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Listeria monocytogenes (LM) possesses the ability to breach multiple barriers and elicit intricate immune responses. However, there remains a lack of explicit understanding regarding how LM evades innate immune surveillance within the body. Here, we utilized liver intravital imaging to elucidate the dynamic process of LM during infection in the liver. We discovered that LM can rapidly escape from Kupffer cells (KCs) through listeriolysin O (LLO) and proliferate within hepatocytes. Upon LM exposure to the hepatic sinusoids, neutrophils rapidly aggregate at the site of infection. Subsequently, LM can induce type I interferon (IFN-I) production primarily in the spleen, which acts systemically on neutrophils to hamper their swarming by deactivating the ERK pathway, thus evading neutrophil-mediated eradication. Furthermore, our findings suggest that virus-induced IFN-I suppresses neutrophil swarming, and COVID-19 patients exhibit impaired neutrophil aggregation function. In conclusion, our findings provide compelling evidence demonstrating that intracellular bacteria represented by LM can hijack host defense mechanisms against viral infections to evade immune surveillance. Additionally, impaired neutrophil swarming caused by IFN-I is one of the significant factors contributing to the increased susceptibility to bacterial infections following viral infections. Intracellular bacterial infection triggers numerous innate immune responses. Here, Li et al. use intravital imaging to understand how L. monocytogenes invades the liver and avoids triggering neutrophil swarming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: ACO (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) serves as a pivotal enzyme within the plant ethylene synthesis pathway, exerting influence over critical facets of plant biology such as flowering, fruit ripening, and seed development. Objective: This study aims to identify ACO genes from representative Rosaceae genomes, reconstruct their phylogenetic relationships by integrating synteny information, and investigate their expression patterns and networks during fruit development. Methods: we utilize a specialized Hidden Markov Model (HMM), crafted on the sequence attributes of ACO gene-encoded proteins, to systematically identify and analyze ACO gene family members across 12 representative species within the Rosaceae botanical family. Through transcriptome analysis, we delineate the expression patterns of ACO genes in six distinct Rosaceae fruits. Results: Our investigation reveals the presence of 62 ACO genes distributed among the surveyed Rosaceae species, characterized by hydrophilic proteins predominantly expressed within the cytoplasm. Phylogenetic analysis categorizes these ACO genes into three discernible classes, namely Class I, Class II, and Class III. Further scrutiny via collinearity assessment indicates a lack of collinearity relationships among these classes, highlighting variations in conserved motifs and promoter types within each class. Transcriptome analysis unveils significant disparities in both expression levels and trends of ACO genes in fruits exhibiting respiratory bursts compared to those that do not. Employing Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), we discern that the co-expression correlation of ACO genes within loquat fruit notably differs from that observed in apples. Our findings, derived from Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment results, signify the involvement of ACO genes and their co-expressed counterparts in biological processes linked to terpenoid metabolism and carbohydrate synthesis in loquat. Moreover, our exploration of gene regulatory networks (GRN) highlights the potential pivotal role of the GNAT transcription factor (Ejapchr1G00010380) in governing the overexpression of the ACO gene (Ejapchr10G00001110) within loquat fruits. Conclusion: The constructed HMM of ACO proteins offers a precise and systematic method for identifying plant ACO proteins, facilitating phylogenetic reconstruction. ACO genes from representative Rosaceae fruits exhibit diverse expression and regulative patterns, warranting further function characterizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth-regulating factor (GRF) proteins are vital in regulating plant growth, development, and abiotic stress response. However, little information is known about the GRF gene family in the sweet cherry. This study identified nine PavGRFs from the sweet cherry genome and classified into three clades by phylogenetic, conserved motif, and gene structure analyses. Sequence analysis indicated that genes in the same clade had similar gene structures and all members contained QLQ (Gln-Leu-Gln) and WRC(Trp-Arg-Cys) domains. In addition, evolutionary analyses revealed that soybean and sweet cherry had the highest number of co-linear gene pairs, and among Rosaceae, peach and pear had a pattern of co-linear gene pairs that was largely similar to that of sweet cherry. Furthermore, the promoters of PavGRFs were found to contain many MYB-MYC elements and elements related to abiotic stress responses such as low-temperature response elements (LTRs) and damage-inducible elements (WRE3, W box), and the predicted protein-interaction network of PavGRFs discovered that most PavGRFs could interact with AtGIF1.Tissue-specific expression of the PavGRFs was analyzed using qRT-PCR, and it was found that the expression of the PavGRFs was higher during the dormant period of the flower buds and throughout fruit development. The expression patterns of PavGRFs under cold stress were investigated and four PavGRFs were found to be significantly up-regulated in expression levels under cold treatment. In conclusion, this study systematically analyzed the bioinformatics and expression patterns of PavGRFs and provided a basis for further understanding of the role of the PavGRF family in the response of the sweet cherry to cold stress and growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of hysteroscopic surgery combined with progesterone therapy on fertility and prognosis in patients with early endometrial cancer (EC), atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH), or endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN). Methods: Studies on hysteroscopic surgery combined with progesterone therapy for patients with early-stage EC, AEH, or EIN were searched from Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases. The included studies contained one or more of the following outcome variables: pregnancy rate, live birth rate, complete response (CR) rate, and recurrence rate after conservative treatment. The meta-analysis was performed using Stata. Results: 13 pieces of literature containing 239 patients with EC and 199 patients with AEH/EIN were included. As per the results of meta-analysis, the pregnancy rates of EC patients and AEH/EIN patients were 49% (95% CI 33–65%) and 47% (95% CI 31–64%), respectively, and the live birth rates were 45% (95% CI 32–58%) and 44% (95% CI 34–54%), respectively. CR rates of EC patients and AEH/EIN patients were 90% (95% CI 85–94%) and 100% (95% CI 97–100%), respectively, and the disease recurrence rates were 17% (95% CI 8–28%) and 11% (95% CI 3–23%), respectively. Conclusion: Hysteroscopic surgery combined with progesterone was linked to an improved overall response rate, reduced disease recurrence rate, and increased pregnancy and live birth rates among patients with EC and AEH/EIN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of short chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate have been explored in a wide array of neurological pathologies. It is a 4-carbon SCFA produced from the fermentation of dietary fibers by the gut-microbiota. As evident from previous literature, butyrate plays a wide array of functions in CNS and interestingly enhances the differentiation potential of Neural stem/Progenitor Cells (NSPCs). Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a well-known member of the Flaviviridae family and has been shown to alter neural stem cell pool of the brain, causing devastating consequences. In this study, we administered sodium butyrate (NaB) post JEV infection in BALB/c mouse model to examine any possible amelioration of the viral infection in NSPCs. In addition, ex vivo neurospheres and in vitro model of NSPCs were also used to study the effect of sodium butyrate in JEV infection. As an unprecedented finding, butyrate treated infected animals presented early onset of symptoms, as compared to their respective JEV infected groups. Alongside, we observed an increased viral load in NSPCs isolated from these animals as well as in cell culture models upon sodium butyrate treatment. Cytometric bead array analysis also revealed an increase in inflammatory cytokines, particularly, MCP-1 and IL-6. Further, increased expression of the key members of the canonical NF-κB pathway, viz-a-viz p-NF-κB, p-Iκ-Bα and p-IKK was observed. Overall, the increased inflammation and cell death caused early symptom progression in NaB-treated JEV infected animal model, which is contradictory to the well documented protective nature of NaB and therefore a better understanding of SCFA-based modulation of the gut-brain axis in viral infections is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canonical sexual reproduction among basidiomycete fungi involves the fusion of two haploid individuals of different mating types, resulting in a heterokaryotic mycelial body made up of genetically different nuclei. Using population genomics data and experiments, we discover mushrooms of the invasive and deadly Amanita phalloides can also be homokaryotic; evidence of sexual reproduction by single, unmated individuals. In California, genotypes of homokaryotic mushrooms are also found in heterokaryotic mushrooms, implying nuclei of homokaryotic mycelia are also involved in outcrossing. We find death cap mating is controlled by a single mating type locus, but the development of homokaryotic mushrooms appears to bypass mating type gene control. Ultimately, sporulation is enabled by nuclei able to reproduce alone as well as with others, and nuclei competent for both unisexuality and bisexuality have persisted in invaded habitats for at least 17 but potentially as long as 30 years. The diverse reproductive strategies of invasive death caps are likely facilitating its rapid spread, suggesting a profound similarity between plant, animal and fungal invasions. The death cap mushroom Amanita phalloides is invading California but little is known about how it spreads through forests. Wang et al. discover that this fungus can develop mushrooms and sporulate without mating; the nuclei involved in unisexuality appear to have persisted in invaded habitats for decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Certain respiratory fungal pathogen mono-infections can cause high mortality rates. Several viral pathogen mono-infections, including influenza viruses and coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, can also cause high mortality rates. Concurrent infections by fungal pathogens and highly manipulative viral pathogens can synergistically interact in the respiratory tract to substantially increase their mortality rates. There are at least five viral manipulations which can assist secondary fungal infections. These viral manipulations include the following: (1) inhibiting transcription factors and cytokine expressions, (2) impairing defensive protein expressions, (3) inhibiting defenses by manipulating cellular sensors and signaling pathways, (4) inhibiting defenses by secreting exosomes, and (5) stimulating glucocorticoid synthesis to suppress immune defenses by inhibiting cytokine, chemokine, and adhesion molecule production. The highest mortality respiratory viral pandemics up to now have had substantially boosted mortalities by inducing secondary bacterial pneumonias. However, numerous animal species besides humans are also carriers of endemic infections by viral and multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens. The vast multi-species scope of endemic infection opportunities make it plausible that the pro-fungal manipulations of a respiratory virus can someday evolve to enable a very high mortality rate viral pandemic inducing multidrug-resistant secondary fungal pathogen infections. Since such pandemics can quickly spread world-wide and outrun existing treatments, it would be worthwhile to develop new antifungal treatments well before such a high mortality event occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton is an irreplaceable economic crop currently domesticated in the human world for its extremely elongated fiber cells specialized in seed epidermis, which makes it of high research and application value. To date, numerous research on cotton has navigated various aspects, from multi-genome assembly, genome editing, mechanism of fiber development, metabolite biosynthesis, and analysis to genetic breeding. Genomic and 3D genomic studies reveal the origin of cotton species and the spatiotemporal asymmetric chromatin structure in fibers. Mature multiple genome editing systems, such as CRISPR/Cas9, Cas12 (Cpf1) and cytidine base editing (CBE), have been widely used in the study of candidate genes affecting fiber development. Based on this, the cotton fiber cell development network has been preliminarily drawn. Among them, the MYB-bHLH-WDR (MBW) transcription factor complex and IAA and BR signaling pathway regulate the initiation; various plant hormones, including ethylene, mediated regulatory network and membrane protein overlap fine-regulate elongation. Multistage transcription factors targeting CesA 4, 7, and 8 specifically dominate the whole process of secondary cell wall thickening. And fluorescently labeled cytoskeletal proteins can observe real-time dynamic changes in fiber development. Furthermore, research on the synthesis of cotton secondary metabolite gossypol, resistance to diseases and insect pests, plant architecture regulation, and seed oil utilization are all conducive to finding more high-quality breeding-related genes and subsequently facilitating the cultivation of better cotton varieties. This review summarizes the paramount research achievements in cotton molecular biology over the last few decades from the above aspects, thereby enabling us to conduct a status review on the current studies of cotton and provide strong theoretical support for the future direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: In total, 17 QTLs for lint percentage in short-season cotton, including three stable QTLs, were detected. Twenty-eight differentially expressed genes located within the stable QTLs were identified, and two genes were validated by qRT-PCR. The breeding and use of short-season cotton have significant values in addressing the question of occupying farmlands with either cotton or cereals. However, the fiber yields of short-season cotton varieties are significantly lower than those of middle- and late-maturing varieties. How to effectively improve the fiber yield of short-season cotton has become a focus of cotton research. Here, a high-density genetic map was constructed using genome resequencing and an RIL population generated from the hybridization of two short-season cotton accessions, Dong3 and Dong4. The map contained 4960 bin markers across the 26 cotton chromosomes and spanned 3971.08 cM, with an average distance of 0.80 cM between adjacent markers. Based on the genetic map, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for lint percentage (LP, %), an important yield component trait, was performed. In total, 17 QTLs for LP, including three stable QTLs, qLP-A02, qLP-D04, and qLP-D12, were detected. Three out of 11 non-redundant QTLs overlapped with previously reported QTLs, whereas the other eight were novel QTLs. A total of 28 differentially expressed genes associated with the three stable QTLs were identified using RNA-seq of ovules and fibers at different seed developmental stages from the parental materials. The two genes, Ghir_A02G017640 and Ghir_A02G018500, may be related to LP as determined by further qRT-PCR validation. This study provides useful information for the genetic dissection of LP and promotes the molecular breeding of short-season cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservative management of endometrial cancer (CMEC) is viable for women with early-stage disease wishing to preserve fertility, but there is poor knowledge regarding clinicians' attitudes towards treatment or guidelines adherence. This 55-item survey study investigated CMEC-related experience, practice and attitudes among clinically active Swedish gynecologists and gynecological oncologists, focusing on reproductive eligibility criteria. The survey consisted of a general and two specific subsets, selectively delivered to clinicians active in infertility (subset A) and endometrial cancer (subset B) care. Answers from 218 clinicians were included. More than half agreed on CMEC whereas only 5% explicitly disagreed. The majority supported a fertility work-up to substantiate reasonable chances to pregnancy and live birth. Most disagreed about CMEC in case of previous unsuccessful fertility treatments, while more than 1/3 disagreed about CMEC in known fertility problems, recurrent miscarriages or previous children. Over 50% of respondents in subset A (n = 107) found it applicable with fertility investigations such as ovarian reserve testing or, in case of male partner, semen analysis. Respondents in subset B (n = 165) agreed on items based on existing recommendations regarding the oncological management of CMEC, including the use of continuous progestins, hysteroscopic resection of macroscopic lesions, control biopsy with curettage or hysteroscopy after 6 months of treatment, pursuing pregnancy as soon as possible after complete response, and performing a hysterectomy once live birth is achieved. While many clinicians were familiar with CMEC, the overall experience is limited. Fertility specialists seem less involved than oncologists in patient care but there is broad support for fertility-related eligibility criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinization–alkalization is a major hindrance to agricultural development globally. Tea crabapple is widely used in China. However, little remains known regarding the molecular mechanisms used to withstand mixed saline–alkali stress (MSAS). Herein, we exposed tea crabapple seedlings to MSAS, and RNA-seq was performed for the transcriptome analysis of roots. Between 43.26 million and 43.37 million clean reads were thus obtained. In comparison with the control group (day 0), 2931, 2335, and 3746 genes were differentially expressed at day 1, day 3, and day 6 of MSAS exposure, respectively, and 1022 genes were common in the three comparison groups. On functional annotation, we observed that numerous differentially expressed genes were involved in "global and overview maps"; "carbohydrate metabolism"; "folding, sorting, and degradation"; "biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites"; "environmental adaptation"; and "signal transduction." Heat shock proteins, cytochrome P450s, disease-resistant proteins, non-specific lipid-transfer proteins, pectate lyase, and beta-glucosidases were also induced in response to MSAS, in addition to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium absorption and metabolism-related genes. Transcription factor-coding genes appear to regulate the response of tea crabapple roots to MSAS by participating in, for example, plant hormone signal transduction and heat shock response. We also performed quantitative real-time PCR to validate the expression of six differentially expressed genes. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms used by tea crabapple to cope with MSAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the inverse-variance-weighted (IVW) method is mainly used for Mendelian randomization analysis, and the heterogeneity test is conducted using the IVW method. SNPs with strong correlation and independence between gut microbiota and outcome factors, and with genome-wide significance, are selected as instrumental variables, with a SNP selection threshold set at I P i < 5 × 10 SP -5 sp . The ending factors were OM, including acute suppurative otitis media (ASOM) and chronic suppurative otitis media(CSOM), and the populations in this dataset were all derived from European populations, with a sample size of about 180,000 cases and several SNPs of about 16,380,000. [Extracted from the article]

Saline–alkali stress is a universal abiotic stress factor limiting fruit tree cultivation worldwide. Apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.) is one of the fruits with the largest yields worldwide. Tea crabapple (Malus hupehensis Rehd. var. pingyiensis Jiang) is a type of common apple rootstock in China. Because facultative apomixis occurs in this species, it is often used in molecular research. The present study investigated the molecular mechanism of the response of indoleacetic acid (IAA) and cytokinins [zeatin, trans-zeatin riboside (tZR), isopentenyladenine (iP), and isopentenyladenosine (iPA)] to mixed saline–alkali stress (MSAS) in tea crabapple leaves. The endogenous hormone content of tea crabapple leaves under MSAS was measured, and the expression of stress response-related genes was analyzed by RNA sequencing. The results showed that the concentration of IAA was initially higher and then lower than that in the control, whereas the concentration of zeatin, tZR, iP, and iPA was higher than that in the control. A total of 1262 differentially expressed genes were identified in the three comparison groups. Further analyses suggested that IAA and cytokinin biosynthetic genes were mostly upregulated in tea crabapple leaves, indicating that auxin and cytokinin signaling pathway regulation occurred in response to MSAS. These findings suggest that IAA and cytokinins play an important role in the response of tea crabapple to MSAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: A fiber length QTL, qFL-c10-1, was fine-mapped to a 96.5-kb region containing one gene that has not been characterized in plants. Fiber length is an important component of cotton fiber quality, which is associated with other quality properties such as fiber strength, fiber maturity, and fineness. In our previous studies, a stable QTL qFL-c10-1 controlling fiber length had been identified on chromosome A10 in an upland cotton recombinant inbred line (RIL) population from a cross between Jimian5 and DH962. To fine-map qFL-c10-1, an F2 population with 1081 individual plants from a cross between a recombinant line DJ61 and Jimian5 was established. Using linkage analysis and progeny recombination experiment, qFL-c10-1 was mapped into a 96.5-kb genomic region that just contained one proper transcript Ghir_A10G022020 (described as GhFL10), an undescribed gene in plants. One 214-bp deletion was identified in the promoter region of DJ61 compared with Jimian5. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and comparative analysis of parental sequences suggested that GhFL10 was the most promising candidate gene for qFL-c10-1. According to RNA-seq, yeast two-hybrid assay and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC), we speculate that GhFL10 interacts with NF-YA transcription factors to negatively regulate fiber elongation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Identification and genomic characterization of major resistance locus against cotton bacterial blight (CBB) using GWAS and linkage mapping to enable genomics-based development of durable CBB resistance and gene discovery in cotton. Cotton bacterial leaf blight (CBB), caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. malvacearum (Xcm), has periodically been a damaging disease in the USA. Identification and deployment of genetic resistance in cotton cultivars is the most economical and efficient means of reducing crop losses due to CBB. In the current study, genome-wide association study (GWAS) of CBB resistance using an elite diversity panel of 380 accessions, genotyped with the cotton single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 63 K array, and phenotyped with race-18 of CBB, localized the CBB resistance to a 2.01-Mb region in the long arm of chromosome D02. Molecular genetic mapping using an F6 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population showed the CBB resistance in cultivar Arkot 8102 was controlled by a single locus (BB-13). The BB-13 locus was mapped within the 0.95-cM interval near the telomeric region in the long arm of chromosome D02. Flanking SNP markers, i04890Gh and i04907Gh of the BB-13 locus, identified from the combined linkage analysis and GWAS, targeted it to a 371-Kb genomic region. Candidate gene analysis identified thirty putative gene sequences in the targeted genomic region. Nine of these putative genes and two NBS-LRR genes adjacent to the targeted region were putatively involved in plant disease resistance and are possible candidate genes for BB-13 locus. Genetic mapping and genomic targeting of the BB13 locus in the current study will help in cloning the CBB-resistant gene and establishing the molecular genetic architecture of the BB-13 locus towards developing durable resistance to CBB in cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Error detection and error significance form essential mechanisms that influence error processing and action adaptation. Error detection often is assessed by an immediate self-evaluation of accuracy. Our study used cognitive neuroscience methods to elucidate whether self-evaluation itself influences error processing by increasing error significance in the context of a complex response selection process. In a novel eight-alternative response task, our participants responded to eight symbol stimuli with eight different response keys and a specific stimulus-response assignment. In the first part of the experiment, the participants merely performed the task. In the second part, they also evaluated their response accuracy on each trial. We replicated variations in early and later stages of error processing and action adaptation as a function of error detection. The additional self-evaluation enhanced error processing on later stages, probably reflecting error evidence accumulation, whereas earlier error monitoring processes were not amplified. Implementing multivariate pattern analysis revealed that self-evaluation influenced brain activity patterns preceding and following the response onset, independent of response accuracy. The classifier successfully differentiated between responses from the self- and the no-self-evaluation condition several hundred milliseconds before response onset. Subsequent exploratory analyses indicated that both self-evaluation and the time on task contributed to these differences in brain activity patterns. This suggests that in addition to its effect on error processing, self-evaluation in a complex choice task seems to have an influence on early and general processing mechanisms (e.g., the quality of attention and stimulus encoding), which is amplified by the time on task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collaboration of heterogeneous robots is a hot topic in multi-intelligent agents, characterized by wide-area coverage and high environmental adaptability. Compared with a single-intelligent agent, multi-intelligent agent collaboration presents superior data matching, system redundancy, and robustness. At the same time, the complementarity of heterogeneous multi-robot is formed a cross-domain, which inherently improves its perception capability, execution capability, and operational efficiency in the complex environment. Therefore, multi-intelligent agents’ organic coordination and cross-domain collaboration will lead to a new paradigm of future robotics and applications. This paper reviews air-ground collaboration, the Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) collaborative system as the research targets. Firstly, the essential elements of UGVs and UAVs are introduced. Secondly, the types of equipment, sensors, missions, environments, metrics under heterogeneous robotic platforms, and how to make device selections in which tasks and scenarios are classified. Thirdly, several vital roles in the air-ground collaborative systems are identified. Finally, a multi-level classification of air-ground collaboration in funded projects, competitions, unique scenarios, inspirations, platforms, and challenges is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) such as quadcopters are ideal for aerial surveillance because of their runway independence, terrain-agnostic maneuverability, low cost, and simple hardware. However, battery capacity constraints limit the effective range and endurance of sUASs, requiring human intervention to replace batteries or perform manual recharging for longer operations. To increase their range, an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) may provide recharging depot as needed. The problem is then to find optimal paths for the UGV and sUASs to visit mission points and sUAS-UGV rendezvous points for recharging. We present a three-tiered heuristics to solve this computationally hard combinatorial optimization problem: (1) K-means clustering is used to find UGV waypoints, (2) a traveling salesman formulation (TSP) is used to solve the optimal UGV route, and (3) vehicle routing problem formulation (VRP) with capacity constraints, time windows, and dropped visits is used to solve for sUAS routes. We use constraint programming for optimization of the TSP and VRP, achieving a solution for 25 mission points and up to 4 sUASs in about a minute on a standard desktop computer. We also found that constraint programming solvers are 7 − 30 times faster, but 4 − 15% sub-optimal compared to mixed-integer solvers, which provide exact solutions. Further, we used constraint programming solvers in a Monte-Carlo approach to evaluate the role of mission spread, number of clusters, and number of sUASs on the optimal solution. Our contribution is the development of heuristics for route selection of sUAS-UGVs that produces high quality solutions as more mission points and sUASs are added without substantially increasing the computational time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation of plant genomes is of great importance for basic research and practical breeding. In 1977, F. Sanger proposed a DNA sequencing method, which allowed the complete sequences of a number of genomes to be determined. Then high-throughput and cost-effective next-generation/second-generation sequencing methods, producing up to billions of short reads, made it possible to sequence genomes of a significant number of species and provided a breakthrough in plant genetic studies. Finally, third-generation sequencing technologies allowed the determination of single-molecule sequences up to a million nucleotides in length, which is key for high-quality genome assemblies. An important task is to obtain a pan-genome, which includes an entire set of nucleotide sequences presented in various genotypes of the same species. The sequencing of plant genomes made it possible to assess intraspecific polymorphism, identify key genes influencing the formation of significant features, and develop molecular markers of economically valuable traits and this has become the basis for the development of marker-assisted and genomic selection. This review provides information on the latest advances in sequencing technologies and the assembly of plant genomes, as well as the opportunities that they open up for basic and applied works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salvia miltiorrhiza is an important traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) plant and a model plant in the genetic study of TCM. A series of omics related to Danshen have been published. Integrating, managing, storing, and sharing data has become an urgent problem to be solved in S. miltiorrhiza genetic studies. Objectives: The genome database is the link for the exchange, acquisition, and use of different omics data between data producers and users, maximizing value and utilization of data. Methods: The genome database included DSS3 genome and five RNA-Seq data. The back-end performs data search and retrieval through the LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) framework. Results: Here, we present SmGDB (S. miltiorrhiza genome database; http://8.140.162.85/), which houses the latest version of genome sequence and annotation data for S. miltiorrhiza, combining three unpublished RNA-Seq data from our group and two released RNA-Seq data. We also identified a novel gene cluster including seven CYP71D genes involved in the tanshinone synthesis pathway based on genome sequences and expression data. Besides, SmGDB provides user-friendly web interfaces for querying and browsing gene annotation, structure, location, and expression profiles for concerned genes. Popular bioinformatics tools such as 'BLAST', 'Search', 'Heatmap', 'JBrowse', etc., were also provided in SmGDB. Conclusions: SmGDB will provide utility for characterizing the structure of the S. miltiorrhiza genome and better understanding gene functions and biological processes underlying complex secondary metabolism in Danshen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reveal the molecular mechanism in the accumulation of chlorogenic acids (CGAs) in peach (Prunus persica) fruit during growth and development, CGA contents in the flesh of the three peach cultivars 'Ruiguang 18', 'Heiyoutao', and 'Beijingyixianhong' were determined. The expression levels of CGA metabolism-related genes were analyzed based on transcriptome data (RNA-seq). These candidate genes were then screened and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to verify their expression. The results showed that the content of total CGAs, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, in the flesh of 'Ruiguang 18' exhibited a decreasing trend during fruit development, and there was a great drop at maturity stage (P < 0.05). The three contents in 'Heiyoutao' increased first at stage S2 (P < 0.05) and then decreased significantly (P < 0.05). In 'Beijingyixianhong', they stayed stable in the early stages, then total CGAs and 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid decreased significantly at the maturity stage (P < 0.05). RNA-seq transcriptome data analysis and qRT-PCR expression analysis showed that the accumulation of CGAs in fruit flesh was mainly affected by the expression of Prupe.3G100800 (PpHCT) and Prupe.3G107300 (Pp4CL), and their expression levels were highly consistent with total CGA content. Thus, we concluded that Prupe.3G100800 (PpHCT) and Prupe.3G107300 (Pp4CL) are the key genes for CGAs synthesis in peach flesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of post-zygotic hybrid incompatibility is essential to understand speciation. Although the genes and molecular mechanisms involved in hybrid incompatibility are being elucidated in model plants and crops, the information on woody non-model plants is lacking. In the seedlings of a cross between the most famous ornamental cherry cultivar Cerasus × yedoensis 'Somei-yoshino' and its closely related wild species Cerasus itosakura, we discovered a hybrid incompatibility characterized by a phenotype in which growth stops after the expansion of the first true leaves and the seedling eventually dies. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms related to this seedling necrosis, we performed a comprehensive expressed gene analysis on normal-growth and necrotic weak-growth (SW) hybrid seedlings. The RNA-seq results showed over 1500 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specified for the SW. Numerous genes associated with plant defense response, such as pathogenesis-related genes, and several receptor-like protein kinases were included in SW-specific upregulated DEGs. The Gene Ontology enrichment analysis also showed the significant association of "defense response" in SW seedlings. These upregulated defense-related gene expressions were particularly observed in the hypocotyls. On the contrary, the reduction of photosynthesis-related gene expression and reduction in the gene expressions of cell division and cell cycle at specific parts of seedlings were also observed in the SW. Our results suggest that an upregulated defense-related gene expression suppresses the meristem growth and deviation, resulting in growth failure as an autoimmune response in hybrid cherry seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a microsymbiont of soybean, Bradyrhizobium japonicum plays an important role in symbiotic nitrogen fixation and sustainable agriculture. However, the survival of B. japonicum cells under water-deplete (e.g., drought) and water-replete (e.g., flood) conditions is a major concern affecting their nitrogen-fixing ability by establishing the symbiotic relationship with the host. In this study, we isolated a water stress tolerant rhizobium from soybean root nodules and tested its survival under water-deplete conditions. The rhizobium was identified as Bradyrhizobium japonicum and named strain 5038. Interestingly, both plate counting and live/dead fluorescence staining assays indicate that a number of viable but non-culturable cells exist in the culture medium upon the rehydration process which could cause dilution stress. Bradyrhizobium japonicum 5038 cells increased production of exopolysaccharide (EPS) and trehalose when dehydrated, suggesting that protective responses were stimulated. As expected, cells reduced their production upon the subsequent rehydration. To examine differential gene expression of B. japonicum 5038 when exposed to water-deplete and subsequent water-replete conditions, whole-genome transcriptional analysis was performed under 10% relative humidity (RH), and subsequent 100% RH, respectively. A total of 462 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, > 2.0-fold) were identified under the 10% RH condition, while 3,776 genes showed differential expression during the subsequent rehydration (100% RH) process. Genes involved in signal transduction, inorganic ion transport, energy production and metabolisms of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids were far more up-regulated than down-regulated in the 10% RH condition. Notably, trehalose biosynthetic genes (otsAB, treS, and treYZ), genes ligD, oprB, and a sigma factor rpoH were significantly induced by 10% RH. Under the subsequent 100% RH condition, genes involved in transcription, translation, cell membrane regulation, replication and repair, and protein processing were highly up-regulated. Interestingly, most of 10%-RH inducible genes displayed rehydration-repressed, except three genes encoding heat shock (Hsp20) proteins. Therefore, this study provides molecular evidence for the switch of gene expression of B. japonicum cells when encountered the opposite water availability from water-deplete to water-replete conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate histologically the amount of peri-implant tissue augmentation after volume-stable porcine collagen matrix transplantation. Six male beagle dogs were used in the experiment. P2, P4, and M1 distal roots were extracted under general anesthesia. After 6 months, implants were placed in the same sites, and volume-stable porcine collagen matrix transplantation was performed. Impressions were taken at 1 and 2 weeks and at 1, 2, and 3 months after transplantation. The dogs were euthanized at 3 months, and their mandibles were removed and scanned using micro-computed tomography. Standard Triangulated Language data were also obtained. Using preoperative models as a reference, the data for all time points were compared, and changes in the thickness of the cross-section of the implant sites were measured. The model created at 3 months was then compared with the mandible data, and the thickness of collected peri-implant soft tissue was measured under optical microscopy. Increased thickness was found at some of the sites on the buccal side. Regarding the peri-implant soft tissue, the thickness of the measured sites on the buccal side was significantly increased at 3 months in the experimental group. Histological observations of the internal structures of the tissue in the experimental group revealed irregular collagen fibers and a remnant collagen matrix. Endogenous tissue was observed within the collagen matrix, indicating good fusion with the surrounding autologous tissue. These results suggest that volume-stable porcine collagen matrix transplantation promotes peri-implant tissue augmentation on the buccal side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare the outcomes of modified coronally advanced flap (mCAF) combined with either xenogeneic dermal matrix (XDM) or connective tissue graft (CTG) for the treatment of multiple adjacent gingival recessions (MAGRs). Materials and methods: Forty-two patients, in whom 130 maxillary (MAGRs) of type (RT1) were found, were randomly allocated to the two groups. Clinical, esthetic, and patient-centered outcomes were evaluated at baseline, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. Result: Group CAF+ CTG exhibited a higher mean root coverage value (mRC) (91.79%) (primary outcome variable) than group CAF+XDM (80.19%) without statistically significant difference at 12 months (p=0.06). The control group also had significantly higher percentage of teeth in which complete root coverage (CRC) and mean gain of gingival thickness (GT) were achieved, than the test group (p<0.05). With respect to patient-centered outcomes, patients of the test group reported having experienced significantly less pain than those of the control group until 7 days (p<0.05). Both surgical approaches were capable of significantly decreasing dentin hypersensitivity (p<0.05). No difference between groups was found in the esthetic score analysis (p>0.05). Mean surgical time was lower in the test group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The two treatments showed similar mRC. However, CAF+CTG was superior to CAF+XDM in providing CRC and in gaining GT. CAF+XDM demonstrated advantages over CAF+CTG with regard to patient morbidity and surgical time. Clinical relevance: Application of XDM provided a better patient experience and shortened the time to recovery after coronally advanced flaps for coverage of multiple adjacent recessions. However, CTG resulted in improved percentages of complete root coverage. Trial registration: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC) number: RBR-974c9j [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to compare xenogeneic dermal matrix (XDM) to connective tissue graft (CTG) associated with coronally advanced flap (CAF) in treating Miller's class I and II (RT1) multiple gingival recession in a split-mouth randomized clinical trial. Materials and methods: Fifteen patients with bilateral Miller's class I and II multiple recessions were selected. The patient's side receiving each treatment was randomly allocated to receive XDM or CTG. The clinical parameters were measured at baseline and 6 months of follow-up. Results: At 6 months, no significant difference in the root coverage (RC) (95.28 ± 6.89% for CTG and 92.68 ± 7.35% for XDM) and the keratinized tissue (KT) gain (0.91 ± 0.46 mm for CTG and 0.74 ± 0.39 mm for XDM) was observed between groups (p > 0.05). The CTG group presented higher complete root coverage (CRC) than XDM (60% and 33%, respectively) (p = 0.045). Multiple logistic regression indicated that the XDM (p = 0.01) and the XDM and KT interaction (p = 0.02) negatively interfered in the CRC. A 1-mm increase in the baseline KT when using XDM increases almost 6 times the chance of achieving CRC, and XDM reached a similar CRC probability to CTG when the receptor area presented at least 2 mm of KT. Conclusions: Both treatments were effective for treating multiple gingival recession; similar KT gain, GR reduction, and RC were obtained for CTG and XDM, while CTG promoted higher CRC than XDM. Moreover, the amount of KT at baseline was determinant for CRC when treating multiple gingival recession with XDM. Clinical relevance: XDM produces limited CRC in sites with a reduced amount of KT. Trial registration: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC) number RBR-56NZQ6 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acanthamoeba is known to interact with a plethora of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. In these interactions, the amoebae can be predatory in nature, transmission vehicle or an incubator. Amoebae consume microorganisms, especially bacteria, as food source to fulfil their nutritional needs by taking up bacteria through phagocytosis and lysing them in phagolysosomes and hence play an eminent role in the regulation of bacterial density in the nature and accountable for eradication of around 60% of the bacterial population in the environment. Acanthamoeba can also act as a "Trojan horse" for microbial transmission in the environment. Additionally, Acanthamoeba may serve as an incubator-like reservoir for microorganisms, including those that are pathogenic to humans, where the microorganisms use amoebae's defences to resist harsh environment and evade host defences and drugs, whilst growing in numbers inside the amoebae. Furthermore, amoebae can also be used as a "genetic melting pot" where exchange of genes as well as adaptation of microorganisms, leading to higher pathogenicity, may arise. Here, we describe bacteria, fungi and viruses that are known to interact with Acanthamoeba spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces CONcentric Swarm mObiLity modEl (CONSOLE), a novel mobility model for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to efficiently achieve surveillance and intruder detection missions. It permits to protect a restricted area from intruders using a concentric circles model where simulated UAVs evolve in these so-called security rings. Having UAVs arranged in rings fosters an early detection (outer ring) while increases the reliability of the surveillance system featuring a last detection barrier (inner ring). Using the first return map from a chaotic attractor (an unpredictable sequence of real numbers) and a dynamic pheromone map, the UAV swarm members make a collective decision about their trajectories evaluating the options of a best-of-n problem. As a result, routes are unpredictable and detection rates are optimised. The parameters of each UAV, i.e. amount of pheromones and ring assignation, has been tuned using a specifically designed evolutionary algorithm. The performance of CONSOLE has been compared to five state-of-the-art mobility models on 20 case studies comprising 30 different scenarios each. Empirical results obtained via simulations demonstrate the better performance of CONSOLE in terms of amount of intruder detected and detection time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Rose has 19 MLO genes. Of these, RhMLO1 and RhMLO2 were shown to be required for powdery mildew infection, which suggests their potential as susceptibility targets towards disease resistance. Powdery mildew, caused by Podosphaera pannosa, is one of the most serious and widespread fungal diseases for roses, especially in greenhouse-grown cut roses. It has been shown that certain MLO genes are involved in powdery mildew susceptibility and that loss of function in these genes in various crops leads to broad-spectrum, long-lasting resistance against this fungal disease. For this reason, these MLO genes are called susceptibility genes. We carried out a genome-wide identification of the MLO gene family in the Rosa chinensis genome, and screened for allelic variants among 22 accessions from seven different Rosa species using re-sequencing and transcriptome data. We identified 19 MLO genes in rose, of which four are candidate genes for functional homologs in clade V, which is the clade containing all dicot MLO susceptibility genes. We detected a total of 198 different allelic variants in the set of Rosa species and accessions, corresponding to 5–15 different alleles for each of the genes. Some diploid Rosa species shared alleles with tetraploid rose cultivars, consistent with the notion that diploid species have contributed to the formation of tetraploid roses. Among the four RhMLO genes in clade V, we demonstrated using expression study, virus-induced gene silencing as well as transient RNAi silencing that two of them, RhMLO1 and RhMLO2, are required for infection by P. pannosa and suggest their potential as susceptibility targets for powdery mildew resistance breeding in rose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant cancers in the world and has only few treatment options and, concomitantly, a poor prognosis. It is generally accepted now that the tumor microenvironment, particularly that under hypoxia, plays an important role in cancer development. Hypoxia can regulate the energy metabolism and malignancy of tumor cells by inducing or altering various important factors, such as oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS), hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), autophagy and acidosis. In addition, altered expression and/or dysfunction of ion channels/transporters (ICTs) have been encountered in a variety of human tumors, including GC, and to play an important role in the processes of tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. Increasing evidence indicates that ICTs are at least partly involved in interactions between cancer cells and their hypoxic microenvironment. Here, we provide an overview of the different ICTs that regulate or are regulated by hypoxia in GC. Conclusions and perspectives: Hypoxia is one of the major obstacles to cancer therapy. Regulating cellular responses and factors under hypoxia can inhibit GC. Similarly, altering the expression or activity of ICTs, such as the application of ion channel inhibitors, can slow down the growth and/or migration of GC cells. Since targeting the hypoxic microenvironment and/or ICTs may be a promising strategy for the treatment of GC, more attention should be paid to the interplay between ICTs and the development and progression of GC in such a microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research in the past decades shed light on the different mechanisms that underlie our capacity for cognitive control. However, the meta-level processes that regulate cognitive control itself remain poorly understood. Following the terminology from artificial intelligence, meta-control can be defined as a collection of mechanisms that (a) monitor the progress of controlled processing and (b) regulate the underlying control parameters in the service of current task goals and in response to internal or external constraints. From a psychological perspective, meta-control is an important concept because it may help explain and predict how and when human agents select different types of behavioral strategies. From a cognitive neuroscience viewpoint, meta-control is a useful concept for understanding the complex networks in the prefrontal cortex that guide higher-level behavior as well as their interactions with neuromodulatory systems (such as the dopamine or norepinephrine system). The purpose of the special issue is to integrate hitherto segregated strands of research across three different perspectives: 1) a psychological perspective that specifies meta-control processes on a functional level and aims to operationalize them in experimental tasks; 2) a computational perspective that builds on ideas from artificial intelligence to formalize normative solutions to meta-control problems; and 3) a cognitive neuroscience perspective that identifies neural correlates of and mechanisms underlying meta-control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum lentis, is one of the most damaging diseases of lentil (L. culinaris) in western Canada. Lens ervoides accession IG 72815 exhibits high levels of resistance to the pathogenic races 0 and 1. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with anthracnose resistance in lentil using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population from the interspecific cross between IG 72815 and the susceptible cultivar Eston. A total of 168 RILs were genotyped and evaluated for anthracnose race 0 and race 1 reaction in the growth chamber and polyhouse. QTL analysis identified major resistance loci on chromosomes 3 and 7 for both races, accounting for 20.1–31.2% and 8.3–18.4%, respectively, of the total phenotypic variation for anthracnose resistance. Multiple classes of putative defense-related genes are located within both loci. Further characterization of these regions will facilitate the introgression of anthracnose resistance from Lens ervoides into elite lentil cultivars via marker-assisted selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess histopathological and histomorphometric outcomes of soft tissue volume augmentation procedures at pontic sites using a volume-stable cross-linked collagen matrix (VCMX) and a non-cross-linked collagen matrix (XCM). Materials and methods: In twelve adult beagle dogs, the mandibular premolars and first molar were hemisected and the mesial root extracted. Soft tissue augmentation was randomly performed using VCMX, XCM, or a sham-operated control. Sacrifice was performed after 4, 8, and 26 weeks. Non-decalcified sections were analyzed for histopathologic and histomorphometric measurements at four different levels below the crest (1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 5.5 mm). Results: Group VCMX presented a greater overall amount of soft tissue at all healing time points, more pronounced fibroblast ingrowth, vascularization, and a substantial new collagen deposition. Over time, group XCM demonstrated faster signs of degradation compared with group VCMX. Four weeks after augmentation, group VCMX yielded a higher mean ridge width compared with groups XCM (2.22 mm VCMX, 0.89 mm XCM (at 2.5 mm); 2.05 mm VCMX, 0.80 mm XCM (at 3.5 mm) p < 0.05) and sham (0.59 mm sham (at 1.5 mm); 0.48 mm (at 2.5 mm); 0.44 mm (at 3.5 mm) p < 0.05). After healing periods of 8 and 26 weeks, measurements in group VCMX remained significantly higher compared with group sham both at 8 weeks (levels of 1.5 mm, 2.5 mm and 5.5 mm) and at 26 weeks (levels of 1.5 mm, 3.5 mm and 5.5 mm) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The use of a cross-linked collagen matrix resulted in a greater and more stable ridge width over time compared with control groups. Clinical relevance: Soft tissue volume augmentation at pontic sites is more effective when using a cross-linked compared with a non-cross-linked collagen matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global agricultural direct yield loss is estimated up to 40% and minimizing such loss is therefore crucial for future sustainability of global crop production. The discovery of RNA-mediated gene silencing mechanism has improved our understanding on gene expression and their regulation. The mechanism was later found applicable for controlling various plant pathogens. Recent discoveries indicated that plant small RNAs are involved in plant defence not only against viruses but also extended to other pathogens, such as insect pests and fungi. This finding showed that RNA-mediated gene silencing is a conserved strategy employed by plant as a defence mechanism and will boost the application of RNA-mediated gene silencing to improve crop resistance against various pests and diseases. This review provided summaries of the application of RNA-mediated gene silencing in the plant protection against various pests and diseases including from nematodes, insects, fungi, and viruses. The strategies used and significant findings were also discussed and this information can be considered for future planning of similar study. This review also provided the latest trends and potential applications of dsRNA via non-transgenic approach to control pests and diseases, namely spray-induced gene silencing. The advantages and disadvantages of application of RNA-mediated gene silencing in plant protection via transgenic and non-transgenic approaches were also discussed. The application of RNA-mediated gene silencing could offer a promising solution for plant protection against pests and diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal stress during pregnancy is widespread and is associated with poor offspring outcomes, including long-term mental health issues. Prenatal stress-induced fetal neuroinflammation is thought to underlie aberrant neurodevelopment and to derive from a disruption in intrauterine immune homeostasis, though the exact origins are incompletely defined. We aimed to identify divergent immune and microbial metagenome profiles of stressed gestating mice that may trigger detrimental inflammatory signaling at the maternal–fetal interface. In response to stress, maternal glucocorticoid circuit activation corresponded with indicators of systemic immunosuppression. At the maternal–fetal interface, density of placental mononuclear leukocytes decreased with stress, yet maternal whole blood leukocyte analysis indicated monocytosis and classical M1 phenotypic shifts. Genome-resolved microbial metagenomic analyses revealed reductions in genes, microbial strains, and metabolic pathways in stressed dams that are primarily associated with pro-inflammatory function. In particular, disrupted Parasutterella excrementihominis appears to be integral to inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation during prenatal stress. Overall, these perturbations in maternal immunological and microbial regulation during pregnancy may displace immune equilibrium at the maternal–fetal interface. Notably, the absence of and reduction in overt maternal inflammation during stress indicates that the signaling patterns driving fetal outcomes in this context are more nuanced and complex than originally anticipated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the use of a porcine-derived acellular dermal matrix (MD) in root coverage procedures combined with extended coronally positioned flap (eCAF), in comparison to the subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) associated with the eCAF. Material and methods: Eighteen adult patients presenting bilateral type 1 gingival recession were randomly assigned to SCTG or MD groups. Clinical and patient-based outcomes were recorded at 3 and 6 months after the surgical procedure. Results: Both groups showed a significant reduction in the mean recession height of 3.33 ± 0.89 mm to 1.24 ± 1.10 mm (MD) and 3.21 ± 0.8 mm to 0.83 ± 0.86 mm (SCTG) without difference between groups. Six patients in the test group and eight in the control group obtained complete root coverage. The keratinized tissue height and thickness (KTT) showed a significant increase after 3 and 6 months in both groups. The average KTT gains were 0.39 ± 0.4 mm (MD) and 0.51 ± 0.5 mm (SCTG) (p < 0.05). Performing multivariate analysis suggests that MD addition to coronally advanced flaps may be similar to SCTG. Conclusion: The MD had similar results in comparison to SCTG and in the context of reducing patient morbidity it can be used as an alternative for the treatment of gingival recessions. Clinical relevance: The SCTG is the gold standard therapy for root coverage. The MD has been widely used in mucogingival surgery as a substitute for SCTG and proposed similar results. A substitute is very important for clinicians and patients. It will give a better postoperative and possibilities to treat multiples recession. (Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03675334). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valproic acid (VPA) is a drug commonly used for epileptic seizure control. Recently, it has been shown that VPA alters the activation of several immune cells, including Natural Killer (NK) cells, which play an important role in the containment of viruses and intracellular bacteria. Although VPA can increase susceptibility to extracellular pathogens, it is unknown whether the suppressor effect of VPA could affect the course of intracellular bacterial infection. This study aimed to evaluate the role of VPA during Listeria monocytogenes (L.m) infection, and whether NK cell activation was affected. We found that VPA significantly augmented mortality in L.m infected mice. This effect was associated with increased bacterial load in the spleen, liver, and blood. Concurrently, decreased levels of IFN-γ in serum and lower splenic indexes were observed. Moreover, in vitro analysis showed that VPA treatment decreased the frequency of IFN-γ-producing NK cells within L.m infected splenocytes. Similarly, VPA inhibited the production of IFN-γ by NK cells stimulated with IL-12 and IL-18, which is a crucial system for early IFN-γ production in listeriosis. Finally, VPA decreased the phosphorylation of STAT4, p65, and p38, without affecting the expression of IL-12 and IL-18 receptors. Altogether, our results indicate that VPA increases the susceptibility to Listeria monocytogenes infection and suggest that NK cell is one of the main targets of VPA, but further work is needed to ascertain this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that inflammation is important in the pathophysiology of mental disorders. In addition, a growing body of evidence has led to the concept of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. To understand the potential interactions, we begin by exploring the liaison between the immune system and mental disorders, then we describe the evidence that the microbiota impact the immune response in the developing brain. Next, we review the literature that has documented microbiome alterations in major mental disorders. We end with a summary of therapeutic applications, ranging from psycho-biotics to immunomodulatory drugs that could affect the microbiota-gut-brain axis, and potential treatments to alleviate the adverse effects of antipsychotics. We conclude that there is promising evidence to support the position that the microbiota plays an important role in the immunological pathophysiology of mental disorders with an emphasis on psychotic disorders and mood disorders. However, more research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The OX40-OX40L pathway provides crucial co-stimulatory signals for CD4 T cell responses, however the precise cellular interactions critical for OX40L provision in vivo and when these occur, remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that provision of OX40L by dendritic cells (DCs), but not T cells, B cells nor group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s), is critical specifically for the effector Th1 response to an acute systemic infection with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). OX40L expression by DCs is regulated by cross-talk with NK cells, with IFNγ signalling to the DC to enhance OX40L in a mechanism conserved in both mouse and human DCs. Strikingly, DC expression of OX40L is redundant in a chronic intestinal Th1 response and expression by ILC3s is necessary. Collectively these data reveal tissue specific compartmentalisation of the cellular provision of OX40L and define a mechanism controlling DC expression of OX40L in vivo. The OX40-OX40L axis is a crucial component of the costimulatory requirement of CD4 T cell responses. Here, the authors show context and cell type specific expression of OX40L for driving Th1 cell generation during acute and chronic models of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple blue mold causes significant postharvest economic losses worldwide. A blue mold resistance locus, qM-Pe3.1, was previously identified on chromosome 3 of Malus sieversii PI 613981, a wild accession with inferior fruit quality. Introgression of the resistance allele into elite breeding germplasm is difficult and success of introgression and the effect of the PI 613981 genome on fruit quality cannot be phenotypically evaluated until fruiting, which occurs approximately 5 years from seed. In this study, introgression of the qM-Pe3.1 resistance allele was achieved by rapid cycle breeding, utilizing the transgenic line T1190 constitutively expressing the BpMADS4 early-flowering gene. This was supported by DNA-based diagnostic information that enabled marker-assisted selection for blue mold resistance using a locus-specific DNA test developed to detect the qM-Pe3.1 resistance allele in offspring (foreground selection). Of 75 second-generation (['Gala' × PI 613981] × T1190) offspring carrying BpMADS4, 43 also carried the qM-Pe3.1 resistance allele. DNA tests for other trait loci were used to identify other desirable alleles related to fruit quality in progeny and 6874 genome-wide SNP markers (from an apple 20K Illumina® SNP array) were used to identify undesirable genomic segments of PI 613981 (background selection). Three individuals identified with favorable recombination close to qM-Pe3.1 and less than 25% of M. sieversii unimproved genome were selected as best suited for the elimination of unimproved DNA segments in subsequent generations. Our pipeline for introgression of qM-Pe3.1, facilitated by marker-assisted foreground and background selection, successfully advanced this promising germplasm in readiness for the next generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolomics has evolved as a discipline from a discovery and functional genomics tool, and is now a cornerstone in the era of big data-driven precision medicine. Sample preparation strategies and analytical technologies have seen enormous growth, and keeping pace with data analytics is challenging, to say the least. This review introduces and briefly presents around 100 metabolomics software resources, tools, databases, and other utilities that have surfaced or have improved in 2019. Table 1 provides the computational dependencies of the tools, categorizes the resources based on utility and ease of use, and provides hyperlinks to webpages where the tools can be downloaded or used. This review intends to keep the community of metabolomics researchers up to date with all the software tools, resources, and databases developed in 2019, in one place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic control and location of QTLs associated with phytochemical compounds and fruit quality in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] were evaluated using an F2 mapping population (ZC2) derived from cross between 'Zin Dai' × 'Crimson Lady'. Antioxidant capacity, accumulation of phenolic compounds (total phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins), and fruit quality traits (fruit diameter, fruit weight, fruit firmness, soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity, and ripening index) were evaluated for 2 years (2013–2014). Fourteen QTLs for phytochemical and fruit quality traits were identified in 5 LGs, with two QTL clusters (qPC.ZC_5.1_2014 and qPC.ZC_7.1) observed on LGs 5 and 7. The QTL cluster qPC.ZC_5.1_2014 was associated with antioxidant capacity, flavonoids, anthocyanin content, and SSC, while qPC.ZC_7.1 exhibited association only with flavonoids and fruit ripening index. QTL clusters associated with different fruit quality traits were observed on LGs 1 and 6. Candidate gene analyses of the QTL cluster on LG5 (qPC.ZC_5.1_2014) revealed 14 candidate genes in peach with functional annotation related to biosynthesis pathway of phytochemical compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing the ongoing antibiotic crisis requires the discovery of compounds with novel mechanisms of action that are capable of treating drug-resistant infections1. Many antibiotics are sourced from specialized metabolites produced by bacteria, particularly those of the Actinomycetes family2. Although actinomycete extracts have traditionally been screened using activity-based platforms, this approach has become unfavourable owing to the frequent rediscovery of known compounds. Genome sequencing of actinomycetes reveals an untapped reservoir of biosynthetic gene clusters, but prioritization is required to predict which gene clusters may yield promising new chemical matter2. Here we make use of the phylogeny of biosynthetic genes along with the lack of known resistance determinants to predict divergent members of the glycopeptide family of antibiotics that are likely to possess new biological activities. Using these predictions, we uncovered two members of a new functional class of glycopeptide antibiotics—the known glycopeptide antibiotic complestatin and a newly discovered compound we call corbomycin—that have a novel mode of action. We show that by binding to peptidoglycan, complestatin and corbomycin block the action of autolysins—essential peptidoglycan hydrolases that are required for remodelling of the cell wall during growth. Corbomycin and complestatin have low levels of resistance development and are effective in reducing bacterial burden in a mouse model of skin MRSA infection. The glycopeptide antibiotic-related compounds complestatin and corbomycin function by binding to peptidoglycan and blocking the action of autolysins—peptidoglycan hydrolase enzymes that remodel the cell wall during growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major respiratory pathogen that causes millions of deaths worldwide. Although subunit vaccines formulated with the capsular polysaccharides or their protein conjugates are currently-available, low-cost vaccines with wide serotype coverage still remain to be developed, especially for developing countries. Recently, gamma- irradiation has been considered as an effective inactivation method to prepare S. pneumoniae vaccine candidate. In this study, we investigated the immunogenicity and protective immunity of gamma-irradiated S. pneumoniae (r-SP), by comparing with heat-inactivated S. pneumoniae (h-SP) and formalin-inactivated S. pneumoniae (f-SP), both of which were made by traditional inactivation methods. Intranasal immunization of C57BL/6 mice with r-SP in combination with cholera toxin as an adjuvant enhanced S. pneumoniaespecific antibodies on the airway mucosal surface and in sera more potently than that with h-SP or f-SP under the same conditions. In addition, sera from mice immunized with r-SP potently induced opsonophagocytic killing activity more effectively than those of h-SP or f-SP, implying that r-SP could induce protective antibodies. Above all, immunization with r-SP effectively protected mice against S. pneumoniae infection. Collectively, these results suggest that gamma- irradiation is an effective method for the development of a killed whole cell pneumococcal vaccine that elicits robust mucosal and systemic immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has become apparent that the molecular and biochemical integrity of interactive families, genera, and species of human gut microflora is critically linked to maintaining complex metabolic and behavioral processes mediated by peripheral organ systems and central nervous system neuronal groupings. Relatively recent studies have established intrinsic ratios of enterotypes contained within the human microbiome across demographic subpopulations and have empirically linked significant alterations in the expression of bacterial enterotypes with the initiation and persistence of several major metabolic and psychiatric disorders. Accordingly, the goal of our review is to highlight potential thematic/functional linkages of pathophysiological alterations in gut microbiota and bidirectional gut-brain signaling pathways with special emphasis on the potential roles of gut dysbiosis on the pathophysiology of psychiatric illnesses. We provide critical discussion of putative thematic linkages of Parkinson’s disease (PD) data sets to similar pathophysiological events as potential causative factors in the development and persistence of diverse psychiatric illnesses. Finally, we include a concise review of preclinical paradigms that involve immunologically-induced GI deficits and dysbiosis of maternal microflora that are functionally linked to impaired neurodevelopmental processes leading to affective behavioral syndromes in the offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutrophil granulocytes are exposed to widely varying microenvironmental conditions when pursuing their physiological or pathophysiological functions such as fighting invading bacteria or infiltrating cancer tissue. Examples for harsh environmental challenges include among others mechanical shear stress during the recruitment from the vasculature or the hypoxic and acidotic conditions within the tumor microenvironment. Chemokine gradients, reactive oxygen species, pressure, matrix elasticity, and temperature can be added to the list of potential challenges. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels serve as cellular sensors since they respond to many of the abovementioned environmental stimuli. The present review investigates the role of TRP channels in neutrophil granulocytes and their role in regulating and adapting neutrophil function to microenvironmental cues. Following a brief description of neutrophil functions, we provide an overview of the electrophysiological characterization of neutrophilic ion channels. We then summarize the function of individual TRP channels in neutrophil granulocytes with a focus on TRPC6 and TRPM2 channels. We close the review by discussing the impact of the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) on neutrophil granulocytes. Since neutrophil infiltration into PDAC tissue contributes to disease progression, we propose neutrophilic TRP channel blockade as a potential therapeutic option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]