Effects of linalool on Botrytis cinerea growth and control of tomato gray mold

We examined the antifungal characteristics of linalool against Botrytis cinerea using plate inhibition assay and spore germination assay, and assessed the capacity of linalool in controlling tomato gray mold disease via tomato pot inoculation assay. The results showed that linalool exhibited strong inhibitive effects on mycelial growth of B. cinerea, with an EC₅₀ value of 0.581 mL·L^-1. In the spore germination test, linalool treatment inhibited spore germination in a dose-dependent manner. The electric conductivity and the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were significantly increased in linalool-treated B. cinerea than that of the control, indicating that linalool induced oxidative damage and destroyed the cell membrane integrity in B. cinerea. The activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) in the linalool-treated B. cinerea were decreased significantly by 27.4%, 68.9% and 26.0%, respectively, suggesting that linalool inhibited the antioxidant activity of B. cinerea. In the pot experiment, the diameter of lesions in linalool-treated tomatoes was significantly smaller than that of the control. The activities of SOD, POD, CAT, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalnine ammonialyase in the linalool-treated tomatoes increased, while the MDA content decreased, suggesting that linalool could alleviate the oxidative damage caused by B. cinerea and promote plant disease resistance. In summary, linalool had inhibitory effect on the growth of B. cinerea and could control gray mold disease in tomatoes. These findings could lay the foundation for developing bota-nical antifungal agents for management of tomato gray mold disease.

[Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in the setting of vemurafenib therapy for metastatic melanoma: a case report]

A 53-year-old female patient complained of 1 week of bilateral visual blurring. She was previously diagnosed with metastatic melanoma of the inguinal lymph nodes and treated with the oral targeted drug vemurafenib. She exhibited aqueous flare in the left eye, and her fundus examination revealed optic disc swelling in the left eye and bilateral serious detachment of the retinal neuroepithelial layer. Fluorescein angiography showed multiple pinpoint hyperfluorescence leakage spots in the prometaphase and appeared as multilobular dye pooling in the late phase. We diagnosed her as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome and gave glucocorticoid treatment for eyes. Oral vemurafenib was also taken intermittently under the guidance of an oncologist. After treatment, her bilateral vision improved, the anterior segment inflammation disappeared, and the retinal neuroepithelial layer reattached, with presence of the "sunset glow" fundus.

[Effectiveness investigation on left bundle branch area pacing in 10 infants and toddlers]

Objective: To explore the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) in children aged ≤3 years. Methods: A total of 10 children aged ≤3 years who were diagnosed with brady arrhythmia in the First Hospital of Tsinghua University from September 2020 to September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All the children met the indication of permanent pacemaker implantation and underwent LBBAP successfully. The intraoperative data (pacing parameters, electrocardiogram and radiographic imaging), cardiac ultrasound data and clinical data during regular postoperative follow-up were recorded. The preoperative and postoperative data were compared using matched samples t test. Results: Ten children (aged (1.6±0.7) years with weight of (10.3±2.5) kg) underwent LBBAP successfully. The QRS wave duration on the postoperative electrocardiogram was (100±9) ms, and the percentage of ventricular pacing was (97±7)%. The postoperative follow-up period was 6 (6, 12) months. At 1 week after operation, the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter Z scores in these children reduced significantly compared with those before operation (1.3±0.6 vs. 3.6±1.1, t=9.37, P<0.001). During the follow-up period, cardiac function was normal and the last left ventricular ejection fraction was (66±4)% in all children. At the last follow-up, the pacing threshold of the 10 children was smaller than 1.0 V and was acceptable. Compared with the intraoperative baseline values, the pacing threshold was slightly higher ((0.8±0.1) vs. (0.5±0.1) V, t=-5.27, P=0.001). However, no significant difference was found regarding sensing threshold ((16±5) vs. (14±4) mV, t=-0.83, P=0.426) and impedance ((584±88) vs. (652±86) Ω, t=2.26, P=0.050). During follow-up, no electrode related complications were recorded. Conclusions: LBBAP is safe and effective for infants and toddlers. Narrow QRS pacing with stable pacing parameters and normal cardiac function could be achieved postoperatively.

Usefulness of transperineal shear wave elastography of levator ani muscle in women with stress urinary incontinence

This study aimed to quantitatively assess the quality of levator ani muscle (LAM) using shear wave elastography (SWE) and to evaluate the association between the elasticity of LAM and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The study population included 32 women with SUI and 34 women with normal pelvic support. The thickness of LAM, bladder neck descent (BND), and urethral funneling (UF) were assessed by transperineal ultrasound. LAM elasticity was measured by SWE at rest and during the maximal Valsalva maneuver. Age, menopause, BND, and UF showed a positive correlation with SUI. There was no significant between-group difference in the elastic modulus values of LAM at rest. The thickness of LAM in women with SUI was greater than that in control group at rest and during the maximal Valsalva maneuver (P < 0.001). The elastic modulus values of E_max and E_mean were significantly increased from rest to the maximal Valsalva maneuver in all participants (56.24 vs 82.43 kPa and 47.92 vs 72.37 kPa, P < 0.001). The change of these variables from rest to the maximal Valsalva maneuver in the control group was more obvious than that in the SUI group (34.09 vs 17.87 kPa and 31.55 vs 16.82 kPa, P < 0.05). The elasticity of LAM, as quantified by SWE, may potentially be used as an index for predicting SUI.

Yang cycle enzyme DEP1: its moonlighting functions in PSI and ROS production during leaf senescence

Ethylene-mediated leaf senescence and the compromise of photosynthesis are closely associated but the underlying molecular mechanism is a mystery. Here we reported that apple DEHYDRATASE-ENOLASE-PHOSPHATASE-COMPLEX1 (MdDEP1), initially characterized to its enzymatic function in the recycling of the ethylene precursor SAM, plays a role in the regulation of photosystem I (PSI) activity, activating reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, and negatively regulating the leaf senescence. A series of Y2H, Pull-down, CO-IP and Cell-free degradation biochemical assays showed that MdDEP1 directly interacts with and dephosphorylates the nucleus-encoded thylakoid protein MdY3IP1, leading to the destabilization of MdY3IP1, reduction of the PSI activity, and the overproduction of ROS in plant cells. These findings elucidate a novel mechanism that the two pathways intersect at MdDEP1 due to its moonlighting role in destabilizing MdY3IP1, and synchronize ethylene-mediated leaf senescence and the compromise of photosynthesis.

[Clinicopathological features of hepatic fibrinogen storage disease in children]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of hepatic fibrinogen storage disease (FSD) in children. Methods: The clinical, histopathologic, immunophenotypic, ultrastructural and gene sequencing data of 4 FSD cases were collected from September 2019 to January 2021 in the Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Retrospective analysis and literature review were conducted. Results: There were 4 cases of FSD, 3 males and 1 female, aged 3 years and 3 months to 6 years (median age, 3 years and 4 months). The clinical manifestations were abnormal liver function and abnormal blood coagulation function, for which 2 cases had family genetic history. Liver biopsies revealed that, besides liver steatosis, fibrosis and inflammation, there were single or multiple eosinophilic inclusion bodies of various sizes and surrounding transparent pale halo in hepatocytes. Immunohistochemistry showed that the inclusion bodies were positive for anti-fibrinogen. Under the electron microscope, they corresponded to the dilated cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, which were occupied by compactly packed tubular structures and arranged into a fingerprint-like pattern with curved bundles. Gene sequencing revealed that the 2 cases of FGG mutation were located in exon 8 c.1106A>G (p.His369Arg) and c.905T>C (p.Leu302Pro), and 1 case was located in exon 9 c.1201C>T (p.Arg401Trp). No pathogenic variant was detected in the other case. Conclusions: FSD is a rare genetic metabolic disease and clinically manifests as abnormal liver function with hypofibrinogenemia. In the background of liver steatosis, fibrosis and inflammation, there are eosinophilic inclusions with pale halo in the hepatocytic cytoplasm, which can be identified by anti-fibrinogen immunohistochemical staining. The fingerprint-like structures under electron microscope are helpful for the diagnosis, while FGG sequencing detects the pathogenic mutation of exon 8 or 9 that can clearly explain the phenotype. However, the diagnosis of FSD cannot be completely ruled out if the relevant mutations are not detected.

[The 493th case: recurrent edema of bilateral lower extremeties]

A 43-year-old male patient with onset of edema caused by nephrotic proteinuria and low titer of anti-M type phospholipase-A₂-receptor (PLA₂R) antibody was diagnosed as idiopathic membranous nephropathy by renal biopsy. Administrated with prednisone 40 mg once a day and cyclosporine 100 mg twice a day as front-line regimen, the patient relapsed after transient partial remission. When treatment was combined with cyclophosphamide 100 mg once a day, the 24-hour total urine protein and titer of anti-PLA₂R antibody were even elevated. Therefore, the patient received rituximab 1 g intravenously in April 2019, October 2019 and October 2020 respectively. CD19 positive B lymphocytes in peripheral blood were eliminated from 71/μl to zero. Immunosuppressants and corticosteroids were withdrawn successively. On the last follow-up in November 2020, the anti-PLA₂R antibody was negative, and the 24-hour total urine protein and serum albumin was 4.4 g and 34 g/L, respectively. This case suggested the potential efficacy of rituximab for refractory membranous nephropathy. Further studies should explore whether the titer of anti-PLA₂R antibody indicates the dose of rituximab.

Temperature and Diet Acclimation Modify the Acute Thermal Performance of the Largest Extant Amphibian

The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus), one of the largest extant amphibian species, has dramatically declined in the wild. As an ectotherm, it may be further threatened by climate change. Therefore, understanding the thermal physiology of this species should be the priority to formulate related conservation strategies. In this study, the plasticity in metabolic rate and thermal tolerance limits of A. davidianus larvae were studied. Specifically, the larvae were acclimated to three temperature levels (7 °C, cold stress; 15 °C, optimum; and 25 °C, heat stress) and two diet items (red worm or fish fray) for 20 days. Our results indicated that cold-acclimated larvae showed increased metabolic capacity, while warm-acclimated larvae showed a decrease in metabolic capacity. These results suggested the existence of thermal compensation. Moreover, the thermal tolerance windows of cold-acclimated and warm-acclimated larvae shifted to cooler and hotter ranges, respectively. Metabolic capacity is not affected by diet but fish-fed larvae showed superiority in both cold and heat tolerance, potentially due to the input of greater nutrient loads. Overall, our results suggested a plastic thermal tolerance of A. davidianus in response to temperature and diet variations. These results are meaningful in guiding the conservation of this species.

[Preventing and treating anterior commissure adhesion with mucosal flap: a study in canines and clinical cases]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of mucosal flap combined with silicone keel for preventing and treating anterior commissure adhesion in canines and clinical cases. Methods: A prospective experiment was performed from November 2019 to June 2021. Twenty five canines were randomly divided into 5 groups(A, B, C, D, E). Group A, B, C, D received anterior commissure injury by CO2 laser, then separately treated with free mucosal flap-keel complex,intralaryngeal mucosal flap-keel complex, silicone keels and without treatment, group E didn't injure the vocal cord after intubation. The keel was removed after 2 weeks, the larynx was harvested after 4 weeks. The effectiveness of anterior commissure adhesion prevention was evaluated by manifestation under laryngoscope, standard vocal cord length and standard glottic area. A retrospective analysis was performed on sixteen patients with anterior commissure lesion, who underwent mucosal flap-keel technique in Huashan Hospital of Fudan University from January 2019 to January 2021 (10 cases with free mucosal flap-keel complex and 6 cases with intralaryngeal mucosal flap-keel complex). All the patients underwent evaluation of laryngeal function included manifestation under laryngoscope each month and voice analysis before and 3 month after surgery. SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: No surgery accident or complication happened in canines and patients. The standard vocal cord length and standard glottic area after 4 weeks in group B were significantly higher than those in group A, C, D (Hstandard vocal cord length=31.688, Hstandard glottic area=16.444, P<0.05). The standard vocal cord length and standard glottic area after 4 weeks in group A were also significantly higher than those in group C, D(Hstandard vocal cord length=20.936, Hstandard glottic area=11.786, P<0.05). The standard vocal cord length and standard glottic area after 4 weeks in group A, B, E were not significantly different to that before surgery(tA left standard vocal cord length=2.636, tA right standard vocal cord length=2.582, tB left standard vocal cord length=2.707, tB right standard vocal cord length=2.673, tE left standard vocal cord length=0.370, tE right standard vocal cord length=0.821, tA standard glottic area=2.731, tB standard glottic area=2.753, tE standard glottic area=-0.529, P>0.05). The standard vocal cord length and standard glottic area after 4 weeks in group C, D were significantly lower than those before surgery(tC left standard vocal cord length=16.137, tC right standard vocal cord length=13.984, tD left standard vocal cord length=11.903, tD right standard vocal cord length=14.587, tC standard glottic area=10.280, tD standard glottic area=22.974, P<0.05). During 6-18 months of follow-up in clinical patients, no one developed a glottic web. Three months after surgery, Jitter, Shimmer, noise to harmonic ratio(NHR), the maximum phonation time(MPT)in all patients were significantly different from preoperative(tintralaryngeal mucosal flap jitter=24.885, tintralaryngeal mucosal flap shimmer=22.643, tintralaryngeal mucosal flap NHR=6.202, tintralaryngeal mucosal flap MPT=-9.661, tfree mucosal flap jitter=25.459, tfree mucosal flap shimmer=18.683, tfree mucosal flap NHR=5.705, tfree mucosal flap MPT=-20.840, P<0.05). Conclusion: Mucosal flap combined with silicone keel is an effective technique for preventing and treating anterior commissure adhesion. The effect of pedicled intralaryngea lmucosal flap is better.

Polarization conversion in the caviton driven by linearly polarized lasers

In one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations of a plasma irradiated by linearly polarized lasers from both sides of boundaries, it is found that there is an appreciable growth of the electromagnetic field in cavitons in the transverse direction perpendicular to the direction of polarization, which indicates the polarization conversion of the electromagnetic field in cavitons. This paper demonstrates the mechanism of this phenomenon based on parametric resonance induced by ponderomotive force with twice the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation in the caviton. We develop a theoretical model and verify it with simulation results. This phenomenon contributes to the heating and acceleration of particles and traps more EM energy in cavitons.

[Baveno VII - Renewing consensus in portal hypertension: personalized care for portal hypertension]

The Baveno VII workshop held in October 2021 was featured by the subject of personalized care in portal hypertension. The workshop focused on the following 9 topics including: the relevance and indications for measuring the hepatic venous pressure gradient as a gold standard; the use of non-invasive tools for the diagnosis of compensated advanced chronic liver disease and clinically significant portal hypertension; the impact of etiological and of non-etiological therapies in the course of cirrhosis; the prevention of the first episode of decompensation; the management of the acute bleeding episode; the prevention of further decompensation; as well as the diagnosis and management of splanchnic vein thrombosis and other vascular disorders of the liver. This essay provides a compilation and summary of recommendations regarding the abovementioned topics, and presents the most recent research proceedings and the corresponding consensus to our readers.

[Precise resection and defect repair of external nose malignant tumor]

Objective: To explore the methods for the accurate resection of malignant tumors of the external nose, and the accurate evaluation and repair of tissue defects. Methods: We collected 48 cases with nasal malignant tumors treated in 980 Hospital, Joint Support Force of the People's Liberation Army from January 2010 to June 2020, including 28 males and 20 females, aged 36-86 years. The pathological types of tumors included basal cell carcinomas (n=29), squamous cell carcinomas (n=11), trichilemmal carcinomas(n=6), denoid cystic carcinoma (n=1) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n=1). Tumor resection was mainly based on the traditional extended resection determined by the safety margin, and Mohs surgery was used to minimize the scope of resection, for the margin that significantly affected the repairing results, such as the lesion adjacent to the nasal alar margin, nasal columella or deep easy-penetrating margin. All cases obtained tumor resection and primary/secondary defect reconstruction. Results: According to the pathological type and tumor size, the safe resection margin was mainly 4-10 mm, and Mohs surgery was used in 24 cases. Limited-size defects in 38 cases were repaired with double-leaf flaps, kite flaps, nasal dorsum brow flaps, nasolabial flaps or free tissues. Among 10 cases with compound defects, 8 cases were repaired with frontal flaps, including 4 cases with single frontal flaps, 2 cases with additional titanium mesh stent reconstruction and 2 cases with over and out frontal flaps. During follow-up of 1 to 10 years, all the flaps survived without flap necrosis, and the postoperative nasal contour and ventilation were satisfactory. One patient had tumor recurrence 18 months after operation, 2 patients died of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and other patients survived without tumors. Conclusions: Mohs surgery can basically meet the requirements for precise resection of external nasal malignant tumors. Individualized application of adjacent tissue flaps and various frontal flaps is a reasonable choice to achieve the satisfactory outcome of external nasal repair and to take into account the complexity of operation.

TRIP6 promotes inflammatory damage via the activation of TRAF6 signaling in a murine model of DSS-induced colitis

Background

TRIP6 is a zyxin family member that serves as an adaptor protein to regulate diverse biological processes. In prior reports, TRIP6 was shown to play a role in regulating inflammation. However, its in vivo roles and mechanistic importance in colitis remain largely elusive. Herein, we therefore employed TRIP6-deficient (TRIP6^−/−) mice in order to explore the mechanistic importance of TRIP6 in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced model of murine colitis.

Findings

Wild-type (TRIP6^+/+) mice developed more severe colitis following DSS-mediated disease induction relative to TRIP6^−/− mice, as evidenced by more severe colonic inflammation and associated crypt damage. TRIP6 expression in wild-type mice was significantly elevated following DSS treatment. Mechanistically, TRIP6 binds to TRAF6 and enhances oligomerization and autoubiquitination of TRAF6. This leads to the activation of NF-κB signaling and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-6, in the in vivo mouse model of colitis.

Conclusions

These in vivo data demonstrate that TRIP6 serves as a positive regulator of DSS-induced colitis through interactions with TRAF6 resulting in the activation of inflammatory TRAF6 signaling, highlighting its therapeutic promise as a protein that theoretically can be targeted to prevent or treat colitis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12950-021-00298-0.

[Diagnosis and treatment status of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms: a multi-center study in Hubei Province]

Objective: To investigate the incidence and treatment of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms in Hubei Province. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 7 474 patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms in 62 hospitals in 15 cities (state) of Hubei Province in 2019 were collected in the form of network database. There were 4 749 males and 2 725 females. The median age of the patients was 62 years (range: 17 to 96 years). The hemoglobin value of the first time in hospital and the first day after operation was used as the criterion of preoperative anemia and postoperative anemia. Anemia was defined as male hemoglobin <120 g/L and female hemoglobin <110.0 g/L, mild anemia as 90 to normal, moderate anemia as 60 to <90 g/L, severe anemia as <60 g/L. The t test and χ² test were used for inter-group comparison. Results: The overall incidence of preoperative anemia was 38.60%(2 885/7 474), and the incidences of mild anemia, moderate anemia and severe anemia were 25.09%(1 875/7 474), 11.37%(850/7 474) and 2.14%(160/7 474), respectively. The overall incidence of postoperative anemia was 61.40%(4 589/7 474). The incidence of mild anemia, moderate anemia and severe anemia were 48.73%(3 642/7 474), 12.20%(912/7 474) and 0.47%(35/7 474), respectively. The proportion of preoperative anemia patients receiving treatment was 26.86% (775/2 885), and the proportion of postoperative anemia patients receiving treatment was 14.93% (685/4 589). The proportions of preoperative anemia patients in grade ⅢA, grade ⅢB, and grade ⅡA hospitals receiving treatment were 26.12% (649/2 485), 32.32% (85/263), and 29.93% (41/137), and the proportions of postoperative anemia patients receiving treatment were 14.61% (592/4 052), 22.05% (73/331), and 9.71% (20/206). The proportion of intraoperative blood transfusion (16.74% (483/2 885) vs. 3.05% (140/4 589), χ²=434.555, P<0.01) and the incidence of postoperative complications (17.78% (513/2 885) vs. 14.08% (646/4 589), χ²=18.553, P<0.01) in the preoperative anemia group were higher than those in the non-anemia group, and the postoperative hospital stay in the preoperative anemia group was longer than that in the non-anemia group ((14.1±7.3) days vs. (13.3±6.2) days, t=5.202, P<0.01). Conclusions: The incidence of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms is high. Preoperative anemia can increase the demand for intraoperative blood transfusion and affect the short-term prognosis of patients. At present, the concept of standardized treatment of perioperative anemia among gastrointestinal surgeons in Hubei Province needs to be improved.

Glucose sensor MdHXK1 activates an immune response to the fungal pathogen Botryosphaeria dothidea in apple

Sugars are essential regulatory molecules involved in plant growth and development and defense response. Although the relationship between sugars and disease resistance has been widely discussed, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unexplored. Ring rot caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea (B. dothidea), which severely affects fruit quality and yield, is a destructive disease of apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). The present study found that the degree of disease resistance in apple fruit was closely related to glucose content. Therefore, the gene encoding a hexokinase, MdHXK1, was isolated from the apple cultivar 'Gala', and characterized during the defense response. Overexpression of MdHXK1 enhanced disease resistance in apple calli, leaves and fruits by increasing the expression levels of genes related to salicylate (SA) synthesis (PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4, PAD4; PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA-LYASE, PAL; and ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1, EDS1) and signaling (PR1; PR5; and NONEXPRESSER OF PR GENES 1, NPR1) as well as increasing the superoxide (O^2- ) production rate and the hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) content. Overall, the study provides new insights into the MdHXK1-mediated molecular mechanisms by which glucose signaling regulates apple ring rot resistance.