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Gongronella had accommodated only two species for more than half a century and as many as 17 new species have been described in this genus since 2015. However, no systematic studies were conducted for this genus so far. The distribution, substrate and morphology of all known species in Gongronella are analysed herein. Meanwhile, with the support of phylogenetic and morphological evidence, six new species (G. abortosporangia sp. nov., G. apophysata sp. nov., G. bawanglingensis sp. nov., G. inconstans sp. nov., G. pingtangensis sp. nov. and G. reniformis sp. nov.) are proposed and G. pamphilae is recorded from China for the first time. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using ITS+LSU+TEF+ACT+RPB1 and the results were basically the same as ITS+LSU. All species of Gongronella, except G. namwonensis from fresh water, were isolated from soil. The genus is distributed worldwide, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. A synoptic key is provided for a total of 24 species (18 species previously published and six species newly described herein), except for G. banzhaoae due to unavailable protologue, type and living culture. No morphologies were described when G. pamphilae was proposed. Thanks to the strains isolated in this study, G. pamphilae is included in the key and reported as a Chinese new record. This is the first comprehensive taxonomy and phylogeny of the genus Gongronella.

Absidia is distributed worldwide and primarily isolated from soil, feces, and decaying plants. The genus was initially classified into Absidiaceae and then Mucoraceae, and currently belongs to Cunninghamellaceae and is further divided into Absidia s.s., Lichtheimia, and Lentamyces. Three new species of Absidia s.s. are identified and described from soil in Hainan Province of China based on morphological characteristics, molecular data, and maximum growth temperatures as well. They are named based on distinct shapes of projections on columellae: A. crystalloides sp. nov. (crystal-like), A. pacifica sp. nov. (pacifier-like), A. pateriformis sp. nov. (bowling-like). In SSU-ITS-LSU-TEF-Act phylogram, the A. crystalloides is closely related to A. oblongispora and A. heterospora, the A. pacifica is a sister group with A. edaphica, and the A. pateriformis has a close relationship with A. jiangxiensis. This study enriches the species diversity of Absidia in China.

The species diversity of early-diverging fungi has long lagged behind that of higher fungi, posing a significant obstacle to our comprehensive understanding of the fungal kingdom. Our ongoing research endeavors aim to address this gap by exploring the species diversity of early-diverging fungi in China. In this study, we describe three novel species within the Backusella, namely B. elliptica sp. nov., B. fujianensis sp. nov., and B. variispora sp. nov., based on phylogenetic and morphological analyses. In the phylogenetic analysis of the ITS (internal transcribed spacer), LSU (large subunit of ribosomal RNA gene), and RPB1 (RNA polymerase II largest subunit gene) regions, the B. elliptica and B. fujianensis cluster closely with B. gigacellularis, B. ovalispora, and B. solicola, and the B. variispora is closely related to B. locustae and B. pernambucensis. Morphologically, B. elliptica is distinguished by elliptical sporangiospores, as well as cylindrical and hemispherical columellae. The B. fujianensis is characterized by elliptical sporangiospores, and various types of columellae such as hemispherical, subglobose, depressed globose and conical. The B. variispora is characterized by subglobose to globose sporangiospores, as well as hemispherical, subglobose to globose columellae. Additionally, the sporangiophores are long and monopodially branched in B. elliptica and B. fujianensis, while short and simple or sympodially branched in B. variispora. Physiologically, the maximum growth temperatures of B. elliptica (32 °C), B. fujianensis (35 °C), and B. variispora were (35 °C) were determined. With the inclusion of these newly described taxa, the total number of Backusella species known from China now stands at 12. Finally, we provide a key to facilitate the morphological identification of Backusella species from Asia.

Neoconidiobolus lachnodes (Drechsler) B. Huang & Y. Nie was originally isolated from plant debris in Florida, United States of America, in 1954. Here, we report the first documented occurrence of N. lachnodes in central China. Morphologically, this fungus is characterized by its abundant aerial hyphae, typically arranged closely, with hyphae aggregating into chlamydospores during the later stages of growth. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the N. lachnodes isolate from China (RCEF 7519) is closely related to the reference strain N. lachnodes (ARSEF 700). To elucidate the phylogenetic position of N. lachnodes within the Neoconidiobolus lineage, we included two nucleotide sequences of EFL and mtSSU loci. This discovery significantly expands the known geographic distribution of N. lachnodes.

Abstract Rhizopus arrhizus is a saprotrophic, sometimes clinically- and industrially-relevant mold (Mucorales) and distributed worldwide, suggesting it can assimilate a broad spectrum of substrates. Here, 69 strains of R. arrhizus were investigated by using the Biolog FF MicroPlate for the profiles of utilizing 95 carbon and nitrogen substrates. The study showed that most R. arrhizus strains were similar in average well color development (AWCD) and substrate richness (SR). Nevertheless, 13 strains were unique in principal component analyses, heatmap, AWCD, and SR analyses, which may imply a niche differentiation within R. arrhizus. The species R. arrhizus was able to utilize all the 95 carbon and nitrogen substrates, consistent with the hypothesis of a great metabolic diversity. It possessed a substrate preference of alcohols, and seven substrates were most frequently utilized, with N-acetyl-d-galactosamine and l-phenylalanine ranking at the top of the list. Eight substrates, especially l-arabinose and xylitol, were capable of promoting sporulation and being applied for rejuvenating degenerated strains. By phenotyping R. arrhizus strains in carbon and nitrogen assimilation capacity, this study revealed the extent of intra-specific variability and laid a foundation for estimating optimum substrates that may be useful for industrial applications.

The fungus Rhizopus arrhizus (=R. oryzae) is commonly saprotrophic, exhibiting a nature of decomposing organic matter. Additionally, it serves as a crucial starter in food fermentation and can act as a pathogen causing mucormycosis in humans and animals. In this study, two distinct endofungal bacteria (EFBs), associated with individual strains of R. arrhizus, were identified using live/dead staining, fluorescence in situ hybridization, transmission electron microscopy, and 16S rDNA sequencing. The roles of these bacteria were elucidated through antibiotic treatment, pure cultivation, and comparative genomics. The bacterial endosymbionts, Pandoraea sputorum EFB03792 and Mycetohabitans endofungorum EFB03829, were purified from the host fungal strains R. arrhizus XY03792 and XY03829, respectively. Notably, this study marks the first report of Pandoraea as an EFB genus. Compared to its free-living counterparts, P. sputorum EFB03792 exhibited 28 specific virulence factor-related genes, six specific CE10 family genes, and 74 genes associated with type III secretion system (T3SS), emphasizing its pivotal role in invasion and colonization. Furthermore, this study introduces R. arrhizus as a new host for EFB M. endofungorum, with EFB contributing to host sporulation. Despite a visibly reduced genome, M. endofungorum EFB03829 displayed a substantial number of virulence factor-related genes, CE10 family genes, T3SS genes, mobile elements, and significant gene rearrangement. While EFBs have been previously identified in R. arrhizus, their toxin-producing potential in food fermentation has not been explored until this study. The discovery of these two new EFBs highlights their potential for toxin production within R. arrhizus, laying the groundwork for identifying suitable R. arrhizus strains for fermentation processes.

Sarocladium terricola is a species of ascomycete fungus that has been recognized as a biocontrol agent for managing animal and plant pathogens, and exhibits significant potential as a feed additive. In this study, we utilized a combination of short-read Illumina sequencing and long-read PacBio sequencing to sequence, assemble, and analyze the genome of S. terricola. The resulting genome consisted of 11 scaffolds encompassing 30.27 Mb, with a GC content of 54.07%, and 10,326 predicted protein coding gene models. We utilized 268 single-copy ortholog genes to reconstruct the phylogenomic relationships among 26 ascomycetes, and found that S. terricola was closely related to two Acremonium species. We also determined that the ergosterol content of S. terricola was synthesized to nearly double levels when cultured in potato dextrose media compared to bean media (4509 mg/kg vs. 2382 mg/kg). Furthermore, transcriptome analyses of differentially expressed genes suggested that the ergosterol synthesis genes ERG3, ERG5, and ERG25 were significantly up-regulated in potato dextrose media. These results will help us to recognize metabolic pathway of ergosterol biosynthesis of S. terricloa comprehensivelly.

The genus Gongronella is important in agriculture and industry by secreting various natural bioactive metabolites such as chitosanases and organic acids. During the most recent 8 years, a total of 14 new species have been described, remarkably enriching the diversity of this genus. In this study, we added three more new species to this valuable genus, based on a combination of morphological traits and phylogenetic information. Six strains of the genus Gongronella were isolated from soil collected in Hainan Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS and LSU rDNA sequences grouped these strains into three independent clades. According to their unique morphological characteristics, they were classified as G. multiramosa sp. nov., G. qichaensis sp. nov. and G. oleae sp. nov. The G. multiramosa was characterized by multiple branched sporangiophores and was closely related to G. pedratalhadensis. The G. qichaensis was characterized by obscure collars and closely related to G. butleri, G. hydei and G. banzhaoae. The G. oleae was characterized by the presence of oil droplets in the sporangiospores and was closely related to G. chlamydospora and G. multispora. Their descriptions and illustrations were provided, and their differences from morphological allies and phylogenetic-related species are discussed.

Most Porodaedalea species are important phytopathogenic and medicinal fungi. Recently, several Porodaedalea species including P. mongolica were newly described. In the present study, the complete sequence of mitochondrial genome of P. mongolica was determined, with a size of 114,176 bp and a GC content of 28.98%, containing two ribosomal RNA subunit, 26 transfer RNA, and 54 protein-coding genes (PCGs). The comparative analyses indicated that the amino acids of 14 core PCGs were highly conserved in Porodaedalea. Phylogenetic analysis of Porodaedalea was performed based on mitogenomic data and provided a new insight to the phylogeny of the Porodaedalea. The complete mitogenome sequence provides important data for further study of Porodaedalea.

Popular knowledge of the population structure and genetic diversity of a plant species is essential for designing improvement strategies. The genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach has been used to simplify complex genomes and has become a popular high-throughput molecular tool for selecting and breeding many crop plants, including those with large genomes. This study aimed to construct a core collection of walnut (Juglans regia) germplasm using the GBS approach. A diversity panel of 87 walnut initial genotypes, including 25 landraces, 12 cultivars, and 50 seedling populations, mostly native to the Gansu Province of China, was subjected to GBS. A total of 110,497 high-quality SNPs were identified and used for determining distinct clusters and an optimum number of subpopulations. Structure analysis divided the genotypes into three distinct groups, which coincided with their collection site and year, suggesting a certain degree of separation in the geographical origin and pedigree among the three groups. To maximize germplasm utilization, the genotypes were posteriorly grouped according to the subgroups obtained through GBS analysis. To minimize subsample redundancy, the core collection was designed using a set of 6540 SNPs distributed across all 16 chromosomes. Finally, a core collection comprising nine walnut genotypes (10% of the entire genotype set), including five cultivars, three seedling populations, and one landrace, was assembled. Genetic structure analysis indicated that the core collection has an uneven distribution in the landrace collection, which could be related to environmental conditions, and the genotypes of the landrace collection are similar. Overall, the results of this study and the establishment of the core collection will facilitate the improvement of walnut in future breeding programs.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Linnemannia amoeboidea (W. Gams) Vandepol & Bonito 2020 (Strain no.: CBS 889.72) was sequenced under the next-generation sequencing platform. It was the second one in the family Mortierellaceae Luerss. 1877. The circular genome was 49,702 bp in size, with a GC content of 20.86%. Gene prediction revealed 15 PCGs, two rRNA genes, 26 tRNA genes, one rnpB gene and seven ORFs. Phylogenetic analyses showed that L. amoeboidea was closely related to Podila verticillate (Linnem.) Vandepol & Bonito 2020.

Species of Onnia are important tree pathogens and play a crucial role in forest ecosystems. The species diversity and distribution of Onnia have been studied, however, its evolutionary history is poorly understood. In this study, we reconstructed the phylogeny of Onnia using internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequence data. Molecular clock analyses developed the divergence times of Onnia based on a dataset (ITS + LSU rDNA + rpb1 + rpb2 + tef1α). Reconstruct Ancestral State in Phylogenies (RASP) was used to reconstruct the historical biogeography for the genus Onnia with a Dispersal Extinction Cladogenesis (DEC) model. Here, we provide a robust phylogeny of Onnia, with a description of a new species, Onnia himalayana from Yunnan Province, China. Molecular clock analyses suggested that the common ancestor of Onnia and Porodaedalea emerged in the Paleogene period with full support and a mean stem age of 56.9 Mya (95% highest posterior density of 35.9–81.6 Mya), and most species occurred in the Neogene period. Biogeographic studies suggest that Asia, especially in the Hengduan-Himalayan region, is probably the ancestral area. Five dispersals and two vicariances indicate that species of Onnia were rapidly diversified. Speciation occurred in the Old World and New World due to geographic separation. This study is the first inference of the divergence times, biogeography, and speciation of the genus Onnia.

The species within the family Cunninghamellaceae are widely distributed and produce important metabolites. Morphological studies along with a molecular phylogeny based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) of ribosomal DNA revealed two new species in this family from soils in China, that is, Absidia ovalispora sp. nov. and Cunninghamella globospora sp. nov. The former is phylogenetically closely related to Absidia koreana, but morphologically differs in sporangiospores, sporangia, sporangiophores, columellae, collars, and rhizoids. The latter is phylogenetically closely related to Cunninghamella intermedia, but morphologically differs in sporangiola and colonies. They were described and illustrated.

The genus Conidiobolus Bref. is widely distributed and the Conidiobolus sensu lato contained three other genera, Capillidium, Microconidiobolus and Neoconidiobolus. A molecular phylogeny based on the nuclear large subunit of rDNA (nucLSU), the mitochondrial small subunit of rDNA (mtSSU) and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (TEF1) revealed three novel species within the clade of Conidiobolus s.s., i.e. C. bifurcatus sp. nov., C. taihushanensis sp. nov. and C. variabilis sp. nov. These three species were isolated from plant debris in eastern China. Morphologically, C. bifurcatus sp. nov. is characterised by its secondary conidiophores often branched at the tip to form two short stipes each bearing a secondary conidium. C. taihushanensis sp. nov. is different from the others in its straight apical mycelia and the production of 2–5 conidia. C. variabilis sp. nov. is distinctive because of its various shapes of primary conidia. All these three new taxa are illustrated herein with an update key to the species of the genus Conidiobolus s.s.

The genus Conidiobolus is an important group in entomophthoroid fungi and is considered to be polyphyletic in recent molecular phylogenies. To re-evaluate and delimit this genus, multi-locus phylogenetic analyses were performed using the large and small subunits of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nucLSU and nucSSU), the small subunit of the mitochondrial ribosomal DNA (mtSSU) and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α). The results indicated that the Conidiobolus is not monophyletic, being grouped into a paraphyletic grade with four clades. Consequently, the well-known Conidiobolus is revised and three new genera Capillidium, Microconidiobolus and Neoconidiobolus are proposed along with one new record and 22 new combinations. In addition, the genus Basidiobolus is found to be basal to the other entomophthoroid taxa and the genus Batkoa locates in the Entomophthoraceae clade.

As part of the ongoing research into new energy technology, battery-powered underground loaders have emerged. However, there have been few studies on power system optimization and matching for these battery underground loaders to date. This paper, which takes a 3-m 3 battery underground loader as its research object, determines the loader’s optimal operating point through study of the power response characteristics of the loader’s motor under various working conditions. The effects of different power batteries on the working conditions are analyzed, and the loader’s component parameters are matched. Additionally, an optimization model of the driving system of the battery underground loader is constructed. On the basis of the driving operation characteristics of the loader, the particle swarm optimization algorithm is proposed to optimize the operating conditions of the loader’s driving motor. The results show that the transmission ratio is reduced after optimization. The single-cycle energy consumption is reduced by approximately 1.98% and the number of cycles in the health status of the power battery’s state-of-charge increases by approximately 1.91%, which verifies the feasibility of use of the particle swarm algorithm in the loader optimization problem. This work can serve as a reference for related theoretical research on underground loaders.

Four new species within the genus Absidia, A. globospora, A. medulla, A. turgida, and A. zonata, are proposed based on a combination of morphological traits, physiological features, and molecular evidences. A. globospora is characterized by globose sporangiospores, a 1.0- to 3.5-μm-long papillary projection on columellae, and sympodial sporangiophores. A. medulla is characterized by cylindrical to oval sporangiospores, a 1.0- to 4.5-μm-long bacilliform projection on columellae, and spine-like rhizoids. A. turgida is characterized by variable sporangiospores, up to 9.5-μm-long clavate projections on columellae, and swollen top of the projection and inflated hyphae. A. zonata is characterized by cylindrical to oval sporangiospores, a 2.0- to 3.5-μm-long spinous projection on columellae, and as many as eight whorled sporangiophores. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of internal transcribed spacer rDNA and D1–D2 domains of LSU rDNA support the novelty of these four species within the Absidia. All new species are illustrated, and an identification key to all the known species of Absidia in China is included.

Conjunctival reconstruction is commonly used in severe conjunctival defect caused by chemical or thermal burns. The problems of conjunctival transplantation, including shortage of autogenous conjunctiva and immunological rejection of xenogenous conjunctiva or materials, could be solved by tissue engineering conjunctiva. A scaffold material with well biocompatibility and sufficient biomechanical property plays a critical role in the construction of tissue engineering conjunctiva. In this review, the latest research progress and the existing problems of scafflod materials in tissue engineering conjunctiva were summarized.

A new species of Alternaria causing leaf spots on the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) in Yunnan, China, was isolated, examined, and illustrated. Morphologically, it belongs to the section Porri of Alternaria, which produces relatively large conidia and a simple or branched, filamentous long beak. It is, however, characterized by conidiophores gradually enlarging near the apex into a clavate conidiogenous cell and long ellipsoid to obclavate, smooth-walled conidia with a long filamentous beak. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on ITS rDNA, GAPDH, and TEF1-alpha sequences demonstrate that the phytopathogen falls in the clade of the section Porri, being most closely related to A. sidae, A. sennae, A. deseriticola, A. cyamopsidis, A. rostellata, A. nitrimali, A. crassa, and A. thunbergiae.

Fungal species in the family Mortierellaceae are important for their remarkable capability to synthesize large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially arachidonic acid (ARA). Although many genomes have been published, the quality of these data is not satisfactory, resulting in an incomplete understanding of the lipid pathway in Mortierellaceae. We provide herein two novel and high-quality genomes with 55.32% of syntenic gene pairs for Mortierella alpina CGMCC 20262 and M. schmuckeri CGMCC 20261, spanning 28 scaffolds of 40.22 Mb and 25 scaffolds of 49.24 Mb, respectively. The relative smaller genome for the former is due to fewer protein-coding gene models (11,761 vs. 13,051). The former yields 45.57% of ARA in total fatty acids, while the latter 6.95%. The accumulation of ARA is speculated to be associated with delta-5 desaturase (Delta5) and elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 3 (ELOVL3). A further genomic comparison of 19 strains in 10 species in three genera in the Mortierellaceae reveals three types of fatty acid synthase (FAS), two of which are new to science. The most common type I exists in 16 strains of eight species of three genera, and was discovered previously and consists of a single unit with eight active sites. The newly revealed type II exists only in M. antarctica KOD 1030 where the unit is separated into two subunits α and β comprised of three and five active sites, respectively. Another newly revealed type III exists in M. alpina AD071 and Dissophora globulifera REB-010B, similar to type II but different in having one more acyl carrier protein domain in the α subunit. This study provides novel insights into the enzymes related to the lipid metabolism, especially the ARA-related Delta5, ELOVL3, and FAS, laying a foundation for genetic engineering of Mortierellaceae to modulate yield in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Umbelopsis ramanniana is one of the most commonly reported species within the genus and an important oleaginous fungus. The morphology of the species varies remarkably in sporangiospores, columellae and chlamydospores. However, phylogenetic analyses based on ITS and nLSU rDNA had previously shown insufficiency in achieving species level identification in the genus Umbelopsis. In this study, by applying a polyphasic approach involving multi-gene (nSSU, ITS, nLSU, act1, MCM7 and cox1) phylogeny, morphology and maximum growth temperature, U. ramanniana sensu lato was revealed as a polyphyletic group and resolved with five novel taxa, namely U. curvata, U. dura, U. macrospora, U. microsporangia and U. oblongielliptica. Additionally, a key for all currently accepted species in Umbelopsis was also updated.

Fungi of the Conidiobolus group belong to the family Ancylistaceae (Entomophthorales, Entomophthoromycotina, Zoopagomycota) and include over 70 predominantly saprotrophic species in four similar and closely related genera, that were separated phylogenetically recently. Entomopathogenic fungi of the genus Batkoa are very close morphologically to the Conidiobolus species. Their thalli share similar morphology, and they produce ballistic conidia like closely related entomopathogenic Entomophthoraceae. Ballistic conidia are traditionally considered as an efficient tool in the pathogenic process and an important adaptation to the parasitic lifestyle. Our study aims to reconstruct the phylogeny of this fungal group using molecular and genomic data, ancestral lifestyle and morphological features of the conidiobolus-like group and the direction of their evolution. Based on phylogenetic analysis, some species previously in the family Conidiobolaceae are placed in the new families Capillidiaceae and Neoconidiobolaceae, which each include one genus, and the Conidiobolaceae now includes three genera. Intermediate between the conidiobolus-like groups and Entomophthoraceae, species in the distinct Batkoa clade now belong in the family Batkoaceae. Parasitism evolved several times in the Conidiobolus group and Ancestral State Reconstruction suggests that the evolution of ballistic conidia preceded the evolution of the parasitic lifestyle.

Although species of Absidia are known to be ubiquitous in soil, animal dung, and insect and plant debris, the species diversity of the genus and their ecological habitats have not been sufficiently investigated. In this study, we describe five new species of Absidia from forest and grassland soils in southwestern China, with support provided by phylogenetic, morphological, and physiological evidence. The species diversity and ecological habitat of Absidia are summarized. Currently, 22 species are recorded in China, which mainly occur in soil, especially in tropical and subtropical forests and mountains. An updated key to the species of Absidia in China is also provided herein. This is the first overview of the Absidia ecological habitat.

Neoconidiobolus thromboides is a pandemic species in the genus Neoconidiobolus. In this article, we report the first complete sequence of mitochondrial genome from a common entomophthoroid fungus Neoconidiobolus thromboides under Illumina next-generation sequencing system. The total length of the mitogenome is 34,984 bp with a GC content of 26.99%. The gene annotation revealed 56 genes, including 30 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rDNAs), 24 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. Phylogenetic analyses of 14 concatenated conserved PCGs indicated that N. thromboides was grouped with Capillidium heterosporum and Conidiobolus sp.

GaN multiquantum-well blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were radiated with 60Co γ-rays for accumulated doses up to 2.5 Mrad (SiO2). The radiation-induced current and 1/f noise degradations were studied when the devices operate at the low bias voltage. The current increased by 2.31 times, and the 1/f noise increased by 275.69 times after a dose of 2.5 Mrad (SiO2). Based on Hurkx’s trap-assisted tunneling model, the degradation of current was explained. γ radiation created defects in the space-charge region of LEDs. These defects as generation-recombination centers lead to the increase in the current. In addition, based on the quantum l/f noise theory, the degradation of 1/f noise might be also attributed to these defects, which caused an increase in the Hooge constant and a decrease in the carrier lifetimes. The current and 1/f noise degradations can be attributed to the same physical origin. Compared to the current, the 1/f noise parameter is more sensitive, so it may be used to evaluate the radiation resistance capability of GaN blue LEDs.

Abstract Background Total P16 methylation (P16M), including P16 hydroxymethylation (P16H) and true-P16M, correlates with malignant transformation of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED). Both true-P16M and P16H are early events in carcinogenesis. The aim of this study is to prospectively determine if discrimination of true-P16M from P16H is necessary for prediction of cancer development from OEDs. Methods Patients (n = 265) with mild or moderate OED were recruited into the double blind two-center cohort. Total-P16M and P16H were analyzed using the 115-bp MethyLight, TET-assisted bisulfite (TAB) methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and TAB-sequencing. Total-P16M-positive and P16H-negative samples were defined as true-P16M-positive. Progression of OEDs was monitored for a minimum 24 months follow-up period. Results P16H was detected in 23 of 73 (31.5%) total-P16M-positive OEDs. Follow-up information was obtained from 247 patients with an ultimate compliance rate of 93.2%. OED-derived squamous cell carcinomas were observed in 13.0% (32/247) patients during follow-up (median, 41.0 months). The cancer progression rate for total-P16M-positive patients was significantly increased when compared to total-P16M-negative patients [23.3% vs 8.6%; adjusted odds ratio = 2.67 (95% CI: 1.19–5.99)]. However, the cancer progression rates were similar between P16H- and true-P16M-positive OEDs [26.1% (6/23) vs 22.0% (11/50); odds ratio = 0.80 (95% CI: 0.22–2.92)]. The cancer-free survival was also similar for these patients. Conclusion P16H and true-P16M are similar biomarkers for determining malignant potential of OEDs. Discrimination of P16H from true-P16M, at least in OED, may be not necessary in clinical applications. Trial registration This study is registered prospectively in the U.S. National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Protocol Registration System (trial number NCT02967120, available at https://ClinicalTrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02967120).

Abstract Background Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is involved in bone resorption. However, the role of IL-1 in periapical lesions characterized by periapical bone destruction in primary teeth has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aimed to detect the distribution and expression of IL-1 in periapical lesions in primary teeth and assess the relationship between the cytokines and the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration. Methods A total of 106 chronic periapical lesions in primary teeth were harvested. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to determine the histological type and the inflammatory cell infiltration grade (mild, moderate, and severe), and immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect the distribution and expression of IL-1α and IL-1β. Results Of the 106 chronic periapical lesion samples, there were 85 cases of periapical granuloma, accounting for 80.19% of the total samples, and 21 cases of radicular cysts, accounting for 19.81%; no cases of abscess were detected. Immunohistochemistry results showed that both IL-1α and IL-1β were expressed in periapical granulomas and cysts. ELISA results showed that IL-1α and IL-1β levels were higher in the periapical granuloma group than in the radicular cyst and normal control groups (P

Abstract Background Abdominal obesity is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and high serum triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid levels may precipitate or aggravate CHD. Methods We enrolled patients with coronary heart disease in our hospital from October 2008 to July 2009. Patients with high TG and increased WC, i.e. waist phenotype WP were included in group A. In group B, were included patients with high TG but not WP. Group C consisted of patients with WP but not high TG. Finally, Group D was composed of patients without high TG or WP. Serum FFA levels for all patients were measured by ELISA. The relationship between TG levels, WC, FFA levels, and coronary artery score was analysed by a single variable regression. Results Group A had a significantly higher FFA level than the other groups. Regression analysis showed that FFA, TG, WC, hip circumference, waist-to-height ratio, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure index, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol all positively correlated with CAS (r = 0.160 ~ 0.415, P = 0.000 ~ 0.032). After we controlled for traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, FFA levels remained positively correlated to the CAS (r = 0.365, P

Background: Silencing of P16 through methylation and locus deletion is the most frequent early events in carcinogenesis. The aim of this study is to prospectively determine if early P16 methylation is a predictor for oral cancer development. Methods: Patients (n = 181) with mild or moderate oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) were recruited into the double blind multicentre cohort. P16 methylation was analyzed using the MethyLight assay. Progression of OEDs was monitored for a minimum 3 year follow-up period. Findings: P16 methylation-informative cases (n = 152) were enrolled in the prospective multicenter cohorts with an ultimate compliance of 96.7%. OED-derived squamous cell carcinomas were observed in 21 patients (14.3%) during the follow-up (median, 41.0 months). The cancer progression rate from the P16 methylation-positive patients was significantly increased when compared to P16 methylation-negative patients [27.1% vs 8.1%; adjusted odds ratio = 4.6; P = 0.006]. When the P16 methylation-positive criteria were used as a biomarker for early prediction of cancer development from OEDs, sensitivity and specificity of 62% and 76% were obtained, respectively. Interpretation: P16 methylation is unequivocally a marker for determining the malignant potential of OED and there is no need for further research regarding this aspect. Funding: National Basic Research Programs of China (2011CB504201 and 2015CB553902), Beijing Science and Technology Commission (Z090507017709016), and Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospital (XM201303) to Dajun Deng. The funding agencies have no role in the actual experimental design, patient recruitment, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or writing of this manuscript.

AIM:To reconstruct the lamellar cornea using human amniotic epithelial (HAE) cells and rabbit cornea stroma in vitro using tissue engineering technology.METHODS: Human amnia taken from uncomplicated caesarean sections were digested by collagenase to obtain HAE cells, and the cells were cultured to proliferate. Rabbit corneal epithelial cells were removed by n-heptanol to make lamellar matrix sheets. The second passage of HAE cells were cultured on the corneal stroma sheets for 1 or 2 days, then transferred to an air-liquid interface environment to culture for 2 weeks. Tissue engineered lamellar cornea (TELC) morphology was observed by Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining; its ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM); corneal epithelial cell-specific keratin 3 and keratin 12 were detected with immunofluorescence microscopy.RESULTS:HAE cells grew on the rabbit corneal stroma, forming a monolayer after 1-2 days. About 4-5 layers of epithelial cells developed after 2 weeks of air-liquid interface cultivation, a result similar to normal corneal epithelium. Rabbit corneal stromal cells were significantly reduced after one week, then almost completely disappeared after 2 weeks. TEM showed desmosomes between the epithelial cells; hemidesmosomes formed between the epithelial cells and the basement membrane. SEM revealed that the HAE cells which grew on the lamellar cornea had abundant microvilli. The tissue-engineered cornea expressed keratin 3 and keratin 12, as detected by immunofluorescence assay.CONCLUSION: Functional tissue-engineered lamellar corneal grafts can be constructed in vitro using HAE cells and rabbit corneal stroma.