[Pisussion on noise exposure level measurement and risk assessment of typical posts in coal-fired power plants]

Objective: To study the group noise exposure level of typical coal-fired power plants and explore the establishment of risk assessment methods for noise exposed posts. Methods: In April 2020, 295 typical workers in 11 coal-fired power plants were selected as the study subjects. The noise exposure dose of typical posts and the proportion of exposure groups under different exposure doses were analyzed, and the risk assessment based on the dose-response relationship was conducted. Results: The exposure level of typical noise posts in coal-fired power plants was (84.24±4.10) dB (A) , and the over-standard rate was 44.07% (130/295) . The highest noise over-standard rate in main posts were desulfurization inspectors (51.52%) , followed by steam turbine inspectors (47.92%) and belt inspectors (46.32%) . Taking 30 years as an example, the incidence rate of occupational noise deafness of noise-exposed posts in coal-fired power plants was 12.30%. The position with the highest incidence rate was belt inspector (13.21%) , followed by steam turbine inspector (12.97%) , desulfurization inspectors (12.42%) , boiler inspectors (11.59%) and chemical water inspectors (6.89%) . Conclusion: The risk of noise exposure in coal-fired power plants is relatively high. Comprehensive control measures are recommended to effectively reduce the risk of noise deafness.

Clinical phenotypes of cardiac sarcoidosis by latent class analysis

Background

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease with cardiac involvement reported in 20–27% of patients [1]. Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) can lead to atrial or ventricular arrhythmias, various conduction system disorders, heart failure or sudden cardiac death, depending on the location of myocardial involvement [2]. Previous studies have investigated the possible types of CS based on the distribution of myocardial involvement on imaging as well as the role of genetic factors [3,4]. However, there are no studies describing the clinical heterogeneity of CS patients.

Purpose

In order to determine if clinical clusters exist in CS, we carried out a latent class analysis (LCA) to explore potential phenotypes in a large sample of CS patients from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS).

Methods

We identified 848 patients with a diagnosis of CS from the NIS in 2016–2018. A LCA was performed based on comorbidities. Utilizing the Bayesian information criterion and Akaike's information criterion we divided our study population into 3 cohorts. We subsequently applied the LCA model for our study population to fit each patient into one of the 3 cohorts. Finally, we compared the clinical outcomes among the 3 groups.

Results

Following LCA, patients in cohort 3 were strongly associated with a cardiometabolic syndrome profile with the highest prevalence of congestive heart failure (CHF, 95.1%), chronic kidney disease (CKD, 69.7%), diabetes mellitus (68.9%), hyperlipidemia (52.5%) and obesity (45.1%). Patients in cohort 2 had an intermediate prevalence of cardiometabolic syndrome with a universal diagnosis of hypertension (100%) but with the lowest number of CHF (32.5%) patients and none with CKD. Finally, patients in cohort 1 had the least comorbidities in comparison to the other groups but there was a higher prevalence of CHF (71.7%). There was no significant difference in mortality among the 3 groups, but acute respiratory failure was the highest in cohort 3. However, ventricular arrhythmias were more prevalent in cohort 1 patients (Table).

Conclusion

We identified 3 different types of CS based on their clinical phenotype. The clinical outcomes varied among the cohorts with ventricular arrhythmias being the most prevalent in patients with the least cardiometabolic comorbidities.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

The impact of maternal hypothyroidism on the prevalence of preeclampsia in a contemporary nationwide cohort

Introduction

Hypothyroidism is common with a prevalence of 3.7% in the general population and 3.1% in women of childbearing age (12–49) in the United State of America (USA) according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Studies have found an increased prevalence of hypertension in patients with hypothyroidism. However, there is a dearth of literature exploring the association between hypothyroidism and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, especially preeclampsia. Our study aims to fill that void.

Purpose

To examine the association between hypothyroidism and preeclampsia.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the latest available data from the USA National Inpatient Sample (2016). Using the ICD-10 codes, we identified patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of delivery and classified them into two cohorts based on the presence or absence of hypothyroidism. We compared the prevalence of preeclampsia and eclampsia among the patient with and without hypothyroidism. We used propensity score matching for age, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, anemia, hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, and smoking and repeated the analysis.

Results

We identified 752,054 patients who were admitted for delivery from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016. Of these, 726,769 did not have hypothyroidism and 25,285 had hypothyroidism. In the unmatched cohort, 1,572 patients had preeclampsia (6.2%, p<0.001) in the hypothyroidism group and 32,539 (4.5%, p<0.001) patients had preeclampsia in the non-hypothyroidism group. In the unmatched cohort, there was a significantly higher proportion of obesity (13.8% vs 8.2%, p<0.001) and diabetes (3.3% vs 0.9%, p<0.001) in the hypothyroidism group compared to the non hypothyroidism group. There were 25,282 patients in each group after propensity score matching. In the matched cohort, the prevalence of preeclampsia was still high in the hypothyroidism group compared to the non hypothyroidism group (6.2% vs 4.9, p<0.001). The LOS was longer in the hypothyroidism group compared to the non hypothyroidism group (2.99±2.90 vs 2.75±2.42, p<0.001). There was no statistical difference in the prevalence of eclampsia between the two groups (26 patients vs 30 patients, p=0.688). The difference in outcomes of death, cardiac arrest, acute kidney injury, acute respiratory failure and stroke were not statistically significant between these two groups.

Conclusion

Our study shows that hypothyroidism is associated with an increased prevalence of preeclampsia. The association existed even after propensity score matching for other common risk factors for preeclampsia. Given the retrospective nature of the study, we could not establish causation. Further prospective studies are required to find out if hypothyroidism leads to increased incidence of preeclampsia and if patients from hypothyroidism would benefit from prophylaxis for preeclampsia.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Study design

Shortening pre-hospital time delay in patients with acute myocardial infarction using a modelling-based narrative intervention with a virtual heart attack experience: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Prolonged delay in seeking treatment by patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains a significant therapeutic gap. Previous mass-media campaigns or brief educational interventions were largely ineffective in shortening pre-hospital patient delay. The brevity and didactic nature of these interventions are inadequate to address complex decision-making encountered by patients with AMI.

Purpose

This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of a theory-driven modelling-based narrative intervention on AMI knowledge, care-seeking intention as indicated by attitudes and beliefs regarding care-seeking for AMI, prehospital delay time and use of ambulance among AMI survivors.

Methods

A total of 285 of patients with history of at least one AMI were randomized 1:1 to modelling-based narrative intervention (n=144) and control with didactic education (n=141). The modelling-based narrative intervention comprised 4 weekly group-based interactive sessions to engage participants in mental rehearsals of the perceptual-cognitive processes in recognizing and responding to AMI symptoms through a virtual heart attack experience, then followed by a booster session one month later The control group received a 4-weekly education on factual information about AMI with traditional didactic education approach. Study endpoints included AMI knowledge, attitudes and belief about care-seeking for AMI to be measured at baseline, (T0), 3 months (T1), 12 months (T2) and 24 months (T3) after the intervention. Prehospital delay time and use of ambulance for an AMI attack were tracked since patients' enrolment until T3 endpoint of the study.

Results

Generalized estimating equation analysis indicated that the participants in the intervention group had significantly greater improvement in attitudes and beliefs about care seeking for AMI symptoms at all endpoints than those in the control group (Table 1). There were no between-group differences in the change of AMI knowledge score over the baseline and 3- or 12-month endpoints, such difference became significant at 24-month endpoint. A total of 78 participants, including 38 (26.4%) in the intervention group and 40 (28.4%) in the control groups, had experienced AMI symptoms and admitted to an emergency department during the follow-up period. The participants in the intervention group showed significant reduction in prehospital delay time than the control group (p=0.031). There was no between-group difference on use of ambulance (p=0.422) for those participants who had symptom attack during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated favorable effects in shortening prehospital time delay and promoting positive attitudes and beliefs regarding care-seeking for AMI symptoms among AMI survivors. A virtual heart attack experience helped support them through a cognitive-perceptual processes in recognizing and interpreting AMI symptoms.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Early Career Scheme, Research Grants Council, Hong Kong

[The application of artificial intelligence on the classification of benign and malignant breast tumors based on dynamic enhanced MR images]

This retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical obtained DCE-MR images of 198 patients, age from 21 to 79 years(45.5±13.7). The CBAM-ResNet model was developed to perform the classification automatically at the image-level based on deep learning method using the pathological examination as the reference standard,then the classification result of each individual patient was obtained by ensemble learning. The proposed method can have an accuracy of 82.69% for correctly distinguishing between benign and malignant breast tumors at the slice-level based on CBAM-ResNet model and with a sensitivity of 85.67%.. After the voting mechanism is applied, the classification accuracy can reach up to 88.24% at the patient-level with a sensitivity of 87.50%. Our experimental results demonstrated the proposed approach have a high classification accuracy.

Branching Fraction Measurements of the Rare B_{s}^{0}→ϕμ^{+}μ^{-} and B_{s}^{0}→f_{2}^{'}(1525)μ^{+}μ^{-} Decays

The branching fraction of the rare B_{s}^{0}→ϕμ^{+}μ^{-} decay is measured using data collected by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1, 2, and 6  fb^{-1}, respectively. The branching fraction is reported in intervals of q^{2}, the square of the dimuon invariant mass. In the q^{2} region between 1.1 and 6.0  GeV^{2}/c^{4}, the measurement is found to lie 3.6 standard deviations below a standard model prediction based on a combination of light cone sum rule and lattice QCD calculations. In addition, the first observation of the rare B_{s}^{0}→f_{2}^{'}(1525)μ^{+}μ^{-} decay is reported with a statistical significance of 9 standard deviations and its branching fraction is determined.

Variations in bacterial taxonomic profiles and potential functions in response to the gut transit of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) feeding on cow manure

Earthworms play an important role in the organic matter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. Earthworms interact directly with the microorganisms to affect the organic matter decomposition via gut transit, i.e., the digestion and assimilation of organic matter in the foregut and midgut and its excretion by the hindgut. However, how the microbial community ingested by earthworms respond to the transit processes in different gut segments of earthworms is not clear. We used composted cow manure to feed earthworms and sampled vermicompost and the contents of foregut, midgut and hindgut for bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. We observed that earthworm gut transit decreased the abundances of the dominant phyla Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes but increased Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi and Acidobacteria. The alpha diversity of bacterial community in midgut was the lowest of the different gut segments, and the bacterial community structure of the foregut was significantly different from the midgut and hindgut. The enrichment analysis results revealed different selective stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the ingested bacterial community in the different gut segments, which extended to vermicompost. The FAPROTAX data indicated that C and N metabolic microbes were enriched in the earthworm gut. Microbes involved in fermentation and methanogenesis were enriched in the hindgut, and denitrification microbes were enriched in the foregut. The N metabolism microbes in vermicompost were significantly enriched after the stimulation of earthworm gut transit (P < 0.05), and the pathogenic microbes of animals and plants were inhibited. Combined with the results of subsequent correlation and biochemical analyses, earthworm gut transit significantly altered the structure and function of the bacterial community to accelerate the degradation and mineralization of organic matter and the enrichment of phosphorus and potassium. Our study suggests that the gut transit process of earthworms plays an important role in regulating organic matter dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems.

Assessing the ecological risk of pesticides should not ignore the impact of their transformation byproducts - The case of chlorantraniliprole

Risk assessments for pesticides typically focus on the compound itself ignoring the impact of its transformation byproducts. Challenges in isolating such byproducts (i.e. after application of pesticide in soil) often lead to underestimation of the real risk from such substances. The toxicological properties of these byproducts may differ from those of the parent pesticides; hence, special attention is required for these new emerging contaminants. In this study, two transformation byproducts of chlorantraniliprole were isolated from soil and identified, using nuclear magnetic resonance and high resolution mass spectrometry, as products of dechlorination (Z1) and bromination (Z2). Kinetic experiments revealed both byproducts degrade faster than chlorantraniliprole in soil (half-lives 38 & 43 d vs. 58 d). The ecological risk evaluation of chlorantraniliprole and its byproducts on soil bacterial community showed that they were all potentially harmful but they imposed different impacts on both alpha and beta diversities and co-occurrence networks of the bacterial community. Z2 had the biggest potential impact on soil bacteria and accounted as a high potential risk. By comparing their impacts on soil bacterial community, we confirm that ecological risk assessment necessitates the understanding of the environmental impacts of a substance as well as of its transformation byproducts.

Regulating Fibrocartilage Stem Cells via TNF-α/Nf-κB in TMJ Osteoarthritis

In this study, we investigate harnessing fibrocartilage stem cell (FCSC) capacities by regulating tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) signaling for cartilage repair in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA). Stem cell specifics for FCSCs were characterized in the presence of TNF-α. Etanercept as a TNF-α inhibitor and BAY 11-7082 as an Nf-κB inhibitor were used to study TNF-α regulation of FCSCs. Lineage tracing was performed in Gli1-CreERT⁺;Tm^fl/fl mice when etanercept (1 mg/kg, every 3 d) or isometric vehicle was subcutaneously injected to trace specific changes in FCSCs. Surgically induced TMJOA Sprague-Dawley rats were generated with BAY 11-7082 (5 mg/kg, every 3 d) or vehicle subcutaneous injection to investigate the functional role of TNF-α/Nf-κB in TMJOA. Anterior disc displacement (ADD) rabbits were used to analyze the therapeutic effect of etanercept as a TMJOA intra-articular treatment with etanercept (0.02 mg in 100 μL, every 2 wk) or isometric vehicle. In vitro, TNF-α inhibited proliferation of FCSCs and increased FCSC apoptosis. TNF-α activation interfered with osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of FCSCs, while etanercept could partially recover FCSC specificity from TNF-α. FCSC lineage tracing in Gli1-CreERT⁺;Tm^fl/fl mice showed that the chondrogenic capacity of Gli1⁺ cell lineage was markedly suppressed in osteoarthritis cartilage, the phenotype of which could be significantly rescued by etanercept. Specifically blocking the Nf-κB pathway could significantly weaken the regulatory effect of TNF-α on FCSC specificity in vitro and in TMJOA rats in vivo. Finally, intra-articular etanercept treatment efficiently rescued TMJ cartilage degeneration and growth retardation in ADD rabbits. Inhibition of TNF-α signaling reduced Nf-κB transcripts and recovered FCSC specificities. In vivo, etanercept treatment effectively rescued the osteoarthritis phenotype in TMJOA mice and ADD rabbits. These data suggest a novel therapeutic mechanism whereby TNF-α/Nf-κB inhibition promotes FCSC chondrogenic capacity for cartilage transformation in TMJOA.

Observation of the Mass Difference between Neutral Charm-Meson Eigenstates

A measurement of mixing and CP violation in neutral charm mesons is performed using data reconstructed in proton-proton collisions collected by the LHCb experiment from 2016 to 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb^{-1}. A total of 30.6 million D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} decays are analyzed using a method optimized for the measurement of the mass difference between neutral charm-meson eigenstates. Allowing for CP violation in mixing and in the interference between mixing and decay, the mass and decay-width differences are measured to be x_{CP}=[3.97±0.46(stat)±0.29(syst)]×10^{-3} and y_{CP}=[4.59±1.20(stat)±0.85(syst)]×10^{-3}, respectively. The CP-violating parameters are measured as Δx=[-0.27±0.18(stat)±0.01(syst)]×10^{-3} and Δy=[0.20±0.36(stat)±0.13(syst)]×10^{-3}. This is the first observation of a nonzero mass difference in the D^{0} meson system, with a significance exceeding seven standard deviations. The data are consistent with CP symmetry and improve existing constraints on the associated parameters.

[Epidemiological characteristics of adenovirus infection in hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infection in Kunming during 2019]

Objective: To investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of adenovirus (ADV)-caused acute respiratory tract infection among hospitalized children in Kunming, China. Methods: Clinical and laboratory data were collected from 467 children with adenovirus infection who were hospitalized from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 in 6 grade A class Ⅲ hospitals in Kunming area. The basic characteristics, epidemiology, mixed infection and adenovirus genotypes of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. The patients diagnosed with adenovirus pneumonia (AP) were divided into two groups, severe AP (SAP) group and general AP(GAP) group according to the severity of illness. Mann-Whitney U test or χ² test was used for comparison between groups, while multivariate regression was applied to analyze the risk factors of SAP. Results: Among 15 635 hospitalized children with respiratory tract infection, 467 cases were adenovirus positive, with a detection rate of 2.99%. Of the 467 patients with adenovirus infection, 284 were male and 183 female, the age was 2.4 (1.1,3.9) years, including 44 cases (9.4%) < 0.5 years, 59 cases (12.6%) of 0.5 to<1.0 years, 176 cases (37.7%) of 1.0 to <3.0 years, 150 cases (32.1%) of 3.0 to <7.0 years, and 38 cases (8.1%) of 7.0 to 14.0 years. Adenovirus infection was common in autumn and winter, and the high incidence months were October to December, which accounted for 51.6% (241/467) of the whole year cases. Co-infection was detected in 226 cases (48.4%) out of 467 patients, in which one pathogen co-infection was the most frequent form (172 cases, 76.1%). Of the 262 pathogen detected 108 (41.2%) were Mycoplasma pneumoniae. In 144 of ADV-positve cases (30.8%) were taken geno-typing was done by PCR amplification, the results showed that 74 cases (51.4%) were ADV 3, 7 subtypes and 65 cases (45.1%) of ADV 1, 2,6 subtypes. Of the 467 cases of ADV infection, 320 (68.5%) were diagnosed with pneumonia, 82 (17.6%) with upper respiratory tract infection and pharyngeal tonsillitis, and 65 (13.9%) with bronchitis, laryngeal bronchitis, and asthmatic bronchitis. Among the 320 patients with AP, 56 cases were severe and 264 cases were general. Two cases (3.6%) in severe group died. Compared with the GAP group, the age was young [17 (11,42) months vs. 24 (14,44) months, Z=2.222, P=0.026], the fever duration was long [8 (5,14) days vs. 6 (3,9) days, Z=3.380, P<0.01], and the proportions of preterm birth and having underlying diseases were high [respectively 19.6% (11/56) vs. 6.1% (16/264), 26.8% (15/56) vs. 10.2% (27/264), χ²=8.965,11.109, P<0.05] in SAP group. Referring to laboratory markers, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, creatine kinase-MB and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly increased in SAP group as compared to GAP group(all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that preterm birth (OR=3.284, 95%CI 1.079-9.993, P=0.036), underlying disease (OR=3.284, 95%CI 1.079-9.993, P=0.036), fever duration ≥10 d (OR=2.523,95%CI 1.195-5.328, P=0.015) and C-reactive protein ≥50 mg/L (OR=3.156, 95%CI 1.324-7.524, P=0.010) were positively correlated with the risk of SAP. Conclusions: The incidence of adenovirus infection among hospitalized children in Kunming was lower than the national level, and no outbreak occurred in 2019. Subtype 3 and 7 of ADV are the predominant strains for infection, which usually occurs in autumn and winter and mainly causes pneumonia. Premature birth, underlining diseases, long fever duration and markedly increased C-reactive protein are the risk factors for developing into severe pneumonia. This paper presents the prevalence and clinical characteristics of adenovirus infection in children at high altitude area.

Observation of New Resonances Decaying to J/ψK^{+} and J/ψϕ

The first observation of exotic states with a new quark content cc[over ¯]us[over ¯] decaying to the J/ψK^{+} final state is reported with high significance from an amplitude analysis of the B^{+}→J/ψϕK^{+} decay. The analysis is carried out using proton-proton collision data corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1} collected by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. The most significant state, Z_{cs}(4000)^{+}, has a mass of 4003±6_{-14}^{+4}  MeV, a width of 131±15±26  MeV, and spin parity J^{P}=1^{+}, where the quoted uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. A new 1^{+}  X(4685) state decaying to the J/ψϕ final state is also observed with high significance. In addition, the four previously reported J/ψϕ states are confirmed and two more exotic states, Z_{cs}(4220)^{+} and X(4630), are observed with significance exceeding 5 standard deviations.

[Humanized BCMA CAR-T cell salvage therapy in two refractory multiple myeloma patients who progressed after their murine BCMA CAR-T cell therapy]

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of humanized anti-BCMA chimeric antigen receptor modified (BCMA CAR) -T cell therapy after disease progression with their murine BCMA CAR-T cell therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM) . Methods: Study participants underwent leukapheresis to collect T cells for BCMA CAR-T manufacturing. Patients were pretreated with intensive chemotherapy (fludarabine combined with cytarabine) before CAR-T therapy. Adverse events (AEs) , CAR DNA expansion, and cytokine were monitored. In vitro, transfection efficacy, specific cytotoxicity, and inflammatory response were detected when co-cultured with effector and target cells. Results: Patient (PT) 1 and 2 achieved complete remission (CR) and disease stability at 3 months post murine CAR-T therapy. However, 16 and 18 months later, they experienced progression of disease (PD) , and patient 1 presented with extramedullary disease at PD. Both of the patients received humanized CAR-T therapy and achieved partial remission (PR) and very good partial remission (VGPR) post humanized CAR-T therapy. PT1 achieved CR of the soft tissue masses at 4 months post humanized CAR-T therapy. Notably, the median peak of the BCMA CAR-T cells, copy of BCMA CAR gene, persistence of BCMA CAR-T, and the peak levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α were higher in humanized CAR-T therapy than those in the murine CAR-T therapy. During the murine CAR-T therapy, both of the patients experienced grade 1 CRS and no ICANS. PT1 experienced grade 3 CRS and grade 2 ICANS during humanized CAR-T therapy, which were relieved by supportive care. Grade 2 CRS was observed for patient 2 during humanized CAR-T therapy. Humanized BCMA CAR-T cells showed a higher inflammatory response and in vitro cytotoxicity than that of murine BCMA CAR-T cells with effector/targets cells at 1∶1 over 48 hours (P<0.001) . The proportions of residual cells in humanized BCMA CAR-T and murine CAR-T were (17.38±5.18) % vs (28.27±4.58) %, (13.25±1.62) % vs (22.77±1.77) % for PT1 and PT2, respectively. Conclusions: The humanized BCMA CAR-T cell therapy was efficient and safe for patients who experienced progression of disease after the murine CAR-T therapy, especially for patients with extramedullary disease.

Phosphorus availability increases pathobiome abundance and invasion of rhizosphere microbial networks by Ralstonia

Soil disease-suppressiveness depends on complex interactions among pathogens, native microbiota, and physicochemical properties, while these interactions remain understudied. Comparing field and microcosm experiments, we investigated the significance of these interactions in disease emergence or suppression using structural equation modelling (SEM) and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses. We observed significant differences in the relative abundance of pathogenic and beneficial microbes, alpha and beta diversity indices between disease-conducive and -suppressive rhizosphere soils. The pathogenic (Ralstonia) and beneficial (Bacillus) taxa dominated disease-conducive and -suppressive rhizosphere soils, respectively. Moreover, the co-occurrences of Ralstonia with native microorganisms were positive and negative in the disease-conducive and -suppressive soils, respectively. These results suggest the supportive (Rudaea) and suppressive (Enterobacter, Bacillus) role of indigenous microbes in the invasion of soil and plant systems by Ralstonia. The SEM and ROC analysis predicted that Ralstonia invaded rhizospheric microbial networks and caused peanut wilt under high than low soil phosphorus conditions. Our results suggest the importance of soil phosphorus availability in altering the microbial interactions, thus leading to soil invasion by Ralstonia. Thus, we conclude by saying that feeding soil with high amounts of available phosphorus could deplete plant-beneficial microbes and increase the pathobiome abundance that may compromise plant health.

[Prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in Henan Province from 2014 to 2015]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in Henan Province.

METHODS

A total of 104 survey sites were sampled from 35 counties (cities) in Henan Province using the stratified cluster sampling method to investigate the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children from 2014 to 2015. The trophozoites and cysts of intestinal protozoa were identified using the iodine staining method and the physiological saline direct smear method (one detection for one stool sample). The prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections was compared among rural children with different characteristics, and the factors affecting intestinal protozoan infections among rural children were identified.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections was 0.60% (40/6 771) among rural children in Henan Province from 2014 to 2015. There were 7 species of intestinal protozoa identified, and there was no species-specific prevalence (χ² = 37.732, P = 0.000). No significant differences were found in prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in terms of gender (χ² = 1.793, P = 0.181), age (χ² = 1.443, P = 0.486), occupation (χ² = 0.219, P = 0.896) or ecological region (χ² = 1.700, P = 0.637). In addition, terrain (χ² = 2.311, P = 0.510), economic level (χ² = 4.322, P = 0.229), source of drinking water (χ² = 0.731, P = 0.393), eating raw vegetables (χ² = 1.134, P = 0.287) and deworming (χ² = 1.089, P = 0.297) had no remarkable effects on the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in Henan Province; however, the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections varied significantly among rural children living in regions with different coverage of non-harmless toilets (χ² = 10.050, P = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections is low among rural children in Henan Province.

[Application of DNA origami in nanobiomedicine]

The development of DNA nanotechnology make it possible to artificially generate complex nucleic acid nanostructures with controllable sizes and shapes. DNA origami emerges as an effective and versatile approach to construct two- and three-dimensional programmable nanostructures, and represents a milestone in the development of structural DNA nanotechnology. Due to its high degree of controllable geometry, spatial addressability, easy chemical modification and good biocompatibility, DNA origami has great potentials for applications in many fields. In this review, we briefly summarize the applications of DNA origami in antigen-antibody interaction, targeted drug delivery and the synthesis of biomaterials.

TRPS1 knockdown inhibits angiogenic vascular mimicry in human triple negative breast cancer cells

PURPOSE

Vascular mimicry (VM) tubules are lumen structures comprised of malignant tumor cells without the participation of endothelial cells. VM simulates blood vessel function in tumors to deliver a sufficient blood supply for proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of malignant tumors, thereby reducing the clinical effects of anti-angiogenic treatments. The elimination or prevention of malignant tumor VM development therefore represents an urgent research goal as a therapeutic strategy to and cut off nutrients required for tumor growth. The GATA transcription factor TRPS1 is abnormally up-regulated in breast cancer, osteosarcoma, prostate cancer, and other tumor tissues, and is instrumental in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue growth and development.

METHODS

Here, we explored the effects of TRPS1 knockdown on VM and the proteins underlying its development in triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.

RESULTS

We found that TRPS1 knockdown resulted in obvious inhibition of VM development. Fluorescence microscopy of F-actin and tubulin revealed that loss of TRPS1 function resulted in disruption of cytoskeleton and microtubule formation, respectively. In addition, TRPS1-suppressed cells exhibited reduced accumulation of VM-associated proteins EphA2, MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF, and VE-cadherin. Moreover, it is interesting to know that the capacity for migration and invasion were limited in MDA-MB-231cells after TRPS1 knockdown and that the average number of VM tubules, their length, and number of intersections were also significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our results, and in light of previous studies, we thus proposed that TRPS1 suppression negatively affects vascular mimicry possibly through reduced TRPS1-mediated transcriptional regulation of VM-related protein VEGF-A.

Tuberculosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus-a 37-year longitudinal survey-based study

BACKGROUND

Infections are one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE patients have a higher risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection due to impaired immune defence.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the demographics, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with SLE and concomitant TB.

METHODS

Medical records of SLE patients with TB who were admitted to Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital in 1983-2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Age- and sex-matched SLE inpatients without TB were randomly selected as controls. Clinical and laboratory features and treatment were analysed and compared, and subjects were followed up to assess their outcome.

RESULTS

Of the 10 469 SLE inpatients, 249 (2.4%) were diagnosed with TB. Compared with controls, SLE/TB + patients exhibited higher frequency of prior haematologic, mucocutaneous and musculoskeletal system involvement, and prior treatment with potent glucocorticoid/immunosuppressive agents (GC/ISA). Arthritis and alopecia, positive T-SPOT.TB test and lymphocytopenia were more common in SLE/TB + patients. SLE/TB + patients with lupus before TB (SLE → TB) had higher risk of miliary TB (22.8%) and intracranial TB (16.5%) than SLE/TB + patients with lupus after TB (TB → SLE). SLE/TB + patients exhibited shorter long-term survival than SLE/TB- patients; those with poorer in-hospital outcomes had more severe lymphocytopenia and had received less treatment with ISAs.

CONCLUSION

Systemic lupus erythematosus patients treated vigorously with GC/ISA should be alerted of increased risk of TB infection, especially miliary and intracranial TB. Positive T-SPOT.TB and lymphocytopenia served as discriminatory variables between SLE/TB + and SLE/TB- patients. Lymphocytopenia was associated with poorer outcomes in SLE/TB + patients.

Visfatin relieves myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury through activation of PI3K/Akt/HSP70 signaling axis

OBJECTIVE

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is the most common complication of ischemic cardiomyopathy, which severely affects the prognosis of patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of visfatin on the myocardium after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) and its mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague Dawley rats were used to construct the MIRI model and visfatin was administrated intraperitoneally in rats to determine the protective effect of visfatin on myocardium after I/R. In addition, visfatin was used to treat rat myocardial cell line H9c2 cells and detect its effect on H9c2 cells. The effect of visfatin on the PI3K/Akt/HSP70 signaling axis in H9c2 cells was also detected to determine the mechanism of the myocardial protection of visfatin.

RESULTS

The damage of cardiomyocytes in MIRI rats pretreated with visfatin was significantly improved compared with untreated MIRI rats. Visfatin also reduced the level of inflammation and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in MIRI rats, reduced myocardial injury markers, and improved cardiac function. In vitro, visfatin also reduced inflammatory and apoptotic factors in H9c2 cells. In addition, visfatin also promoted the activity of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and increased HSP70 expression in H9c2 cells. The inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was found to attenuate the promotion of HSP70 by visfatin. SiRNA-HSP70 also attenuated the protective effect of visfatin on H9c2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Visfatin reduces the inflammation and apoptosis levels of myocardial cells through the PI3K/Akt/HSP70 signaling axis, thereby reducing I/R-induced myocardial injury.

High-throughput sequencing reveals crucial miRNAs in skeletal muscle development of Bian chicken

1. Growth performance is significant for chickens. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to play important roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of skeletal muscle growth. However, the mechanism of miRNAs in this process has not been elucidated.2. This study involved collecting leg muscle from slow- and fast-growing groups of Bian chicken at 16 weeks of age for high-throughput sequencing. A total of 42 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified. Among them, 22 DEMs were up-regulated and 20 DEMs were down-regulated.3. Biological process terms, relating to growth, were found by GO enrichment for target genes of DEMs and KEGG pathway analysis of target genes. This revealed some significantly enriched pathways closely related to skeletal muscle development, such as the calcium signalling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction, lysine degradation, apoptosis and tight junctions. Network interaction analysis of DEMs and target genes showed that the top fifty hub genes were targeted by thirteen DEMs.4. Four important miRNAs (novel_miR_158, novel_miR_144, novel_miR_291, and miR-205a) as well as some other valuable miRNAs, such as gga-miR-214 and gga-miR-3525 were identified. The qPCR results of five DEMs were highly consistent with that of sequencing between the two groups, which proved the reliability of miRNA-seq.5. The study will help to improve the molecular mechanism of miRNAs in chickens and guide future experiments concerning miRNA function in chicken growth.

[Epidemiological analysis of pesticide poisoning in Tianjin from 2009 to 2018]

Objective: To understand the present situation, law and characteristics of pesticide poisoning in Tianjin, and provide scientific basis for the formulation of pesticide poisoning control strategy. Methods: In August 2019, the related pesticide poisoning report card was derived from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. A total of 864 pesticide poisoning cases from 2009 to 2018 in Tianjin were studied, and the data were processed by SPSS 24.0, statistical analysis was performed by 2-test. Results: from 2009 to 2018, a total of 56 pesticide poisoning deaths were reported in Tianjin, with a case fatality rate of 6.48% (56/864) , including 166 cases of productive pesticide poisoning (19.21%) and 698 cases of non-productive pesticide poisoning (80.79%) , the difference of case fatality rate was statistically significant (χ(2)=11.72, P<0.05) . With the most cases of pesticide poisoning (144 cases) in 2012 and the least (48 cases) in 2018. The cases were mainly distributed in Jizhou (312 cases) , Baodi District (247 cases) and Jinnan district (140 cases) , with a total of 699 cases (80.90%) . The time was mainly from May to August, in which non-productive pesticide poisoning occurred in each month, the concentration of productive pesticide poisoning occurred from April to August in spring and summer, and reached its peak in July and August. The age range from 35 to 44 years old was the most (188 cases, 21.76%) , and the age below 15 years old was the least (8 cases, 0.93%) . Pesticide was the most common drug type (551 cases, 63.77%) . Conclusion: The departments concerned should strengthen the education and supervision of pesticide safety, improve the farmers'awareness of harm and self-protection, so as to reduce and prevent the occurrence of pesticide poisoning in this city.

Angular Analysis of the B^{+}→K^{*+}μ^{+}μ^{-} Decay

We present an angular analysis of the B^{+}→K^{*+}(→K_{S}^{0}π^{+})μ^{+}μ^{-} decay using 9  fb^{-1} of pp collision data collected with the LHCb experiment. For the first time, the full set of CP-averaged angular observables is measured in intervals of the dimuon invariant mass squared. Local deviations from standard model predictions are observed, similar to those in previous LHCb analyses of the isospin-partner B^{0}→K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-} decay. The global tension is dependent on which effective couplings are considered and on the choice of theory nuisance parameters.

MicroRNA-133a-5p inhibiting metastatic capacity of renal clear cell carcinoma through regulating MON2

OBJECTIVE

We aimed at analyzing the correlation between microRNA-133a-5p expression and clinical pathological parameters in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and exploring the mechanism by which microRNA-133a-5p affects the biological behavior of ccRCC cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

MicroRNA-133a-5p expression in ccRCC tissues and cell lines were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the relationship between ATG14 expression and clinicopathological parameters of ccRCC patients was analyzed. A control group (NC mimic) and a microRNA-133a-5p overexpression group (microRNA-133a-5p mimic) were set in the ccRCC cell lines ACHN and 786-O, respectively. The impacts of microRNA-133a-5p on the proliferation and invasion of ccRCC cells were evaluated through performing Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell tests, respectively. We further explored the interaction between microRNA-133a-5p and its downstream target gene WNK2 by bioinformatics analysis and Luciferase assay.

RESULTS

Both in ccRCC tissues and cell lines, microRNA-133a-5p showed a significantly reduced expression, which could be used to predict poor prognosis of ccRCC patients. Upregulation of microRNA-133a-5p markedly blunted the proliferation and migratory capacities of HCC cells. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that microRNA-133a-5p can target MON2. In addition, qPCR assay indicated an increased expression of MON2 in ccRCC cell lines and tissues, which was negatively correlated with microRNA-133a-5p. Finally, in vitro cell reverse experiments suggested that overexpression of MON2 counteracted the inhibitory effects of overexpression of microRNA-133a-5p on the proliferation and metastatic capacity of ccRCC.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that the reduced expression of microRNA-133a-5p in ccRCC tissue specimens can predict poor prognosis of ccRCC patients. At the same time, microRNA-133a-5p may suppress the proliferation capacity and metastasis of ccRCC cells by acting on MON2.

MiR-424 suppressed viability and invasion by targeting to the DCLK1 in neuroblastoma

OBJECTIVE

Neuroblastoma is the most frequent tumor of sympathetic nervous system in infants. MiRNAs acted as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in the process of tumor development. We aim at exploring the functions of miRNA in neuroblastoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cell viability and invasion were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assays. Western blot was utilized to assess the protein expression associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to calculate the mRNA levels of miRNA and gene.

RESULTS

MiR-424 was downregulated while doublecortin like kinase 1 (DCLK1) was upregulated in neuroblastoma tissues and cells compared to adjacent non-tumor and normal spongiocyte cells. MiR-424 suppressed cell viability, invasion, and EMT by targeting DCLK1. MiR-424 regulated the expression of DCLK1 by directly binding to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of DCLK1 mRNA in SK-N-SH and Be2C cells. DCLK1 reversed partial functions of miR-424 in neuroblastoma.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-424 suppressed cell viability, invasion, and EMT by directly targeting the 3'-UTR of DCLK1 mRNA. The newly identified miR-424/DCLK1 axis provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma.

Observation of a New Excited D_{s}^{+} Meson in B^{0}→D^{-}D^{+}K^{+}π^{-} Decays

Using pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb^{-1} collected with the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, the B^{0}→D^{-}D^{+}K^{+}π^{-} decay is studied. A new excited D_{s}^{+} meson is observed decaying into the D^{+}K^{+}π^{-} final state with large statistical significance. The pole mass and width, and the spin parity of the new state are measured with an amplitude analysis to be m_{R}=2591±6±7  MeV, Γ_{R}=89±16±12  MeV, and J^{P}=0^{-}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. Fit fractions for all components in the amplitude analysis are also reported. The new resonance, denoted as D_{s0}(2590)^{+}, is a strong candidate to be the D_{s}(2^{1}S_{0})^{+} state, the radial excitation of the pseudoscalar ground-state D_{s}^{+} meson.

Hsa_circ_001193 regulates proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through targeting mir-496

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of hsa_circ_001193 on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression level of hsa_circ_001193 in three NPC cell lines (CNE-1, SUNE-1, and HONE-1) and human normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line (NP69) was detected via quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression of hsa_circ_001193 was silenced through transient transfection with small-interfering RNA (siRNA). Regulatory effects of hsa_circ_001193 knockdown on the proliferation and apoptosis of HONE-1 cells were determined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry. Potential miRNAs binding hsa_circ_001193 were predicted in the StarBase, which was further verified via Dual-Luciferase reporter assay and qRT-PCR. Moreover, the involvement of the predicted target miRNA in the proliferation of HONE-1 cells regulated by hsa_circ_001193 was determined by CCK-8 assay.

RESULTS

Compared with that in human normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line (NP69), the expression of hsa_circ_001193 was significantly upregulated in NPC cell lines (p<0.05). The results of CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay showed that knockdown of hsa_circ_001193 could significantly suppress the cell proliferation ability and colony formation ability compared with control group (p<0.05). The results of flow cytometry revealed that the apoptosis rate in hsa_circ_001193 knockdown group was remarkably higher than that in control group (p<0.05). Besides, according to the analysis of StarBase database, there were binding sites between hsa_circ_001193 and miR-496. The Dual-Luciferase reporter assay manifested that miR-496 bound hsa_circ_001193 (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Hsa_circ_001193 can serve as the miR-496 sponge, which regulates proliferation and apoptosis of NPC cells through up-regulating miR-496. Our findings provide a new therapeutic target for NPC.

Observation of Multiplicity Dependent Prompt χ_{c1}(3872) and ψ(2S) Production in pp Collisions

The production of χ_{c1}(3872) and ψ(2S) hadrons is studied as a function of charged particle multiplicity in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2  fb^{-1}. For both states, the fraction that is produced promptly at the collision vertex is found to decrease as charged particle multiplicity increases. The ratio of χ_{c1}(3872) to ψ(2S) cross sections for promptly produced particles is also found to decrease with multiplicity, while no significant dependence on multiplicity is observed for the equivalent ratio of particles produced away from the collision vertex in b-hadron decays. This behavior is consistent with a calculation that models the χ_{c1}(3872) structure as a compact tetraquark. Comparisons with model calculations and implications for the binding energy of the χ_{c1}(3872) state are discussed.

Methylphenidate exerts neuroprotective effects through the AMPK signaling pathway

PURPOSE

Cerebral ischemia is the main cause of permanent adult disabilities worldwide. This study investigated the reparative effects and potential mechanisms of methylphenidate (MPH), a medication for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

METHODS

In vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) and in vivo cerebral ischemia-reperfusion models were established. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 20): Sham, Model, and MPH (0.5 and 1 mg/kg). Rats in MPH groups were treated with 0.5 or 1 mg/kg MPH via intraperitoneal injection for 7 days. Rats in the Sham and Model groups were treated with PBS during the same period. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI staining. Protein expression was detected by Western blot. The volume of cerebral infarction was detected by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The DNA damage in ischemic brain tissues was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay.

RESULTS

MPH treatment significantly reduced OGD/R-induced cell damage, shown by the increased cell viability and decreased apoptotic rate. p-AMPK and p-ACC protein expression increased in the OGD/R model after MPH treatment. The addition of AMPK inhibitor largely abolished the neuroprotective effects of MPH, evidenced by the reduced cell viability, increased apoptotic rate, and decreased protein expression of p-AMPK as well as p-ACC. Moreover, MPH treatment significantly alleviated the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and decreased apoptosis in brain tissues, which may be associated with the AMPK/ACC pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

MPH exerted protective activities against oxidative stress in the OGD/R model and ameliorated brain damage of rats in the middle cerebral artery occlusion model, at least in part, through activating the AMPK pathway. These data demonstrated neuroprotective properties of MPH and highlighted it as a potential therapeutic agent against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Measurement of CP Violation in the Decay B^{+}→K^{+}π^{0}

A measurement of CP violation in the decay B^{+}→K^{+}π^{0} is reported using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb^{-1} collected with the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV. The CP asymmetry is measured to be 0.025±0.015±0.006±0.003, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to an external input. This is the most precise measurement of this quantity. It confirms and significantly enhances the observed anomalous difference between the direct CP asymmetries of the B^{0}→K^{+}π^{-} and B^{+}→K^{+}π^{0} decays, known as the Kπ puzzle.

First Observation of the Decay B_{s}^{0}→K^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ} and a Measurement of |V_{ub}|/|V_{cb}|

The first observation of the suppressed semileptonic B_{s}^{0}→K^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ} decay is reported. Using a data sample recorded in pp collisions in 2012 with the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2  fb^{-1}, the branching fraction B(B_{s}^{0}→K^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ}) is measured to be [1.06±0.05(stat)±0.08(syst)]×10^{-4}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second one represents the combined systematic uncertainties. The decay B_{s}^{0}→D_{s}^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ}, where D_{s}^{-} is reconstructed in the final state K^{+}K^{-}π^{-}, is used as a normalization channel to minimize the experimental systematic uncertainty. Theoretical calculations on the form factors of the B_{s}^{0}→K^{-} and B_{s}^{0}→D_{s}^{-} transitions are employed to determine the ratio of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements |V_{ub}|/|V_{cb}| at low and high B_{s}^{0}→K^{-} momentum transfer.

Molecular level changes during suppression of Rhizoctonia solani growth by humic substances and relationships with chemical structure

Elucidation of the inhibitory effects of humic substances (HSs) on phytopathogenic fungi and the underlying molecular mechanisms are highly important for improved biocontrol. In this study, we investigated the growth suppression, morphological characteristics, transcriptomic sequence, and radical signals of Rhizoctonia solani following HS addition (50 mg/L). Through mycelial cultured experiment, mycelia growth of R. solani had been suppressed with HS addition, and the inhibition rate was 24.88 ± 0.11% compared to the control. Field emission-scanning electron microscopy showed increased and superimposed branching mycelial growth, with a shriveled appearance. RNA samples of R. solani cultured with or without HSs were both extracted to examine the sequence on molecular level by Illumina HiSeq sequencing platform. RNA sequencing analysis revealed 175 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 111 upregulated and 64 downregulated) between the HSs treatment and control. The upregulated unigenes were annotated and significantly enriched to three molecular processes: vitamin B6 metabolism, ABC transporters, and glutathione metabolism, while the downregulated unigenes were annotated to carbohydrate metabolism, but not significantly enriched. Real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the unigenes related to hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, glutathione synthase, and glutathione reductase were significantly decreased (by 60.03%, 70.70%, 60.33%, and 57.59%, respectively), while those related to glutathione S-transferase were significantly increased (2.66-fold). The electron paramagnetic resonance spectra showed that HSs induced increased the intensity of radical signals of R. solani in a cultured system increased by 59.56% compared to CK (without HSs addition). Network analysis based on DEGs expression and the chemical structure of HSs revealed that the carbonyl moiety in HSs formed the most links with nodes of the DEGs (sum of the links of positive and negative effects = 70), implicating this structure as the active fraction responsible for the inhibitory effect. This study provides molecular and chemical evidence of the biofungicidal activity of HSs with the potential for practical application.