The activity of hyaD contributed to the virulence of avian Pasteurella multocida.

Fowl cholera is an infectious disease that affects both poultry and wild birds, characterized by hemorrhagic and septicemic symptoms, caused by Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida), and leading to substantial economic losses in the poultry sector. The development of genetic engineering vaccines against avian P. multocida encountered early-stage challenges due to the limited availability of effective gene editing tools. Presently, NgAgoDM-enhanced homologous recombination stands as a potent technique for achieving efficient gene knockout in avian P. multocida. Hence, this study employed NgAgoDM-enhanced homologous recombination to target and knockout hyaE (239-359aa), hyaD, hexABC, and hexD, denoted as ΔhyaE (239-359aa), ΔhyaD, ΔhexABC, and ΔhexD, respectively. Additionally, we generated a hyaD recovery strain with two point mutations, designated as mhyaD. Thus, this study systematically examined the impact of capsular synthetic gene clusters on the pathogenicity of P. multocida. Moreover, the study demonstrated the critical role of hyaD activity in the virulence of avian P. multocida. This study offers novel insights for enhancing attenuated vaccines further.

Quick-connect scanning tunneling microscope head with nested piezoelectric coarse walkers.

To meet changing research demands, new scanning tunneling microscope (STM) features must constantly evolve. We describe the design, development, and performance of a modular plug-in STM, which is compact and stable. The STM head is equipped with a quick-connect socket that is matched to a universal connector plug, enabling it to be transferred between systems. This head can be introduced into a vacuum system via a load-lock and transferred to various sites equipped with the connector plug, permitting multi-site STM operation. Its design allows for reliable operation in a variety of experimental conditions, including a broad temperature range, ultra-high vacuum, high magnetic fields, and closed-cycle pulse-tube cooling. The STM's compact size is achieved by a novel nested piezoelectric coarse walker design, which allows for large orthogonal travel in the X, Y, and Z directions, ideal for studying both bulk and thin film samples ranging in size from mm to µm. Its stability and noise tolerance are demonstrated by achieving atomic resolution under ambient conditions on a laboratory desktop with no vibrational or acoustic isolation. The operation of the nested coarse walkers is demonstrated by successful navigation to a µm-sized 2D sample.

Patient safety culture in private hospitals in China: a cross-sectional study using the revised Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture.

Background: This study aimed to translate the revised Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC 2.0) to Mandarin, evaluate its psychometric properties, and apply it to a group of private hospitals in China to identify the determinants associated with patient safety culture. Methods: A two-phase study was conducted to translate and evaluate the HSOPSC 2.0. A cross-cultural adaptation of the HSOPSC 2.0 was performed in Mandarin and applied in a cross-sectional study in China. This study was conducted among 3,062 respondents from nine private hospitals and 11 clinics across six cities in China. The HSOPSC 2.0 was used to assess patient safety culture. Primary outcomes were measured by the overall patient safety grade and patient safety events reported. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis results and internal consistency reliability were acceptable for the translated HOSPSC 2.0. The dimension with the highest positive response was "Organizational learning - Continuous improvement" (89%), and the lowest was "Reporting patient safety event" (51%). Nurses and long working time in the hospital were associated with lower assessments of overall patient safety grades. Respondents who had direct contact with patients, had long working times in the hospital, and had long working hours per week reported more patient safety events. A higher level of patient safety culture implies an increased probability of a high overall patient safety grade and the number of patient safety events reported. Conclusion: The Chinese version of HSOPSC 2.0 is a reliable instrument for measuring patient safety culture in private hospitals in China. Organizational culture is the foundation of patient safety and can promote the development of a positive safety culture in private hospitals in China.

The recombinant vaccine of Lactobacillus plantarum elicits immune protection against H1N1 and H9N2 influenza virus infection.

Influenza A virus (IAV) causes annual epidemics and occasional pandemics, resulting in significant economic losses and numerous fatalities. Current vaccines, typically administered through injection, provide limited protection due to the frequent antigenic shift and drift of IAV strains. Therefore, the development of alternative broad-spectrum vaccine strategies is imperative. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) represent promising candidates for vaccine engineering due to their low cost, high safety profile, and suitability for oral administration. In this study, we identified a strain of Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp) that is resistant to acid and bile salts and capable of colonizing the intestines of mice. Subsequently, we employed the RecE/T gene editing system to integrate headless hemagglutinins (mini-HA) into the genome of Lp, generating Lp-mini-HA-SP. Remarkably, immunization with Lp-mini-HA-SP elicited serum IgG antibody responses and conferred immune protection against H9N2 and H1N1 influenza virus challenges. Collectively, our findings offer a novel approach for the development of orally administered IAV vaccines and hold significant potential for future drug development endeavors.

The role of Pleistocene dispersal in shaping species richness of sky island wintergreens from the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains.

In addition to topography and climate, biogeographic dispersal has been considered to influence plant diversity in the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains (HHM), yet, the mode and tempo of sky island dispersal and its influence on species richness has been little explored. Through phylogenetic analysis of Gaultheria ser. Trichophyllae, a sky island alpine clade within the HHM, we test the hypothesis that dispersal has affected current local species richness. We inferred the dynamics of biogeographic dispersal with correlation tests on direction, distance, occurrence time, and regional species richness. We found that G. ser. Trichophyllae originated at the end of the Miocene and mostly dispersed toward higher longitudes (eastward). In particular, shorter intra-regional eastward dispersals and longer inter-regional westward dispersals were most frequently observed. We detected a prevalence of eastward intra-region dispersals in both glacial periods and interglacials. These dispersals may have been facilitated by the reorganization of paleo-drainages and monsoon intensification through time. We suggest that the timing of dispersal corresponding to glacial periods and the prevalence of intra-region dispersal, rather than dispersal frequency, most influenced the pattern of species richness of G. ser. Trichophyllae. This study facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of biodiversity in the sky islands within the HHM.

Research on the impact of climate change on the income gap between urban and rural areas-empirical analysis based on provincial panel data in China.

Narrowing the income gap between urban and rural areas is the key to achieving common prosperity in China. On the basis of analyzing the mechanism of climate change's impact on urban-rural income gap, this article empirically analyzes the impact of climate change on urban-rural income gap using provincial-level panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2020. Research indicates that climate change significantly impacts the urban-rural income gap at the 1% significance level, implying that climate change exacerbates the urban-rural income gap. This widening effect varies significantly across different regions, particularly in the western regions and areas with lower fiscal support for agriculture. Further analysis reveals that there is a mediating role between the total agricultural output value and resource mismatch in the impact of climate change on urban-rural income inequality; the digital rural construction plays a regulatory role in the impact of climate change on the urban-rural income gap. On this basis, policy recommendations are proposed to promote the development of climate-resilient agriculture, improve the meteorological forecast and early warning system, increase financial support, and optimize the allocation of agricultural resources.

[Value of serum levels in predicting lower extremity deep vein thrombosis after hip joint surgery in the elderly].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of serum D-dimer (D-D), fibrinogen (FIB), platelet (PLT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 levels in predicting lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after hip joint surgery in the elderly. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 165 elderly patients with hip joint surgery admitted from February 2020 to May 2022, including 89 males and 76 females, aged from 60 to 75 years old with an average of (66.43±5.48) years, and there were 102 cases of femoral neck fracture and 63 cases of femoral head necrosis. Serum levels of D-D, FIB, PLT, CRP and PAI-1 tests were performed in all patients within 24 hours after admission, and the patients were divided into DVT group and non-DVT group according to whether they developed DVT. RESULTS: The levels of D-D, FIB, PLT, CRP, and PAI-1 in the DVT group were higher than those in the non-DVT group (P<0.001). Spearman analysis showed that DVT was positively correlated with PLT, CRP, D-D, FIB, and PAI-1 levels (r=0.382, 0.213, 0.410, 0.310, 0.353, all P<0.001). The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that D-D and PLT were independent factors affecting the occurrence of DVT (OR=0.038, 0.960, P=0.032, 0.011). The area under curve (AUC) of D-D, FIB, PLT, CRP, PAI-1, and the five combined predictions for DVT were 0.843, 0.692, 0.871, 0.780, 0.819, and 0.960, respectively. The AUC of the five combined predictions was higher than that of the single prediction (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: D-D, FIB, PLT, CRP and PAI-1 are effective in predicting DVT after hip surgery in the elderly, and the combined prediction of the five factors has higher efficacy.

Efficient signal sequence of mRNA vaccines enhances the antigen expression to expand the immune protection against viral infection.

The signal sequence played a crucial role in the efficacy of mRNA vaccines against virus pandemic by influencing antigen translation. However, limited research had been conducted to compare and analyze the specific mechanisms involved. In this study, a novel approach was introduced by substituting the signal sequence of the mRNA antigen to enhance its immune response. Computational simulations demonstrated that various signal peptides differed in their binding capacities with the signal recognition particle (SRP) 54 M subunit, which positively correlated with antigen translation efficiency. Our data revealed that the signal sequences of tPA and IL-6-modified receptor binding domain (RBD) mRNA vaccines sequentially led to higher antigen expression and elicited more robust humoral and cellular immune protection against the SARS-CoV-2 compared to the original signal sequence. By highlighting the importance of the signal sequence, this research provided a foundational and safe approach for ongoing modifications in signal sequence-antigen design, aiming to optimize the efficacy of mRNA vaccines.

Nucleosome Dynamics Derived at the Single-Molecule Level Bridges Its Structures and Functions.

Nucleosome, the building block of chromatin, plays pivotal roles in all DNA-related processes. While cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has significantly advanced our understanding of nucleosome structures, the emerging field of single-molecule force spectroscopy is illuminating their dynamic properties. This technique is crucial for revealing how nucleosome behavior is influenced by chaperones, remodelers, histone variants, and post-translational modifications, particularly in their folding and unfolding mechanisms under tension. Such insights are vital for deciphering the complex interplay in nucleosome assembly and structural regulation, highlighting the nucleosome's versatility in response to DNA activities. In this Perspective, we aim to consolidate the latest advancements in nucleosome dynamics, with a special focus on the revelations brought forth by single-molecule manipulation. Our objective is to highlight the insights gained from studying nucleosome dynamics through this innovative approach, emphasizing the transformative impact of single-molecule manipulation techniques in the field of chromatin research.

H2AK119ub1 differentially fine-tunes gene expression by modulating canonical PRC1- and H1-dependent chromatin compaction.

Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) is a key transcriptional regulator in development via modulating chromatin structure and catalyzing histone H2A ubiquitination at Lys119 (H2AK119ub1). H2AK119ub1 is one of the most abundant histone modifications in mammalian cells. However, the function of H2AK119ub1 in polycomb-mediated gene silencing remains debated. In this study, we reveal that H2AK119ub1 has two distinct roles in gene expression, through differentially modulating chromatin compaction mediated by canonical PRC1 and the linker histone H1. Interestingly, we find that H2AK119ub1 plays a positive role in transcription through interfering with the binding of canonical PRC1 to nucleosomes and therefore counteracting chromatin condensation. Conversely, we demonstrate that H2AK119ub1 facilitates H1-dependent chromatin condensation and enhances the silencing of developmental genes in mouse embryonic stem cells, suggesting that H1 may be one of several possible pathways for H2AK119ub1 in repressing transcription. These results provide insights and molecular mechanisms by which H2AK119ub1 differentially fine-tunes developmental gene expression.

Inhibition of Ca2+ induced Macrophage Oxidative Stress Cascade in Mice With Ulcerative Colitis.

Context: In the context of ulcerative coloproctitis (UC), a chronic and non-specific inflammatory condition of the colon and rectum with an elusive etiology, the therapeutic potential of G protein-coupled receptor 109a (GPR109a) has gained prominence. GPR109a is expressed in various cell types including colonic epithelium, adipocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages, positioning it as a promising candidate for pharmacological intervention in colitis. Objective: the mechanistic role of GPR109a in a mouse model of UC and to assess its capacity to mitigate the disease's progression. Design: The research team performed an animal study. Setting: Conducted by a research team in the biomedical setting of the People's Hospital of Dongxihu District in Wuhan, Hubei province of China. Animals: This animal study engaged 16 specific pathogen-free (SPF) male BALB/c mice, aged between 4 to 6 weeks and weighing 20-24 grams each. Outcome Measures: (1) analysis of rectal lesions via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, (2) the use of transmission electron microscopy to examine suborganelle spatial relationships, (3) Western blot analysis to evaluate a spectrum of protein expressions such as phosphorylated IP3R, p-PERK, p-IRE-1α, mitofusins, NADPH oxidases, TNF-α, and IL-1ß, and (4) determination of intracellular calcium concentrations to gauge intestinal barrier function impairment involving specific calcium pathway signals. Results: Results from the study painted a picture of significant infiltration by inflammatory cells within the mucosal and submucosal layers, compounded by pronounced endoplasmic reticulum expansion. Abundant interfaces between the ER and the mitochondria formed multiple structures known as mitochondria-associated membranes or MAMs. When evaluated under calcium-rich conditions, the protein levels mentioned earlier were notably elevated in the GPR109a knockdown (KD) group versus the infection control (NC) counterparts. However, this differential expression disappeared under calcium-depleted conditions or when treated with 2-aminoethyl diphenyl borinate (2-APB). Additionally, fluorescence intensity assays showed marked suppression in the GPR109a-KD plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group compared to the control. Conclusions: Drawing these observations to a close, the study concluded that GPR109a has an inhibitory effect on the advancement of ulcerative coloproctitis in mice. This is mediated through the activation of a calcium-induced oxidative stress cascade within macrophages, delineating a promising therapeutic pathway for the management of this inflammatory disease.

Neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy with camrelizumab plus nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin in resectable locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a pilot phase II trial.

Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy has emerged as a potential treatment option for resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In this single-arm phase II trial (NCT04826679), patients with resectable locally advanced HNSCC (T2‒T4, N0‒N3b, M0) received neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy with camrelizumab (200 mg), nab-paclitaxel (260 mg/m2), and cisplatin (60 mg/m2) intravenously on day one of each three-week cycle for three cycles. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included pathologic complete response (pCR), major pathologic response (MPR), two-year progression-free survival rate, two-year overall survival rate, and toxicities. Here, we report the perioperative outcomes; survival outcomes were not mature at the time of data analysis. Between April 19, 2021 and March 17, 2022, 48 patients were enrolled and received neoadjuvant therapy, 27 of whom proceeded to surgical resection and remaining 21 received non-surgical therapy. The ORR was 89.6% (95% CI: 80.9, 98.2) among 48 patients who completed neoadjuvant therapy. Of the 27 patients who underwent surgery, 17 (63.0%, 95% CI: 44.7, 81.2) achieved a MPR or pCR, with a pCR rate of 55.6% (95% CI: 36.8, 74.3). Treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or 4 occurred in two patients. This study meets the primary endpoint showing potential efficacy of neoadjuvant camrelizumab plus nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin, with an acceptable safety profile, in patients with resectable locally advanced HNSCC.

Genomic evidence for rediploidization and adaptive evolution following the whole-genome triplication.

Whole-genome duplication (WGD), or polyploidy, events are widespread and significant in the evolutionary history of angiosperms. However, empirical evidence for rediploidization, the major process where polyploids give rise to diploid descendants, is still lacking at the genomic level. Here we present chromosome-scale genomes of the mangrove tree Sonneratia alba and the related inland plant Lagerstroemia speciosa. Their common ancestor has experienced a whole-genome triplication (WGT) approximately 64 million years ago coinciding with a period of dramatic global climate change. Sonneratia, adapting mangrove habitats, experienced extensive chromosome rearrangements post-WGT. We observe the WGT retentions display sequence and expression divergence, suggesting potential neo- and sub-functionalization. Strong selection acting on three-copy retentions indicates adaptive value in response to new environments. To elucidate the role of ploidy changes in genome evolution, we improve a model of the polyploidization-rediploidization process based on genomic evidence, contributing to the understanding of adaptive evolution during climate change.

Emerging functions and therapeutic targets of IL-38 in central nervous system diseases.

Interleukin (IL)-38 is a newly discovered cytokine of the IL-1 family, which binds various receptors (i.e., IL-36R, IL-1 receptor accessory protein-like 1, and IL-1R1) in the central nervous system (CNS). The hallmark physiological function of IL-38 is competitive binding to IL-36R, as does the IL-36R antagonist. Emerging research has shown that IL-38 is abnormally expressed in the serum and brain tissue of patients with ischemic stroke (IS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), suggesting that IL-38 may play an important role in neurological diseases. Important advances include that IL-38 alleviates neuromyelitis optica disorder (NMOD) by inhibiting Th17 expression, improves IS by protecting against atherosclerosis via regulating immune cells and inflammation, and reduces IL-1ß and CXCL8 release through inhibiting human microglial activity post-ASD. In contrast, IL-38 mRNA is markedly increased and is mainly expressed in phagocytes in spinal cord injury (SCI). IL-38 ablation attenuated SCI by reducing immune cell infiltration. However, the effect and underlying mechanism of IL-38 in CNS diseases remain inadequately characterized. In this review, we summarize the biological characteristics, pathophysiological role, and potential mechanisms of IL-38 in CNS diseases (e.g., NMOD, Alzheimer's disease, ASD, IS, TBI, and SCI), aiming to explore the therapeutic potential of IL-38 in the prevention and treatment of CNS diseases.

Linker histone H1 drives heterochromatin condensation via phase separation in Arabidopsis.

In the eukaryotic nucleus, heterochromatin forms highly condensed, visible foci known as heterochromatin foci (HF). These HF are enriched with linker histone H1, a key player in heterochromatin condensation and silencing. However, it is unknown how H1 aggregates HF and condenses heterochromatin. In this study, we established that H1 facilitates heterochromatin condensation by enhancing inter- and intrachromosomal interactions between and within heterochromatic regions of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome. We demonstrated that H1 drives HF formation via phase separation, which requires its C-terminal intrinsically disordered region (C-IDR). A truncated H1 lacking the C-IDR fails to form foci or recover HF in the h1 mutant background, whereas C-IDR with a short stretch of the globular domain (18 out of 71 amino acids) is sufficient to rescue both defects. In addition, C-IDR is essential for H1's roles in regulating nucleosome repeat length and DNA methylation in Arabidopsis, indicating that phase separation capability is required for chromatin functions of H1. Our data suggest that bacterial H1-like proteins, which have been shown to condense DNA, are intrinsically disordered and capable of mediating phase separation. Therefore, we propose that phase separation mediated by H1 or H1-like proteins may represent an ancient mechanism for condensing chromatin and DNA.

What can molecular assembly learn from catalysed assembly in living organisms?

Molecular assembly is the process of organizing individual molecules into larger structures and complex systems. The self-assembly approach is predominantly utilized in creating artificial molecular assemblies, and was believed to be the primary mode of molecular assembly in living organisms as well. However, it has been shown that the assembly of many biological complexes is "catalysed" by other molecules, rather than relying solely on self-assembly. In this review, we summarize these catalysed-assembly (catassembly) phenomena in living organisms and systematically analyse their mechanisms. We then expand on these phenomena and discuss related concepts, including catalysed-disassembly and catalysed-reassembly. Catassembly proves to be an efficient and highly selective strategy for synergistically controlling and manipulating various noncovalent interactions, especially in hierarchical molecular assemblies. Overreliance on self-assembly may, to some extent, hinder the advancement of artificial molecular assembly with powerful features. Furthermore, inspired by the biological catassembly phenomena, we propose guidelines for designing artificial catassembly systems and developing characterization and theoretical methods, and review pioneering works along this new direction. Overall, this approach may broaden and deepen our understanding of molecular assembly, enabling the construction and control of intelligent assembly systems with advanced functionality.

Pluripotency state transition of embryonic stem cells requires the turnover of histone chaperone FACT on chromatin.

The differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) begins with the transition from the naive to the primed state. The formative state was recently established as a critical intermediate between the two states. Here, we demonstrate the role of the histone chaperone FACT in regulating the naive-to-formative transition. We found that the Q265K mutation in the FACT subunit SSRP1 increased the binding of FACT to histone H3-H4, impaired nucleosome disassembly in vitro, and reduced the turnover of FACT on chromatin in vivo. Strikingly, mouse ESCs harboring this mutation showed elevated naive-to-formative transition. Mechanistically, the SSRP1-Q265K mutation enriched FACT at the enhancers of formative-specific genes to increase targeted gene expression. Together, these findings suggest that the turnover of FACT on chromatin is crucial for regulating the enhancers of formative-specific genes, thereby mediating the naive-to-formative transition. This study highlights the significance of FACT in fine-tuning cell fate transition during early development.

Investigation of Prototheca bovis Infection and Its Correlation with Dairy Herd Improvement Data from a Dairy Farm in Central China.

Prototheca bovis (P. bovis), an alga that has attracted considerable attention over the years as a causative microorganism of mastitis in dairy cows, exhibits limited susceptibility to specific aminoglycosides and antifungal agents, and no effective clinical treatment is currently available, thereby posing challenges for both prevention and treatment. To investigate the infection of P. bovis mastitis and its impact on raw milk production, a total of 348 raw milk samples were collected from August to December 2022 from a dairy farm in central China. P. bovis and other bacteria were detected, and the average infection rate of P. bovis in raw milk was 60.34% (210/348). The total number of colonies and the somatic cell count (SCC) of P. bovis positive samples were significantly higher than those of P. bovis negative samples (p < 0.01). The daily milk yield, 305-day milk yield, peak milk yield, and days to peak milk yield of the P. bovis positive samples were significantly lower than those of P. bovis negative samples (p < 0.01). A correlation analysis showed that P. bovis infection was negatively correlated with daily milk yield, 305-day milk yield, peak milk yield, and days to peak milk yield (p < 0.0001), while being positively correlated with the total number of colonies, SCC, milk loss, and protein percentage (p < 0.0001). These findings may help practitioners in comprehending the occurrence of Prototheca mastitis and developing more effective strategies for the prevention of P. bovis infections.

Mental health disparities between physicians and nurses: Analyzing the impact of occupational stress and work environment fitness using random forest algorithm.

BACKGROUND: The impact of occupational stress and work environment fitness on mental health disparities between physicians and nurses are not well understood. This study aims to identify and rank key determinants of mental health in physicians and nurses in China and compare the differences in their impact on mental health between physicians and nurses. METHODS: A large cross-sectional survey with multistage cluster sampling was conducted. The survey included the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS Scale), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D Scale), the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and the Person-Environment (PE) Fit. We applied a principled, machine learning-based variable selection algorithm, using random forests, to identify and rank the determinants of the mental health in physicians and nurses. RESULTS: In our study, we analyzed a sample of 9964 healthcare workers, and 2729 (27 %) were physicians. The prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders among physicians and nurses was 31.0 % and 53.3 %, 30.8 % and 47.9 %, respectively. Among physicians with anxiety disorder, we observed a higher likelihood of cynicism, emotional exhaustion, reduced personal accomplishment, and poor organization fitness, job fitness, group fitness, and supervisor fitness, in order of importance. When comparing the effects on depressive disorder in physicians, group fitness and supervisor fitness did not have significant impacts. For nurses, emotional exhaustion had a more significant effect on depressive disorder compared to cynicism. Supervisor fitness did not have a significant impact on anxiety disorder in nurses. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional design, self-reporting screening scales. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to individual and hospital characteristics, the primary factors influencing mental health disorders are occupational burnout and the compatibility of the work environment. Additionally, the key determinants of depressive and anxiety disorders among doctors and nurses exhibit slight variations. Employing machine learning methods proves beneficial for identifying determinants of mental health disorders among physicians and nurses in China. These findings could help improve policymaking aimed at addressing the mental well-being of healthcare professionals.

Isolation, identification, molecular and pathogenicity characteristics of an infectious laryngotracheitis virus from Hubei province, China.

Multiple outbreaks of avian infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) in chickens, both domestically and internationally, have been directly correlate to widespread vaccine use in affected countries and regions. Phylogenetic and recombination event analyses have demonstrated that avian infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) field strains are progressively evolving toward the chicken embryo-origin (CEO) vaccine strain. Even with standardized biosecurity measures and effective prevention and control strategies implemented on large-scale farms, continuous ILT outbreaks result in significant economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. These outbreaks undoubtedly hinder efforts to control and eradicate ILTV in the future. In this study, an ILTV isolate was successfully obtained by laboratory PCR detection and virus isolation from chickens that exhibited dyspnea and depression on a broiler farm in Hubei Province, China. The isolated strain exhibited robust propagation on chorioallantoic membranes of embryonated eggs, but failed to establish effective infection in chicken hepatocellular carcinoma (LMH) cells. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a unique T441P point mutation in the gJ protein of the isolate. Animal experiments confirmed the virulence of this strain, as it induced mortality in 6-wk-old chickens. This study expands current understanding of the epidemiology, genetic variations, and pathogenicity of ILTV isolates circulating domestically, contributing to the elucidate of ILTV molecular basis of pathogenicity and development of vaccine.