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Summary: R-loops play diverse functional roles, but controversial genomic localization of R-loops have emerged from experimental approaches, posing significant challenges for R-loop research. The development and application of an accurate computational tool for studying human R-loops remains an unmet need. Here, we introduce DeepER, a deep learning-enhanced R-loop prediction tool. DeepER showcases outstanding performance compared to existing tools, facilitating accurate genome-wide annotation of R-loops and a deeper understanding of the position- and context-dependent effects of nucleotide composition on R-loop formation. DeepER also unveils a strong association between certain tandem repeats and R-loop formation, opening a new avenue for understanding the mechanisms underlying some repeat expansion diseases. To facilitate broader utilization, we have developed a user-friendly web server as an integral component of R-loopBase. We anticipate that DeepER will find extensive applications in the field of R-loop research.

In this work, we reported a novel emulsion copolymerization of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) with amphipathic monomer poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) by using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as emulsifier and K2S2O8/NaHSO3 as redox initiator. Owing to the multifunctionality of PEGMA that can serve as co-monomer and ‘emulsifier’, the emulsion copolymerization is achieved successfully and the interesting results demonstrate quite different features such as:(1) the stable P[(VC)-co-(PEGMA)] latex is obtained only when the mass ratio of PEGMA > 10% (to total monomer mass), (2) a small amount of ionic emulsifier SDS is required to achieve a stable latex, and (3) the mechanism of the micellar formation is different from the typical emulsion polymerization. Unexpectedly, the obtained copolymer formed high content of gel fraction which is mainly caused by the chain transfer reaction of the PVC growth chain radical to the hydrogen atom of the methylene from alkoxy (-OCH2CH2-) of the PEGMA oligomer chain. However, it could be inhibited effectively by the addition of chain transfer agent 2-mercaptoethanol (2-MCE). Subsequently, the properties of as-obtained P[(VC)-co-(PEGMA)] copolymer are evaluated carefully and it exhibited unique features such as self-plasticization, lower Tg (decreased from 83.1 to 59.6 °C), higher heat resistance (increased from 270 to 290 °C), hydrophilic, and high transparent in comparison to pure PVC. These outstanding features of the P[(VC)-co-(PEGMA)] copolymer offered a potential route for the functional modifications of PVC and broadened its further use.

In the challenging tumor microenvironment (TME), tumors coexist with diverse stromal cell types. During tumor progression and metastasis, a reciprocal interaction occurs between cancer cells and their environment. These interactions involve ongoing and evolving paracrine and proximal signaling. Intrinsic signal transduction in tumors drives processes such as malignant transformation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune evasion, and tumor cell metastasis. In addition, cancer cells embedded in the tumor microenvironment undergo metabolic reprogramming. Their metabolites, serving as signaling molecules, engage in metabolic communication with diverse matrix components. These metabolites act as direct regulators of carcinogenic pathways, thereby activating signaling cascades that contribute to cancer progression. Hence, gaining insights into the intrinsic signal transduction of tumors and the signaling communication between tumor cells and various matrix components within the tumor microenvironment may reveal novel therapeutic targets. In this review, we initially examine the development of the tumor microenvironment. Subsequently, we delineate the oncogenic signaling pathways within tumor cells and elucidate the reciprocal communication between these pathways and the tumor microenvironment. Finally, we give an overview of the effect of signal transduction within the tumor microenvironment on tumor metabolism and tumor immunity.

Abstract Objective To detect differentially expressed genes in patients with neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) by bioinformatics methods and to provide new ideas and research directions for the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of NEC. Methods Gene chip data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The genes that were differentially expressed in NEC compared with normal intestinal tissues were screened with GEO2R. The functions, pathway enrichment and protein interactions of these genes were analyzed with DAVID and STRING. Then, the core network genes and significant protein interaction modules were detected using Cytoscape software. Results Overall, a total of 236 differentially expressed genes were detected, including 225 upregulated genes and 11 downregulated genes, and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed. The results indicated that the upregulated differentially expressed genes were related to the dimerization activity of proteins, while the downregulated differentially expressed genes were related to the activity of cholesterol transporters. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were significantly concentrated in metabolism, fat digestion and absorption pathways. Through STRING analysis, 9 key genes in the protein network interaction map were identified: EPCAM, CDH1, CFTR, IL-6, APOB, APOC3, APOA4, SLC2A and NR1H4. Conclusion Metabolic pathways and biological processes may play important roles in the development of NEC. The screening of possible core targets by bioinformatics is helpful in clarifying the pathogenesis of NEC at the gene level and in providing references for further research.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the correlation between PICC tip position and weight/length changes in preterm infants in different positions using ultrasonography.MethodsThe study is a prospective before and after self-control clinical trial. The study analyzed the distance between the PICC tip and the entrance of the heart under ultrasonography for premature infants who underwent PICC insertion. The infants were positioned and tracked weekly, and their weight and length were recorded. The Spearman rank correlation test was used to analyze the relationship between the displacement distance of the PICC tip under ultrasonography in different positions and weight/length changes.ResultsA total of 202 premature infants were included in the study, and 100% of them experienced changes in the PICC tip position. During the first week, 134 (66.33%) cases in a flexed position and 153 (75.74%) cases in a straight position showed displacement of the catheter toward the heart. The displacement distance of the tip during catheter retention was significantly correlated with weight change (rs = 0.681/0.661, P < 0.05) and length change (rs = 0.629/0.617, P < 0.05). In the third and fifth weeks, weight increased by 451 ± 178 and 750 (715–975) g, length increased by 1.50 (1.00–2.12) and 3.00 (2.00–3.70) cm, the catheter moved 1.27 ± 0.89 and 2.23 ± 0.95 cm, respectively, in a flexed position.ConclusionThe PICC tip position in preterm infants is influenced by weight and length changes. It is crucial to use ultrasonography to track and locate the catheter within the first week of placement and to increase the frequency of catheter localization starting from the third and fifth weeks. The flexed position is recommended during catheter localization.

To investigate the shifts in the biochemical composition of hybrid grouper during the early larval stages, we collected samples at various developmental milestones, spanning from newly hatched larvae (stage I) to 4 days after hatching (stage V). Our findings revealed several notable trends: (1) The total length of hybrid grouper larvae exhibited a significant increase as the yolk-sac absorption progressed from stage I to V. Concurrently, there was a marked decrease in yolk volume and oil volume during the transition from stage I to III, followed by a gradual decline from stage III to V. (2) Dry weight and total lipid content displayed a rapid reduction throughout the larval development period, while the total protein content exhibited a declining trend. (3) The concentrations of triacylglycerols and wax esters/steryl esters decreased considerably, particularly at stage V. However, no differences were observed among the contents of ketones, hydrocarbons, and sterols. (4) As yolk-sac larvae developed from stage I to V, a significant reduction was observed in the levels of essential amino acids (EAAs), such as leucine, valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, glycine, alanine, serine, proline, and tyrosine. This trend was also observed for non-EAAs and total amino acids, with fluctuations in the content of other amino acids. (5) There was a significant decrease in the levels of specific fatty acids, including C16:0, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), C18:0, 18:1n-9, and C20:4n-6. In contrast, the contents of C22:6n-3, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n-3 PUFA, n-6 PUFA, and the combination of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), as well as the DHA/EPA ratio, remained stable from stage I to III but declined thereafter. (6) During the early developmental stages, the utilization sequence of fatty acids followed a pattern of prioritizing SFAs, followed by MUFAs, n-6 PUFA, and n-3 PUFA. These findings provide further insights into the nutritional priorities of hybrid grouper larvae during their early development, with a particular emphasis on lipids and fatty acids as vital energy sources. Additionally, our results highlight variations in the efficiency of utilization among different types of fatty acids, while protein utilization remained relatively stable, characterized by the selective consumption of amino acid content.

This paper presents a novel adaptive tracked robot equipped with passive swing arms for overcoming obstacles. First, the paper introduces the overall composition of the robot and focuses on the adaptive mechanism of the passive swing arms. Second, analyzing the single-step obstacle-overcoming process of the robot reveals the relationship between the obstacle height and the geometric parameters of the passive swing arms, establishing a kinematic model. Then, a dynamic model of the robot’s obstacle-overcoming process is established by simplifying the robot into a crank–slider linkage, and the time range for the robot to overcome obstacles is analyzed. Finally, through virtual simulation and a physical prototype, the feasibility and maneuverability of the robot’s design are verified. These findings demonstrate the potential of the robot in various applications, such as search and rescue missions and homeland security.

Bruchophagus huonchili is a pest that poses a serious threat to the yield and quality of Astragalus membranaceus seeds. In this study, we employed solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in A. membranaceus pods during the pod-filled period. Additionally, we utilized a Y-tube olfactometer to measure the behavioral response of B. huonchili to different individual VOCs and specific VOC-based formulations. The most effective formulations were further evaluated for their effectiveness in attracting wasps in the field. Our findings revealed that A. membranaceus pods emit 25 VOCs, including green leaf volatiles (GLVs) and terpenoid and aromatic compounds. Among these compounds, five were found to be most attractive to B. huonchili at the following concentrations: 10 µg/µL cis-β-ocimene, 500 µg/µL hexyl acetate, 100 µg/µL hexanal, 1 µg/µL decanal, and 10 µg/µL β-caryophyllene, with respective response rates of 67.65%, 67.74%, 65.12%, 67.57%, and 66.67%. In addition, we evaluated 26 mixed VOC formulations, and three of them were effective at attracting B. huonchili. Furthermore, field experiments showed that one of the formulations was significantly more effective than the others, which could be used for monitoring B. huonchili populations.

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important legume crop for both food and feed. Bruchids (Callosobruchus spp.) are destructive insect pests of pea in the field and during storage. In this study, we identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) controlling seed resistance to C. chinensis (L.) and C. maculatus (Fab.) in field pea using F2 populations derived from a cross between PWY19 (resistant) and PHM22 (susceptible). QTL analysis in the two F2 populations grown in different environments consistently identified a single major QTL, qPsBr2.1, controlling the resistance to both bruchid species. qPsBr2.1 was mapped onto linkage group 2 between DNA markers 18339 and PSSR202109 and explained 50.91% to 70.94% of the variation in resistance, depending on the environment and bruchid species. Fine mapping narrowed down qPsBr2.1 to a genomic region of 1.07 Mb on chromosome 2 (chr2LG1). Seven annotated genes were found in this region, including Psat2g026280 (designated as PsXI), which encodes a xylanase inhibitor and was considered as a candidate gene for bruchid resistance. PCR amplification and sequence analysis of PsXI suggested the presence of an insertion of unknown length in an intron of PWY19, which causes variation in the open reading frame (ORF) of PsXI. Moreover, the subcellular localization of PsXI differed between PWY19 and PHM22. These results together suggested that PsXI encoding xylanase inhibitor is responsible for the bruchid resistance of the field pea PWY19.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the applications of bedside ultrasonography (US) and bedside chest radiography (CR) in positioning peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) at Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).MethodsThe study is a prospective before and after self-control clinical trial. A consecutive series of 181 neonate patients were finally enrolled for PICC placement. CR, followed by US, was used to evaluate and readjust the sites of catheter tips. The imaging capability for PICC key structures, fluctuation of the measured data, measurement of tip-to-atrium distance, operation time, infants' body temperature changes, and direct expenses of the two imaging modalities were obtained and compared.Results(1) Comparison in viewing PICC key structures: the display rate of catheter tip, SVC-and-right-atrium junction, IVC-and-right-atrium junction and tip-to-atrium distance is 99.47%, 100%, 100% and 99.47% for US and 100%, 98.42%, 97.37% and 95.79% for CR, respectively. (2) Fluctuation of the measured data by US and CR: the tip-to-atrium distance measured by US is 0.631 (0.435–0.820) cm, and that measured by CR is 0.593 (0.210–0.825) cm. US showed a narrower range of datum variance. (3) Consistency between US and CR: for consistency analysis, the Kappa coefficient (κ) was 0.843 (P

ObjectiveTo investigate the status quo of implementing ultrasound (US)-guided epicutaneo-caval catheters (ECC) tip location for neonatal patients in 31 provinces.MethodsThe convenience sampling method was used to investigate the nursing managers and ECC (or intravenous therapy) nurses of 91 hospitals in 31 provinces from October 29 to November 10, 2021.ResultsThe survey involved a total of 182 medical staff, including 91 managers and 91 nurses, and 91 institutions, including 22 children's hospitals, 49 general hospitals and 21 maternal and child health care hospitals. Sixteen hospitals (17.6%) carried out US-guided ECC for neonatal patients; 176 subjects (96.7%) of the 91 hospitals had known about or heard of the technology of US-guided ECC. The low awareness of operators of the tip location of ECC catheters in children under ultrasound guidance (OR = 2.690, 95% CI = 1.163–6.221), limited conditions in existing wards (OR = 2.953, 95% CI = 1.285–6.790), and insufficient funds (OR = 2.836, 95% CI = 1.149–7.004) were the independent risk factors responsible for the failure to carry out ultrasonic-guided location of ECC tips in newborns.ConclusionThe popularity of neonatal US-guided ECC location was seriously hindered by factors such as a low awareness rate of the project, the low qualification certification rate of the nursing staff, a flawed performance allocation system, and the lack of a professional team, among other factors.

Abstract Background The implementation of early intervention (EI) in medical settings is time-consuming and resource-intensive, which limits its extensive use. In 2018, the Chinese Eugenics Association developed a home-based, post-discharge EI program. This study aims at evaluating the impact of this EI program on neurodevelopment and physical growth of early preterm infants. Methods This study was a prospective, partially blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT), followed by an open phase. A total of 73 infants born at 28+ 0 ~ 31+ 6 weeks’ gestation who were admitted to the Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between December 1, 2019, and June 31, 2020, were enrolled. Another 33 infants were retrospectively recruited as the reference group. Thirty-seven infants randomized in the first early intervention, then standard care (EI-SC) group performed a 30-day EI during RCT period, while 36 infants allocated to SC-EI group were given EI in the following open phase. The test of infant motor performance (TIMP), development quotient (DQ), and anthropometric measures (length, weight, head circumference) were measured at the baseline (T0), termination of the RCT (T1), and termination of the open phase (T2). Repeated measures analysis was performed for comparison among groups. Results From T0 to T1, both groups had significant improvements in all outcome measures (all p 0.05). At the endpoint of T2, the EI-SC and SC-EI group had similar TIMP and anthropometric measures, but much higher than the reference group (all p

Double direct seeding of cotton (with wheat or rapeseed) is a new method for cotton-growing regions in the Yangtze River Basin to adapt to the development of mechanization. It would help to reduce manual labor, optimize the amount of nitrogen fertilizer to be used, reduce the physical and chemical production costs, and improve the benefits of cotton fields. We selected five counties from the major cotton-producing areas of Hubei Province for three consecutive seasons, from winter 2020 to spring 2022. The experimental sites used no tillage with straw returning to the field, double direct seeding, late sowing at high density, and one-time fertilization to study the effects of different nitrogen fertilizer rates on the yield characteristics of cotton, wheat, and rape and calculate the economic benefits of the two cultivation modes under different nitrogen fertilizer input levels through parameters such as land-use efficiency, production efficiency, and profitability. In both cotton–wheat and cotton–rapeseed cropping systems, the number of bolls per plant in cotton was the lowest in the N165 (90 cotton + 75 wheat/rape kg ha−1) treatment. The cotton yield was the highest at N247.5 (135 cotton + 112.5 wheat/rape kg ha−1) in the cotton after the wheat system and N412.5 (225 cotton + 187.5 wheat/rape kg ha−1) in the cotton after the rape system. The yield of wheat and rape increased with the increase in the levels of nitrogen fertilizer, with the N165 treatment showing the lowest values. With an increase in nitrogen fertilizer, the harvest index of wheat first maximized and then started decreasing. The harvest index in wheat was the highest at N247.5 (135 cotton + 112.5 wheat/rape kg ha−1) and N330 (180 cotton + 150 wheat/rape kg ha−1), whereas, in rape, it increased with nitrogen fertilizer application, with the highest value at N495 (270 cotton + 225 wheat/rape kg ha−1). Economically, the expenses and income of both cotton–wheat and cotton–rape systems increased as nitrogen fertilizer increased. The net profit and benefit ratio first increased and then decreased with increasing nitrogen fertilizer, with N247.5 (135 cotton + 112.5 wheat/rape kg ha−1) scoring the maximum values for both of these parameters. The land-use efficiency and production efficiency increased with the increase in nitrogen fertilizer, and the production efficiency of the N165 (90 cotton + 75 wheat/rape) treatment was significantly lower than that of the other four treatments. The profitability increased first and then decreased with the increase in nitrogen fertilizer, with the N247.5 (135 cotton + 112.5 wheat/rape) treatment showing the highest profit. The production cycle of cotton–rape was slightly shorter than that of cotton–wheat, and the system productivity was also lower. The expenses and land-use and production efficiency of the rapeseed system were lower than those of wheat, while the gross income, net profit, and productivity of the cotton–rape system were higher than those of cotton–wheat. The application of nitrogen fertilizer in the cotton–wheat double-cropping system under straw return can achieve the maximum net profit, production ratio, and yield at the low nitrogen level of N247.5, (135 cotton + 112.5 wheat/rape kg ha−1). Due to the price advantage of rape, the net profit, production ratio, and income of the cotton–rape production system are higher than those of the cotton–wheat production system.

Abstract Background Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a complex lung pathological lesion secondary to multiple factors and one of the most common chronic lung diseases. It has a poor prognosis, especially in preterm infants. However, effective therapies for this disease are lacking. Stem-cell therapy is a promising way to improve lung injury and abnormal alveolarization, and the human umbilical cord (hUC) is a good source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which have demonstrated efficacy in other diseases. We hypothesized that intravenously administered allogeneic hUC-MSCs are safe and effective for severe BPD. Methods The MSC-BPD trial is a randomized, single-center, open-label, dose-escalation, phase-II trial designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of hUC-MSCs in children with severe BPD. In this study, 72 patients will be enrolled and randomly divided into two intervention groups and one control group. Patients in the intervention groups will receive a low dose of hUC-MSCs (n = 24; 2.5 million cells/kg) or a high dose of hUC-MSCs (n = 24; 5 million cells/kg) in combination with traditional supportive treatments for BPD. The patients in the control group (n = 24) will be treated with traditional supportive treatments alone without hUC-MSCs. The primary outcome measures will be cumulative duration of oxygen therapy. Follow-up assessments will be performed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post intervention, and the key outcome during follow-up will be changes on chest radiography. Statistical analyses will evaluate the efficacy of the hUC-MSC treatment. Discussion This will be the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenously administered hUC-MSCs in children with severe BPD. Its results should provide a new evidence-based therapy for severe BPD. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03601416 . Registered on 26 July 2018.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of electromagnetic waves generated by a commercial medical electromagnetic instrument (trade name, TDP, the Chinese phonetic abbreviation of “Te-ding Dian-ci-bo Pu”) as an adjuvant to improve the rate of increase of milk feeds per day by premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).MethodsThis study was a prospective randomized clinical trial. A total of 103 premature infants were diagnosed with NEC II, but there was no need for surgery. The infants were randomly divided into the TDP intervention group and the control group by a randomized method using SPSS 24.0. The patients in the TDP intervention group were treated with TDP irradiation and routine interventions; those in the control group were treated with routine interventions. The rate of increase of milk feeds per day, the time to achieve total gastrointestinal nutrition, the velocity of weight gain, and the complication incidence rate were recorded and compared.ResultsThe rate of increase of milk feeds per day in the TDP intervention group was significantly greater than that in the control group [14.51 (11.58~22.11) ml/kg/d vs. 10.15 (6.15~15.87) ml/kg/d, P = 0.002]. Compared to the control group, the time to achieve total gastrointestinal nutrition (21.45 ± 1.87 d vs. 36.43 ± 2.585 d, P = 0.000) and the velocity of weight gain (19.65 ± 15.27% vs. 13.68 ± 7.15%, P = 0.013) in the TDP intervention group were substantially better than those in the control group. The complication incidence rate was not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionTreatment with TDP-generated electromagnetic waves improved the volume of milk consumed per day in premature infants with NEC II and were conducive to improving their clinical outcomes.

Objective A neonatal nutritional risk screening tool (NNRST) was developed by using Delphi and analytic hierarchy processes in China. We verified the accuracy of this tool and analysed whether it effectively screened neonates with nutritional risk.Design Prospective validation study.Setting and participants In total, 338 neonates who were admitted to the neonatal unit of Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from May–July 2016 completed the study. Nutritional risk screening and length and head circumference measurements were performed weekly. Weight was measured every morning, and other relevant clinical data were recorded during hospitalisation.Main outcome measures We evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, validity, reliability, and positive and negative predictive value of the screening tool. Various characteristics of neonates in different risk groups were analysed to determine the rationality of the nutritional risk classification.Results The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 85.11%, 91.07%, 60.61% and 97.43%, respectively. The criterion validity was texted by the Spearman correlation analysis (r=0.530) and independent samples non-parametric tests (p=0.000). The content validity (Spearman correlation coefficient) was 0.321–0.735. The inter-rater reliability (kappa value) was 0.890. Among the neonatal clinical indicators, gestational age, birth weight, length, admission head circumference, admission albumin, admission total proteins, discharge weight, discharge length and head circumference decreased with increasing nutrition risk level; the length of stay and the rate of parenteral nutrition support increased with increasing nutrition risk level. In the comparison of complications during hospitalisation, the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis and congenital gastrointestinal malformation increased with increasing nutrition risk level.Conclusion The validation results for the NNRST are reliable. The tool can be used to preliminarily determine the degree of neonatal nutritional risk, but its predictive value needs to be determined in future large-sample studies.Trial registration number ChiCTR2000033743.

BackgroundA novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has occurred in China, and national medical workers have been thrown into this silent battle. Paediatric medical workers have been an important part of this battle and under enormous pressure. This paper evaluates the depression, anxiety, and stress of paediatric medical staff during the epidemic and examines related impact factors.MethodsWe conducted this study using online questionnaires via social networking software during the week of Feb. 17 to Feb. 23, 2020. The 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), which is a revised, simplified version of the original DASS developed by Lovibond et al., was used in this study.ResultsAmong all 2,031 respondents, 14.81%, 18.3%, and 9.98% had depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, respectively. Males, doctors, individuals aged between 31‑60 years, those with senior job titles, those who had contact with patients with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19, those who worked on the clinical frontlines fighting the epidemic and those who had experience combating similar outbreaks were more likely to have depression, anxiety or stress symptoms. Respondents in Beijing and Chongqing had lower negative psychological symptom scores than the national average.ConclusionDuring the COVID-19 outbreak, depression, anxiety and stress are present to varying degrees among paediatric medical workers across the country. Psychological crisis interventions should be implemented to protect the mental health of paediatric medical workers during and after the epidemic.

(1) Background: Residue degradation plays a very important role in terrestrial ecosystems and residue mixing is the main factor affecting the degradation rates. However, in the agricultural systems, the effect of residue mixing on the degradation of pepper residues and the microbial community in pepper root residues is not clear. (2) Methods: In this study, we added different residues into soil by using double-layered nylon litterbags in culture bottles. The treatments including pepper root (P: Capsicum annuum L.), soybean [S: Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and maize (M: Zea mays L.) residue, as well as mixtures of soybean + pepper (SP), maize + pepper (MP), maize + soybean + pepper (MSP) mixtures. Litterbags were harvested after 7, 14, 28, and 56 days, respectively. Mass loss and nitrogen and phosphorus contents in pepper residue were quantified and bacterial and fungal community levels in pepper residues were analyzed using quantitative PCR and high throughput amplicon sequencing; (3) Results: The study showed that the mass loss and fungal community abundance of pepper root residue in mixtures were higher than P, except day 7. The phosphorus contents in MSP-P and MP-P were significantly lower than that for P at day 28 and day 56. Illumina MiSeq sequencing showed that the presence of maize residue significantly altered the microbial community composition of pepper root pepper. Day 56. (4) Conclusions: Our results suggest that residue mixing changed the microbial community abundance in pepper residue and promoted the degradation of pepper residues compared to pepper residue decomposition alone, especially for mixtures with soybean.

Callosobruchus chinensis (Coleoptera Bruchidae), is a pest of different varieties of legumes. In this paper, a phylogeographical analysis of C. chinensis was conducted to provide knowledge for the prevention and control of C. chinensis. A total of 224 concatenated mitochondrial sequences were obtained from 273 individuals. Suitable habitat shifts were predicted by the distribution modelling (SDM). Phylogeny, genetic structure and population demographic history were analyzed using multiple software. Finally, the least-cost path (LCP) method was used to identify possible dispersal corridors and genetic connectivity. The SDM results suggested that the distribution of C. chinensis experienced expansion and contraction with changing climate. Spatial distribution of mtDNA haplotypes showed there was partial continuity among different geographical populations of C. chinensis, except for the Hohhot (Inner Mongolia) population. Bayesian skyline plots showed that the population had a recent expansion during 0.0125 Ma and 0.025 Ma. The expansion and divergent events were traced back to Quaternary glaciations. The LCP method confirmed that there were no clear dispersal routes. Our findings indicated that climatic cycles of the Pleistocene glaciations, unsuitable climate and geographic isolation played important roles in the genetic differentiation of C. chinensis. Human activities weaken the genetic differentiation between populations. With the change in climate, the suitable areas of C. chinensis will disperse greatly in the future.

In this paper, we present a tandem anionic-radical approach for synthesizing hypergrafted polymers. We prepared 4-(N,N-diphenylamino)methylstyrene (DPAMS) as a new radical-based inimer. Linear PDPAMS was prepared through anionic polymerization. Hypergrafted PDPAMS was synthesized through the self-condensing vinyl polymerization of DPAMS with linear PDPAMS. The linear backbone of PDPAMS, which incorporated latent radical initiating sites, served as a ‘hyperlinker’ to link hyperbranched side chains. The molecular weights of hypergrafted polymers increased as the length of the linear backbone chain increased. The hypergrafted structure of the resulting polymer was confirmed using a conventional gel permeation chromatograph apparatus equipped with a multiangle light scattering detector, nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. This strategy can be applied to synthesize other complex architectures based on hyperbranched polymers by changing the structure of a polymer backbone through anionic polymerization.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Eurydema maracandica was sequenced and was 15,391 bp long with 76.82% A + T. There were 37 typical genes including 13 protein-coding genes/PCGs, 22 transfer RNA/tRNAs, and 2 ribosomal RNA/rRNAs. The 690 bp D-loop region was located between 12S rRNA and trnI-Ile. All PCGs started with ATN codons, except COI, ATP8, and ND1, and ended with TAA, except COI, COII, and ND5. Phylogenetic analyses indicated highly supported monophyly for each family, and Pentatomidae species formed a solid monophyletic group. Eurydema maracandica and Eurydema gebleri were clustered sibling clades, and the genus Halyomorpha was close to Eurydema.