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Background: Currently, due to the invasive nature of colonoscopy and the associated pain, people avoid undergoing the procedure, making it difficult to detect the majority of potential early stage colorectal carcinoma/precancerous lesions or advanced adenoma. Advanced colorectal adenoma is the main precursor to the development of colorectal carcinoma. Therefore, improving advanced colorectal adenoma detection rate can significantly decrease the development and morbidity of colorectal carcinoma. Accordingly, a non-invasive method to screen high-risk people for colonoscopy in clinical practice is urgently needed. Main text: With the development of medical technology, screening methods for colorectal carcinoma are emerging rapidly, and diverse non-invasive methods are being developed. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA), commonly referred to as liquid biopsy, has promising application prospects as a minimally invasive strategy for early screening of colorectal cancer. CfDNA has already been applied in the field of prenatal diagnosis, advanced carcinoma, and organ transplantation, and the application cfDNA in advanced colorectal adenoma is at the cutting-edge of current research. Thus, this review summarizes the progress in research on different biological characteristics of cfDNA and its utility in the screening of advanced colorectal adenoma, including sizes of cfDNA molecules, end signature of cfDNA (preferred ends, end motifs, jagged ends), nucleosomal footprints, cfDNA topology, cfDNA methylation, and cfDNA integrity. Conclusions: We hope that this review will advance this promising research field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Foodborne bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, are significant contributors to foodborne illnesses, with antibiotic overuse exacerbating the issue through the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. This study investigated the potential of E. coli phages in food safety, examining their biological traits and bacteriostatic properties. Two phages (vB_EcoP_SD2, vB_EcoP_SD6) of E. coli O157:H7 were isolated from slaughterhouse sewage and characterized for morphology, genomic composition, phage phylogenetic tree, optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI), one-step growth curve, thermal and pH stability and antibacterial efficacy. The optimal MOIs of vB_EcoP_SD2 and vB_EcoP_SD6 was 0.1 and 0.01, and temperature range for maintaining activity was 4°C to 55°C. The host range of vB_EcoP_SD2 and vB_EcoP_SD6 was 65% (13/20) and 55% (11/20), which was partially complementary to each other (75%, 15/20). Notably, vB_EcoP_SD2 displayed a latent period of 10 min, a burst period of 80 min, and a burst volume of 80 PFU per cell, while vB_EcoP_SD6 had a burst volume of 10 PFU per cell. Comprehensive whole-genome analysis confirmed two phages has no presence of pathogenic factors or resistance genes. Genomic comparisons suggest vB_EcoP_SD2 and vB_EcoP_SD6, respectively, constituted a novel member of a new genus, Justusliebigvirus genus and Kayfunavirus genus which genome, respectively, was found to be 1,49,066 bp, 40,202 bp long with an average GC content of 37.5 and 49.8%. The phages effectively inhibited host bacteria in LB broth for at least 6 h and showed promise in inhibiting bacteria in milk and pork, which indicated that the two phages exhibited a favorable bacteriostatic effect on milk and pork within the first 6 h under the optimal MOI. In the milk bacteriostasis experiment, vB_EcoP_SD2 could reduce bacteria by 3.16 × 104 CFU/mL, and vB_EcoP_SD6 could reduce bacteria by 1.05 × 104 CFU/mL. Phage vB_EcoP_SD2 decreased bacteria by 1.14 × 104 CFU/mL, and vB_EcoP_SD6 decreased bacteria by 2.04 × 103 CFU/mL in the pork. There was no disparity in bacteriostatic effect of different MOI within the first 6 h, but bacteriostatic effect of all groups still remained different from that of the control group. This study indicates the two phages possess excellent biological characteristics, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for the subsequent development of natural fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Brucellosis is a globally prevalent zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp. posing significant threats to animal and human health. In this study, a novel lytic brucellaphage designated Y17 was isolated from sheep fecal samples collected in Ludian County, Yunnan Province, China. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that Y17 was composed of an icosahedral head (48.1 ± 2 nm) and a short tail (10.8 ± 1 nm), making it the smallest brucellaphage described so far. The optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) for phage Y17 is 0.001, with a burst size of ~187 PFU/cell, the largest value reported for any brucellaphage, and it has a relatively short latent period. It exhibits broad pH and temperature stability, retaining activity even after 1 h of exposure to ultraviolet radiation and various ethanol concentrations. Y17 shows strong lytic activity against Brucella abortus and can also infect some Brucella melitensis strains. The Y17 genome spans 38,025 bp with a GC content of 48.2%, making it the smallest genome among brucellaphages to date. It lacks virulence, antibiotic resistance, or lysogenic genes, indicating its potential as a safe biocontrol agent. Whole-genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis reveals high homology across all lytic brucellaphages, but Y17 exhibits relatively lower genome coverage compared to other lytic brucellaphages. Genomic collinearity comparison revealed that Y17 lacks some terminal fragments present in the genomes of other lytic brucellaphages. Furthermore, compared to brucellaphages with genomes larger than 40 kb, Y17 also lacks segments corresponding to ORF21 (amidase), ORF28 (hypothetical protein), and ORF29 (carbohydrate-binding protein). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Y17 is closely related to phages Iz, Bk2, S708, Wb, R/C, Pr, and Bk. Moreover, the capsid gene shows significantly higher conservation in comparison with the tail collar and amidase genes. This study significantly enriches the brucellaphage database and highlights the potential of Y17 as a biocontrol agent for managing brucellosis in endemic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge), a member of the genus Salvia within the Lamiaceae family, holds significant economic and medicinal value. Regrettably, the emergence of a novel leaf anthracnose in 2020 has significantly impacted its cultivation, leading to decreased yield and compromised quality. This newly identified pathogen was meticulously isolated from affected leaves, employing meticulous single conidia isolation techniques. Subsequent confirmation of pathogenicity was achieved through strict adherence of Koch's postulates. To ensure precise identification, morphological characteristics were supplemented with tandem sequence analysis targeting the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β-tubulin (TUB), and histone (His3) regions. Combining molecular biology techniques with morphological observation and Koch's postulates, the pathogen was conclusively identified as Colletotrichum karstii. Further investigations focused on understanding the environmental factors influencing the mycelial growth and sporulation of the pathogen. The optimum temperature for the growth of C.karstii is 25°C, the suitable light conditions are 12h light/12h dark or 24h dark, and the suitable pH is 5 to 9. Utilizing BIOLOG phenotypic analysis technique, the metabolic utilization of carbon and nitrogen sources by the pathogen was assessed across different temperatures (20°C, 25°C, and 30°C). Results indicated the highest utilization rates at 25°C, particularly for arbutin and L-tryptophan. Lastly, the efficacy of 15 chemical fungicides and six botanical fungiticide against C. karstii was evaluated in vitro, revealing fluazinam as the most potent inhibitor against mycelial growth with EC50 of 0.0725 mg/mL for mycelium and 0.0378 mg/mL for spore germination, respectively. The 1 % osthole emulsion in water was found to have the strongest inhibitory effect on the growth of mycelium, with an EC50 value of 4.8984 µg/mL. Spore germination was most strongly inhibited by the 80 % ethylicin EC, which had an EC50 value of 0.5541 µg/mL. This study represents the first documentation of C. karstii as a causative agent of anthrax in Danshen, underscoring the significance of these findings for agricultural management and disease control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Wheat Fusarium crown rot (FCR), mainly caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum, is one of the most important diseases. Some mycoviruses are reported to have a hypovirulence trait and considered as a biocontrol agent for plant fungal diseases. In most cases, mycovirus biological effects have not been explored clearly. In this study, we identified and characterized a novel isolate of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) mycovirus, Fusarium graminearum dsRNA mycovirus 4 (FgV4), from a new host, an isolate WC9-2 of F. pseudograminearum. The genome of FgV4-WC9-2 includes two dsRNA segments of 2194 bp and 1738 bp. FgV4-WC9-2 dsRNA1 contains a single open reading frame (ORF1), which encodes a protein of 675 amino acids (aa) and has a conserved RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domain. FgV4-WC9-2 dsRNA2 contains two discontinuous ORFs (ORF2-1 and ORF2-2) that code for hypothetical proteins with unknown function. Biological characteristics research has shown that FgV4-WC9-2 infection did not change the colony morphology, but it could significantly decrease colony growth rate. FgV4-WC9-2 could also reduce the sporulation ability, change the conidia size and reduce the pathogenicity of the host to a certain extent. This study is the first to describe a hypovirulence-associated orthocurvulavirus infecting F. pseudograminearum, which has the potential to assist with FCR disease biological management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

[Objective] In order to isolate and identify the pathogen of root rot of Knoxia roxburghii and master the biological characteristics of the pathogen. [Method] According to the morphological characteristics of the pathogen, combined with ITS-5.8S rDNA, tub2 and ACT sequence analysis, the pathogenicity test was carried out according to Koch's Rule. [Result] The morphologically consistent pathogen was reisolated from the inoculated plants and finally identified as Boeremia exigua. The studies of biological characteristics showed that the optimum growth medium of pathogen was PDA, the optimum growth temperature was 20 °C or 25 °C, and the optimum pH was 5. The optimum carbon source was lactose, and the optimum nitrogen source was potassium nitrate. [Conclusion] This is the first report of B.exigua causing root rot of K. roxburghii in China. Mastering its biological characteristics will lay a theoretical foundation for the prevention of root rot of K. roxburghii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for approximately 90% of all oral cancers, significantly impacting the survival and quality of life of patients. Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles released by cells, play a crucial role in intercellular communication in cancer. Nevertheless, their function and mechanism in OSCC remain elusive. Search Pubmed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library using keywords OSCC, exome, diagnosis, and treatment to review the research progress of exome in OSCC. Based on these results, this review starting from the biosynthesis, structure, and contents of exosomes, elaborates on the research progress of exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of OSCC. It explores the potential of exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of OSCC, and briefly describes the challenges researchers currently face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Mycosystema is the property of Mycosystema Editorial Board 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.) more...

Copyright of Mycosystema is the property of Mycosystema Editorial Board 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.) more...

Copyright of Mycosystema is the property of Mycosystema Editorial Board 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.) more...

Background: Lung cancer has high morbidity and mortality rates, which results in a poor prognosis. Cuproptosis is a novel cell death mechanism. The aim of this study was to examine the biological characteristics and clinical significance of genes associated with cuproptosis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the occurrence and progression of LUAD. Methods: We targeted 10 cuproptosis-related genes from previous studies and used the datasets from GEO and TCGA databases to identify differential genes related to cuproptosis; then the data were analyzed by R package, Cytoscape, TISDB, cBioPortal, STRING, CancerSEA, and Disgenet; and finally, the data were detected by immunohistochemistry validation was performed. Results: CDKN2A and MTF1 were cuproptosis-associated LUAD differential genes and were differentially expressed in immune subtypes. The expression of CDKN2A and MTF1 showed correlation with multiple functional states of LUAD.CDKN2A was negatively correlated with LUAD survival prognosis. Conclusion: CDKN2A and MTF1 were correlated with the diagnosis of LUAD, and CDKN2A was negatively correlated with the survival and prognosis of LUAD. CDKN2A has the potential to contribute to the early diagnosis and prognosis analysis of LUAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The experiment aimed to explore the biological characteristics of Bacillus velezensis and its effects on the growth performance of broilers. Through bacterial separation and purification, morphological features, physiological and biochemical identification, and 16S rRNA sequence analysis, a strain of Bacillus velezensis Y01 was isolated and identified from the cecum of broilers. The drug sensitivity, enzyme production capacity, antibacterial activity, hemolytic property, and safety of this strain were also determined. A total of 120 one-day-old broilers (half male and half female) were randomly divided into two groups, with six replicates per group and 10 chickens per replicate. The control group was fed with mineral water mixed with feed, while the experimental group was fed with feed mixed with 1×108 CFU/mL Bacillus velezensis Y01 bacterial suspension. The experiment lasted for 25 days. The results showed that Bacillus velezensis Y01 was sensitive to 21 commonly used antibiotics, such as midecamycin, clindamycin, penicillin, norfloxacin, ampicillin, tobramycin, and erythromycin. It had the ability to produce protease and amylase, and showed good inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, with no hemolytic phenomenon observed. Compared with control group, the final weight of broilers in experimental group was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the ratio of feed to gain was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The study indicates that Bacillus velezensis Y01 can inhibit Staphylococcus and is less likely to develop drug resistance. It can improve the growth performance of broilers and reduce the feed-to-weight ratio, providing experimental references for its use as a feed additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The worldwide value of the honey bee as an agricultural animal is increasingly being recognized. Not only does the honey bee directly produce useful agricultural products, but also large portions of crops are dependent on the pollination activities of honey bees. Apis cerana (A. cerana), the native honey bee of China, is widely distributed in the country. Studying the biological environment and colony management of A. cerana is important for its conservation and breeding. This study investigated the apiculture of A. cerana among a total of 201 beekeepers in the eastern, southern, northwestern and central regions of China and conducted data analysis on the surveyed data. The results showed that the most favorite traits for beekeepers are colony size, colony health and honey production. Compared with Apis mellifera ligustica, A. cerana is more adaptable to low temperature and scattered nectar sources. The results help to optimize the breeding programs of A. cerana and further contribute to substantive breeding accomplishments with honey bees which have enhanced their role in modern agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Simple Summary: The horned-gall aphid is an economically important insect and the primary species for Chinese gallnut production. Although artificial cultivation methods have been widely applied in major production areas, their impact on the fecundity and gall-forming ability of aphids remains unclear. This study compared wild, artificial and introduced populations of aphid under the same conditions and found that artificial cultivation leads to reduced fecundity and gall-forming ability in subsequent generations compared to wild populations. To improve the effectiveness of artificial cultivation, technical measures such as wild population or introduced are recommended. The horned-gall aphid, Schlechtendalia chinensis, is the most economically valuable Chinese gallnut aphid species, playing a decisive role in the production of Chinese gallnuts. The method of cultivating the gallnut species with artificial moss and increasing the yield of gallnuts after inoculation has been applied in the main producing areas of Chinese gallnuts. However, it is still unclear whether artificial cultivation affects the fecundity and gall-forming effect of S. chinensis. In this study, autumn migrant aphids of S. chinensis from wild, artificial and introduced populations were used as materials to cultivate and inoculate under the same environment. The number of male and female sexuales, fundatrices, the galls per tree, and the total weight of galls per tree in subsequent generations were analyzed, and differences in the fecundity and gall-forming effects of different populations were analyzed. The results showed that the fecundity of the wild population was stronger than that of the artificial population, and the number of aphids produced by a single spring migrant and the number of fundatrices increased by 75.86% and 81.62%, respectively. Compared with the introduced population, the survival rate of female sexuales in the local population was higher. Compared with the artificial population, the gall-forming effect of the wild population was better; the number of galls per tree, the weight of single gall, and the total weight of galls per tree increased by 68.33%, 50.77%, and 153.78%, respectively; and the gall preservation rate increased significantly. Artificial cultivation of S. chinensis will lead to a decrease in fecundity and gall-forming effect in subsequent generations, showing the degradation of the vitality of S. chinensis. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the effect of artificial cultivation of S. chinensis by adopting technical measures such as wild population or introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Simple Summary: Rice false smut (RFS) is a major threat to rice productivity, and disease-resistant varieties are crucial as chemical control is ineffective. This study explored how the biological features of Ustilaginoidea virens affect its pathogenicity. The genetic diversity of 86 isolates was analyzed, and tolerant rice varieties were identified. Results showed different growth rates, sporulation and spore germination levels among isolates. For sporulation and spore germination, there was no correlation between the mycelium growth rate and pathogenicity. The genetic structure of U. virens is complex. Pathogenicity impacts its differentiation. Most rice varieties are susceptible. Overall, rice's tolerance to U. virens is poor and needs more study. Rice false smut (RFS) is pervasive and has emerged as the primary disease affecting rice productivity. Due to the lack of effective chemical control, disease-resistant varieties are the primary method of managing the disease. This study aimed to investigate the influence of biological characteristics such as hyphal growth rate, spore production and germination ability on the pathogenicity of Ustilaginoidea virens. The genetic diversity of 86 U. virens isolates was analyzed, and the tolerant varieties were identified using Rep-PCR molecular markers. The results indicated that among the U. virens isolates analyzed, about 31, 27 and 28 strains exhibited fast, medium and slow mycelium growth rates, respectively. Among the U. virens isolates analyzed, about 33, 27 and 26 strains exhibited strong, medium and weak sporulation abilities, respectively. In addition, among the U. virens isolates analyzed, about 29, 30 and 27 strains exhibited strong, medium and weak spore germination, respectively. No significant correlation was noted between mycelium growth rate and pathogenicity, but sporulation ability, spore germination ability and liquid culture were positively correlated (p < 0.05). Moreover, the genetic structure of U. virens was diverse and complex. There was a significant correlation between the genetic differentiation and pathogenicity of U. virens in Heilongjiang Province, China, with a maximum coefficient of 0.1786 and a minimum coefficient of 0.0129 between Harbin and Suihua, but no significant correlation was found with gene groups or geographical regions. The study found that genes and geographical population variation were primarily within the population, with 95.63% and 4.37% variation (p > 0.05), respectively, while pathogenicity population variation was mainly within the population, with 86.08% and 13.92% variation (p > 0.05), respectively. Pathogenicity had a significant effect on the differentiation of U. virens. Most rice varieties were susceptible, with 3 resistant, 8 moderately resistant, 9 moderately susceptible, 8 susceptible and 12 highly susceptible to RFS disease. Collectively, these results indicate that the tolerance of rice against U. virens is poor, which merits further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

BACKGROUND: Leersia japonica (Makino) Honda is a perennial weed and currently identified as a new dominant weed species in rice fields in many countries, including China. Here, we studied the biological characteristics combined with nonchemical management of L. japonica to develop a proper control strategy of this weed. RESULTS: The results showed that 33/28 °C in a 12 h:12 h, light:dark photoperiod were the most suitable growth conditions for seedling regeneration. Salt (NaCl) inhibits the regeneration of seedlings totally at a concentration of 51.3 mm. Seedlings of L. japonica could regenerate in a wide range of pH environments (from 3.50 to 9.50), endowing L. japonica with strong pH adaptability. Osmotic stress also inhibits the regeneration of seedlings totally at −0.13 MPa. A long dehydration time inhibits the regeneration of seedlings; no seedlings could be regenerated for 15 h. With low soil moisture content (33.3% and 50%), the regeneration rate and aboveground fresh weight (FW) were significantly lower than these with high soil moisture content (66.7% and 100%). Stem segments buried in the surface (0 cm) of soil could produce seedlings with the highest regeneration rate (37.5%) and seedling aboveground FW (0.64 g). As the soil depth increased, the regeneration rate and aboveground FW decreased significantly and no seedlings could be regenerated beyond 6.9 cm. CONCLUSION: Based on these biological characteristics of L. japonica, creating an environment that is not conducive to regeneration combined with an appropriated tillage system could effectively reduce its occurrence. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Simple Summary: In this study, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of bacteriophages that are capable of lysing multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli derived from pigs, providing a reference for phage therapy. Phages obtained from fecal waste were isolated and purified, and their morphology was observed using transmission electron microscopy. Their biological characteristics were identified and whole-genome sequencing analysis was performed. A bacteriophage of Siphaviridae, which lyses porcine E. coli, was isolated and named vB_EcoS_Psq-1 (Psq-1). It has a narrow lytic range but possesses stable biological properties. The genome of Psq-1 is dsDNA, which possesses a length of 44,183 bp and a GC content of 52.16%. It does not contain known resistance, lysogenic, or virulence genes and has 55 open reading frames (ORFs). Psq-1 exerted a significant inhibitory effect on E. coli during in vitro antibacterial experiments. Psq-1 can serve as a reference isolate, aiding in the study of bacteriophages that can be used to treat multidrug-resistant porcine E. coli. (1) Background: In recent years, the increasing emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens in pig farms has begun to pose a severe threat to animal welfare and, by extension, public health. In this study, we aimed to explore the biological characteristics and genomic features of bacteriophages that are capable of lysing porcine multidrug-resistant E. coli, which was isolated from sewage. In doing so, we provided a reference for phage therapies that can be used to treat multidrug-resistant strains. (2) Method: Using the multidrug-resistant E. coli isolate sq-1 as the host bacterium, bacteriophages were isolated and purified from fecal samples using a double-layer agar plate method. The morphology was observed using a transmission electron microscope, and its host range, optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI), one-step growth curve, thermal stability, acid–base tolerance, and in vitro antibacterial ability were tested. Genomic features were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing. (3) Results: A lytic phage named vB_EcoS_Psq-1 (abbreviated as Psq-1) was successfully isolated. Electron microscopy revealed that Psq-1 belongs to the family of long-tailed phages, possessing clear and transparent plaques of approximately 1 mm in diameter. Psq-1 only lyses the host bacterium and does not affect other E. coli strains or other species of bacteria. The optimal MOI for phage Psq-1 was 0.1, with a latent period of 25 min, an exponential growth period of 25 min, and a lysis yield of 44.21 PFU/cell. Its activity remains stable at temperatures between 40 °C and 60 °C and from pH 4.0 to pH 13.0. Psq-1 exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on E. coli in liquid culture medium. The nucleic acid type of phage Psq-1 was dsDNA, with a total genome length of 44,183 bp and a GC content of 52.16%. No known resistance, lysogenic, or virulence-related genes were detected. The whole genome contains 55 open reading frames (ORFs). (4) Conclusions: This study isolated a bacteriophage that is capable of lysing multidrug-resistant E. coli. Characterized by a narrow E. coli lysis range, a long latent period, limited lytic ability, and stable biological properties, this bacteriophage can serve as a reference isolate for E. coli phages and can provide biological materials and data to support research on bacteriophages that are effective against multidrug-resistant porcine E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Abstract Background Currently, due to the invasive nature of colonoscopy and the associated pain, people avoid undergoing the procedure, making it difficult to detect the majority of potential early stage colorectal carcinoma/precancerous lesions or advanced adenoma. Advanced colorectal adenoma is the main precursor to the development of colorectal carcinoma. Therefore, improving advanced colorectal adenoma detection rate can significantly decrease the development and morbidity of colorectal carcinoma. Accordingly, a non-invasive method to screen high-risk people for colonoscopy in clinical practice is urgently needed. Main text With the development of medical technology, screening methods for colorectal carcinoma are emerging rapidly, and diverse non-invasive methods are being developed. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA), commonly referred to as liquid biopsy, has promising application prospects as a minimally invasive strategy for early screening of colorectal cancer. CfDNA has already been applied in the field of prenatal diagnosis, advanced carcinoma, and organ transplantation, and the application cfDNA in advanced colorectal adenoma is at the cutting-edge of current research. Thus, this review summarizes the progress in research on different biological characteristics of cfDNA and its utility in the screening of advanced colorectal adenoma, including sizes of cfDNA molecules, end signature of cfDNA (preferred ends, end motifs, jagged ends), nucleosomal footprints, cfDNA topology, cfDNA methylation, and cfDNA integrity. Conclusions We hope that this review will advance this promising research field. more...

Abstract Background Lung cancer has high morbidity and mortality rates, which results in a poor prognosis. Cuproptosis is a novel cell death mechanism. The aim of this study was to examine the biological characteristics and clinical significance of genes associated with cuproptosis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the occurrence and progression of LUAD. Methods We targeted 10 cuproptosis-related genes from previous studies and used the datasets from GEO and TCGA databases to identify differential genes related to cuproptosis; then the data were analyzed by R package, Cytoscape, TISDB, cBioPortal, STRING, CancerSEA, and Disgenet; and finally, the data were detected by immunohistochemistry validation was performed. Results CDKN2A and MTF1 were cuproptosis-associated LUAD differential genes and were differentially expressed in immune subtypes. The expression of CDKN2A and MTF1 showed correlation with multiple functional states of LUAD.CDKN2A was negatively correlated with LUAD survival prognosis. Conclusion CDKN2A and MTF1 were correlated with the diagnosis of LUAD, and CDKN2A was negatively correlated with the survival and prognosis of LUAD. CDKN2A has the potential to contribute to the early diagnosis and prognosis analysis of LUAD. more...

BACKGROUND: Collagen is the main component of extracellular matrix. With its stable triple helix structure, good biological characteristics and machinability, collagen is an ideal biomedical material and has been widely used in the field of medical devices. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the main product morphology, technical characteristics, preparation process, and clinical application of solid collagen-based materials. METHODS: The research on solid collagen-based materials in the field of medical devices included in PubMed and CNKI was searched by computer. The English and Chinese search terms were “collagen, collagen sponge, collagen membrane, collagen powder, collagen gel, decellularized extracellular martix, medical device, clinical application.” After preliminary screening of all articles according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 92 articles with higher quality and relevance were retained for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Solid collagen-based materials from animal sources have been used as materials for the preparation of medical devices, and remarkable progress has been made in raw material extraction, preparation technology, and clinical application. Marine biological collagen and recombinant collagen have increased the selectivity of collagen sources. There are various types of solid collagen-based medical devices and various preparation methods, among which crosslinking modification is an important way to improve material properties, which is worthy of further study. In terms of product development ideas, research on solid collagen-based medical device products is developing in the direction of trivialization and biochemistry, and the research on compounding with other biological materials and drugs has also shown great potential. Although many collagen-based medical devices have been used clinically in China, product development in the fields of artificial skin, cartilage repair, and nerve injury repair is still insufficient, and further breakthroughs and innovations in technology and industrialization are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Objective: To isolate bacteriophages with strong lytic activity against multi-drug resistant Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Methods: Using V. parahaemolyticus as host bacteria, bacteriophages were isolated and purified from seafood, and their biological characteristics and whole genome were analyzed. Results: Phage vB_VpP_3, which was isolated from crab, had a narrow host range and high host specificity with an optimal multiplicity of infection 0.1 and a maximum adsorption rate of 93%. The one-step growth curve showed that the latent period of the phage was 15 min, the average burst size was 110 PFU, and it was highly tolerant to the environment. Phage vB_VpP_3 belonged to the order Caudovirales of the family Podoviridae with a regular icosahedral head about 60 nm in diameter and a non-contractile tail about 20 nm in length. Its genome was double-stranded linear DNA with a total length of 42 459 bp and a total GC content of 46.87% without any virulence or drug resistance genes. Conclusion: Bacteriophage vB_VpP_3 was highly safe and could be used for biological control of multi-drug resistant V. parahaemolyticus. more...

Background.The relevance of the research is determined by a constant striving to increase the possibilities of using rare fruit and berry crops, e.g. blackthorn, in plant bree­ding and the production of healthy food products. It can be achieved by scientifically based selection and evaluation of fruit taking into account their physiological, phyto­pathological and biochemical parameters. The purpose of the research is to expand the morphological diversity of blackthorn that combines high productivity and quality for further breeding. Materials and Methods. Morphological characteristics and biological properties of the new forms of blackthorn as well as their biochemical parameters constitute the material for this research. A plethora of methods was applied: field, phenological, biometric, physiological and statistical ones. Results. The study presents original data on the morphology and economic charac­teristics of various blackthorn forms (Prunus spinosa L.) obtained as a result of selection in semiarid lands of the northern, central and western parts of Ukraine. The paper highlights morphological and biological properties of the selected forms of blackthorn, biochemical parameters of fruits, including the content of polyphenolic substances as a source of antioxidants. The study revealed that the selected forms of blackthorn have high drought resistance and winter hardiness, in addition to resistance to low temperatures during the flowering phase. Phenological observations of plants of different forms of Prunus spinosa L. allowed establishing the time of onset of the ontogenesis phases: the development of vegetative and generative buds, budding and flowering, appearance of leaves, intensity of shoot growth, formation and development of ovaries, and fruit ripening, which is a significant scientific achievement for the prospective selection in the fruit gardening system. The forms of blackthorn were differentiated by plant height, growth strength, thorniness, fruit size and weight and their potential use in the processing and manufacturing of functional foods. Biochemical analysis of the fruits, particularly the determination of polyphenols, allowed ascertaining their suitability for processing and manufacturing of healthy food products. Conclusions. The obtained data on selected new forms of blackthorn is a potential source of material for prospective breeding. Moreover, technologies for the production of blended juices and syrups from the fruits of the best samples of blackthorn were developed regarding their biochemical properties and technological indicators. more...

Abstract Tuberculosis is a serious, infectious, zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Infections are transmitted in humans and livestock via aerosols. Rv1048c is a hypothetical unknown protein in the standard strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Rv1048c exists only in pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is highly conserved; however its function is still unclear. The recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis strain Ms_Rv1048c, with heterologous expression of the Rv1048c gene, was constructed by using the pMV261 expression plasmid. The biological characteristics of the recombinant bacteria were studied, such as their growth pattern, drug resistance, and virulence. Expression of Rv1048c significantly reduced the growth rate of the strain, enhanced its ability to form a biofilm, and reduced its tolerance to sodium dodecyl sulfate, H2O2, and various anti-tuberculosis drugs, and reduced the viability of infected RAW264.7 macrophages. Rv1048c also significantly reduced the level of early pro-inflammatory factors in infected RAW264.7 cells. Rv1048c protein is considered to be a virulence protein that might regulate the growth of M. tuberculosis strains. The results of the present study indicate that Rv1048c plays an important role in Mycobacterial infection. more...

Sierra Leone is located on the west coast of Africa, and owing to its unique geographical location and climate, it has relatively suitable hydrological conditions on the continental shelf for providing ideal habitats and breeding grounds for many fish species. The fisheries play a crucial role in Sierra Leone's economy. Sphyraena guachancho is a critical economic fish and a significant protein source for coastal livestock due to its wide distribution, excellent meat quality, low price, and easy capture. This study focused on the basic biological characteristics of S. guachancho, providing a reference for further in-depth research and the rational development of fishery resources.The relationship between body length and weight is an essential aspect of fisheries biology research, and obtaining the accurate and appropriate body length and weight relationship is crucial for fisheries management. It can provide information on the size and body shape of a fish, allow the estimation of the average weight of fish of a certain length in a population, indicate the health status of a fish, allow comparison of the growth status of the same fish species in different regions, and provide vital information for fish breeding research. The sex ratio provides information on the composition of males and females in a group and indicates the dominant gender. This is the basic information necessary for understanding fish reproduction and conducting a population assessment. A model for predicting the quantity and quality of food required by fish based on feed levels and satiety provides an ecological basis for rationally utilizing aquatic feed resources, improving aquaculture efficiency, and investigating fish populations.In this study, 2, 135 S. guachancho were sampled from six scientific expeditions (September, October, December, January, April, and May) from 2019 to 2021, and their basic biological characteristics, such as body length and weight composition, sex ratio, gonadal maturity, body length at initial sexual maturity, food intake level, and plumpness were studied. The results showed that the body length range of the S. guachancho was 50–845 mm with a single peak distribution. That for the advantage group was 175–345 mm, accounting for 74.52%. The weight range was 0.9–4, 000.8 g, and that for the advantage group was 25–225 g, accounting for 71.33%. The relationship between the body length and weight was W=3.339×10-5L2.758, indicating negative allometry growth. The male-to-female ratio was 0.56:1, which is significantly different from 1:1. The maturation of the gonads was mainly in stages Ⅱ and Ⅲ, with a relatively small proportion of individuals in stages Ⅴ and Ⅵ. The body length of male and female individuals at initial sexual maturity was (269.982±2.340) mm and (259.846±3.397) mm, respectively. The feeding level was mainly level 0, and as the body length increased, the proportion of fish with an empty stomach gradually increased. The plumpness range was between 0.59 and 1.25, with an average value of 0.86±0.02. There were certain differences in fertility levels between different months. As the body length increased, the plumpness showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing.The statistical analysis results showed significant differences in the body length and mass distribution between male and female populations of S. guachancho (P < 0.01). The body length and mass distribution in different months differed significantly (P < 0.01). The body length and body mass distribution in different seasons also had highly significant differences (P < 0.01). The body length significantly affected gonadal maturity (P < 0.01). Below a certain body length, there was no significant linear correlation between the month and gonadal maturity (P > 0.05). The body length significantly affected the feeding intensity of S. guachancho (P < 0.01), whereas the month had no significant impact on this (P > 0.05). The maturity of the gonads significantly affected the level of food intake (P < 0.01). The body length significantly affected the level of fullness (P < 0.05), whereas the month had no significant impact on this (P > 0.05). more...

Resistant hypertension (RH) may cause severe target organ damage and poses significant challenges in the field of hypertension prevention and treatment. Mining biological characteristics is crucial for exploring the pathogenesis of RH and for early diagnosis and treatment. Although several single‐omics studies have been conducted on RH, its complex pathogenesis has only been partially elucidated. In this study, metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics were jointly analyzed in healthy subjects and patients with hypertension and RH. The multi‐omics analysis found that differential substances of RH were enriched in the HIF‐1 signaling pathway and that differential substances such as ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione (GSH), choline, citric acid, transferrin receptor (TfR), Egl‐9 family hypoxia‐inducible factor 2 (EGLN2), and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) were screened out. The results of intergroup comparisons were as follows: RH versus N: ascorbic acid (Fold Change (FC):0.42, p < 0.01), GSH (FC:0.65, p < 0.05), choline (FC:1.32, p < 0.05), citric acid (FC:0.48, p < 0.001), TfR (FC2.32, p < 0.001), GPX1 (FC:16.02, p < 0.001), EGLN2 (FC:0.76, p < 0.001); RH versus EH: ascorbic acid (FC:0.52, p < 0.05), GSH (FC:0.55, p < 0.05), choline (FC:1.28, p < 0.05), citric acid (FC:0.59, p < 0.001), TfR (FC:1.71, p < 0.001), GPX1 (FC:2.11, p < 0.05), EGLN2 (FC:0.76, p < 0.05). These differential substances may reflect the biology of RH. This study provides multi‐omics analysis for a deeper understanding of the complex molecular characteristics of RH, providing new insights into the pathogenesis, early diagnosis, and precise treatment of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Mycosystema is the property of Mycosystema Editorial Board 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.) more...

Copyright of Mycosystema is the property of Mycosystema Editorial Board 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.) more...

Copyright of Mycosystema is the property of Mycosystema Editorial Board 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.) more...

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department 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.) more...

The biology of natural killer (NK) cells in commonly used mouse models is discussed in this review, along with their crucial function in a variety of immunological responses. It has been demonstrated that the formation, maturation, subtype variety, and immunological recognition mechanisms of NK cells from various mice strains exhibit notable differences. These variations shed light on the intricacy of NK cell function and offer crucial information regarding their possible uses in treating human illnesses. The application of flow cytometry in mouse NK cell research is also covered in the article. Improved knowledge of the biology of NK cells across species may facilitate the development of new NK cell-based therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Acta Prataculturae Sinica is the property of Acta Prataculturae Sinica Editorial Office 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.) more...

Escherichia coli (E. coli) small colony variants (SCVs) have garnered attention due to their heightened antibiotic resistance and enhanced cell retention, posing significant risks to public health and food safety. However, understanding of SCVs derived from sheep remains limited. This study aimed to detect the biological characterization of sheep-derived E. coli SCVs and investigate the factors contributing to SCV development with preliminary genomic data. In this study, a lipoic acid-dependent SCV (LA-SCV) and a wild-type (WT) strain were isolated from sheep bile. Then, a heme-dependent SCV (HD-SCV) was induced from WT using amikacin. Initially, we examined factors contributing to SCV formation via comparative genomics. Subsequent comparisons between WT and two SCV strains encompassed antibiotic resistance, hemolytic activity, biofilm formation, motility, and metabolism. Genomic analyses identified a frameshift deletion mutation in the lipA gene in LA-SCV and a stopgain mutation in the hemG gene in HD-SCV, hypothesized as potential triggers for lipoic acid- and heme-dependent SCV development, respectively. Physiological, biochemical, and cultural traits exhibited notable differences between WT and SCVs, including increased antibiotic resistance, hemolytic activity, and biofilm formation, but alongside non-fermentative acetate utilization, slow growth, reduced intracellular ATP, and decreased motility (P < 0.01). The energy and amino acid metabolism were suppressed during the logarithmic phase in LA-SCV, while both logarithmic and stable phases in HD-SCV. These alterations in biological characteristics present significant challenges in managing E. coli pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Tuberculosis is a serious, infectious, zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Infections are transmitted in humans and livestock via aerosols. Rv1048c is a hypothetical unknown protein in the standard strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Rv1048c exists only in pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is highly conserved; however its function is still unclear. The recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis strain Ms_Rv1048c, with heterologous expression of the Rv1048c gene, was constructed by using the pMV261 expression plasmid. The biological characteristics of the recombinant bacteria were studied, such as their growth pattern, drug resistance, and virulence. Expression of Rv1048c significantly reduced the growth rate of the strain, enhanced its ability to form a biofilm, and reduced its tolerance to sodium dodecyl sulfate, H2O2, and various anti-tuberculosis drugs, and reduced the viability of infected RAW264.7 macrophages. Rv1048c also significantly reduced the level of early pro-inflammatory factors in infected RAW264.7 cells. Rv1048c protein is considered to be a virulence protein that might regulate the growth of M. tuberculosis strains. The results of the present study indicate that Rv1048c plays an important role in Mycobacterial infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department 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.) more...

Priestia megaterium (P. megaterium PH3) is an endophytic bacterium isolated from peanuts. It has natural resveratrol production ability and shows potential application value. This study analyzed its genetic function and metabolic mechanism through whole-genome sequencing and found that the genome size is 5,960,365 bp, the GC content is 37.62%, and 6132 genes are annotated. Functional analysis showed that this strain contained 149 carbohydrate active enzyme genes, 7 secondary metabolite synthesis gene clusters, 509 virulence genes, and 273 drug-resistance genes. At the same time, this strain has the ability to regulate salt stress, low temperature, and hypoxia. Genomic analysis reveals a stilbene-synthase-containing type III polyketide synthase gene cluster that contributes to resveratrol synthesis. A safety assessment showed that the strain is non-hemolytic, does not produce amino acid decarboxylase, and is not resistant to multiple antibiotics. In the mouse model, P. megaterium PH3 did not have significant effects on body weight, behavior, or physiological indicators. These results provide important basic data and theoretical support for its industrial application and the research and development of plant protection agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

【Objective】The paper aimed to clarify the biological characteristics of different strains of Pseudofabraea citricarpa from different districts, and screen effective control agents to provide data support for precise and efficient prevention and control of this diseases. 【Method】The growth rate method was used to determine the biological characteristics including the optimal growth temperature, pH value, culture medium, carbon source, nitrogen source of 3 strains of P. citricarpa from Shaanxi, Hubei and Chongqing, which were separately named WZSS1, CGDS2 and YLSDP80. The indoor toxicity of 24 fungicides for 3 strains of P. citricarpa was also measured. 【Result】Three strains of P. citricarpa all could grow at temperature ranging from 0 to 30 ℃, and with the fastest growth occurring between 15-20 ℃. When the temperature reached 35 ℃, the mycelium of 3 strains all could not grow. The mycelium of three strains could grow within the pH range of 4-11. Among them, the pH values most suitable for the growth of WZSS1, CGDS2, and YLSDP80 strains were 4, 5 and 6, respectively. When the pH value reached 12, all three strains could not grow. In the tested culture medium, all three strains had the largest colony diameter and loose colonies on Czapek’s medium. On the same culture medium, CGDS2 had the lowest colony diameter and growth rate, while WZSS1 had the highest. The optimal carbon sources for WZSS1, CGDS2 and YLSDP80 were sucrose, soluble starch and glucose, respectively. When the carbon source was fructose, YLSDP80 strain could grow normally, and the colony diameter was 20. 67 mm, while WZSS1 and CGDS2 strains could not. Except for ammonium carbonate, three strains could grow on other 14 nitrogen sources. Urea significantly inhibited the growth of WZSS1 and CGDS2, while ammonium sulfate inhibited the mycelial growth of YLSDP80. There were significant differences in the inhibitory effects of different pesticides on three strains of P. citricarpa. Among them, 10% feniconazole, 25% prochloraz, 43% tebuconazole all showed good inhibitory effects on three strains, with EC50 values below 0. 30 μg/mL. However, 50% carbendazim and 2% chloramphenicol for WZSS1 strain, 22. 5% imidacloprid for CGDS2 strain, 3% probiotics for YLSDP80 strain had poor inhibitory effects of the mycelial growth separately, with the highest EC50 value reaching 378. 584 μg/mL. 【Conclusion】The P. citricarpa strain is suitable for growth in a culture environment with a temperature of 15-20 ℃, pH value of 5, soluble starch and sucrose as carbon sources, and glutamine, proline and ammonium chloride as nitrogen sources. The inhibitory effects of 10% benzofenapyr, 25% prochlorpene and 43% tebuconazole on the mycelial growth of three strains are significant, making them potential agents for preventing and control citrus target spot disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...