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Background: Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis (anti-MDA5+DM) patients are associated with considerable mortality, and opportunistic infections including Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP)is the main cause. This study was to identify clinical characteristics, risk factors, and prognostic factors of PJP diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in anti-MDA5+ DM patients. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, all patients admitted with suspected pneumonia were detected for mNGS in BALF. The demographics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, and treatments of the patients were compared and analyzed in both groups to identify the potential risk factors for PJP and death via Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression, respectively. Results: Overall, 92 patients were included in this study, 46(50.0%) were defined as PJP+ group, and the other 46 (50.0%) as PJP- group, and 31(67.4%) PJP occurred in the first 3 months. Increased neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and CRP were independent risk factors for PJP occurrence, while trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ) prophylaxis was an independent protective factor (all p<0.05). The three-months mortality rate was higher in the PJP+ group compared to PJP- group (43.5% vs 23.9%, p=0.047). Rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RPILD) was a main predictor of mortality in anti-MDA5+DM patients with PJP, whereas glucocorticoid use was a significant protective factor. Conclusions: PJP has high prevalence and mortality in anti-MDA5+DM, while TMP/SMZ prophylaxis significantly reduces PJP risk. Mortality in PJP+ patients is primarily concentrated within the first 3 months, associated with RPILD. Early intervention with corticosteroids and prophylactic measures are crucial in reducing mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is evidence of a link between irisin and bone metabolism, prior clinical evaluations have been limited to women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The primary goal of this evaluation is to examine the relationship between irisin and bone mineral density (BMD) in geriatric Chinese men experiencing osteoporosis or osteopenia.

Compared to common salt, low-sodium salt can reduce blood pressure to varying degrees. However, the exact dosage relationship remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the dose–response relationships between low-sodium salt intake and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), as well as the risk of hypertension, and to determine the optimal range for low-sodium salt intake. We investigated the basic characteristics and dietary profile of 350 individuals who consumed low-sodium salt. The samples were divided into three groups according to the 33.3rd and 66.6th percentiles of low-sodium salt intake in condiments (Q1: <4.72 g/d, Q2: ≥4.72 g/d, and <6.88 g/d, and Q3: ≥6.88 g/d). The restricted cubic spline results indicated that low-sodium salt intake decreased linearly with SBP and DBP, while low-sodium intake demonstrated a non-linear, L-shaped relationship with the risk of hypertension, with a safe range of 5.81 g to 7.66 g. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that compared with group Q1, the DBP in group Q2 decreased by 2.843 mmHg (95%CI: −5.552, −0.133), and the SBP in group Q3 decreased by 4.997 mmHg (95%CI: −9.136, −0.858). Exploratory subgroup analyses indicated that low-sodium salt intake had a significant impact on reducing SBP in males, DBP in females, SBP in rural populations, and DBP in urban populations. The intake of low-sodium salt adheres to the principle of moderation, with 5.81–7.66 g potentially serving as a pivotal threshold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to strengthen the sealing at the small clearance of the stator-based dual air-cooled external rotor permanent magnet synchronous motor and ensuring the heat dissipation of the clearance, the numerical simulations of the flow field and heat transfer characteristics of the small clearance of the motor with different labyrinth sealing structures under different working conditions were carried out by using computational fluid dynamics, taking into account the rotational factor. The influences of different labyrinth sealing structures at the upper and lower clearance on the overall sealing performance of the motor and the heat dissipation of the stator sidewalls were explored by analyzing the pressure and velocity at the clearance. The sealing performance and heat dissipation were evaluated using leakage and Nusselt number as evaluation factors. The results show that when the axial fan operates with suction, it is more conducive to improving the sealing performance of the motor and ensuring the heat dissipation at the clearance. Adding labyrinth seals at the upper and lower stator clearances can effectively improve the sealing performance of the motor in the dual air-cooled system,and the greater the total pressure drop of the sealing structure at the upper and lower clearances,the smaller the leakage. The average Nussell number of the stator sidewall at the clearance will decrease due to the addition of the labyrinth seal. When the incoming temperature is lower than the wall temperature,the extent of decrease of average Nussell number will increase with the increase of the flow-blocking effect of the sealing structure,and when the incoming temperature is higher than the wall temperature,the extent of decrease of average Nussell number will increase with the decrease of the flow-blocking effect and the notch vortex strength.Compared to the unsealed structure,the stator side double groove structure effectively ensures the heat dissipation of the clearances while improving the overall sealing performance of the motor.The research results provide a reference for the design of the sealing and heat dissipation structure at the internal clearances of the external rotor permanent magnet synchronous motor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new quinazolinone alkaloid named peniquinazolinone A (1), as well as eleven known compounds, 2-(2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionamido)-N-methylbenzamide (2), viridicatin (3), viridicatol (4), (±)-cyclopeptin (5a/5b), dehydrocyclopeptin (6), cyclopenin (7), cyclopenol (8), methyl-indole-3-carboxylate (9), 2,5-dihydroxyphenyl acetate (10), methyl m-hydroxyphenylacetate (11), and conidiogenone B (12), were isolated from the endophytic Penicillium sp. HJT-A-6. The chemical structures of all the compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS. The absolute configuration at C-13 of peniquinazolinone A (1) was established by applying the modified Mosher's method. Compounds 2, 3, and 7 exhibited an optimal promoting effect on the seed germination of Rhodiola tibetica at a concentration of 0.01 mg/mL, while the optimal concentration for compounds 4 and 9 to promote Rhodiola tibetica seed germination was 0.001 mg/mL. Compound 12 showed optimal seed-germination-promoting activity at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL. Compared with the positive drug 6-benzyladenine (6-BA), compounds 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, and 12 could extend the seed germination period of Rhodiola tibetica up to the 11th day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viral diseases pose a threat to fruit tree growth. In this study, we observed some pimple-shaped 'Yali' pears (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.) and investigated their viral components. We used virome analysis to elucidate the viral composition within the pimple-shaped fruit. RT-PCR was applied to detect the plant viruses of fruits, leaves, and branches in 'Yali' pear. We also constructed a phylogenetic tree based on the amino acid sequences of the movement proteins of 6 apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) isolates and 44 ASGVs from the NCBI database. We detected ASGV and apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) in the pimple-shaped pear fruits, which is the first report of these viruses existing in 'Yali' pear fruits. ASGV was present in all pimple-shaped fruit samples from six 'Yali' pear-producing regions. The phylogenetic tree showed that ASGVs from pears, apples, and citrus plants were separated into different branches, suggesting that hosts influence the genetic diversity of ASGV. Our study revealed the viral components and genetic variation of ASGV in pimple-shaped pear fruit, providing new insights into the epidemiology of this virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Probiotic food provide health benefits by regulating intestinal floras via live bacteria, but the shelf life is short and the preservation condition is demanding due to the bacteria being fragile. Owing to these problems, we have tried to find a fermented food that is helpful for inflammatory bowel disease treatment but independent of live bacteria. In addition, the mechanisms of fermented food were investigated. Dextran sulfate sodium was used to model inflammatory bowel disease in mice, and Lactobacillus paracasei TK1501 fermented soybeans and their metabolites were used to treat inflammatory bowel disease. RESULTS: In this study, TK1501 fermented soybean alleviated colitis. However, the efficacy was associated with bacterial metabolites but not live or dead bacteria. Compositional analysis of soybean before and after fermentation shows that soy carbohydrates were used for bacteria growth and produced functional substances. Further, we display the main active ingredient was lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan, because lipoteichoic acid reduced the colonic macrophage and peptidoglycan may increase the mucin‐2 expression. A cell experiment displayed that lipoteichoic acid could enhance the phagocytosis of macrophages. CONCLUSION: In general, TK1501 fermented soybean alleviating colitis is dependent on metabolites of TK1501, particularly lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan. The fermented food may have a long shelf life and lax storage condition. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]