Hypervolume Niche Dynamics and Global Invasion Risk of Phenacoccus solenopsis under Climate Change.

As a globally invasive quarantine pest, the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis, is spreading rapidly, posing serious threats against agricultural and forestry production and biosecurity. In recent years, the niche conservatism hypothesis has been widely debated, which is particularly evident in invasive biology research. Identifying the niche dynamics of P. solenopsis, as well as assessing its global invasion risk, is of both theoretical and practical importance. Based on 462 occurrence points and 19 bioclimatic variables, we used n-dimensional hypervolume analysis to quantify the multidimensional climatic niche of this pest in both its native and invasive ranges. We examined niche conservatism and further optimized the MaxEnt model parameters to predict the global invasion risk of P. solenopsis under both current and future climate conditions. Our findings indicated that the niche hypervolume of this pest in invasive ranges was significantly larger than that in its native ranges, with 99.45% of the niche differentiation contributed by niche expansion, with the remaining less than 1% explained by space replacement. Niche expansion was most evident in Oceania and Eurasia. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.83) and true skill statistic (0.62) indicated the model's robust performance. The areas of suitable habitats for P. solenopsis are increasing significantly and the northward spread is obvious in future climate change scenarios. North Africa, northern China, Mediterranean regions, and northern Europe had an increased invasion risk of P. solenopsis. This study provided scientific support for the early warning and control of P. solenopsis.

The efficacy of bandage contact lens in relieving the aggravation of dry eye disease after complicated cataract or/and IOL surgery.

PURPOSE: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the bandage contact lens (BCLs) in the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) after complicated cataract or/and intraocular lens (IOL) surgery. METHODS: In this retrospective, single-centered, observational study, we collected data from 69 patients who underwent complicated cataract or/and IOL surgery. Of these, 35 cases wore their own BCLs immediately after the operation, while the other 34 cases did not have their own BCLs and were instead covered with gauze. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, slit-lamp microscope examination, keratograph analysis, and Schirmer I test were measured at baseline, 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: In the BCL group, the score of the OSDI questionnaire was significantly decreased at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively compared with baseline levels (P = 0.000, collectively). Moreover, the fluorescein staining score of the BCL group was remarkably decreased 1-week and 1-month postoperatively compared with the non-BCL group (P = 0.000 and P = 0.000, respectively). Furthermore, the redness score of the BCL group was also better compared with the non-BCL group at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively (P = 0.014 and P = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Complicated cataract or/and IOL surgery would intensify the DED. Early application of BCLs postoperatively improved patients' comfort and alleviated dry eye-related symptoms and signs. Furthermore, this mechanism might involve the acceleration of corneal epithelial healing, the alleviation of ocular stress response and the stabilization of the tear film. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration ClinicalTrials, NCT04120389. Registered 10 October 2019-retrospectively registered.

Diversity of Bathyarchaeia viruses in metagenomes and virus-encoded CRISPR system components.

Bathyarchaeia represent a class of archaea common and abundant in sedimentary ecosystems. Here we report 56 metagenome-assembled genomes of Bathyarchaeia viruses identified in metagenomes from different environments. Gene sharing network and phylogenomic analyses led to the proposal of four virus families, including viruses of the realms Duplodnaviria and Adnaviria, and archaea-specific spindle-shaped viruses. Genomic analyses uncovered diverse CRISPR elements in these viruses. Viruses of the proposed family "Fuxiviridae" harbor an atypical Type IV-B CRISPR-Cas system and a Cas4 protein that might interfere with host immunity. Viruses of the family "Chiyouviridae" encode a Cas2-like endonuclease and two mini-CRISPR arrays, one with a repeat identical to that in the host CRISPR array, potentially allowing the virus to recruit the host CRISPR adaptation machinery to acquire spacers that could contribute to competition with other mobile genetic elements or to inhibit host defenses. These findings present an outline of the Bathyarchaeia virome and offer a glimpse into their counter-defense mechanisms.

Rice OsANN9 Enhances Drought Tolerance through Modulating ROS Scavenging Systems.

Drought is a critical abiotic stress which leads to crop yield and a decrease in quality. Annexins belong to a multi-gene family of calcium- and lipid-binding proteins and play diverse roles in plant growth and development. Herein, we report a rice annexin protein, OsANN9, which in addition to regular annexin repeats and type-II Ca2+ binding sites, also consists of a C2H2-type zinc-finger domain. We found that the expression of OsANN9 was upregulated by polyethylene glycol (PEG) or water-deficient treatment. Moreover, plants that overexpressed OsANN9 had increased survival rates under drought stress, while both OsANN9-RNAi and osann9 mutants showed sensitivity to drought. In addition, the overexpression of OsANN9 increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities, which regulate reactive oxygen species homeostasis. Collectively, these findings indicate that OsANN9 may function as a positive regulator in response to drought stress by modulating antioxidant accumulation. Interestingly, the setting rates of osann9 mutant rice plants significantly decreased in comparison to wild-type plants, suggesting that OsANN9 might be involved in other molecular mechanisms in the rice seed development stage.

Research progress on animal models of corneal epithelial-stromal injury.

A corneal epithelial-stromal defect is recognized as a major contributor to corneal scarring. Given the rising prevalence of blindness caused by corneal scarring, increasing attention has been focused on corneal epithelial-stromal defects. Currently, the etiology and pathogenesis of these defects remain inadequately understood, necessitating further investigation through experimental research. Various modeling methods exist both domestically and internationally, each with distinct adaptive conditions, advantages, and disadvantages. This review primarily aims to summarize the techniques used to establish optimal animal models of corneal epithelial-stromal injury, including mechanical modeling, chemical alkali burns, post-refractive surgery infections, and genetic engineering. The intention is to provide valuable insights for studying the mechanisms underlying corneal epithelial-stromal injury and the development of corresponding therapeutic interventions.

Diversity of Bathyarchaeia viruses in metagenomes and virus-encoded CRISPR system components.

Bathyarchaeia represent a class of archaea common and abundant in sedimentary ecosystems. The virome of Bathyarchaeia so far has not been characterized. Here we report 56 metagenome-assembled genomes of Bathyarchaeia viruses identified in metagenomes from different environments. Gene sharing network and phylogenomic analyses led to the proposal of four virus families, including viruses of the realms Duplodnaviria and Adnaviria, and archaea-specific spindle-shaped viruses. Genomic analyses uncovered diverse CRISPR elements in these viruses. Viruses of the proposed family 'Fuxiviridae' harbor an atypical type IV-B CRISPR-Cas system and a Cas4 protein that might interfere with host immunity. Viruses of the family 'Chiyouviridae' encode a Cas2-like endonuclease and two mini-CRISPR arrays, one with a repeat identical to that in the host CRISPR array, potentially allowing the virus to recruit the host CRISPR adaptation machinery to acquire spacers that could contribute to competition with other mobile genetic elements or to inhibition of host defenses. These findings present an outline of the Bathyarchaeia virome and offer a glimpse into their counter-defense mechanisms.

A web-based nomogram to predict overall survival for postresection leiomyosarcoma patients with lung metastasis.

To investigate the overall survival of post-resection leiomyosarcoma (LMS) patients with lung metastasis, data of post-resection LMS patients with lung metastasis between 2010 and 2016 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The clinical characteristics and survival data for post-resection LMS patients with lung metastasis at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital & Institute (TJMUCH) between October 2010 and July 2018 were collected. Patients derived from the SEER database and TJMUCH were divided into training and validation cohorts, respectively. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed and a nomogram was established. The area under the curve (AUC) and the calibration curve were used to evaluate the nomogram. A web-based nomogram was developed based on the established nomogram. Eventually, 226 patients from the SEER database who were diagnosed with LMS and underwent primary lesion resection combined with lung metastasis were enrolled in the training cohort, and 17 patients from TJMUCH were enrolled in the validation cohort. Sex, race, grade, tumor size, chemotherapy, and bone metastasis were correlated with overall survival in patients with LMS. The C-index were 0.65 and 0.75 in the SEER and Chinese set, respectively. Furthermore, the applicable AUC values of the ROC curve in the SEER cohort to predict the 1-, 3-, 5- years survival rate were 0.646, 0.682, and 0.689, respectively. The corresponding AUC values in the Chinese cohort were 0.970, 0.913, and 0.881, respectively. The calibration curve showed that the nomogram performed well in predicting the overall survival in post-resection LMS patients with lung metastasis. A web-based nomogram (https://weijunqiang.shinyapps.io/survival_lms_lungmet/) was established. The web-based nomogram (https://weijunqiang.shinyapps.io/survival_lms_lungmet/) is an accurate and personalized tool for predicting the overall survival of post-resection LMS with lung metastasis.

Long-read assembled metagenomic approaches improve our understanding on metabolic potentials of microbial community in mangrove sediments.

BACKGROUND: Mangrove wetlands are coastal ecosystems with important ecological features and provide habitats for diverse microorganisms with key roles in nutrient and biogeochemical cycling. However, the overall metabolic potentials and ecological roles of microbial community in mangrove sediment are remained unanswered. In current study, the microbial and metabolic profiles of prokaryotic and fungal communities in mangrove sediments were investigated using metagenomic analysis based on PacBio single-molecule real time (SMRT) and Illumina sequencing techniques. RESULTS: Comparing to Illumina short reads, the incorporation of PacBio long reads significantly contributed to more contiguous assemblies, yielded more than doubled high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), and improved the novelty of the MAGs. Further metabolic reconstruction for recovered MAGs showed that prokaryotes potentially played an essential role in carbon cycling in mangrove sediment, displaying versatile metabolic potential for degrading organic carbons, fermentation, autotrophy, and carbon fixation. Mangrove fungi also functioned as a player in carbon cycling, potentially involved in the degradation of various carbohydrate and peptide substrates. Notably, a new candidate bacterial phylum named as Candidatus Cosmopoliota with a ubiquitous distribution is proposed. Genomic analysis revealed that this new phylum is capable of utilizing various types of organic substrates, anaerobic fermentation, and carbon fixation with the Wood-Ljungdahl (WL) pathway and the reverse tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycle. CONCLUSIONS: The study not only highlights the advantages of HiSeq-PacBio Hybrid assembly for a more complete profiling of environmental microbiomes but also expands our understanding of the microbial diversity and potential roles of distinct microbial groups in biogeochemical cycling in mangrove sediment. Video Abstract.

Wood-Ljungdahl pathway found in novel marine Korarchaeota groups illuminates their evolutionary history.

Korarchaeota, due to its rarity in common environments, is one of the archaeal phyla that has received the least attention from researchers. It was previously thought to consist solely of strict thermophiles. However, our study provides genetic evidence for the presence of korarchaeal members in temperate subsurface seawater. Furthermore, a systematic reclassification of the Korarchaeota based on 16S rRNA genes and genomes has revealed three novel marine groups (Kor-6 to Kor-8) at the root of the Korarchaeota branch. Kor-6 contains microbes that are present in moderate temperatures. All three novel marine phyla possess genes for the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, and Kor-7 and Kor-8 possess fewer genes encoding oxygen resistance traits than other korarchaeal groups, suggesting a distinct lifestyle for these novel phyla. Our results, together with estimations of Korarchaeota divergence times, suggest that oxygen availability may be one of the important factors that have influenced the evolution of Korarchaeota. IMPORTANCE Korarchaeota were previously thought to inhabit exclusively high-temperature environments. However, our study provides genetic evidence for their unexpected presence in temperate marine waters. Through analysis of publicly available korarchaeal reference data, we have systematically reclassified Korarchaeota and identified the existence of three previously unknown marine groups (Kor-6, Kor-7, and Kor-8) at the root of the Korarchaeota branch. Comparative analysis of their gene content revealed that these novel groups exhibit a lifestyle distinct from other Korarchaeota. Specifically, they have the ability to fix carbon exclusively via the Wood-Ljungdahl (WL) pathway, and the genomes within Kor-7 and Kor-8 contain few genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, indicating their strictly anaerobic lifestyle. Further studies suggest that the genes related to methane metabolism and the WL pathway may have been inherited from a common ancestor of the Korarchaeota and that oxygen availability may be one of the important evolutionary factors that shaped the diversification of this archaeal phylum.

Web-based nomogram to predict postresection risk of distant metastasis in patients with leiomyosarcoma: retrospective analysis of the SEER database and a Chinese cohort.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated risk factors and constructed an online tool to predict distant metastasis (DM) risk in patients with leiomyosarcoma (LMS) after surgical resection. METHODS: Data regarding patients with LMS who underwent surgical resection between 2010 and 2018 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Data were collected regarding patients with LMS who underwent surgical resection at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital and Institute (TJMUCH) between October 2010 and July 2018. Patients were randomly divided into training and validation sets. Logistic regression analyses were performed; a nomogram was established. The area under the curve (AUC) and calibration curve were used to evaluate the nomogram, which served as the basis for a web-based nomogram. RESULTS: This study included 4461 and 76 patients from the SEER database and TJMUCH, respectively. Age, ethnicity, grade, T stage, N stage, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were associated with DM incidence. C-index values were 0.815 and 0.782 in the SEER and Chinese datasets, respectively; corresponding AUC values were 0.814 and 0.773, respectively. A web-based nomogram (https://weijunqiang-leimyosarcoma-seer.shinyapps.io/dynnomapp/) was established. CONCLUSIONS: Our web-based nomogram is an accurate and user-friendly tool to predict DM risk in patients with LMS; it can aid clinical decision-making.

Defluviimonas sediminis sp. nov., isolated from mangrove sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively aerobic, motile and ovoid- to rod-shaped bacterium, designated as FT324T, was isolated from a surface mangrove sediment sample from Shenzhen, PR China. The taxonomic position of strain FT324T was determined by a combination of phylogenetic, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic analyses. Strain FT324T grew at 20-40 °C (optimum, 30-37 °C), pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and in the presence of 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1 %). Its full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence was the most similar to Frigidibacter oleivorans XJ4T (97.4 %), followed by Defluviimonas denitrificans DSM 18921T (96.62 %), Pseudothioclava arenosa CAU 1312T (96.54 %) and Defluviimonas nitratireducens DL5-4T (96.47 %). The major fatty acids (>10 %) of FT324T were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (51.9 %) and summed feature 8(29.6 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-10. Its polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified lipid and two unidentified phospholipids. Its estimated genome size was 4 294 115 bp and the genomic DNA G+C content was 69.6 mol%. Based on its distinct phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain FT324T should represent a novel species of the genus Defluviimonas, for which the name Defluviimonas sediminis sp. nov. is proposed (=MCCC 1K07685T=KCTC 92477T).

Zeimonas sediminis sp. nov., isolated from mangrove sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, FT117T, was isolated from mangrove sediment collected in Shenzhen, Guangdong, PR China. Growth occurred at 20-45 °C (optimum, 40 °C), pH 6-10 (optimum, 8) and in the presence of 0-5 % NaCl (optimum, 0 %). The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the identity between FT117T and Zeimonas arvi CC-CFT501T was the highest (98.7 %), followed by Quisquiliibacterium transsilvanicum JCM 31785T (93.6 %), Lautropia mirabilis CCUG 34794T (93.6 %) and Pandoraea eparura LMG 31012T (93.5 %). The main fatty acids (>10 %) were C16 : 0 (35.8 %), cyclo-C17 : 0 (18.5 %) and summed feature 3 (18.1 %). The polar lipids contained phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified aminophospholipids and one unidentified lipid. The sole respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). Its DNA G+C content was 70.6 % (data from the genome sequence) and the estimated genome size was 3.860 Mb. The average nucleotide identity values between the FT117T genome and the genomes of Z. arvi CC-CFT501T, Q. transsilvanicum JCM 31785T, L. mirabilis CCUG 34794T and Paraburkholderia strydomiana LMG 31012T were 85.4 %, 76.4 %, 73.0 % and 71.3 %, and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values were 29.1 %, 21.0 %, 20.3 % and 19.1 %, respectively. The phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic differences between FT117T and its phylogenetic relatives indicate that FT117T should be regarded as representing a novel species within the genus Zeimonas, for which the name Zeimonas sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FT117T (=KCTC 92314T = MCCC 1K07396T).

Isolation and Genomics of Futiania mangrovii gen. nov., sp. nov., a Rare and Metabolically Versatile Member in the Class Alphaproteobacteria.

Mangrove microorganisms are a major part of the coastal ecosystem and are directly associated with nutrient cycling. Despite their ecological significance, the collection of culturable mangrove microbes is limited due to difficulties in isolation and cultivation. Here, we report the isolation and genome sequence of strain FT118T, the first cultured representative of a previously uncultivated order UBA8317 within Alphaproteobacteria, based on the combined results of 16S rRNA gene similarity, phylogenomic, and average amino acid identity analyses. We propose Futianiales ord. nov. and Futianiaceae fam. nov. with Futiania as the type genus, and FT118T represents the type species with the name Futiania mangrovii gen. nov, sp. nov. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison reveals that this novel order is a rare member but has a ubiquitous distribution across various habitats worldwide, which is corroborated by the experimental confirmation that this isolate can physiologically adapt to a wide range of oxygen levels, temperatures, pH and salinity levels. Biochemical characterization, genomic annotation, and metatranscriptomic analysis of FT118T demonstrate that it is metabolically versatile and active in situ. Genomic analysis reveals adaptive features of Futianiales to fluctuating mangrove environments, including the presence of high- and low-affinity terminal oxidases, N-type ATPase, and the genomic capability of producing various compatible solutes and polyhydroxybutyrate, which possibly allow for the persistence of this novel order across various habitats. Collectively, these results expand the current culture collection of mangrove microorganisms, providing genomic insights of how this novel taxon adapts to fluctuating environments and the culture reference to unravel possible microbe-environment interactions. IMPORTANCE The rare biosphere constitutes an essential part of the microbial community and may drive nutrient cycling and other geochemical processes. However, the difficulty in microbial isolation and cultivation has hampered our understanding of the physiology and ecology of uncultured rare lineages. In this study, we successfully isolated a novel alphaproteobacterium, designated as FT118T, and performed a combination of phenotypic, phylogenetic, and phylogenomic analyses, confirming that this isolate represents the first cultured member of a previously uncultivated order UBA8317 within Alphaproteobacteria. It is a rare species with a ubiquitous distribution across different habitats. Genomic and metatranscriptomic analyses demonstrate that it is metabolically versatile and active in situ, suggesting its potential role in nutrient cycling despite being scarce. This work not only expands the current phylogeny of isolated Alphaproteobacteria but also provides genomic and culture reference to unravel microbial adaptation strategies in mangrove sediments and possible microbe-environment interactions.

Limibaculum sediminis sp. nov., isolated from mangrove sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, cream-coloured, aerobic, motile and ovoid- to rod-shaped bacterium, designated as FT325T, was isolated from mangrove sediment collected in Shenzhen, PR China. The taxonomic position of strain FT325T was established by phylogenetic, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic analyses. Strain FT325T grew optimally at 37-40 °C and pH 6.0 in the presence of 0 % (w/v) NaCl. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain FT325T was most similarly related to Limibaculum halophilum CAU 1123T (96.2 %), Phaeovulum vinaykumarii DSM 18714T (93.9%) and Amaricoccus solimangrovi HB 172011T (93.7 %). The major fatty acids (>10 %) were C18 : 1 ω7c (60.0 %) and 11-methyl C18 : 1 ω7c (16.7 %). The sole respiratory quinone was Q-10. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified glycolipid, three unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified phospholipids. Its estimated genome size was 4 318 768 bp and the genomic DNA G+C content was 69.6 mol%. Based on its distinct phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain FT325T represents a novel species of the genus Limibaculum, for which the name Limibaculum sediminis sp. nov. is proposed (=MCCC 1K07397T=KCTC 92313T).

A novel inflammatory signature for evaluating immune microenvironment status in soft tissue sarcoma.

Background: Tumorigenesis and progression are intimately associated with inflammation. However, the inflammatory landscape in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and its clinical consequences are yet unknown, and more investigation is needed. Methods: RNA-seq expression data for STS and corresponding normal tissues were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and the Genotype-Tissue Expression Portal. Differential and prognostic analyses were performed based on known inflammatory response genes from Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). We utilized LASSO-Cox analysis to determine hub genes and built an inflammatory score (INFscore) and risk stratification model. Furthermore, a nomogram, including the risk stratification model, was established to predict the prognosis. We further elucidated the characteristics among different risk STS patients by GSEA, gene set variation analysis, and detailed immune infiltration analysis. Finally, the INFscore and risk stratification model in predicting prognosis and depicting immune microenvironment status were verified by pan-cancer analysis. Results: Five hub genes (HAS2, IL1R1, NMI, SERPINE1, and TACR1) were identified and were used to develop the INFscore. The risk stratification model distinguished the immune microenvironment status and evaluated the efficacy of immunotherapy and chemotherapy in STS. The novel nomogram had good efficacy in predicting the prognosis of STS patients. Finally, a pan-cancer investigation verified the association of INFscore with prognosis and immunity. Conclusions: According to the present study, the risk stratification model can be used to evaluate STS prognosis, tumor microenvironment status, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy efficacy. The novel nomogram has an excellent predictive value. Thus, the INFscore and risk stratification model has potential value in assessing the prognosis and immune status of multiple malignancies.

Genome-resolved evidence for functionally redundant communities and novel nitrogen fixers in the deyin-1 hydrothermal field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

BACKGROUND: Deep-sea hydrothermal vents represent unique ecosystems that redefine our understanding of the limits of life. They are widely distributed in deep oceans and typically form along mid-ocean ridges. To date, the hydrothermal systems in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge south of 14°S remain barely explored, limiting our understanding of the microbial community in this distinct ecosystem. The Deyin-1 is a newly discovered hydrothermal field in this area. By applying the metagenomic analysis, we aim at gaining much knowledge of the biodiversity and functional capability of microbial community inhabiting this field. RESULTS: In the current study, 219 metagenomic assembled genomes (MAGs) were reconstructed, unveiling a diverse and variable community dominated by Bacteroidetes, Nitrospirae, Alpha-, Delta-, and Gammaproteobacteria in the active and inactive chimney samples as well as hydrothermal oxide samples. Most of these major taxa were potentially capable of using reduced sulfur and hydrogen as primary energy sources. Many members within the major taxa exhibited potentials of metabolic plasticity by possessing multiple energy metabolic pathways. Among these samples, different bacteria were found to be the major players of the same metabolic pathways, further supporting the variable and functionally redundant community in situ. In addition, a high proportion of MAGs harbored the genes of carbon fixation and extracellular carbohydrate-active enzymes, suggesting that both heterotrophic and autotrophic strategies could be essential for their survival. Notably, for the first time, the genus Candidatus Magnetobacterium was shown to potentially fix nitrogen, indicating its important role in the nitrogen cycle of inactive chimneys. Moreover, the metabolic plasticity of microbes, diverse and variable community composition, and functional redundancy of microbial communities may represent the adaptation strategies to the geochemically complex and fluctuating environmental conditions in deep-sea hydrothermal fields. CONCLUSIONS: This represents the first assembled-genome-based investigation into the microbial community and metabolism of a hydrothermal field in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge south of 14°S. The findings revealed that a high proportion of microbes could benefit from simultaneous use of heterotrophic and autotrophic strategies in situ. It also presented novel members of potential diazotrophs and highlighted the metabolic plasticity and functional redundancy across deep-sea hydrothermal systems. Video abstract.

The risk factors for children with primary nephrotic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the risk factors of primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) with urinary tract infection (UTI) in children. METHODS: Multiple databases including PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Web of Science (WOS), the Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were used to search for relevant studies, which were full-text articles involved in the evaluation of differences between PNS with UTI and without UTI. All included articles were assessed for quality and the data analyses were conducted with Review Manager (5.4). Forest plots, sensitivity analysis, and bias analysis were also performed on the included articles. RESULTS: Eight studies were included in this meta-analysis, with a total of 3,274 patients. Meta-analysis showed that a low level of serum albumin [mean difference (MD): -0.32 g/dL; 95% confidence interval (CI): (-0.55, -0.08); P=0.008], a low level of serum total protein [MD: -0.16 g/dL; 95% CI: (-0.20, -0.12); P<0.00001], a high level of urinary protein [MD: 5.09 mg/d; 95% CI: (3.13, 7.05); P<0.00001], a lower level of serum urea nitrogen [MD: -0.10 mg/dL; 95% CI: (-0.18, -0.02); P=0.01], and a higher level of serum cholesterol [MD: 2.26 mg/dL; 95% CI: (0.74, 3.78)] had a higher risk of PNS with UTI. There was no obvious publication bias among included studies. DISCUSSION: Our research demonstrated that a low level of serum albumin, a low level of serum total protein, a high level of urinary protein, a low level of serum urea nitrogen, and a high level of serum cholesterol were the risk factors of PNS with UTI in children.

Polygonatum odoratum Polysaccharides Modulate Gut Microbiota and Mitigate Experimentally Induced Obesity in Rats.

Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays vital roles in metabolic diseases. Polygonatum odoratum extract alleviates hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of P. odoratum polysaccharides (POPs) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in rats and whether these effects were related to modulation of gut microbiota. POP treatment attenuated weight gain, fat accumulation, epididymal adipocyte size, liver triglycerides, and total liver cholesterol content in HFD-fed rats. POP administration also increased short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including isobutyric acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid. POP upregulated the expression of genes involved in adipocyte differentiation (Pparg, Cebpa, Cebpb) and lipolysis (Ppara, Atgl), and downregulated those related to lipid synthesis (Srebpf1, Fabp4, Fas), with corresponding changes in PPARγ and FABP4 protein expression. Finally, POP enhanced species richness and improved the gut microbiota community structure, reducing the relative abundances of Clostridium, Enterococcus, Coprobacillus, Lactococcus, and Sutterella. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) revealed a clear separation between HFD-fed rats and all other treatment groups. Correlation analysis identified negative and positive associations between obesity phenotypes and 28 POP-influenced operational taxonomic units (OTUs), including putative SCFA-producing bacteria. Our data suggest that POP supplementation may attenuate features of obesity in HFD-fed rats in association with the modulation of gut microbiota.

Complete Genome Sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain HKUOPLC, a Cellulose-Degrading Bacterium Isolated from Giant Panda Feces.

We report here the complete genome sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae strain HKUOPLC, isolated from a giant panda fecal sample collected from Ocean Park, Hong Kong. The complete genome of this bacterium may contribute to the discovery of efficient cellulose-degrading pathways.