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Allantus luctifer is one of the most serious pests of buckwheat, with its larvae mainly damaging leaves during the seedling and flowering stages. Entomogenous fungi play a crucial role as biological regulators of arthropod populations in nature. In this paper, a newly isolated strain 19GZAl-1, was identified as Cordyceps. cateniannulata through the observetions of macroscopic and microscopic morphological features, and the results of rDNA- ITS sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. By comparing the efficacy of ten entomopathogenic fungal strains, including six strains of C. cateniannulata and four other Cordyceps species, against A. luctifer larvae, the new strain 19GZAl-1 exhibited the highest mortality rate. Mortality rates of A. luctifer larvae treated by spraying with the strain 19GZAl-1 increased as larval stage decreased, with first instar larvae showing the highest mortality rate of 85%. The appressorium from conidia invaded the larval body through areas with thin cuticle, such as larva pod base and internode folds, after which the hyphae grew rapidly, filling the haemocoel, and finally protruding from the integument upon melanization and decomposition of the intestinal wall cells. The results suggest that the strain 19GZAL-1 of C. cateniannulata has potential against A. luctifer larvae, which is significant for further study on the infection mechanism of C. cateniannulata on insects.

Objectives Incomplete combustion of solid fuel and exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) are the primary causes of indoor air pollution (IAP), potentially leading to detrimental effects on individual mental health. However, current evidence regarding the association between IAP and depression remains inconclusive. This study aims to systematically investigate the evidence regarding the association between IAP and the risk of depression.Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.Data sources Two independent reviewers searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and EMBASE for available studies published up to 13 January 2024.Eligibility criteria We included all cohort studies published in English that aimed to explore the relationship between IAP from solid fuel use and SHS exposure and the risk of depression.Data extraction and synthesis Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. The association between IAP and depression was calculated using pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% CIs. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 value, and the effect estimates were pooled using fixed-effects or random-effects models depending on the results of homogeneity analysis.Results We included 12 articles with data from 61 217 participants. The overall findings demonstrated a significant association between IAP exposure and depression (RR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.31), although with substantial heterogeneity (I2=75%). Subgroup analyses based on pollutant type revealed that IAP from solid fuel use was associated with a higher risk of depression (RR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.26; I2=62%; 5 studies, 36 768 participants) than that from SHS exposure (RR=1.11, 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.41; I2=80%; 7 studies, 24 449 participants). In terms of fuel use, the use of solid fuel for cooking (RR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.31; I2=58%; 4 studies, 34 044 participants) and heating (RR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.27; I2=65%; 3 studies, 24 874 participants) was associated with increased depression risk.Conclusions The findings from this systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies indicated an association between exposure to IAP and depression.PROSPERO registration number CRD42022383285.

This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess effectiveness of home-based exercise compared with control interventions for functional rehabilitation in elderly patients after hip fracture surgery. Comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Clinicaltrails.gov to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Standard mean difference (SMD) and risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. The certainty of evidence of each outcome was assessed by using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A total of 28 articles reporting 21 unique RCTs (n = 2470) were finally included. Compared with control interventions, home-based exercise significantly improved Berg balance scale (BBS, SMD = 0.28, 95%CI: 0.03 to 0.53, P = 0.030), timed-up-and-go test (TUG, SMD = -0.28, 95%CI: -0.50 to -0.07, P = 0.009), Short Fort-36 physical component score (SF-36 PCS, SMD = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.28 to 0.70, P

BackgroundSocial media use has been linked to poor sleep outcomes among university students in the cyber age, but the association between the negative consequences of social media use and sleep problems is not yet well understood. The present study investigated the relationships among social media usage, social media fatigue (SMF), fear of missing out (FoMO), social media addiction (SMA) and sleep quality in university students.MethodAn online survey was administered to 2744 respondents that included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); questionnaires evaluating FoMO, SMF, and SMA; and questions regarding sleep duration, social media use, health status, and demographic information.ResultA total of 19.9% of respondents suffered from sleep disturbance. A total of 15.6% of participants had sleep durations less than 5 h, and 21.6% of subjects had sleep durations longer than 9 h. Sleep quality was positively associated with SMF (OR = 1.387, 95% CI: 1.103~1.743), and SMA (OR = 1.415, 95% CI: 1.118~1.791). The relationship between FoMO and sleep disturbance was not significant. Compared to a sleep duration > 9 h, SMF increased the risk of shorter sleep durations [5-6 h sleep (OR = 2.226, 95% CI: 1.132~4.375), 6-7 h sleep (OR = 1.458, 95% CI: 1.061~2.002), and 7-8 h sleep (OR = 1.296, 95% CI: 1.007~1.670)]. FoMO and SMA did not significantly affect sleep duration. In addition, SMA (OR = 3.775, 95% CI: 3.141~4.537), FoMO (OR = 3.301, 95% CI: 2.753~3.958), and sleep disorders (OR = 1.284, 95% CI: 1.006~1.638) increased SMF.ConclusionUpon experiencing negative consequences of social media use, such as SMF and SMA, university students were likely to experience sleep problems. Further research exploring the interventions that improve sleep and alleviate negative consequences of social media use should be conducted.

Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses adversely impacting the growth of persimmon, which is a widely cultivated traditional fruit tree in North China. Melatonin is a bio-stimulator involved in mediating plant responses to drought. The role of exogenous melatonin application in the drought tolerance of Diospyros lotus was examined under drought stress with different doses of melatonin (0, 10, 50, and 100 µM). Exogenous melatonin application significantly mitigated the adverse effects of drought stress on chlorophyll fluorescence, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and nitric oxide (NO) content. The 100-µM melatonin application produced the most beneficial impacts against drought stress. The melatonin-enhanced tolerance could be attributed to improved antioxidant enzymes, reduced drought-induced ROS accumulation, and lipid peroxidation. Melatonin application activated major antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase. Interestingly, NO concentration was significantly higher in 10 and 50 µM melatonin treatments and lower in 100 µM melatonin treatment compared to the control. Moreover, exogenous melatonin application affected the mRNA transcript levels of several genes involved in ROS metabolism, including DlRBOHA, DlSOD, DlCAT, and DlPOD. Hence, the responses of Diospyros lotus to drought varied with different doses of melatonin. Our results provide a concrete insight into the effects of melatonin with varying doses in alleviating drought as well as a platform for its potential application in the related fields.

Abstract X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (X-linked NDI) is a rare inherited disease mainly caused by lost-of-function mutations in human AVPR2 gene encoding arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (V2R). Our focus of the current study is on exploration of the functional and biochemical properties of Ile324Met (I324M) mutation identified in a pedigree showing as typical recessive X-linked NDI. We demonstrated that I324M mutation interfered with the conformation of complex glycosylation of V2R. Moreover, almost all of the I324M-V2R failed to express on the cell surface due to being captured by the endoplasmic reticulum control system. We further examined the signaling activity of DDAVP-medicated cAMP and ERK1/2 pathways and the results revealed that the mutant receptor lost the ability in response to DDAVP stimulation contributed to the failure of accumulation of cAMP and phosphorylated ERK1/2. Based on the characteristics of molecular defects of I324M mutant, we selected two reagents (SR49059 and alvespimycin) to determine whether the functions of I324M-V2R can be restored and we found that both compounds can significantly “rescue” I324M mutation. Our findings may provide further insights for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of AVPR2 gene mutations and may offer some implications on development of promising treatments for patients with X-linked NDI.

BackgroundExcessive self-disclosure online may risk the reputations, mental health problems, and professional lives of nursing students. This study investigated nursing students' usage of social media, their attitudes towards social media, mental health problems and self-disclosures, and the relationships of these variables.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted online (n = 1054) with questionnaires of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), Social Media Fatigue (SMF), Students' Uses and Views of Social Media (SUVSM) and self-disclosure in social media which included self-information shown on social media and information viewed by others.ResultsAlthough most of them held positive attitudes towards social media, 17.4% of the participants acknowledged that they had posted inappropriate contents online and 37.6% witnessed improper posts from schoolmates or teachers online. SMF was affected by familiar with relevant regulations on the social media usage (β = -.10, p < .001), FoMO (β = .41, p < .001), and SUVSM (β = .17, p < .001). Additionally, nearly 1/3 participants reported their net-friends could view following information: gender, age, occupation, education level and location. Self- disclosure in social media was positively influenced by education (β = .10, p < .001), sharing moments or Weibo, etc. (β = .009, P = 0.009), time spent on social media daily (β = .11, p < .001), accepting stranger's "friend request" (β = .06, P = 0.047), FoMO (β = .14, p < .001) and SMF (β = .19, p < .001). Furthermore, effect of SUVSM on self-disclosure in social media was mediated by FoMO and SMF.ConclusionInappropriate contents are posted and witnessed by appreciable proportions of nursing students. Positive attitude towards social media may strengthen FoMO and SMF, which may increase self-disclosure in social media in turn.

Objective The transmuscular quadratus lumborum (TQL) block and the oblique subcostal transversus abdominis plane (OSTAP) block both contribute to multimodal analgesia after laparoscopic surgery. The objective of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of the TQL block versus OSTAP block after laparoscopic hysterectomy.Design Prospective single-centre randomised single-blind trial.Setting University-affiliated hospital.Participants Patients aged between 18 and 65 years scheduled for laparoscopic hysterectomy.Interventions Patients were randomised into two groups (1:1 ratio) and received bilateral TQL block or bilateral OSTAP block with 0.375% ropivacaine 20 mL on each side before surgery.Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome measure was the cumulative morphine dose in the first 24 hours. The secondary outcome measures were the morphine consumption at each time interval after surgery, the time from the end of surgery to the first need for morphine, the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores for visceral and incisional pain intensity, and the incidence of adverse events.Results The cumulative morphine dose was significantly lower in the TQL group than in the OSTAP group (17.2 (12.5) vs 26.1 (13.3) mg, p=0.010). Compared with the OSTAP group, the morphine doses from 6 to 12, 12 to 18, and 18 to 24 hours were significantly lower, the time of first need for morphine was significantly longer and the NRS scores for visceral pain intensity were significantly lower in the TQL group.Conclusion Compared with the OSTAP block, the TQL block reduced morphine consumption and provided better visceral pain relief with a longer duration of effect after laparoscopic hysterectomy.Trial registration number Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1800017995); pre-results.

Maize’s nitrogen (N) uptake can be improved through maize-legume intercropping. N uptake mechanisms require further study to better understand how legumes affect root growth and to determine maize’s absorptive capacity in maize-legume intercropping. We conducted a two-year field experiment with two N treatments (zero N (N0) and conventional N (N1)) and three planting patterns (monoculture maize (Zea mays L.) (MM), maize-soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) strip intercropping (IMS), and maize-peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) strip intercropping (IMP)). We sought to understand maize’s N uptake mechanisms by investigating root growth and distribution, root uptake capacity, antioxidant enzyme activity, and the antioxidant content in different maize-legume strip intercropping systems. Our results showed that on average, the N uptake of maize was significantly greater by 52.5% in IMS and by 62.4% in IMP than that in MM. The average agronomic efficiency (AE) of maize was increased by 110.5 % in IMS and by 163.4 % in IMP, compared to MM. The apparent recovery efficiency (RE) of maize was increased by 22.3% in IMS. The roots of intercropped maize were extended into soybean and peanut stands underneath the space and even between the inter-rows of legume, resulting in significantly increased root surface area density (RSAD) and total root biomass. The root-bleeding sap intensity of maize was significantly increased by 22.7–49.3% in IMS and 37.9–66.7% in IMP, compared with the MM. The nitrate-N content of maize bleeding sap was significantly greater in IMS and IMP than in MM during the 2018 crop season. The glutathione (GSH) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities in the root significantly increased in IMS and IMP compared to MM. Strip intercropping using legumes increases maize’s aboveground N uptake by promoting root growth and spatial distribution, delaying root senescence, and strengthening root uptake capacity.

The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in cardiac surgeries is known to induce pathological changes in vital organs such as lungs. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a protective strategy that has shown to be able to reduce tissue damage related to ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The current study seeks to evaluate the beneficial effects of limb RIPC on lung tissues and function in a rat CPB model. RIPC, which consisted of three cycles of 5-min ischemia and subsequently 5-min reperfusion, was induced in the hind limbs of the animals via a tourniquet. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid analysis and hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that limb RIPC could significantly attenuate CPB-induced pulmonary injury, as evidenced by a combination of lower total BAL protein content, less severe alveolar wall thickening and reduced intra-alveolar neutrophil infiltration. Consistently, RIPC was also found to improve the proliferation capacity of the bronchioalveolar stem cells isolated from the lung tissues in rats subjected to surgical procedure with CPB. These beneficial effects translated into significantly improved lung function. Further investigation suggested that RIPC could up-regulate the serum levels of several anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4 and 10, which might play a role in its pulmonoprotective effects. Taken together, the current study provided convincing evidence that limb RIPC could be a useful strategy for minimizing CPB-induced organ injuries in patients undergoing CPB surgery.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical condition that confers a risk of progression of chronic kidney disease and a high risk of death. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic effects of Zhen-Wu-Tang (ZWT) on cisplatin (CIS)-induced renal injury and elucidate the involvement of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the positive effects of Zhen-Wu-Tang on the kidneys. Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups of 6 rats each as follows: normal control 1; normal control 2; CIS 1 and CIS 2, which received single intraperitoneal injections of CIS (6 mg/kg); CIS+ZWT 4 and CIS+ZWT 10, which received ZWT (1 ml/100 g/day, ig) starting days after the CIS injection for 4 and 10 days, respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining was performed to identify the amelioration of histopathological changes in the kidneys and apoptosis of the renal proximal tubular cells. Picrosirius red staining was used to evaluate renal fibrosis after ZWT treatment. The relationship between ZWT and the upregulation of Nrf2, phosphorylation of Akt, and the downregulation of TGF-β and WNT/β-catenin were determined by Western blotting. At the end of the experiment, serum was isolated from the orbital blood of rats, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) levels were measured. The results showed that ZWT restored the histological alterations, aberrant collagen deposition in the kidneys and the BUN and Cr levels that were increased by CIS. Treatment with ZWT reduced the expression levels of TGF-β and Wnt and increased the expression levels of Nrf2, PI3K and Akt in the CIS-exposed kidney tissues. Furthermore, ZWT downregulated apoptosis and fibrosis by modulating the expression levels of caspase-3, Bax and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). In conclusion, this study provides evidence for the anti-fibrotic and anti-apoptotic roles of ZWT in CIS-induced experimental kidney injury.

bZIP (basic leucine zipper) transcription factors coordinate plant growth and development and control responses to environmental stimuli. The genome of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) encodes 136 putative bZIP transcription factors. The bZIP transcription factors in Brassica rapa (BrbZIP) are classified into 10 subfamilies. Phylogenetic relationship analysis reveals that subfamily A consists of 23 BrbZIPs. Two BrbZIPs within subfamily A, Bra005287 and Bra017251, display high similarity to ABI5 (ABA Insensitive 5). Expression of subfamily A BrbZIPs, like BrABI5a (Bra005287/BrbZIP14) and BrABI5b (Bra017251/BrbZIP13), are significantly induced by the plant hormone ABA. Subcellular localization assay reveal that both BrABI5a and BrABI5b have a nuclear localization. BrABI5a and BrABI5b could directly stimulate ABA Responsive Element-driven HIS (a HIS3 reporter gene, which confers His prototrophy) or LUC (LUCIFERASE) expression in yeast and Arabidopsis protoplast. Deletion of the bZIP motif abolished BrABI5a and BrABI5b transcriptional activity. The ABA insensitive phenotype of Arabidopsis abi5-1 is completely suppressed in transgenic lines expressing BrABI5a or BrABI5b. Overall, these results suggest that ABI5 orthologs, BrABI5a and BrABI5b, have key roles in ABA signalling in Chinese cabbage.

China is considered a country of low HIV prevalence (780,000 people living with HIV), however, HIV infections among high-risk populations continue to grow at alarming rates. Voluntary Counseling and Testing services were first implemented in 2003, and oral rapid HIV testing (ORHT) began in 2012. Dentists, as oral health experts, would be well placed to conduct ORHT. We assessed willingness of dentists to undertake ORHT in their clinical practice.A cross-sectional, paper-based survey of dentists from the Xi'an region of China was conducted from April to June 2013. Dentists were recruited from Shaanxi Stomatological Association using a stratified sampling methodology. A 40-item survey was used to measure knowledge of HIV, attitudes toward people living with HIV and willingness to conduct ORHT.477 dentists completed the survey with a mean HIV knowledge test score of 13.2/18 (SD 1.9). If made available in the dental setting, 276 (57.9%) preferred to use blood to diagnose HIV, only 190 (39.8%) preferred saliva or both. Four hundred and thirty-five (91.2%) thought that ORHT was needed in dental clinics. Female dentists felt more accepting of ORHT than males (93.8% vs. 87.8%; χ2=5.145; p

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of persistent organochlorine compounds that have the potential to disrupt the homeostasis of thyroid hormones (THs) in fish, particularly juveniles. In this study, thyroid histology, plasma TH levels, and iodothyronine deiodinase (IDs, including ID1, ID2, and ID3) gene expression patterns were examined in juvenile Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) following 25- and 50-day waterborne exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of a commercial PCB mixture, Aroclor 1254 (10, 100, and 1000 ng/L) with two-thirds of the test solutions renewed daily. The results showed that exposure to Aroclor 1254 for 50 d increased follicular cell height, colloid depletion, and hyperplasia. In particular, hypothyroidism, which was induced by the administration of 1000 ng/L Aroclor 1254, significantly decreased plasma TT4, TT3, and FT3 levels. Profiles of the changes in mRNA expression levels of IDs were observed in the liver and kidney after 25 and 50 d PCB exposure, which might be associated with a reduction in plasma THs levels. The expression level of ID2 mRNA in the liver exhibited a dose-dependent increase, indicating that this ID isotype might serve as sensitive and stable indicator for thyroid-disrupting chemical (TDC) exposure. Overall, our study confirmed that environmentally relevant concentrations of Aroclor 1254 cause significant thyroid disruption, with juvenile Japanese flounder being suitable candidates for use in TDC studies.

Our recent study showed that monocrotophos (MCP) pesticide disrupted the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in male goldfish (Carassius auratus); however, the effects of MCP on the thyroid system in female goldfish are remain unclear. In the present study, plasma thyroid hormone (TH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were evaluated in female goldfish exposed to 0.01, 0.10, and 1.00 mg/L of 40% MCP-based pesticide for 21 days in a semi-static exposure system. Expression profiles of HPT axis-responsive genes, including transthyretin (ttr), deiodinases (d1, d2, and d3), tshβ, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (trh), and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (crh), were determined. The results indicated that MCP decreased the plasma levels of total 3,3',5-triiodo-l-thyronine (TT3) and the ratio of TT3 to total 3,3',5,5'-l-thyroxine (TT4), and induced alternative expression of TH-related genes. Exposure to 0.01 and 0.10 mg/L MCP pesticide resulted in the up-regulation of ttr mRNA. The reduction of plasma TT3 levels was partly attributed to an increase in the metabolism of T3 in the liver, as revealed by the highly elevated hepatic d1 and d3 mRNA levels in the MCP treatment groups, and the expression of hepatic d3 showed a negative correlation with the plasma TT3/TT4 levels in females. Moreover, the plasma TSH levels were lower in females exposed to 0.01 and 0.10 mg/L MCP pesticide, whereas the up-regulation of tshβ mRNA levels was compensated by the decreased plasma TT3 levels. These results indicated that MCP had the potential to influence several pathways of HPT axis homeostasis in female goldfish.

Aneuploidy with chromosome instability is a cancer hallmark. We studied chromosome 7 (Chr7) copy number variation (CNV) in gliomas and in primary cultures derived from them. We found tumor heterogeneity with cells having Chr7-CNV commonly occurs in gliomas, with a higher percentage of cells in high-grade gliomas carrying more than 2 copies of Chr7, as compared to low-grade gliomas. Interestingly, all Chr7-aneuploid cell types in the parental culture of established glioma cell lines reappeared in single-cell-derived subcultures. We then characterized the biology of three syngeneic glioma cultures dominated by different Chr7-aneuploid cell types. We found phenotypic divergence for cells following Chr7 mis-segregation, which benefited overall tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Mathematical modeling suggested the involvement of chromosome instability and interactions among cell subpopulations in restoring the optimal equilibrium of tumor cell types. Both our experimental data and mathematical modeling demonstrated that the complexity of tumor heterogeneity could be enhanced by the existence of chromosomes with structural abnormality, in addition to their mis-segregations. Overall, our findings show, for the first time, the involvement of chromosome instability in maintaining tumor heterogeneity, which underlies the enhanced growth, persistence and treatment resistance of cancers.