[Investigation of Anisakis infections in coastal marine fishes and awareness of anisakiasis control knowledge among residents in Yantai City in 2021]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of Anisakis infections in coastal marine fishes and awareness of anisakiasis control knowledge among local residents in Yantai City, Shandong Province in 2021, so as to provide insights into formulation of anisakiasis control interventions.

METHODS

Marine fishes were purchased from Shunxin Port, Yantai City, Shandong Province in November 2021, and the presence of Anisakis was detected in different species of fishes and different fish sites. The correlations between body length and weight of marine fish and intensity of Anisakis infections were examined using Spearman's rank correlation analysis, and the dietary habits and anisakiasis control knowledge were investigated using questionnaire surveys among local residents.

RESULTS

A total of 201 marine fishes belonging to 20 species were dissected, and Anisakis was detected in 77 marine fishes (38.31%) belonging to 11 species (55.00%), with a mean infection intensity of 45.04 parasites per fish (3 468/77). Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed that the body length (rs = 0.74, P < 0.05) and weight (rs = 0.79, P < 0.01) of the monkfish correlated positively with the intensity of Anisakis infections, and the body length (rs = 0.68, P < 0.05) of the flatfish correlated positively with the intensity of Anisakis infections, while no correlations were examined between the body length or weight of other marine fishes and the intensity of Anisakis infections. Of all respondents, 53.38% men and 56.67% women did not know anisakiasis control knowledge at all, and there was a significant difference in the proportion of respondents using separate chopping boards for raw and cooked food from different villages (χ2 = 17.89, P < 0.01), while there was an age-specific proportion of respondents with habitats of eating raw or semi-raw seafood (χ2 = 28.27, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence and intensity of Anisakis infections were high in coastal marine fishes in Yantai City in 2021, and the awareness of anisakiasis control knowledge was low among local residents. Intensified health education pertaining to anisakiasis control knowledge is recommended to reduce the risk of Anisakis infections.

Evaluation of Wheat Cultivars and Germplasm Lines for Resistance to Pratylenchus neglectus Populations Collected in North Dakota

Root-lesion nematode (RLN; Pratylenchus neglectus) is a migratory endoparasite and a major soilborne pathogen that affects wheat (Triticum spp.) production worldwide. Genetic resistance is one of the most economical and effective ways to manage P. neglectus in wheat. This study evaluated 37 local cultivars and germplasm lines in seven greenhouse experiments, including 26 hexaploid wheat, six durum wheat, two synthetic hexaploid wheat, one emmer wheat, and two triticale for P. neglectus resistance from 2016 to 2020. North Dakota field soils infested with two RLN populations (350 to 1,125 nematodes per kilogram of soil) were used for resistance screening under controlled greenhouse conditions. The final nematode population density for each cultivar and line was counted under the microscope to categorize the resistance ranking of these entries as resistant, moderately resistant, moderately susceptible, and susceptible. Out of the 37 cultivars and lines, one was classified as resistant (Brennan); 18 were moderately resistant (Divide, Carpio, Prosper, Advance, Alkabo, SY Soren, Barlow, Bolles, Select, Faller, Briggs, WB Mayville, SY Ingmar, W7984, PI 626573, Ben, Grandin, and Villax St. Jose); 11 were moderately susceptible; and seven were susceptible to P. neglectus. The resistant to moderately resistant lines identified in this study could be used in breeding programs after the resistance genes or loci are further elucidated. This research provides valuable information about P. neglectus resistance among wheat and triticale cultivars used in the Upper Midwest region of the United States.

Opportunities and challenges of tackling Scope 3 "Indirect" emissions from residential hot water

The water sector could play a major role towards a Net Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) future if Scope 3 emissions were embraced and operationalised. Significant opportunities and challenges exist in tackling Scope 3 emissions including those associated with customer hot water use. Present GHG emission reduction practices predominantly focus on Scope 1 "within utility" and Scope 2 "purchased energy" emissions. In the urban water cycle, Scope 3 "indirect" emissions dominate, and water use is only one example of Scope 3 emissions. Over 90% of all water cycle GHG emissions can be attributed to water use in residential, industrial and commercial premises, collectively some 7% of global GHG emissions. One possibility is for water utilities to actively support efficient hot water use such as new ultra-low flow shower heads. Scope 3 opportunities also offer a range of cost-effective emissions-reduction opportunities, particularly when the wider perspective of "community value" is considered and not just a "business financial perspective". Hot water efficiency is additionally essential to Net Zero carbon futures, even with decarbonised grids, because most major Net Zero roadmaps require energy efficiency gains. Scientific and management advance needed includes: accounting methodologies, clear roles, collaboration, new business models, and clear definitions. The water sector has the opportunity to play a significant role in achieving Net Zero cities. The decision how much is yet to be made.

Hyperon Polarization along the Beam Direction Relative to the Second and Third Harmonic Event Planes in Isobar Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons along the beam direction has been measured relative to the second and third harmonic event planes in isobar Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. This is the first experimental evidence of the hyperon polarization by the triangular flow originating from the initial density fluctuations. The amplitudes of the sine modulation for the second and third harmonic results are comparable in magnitude, increase from central to peripheral collisions, and show a mild p_{T} dependence. The azimuthal angle dependence of the polarization follows the vorticity pattern expected due to elliptic and triangular anisotropic flow, and qualitatively disagrees with most hydrodynamic model calculations based on thermal vorticity and shear induced contributions. The model results based on one of existing implementations of the shear contribution lead to a correct azimuthal angle dependence, but predict centrality and p_{T} dependence that still disagree with experimental measurements. Thus, our results provide stringent constraints on the thermal vorticity and shear-induced contributions to hyperon polarization. Comparison to previous measurements at RHIC and the LHC for the second-order harmonic results shows little dependence on the collision system size and collision energy.

Development of a Droplet Digital PCR Assay for Detection and Quantification of Stubby Root Nematode, Paratrichodorus allius, in Soil

The stubby root nematode Paratrichodorus allius is an important plant-parasitic nematode species within the Trichodoridae family. It can directly harm the plants by feeding on the roots or indirectly by transmitting Tobacco rattle virus. These nematodes are mostly diagnosed either by traditional microscopic methods or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is a novel PCR technique which is sensitive and precise in quantifying DNA templates of the test samples. In this study, we developed a ddPCR assay to detect and quantify P. allius in soil. The specificity and sensitivity of the assay was first determined using P. allius nematode DNA or DNA from sterilized soil artificially inoculated with P. allius, and the assay was used to quantify P. allius populations in field soils. The assay did not detect nematodes other than P. allius, thus showing high specificity. It was able to detect P. allius equivalent to a 0.01 and 0.02 portion of a single nematode in soil DNA and nematode DNA extracts, respectively. Highly linear relationships between DNA copy numbers from ddPCR and serial dilutions of known concentrations were observed with DNA from P. allius nematodes (R2 = 0.9842) and from artificially infested soil (R2 = 0.9464). The P. allius populations from field soils determined by ddPCR were highly correlated with traditional microscopic counts (R2 = 0.7963). To our knowledge, this is the first report of applying ddPCR to detect and quantify stubby root nematode in soil. The results of this study support the potentiality of a ddPCR assay as a new research tool in diagnostics of plant-parasitic nematodes.

Clinical Evaluation of Deep Learning-Based Auto-Segmentation toward MRI-Only Prostate Radiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Due to its superior soft-tissue contrast, MRI is the imaging modality of choice for target and organs-at-risk delineation in prostate radiotherapy. A recent advanced MR scanner allows for an MRI-only workflow owing to its ability to generate synthetic CT (MRCAT) that enables accurate dose calculation and treatment planning. While auto-segmentation algorithms for CT images are increasingly being adopted in clinical practice, there are fewer such algorithms for MRI images. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a deep learning-based auto-segmentation tool (from MVision AI) for both MRI and MRCAT images. We hypothesize that such algorithms could produce accurate contours that require little manual editing, resulting in significant time saving and workflow efficiency in MRI-only treatment planning.

MATERIALS/METHODS

T2 MRI and MRCAT image pairs (acquired on a Philips Ingenia 1.5T MRI Scanner) for 10 prostate patients treated in an MRI-only workflow at our institution were retrospectively collected with IRB approval. These image volumes were then segmented using deep learning-based auto-segmentation models trained for MRI and CT images, respectively. The structures were manually edited by an experienced physician in a commercial imaging informatics system (Velocity). Finally, the auto-segmented and the post-edit structures were compared using Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) and 95% Hausdorff Distance (HD95).

RESULTS

Excellent agreement was found between the auto-segmented and post-edit structures. For MRCAT, the average DSC was 0.92±0.03, 0.99±0.00, 0.90±0.06, 0.89±0.07, 0.89±0.06, 0.95±0.04, and 0.96±0.03 for prostate, bladder, rectum, penile bulb, seminal vesicles, left femur, and right femur, respectively. The average HD95 for these structures were 0.65±0.51mm, 0.01±0.01mm, 2.07±1.68mm, 1.10±0.91mm, 1.67±1.81mm, 0.86±1.24mm, and 0.67±1.49mm, respectively. For MRI, the average DSC was 0.96±0.02, 0.99 ±0.00, 0.96±0.03, 0.87±0.03, 0.94±0.06, and 0.89±0.11 for prostate, bladder, rectum, penile bulb, seminal vesicles, and Barrigel spacer, respectively. The average HD95 was 0.25±0.21mm, 0.00±0.00mm, 1.60±1.87mm, 1.43±0.98mm, 0.50±0.86mm, and 1.56±2.26mm, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We evaluated the clinical acceptability of deep learning-based auto-segmentation models for prostate radiotherapy, one for MRI and one for MRCAT delineation. Both models demonstrated superior accuracy, and a high degree of consistency, offering the potential for significant time saving in treatment planning and improved workflow efficiency.

Measurements of the Elliptic and Triangular Azimuthal Anisotropies in Central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au and p+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The elliptic (v_{2}) and triangular (v_{3}) azimuthal anisotropy coefficients in central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au, and p+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV are measured as a function of transverse momentum (p_{T}) at midrapidity (|η|<0.9), via the azimuthal angular correlation between two particles both at |η|<0.9. While the v_{2}(p_{T}) values depend on the colliding systems, the v_{3}(p_{T}) values are system independent within the uncertainties, suggesting an influence on eccentricity from subnucleonic fluctuations in these small-sized systems. These results also provide stringent constraints for the hydrodynamic modeling of these systems.

Observation of Directed Flow of Hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in sqrt[s_{NN}]=3 GeV Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report here the first observation of directed flow (v_{1}) of the hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in mid-central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV at RHIC. These data are taken as part of the beam energy scan program carried out by the STAR experiment. From 165×10^{6} events in 5%-40% centrality, about 8400 _{Λ}^{3}H and 5200 _{Λ}^{4}H candidates are reconstructed through two- and three-body decay channels. We observe that these hypernuclei exhibit significant directed flow. Comparing to that of light nuclei, it is found that the midrapidity v_{1} slopes of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H follow baryon number scaling, implying that the coalescence is the dominant mechanism for these hypernuclei production in the 3 GeV Au+Au collisions.

Beam Energy Dependence of Triton Production and Yield Ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}) in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the triton (t) production in midrapidity (|y|<0.5) Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=7.7-200  GeV measured by the STAR experiment from the first phase of the beam energy scan at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The nuclear compound yield ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}), which is predicted to be sensitive to the fluctuation of local neutron density, is observed to decrease monotonically with increasing charged-particle multiplicity (dN_{ch}/dη) and follows a scaling behavior. The dN_{ch}/dη dependence of the yield ratio is compared to calculations from coalescence and thermal models. Enhancements in the yield ratios relative to the coalescence baseline are observed in the 0%-10% most central collisions at 19.6 and 27 GeV, with a significance of 2.3σ and 3.4σ, respectively, giving a combined significance of 4.1σ. The enhancements are not observed in peripheral collisions or model calculations without critical fluctuation, and decreases with a smaller p_{T} acceptance. The physics implications of these results on the QCD phase structure and the production mechanism of light nuclei in heavy-ion collisions are discussed.

Non-linear relationship between dietary vitamin E intake and cognitive performance in older adults

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the relationship between dietary vitamin E (VE) intake and cognitive function in older adults.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study.

METHODS

We applied data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey obtained during 2011-2014 that met our requirements. The cognitive ability assessments included the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Word Learning (CERAD-WL) and Delayed Recall (CERAD-DR) tests, the animal fluency test, the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and a composite z-score calculated by summing z-scores of individual tests. We used binary logistic regression analysis to explore the relationship between VE intake and cognitive performance. The results are reported using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Our study also included sex-stratified analyses and sensitivity analysis. A restricted cubic splines model was used to evaluate the dose-response relationship between dietary VE intake and cognitive function.

RESULTS

This study found that a higher intake of dietary VE was associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment in patients. Sensitivity analysis shows stable results. The results of the gender stratification analysis showed that dietary VE intake was negatively related to the risk of cognitive disorder among females. An irregular L-shaped dose-response relationship was observed between dietary VE intake and cognitive impairment risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary VE intake was negatively related to the risk of cognitive disorder in older adults, with a higher VE intake lowering the risk.

First Draft Genome Assembly of Root-Lesion Nematode Pratylenchus scribneri Generated Using Long-Read Sequencing

Root-lesion nematodes (genus Pratylenchus) belong to a diverse group of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) with a worldwide distribution. Despite being an economically important PPN group of more than 100 species, genome information related to Pratylenchus genus is scarcely available. Here, we report the draft genome assembly of Pratylenchus scribneri generated on the PacBio Sequel IIe System using the ultra-low DNA input HiFi sequencing workflow. The final assembly created using 500 nematodes consisted of 276 decontaminated contigs, with an average contig N50 of 1.72 Mb and an assembled draft genome size of 227.24 Mb consisting of 51,146 predicted protein sequences. The benchmarking universal single-copy ortholog (BUSCO) analysis with 3131 nematode BUSCO groups indicated that 65.4% of the BUSCOs were complete, whereas 24.0%, 41.4%, and 1.8% were single-copy, duplicated, and fragmented, respectively, and 32.8% were missing. The outputs from GenomeScope2 and Smudgeplots converged towards a diploid genome for P. scribneri. The data provided here will facilitate future studies on host plant-nematode interactions and crop protection at the molecular level.

Measurement of Sequential ϒ Suppression in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV with the STAR Experiment

We report on measurements of sequential ϒ suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) through both the dielectron and dimuon decay channels. In the 0%-60% centrality class, the nuclear modification factors (R_{AA}), which quantify the level of yield suppression in heavy-ion collisions compared to p+p collisions, for ϒ(1S) and ϒ(2S) are 0.40±0.03(stat)±0.03(sys)±0.09(norm) and 0.26±0.08(stat)±0.02(sys)±0.06(norm), respectively, while the upper limit of the ϒ(3S) R_{AA} is 0.17 at a 95% confidence level. This provides experimental evidence that the ϒ(3S) is significantly more suppressed than the ϒ(1S) at RHIC. The level of suppression for ϒ(1S) is comparable to that observed at the much higher collision energy at the Large Hadron Collider. These results point to the creation of a medium at RHIC whose temperature is sufficiently high to strongly suppress excited ϒ states.

Beam Energy Dependence of Fifth- and Sixth-Order Net-Proton Number Fluctuations in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the beam energy and collision centrality dependence of fifth and sixth order cumulants (C_{5}, C_{6}) and factorial cumulants (κ_{5}, κ_{6}) of net-proton and proton number distributions, from center-of-mass energy (sqrt[s_{NN}]) 3 GeV to 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. Cumulant ratios of net-proton (taken as proxy for net-baryon) distributions generally follow the hierarchy expected from QCD thermodynamics, except for the case of collisions at 3 GeV. The measured values of C_{6}/C_{2} for 0%-40% centrality collisions show progressively negative trend with decreasing energy, while it is positive for the lowest energy studied. These observed negative signs are consistent with QCD calculations (for baryon chemical potential, μ_{B}≤110  MeV) which contains the crossover transition range. In addition, for energies above 7.7 GeV, the measured proton κ_{n}, within uncertainties, does not support the two-component (Poisson+binomial) shape of proton number distributions that would be expected from a first-order phase transition. Taken in combination, the hyperorder proton number fluctuations suggest that the structure of QCD matter at high baryon density, μ_{B}∼750  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV is starkly different from those at vanishing μ_{B}∼24  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and higher collision energies.

Host Suitability of Cover Crops to the Root-lesion Nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans Associated with Potato

Non-host or poor host cover crops can provide an alternative method for nematode management. A total of 25 cover crop species/cultivars, along with three controls were evaluated in greenhouse experiments for their host suitability to the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans. Trials were conducted in a completely randomized design using nematode-infested soil and terminated three months after planting. Nematodes were extracted from the roots and soil of each crop to determine their final population densities, reproductive factor (Rf = final population density/initial population density), and distributions in the soil and root habitats. Reproductive factor was used to categorize the host suitability of crops. Faba bean cv. Petite produced the greatest nematode population density in all trials, whereas only alfalfa cv. Bullseye constantly demonstrated the poor host ability to P. penetrans. Annual ryegrass, winter rye cv. ND Dylan, and white proso millet also showed poor hosts in most trials. Five cover crops consistently maintained the population throughout the experiments with Rf values less than 2, and the remaining tested cover crops were suitable hosts for P. penetrans. The majority of the tested cover crops had less than or equal to 30% of the final population residing in the roots after three months of growth in all the trials. This research helps us gain the knowledge on cover crops and P. penetrans interaction and will be useful for potato growers to select better cover crops and avoid susceptible hosts to manage P. penetrans in infested fields to minimize potato yield losses.

[Clinicopathological and molecular features of multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumors of the cerebrum]

Objective: To investigate clinicopathological features of multinodular and vacuolar neurodegenerative tumor (MVNT) of the cerebrum, and to investigate its immunophenotype, molecular characteristics and prognosis. Methods: Four cases were collected at the General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China and one case was collected at the First People's Hospital of Huizhou, China from 2013 to 2021. Clinical, histological, immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics of these five cases were analyzed. Follow-up was carried out to evaluate their prognoses. Results: There were four females and one male, with an average age of 42 years (range, 17 to 51 years). Four patients presented with seizures, while one presented with discomfort on the head. Pre-operative imaging demonstrated non-enhancing, T2-hyperintense multinodular lesions in the deep cortex and superficial white matter of the frontal (n=1) or temporal lobes (n=4). Microscopically, the tumor cells were mostly arranged in discrete and coalescent nodules primarily within the deep cortical ribbon and superficial subcortical white matter. The tumors were composed of large cells with ganglionic morphology, vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli and amphophilic or lightly basophilic cytoplasm. They exhibited varying degrees of matrix vacuolization. Vacuolated tumor cells did not show overt cellular atypia or any mitotic activities. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells exhibited widespread nuclear staining for the HuC/HuD neuronal antigens, SOX10 and Olig2. Expression of other neuronal markers, including synaptophysin, neurofilament and MAP2, was patchy to absent. The tumor cells were negative for NeuN, GFAP, p53, H3K27M, IDH1 R132H, ATRX, BRG1, INI1 and BRAF V600E. No aberrant molecular changes were identified in case 3 and case 5 using next-generation sequencing (including 131 genes related to diagnosis and prognosis of central nervous system tumors). All patients underwent complete or substantial tumor excision without adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Post-operative follow-up information over intervals of 6 months to 8 years was available for five patients. All patients were free of recurrence. Conclusions: MVNT is an indolent tumor, mostly affecting adults, which supports classifying MVNT as WHO grade 1. There is no tumor recurrence even in the patients treated with subtotal surgical excision. MVNTs may be considered for observation or non-surgical treatments if they are asymptomatic.

Evaluation of cover crops for reducing Heterodera glycines populations in microplot experiments

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines) is a major yield-reducing pathogen of soybean worldwide. Microplot experiments were conducted to evaluate ten cover crops for their effects on two SCN populations (SCN103 and SCN2W) collected from North Dakota, USA, soybean fields in 2019 and 2020. Experiments were conducted in a randomised complete block design using naturally infested field soil. A susceptible soybean ‘Barnes’ and non-planted natural soil (fallow) were used as controls. Plants were grown in outdoor conditions for 75 days before soil samples were collected. SCN eggs and juveniles were extracted from the soil samples to determine final population, population reduction and suppression. Soybean had significantly greater final population densities than all the cover crops and fallow. All cover crops and fallow reduced the initial densities of both SCN populations. All the cover crops, except chickling vetch ‘Pulse’, had lower final population densities than fallow and suppressed the SCN populations throughout the experiments. Sunnhemp (cultivar not stated; CNS), oilseed radish ‘Concorde’ and ‘Control’, and daikon radish ‘Eco-Till’ significantly reduced the SCN103 population compared to fallow. Sunnhemp, alfalfa ‘Bullseye’, and daikon radish had significant population reductions of SCN2W than fallow. Sunnhemp was found to have the greatest reductions in SCN populations ranging from 55 to 86% compared to the initial densities. This study demonstrated cover crop species/cultivars with the ability to reduce SCN populations in outdoor conditions, and the findings indicate that they could be utilised in infested fields to manage SCN.

Evidence for Nonlinear Gluon Effects in QCD and Their Mass Number Dependence at STAR

The STAR Collaboration reports measurements of back-to-back azimuthal correlations of di-π^{0}s produced at forward pseudorapidities (2.6<η<4.0) in p+p, p+Al, and p+Au collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 200 GeV. We observe a clear suppression of the correlated yields of back-to-back π^{0} pairs in p+Al and p+Au collisions compared to the p+p data. The observed suppression of back-to-back pairs as a function of transverse momentum suggests nonlinear gluon dynamics arising at high parton densities. The larger suppression found in p+Au relative to p+Al collisions exhibits a dependence of the saturation scale Q_{s}^{2} on the mass number A. A linear scaling of the suppression with A^{1/3} is observed with a slope of -0.09±0.01.

Population Development of the Root-Lesion Nematode Pratylenchus dakotaensis on Soybean Cultivars

Two greenhouse experiments were conducted with the new species of root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus dakotaensis, discovered in North Dakota, USA in 2017 and named in 2021. Experiment 1 was conducted to ascertain resistance levels of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cultivars to the new species P. dakotaensis and Experiment 2 was conducted to evaluate the population levels of P. dakotaensis in roots versus soil. A total of 20 soybean cultivars, and the positive control, cultivar Barnes, accompanying a nonplanted control, were evaluated in both experiments; they each had five replicates and the experiments were repeated. Among the 20 soybean cultivars evaluated, a cultivar with the ID# 13 consistently produced the greatest population densities of P. dakotaensis across all the experiments and therefore it was selected as the susceptible check. The ratio of the final nematode population density of a test cultivar relative to the final population density of the susceptible check was used to scale resistance rating. Combined results of all the trials indicated that seven of the cultivars were moderately resistant, nine of the cultivars plus 'Barnes' were moderately susceptible, and four of the cultivars were susceptible. However, none of the cultivars tested were classified as resistant. Analysis of P. dakotaensis population levels revealed that ≥50% of the population resided in the root habitat and the remaining nematodes were recovered from soil at 9 weeks after planting for a majority of the cultivars tested. These results provide an insight into the virulence of P. dakotaensis on commercial soybean cultivars.

Early Detection and Temporal Dynamics of Pratylenchus scribneri Infection in Potato Roots Determined Using Quantitative PCR and Root Staining

The root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus scribneri, is a migratory endo-parasitic nematode that impacts potato production on a large scale. Effective management of this nematode requires an understanding of its population dynamics alongside early detection. Typically, the nematode population estimates are made from infested soil; however, considering the endo-migratory lifestyle of this nematode, it also is crucial to determine the nematode population residing inside the host roots. In this study, a SYBR green-based quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay was developed for detection and quantification of P. scribneri in potato roots. The assay used a previously reported primer pair (ITS-2F/ITS-2R), and it proved to be specific and sensitive, detecting as low as 1/128th equivalents of a P. scribneri individual per 0.2 g of potato roots. The robustness of the assay was reflected in high correlation observed between the P. scribneri densities determined microscopically and the densities detected by qPCR in artificially inoculated (R² = 0.93) and naturally infected (R² = 0.73) root samples. A time-course experiment conducted in the greenhouse using qPCR detected P. scribneri in potato roots as early as 5 days after planting. The results correlated well with the microscopic observations (R² = 0.80) and were complemented further with root staining. Additionally, three P. scribneri reproduction peaks were observed during one 3-month growth cycle of potato. Overall, the assay developed in this study is specific to P. scribneri in DNA extracts of root tissue and allows early detection and understandings of reproduction timings of this important nematode of potato.

O-133 Association between normal-range paternal serum free thyroxine concentrations and outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies

Study question

Are paternal serum free thyroxine (FT4) concentrations within the reference range associated with outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART)?

Summary answer

Men of older reproductive age (≥ 35 years old) with low FT4 concentrations within the reference range are associated with a decreased live birth rate.

What is known already

The impact of maternal thyroid dysfunction on ART outcomes has been widely elucidated. However, few studies have investigated the impact of paternal thyroid dysfunction on ART outcomes. Our previous study showed a detrimental impact of paternal subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) on the clinical outcomes of ART. Patients with SCH had relatively lower concentrations of FT4 compared to those with euthyroidism. Therefore, it remains to be determined whether the detrimental impacts of paternal SCH on ART outcomes arise from low concentrations of FT4.

Study design, size, duration

This retrospective cohort study included 4,066 couples who received 4,894 ART treatment cycles in our clinic between 1 April 2016 and 31 August 2021.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The differences in sperm parameters and ART outcomes across the paternal FT4 tertiles were compared using generalised linear models or generalised estimation equation models. The primary outcomes were the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR), and the secondary outcomes were sperm parameters, fertilisation rate, good-quality embryo rate, blastocyst formation rate, and implantation rate.

Main results and the role of chance

The mean ages of the males and their female partners were 33.0 and 31.0 years, respectively. No significant differences are observed in the sperm parameters and ART outcomes across the paternal FT4 tertiles in the overall population. However, stratified analysis of men aged ≥ 35 shows a non-significantly lower CPR in the lower paternal FT4 tertile (adjusted rate: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.27–0.45) relative to the middle (adjusted rate: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.38–0.53) and upper (adjusted rate: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.36–0.51) tertiles. The adjusted LBR is 0.21 (95% CI: 0.15–0.30) for men aged ≥ 35 in the lower FT4 tertile (p = 0.024, with reference to the upper tertile), 0.27 (95% CI: 0.21–0.35) for those in the middle tertile and 0.30 (95% CI: 0.23–0.38) for those in the upper tertile. No differences in these outcomes are seen among men aged &lt; 35. The nonlinear smoothing curve obtained by using FT4 as a continuous variable further supports these findings.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Due to the retrospective design of the study, a causal relationship between paternal FT4 concentrations and ART outcomes could not be established. In addition, the study participants were patients who sought fertility treatment, which may have biased the results when we analysed the associations between FT4 concentrations and sperm parameters.

Wider implications of the findings

These results suggest that in older men, low paternal FT4 concentrations, although within the reference range, are associated with worse ART outcomes, especially LBR. Future prospective studies are warranted to confirm the detrimental effects of low paternal FT4 concentrations on ART outcomes.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Measurements of Proton High-Order Cumulants in sqrt[s_{NN}]=3 GeV Au+Au Collisions and Implications for the QCD Critical Point

We report cumulants of the proton multiplicity distribution from dedicated fixed-target Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3.0  GeV, measured by the STAR experiment in the kinematic acceptance of rapidity (y) and transverse momentum (p_{T}) within -0.5<y<0 and 0.4<p_{T}<2.0  GeV/c. In the most central 0%-5% collisions, a proton cumulant ratio is measured to be C_{4}/C_{2}=-0.85±0.09 (stat)±0.82 (syst), which is 2σ below the Poisson baseline with respect to both the statistical and systematic uncertainties. The hadronic transport UrQMD model reproduces our C_{4}/C_{2} in the measured acceptance. Compared to higher energy results and the transport model calculations, the suppression in C_{4}/C_{2} is consistent with fluctuations driven by baryon number conservation and indicates an energy regime dominated by hadronic interactions. These data imply that the QCD critical region, if created in heavy-ion collisions, could only exist at energies higher than 3 GeV.

Measurements of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H Lifetimes and Yields in Au+Au Collisions in the High Baryon Density Region

We report precision measurements of hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H lifetimes obtained from Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3.0  GeV and 7.2 GeV collected by the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, and the first measurement of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H midrapidity yields in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3.0  GeV. _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H, being the two simplest bound states composed of hyperons and nucleons, are cornerstones in the field of hypernuclear physics. Their lifetimes are measured to be 221±15(stat)±19(syst)  ps for _{Λ}^{3}H and 218±6(stat)±13(syst)  ps for _{Λ}^{4}H. The p_{T}-integrated yields of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H are presented in different centrality and rapidity intervals. It is observed that the shape of the rapidity distribution of _{Λ}^{4}H is different for 0%-10% and 10%-50% centrality collisions. Thermal model calculations, using the canonical ensemble for strangeness, describes the _{Λ}^{3}H yield well, while underestimating the _{Λ}^{4}H yield. Transport models, combining baryonic mean-field and coalescence (jam) or utilizing dynamical cluster formation via baryonic interactions (phqmd) for light nuclei and hypernuclei production, approximately describe the measured _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H yields. Our measurements provide means to precisely assess our understanding of the fundamental baryonic interactions with strange quarks, which can impact our understanding of more complicated systems involving hyperons, such as the interior of neutron stars or exotic hypernuclei.

Probing the Gluonic Structure of the Deuteron with J/ψ Photoproduction in d+Au Ultraperipheral Collisions

Understanding gluon density distributions and how they are modified in nuclei are among the most important goals in nuclear physics. In recent years, diffractive vector meson production measured in ultraperipheral collisions (UPCs) at heavy-ion colliders has provided a new tool for probing the gluon density. In this Letter, we report the first measurement of J/ψ photoproduction off the deuteron in UPCs at the center-of-mass energy sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV in d+Au collisions. The differential cross section as a function of momentum transfer -t is measured. In addition, data with a neutron tagged in the deuteron-going zero-degree calorimeter is investigated for the first time, which is found to be consistent with the expectation of incoherent diffractive scattering at low momentum transfer. Theoretical predictions based on the color glass condensate saturation model and the leading twist approximation nuclear shadowing model are compared with the data quantitatively. A better agreement with the saturation model has been observed. With the current measurement, the results are found to be directly sensitive to the gluon density distribution of the deuteron and the deuteron breakup process, which provides insights into the nuclear gluonic structure.

Developing a Real-Time PCR Assay for Direct Identification and Quantification of Soybean Cyst Nematode, Heterodera glycines, in Soil and Its Discrimination from Sugar Beet Cyst Nematode, Heterodera schachtii

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) Heterodera glycines continues to be a major threat to soybean production worldwide. Morphological discrimination between SCN and other nematodes of the Heterodera schachtii sensu stricto group is not only difficult and time-consuming but also requires high expertise in nematode taxonomy. Molecular assays were developed to differentiate SCN from sugar beet cyst nematode (SBCN) and other nematodes and to quantify SCN directly from DNA extracts of field soils. SCN- and SBCN-specific quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) primers were designed from a nematode-secreted CLAVATA gene and used for these assays. The primers were evaluated on the basis of target specificity to SCN or SBCN using DNA from 20 isolates of SCN and 32 isolates of other plant-parasitic nematodes. A standard curve relating threshold cycle and log values of nematode numbers was generated from artificially infested soils and was used to quantify SCN in naturally infested field soils. There was a high correlation between the SCN numbers estimated from naturally infested field soils by conventional methods, and the numbers quantified using the SYBR Green I-based qPCR assay. The qPCR assay is highly specific and sensitive and provides improved SCN detection sensitivity down to 1 SCN egg in 20 g of soil (10 eggs/200 g soil). This assay is useful for efficient detection and quantification of SCN directly from field soil. Species-specific conventional PCR assays were also developed each for SCN and SBCN, alongside a qPCR assay that simultaneously discriminates SCN from SBCN. These assays require no expertise in nematode taxonomy and morphology, and they may serve as useful diagnostic tools in research, diagnostic laboratories, and extension services for SCN management. Sensitive and accurate detection and quantification of SCN are essential for recommending effective management measures against SCN. We also investigated the impact of soil texture and nematode life stage on molecular quantification of SCN.

Characterization of Virulence Phenotypes of Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines) Populations in North Dakota

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines) continues to be the greatest threat to soybean production in the United States. Because host resistance is the primary strategy used to control SCN, knowledge of SCN virulence phenotypes (HG types) is necessary for choosing sources of resistance for SCN management. To characterize SCN virulence phenotypes in North Dakota, a total of 419 soybean fields across 22 counties were sampled during 2015, 2016, and 2017. SCN was detected in 42% of the fields sampled, and population densities in these samples ranged from 30 to 92,800 eggs and juveniles per 100 cm3 of soil. The SCN populations from some of the infested fields were virulence-phenotyped with seven soybean indicator lines and a susceptible check ('Barnes') using the HG type tests. Overall, 73 SCN field populations were successfully virulence-phenotyped. The HG types detected in North Dakota were HG types 0 (frequency rate: 36%), 7 (27%), 2.5.7 (19%), 5.7 (11%), 1.2.5.7 (4%), and 2.7 (2%). However, before this study only HG type 0 was detected in North Dakota. The designation of each of these HG types detected was also validated by repeating the HG type tests for 33 arbitrarily selected samples. This research for the first time reports several new HG types detected in North Dakota and confirms that the virulence of SCN populations is shifting and overcoming resistance, highlighting the necessity of using different resistance sources, rotating resistance sources, and identifying novel resistance sources for SCN management in North Dakota.

The Siberian pine growth dynamics in Altai Mountains, China

Climatic factors play an essential role in the growth of tree ring width. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between climatic variables and tree-ring growth characteristics of Pinus sibirica in Altai mountains, northwestern China. This study being is first of its kind on climate growth analysis of Pinus sibirica in northwestern China. The study showed great potential to understand the species growing under the specific climatic conditions. Total of 70 tree cores collected from three sites in the sampling area, out of which 63 tree cores considered for this study. The effect of climatic variables which was studied include precipitation, temperature and PDSI. Our results showed that Tree Ring Width chronology has a significantly positive correlation with the late winter (March) temperature and significant negative correlation with the July temperatures. A significant correlation was observed with the late summer precipitation whereas no significant relation found with the Palmer Drought Severity Index. These significant correlations with temperature and precipitation suggested that this tree species had the potential for the reconstruction of the past climate in the area.

[Surveillance of Enterobius vermicularis infections among children in Shandong Province from 2016 to 2020]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence and changing trend of Enterobius vermicularis infections among children in Shandong Province, so as to provide the scientific evidence for the adjustment and development of the enterobiasis control strategy.

METHODS

Soil-borne nematodiasis surveillance sites were assigned in 51 counties (districts, cities) in Shandong Province from 2016 to 2020, and the E. vermicularis infections were detected using a modified Kato-Katz technique and the cellophane tape method among children at ages of 3 to 9 years living in these surveillance sites. The epidemiological profiles of E. vermicularis-infected children were descriptively analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 5 060 children at ages of 3 to 9 years were detected in 51 soil-borne nematodiasis surveillance sites in Shandong Province from 2016 to 2020, and the overall prevalence of E. vermicularis infections was 2.23%. The annual prevalence of E. vermicularis infections was 3.99% (26/651), 1.70% (14/824), 0.96% (8/837), 2.90% (45/1 552) and 1.67% (20/1 196) from 2016 to 2020, respectively, with a significant difference detected among years (χ² = 21.455, P < 0.01). The prevalence of E. vermicularis infections was 1.25% (15/1 198), 1.85% (14/755), 3.18% (84/2 640) and 0 (0/467) among children from central, eastern, southern and northern Shandong Province (χ² = 27.326, P < 0.01). In addition, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of E. vermicularis infections between male (1.98%, 56/2 831) and female children (2.56%, 57/2 229) (χ² = 1.916, P > 0.05); however, there was age-specific prevalence of E. vermicularis infections among children (χ² = 16.448, P < 0.05), with the greatest prevalence detected among children at ages of 6 years (3.18%, 25/786), and the lowest prevalence seen among children at ages of 3 years (0.75%, 6/800).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of E. vermicularis infections remained at a medium level among children at ages of 3 to 9 years in Shandong Province from 2016 to 2020, with region-specific prevalence found across the province. An integrated strategy is required for enterobiasis control.

Cardiometabolic index: a new tool for screening the metabolically obese normal weight phenotype

PURPOSE

People with the metabolically obese normal weight (MONW) phenotype are considered as an extremely high-risk group for unfavorable health consequences, but they are frequently undetected due to deceptive body mass index (BMI) and complex assessment. This study aimed to explore the clinical usefulness of cardiometabolic index (CMI) in identifying MONW individuals.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved a total of 47,683 normal-weight subjects aged ≥ 18 years. Participants underwent anthropometrics, routine biochemical tests, and questionnaires for a full evaluation of the metabolic profile. The odds ratio (OR) of CMI and MONW phenotype was determined by the Logistic regression models and the diagnostic accuracy of CMI was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MONW phenotype was 11.0%. After multivariate adjustment, the ORs for MONW in the highest compared with the lowest quartile of CMI was 71.20 (95% CI 55.19-91.86), and 1-SD increment of CMI brought a 54% additional risk. In ROC analysis, compared with BMI and waist circumference, CMI showed superior performance for identifying MONW individuals with an AUC of 0.853 (95% CI 0.847-0.860) in men and 0.912 (95% CI 0.906-0.918) in women, respectively. Moreover, CMI exhibited the highest diagnostic accuracy in younger age groups (aged 18-34 for men; aged 18-34 and 35-44 for women), in which AUCs surpassed 0.9 in both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

CMI could be served as a valuable indicator to identify MONW phenotype of Chinese adults, particularly for young people.

Development of Real-Time and Conventional PCR Assays for Identifying a Newly Named Species of Root-Lesion Nematode (Pratylenchus dakotaensis) on Soybean

A rapid and accurate PCR-based method was developed in this study for detecting and identifying a new species of root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus dakotaensis) recently discovered in a soybean field in North Dakota, USA. Species-specific primers, targeting the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA, were designed to be used in both conventional and quantitative real-time PCR assays for identification of P.dakotaensis. The specificity of the primers was evaluated in silico analysis and laboratory PCR experiments. Results showed that only P.dakotaensis DNA was exclusively amplified in conventional and real-time PCR assays but none of the DNA from other control species were amplified. Detection sensitivity analysis revealed that the conventional PCR was able to detect an equivalent to 1/8 of the DNA of a single nematode whereas real-time PCR detected an equivalent to 1/32 of the DNA of a single nematode. According to the generated standard curve the amplification efficiency of the primers in real-time PCR was 94% with a R2 value of 0.95 between quantification cycle number and log number of P.dakotaensis. To validate the assays to distinguish P.dakotaensis from other Pratylenchus spp. commonly detected in North Dakota soybean fields, 20 soil samples collected from seven counties were tested. The PCR assays amplified the DNA of P.dakotaensis and discriminated it from other Pratylenchus spp. present in North Dakota soybean fields. This is the first report of a species-specific and rapid PCR detection method suitable for use in diagnostic and research laboratories for the detection of P.dakotaensis.

Effects of Cover Crops on Population Reduction of Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines)

Microplot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of cover crops on population reduction of a major soybean pest, soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) in 2016 and 2017. Ten crop species, including annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum L. subsp. arvense), carinata (Brassica carinata A. Braun), faba bean (Vicia faba Roth), foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauvois), daikon radish (Raphanus sativus L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis L.), turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa L.), and winter rye (Secale cereale L.), were planted along with susceptible soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. 'Barnes') in soil naturally infested with each of two SCN populations (SCN103 and SCN2W) from two North Dakota soybean fields. Crops were grown in large plastic pots for 75 days in an outdoor environment (microplot). Soil samples were collected from each pot for nematode extraction and SCN eggs were counted to determine the final SCN egg density. The population reduction was determined for each crop and nonplanted natural soil (fallow). All of the tested crops and nonplanted natural soil had significantly (P < 0.0001) lower final population densities compared with susceptible soybean (Barnes). Also, a significant difference (P < 0.0001) was observed between the SCN population suppressions caused by cover crops versus the fallow treatment. All cover crops except Austrian winter pea, carinata, faba bean, and foxtail millet had consistently lower SCN egg numbers than in fallow in both years of the experiments. The average population reductions of SCN by the cover crops ranged from 44 to 67% in comparison with the initial population density, while the fallow had natural reductions from 4 to 24%. Annual ryegrass and daikon radish reduced SCN egg numbers to a greater extent than the other cover crops, with an average of 65 and 67% reduction of initial population density, respectively, from 2 years. The results suggested that cover crops reduced the SCN populations in external microplot conditions, and their use has great potential for improving SCN management in infested fields.

On the molecular identity of Paratylenchus nanus (Nematoda: Tylenchida)

In this study, molecular characterization of Paratylenchus nanus collected from the type locality in Four Mile Run, Fall Church, Virginia using COI, D2-D3 of 28 S rRNA and ITS rRNA gene sequences was provided. We molecularly also characterized, Paratylenchus specimens collected from grasses in Devils Lake, Ramsey County, North Dakota indicated as the type locality in the original description of P. nanus by Cobb (1923). These nematodes were identified as representatives of the species P. projectus. Populations of P. nanus belonging to the molecular types A and B, and previously designated by Van den Berg et al. (2014) should be now identified as P. nanus and P. projectus, respectively.

Developing a real-time PCR assay for direct detection and quantification of Pratylenchus scribneri in field soil

The endomigratory root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus scribneri, is one of the major plant-parasitic nematodes infecting potato. Accurate identification and quantification of this nematode are essential to develop management strategies but microscopic observations are particularly challenging and time consuming. In this study, a SYBR Green I-based real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed to detect and quantify P. scribneri from field soil DNA extracts. A primer set was designed from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the P. scribneri rDNA gene. Primer specificity to the target nematode was evaluated by both in silico analysis and qPCR and no detection or non-specific amplification was observed for other non-target nematode species/communities tested in this study. Standard curves were generated using DNA extracts from autoclaved soil infested with varying nematode numbers for calibration. The curves were supported by a high correlation between the P. scribneri numbers artificially added to soil or estimated from naturally infested field soils by traditional methods, and the numbers quantified using the qPCR assay. The assay was able to detect 1 out of 128 (0.0078) equivalents of the DNA of a single nematode in 0.5 g of soil. The qPCR assay developed in this study provides a specific and sensitive detection and quantification of P. scribneri from field soils and a rapid alternative to time-consuming traditional nematode identification and enumeration.

[Analysis of drug - resistant gene polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum imported from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province in 2015 and 2016]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the drug-resistant gene polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum imported from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province.

METHODS

From 2015 to 2016, blood samples were collected from imported P. falciparum malaria patients returning from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province, and genome DNA of the malaria parasite was extracted. The drug-resistant Pfcrt, Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, and K13 genes of P. falciparum were amplified using a PCR assay, followed by DNA sequencing, and the sequences were aligned.

RESULTS

The target fragments of all 5 drug-resistant genes of P. falciparum were successfully amplified and sequenced. There were 72.8%, 18.6%, and 8.6% of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfcrt gene, respectively, and all mutant haplotypes were CVIET (the underline indicates the mutation site). There were 20.0%, 61.4% and 18.6% of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfmdr1 gene, respectively, and the mutant haplotypes mainly included YF and NF (the underlines indicate the mutation sites). There were 1.4%, 98.6%, and 0 of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfdhfr gene, respectively, and AIRNI was the predominant mutant haplotype (the underline indicates the mutation site). There were 1.4%, 94.3%, and 4.3% of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfdhps gene, respectively, and SGKAA was the predominant mutant haplotype (the underline indicates the mutation site). The complete drug-resistant IRNGE genotype consisted of 8.6% of the Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes, and the K13 gene A578S mutation occurred in 1.4% of the parasite samples.

CONCLUSIONS

There are mutations in the Pfcrt, Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, and K13 genes of P. falciparum imported from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province, with a low frequency in the Pfcrt gene mutation and a high frequency in the Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, and Pfdhps gene mutations, and the K13 gene A578S mutation is detected in the parasite samples.

Oral delivery of novel human IGF-1 bioencapsulated in lettuce cells promotes musculoskeletal cell proliferation, differentiation and diabetic fracture healing

Human insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays important roles in development and regeneration of skeletal muscles and bones but requires daily injections or surgical implantation. Current clinical IGF-1 lacks e-peptide and is glycosylated, reducing functional efficacy. In this study, codon-optimized Pro-IGF-1 with e-peptide (fused to GM1 receptor binding protein CTB or cell penetrating peptide PTD) was expressed in lettuce chloroplasts to facilitate oral delivery. Pro-IGF-1 was expressed at high levels in the absence of the antibiotic resistance gene in lettuce chloroplasts and was maintained in subsequent generations. In lyophilized plant cells, Pro-IGF-1 maintained folding, assembly, stability and functionality up to 31 months, when stored at ambient temperature. CTB-Pro-IGF-1 stimulated proliferation of human oral keratinocytes, gingiva-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and mouse osteoblasts in a dose-dependent manner and promoted osteoblast differentiation through upregulation of ALP, OSX and RUNX2 genes. Mice orally gavaged with the lyophilized plant cells significantly increased IGF-1 levels in sera, skeletal muscles and was stable for several hours. When bioencapsulated CTB-Pro-IGF-1 was gavaged to femoral fractured diabetic mice, bone regeneration was significantly promoted with increase in bone volume, density and area. This novel delivery system should increase affordability and patient compliance, especially for treatment of musculoskeletal diseases.

Assessment of Factors Associated with Molecular Quantification of Stubby Root Nematode Paratrichodorus allius from Field Soil DNA

Factors relating to SYBR Green-based quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) quantification of stubby root nematode Paratrichodorus allius using soil DNA were evaluated in this study. Soils used were loamy sand from potato fields in North Dakota and Idaho. Results showed that the largest nematode individuals (body length >720 µm) produced significant lower Cq values than the smallest individuals (<359 µm), indicating more total DNA amount in the largest nematodes. Soil pre-treatments showed that autoclaved field soil had significantly reduced DNA amount and quality. The air- or oven-dried soil yielded a lower amount of DNA with similar purity, compared with natural field soil. PCR inhibitors were detected in soil DNA substrates targeting pBluescript II SK(+)-plasmid DNA. Al(NH₄)(SO₄)₂ treatment during DNA preparation significantly reduced the inhibitors compared with post-treatment of soil DNA with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone column. The effect of PCR inhibitors on qPCR was suppressed by bovine serum albumin. Quantification results did not significantly change when increasing the number of DNA extractions from three to six per soil sample when soil grinding and grid sampling strategies were used. Two standard curves, generated from serial dilutions of plasmid DNA containing P. allius ITS1 rDNA and soil DNA containing known nematode numbers, produced similar correlations between Cq values and amount of targets. The targets in soil DNA quantified by qPCR using either standard curve correlated well with microscopic observations using both artificially and naturally infested field soils. This is the first study for assessing various factors that may affect qPCR quantification of stubby root nematodes. Results will be useful during the setup or optimization of qPCR-based quantification of plant-parasitic nematodes from soil DNA.

Volatiles from Merino fleece evoke antennal and behavioural responses in the Australian sheep blow fly Lucilia cuprina

To identify flystrike-related volatile compounds in wool from Merino sheep, the attractiveness of wool to Lucilia cuprina Wiedmann (Diptera: Calliphoridae) was examined. First, a selection of wool samples guided by previous knowledge of sheep lines, predicted to be more susceptible or more resistant to flystrike, was tested. The attractiveness of the 10 samples selected was not associated with field susceptibility: two samples from the more resistant line were identified as most attractive and two samples from the more susceptible line were identified as least attractive, based on the behavioural assays with gravid flies. Comparison of the headspace volatiles of these samples, using solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-electroantennographic detection, revealed octanal and nonanal to be present in the attractive wool samples that elicited responses from the fly antenna. Furthermore, the two compounds were not present in wool that was least attractive to L. cuprina. In laboratory bioassays, octanal and nonanal evoked antennal and behavioural responses in gravid L. cuprina, thus confirming their potential role as semiochemicals responsible for attracting L. cuprina to Merino sheep.

P5476Usefulness of haemoglobin level combined with CAMI-STEMI score for predicting MACCE in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction after PCI

Background

Early risk stratification was strongly recommended to guide therapeutic management and to improve outcome for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Anaemia and high haemoglobin levels are common in STEMI patients, but the effect of the haemoglobin level on the prognosis of STEMI patients remains in dispute. The China Acute Myocardial Infarction registry-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (CAMI-STEMI) score can predict in-hospital mortality among Chinese STEMI patients, with similar performance to the well-established Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) score, while relying solely on simple and practical variables. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the haemoglobin level combined with the CAMI-STEMI score in STEMI patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

We included 360 STEMI patients who underwent PCI. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the first haemoglobin value after PCI, group 1 (male: Hb<120 g/L, female: Hb<110 g/L; 42 cases), group 2 (male: 120 g/L ≤ Hb<160 g/L, female: 110 g/L≤Hb<150 g/L; 278 cases), and group 3 (male: Hb ≥160 g/L, female: Hb ≥150 g/L; 40 cases). Clinical characteristics, and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE) during the follow-up period were recorded.

Results

The incidence of MACCE in the 3 groups increased with a decrease in the haemoglobin level. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the CAMI-STEMI score was an independent predictor of MACCE incidence at 30 days after PCI and that anaemia was an independent predictor of MACCE incidence at 6 months and 1 year after PCI. A high haemoglobin level was an independent predictor of MACCE incidence at 1 year after PCI. The area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of the haemoglobin level, CAMI-STEMI score and haemoglobin level combined with CAMI-STEMI score predicting the occurrence of MACCE in STEMI patients within 30 days after PCI were 0.604, 0.614, and 0.639, respectively.

Figure 1. MACCE-free survival curve

Conclusion

The CAMI-STEMI score was an independent predictor of MACCE incidence at 30 days after PCI. The haemoglobin level combined with the CAMI-STEMI score improved the predictive value of MACCE in STEMI patients within 30 days after PCI.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This study was supported by grants to Chengchun Tang from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Research Grant #81670237)

Reproduction Ability and Growth Effect of Pin Nematode, Paratylenchus nanus, With Selected Field Pea Cultivars

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the reproductive ability and effect of the pin nematode Paratylenchus nanus from North Dakota on field pea cultivars. Reproduction of P. nanus was determined on seven field pea cultivars using naturally infested field soils at low (1,500/kg of soil) and high (4,500/kg soil) initial pin nematode densities. Nematode effect on plant growth and seed yield was evaluated at 4,500 P. nanus per 1 kg of soil by artificially inoculating P. nanus on six field pea cultivars. Reproductive factor (RF) of P. nanus was observed to be greater at the low density than the high density of the nematode. At the low population density, RF values ranged from 1.10 to 11.20, whereas at the high density, RF ranged from 1.20 to 2.50. In experiments evaluating P. nanus effects on cultivar growth, the nematode (4,500 P. nanus per 1 kg soil) caused reduction (P < 0.05) of plant height in most cultivars tested, and it also significantly impacted dry shoot weight and dry seed weight in some experiments. Plant height and shoot weight reductions were the highest in the cultivar Arcadia (up to 37 and 53%, respectively), with a dry seed weight reduction up to 32%. This research demonstrated for the first time the negative impact of P. nanus on field peas in controlled greenhouse conditions, which is an important step toward developing effective management strategies to improve the productivity of this leguminous crop.

Susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes to microbial larvicides in diverse ecological settings in western Kenya

The microbial larvicides Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus (Bs) (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) are well known for their efficacy and safety in mosquito control. In order to assess their potential value in future mosquito control strategies in western Kenya, the current study tested the susceptibility of five populations of Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), collected from five diverse ecological sites in this area, to Bti and Bs under laboratory conditions. In each population, bioassays were conducted with eight concentrations of larvicide (Bti/Bs) in four replicates and were repeated on three separate days. Larval mortality was recorded at 24 h or 48 h after the application of larvicide and subjected to probit analysis. A total of 2400 An. gambiae complex larvae from each population were tested for their susceptibility to Bti and Bs. The mean (± standard error of the mean, SEM) lethal concentration values of Bti required to achieve 50% and 95% larval mortality (LC₅₀ and LC₉₅ ) across the five populations were 0.062  (± 0.005) mg/L and 0.797 (± 0.087) mg/L, respectively. Corresponding mean  (± SEM) values for Bs were 0.058 (± 0.005) mg/L and 0.451 (± 0.053) mg/L, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that the five populations of An. gambiae complex mosquitoes tested were fully susceptible to Bti and Bs, and there was no significant variation in susceptibility among the tested populations.

Developing a One-Step Multiplex PCR Assay for Rapid Detection of Four Stubby-Root Nematode Species, Paratrichodorus allius, P. minor, P. porosus, and Trichodorus obtusus

Four trichodorid species, Paratrichodorus allius, P. minor, P. porosus, and Trichodorus obtusus, were found in multiple states in the United States. Traditional diagnosis based on morphology and morphometrics is laborious and requires an experienced taxonomist. Additionally, end-point diagnosis using PCR was only available for P. allius. To increase diagnostic efficiency and reduce costs, a one-step multiplex PCR assay was developed to simultaneously identify these four species using one PCR reaction. Available sequences of 18S ribosomal DNA and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region of these species were aligned and five primers were designed. The conserved forward primer located in the 18S region, in combination with the species-specific antisense primer in the ITS1 region, amplified a single distinctive PCR fragment for each species (421/425 bp for P. allius, 190 bp for P. minor, 513 bp for P. porosus, and 353 bp for T. obtusus). In silico analysis with 10 other trichodorid species and experimental analysis using samples with these four species, 20 other plant-parasitic and three non-plant-parasitic nematodes demonstrated high specificity with the primers designed. The multiplex PCR amplified desirable fragments using a set of artificially mixed templates containing one, two, three, or four targeted species. The reliability of multiplex PCR results was demonstrated by using nematode populations isolated from infested fields from diverse geographic regions in eight states. The multiplex PCR-based tool developed in this study for the first time provides a simple, rapid, and cost-friendly assay for accurate diagnosis of the four major trichodorid nematodes in the United States.

Occurrence and distribution of vermiform plant-parasitic nematodes and the relationship with soil factors in field pea (Pisum sativum) in North Dakota, USA

Plant-parasitic nematodes restrict crop growth and cause yield loss in field pea (dry edible pea). A 4-year survey of commercial pea fields was conducted in North Dakota, one of the leading producers of field pea in the USA, to investigate nematode distribution, prevalence, abundance and association with soil properties. Beginning in 2014, a total of 243 soil samples were collected from 16 counties, and soil properties of 115 samples were analysed to determine the association of nematodes with soil factors (texture, organic matter, nutrients). The plant-parasitic nematode genera, Paratylenchus (absolute frequency = 58-100%; mean density = 470-1550 (200 g soil)−1; greatest density = 7114 (200 g soil)−1) and Tylenchorhynchus (30-80%; 61-261; 1980, respectively), were the most frequent and widely distributed. Pratylenchus and Helicotylenchus were identified in one-third of the counties surveyed with mean densities ranging from 43 to 224 and 36 to 206 (200 g soil)−1, respectively. Xiphinema was found relatively frequently but at low densities. Hoplolaimus and Paratrichodorus were rarely detected at lower densities. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that soil factors explained 19% of the total variance of nematode genera abundance. The relationship between nematode abundance and soil sand content and pH was significant, while clay, silt, organic matter and nutrients were not significantly related to nematode abundance. This is the first multi-year study investigating nematodes associated with field peas and their relationship with soil factors in a major field pea production region of the USA.

Molecular Characterization and Identification of Stubby Root Nematode Species From Multiple States in the United States

Stubby root nematodes (SRN) are important plant parasites infecting many crops and widely distributed in many regions of the United States. SRN transmit Tobacco rattle virus, which causes potato corky ringspot disease, thereby having a significant economic impact on the potato industry. In 2015 to 2017, 184 soil samples and 16 nematode suspensions from North Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida were assayed for the presence of SRN. SRN were found in 106 soil samples with population densities of 10 to 320 SRN per 200 g of soil and in eight of the nematode suspensions. Sequencing of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) or species-specific polymerase chain reaction assays revealed the presence of four SRN species, including Paratrichodorus allius, P. minor, P. porosus, and Trichodorus obtusus. Accordingly, their rDNA sequences were characterized by analyzing D2-D3 of 28S rDNA, 18S rDNA, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA obtained in this study and retrieved from GenBank. Both intra- and interspecies variations were higher in ITS rDNA than 18S rDNA and D2-D3 of 28S rDNA. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the four SRN species formed a monophyletic group, with P. allius more closely related to P. porosus than P. minor and T. obtusus. Indel variation of ITS2 rDNA was present in P. allius populations from the same geographic regions. This study documented the occurrence of SRN species across multiple states. The intra- and interspecies genetic diversity of rDNA in this study will provide more information for understanding the evolutionary relationships of SRN and will be valuable for future studies of SRN species identification and management.

An Algal Diet Accelerates Larval Growth of Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) and Anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidae)

The population sizes of Anopheles gambiae Giles (Diptera: Culicidae) and Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae) increase dramatically with the onset of the rainy season in sub-Saharan Africa, but the ecological mechanisms underlying the increases are not well understood. As a first step toward to understand, we investigated the proliferation of algae, the major food of mosquito larvae, in artificial fresh water bodies exposed to sunlight for a short period, and old water bodies exposed to sunlight for a long period, and the effects thereof on the development of these anopheline larvae. We found that an epizoic green algal species of the genus Rhopalosolen (Chlorophyta: Chlorophyceae) proliferated immediately after water freshly taken from a spring was placed in sunlight. This alga proliferated only briefly (for ~10 d) even if the water was repeatedly exposed to sunlight. However, various algal species were observed in water that remained under sunlight for 40 d or longer (i.e., in old water bodies). The growth performance of larvae was higher in sunlight-exposed (alga-rich) water than in shade-stored (alga-poor) water. Stable isotope analysis suggested that these two anopheline species fed on Rhopalosolen algae in fresh water bodies but hardly at all on other algae occurring in the old water bodies. We concluded that freshly formed ground water pools facilitate high production of anopheline species because of the proliferation of Rhopalosolen algae therein, and the increase in the number of such pools in the rainy season, followed by rapid increases in A. gambiae and A. arabiensis numbers.