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BACKGROUND While studies have suggested the association between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a reliable surrogate for insulin resistance and hypertension data are limited to the correlation of TyG and central blood pressure. This study aims to test the hypothesis that a higher TyG index is associated with elevated central systolic blood pressure (cSBP). METHODS A total of 9249 Chinese hypertensive adults from the H-type Hypertension and Stroke Prevention and Control Project were analyzed in this study. cSBP was measured noninvasively using an A-Pulse CASPro device. TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Smoothing curve and multivariate linear regression models [beta coefficient (ß) with 95% CI] were applied to analyze the association between TyG index and cSBP. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore potential modifications to such a correlation. RESULTS The overall mean TyG index is 8.8 ± 0.7, and the total mean cSBP is 131.3 ± 12.8 mmHg. TyG index was observed to be independently and positively associated with cSBP among the total population (ß = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.53-1.31, P < 0.001), and participants who do not use antihypertensive drugs (ß = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.46-1.60, P < 0.001), which is in accordance with the result of the smoothing curve. The association between TyG index and cSBP appears robust in all tested subgroups. CONCLUSIONS TyG index is positively and independently associated with cSBP among hypertensive adults. Our study result suggests that TyG index might serve as an effective marker for vascular function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panax ginseng rusty root rot caused by the Ilyonectria species complex is a devastating disease, and it is one of the main factors contributing to the difficulty in continual cropping. Rusty root rot occurs in all ginseng fields, but little is known about the taxonomy of the fungal pathogen complex, especially Ilyonectria and Ilyonectria -like species. Rusty root rot samples were collected from commercial ginseng cultivation areas of China, and the pathogens were isolated and purified as single spores. Based on the combination analysis of multiple loci (rDNA-ITS, TUB , HIS3 , TEF , ACT , LSU, RPB1 , RPB2 , and SSU) and morphological characteristics, the pathogens causing ginseng rusty root rot were determined. Fungal isolates were obtained from infected roots in 56 locations within main cultivation areas in China. A total of 766 strains were identified as Ilyonectria , Ilyonectria -like and Rhexocercosporidium species, including I. robusta (55.0%), I. communis (21.7%), I. mors-panacis (10.9%), I. pseudodestructans (2.0%), I. changbaiensis (1.3%), I. qitaiheensis (1.3%), Neonectria obtusispora (2.0%), Dactylonectria torresensis (0.5%), D. sp. (0.5%), and R. panacis (1.5%), and four novel species, Thelonectria ginsengicola (1.0%), T. jixiensis (1.0%), T. mulanensis (0.8%) and T. fusongensis (0.5%), with a total of 14 species. As the pathogen present in the highest proportion, I. robusta was the most prevalent and damaging species, unlike the pathogens reported previously. All of the examined strains were proven to cause ginseng rusty root rot. Our results indicate that the taxonomy of the fungal complex associated with ginseng rusty root rot includes Ilyonectria , Ilyonectria -like genera (Dactylonectria , Neonectria , and Thelonectria) and Rhexocercosporidium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holotrichia oblita is one of the nastiest pests in China. In present research, four full-length cDNA encoding of HoblOBP genes were cloned and sequenced from H. oblita. The mRNA of HoblOBPs were predominantly expressed in antenna. The recombinant HoblOBPs proteins were obtained for fluorescence binding assays. Four of HoblOBPs could mediate the response of H. oblita to organic fertilizers-derived attractants, including HoblOBP5 binding to skatole; HoblOBP8 binding to p-cresol, indole and skatole; HoblOBP9 binding to indole and 4-allylanisole; and HoblOBP24 binding to p-cresol, indole and 4-ethylphenol. Further, RNA interference demonstrated that transcripts of HoblOBP5 , 8 , 9 , and 24 decreased in a time-dependent manner after dsRNA-injection. Knockdown of HoblOBP5 , 8 , 9 , and 24 by injection of dsRNA successfully interfered with behavioral responses towards the target compounds in beetles. Our results showed that HoblOBP5, HoblOBP8, HoblOBP9 and HoblOBP24 are essential in mediating the approach behavior of H. oblita. • Six recombinant HoblOBPs from Holotrichia oblita was expressed and purified. • HoblOBP5 , 8 , 9 , and 24 showed high binding affinity to five compounds. • RNA interference demonstrated that HoblOBP5 , 8 , 9 , and 24 are essential in mediating the approach behavior of H. oblita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A minimum data set was established for soil quality assessment. • Two soil factors offer the greatest potential for monitoring soil quality. • Positive impacts on accumulation of Astragalus mongholicus have grown over time. • Positive correlation between soil quality index and effective ingredients. The Minimum Data Set (MDS) is an effective way to improve understanding of the assessing soil quality and understanding of the heterogeneity of soil quality and encourage the adaption of proper agriculture practice. However, a suitable evaluation method of the soil quality of Astragalus mongholicu s and ecological link between this and the active ingredients, including astragalosides (I, II, and IV) and calycosin, was poorly known in the main cultivation region in China. This study selected 22 soil indicators and 4 active ingredients factors and used principle component analysis to construct MDS to determine a comprehensive set of indicators for assess soil quality and established the agriculture practice in the main cultivation regions of A. mongholicus. Our results indicated that the quality of A. mongholicus, based on the quality score of the active ingredients from the PCA , increased with an increase in the soil quality. The five soil factors, soil organic matter(SOM), soil total calcium(STCa), soil total gallium(STGa), soil total borom(STB), and soil total magnesium(STMg), were obtained within 10% of the highest score of the total soil scores and r < 0.5 by the MDS method. In addition, the assessment quality index (AQI) of A. mongholicus was obtained from the score and contribution in the PCA and the soil quality index (SQI) was assessed by the MDS method. Interestingly, SOM, STCa were the limiting factors influencing the astragaloside II and IV content. Additionally, a significantly positive correlation was found between the SQI (r = 0.372, P < 0.01), pH (r = 0.260, P < 0.05) and AQI. The findings of this study provided a novel approach for the soil quality evaluation of A. mongholicus and the SOM, STCa and pH may be an effective and practical tool to achieve a strategic regional goal, with respect to a sustainable high quality of A. mongholicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A carbon reduction labelling scheme is an effective policy tool for motivating enterprises or organizations to reduce their life-cycle-based carbon emissions to benefit the environment. This paper uses system dynamics to model enterprises' compliance with a combined government policy instrument for a carbon reduction labelling scheme, that is, government subsidies and economic sanctions. A case study of paper enterprises in China is provided to demonstrate the application of the proposed model in which two optional technological plans to reduce the enterprises' carbon emissions are examined. The technological plans are categorized as a low-cost and high-cost plan. The simulation results show that both the technological plans are vulnerable to the combined policy making, and the high-cost plan shows superior environmental performance for carbon emissions reduction. However, the enterprises are more inclined to choose the low-cost plan because of superior economic performance. The study offers insights to help enterprises select optimal actions on carbon emissions reduction and to inform government of possible sustainable policy design to promote low-carbon development. The model limitations are discussed as a basis for further improvements in low-carbon development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• EPN (H. beicherriana LF strain) showed higher pathogenicity against H. parallela. • H. beicherriana LF strain was compatible with Bt (HBF-18) • Synergistic interactions occurred between EPN and Bt against H. parallela. The larvae of Holotrichia parallela Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are notorious soil insect pests that cause severe damage to crop production in China. However, the long-term use of insecticides seriously pollutes the environment and threatens human health. Therefore, an environmentally friendly, alternative control method to insecticides is crucial to effectively control these pests. In this study, we assessed the efficacies of possible combinations of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), the Heterorhabditis beicherriana LF strain and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strain HBF-18 to control H. parallela larvae under laboratory and field conditions. In the laboratory, the newly identified H. beicherriana LF strain showed higher pathogenicity than Heterorhabditis bacteriophora H06, Steinernema carpocapsae ALL and Steinernema carpocapsae SF-SN against H. parallela second instar larvae. The H. beicherriana LF strain exhibited a strong potential to control H. parallela larvae at an optimum temperature of 25 °C and soil moisture of 18%. The H. beicherriana LF strain was compatible with Bt (HBF-18). All EPN-Bt combinations caused significantly higher corrected mortality of H. parallela larvae than nematodes were applied alone after 7 and 11 days; in particular, a stronger synergistic effect was detected when Bt (HBF-18) at LC 50 concentrations (0.79 × 107 CFU/g of soil) were combined with EPNs. In the peanut field experiment, synergistic interactions were observed for the combinations of the H. beicherriana LF strain (1 × 103 IJs/plant) and Bt (HBF-18) (1.14 × 1010 CFU/plant) against H. parallela third instar larvae, resulting in a sizable white grub reduction of 83.9 ± 0.82%. Our findings suggested that combining the H. beicherriana LF strain and Bt (HBF-18) is a recommended and practical strategy to manage pests in crop production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to obtain the reference range of peripheral perfusion index (PPI) of asymptomatic well newborns at 6 to 72 h of life at different altitudes. A population-based prospective cohort study was conducted in cities at different altitudes in China. Asymptomatic well newborns were enrolled consecutively from six hospitals with an altitude of 4 to 4200 m between February 1, 2020, and April 15, 2021. PPI was measured at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after birth on the right hand (pre-ductal) and either foot (post-ductal) using a Masimo SET Radical-7 oximeter. Fiftieth percentile reference curves of the pre- and post-ductal PPI values at 6-72 h after birth were generated using the Lambda Mu Sigma method. Linear mixed-effects regression was performed to determine the influence of different altitude levels on PPI values over different measurement time points. A total of 4257 asymptomatic well newborns were recruited for analysis. The median and quartile pre- and post-ductal PPI values at 6-72 h of life at different altitudes were 1.70 (1.20, 2.60) and 1.70 (1.10, 2.70) for all infants, 1.30 (1.10, 1.90) and 1.10 (0.88, 1.80) for infants at low altitude, 1.40 (1.00, 2.00) and 1.30 (0.99, 2.00) at mild altitudes, 1.90 (1.30, 2.50) and 1.80 (1.20, 2.70) at moderate altitudes, 1.80 (1.40, 3.50) and 2.20 (1.60, 4.30) for high altitudes, 3.20 (2.70, 3.70), and 3.10 (2.10, 3.30) for higher altitudes, respectively. Overall, both pre- and post-ductal PPI increased with altitude. The 50th percentile curves of pre- and post-ductal PPI values in well newborns at mild, low, moderate, and high altitudes were relatively similar, while the difference between the PPI curves of infants at higher altitudes and other altitudes was significantly different.  Conclusions: With the increase of altitude, pre- and post-ductal PPI of newborns increases. Our study obtained the PPI reference values of asymptomatic well newborns at 6 to 72 h after birth at different altitudes from 4 to ≥ 4000 m. What is Known: • Monitoring hemodynamics is very important to neonates. As an accurate and reliable hemodynamic monitoring index, PPI can detect irreversible damage caused by insufficient tissue perfusion and oxygenation early, directly, noninvasively, and continuously. What is New: • Our study obtained the PPI reference values of asymptomatic well newborns at 6 to 72 h after birth at different altitudes from 4 to ≥ 4000 m. With the increase of altitude, pre- and post-ductal PPI of newborns increase with statistical significance. Therefore, the values and disease thresholds of PPI for asymptomatic neonates should be modified according to altitudes., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Rationale: Corticosteroid resistance (CR) is a serious drawback to steroid therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC); the underlying mechanism is incompletely understood. Twist1 protein (TW1) is an apoptosis inhibitor and has immune regulatory functions. This study aims to elucidate the roles of TW1 in inducing and sustaining the CR status in UC. Methods: Surgically removed colon tissues of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) were collected, from which neutrophils were isolated by flow cytometry. The inflammation-related gene activities in neutrophils were analyzed by RNA sequencing. A CR colitis mouse model was developed with the dextran sulfate sodium approach in a hypoxia environment. Results: Higher TW1 gene expression was detected in neutrophils isolated from the colon tissues of UC patients with CR and the CR mouse colon tissues. TW1 physically interacted with glucocorticoid receptor (GR)α in CR neutrophils that prevented GRα from interacting with steroids; which consequently abrogated the effects of steroids on regulating the cellular activities of neutrophils. STAT3 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3) interacted with Ras protein activator like 1 to sustain the high TW1 expression in colon mucosal neutrophils of CR patients and CR mice. Inhibition of TW1 restored the sensitivity to corticosteroid of neutrophils in the colon tissues of a CR murine model. Conclusions: UC patients at CR status showed high TW1 expression in neutrophils. TW1 prevented steroids from regulating neutrophil activities. Inhibition of TW1 restored the sensitivity to corticosteroids in the colon tissues at the CR status., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Background: The causes of chronic antibiotic refractory pouchitis (CARP) and pouch failure in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients remain unknown. Our previous small study showed peripouch fat area measured by MRI was associated with pouchitis., Aims: To explore the relationship between peripouch fat area on CT imaging and pouch outcomes., Methods: This is a historical cohort study. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data of IBD patients with abdominal CT scans after pouch surgery between 2002 and 2017 were collected. Peripouch fat areas and mesenteric peripouch fat areas were measured on CT images at the middle pouch level., Results: A total of 435 IBD patients were included. Patients with higher peripouch fat areas had a higher prevalence of CARP. Univariate analyses demonstrated that long duration of the pouch, high weight or body mass index, the presence of primary sclerosing cholangitis or other autoimmune disorders, and greater peripouch fat area or mesenteric peripouch fat area were risk factors for CARP. Multivariable analyses demonstrated that the presence of primary sclerosing cholangitis or autoimmuned disorders, and greater peripouch fat area (odds ratio [OR] 1.031; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.016-1.047, P < 0.001) or mesenteric peripouch fat area were independent risk factors for CARP. Of the 435 patients, 139 (32.0%) had two or more CT scans. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analyses showed that "peripouch fat area increase ≥ 15%" (OR 3.808, 95%CI 1.703-8.517, P = 0.001) was an independent predictor of pouch failure., Conclusions: A great peripouch fat area measured on CT image is associated with a higher prevalence of CARP, and the accumulation of peripouch fat is a risk factor for pouch failure. The assessment of peripouch fat may be used to monitor the disease course of the ileal pouch.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic potential of previously published enterovirus (EV) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay in detection of EV in CSF samples from children with a diagnosis of aseptic meningitis and to investigate the clinical characteristics of the patients seen in Shandong., Methods: EV RNA was detected in 187 CSF samples and serum and/or urine samples of a part of patients by RT-PCR and viral culture technique., Results: RT-PCR was positive in all 62 CSF specimens which were positive by cell culture (100%). In addition, 93 of 125 (74.4%) CSF samples negative by cell culture were RT-PCR positive. In 4 of these 93 (4.3%) patients, viral culture of specimens from other sites (serum or urine) was also positive. The sensitivity of CSF RT-PCR based on clinical diagnosis in patients with meningitis of negative bacterial culture results was 82.9% (155/187), which was considerably higher than the sensitivity of CSF virus culture 33.2% (62/187). The results of RT-PCR can be reported within 4 hours, whereas the viral culture of CSF requires 4.6 days for a cytopathic effect to develop. EV meningitis occurred in a sporadic form and in some areas there were outbreaks. The clinical characteristics of 155 patients with EV meningitis were different in different age groups., Conclusion: EV was one of the most common causes of aseptic meningitis in Shandong area. The RT-PCR assay was rapid, sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of EV meningitis and may be a potential tests to shorten hospital stay and reduce the use of antibiotics.