Association analysis of the sorting nexin 29 (SNX29) gene copy number variations with growth traits in Diannan small-ear (DSE) pigs

SNX29 is a potential functional gene associated with meat production traits. Previous studies have shown that SNX29 copy number variation (CNV) could be implicated with phenotype in goats. However, in Diannan small-ear (DSE) pigs, the genetic impact of SNX29 CNV on growth traits remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the associations between SNX29 CNVs (CNV10810 and CNV10811) and growth traits in 415 DSE pigs. The results revealed that the CNV10810 mutation was significantly associated with backfat thickness in DSE pigs at 12 and 15 months old (P < 0.05), while the CNV10811 mutation had significant effects on various growth traits at 6 and 12 months old, particularly for body weight, body height, back height and backfat thickness (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). In conclusion, our results confirm that SNX29 CNV plays a role in regulating growth and development in pigs, thus suggesting its potential application for pig breeding programmes.

[Interpretation on the report of global cancer statistics 2022]

In April 2024, the World Health Organization/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published the global cancer statistics 2022 in the CA: Cancer Journal for Clinicians. This report focuses on the incidence and mortality of 36 cancers in 185 countries or territories worldwide, analyzing the differences of gender, geographic region, and the Human Development Index (HDI) level. It is estimated that in the year 2022, there were 19.96 million new cancer cases and 9.74 million cancer deaths worldwide. Lung cancer (2 480 301, 12.4%) was the most frequently diagnosed cancer in 2022, followed by female breast cancer (2 295 686, 11.5%), colorectal cancer (1 926 118, 9.6%), prostate cancer (1 466 680, 7.3%), and gastric cancer (968 350, 4.9%). Lung cancer (1 817 172, 18.7%) was also the leading cause of cancer death, followed by colorectal cancer (903 859, 9.3%), liver cancer (757 948, 7.8%), female breast cancer (665 684, 6.9%), and gastric cancer (659 853, 6.8%). With demographics-based predictions indicating that the number of new cases of cancer will reach over 35 million by 2050. The Beijing Office for Cancer Prevention and Control team has collated this report and briefly interpreted it in combination with the current situation of cancer incidence and mortality in China.

Biological Control of Rapeseed Clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) Using the Endophytic Fungus Didymella macrostoma P2

Didymella macrostoma P2 was isolated from rapeseed (Brassica napus), and it is an endophyte of rapeseed and an antagonist of three rapeseed pathogens, Botrytis cinerea, Leptosphaeria biglobosa, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. However, whether P2 has a suppressive effect on infection of rapeseed by the clubroot pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae remains unknown. This study was conducted to detect production of antimicrobials by P2 and to determine the efficacy of the antimicrobials and P2 pycnidiospores in suppression of rapeseed clubroot. The results showed that cultural filtrates (CFs) of P2 in potato dextrose broth and the substances in pycnidiospore mucilages exuded from P2 pycnidia were inhibitory to P. brassicae. In the indoor experiment, seeds of the susceptible rapeseed cultivar Zhongshuang No. 9 treated with P2 CF and the P2 pycnidiospore suspension (P2 SS, 1 × 107 spores/ml) reduced clubroot severity by 31 to 70% on the 30-day-old seedlings compared with the control (seeds treated with water). P2 was reisolated from the roots of the seedlings in the treatment of P2 SS; the average isolation frequency in the healthy roots (26%) was much higher than that (5%) in the diseased roots. In the field experiment, seeds of another susceptible rapeseed cultivar, Huayouza 50 (HYZ50), treated with P2 CF, P2 CE (chloroform extract of P2 CF, 30 μg/ml), and P2 SS reduced clubroot severity by 29 to 48% on 60-day-old seedlings and by 28 to 59% on adult plants (220 days old) compared with the control treatment. The three P2 treatments on HYZ50 produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher seed yield than the control treatment on this rapeseed cultivar, and they even generated seed yield similar to that produced by the resistant rapeseed cultivar Shengguang 165R in one of the two seasons. These results suggest that D. macrostoma P2 is an effective biocontrol agent against rapeseed clubroot.

Meta-analysis Driven Strain Design for Mitigating Oxidative Stresses Important in Biomanufacturing

As the availability of data sets increases, meta-analysis leveraging aggregated and interoperable data types is proving valuable. This study leveraged a meta-analysis workflow to identify mutations that could improve robustness to reactive oxygen species (ROS) stresses using an industrially important melatonin production strain as an example. ROS stresses often occur during cultivation and negatively affect strain performance. Cellular response to ROS is also linked to the SOS response and resistance to pH fluctuations, which is important to strain robustness in large-scale biomanufacturing. This work integrated more than 7000 E. coli adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) mutations across 59 experiments to statistically associate mutated genes to 2 ROS tolerance ALE conditions from 72 unique conditions. Mutant oxyR, fur, iscR, and ygfZ were significantly associated and hypothesized to contribute fitness in ROS stress. Across these genes, 259 total mutations were inspected in conjunction with transcriptomics from 46 iModulon experiments. Ten mutations were chosen for reintroduction based on mutation clustering and coinciding transcriptional changes as evidence of fitness impact. Strains with mutations reintroduced into oxyR, fur, iscR, and ygfZ exhibited increased tolerance to H2O2 and acid stress and reduced SOS response, all of which are related to ROS. Additionally, new evidence was generated toward understanding the function of ygfZ, an uncharacterized gene. This meta-analysis approach utilized aggregated and interoperable multiomics data sets to identify mutations conferring industrially relevant phenotypes with the least drawbacks, describing an approach for data-driven strain engineering to optimize microbial cell factories.

Nicotinamide improves the impaired extravillous trophoblast cell invasion induced by PM2.5 exposure-associated increase of TNFα secretion through the ROS/NF-κB/FLT1 pathway

It has been well acknowledged that maternal exposure to fine particulate matters (PM2.5) might lead to poor pregnancy outcomes including the intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) by interfering with the placental development. Our previous studies have demonstrated that maternal PM2.5 exposure induces IUGR, accompanied with increased maternal circulating TNFα level and impaired extravillous trophoblast cells (EVTs) invasion in mice. In this study, HTR8/SVneo cells, the immortalized human EVTs line, were used to assess effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms of nicotinamide on the impaired EVTs invasion. Our results showed that, the placental FLT1 protein level was significantly increased whereas maternal serum nicotinamide concentration was remarkably decreased in PM2.5-exposured pregnant mice at GD17.5 (vaginal plug day=GD0.5), compared to that in normal GD17.5 pregnant mice. FLT1 expression in HTR8/SVneo cells was significantly up-regulated by TNFα treatment, and the down-regulated FLT1 expression effectively abated the inhibitory effects of TNFα on HTR8/SVneo cells migration and invasion. Meanwhile, TNFα promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and NF-κB signaling pathway activation in HTR8/SVneo cells in a dose-dependent manner. Nicotinamide treatment significantly reversed the effects of TNFα on cell migration and invasion, as well as the FLT1 expression, ROS production and NF-κB pathway activation. In summary, increased TNFα induced by PM2.5 exposure inhibits EVTs invasion by activating the ROS/NF-κB/FLT1 signaling pathway, and this adverse effect could be attenuated by nicotinamide treatment, suggesting a potential application in the clinical intervention of PM2.5-induced IUGR.

Normal Reorientation for Scene Consistency

With the remarkable progress of 3D scanning technique, the captured indoor scenes appear increasingly in last decade. Generating orientation-consistent normals for indoor point clouds is a fundamental and important task. The existing orientation rectification methods pay more attention to object-level targets with connected surface. However, it is challenging to compute consistent surface orientation for real scanned indoor point clouds. In this paper, we analyze the causes of this difficulty and propose a new normal reorienting framework for indoor scene consistency, namely NRSC. It first estimates normals for an indoor point cloud and extracts all the connected regions. We then design and construct an abstract orientation bridging tree (OBT) to organize the extracted regions in a hierarchical way. For all node regions, NRSC iteratively implements a set of orientation propagations to generate locally orientation-consistent regions. Moreover, we define an auxiliary viewpoint set for each pairwise parent-child node regions and introduce a voting mechanism to rectify the region orientation of child node according to its parent. After processing all the child node regions along OBT, we finally eliminate the orientation inconsistencies between related regions. Multi-groups of experimental results on both fused indoor scenes and single-view-scenes show that our method generates globally consistent orientation for indoor point clouds.

UBXN3B is crucial for B lymphopoiesis

BACKGROUND

The ubiquitin regulatory X (UBX) domain-containing proteins (UBXNs) are putative adaptors for ubiquitin ligases and valosin-containing protein; however, their in vivo physiological functions remain poorly characterised. We recently showed that UBXN3B is essential for activating innate immunity to DNA viruses and controlling DNA/RNA virus infection. Herein, we investigate its role in adaptive immunity.

METHODS

We evaluated the antibody responses to multiple viruses and pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza in tamoxifen-inducible global and constitutive B cell-specific Ubxn3b knockout mice; quantified various immune populations, B lineage progenitors/precursors, B cell receptor (BCR) signalling and apoptosis by flow cytometry, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. We also performed bone marrow transfer, single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing.

FINDINGS

Both global and B cell-specific Ubxn3b knockout mice present a marked reduction in small precursor B-II (>60%), immature (>70%) and mature B (>95%) cell numbers. Transfer of wildtype bone marrow to irradiated global Ubxn3b knockouts restores normal B lymphopoiesis, while reverse transplantation does not. The mature B population shrinks rapidly with apoptosis and higher pro and activated caspase-3 protein levels were observed following induction of Ubxn3b knockout. Mechanistically, Ubxn3b deficiency leads to impaired pre-BCR signalling and cell cycle arrest. Ubxn3b knockout mice are highly vulnerable to respiratory viruses, with increased viral loads and prolonged immunopathology in the lung, and reduced production of virus-specific IgM/IgG.

INTERPRETATION

UBXN3B is essential for B lymphopoiesis by maintaining constitutive pre-BCR signalling and cell survival in a cell-intrinsic manner.

FUNDING

United States National Institutes of Health grants, R01AI132526 and R21AI155820.

Contrasting nitrogen transport patterns in subtropical basins revealed by combined multiple isotopic analyzes and hydrological simulations

Although enhancing the knowledge of nitrogen (N) dynamics in aquatic systems is crucial for basin N management, there is still a lack of theories on the patterns of basin N sources and transport because of the intricate influence of human activities, climatic conditions, landscape patterns, and topography on the trajectory of basin N. To shed new light on the patterns of basin N sources and transport in the Chinese subtropical monsoon region, this study provides a comprehensive approach combining multiple isotopes and hydrological model based on monthly records of hydro-chemistry and isotopes (18O-NO3- /15N-NO-3 and 18O-H2O /2H-H2O) for river water, groundwater and rainfall in three basins over multiple years. Our observations of hydro-chemistry showed that fluvial N levels in highly urbanized basins (3.05 ± 1.42 mg·L-1) were the highest and were characterized by higher levels in the dry season. In the agricultural basin, fluvial N levels in February and March were approximately 1.9 times higher than those in the other months. The fluvial N load was higher in agricultural basins (0.624-0.728 T N km -2 y -1) than in urban basins (0.558 T N km -2 y -1), primarily because of variations in sewage treatment rates and fertilizer application. In highly urbanized basin, manure and sewage (46.9 %) were the dominant sources of fluvial N, which were discharged into rivers after treatment. In the plain agricultural basin, a substantial portion of diffused residential sewage leaches into aquifers and is stored. In the hilly agro-forest mixed basin, the high baseflow coefficient (75.8 %) and the key role of groundwater N, mainly from soil N (27.3 %), chemical fertilizers (20.2 %), manure and sewage (46.6 %), to fluvial N (26.5 %) indicated that a high proportion of the N sources leached into the aquifer and were then transported to rivers. For the first time, this study integrated multiple methods to substantiate the proposed typical patterns of N sources and transport within the basins. These findings have significant implications for tailored basin-specific N management strategies.

Constraints on the subsecond modulation of striatal dynamics by physiological dopamine signaling

Dopaminergic neurons play a crucial role in associative learning, but their capacity to regulate behavior on subsecond timescales remains debated. It is thought that dopaminergic neurons drive certain behaviors by rapidly modulating striatal spiking activity; however, a view has emerged that only artificially high (that is, supra-physiological) dopamine signals alter behavior on fast timescales. This raises the possibility that moment-to-moment striatal spiking activity is not strongly shaped by dopamine signals in the physiological range. To test this, we transiently altered dopamine levels while monitoring spiking responses in the ventral striatum of behaving mice. These manipulations led to only weak changes in striatal activity, except when dopamine release exceeded reward-matched levels. These findings suggest that dopaminergic neurons normally play a minor role in the subsecond modulation of striatal dynamics in relation to other inputs and demonstrate the importance of discerning dopaminergic neuron contributions to brain function under physiological and potentially nonphysiological conditions.

Expansion of apple cultivation increases the abundance of codling moth (Cydia pomonella) in agricultural landscapes of China

BACKGROUND

Agricultural land-use change is an important driver of pest population dynamics, and can alter source-sink dynamics and the concentration-dilution effects of the landscape. Understanding the effects of land use on pests at both landscape and regional levels is essential for the development of sustainable pest management strategies given the large changes occurring in cropping systems in China. At the landscape level, we investigated the impacts of landscape composition and edge density on pheromone trap catch of codling moth (Cydia pomonella) in apple orchards, in Aksu, Xinjiang, China. At the regional scale, we conducted a meta-analysis using data from studies performed across the Aksu area in recent decades, to assess the relationship between trends in codling moth abundance and the area of apple cultivation.

RESULTS

Both extensive planting of apple and large areas of annual crops in the landscape increased the abundance of codling moth, whereas the presence of secondary host plants (peach, pear, walnut, plum, and apricot) had a negative effect. Seminatural habitats and landscape edge density did not significantly affect codling moth abundance. The responses of different generations of codling moth to landscape factors were varied. At the regional level, codling moth occurrence was positively correlated with the expansion of apple production areas.

CONCLUSION

Expansion of apple cultivation increases the abundance of codling moth in agricultural landscapes. We recommend decreasing the area devoted to monocultures of apple when designing agricultural landscapes and increasing plantings of secondary host crops to dilute and reduce the abundance of codling moth. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Fasciculoventricular accessory pathway masked extensive atrioventricular conduction system disease in a patient with PRKAG2 syndrome

A 23-year-old male with a history of ventricular pre-excitation and atrial flutter presented for evaluation after recurrent syncope. The possible mechanism of syncope erroneously attributed to pre-excited atrial flutter with fast heart rates in the first hospitalization. The patient was found to have advanced heart block and PRKAG2 genetic mutation in the second hospitalization. The genetic findings and clinical features are consistent with PRKAG2 syndrome (PS). PS is a rare, autosomal dominant inherited disease, characterized by ventricular pre-excitation, supraventricular tachycardia, and cardiac hypertrophy. It is frequently followed by atrial-fibrillation-induced ventricular fibrillation and advanced heart blocks. An accurate differential diagnosis of syncope is important because of the different arrhythmic features and clinical course of PS.

Multi-instance learning based artificial intelligence model to assist vocal fold leukoplakia diagnosis: A multicentre diagnostic study

OBJECTIVE

To develop a multi-instance learning (MIL) based artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnosis models by using laryngoscopic images to differentiate benign and malignant vocal fold leukoplakia (VFL).

METHODS

The AI system was developed, trained and validated on 5362 images of 551 patients from three hospitals. Automated regions of interest (ROI) segmentation algorithm was utilized to construct image-level features. MIL was used to fusion image level results to patient level features, then the extracted features were modeled by seven machine learning algorithms. Finally, we evaluated the image level and patient level results. Additionally, 50 videos of VFL were prospectively gathered to assess the system's real-time diagnostic capabilities. A human-machine comparison database was also constructed to compare the diagnostic performance of otolaryngologists with and without AI assistance.

RESULTS

In internal and external validation sets, the maximum area under the curve (AUC) for image level segmentation models was 0.775 (95 % CI 0.740-0.811) and 0.720 (95 % CI 0.684-0.756), respectively. Utilizing a MIL-based fusion strategy, the AUC at the patient level increased to 0.869 (95 % CI 0.798-0.940) and 0.851 (95 % CI 0.756-0.945). For real-time video diagnosis, the maximum AUC at the patient level reached 0.850 (95 % CI, 0.743-0.957). With AI assistance, the AUC improved from 0.720 (95 % CI 0.682-0.755) to 0.808 (95 % CI 0.775-0.839) for senior otolaryngologists and from 0.647 (95 % CI 0.608-0.686) to 0.807 (95 % CI 0.773-0.837) for junior otolaryngologists.

CONCLUSIONS

The MIL based AI-assisted diagnosis system can significantly improve the diagnostic performance of otolaryngologists for VFL and help to make proper clinical decisions.

Inhibitor of cardiolipin biosynthesis-related enzyme MoGep4 confers broad-spectrum anti-fungal activity

Plant pathogens cause devastating diseases, leading to serious losses to agriculture. Mechanistic understanding of pathogenesis of plant pathogens lays the foundation for the development of fungicides for disease control. Mitophagy, a specific form of autophagy, is important for fungal virulence. The role of cardiolipin, mitochondrial signature phospholipid, in mitophagy and pathogenesis is largely unknown in plant pathogenic fungi. The functions of enzymes involved in cardiolipin biosynthesis and relevant inhibitors were assessed using a set of assays, including genetic deletion, plant infection, lipidomics, chemical-protein interaction, chemical inhibition, and field trials. Our results showed that the cardiolipin biosynthesis-related gene MoGEP4 of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae regulates growth, conidiation, cardiolipin biosynthesis, and virulence. Mechanistically, MoGep4 regulated mitophagy and Mps1-MAPK phosphorylation, which are required for virulence. Chemical alexidine dihydrochloride (AXD) inhibited the enzyme activity of MoGep4, cardiolipin biosynthesis and mitophagy. Importantly, AXD efficiently inhibited the growth of 10 plant pathogens and controlled rice blast and Fusarium head blight in the field. Our study demonstrated that MoGep4 regulates mitophagy, Mps1 phosphorylation and pathogenesis in M. oryzae. In addition, we found that the MoGep4 inhibitor, AXD, displays broad-spectrum antifungal activity and is a promising candidate for fungicide development.

The effectiveness and safety of Rivaroxaban and Edoxaban in the treatment of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis

INTRODUCTION

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a medical condition characterized by forming a blood clot, or thrombus, in one of the deep veins, typically in the legs. It is a type of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which refers to the formation of blood clots in the veins. It is caused by Virchow's triad (stasis, hypercoagulation, and endothelial injury).

OBJECTIVE

Our main objective is to explore the effectiveness and safety of Rivaroxaban and Edoxaban in treating lower extremity deep vein thrombosis.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study involving 406 patients subjected to DVT treatment using DOACs (Edoxaban and Rivaroxaban) at our hospital. We recruited adult patients (18 years and above) diagnosed with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis and received treatment with either Rivaroxaban or Edoxaban as the primary anticoagulant therapy for DVT. We excluded patients who received treatment with other anticoagulant medications (warfarin heparin) as the primary therapy for DVT.

RESULTS

The groups showed statistically significant differences in red blood cell count and haemoglobin levels, with the Edoxaban group having high values. However, the two groups observed no statistically significant differences in creatinine clearance, white blood cell count, platelet count, C-reactive protein, and D-dimer levels. The difference in the incidence of PE between the two groups was statistically significant (P value < 0.001). The Edoxaban group had fewer PE patients than the rivaroxaban group. The reduction in recurrent thrombosis was significantly higher in the rivaroxaban group compared to the Edoxaban group. There were no significant differences in the major bleeding at various sites across the two treatment groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Rivaroxaban's pharmacokinetic profile includes rapid absorption and a relatively short half-life. It means that once administered, Rivaroxaban quickly reaches its peak concentration in the blood and is subsequently eliminated from the body within a relatively short period. Edoxaban's pharmacokinetic profile may include slower absorption and a longer half-life than Rivaroxaban. It can result in a slower rate of achieving peak concentration and a more prolonged presence in the bloodstream. These results emphasize the need for careful consideration of anticoagulant therapy in patients with underlying cancer and underscore the importance of managing risks while providing adequate anticoagulation to prevent thrombotic events.

MiR-3074-5p suppresses non-small cell lung cancer progression by targeting the YWHAZ/Hsp27 axis

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for more than 80% of lung cancer cases, and the 5-year survival rate of patients remains unsatisfactory. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous noncoding RNAs that are considered essential posttranscriptional regulators of tumorigenesis, including NSCLC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the biological role of miR-3074-5p in NSCLC cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We showed that miR-3074-5p expression was decreased in human NSCLC specimens and cell lines. Moreover, miR-3074-5p overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In addition, miR-3074-5p overexpression not only suppressed tumor growth but also enhanced the antitumor effect of paclitaxel (PTX) on NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo. A transcriptome sequencing assay revealed genes that were differentially expressed after miR-3074-5p overexpression, and among the genes whose expression levels were most significantly decreased, tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta (YWHAZ) was a target of miR-3074-5p. The regulatory effect of miR-3074-5p on YWHAZ expression was verified by Western blotting and dual-luciferase reporter assays. The inhibition of A549 cell growth, migration and invasion was reversed by YWHAZ overexpression. Furthermore, we showed that PTX stimulated the expression of the YWHAZ and Hsp27 proteins and promoted the phosphorylation of Hsp27 (at S15 and S78). YWHAZ was confirmed to interact with Hsp27 in A549 cells, and downregulating YWHAZ expression promoted the degradation of the Hsp27 protein. Taken together, these results suggest that the miR-3074-5p/YWHAZ/Hsp27 axis may be a novel therapeutic target for NSCLC treatment.

Electrophysiological characteristics and catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias arising from the superior septal left ventricle

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Electrophysiological characteristics and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) originating from the superior septal left ventricle (SSLV) have not yet been fully characterized.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study included 247 patients who underwent RFCA for PVCs arising from the ventricular outflow tract between February 2020 and August 2022. The successful ablation site was on the SSLV in 37 of the 247 patients. In 12 (32.4%) of those 37 patients, a low amplitude and high frequency spiky potential (SP) was recognized. Five patients showed a narrow QRS duration (86.8 ± 4.6 ms), with a discrete SP observed in PVCs and sinus rhythm, which showed an isoelectric line with the ventricular electrogram at the earliest activation site. Seven patients showed a wide QRS duration (131.6 ± 4.5 ms), with SP observed in PVCs without an isoelectric line with the ventricular electrogram. RFCA was successful at the site of the earliest SP in all 12 patients. The time from SP onset at the successful ablation site to the QRS onset (local activation time) was 30 ± 12 ms, which differed significantly from that for the remaining 25 patients withoutSP(22.1 ± 7.1 ms, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SPs were recorded in 12 (32.4%) of the 37 patients with PVCs originating from the SSLV. The morphology of the PVCs may show a narrow or wide QRS duration and the target site for successful ablation should be identified by the earliest SP.

Exogenous Eugenol Alleviates Salt Stress in Tobacco Seedlings by Regulating the Antioxidant System and Hormone Signaling

Salt stress seriously affects crop growth, leading to a decline in crop quality and yield. Application of exogenous substances to improve the salt tolerance of crops and promote their growth under salt stress has become a widespread and effective means. Eugenol is a small molecule of plant origin with medicinal properties such as antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. In this study, tobacco seedlings were placed in Hoagland's solution containing NaCl in the presence or absence of eugenol, and physiological indices related to stress tolerance were measured along with transcriptome sequencing. The results showed that eugenol improved the growth of tobacco seedlings under salt stress. It promoted carbon and nitrogen metabolism, increased the activities of nitrate reductase (NR), sucrose synthase (SS), and glutamine synthetase (GS) by 31.03, 5.80, and 51.06%. It also activated the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the tobacco seedlings, and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) by 24.38%, 18.22%, 21.60%, and 28.8%, respectively. The content of glutathione (GSH) was increased by 29.49%, and the content of superoxide anion (O2-) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were reduced by 29.83 and 33.86%, respectively. Promoted osmoregulation, the content of Na+ decreased by 34.34, K+ increased by 41.25%, and starch and soluble sugar increased by 7.72% and 25.42%, respectively. It coordinated hormone signaling in seedlings; the content of abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid 3 (GA3) increased by 51.93% and 266.28%, respectively. The transcriptome data indicated that the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, the MAPK signaling pathway, and phytohormone signal transduction pathways. The results of this study revealed the novel role of eugenol in regulating plant resistance and provided a reference for the use of exogenous substances to alleviate salt stress.

[High expression of the stemness-associated molecule Nanog in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues promotes tumor invasion and metastasis by activating the TGF-β signaling pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of Nanog and its regulatory relationship with MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

We detected Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 protein expressions in 127 ESCC tissues and 82 adjacent normal tissues using immunohistochemistry and explored their correlations with the clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of the patients. GEO database was utilized to analyze the pathways enriched with the stemness-related molecules including Nanog, and TIMER online tool was used to analyze the correlations among TβR1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in esophageal cancer.

RESULTS

Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins were significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues and positively intercorrelated. Their expression levels were closely correlated with infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis of ESCC but not with age, gender, or tumor differentiation. The patients with high expressions of Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 had significantly shorter survival time. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of stemness-associated molecules in the TGF-β signaling pathway, and the expressions of MMP-2/MMP-9 and TβR1 were positively correlated. In cultured ESCC cells, Nanog knockdown significantly decreased the expression of TβR1, p-Smad2/3, MMP-2, and MMP-9 and strongly inhibited cell migration.

CONCLUSION

The high expressions of Nanog, MMP-2, and MMP-9, which are positively correlated, are closely related with invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, and prognosis of ESCC. Nanog regulates the expressions of MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins through the TGF-β signaling pathway, and its high expression promotes migration of ESCC cells.

Aquaporin mediated silicon-enhanced root hydraulic conductance is benefit to cadmium dilution in tobacco seedlings

Numerous studies shown that silicon (Si) enhanced plants' resistance to cadmium (Cd). Most studies primarily focused on investigating the impact of Si on Cd accumulation. However, there is a lack of how Si enhanced Cd resistance through regulation of water balance. The study demonstrated that Si had a greater impact on increasing fresh weight compared to dry weight under Cd stress. This effect was mainly attributed to Si enhanced plant relative water content (RWC). Plant water content depends on the dynamic balance of water loss and water uptake. Our findings revealed that Si increased transpiration rate and stomatal conductance, leading to higher water loss. This, in turn, negatively impacted water content. The increased water content caused by Si could ascribe to improve root water uptake. The Si treatment significantly increased root hydraulic conductance (Lpr) by 131 % under Cd stress. This enhancement was attributed to Si upregulation genes expression of NtPIP1;1, NtPIP1;2, NtPIP1;3, and NtPIP2;1. Through meticulously designed scientific experiments, this study showed that Si enhanced AQP activity, leading to increased water content that diluted Cd concentration and ultimately improved plant Cd resistance. These findings offered fresh insights into the role of Si in bolstering plant resistance to Cd.

Establishment of a rabbit model of different degrees of testicular torsion

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Different degrees of testicular torsion result in varying degrees of testicular damage, which influences treatment options and outcomes. Therefore, establishing a testicular torsion model with different degrees is necessary for clinical diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rabbits were randomly divided into four groups and their spermatic cords were twisted at 0 °, 180 °, 360 °, and 720 °, respectively. Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) were performed to evaluate the blood supply in testicles. The twisted testicles were surgically removed at six hours post-operation and were evaluated by morphological observation and Hematoxylin and Eosin staining.

RESULTS

CDFI signals were gradually decreased as the degree of testicular torsion increased, and scores of CDFI in the 360 ° and 720 ° groups were significantly decreased at postoperative six hours compared to pre-surgery. Compared to the sham, the testicle in the 180 ° group exhibited slight congestion, whereas the testicles in the 360 ° and 720 ° groups were dark red in color and had severe congestion and unrecognizable vessels. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining showed mild spermatogenic cell reduction and testicular interstitial hemorrhage in the 180 ° group. In the 360 ° and 720 ° groups, disordered seminiferous tubules, shed spermatogenic cells in tubules, inflammatory cell infiltration, and severe hemorrhage were found. In comparison with the sham, interstitial hemorrhage scores in the 360 ° and 720 ° groups were significantly higher, and scores of germinal epithelial cell thickness in the three testicular torsion groups were significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, we successfully constructed a testicular torsion model with different degrees in rabbits.

[Distribution and influencing factors of lipoprotein (a) levels in non-arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease population in China]

Objective: To describe the distribution of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels in non-arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) population in China and explore its influencing factors. Methods: This study was based on a nested case-control study in the CKB study measured plasma biomarkers. Lp(a) levels was measured using a polyclonal antibody-based turbidimetric assay certified by the reference laboratory and ≥75.0 nmol/L defined as high Lp(a). Multiple logistic regression model was used to examine the factors related to Lp(a) levels. Results: Among the 5 870 non-ASCVD population included in the analysis, Lp(a) levels showed a right-skewed distribution, with a M (Q1, Q3) of 17.5 (8.8, 43.5) nmol/L. The multiple logistic regression analysis found that female was associated with high Lp(a) (OR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.05-1.43). The risk of increased Lp(a) levels in subjects with abdominal obesity was significantly reduced (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.52-0.89). As TC, LDL-C, apolipoprotein A1(Apo A1), and apolipoprotein B(Apo B) levels increased, the risk of high Lp(a) increased, with OR (95%CI) for each elevated group was 2.40 (1.76-3.24), 2.68 (1.36-4.93), 1.29 (1.03-1.61), and 1.65 (1.27-2.13), respectively. The risk of high Lp(a) was reduced in the HDL-C lowering group with an OR (95%CI) of 0.76 (0.61-0.94). In contrast, an increase in TG levels and the ratio of Apo A1/Apo B(Apo A1/B) was negatively correlated with the risk of high Lp(a), with OR (95%CI) of 0.73 (0.60-0.89) for elevated triglyceride group, and OR (95%CI) of 0.60 (0.50-0.72) for the Apo A1/B ratio increase group (linear trend test P≤0.001 except for Apo A1). However, no correlation was found between Lp(a) levels and lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, and physical activity. Conclusions: Lp(a) levels were associated with sex and abdominal obesity, but less with lifestyle behaviors.

Adherence to guidelines and central-line-associated bloodstream infection occurrence during insertion and maintenance of intravascular catheters: evidence from 20 tertiary hospitals

OBJECTIVE

To investigate adherence to intravascular catheter (IVC) insertion and maintenance guidelines in Chinese tertiary hospitals.

METHODS

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of adult inpatients with IVC placements was conducted from July to September 2022 in 20 tertiary hospitals in China. One clinical staff member from each department in each hospital was assigned to participate in the survey. Questionnaires were uniformly collected and reviewed after three months.

RESULTS

This study included 1815 cases (62.69%) of central venous catheter, 471 cases (16.27%) of peripherally inserted central catheter, 461 cases (15.92%) of PORT, and 147 cases (5.08%) of haemodialysis catheter insertions. Statistically significant differences in compliance were observed across the four IVC types, specifically in relation to the insertion checklist, standard operating procedure, and insertion environment (P<0.05). Practice adherence during IVC maintenance differed significantly across the four IVC types in aspects such as availability of IVC maintenance verification forms, daily scrubbing of the catheterized patients, and catheter connection methods (P<0.05). A total of 386 (13.34%) patients developed fever, 1086 (37.53%) were treated with therapeutic antibiotics, 16 (0.55%) developed central-line-associated bloodstream infections, two (0.07%) developed local skin infections, and six (0.21%) developed deep vein thrombosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to guidelines regarding insertion and maintenance differed across the four IVC types; there is a gap between the recommended measures and the actual operation of the guidelines. Therefore, it is necessary to further enhance training and develop checklists to prevent central-line-associated bloodstream infections.

Intraoperative radiographic analysis and adjustment of the optimal position of plate in high tibial osteotomy

BACKGROUND

When high tibial osteotomy is performed for genu varus deformity, it is not easy to determine the accurate placement of the plate.

PURPOSE

To determine a simple way to assess the position of the plate, to provide more effective mechanical support and to reduce the risk of implant rupture and vascular injury.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two human anatomical marks, the patellar ligament and semimembranosus, were connected and divided into four parts to identify points Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ. These points determined the areas for Tomofix placement: anterior, anterolateral, and lateral. Simulated internal fixation placed hole B of Tomofix at points Ⅰ (anterior), Ⅱ (anterolateral), and Ⅲ (lateral). We analyzed the pointing direction of the locking screws in Tomofix holes on MRI to assess potential injury risk to the popliteal neurovascular bundle.

RESULTS

In the X-ray: holes B and C appeared as the plate in the anterior, only hole C appeared as the plate in the anterolateral, and none of the holes appeared as the plate in the lateral. In the general view of the sawbones, the screw pointed towards the popliteal neurovascular bundle when the plate was in the anterior.

CONCLUSION

If a small number of holes on the plate is visible under fluoroscopy, then several lateral positions of the plate can be obtained; the direction of the screw tunnel tends to deviate from the popliteal neurovascular bundle with the posterior position of the plate.

Effects of fermented cottonseed meal inclusions on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and hepatic lipid metabolism of geese during 28-70 d of age

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of solid-state fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) inclusion levels on the growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and hepatic lipid metabolism in geese from 28 to 70 d of age. A total of 288 twenty-eight-d-old male geese were randomly divided into 4 treatments with FCSM levels of 0, 5, 15 and 25% including 0, 22.74, 67.33, 111.27 mg FG/kg diet, respectively. Each treatment contained 6 replicates and 12 birds per replicate. Treatments of FCSM inclusions from 0 to 25% had no effect on growth rate and feed intake in geese during d 28 to 70. The F/G ratio was increased (P < 0.05) in geese fed the diet with 25% FCSM compared with birds fed the diet with 0% FCSM. Treatment with 25% FCSM levels had no effect on the contents of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, but increased (P < 0.05) AST and ALT activities in serum of geese at d 70. Treatment with 25% FCSM increased the contents of FG, HDL-C, TC, C18:2n6, C20:4n6 and PUFA and decreased (P < 0.05) the contents of NEFA, SFA, MUFA in liver compared with treatment of 0% FCSM inclusion. Additionally, treatment with 25% FCSM decreased (P < 0.05) the PPARα, AMPK, and LXR mRNA expression related to lipid deposition, and increased (P < 0.05) PPARγ and ACC mRNA expression related to lipolysis in liver compared with birds fed the diet with 0% FCSM. Overall, treatment with 0 to 15% FCSM (<=67.33 mg FG/kg diet) had no adverse effects on the growth performance and lipid metabolism of geese. However, treatment fed 25% FCSM (111.27 mg FG/kg diet) decreased feed efficiency and promoted hepatic lipid deposition associated with the alteration of related gene expression in geese at 28 to 70 d of age.

Glued-bamboo composite based on a highly cross-linked cellulose-based adhesive and an epoxy functionalized bamboo surface

Bamboo, as a renewable bioresource, exhibits advantages of fast growth cycle and high strength. Bamboo-based composite materials are a promising alternative to load-bearing structural materials. It is urgent to develop high-performance glued-bamboo composite materials. This study focused on the chemical bonding interface to achieve high bonding strength and water resistance between bamboo and dialdehyde cellulose-polyamine (DAC-PA4N) adhesive by activating the bamboo surface. The bamboo surface was initially modified in a directional manner to create an epoxy-bamboo interface using GPTES. The epoxy groups on the interface were then chemically crosslinked with the amino groups of the DAC-PA4N adhesive, forming covalent bonds within the adhesive layer. The results demonstrated that the hot water strength of the modified bamboo was improved by 75.8 % (from 5.17 to 9.09 MPa), and the boiling water strength was enhanced by 232 % (from 2.10 to 6.99 MPa). The bonding and flexural properties of this work are comparable to those of commercial phenolic resin. The activation modification of the bamboo surface offers a novel approach to the development of low-carbon, environmentally friendly, and sustainable bamboo engineering composites.