Survival Analysis and Immune Differences of HIV Long-Term Non-progressors in Xinjiang China: A 12-Year Prospective Cohort Observation.

This 12-year cohort study of 80 long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) observed a cumulative follow-up duration of 628.5 person-years. Among them, 60 received antiretroviral therapy (ART) for a total of 418.6 person-years. Twenty-four deaths occurred during the follow-up period, with an average age of 42.36 years and a lowest 8-year survival rate of 0.90. Cox model analysis revealed that the risk of AIDS-related death was 1.47 times higher for non-marital, non-commercial heterosexual transmission than for injection drug use. Treatment initiation at ages 31-40 was correlated with an elevated risk of mortality, while treatment for 3-10 years reduced mortality risks in untreated LTNPs. Flow cytometry observed significant differences in the proportion of NK cells. Long-term ART (> 2 years) before LTNPs developed AIDS symptoms could lower mortality risk and potentially extend lifespan, especially when it was initiated at a younger age without affecting NK cell balance. Epidemiological and immunological studies on ART-treated LTNPs are vital for advancing HIV treatment and achieving functional cures for AIDS individuals.

RESUMEN: Este estudio de cohorte de 12 años con 80 no progresores a largo plazo (LTNPs) observó un total acumulado de 628.5 personas-año. De ellos, 60 recibieron terapia antirretroviral (TAR) durante un total de 418.6 personas-año. Se produjeron veinticuatro muertes durante el período del estudio, con una edad promedio de 42.36 años y una tasa de supervivencia más baja de 0.90 a los 8 años. El análisis del modelo de Cox identificó que la transmisión heterosexual no marital ni comercial presentaba un riesgo 1.47 veces mayor de muerte relacionada con el SIDA en comparación con el uso de drogas inyectables. Comenzar el tratamiento entre los 31-40 años mostró incrementos en los riesgos de mortalidad, mientras que 3-10 años de tratamiento redujeron los riesgos de mortalidad en LTNPs no tratados. Se observaron diferencias significativas en las proporciones de células NK desde el punto de vista inmunológico. La TAR a largo plazo (> 2 años) antes de la aparición de síntomas del SIDA en LTNPs podría disminuir el riesgo de mortalidad y potencialmente prolongar la vida, especialmente si se inicia a una edad más temprana sin afectar el equilibrio de las células NK. Los estudios epidemiológicos e inmunológicos sobre LTNPs tratados con TAR son fundamentales para el progreso del tratamiento del VIH y la cura funcional del SIDA.

The predictive accuracy of machine learning for the risk of death in HIV patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Early prediction of mortality in individuals with HIV (PWH) has perpetually posed a formidable challenge. With the widespread integration of machine learning into clinical practice, some researchers endeavor to formulate models predicting the mortality risk for PWH. Nevertheless, the diverse timeframes of mortality among PWH and the potential multitude of modeling variables have cast doubt on the efficacy of the current predictive model for HIV-related deaths. To address this, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis, aiming to comprehensively assess the utilization of machine learning in the early prediction of HIV-related deaths and furnish evidence-based support for the advancement of artificial intelligence in this domain. METHODS: We systematically combed through the PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science databases on November 25, 2023. To evaluate the bias risk in the original studies included, we employed the Predictive Model Bias Risk Assessment Tool (PROBAST). During the meta-analysis, we conducted subgroup analysis based on survival and non-survival models. Additionally, we utilized meta-regression to explore the influence of death time on the predictive value of the model for HIV-related deaths. RESULTS: After our comprehensive review, we analyzed a total of 24 pieces of literature, encompassing data from 401,389 individuals diagnosed with HIV. Within this dataset, 23 articles specifically delved into deaths during long-term follow-ups outside hospital settings. The machine learning models applied for predicting these deaths comprised survival models (COX regression) and other non-survival models. The outcomes of the meta-analysis unveiled that within the training set, the c-index for predicting deaths among people with HIV (PWH) using predictive models stands at 0.83 (95% CI: 0.75-0.91). In the validation set, the c-index is slightly lower at 0.81 (95% CI: 0.78-0.85). Notably, the meta-regression analysis demonstrated that neither follow-up time nor the occurrence of death events significantly impacted the performance of the machine learning models. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that machine learning is a viable approach for developing non-time-based predictions regarding HIV deaths. Nevertheless, the limited inclusion of original studies necessitates additional multicenter studies for thorough validation.

The Response of the Gut Physiological Function and Microbiome of a Wild Freshwater Fish (Megalobrama terminalis) to Alterations in Reproductive Behavior.

The fish gut microbiome is well known for its role in degrading nutrients to improve the host's digestion and absorption efficiency. In this study, we focused on the core physiological adaptability during the various reproductive stages of the black Amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis) to explore the interaction mechanisms among the fish host gut mucosal structure, gut enzyme activity, and gut microbial metabolism in the course of the host's reproductive cycle. Our findings showed that M. terminalis exhibited locomotion metabolic type (aids in sporting) in the reproductive stage, and a change to visceral metabolic type (aids in digestion) during non-reproductive and post-reproductive stage phases. The impact of metabolic type selection and energy demand during various reproductive stages on fish nutrition strategy and digestive function was substantial. Our resulted showed that mitochondria in intestinal epithelial cells of reproductive M. terminalis appeared autophagy phenomenon, and the digestive enzyme activities in the intestines of reproductive M. terminalis were lower than those in the non-reproductive and post-reproductive individuals. Moreover, these differences in nutrition strategy have a prominent impact on the gut microbiome of reproductive M. terminalis, compared to non-reproductive and post-reproductive samples. Our findings showed that reproductive females had lower levels of alpha diversity compared to non-reproductive and post-reproductive females. Our results also showed a greater functional variety and an increase in functional genes related to carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, cofactors, and vitamin metabolic pathways in the NRS and PRS group. It is noteworthy that an enrichment of genes encoding putative enzymes implicated in the metabolism of taurine and hypotaurine was observed in the RS samples. Our findings illustrated that the stability and resilience of the gut bacterial community could be shaped in the wild fish host-microbiome interactions during reproductive life history.

Hydrogen Spillover Mechanism at the Metal-Metal Interface in Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation.

Hydrogen spillover in metal-supported catalysts can largely enhance electrocatalytic hydrogenation performance and reduce energy consumption. However, its fundamental mechanism, especially at the metal-metal interface, remains further explored, impeding relevant catalyst design. Here, we theoretically profile that a large free energy difference in hydrogen adsorption on two different metals (|ΔGH-metal(i) - ΔGH-metal(ii)|) induces a high kinetic barrier to hydrogen spillover between the metals. Minimizing the difference in their d-band centers (Δεd) should reduce |ΔGH-metal(i) - ΔGH-metal(ii)|, lowering the kinetic barrier to hydrogen spillover for improved electrocatalytic hydrogenation. We demonstrated this concept using copper-supported ruthenium-platinum alloys with the smallest Δεd, which delivered record high electrocatalytic nitrate hydrogenation performance, with ammonia production rate of 3.45±0.12 mmol h-1 cm-2 and Faraday efficiency of 99.8±0.2 %, at low energy consumption of 21.4 kWh kgamm-1. Using these catalysts, we further achieve continuous ammonia and formic acid production with a record high-profit space.

Tandem Electrocatalytic Alkyne Semihydrogenation over Bicomponent Catalysts through Hydrogen Spillover.

Electrocatalytic alkyne semihydrogenation under mild conditions is a more attractive approach for alkene production than industrial routes but suffers from either low production efficiency or high energy consumption. Here, we describe a tandem catalytic concept that overcomes these challenges. Component (i), which can trap hydrogen effectively, is partnered with component (ii), which can readily release hydrogen for hydrogenation, to enable efficient generation of active hydrogen on component (i) at low overpotentials and timely (i)-to-(ii) hydrogen spillover and facile desorptive hydrogenation on component (ii). We examine this concept over bicomponent palladium-copper catalysts for the production of representative 2-methyl-3-butene-2-ol (MBE) from 2-methyl-3-butyne-2-ol (MBY) and achieve a record high MBE production rate of 1.44 mmol h-1 cm-2 and a Faraday efficiency of ~88.8 % at a low energy consumption of 1.26 kWh kgMBE -1. With these catalysts, we further achieve 60 h continuous production of MBE with record high profit space.

Efficient Nd:YAG crystal laser with rotatory pumping.

The performance of solid-state laser is limited by the thermal effects in the gain medium. In this study, we investigated the implementation of an efficient short-cavity continuous-wave 1064 nm Nd:YAG solid-state laser by using a rotatory pumping scheme to alleviate the thermal accumulation in the gain medium. With this method, the laser power reached 25.7 W with a slope efficiency of 41.5% at a 10.0-mm pump rotation radius and an optimum rotation rate of 2300 rpm. The influence of rotatory pumping radius and rotation rates was analyzed, and the results indicated that the rotatory pumping would be promising technique for the power scaling of solid-state lasers.

Large-scale DNA barcoding of the subfamily Culterinae (Cypriniformes: Xenocyprididae) in East Asia unveils a geographical scale effect, taxonomic warnings and cryptic diversity.

Geographical scale might be expected to impact significantly the efficiency of DNA barcoding as spatially comprehensive sampling provides opportunities to uncover intricate relationships among closely related species and to detect cryptic diversity for widespread taxa. Here, we present a DNA barcoding study on a Xencyprididae subfamily (Culterinae) involving the production of 998 newly generated DNA barcodes from East Asian drainages (80 localities). Together with 513 barcodes mined from BOLD and GenBank, a reference library consisting of 1511 DNA barcodes (116 localities) for 42 species was assembled, accounting for 66% of known Culterinae species. Intraspecific genetic distances are positively correlated to geographical scale, while a negative correlation is detected between interspecific genetic distances and geographical scale. The present study demonstrates that geographical scale influences the efficiency of DNA barcoding by narrowing the width of the barcoding gap. DNA-based species delimitation analyses delimited 44 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs). Rampant cryptic diversity is detected within eight species with multiple MOTUs, whereas 25 species present mismatch between morphological and molecular delimitations. A total of 18 species are lumped into nine MOTUs due to low interspecific divergence and/or mixed lineages. Several MOTU divergences are hypothesized to relate to known biogeographical barriers and geological events during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. This study provides new insights into the taxonomy and phylogeography of the subfamily Culterinae.

Identification of methylation markers for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a hereditary heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and speech dysplasia. We collected the expression profiles of ASD in GSE26415, GSE42133 and GSE123302 from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database, as well as methylation data of GSE109905. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ASD and controls were obtained by differential expression analysis. Enrichment analysis identified the biological functions and signaling pathways involved by common genes in three groups of DEGs. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were used to identify genes with the highest connectivity as key genes. In addition, we identified methylation markers by associating differentially methylated positions. Key methylation markers were identified using the least absolute shrink and selection operator (LASSO) model. Receiver operating characteristic curves and nomograms were used to identify the diagnostic role of key methylation markers for ASD. A total of 57 common genes were identified in the three groups of DEGs. These genes were mainly enriched in Sphingolipid metabolism and PPAR signaling pathway. In the PPI network, we identified seven key genes with higher connectivity, and used qRT-PCR experiments to verify the expressions. In addition, we identified 31 methylation markers and screened 3 key methylation markers (RUNX2, IMMP2L and MDM2) by LASSO model. Their methylation levels were closely related to the diagnostic effects of ASD. Our analysis identified RUNX2, IMMP2L and MDM2 as possible diagnostic markers for ASD. Identifying different biomarkers and risk genes will contribute to the diagnosis of ASD and the development of new clinical and drug treatments.

Insight into the combinatorial transcriptional regulation on α-amylase gene in animal groups with different dietary nutrient content.

Gene expression is generally regulated by multiple transcription factors (TFs). Despite previous findings of individual TFs regulating pancreatic α-amylase gene expression, the combinatorial transcriptional regulation is not fully understood. To gain insight into multiple TF regulation for pancreatic α-amylase gene, we employed a function conservation approach to predict interacting TFs regulating pancreatic α-amylase gene for 3 dietary animal groups. To this end, we have identified 77, 25, and 118 interacting TFs for herbivore, omnivore, and carnivore, respectively. Computational modeling of TF regulatory networks demonstrated that known pancreas-specific TFs (e.g. GR, NFAT, and PR) may play important roles in recruiting non pancreas-specific TFs to the TF-TF interaction networks, offering specificity and flexibility for controlling pancreatic α-amylase gene expression in different dietary animal groups. The findings from this study indicate that combinatorial transcriptional regulation could be a critical component controlling pancreatic α-amylase gene expression.

A comparison of reproductive isolation between two closely related oak species in zones of recent and ancient secondary contact.

BACKGROUND: Much of the debate over the evolutionary consequences of hybridization on genetic divergence and speciation results from the breakdown or reinforcement of reproductive barriers in secondary hybrid zones. Among hybrid populations established for different lengths of time following secondary contact, stronger reproductive barriers are generally expected to occur in zones with longer contact. However, in plants no detailed investigation of recent and ancient zones of secondary contact has been conducted despite the importance of such a comparative study. Here, we compare pre- and postzygotic reproductive barriers between two closely related oak species, Quercus mongolica and Q. liaotungensis, in such a situation. RESULTS: The recorded flowering times of both species overlapped in both contact zones. The fruit set at 10 and 30 days after interspecific hand pollination was not significantly lower than that after intraspecific pollination whenever Q. mongolica or Q. liaotungensis comprised the maternal parents in both populations. These results indicated that neither prezygotic phenological barriers nor interspecific incompatibility could have resulted in the reproductive isolation between the two species in both hybrid zones. However, the proportion of hybrid seeds produced by both species in the ancient zone was significantly lower than that recorded in the recent zone of secondary contact. In addition, the proportion of hybrid seeds simulated to form, assuming both random mating and an absence of postpollination barriers, was significantly higher than that detected in the ancient contact zone but not in the recent contact zone. These results suggest stronger early-acting postzygotic isolation between the two oak species in the ancient relative to the recent contact zone. CONCLUSIONS: Our comparative study demonstrated that postzygotic barriers during seed maturity were the main contributing factor to total reproductive isolation, particularly in the ancient contact zone, which aided species delimitation. In the recently formed secondary contact zone, pre- and postzygotic barriers were not well developed, and a high frequency of natural hybridization was evident. To our knowledge this study provides the first comparison of reproductive isolation between the ancient and recent secondary contact zones in plants and helps to clarify the evolutionary consequences of hybridization in a temporal context.

Transcriptome profiling of yellow leafy head development during the heading stage in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis).

The yellow leafy head of Brassica rapa is known to be tasty and nutritional. Therefore, the heading stage of leaf development is critical to realize high yield and economic benefits. A widely planted commercial cultivar of B. rapa ('Qiubao', deep yellow leafy head) was used to conduct transcriptome analysis. The results showed that the yellowing of the inner leaf was likely induced by the predominant ß-carotene biosynthesis pathway due to the upregulated gene geranylgeranyl diphosphate and phytoene synthase, and the downregulated gene CrtL-e, NCED4 and DWARF-27. Some genes related to chlorophyll synthesis were also found to be downregulated, such as nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthetase, glutamate synthase and protochlorophyllide reductase A. Transcript profiling also revealed strong changes in expression levels of hormonal genes related to auxin, cytokinin, ethylene, abscisic acid, gibberellin and brassinosteroids, suggesting the crucial role that hormones play in heading stage. Examination of carbohydrate and sucrose metabolism pathways revealed that sucrose biosynthesis is probably regulated by 6-phosphofructokinase and sucrose synthase 1 (SUS1/SuSy1) branch, instead of the sucrose-phosphate synthase branch. Several cold-response genes were induced in the late-heading stage, but the results suggest that the common C-repeat binding factor responsive pathway may not be involved in cold adaption. We also identified a series of upregulated transcription factors-AP2/ERF, MYB, bHLH, NAC and WRKY were found to be predominant. The transcripts analysis provides a preliminary genetic resource to unravel key genes and molecular mechanisms responsible for leafy head development in B. rapa, therefore, improving leafy head quality and yield through genetic means in future.

Correlation between replicative senescence of endometrial gland epithelial cells in shedding and non-shedding endometria and endometriosis cyst during menstruation.

To investigate correlation between abnormal replicative senescence of endometrial gland epithelial cells (EGECs) in shedding and non-shedding endometria and endometriosis cyst during menstruation. Musashi-1 expression, ß-catenin expression, and EGECs ultrastructure in shedding and non-shedding endometrium when menstruation were observed through real-time PCR and transmission electron microscopy technologies. (1) Musashi-1 and ß-catenin exhibited a high expression in shedding and non-shedding endometria in experimental group, showing a positive correlation between each other; and were significantly higher than that in control group. However; there was no correlation between these two in control group. (2) Transmission electron microscopy results: In experimental group, organelles in EGECs in shedding endometrium obtained were abundant on the first day of menstruation, nuclei were irregular, double nucleoli could be observed, and chromatin was rich. Furthermore, morphology of EGECs in non-shedding endometrium was irregular, organelles were abundant, basement membrane was irregular with abnormal curvature, and a large amount of collagenic fibers were found in intercellular spaces. On the fifth day of menstruation, the cilia and microvilli on secretory cells in endometrium increased and prolongated, and organelles became extremely rich. EGECs have potentials of division, proliferation, invasion and migration; and is associated with formation of endometriosis cysts.

Elevated CO2 decreases the response of the ethylene signaling pathway in Medicago truncatula and increases the abundance of the pea aphid.

The performance of herbivorous insects is greatly affected by plant nutritional quality and resistance, which are likely to be altered by rising concentrations of atmospheric CO2 . We previously reported that elevated CO2 enhanced biological nitrogen (N) fixation of Medicago truncatula, which could result in an increased supply of amino acids to the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum). The current study examined the N nutritional quality and aphid resistance of sickle, an ethylene-insensitive mutant of M. truncatula with supernodulation, and its wild-type control A17 under elevated CO2 in open-top field chambers. Regardless of CO2 concentration, growth and amino acid content were greater and aphid resistance was lower in sickle than in A17. Elevated CO2 up-regulated N assimilation and transamination-related enzymes activities and increased phloem amino acids in both genotypes. Furthermore, elevated CO2 down-regulated expression of 1-amino-cyclopropane-carboxylic acid (ACC), sickle gene (SKL) and ethylene response transcription factors (ERF) genes in the ethylene signaling pathway of A17 when infested by aphids and decreased resistance against aphids in terms of lower activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Our results suggest that elevated CO2 suppresses the ethylene signaling pathway in M. truncatula, which results in an increase in plant nutritional quality for aphids and a decrease in plant resistance against aphids.

Elevated CO2 alters the feeding behaviour of the pea aphid by modifying the physical and chemical resistance of Medicago truncatula.

Elevated CO(2) compromises the resistance of leguminous plants against chewing insects, but little is known about whether elevated CO(2) modifies the resistance against phloem-sucking insects or whether it has contrasting effects on the resistance of legumes that differ in biological nitrogen fixation. We tested the hypothesis that the physical and chemical resistance against aphids would be increased in Jemalong (a wild type of Medicago truncatula) but would be decreased in dnf1 (a mutant without biological nitrogen fixation) by elevated CO(2). The non-glandular and glandular trichome density of Jemalong plants increased under elevated CO(2), resulting in prolonged aphid probing. In contrast, dnf1 plants tended to decrease foliar trichome density under elevated CO(2), resulting in less surface and epidermal resistance to aphids. Elevated CO(2) enhanced the ineffective salicylic acid-dependent defence pathway but decreased the effective jasmonic acid/ethylene-dependent defence pathway in aphid-infested Jemalong plants. Therefore, aphid probing time decreased and the duration of phloem sap ingestion increased on Jemalong under elevated CO(2), which, in turn, increased aphid growth rate. Overall, our results suggest that elevated CO(2) decreases the chemical resistance of wild-type M. truncatula against aphids, and that the host's biological nitrogen fixation ability is central to this effect.

Whole-genome resequencing confirms the genetic effects of dams on an endangered fish Hemibagrus guttatus (Siluriformes: Bagridae): A case study in a tributary of the Pearl River.

Dam construction in riverine ecosystems has fragmented natural aquatic habitats and has altered environmental conditions. As a result, damming has been demonstrated to threaten aquatic biodiversity by reducing species distribution ranges and hindering gene exchange, leading to the inability to adapt to environmental changes. Knowledge of the contemporary genetic diversity and genetic structure of fish populations that are separated by dams is vital to developing effective conservation strategies, particularly for endangered fish species. We chose the Lianjiang River, a tributary of the Pearl River, as a case study to assess the effects of dams on the genetic diversity and genetic structure of an endangered fish species, Hemibagrus guttatus, using whole-genome resequencing data from 63 fish samples. The results indicated low levels of genetic diversity, high levels of inbreeding and decreasing trend of effective population size in fragmented H. guttatus populations. In addition, there were significant genetic structure and genetic differentiation among populations, suggesting that the dams might have affected H. guttatus populations. Our findings may benefit management and conservation practices for this endangered species that is currently suffering from the effects of dam construction.

The selection of a surgical strategy for the treatment of adult degenerative scoliosis with "pear-shaped" decompression under open spinal endoscopy.

The prognoses of patients who undergo open spinal endoscopy (OSE) decompression significantly differ by scoliosis type and symptom despite the use of uniform standards and procedures for the decompression surgery. These differences may be directly related to the selection and formulation of surgical strategies but their cause remains unclear. The aim of this study was to verify and evaluate the efficacy of the "Symptom, Stenosis and Segment classification (SSS classification)" in determining an appropriate surgical strategy and to analyze the differences in the outcomes of different patients after receiving the selected surgical strategy. The results of this study ultimately provide a theoretical basis for the specific optimization of surgical strategies guided by the "SSS classification". This work was a retrospective study. We reviewed 55 patients with scoliosis and spinal stenosis who underwent "pear-shaped" decompression under OSE from May 2021 to June 2023 treated by our surgical team. To classify different types of patients, we defined the "SSS classification" system. The permutation and combination of subtypes in Symptom (including three subtypes: Convex = v, Concave = c and Bilateral = b), Stenosis (including three subtypes: Convex = v, Concave = c and Bilateral = b), and Segment (including two subtypes: Edge = e and Inside = i) yields 18 possible types (details in Table 1) in this classification system. To classify different types of surgeries, we also defined the operation system. The VAS Back and VAS Leg scores after surgical treatment were significantly lower in all patients 3 months after surgery than before surgery. (**P < 0.05). The Svve type accounted for the greatest proportion of patients (62.50%) in the VAS back remission group, and the Scce type accounted for the greatest proportion (57.14%) in the VAS back ineffective group. According to the VAS leg score, the percentage of patients in whom Svve was detected in the VAS leg remission group reached 60.87%, and the percentage of patients in whom Svve was detected in the VAS leg ineffective group reached 44.44%. Svve accounted for the greatest proportion of cases (61.22%) in the JOA-effective group, and Scce accounted for the greatest proportion of cases (50.00%) in the JOA-ineffective group. In the JOA-effective group, the Ovv type accounted for the greatest proportion (up to 79.59%), while in the JOA-ineffective group, Occ and Ovv accounted for 50.00% of the cases each. The proportions of Svve type were the highest in the healthy group (up to 60.00%) and the ODI-effective group (up to 50.00%). The Ovv type accounted for the greatest proportion of patients in the ODI-effective group (up to 80.00%), and the Occ type accounted for the greatest proportion of patients in the ODI-ineffective group (up to 60.00%). Most of the surgical plans formulated by the "SSS classification" method were considered appropriate, and only when the symptoms of patients were located on the concave side did the endoscopic decompression plan used in the present study have a limited ability to alleviate symptoms.

Closed Reduction for the Treatment of Traumatic Thoracolumbar Spondylolisthesis.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracolumbar traumatic spondylolisthesis is a relatively rare phenomenon and has poor prognosis due to serious spinal cord or cauda equina injuries. In such cases, closed reduction is a method for restoring the vertebral sequence and may play an important role in the treatment process, although whether it is actually feasible for patients with this condition requires further investigation. The present study included 9 patients with serious thoracolumbar traumatic spondylolisthesis to determine the advantages of closed reduction over total reduction through open surgery. METHODS: Data from 9 patients (cases 1-9), diagnosed with severe thoracolumbar traumatic spondylolisthesis between June 2012 and August 2023, were retrospectively reviewed. Five patients were treated with closed reduction in an emergency department and subsequently underwent delayed internal fixation surgery at least 48 hours after the injury, and 4 with similar serious injuries underwent emergency surgery. The incidence of complications and recovery of the spinal cord or cauda equina were compared between groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics or adverse events between the 2 groups. The reduction group had a shorter surgical duration and less blood loss than the surgery group. Although patients in the surgery group may have experienced more pain, there were no significant differences between the groups in Oswestry Disability Index or Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores. Thus, regardless of whether closed reduction was chosen, patients experienced a similar quality of life for a relatively prolonged period. CONCLUSIONS: Closed reduction may be feasible for serious thoracolumbar traumatic spondylolisthesis, although the safety of this method requires further research.

Safe utilization of bioresources in gentamicin mycelial residues by thermal treatment: Antibiotic degradation, resistance gene inactivation and available nutrients promotion.

Gentamicin mycelium residues (GMRs) abundant in organic substances were generated during the production of gentamicin. Inappropriate handling techniques not only waste valuable resources, they could also result in residual gentamicin into the natural environment, leading to the generation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which would cause a significant threat to ecological system and human health. In the present work, the effects of thermal treatment on the removal of residual gentamicin in GMRs, as well as the changes of associated ARGs abundance, antimicrobial activity and bioresources properties were investigated. The results indicated that the hazards of GMRs was significantly reduced through thermal treatment. The degradation rate of residual gentamicin in GMRs reached 100 %, the total abundance of gentamicin resistance genes declined from 8.20 to 1.14 × 10-5 and the antibacterial activity of the decomposition products of GMRs on Vibrio fischeri was markedly reduced at 200 °C for 120 min. Additionally, the thermal treatment remarkably influenced the bioresource properties of GMRs-decomposition products. The release of soluble organic matters including soluble carbohydrates and soluble proteins have been enhanced in GMRs, while excessively high temperatures could lead to a reduction of nutrient substances. Generally, thermal treatment technology was a promising strategy for synergistic reducing hazards and utilizing bioresources of GMRs.

Mitogenomic phylogeny, biogeography, and cryptic divergence of the genus Silurus (Siluriformes: Siluridae).

The genus Silurus, an important group of catfish, exhibits heterogeneous distribution in Eurasian freshwater systems. This group includes economically important and endangered species, thereby attracting considerable scientific interest. Despite this interest, the lack of a comprehensive phylogenetic framework impedes our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the extensive diversity found within this genus. Herein, we analyzed 89 newly sequenced and 20 previously published mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) from 13 morphological species to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships, biogeographic history, and species diversity of Silurus. Our phylogenetic reconstructions identified eight clades, supported by both maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference. Sequence-based species delimitation analyses yielded multiple molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) in several taxa, including the Silurus asotus complex (four MOTUs) and Silurus microdorsalis (two MOTUs), suggesting that species diversity is underestimated in the genus. A reconstructed time-calibrated tree of Silurus species provided an age estimate of the most recent common ancestor of approximately 37.61 million years ago (Ma), with divergences among clades within the genus occurring between 11.56 Ma and 29.44 Ma, and divergences among MOTUs within species occurring between 3.71 Ma and 11.56 Ma. Biogeographic reconstructions suggested that the ancestral area for the genus likely encompassed China and the Korean Peninsula, with multiple inferred dispersal events to Europe and Central and Western Asia between 21.78 Ma and 26.67 Ma and to Japan between 2.51 Ma and 18.42 Ma. Key factors such as the Eocene-Oligocene extinction event, onset and intensification of the monsoon system, and glacial cycles associated with sea-level fluctuations have likely played significant roles in shaping the evolutionary history of the genus Silurus.

Pea aphid promotes amino acid metabolism both in Medicago truncatula and bacteriocytes to favor aphid population growth under elevated CO2.

Rising atmospheric CO(2) levels can dilute the nitrogen (N) resource in plant tissue, which is disadvantageous to many herbivorous insects. Aphids appear to be an exception that warrants further study. The effects of elevated CO(2) (750 ppm vs. 390 ppm) were evaluated on N assimilation and transamination by two Medicago truncatula genotypes, a N-fixing-deficient mutant (dnf1) and its wild-type control (Jemalong), with and without pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) infestation. Elevated CO(2) increased population abundance and feeding efficiency of aphids fed on Jemalong, but reduced those on dnf1. Without aphid infestation, elevated CO(2) increased photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, nodule number, biomass, and pod number for Jemalong, but only increased pod number and chlorophyll content for dnf1. Furthermore, aphid infested Jemalong plants had enhanced activities of N assimilation-related enzymes (glutamine synthetase, Glutamate synthase) and transamination-related enzymes (glutamate oxalate transaminase, glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase), which presumably increased amino acid concentration in leaves and phloem sap under elevated CO(2). In contrast, aphid infested dnf1 plants had decreased activities of N assimilation-related enzymes and transmination-related enzymes and amino acid concentrations under elevated CO(2). Furthermore, elevated CO(2) up-regulated expression of genes relevant to amino acid metabolism in bacteriocytes of aphids associated with Jemalong, but down-regulated those associated with dnf1. Our results suggest that pea aphids actively elicit host responses that promote amino acid metabolism in both the host plant and in its bacteriocytes to favor the population growth of the aphid under elevated CO(2).