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Background: Growing evidence indicates that N7-methylguanosine (m7G) modification plays critical roles in epigenetic regulation. However, no data regarding m7G modification are currently available in Eimeria tenella, a highly virulent species causing coccidiosis in chickens. Methods: In the present study, we explore the distribution of internal messenger RNA (mRNA) m7G modification in sporulated and unsporulated oocysts of E. tenella as well as its potential biological functions during oocyst development using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) and mRNA sequencing (mRNA-seq), and the mRNA-seq and MeRIP-seq data were verified by the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR) and MeRIP–qPCR, respectively. Results: Our data showed that m7G peaks were detected throughout the whole mRNA body, and the coding DNA sequence (CDS) region displayed the most methylation modification. Compared with unsporulated oocysts, 7799 hypermethylated peaks and 1945 hypomethylated peaks were identified in sporulated oocysts. Further combined analysis of differentially methylated genes (DMGs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that there was a generally positive correlation between m7G modification levels and gene transcript abundance. Unsurprisingly, the mRNA-seq and MeRIP-seq data showed good consistency with the results of the RT–qPCR and MeRIP–qPCR, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs with altered m7G-methylated peaks were involved in diverse biological functions and pathways, including DNA replication, RNA transport, spliceosome, autophagy-yeast, and cAMP signaling pathway. Conclusions: Altogether, our findings revealed the potential significance of internal m7G modification in E. tenella oocysts, providing some directions and clues for later in-depth research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Trichomonads are among the most prevalent intestinal parasites with a worldwide distribution which can infect many animals, resulting in economic losses and threatening public health. The donkey raising industry in Shanxi Province is relatively well-developed; however, it is not yet known whether donkeys in Shanxi Province were infected with Tetratrichomonas buttreyi and Pentatrichomonas hominis. Thus, 815 fecal samples were collected from donkeys in three representative geographical locations in Shanxi Province to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of T. buttreyi and P. hominis in donkeys using molecular approaches. The overall prevalence of T. buttreyi and P. hominis in donkeys in Shanxi Province was 25.4% and 0.7%, respectively. Genetic analysis revealed that all P. hominis sequences obtained in this study were identified as genotype CC1, suggesting possible zoonotic potential. This is the first report of T. buttreyi and P. hominis prevalence in donkeys worldwide, which not only extends the geographical distribution of trichomonads but also expands the host spectrum. The findings also have implications for the prevention and control of trichomonad infections in donkeys in Shanxi Province. Two species of trichomonads, Tetratrichomonas buttreyi and Pentatrichomonas hominis, are common intestinal parasites that can impact animal health and productivity. Severe infection by these parasites can lead to diarrhea and wasting in affected animals. Notably, P. hominis is known to cause diarrhea and has the potential to be transmitted between animals and humans. Donkeys hold significant economic importance in China's agricultural sector. However, whether donkeys are infected with T. buttreyi and P. hominis remains unknown globally. To address this gap in knowledge, 815 fecal samples were collected from donkeys in three representative regions in Shanxi Province, North China. Then, the presence and genetic characteristics of T. buttreyi and P. hominis were examined using species-specific PCR primers amplifying the small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. The overall prevalence was detected to be 25.4% (207/815) for T. buttreyi and 0.7% (6/815) for P. hominis in donkeys in Shanxi Province. All obtained P. hominis sequences were identified as genotype CC1. Genetic analysis revealed that all P. hominis isolates from donkeys were clustered into the same branch with isolates detected in humans, suggesting possible zoonotic transmission. This study is the first to report the occurrence and prevalence of T. buttreyi and P. hominis in donkeys globally. These findings expand the host range of trichomonads and improve our understanding of their genetic diversity and zoonotic potential, providing essential baseline data for the prevention and control of these parasites in donkeys in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Blastocystis spp. and Giardia duodenalis are two prevalent intestinal parasites with a worldwide distribution that can infect humans and animals, resulting in significant public health concerns and economic losses. For goats, infection with the two parasites can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, which is not conducive to the development of stockbreeding. Shanxi Province is one of the largest goats breeding provinces in China. However, the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. and G. duodenalis in black goats in Shanxi Province remains unknown. Thus, 1200 fecal samples of black goats were collected in five representative geographical locations in Shanxi Province to examine the presence and genotypes of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. by using a molecular approach. The results showed that the total infection rates of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. were 7.5% and 3.5%, respectively. The presence and genotypes of G. duodenalis were determined based on three established loci (tpi, bg, and gdh). Among the detected assemblages B and E of G. duodenalis, the most prevalent assemblage was E in black goats in the five study areas. One novel MLG (MLG-E12) was identified by multilocus genotypes (MLGs) analysis. Through DNA sequence analysis, four subtypes of Blastocystis spp. were found in black goats, namely ST5, ST10, ST14, and ST30, among which ST10 was the dominant subtype in this study. This is the first report of Blastocystis spp. and G. duodenalis infection in black goats in Shanxi Province, which not only enhances our understanding of the genetic diversity of Blastocystis spp. and G. duodenalis in black goats in China but also provides essential baseline data for the prevention and control of Blastocystis spp. and G. duodenalis infection in black goats in the study areas. Blastocystis spp. and Giardia duodenalis are two prevalent zoonotic intestinal parasites that can cause severe diarrhea and intestinal diseases in humans and many animals. Black goat (Capra hircus) farming is increasingly important in China due to the remarkable adaptability, high reproductive performance, rapid growth rate, and significant economic value of black goats. A number of studies have indicated that black goats are the potential reservoir of multiple zoonotic protozoans in China; however, the prevalence and zoonotic status of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in black goats in Shanxi Province is still unknown. Thus, a total of 1200 fecal samples of black goats were collected from several representative regions at different altitudes in Shanxi Province and were examined for the presence and genotypes of G. duodenallis and Blastocystis spp. by amplifying the beta-giardin (bg), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) loci of G. duodenalis and SSU rRNA of Blastocystis spp. using PCR and sequence analysis methods, respectively. The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in black goats in Shanxi Province were 7.5% and 3.5%, respectively. Two assemblages (B and E) of G. duodenalis and four subtypes (ST5, ST10, ST14, and ST30) of Blastocystis spp. were identified, with assemblage E and ST10 as the prevalent genotype and subtype in black goats, respectively. One novel multilocus genotype (MLG) was identified in MLG-E and was designated as MLG-E12. For both G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp., the prevalence was significantly related to the region and age groups (p < 0.05). This is the first report on the prevalence of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in black goats in Shanxi Province. These results not only provide baseline data for the prevention and control of both parasites in black goats in Shanxi Province, but also enhance our understanding of the genetic composition and zoonotic potential of these two parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modulation of the ligands and coordination environment of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has been an effective and relatively unexplored avenue for improving the anode performance of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). In this study, three MOFs are synthesized, namely, M4(o‐TTFOB)(bpm)2(H2O)2 (where M is Mn, Zn, and Cd; o‐H8TTFOB is ortho‐tetrathiafulvalene octabenzoate; and bpm is 2,2′‐bipyrimidine), based on a new ligand o‐H8TTFOB with two adjacent carboxylates on one phenyl, which allows us to establish the impact of metal coordination on the performance of these MOFs as anode materials in LIBs. Mn‐o‐TTFOB and Zn‐o‐TTFOB, with two more uncoordinated oxygen atoms from o‐TTFOB8−, show higher reversible specific capacities of 1249 mAh g−1 and 1288 mAh g−1 under 200 mA g−1 after full activation. In contrast, Cd‐o‐TTFOB shows a reversible capacity of 448 mAh g−1 under the same condition due to the lack of uncoordinated oxygen atoms. Crystal structure analysis, cyclic voltammetry measurements of the half‐cell configurations, and density functional theory calculations have been performed to explain the lithium storage mechanism, diffusion kinetics, and structure‐function relationship. This study demonstrates the advantages of MOFs with high designability in the fabrication of LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Defects in planar cell polarity (PCP) have been implicated in diverse human pathologies. Vangl2 is one of the core PCP components crucial for PCP signaling. Dysregulation of Vangl2 has been associated with severe neural tube defects and cancers. However, how Vangl2 protein is regulated at the posttranslational level has not been well understood. Using chemical reporters of fatty acylation and biochemical validation, here we present that Vangl2 subcellular localization is regulated by a reversible S-stearoylation cycle. The dynamic process is mainly regulated by acyltransferase ZDHHC9 and deacylase acyl-protein thioesterase 1 (APT1). The stearoylation-deficient mutant of Vangl2 shows decreased plasma membrane localization, resulting in disruption of PCP establishment during cell migration. Genetically or pharmacologically inhibiting ZDHHC9 phenocopies the effects of the stearoylation loss of Vangl2. In addition, loss of Vangl2 stearoylation enhances the activation of oncogenic Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP), serine-threonine kinase AKT, and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling and promotes breast cancer cell growth and HRas G12V mutant (HRasV12)-induced oncogenic transformation. Our results reveal a regulation mechanism of Vangl2, and provide mechanistic insight into how fatty acid metabolism and protein fatty acylation regulate PCP signaling and tumorigenesis by core PCP protein lipidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition in urology, primarily managed with PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5Is). However, approximately 20% of patients do not experience improvement in overall sexual satisfaction (OS) after taking PDE5Is. Among these, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a complementary approach, with formulas like Hongjing I granules (HJIG) showing promise in preliminary studies. This study aims to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness and safety of HJIG in mild to moderate ED cases, assessing improvement in both sexual function and TCM pattern alignment.Methods: This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial. Recruitment will be conducted from patients who have a strong willingness to try using only traditional Chinese medicine treatment (This is very common in traditional Chinese medicine hospitals.). A total of 100 patients diagnosed with mild to moderate ED caused by qi deficiency and blood stasis will be recruited and randomly assigned to receive one of two treatments: HJIG (N = 50) or placebo (N = 50). Patients will receive 8 weeks of treatment and a 16-week follow-up starting from the fourth week of treatment. Outcome measures, including the International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function domain (IIEF-EF) score, Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP), and Traditional Chinese Medicine symptom score, will be evaluated.Discussion: The expected outcome of this trial is that the use of the herbal formula HIJG alone can improve overall sexual satisfaction (OS) in patients with mild to moderate ED, while also improving their traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores. This will provide evidence-based support for the use of Chinese medicine in the treatment of ED in China.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000041127, Registered on 19 December 2020, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=46469.Trial Status: Recruitment began in March 2021, therefore 80 patients have been recruited. It is expected to finish recruiting in December 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To discuss the therapeutic mechanism of nasal three needles combined with sparrowpecking moxibustion at DU14 (Dazhui) point in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in pattern of qi deficiency. Methods: 130 patients with allergic rhinitis of qi deficiency pattern were selected as the research object. A random number table method was used to divide the patients into the control group and the treatment group. There were 65 cases in each group. Patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of Loratadine Tablets. Patients in the treatment group were treated with nasal three needles combined with sparrow-pecking moxibustion at DU14 (Dazhui) point. In this study, it should compare the improvement degree of immunologic function, symptom and sign, and quality of life between the two groups after treatment, and at the 24th week after treatment. Moreover, the clinical curative effect was evaluated. Results: (1) Results of comparison of the immunologic function were as follows. In the control group, the levels of CD+4, CD+8 and CD+4/CD+8 showed no obvious change before and after treatment. In the treatment group, the levels of CD+4, CD+4,CD+8 showed an upward trend, and the level of showed a downward trend after treatment. Moreover, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The levels of CD+4 and CD+4/CD+8 in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group at the same stage, respectively, after treatment and at the 24th week after treatment. The level of CD+8 in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group at the same age after treatment and at the 24th week after treatment. Moreover, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). (2) Results of comparison of the symptom and sign score were as follows. After treatment, the symptom and sign scores in the two groups showed a downward trend. The symptom and sign scores in the treatment group after treatment and at the 24th week after treatment were lower than those in the control group at the same stage. Moreover, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). (3) Conditions of quality of life questionnaire were as follows. After treatment, the scores of rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) in the two groups showed a downward trend. The RQLQ scores in the treatment group after treatment, at the 24th week after treatment were lower than those in the control group at the same stage. Moreover, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). (4) Results of comparison of the curative effect were as follows. After treatment, the total effective rate of the treatment group was 92.3% (60/65). The total effective rate of the control group was 66.2% (43/65). Comparison of the total effective rate between two groups indicated that the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The clinical curative effect of nasal three needles combined with sparrow-pecking moxibustion at DU14 (Dazhui) point in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in pattern of qi deficiency was affirmative. The therapeutic method could effectively improve clinical symptoms and signs, such as nasal congestion, sneeze and runny nose. Moreover, the treatment could improve quality of life obviously. The therapeutic mechanism might be related with improving immunologic function of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report a general approach to make unnatural amino acids from readily available cysteine derivatives. This method capitalizes on an intramolecular radical substitution process that generates alkyl radicals through C−S cleavage. The resulting alkyl radicals partook in diverse C−C bond forming events. These reactions proceed under mild, photocatalytic conditions at room temperature, and can be performed open to air. The utility of these transformations is further demonstrated in the straightforward synthesis of various unnatural amino acids and peptides that are difficult to access previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to find factors associated with overall survival (OS) and establish a nomogram predicting OS of patients with gastric cancer (GC) after D2R0 resection. Methods: Demographic and clinicopathologic factors of patients with GC underwent D2R0 surgical resection were retrospectively collected from medical records, telephone interview or outpatient follow‐up. To find factors significantly associated with OS, univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. The concordance index (C‐index) was used to measure the accuracy of the nomogram. Discrimination and calibration of the nomogram were tested using the patients in the validation set. Results: Overall, patients with 890 GC underwent D2R0 surgical resection were included. Based on the results of univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, T stage, number of metastatic local lymph nodes, lymph node positive rate, adjuvant chemotherapy and diameter of tumour were used to construct a nomogram predicting OS of patients with GC after surgical resection. In the validation cohort, the C‐index was 0.73 and the nomogram performed well in predicting OS. Conclusion: The nomogram was able to accurately predict OS of patients with GC underwent curative surgery and performed well in internal validation, which would also be useful for the decision‐making of doctors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]