A New Species of the Blind Cave Loach Genus Protocobitis (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae), Protocobitis longicostatus sp. nov., from Guangxi, China.

Protocobitis species are typical cave-dwelling fish, exhibiting distinctive morphological adaptations such as colorless body, lack of eyes, and reduced scales and ribs in response to their extreme cave habitats. Distinct from the recorded species, P. anteroventris, P. polylepis, and P. typhlops, a new species, Protocobitis longicostatus sp. nov., is described from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Protocobitis longicostatus sp. nov. can easily be distinguished from all known congeners by the following characteristics: whole body covered by scales except head, 12 branched caudal fin rays, and long ribs. These species face threats from habitat degradation, hydrological changes, and environmental pollution. Thus, the conservation of cavefish in China has become an urgent issue.

Integration of lipidomics and metabolomics reveals plasma and urinary profiles associated with pediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections and its severity.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a significant contributor to lower respiratory infections in children. However, the lipidomics and metabolics bases of childhood M. pneumoniae infections remain unclear. In this study, lipidomics and metabolomics analyses were conducted using UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap XL mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry on plasma (n = 65) and urine (n = 65) samples. MS-DIAL software, in combination with LipidBlast and Fiehn BinBase DB, identified 163 lipids and 104 metabolites in plasma samples, as well as 208 metabolites in urine samples. Perturbed lipid species (adjusted p < 0.05) were observed, including lysophosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylinositols, phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanol amines, and triglycerides. Additionally, differential metabolites (adjusted p < 0.05) exhibited associations with amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, and energy metabolism. Thirteen plasma metabolites, namely l-hydroxyproline, 3-phosphoglycerate, citric acid, creatine, inosine, ribitol, α tocopherol, cholesterol, cystine, serine, uric acid, tagatose, and glycine, showed significant associations with disease severity (p < 0.05) and exhibited distinct separation patterns in M. pneumoniae-infected bronchitis and pneumonia, with an area under the curve of 0.927. Nine of them exhibited either positive or negative correlations with neutrophil or lymphocyte percentages. These findings indicated significant systemic metabolic shifts in childhood M. pneumoniae infections, offering valuable insights into the associated metabolic alterations and their relationship with disease severity.

Description of a New Species of Hua (Gastropoda: Semisulcospiridae) from Guizhou, China, Based on Morphology and Molecular Evidence.

A new species of Hua, Hua qiannanensis sp. nov., is described from Guizhou Province, China, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: the smooth shell, only three smaller cusps of lateral teeth on the inner side, outer marginal teeth with eight flattened and rounded denticles, an ovipositor pore in females, and BW/H ≥ 80%, B/H = 76.8-82.3%. Molecular analysis based on partial mitochondrial COI and 16S rDNA also supports the systematic position of the new taxon.

Description of a New Species of Sulcospira (Gastropoda: Pachychilidae) From Guangxi, China Based on Morphology and Molecular Evidence.

A new species of pachychilid freshwater gastropod, Sulcospira elonga sp. nov., is described from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters, including eight to 11 whorls, spiral lirae and axial ribs present, the shell width is about 1.4-1.6 times the maximum width except for the body whorl, and stomach with outer and inner crescentic pads connected to each other.

Global Diversification Dynamics Since the Jurassic: Low Dispersal and Habitat-Dependent Evolution Explain Hotspots of Diversity and Shell Disparity in River Snails (Viviparidae).

The Viviparidae, commonly known as River Snails, is a dominant group of freshwater snails with a nearly worldwide distribution that reaches its highest taxonomic and morphological diversity in Southeast Asia. The rich fossil record is indicative of a probable Middle Jurassic origin on the Laurasian supercontinent where the group started to diversify during the Cretaceous. However, it remains uncertain when and how the biodiversity hotspot in Southeast Asia was formed. Here, we used a comprehensive genetic data set containing both mitochondrial and nuclear markers and comprising species representing 24 out of 28 genera from throughout the range of the family. To reconstruct the spatiotemporal evolution of viviparids on a global scale, we reconstructed a fossil-calibrated phylogeny. We further assessed the roles of cladogenetic and anagenetic events in range evolution. Finally, we reconstructed the evolution of shell features by estimating ancestral character states to assess whether the appearance of sculptured shell morphologies was driven by major habitat shifts. The molecular phylogeny supports the monophyly of the three subfamilies, the Bellamyinae, Lioplacinae, and Viviparinae, but challenges the currently accepted genus-level classification in several cases. The almost global distribution of River Snails has been influenced both by comparatively ancient vicariance and more recent founder events. In Southeast Asia, Miocene dispersal was a main factor in shaping the modern species distributions. A recurrent theme across different viviparid taxa is that many species living in lentic waters exhibit sculptured shells, whereas only one strongly sculptured species is known from lotic environments. We show that such shell sculpture is habitat-dependent and indeed evolved several times independently in lentic River Snails. Considerably high transition rates between shell types in lentic habitats probably caused the co-occurrence of morphologically distinct shell types in several lakes. In contrast, directional evolution toward smooth shells in lotic habitats, as identified in the present analyses, explains why sculptured shells are rarely found in these habitats. However, the specific factors that promoted changes in shell morphology require further work. [biogeographical analyses; fossil-calibrated phylogeny; fossil-constrained analyses; Southeast Asia; stochastic character mapping.].

Characterization of a novel litchi R2R3-MYB transcription factor that involves in anthocyanin biosynthesis and tissue acidification.

BACKGROUND: Maturation of litchi (Litchi chinensis) fruit is characterized by dramatic changes in pigments in the pericarp and flavor compounds in the aril. Among them, the biosynthesis of anthocyanins is most noticeable. Previous studies showed that LcMYB1 and LcbHLH transcription factors participated in regulating the anthocyanin biosynthesis in litchi. However, the roles of other MYB factors remain unclear. RESULTS: In this study, we cloned and characterized the function of LcMYB5, a novel R2R3-MYB identified from litchi transcriptome. Although LcMYB5 was constitutively expressed in litchi tissues and its expressions was not correlated with tissue coloration, overexpression of LcMYB5 resulted in enhanced biosynthesis of anthocyanins in tobacco and petunia concurrent with the up-regulation of their endogenous bHLHs and key structural genes in anthocyanin precursor biosynthesis. These results indicate that LcMYB5 is an R2R3 transcriptional factor regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis either by directly activating the expression of key structural genes such as DFR or by indirectly up regulating the expressions of endogenous bHLH regulators. More interestingly, the pH values in petals and leaves from transgenic lines were significant lower than those in both untransformed tobacco and petunia, indicating LcMYB5 is also associated with pH regulation. The expressions of LcMYB5 and its bHLH partner LcbHLH1 were consistent with the expression of putative tissue acidification gene LcPH1, and the changes in malic acid provided further evidence for the close relationship between LcMYB5 and tissue acidification. CONCLUSIONS: Taking together, our study indicated that LcMYB5 is involved in not only anthocyanin biosynthesis but also tissue acidification.

A New Species of Sulcospira (Gastropoda: Pachychilidae) from Hunan, China.

A new species of pachychilid freshwater gastropod, Sulcospira hunanensis sp. nov., is described from Hunan Province, China, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters, including elongated shell with eight to nine whorls, spiral whorls with ribs, and stomach with outer and inner crescentic pads not connected to each other. Sulcospira hunanensis sp. nov. is the first confirmed report of this genus from Hunan Province, China. It is anticipated that further species will be found in this region, which currently remain unknown. Furthermore, based on morphological and molecular evidence, this study is the first record of Sulcospira tonkiniana in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, with Sulcospira krempfi supported as a synonym of Sulcospira tonkiniana.

Description of a new species of Triplophysa (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Guizhou Province, China.

A new cave-dwelling fish species Triplophysa guizhouensis is described based on specimens collected from Guizhou, China, in a subterranean system interconnected with the Hongshui River drainage. The species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters: eyes present; caudal fin with 14 branched rays; inner gill rakers of first gill arch 8-10; posterior chamber of air bladder developed; and body posterior of dorsal fin scaled. A key to species of Triplophysa in the Pearl River basin is provided.

Enantio- and Diastereoselective Formal Hetero-Diels-Alder Reactions of Trifluoromethylated Enones Catalyzed by Chiral Primary Amines.

Enantioselective formal hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of trifluoromethylated enones and 2-amino-1,3-butadienes generated in situ from aliphatic acyclic enones and chiral primary amines are reported. The corresponding tetrahydropyran-4-ones are formed in up to 94 % yield and with up to 94 % ee. The reaction was carried out through a stepwise mechanism, including initial aminocatalytic aldol condensation of 2-amino-1,3-butadiene to the trifluoromethylated carbonyl group followed by an intramolecular oxa-Michael addition. Both NMR investigation and theoretical calculations on the transition state indicate that the protonated tertiary amine could effectively activate the carbonyl group of the trifluoromethyl ketone to promote the addition process through hydrogen-bonding interaction of N-H⋅⋅⋅F and N-H⋅⋅⋅O simultaneously, and thus provide a chiral environment for the approach of amino-1,3-butadienes to the activated trifluoromethyl ketone, resulting in high enantioselectivity.

[Ultrasonic microbubbles for glioma-targeted drug delivery].

Ultrasonic microbubbles were used to open blood-brain barriers (BBB) with a reversed and limited behavior feature in the study, which could improve the brain-targeted delivery of anti-tumor drugs. The glioma rat model was prepared. Low-frequency ultrasound was combined with microbubbles to affect the permeability of BBB compared with the permeability of independently administered Evans blue (EB) crossing BBB. Time point and length of ultrasound were investigated whether they affect the permeability of BBB and the damage of brain tissue. The effect of the growth time of glioma on BBB permeability was explored. Only glioma had a very little impact on BBB permeability. However, ultrasonic microbubbles opened the BBB with the features of temporary, limited and reversed behavior and improved EB and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent penetrating BBB. A length of 30 s ultrasound is appropriate for opening BBB and no damage of brain tissue. Drugs should be injected before ultrasound so that they enter into brain as BBB opening. Ultrasonic microbubbles can open BBB effectively and safely, which improve drugs penetrating BBB under proper time point and length.

[Preparation, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of cataplasm of white mustard seed varnish to prevent asthma].

The aim of the manuscript was to optimize formulations and preparation technologies of cataplasm of white mustard seed varnish, and to evaluate its anti-asthma effect on rats. The single factor experiments included spreading thickness, types of crosslinking agents, dihydroxyaluminum aminoacetate amount, sodium polyacrylate amount, types of adhesive agents with human sense as the evaluation index. Blank cataplasm matrix was optimized by the orthogonal experiment with the amount of glycerine, citric acid, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose as the major influential factors. Initial adhesive force, peeling strength and human sense were as the evaluation index. The optimized formulation of blank cataplasm were as followings: glycerine-water-ethanol-PEG400-dihydroxyaluminum aminoacetate-citric acid-sodium carboxymethylcellulose-sodium carboxymethylcellulose 2 : 8 : 0.8 : 0.4 : 0.07: 0.15 : 0.1 : 0.5. The active ingredients of white mustard seed, corydalis, and gansui root were extracted by alcohol extraction method. Asiasarum volatile oil was extracted by oil extractor. The optimized drug loading amount was 11% with initial adhesive force, peeling strength and human sense as the evaluation index. Asthma rats model were established by sensitized with ovalbumin and nose-scratching time as the evaluation index. High dose (17%) group of drug-loaded cataplasm had the obvious inhibition effect on nose-scratching time of rats (P = 0.037 < 0.05). In comparison, middle dose (11%), low dose (4%) and positive-control groups had no obvious inhibitive effect on rats. White mustard seed cataplasm supplied a novel choice for anti-asthma therapy. And the overall pharmacodynamics assessment will be carried out on molecular level in near future.

A new loach species of the genus Oreonectes (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from Guangxi, China.

A new loach species, Oreonectesandongensissp. nov. is described from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The new species can be differentiated from other members of the genus by combinations of characters: a developed posterior chamber of the swim bladder, 13-14 branched caudal-fin rays, 8-16 lateral-line pores, body width 12-15% of standard length (SL), interorbital width 42-47% of head length (HL), and caudal peduncle length 11-16% of SL. Bayesian inference phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial Cyt b provided strong support for validity of O.andongensissp. nov. (uncorrected p-distance 6.0-7.5%).

Chromosomal-scale genome assembly of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

The Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, is a significant marine bivalve species that has ecological and economic importance. This species is robustly resilient and highly invasive. Despite the scientific and commercial interest in studying its biology and aquaculture, there remains a need for a high-quality, chromosome-scale reference genome. In this study, we have assembled a high-quality chromosome-scale reference genome for M. galloprovincialis. The total length of our reference genome is 1.41 Gb, with a scaffold N50 sequence length of 96.9 Mb. BUSCO analysis revealed a 97.5% completeness based on complete BUSCOs. Compared to the four other available M. galloprovincialis assemblies, the assembly described here is dramatically improved in both contiguity and completeness. This new reference genome will greatly contribute to a deeper understanding of the resilience and invasiveness of M. galloprovincialis.

Immunoglobulin A Vasculitis With Intussusception in Children.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis with intussusception is acute and severe vasculitis combined with acute abdomen in children. The diagnosis of the disease depends on the results of imaging examinations, and its treatment mainly includes enema and surgery. The literature summarized the detailed diagnosis and treatment data in previous literature reports. METHODS: We described the clinical manifestations, ultrasonic features, and treatment of patients admitted to a single center and reviewed previous literature regarding cases with detailed clinical data in the PubMed database within the past 20 years. RESULTS: The review included 36 patients, including 22 boys and 14 girls. A total of 32 patients were diagnosed using ultrasound (88.9%). The main sites of intussusception were the ileum and ileocolon in 16 (44.4%) and 11 (30.6%) cases, respectively. Thirteen patients (36.1%) were treated with enema, with 6 responding to the treatment. 26 patients (72.2%) underwent surgical treatment. Patients with ileal intussusception were more likely to be treated with surgery than those with colonic intussusception (P < .05). The single-center clinical data of 23 patients showed that there was no significant difference in laboratory test findings between patients with and without surgical treatment (P > .05). Patients with long insertion lengths were more likely to require surgery and resection (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography is the first-line investigation for diagnosis. The main sites of intussusception were ileum and ileocolon. The length of intubation was related to surgery; treatment is according to the intussusception site. Air enema is not suitable for intussusception of the small intestine.

[Occurrence of complex sleep apnea during continuous positive airway pressure therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the occurrence of complex sleep apnea syndrome in patients with obstructive sleep apnea during continuous positive airway pressure titration and evaluate their polysomnographic characteristics. METHODS: A total of 420 patients with obstructive sleep apnea were recruited to undergo an overnight continuous positive airway pressure titration at the Sleep Medicine Center, West China Hospital from January 2010 to December 2012. Their polysomnographic records of respiratory events, oxygen desaturation events and sleep stages were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The incidence of complex sleep apnea syndrome was 7.9% (33/420) and central apnea index (9.0 ± 5.1) /h.No significant differences existed in age, gender, body mass index and titration pressure of continuous positive airway pressure between two groups. Compared with those with non-complex sleep apnea, complex sleep apnea patients had significant increases in apnea/hypopnea index (12.8/h vs 3.6/h, P < 0.05) and oxygen desaturation index (10.3/h vs 3.8/h, P < 0.05) which mainly happened in non-rapid eye movement stage. They also showed decreases in total sleep time ((365 ± 96) vs (402 ± 77) min), rapid eye movement stage (16% ± 8% vs 20% ± 10%) , increases in non-rapid eye movement stage 1 (24% ± 17% vs 15% ± 13%), wakefulness after sleep onset ((108 ± 93) vs (79 ± 61) min) and brief arousal index ((28 ± 15) vs (20 ± 12)/h). And the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Complex sleep apnea syndrome is common among Chinese patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Compared with those with non-complex sleep apnea, complex sleep apnea patients have reduced sleep time and worse sleep quality during continuous positive airway pressure therapy.

Troglonectes canlinensis sp. nov. (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae), a New Troglomorphic Loach from Guangxi, China.

A new species of the genus Troglonectes is described based on specimens from a karst cave in Andong Town, Xincheng County, Liuzhou City, Guangxi, China. Troglonectes canlinensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congener species by the following combination of characteristics: eye degenerated into a black spot; whole body covered by scales, except for the head, throat, and abdomen; incomplete lateral line; forked caudal fin; 8-10 gill rakers on the first gill arch; 13-14 branched caudal fin rays; 8-9 branched dorsal fin rays; 5-6 anal fin rays; 9-10 pectoral fin rays; upper adipose keel depth mostly 1/2 of the caudal peduncle depth; and caudal fin forked.

Detection and genetic diversity of human metapneumovirus in hospitalized children with acute respiratory infections in Southwest China.

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is the main pathogen causing respiratory tract infection in susceptible populations, particularly in children and the elderly. Specimens were collected from hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTI), and the hMPV was detected by using real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). The full-length G gene of hMPV was amplified by RT-PCR. A total of 1,410 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) were collected from April 2008 to March 2011, and 114 (10.2%) were positive for hMPV. Most hMPV-positive children were <5 years of age. The hMPV infection rate peaked in the spring-summer season of 2008 to 2009 and 2009 to 2010, while hMPV circulated predominantly during the winter-spring season of 2010 to 2011. The full-length G gene of 23 hMPV strains was amplified, and group A and B viruses accounted for 95.7% (22/23) and 4.3% (1/23), respectively. Genotype A2b of hMPV appeared to be predominant during the study period. Three genotypes (A2b, A1, and B1) were prevalent in the epidemic season of 2008 to 2009, and only genotype A2b was identified in the other two seasons (2009 to 2010 and 2010 to 2011). The G gene of hMPV was predicted to encode proteins with four different lengths, in which one with 210 amino acids was first identified in China. These findings suggest that hMPV was an important pathogen of ALRTI in pediatric patients, especially those <5 years of age. Genotype A2b of hMPV likely predominates in Southwest China, where other genotypes also circulate.

[Relationship between excessive daytime sleepiness and oxygen saturation in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate polysomnographic determinants of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and potential relationship in Chinese patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: A total of 410 patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome were analyzed retrospectively who were obtained in Sleep medicine center of West China hospital from January to April in 2010. All of the patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) greater than 5 h(-1) were evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and sleep disorders questionnaire. The patients who ESS score was more than 10 were defined as EDS; otherwise, the other was considered to without EDS. RESULTS: A total of 176 patients with EDS (ESS: 15 ± 3) and 234 without EDS (ESS: 6 ± 3) were studied. Patients with EDS were slightly higher BMI (28 ± 4 vs 26 ± 4) and shorter REM sleep latency (99 ± 65 vs 125 ± 81) than patients without EDS. Furthermore, there were significant difference in awake SaO2, AHI, minimum SaO2, oxygen desaturation index and arousal index between EDS group were No-EDS group (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in waking SaO2 of severe OSAS between both groups. CONCLUSION: Long-term chronic hypoxia already exists in severe OSAS patients with prominent sleepiness. Waking SaO2 may play a role as a predictor in evaluation and diagnosis in patients with OSAS.

Yunnanilus chuanheensis, a new loach species (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from the upper Lixianjiang River in Yunnan, China.

A new loach species (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae: Yunnanilini), Yunnanilus chuanheensis sp. nov., was caught from Chuanhe in the upper reaches of the Lixianjiang River, a tributary of the Red River in Nanjian County, Yunnan Province, China. This species is a member of the traditional Y. pleurotaenia species group based on the presence of a lateral line and cephalic lateral-line canals. It can be distinguished from other species in the Y. pleurotaenia species group by the following characters: lips without papillae, anterior and posterior nostrils separated, whole body scaled, eye diameter smaller than interorbital width, outer gill raker absent on first gill arch, eye diameter greater than 18% of head length, 10-11 inner gill rakers on first gill arch, and lateral line not extending to vertical through dorsal fin insertion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first Yunnanilus species recorded from the Red River drainage.

A new species of Kurixalus (Anura, Rhacophoridae) from Guizhou, China.

We describe a new species of the genus Kurixalus, Kurixalus raoi sp. nov., from Guizhou Province, China, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Phylogenetically, the new species is sister to K. idiootocus, but is distinguishable from all known congeners by a combination of the following characters: small body size (snout-vent length 28.2‒32.2 mm in males; 38.6 mm in female); snout rounded, with no prominence on tip; single internal vocal sac; dorsal surface brown, rough, scattered with several small warts; chin clouded with blackish marking; pair of large symmetrical dark blotches on chest; vomerine teeth present; iris brown; tibiotarsal articulation reaching center of eye; nuptial pad slight; flank rough; mandibular symphysis weak; throat skin granular; and toes moderately webbed, formula I2‒2II1.5‒3III2‒3IV3‒2V. The genetic distances between the new species and K. idiootocus were 2.9% and 5.4% for 16S rRNA and COI, respectively.