Novel alternative tools for metastatic pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas prediction

OBJECTIVE

The existing prediction models for metastasis in pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas (PPGLs) showed high heterogeneity in different centers. Therefore, this study aimed to establish new prediction models integrating multiple variables based on different algorithms.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Data of patients with PPGLs undergoing surgical resection at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2007 to 2022 were collected retrospectively. Patients were randomly divided into the training and testing sets in a ratio of 7:3. Subsequently, decision trees, random forest, and logistic models were constructed for metastasis prediction with the training set and Cox models for metastasis-free survival (MFS) prediction with the total population. Additionally, Ki-67 index and tumor size were transformed into categorical variables for adjusting models. The testing set was used to assess the discrimination and calibration of models and the optimal models were visualized as nomograms. Clinical characteristics and MFS were compared between patients with and without risk factors.

RESULTS

A total of 198 patients with 59 cases of metastasis were included and classified into the training set (n = 138) and testing set (n = 60). Among all models, the logistic regression model showed the best discrimination for metastasis prediction with an AUC of 0.891 (95% CI, 0.793-0.990), integrating SDHB germline mutations [OR: 96.72 (95% CI, 16.61-940.79)], S-100 (-) [OR: 11.22 (95% CI, 3.04-58.51)], ATRX (-) [OR: 8.42 (95% CI, 2.73-29.24)] and Ki-67 ≥ 3% [OR: 7.98 (95% CI, 2.27-32.24)] evaluated through immunohistochemistry (IHC), and tumor size ≥ 5 cm [OR: 4.59 (95% CI, 1.34-19.13)]. The multivariate Cox model including the above risk factors also showed a high C-index of 0.860 (95% CI, 0.810-0.911) in predicting MFS after surgery. Furthermore, patients with the above risk factors showed a significantly poorer MFS (P ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Models established in this study provided alternative and reliable tools for clinicians to predict PPGLs patients' metastasis and MFS. More importantly, this study revealed for the first time that IHC of ATRX could act as an independent predictor of metastasis in PPGLs.

Hypothalamic Gene Expression in a Rat Model of Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Treated with Electroacupuncture

Depression is characterized by the loss of pleasure and a depressed mood, and it is a common mental disorder in the twenty-first century. Multiple gene imbalances, which are considered pathological factors in depression, were detected in the brain. Electroacupuncture is an effective therapeutic approach for depression that has minimal side effects. As a crucial structure in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal, the hypothalamus plays a key role in depression. Our study focused on the transcriptome level in the hypothalamus of depressive rats. After chronic unpredictable mild stress, the rats exhibited depressive-like behaviors, such as decreased sucrose consumption in the SPT, increased time in the central area of the OFT and increased immobility in the FST. Moreover, electroacupuncture alleviated depressive behaviors. Because of the importance of the hypothalamus in depression, we next detected gene expression in the hypothalamus. A total of 510 genes (125 upregulated genes and 385 downregulated genes) were detected in the hypothalamus of depressive rats. 15 of the 125 upregulated genes and 63 of the 385 downregulated genes could be altered by electroacupuncture, which suggests the antidepressant effect of electroacupuncture. Our study also provided the evidence that regulation of transcriptome in the hypothalamus might be a potential mechanism of electroacupuncture treatment.

Different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies in the treatment of IBS-D with anxiety and depression: A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Currently, a variety of Western medical interventions are available for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) with comorbid anxiety and depression. However, the attendant negative effects also emerge, putting pressure on healthcare resources and socio-economic structures. In recent years, the benefits of acupuncture (ACU) and moxibustion in the treatment of IBS-D with anxiety and depression have gradually emerged. However, there are many types of ACU-moxibustion-related treatments, and the aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of different ACU-moxibustion therapies in the treatment of anxiety and depression in IBS-D patients.

METHODS

Searched and identified randomized controlled trials (RCTS) of ACU for the treatment of anxiety and depression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The search spanned from the establishment of the database until September 1, 2023. Revman 5.4 and Stata 15.0 software were used for network meta-analysis (NMA), and the included interventions were ranked by the area under the cumulative ranking curve.

RESULTS

A total of 26 articles involving 8 interventions were included. In terms of improving HAMA score, MOX was superior to EA, combined therapies, CH, WM and placebo; In terms of improving HAMD score, MOX was superior to ACU, EA, combined therapies, WM and placebo; In terms of improving the SAS score, The combined therapies were superior to EA, CH and WM; In terms of improving SDS scores, The combined therapies were superior to EA, CH and WM; In terms of improving IBS-SSS score, The combined therapies were superior to WM; In terms of reducing recurrence rates, CH was superior to combined therapies; In terms of improving total effective rates, MOX was superior to EA, CH, WM and placebo; MOX, combined therapies, ACU and EA ranked higher in SUCRA of different outcome indicators.

CONCLUSION

MOX, combined therapies, ACU and EA have certain curative effect on anxiety and depression in patients with IBS-D, and their safety is high. ACU and MOX combined with other therapies also have significant advantages in the treatment effect.

Neural circuits regulating visceral pain

Visceral hypersensitivity, a common clinical manifestation of irritable bowel syndrome, may contribute to the development of chronic visceral pain, which is a major challenge for both patients and health providers. Neural circuits in the brain encode, store, and transfer pain information across brain regions. In this review, we focus on the anterior cingulate cortex and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus to highlight the progress in identifying the neural circuits involved in visceral pain. We also discuss several neural circuit mechanisms and emphasize the importance of cross-species, multiangle approaches and the identification of specific neurons in determining the neural circuits that control visceral pain.

Combining various acupuncture therapies with multimodal analgesia to enhance postoperative pain management following total knee arthroplasty: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of various acupuncture treatments in conjunction with multimodal analgesia (MA) for managing postoperative pain and improving knee function in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA), based on the findings from clinical research indicating the potential benefits of acupuncture-related therapies in this context.

Methods

We searched Web of Science, PubMed, SCI-hub, Embase, Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP) to collect randomized controlled trials of acupuncture-related therapies for post-TKA pain. After independent screening and data extraction, the quality of the included literature was evaluated. The potential for bias in the studies incorporated in the analysis was assessed according to the guidelines outlined in the Cochrane Handbook 5.1. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 16.0 software, with primary outcome measures including visual analog scale (VAS), pain pressure threshold (PPT), hospital for special surgery knee score (HSS), and knee joint range of motion (ROM). Furthermore, the interventions were ranked based on the SUCRA value.

Results

We conducted an analysis of 41 qualifying studies encompassing 3,003 patients, examining the efficacy of four acupuncture therapies (acupuncture ACU, electroacupuncture EA, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation TEAS, and auricular acupoint therapy AAT) in conjunction with multimodal analgesia (MA) and MA alone. The VAS results showed no significant difference in efficacy among the five interventions for VAS-3 score. However, TEAS+MA (SMD: 0.67; 95%CI: 0.01, 1.32) was more effective than MA alone for VAS-7 score. There was no significant difference in PPT score among the three interventions. ACU + MA (SMD: 6.45; 95%CI: 3.30, 9.60), EA + MA (SMD: 4.89; 95%CI: 1.46, 8.32), and TEAS+MA (SMD: 5.31; 95%CI: 0.85, 9.78) were found to be more effective than MA alone for HSS score. For ROM score, ACU + MA was more efficacious than EA + MA, TEAS+MA, and AAT + MA, MA. Regarding the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions, nausea and vomiting were more prevalent after using only MA. Additionally, the incidence of postoperative dizziness and drowsiness following ACU + MA (OR = 4.98; 95%CI: 1.01, 24.42) was observed to be higher compared to that after AAT + MA intervention. Similarly, the occurrence of dizziness and drowsiness after MA was found to be significantly higher compared to the following interventions: TEAS+MA (OR = 0.36; 95%CI: 0.18, 0.70) and AAT + MA (OR = 0.20; 95%CI: 0.08, 0.50). The SUCRA ranking indicated that ACU + MA, EA + MA, TEAS+MA, and AAT + MA displayed superior SUCRA scores for each outcome index, respectively.

Conclusion

For the clinical treatment of post-TKA pain, acupuncture-related therapies can be selected as a complementary and alternative therapy. EA + MA and TEAS+MA demonstrate superior efficacy in alleviating postoperative pain among TKA patients. ACU + MA is the optimal choice for promoting postoperative knee joint function recovery in TKA patients. AAT + MA is recommended for preventing postoperative adverse reactions.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/, identifier (CRD42023492859).

Pseudomonas chlororaphis IRHB3 assemblies beneficial microbes and activates JA-mediated resistance to promote nutrient utilization and inhibit pathogen attack

Introduction

The rhizosphere microbiome is critical to plant health and resistance. PGPR are well known as plant-beneficial bacteria and generally regulate nutrient utilization as well as plant responses to environmental stimuli. In our previous work, one typical PGPR strain, Pseudomonas chlororaphis IRHB3, isolated from the soybean rhizosphere, had positive impacts on soil-borne disease suppression and growth promotion in the greenhouse, but its biocontrol mechanism and application in the field are not unclear.

Methods

In the current study, IRHB3 was introduced into field soil, and its effects on the local rhizosphere microbiome, disease resistance, and soybean growth were comprehensively analyzed through high-throughput sequencing and physiological and molecular methods.

Results and discussion

We found that IRHB3 significantly increased the richness of the bacterial community but not the structure of the soybean rhizosphere. Functional bacteria related to phosphorus solubilization and nitrogen fixation, such as Geobacter, Geomonas, Candidatus Solibacter, Occallatibacter, and Candidatus Koribacter, were recruited in rich abundance by IRHB3 to the soybean rhizosphere as compared to those without IRHB3. In addition, the IRHB3 supplement obviously maintained the homeostasis of the rhizosphere microbiome that was disturbed by F. oxysporum, resulting in a lower disease index of root rot when compared with F. oxysporum. Furthermore, JA-mediated induced resistance was rapidly activated by IRHB3 following PDF1.2 and LOX2 expression, and meanwhile, a set of nodulation genes, GmENOD40b, GmNIN-2b, and GmRIC1, were also considerably induced by IRHB3 to improve nitrogen fixation ability and promote soybean yield, even when plants were infected by F. oxysporum. Thus, IRHB3 tends to synergistically interact with local rhizosphere microbes to promote host growth and induce host resistance in the field.

The Impact of Testosterone on Alzheimer's Disease Are Mediated by Lipid Metabolism and Obesity: A Mendelian Randomization Study

BACKGROUND

To investigate the causal relationship between testosterone (BT) levels and Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk and to quantify the role of obesity and lipid metabolism as potential mediators.

METHODS

We used a two-sample, two-step MR to determine:1) the causal effect of BT levels on AD; 2) the causal effect of two lipid metabolites, obesity and LDLc on AD; and 3) the mediating effects of these metabolites. Pooled data for BT levels and lipid metabolism were obtained from the UK Biobank. AD data were obtained from the Alzheimer's Disease Project International Genomics Consortium, FinnGen Consortium, and UK Biobank study. Effect estimates from external genome-wide association study (GWAS) pooled statistics were obtained using inverse variance-weighted (IVW) MR analysis.

RESULTS

Higher levels of BT were associated with a reduced risk of AD (odds ratio [OR] 0.9992, 95% CI 0.9985-0.9998, P = 0.019), and there was a negative correlation with LDLc (OR 0.9208, 95% CI 0.8569-0.9895, P = 0.024) and obesity class 2 (OC2) (OR 0.7445, 95% CI 0.5873-0.9437, P = 0.014). Conversely, there was a positive correlation between LDLc (OR 1.0014, 95% CI 1.0000-1.0029, P = 0.043) and OC2 (OR 1.0005, 95% CI 1.0001-1.0009, P = 0.003) and AD. Mediation analysis showed that the indirect effect of BT levels on AD was achieved through LDLc and OC2, which accounted for 17% and 17% of the total effect, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our study identified a causal role of BT levels in LDLc and OC2. BT levels may affect AD through LDLc and OC2 metabolic processes.

Mendelian Randomization Analysis Reveals Causal Factors behind Alzheimer's Disease Risk: Evidence, Opportunities, and Challenges

Alzheimer's disease and its comorbidities pose a heavy disease burden globally, and its treatment remains a major challenge. Identifying the protective and risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, as well as its possible underlying molecular processes, can facilitate the development of interventions that can slow its progression. Observational studies and randomized controlled trials have provided some evidence regarding potential risk factors for Alzheimer's disease; however, the results of these studies vary. Mendelian randomization is a novel epidemiological methodology primarily used to infer causal relationships between exposures and outcomes. Many Mendelian randomization studies have identified potential causal relationships between Alzheimer's disease and certain diseases, lifestyle habits, and biological exposures, thus providing valuable data for further mechanistic studies and the development and implementation of clinical prevention strategies. However, the results and data from Mendelian randomization studies must be interpreted based on comprehensive evidence. Moreover, the existing Mendelian randomization studies on the epidemiology of Alzheimer's disease have some limitations that are worth exploring. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize the available evidence on the potential protective and risk factors for Alzheimer's disease by assessing published Mendelian randomization studies on Alzheimer's disease, and to provide new perspectives on the etiology of Alzheimer's disease.

Causal association between aspirin use and risk of endometrioid carcinoma: a Mendelian randomization study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the causal relationship between aspirin use and the risk of endometrial endometrioid cancer (EEC) using two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A TSMR analysis was conducted to estimate the potential causal relationship between aspirin use and the risk of EEC using genome-wide data from Genome-wide association study (GWAS). The causal association between aspirin use and EEC was further analyzed by MVMR analysis after adjusting for various factors such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and infertility. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data associated with aspirin use and EEC was obtained from the GWAS catalog database.

RESULTS

A total of six SNPs were included as instrumental variables in TSMR, which showed that taking aspirin reduced the risk of EEC [OR = 0.02, 95% CI = 0-0.28, p = 0.005, inverse variance weighted (IVW) method]. Besides, the results of the weighted median (WME) method, weighted mode, and simple mode were consistent with the results shown by the IVW method. After further using the MVMR method, the causal association of aspirin use and prevention of EEC onset remained significant after adjusting for the effects of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes (OR = 0.076, 95% CI = 0.007-0.793, p = 0.031). Sensitivity analyses, including heterogeneity, horizontal multiplicity, and leave-one-out tests, showed the reliability of the instrumental variables, proving that the results were reliable and not significantly biased.

CONCLUSIONS

Taking aspirin can reduce the risk of EEC morbidity, and it is expected to be of great significance for the early prevention and treatment of endometrial cancer by exploring the biological mechanism of aspirin on endometrioid cancer at a deeper level.

[Protective effect of recombinant Schistosoma japonicum cystatin against acute kidney injury associated with acute liver failure in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the protective effect of recombinant Schistosoma japonicum cystatin (rSj-Cys) against acute kidney injury induced by acute liver failure and unravel the underlying mechanism, so as to provide insights into the clinical therapy of acute kidney injury.

METHODS

Twenty-four male C57BL/6J mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into the normal control group, rSj-Cys control group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GaIN) model group and LPS/D-GaIN + rSj-Cys treatment group, of 6 mice each group. Mice in the LPS/D-GaIN group and LPS/D-GaIN + rSj-Cys group were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (10 μg/kg) and D-GaIN (700 mg/kg), and mice in the LPS/D-GaIN + rSj-Cys group were additionally administered with rSj-Cys (1.25 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection 30 min post-modeling, while mice in the rSj-Cys group were intraperitoneally injected with rSj-Cys (1.25 mg/kg), and mice in the normal control group were injected with the normal volume of PBS. All mice were sacrificed 6 h post-modeling, and mouse serum and kidney samples were collected. Serum creatinine (Cr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were measured, and the pathological changes of mouse kidney specimens were examined using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression of inflammatory factors and pyroptosis-related proteins was quantified in mouse kidney specimens using immunohistochemistry. In addition, the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway-associated proteins was determined in mouse kidney specimens using Western blotting assay.

RESULTS

HE staining showed no remarkable abnormality in the mouse kidney structure in the normal control group and the rSj-Cys control group, and renal tubular injury was found in LPS/D-GaIN group, while the renal tubular injury was alleviated in LPS/D-GaIN+rSj-Cys treatment group. There were significant differences in serum levels of Cr (F = 46.33, P < 0.001), BUN (F = 128.60, P < 0.001), TNF-α (F = 102.00, P < 0.001) and IL-6 (F = 202.10, P < 0.001) among the four groups, and lower serum Cr [(85.35 ± 32.05) μmol/L], BUN [(11.90 ± 2.76) mmol/L], TNF-α [(158.27 ± 15.83) pg/mL] and IL-6 levels [(56.72 ± 4.37) pg/mL] were detected in the in LPS/D-GaIN + rSj-Cys group than in the LPS/D-GaIN group (all P values < 0.01). Immunohistochemical staining detected significant differences in TNF-α (F = 24.16, P < 0.001) and IL-10 (F = 15.07, P < 0.01) expression among the four groups, and lower TNF-α [(106.50 ± 16.57)%] and higher IL-10 expression [(91.83 ± 5.23)%] was detected in the LPS/D-GaIN + rSj-Cys group than in the LPS/D-GaIN group (both P values < 0.01). Western blotting and immunohistochemistry detected significant differences in the protein expression of pyroptosis-related proteins NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) (F = 24.57 and 30.72, both P values < 0.001), IL-1β (F = 19.24 and 22.59, both P values < 0.001) and IL-18 (F = 16.60 and 19.30, both P values < 0.001) in kidney samples among the four groups, and lower NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 expression was quantified in the LPS/D-GaIN + rSj-Cys treatment group than in the LPS/D-GaIN group (P values < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in the protein expression of NF-κB signaling pathway-associated proteins p-NF-κB p-P65/NF-κB p65 (F = 71.88, P < 0.001), Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 (F = 45.49, P < 0.001) and p-IκB/IκB (F = 60.87, P < 0.001) in mouse kidney samples among the four groups, and lower expression of three NF-κB signaling pathway-associated proteins was determined in the LPS/D-GaIN + rSj-Cys treatment group than in the LPS/D-GaIN group (all P values < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

rSj-Cys may present a protective effect against acute kidney injury caused by acute liver failure through inhibiting inflammation and pyroptosis and downregulating the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Identification and Genetic Characterization of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae from Kiwifruit in Sichuan, China

Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae causes kiwifruit bacterial canker and poses a major threat to the kiwifruit industry. This study aimed to investigate the genetic characteristics of the P. syringae pv. actinidiae population from kiwifruit in Sichuan, China. Sixty-seven isolates obtained from diseased plants were characterized using morphological features, multiplex-PCR, and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). The isolates exhibited the typical colony morphology of P. syringae pv. actinidiae. Multiplex PCR amplification identified every isolate as P. syringae pv. actinidiae biovar 3. MLSA of the three housekeeping genes gapA, gyrB, and pfk, revealed that the reference strains of the five described biovars were clearly distinguished by a combined phylogenetic tree, and all of the tested isolates clustered with the reference strains of P. syringae pv. actinidiae biovar 3. Through a phylogenetic tree constructed from a single gene, it was found that pkf gene alone could distinguish biovar 3 from the other biovars. Furthermore, all P. syringae pv. actinidiae isolates analyzed by BOX-A1R-based repetitive extragenic palindromic (BOX)-PCR and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR clustered into four groups. The clustering results of BOX- and ERIC-PCR indicated that group III had the largest number of isolates, accounting for 56.72 and 61.19% of all 67 isolates, respectively, and the two characterization methods were similar and complementary. The results of this study revealed that the genomes of P. syringae pv. actinidiae isolates from Sichuan had rich genetic diversity but no obvious correlation was found between clustering and geographical region. This research provides novel methodologies for rapidly detecting kiwifruit bacterial canker pathogen and a molecular differentiation at genetic level of P. syringae pv. actinidiae biovar diversity in China.

Validation of target protein PcnWAS in Pomacea canaliculata and screening of target-based molluscicidal compounds

Virtual screening is an efficient way to obtain new drugs, which has become an important method in the field of pesticide research. Protein neural wiskott-Aldrich syndrome isoform X1 (PcnWAS) is a target protein that exists in the haemocytes of Pomacea canaliculata, and in this study, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to evaluate the binding ability of protein PcnWAS and pedunsaponin A in vitro. Furthermore, it was set as a receptor, and the design of molluscicidal compounds based on protein PcnWAS was carried out. Results showed that, pedunsaponin A had high binding capacity with protein PcnWAS, and the binding constant (Ka) was 2.98 ± 1.74 × 10^-4. A new potential molluscicidal compound thionicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (thionicotinamide-DPN) was obtained by virtual screening. In-vivo bioassay indicated that, the LC₅₀ value was 57.7102 mg/L (72 h), and the oxygen consumption rate, ammonia excretion rate, oxygen nitrogen ratio and hemocyanin content of P. canaliculata declined after 60 mg/L thionicotinamide-DPN treated. Furthermore, the treatment of thionicotinamide-DPN also decreased gene expression level of protein PcnWAS. The results of ITC test showed that thionicotinamide-DPN can bind with protein PcnWAS efficiently, which means that it has the same target with pedunsaponin A when interacted with P. canaliculata. All the above results lay a foundation for the development of new molluscicides.

Improving the solubility of pseudo-hydrophobic Alzheimer's Disease medicinal chemicals through co-crystal formulation

Natural products are ligands and potential inhibitors of Alzheimer's disease (AD) tau. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a CNS active natural product. Despite having signature polyphenolic character, DHM is ostensibly hydrophobic owing to intermolecular hydrogen bonds that shield hydrophilic phenols. Our research shows DHM becomes ionized at near-neutral pH allowing formulation of salts with transformed solubility. The MicroED co-crystal structure with trolamine reveals DHM salts as metastable solids with unlocked hydrogen bonding and a thermodynamic bent to solubilize in water. All salt formulations show better inhibitory activity against AD tau than the non-salt form, with efficacies correlating to enhanced solubilities. These results underscore the role of structural chemistry in guiding selection of solubilizing agents for chemical formulation. We propose DHM salts are appropriate formulations for research as dietary supplements to promote healthy aging by combating protein misfolding. Additionally, DHM is a suitable lead for medicinal chemistry and possible development of CNS pharmaceuticals.

Epitranscriptic regulation of HRAS by N6-methyladenosine drives tumor progression

Overexpression of Ras, in addition to the oncogenic mutations, occurs in various human cancers. However, the mechanisms for epitranscriptic regulation of RAS in tumorigenesis remain unclear. Here, we report that the widespread N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of HRAS, but not KRAS and NRAS, is higher in cancer tissues compared with the adjacent tissues, which results in the increased expression of H-Ras protein, thus promoting cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Mechanistically, three m6A modification sites of HRAS 3' UTR, which is regulated by FTO and bound by YTHDF1, but not YTHDF2 nor YTHDF3, promote its protein expression by the enhanced translational elongation. In addition, targeting HRAS m6A modification decreases cancer proliferation and metastasis. Clinically, up-regulated H-Ras expression correlates with down-regulated FTO and up-regulated YTHDF1 expression in various cancers. Collectively, our study reveals a linking between specific m6A modification sites of HRAS and tumor progression, which provides a new strategy to target oncogenic Ras signaling.

High-throughput screening for myelination promoting compounds using human stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells

Promoting myelination capacity of endogenous oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) is a promising therapeutic approach for CNS demyelinating disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). To aid in the discovery of myelination-promoting compounds, we generated a genome-engineered human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) line that consists of three reporters: identification-and-purification tag, GFP, and secreted-NanoLuc, driven by the endogenous PDGFRA, PLP1, and MBP genes, respectively. Using this cell line, we established a high-throughput drug screening platform and performed a small-molecule screen, which identified at least two myelination-promoting small-molecule (Ro1138452 and SR2211) that target prostacyclin (IP) receptor and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γ (RORγ), respectively. Single-cell-transcriptomic analysis of differentiating OPCs treated with these molecules further confirmed that they promote oligodendrocyte differentiation and revealed several pathways that are potentially modulated by them. The molecules and their target pathways provide promising targets for the possible development of remyelination-based therapy for MS and other demyelinating disorders.

Discovery of a Potential Molluscicide Based on Protein PcRoo in Gill Cilia of Pomacea canaliculata

In modern pesticide discovery, target-based drug design is an attractive and cost-effective approach. Previous studies found that protein rootletin (PcRoo) is a target protein of arecoline, when interacted with Pomacea canaliculata. In this study, we modeled the target protein through threading, and the binding energy between arecoline and protein PcRoo was calculated as -5.02 kcal/mol by molecular docking. Furthermore, two target compounds, baclofen and acedoben, with molluscicidal activity in theory were obtained by virtual screening in database DrugBank. The in vivo bioassay showed that baclofen could induce typical poisoning symptoms on P. canaliculata, which were characterized by weakness of foot muscles and loss of gill cilia, and the LC50 value was 16.2437 mg/L (72 h). Additionally, after 15 mg/L baclofen treatment, the oxygen consumption rate, ammonia excretion rate, and oxygen nitrogen ratio of P. canaliculata declined. Furthermore, the treatment of baclofen also decreased the gene expression level of PcRoo. These trends were the same as the changes after 5 mg/L arecoline treatment. The pharmacophore characteristics were further analyzed, and the results showed that the chemical structures of baclofen and arecoline were correlated in molluscicidal activity. These findings indicate that baclofen has the potential to be used as a molluscicide in agricultural production, and other new molluscicides may be obtained by virtual screening based on protein PcRoo.

First Report of Colletotrichum fructicola Causing Anthracnose on Glycine max in China

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the important oilseed and vegetable crop worldwide and provides the main source of vegetable oil and proteins for human and livestock (Hartman et al. 2011). In October 2021, approximately 35% of soybean pods suffered from anthracnose in the farmer's field in Chongzhou, Sichuan Province, China (103°40'12"E, 30°37'48"N), and the occurrence area accounted for about 3.3 hm2. Symptoms of soybean were characterized by yellow spots at the initial stage, gradually expanded into dark brown spots, and eventually amounts of small black particles were densely arranged in the wheel shape on dead spots. Diseased spots of soybean pods were cut into pieces and sequentially sterilized in 75% alcohol for 30 s, 4% sodium hypochlorite for 30 s, sterile water for 3 times. After that, these pieces were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 25±2°C in the dark for 5-7 days. Single spore was separately picked and transferred to a fresh PDA plate to obtain pure culture isolates. Total six pure isolates were collected, and among them the hyphae of representative isolate 8-B were initially white, turned grey gradually on PDA medium, and the colonial reverse were radiating, whorled or a mixture of both. Conidia of 8-B were septate, hyaline, unicellular, cylindrical, obtusely rounded at both ends with 1 or 2 oil balls inside, and 10.5-17.6 µm in length and 7.0 µm-3.6 µm in width (n=100). The conidial appressoria were brown subspherical, 6.9 µm-13.3 µm in length and 5.6 µm-10.1 µm (n=50) in width. Based on morphological and cultural characteristics, the isolate 8-B was tentatively identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex（Weir et al. 2012). To test pathogenicity, the mycelial plugs were inoculated on 20 detached soybean pods at full seed (R6) stage, and three areas of each pod were lightly scratched using a needle prior to inoculation. As controls, the PDA plugs were attached to the pinned-treated pods. Three independent replicates were conducted for control and inoculated pods, respectively. All pods were incubated in a greenhouse at 25 ± 2°C with a relative humidity of approximately 90%. After 4-5 days post-inoculation, typical anthracnose lesions were observed on the inoculated pods while the control pods remained healthy only with small wound spots. The pathogen re-isolated from all the inoculated pods were morphologically identical to the inoculation isolate (8-B). For further molecular verification, the six gene fragments including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), chitin synthase 1 (CHS-1), actin (ACT), β-tubulin 2 (TUB2) and calmodulin (CAL) were amplified and sequenced (Weir et al. 2012, Damm et al. 2012), and the obtained sequences were deposited in GenBank (Accession numbers ON960278, ON685214, ON964475, ON974476, ON685215 and ON964477, respectively). All six gene sequences of 8-B had a high identity to C. fructicola (the stand isolate ICMP 18581) with the accession numbers ON960278 (100%), ON974476 (96%), ON685214 (99%), ON964475 (99%), ON685215 (100%), and ON964477 100%), respectively. Anthracnose disease caused by C. fructicola has previously been reported to affect a range of plant hosts worldwide (Guarnaccia et al. 2017). However, it is still unknown on C. fructicola causing anthracnose in soybean in China. This study firstly reports C. fructicola as the causal agent of anthracnose on soybean in the country, and provides a theoretical basis for the diagnosis and control of this disease.

The acute toxicity, mechanism, bioconcentration and elimination of fluxametamide on zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Fluxametamide is a completely novel and the first isoxazoline insecticide used to control agricultural pests and has high insecticidal properties. To expand its usage in the paddy field, its potential toxicological effects on fish are necessary to make clear. In this study, the acute toxicity, bioconcentration and elimination of fluxametamide to zebrafish Danio rerio, and the action mode of it on the heteromeric Drα1β2Sγ2 and Drα1β2S GABA receptor was respectively determined by HPLC and two-electrode voltage clamp technique. Fluxametamide exhibited high toxicity to D. rerio, whereas slightly inhibited the GABA-stimulated current of Drα1β2Sγ2 or Drα1β2S. It showed high bioconcentration level in D. rerio at 0.0314 mg L^-1 and 0.157 mg L^-1, with bioconcentration factors at steady state of 1491.55 and 2875.28, respectively. The concentration of fluxametamide in D. rerio rapidly decreased from 47.84 ± 0.12 to 9.77 ± 1.13 mg kg^-1 in 0.0314 mg L^-1 or from 393.19 ± 0.46 to 46.93 ± 2.88 mg kg^-1 in 0.157 mg L^-1 within 10 days, and steadily kept at a low level after 18 days. In conclusion, fluxametamide has highly acute toxicity to D. rerio, and might induce high bioconcentration in a short time. As we know, this is the first report to provide a theoretical basis for evaluating the potential risk of fluxametamide on fish, and guidance for the application of fluxametamide.

Sublethal effects of chlorfenapyr on Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

BACKGROUND

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), is the most destructive pest of cruciferous vegetables worldwide. Chlorfenapyr is an important insecticide for controlling DBM. The impacts of three sublethal doses (LC₁ , LC₁₀ and LC₃₀ ) of chlorfenapyr on the chlorfenapyr-exposed DBM individuals and their unexposed F₁ and F₂ offspring were investigated in order to reveal the non-lethal deleterious effects of chlorfenapyr and its potential hormetic effects.

RESULTS

LC₁ significantly increased female pupa weight of F₀ and F₁ generations, and F₀ fecundity as well as F₁ gross reproduction rate (GRR). The LC₁ -elicited rise in emergency rate and fecundity was significantly greater in F₀ than in F₁ . By contrast, LC₃₀ significantly decreased age-specific survival rates, pupation rate, male pupal weight, emergence rate and fecundity of F₀ and F₁ generations as well as female adult proportion and GRR, net reproduction rate (R₀ ), intrinsic rate of increase (r_m ) and finite rate of increase (λ) of F₁ generation. The LC₃₀ -induced reductions in pupation rate, adult emergence rate, male and female pupa weight, and fecundity were greater in F₁ than in F₀ . While LC₁₀ elicited only a mild inhibition (extension of pupal duration) in F₀ , it yielded both deleterious (drops in female proportion and age-specific survivals) and hormetic effects (ups in male longevity and female fecundity) in F₁ .

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate that the sublethal effects of chlorfenapyr on DBM vary from inhibition to stimulatory hormesis, depending on the dose and generation. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pestalotiopsis Species Associated with Blueberry Leaf Spots and Stem Cankers in Sichuan Province of China

Blueberry leaf spots and stem cankers caused by Pestalotiopsis spp. have become a serious threat for the production of blueberry in Sichuan Province. To characterize the etiology of the diseases connected with these fungi, samples showing leaf spot and stem canker symptoms were collected from the 12 main blueberry-growing areas of Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2020 and used for pathogen isolation. In total, 91 fungal isolates were obtained with preliminary morphological identification and 48 representative strains were selected for further pathogenicity test and molecular identification. Four species, including Pestalotiopsis clavispora (Neopestalotiopsis clavispora) (57.14%), P. trachicarpicola (28.57%), P. chamaeropis (13.19%), and P. adusta (1.10%), were identified based on conidial morphology, cultural characteristics, and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region, partial sequence of the β-tubulin gene, and the translation elongation factor 1-α. Pathogenicity tests showed that four species were pathogenic to leaves and stems of blueberry. Among them, P. clavispora (N. clavispora) was the most aggressive as the predominant species to cause both leaf spot and stem canker. P. trachicarpicola and P. chamaeropis were mainly isolated from leaves but also pathogenic to stems. P. adusta was only isolated from stems but also pathogenic to leaves. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. chamaeropis and P. adusta as pathogens causing leaf spots and stem canker on blueberry. The results provide helpful information in disease diagnosis and management of blueberry.

Better prognosis in POEMS patients with cerebral infarction before polyneuropathy

POEMS syndrome is a plasma cell disease. Clinical manifestations and clinical onset are variable. In recent years, more and more cases of POEMS syndrome with cerebrovascular disease and ischemic stroke have been reported. However, it is rare for patients with POEMS syndrome to present with a cerebrovascular accident as the first clinical manifestation. We presented three cases of POEMS syndrome with cerebral infarction in different phases of the disease. We then searched the literature for studies involving POEMS syndrome complicated with cerebral infarction. There were 81 cases in total. In nine patients, cerebral infarctions occurred before polyneuropathy. Patients with cerebral infarction before polyneuropathy have better prognosis of POEMS than those with cerebral infarction after polyneuropathy.

Study on the relationship of Hsp70 with the temperature sensitivity of pedunsaponin A poisoning Pomacea canaliculata

Previous studies have found that temperature influences molluscicidal the activity of pedunsaponin A (PA), which may be related to the expression of Hsp70, a cold-tolerance gene in Pomacea canaliculata. We determined the temperature effect of PA and the relationship between Hsp70 and temperature sensitivity of P. canaliculata poisoned by PA. Toxicity tests resulted in LC₅₀ values of 17.7239 mg⋅L^-1 at 10 °C, which decreased to 2.5774 mg⋅L^-1 at 30 °C, implying a positive correlation between toxicity of PA and temperature. After Hsp70 being interfered, the mortality rate of P. canaliculata treated with PA for 72 h was 70%, which was significantly higher than that of snails treated with PA for 72 h without interfering (56.7%). Meanwhile, immune enzyme activities such as SOD, ACP and AKP were significantly increased in the interfered group and expression level of PcAdv in the gill was also significantly increased. These results suggest that deletion of Hsp70 promotes the activation of some immune enzymes of P. canaliculata and elevates the content of target proteins to cope with the dual stresses of low temperatures and molluscicides. These findings indicate that the Hsp70 plays an important role in influencing the temperature sensitivity of P. canaliculata when treated with PA.

Maize-soybean relay strip intercropping reshapes the rhizosphere bacterial community and recruits beneficial bacteria to suppress Fusarium root rot of soybean

Rhizosphere microbes play a vital role in plant health and defense against soil-borne diseases. Previous studies showed that maize-soybean relay strip intercropping altered the diversity and composition of pathogenic Fusarium species and biocontrol fungal communities in the soybean rhizosphere, and significantly suppressed soybean root rot. However, whether the rhizosphere bacterial community participates in the regulation of this intercropping on soybean root rot is not clear. In this study, the rhizosphere soil of soybean healthy plants was collected in the continuous cropping of maize-soybean relay strip intercropping and soybean monoculture in the fields, and the integrated methods of microbial profiling, dual culture assays in vitro, and pot experiments were employed to systematically investigate the diversity, composition, and function of rhizosphere bacteria related to soybean root rot in two cropping patterns. We found that intercropping reshaped the rhizosphere bacterial community and increased microbial community diversity, and meanwhile, it also recruited much richer and more diverse species of Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., Streptomyces sp., and Microbacterium sp. in soybean rhizosphere when compared with monoculture. From the intercropping, nine species of rhizosphere bacteria displayed good antagonism against the pathogen Fusarium oxysporum B3S1 of soybean root rot, and among them, IRHB3 (Pseudomonas chlororaphis), IRHB6 (Streptomyces), and IRHB9 (Bacillus) were the dominant bacteria and extraordinarily rich. In contrast, MRHB108 (Streptomyces virginiae) and MRHB205 (Bacillus subtilis) were the only antagonistic bacteria from monoculture, which were relatively poor in abundance. Interestingly, introducing IRHB3 into the cultured substrates not only significantly promoted the growth and development of soybean roots but also improved the survival rate of seedlings that suffered from F. oxysporum infection. Thus, this study proves that maize-soybean relay strip intercropping could help the host resist soil-borne Fusarium root rot by reshaping the rhizosphere bacterial community and driving more beneficial microorganisms to accumulate in the soybean rhizosphere.

Physiological and metabolic analyses provide insight into soybean seed resistance to fusarium fujikuroi causing seed decay

Seed-borne pathogens cause diverse diseases at the growth, pre- and post-harvest stage of soybean resulting in a large reduction in yield and quality. The physiological and metabolic aspects of seeds are closely related to their defense against pathogens. Recently, Fusarium fujikuroi has been identified as the dominant seed-borne fungi of soybean seed decay, but little information on the responses of soybean seeds induced by F. fujikuroi is available. In this study, a time-course symptom development of seed decay was observed after F. fujikuroi inoculation through spore suspension soaking. The germination rate and the contents of soluble sugar and soluble protein were significantly altered over time. Both chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase as important fungal cell wall-degrading enzymes of soybean seeds were also rapidly and transiently activated upon the early infection of F. fujikuroi. Metabolic profile analysis showed that the metabolites in glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism and tryptophan metabolism were clearly induced by F. fujikuroi, but different metabolites were mostly enriched in isoflavone biosynthesis, flavone biosynthesis, and galactose pathways. Interestingly, glycitein and glycitin were dramatically upregulated while daidzein, genistein, genistin, and daidzin were largely downregulated. These results indicate a combination of physiological responses, cell wall-related defense, and the complicated metabolites of soybean seeds contributes to soybean seed resistance against F. fujikuroi, which are useful for soybean resistance breeding.

The gene LpBCP increased NaHCO3 resistance by enhancing lignin or ROS scavenging in the Nicotiana benthamiana

Lilium pumilum is an excellent wildflower germplasm resource with high resistance to salinity stress. The gene LpBCP plays an important role in salinity tolerance of L. pumilum. Studying the molecular mechanism of salinity resistance in L. pumilum will provide insights into multiple aspects, including breeding better varieties, environmental protection, improving soil conditions, etc. Conventional methods were used to determine different physiological indicators of Nicotiana benthamiana after NaHCO₃ treatment, i.e. chlorophyll content, soluble phenol content and lignin content. RT-qPCR was carried out to find expression of LpBCP in different organs and under abiotic stresses. DAB was used to detect H₂ O₂ in leaves in situ. A yeast two-hybrid system was used to screen for LpBCP interacting proteins. LpBCP was cloned from bulbs of L. pumilum. The highest expression of LpBCP was in roots and bulbs of transgenic plants. LpBCP-overexpressed plants showed less wilting, compared to WT plants. LpBCP transgenic plants have higher chlorophyll, soluble phenol and lignin content, and lower relative conductivity under 500 mM NaHCO₃ stress. In addition, H₂ O₂ scavenging in transgenic plants was much improved, indicating increased resistance to NaHCO₃ stress. Thirteen LpBCP-interacting proteins were screened using the yeast two-hybrid method and five were associated with salt stress. Based on our findings, LPBCP could be a key gene that can be used to improve L. pumilum salt tolerance.

Antifungal Effects and Active Components of Ligusticum chuanxiong

The separation of chemical components from wild plants to develop new pesticides is a hot topic in current research. To evaluate the antimicrobial effects of metabolites of Ligusticum chuanxiong (CX), we systematically studied the antimicrobial activity of extracts of CX, and the active compounds were isolated, purified and structurally identified. The results of toxicity measurement showed that the extracts of CX had good biological activities against Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Alternaria alternata and Pythium aphanidermatum, and the value of EC50 were 130.95, 242.36, 332.73 and 307.29 mg/L, respectively. The results of in vivo determination showed that under the concentration of 1000 mg/L, the control effect of CX extract on Blumeria graminis was more than 40%, and the control effect on Botrytis cinerea was 100%. The antifungal active components of CX were identified as Senkyunolide A and Ligustilide by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. The MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) value of Senkyunolide A and Ligustilide against Fusarium graminearum were 7.81 and 62.25 mg/L, respectively. As a new botanical fungicide with a brightly exploitative prospect, CX extract has potential research value in the prevention and control of plant diseases.

Pharmacophore identification, virtual screening and activity verification of pedunsaponin A on target proteins PcAdv and PcnWAS of Pomacea canaliculata

Target-protein-based pesticide screening has attracted wide-ranging attention on pesticide science. Pedunsaponin A (PA) is a compound isolated from the root of Pueraria peduncularis, and it has a strong toxic effect on Pomacea canaliculata. Previous studies found that Advlin (PcAdv) and neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome isoform X1(PcnWAS) are target proteins of PA when interacted with P. canaliculata. In this study, we modeled the two target proteins through I-Tasser and identified the pharmacophore of PA binding to the two target proteins by molecular docking. Furthermore, through virtual screening, potassium alginate was found to strongly bind to the target proteins in theory. In vivo bioassay showed that, similar to PA treatment, potassium alginate was able to induce typical poisoning symptoms on P. canaliculata, which were characterized by abnormal increase of excreta, weakening of climbing capacity, loss of gill cilia and decrease in hemocyanin content, and even cause death of P. canaliculata with a 13.33% mortality rate under 100 mg L^-1 concentration. Furthermore, the treatment of potassium alginate also decreased the gene expression level of PcAdv and PcnWAS. These findings indicate that potassium alginate can affect the living state of P. canaliculata, and that it is feasible to develop new molluscicides based on PcAdv and PcnWAS by virtual screening. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Changes in the Density and Composition of Rhizosphere Pathogenic Fusarium and Beneficial Trichoderma Contributing to Reduced Root Rot of Intercropped Soybean

The dynamic of soil-borne disease is closely related to the rhizosphere microbial communities. Maize–soybean relay strip intercropping has been shown to significantly control the type of soybean root rot that tends to occur in monoculture. However, it is still unknown whether the rhizosphere microbial community participates in the regulation of intercropped soybean root rot. In this study, rhizosphere Fusarium and Trichoderma communities were compared in either healthy or root-rotted rhizosphere soil from monocultured and intercropped soybean, and our results showed the abundance of rhizosphere Fusarium in intercropping was remarkably different from monoculture. Of four species identified, F. oxysporum was the most aggressive and more frequently isolated in diseased soil of monoculture. In contrast, Trichoderma was largely accumulated in healthy rhizosphere soil of intercropping rather than monoculture. T. harzianum dramatically increased in the rhizosphere of intercropping, while T. virens and T. afroharzianum also exhibited distinct isolation frequency. For the antagonism test in vitro, Trichoderma strains had antagonistic effects on F. oxysporum with the percentage of mycelial inhibition ranging from 50.59–92.94%, and they displayed good mycoparasitic abilities against F. oxysporum through coiling around and entering into the hyphae, expanding along the cell–cell lumen and even dissolving cell walls of the target fungus. These results indicate maize–soybean relay strip intercropping significantly increases the density and composition proportion of beneficial Trichoderma to antagonize the pathogenic Fusarium species in rhizosphere, thus potentially contributing to the suppression of soybean root rot under the intercropping.

Growth promotion ability of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria from the soybean rhizosphere under maize-soybean intercropping systems

BACKGROUND

Optimum cultivation and management measures are needed to increase the phosphorus (P) absorption efficiency of crops for sustainable agricultural production. Previous studies indicated that leguminous crops can promote P absorption by neighboring gramineous crops. In this study, we isolated and screened the phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) from soybean rhizosphere under a maize-soybean intercropping system in Southwest China, and nine PSBs with high P-solubilizing ability were identified.

RESULTS

16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that these PSBs belong mainly to Bacillus and Pseudomonas. The phosphate solubility of Bacillus aryabhattai B8W22 reached 388.62 μg mL-1 . High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis showed that each strain could secrete a large quantity of organic acids, including oxalic acid, malonic acid, citric acid and succinic acid. In addition, all strains produced indole acetic acid (IAA) and siderophores that could promote plant growth. Seed germination experiments testified that PSBs isolated in this study have an innate ability to promote plant growth. The plant culture pot experiment further illustrated that soil acid phosphatase (ACP) activity and available P content, as well as plant P uptake, increased significantly with PSBs inoculation.

CONCLUSION

PSBs from the rhizosphere soil of intercropped soybean could secrete organic acids that increase the solubilization of unavailable P, improve soil ACP activity and P availability, and produce IAA and siderophores that promote maize seed germination and seedling growth. Our findings indicate the PSBs from soybean rhizosphere have significant potential to reduce the application of chemical phosphate fertilizers and to promote sustainable agricultural development. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of insecticides on malacostraca when managing diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) in combination planting-rearing fields

The combination of crop planting and animal rearing in the same area is popular. However, if the methods of planting and rearing are not appropriate, it will result in losses and the disruption of pest management. The toxicities of 17 insecticides to Plutella xylostella, Eriocheir sinensis, and Procambarus clarkii were tested. The recommended maximum field doses were used in 2 d and 4 d bioassays, and the levels of resistance of P. xylostella to insecticides were determined. Of five insecticides that had relatively low toxicity to E. sinensis and P. clarkii, spinetoram and MbNPV showed the best control efficacy of P. xylostella, followed by tetrachlorantraniliprole, chlorantraniliprole, and avermectin. P. xylostella had relatively little resistance to spinetoram, MbNPV, chlorantraniliprole, and avermectin. Therefore, we concluded that the best insecticides suitable for combination planting and rearing fields (cauliflower-crab or cauliflower-crayfish) were spinetoram and MbNPV, followed by chlorantraniliprole and avermectin. Other insecticides, such as emamectin benzoate, indoxacarb, and chlorfenapyr were effective at controlling P. xylostella, but they were not suitable for use in combination planting and rearing fields because of their high toxicity to crabs and crayfish.

Study on the fungicidal mechanism of glabridin against Fusarium graminearum

Glabridin is a natural plant-derived compound that has been widely used in medicine and cosmetic applications. However, the fungicidal mechanism of glabridin against phytopathogens remains unclear. In this study, we determined the biological activity and physiological effects of glabridin against F. graminearum. Then the differentially expressed proteins of F. graminearum were screened. The EC₅₀ values of glabridin in inhibiting the mycelial growth and conidial germination of F. graminearum were 110.70 mg/L and 40.47 mg/L respectively. Glabridin-induced cell membrane damage was indicated by morphological observations, DiBAC₄(3) and PI staining, and measurements of relative conductivity, ergosterol content and respiratory rates. These assays revealed that the integrity of the membrane was destroyed, the content of ergosterol decreased, and the respiratory rate was inhibited. A proteomics analysis showed that 186 proteins were up-regulated and 195 proteins were down-regulated. Mechanically sensitive ion channel proteins related to transmembrane transport and ergosterol biosynthesis ERG4/ERG24, related to ergosterol synthesis were blocked. It is speculated that glabridin acts on ergosterol synthesis-related proteins to destroy the integrity of the cell membrane, resulting in abnormal transmembrane transport and an increased membrane potential. Finally, the morphology of mycelia was seriously deformed, growth and development were inhibited. As a result death was even induced.

Studies on the control effect of Bacillus subtilis on wheat powdery mildew

BACKGROUND

Wheat powdery mildew is a worldwide fungal disease and one of the main diseases harming wheat production. Bacillus subtilis is a vital biocontrol bacteria with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. In this study, we systematically studied the control effect of B. subtilis on wheat powdery mildew.

RESULTS

The control efficiency of 4 × 10⁵  CFU ml^-1 B. subtilis on wheat leaves was 71.75% in vitro and 70.31% in a pot experiment. Application of 4 × 10⁵  CFU ml^-1 B. subtilis significantly inhibited spore germination (spore germination rate of 22.23%) and increased appressorium deformity (appressorium deformity rate of 69.33%). This was significantly different from the results in the sterile water treatment. Through transcriptome sequencing analysis, we found that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the biosynthesis and metabolism of amino acids (including phenylalanine), carbon metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway and other pathways. In particular, the plant hormone signal pathway gene nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related genes 1 (NPR1) was significantly upregulated.

CONCLUSION

B. subtilis at concentrations of 4 × 10⁵  CFU ml^-1 had a significant control effect on wheat powdery mildew and can inhibit germination of the conidial germ tubes and the normal development of appressorium. B. subtilis may induce disease resistance in wheat to control wheat powdery mildew, and this effect is related to the salicylic acid-dependent signal pathway. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Fucoxanthin induces prostate cancer PC-3 cell apoptosis by causing mitochondria dysfunction and oxidative stress]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the apoptosis- inducing effect of fucoxanthin in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells and the underlying mechanism.

OBJECTIVE

The viability and apoptosis of PC-3 cells treated with fucoxanthin were analyzed using commercial kits, and the mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial morphology and mitochondrial superoxide were detected using fluorescence probe staining. The contents of ATP, H₂O₂, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide and the total antioxidant capacity of PC-3 cells were determined. The protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and cytochrome c were detected with Western blotting, and the activity of caspase-9 and caspase- 3/7 was detected using corresponding kits.

OBJECTIVE

Fucoxanthin significantly inhibited the viability of PC-3 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and dose-dependently induced apoptosis of the cells (P < 0.05). Fucoxanthin-treated PC-3 cells showed significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial fragmentation and increased superoxide level in the mitochondria (P < 0.05), and these effects of fucoxanthin were dose- dependent. Fucoxanthin dose-dependently decreased ATP level and the total antioxidant capacity of PC-3 cells, increased the contents of H₂O₂, MDA and superoxide (all P < 0.05), enhanced the protein expressions of Bax and cytochrome c in the cytoplasm, and lowered the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and cytochromes in the mitochondria (P < 0.05).

OBJECTIVE

Fucoxanthin induces apoptosis of PC-3 cells by triggering mitochondrial dysfunction to cause oxidative stress and by activating mitochondria-mediated apoptotic signaling pathways, suggesting its potential in prostate cancer treatment.

Assessing the risk of insecticides to Actinopterygii in the combination of ecological planting and rearing

In order to study the co-existing environment of pests and economic animals, the toxicity of 15 insecticides to Plutella xylostella, Monopterus albus, and Paramisgurnus dabryanus was tested. Combined with the recommended maximum doses in the field and bioassay, the results showed that for the three insecticides that were of relatively low toxicity to M. albus and P. dabryanus, spinetoram showed the best control effect on P. xylostella, followed by chlorfenapyr and chlorantraniliprole. However, P. xylostella showed a relatively high resistance to chlorfenapyr. Therefore, the best insecticide suitable for the fields with the cauliflower-finless eel or cauliflower-loach planting and rearing combination was spinetoram, followed by chlorantraniliprole and chlorfenapyr. Other insecticides such as emamectin benzoate, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), matrine, and so on were effective against the diamondback moth, but they were not suitable for use because of their high toxicity to the finless eel and loach.

Symptoms and pathogens diversity of Corn Fusarium sheath rot in Sichuan Province, China

To elucidate the symptoms and pathogens diversity of corn Fusarium sheath rot (CFSR), diseased samples were collected from 21 county-level regions in 12 prefecture-level districts of Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2018 in the present study. In the field, two symptom types appeared including small black spots with a linear distribution and wet blotches with a tawny or brown color. One hundred thirty-seven Fusarium isolates were identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis (EF1-α), and Koch's postulates were also assessed. The results identified the isolates as 8 species in the Fusarium genus, including F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, F. fujikuroi, F. asiaticum, F. equiseti, F. meridionale, F. graminearum and F. oxysporum, with isolation frequencies of 30.00, 22.67, 15.33, 7.33, 6.00, 5.33, 3.33 and 1.33%, respectively. Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum were the dominant and subdominant species, respectively. Two or more Fusarium species such as F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum were simultaneously identified at a mixed infection rate of 14.67% in the present study. The pathogenicity test results showed that F. proliferatum and F. fujikuroi exhibited the highest virulence, with average disease indices of 30.28 ± 2.87 and 28.06 ± 1.96, followed by F. equiseti and F. verticillioides, with disease indices of 21.48 ± 2.14 and 16.21 ± 1.84, respectively. Fusarium asiaticum, F. graminearum and F. meridonale showed lower virulence, with disease indices of 13.80 ± 2.07, 11.57 ± 2.40 and 13.89 ± 2.49, respectively. Finally, F. orysporum presented the lowest virulence in CFSR, with a disease index of 10.14 ± 1.20. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of F. fujikuroi, F. meridionale and F. asiaticum as CFSR pathogens in China.

Integrating Narcissus-derived galanthamine production into traditional upland farming systems

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a disorder associated with progressive degeneration of memory and cognitive function. Galantamine is a licenced treatment for AD but supplies of the plant alkaloid that it is produced from, galanthamine, are limited. This three-year system study tested the potential to combine Narcissus-derived galanthamine production with grassland-based ruminant production. Replicate plots of permanent pasture were prepared with and without bulbs of Narcissus pseudonarcissus sown as lines into the sward. Two different fertiliser regimes were imposed. The above-ground green biomass of N. pseudonarcissus was harvested in early spring and the galanthamine yield determined. In the second harvest year a split-plot design was implemented with lines of N. pseudonarcissus cut annually and biennially. All plots were subsequently grazed by ewes and lambs and animal performance recorded. Incorporation of N. pseudonarcissus into grazed permanent pasture had no detrimental effects on the health or performance of the sheep which subsequently grazed the pasture. There was no consistency to the effects of fertiliser rates on galanthamine yields. There was no difference in overall galanthamine yield if N. pseudonarcissus was cut biennially (1.64 vs. 1.75 kg galanthamine/ha for annual combined vs biennial cuts respectively; s.e.d = 0.117 kg galanthamine/ha; ns). This study verified the feasibility of a dual cropping approach to producing plant-derived galanthamine.

[Application of autologous platelet-rich plasma separation in cardiac valve replacement: a random clinical trial]

Objective: To examine the blood protective effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma separation for cardiac valve replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: Sixty patients who underwent cardiac valve replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass from August 2018 to May 2019 in Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University were randomly divided into control and treatment groups(each 30 cases). There were 33 males and 27 females, aged (52.0±8.4) years (range: 35 to 65 years). Autologous platelet separation was performed in the treatment group after anaesthesia administration and was completed before systemic heparinisation. Platelet separation was not performed in the control group. The thromboelastogram, blood routine, blood coagulation, perioperative fluid infusion, allogeneic blood transfusion, postoperative pleural fluid volume and postoperative fibrinogen were recorded before the operation, and 1 hour and 24 hours post operation. The two groups' data was compared by t test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test or χ(2) test. Repeated measurement analysis of variance was used to compare platelet and coagulation indexes at different times. Results: The perioperative red blood cell transfusion of 0, 1~2, 3~4,>4 units with 6, 11, 1, 12 cases in treatment group and 14, 8, 6, 2 cases in control group (Z=-2.516, P=0.012). The postoperative fibrinogen of 0, 1, 2 units with 19, 2, 9 cases in treat group and 26, 2, 2 cases in control group (Z=-2.190, P=0.029). There was no significant difference in the cost of blood transfusion between the two groups during admission ((1 732±1 275) yuan vs. (1 176±941) yuan; t=-1.570, P=0.125). Conclusion: The use of autologous platelet-rich plasma separation can reduce the amount of allogeneic blood transfusion during valvular surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass.

Ghrelin in the lateral parabrachial nucleus influences the excitability of glucosensing neurons, increases food intake and body weight

Ghrelin plays a pivotal role in the regulation of food intake, body weight and energy metabolism. However, these effects of ghrelin in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) are unexplored. C57BL/6J mice and GHSR-/- mice were implanted with cannula above the right LPBN and ghrelin was microinjected via the cannula to investigate effect of ghrelin in the LPBN. In vivo electrophysiological technique was used to record LPBN glucose-sensitive neurons to explore potential udnderlying mechanisms. Microinjection of ghrelin in LPBN significantly increased food intake in the first 3 h, while such effect was blocked by [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 and abolished in GHSR-/- mice. LPBN ghrelin microinjection also significantly increased the firing rate of glucose-excited (GE) neurons and decreased the firing rate of glucose-inhibited (GI) neurons. Additionally, LPBN ghrelin microinjection also significantly increased c-fos expression. Chronic ghrelin administration in the LPBN resulted in significantly increased body weight gain. Meanwhile, no significant changes were observed in both mRNA and protein expression levels of UCP-1 in BAT. These results demonstrated that microinjection of ghrelin in LPBN could increase food intake through the interaction with growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in C57BL/6J mice, and its chronic administration could also increase body weight gain. These effects might be associated with altered firing rate in the GE and GI neurons.

Evaluation of the sublethal effect of tetrachlorantraniliprole on Spodoptera exigua and its potential toxicity to two non-target organisms

Tetrachlorantraniliprole (TCAP) is a novel anthranilic diamide insecticide that specifically targets the ryanodine receptors of lepidopteran insect species with excellent insecticidal activity. Previous studies have reported the sublethal effects of multiple diamides on several lepidopteran species, whereas the sublethal and non-target effects of TCAP remain largely unknown. We assessed the sublethal effects of TCAP on Spodoptera exigua. We also investigated the effects of TCAP on non-target Harmonia axyridis and Eisenia fetida, S. exigua was more sensitive to TCAP than to chlorantraniliprole, as the LC₅₀ (10.371 μg L^-1 at 72 h) of TCAP was relatively lower. Compared with those of the control, sublethal concentrations of TCAP (LC₁₀ and LC₃₀) not only prolonged the duration of the larval and pupal stages as well as the mean generation time but also reduced certain population parameters. On the other hand, TCAP exposure, even at the highest concentration, did not induce toxic effects in H. axyridis ladybugs (1^st instar larvae and adults) or E. fetida earthworms. Taken together, our results suggest that TCAP can be used as a novel and promising component of the integrated pest management (IPM) program against S. exigua due to its robust target effects and negligible non-target risks.

Understanding the electric and nonelectric field components of the cation effect on the electrochemical CO reduction reaction

Electrolyte cations affect the activity of surface-mediated electrocatalytic reactions; however, understanding the modes of interaction between cations and reaction intermediates remains lacking. We show that larger alkali metal cations (excluding the thickness of the hydration shell) promote the electrochemical CO reduction reaction on polycrystalline Cu surfaces in alkaline electrolytes. Combined reactivity and in situ surface-enhanced spectroscopic investigations show that changes to the interfacial electric field strength cannot solely explain the reactivity trend with cation size, suggesting the presence of a nonelectric field strength component in the cation effect. Spectroscopic investigations with cation chelating agents and organic molecules show that the electric and nonelectric field components of the cation effect could be affected by both cation identity and composition of the electrochemical interface. The interdependent nature of interfacial species indicates that the cation effect should be considered an integral part of the broader effect of composition and structure of the electrochemical interface on electrode-mediated reactions.

Influence of MTHFR C677T Polymorphism on High-Dose Methotrexate-Related Toxicity in Patients With Primary Central Nervous System Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Primary central nervous system diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PCNS-DLBCL) is a relatively rare and aggressive neoplasm. High-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) is an effective regimen for the treatment of PCNS-DLBCL, but MTX-related toxicity remains a problem. The aim of this analysis study was to investigate the influence of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T polymorphism on HD-MTX-related toxicity in patients with PCNS-DLBCL.

MATERIAL/METHODS

A prospective, observational study was conducted to analyze 148 MTX courses in 32 patients with PCNS-DLBCL.

RESULTS

The delayed MTX clearance was observed in 53 cycles (35.8%). The patients carrying the homozygous variant genotype had a higher risk of developing nephrotoxicity than those carrying the wild-type genotype (odds ratio [OR] 13.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65-103.86; P = .002) or heterozygous variant genotype (OR 8.43; 95% CI, 2.31-30.70; P < .001). Significant differences were observed in hepatotoxicity (OR 9.33; 95% CI, 2.54-34.27; P < .001) and hematologic toxicity (OR 3.09; 95% CI, 1.18-8.07; P = .024) in addition to nephrotoxicity between the homozygous variant genotype and the wild-type genotype.

CONCLUSION

The homozygous mutation of C to T at nucleotide 677 increases the risk on HD-MTX-related toxicity. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism can be used to predict HD-MTX-related toxicity for patients with PCNS-DLBCL.

Mechanism of the different metabolome responses between Plutella xylostella and Pieris rapae treated with the diamide insecticides

Diamide insecticides, such as chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, and tetrachlorantraniliprole, are a new class of insecticides that selectively target insects by affecting calcium homeostasis. While this class of insecticides are effective on a wide range of insect pests, the toxicities of diamide insecticides vary among species and life stages. In this study, we addressed the mechanism underlying the different responses of Plutella xylostella and Pieris rapae to diamide insecticides. The susceptibility to insecticides of P. xylostella and P. rapae larvae was assessed 2 and 4 days after exposure to chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, and tetrachlorantraniliprole. P. xylostella larvae treated with distilled water (Group A), chlorantraniliprole (Group B), cyantraniliprole (Group C), and tetrachlorantraniliprole (Group D) and P. rapae larvae treated with distilled water (Group E), chlorantraniliprole (Group F), cyantraniliprole (Group G) and tetrachlorantraniliprole (Group H) were subjected to metabolomics analysis. The differential metabolites in the B vs. F, C vs. G, and D vs. H groups were analyzed, followed by pathway enrichment analysis. Chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, and tetrachlorantraniliprole all showed high toxicities for P. xylostella and P. rapae larvae. P. rapae larvae were more sensitive to the diamide insecticides than P. xylostella larvae. There were 65 overlapped differential metabolites between P. xylostella and P. rapae larvae treated with these three diamide insecticides. Pathway analysis showed that the differential metabolites were closely related with fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism-related pathways. The differential regulation of fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism may contribute to the different response to diamide insecticides in P. xylostella and P. rapae.

Propranolol regulates ERK1/2 signaling pathway and promotes chronic wound healing in diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate if propranolol could regulate ERK1/2 signaling pathway and promote chronic wound healing in diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-two rats were used to establish a diabetic chronic wound animal model. They were randomly separated into two groups: the propranolol group and the control group. The propranolol group was treated with propranolol ointment and the control group was treated with propranolol matrix cream to cover the wound surface. The expression of the p-ERK1/2 protein was detected by the Western Blot. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of VEGF. The concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA.

RESULTS

The body weight of rats was significantly reduced after type 2 diabetes mellitus modeling. The healing rate of rats in the control group was significantly lower than that in the propranolol group (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in the expression of the p-ERK1/2 protein in the wound tissue of the propranolol group compared with that in the control group, except for the 11th day (p<0.05). The relative expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in the propranolol group was significantly higher than that in the control group on the 2nd day (p<0.05), while the relative expression of VEGF in the propranolol group was significantly increased on the 11th day after modeling (p<0.05). On the 20th day, the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α in the propranolol group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and there were significant differences (p<0.05). It was found that the IL-6 and TNF-α expressions in the propranolol group reached the peak on the 11th day and then gradually decreased (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that propranolol can accelerate the healing of diabetic wounds by regulating the expression of VEGF by phosphorylation of ERK1/2 protein, thus promoting chronic wound healing in diabetes.

Identification of Colletotrichum Species Associated with Blueberry Anthracnose in Sichuan, China

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. is an important disease of blueberries and results in large economic losses for blueberry growers. Samples of anthracnose were collected from six main blueberry cultivation areas in Sichuan Province. In total, 74 Colletotrichum isolates were obtained through a single-spore purification method and identified to the species through morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses based on partial DNA sequences of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, and the β-tubulin (TUB2), actin (ACT) and calmodulin (CAL) genes. Among all species, Colletotrichum fructicola was the most dominant species, with an isolation percentage of up to 66.2% in Sichuan, followed by Colletotrichum siamense (17.6%), C. kahawae (5.4%), C. karstii (5.4%), C. nymphaeae (2.7%) and C. sichuaninese (2.7%). Pathogenicity tests showed all species were able to cause typical anthracnose symptoms on blueberry leaves and stems. Colletotrichum fructicola was the predominant species with strong aggressiveness. Moreover, C. fructicola, C. kahawae, C. sichuaninese and C. nymphaeae are first reported here to cause blueberry anthracnose. This study provides a comprehensive reference for the association of different Colletotrichum spp., which may support the sustainable management of blueberry anthracnose.

Potential Role of Photosynthesis in the Regulation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Defence Responses to Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici in Wheat

Photosynthesis is not only a primary generator of reactive oxygen species (ROS) but also a component of plant defence. To determine the relationships among photosynthesis, ROS, and defence responses to powdery mildew in wheat, we compared the responses of the Pm40-expressing wheat line L658 and its susceptible sister line L958 at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h post-inoculation (hpi) with powdery mildew via analyses of transcriptomes, cytology, antioxidant activities, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The results showed that H₂O₂ accumulation in L658 was significantly greater than that in L958 at 6 and 48 hpi, and the enzymes activity and transcripts expression of peroxidase and catalase were suppressed in L658 compared with L958. In addition, the inhibition of photosynthesis in L658 paralleled the global downregulation of photosynthesis-related genes. Furthermore, the expression of the salicylic acid-related genes non-expressor of pathogenesis related genes 1 (NPR1), pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1), and pathogenesis-related 5 (PR5) was upregulated, while the expression of jasmonic acid- and ethylene-related genes was inhibited in L658 compared with L958. In conclusion, the downregulation of photosynthesis-related genes likely led to a decline in photosynthesis, which may be combined with the inhibition of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) to generate two stages of H₂O₂ accumulation. The high level of H₂O_2, salicylic acid and PR1 and PR5 in L658 possible initiated the hypersensitive response.