Identification of Gonatophragmium mori Causing Mulberry Zonate Leaf Spot Disease and Characterization of Their Biological Enemies in Guangxi, China.

Mulberry zonate leaf spot disease (MZLSD) is an important fungal disease of mulberry trees, which seriously affects the productivity and quality of mulberry leaves. MZLSD has been widely reported in sericultural production areas in Guangxi, China, in recent years. In this study, the causal agent of MZLSD was isolated from symptomatic samples and identified as Gonatophragmium mori (Acrospermaceae) based on morphological characterization and molecular analyses using nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU rDNA). Pathogenicity tests confirmed that G. mori is the pathogen responsible for MZLSD. Furthermore, we isolated antagonistic endophytic bacteria (AEB) from healthy mulberry leaves. Plate confrontation experiments showed that the lipopeptide crude extracts (LPCE) of three endophytic bacteria can inhibit the growth of G. mori, and the diameter of the antibacterial circle reaches more than 60 mm when their concentration of LPCE is 200 mg/ml. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed that LPCE caused drastic changes in mycelial morphology. Fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that the LPCE-induced apoptosis-like cell death in G. mori hyphae. Finally, based on morphological and molecular features, we identified the three isolates as Bacillus subtilis DS07, B. subtilis DS32, and B. velezensis Q6, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first time to identify G. mori by combining characterization and molecular analyses, and we provide timely information about the use of biocontrol agents for suppression of G. mori.

Complete Genome Sequence of Pantoea ananatis Strain LCFJ-001 Isolated from Bacterial Wilt Mulberry.

A Pantoea ananatis strain, named LCFJ-001 (GDMCC: 1.6101), was isolated for the first time from bacterial wilt-diseased roots of mulberry (Morus atropurpurea) in the western part of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Moreover, through Koch's postulates, it was proven that LCFJ-001 can cause mulberry wilt, which is one of the pathogens of mulberry bacterial wilt. Here, we report a complete, annotated genome sequence of P. ananatis LCFJ-001. The entire genome sequence of P. ananatis strain LCFJ-001 was a 4,499,350 bp circular chromosome with 53.50% GC content. In total, 3,521 genes were annotated, of which 3,418 were assigned protein-coding genes. In addition, 22 ribosomal RNAs and 81 transfer RNAs were identified. The presented resource will help explore the pathogenetic mechanisms of mulberry wilt disease caused by the genus Pantoea.

Comparative Study of Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Die-Sinking Micro-Electrical Discharge Machining on Polycrystalline Diamond and Titanium.

Die-sinking micro-electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM) is a potential method used to fabricate intricate structures without complex electrode motion planning and compensation. However, machining efficiency and poor discharge states are still bottlenecks. This study conducted a comparative investigation into the impact of ultrasonic vibration on die-sinking micro-EDM of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and pure titanium (TA2). By adjusting discharge parameters, this study systematically evaluated the influence of ultrasonic vibration on these two materials based on discharge waveforms, motion trajectories, effective discharge counts and groove profiles. At an open-circuit voltage of 100 V, ultrasonic vibration promotes die-sinking micro-EDM of PCD. However, when the open-circuit voltage increases to 200 V, ultrasonic vibration exhibits inhibitory effects in general. Conversely, for TA2, ultrasonic vibration shows a promoting effect at both voltages, indicating the differences of ultrasonic vibration-assisted die-sinking micro-EDM on PCD and TA2. For PCD, ultrasonic cavitation improves the discharge gap environment, accelerating the removal of discharge debris. For TA2, due to its poor thermal conductivity, ultrasonic cavitation acts to break the arc, accelerating heat transfer. These research findings provide guidance for ultrasonic vibration-assisted die-sinking micro-EDM in industrial applications.

Evaluation on efficacy and safety of the addition of X-knife therapy to gefitinib in NSCLC patients with symptomatic brain metastases.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a widely used therapy for brain metastases(BMs) in Non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). However, its role in symptomatic patients with EGFR mutation remains unclear. We have retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of patients with symptomatic BMs whom received SRS as a salvage approach and concurrent gifitinib therapy. METHODS: Seven patients with primary NSCLC, symptomatic BMs, and EGFR mutation were identified in a retrospective review of patients treated with SRS using X-knife at Guangdong 999 Brain Hospital between 1 January 2012 and 31 August 2014. The median follow-up of these patients was 16 months. Image fusion technique was used to determine cumulative doses to targeted lesions, whole brain, and critical brain structures. Toxicities and complications were identified by clinical records. RESULTS: SRS(X-knife) was selected to be performed on seven patients (two males and five females) diagnosed with NSCLC and EGFR mutation due to the presence of encephaledema, compression of ventricles, or other complications. Neurological symptoms (such as paresis, aphasia, sensory and visual disturbances) were not present in any patients before or after SRS treatment, and the postoperative Karnofsky performance status(KPS) was improved in all patients. Median overall survival(OS) was 16 months and median progression free survival(PFS) was 10 months. CONCLUSIONS: The improvement of KPS and survival were reliable by SRS(X-knife) with concurrent gifitinib therapy in NSCLC patients with symptomatic BMs, and EGFR mutation. Given the small sample size, further prospective studies with a greater number of patients are warranted to confirm our results.