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Aconitum carmichaelii is a herbaceous herb indigenous to China that has been cultivated for traditional medicine for centuries. Virus-like symptoms of A. carmichaelii plants were observed on leaves in some A. carmichaelii plantations in Zhanyi and Wuding Counties, Yunnan Province, southwest China. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) was performed on 28 symptomatic plants, and the results revealed infection with 11 viruses, including 2 novel viruses and 9 previously described viruses: Aconitum amalgavirus 1 (AcoAV-1), aconite virus A (AcVA), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), currant latent virus (CuLV), apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV), tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV), tobacco vein distorting virus (TVDV), and potato leafroll virus (PLRV). Two novel viruses tentatively named Aconitum potyvirus 1 and Aconitum betapartitivirus 1, were supported by sequence and phylogenetic analysis results of their genomes. We proposed the names Potyvirus aconiti and Betapartitivirus aconiti. RT-PCR assays of 142 plants revealed the predominance and widespread distribution of CMV, AcVA, and AcoPV-1 in plantations. The detection of isolates of CuLV, ASGV, ChiVMV, TSWV, TVDV, and PLRV infections for the first time in A. carmichaelii expands their known host ranges.

Abstract Background As the global population continues to grow, competition for resources between humans and livestock has been intensifying. Increasing milk protein production and improving feed efficiency are becoming increasingly important to meet the demand for high-quality dairy protein. In a previous study, we found that milk protein yield in dairy cows was associated with the rumen microbiome. The objective of this study was to elucidate the potential microbial features that underpins feed efficiency in dairy cows using metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metabolomics. Results Comparison of metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data revealed that the latter was a better approach to uncover the associations between rumen microbial functions and host performance. Co-occurrence network analysis of the rumen microbiome revealed differential microbial interaction patterns between the animals with different feed efficiency, with high-efficiency animals having more and stronger associations than low-efficiency animals. In the rumen of high-efficiency animals, Selenomonas and members of the Succinivibrionaceae family positively interacted with each other, functioning as keystone members due to their essential ecological functions and active carbohydrate metabolic functions. At the metabolic level, analysis using random forest machine learning suggested that six ruminal metabolites (all derived from carbohydrates) could be used as metabolic markers that can potentially differentiate efficient and inefficient microbiomes, with an accuracy of prediction of 95.06%. Conclusions The results of the current study provided new insights into the new ruminal microbial features associated with feed efficiency in dairy cows, which may improve the ability to select animals for better performance in the dairy industry. The fundamental knowledge will also inform future interventions to improve feed efficiency in dairy cows. Video Abstract.

Paris spp. are important medicinal plant and main raw material for many Chinese patent medicines, but viral diseases have became serious problems in cultivation of this group of important medicinal plants in China. In this study, eight viruses were identified in the diseased plants of Paris yunnanensis by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and RT–PCR. These viruses include three novel viruses (two potyviruses and one nepovirus), Hippeastrum chlorotic ringspot virus (HCRV), Lychnis mottle virus (LycMoV), Paris mosaic necrosis virus (PMNV), Paris virus 1 and pepper mild mottle virus. The three new viruses were tentatively named Paris potyvirus 3 (ParPV-3), Paris potyvirus 4 (ParPV-4), Paris nepovirus 1 (ParNV-1) and their complete genome sequences were determined. Sequence analyses showed ParPV-3 and ParPV-4 shared the highest amino acid (aa) sequence identities of 54.3% to each other and 53.0–57.8% to other known potyviruses. ParNV-1 had aa sequence identities of 28.8–63.7% at protease-polymerase (Pro-Pol) with other nepoviruses. Phylogenetic analyses further support that the three viruses are new members of their corresponding genera. Analyses of the partial sequences of HCRV and LycMoV infecting P. yunnanensis revealed they diverged from existing isolates by aa sequence identities of 97.1% at glycoprotein precursor of HCRV and 93.3% at polyprotein of LycMoV. These two viruses are reported for the first time in Paris spp. A total of 123 field samples collected from P. yunnanensis in four counties of Yunnan, Southwest China were tested by RT–PCR for detecting each of the eight viruses. Results showed that nearly half of the samples were positive for at least one of the eight viruses. Two potyviruses, ParPV-3 (26.8%) and PMNV (24.4%), were predominant and widely distributed in the fields, while other viruses occurred in low rates and/or had limited distribution. This study insights into the virome infecting P. yunnanensis and provides valuable information for diagnosis and control of viral diseases in P. yunnanensis.

Sulfuretin is a flavonoid that protects cell from damage induced by reactive oxygen species and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the role of sulfuretin in the processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP), in association with the two catalytic enzymes the α-secretase a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM10), and the beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) that play important roles in the generation of β amyloid protein (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We found that sulfuretin increased the levels of the immature but not the mature form of ADAM10 protein. The enhanced ADAM10 transcription by sulfuretin was mediated by the nucleotides −444 to −300 in the promoter region, and was attenuated by silencing or mutation of transcription factor retinoid X receptor (RXR) and by GW6471, a specific inhibitor of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α). We further found that sulfuretin preferentially increased protein levels of the immature form of APP (im-APP) but significantly reduced those of BACE1, sAPPβ and β-CTF, whereas Aβ1-42 levels were slightly increased. Finally, the effect of sulfuretin on BACE1 and im-APP was selectively attenuated by the translation inhibitor cycloheximide and by lysosomal inhibitor chloroquine, respectively. Taken together, (1) RXR/PPAR-α signaling was involved in sulfuretin-mediated ADAM10 transcription. (2) Alteration of Aβ protein level by sulfuretin was not consistent with that of ADAM10 and BACE1 protein levels, but was consistent with the elevated level of im-APP protein, suggesting that im-APP, an isoform mainly localized to trans-Golgi network, plays an important role in Aβ generation.

Abstract Tobacco bushy top disease (TBTD) is a devastating tobacco disease in the southwestern region of China. TBTD in the Yunnan Province is often caused by co-infections of several plant viruses: tobacco bushy top virus (TBTV), tobacco vein distorting virus (TVDV), tobacco bushy top virus satellite RNA (TBTVsatRNA) and tobacco vein distorting virus-associated RNA (TVDVaRNA). Through this study, two new poleroviruses were identified in two TBTD symptomatic tobacco plants and these two novel viruses are tentatively named as tobacco polerovirus 1 (TPV1) and tobacco polerovirus 2 (TPV2), respectively. Analyses of 244 tobacco samples collected from tobacco fields in the Yunnan Province through RT-PCR showed that a total of 80 samples were infected with TPV1 and/or TPV2, and the infection rates of TPV1 and TPV2 were 8.61% and 29.51%, respectively. Thirty-three TPV1 and/or TPV2-infected tobacco samples were selected for further test for TBTV, TVDV, TBTVsatRNA and TVDVaRNA infections. The results showed that many TPV1 and/or TPV2-infected plants were also infected with two or more other assayed viruses. In this study, we also surveyed TBTV, TVDV, TBTVsatRNA and TVDVaRNA infections in a total of 1713 leaf samples collected from field plants belonging to 29 plant species in 13 plant families and from 11 provinces/autonomous regions in China. TVDV had the highest infection rates of 37.5%, while TVDVaRNA, TBTV and TBTVsatRNA were found to be at 23.0%, 12.4% and 8.1%, respectively. In addition, TVDV, TBTV, TBTVsatRNA and TVDVaRNA were firstly detected of co-infection on 10 plants such as broad bean, pea, oilseed rape, pumpkin, tomato, crofton weed etc., and 1 to 4 of the TBTD causal agents were present in the samples collected from Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Liaoning, Inner mongolia and Tibet autonomous regions. The results indicated that TBTD causal agents are expanding its host range and posing a risk to other crop in the field.

Background: X-inactive specific transcript (XIST), it has been found, is abnormal expression in various neoplasms. This work aims to explore its potential molecular mechanisms and prognostic roles in types of malignancies. Methods: This research comprehensively investigated XIST transcription across cancers from Oncomine, TIMER 2.0 and GEPIA2. Correlations of XIST expression with prognosis, miRNAs, interacting protens, immune infiltrates, checkpoint markers, mutations of tumor-associated genes and promoter methylation were also analyzed by public databases. In addition, 98 BRCA samples were collected to investigate XIST expression and evaluate its clinicopathological value. Results: In public databases, compared to normal tissues, XIST was lower in BRCA, CESC, COAD and so on, but increased in KIRC and PRAD. Databases also showed that XIST was a good indicator of prognosis in BRCA, COAD and so on, but a bad one in KIRC, KIRP and so on. From starBase, we found 29 proteins interacting with XIST, and identified 4 miRNAs which might be sponged by XIST in cancers. Furthermore, XIST was linked with immune infiltration, especially T cell CD4+, and was related to over 20 immune checkpoint markers. Moreover, several tumor-associated gene mutations and promoter methylation were negatively related to its expression. In addition, IHC showed that XIST in BRCA was obviously lower in comparison of normal tissues and was negatively related to lymph node invasion and TNM stage. Conclusion: In summary, abnormal expression of XIST influenced prognosis, miRNAs and immune infiltration across cancers, especially BRCA.

Objective: The uncertainty of the determination of acid scarlet GR in orange juice by high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） was evaluated. The source of uncertainty and the key factors affecting the test results were analyzed, so as to improve the accuracy of the test results. Methods: The mathematical model of uncertainty of acid scarlet GR content in orange juice was established. The factors that may introduce uncertainty in the detection process were analyzed, and the uncertainty components were evaluated. Results: The content of acid scarlet GR in self-made positive orange juice was 1.46 mg/kg, the expanded uncertainty was 0.11 mg/kg （including factor k=2）, and the determination result was expressed as: X=（1.46±0.11） mg/kg （k=2）. Conclusion: This uncertainty mainly comes from the uncertainty introduced by the purity of reference materials, the linear fitting of standard curves and the analysis of high performance liquid chromatography.

With the development of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, the number of sensory nodes is growing rapidly, leading to the exchange of large quantities of redundant data between sensors and computing units. In-sensor computing schemes, which integrate sensing and processing, have provided a promising route to addressing the sensing/processing bottleneck by reducing power consumption, time delay and hardware redundancy. In this study, an in-sensor computing architecture involving a photoelectronic cell based on a wafer-scale two-dimensional MoS2 thin film was demonstrated. The MoS2 photodetector cell used a top-gate device structure with indium tin oxide (ITO) as the transparent gate electrode, which exhibited high air-stability and a high photoresponsivity (R) up to 555.8 A W–1 at an illumination power density (Pin) of 16.0 µW cm–2 (λ = 500 nm). Additionally, a MoS2 photodetector array with uniform photoresponsive characteristics was achieved. Furthermore, logic gates, including inverter, NAND, and NOR, were achieved based on MoS2 photodetector cells. Such multifunctional and robust in-sensor computing was ascribed to the uniform wafer-scale MoS2 film grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and the unique device structure. Because the detection of optical signals and logic operations were achieved through MoS2 photodetector cells with area efficiency, the proposed in-sensor computing device paves the way for potential applications in high-performance, integrated sensing and processing systems.

Abstract Background Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common helminthic infection of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium. Accurate and early diagnosis of NCC remains challenging due to its heterogeneous clinical manifestations, neuroimaging deficits, variable sensitivity, and specificity of serological tests. Next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based pathogen analysis in patient’s cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with NCC infection has recently been reported indicating its diagnostic efficacy. In this case study, we report the diagnosis of a NCC patient with a symptomatic history of over 20 years using NGS analysis and further confirmation of the pathology by immunological tests. Case presentation This study reports the clinical imaging and immunological features of a patient with a recurrent headache for more than 20 years, which worsened gradually with the symptom of fever for more than 7 years and paroxysmal amaurosis for more than 1 year. By utilizing NGS technique, the pathogen was detected in patient’s CSF, and the presence of Taenia solium-DNA was confirmed by a positive immunological reaction to cysticercus IgG antibody in CSF and serum samples. The symptoms of the patient were alleviated, and the CSF condition was improved substantially after the anti-helminthic treatment. Conclusions This study suggests that combining CSF NGS with cysticercus IgG testing may be a highly promising approach for diagnosing the challenging cases of NCC. Further studies are needed to evaluate the parasitic DNA load in patients’ CSF for the diagnosis of disease severity, stage, and monitoring of therapeutic responses.

Telocytes (TCs), a distinct type of interstitial (stromal) cells, have been discovered in many organs of human and mammal animals. TCs, which have unique morphological characteristics and abundant paracrine substance, construct a three-dimensional (3D) interstitial network within the stromal compartment by homocellular and heterocellular communications which are important for tissue homeostasis and normal development. Fibrosis-related diseases remain a common but challenging problem in the field of medicine with unclear pathogenesis and limited therapeutic options. Recently, increasing evidences suggest that where TCs are morphologically or numerically destructed, many diseases continuously develop, finally lead to irreversible interstitial fibrosis. It is not difficult to find that TCs are associated with chronic inflammation and fibrosis. This review mainly discusses relationship between TCs and the occurrence of fibrosis in various diseases. We analyzed in detail the potential roles and speculated mechanisms of TCs in onset and progression of systemic fibrosis diseases, as well as providing the most up-to-date research on the current therapeutic roles of TCs and involved related pathways. Only through continuous research and exploration in the future can we uncover its magic veil and provide strategies for treatment of fibrosis-related disease.

BackgroundAntineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a multisystem autoimmune disease with small-vessel involvement. In AAV, microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) are major clinicopathologic variants. In addition, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (PR3) are major target antigens. The objective of the study was to explore the predictive factors for long-term survival in AAV patients.Materials and MethodsA multicenter retrospective study was carried out on 407 patients between 2005 and 2020. Clinical parameters were obtained from laboratory tests including the ANCA types, antinuclear antibody (ANA), extractable nuclear antigen (ENA), anti-streptolysin O (ASO), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and the laboratory examinations for the blood routine, liver function, renal function, and immunity, etc. The data for clinical parameters were collected from electronic medical records (EMRs), and the data for patient survival were acquired through regular follow-up. The association of clinical parameters with overall survival (OS) along with 3-year and 5-year survival rates was analyzed, and the nomogram as a predictive model was established according to the analysis results.ResultsIn the present study, 336 (82.6%) patients and 46 (11.3%) patients were diagnosed with MPA and GPA, respectively. The mean and median OS for all the patients were 2,285 and 2,290 days, respectively. The 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year cumulative survival rates for all the patients were 84.2%, 76.3%, 57.2%, and 32.4%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses indicated that the independent prognostic factors included age, pathological categories (MPA, GPA, and other types), serum ANCA types (negative or positive for MPO and/or PR3), ANA, ASO, GFR, lymphocyte, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and C-reactive protein (CRP), and these clinical parameters except for ASO were used to construct a nomogram. The nomogram for 3-year and 5-year survival rates had a C-index of 0.721 (95% CI 0.676–0.766). The calibration curves showed that the predicted values of the nomogram for 3-year and 5-year survival rates were generally consistent with practical observed values, and decision curve analysis (DCA) further demonstrated the practicability and accuracy of the predictive model.ConclusionLaboratory tests at diagnosis have great significance in the prediction of long-term survival in AAV patients.

Objectives: The aim of this clinical study was to compare the accuracy of intraoral scan system (IOS) with prefabricated aids and stereophotogrammetry (SPG) compared with open tray implant impression (OI) for complete‐arch implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses (CIFDP). Materials and methods: Patients needing CIFDP were enrolled in this study. OI, reference standard, IOS with prefabricated aids, and SPG were performed for each patient. Distance and angle deviations between all pairs of abutment analogs, root mean square (RMS) errors between the aligned test and reference model, and chairside time were measured. The effect of inter‐abutment distance, jaw (maxilla or mandible), number of implants, and arch length on deviations was analyzed. The mixed effect model was applied to analyze deviations and RMS errors. Results: Fifteen consecutive individuals (6 females and 9 males, 47–77 years old) with 22 arches (9 upper and 13 lower jaws) and 115 implants were included. There was no significant difference in distance deviation comparing SPG and IOS with OI (p >.05). IOS showed a significantly greater angle deviation and RMS errors than SPG (median 0.40° vs. 0.31°, 69 μm vs. 45 μm, p <.01). The inter‐abutment distance was negatively correlated with the accuracy of SPG and IOS (p <.05). The chairside time for IOS, SPG, and OI was 10.49 ± 3.50, 14.71 ± 2.86, and 20.20 ± 3.01 min, respectively (p <.01). Conclusions: The accuracy of SPG and IOS with prefabricated aids was comparable. IOS was the most efficient workflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, microbiome research has achieved tremendous advancements driven by culture‐independent meta‐omics approaches. Despite extensive research, our understanding of the functional roles and causal effects of the microbiome on phenotypes remains limited. In this study, we focused on the rumen metaproteome, combining it with metatranscriptome and metabolome data to accurately identify the active functional distributions of rumen microorganisms and specific functional groups that influence feed efficiency. By integrating host genetics data, we established the potentially causal relationships between microbes‐proteins/metabolites‐phenotype, and identified specific patterns in which functional groups of rumen microorganisms influence host feed efficiency. We found a causal link between Selenomonas bovis and rumen carbohydrate metabolism, potentially mediated by bacterial chemotaxis and a two‐component regulatory system, impacting feed utilization efficiency of dairy cows. Our study on the nutrient utilization functional groups in the rumen of high‐feed‐efficiency dairy cows, along with the identification of key microbiota functional proteins and their potentially causal relationships, will help move from correlation to causation in rumen microbiome research. This will ultimately enable precise regulation of the rumen microbiota for optimized ruminant production. Highlights: We combined rumen metaproteome, metatranscriptome, and metabolome data to identify active functional distributions of rumen microorganisms influencing feed efficiency.By integrating host genetics data, we identified causal relationships between microbes, proteins/metabolites, and phenotypes.We found a causal link between Selenomonas bovis and rumen carbohydrate metabolism, suggesting its role in improving feed utilization efficiency in dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degradation of shoots, characterized by stunted growth and signs of water deficit, is common in bamboo stands. However, the specific mechanisms underlying water utilization in degrading shoots remain unclear. This study sought to address this gap by harvesting bamboo shoots and culms of Phyllostachys edulis 'Pachyloen', employing cytological and physiological techniques to compare water utilization mechanisms between healthy and degrading shoots, and investigating the water supply to bamboo shoots by the parent bamboo. The water pressure in the degrading shoots was markedly lower compared to that of the healthy shoots, and it declined as the degradation progressed, resulting in reduced water content and the cessation of guttation in the degrading shoots. In conditions of water deficit, the percentage of free water in bamboo shoots decreased while the percentages of bound and semi-bound water increased, with the proportion of semi-bound water reaching as high as 88.13% in the late stages of degradation. The water potential of parent bamboo culms of different ages varied at different times of the day and during different growth stages of bamboo shoots, showing a strong association with the development of bamboo shoots. Conversely, the correlation between changes in the water potential of bamboo shoots and their degradation patterns was found to be comparatively minimal. The weakening of the connection between the bamboo shoots and the parent bamboo culms may play a significant role in the degradation of the bamboo shoots. This is evidenced by a decrease in the fluorescence intensity of the nucleus in bamboo shoots and the degradation of genetic material. This study lays the foundation for future research into the mechanisms of bamboo shoot degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the patterns of allergens in allergic conjunctivitis (AC) and the association with allergic comorbidity. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 2972 children with AC. Clinical data, including sex, age, allergic comorbidities (allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis), and serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE), were collected from the electronic medical record (EMR). The categorical variables were compared with the chi-square test. The characteristics of allergens in children of different ages and comorbidities were analyzed by trend chi-square. The sensitivity level of HDM associated with AC and comorbidities was assessed by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals of logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 2972 children (2015 boys and 957 girls) with AC were included in the study. The mean age was 3.78 (0.5~12) years. The most common allergen was house dust mite(HDM) (43.41%). With age, the positive rate for inhaled allergens gradually increased, and the positive rate for ingested allergens decreased. With the number of comorbidities increasing, the positive rates of sensitization were 38.33%, 74.51%, 80.72%, and 89.05%, and the incidence of polysensitization was 44.66%, 56.48%, 59.54%, and 74.59%, respectively. With the increase of HDM-sIgE level, the number of comorbidities and the risk increased gradually. Conclusion: HDM is the most common allergen in AC children of different ages. High levels of HDM-sIgE may be a predictor for allergic comorbidities. Children with polysensitization and high levels of HDM sIgE will be an important target population for future intervention in other allergy-related disease prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Thygeson’s superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK) is reportedly a rare disease with an insidious onset, numerous remissions and exacerbations, and a long duration. The corneal lesions are elevated, whitish–grey in colour, and granular in the intraepithelium. A few reported cases of TSPK exist, and paediatric experience is limited. Due to the unknown aetiology and controversial treatment strategies for TSPK, we performed a literature review to summarize the criteria for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of TSPK to provide a basis for the treatment of TSPK in paediatric patients. Case presentation The clinical course of a boy with TSPK who repeatedly presented with episodes of tearing, photophobia and foreign body sensation in both eyes is described. Irritation was uncontrollable with antiviral and antibiotic medications, and it was managed by corticosteroids. No recurrence was reported at the 1-year follow-up after corticosteroid replacement and tapering. Conclusions The clinical features, treatment and prognosis between adult and paediatric TSPK patients have many similarities. The diagnosis of TSPK in children is more difficult, leading to missed diagnosis. TSPK needs to be carefully differentiated from other types of keratitis, especially intraepithelial secondary and other infectious ocular surface diseases.

In adults, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) is rare and has a poor prognosis. Giant perianal ERMS with severe multiple bone metastases at initial diagnosis has not been reported and lacks effective treatment options. This current case report describes a 31-year-old female patient that presented with a large lump on the right side of the anus. ERMS was diagnosed, accompanied by multiple bone metastases throughout the body and severe thrombocytopenia. She had an extremely low platelet count at initial diagnosis, making systemic chemotherapy inappropriate. Genetic testing did not help identify effective targeted drugs. A multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, anlotinib, was selected to control the tumours combined with local radiotherapy to relieve pain. The lump became smaller and this reduction was maintained for 5 months. At 7 months after the diagnosis, the patient died of thrombocytopenia. This current case may provide supportive evidence for a potential treatment for patients with advanced ERMS, especially those not suitable for chemotherapy or surgery.