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Abstract Background and purpose Tuberculosis (TB) is the most fatal infectious disease worldwide. Approximately 24.6% of tuberculosis cases are extrapulmonary and predominantly affect the spine. It is difficult to diagnose spinal TB (STB). We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT)-960 culture, T-SPOT.TB, Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB)/resistance to rifampin (RIF), and Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) to detect STB. Methods We assessed 126 patients presumed to have STB using these four methods. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated using clinical diagnosis as a reference. Results Of the patients, 41 were diagnosed with STB and 85 with non-STB. In the STB group, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the MGIT-960 culture were 29.3% (12/41), 100% (85/85), 100% (12/12), and 74.6% (85/114), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of T-SPOT.TB were 92.7% (38/41), 82.4% (70/85), 58.5% (31/53), and 95.9% (70/73), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay were 53.7% (22/41), 100% (85/85), 100% (22/22), and 81.7% (85/104), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of mNGS were 39.0% (16/41), 98.8% (84/85), 94.1% (16/17), and 77.1% (84/109), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of mNGS + Xpert MTB/RIF were 73.2% (30/41), 100% (85/85), 96.8% (30/31), and 72.0% (85/118), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the mNGS + T-spot assay were 97.6% (40/41), 100% (85/85), 67.9% (38/56), and 75.9% (85/113), respectively. Moreover, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of T-spot + Xpert MTB/RIF were 95.1% (39/41), 100% (85/85), 72.2% (39/54), and 81.0% (85/105), respectively. Conclusions T-SPOT.TB is the most effective method for diagnosing STB; however, Xpert MTB/RIF is more reliable and can detect RIF resistance. Clinicians can use mNGS to identify pathogens in patients with spinal infections; these pathogens appeared to be more meaningful in guiding the clinical management of patients in the non-STB group. The combination of Xpert MTB/RIF and mNGS can improve the early diagnosis rate and drug resistance detection, reduce the diagnostic cycle, and provide early targeted anti-TB treatment for patients with STB.

Abstract Background The development of thoracic surgical techniques has provided a new avenue for treating thoracic tuberculosis. Moreover, microscopic treatment of spinal tuberculosis has attracted increasing attention, as it affords good visual access and reduces trauma. Traditional thoracoscopic treatment of spinal tuberculosis usually requires 2–3 passages, accompanied by a corresponding number of incisions. With a large number of conventional thoracoscopic surgeries performed, improved resolution of the microscopic field of view, effective hemostasis of the peripheral vessels using the ultrasonic knife, and many reports in the literature, thoracic tuberculosis can now be treated microscopically by creating a single channel. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and surgical technique for thoracic tuberculous spondylitis treatment via debridement and bone graft fusion surgery employing pure uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), combined with posterior internal fixation. Methods Seven patients with relatively complete documentation were included in this study. All patients underwent lesion removal and bone graft reconstruction via uniportal VATS with posterior internal fixation. The mean patient age was 39.6 years. Surgical duration, blood loss volume, postoperative recovery time, and thoracic kyphosis angle were recorded. Results The surgeries were successful with no severe postoperative complications. All patients were followed-up, and no recurrence of tuberculosis was observed. Imaging data, including computed tomography scans, confirmed the complete removal of the lesions. Additionally, bone fusion at the graft site was successful, no loss of the thoracic kyphosis angle was noted postoperatively, and the thoracic kyphosis angle improved. Conclusions Pure uniportal VATS yields satisfactory results and inflicts less trauma than previous surgical techniques. This technique also offers a reference value for treating thoracic tuberculous spondylitis.

High Cr white irons (HCWIs) are often used as high-temperature components exposed to the temperatures exceeding 500 °C. Improving oxidation resistance of HCWI components is necessary for engineering applications. In the present study, oxidation behaviors of high Cr white iron (HCWI) and its composites reinforced with 1–2 μm nonstoichiometric TiCx resulting from the decomposition of Ti3AlC2 (in situ TiCx/HCWI), and 2–4 μm irregular-shape of TiC (TiC/HCWI) at 600 °C for 96 h in air were investigated. Results showed that the two composites exhibited better oxidation resistance than the pure HCWI material. The oxidation test revealed a weight loss for the unreinforced HCWI but a weight gain for the composites. Among these materials, the in situ TiCx/HCWI composite has the best oxidation resistance due to its dense and fine microstructure. Oxidative thermodynamics and oxidation mechanism were discussed. This work suggests that in situ formed TiCx is an effective reinforcement to improve the oxidation resistance of HCWIs.

The ARF gene family is a representative transcription factor that plays a crucial role in the regulation of various growth and development processes in plants. Although the ARF gene family has been identified in five Orchidaceae species, limited research has been conducted on the ARF gene within Dendrobium. To explore ARF family genes in different Dendrobium species, we selected chromosome-level genomic data from D. nobile, D. chrysotoxum, and D. huoshanense for genome-wide identification, and to analyze expression patterns in the D. nobile flower. In this study, 13, 18, and 23 ARF genes were identified in the genomes of D. chrysotoxum, D. huoshanense, and D. nobile, respectively. These genes were then subsequently classified into four classes (Classes I, II, III, and IV) based on our phylogenetic analysis. Additional protein sequence analysis found that 30 ARF proteins with three classically conserved structural domains (BDB, MR, and RD) were present in the three Dendrobium species. Our gene structure comparative analysis also found the same evolutionary branch with similar intron-exon structural features. Specifically, Class I and Class III display longer introns that potentially constitute a distinctive characteristic of Dendrobium. Gene expression patterns analysis showed the potential involvement of DnoARF 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, and 23 in initial differentiation and flower bud formation. Likewise, transcriptomic analysis and RT-qPCR expression profiles indicated flower-specific expression patterns for four ARF genes (DnoARF5, DnoARF6, DnoARF16, and DnoARF22), which suggest an important impact on flower development and regulation. Ultimately, this study provides comprehensive data to elucidate the potential functions of ARF genes in three Dendrobium species and suggests new insights for further exploration concerning the function and regulatory mechanisms in Dendrobium during flower development.

Annona is a genus of family Annonaceae within the magnoliids and plays a crucial role in revealing the evolution of magnolias. Annona species provide important fruit resources. Here, we report a chromosome-level genome assembly of A. montana, an edible and ornamental fruit species. Integration with other genomes provides clear evidence that the magnoliids were sisters to eudicots, and the ASTRAL trees showed discordance in the phylogenetic position of magnoliids, which might be caused by incomplete lineage sorting (ILS). Whole genome duplication (WGD) analysis showed that the common ancestor of A. montana and Liriodendron chinense experienced a WGD event, and this WGD event occurred after the splitting of Magnoliales and Laurales. We identified the gene family expansions and contractions in Annonaceae. Based on the identification of MADS-box gene families, we inferred the pathway integrators of morphological regulation, the occurrence of florescence and the development of fruit in A. montana. In addition, we identified key sugar transporter genes and the key enzyme genes related to sugar accumulation in A. montana fruit. The gene function analysis indicated that starch and cell wall degradation might be the main reasons for the softening of A. montana fruit. Furthermore, aromatic alcohols were suggested be the main volatile aromatic compounds in A. montana fruit. Our results provide the genetic basis of fruit development, softening, aroma, and sugar accumulation in A. montana and the evolution and diversification of Annonaceae.

Abstract There are various walking pavements in daily life. Slip accidents will happen if required friction for safe walking is greater than available friction between the foot and ground surface. Existing researches mostly focus on horizontal or slope pavements, whereas the cross‐slope walkways are less. A self‐developed gait friction test platform was used to test friction, distribution of plantar pressure and spatiotemporal parameters of human walking under cross‐slope condition. With the increase of cross‐slope angles, the mediolateral friction increases (R 2 = 0.972, P

Sunitinib (Sun), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, is the standard first‐line treatment against advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but resistance to therapy is inevitable. Reactive oxygen species production is associated with sensitivity to chemotherapy, but the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Here, we investigated the mechanisms contributing to Sun resistance using the RCC cell lines ACHN and 786‐O. We report that Sun‐resistant cells exhibited reduced apoptosis, increased cell viability, increased reactive oxygen species production and disrupted mitochondrial function. Furthermore, chronic Sun treatment resulted in an up‐regulation of Sirt5/isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) expression levels. Knockdown of Sirt5/IDH2 impaired mitochondrial function and partially attenuated Sun resistance. Finally, up‐regulation of Sirt5 enhanced the expression of IDH2 via modulation of succinylation at K413 and promoted protein stability. In conclusion, dysregulation of Sirt5/IDH2 partially contributes to Sun resistance in RCC cells by affecting antioxidant capacity.

Modification of poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) to adapt to the biological properties of materials is currently the key point in the research of medical materials. The tribological properties and biocompatibility of the PEEK composites modified by carbon fiber (CF), potassium titanate whisker(PTW) and nano-particles were discussed in this paper. The results show the modified PEEK composites by a certain length to diameter ratio of CF show the best using effect in vivo experiments in good blood compatibility, which is suitable for orthopaedic implant materials. A large number of experiments show that the PEEK composites would be modified with a certain ratio of CF (about 30%wt.), whisker (about 15%wt.) and HA (about 5%wt.) particle with better biological tribological properties, more important value in medical research.

Plant-associated microbial communities play essential roles in the vegetative cycle, growth, and development of plants. Cinnamomum camphora is an evergreen tree species of the Lauraceae family with high ornamental, medicinal, and economic values. The present study analyzed the composition, diversity, and functions of the fungal communities in the bulk soil, rhizosphere, and root endosphere of C. camphora at different slope positions by high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that the alpha diversity of the fungal communities in the bulk soil and rhizosphere of the downhill plots was relatively higher than those uphill. A further analysis revealed that Mucoromycota, the dominant fungus at the phylum level, was positively correlated with soil bulk density, total soil porosity, mass water content, alkaline-hydrolyzable nitrogen, maximum field capacity, and least field capacity. Meanwhile, the prevalent fungus at the class level, Mortierellomycetes, was positively correlated with total phosphorus and available and total potassium, but negatively with alkaline-hydrolyzable nitrogen. Finally, the assignment of the functional guilds to the fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) revealed that the OTUs highly enriched in the downhill samples compared with the uphill samples, which were saprotrophs. Thus, this study is the first to report differences in the fungal community among the different soil/root samples and between C. camphora forests grown at different slope positions. We also identified the factors favoring the root-associated beneficial fungi in these forests, providing theoretical guidance for managing C. camphora forests.

Anthropogenic pollution due to inappropriate treatment of agricultural and industrial waste has been posing an ecological threats worldwide. However, an increasing pressure and demand for sustainability in farming, brought about the use of many hazardous chemicals and industrial wastes, such as the use of tannery sludge as an effective organic manure. This study was initiated as a follow up investigation to assess the potential ecological risk; the level of metal pollution in soil and Lycopersicon esculentum (L. esculentum) and its potentiality for in-situ phytoextraction in Hausawan - Kaba, Kano State, Nigeria. The suspected sludge, soil and plants grown in three different farms; farmland-1, farmland-2, and farmland-3 (control) in the study area were collected. The concentration of Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) were spectrophotometrically detected. In addition, Bioaccumulation Factors (B.F), Pollution Index (P.I), Ecological Risk Index (ERI) and Potential Ecological Risk (PER) index of metals in three different sampling sites were calculated. The results indicated that PER value and concentration of metals in soil from farmland-1 is higher than that of farmland-2 and control site. Cd was observed to be the major contributor of ERI and had the highest average concentration in soil and plant samples. The results also showed that properties of soil such as pH, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), and organic matter content influenced the metal concentrations. Bioaccumulation Factor (B.F) > 1 observed for the plants manifested their phytoremediation potential. Therefore, the study concluded that based on the PER analysis, the study area is a potentially “low ecological risk” environment and the L. esculentum has a great potential to uptake large quantity of Cd, Pb and Cr in its root system; translocate to shoots and can be evidently used as hyperaccumulator for in-situ phytoextraction when cultivated in a soil contaminated with either Cr, Cd and/or Pb.

Soil bacterial communities and root-associated microbiomes play important roles in the nutrient absorption and healthy growth of host plants. Cinnamomum camphora is an important timber and special economic forest tree species in Fujian Province. In this study, the high-throughput sequencing technique was used to analyze the composition, diversity, and function of the bacterial communities present in the soil from different samples and slope positions of C. camphora. The results of this analysis demonstrated that the related bacterial communities in C. camphora soil were mainly clustered based on sample type. Bacterial alpha diversity in the rhizosphere and bulk soil of C. camphora growing downhill was higher than that of C. camphora growing uphill. At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Gemmatimonadetes were positively correlated with pH, available phosphorus, total phosphorus, available potassium, and total potassium, while Acidobacteria and Verrucomicrobia were negatively correlated with alkaline-hydrolyzable nitrogen. These results show that there were remarkable differences in the composition, diversity, and function of related bacterial communities between different sample types of C. camphora soil. The slope position had a marked effect on the bacterial communities in the rhizosphere and bulk soil, while the root endosphere remained unaffected.

Monotropa uniflora is one of the representative plants of Ericaceae family, which was famous for entire translucent and ‘ghostly’ white. Also, unique lifestyle also attracts lots of researchers, which it obtains through fixed carbon from photosynthetic plants via a shared mycorrhizal network. In this study, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of M. uniflora was assembled and annotated, its full-length is 26,913 bp. Plastid genome contains 31 genes, 14 protein-coding genes, 14 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analyses based on the complete chloroplast genome sequence provided solid evidence that M. uniflora has a close relationship M. odorata. The chloroplast genome presented here will help for further conservation of M. uniflora and other saprophytes.

It is possible that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a pivotal role in root development and Pb phytostabilization in plants grown in Pb-contaminated soil. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted over 4 months to evaluate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae strain BGCXJ01A on root characteristics of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) seedlings in Pb-contaminated soil. Four Pb treatments (0, 90, 900, and 3,000 mg kg–1) were applied to soil in the presence and absence of F. mosseae. Inoculation with F. mosseae prominently improved root length, surface area, volume, and tip number in the plants across all Pb treatments. The F. mosseae inoculation also increased root diameter and fork number, especially under high Pb treatments. The presence of F. mosseae significantly increased the root activity and root tolerance index. However, there was little difference in specific root length between inoculated and non-inoculated plants. The biomass of roots, stems, and leaves all increased following inoculation with F. mosseae. Inoculated plants had greater accumulation and translocation capacities for Pb in the roots and stems, but lower capacities were found in the leaves when compared with those in non-inoculated plants. These results highlight that F. mosseae can alleviate the toxic effects of Pb on root development and can immobilize Pb in the roots and stems of R. pseudoacacia grown in Pb-contaminated soil. This study provides a model system for phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated soil via reciprocal symbiosis between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and woody legumes.

The role of submerged macrophytes (Vallisneria natans, Hydrilla verticillata and artificial plant) and their biofilms-leaves for the dissipation and risk alleviation mechanism of PAHs (phenanthrene and pyrene) and nitrogen in constructed wetland systems with PAH-polluted sediments were investigated. Biofilms-leaves/surface might contribute to PAHs degradation, which was positively correlated with PAHs degrading bacteria. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in biofilms on surface might cause total nitrogen in sediment (TNs) increasing by 4% from 14th d to 28th d indirectly when suffering PAHs pollution. The relative abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria significantly increased with the increase of PAHs concentrations in early period (p incubation time > spiking concentration of PAHs. Interestingly, differences of deduced bacterial functions were affected in order of incubation time > attached surface > spiking concentration. Thus, submerged macrophytes and their biofilms on leaves not only played an important role in PAHs degradation, but also regulated the nitrogen cycling in constructed wetland systems, which could reduce these pollutants risk for natural environment, organisms and human health. Keywords: Submerged macrophytes, PAHs dissipation, Biofilms on leaves, Nitrogen cycling, Deduced functions

In this study, the dry sliding wear behaviors of SiC particle reinforced AZ91D matrix composites fabricated by stirring casting method were systematically investigated. The SiC particles in as-cast composites exhibited typical necklace-type distribution, which caused the weak interface bonding between SiC particles and matrix in particle-segregated zones. During dry sliding at higher applied loads, SiC particles were easy to debond from the matrix, which accelerated the wear rates of the composites. While at the lower load of 10 N, the presence of SiC particles improved the wear resistance. Moreover, the necklace-type distribution became more evident with the decrease of particle sizes and the increase of SiC volume fractions. Larger particles had better interface bonding with the matrix, which could delay the transition of wear mechanism from oxidation to delamination. Therefore, composites reinforced by larger SiC particles exhibited higher wear resistance. Similarly, owing to more weak interfaces in the composites with high content of SiC particles, more severe delamination occurred and the wear resistance of the composites was impaired.

Marine soft soil foundation is a double-layer foundation structure with a crust layer and soft substratum. Moreover, it is common that there are various forms of drainage. Accordingly, based on Terzaghi’s consolidation theory and the continuous drainage boundary conditions theory of controllable drainage conditions, an improved double-layer soil consolidation theory considering continuous drainage boundary conditions was proposed. To improve the computational efficiency and accuracy, the Laplace transform and the Stehfest algorithm was used to deduce the numerical solution of the improved double-layer soil consolidation theory considering continuous drainage boundary conditions and to compile a computer program. Subsequently, the theory was validated and analyzed by the degenerated model of the perfectly permeable boundary conditions and the semi-permeable boundary conditions, respectively, which showed that this theory has higher accuracy. Simultaneously, the analysis of double-layer consolidation settlement under continuous drainage boundary conditions for marine soft soil foundation of Guangxi Binhai Highway was carried on. The result showed that the consolidation settlement calculated by the improved double-layer consolidation theory presented is basically consistent with the field measurement results, and that the correlation coefficient between them is higher. Accordingly, the research results can provide useful basic information for marine soft foundation engineering.

Objective To summarize the clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) associated with syringomyelia. Methods Clinical records, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and MRI were analysed retrospectively in 9 patients with concurrent TBM and syringomyelia from May 2006 to May 2010 in Changsha Central Hospital. Results There were 9 patients (6 men and 3 women) with subacute or chronic onset of TBM associated with syringomyelia. The age of onset of these 9 patients were ranged from 16 to 43 years. Six patients had fever and headache or cough at onset who subsequently developed weakness and numbness of the lower extremities and (or) fecal and urinary incontinence 5-110 d later. Three TBM patients developed weakness and numbness of the lower extremities and (or) fecal and urinary incontinence 6 months to 1 year later after the completion of treatment with antituberculous drugs. There was no correspondonce between signs and symptoms. The characteristic segmental dissociated sensory disturbance was not typical. Before antituberculotic treatment, leukocyte count in CSF was moderately increased [(5-420) × 10 6/L], protein level of CSF was increased (2.50-4.16 g/ L), while the level of glucose (1.07-2.15 mmol/L) and chlorine (101-119) mmol/L in CSF decreased. After the treatment with antituberculous drugs, the protein level of CSF in 4 cases was still increased (0.72-1.55 g/L) while others became normal. Longitudinal lesions with different types such as bead-like, sausage-like, spindle-like or slender cavitates were found in the central of spinal cord. The cavitates showed long T1 and long T2 signals as same as signals of CSF and were not enhanced on MRI. At the lesion site subarachnoid space appeared narrowed. Spinal meninges revealed enhancement on enhanced MRI. The cavitates presented multilocular in cervical cord (5 cases), thoracic cord (8 cases), lumbar cord (6 cases), or cervical cord to lumbar cord (4 cases). The severity was not parallel to the diameter as well as the length of the cavitates. Conclusion Syringomyelia can be an early or delayed complication of tuberculous meningitis. The clinical syndromes of tuberculous meningitis associated with syringomyelia may be atypical. The cavitates are mainly found in the thoracic cord and are usually multilocular and multisegmental. The symptomatic severity may not be parallel to neuroimaging changes. Improving the understanding of this disease and performing MRI without delay are helpful for early diagnosis. DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2011.05.016

In the complex confined space of underground coal mine, some environmental factors such as uneven illumination of artificial light source, heavy concentration of dust and fog in the working face, and complex electromagnetic interference can seriously affect the high-definition imaging of underground surveillance video. Aiming at the problems of low resolution and blurring of mine images affected by complex environment, and the problems that the current image super-resolution reconstruction methods mostly improve the reconstruction effect at the expense of compromising network depth and width, which will increase the complexity of the algorithm greatly, as well as the memory usage of the network model, making it difficult to apply to actual edge mobile devices. In this study, a lightweight super-resolution reconstruction method of mine images based on blueprint separation convolution is proposed. Firstly, the high-efficiency blueprint separation convolution is used to replace the standard convolution in the residual block, and a lightweight residual attention module is designed by introducing coordinate attention mechanism and adding skip connections to improve the residual block, so that the model can achieve a better feature extraction ability while keeping low parameters and computation. Secondly, an enhanced hierarchical feature fusion module is designed to integrate local features first and then global features of different hierarchical features in the network, which can further promote the information flow in the network and enhance the feature utilization rate of the model. Finally, the pixel attention mechanism is added at the end of the network to enhance the attention of the network to the information features, which can improve the feature expression ability of the model and provide more detailed features for the image reconstruction module. Experimental results show that the image quality reconstructed by the lightweight super-resolution reconstruction network based on blueprint separation convolution is not only superior to other comparison algorithms in terms of objective indexes and visual perception, but also achieves a better trade-off between model performance and complexity. When the scaling factor is 4, in comparison to the lightweight algorithm AWSRN-M with the same number of parameters, the average PSNR and SSIM on the coal mine test set are increased by 0.177 2 dB and 0.010 7 respectively, and the floating-point computation is reduced by 66.9%. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively extract the detailed feature information with different levels, achieve the deep fusion of shallow and deep features, and more efficiently reconstruct high-resolution images with clear texture details.