Activation of Notch Signaling Pathway is involved in Extracellular Matrix Degradation in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Chondrocytes Induced by HT-2 Toxin.

Notch signaling regulates cartilage formation and homeostasis. Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD), an endemic osteochondropathy, is characterized by severe cartilage degradation. The etiology of KBD is related to the exposure of HT-2 toxin, a mycotoxin and primary metabolite of T-2 toxin. This study aims to explore the role of HT-2 toxin in the Notch signaling regulation and extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism of hiPSCs-Chondrocytes. Immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were employed to investigate the expression of Notch pathway molecules in KBD articular cartilage and primary chondrocytes. hiPSCs-Chondrocytes, derived from hiPSCs, were treated with 100 ng/mL HT-2 toxin and the γ-secretase inhibitor (DAPT) for 48h, respectively. The markers related to the Notch signaling pathway and ECM were assessed using qRT-PCR and Western blot. Notch pathway dysregulation was prominent in KBD cartilage. HT-2 toxin exposure caused cytotoxicity in hiPSCs-chondrocytes, and activated Notch signaling by increasing the mRNA and protein levels of NOTCH1 and HES1. HT-2 toxin also upregulated ECM catabolic enzymes and downregulated ECM components (COL2A1 and ACAN), indicating ECM degradation. DAPT-mediated Notch signaling inhibition suppressed the mRNA and protein level of ADAMTS5 expression while enhancing ECM component expression in hiPSCs-Chondrocytes. This study suggests that HT-2 toxin may induce ECM degradation in hiPSCs-Chondrocytes through activating Notch signaling.

Lipid metabolism regulation by dietary polysaccharides with different structural properties.

Lipid metabolism plays an important role in energy homeostasis maintenance in response to stress. Nowadays, hyperlipidemia-related chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and fatty liver pose significant health challenges. Dietary polysaccharides (DPs) have gained attention for their effective lipid-lowering properties. This review examines the multifaceted mechanisms that DPs employ to lower lipid levels in subjects with hyperlipidemia. DPs could directly inhibit lipid intake and absorption, promote lipid excretion, and regulate key enzymes involved in lipid metabolism pathways, including triglyceride and cholesterol anabolism and catabolism, fatty acid oxidation, and bile acid synthesis. Additionally, DPs indirectly improve lipid homeostasis by modulating gut microbiota composition and alleviating oxidative stress. Moreover, the lipid-lowering mechanisms of particular structural DPs (including ß-glucan, pectin, glucomannan, inulin, arabinoxylan, and fucoidan) are summarized. The relationship between the structure and lipid-lowering activity of DPs is also discussed based on current researches. Finally, potential breakthroughs and future directions in the development of DPs in lipid-lowering activity are discussed. The paper could provide a reference for further exploring the mechanism of DPs for lipid regulations and utilizing DPs as lipid-lowering dietary ingredients.

A spatial transcriptome map of the developing maize ear.

A comprehensive understanding of inflorescence development is crucial for crop genetic improvement, as inflorescence meristems give rise to reproductive organs and determine grain yield. However, dissecting inflorescence development at the cellular level has been challenging owing to a lack of specific marker genes to distinguish among cell types, particularly in different types of meristems that are vital for organ formation. In this study, we used spatial enhanced resolution omics-sequencing (Stereo-seq) to construct a precise spatial transcriptome map of the developing maize ear primordium, identifying 12 cell types, including 4 newly defined cell types found mainly in the inflorescence meristem. By extracting the meristem components for detailed clustering, we identified three subtypes of meristem and validated two MADS-box genes that were specifically expressed at the apex of determinate meristems and involved in stem cell determinacy. Furthermore, by integrating single-cell RNA transcriptomes, we identified a series of spatially specific networks and hub genes that may provide new insights into the formation of different tissues. In summary, this study provides a valuable resource for research on cereal inflorescence development, offering new clues for yield improvement.

Association between visceral obesity index and diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

CONTENT: The correlation between visceral obesity index (VAI) and diabetes and accuracy of early prediction of diabetes are still controversial. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to review the relationship between high level of VAI and diabetes, and early predictive value of diabetes. DATA SOURCES: The databases of PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science were searched until October 17, 2023. STUDY SELECTION: After adjusting for confounding factors, the original study on the association between VAI and diabetes was analyzed. DATA EXTRACTION: We extracted odds ratio (OR) between VAI and diabetes management after controlling for mixed factors, and the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic four grid table for early prediction of diabetes. DATA SYNTHESIS: 53 studies, comprising 595,946 participants were included. The findings of the meta-analysis elucidated that in cohort studies, a high VAI significantly increased the risk of diabetes mellitus in males (OR = 2.83 (95% CI: 2.30-3.49)) and females (OR = 3.32 (95% CI: 2.48-4.45)). The ROC, sensitivity, and specificity of VAI for early prediction of diabetes in males were 0.64 (95% CI: 0.62-0.66), 0.57 (95% CI: 0.53-0.61), and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.61-0.69), respectively, and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.65-0.69), 0.66 (95% CI: 0.60-0.71), and 0.61 (95% CI: 0.57-0.66) in females, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: VAI is an independent predictor of the risk of diabetes, yet its predictive accuracy remains limited. In future studies, determine whether VAI can be utilized in conjunction with other related indicators to early predict the risk of diabetes, to enhance the accuracy of prediction of the risk of diabetes.

Understanding the mechanism of safety attitude mitigates the turnover intention novice nurses via the person-centred method: A theory-driven, deductive cross-sectional study.

AIM: Examine profiles of safety attitudes among novices and explore whether profiles moderate the occupational identity-turnover pathway. BACKGROUND: Novice nurses face unique challenges in adopting positive safety attitudes, which influence outcomes like turnover. However, past research found only average levels of safety attitudes among novices, ignoring possible heterogeneity. Exploring whether meaningful subgroups exist based on safety perspectives and factors shaping them can provide insights to improve safety attitudes and retention. DESIGN: This study was designed as a cross-sectional investigation. METHODS: Data were collected through the distribution of questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were first conducted, followed by latent profile analysis. We then carried out univariate analysis and ordinal multinomial regression to explore the factors shaping the different profiles. Finally, we examine the moderating effect of nurses' safety attitudes with different latent profiles on the relationship between professional identification and turnover intention. RESULTS: A total of 816 novice nurses were included. Three profiles were identified: high, moderate and low safety attitudes - higher attitudes were associated with lower turnover intention. Interest in nursing, health status, identity and turnover predicted profile membership. Moderate profile had a stronger buffering effect on the identity-turnover link versus high profile. CONCLUSION: Multiple safety attitude profiles exist among novice nurses. Certain factors like interest in nursing and occupational identity are associated with more positive safety profiles. Targeting these factors could potentially improve safety attitudes and reduce turnover among novice nurses. The moderating effects suggest that tailored interventions matching specific subgroups may maximize impact. IMPACT: Assessing subgroup attitudes enables tailored training for novices' specific needs, nurturing continuous improvement. Supporting early career development and role identity may strengthen retention intentions.

Bottom-up Growth of Convex Sphere with Adjustable Cu(0)/Cu(I) Interfaces for Effective C2 Production from CO2 Electroreduction.

One challenge confronting the Cu2O catalysts in the electrocatalysis of carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) is the reduction of active Cu(I) species, resulting in low selectivity and quick deactivation. In this study, we for the first time introduce a bottom-up growth of convex sphere with adjustable Cu(0)/Cu(I) interfaces (Cux@Cu2O convex spheres). Interestingly, the interfaces are dynamically modulated by varying hydrothermal time, thus regulating the conversion of C1 and C2 products. In particular, the 4 h hydrothermal treatment applied to Cu0.25@Cu2O convex sphere with the favorable Cu(0)/Cu(I) interface results in the highest selectivity for C2 products (90.5%). In situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy measurements and density functional theory calculations reveal that the Cu(0)/Cu(I) interface lowers the energy barrier for the production of ethylene and ethanol while increasing the coverage of localized *CO adsorbate for increased dimerization. This work establishes a novel approach for transforming the state of valence-sensitive electrocatalysts into high-value energy-related engineering products.

Calcium saccharate/DUSP6 suppresses renal cell carcinoma glycolytic metabolism and boosts sunitinib efficacy via the ERK-AKT pathway.

Current therapeutic options for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are very limited, which is largely due to inadequate comprehension of molecular pathological mechanisms as well as RCC's resistance to chemotherapy. Dual-specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6) has been associated with numerous human diseases. However, its role in RCC is not well understood. Here, we show that diminished DUSP6 expression is linked to RCC progression and unfavorable prognosis. Mechanistically, DUSP6 serves as a tumor suppressor in RCC by intervening the TAF10 and BSCL2 via the ERK-AKT pathway. Further, DUSP6 is also transcriptionally regulated by HNF-4a. Moreover, docking experiments have indicated that DUSP6 expression is enhanced when bound by Calcium saccharate, which also inhibits RCC cell proliferation, metabolic rewiring, and sunitinib resistance. In conclusion, our study identifies Calcium saccharate as a prospective pharmacological therapeutic approach for RCC.

Erasable and Field Programmable DNA Circuits Based on Configurable Logic Blocks.

DNA is commonly employed as a substrate for the building of artificial logic networks due to its excellent biocompatibility and programmability. Till now, DNA logic circuits are rapidly evolving to accomplish advanced operations. Nonetheless, nowadays, most DNA circuits remain to be disposable and lack of field programmability and thereby limits their practicability. Herein, inspired by the Configurable Logic Block (CLB), the CLB-based erasable field-programmable DNA circuit that uses clip strands as its operation-controlling signals is presented. It enables users to realize diverse functions with limited hardware. CLB-based basic logic gates (OR and AND) are first constructed and demonstrated their erasability and field programmability. Furthermore, by adding the appropriate operation-controlling strands, multiple rounds of programming are achieved among five different logic operations on a two-layer circuit. Subsequently, a circuit is successfully built to implement two fundamental binary calculators: half-adder and half-subtractor, proving that the design can imitate silicon-based binary circuits. Finally, a comprehensive CLB-based circuit is built that enables multiple rounds of switch among seven different logic operations including half-adding and half-subtracting. Overall, the CLB-based erasable field-programmable circuit immensely enhances their practicability. It is believed that design can be widely used in DNA logic networks due to its efficiency and convenience.

An integrated multi-omics approach reveals polymethoxylated flavonoid biosynthesis in Citrus reticulata cv. Chachiensis.

Citrus reticulata cv. Chachiensis (CRC) is an important medicinal plant, its dried mature peels named "Guangchenpi", has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat cough, indigestion, and lung diseases for several hundred years. However, the biosynthesis of the crucial natural products polymethoxylated flavonoids (PMFs) in CRC remains unclear. Here, we report a chromosome-scale genome assembly of CRC with the size of 314.96 Mb and a contig N50 of 16.22 Mb. Using multi-omics resources, we discover a putative caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (CcOMT1) that can transfer a methyl group to the 3-hydroxyl of natsudaidain to form 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone (HPMF). Based on transient overexpression and virus-induced gene silencing experiments, we propose that CcOMT1 is a candidate enzyme in HPMF biosynthesis. In addition, a potential gene regulatory network associated with PMF biosynthesis is identified. This study provides insights into PMF biosynthesis and may assist future research on mining genes for the biosynthesis of plant-based medicines.

Construction of a 3D Quantum Dot Nanoassembly with Two-Step FRET for One-Step Sensing of Human Telomerase RNA in Breast Cancer Cells and Tissues.

Telomerase is an important biomarker for early diagnosis of cancers, but current telomerase assays usually rely on measuring the extension products of telomerase substrates, which increases the assay complexity. More evidence indicates that human telomerase RNA (hTR), as a core component of telomerase, is positively correlated with the telomerase activity. Herein, we demonstrate the development of a duplex-specific nuclease (DSN)-propelled 3D quantum dot (QD) nanoassembly with two-step Föster resonance energy transfer (FRET) for the one-step sensing of hTR in breast cancer cells and tissues. This assay involves only one hairpin probe modified with a Cy5 at the sixth base from the 5'-biotin end and a BHQ2 at the 3'-terminus, which integrates three functions of target recognition, target recycling amplification, and signal readout. The anchoring of the hairpin probe on the 605QD surface results in the formation of a 3D 605QD-Cy5-probe-BHQ2 nanoassembly in which two-step FRET occurs among the 605QD, Cy5, and BHQ2 quencher. Notably, the formation of 605QD-Cy5-probe-BHQ2 nanoassembly facilitates the reduction of background signal and the increase of signal-to-background ratio due to its dense, highly oriented nucleic acid shell-induced steric hindrance effect. This assay can achieve one-step and rapid detection of hTR with a detection limit of 2.10 fM, which is the simplest and most rapid hTR assay reported so far. Moreover, this assay can efficiently distinguish single-base mismatched sequences, and it can discriminate the hTR level between breast cancer patients and healthy donors with a high accuracy of 100%, with great prospects for early diagnosis of cancers.

Microstructure and Properties of Pressureless-Sintered Zirconium Carbide Ceramics with MoSi2 Addition.

Zirconium carbide (ZrC) ceramics have a high melting point, low neutron absorption cross section, and excellent resistance to the impact of fission products and are considered to be one of the best candidate materials for fourth-generation nuclear energy systems. ZrC ceramics with a high relative density of 99.1% were successfully prepared via pressureless sintering using a small amount of MoSi2 as an additive. The influence of the MoSi2 content on the densification behavior, microstructure, mechanical properties, and thermal properties of ZrC ceramics was systematically investigated. The results show that the densification of ZrC was significantly enhanced by the introduction of MoSi2 due to the formation of a liquid phase during sintering. In addition, the ZrC grains were refined due to the pinning effect of the generated silicon carbide. The flexural strength and Vickers hardness of ZrC ceramics with 2.5 vol% MoSi2 sintered at 1850 °C were 408 ± 12 MPa and 17.1 GPa, respectively, which were approximately 30% and 10% higher compared to the samples without the addition of MoSi2. The improved mechanical properties were mainly attributed to the high relative density (99.1%) and refined microstructure.

The association between urbanization and depression in the elderly: A network analysis from the complexity science perspective.

IMPORTANCE: The global increase in urbanization has coincided with a rise in depression prevalence. However, the effect of urbanization on depression remains controversial, especially for the elderly. OBJECTIVE: To clarify how urbanization impacts depression in the elderly from a network perspective. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This sectional cohort study used data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The occurrence of depressive symptoms in urban and rural elderly residents. Network metrics of depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 13,993 participants, lower incidence of depressive symptoms was observed in urban (26.3 %, 95 % CI, 24.7 %-27.8 %) than in rural (40.4 %, 95 % CI, 39.5 %-41.3 %, P < 0.0001) residents. However, higher incidence of depressive symptoms was observed in urban (26.3 %, 95 % CI, 25.2 %-28.4 %) than in rural (17.5 %, 95 % CI, 16.1 %-18.9 %, P < 0.0001) residents in a subset of 2898 pairs of participants after PSM. No difference in the network structure and metrics between urban and rural residents before (M = 0.071, p = 0.054, S = 0.037, p = 0.80) and after (M = 0.085, p = 0.133, S = 0.086, p = 0.47) PSM was detected. The networks structure revealed that negative affect was strongly connected to somatic symptoms and that the two anhedonic symptoms were also strongly connected. CONCLUSIONS: The current study indicated the homogeneity of the ultimate nature of depression between rural and urban residents from the network perspective, supporting the viewpoint that urbanization might not impose influence on depression. Further researches delving deeper into the complexity of the issue may provide new insights into our understanding of depression in an urban environment among the elderly.

Metabolic Syndrome and Tendon Disease: A Comprehensive Review.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a multifaceted pathological condition characterized by the atypical accumulation of various metabolic components such as central obesity or excess weight, hyperlipidemia, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), hypertension, and insulin resistance. Recently, MS has been recognized as a notable contributor to heart and circulatory diseases. In addition, with increasing research, the impact of MS on tendon repair and disease has gradually emerged. Recent studies have investigated the relationship between tendon healing and diseases such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, and other metabolic disorders. However, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and various metabolic disorders often coexist and together constitute MS. At present, insulin resistance is considered the major pathological mechanism underlying MS, central obesity is regarded as the predominant factor responsible for it, and dyslipidemia and other metabolic diseases are known as secondary contributors to MS. This review aims to evaluate the current literature regarding the impact of various pathological conditions in MS on tendon recovery and illness, and to present a comprehensive overview of the effects of MS on tendon recovery and diseases, along with the accompanying molecular mechanisms.

Analysis of sugar components and identification of SPS genes in citrus fruit development.

Sugar is a primary determinant of citrus fruit flavour, but undergoes varied accumulation processes across different citrus varieties owing to high genetic variability. Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), a key enzyme in glucose metabolism, plays a crucial role in this context. Despite its significance, there is limited research on sugar component quality and the expression and regulatory prediction of SPS genes during citrus fruit development. Therefore, we analysed the sugar quality formation process in 'Kiyomi' and 'Succosa', two citrus varieties, and performed a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of citrus CsSPSs. We observed that the accumulation of sugar components significantly differs between the two varieties, with the identification of four CsSPSs in citrus. CsSPS sequences were highly conserved, featuring typical SPS protein domains. Expression analysis revealed a positive correlation between CsSPS expression and sugar accumulation in citrus fruits. However, CsSPS expression displays specificity to different citrus tissues and varieties. Transcriptome co-expression network analysis suggests the involvement of multiple transcription factors in shaping citrus fruit sugar quality through the regulation of CsSPSs. Notably, the expression levels of four CsWRKYs (CsWRKY2, CsWRKY20, CsWRKY28, CsWRKY32), were significantly positively correlated with CsSPSs and CsWRKY20 might can activate sugar accumulation in citrus fruit through CsSPS2. Collectively, we further emphasize the potential importance of CsWRKYs in citrus sugar metabolism, our findings serve as a reference for understanding sugar component formation and predicting CsSPS expression and regulation during citrus fruit development.

Deferoxamine-Loaded Chitosan-Based Hydrogel on Bone Implants Showing Enhanced Bond Strength and Pro-Angiogenic Effects.

Angiogenesis is vital for bone fracture healing and plays a significant role in the fate of orthopedic implants. The growth and maintenance of new blood vessels at the fracture site of patients is essential, which promotes the clinical outcome of plasma sprayed Ti (PST) coated orthopedic implants. In order to endow the PST coating with pro-angiogenic effects, deferoxamine-loaded chitosan-based hydrogel was fabricated on the coating surface. Polydopamine-modified chitosan (CS/PDA) hydrogel exhibited enhanced bonding strength to PST coatings as evidenced by scratch test. The deferoxamine-loaded CS/PDA (CS/PDA-DFO) exhibited a sustained drug-release property, and the cumulative concentration of released DFO reached 20.21 µg/mL on day 7. PST-CS/PDA with higher wettability and active group quantity enhanced the viability and adhesion characteristics of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and upregulated the secretion level of nitric oxide and vascular endothelial growth factor. Moreover, the introduction of DFO in PST-CS/PDA further enhanced the pro-angiogenic effects. Above all, this study offers a novel approach for developing hydrogel coating on orthopedic implants showing enhanced bonding strength and pro-angiogenic effects.

Improving and controlling the drug loading capacity of seven quinolones in minced fish matrix based on microfluidics.

Traditional spiking methods for preparing matrix reference material of aquatic products is difficult to control the drug content in the matrix, especially one matrix containing multiple drugs. Minced fish is commonly used for the preparation of matrix reference materials in aquatic products, which is a relatively complex matrix with stickiness and difficult handling. Drug loading capacity is a key factor affecting the effectiveness of matrix reference materials. Here, we proposed a new spiking approach to improve the drug loading capacity of seven quinolones based on microfluidics, simultaneously. Fresh grass carp tissue underwent grinding, fine filtration, centrifugation and reconstituted in distilled water to form a liquid sample, which was subsequently mixed with a sodium alginate solution (1 %) at a ratio of 1:1.2. The mixed solution was supplemented with seven quinolones of equal concentration, followed by the preparation of uniform fish gel microspheres using microfluidic technology. The results indicated that the recoveries of seven quinolones ranged from 82.54 % to 114.17 %, demonstrating a significant improvement in the drug loading capacity of these quinolones compared to traditional methods. Moreover, the drug concentration in the matrix can be precisely controlled. A strong linear relationship was observed between the concentration of seven quinolones in the matrix and its initial concentration, which could serve as a reference for the development of other matrix reference materials.

New insights into the roles of Irisin in diabetic cardiomyopathy and vascular diseases.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent chronic disease in the 21st century due to increased lifespan and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Extensive research indicates that exercise can play a significant role in regulating systemic metabolism by improving energy metabolism and mitigating various metabolic disorders, including DM. Irisin, a well-known exerkine, was initially reported to enhance energy expenditure by indicating the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) signaling. In this review, we summarize the potential mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of Irisin on glucose dysmetabolism, including reducing gluconeogenesis, enhancing insulin energy expenditure, and promoting glycogenesis. Additionally, we highlight Irisin's potential to improve diabetic vascular diseases by stimulating nitric oxide (NO) production, reducing oxidative and nitrosative stress, curbing inflammation, and attenuating endothelial cell aging. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of Irisin to improve diabetic cardiomyopathy by preventing cardiomyocyte loss and reducing myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. Given Irisin's promising functions in managing diabetic cardiomyopathy and vascular diseases, targeting Irisin for therapeutic purposes could be a fruitful avenue for future research and clinical interventions.

First Report of Alternaria alternata Causing Leaf Spot on Smooth Bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) in China.

Smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) is an important forage crop in northern China. In July 2021, leaf spot symptoms were observed on smooth bromegrass in Ewenki Banner, Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia. In an area of approximately 0.12 hectares, 95% disease incidence was observed. Ten diseased plants were collected for pathogen isolation. Leaf tissues near the lesions were cut into 5 × 5 mm pieces, surface-disinfested in 75% ethanol for 3 min, and rinsed with sterile distilled water. The pieces were placed on water agar in petri plates and incubated at 25℃ for three days. The resulting colonies were flushed with sterile water and a spore suspension was serially diluted and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). A single-spore colony was obtained. Ten isolates were obtained and designated HE1 to HE10. The colony morphology was identical for all isolates, grayish white in color on the upper surface and light black on the underside. The mycelia were light gray and velvety. Conidia were light brown to brown in color and oblate, oblong or oval. The conidial dimensions were typically between 15 to 43 µm by 8 to 9 µm in size. The conidia possessed one to six transverse septa, with slight to distinct constrictions at each division, and zero to two longitudinal septa. These morphological characteristics resembled Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl.. DNA was extracted from three isolates, HE3, HE4 and HE5, using the CTAB method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on the extracted DNA with a set of primers ITS1/ITS4, H31a/H31b, gpd1/gpd2, TEF1-728F/TEF1-986R, and RPB2-5F2/fRPB2-7cR. The amplicon sequences from the three isolates were analyzed using the BLAST in GenBank (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). The results showed a high sequence identity, ranging from 99 to 100%, with the A. alternata strain YTMZ-20-2 across all the genetic markers tested. The strong match reinforced the identification of the strains as A. alternata. The sequences were deposited in GenBank (Table S1). The three fungal isolates were identified as A. alternata based on their morphological and genetic data. To conduct Koch's postulates, the representative isolate HE4 was used. Smooth bromegrass seed was soaked in water for four days and sown in potting soil contained in plastic pots (10 cm diameter × 15 cm height, five seeds/pot) in a greenhouse under a 16-h photoperiod at temperatures between 20 to 25°C and 60% relative humidity. When the plants reached a height of approximately 20 cm, the plants in three pots (replicates) were sprayed with a spore suspension (106 conidial/ml) at 10 ml/pot, and three pots were sprayed with sterile water for control. Five days after inoculation, the plants exhibited leaf spot symptoms similar to those previously described, while the control plants remained unaffected. The causative fungus was successfully re-isolated from the diseased plants and confirmed morphologically and molecularly on its identity as described above. This experiment was independently conducted three times. This is the first report of A. alternata causing leaf spot on smooth bromegrass in China. Since there is risk that the disease could seriously reduce the yield of the forage crop smooth bromegrass, further research is needed.

[Effect of Intelligent Health Education Based on Health Belief Model on Patients With Kinesophobia After Surgical Treatment of Cervical Spondylosis]. / åŸºäºŽå¥åº·ä¿¡å¿µæ¨¡å¼çš„æ™ºèƒ½å¥åº·æ•™è‚²åœ¨é¢ˆæ¤Žç— æœ¯åŽæåŠ¨ç—‡æ‚£è€ ä¸­çš„æ•ˆæžœç ”ç©¶.

Objective: To explore the application effect of intelligent health education based on the health belief model on patients with postoperative kinesophobia after surgical treatment of cervical spondylosis. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy, decompression, and fusion surgery with a single central nerve and spine center, and who had postoperative kinesophobia, ie, fear of movement. The patients made voluntary decisions concerning whether they would receive the intervention of intelligent health education. The patients were divided into a control group and an intelligent education group and the intervention started on the second day after the surgery. The intelligent education group received intelligent education starting from the second day after surgery through a WeChat widget that used the health belief model as the theoretical framework. The intelligent health education program was designed according to the concept of patient problems, needs, guidance, practice, and feedbacks. It incorporated four modules, including knowledge, intelligent exercise, overcoming obstacles, and sharing and interaction. It had such functions as reminders, fun exercise, shadowing exercise, monitoring, and documentation. Health education for the control group also started on the second day after surgery and was conducted by a method of brochures of pictures and text and WeChat group reminder messages. The participants were surveyed before discharge and 3 months after their surgery. The primary outcome measure compared between the two groups was the degree of kinesophobia. Secondary outcome measures included differences in adherence to functional exercise (Functional Exercise Adherence Scale), pain level (Visual Analogue Scale score), degree of cervical functional impairment (Cervical Disability Index), and quality of life (primarily assessed by the Quality of Life Short Form 12 [SF-12] scale for psychological and physiological health scores). Results: A total of 112 patients were enrolled and 108 patients completed follow-up. Eventually, there were 53 cases in the intelligent education group and 55 cases in the control group. None of the patients experienced any sports-related injuries. There was no statistically significant difference in the primary and secondary outcome measures between the two groups at the time of discharge. At the 3-month follow-up after the surgery, the level of kinesophobia in the intelligent education group (25.72±3.90) was lower than that in the control group (29.67±6.16), and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). In the intelligent education group, the degree of pain (expressed in the median [25th percentile, 75th percentile]) was lower than that of the control group (0 [0, 0] vs. 1 [1, 2], P<0.05), the functional exercise adherence was better than that of the control group (63.87±7.26 vs. 57.73±8.07, P<0.05), the psychological health was better than that of the control group (40.78±3.98 vs. 47.78±1.84, P<0.05), and the physical health was better than that of the control group (43.16±4.41 vs. 46.30±3.80, P<0.05), with all the differences being statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in the degree of cervical functional impairment between the two groups (1 [1, 2] vs. 3 [2, 7], P>0.05). Conclusion: Intelligent health education based on the health belief model can help reduce the degree of kinesophobia in patients with postoperative kinesophobia after surgical treatment of cervical spondylosis and improve patient prognosis.