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OBJECTIVE: To optimize the animal model of liver injury that can properly represent the pathological characteristics of dampness-heat jaundice syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine. METHODS: The liver injury in the model rat was induced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4) ) respectively, and the effects of Yinchenhao Decoction (, YCHD), a proved effective Chinese medical formula for treating the dampness-heat jaundice syndrome in clinic, on the two liver injury models were evaluated by analyzing the serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), asparate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialchehyche (MDA), total bilirubin (T-BIL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) as well as the ratio of liver weight to body weight. The experimental data were analyzed by principal component analytical method of pattern recognition. RESULTS: The ratio of liver weight to body weight was significantly elevated in the ANIT and CCl(4) groups when compared with that in the normal control (P<0.01). The contents of ALT and T-BIL were significantly higher in the ANIT group than in the normal control (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the levels of AST, ALT and ALP were significantly elevated in CCl(4) group relative to those in the normal control P<0.01). In the YCHD group, the increase in AST, ALT and ALP levels was significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), but with no significant increase in serum T-BIL. In the CCl(4) intoxicated group, the MDA content was significantly increased and SOD, GSH-PX activities decreased significantly compared with those in the normal control group, respectively (P<0.01). The increase in MDA induced by CCl(4) was significantly reduced by YCHD P<0.05). CONCLUSION: YCHD showed significant effects on preventing liver injury progression induced by CCl(4), and the closest or most suitable animal model for damp-heat jaundice syndrome may be the one induced by CCl(4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the impact of varying thyroid function statuses on clinical and laboratory indicators in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)., Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 258 patients with SLE, who were stratified according to thyroid function, renal involvement, and disease activity. The predictive value of thyroid hormones was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve., Results: Among the 258 patients with SLE, 141 were classified as the normal group, while 117 exhibited thyroid hormone abnormalities, categorized into hypothyroidism (N=112) and hyperthyroidism (N=5) groups. Serum levels of FT3 and FT4 positively correlate with total protein and albumin, while negatively correlating with the SLE Disease Activity Index 2K (SLEDAI-2K) and 24-hour urinary protein (24hUP) (P<0.05). Compared to individuals without renal involvement, those with renal involvement exhibited lower levels of FT3 and FT4 (3.35±0.99 vs. 4.07±2.22, 12.92±3.14 vs. 14.63±3.39, P=0.001), along with elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (7.08±14.40 vs. 5.28±12.48, P=0.343). The subgroups in euthyroid (n=86) and hypothyroid (n=93) of SLE patients with renal involvement exhibited different characteristics (P<0.05). The levels of FT3 gradually decreased with increase of disease activity. The areas under the ROC curve of FT3, FT4, TSH and their combination were 0.651, 0.654, 0.643, 0.669, respectively (P<0.05)., Conclusions: The correlation between thyroid function and the severity of SLE is significant, SLE patients with hypothyroidism exhibit more pronounced disease manifestations and an elevated risk of organ damage. SLE patients with low levels of FT3 and FT4 are prone to progressing to nephritis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Polyploidization is a common occurrence in the evolutionary history of flowering plants, significantly contributing to their adaptability and diversity. However, the molecular mechanisms behind these adaptive advantages are not well understood. Through comprehensive phenotyping of diploid and tetraploid clones from Citrus and Poncirus genera, we discovered that genome doubling significantly enhances salt stress resilience. Epigenetic and transcriptomic analyses revealed that increased ethylene production in the roots of tetraploid plants was associated with hypomethylation and enhanced chromatin accessibility of the ACO1 gene. This increased ethylene production activates the transcription of reactive oxygen species scavenging genes and stress-related hormone biosynthesis genes. Consequently, tetraploid plants exhibited superior root functionality under salt stress, maintaining improved cytosolic K + /Na + homeostasis. To genetically validate the link between salt stress resilience and ACO1 expression, we generated overexpression and knockout lines, confirming the central role of ACO1 expression regulation following genome doubling in salt stress resilience. Our work elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of genome doubling in stress resilience. We also highlight the importance of chromatin dynamics in fine-tuning ethylene gene expression and activating salt stress resilience pathways, offering valuable insights into plant adaptation and crop genome evolution., (© 2025 The Author(s). New Phytologist © 2025 New Phytologist Foundation.)

The citric acid accumulation during fruit ripening determines the quality of fleshy fruits. However, the molecular mechanism underlying citric acid accumulation is not clearly understood yet in citrus due to the scarcity of paired germplasm that exhibits significant difference in organic acid accumulation. Two citrus triploid hybrids with distinct citric acid content in their mature fruits were herein identified from a previously conducted interploidy cross in our group, providing an ideal paired material for studying acid accumulation in citrus. Through a comparative transcriptome analysis of the pulps of the above two triploid hybrids, an R3-MYB transcription factor, CAPRICE (CsCPC), was identified to be a regulator of citric acid accumulation in citrus fruits. Through transgenic experiments involving overexpression (in callus and kumquat fruits) and RNAi (in lemon leaves), we demonstrated that CsCPC suppresses citric acid accumulation by negatively regulating the expression of CsPH1 and CsPH5. Moreover, CsCPC competed with an R2R3-MYB CsPH4 for binding to ANTHOCYANIN1 (CsAN1) and thus disturbed the activation of CsPH1 and CsPH5 that encode vacuolar P-ATPase, which eventually led to a decrease in citric acid content. CsPH4 activated the expression of CsCPC and thus formed an activator-repressor feedback loop, which ultimately inhibited citric acid accumulation in citrus fruit. In summary, this study reveals a new regulatory mechanism of CsCPC-mediated inhibition of citric acid accumulation in citrus fruits, which would support the improvement of citrus fruit quality., (© 2024 Society for Experimental Biology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Forests worldwide are under increasing pressure from climate change and emerging diseases, threatening their vital ecological and economic roles. Traditional breeding approaches, while valuable, are inherently slow and limited by the long generation times and existing genetic variation of trees. CRISPR technologies offer a transformative solution, enabling precise and efficient genome editing to accelerate the development of climate-resilient and productive forests. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CRISPR applications in forestry, exploring its potential for enhancing disease resistance, improving abiotic stress tolerance, modifying wood properties, and accelerating growth. We discuss the mechanisms and applications of various CRISPR systems, including base editing, prime editing, and multiplexing strategies. Additionally, we highlight recent advances in overcoming key challenges such as reagent delivery and plant regeneration, which are crucial for successful implementation of CRISPR in trees. We also delve into the potential and ethical considerations of using CRISPR gene drive for population-level genetic alterations, as well as the importance of genetic containment strategies for mitigating risks. This review emphasizes the need for continued research, technological advancements, extensive long-term field trials, public engagement, and responsible innovation to fully harness the power of CRISPR for shaping a sustainable future for forests.

This study introduces a tunable acoustic tweezer system designed for precise three-dimensional particle trapping and manipulation. The system utilizes a dual-liquid-layer acoustic lens, which enables the dynamic control of the focal length through the adjustable curvature of a latex membrane. This tunability is essential for generating the acoustic forces necessary for effective manipulation of particles, particularly along the direction of acoustic wave propagation (z-axis). Experiments conducted with spherical particles as small as 1.5 mm in diameter demonstrated the system's capability for stable trapping and manipulation. Performance was rigorously evaluated through both z-axis and 3D manipulation tests. In the z -axis experiments, the system achieved a manipulation range of 33.4-53.4 mm, with a root-mean-square error and standard deviation of 0.044 ± 0.045 mm, which highlights its precision. Further, the 3D manipulation experiments showed that particles could be accurately guided along complex paths, including multilayer rectangular and helical trajectories, with minimal deviation. A visual feedback-based particle navigation system significantly enhanced positional accuracy, reducing errors relative to open-loop control. These results confirm that the tunable acoustic tweezer system is a robust tool for applications requiring precise control of particles with diameter of 1.5 mm in three-dimensional environments. Considering its ability to dynamically adjust the focal point and maintain stable trapping, this system is well suited for tasks demanding high precision, such as targeted particle delivery and other applications involving advanced material manipulation.

N and Ca are essential nutrients for apple growth and development. Studies have found that Ca content was not low under high N conditions but was poorly available. However, the underlying physiological mechanism through which N regulates Ca availability remains unclear. In this study, apple plants were supplied with N and Ca to analyse the content, in situ distribution, and forms of Ca using noninvasive micro-test technique, electron probe microanalysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transcriptome analysis. A potential interaction was observed between N and Ca in apple leaves. The application of high N and Ca concentration led to a CaOx content of 12.51 g/kg, representing 93.54% of the total Ca in the apple leaves. Electron probe microanalysis revealed that Ca deposited in the phloem primarily existed as CaOx rhombus-shaped crystals. Additionally, high N positively regulated oxalate accumulation in the leaves, increasing it by 40.79 times compared with low N concentration. Specifically, N induced oxalate synthesis in apple leaves by upregulating the MdICL , MdOXAC , and MdMDH genes, while simultaneously inhibiting degradation through downregulation of the MdAAE3 gene. Transcriptome and correlation analyses further confirmed oxaloacetate as the precursor for the synthesis of CaOx crystals in the apple leaves, which were produced via the 'photosynthesis/glycolysis -oxaloacetate -oxalate -CaOx' pathway. WGCNA identified potential regulators of the CaOx biosynthesis pathway triggered by N. Overall, the results provide insights into the regulation of Ca availability by N in apple leaves and support the development of Ca efficient cultivation technique., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nanjing Agricultural University.)

Objective: To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics and predictive role of the severe liver disease phenotype in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD). Methods: Inpatients with HLD confirmed at Xinhua Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 1989 to December 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Clinical classification was performed according to the affected organs. Patients with liver disease phenotypes were classified into the liver disease group and further divided into the severe liver disease group and the ordinary liver disease group. The clinical characteristics and genetic variations were compared in each group of patients. The predictive indicators of patients with severe liver disease were analyzed by multiple regression. Statistical analysis was performed using the t -test, Mann-Whitney U test, or χ (2) test according to different data. Results: Of the 159 HLD cases, 142 were in the liver disease group (34 in the severe liver disease group and 108 in the ordinary liver disease group), and 17 were in the encephalopathy group. The median age of onset was statistically significantly different between the liver disease group and the encephalopathy group [12.6 (7.0, 13.3) years versus 16.9 (11.0, 21.5) years, P <0.01]. 156 ATP7B gene mutation sites were found in 83 cases with genetic testing results, of which 54 cases carried the p.Arg778Leu gene mutation (allele frequency 46.2%). Compared with patients with other types of gene mutations ( n =65), patients with homozygous p.Arg778Leu mutations ( n =18) had lower blood ceruloplasmin and albumin levels, a higher prognostic index, Child-Pugh score, an international normalized ratio, and prothrombin time ( P <0.05). Hemolytic anemia, corneal K-F ring, homozygous p.Arg778Leu mutation, and multiple laboratory indexes in the severe liver disease group were statistically significantly different from those in the ordinary liver disease group ( P <0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the predictive factors for severe liver disease were homozygous p.Arg778Leu mutation, total bilirubin, and bile acids ( ORs =16.512, 1.022, 1.021, 95% CI : 1.204-226.425, 1.005-1.039, and 1.006-1.037, respectively, P <0.05). The drawn ROC curve demonstrated a cutoff value of 0.215 3, an AUC of 0.953 2, and sensitivity and specificity of 90.91% and 92.42%, respectively. Conclusion: Liver disease phenotypes are common in HLD patients and have an early onset. Total bilirubin, bile acids, and the homozygous p.Arg778Leu mutation of ATP7B is related to the severity of liver disease in HLD patients, which aids in predicting the occurrence and risk of severe liver disease.

Tree growth performance can be partly explained by genetics, while a large proportion of growth variation is thought to be controlled by environmental factors. However, to what extent DNA methylation, a stable epigenetic modification, contributes to phenotypic plasticity in the growth performance of long-lived trees remains unclear. In this study, a comparative analysis of targeted DNA genotyping, DNA methylation and mRNAseq profiling for needles of 44-year-old Douglas-fir trees (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) having contrasting growth characteristics was performed. In total, we identified 195 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 115 differentially methylated loci (DML) that are associated with genes involved in fitness-related processes such as growth, stress management, plant development and energy resources. Interestingly, all four intronic DML were identified in mega-sized (between 100 and 180 kbp in length) and highly expressed genes, suggesting specialized regulation mechanisms of these long intron genes in gymnosperms. DNA repetitive sequences mainly comprising long-terminal repeats of retroelements are involved in growth-associated DNA methylation regulation (both hyper- and hypomethylation) of 99 DML (86.1% of total DML). Furthermore, nearly 14% of the DML was not tagged by single nucleotide polymorphisms, suggesting a unique contribution of the epigenetic variation in tree growth., (© 2023 The Authors. Plant Biotechnology Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and The Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The aldo-keto reductase (AKR) KdAKR from Kluyvermyces dobzhanskii can reduce t-butyl 6-chloro-(5S)-hydroxy-3-oxohexanoate ((5S)-CHOH) to t-butyl 6-chloro-(3R,5S)-dihydroxyhexanoate ((3R,5S)-CDHH), which is the key chiral intermediate of rosuvastatin. Herein, a computer-aided design that combined the use of PROSS platform and consensus design was employed to improve the stability of a previously constructed mutant KdAKR M6 . Experimental verification revealed that S196C, T232A, V264I and V45L produced improved thermostability and activity. The "best" mutant KdAKR M10 (KdAKR M6 -S196C/T232A/V264I/V45L) was constructed by combining the four beneficial mutations, which displayed enhanced thermostability. Its T 50 15 and T m values were increased by 10.2 and 10.0°C, respectively, and half-life (t 1/2 ) at 40°C was increased by 17.6 h. Additionally, KdAKR M10 demonstrated improved resistance to organic solvents compared to that of KdAKR M6 . Structural analysis revealed that the increased number of hydrogen bonds and stabilized hydrophobic core contributed to the rigidity of KdAKR M10 , thus improving its stability. The results validated the feasibility of the computer-aided design strategy in improving the stability of AKRs., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The paper provides an identification key and an annotated list of all six species of the genus Ridsdalea J.T.Pereira & K.M.Wong (Rubiaceae, Gardenieae) recorded in the flora of Vietnam, along with data on their valid names, synonyms, types, and distribution. A new species, R.backanensis , discovered in the limestone area of Bac Kan Province (northern Vietnam), is described and illustrated. Detailed data on its characters, ecology, distribution, phenology, preliminary IUCN conservation status, and taxonomical notes are given. The newly discovered species is potentially interesting for cultivation as an ornamental tree that may be effectively used in garden and urban green architecture., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Khoa Van Phung, Leonid V. Averyanov, Tatiana V. Maisak, Ludmila I. Krupkina, Hai Xuan Cao, Cuong Huu Nguyen.)

Compared to other actuating methods, acoustic actuators offer the distinctive capability of the contactless manipulation of small objects, such as microscale and nanoscale robots. Furthermore, they have the ability to penetrate the skin, allowing for the trapping and manipulation of micro/nanorobots that carry therapeutic agents in diverse media. In this review, we summarize the current progress in using acoustic actuators for the manipulation of micro/nanorobots used in various biomedical applications. First, we introduce the actuating method of using acoustic waves to manipulate objects, including the principle of operation and different types of acoustic actuators that are usually employed. Then, applications involving manipulating different types of devices are reviewed, including bubble-based microrobots, bubble-free robots, biohybrid microrobots, and nanorobots. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future perspectives for the development of the field.

Systematic interface and defect engineering strategies have been demonstrated to be an effective way to modulate the electron transfer and nonlinear absorption properties in semiconductor heterojunctions. However, the role played by defects and interfacial strain in electron transfer at the interface of the MoX 2 (X = Se, S, Te)@ZnO heterojunction remains poorly understood. Herein, using the MoX 2 @ZnO heterojunction, we reveal that vacancies play a critical role in the interfacial electron transfer of heterojunctions. Specifically, we present the defect and interface engineering of the MoX 2 @ZnO heterojunction for controlled charge transfer and electron excitation-relaxation. The experimental characterization combined with first-principles calculations showed that the presence of defects promoted the transport of photogenerated carriers at the heterojunction interface, thereby inhibiting their rapid recombination. The DFT calculation confirmed that the electron band structure, density of states and charge density distribution in the system changed after the formation of Mo-O bonds. On the basis of defects and interfacial stress and the effective charge transfer, the MoX 2 @ZnO heterojunction exhibited excellent excitation and emission behaviors. The nonlinear optical regulation behavior of TMDs is expected to be realized with the help of the defects and interface/surface synergistically modulated effect of ZnO nanoparticles. The local strain generation on the MoX 2 @ZnO heterojunction boundary provides a new method for the design of new heterogeneous materials and will be of great significance to investigate the contact physical behavior and application of metals and two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors. This work provides some inspiration for the construction of heterojunctions with rich defects and surface/interface charge transfer channels to promote tunable electron transfer dynamics, thereby achieving a good nonlinear optical conversion efficiency and efficient charge separation in optoelectronic functional materials.

Rhenium sulfide (ReS 2 ) has emerged as a promising two-dimensional material, demonstrating broad-spectrum visible absorption properties that make it highly relevant for diverse optoelectronic applications. Manipulating and optimizing the pathway of photogenerated carriers play a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency of charge separation and transfer in novel semiconductor composites. This study focuses on the strategic construction of a semiconductor heterostructure by synthesizing ZnO on vacancy-containing ReS 2 (V Re -ReS 2 ) through chemical bonding processes. The ingeniously engineered built-in electric field within the heterostructure effectively suppresses the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. A direct and well-established interfacial connection between V Re -ReS 2 and ZnO is achieved through a robust Zn-S bond. This distinctive bond configuration leads to enhanced nonlinear optical conversion efficiency, attributed to shortened carrier migration distances and accelerated charge transfer rates. Furthermore, theoretical calculations unveil the superior chemical interactions between Re vacancies and sulfide moieties, facilitating the formation of Zn-S bonds. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity is increased by the formation of V Re -ReS 2 and ZnO heterostructure and the PL quantum yield of V Re -ReS 2 is improved. The intricate impact of the Zn-S bond on the nonlinear absorption behavior of the V Re -ReS 2 @ZnO heterostructure is systematically investigated using femtosecond Z-scan techniques. The charge transfer from ZnO to ReS 2 defect levels induces a transition from saturable absorption to reverse saturable absorption in the V Re -ReS 2 @ZnO heterostructure. Transient absorption measurements further confirm the presence of the Zn-S bond between the interfaces, as evidenced by the prolonged relaxation time ( τ 3 ) in the V Re -ReS 2 @ZnO heterostructure. This study offers valuable insights into the rational construction of heterojunctions through tailored interfacial bonding and surface/interface charge transfer pathways. These endeavors facilitate the modulation of electron transfer dynamics, ultimately yielding superior nonlinear optical conversion efficiency and effective charge regulation in optoelectronic functional materials.

Microrobots driven by multiple external power sources have emerged as promising tools for targeted drug and stem cell delivery in tissue regeneration. However, navigating and imaging these devices within a complex colloidal vascular system at a clinical scale is challenging. Ultrasonic actuators have gained interest in the field of non-contact manipulation of micromachines due to their label-free biocompatible nature and safe operation history. This research presents experimentally validated simulation results of ultrasonic actuation using a novel ultrasonic transducer array with a hemispherical arrangement that generates active traveling waves with phase modulation. Blood flow is used as a carrier force while the direction and path are controlled by blocking undesirable paths using a highly focused acoustic field. In the experiments, the microrobot cluster was able to follow a predefined trajectory and reach the target. The microrobot size, maximum radiation pressure, and focus position were optimized for certain blood flow conditions. The outcomes suggest that this acoustic manipulation module has potential applications in targeted tumor therapy.

Aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) are important biocatalysts that can be used to synthesize chiral pharmaceutical alcohols. In this study, the catalytic activity and stereoselectivity of a NADPH-dependent AKR from Kluyveromyces dobzhanskii (KdAKR) toward t-butyl 6-chloro (5S)-hydroxy-3-oxohexanoate ((5S)-CHOH) were improved by mutating its residues in the loop regions around the substrate-binding pocket. And the thermostability of KdAKR was improved by a consensus sequence method targeted on the flexible regions. The best mutant M6 (Y28A/L58I/I63L/G223P/Y296W/W297H) exhibited a 67-fold higher catalytic efficiency compared to the wild-type (WT) KdAKR, and improved R-selectivity toward (5S)-CHOH (de p value from 47.6% to >99.5%). Moreover, M6 exhibited a 6.3-fold increase in half-life (t 1/2 ) at 40°C compared to WT. Under the optimal conditions, M6 completely converted 200 g/L (5S)-CHOH to diastereomeric pure t-butyl 6-chloro-(3R, 5S)-dihydroxyhexanoate ((3R, 5S)-CDHH) within 8.0 h, with a space-time yield of 300.7 g/L/day. Our results deepen the understandings of the structure-function relationship of AKRs, providing a certain guidance for the modification of other AKRs., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Plants respond to drought by the major reprogramming of gene expression, enabling the plant to survive this threatening environmental condition. The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) serves as a crucial upstream signal, inducing this multifaceted process. This report investigated the drought response in barley plants ( Hordeum vulgare , cv. Morex) at both the epigenome and transcriptome levels. After a ten-day drought period, during which the soil water content was reduced by about 35%, the relative chlorophyll content, as well as the photosystem II efficiency of the barley leaves, decreased by about 10%. Furthermore, drought-related genes such as HvS40 and HvA1 were already induced compared to the well-watered controls. Global ChIP-Seq analysis was performed to identify genes in which histones H3 were modified with euchromatic K4 trimethylation or K9 acetylation during drought. By applying stringent exclusion criteria, 129 genes loaded with H3K4me3 and 2008 genes loaded with H3K9ac in response to drought were identified, indicating that H3K9 acetylation reacts to drought more sensitively than H3K4 trimethylation. A comparison with differentially expressed genes enabled the identification of specific genes loaded with the euchromatic marks and induced in response to drought treatment. The results revealed that a major proportion of these genes are involved in ABA signaling and related pathways. Intriguingly, two members of the protein phosphatase 2C family (PP2Cs), which play a crucial role in the central regulatory machinery of ABA signaling, were also identified through this approach.

Raphiocarpustaygiangensis , a new species of Gesneriaceae family discovered in Tay Giang District, Quang Nam Province, Central Vietnam, is here described and illustrated. The new species is diagnosed by the combination of its stem up to 2 m long, sericeous hairs on young stem, leaf petiole and adaxial mid-vein, sparsely and minutely serrate leaf margin, axillary inflorescence spreading along stem, sparsely long gland-tipped hairs on peduncle, pedicel, calyx, outside corolla and pistil, calyx 5-disparted from base, purplish white flower with purple stripes inside corolla tube, and dish-shaped stigma formed by 2 semi-orbicular lobes horizontally expanding. Distinct features of the new species and its morphologically closest congener, Rhaphiocarpusaxillaris , are compared and discussed. The conservation status of the described species is estimated as Vulnerable (VU D2) according to the IUCN Red List Criteria., (Cuong Huu Nguyen, Khoa Van Phung, Khang Sinh Nguyen, Leonid V. Averyanov, Vuong Ba Truong, Chu Van Tran, Hai Xuan Cao, Quan Ngoc Chu, Hau Bich Thi Vu, Thoa Kim Thi Pham.)

The fairyfly Mymaridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) are widely distributed worldwide, but species of this family have rarely been collected and recorded from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In this study, mymarids collected in Tibet, China, are identified based on morphology and molecular data. Two species of the genus Pseudanaphes Noyes & Valentine are treated and illustrated here, including a known species, P. zhaoi Lin, and a new species, P. yadongicus Aishan & Cao sp. nov. In addition, a key to the world species of Pseudanaphes (females) and DNA barcodes for P. yadongicus and P. zhaoi are provided.

The ultrasonic actuator can be used in medical applications because it is label-free, biocompatible, and has a demonstrated history of safe operation. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in using an ultrasonic actuator in the non-contact manipulation of micromachines in various materials and sizes for therapeutic applications. This research aims to design, fabricate, and characterize a single-sided transducer array with 56 channels operating at 500 kHz, which provide benefits in the penetration of tissue. The fabricated transducer is calibrated using a phase reference calibration method to reduce position misalignment and phase discrepancies caused by acoustic interaction. The acoustic fields generated by the transducer array are measured in a 300 mm × 300 mm × 300 mm container filled with de-ionized water. A hydrophone is used to measure the far field in each transducer array element, and the 3D holographic pattern is analyzed based on the scanned acoustic pressure fields. Next, the phase reference calibration is applied to each transducer in the ultrasonic actuator. As a result, the homogeneity of the acoustic pressure fields surrounding the foci area is improved, and the maximum pressure is also increased in the twin trap. Finally, we demonstrate the capability to trap and manipulate micromachines with acoustic power by generating a twin trap using both optical camera and ultrasound imaging systems in a water medium. This work not only provides a comprehensive study on acoustic actuators but also inspires the next generation to use acoustics in medical applications.

Targeted drug delivery using microrobots manipulated by an external actuator has significant potential to be a practical approach for wireless delivery of therapeutic agents to the targeted tumor. This work aimed to develop a novel acoustic manipulation system and macrophage-based microrobots (Macbots) for a study in targeted tumor therapy. The Macbots containing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) can serve as drug carriers. Under an acoustic field, a microrobot cluster of the Macbots is manipulated by following a predefined trajectory and can reach the target with a different contact angle. As a fundamental validation, we investigated an in vitro experiment for targeted tumor therapy. The microrobot cluster could be manipulated to any point in the 4 × 4 × 4 mm region of interest with a position error of less than 300 μm. Furthermore, the microrobot could rotate in the O-XY plane with an angle step of 45 degrees without limitation of total angle. Finally, we verified that the Macbots could penetrate a 3D tumor spheroid that mimics an in vivo solid tumor. The outcome of this study suggests that the Macbots manipulated by acoustic actuators have potential applications for targeted tumor therapy.

This study is dedicated to the late Dr. John LaSalle, and reviews the world species of Pleurotroppopsis Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae); fourteen species are treated, of which two are newly described: P. dactylispae Cao & Zhu sp. nov. from China and P. peukscutella Cao & Zhu sp. nov. from Malaysia. On the basis of morphological characters, tentative relationships among genera allied to Pleurotroppopsis are discussed. A revised definition of Pleurotroppopsis is presented based on study of type specimens of all species and a critical review of previous studies on the genus. In addition, parsimony analyses were conducted to infer a phylogeny of Pleurotroppopsis species based on a unique data matrix of morphological characters. Keys to genera allied to Pleurotroppopsis and to known species of Pleurotroppopsis are provided.

Acoustic tweezers provide unique capabilities in medical applications, such as contactless manipulation of small objects (e.g., cells, compounds or living things), from nanometer-sized extracellular vesicles to centimeter-scale structures. Additionally, they are capable of being transmitted through the skin to trap and manipulate drug carriers in various media. However, these capabilities are hindered by the limitation of controllable degrees of freedom (DoFs) or are limited maneuverability. In this study, we explore the potential application of acoustical tweezers by presenting a five-DoF contactless manipulation acoustic system (AcoMan). The system has 30 ultrasound transducers (UTs) with single-side arrangement that generates active traveling waves to control the position and orientation of a fully untethered nanocarrier clusters (NCs) in a spherical workspace in water capable of three DoFs translation and two DoFs rotation. In this method, we use a phase modulation algorithm to independently control the phase signal for 30 UTs and manipulate the NCs' positions. Phase modulation and switching power supply for each UT are employed to rotate the NCs in the horizontal plane and control the amplitude of power supply to each UT to rotate the NCs in the vertical plane. The feasibility of the method is demonstrated by in vitro and ex vivo experiments using porcine ribs. A significant portion of this study could advance the therapeutic application such a system as targeted drug delivery.

Fruit flies in the family Tephritidae are well known as economically important pests of edible fruits and can often cause serious damage and losses to both agriculture and the economy. One of the common parasitoids of fruit flies, Aceratoneuromyia indica (Silvestri), has been used in biological programs. However, the biocontrol utilities of parasitoids are impeded by the difficulties of proper identification. Species of the genus Aceratoneuromyia Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), usually developed as parasitoids of fruit flies, are studied here. Trjapitzinichus Kostjukov and Kosheleva is proposed as a new synonym under Aceratoneuromyia. Three new species of Aceratoneuromyia, A. bilinis Huangfu and Cao sp. nov., A. carinata Cao and Zhu sp. nov., and A. trilinus Cao and Zhu sp. nov., are described and illustrated from China. Aceratoneuromyia indica is also treated here with diagnosis and illustrations. DNA barcodes of A. bilinis and A. indica and a key to the world species of Aceratoneuromyia are provided. This study provided important identification information of parasitoids with morphology and molecular evidence, which is useful for imperative needs regarding the identity of parasitoids attacking fruit flies.

Due to the economic and ecological importance of forest trees, modern breeding and genetic manipulation of forest trees have become increasingly prevalent. The CRISPR-based technology provides a versatile, powerful, and widely accepted tool for analyzing gene function and precise genetic modification in virtually any species but remains largely unexplored in forest species. Rapidly accumulating genetic and genomic resources for forest trees enabled the identification of numerous genes and biological processes that are associated with important traits such as wood quality, drought, or pest resistance, facilitating the selection of suitable gene editing targets. Here, we introduce and discuss the latest progress, opportunities, and challenges of genome sequencing and editing for improving forest sustainability.

Objective: To investigate the role and probable mechanism of miRNA-181a in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with palmitic acid to construct a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease cell model, and the expression of miR-181a and lipidosis in the cells were measured. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was used to examine the effect of miR-181a expression in HepG2 cells. The miR-181a, lipidosis, reduced glutathione and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by controlling and regulating the miR-183 expression levels after transfection with miR-181 mimics and inhibitors in HepG2 cells. The miR-181a target genes were predicted by bioinformatics analysis, and verified by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and western blotting. The independent sample t-test was used for the comparison between the two independent samples, and the comparison between multiple groups were accorded with the normal distribution, homogeneity of variance, and one-way analysis of variance. Results: Lipidosis was significantly increased after palmitic acid treatment in HepG2 cells, and the expression level of miR-181a was significantly increased than control group. After HepG2 cells were transfected with miR-181a inhibitors, the expression of miR-181a, triglycerides and reactive oxygen species were down-regulated, and reduced glutathione, predicting the mRNA and protein expression of target gene silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1 were up-regulated. However, the results were contrary to the above changes after transfection with miR-181a mimics. Conclusion: miR-181a participates in lipidosis and promotes lipid peroxidation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. miR-181a may affect the pathogenesis and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting the expression of silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1.

With the acceleration of population aging, the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is progressively increasing due to the age-relatedness of these two diseases. The association between T2DM and AD-like dementia is receiving much attention, and T2DM is reported to be a significant risk factor for AD. The aims of this review were to reveal the brain changes caused by T2DM as well as to explore the roles of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in the development of AD., (© 2021. Huazhong University of Science and Technology.)

LAMIN A/C, encoded by the LMNA gene, supports the normal structure of the cell nucleus and regulates the connection between the nucleus and the cytoskeleton as a component of the nucleus envelope. The loss of expression and function of the LMNA gene would lead to the occurrence of congenital muscular dystrophy and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy which are collectively named as laminopathies. Here, we report a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line (EHTJUi005-A-3) generated from a wild iPSC (EHTJUi005-A) with homozygous knockout of the gene LMNA through CRISPR/Cas9. This iPSC line provides a useful research model for studying laminopathies disease., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

SUV39H1 is a histone methyltransferase involve numerous biological processes, including of aging, embryo development, tumor growth and mitosis via catalysis of dimethylation and trimethylation of lysine 9 of histone H3. Here we report a human induced pluripotent stem cell line (EHTJUi005-A-1) which is generated from a wildtype human iPSC previously established in our laboratory, and this iPSC has a homozygous knockout of 8 bp in Exon 2 of SUV39H1. This iPSC model provides a valuable resource to study epigenetic regulation in extensive biological processes as mentioned above., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Introduction and Objectives: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection exerts an impact on lipid metabolism, but its interaction with dysmetabolism-based non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains uncertain. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of HBV infection on lipid metabolism, hepatic steatosis and related impairments of NAFLD patients., Methods: Biopsy-proven Chinese NAFLD patients with (NAFLD-HBV group, n = 21) or without chronic HBV infection (NAFLD group, n = 41) were enrolled in the case-control study. Their serum lipidomics was subjected to individual investigation by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Steatosis, activity, and fibrosis (SAF) scoring revealed the NAFLD-specific pathological characteristics., Results: Chronic HBV infection was associated with global alteration of serum lipidomics in NAFLD patients. Upregulation of phosphatidylcholine (PCs), choline plasmalogen (PC-Os) and downregulation of free fatty acids (FFAs), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPCs) dominated the HBV-related lipidomic characteristics. Compared to those of NAFLD group, the levels of serum hepatoxic lipids (FFA16:0, FFA16: 1, FFA18:1, FFA18:2) were significantly lowered in the NAFLD-HBV group. These low-level FFAs demonstrated correlation to statistical improvements in aspartate aminotransferase activity (FFA16:0, r = 0.33; FFA16:1, r = 0.37; FFA18:1, r = 0.32; FFA18:2, r = 0.42), hepatocyte steatosis (FFA16: 1, r = 0.39; FFA18:1, r = 0.39; FFA18:2, r = 0.32), and ballooning (FFA16:0, r = 0.30; FFA16:1, r = 0.45; FFA18:1, r = 0.36; FFA18:2, r = 0.30) (all P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Chronic HBV infection may impact on the serum lipidomics and steatosis-related pathological characteristics of NAFLD., (Copyright © 2021 Fundación Clínica Médica Sur, A.C. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background: The association between PPARGC1A rs8192678 and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) requires further confirmation. In addition, it is still unknown whether PPARGC1A rs8192678 is associated with hepatic histological features in NAFLD in the Chinese population., Aim: To investigate the interaction between PPARGC1A rs8192678 and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and whether this polymorphism is associated with hepatic histological features., Methods: Fifty-nine patients with liver biopsy-proven NAFLD and 93 healthy controls were recruited to a cohort representing the Chinese Han population. The SAF (steatosis, activity, and fibrosis) scoring system was used for hepatic histopathological evaluation. The polymorphisms of PPARGC1A rs8192678 and patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 were genotyped. The intrahepatic mRNA expression of PPARGC1A was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction., Results: Thirty-seven patients with NAFLD had NASH, of which 12 were nonobese. The PPARGC1A rs8192678 risk A allele (carrying GA and AA genotypes) had the lowest P value in the dominant model; the odds ratio (OR) for NAFLD was 2.321 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.121-4.806]. After adjusting for age, sex, and the PNPLA3 rs738409 risk G allele, the PPARGC1A rs8192678 A allele was a risk factor for NAFLD (OR 2.202, 95%CI: 1.030-4.705, P = 0.042). The genetic analysis showed that patients with NAFLD, moderate-to-severe steatosis (S2-3), and Activity 2-4 (A ≥ 2) were more likely to carry A in PPARGC1A rs8192678 (OR 5.000, 95%CI: 1.343-18.620, P = 0.012; and OR 4.071, 95%CI: 1.076-15.402, P = 0.031). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that PPARGC1A rs8192678 risk A allele was also independently associated with S2-3, A ≥ 2, and NASH (OR 6.190, 95%CI: 1.508-25.410, P = 0.011; OR 4.506, 95%CI 1.070-18.978, P = 0.040; and OR 6.337, 95%CI: 1.135-35.392, P = 0.035, respectively) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and PNPLA3 rs738409 risk G allele. The results also showed that this polymorphism was associated with nonobese NASH (OR 22.000, 95%CI: 1.540-314.292, P = 0.021). The intrahepatic expression of PPARGC1A mRNA was significantly lower in the group of patients who carried the risk A allele ( P = 0.014)., Conclusion: The PPARGC1A rs8192678 risk A allele is associated with NAFLD, and with S2-3, A ≥ 2 and NASH in NAFLD patients, independent of PNPLA3 rs738409, and may be associated with nonobese NASH., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest related to this study., (©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Familial Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD) is a primary cardiomyopathy characterized by the abnormality of the right ventricular muscle. ARVD may be life-threatening due to the induction of paroxysmal refractory ventricular tachycardia or supraventricular arrhythmia. A human induced pluripotent stem cell line (EHTJUi004-A) was generated from human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCBMCs) of a female neonate with heterozygous mutation of p.Leu1563fs (c.4683&#95;4684delCT) in the DSP gene. This iPS cell line resource provides an ideal in vitro model to study the pathological mechanism of ARVD., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an autosomal dominant heart disease. An induced pluripotent stem cell line (EHTJUi003-A) was generated from umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCBMCs) of a female neonate with heterozygous mutation of p.L460Wfs (c.1377delC) in the MYBPC3 gene. This iPSC model offers a very valuable resource to study the pathological mechanism of HCM in vitro., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Iron is a critical micronutrient for growth and development of plants and its deficiency limiting the crop productivity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in adaptation of plants to various nutrient deficiencies. However, the role of miRNAs and their target genes related to Fe-deficiency is limited. In this study, we identified Fe-deficiency-responsive miRNAs from citrus. In Fe-deficiency conditions, about 50 and 31 miRNAs were up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively. The differently expressed miRNAs might play critical roles in contributing the Fe-deficiency tolerance in citrus plants. The miRNAs-mediated Fe-deficiency tolerance in citrus plants might related to the enhanced stress tolerance by decreased expression of miR172; regulation of S homeostasis by decreased expression of miR395; inhibition of plant growth by increased expression of miR319 and miR477; regulation of Cu homeostasis as well as activation of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity due to decreased expression of miR398 and miR408 and regulation of lignin accumulation by decreased expression of miR397 and miR408. The identified miRNAs in present study laid a foundation to understand the Fe-deficiency adaptive mechanisms in citrus plants., Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02669-z., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 2021.)

The ability to manipulate therapeutic agents in fluids is of interest to improve the efficiency of targeted drug delivery. Ultrasonic manipulation has great potential in the field of therapeutic applications as it can trap and manipulate micro-scale objects. Recently, several methods of ultrasonic manipulation have been studied through standing wave, traveling wave, and acoustic streaming. Among them, the traveling wave based ultrasonic manipulation is showing more advantage for in vivo environments. In this paper, we present a novel ultrasonic transducer (UT) array with a hemispherical arrangement that generates active traveling waves with phase modulation to manipulate a micromotor in water. The feasibility of the method could be demonstrated by in vitro and ex vivo experiments conducted using a UT array with 16 transducers operating at 1 MHz. The phase of each transducer was controlled independently for generating a twin trap and manipulation of a micromotor in 3D space. This study shows that the ultrasonic manipulation device using active traveling waves is a versatile tool that can be used for precise manipulation of a micromotor inserted in a human body and targeted for drug delivery.

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "Long non-coding RNA CASC15 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation and metastasis by downregulating miR-101-3p, by M.-Y. Xue, H.-X. Cao, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (20): 8897-8904-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev&#95;201910&#95;19285-PMID: 31696476" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/19285.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of apolipoprotein C3 ( APOC3 ) play important role in lipid metabolism, and dyslipidemia underlies nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). But the correlation of serum lipidomics, APOC3 SNPs, and NAFLD remains limited understood. Enrolling thirty-four biopsy-proven NAFLD patients from Tianjin, Shanghai, Fujian, we investigated their APOC3 genotype and serum lipid profile by DNA sequencing and ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), respectively. Scoring of hepatocyte steatosis, ballooning, lobular inflammation, and liver fibrosis was then performed to reveal the role of lipidomics-affecting APOC3 SNPs in NAFLD-specific pathological alterations. Here, we reported that APOC3 SNPs (rs4225, rs4520, rs5128, rs2070666, and rs2070667) intimately correlated to serum lipidomics in NAFLD patients. A allele instead of G allele at rs2070667, which dominated the SNPs underlying lipidomic alteration, exhibited downregulatory effect on triacylglycerols (TGs: TG 54 : 7, TG 54 : 8, and TG 56 : 9) containing polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). Moreover, subjects with low-level PUFA-containing TGs were predisposed to high-grade lobular inflammation (TG 54 : 7, rho = -0.454 and P = 0.007; TG 54 : 8, rho = -0.411 and P  =0.016; TG 56 : 9, rho = -0.481 and P = 0.004). The significant correlation of APOC3 rs2070667 and inflammation grading [G/G vs. G/A+A/A: 0.00 (0.00 and 1.00) vs. 1.50 (0.75 and 2.00), P = 0.022] further confirmed its pathological action on the basis of lipidomics-impacting activity. These findings suggest an inhibitory effect of A allele at APOC3 rs2070667 on serum levels of PUFA-containing TGs, which are associated with high-grade lobular inflammation in NAFLD patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Qing-Yang Xu et al.)

Duckweeds are small, free-floating, morphologically highly reduced organisms belonging to the monocot order Alismatales. They display the most rapid growth among flowering plants, vary ~ 14-fold in genome size and comprise five genera. Spirodela is the phylogenetically oldest genus with only two mainly asexually propagating species: S. polyrhiza (2n = 40; 160 Mbp/1C) and S. intermedia (2n = 36; 160 Mbp/1C). This study combined comparative cytogenetics and de novo genome assembly based on PacBio, Illumina and Oxford Nanopore (ON) reads to obtain the first genome reference for S. intermedia and to compare its genomic features with those of the sister species S. polyrhiza. Both species' genomes revealed little more than 20,000 putative protein-coding genes, very low rDNA copy numbers and a low amount of repetitive sequences, mainly Ty3/gypsy retroelements. The detection of a few new small chromosome rearrangements between both Spirodela species refined the karyotype and the chromosomal sequence assignment for S. intermedia.

Although numerous studies have indicated that chronic stress causes cognitive dysfunction with the impairment of synaptic structures and functions, the relationship between cognitive deficits induced by repeated restraint stress and the level of NMDA receptors in the subregion of the hippocampus has been relatively unknown until now. In this study, 3-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to repeated restraint stress for seven consecutive days, their cognitive functions were evaluated through behavioral tests, and then they were sacrificed for electrophysiological, morphological, and biochemical assays. Chronic repeated restraint stress led to cognitive and electrophysiological impairments, with a reduced density of dendritic spines. We also found that the protein level of NMDA receptors only increased in the hippocampal CA3 region. Nevertheless, repeated restraint stress-induced cognitive and synaptic dysfunction were effectively reversed by Ro25-6981, an inhibitor of the GluN2B receptor. These findings suggest that repeated restraint stress-induced synaptic and cognitive deficits are probably mediated through NMDA receptors., (Copyright © 2020 Sun, Zhong, Cao, Hu, Hong, Li, Li, Liu, Wang, Ke, Liu, Ma and Luo.)

Background and Aims: Hepatic macrophages can be activated by many factors such as gut-derived bacterial components and factors released from damaged hepatocytes. Macrophage polarization toward a proinflammatory phenotype (M1) represents an important event in the disease progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Exosomes have been identified as important mediators for cell-cell communication by transferring various biological components such as microRNAs (miRs), proteins, and lipids. The role of exosomes in crosstalk between hepatocytes and macrophages in disease progression of NAFLD is yet to be explored., Approach and Results: In the present study, we reported that lipotoxic injury-induced release of hepatocyte exosomes enriched with miR-192-5p played a critical role in the activation of M1 macrophages and hepatic inflammation. Serum miR-192-5p levels in patients with NAFLD positively correlated with hepatic inflammatory activity score and disease progression. Similarly, the serum miR-192-5p level and the number of M1 macrophages, as well as the expression levels of the hepatic proinflammatory mediators, were correlated with disease progression in high-fat high-cholesterol diet-fed rat models. Lipotoxic hepatocytes released more miR-192-5p-enriched exosomes than controls, which induced M1 macrophage (cluster of differentiation 11b-positive [CD11b + ]/CD86 + ) activation and increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha expression. Furthermore, hepatocyte-derived exosomal miR-192-5p inhibited the protein expression of the rapamycin-insensitive companion of mammalian target of rapamycin (Rictor), which further inhibited the phosphorylation levels of Akt and forkhead box transcription factor O1 (FoxO1) and resulted in activation of FoxO1 and subsequent induction of the inflammatory response., Conclusions: Hepatocyte-derived exosomal miR-192-5p plays a critical role in the activation of proinflammatory macrophages and disease progression of NAFLD through modulating Rictor/Akt/FoxO1 signaling. Serum exosomal miR-192-5p represents a potential noninvasive biomarker and therapeutic target for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis., (© 2019 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)

Oomyzus spiraculus Song, Fei & Cao sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) is described and illustrated as a gregarious larval-pupal endoparasitoid of Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae). Differentiation between O. spiraculus and its similar species is discussed and a key to differentiate the female and male of these species is provided. DNA barcodes of O. spiraculus and O. scaposus are analyzed and compared., (Hai-Tian Song, Ming-Hui Fei, Bao-Ping Li, Chao-Dong Zhu, Huan-Xi Cao.)

Adoptive cellular immunotherapy employing chimeric antigen receptors-modified T (CAR-T) cells has demonstrated promising antitumor effects in hematologic cancers. However, CAR-T therapy confront many challenges in solid tumors like immunosuppressive microenvironment, molecular heterogeneity, etc. The cancer genome atlas (TCGA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) revealed many genetic characteristic and molecular tumorigenesis. EGFRvIII is a tumor specific antigen widely expressed in a variety of cancers including HCC and an ideal therapeutic target for cancer therapy. The liver cancer cell line SMMC7721 express high level EGFRvIII and widely applied in HCC investigations. Herein, we developed EGFRvIII CAR-T cells by piggyBac transposon system, and detected its specific killing effect against SMMC7721 cells in vitro and in vivo . Results indicated that transduction efficiency of CAR reached 53.1%. Expression of CAR protein was verified by immunoblotting as a band of approximate 57KD. The killing effect of CAR-T cells against SMMC7721 was positively correlated with E/T ratio (E:T=5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 40:1), and exceeded 50% at 20:1 ratio. Significant increase in IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion were detected in the co-culture supernatant of CAR-T cells and SMMC7721, comparable to the level of exogenous EGFRvIII-expressing U87 cells. The killing activity and cytokine secretion were both dependent on the expression level of EGFRvIII in target cells. In HCC xenograft models, CAR-T cells could effectively suppress the growth of SMMC7721. In conclusion, EGFRvIII CAR-T cells demonstrated specific antitumor effect against SMMC7721 in vitro and in vivo , providing basis for immunotherapy of HCC in future clinical use., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Objective: Previous studies have shown that long intergenic non-coding RNA01551 (LINC01551) is a cancer-promoting gene. However, the role of LINC01551 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression characteristics of LINC01551 in NPC, and to further explore its mechanism in promoting the metastasis., Patients and Methods: Quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of LINC01551 in tumor tissue samples and paracancerous normal ones of 36 patients with NPC; meanwhile, the expression of LINC01551 in NPC cell lines was also verified using the qRT-PCR assay. In addition, the LINC01551 knockdown model was constructed in NPC cell lines (CNE2 and 6-10B) using lentivirus, and the influence of LINC01551 on the function of NPC cells was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell invasion assays. Finally, the interaction between LINC01551 and microRNA-132-5p was examined by Luciferase reporter gene assay, while the potential mechanism was further explored by cell reverse experiments., Results: The results of qRT-PCR indicated that the expression level of LINC01551 in tumor tissue specimens of these patients was remarkably higher than that in adjacent tissues, and the difference was statistically significant. Meanwhile, LINC01551 expression was also found remarkably higher in cell lines than that in normal ones. In addition, compared with blank or control group, the proliferation, invasion and metastasis ability of NPC cells in LINC01551 knockdown group (si-LINC01551) was significantly reduced. Subsequently, the result of Luciferase reporting assay demonstrated that overexpression of microRNA-132-5p attenuated the Luciferase activity of the wild-type LINC01551 vector without attenuating that of the mutant vector, further demonstrating that LINC01551 can be combined with miR-132-5p. Additionally, the result of cell reverse experiment revealed that knockdown of microRNA-132-5p could reverse the effect of LINC01551 silencing on proliferation rate and metastasis of NPC cells, thus further demonstrating the mutual regulation between LINC01551 and microRNA-132-5p., Conclusions: The above studies indicated that LINC01551 was remarkably up-regulated in NPC tissues, as well as in cell lines. In addition, studies have shown that LINC01551 may promote the metastatic ability by regulating microRNA-132-5p.

Background: The occurrence in drug resistance of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) was accompanied by autophagy activation. Abnormal circular RNAs (circRNAs) participated in this progression. This study attempted to investigate the potential role of circ&#95;0009910 in imatinib resistance of CML cells., Methods: The expression of circ&#95;0009910 and miR-34a-5p was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The characterization of circ&#95;0009910 was investigated using oligo (dT)18 primers, Actinomycin D and RNase R. Cell viability (IC 50 value) and apoptosis were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay and flow cytometry assay, respectively. The relative protein expression was quantified by western blot. The relationship among miR-34a-5p, circ&#95;0009910 and ULK1 was predicted by online bioinformatics tool, and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP)., Results: The expression of circ&#95;0009910 was up-regulated in the serum of imatinib-resistance CML patients and K562/R cells, and associated with unfavorable clinicopathologic features. Circ&#95;0009910 in K562 and K562/R cells was mainly localized in the cytoplasm. Circ&#95;0009910 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and autophagy, but induced apoptosis in K562/R cells. Circ&#95;0009910 targeted miR-34a-5p to regulate ULK1. MiR-34a-5p depression rescued the effects of circ&#95;0009910 knockdown on apoptosis and autophagy in K562/R cells., Conclusion: Circ&#95;0009910 accelerated imatinib-resistance in CML cells by modulating ULK1-induced autophagy via targeting miR-34a-5p, providing a potential target in imatinib resistance of CML., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an important opportunistic pathogen widely distributed in humans and animals that causes diarrhea or fatal diarrhea in immunocompromised hosts. To examine the infection status and molecular characteristics of E. bieneusi in pigs, 725 fecal samples were collected from pigs in six areas of Fujian Province. The E. bieneusi genotypes were identified based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene by nested PCR, and its population genetics were analyzed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The results showed that the infection rate of E. bieneusi was 24.4% (177/725), and 11 known genotypes (EbpC, EbpA, CHN-RR2, KIN-1, CHG7, CHS5, CM11, CHG23, G, PigEBITS, and D) and 2 novel genotypes (FJF and FJS) were identified. All the genotypes were found to be clustered into zoonotic Group 1. Moreover, 52 positive samples were successfully amplified at minisatellite and microsatellite loci and formed 48 distinct multilocus genotypes (MLGs). Further population structure analyses showed strong genetic linkage disequilibrium (LD) and several recombination events (Rm), indicating that E. bieneusi has a clonal population structure. This study is the first to investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of E. bieneusi in Fujian Province and could provide baseline data to control E. bieneusi infection in pigs and humans and deepen our understanding of the zoonotic risk of E. bieneusi and its distribution in China., (© 2019 International Society of Protistologists.)

Parasitic Entamoeba spp. can infect many classes of vertebrates including humans and pigs. Entamoeba suis and zoonotic Entamoeba polecki have been identified in pigs, and swine are implicated as potential reservoirs for Entamoeba histolytica . However, the prevalence of Entamoeba spp. in pigs in southeastern China has not been reported. In this study, 668 fecal samples collected from 6 different regions in Fujian Province, southeastern China, were analyzed to identify three Entamoeba species by nested PCR and sequencing analysis. The overall prevalence of Entamoeba spp. was 55.4% (370/668; 95% CI 51.6% to 59.2%), and the infection rate of E. polecki ST1 was the highest (302/668; 45.2%, 95% CI 41.4% to 49.0%), followed by E. polecki ST3 (228/668; 34.1%, 95% CI 30.5% to 37.7%) and E. suis (87/668; 13.0%, 95% CI 10.5% to 15.6%). E. histolytica was not detected in any samples. Moreover, the coinfection rate of E. polecki ST1 and ST3 was 25.1% (168/668; 95% CI 21.9% to 28.4%), the coinfection rate of E. polecki ST1 and E. suis was 3.7% (25/668; 95% CI 2.3% to 5.2%), the coinfection rate of E. polecki ST3 and E. suis was 0.3% (2/668), and the coinfection rate of E. polecki ST1, E. polecki ST3, and E. suis was 4.0% (27/668; 95% CI 2.5% to 5.5%). A representative sequence (MK347346) was identical to the sequence of E. suis (DQ286372). Two subtype-specific sequences (MK357717 and MK347347) were almost identical to the sequences of E. polecki ST1 (FR686383) and ST3 (AJ566411), respectively. This is the first study to survey the occurrence and to conduct molecular identification of three Entamoeba species in southeastern China. This is the first report regarding mixed infections with E. suis , E. polecki ST1, and E. polecki ST3 in China. More research studies are needed to better understand the transmission and zoonotic potential of Entamoeba spp., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article., (Copyright © 2019 Ting Ji et al.)

Objective: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Recent studies have revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the progression of tumorigenesis. The aim of this study was to identify the exact role of lncRNA CASC15 in the progression of NPC., Patients and Methods: CASC15 expression in both 54 paired NPC patients' tissue samples and cell lines was detected by Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Moreover, the function of CASC15 was identified by performing cell proliferation assay, transwell assay and wound healing assay in vitro. The underlying mechanism was explored through Luciferase assay and RT-qPCR. In addition, tumor formation and metastasis assays were conducted in vivo., Results: CASC15 expression in NPC tissues was markedly higher than that of adjacent non-tumor tissues. The proliferation, migration and invasion of NPC cells were significantly inhibited after knockdown of CASC15 in vitro. Our further experiments revealed that miR-101-3p was remarkably up-regulated via knockdown of CASC15. Meanwhile, miR-101-3p was a direct target of CASC15 in NPC. Furthermore, tumor formation and metastasis of NPC were significantly inhibited via knockdown of CASC15 in nude mice., Conclusions: CASC15 enhances NPC cell proliferation and metastasis via sponging miR-101-3p in vitro and in vivo.

Lung cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths around the world. In addition to genetic risk factors and smoking, the metabolic risk factors remain to be elusive.To evaluate the associations between obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and pulmonary adenocarcinoma in patients with lung cancer.Consecutive operation-proven lung cancer patients with assessment of metabolic disorders and liver ultrasound in 2009 and 2013 were retrospectively enrolled. T-test and multivariate logistic regression were applied to evaluate the contribution of individual factors to lung adenocarcinoma, as well as the synergistic effects between these factors.Among 3664 lung cancer patients with ultrasound examination, 2844 cases were enrolled for further analysis. Of them, 1053 (37.0%) were females, 1242 (43.7%) were cigarette smokers, 1658 (58.3%) were diagnosed as lung adenocarcinoma, 744 (26.2%) had obesity, and 614 (21.6%) had NAFLD. Proportion of female gender, nonsmoker, obesity, NAFLD, and serum lipid levels in patients with adenocarcinoma were significantly higher than those in other subtypes of lung cancer, and in 2013 than in 2009 (all P < .01). NAFLD and obesity were shown as independent factors and positively associated with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, along with female gender and nonsmoking, higher serum levels of cholesterol. NAFLD and other contributing factors exhibited no synergistic effects on adenocarcinoma.Obesity and NAFLD might increase the risk for pulmonary adenocarcinoma, especially in nonsmoking females, and underscore the need for further study into carcinogenic mechanisms and preventive interventions.

Rice disease recognition is crucial in automated rice disease diagnosis systems. At present, deep convolutional neural network (CNN) is generally considered the state-of-the-art solution in image recognition. In this paper, we propose a novel rice blast recognition method based on CNN. A dataset of 2906 positive samples and 2902 negative samples is established for training and testing the CNN model. In addition, we conduct comparative experiments for qualitative and quantitatively analysis in our evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed method. The evaluation results show that the high-level features extracted by CNN are more discriminative and effective than traditional hand-crafted features including local binary patterns histograms (LBPH) and Haar-WT (Wavelet Transform). Moreover, quantitative evaluation results indicate that CNN with Softmax and CNN with support vector machine (SVM) have similar performances, with higher accuracy, larger area under curve (AUC), and better receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves than both LBPH plus an SVM as the classifier and Haar-WT plus an SVM as the classifier. Therefore, our CNN model is a top performing method for rice blast disease recognition and can be potentially employed in practical applications.

There are few studies on the correlation between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and cardiovascular events in the patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD). We explored the correlation between RDW and cardiovascular events in PD patients and possible mechanism.A total of 138 PD patients were divided into RDW < 15% group (n = 104) and RDW ≥ 15% group (n = 34).The levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) [3.05 (0.79, 15.30) mg/L vs 2.15 (1.00, 6.50) mg/L] and parathyroid hormone (PTH) [260.0 (192.7, 352.6) ng/L vs 200.7 (118.0, 319.7) ng/L] were significantly higher, but the levels of serum albumin [30.65 (27.4,32.8) g/L vs 32.3 (29.25,34.95) g/L], prealbumin [(299 ± 96) g/L vs (346 ± 86) g/L], triglyceride [1.24 (0.72, 1.50) mmol/L vs 1.42 (1.12,1.84) mmol/L], and transferrin saturation [27.9 (16.4, 43.6)% vs 37.8 (23.3, 57.2)%] were significantly lower in the RDW ≥ 15% group than in the RDW < 15% group (all P < 0.05). The RDW was negatively correlated with albumin (r = - 0.258, P = 0.002), prealbumin (r = -0.236, P = 0.005), and triglyceride (r = -0.194, P = 0.023), but was positively correlated with CRP level (r = 0.174, P = 0.041). The incidence of cardiovascular events was significantly higher in the RDW ≥ 15% group (6 patients, 17.6%) than in the RDW < 15% group (6.7%) (7 patients, P < 0.01). Cox proportional hazard model showed that elevated RDW level was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events in PD patients (HR = 1.622, 95% CI: 1.063-2.475, P = 0.025).The elevated RDW may be served as a risk factor to predict the cardiovascular events in PD patients.