[Pollution Characteristics and Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals in the Soil Around Coal Gangue Accumulation Area]

Coal gangue releases heavy metals and other pollutants through weathering and rain conditions during the natural accumulation process, which causes serious ecological risks to the surrounding soil environment. This study aimed to analyze the content of heavy metals in the soil around a coal gangue dump and to explore the phytotoxic effects induced by the exposure of soil samples to comprehensively assess the ecological risks of the soil around the coal gangue accumulation area. The results showed that the average contents of Cd, Pb, and Zn in the soil around the coal gangue accumulation area exceeded the background values of soil elements in Shanxi Province, and the content of heavy metals in the soil first increased and then decreased with the distance from the coal gangue dump. The enrichment factor results also showed that the pollution of Cd, Pb, and Zn in the soil was serious. The growth of barley seedlings was inhibited after exposure to the soil at different distances from the gangue dump, and some soils could induce the decrease in chlorophyll and the increase in MDA content; the increase in SOD, POD, and GSH activities; the significant decrease in CAT activities; and the decrease in mitotic index (MI) and significant increase in micronucleus rate (MN) in root tip cells. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed that Cr, As, and Zn were significantly positively correlated with the shoot weight, root weight, and micronucleus rate of barley, whereas Cu and Pb were significantly negatively correlated with the chlorophyll and micronucleus rate, respectively.

[Whether extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be used in adult patients with sepsis and septic shock?]

Sepsis is a critical medical problem that needs to be solved urgently worldwide. Some patients with sepsis have refractory shock or/and severe respiratory failure, which may require supporting with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Particularly, it is important to choose the optimal mode and grasp the optimal timing of the initiation in the experienced ECMO center. The choice of mode is mainly based on the patient's condition of oxygenation and hemodynamics. During the management of ECMO support, some issues like blood flow, anticoagulation and therapy of antibiotics should be noted. Thus far, the research of ECMO in adult patients with sepsis and septic shock are mainly retrospective, observational and with small sample size. Further exploration is needed in the future.

Study of the doubly charmed tetraquark [Formula: see text]

Quantum chromodynamics, the theory of the strong force, describes interactions of coloured quarks and gluons and the formation of hadronic matter. Conventional hadronic matter consists of baryons and mesons made of three quarks and quark-antiquark pairs, respectively. Particles with an alternative quark content are known as exotic states. Here a study is reported of an exotic narrow state in the D0D0π+ mass spectrum just below the D*+D0 mass threshold produced in proton-proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The state is consistent with the ground isoscalar [Formula: see text] tetraquark with a quark content of [Formula: see text] and spin-parity quantum numbers JP = 1+. Study of the DD mass spectra disfavours interpretation of the resonance as the isovector state. The decay structure via intermediate off-shell D*+ mesons is consistent with the observed D0π+ mass distribution. To analyse the mass of the resonance and its coupling to the D*D system, a dedicated model is developed under the assumption of an isoscalar axial-vector [Formula: see text] state decaying to the D*D channel. Using this model, resonance parameters including the pole position, scattering length, effective range and compositeness are determined to reveal important information about the nature of the [Formula: see text] state. In addition, an unexpected dependence of the production rate on track multiplicity is observed.

Personal exposure to electrophilic compounds of fine particulate matter and the inflammatory response: The role of atmospheric transformation

Atmospheric oxidation can produce electrophilic compounds, altering the health effects induced by fine particulate matter (PM_2.5); however, little is known about these electrophilic compounds or their health effects. Using electron capture negative ionization, we systematically detected 301 electrophilic compounds from personal PM_2.5 samples in a panel study in urban Beijing. Most were oxygen-containing compounds with 3-17 double bond equivalents (DBE), suggesting the dominance of oxidized aromatic structures. Over 64% of the species, mostly outdoor-originated, were associated with inflammatory cytokines in both exhaled breath condensate and serum. Primary components of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and high-DBE oxygenated PAHs, mainly from fossil fuel combustion, were positively associated with interleukin (IL)- 6, a cytokine related to oxidative homeostasis. Oxidized secondary species, particularly maleic and phthalic anhydrides, were negatively associated with IL-2/IL-8, which changed by - 3.8% to - 16.4% per one-fold increase in the abundance of the secondary source, indicating the immune disorders in response to the oxidized aerosols. Mediation analysis demonstrated the necessity of transformation products between atmospheric oxidation capacity and IL-2/IL-8 inhibition. This study provides new information on particulate electrophilic compounds and highlights the role of atmospheric chemistry in specific immune disorders.

Quantitative regulation of the thermal stability of enveloped virus vaccines by surface charge engineering to prevent the self-aggregation of attachment glycoproteins

The development of thermostable vaccines can relieve the bottleneck of existing vaccines caused by thermal instability and subsequent poor efficacy, which is one of the predominant reasons for the millions of deaths caused by vaccine-preventable diseases. Research into the mechanism of viral thermostability may provide strategies for developing thermostable vaccines. Using Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as model, we identified the negative surface charge of attachment glycoprotein as a novel determinant of viral thermostability. It prevented the temperature-induced aggregation of glycoprotein and subsequent detachment from virion surface. Then structural stability of virion surface was improved and virus could bind to and infect cells efficiently after heat-treatment. Employing the approach of surface charge engineering, thermal stability of NDV and influenza A virus (IAV) vaccines was successfully improved. The increase in the level of vaccine thermal stability was determined by the value-added in the negative surface charge of the attachment glycoprotein. The engineered live and inactivated vaccines could be used efficiently after storage at 37°C for at least 10 and 60 days, respectively. Thus, our results revealed a novel surface-charge-mediated link between HN protein and NDV thermostability, which could be used to design thermal stable NDV and IAV vaccines rationally.

Angular Analysis of D^{0}→π^{+}π^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-} and D^{0}→K^{+}K^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-} Decays and Search for CP Violation

The first full angular analysis and an updated measurement of the decay-rate CP asymmetry of the D^{0}→π^{+}π^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-} and D^{0}→K^{+}K^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-} decays are reported. The analysis uses proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. The dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. The full set of CP -averaged angular observables and their CP asymmetries are measured as a function of the dimuon invariant mass. The results are consistent with expectations from the standard model and with CP symmetry.

Tests of Lepton Universality Using B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} and B^{+}→K^{*+}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} Decays

Tests of lepton universality in B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} and B^{+}→K^{*+}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} decays where ℓ is either an electron or a muon are presented. The differential branching fractions of B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}e^{+}e^{-} and B^{+}→K^{*+}e^{+}e^{-} decays are measured in intervals of the dilepton invariant mass squared. The measurements are performed using proton-proton collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1} . The results are consistent with the standard model and previous tests of lepton universality in related decay modes. The first observation of B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}e^{+}e^{-} and B^{+}→K^{*+}e^{+}e^{-} decays is reported.

Observation of the Decay Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ}

The first observation of the semileptonic b-baryon decay Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ}, with a significance of 6.1σ, is reported using a data sample corresponding to 3  fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity, collected by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV at the LHC. The τ^{-} lepton is reconstructed in the hadronic decay to three charged pions. The ratio K=B(Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}π^{-}π^{+}π^{-}) is measured to be 2.46±0.27±0.40, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The branching fraction B(Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})=(1.50±0.16±0.25±0.23)% is obtained, where the third uncertainty is from the external branching fraction of the normalization channel Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}π^{-}π^{+}π^{-}. The ratio of semileptonic branching fractions R(Λ_{c}^{+})≡B(Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}) is derived to be 0.242±0.026±0.040±0.059, where the external branching fraction uncertainty from the channel Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ} contributes to the last term. This result is in agreement with the standard model prediction.

Observation of Two New Excited Ξ_{b}^{0} States Decaying to Λ_{b}^{0}K^{-}π^{+}

Two narrow resonant states are observed in the Λ_{b}^{0}K^{-}π^{+} mass spectrum using a data sample of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, collected by the LHCb experiment and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6  fb^{-1}. The minimal quark content of the Λ_{b}^{0}K^{-}π^{+} system indicates that these are excited Ξ_{b}^{0} baryons. The masses of the Ξ_{b}(6327)^{0} and Ξ_{b}(6333)^{0} states are m[Ξ_{b}(6327)^{0}]=6327.28_{-0.21}^{+0.23}±0.12±0.24 and m[Ξ_{b}(6333)^{0}]=6332.69_{-0.18}^{+0.17}±0.03±0.22  MeV, respectively, with a mass splitting of Δm=5.41_{-0.27}^{+0.26}±0.12  MeV, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the Λ_{b}^{0} mass measurement. The measured natural widths of these states are consistent with zero, with upper limits of Γ[Ξ_{b}(6327)^{0}]<2.20(2.56) and Γ[Ξ_{b}(6333)^{0}]<1.60(1.92)  MeV at a 90% (95%) credibility level. The significance of the two-peak hypothesis is larger than nine (five) Gaussian standard deviations compared to the no-peak (one-peak) hypothesis. The masses, widths, and resonant structure of the new states are in good agreement with the expectations for a doublet of 1D Ξ_{b}^{0} resonances.

Fusion Protein Cleavage Site Containing Three Basic Amino Acids Attenuates Newcastle Disease Virus in Chicken Embryos: Use as an in ovo Vaccine

In ovo vaccination is an attractive immunization strategy for the poultry industry. However, although most live Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine strains, such as LaSota and V4, can be used after hatching, they are pathogenic to chicken embryos when administered in ovo. We have previously reported that NDV strain TS09-C is a safe in ovo vaccine in specific-pathogen-free and commercial chicken embryos because it is attenuated in chicken embryos. However, the molecular basis of its attenuation is poorly understood. In this study, we firstly evaluated the safety of chimeric NDV strains after exchanging genes between strains TS09-C and LaSota as in ovo vaccines, and demonstrated that the attenuation of NDV in chicken embryos was dependent upon the origin of the fusion (F) protein. Next, by comparing the F protein sequences of TS09-C strain with those of LaSota and V4 strain, the R115 in cleavage site and F379 were found to be unique to TS09-C strain. The mutant viruses were generated by substituting one or two amino acids at position 115 and 379 in the F protein, and their safety as in ovo vaccine was evaluated. Mutation in residue 379 did not affect the viral embryonic pathogenicity. While the mutant virus rTS-2B (R115G mutation based on the backbone of TS09-C strain) with two basic amino acids in F cleavage site, was pathogenic to chicken embryos and similar with rLaSota in its tissue tropism, differing markedly from rTS09-C with three basic amino acids in F cleavage site. Together, these findings indicate that the F protein cleavage site containing three basic amino acids is the crucial determinant of the attenuation of TS09-C in chicken embryos. This study extends our understanding of the pathogenicity of NDV in chicken embryos and should expedite the development of in ovo vaccines against NDV.

Measurement of the Nuclear Modification Factor and Prompt Charged Particle Production in p-Pb and pp Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5 TeV

The production of prompt charged particles in proton-lead collisions and in proton-proton collisions at the nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy sqrt[s_{NN}]=5  TeV is studied at LHCb as a function of pseudorapidity (η) and transverse momentum (p_{T}) with respect to the proton beam direction. The nuclear modification factor for charged particles is determined as a function of η between -4.8<η<-2.5 (backward region) and 2.0<η<4.8 (forward region), and p_{T} between 0.2<p_{T}<8.0  GeV/c. The results show a suppression of charged particle production in proton-lead collisions relative to proton-proton collisions in the forward region and an enhancement in the backward region for p_{T} larger than 1.5  GeV/c. This measurement constrains nuclear PDFs and saturation models at previously unexplored values of the parton momentum fraction down to 10^{-6}.

Ultrafine black carbon caused mitochondrial oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy in SH-SY5Y cells

Exposure to ambient ultrafine black carbon (uBC, with aerodynamic diameter less than 100 nm) is associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. Oxidative stress is the predominantly reported neurotoxic effects caused by uBC exposure. Mitochondrion is responsible for production of majority of ROS in cells and mitochondrial dysfunction is closely related to adverse nervous outcomes. Mitophagy is an important cellular process to eliminate dysfunctional or damaged mitochondria. However, the mechanisms that modulate mitophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction initiated by uBC remain to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate how mitochondrial oxidative stress regulated mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy in human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) after uBC treatment. RNA interference was further applied to explore the roles of mitophagy in mitochondrial dysfunction. We found uBC triggered cell apoptosis via ROS-mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. The uBC also caused serious mitochondrial damage and respiratory dysfunction, indicated by the abnormalities in mitochondrial division and fusion related proteins, decreased mitochondria number and ATP level. Increased PTEN induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and Parkin protein levels and the autolysosome numbers suggested uBC could promote Pink1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy process in SH-SY5Y cells. Mitophagy inhibition could reserve mitochondria number and ATP activity, but not fusion and division related protein levels in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to uBC. Administration of a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant (mitoquinone) significantly eliminated uBC caused apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy. Our data suggested mitochondrial oxidative stress regulated uBC induced mitochondrial dysfunction and PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy. PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy probably participated in regulating uBC caused mitochondrial dysfunction but not by controlling mitochondrial fusion and division related proteins. Our results may provide some new insights and evidences to understand the mechanisms of neurotoxicity induced by uBC.

Correction: Shang et al. Charge Carriers Relaxation Behavior of Cellulose Polymer Insulation Used in Oil Immersed Bushing. Polymers 2022, 14, 336

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper: [...].

Comparative study of the physiological responses of Skeletonema costatum and Thalassiosira weissflogii to initial pCO2 in batch cultures, with special reference to bloom dynamics

Extensive studies have documented the responses of diatoms to environmental drivers in the context of climate change. However, bloom dynamics are usually ignored in most studies. Here, we investigated the effects of the initial pCO₂ on the bloom characteristics of two cosmopolitan diatoms, Skeletonema costatum and Thalassiosira weissflogii. Batch cultures with two initial pCO₂ conditions (LC: 400 μatm; HC: 1000 μatm) were used to investigate bloom dynamics under current and ocean acidification scenarios. The simulated S. costatum bloom was characterized by fast accumulation, a rapid decline in biomass, and a shorter stationary phase. The T. weissflogii bloom had a longer stationary phase, and cell density remained at high levels after culturing for 19 days. The physiological performances of the two diatoms varied significantly in the different bloom phases. We found that the initial pCO₂ has modulating effects on biomass accumulation and bloom dynamics for these two diatoms. The higher initial pCO₂ enhanced the specific growth rate of T. weissflogii by 6% in the exponential phase, leading to higher cell densities, while 86% higher decay rates were observed in the HC cultures of S. costatum. Overall, ocean acidification may alter the dynamics of diatom blooms and may have profound impacts on the biological carbon pump.

Study of Z Bosons Produced in Association with Charm in the Forward Region

Events containing a Z boson and a charm jet are studied for the first time in the forward region of proton-proton collisions. The data sample used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 6  fb^{-1} collected at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with the LHCb detector. In events with a Z boson and a jet, the fraction of charm jets is determined in intervals of Z-boson rapidity in the range 2.0<y(Z)<4.5. A sizable enhancement is observed in the forwardmost y(Z) interval, which could be indicative of a valencelike intrinsic-charm component in the proton wave function.

Silver(I)-Based Molecular Perovskite Energetic Compounds with Exceptional Thermal Stability and Energetic Performance

In recent years, molecular perovskite energetic materials have attracted more attention because of their simple synthesis processes, high thermal stabilities, excellent performances, and great significance as a design platform for energetic materials. To explore the possibility of the application of molecular perovskite energetic materials in heat-resistant explosives, four silver(I)-based molecular perovskite energetic compounds, (H₂A)[Ag(ClO₄)₃], where H₂A = piperazine-1,4-diium (H₂pz²⁺) for PAP-5, 1-methyl-piperazine-1,4-diium (H₂mpz²⁺) for PAP-M5, homopiperazine-1,4-diium (H₂hpz²⁺) for PAP-H5, and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-diium (H₂dabco²⁺) for DAP-5, were synthesized by a one-pot self-assembly strategy and structurally characterized. The single-crystal structures indicated that PAP-5, PAP-M5, and DAP-5 possess cubic perovskite structures while PAP-H5 possesses a hexagonal perovskite structure. Differential thermal analyses showed that their onset decomposition temperatures are >308.3 °C. For PAP-5 and DAP-5, they have not only exceptional calculated detonation parameters (D values of 8.961 and 8.534 km s^-1 and P values of 42.4 and 37.9 GPa, respectively) but also the proper mechanical sensitivity (impact sensitivities of ≤10 J for PAP-5 and 3 J for DAP-5 and friction sensitivities of ≤5N for both PAP-5 and DAP-5) and thus are of interest as potential heat-resistant primary explosive components.

Existence and Formation Pathways of High- and Low-Maturity Elemental Carbon from Solid Fuel Combustion by a Time-Resolved Study

Elemental carbon (EC) from various sources contains different sub-fractions with different properties; however, this variability poses several challenges for the accurate assessment of EC emission inventory. EC is defined using thermo-optical analysis (TOA), and its different fractions have different maturation and formation pathways. High- and low-maturity ECs have similar detection signals to those of Soot-EC and Char-EC in TOA. The emission characteristics of Soot-EC and Char-EC were affected by fuel composition and combustion temperatures. Biomass combustion generated more Char-EC than coal combustion, resulting in lower Soot-EC to Char-EC ratios. Soot-EC emissions always increased with an increasing temperature. Char-EC emissions increased with an increasing temperature at 300-900 °C in biomass combustion and decreased in coal combustion when the temperature was >600 °C, suggesting that the two ECs have different formation pathways. Time-resolved analyses of organic carbon (OC), EC, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons showed that Char-EC was preferentially generated in the ignition stage with the rapid emission of OC through direct conversion of OC, whereas Soot-EC was preferentially generated during the flaming stage through gas-phase polymerization of small molecules generated from the decomposition of OC.

Evidence for a New Structure in the J/ψp and J/ψp[over ¯] Systems in B_{s}^{0}→J/ψpp[over ¯] Decays

An amplitude analysis of flavor-untagged B_{s}^{0}→J/ψpp[over ¯] decays is performed using a sample of 797±31 decays reconstructed with the LHCb detector. The data, collected in proton-proton collisions between 2011 and 2018, correspond to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. Evidence for a new structure in the J/ψp and J/ψp[over ¯] systems with a mass of 4337_{-4}^{+7} _{-2}^{+2}  MeV and a width of 29_{-12}^{+26} _{-14}^{+14}  MeV is found, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic, with a significance in the range of 3.1 to 3.7σ, depending on the assigned J^{P} hypothesis.

[Effect of rat allogeneic BMSCs-Bio-Oss-bFGF compound on tooth extraction healing: a micro-CT study]

PRUPOSE

To investigate the effect of a compound of BMSCs-Bio-Oss-bFGF on microstructure of extraction sockets in rats.

METHODS

Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated from bone marrow of 3-week SD rats by adherent method. Maxillary posterior teeth of 36 6-week SD rats were extracted and materials were implanted into sockets according to grouping. The rats were divided into 4 groups: compound group with implanting BMSCs-Bio-Oss-bFGF compound, powder group with implanting Bio-Oss, BMSCs group with implanting BMSCs, and control group without implanting any materials. The sockets were scanned by micro-CT 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after implantation. Two-way ANOVA was used to assess whether there was significant difference between groups with GraphPad Prism 6.0 software package.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference among groups in bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular separation(Tb.Sp), trabecular thickness(Tb.Th), degree of anisotropy(DA), and trabecular number(Tb.N) 4 weeks after implantation. By 12 weeks, BMD of compound group was significantly greater than those of BMSCs group, powder group and control group (P＜0.05), and significantly greater than those of powder group and control group at 24 weeks (P＜0.05). Tb.Th of compound group was significantly greater than that of BMSCs group at 12 and 24 weeks(P＜0.05). DA had no significant difference among groups at 4, 12, and 24 weeks (P＞0.05). Tb.Sp of compound group was significantly smaller than those of powder group, BMSCs group and control group at 24 weeks(P＜0.05). Tb.N of compound group was significantly greater than those of BMSCs group and control group(P＜0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The compound of rat allogeneic BMSCs-Bio-Oss-bFGF improves socket healing.

Analysis of Neutral B-Meson Decays into Two Muons

Branching fraction and effective lifetime measurements of the rare decay B_{s}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} and searches for the decays B^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} and B_{s}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-}γ are reported using proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to a luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. The branching fraction B(B_{s}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})=(3.09_{-0.43-0.11}^{+0.46+0.15})×10^{-9} and the effective lifetime τ(B_{s}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})=2.07±0.29±0.03  ps are measured, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. No significant signal for B^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} and B_{s}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-}γ decays is found and upper limits B(B^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})<2.6×10^{-10} and B(B_{s}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-}γ)<2.0×10^{-9} at the 95% C.L. are determined, where the latter is limited to the range m_{μμ}>4.9  GeV/c^{2}. The results are in agreement with the standard model expectations.

Multiloci Manipulation of Baculovirus Genome Reveals the Pivotal Role of Homologous Regions in Viral DNA Replication, Progeny Production, and Enhancing Transcription

The engineering of viral genomes facilitates both fundamental and applied research on viruses. However, the multiloci manipulation of DNAs of viruses with large DNA genomes, such as baculoviruses, herpesviruses, and poxviruses, is technically challenging, particularly for highly homologous or repetitive sequences. Homologous regions (hrs) have multiple copies in many large DNA viruses and play pivotal roles in the viral life cycle. Here, we used synthetic biology to investigate the fundamental function of baculoviral hrs by conducting multiloci manipulation of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) DNA that contains eight hrs scattered in the genome. Using transformation-associated recombination in yeast, we generated recombinant AcMNPV genomes in which we deleted all hrs or retained a single hr (hr1, hr2, or hr3). Infectious viruses were rescued after transfecting the synthetic viral genomes into host cells, and their replication features were characterized. The results demonstrated that deletion of all hrs severely compromised viral DNA replication and progeny production, whereas retaining only a single hr was essential for efficient viral DNA replication and progeny production. The synthetic virus with hr2 or hr3 showed a growth curve similar to that of the parental virus. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that hr1, hr2, and hr3 could enhance gene transcription within a surrounding region of 14.6 kb, 13.8 kb, and 29.8 kb, respectively. Overall, this study revealed the advantages of synthetic biology in multiloci engineering and functional studies of large DNA viruses. In addition, our findings on hrs will be helpful for the design and improvement of baculovirus-based expression vectors.

An 8-ferroptosis-related genes signature from Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid for prognosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background

With the rapid advances of genetic and genomic technologies, the pathophysiological mechanisms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) were gradually becoming clear, however, the prognosis of IPF was still poor. This study aimed to systematically explore the ferroptosis-related genes model associated with prognosis in IPF patients.

Methods

Datasets were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis was applied to create a multi-gene predicted model from patients with IPF in the Freiburg cohort of the GSE70866 dataset. The Siena cohort and the Leuven cohort were used for validation.

Results

Nineteen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the patients with IPF and control were associated with poor prognosis based on the univariate Cox regression analysis (all P < 0.05). According to the median value of the risk score derived from an 8-ferroptosis-related genes signature, the three cohorts’ patients were stratified into two risk groups. Prognosis of high-risk group (high risk score) was significantly poorer compared with low-risk group in the three cohorts. According to multivariate Cox regression analyses, the risk score was an independently predictor for poor prognosis in the three cohorts. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA) confirmed the signature's predictive value in the three cohorts. According to functional analysis, inflammation- and immune-related pathways and biological process could participate in the progression of IPF.

Conclusions

These results imply that the 8-ferroptosis-related genes signature in the bronchoalveolar lavage samples might be an effective model to predict the poor prognosis of IPF.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-021-01799-7.