Search

Abstract Solanum pimpinellifolium, the closest wild relative of the domesticated tomato, has high potential for use in breeding programs aimed at developing multi-pathogen resistance and quality improvement. We generated a chromosome-level genome assembly of S. pimpinellifolium LA1589, with a size of 833 Mb and a contig N50 of 31 Mb. We anchored 98.80% of the contigs into 12 pseudo-chromosomes, and identified 74.47% of the sequences as repetitive sequences. The genome evaluation revealed BUSCO and LAI score of 98.3% and 14.49, respectively, indicating high quality of this assembly. A total of 41,449 protein-coding genes were predicted in the genome, of which 89.17% were functionally annotated. This high-quality genome assembly serves as a valuable resource for accelerating the biological discovery and molecular breeding of this important horticultural crop.

Abstract Background The triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index are novel indexes for insulin resistance (IR). We aimed to evaluate associations of TG/HDL-C and TyG with arterial stiffness risk. Methods We enrolled 1979 participants from the Rural Chinese Cohort Study, examining arterial stiffness by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Logistic and linear regression models were employed to calculate effect estimates. For meta-analysis, we searched relevant articles from PubMed, Embase and Web of Science up to August 26, 2023. The fixed-effects or random-effects models were used to calculate the pooled estimates. We evaluated dose-response associations using restricted cubic splines. Results For cross-sectional studies, the adjusted ORs (95%CIs) for arterial stiffness were 1.12 (1.01–1.23) and 1.78 (1.38–2.30) for per 1 unit increment in TG/HDL-C and TyG. In the meta-analysis, the pooled ORs (95% CIs) were 1.26 (1.14–1.39) and 1.57 (1.36–1.82) for per 1 unit increment of TG/HDL-C and TyG. Additionally, both TG/HDL-C and TyG were positively related to PWV, with β of 0.09 (95% CI 0.04–0.14) and 0.57 (95% CI 0.35–0.78) m/s. We also found linear associations of TG/HDL-C and TyG with arterial stiffness risk. Conclusions High TG/HDL-C and TyG were related to increased arterial stiffness risk, indicating TG/HDL-C and TyG may be convincing predictors of arterial stiffness.

Hexagonal semiconductors such as 4H SiC have important high-frequency, high-power, and high-temperature applications. The applications require accurate knowledge of both ordinary and extraordinary relative permittivities, ϵ⊥ and ϵ||, perpendicular and parallel, respectively, to the c axis of these semiconductors. However, due to challenges for suitable test setups and precision high-frequency measurements, little reliable data exists for these semiconductors especially at millimeter-wave frequencies. Recently, we reported ϵ|| of 4H SiC from 110 to 170 GHz. This paper expands on the previous report to include both ϵ⊥ and ϵ|| of the same material from 55 to 330 GHz, as well as their temperature and humidity dependence enabled by improving the measurement precision to two decimal points. For example, at room temperature, real ϵ⊥ and ϵ|| are constant at 9.77 ± 0.01 and 10.20 ± 0.05, respectively. By contrast, the ordinary loss tangent increases linearly with the frequency f in the form of (4.9 ± 0.1) × 10−16 f. The loss tangent, less than 1 × 10−4 over most millimeter-wave frequencies, is significantly lower than that of sapphire, our previous low-loss standard. Finally, both ϵ⊥ and ϵ|| have weak temperature coefficients on the order of 10−4 /°C. The knowledge reported here is especially critical to millimeter-wave applications of 4H SiC, not only for solid-state devices and circuits, but also as windows for high-power vacuum electronics.

To find new pesticide candidates, by using of a natural product andrographolide as the precursor, a series of novel indolo[2,3-b]andrographolide derivatives were semisynthesized by Fischer-indole rearrangement reaction. Their structures were identified by 1H NMR, IR, mp, and HRMS, and the steric configuration of compound Ic was further determined on single-crystal analysis. Compounds If and IIb showed 5.9 and 7.0 times potent acaricidal activity compared to andrographolide against Tetranychus cinnabarinus. Compound Ib displayed 4.2 folds higher aphicidal activity compared to andrographolide against Eriosoma lanigerum. In addition, the pronounced insecticidal activity of compound IIc against Aphis citricola was 4.2 folds of that of andrographolide. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that compound IIb can destroy the epidermis of T. cinnabarinus. These results can provide a basis for future research on botanical agrochemicals.

Abstract Aims To investigate the association of methylation risk score (MRS) and its interactions with environmental factors with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk. Methods We conducted a nested case–control study with 241 onset cases and 241 matched controls. Conditional logistic regression models were employed to identify risk CpG sites. Simple and weighted MRSs were constructed based on the methylation levels of ATP‐binding cassette G1 gene, fat mass and obesity associated gene, potassium voltage‐gated channel member 1 gene, and thioredoxin‐interacting protein gene previously associated with T2DM to estimate the association of MRS with T2DM risk. Stratified analyses were used to investigate interactions between MRS and environmental factors. Results A total of 10 CpG loci were identified from the aforementioned genes to calculate MRS. After controlling for potential confounding factors, taking tertile 1 as reference, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for T2DM of tertile 3 was 2.39 (1.36–4.20) for simple MRS and 2.59 (1.45–4.63) for weighted MRS. With per SD score increment in MRS, the OR (95% CI) was 1.66 (1.29–2.14) and 1.60 (1.24–2.08) for simple and weighted MRSs, respectively. J‐curved associations were observed between both simple and weighted MRSs and T2DM risks. Additionally, multiplication interactions for smoking and hypertension with simple MRS on the risk of T2DM were found, similarly for smoking and obesity with weighted MRS on the risk of T2DM (all Pinteraction

Abstract Atmospheric pressure fluctuation is one of the most important factors affecting the climate environment and gas emission in the fire area. To obtain the influence rule of the surface atmospheric pressure change on the gas sampling and abnormal emission in the mine closed goaf, the No. 1 coal mine in Dananhu was taken as the research object. Using Fourier transform and Fisher harmonic analysis and other statistical methods, the influence of the periodic variation of atmospheric pressure on the gas leakage and outflow in the closed goaf was studied. The results showed that there were three atmospheric pressure periods of 15.2 d, 1 d and 182.2 d, and the probability was greater than 95%. The time period with the highest number of atmospheric pressure peaks was 7:00–8:00, which accounted for 20.2% of total occurrence number in a day. And the time periods with the highest number of atmospheric pressure trough were 2:00, 15:00 and 16:00, accounting for 27.4%. The peak-to-trough transition time was mainly concentrated around 6 h, and the diurnal variation curve of atmospheric pressure was mainly bimodal. The atmospheric pressure change rate was mostly concentrated in 10–50 Pa/h. It was determined that the distance that the gas sampling pipe was pre-laid into the inner side of the closed wall should be greater than 44.4 m, and the CO concentration and atmospheric pressure in the closed goaf were both periodic and negative with atmospheric pressure. The research results have important guiding significance for the monitoring, early warning and environmental protection of the goaf.

BackgroundWith the early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in China, the demographics of treatment-naïve people living with HIV (PLWH) are moving closer to those of the general population, which is characterized by a gradual increase in metabolic indicators. However, the epidemic trends of overweight and obesity over the past decade in treatment-naïve PLWH ready to initiate ART have not yet been investigated.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, including 12,135 consecutive treatment-naïve PLWH ready to initiate ART in Shenzhen, using data retrieved from the China National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program database from 2014 to 2020. The chi-square test was used to examine the trends of overweight and obesity between age groups, and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the association of overweight and obesity with hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia.ResultsDuring the 7-year study period, 12,135 treatment-naïve PLWH ready to initiate ART were included, among whom 1,837 (15.1%) were overweight and 388 (3.2%) were obese. The prevalence of overweight rose from 11.4 to 17.3% (Z = −4.58, P for trend 35 years compared to prevalence in other age groups during the period 2014–2020. Compared with those who were not overweight or obese, PLWH who were overweight or obese were more likely to have hyperglycemia (aOR 1.84, 95% CI: 1.37–2.49 for overweight; aOR 2.68, 95% CI: 1.62–4.44 for obesity), higher ALT level (aOR 2.70, 95% CI: 2.33–3.13 for overweight; aOR 3.85, 95% CI: 2.93–5.05 for obesity), higher TG levels (aOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.63–2.19 for overweight; aOR 2.56, 95% CI 1.97–3.32 for obesity), and lower HDL levels (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.44–1.95 for overweight; aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.54–2.77 for obesity).ConclusionThe prevalence of overweight and obesity in treatment-naive PLWH increased steadily from 2014 to 2020 in Shenzhen. Overweight and obese in treatment-naive PLWH ready to initiate ART were associated with dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. Public health authorities should take proactive steps to address these issues by implementing targeted screening, intervention programs including lifestyle modifications, and integrated healthcare services.

Piperine is a plant-derived promising piperamide candidate isolated from the black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). In the last few years, this natural botanical product and its derivatives have aroused much attention for their comprehensive biological activities, including not only medical but also agricultural bioactivities. In order to achieve sustainable development and improve survival conditions, looking for environmentally friendly pesticides with low toxicity and residue is an extremely urgent challenge. Fortunately, plant-derived pesticides are rising like a shining star, guiding us in the direction of development in pesticidal research. In the present review, the recent progress in the biological activities, mechanisms of action, and structural modifications of piperine and its derivatives from 2020 to 2023 are summarized. The structure-activity relationships were analyzed in order to pave the way for future development and utilization of piperine and its derivatives as potent drugs and pesticides for improving the local economic development.

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has proven to be a promising treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC). We aim to investigate the relationship between DNA methylation and tumor mutation burden (TMB) by integrating genomic and epigenetic profiles to precisely identify clinical benefit populations and to evaluate the effect of ICI therapy.MethodsA total of 536 CRC tissues from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) with mutation data were collected and subjected to calculate TMB. 80 CRC patients with high TMB and paired normal tissues were selected as training sets and developed the diagnostic and prognostic methylation models, respectively. In the validation set, the diagnostic model was validated in our in-house 47 CRC tissues and 122 CRC tissues from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, respectively. And a total of 38 CRC tissues with high TMB from the COLONOMICS dataset verified the prognostic model.ResultsA positive correlation between differential methylation positions and TMB level was observed in TCGA CRC cohort (r=0.45). The diagnostic score that consisted of methylation levels of four genes (ADHFE1, DOK6, GPR75, and MAP3K14-AS1) showed high diagnostic performance in the discovery (AUC=1.000) and two independent validation (AUC=0.946, AUC=0.857) datasets. Additionally, these four genes showed significant positive correlations with NK cells. The prognostic score containing three genes (POU3F3, SYN2, and TMEM178A) had significantly poorer survival in the high-risk TMB samples than those in the low-risk TMB samples (P=0.016). CRC patients with low-risk scores combined with TMB levels represent a favorable survival.ConclusionsBy integrating analyses of methylation and mutation data, it is suggested that DNA methylation patterns combined with TMB serve as a novel potential biomarker for early screening in more high-TMB populations and for evaluating the prognostic effect of CRC patients with ICI therapy.

Leading by cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells, bioactivity-guided fractionation of the EtOAc fraction from Artemisia atrovirens led to the isolation of 18 new guaianolide dimers, artematrolides A–R and lavandiolides A, B, C, H, and J. Eight compounds (1, 4, 10, 12, 13, and 19–21) were unambiguously confirmed by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, and the others were elucidated based on IR, UV, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR experiments, and comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD data. Structurally, all of them were [4 + 2] Diels–Alder adducts of two monomeric guaianolides. The isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against three human hepatoma cell lines, and 19 compounds demonstrated cytotoxicity against HepG2, SMMC-7721, and Huh7 cell lines. Especially, compounds 1, 12, 14, and 15 exhibited cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 4.4, 3.8, 7.6, and 6.7 μmol/L (HepG2), 9.6, 4.6, 6.6, and 6.0 μmol/L (SMMC-7721), and 7.6, 4.5, 6.9, and 5.6 μmol/L (Huh7), respectively. Notably, compound 12 showed the most promising activity against three human hepatoma cell lines and dose-dependently inhibited cell migration and invasion, induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis in HepG2 cells, down-regulated the expression of BCL-2 and PARP-1, and activated PARP-1 to up-regulate the expression of cleaved-PARP-1.

Exploration of plant secondary metabolites or by using them as leads for development of new pesticides has become one of the focal research topics nowadays. Herein, a series of new ester derivatives of piperine were prepared via the Vilsmeier–Haack–Arnold (VHA) reaction, and their structures were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), melting point (mp), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C NMR). Notably, the steric configurations of compounds 6 and 7 were confirmed by single-crystal analysis. Against T. cinnabarinus, compounds 9 and 11 exhibited 47.6- and 45.4-fold more pronounced acaricidal activity than piperine. In particular, compounds 9 and 11 also showed 2.6-fold control efficiency on the fifth day of piperine. In addition, compound 6 (>10–fold higher than piperine) displayed the most potent aphicidal activity against A. citricola. Furthermore, some derivatives showed good aphicidal activities against E. lanigerum. Moreover, the effects of compounds on the cuticles of T. cinnabarinus were investigated by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging method. This study will pave the way for future high value added application of piperine and its derivatives as botanical pesticides.

PurposeThere is limited understanding of the link between exposure to heavy metals and ischemic stroke (IS). This research aimed to develop efficient and interpretable machine learning (ML) models to associate the relationship between exposure to heavy metals and IS.MethodsThe data of this research were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (US NHANES, 2003–2018) database. Seven ML models were used to identify IS caused by exposure to heavy metals. To assess the strength of the models, we employed 10-fold cross-validation, the area under the curve (AUC), F1 scores, Brier scores, Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC), precision-recall (PR) curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) curves. Following these tests, the best-performing model was selected. Finally, the DALEX package was used for feature explanation and decision-making visualization.ResultsA total of 15,575 participants were involved in this study. The best-performing ML models, which included logistic regression (LR) (AUC: 0.796) and XGBoost (AUC: 0.789), were selected. The DALEX package revealed that age, total mercury in blood, poverty-to-income ratio (PIR), and cadmium were the most significant contributors to IS in the logistic regression and XGBoost models.ConclusionThe logistic regression and XGBoost models showed high efficiency, accuracy, and robustness in identifying associations between heavy metal exposure and IS in NHANES 2003–2018 participants.