, and provide a perspective on the role of these models in preventing COVID-19 spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is a major environmental hazard. Stomatal development is highly responsive to abiotic stress and has been used as a cellular marker for drought-tolerant crop selection. C3 and C4 crops have evolved into different photosynthetic systems and physiological responses to water deficits. The genome sequences of maize, sorghum, and sugarcane make it possible to explore the association of the stomatal response to drought stress with the evolution of the key stomatal regulators. In this study, phylogenic analysis, gene expression analysis and stomatal assay under drought stress were used to investigate the drought tolerance of C3 and C4 plants. Our data shows that C3 and C4 plants exhibit different drought responses at the cellular level. Drought represses the growth and stomatal development of C3 crops but has little effect on that of C4 plants. In addition, stomatal development is unresponsive to drought in drought-tolerant C3 crops but is repressed in drought-tolerant C4 plants. The different developmental responses to drought in C3 and C4 plants might be associated with the divergent expression of their SPEECHLESS genes. In particular, C4 crops have evolved to generate multiple SPEECHLESS homologs with different genetic structure and expression levels. Our research provides not only molecular evidence that supports the evolutionary history of C4 from C3 plants but also a possible molecular model that controls the cellular response to abiotic stress in C3 and C4 crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]