Electrokinetic Analysis-Driven Promotion of Electrocatalytic CO Reduction to n-Propanol.

The electrocatalytic carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide reduction reaction (CO2RR or CORR) features a sustainable method for reducing carbon emissions and producing value-added chemicals. However, the generation of C3 products with higher energy density and market values, such as n-propanol, remains highly challenging, which is attributed to the unclear formation mechanism of C3+ versus C2 products. In this work, by the Tafel slope analysis, electrolyte pH correlation exploration, and the kinetic analysis of CO partial pressure fitting, it is identified that both n-propanol and C2 products share the same rate-determining step, which is the coupling of two C1 intermediates via the derivation of the Butler-Volmer equation. In addition, inspired by the mechanistic study, it is proposed that a high OH─ concentration and a water-limited environment are beneficial for promoting the subsequent *C2-*C1 coupling to n-propanol. At 5.0 m [OH-], the partial current density of producing n-propanol (jn-propanol) reached 45 mA cm-2, which is 35 and 1.3 times higher than that at 0.01 m [OH-] and 1.0 m [OH-], respectively. This study provides a comprehensive kinetic analysis of n-propanol production and suggests opportunities for designing new catalytic systems for promoting the C3 production.

In-Situ Algal Control by Two-stage Nanobubble Technology in Taihu Lake: Efficacy and Ecological Impact.

Hydrodynamic cavitation and ozone nanobubble-coupled hydrodynamic cavitation have demonstrated effective algae control in laboratories, but their in-situ potential, especially impact on nutrient salt degradation and microbial communities remain unclear. This study applied two-stage nanobubble technology, combining hydrodynamic cavitation and ozone nanobubbles, in a 3300 m2 semi-enclosed area of Taihu Lake to address these gaps. Results show that the technology efficiently controls algae, reduces odors, improves anaerobic conditions, and lowers ammonia nitrogen. Over 20 days, chlorophyll-a concentration reduced by 77.46% and cyanobacterial phycocyanin by 89.47%. Additionally, the concentrations of 2-MIB, GSM, and DMTS fell below threshold values. Notably, the relative abundance of Cyanobacteria in sediment dropped from 8.53% in the control area to only 1.59% ∼ 3.65% in the experimental area. The technology also achieved a significant reduction in ammonia nitrogen, with removal efficiencies of 78.53% in the water column and 39.17% in sediments, though the removal of total phosphorus was limited. Furthermore, the two-stage nanobubble system enhanced the abundance of nitrogen-cycling microorganisms and genes in the water, while promoting nitrogen- and phosphorus-related microbial communities in sediments and inhibiting the cyanobacteria-associated genus Cyanobium PCC-6307. Thus, Two-stage nanobubble technology can be employed for in-situ algal control in aquatic ecosystems.

Passivation of metal sulfides by a marine bacterium for acid mine drainage control.

Acid mine drainage originates from metal sulfides oxidation, which results in acidic metal-rich leachate. In this study, a novel and environmentally friendly approach was demonstrated to passivate pyrite and lead-zinc tailings, respectively. The key to this approach is to develop biofilms of the marine bacterium Qipengyuania flava S1. Biofilms can induce biomineralization, thereby isolating metal sulfides from air and water. The stability and biological toxicity of the bio-passivation layers were evaluated by leaching bio-passivated pyrite or tailings in initially acidic H2O2 solutions with shaking for 180 days and then cultivating Brassica chinensis and Allium cepa with the leachates. Our results showed that after passivation, the amount of iron released by pyrite decreased by at least 99.2 ± 0.2 (in wt%). For lead-zinc tailings after passivation, the released metal ions (Fe+Al+Pb+Zn) decreased by at least 52.0 ± 3.2 (in wt%). The bio-passivation layers also maintained the pH of the leachate in the range of 7.5-8.0. Before bio-passivation, compared with mineral water, the pyrite leachate significantly inhibited the growth of the two plants, and the tailings leachate significantly inhibited the growth of A. cepa, whereas the bio-passivated pyrite or tailings leachate did not show any inhibitory effect.

The prediction of urban growth boundary based on the ANN-CA model: An application to Guangzhou.

Urban growth boundary (UGB) delineation is critical not only for China's urban planning policies, such as the "three control lines" of the Ministry of Natural Resources, but also for addressing global challenges related to sustainable urban development. This study contributes to the international discourse on urban growth management by developing an innovative artificial neural network-cellular automata (ANN-CA) model, tailored for cities experiencing rapid expansion. Using Guangzhou as a case study, we constructed an impact factor model that incorporates a wide range of factors, including urban spatial terrain, natural environment, current urban land classification, and industrial and economic conditions, along with the layout of modern service networks. The ANN-CA model was then employed to simulate urban spatial expansion and UGB delineation for the year 2030 under various constraints, such as strict protection zones and sustainable development scenarios. Our findings indicate that between 2020 and 2030, Nansha, Panyu, and Zengcheng districts will witness the most significant urban expansion, with respective area increases of 13.81 km2, 8.94 km2, and 5.8 km2, marking them as key growth areas. Furthermore, we propose that future urban expansion in Guangzhou should prioritize the southern and eastern regions, aligning with the city's strategic spatial objectives of "moving east, expanding south, connecting west, and optimizing north." By emphasizing ecological protection and intensive land use, this study provides a robust framework for urban planning in Guangzhou and offers insights applicable to rapidly urbanizing regions worldwide.

Comparison of Three Different Extraction Methods on Schizonepeta tenuifolia (Benth.) Briq Essential Oil: Chemical Constituents and in Vitro and in Silico Biological Activities.

This study evaluated the effects of three extraction methods, hydrodistillation (HD), steam distillation (SD), and lipophilic solvent extraction (LSE), on the yield, chemical composition, and in vitro / in silico biological activities of Schizonepeta tenuifolia (Benth.) Briq essential oil (STEO). The highest yield of STEO was obtained by HD (0.750±0.040%), followed by SD (0.440±0.020%) and LSE (0.350±0.030%). Although their contents varied, menthone and pulegone predominated in HDEO, SDEO, and LSEO. HDEO displayed the strongest antioxidant ability, with a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) IC50 value of 14.164±0.090 mg/mL and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) value of 0.326±0.023 mg/mL. SDEO demonstrated the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and HDEO the highest potent anti-inflammatory activity. The molecular docking of menthone and pulegone demonstrated strong binding to inflammatory targets, including prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 (PTGS1) and 2 (PTGS2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). In short, the extraction method significantly affected the yield, composition, and biological activity of STEO.

Hydrogen-Bond-Assisted Electrocatalytic Semi-Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural into 2,5-Diformylfuran by Operando Dissociated N-Oxyl Mediator.

The conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) is a promising approach for enhancing biomass utilization. Nevertheless, traditional methods using noble metal catalysts face challenges due to high costs and poor selectivity towards DFF. Herein, we developed a novel catalytic electrode integrating N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) into a metal-organic framework on a hydrophilic carbon cloth. This design significantly enhances the selective adsorption of HMF due to stronger hydrogen-bond interaction between the electrode's hydrophilic surface and the C(sp3)-OH group in HMF compared to the C(sp2)=O in DFF. Additionally, the electro-driven dissociation of the NHPI-linker generates stabilized N-Oxyl radicals that promote selective semi-oxidation of HMF under neutral conditions. As a result, this approach achieves a high yield rate of 138.2 mol molcat-1 h-1 with a selectivity of 96.7% for the HMF-to-DFF conversion. This work introduces a novel strategy for designing catalytic electrodes with stabilized N-Oxyl radicals, and offers a promising method for electrocatalytic DFF synthesis, leveraging hydrogen-bond interaction between electrode surface and HMF.

Comprehensive analysis reveals that P4HA3 is a prognostic and diagnostic gastric cancer biomarker that can predict immunotherapy efficacy.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most challenging malignant tumors worldwide, primarily because of its high incidence and mortality rates. Prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 3 (P4HA3) has been established as a pivotal factor for facilitating cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis across multiple human tumors. Nevertheless, the precise role of P4HA3in GC has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we used data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to examine the role of P4HA3 as a potential biomarker for predicting immunotherapy response in patients with GC. Our comprehensive analysis of data from the TCGA, TIMER, and other databases revealed a significant association between elevated P4HA3 expression in GC and adverse prognostic outcomes. Furthermore, we confirmed that P4HA3 expression was strongly correlated with immune infiltrating cells, immune infiltration markers, the tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), the immune score, the stromal score, and immune checkpoints, thus highlighting P4HA3 as a crucial and dependable therapeutic target within the context of immune-based antitumor strategies. Our findings suggest that P4HA3 may function as an immune-related biomarker in the pathogenesis and treatment of GC, indicating that P4HA3 is a promising prognostic and therapeutic target for this malignancy.

Deep learning assists early-detection of hypertension-mediated heart change on ECG signals.

Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. While cardiac ultrasound is a typical way to diagnose hypertension-mediated heart change, it often fails to detect early subtle structural changes. Electrocardiogram(ECG) represents electrical activity of heart muscle, affected by the changes in heart's structure. It is crucial to explore whether ECG can capture slight signals of hypertension-mediated heart change. However, reading ECG records is complex and some signals are too subtle to be captured by cardiologist's visual inspection. In this study, we designed a deep learning model to predict hypertension on ECG signals and then to identify hypertension-associated ECG segments. From The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, we collected 210,120 10-s 12-lead ECGs using the FX-8322 manufactured by FUKUDA and 812 ECGs using the RAGE-12 manufactured by NALONG. We proposed a deep learning framework, including MML-Net, a multi-branch, multi-scale LSTM neural network to evaluate the potential of ECG signals to detect hypertension, and ECG-XAI, an ECG-oriented wave-alignment AI explanation pipeline to identify hypertension-associated ECG segments. MML-Net achieved an 82% recall and an 87% precision in the testing, and an 80% recall and an 82% precision in the independent testing. In contrast, experienced clinical cardiologists typically attain recall rates ranging from 30 to 50% by visual inspection. The experiments demonstrate that ECG signals are sensitive to slight changes in heart structure caused by hypertension. ECG-XAI detects that R-wave and P-wave are the hypertension-associated ECG segments. The proposed framework has the potential to facilitate early diagnosis of heart change.

Exploration of the mechanism of Taohong Siwu Decoction for the treatment of ischemic stroke based on CCL2/CCR2 axis.

Background and aims: Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) is a traditional Chinese herbal prescription that is effective for ischemic stroke, Whether THSWD regulates the CCL2/CCR2 axis and thus reduces the inflammatory response induced by ischemic stroke is not known. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of action of THSWD in the treatment of ischemic stroke using bioinformatics combined with in vitro and in vivo experiments. Methods: R language was used to analyze middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) rat transcriptome data and to identify differential gene expression following THSWD treatment. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to analyze the gene set enrichment pathway of MCAO/R rats treated with THSWD. PPI networks screened key targets. The Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HBMEC) Oxygen Glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation (OGD/R) model and SD rat models of MCAO/R were established. FITC-dextran, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR were performed to identify potential treatment targets. Results: A total of 515 differentially expressed genes of THSWD in MCAO/R rats were screened and 92 differentially expressed genes of THSWD potentially involved in stroke intervention were identified, including Cd68, Ccl2, and other key genes. In vitro, THSWD reversed the increase in permeability of HBMEC cells and M1/M2 polarization of macrophages induced by CCL2/CCR2 axis agonists. In vivo, THSWD improved nerve function injury and blood-brain barrier injury in MCAO/R rats. Further, THSWD inhibited the infiltration and polarization of macrophages, reduced the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP-9, and increased the expression of IL-4, while reducing the gene and protein expression of CCL2 and CCR2. Conclusion: THSWD may play a protective role in ischemic stroke by inhibiting the CCL2/CCR2 axis, reducing the infiltration of macrophages, and promoting the polarization of M2 macrophages, thereby reducing inflammatory damage, and protecting injury to the blood-brain barrier.

Promoting medication compliance in epileptic children: a cross sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Compliance with medication is crucial for the favorable prognosis of children with epilepsy. The objective of this study was to assess the determinants of medication compliance and to construct a predictive model for the risk of non-compliance among pediatric epilepsy patients. METHODS: The study included children diagnosed with epilepsy and treated at our hospital between February 1 and September 30, 2023. We evaluated the demographic characteristics and medication compliance profiles of these patients. The predictive model's performance was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to determine its sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: A total of 168 children with epilepsy were analyzed. The rate of non-compliance with medication was found to be 32.74% (55 out of 168). Logistic regression identified the educational level of parents (OR = 2.844, 95% CI: 2.182-3.214), monthly household income (OR = 1.945, 95% CI: 1.203-2.422), the number of medications taken (OR = 1.883, 95% CI: 1.314-2.201), and the level of epilepsy knowledge received (OR = 2.517, 95% CI: 1.852-3.009) as significant factors influencing non-compliance (all p < 0.05). A total score threshold of 6 was set for the predictive model. The area under the ROC curve was 0.713 (95% CI: 0.686-0.751), indicating the model's discriminative ability. CONCLUSIONS: The compliance to medication regimens among children with epilepsy is suboptimal and influenced by a multitude of factors. This study has developed a predictive model for medication compliance, which could serve as a valuable tool for clinical assessment and intervention planning regarding medication compliance in pediatric epilepsy patients.

Quinolone antibiotics stimulate bacterial mercury methylation by Geobacter metallireducens GS-15.

Bacterial mercury (Hg) methylation is critical for bioremediating Hg pollution, but the impact of emerging antibiotics on this process has rarely been reported. This study innovatively investigated the interactions between Hg-methylating bacteria of Geobacter metallireducens GS-15 and two quinolone antibiotics: lomefloxacin (LOM) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) at 5 µg/L. Short-term LOM exposure increased methylmercury (MeHg) yield by 36 % compared to antibiotic-free conditions, caused by hormesis to alter bioactivities of single GS-15 cells. Long-term CIP exposure led to more antibiotic resistance and mercury tolerance in GS-15 cells, doubling MeHg productivity and significantly increasing expression of Hg methylation (hgcA by 95 folds) and antibiotic resistance (gyrA by 54 folds) genes, while mercury resistance gene merA only increased by 2.5 folds than without selective pressure. These results suggest quinolone antibiotics at environmentally contaminated concentrations stimulate bacterial Hg methylation to form highly toxic MeHg, raising considerable concern for the Hg-antibiotic complex in contaminated environments.

METTL3-mediated TIM1 promotes macrophage M1 polarization and inflammation through IGF2BP2-dependent manner.

Macrophage polarization and inflammation may play an important role in the development of sepsis. T-cell immunoglobulin mucin 1 (TIM1) has been demonstrated to promote macrophage inflammatory responses. However, whether TIM1 regulates macrophage polarization and inflammation to affect sepsis development remains unclear. Human monocytic leukemia cell line was induced into macrophages, followed by stimulated with LPS and IL-4 to induce M1 polarization and M2 polarization. The expression levels of TIM1, methyltransferase 3 (METTL3), and insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) were examined by qRT-PCR and western blot. IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α levels were tested by ELISA. CD86+cell rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The m6A methylation level of TIM1 was assessed by MeRIP assay. The interaction of between TIM1 and METTL3 or IGF2BP2 was assessed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay. TIM1 knockdown repressed LPS-induced macrophage M1 polarization and inflammation. In terms of mechanism, METTL3 promoted TIM1 expression through m6A modification, and this modification could be recognized by IGF2BP2. Besides, knockdown of METTL3/IGF2BP2 suppressed LPS-induced macrophage M1 polarization and inflammation, while this effect could be eliminated by TIM1 overexpression. METTL3/IGF2BP2/TIM1 axis promoted macrophage M1 polarization and inflammation, which might provide potential target for sepsis treatment.

Genomic profiling of cell-free DNA from dogs with benign and malignant tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer is currently the most common cause of death in adult dogs. Like humans, dogs have a one-third chance of developing cancer in their lifetime. We used shallow whole-genome sequencing (sWGS) to analyze blood cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from four tumor-bearing dogs (one with benign and three with malignant tumors) and 38 healthy dogs. RESULTS: Similar to the results observed in the healthy dogs, no copy number aberration (CNA) was detected in the dog with benign lipomas, and the distribution of cfDNA fragment size (FS) closely resembled that of the healthy dogs. However, among the three dogs diagnosed with malignant tumors, two dogs exhibited varying degrees and quantities of CNAs. Compared to the distribution of FS in the healthy dogs, the cancer dogs exhibited a noticeable shift towards shorter lengths. These findings indicated that CNA and FS profiles derived from sWGS data can be used for non-invasive cancer detection in dogs.

Mediating effect of cognitive appraisal and coping on anticipatory grief in family caregivers of patients with cancer: a Bayesian structural equation model study.

BACKGROUND: Anticipatory grief is common among family caregivers of cancer patients and may be related to caregiver burden, family resilience, psychological capital, cognitive appraisal, and coping strategies. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating role of cognitive appraisal and coping strategies in the relationship between caregiver burden, family resilience, psychological capital, and anticipatory grief among caregivers of cancer patients. METHODS: This study surveyed from January to September 2023 among 265 caregivers of lung and breast cancer patients in two public hospitals. They completed measures of caregiver burden, family resilience, psychological capital, cognitive appraisal, coping, and anticipatory grief. AMOS software was used to model the data with Bayesian structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Bayesian structural equation modeling results showed that caregiver burden had a direct effect on anticipatory grief. The chain mediating effects for cognitive appraisal tendency and coping tendency between caregiver burden, family resilience, psychological capital, and anticipatory grief, respectively. Coping tendency acted as a mediator between psychological capital and anticipatory grief. CONCLUSIONS: The relationships between caregiver burden, family resilience, and psychological capital with anticipatory grief are embedded in the mediating effects of cognitive appraisal and coping. Early identification and intervention for caregiver burden, family resilience, psychological capital, cognitive appraisal, and coping methods may prevent anticipatory grief in caregivers of cancer patients.

Emulsions delivery systems of functional substances for precision nutrition.

Many functional substances are chemically unstable and exhibit variable water/oil solubility, reducing their bioavailability and efficacy. It is necessary to devise effective measures to improve the unfavorable properties of functional substances and maximize their potential benefits in nutritional interventions. Therefore, the development and application of edible emulsion-based delivery systems for these functional substances using food-grade materials would be highly beneficial for the food industry. In recent years, Pickering emulsions have garnered significant attention in the scientific community due to their characteristic of being free from surfactants. This section focuses on emphasizing the design and preparation of emulsion delivery systems based on functional substances. Additionally, we summarize the current applications of emulsion delivery systems in functional substances. This chapter also discusses the potential advantages of Pickering emulsion systems in the precise nutrition field, including high targeting specificity and nutritional intervention for various diseases. Well-designed Pickering emulsion delivery carriers for functional substances can enhance their stability in food processing and in vivo digestion. To meet the nutritional needs of specific populations for functional foods, utilizing emulsion delivery systems to improve the bioavailability of functional substances will provide a theoretical basis for the precise nutrition of functional substances in functional foods.

Changes in Type 1 Diabetes-Associated Gut Microbiota Aggravate Brain Ischemia Injury by Affecting Microglial Polarization Via the Butyrate-MyD88 Pathway in Mice.

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a significantly elevated risk of stroke, but the mechanism through which T1D worsens ischemic stroke remains unclear. This study was aimed at investigating the roles of T1D-associated changes in the gut microbiota in aggravating ischemic stroke and the underlying mechanism. Fecal 16SrRNA sequencing indicated that T1D mice and mice with transplantation of T1D mouse gut microbiota had lower relative abundance of butyric acid producers, f_Erysipelotrichaceae and g_Allobaculum, and lower content of butyric acid in feces. After middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), these mice had poorer neurological outcomes and more severe inflammation, but higher expression of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) in the ischemic penumbra; moreover, the microglia were inclined to polarize toward the pro-inflammatory type. Administration of butyrate to T1D mice in the drinking water alleviated the neurological damage after MCAO. Butyrate influenced the response and polarization of BV2 and decreased the production of inflammatory cytokines via MyD88 after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation. Knocking down MyD88 in the brain alleviated neurological outcomes and decreased the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines in the brain after stroke in mice with transplantation of T1D mouse gut microbiota. Poor neurological outcomes and aggravated inflammatory responses of T1D mice after ischemic stroke may be partly due to differences in microglial polarization mediated by the gut microbiota-butyrate-MyD88 pathway. These findings provide new ideas and potential intervention targets for alleviating neurological damage after ischemic stroke in T1D.

Biomarkers of lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer: update.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, trailing only behind lung cancer, and stands as the third most prevalent malignant tumor, following lung and breast cancers. The primary cause of mortality in colorectal cancer (CRC) stems from distant metastasis. Among the various routes of metastasis in CRC, lymph node metastasis predominates, serving as a pivotal factor in both prognostication and treatment decisions for patients. This intricate cascade of events involves multifaceted molecular mechanisms, highlighting the complexity underlying lymph node metastasis in CRC. The cytokines or proteins involved in lymph node metastasis may represent the most promising lymph node metastasis markers for clinical use. In this review, we aim to consolidate the current understanding of the mechanisms and pathophysiology underlying lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC), drawing upon insights from the most recent literatures. We also provide an overview of the latest advancements in comprehending the molecular underpinnings of lymph node metastasis in CRC, along with the potential of innovative targeted therapies. These advancements hold promise for enhancing the prognosis of CRC patients by addressing the challenges posed by lymph node metastasis.

Electroplating sludge derived CuFe2O4/MgFe2O4 metal oxide composites for highly efficient removal of Congo red.

The utilization of electroplating sludge (ES) to derive metal oxide functional materials is a key strategy, as it enables the recycling of valuable elements, mitigates environmental risks, and aligns with green, low-carbon development strategies. Nevertheless, the development of metal oxide composite functional materials with distinctive structures and properties derived from ES continues to present several challenges. Herein, we synthesized CuFe2O4/MgFe2O4 metal oxide composites from ES by one-step hydrothermal method. As-obtained CuFe2O4/MgFe2O4 metal oxide composites (MMOs) have a unique layered structure, richer mesoporous and microporous structures, activity sites. When evaluated as an adsorbent for Congo red (CR), as-synthesized CuFe2O4/MgFe2O4 with layered structure composite exhibited excellent adsorption capacity (1039.1 mg/g) and reusability (85.55% after five cycles), which was superior to most similar adsorbents reported till date. Such improvement is explored to mainly originate from two respects: the physical adsorption facilitated by the abundant pores formed through the stacking and growth of CuFe2O4 and MgFe2O4, and the chemisorption resulting from surface complexation and hydrogen bonding between the MMOs and CR. This strategy to directly transform ES into functional materials shows great promise both in waste management and preparation of robust adsorbents for wastewater treatment.

A new brown rot disease of plum caused by Mucor xinjiangensis sp. nov. and screening of its chemical control.

A novel species of Mucor was identified as the causal agent of a brown rot of Prunus domestica (European plum), widely grown in the south of Xinjiang, China. This disease first appears as red spots after the onset of the fruits. With favorable environmental conditions, fruit with infected spots turn brown, sag, expand, wrinkle, and harden, resulting in fruit falling. Fungal species were isolated from infected fruits. A phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the large subunit (LSU) of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene regions strongly supported that these isolates made a distinct evolutionary lineage in Mucor (Mucoromycetes, Mucoraceae) that represents a new taxonomic species, herein named as Mucor xinjiangensis. Microscopic characters confirmed that these strains were morphologically distinct from known Mucor species. The pathogenicity of M. xinjiangensis was confirmed by attaching an agar disk containing mycelium on fruits and re-isolation of the pathogen from symptomatic tissues. Later, fourteen fungicides were selected to determine the inhibitory effect on the pathogen. Further, results showed that difenoconazole had the best effect on the pathogen and the strongest toxicity with the smallest half maximal effective concentration (EC50) value, followed by a compound fungicide composed of difenoconazole with azoxystrobin, mancozeb, prochloraz with iprodione, pyraclostrobin with tebuconazole, and trifloxystrobin with tebuconazole and ethhylicin. Present study provides the basis for the prevention and control of the novel plum disease and its pathogen.

Altered spontaneous brain activity patterns in hypertensive retinopathy using fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

AIM: To study functional brain abnormalities in patients with hypertensive retinopathy (HR) and to discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms of HR by fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFFs) method. METHODS: Twenty HR patients and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were respectively recruited. The age, gender, and educational background characteristics of the two groups were similar. After functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning, the subjects' spontaneous brain activity was evaluated with the fALFF method. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to classify the data. Further, we used Pearson's correlation analysis to explore the relationship between fALFF values in specific brain regions and clinical behaviors in patients with HR. RESULTS: The brain areas of the HR group with lower fALFF values than HCs were the right orbital part of the middle frontal gyrus (RO-MFG) and right lingual gyrus. In contrast, the values of fALFFs in the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG), left superior temporal pole (STP), left middle frontal gyrus (MFG), left superior marginal gyrus (SMG), left superior parietal lobule (SPL), and right supplementary motor area (SMA) were higher in the HR group. The results of a t-test showed that the average values of fALFFs were statistically significantly different in the HR group and HC group (P<0.001). The fALFF values of the left middle frontal gyrus in HR patients were positively correlated with anxiety scores (r=0.9232; P<0.0001) and depression scores (r=0.9682; P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: fALFF values in multiple brain regions of HR patients are abnormal, suggesting that these brain regions in HR patients may be dysfunctional, which may help to reveal the pathophysiological mechanisms of HR.