A serine carboxypeptidase-like acyltransferase catalyzes consecutive four-step reactions of hydrolyzable tannin biosynthesis in Camellia oleifera.

Hydrolyzable tannins (HTs), a class of polyphenolic compounds found in dicotyledonous plants, are widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries because of their beneficial effects on human health. Although the biosynthesis of simple HTs has been verified at the enzymatic level, relevant genes have not yet been identified. Here, based on the parent ion-fragment ion pairs in the feature fragment data obtained using UPLC-Q-TOF-/MS/MS, galloyl phenolic compounds in the leaves of Camellia sinensis and C. oleifera were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Correlation analysis between the transcript abundance of serine carboxypeptidase-like acyltransferases (SCPL-ATs) and the peak area of galloyl products in Camellia species showed that SCPL3 expression was highly correlated with HT biosynthesis. Enzymatic verification of the recombinant protein showed that CoSCPL3 from C. oleifera catalyzed the four consecutive steps involved in the conversion of digalloylglucose to pentagalloylglucose. We also identified the residues affecting the enzymatic activity of CoSCPL3 and determined that SCPL-AT catalyzes the synthesis of galloyl glycosides. The findings of this study provide a target gene for germplasm innovation of important cash crops that are rich in HTs, such as C. oleifera, strawberry, and walnut.

Bilateral cochlear implants in a MELAS patient.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is a maternally inherited mitochondrial disease that affects various systems in the body, particularly the brain, nervous system, and muscles. Among these systems, sensorineural hearing loss is a common additional symptom. METHODS: A 42-year-old female patient with MELAS who experienced bilateral profound deafness and underwent bilateral sequential cochlear implantation (CIs). Speech recognition and subjective outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Following the first CI follow-up, the patient exhibited improved speech recognition ability and decided to undergo the implantation of the second ear just two months after the initial CI surgery. The second CI also demonstrated enhanced speech recognition ability. Subjective outcomes were satisfactory for bilateral CIs. CONCLUSIONS: MELAS patients receiving bilateral CIs can attain satisfactory post-CI speech recognition, spatial hearing, and sound qualities.

Long-term auditory performance and psychosocial benefits of cochlear implantation in Mandarin-speaking older adults.

PURPOSE: Although previous studies have shown the efficacy of cochlear implants (CIs) in older adults, no study written in English has focused on Mandarin-speaking older recipients. Mandarin is a tonal language, it is hard to lip-read and tone recognition for CI users. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term post-CI outcomes in Mandarin-speaking older adults and the difference between them and younger recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-six post-lingually deafened adults were included. Speech perception tests (vowel, consonant, disyllable words, Mandarin monosyllable recognition test, and categories of audiology performance were evaluated) and psychosocial scale were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between older and younger recipients in post-CI open-set speech perception. However, older recipients had significantly lower social and total scores in the subjective questionnaire than younger recipients. In both duration of deafness less than seven years and hearing years in life over 92.6 %, older recipients had no less capable speech perception than in younger. CONCLUSION: Mandarin-speaking older recipients can improve not only speech perception but also psychosocial benefits. Well hearing experience may confer an advantage to older recipients, despite their older implanted age. These results can help provide pre-CI consultation guidelines for older Mandarin-speaking recipients.

Effect of Crop Rotation on Fusarium Mycotoxins and Fusarium Species in Cereals in Sichuan Province (China).

The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of crop rotation on Fusarium mycotoxins and species in cereals in Sichuan Province. A total of 311 cereal samples were randomly collected and analyzed from 2018 to 2019 in Sichuan Province. The results of mycotoxin analysis showed that the major trichothecene mycotoxins in Sichuan Province were nivalenol (NIV) and deoxynivalenol (DON), and the mean concentration of total trichothecenes (including NIV, fusarenone X [4ANIV], DON, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol [3ADON], and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol [15ADON]) in wheat was significantly higher than that in maize and rice. The concentration of total trichothecenes in the succeeding crops was significantly higher than that in the previous crops. In addition, wheat grown after maize had reduced incidence and concentration of trichothecene mycotoxins compared with that grown after rice, and ratooning rice grown after rice had increased incidence and concentration of trichothecene mycotoxins. Our data indicated that Fusarium asiaticum with the NIV chemotype was predominant in wheat and rice samples, while the number of the NIV chemotypes of F. asiaticum and Fusarium meridionale and the 15ADON chemotype of Fusarium graminearum in maize were almost the same. Although the composition of Fusarium species was affected by crop rotations, there were no differences when comparing the same crop rotation except for the maize-wheat rotation. Moreover, the same species and chemotype of Fusarium strains originated from different crops in various rotations, but there were no significant differences in pathogenicity in wheat and rice. These results contribute to the knowledge of the effect of crop rotation on Fusarium mycotoxins and species affecting cereals in Sichuan Province, which may lead to improved strategies for control of Fusarium mycotoxins and fungal disease in China.

Influence of Different Pt Functionalization Modes on the Properties of CuO Gas-Sensing Materials.

The functionalization of noble metals is an effective approach to lowering the sensing temperature and improving the sensitivity of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS)-based gas sensors. However, there is a dearth of comparative analyses regarding the differences in sensitization mechanisms between the two functionalization modes of noble metal loading and doping. In this investigation, we synthesized Pt-doped CuO gas-sensing materials using a one-pot hydrothermal method. And for Pt-loaded CuO, Pt was deposited on the synthesized pristine CuO surface by using a dipping method. We found that both functionalization methods can considerably enhance the response and selectivity of CuO toward NO2 at low temperatures. However, we observed that CuO with Pt loading had superior sensing performance at 25 °C, while CuO with Pt doping showed more substantial response changes with an increase in the operating temperature. This is mainly due to the different dominant roles of electron sensitization and chemical sensitization resulting from the different forms of Pt present in different functionalization modes. For Pt doping, electron sensitization is stronger, and for Pt loading, chemical sensitization is stronger. The results of this study present innovative ideas for understanding the optimization of noble metal functionalization for the gas-sensing performance of metal oxide semiconductors.

Visible-Light-Mediated Cyclopropanation Reactions of 3-Diazooxindoles with Arenes.

The cyclopropanation reaction of 3-diazooxindoles with arenes was first accomplished using visible-light irradiation. A series of spiro[norcaradiene-7,3'-indolin]-2'-ones were synthesized for the first time in high yields and with excellent diastereoselectivities. The synthetic usefulness of this catalyst-free photochemical methodology is illustrated by the further controllable rearrangement and epoxidation reactions.

[Effects of Platycodon grandiflorum/pepper intercropping on root growth, yield and quality of Platycodon grandiflorum].

In order to investigate effects of Platycodon grandiflorum and pepper intercropping on root growth, yield and quality of P. grandiflorum, field experiments were conducted in the soils of continuously cultivated P. grandiflorum for three years. The cultivation model was designed as monoculture and intercropping. The monoculture of P. grandiflorum was denoted as CK and the intercrop association of P. grandiflorum/pepper was arranged as follow: in intercrops every two rows of pepper was planted between every three, four and five rows of P. grandiflorum, respectively, and denoted as JC32, JC42 and JC52. Results showed that taproot length and diameter of P. grandiflorum in intercropping association of JC32 was higher than those of P. grandiflorum in monoculture association. This fact suggested that P. grandiflorum intercropped with pepper facilitated its root growth. Compared with monoculture association, the number of lateral root in intercropping association was significantly decreased and the location of lateral root at taproot also altered. This fact suggested that P. grandiflorum intercropped with pepper enhanced appearance quality of P. grandiflorum root. Total root yield and taproot yield of P. grandiflorum in JC42 and JC52 intercropping associations were increased by 4.88%, 8.91% and 14.23%, 12.92%, respectively, compared with monoculture, while root rot incidence decreased significantly. Compared with JC52 intercropping association, JC42 intercropping association significantly increased total saponin and protein contents of P. grandiflorum, decreased root rot incidence, but did not affect taproot yield significantly. Considering root yield and quality, when P. grandiflorum planted in the soil having continuously cultivated P. grandiflorum for three years, the optimal cultivation model was every two rows of pepper was planted between four rows P. grandiflorum.

Palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative ortho-arylation of 2-pyridyl sulfoxides with benzoyl peroxides.

A palladium catalyzed efficient strategy for regio-selective ortho-arylation of sulfoxides with benzoyl peroxides via decarboxylation has been developed. This reaction proceeds smoothly, tolerates a variety of functional groups, and provides easy access to the synthesis of different biaryl compounds.

Efficient, versatile and practical palladium-catalyzed highly regioselective ortho-halogenation of azoxybenzenes.

A highly efficient and practical strategy for regio-selective ortho-halogenation (I, Br, Cl) of azoxybenzenes with NXS in the presence of palladium catalysts has been developed in good to excellent yields. The reaction proceeds smoothly and can tolerate a variety of functional groups. Moreover, this chemistry can be applied to substrates in at least a gram scale.

The Mechanisms of Pharmacological Activities of Ophiocordyceps sinensis Fungi.

The entomopathogenic fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis, formerly known as Cordyceps sinensis, has long been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of many illnesses. In recent years its usage has increased dramatically because of the improvement of people's living standard and the emphasis on health. Such demands have resulted in over-harvesting of this fungus in the wild. Fortunately, scientists have demonstrated that artificially cultured and fermented mycelial products of O. sinensis have similar pharmacological activities to wild O. sinensis. The availability of laboratory cultures will likely to further expand its usage for the treatment of various illnesses. In this review, we summarize recent results on the pharmacological activities of the components of O. sinensis and their putative mechanisms of actions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Palladium-catalyzed regio-selective oxidative C-H bond acylation of azoxybenzenes with alcohols.

A palladium-catalyzed regio-selective acylation of C-H bonds of azoxybenzenes with alcohols was developed using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant. Alcohol derivatives can act as effective acyl precursors in situ, which are less toxic, inexpensive, stable, and commercially available. These transformations proceeded smoothly and could tolerate a variety of functional groups.

Evaluating the Response of the Soil Bacterial Community and Lettuce Growth in a Fluorine and Cadmium Co-Contaminated Yellow Soil.

The impact of cadmium (Cd) and fluorine (F) on plant and human health has provoked significant public concern; however, their combined effects on plant and soil bacterial communities have yet to be determined. Here, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of exogenous F, Cd, and their combination (FCd) on lettuce growth and soil bacterial communities. The results revealed that F and Cd concentrations in lettuce ranged from 63.69 to 219.45 mg kg-1 and 1.85 to 33.08 mg kg-1, respectively, presenting lower values in shoots than in the roots. Moreover, low contamination levels had no discernable influence on lettuce growth, but showed a synergistic negative on plant biomass when exogenous F and Cd exceeds 300 and 1.0 mg kg-1, respectively. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that the most abundant bacterial community at the phylum level was Proteobacteria, with the relative abundance ranging from 33.42% to 44.10% across all the treatments. The contaminants had little effect on bacterial richness but impacted the structure of bacterial communities. The PCoA showed that compartment and contaminants were the primary contributors to the largest source of community variation, while the VPA indicated that F and Cd synergistically affected the bacterial communities. In turn, lettuce plants could enhance the resistance to the combined stress by increasing the relative abundance of Oxyphotobacteria, Subgroup 6, Thermoleophilia, and TK10 classes in the rhizosphere.

The effect of refined psychological pain nursing combined with IMB nursing on the pain, sleep and quality of life of patients after cervical cancer surgery.

To explore the effect of refined psychological pain nursing combined with information-motivation-behavioral (IMB) care model on the pain, sleep and quality of life of patients after cervical cancer surgery, so as to provide reference and basis for the nursing of patients after cervical cancer surgery. The clinical data of 798 postoperative cervical cancer patients who were nursing in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2022 were included in this retrospective study and divided into the control group (n = 382) and observation group (n = 416) according to the different care methods. The control group used refined psychological pain nursing, and on this basis, the observation group used IMB nursing to observe and compare the differences in pain, sleep and quality of life between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference in pain between the 2 groups before nursing (P > .05). After nursing, the pain of both groups was significantly improved. The scores of NRS, VAS, and PSEQ of the observation group were significantly better than those of the control group (P < .001). After nursing, the quality of life scores such as emotion, cognition, society, and overall health were significantly higher in the observation group than those of the control group, while physical, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < .05). The negative emotion score of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < .001). The residual urine volume and urinary tract infection rate of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < .05). The bladder function was significantly better than that of the control group (P < .05). The analgesic effect of refined psychological pain nursing combined with IMB nursing on patients after cervical cancer surgery is better than that of refined psychological pain nursing alone, which can promote pain recovery and further improve the quality of life and sleep quality of patients.

Machine learning-based corrosion rate prediction of steel embedded in soil.

Predicting the corrosion rate for soil-buried steel is significant for assessing the service-life performance of structures in soil environments. However, due to the large amount of variables involved, existing corrosion prediction models have limited accuracy for complex soil environment. The present study employs three machine learning (ML) algorithms, i.e., random forest, support vector regression, and multilayer perception, to predict the corrosion current density of soil-buried steel. Steel specimens were embedded in soil samples collected from different regions of the Wisconsin state. Variables including exposure time, moisture content, pH, electrical resistivity, chloride, sulfate content, and mean total organic carbon were measured through laboratory tests and were used as input variables for the model. The current density of steel was measured through polarization technique, and was employed as the output of the model. Of the various ML algorithms, the random forest (RF) model demonstrates the highest predictability (with an RMSE value of 0.01095 A/m2 and an R2 value of 0.987). In light of the feature selection method, the electrical resistivity is identified as the most significant feature. The combination of three features (resistivity, exposure time, and mean total organic carbon) is the optimal scenario for predicting the corrosion current density of soil-buried steel.

Risk Factors for 30-Day Mortality of Community-Acquired Bloodstream Infection Patients in Changsha City, Hunan Province, China.

Purpose: To analyze the factors affecting patients' prognoses based on the community acquired-bloodstream infection patient data from 2017 to 2021. Patients and Methods: The data of 940 patients were retrieved, having at least one positive bilateral blood culture within 48 hours of hospitalization, and grouped into survivor and non-survivor groups. The clinical characteristics, laboratory results, causative pathogen and other indicators were collected and compared, and risk factors were identified by applying Cox proportional hazard regression model to the data. Results: Community acquired-bloodstream infection is most commonly caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species and Staphylococcus hominis. Among the total of 940 selected patients, 52 (5.5%) died during hospitalization. The demographic parameters like age and gender, clinical protocols like maintenance hemodialysis, glucocorticoid use during hospitalization, catheter placement, procaicitonin, total protein, albumin, creatinine, uric acid contents and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores were significantly different between the survivor and non-survivor groups. The survival analysis results revealed that age (HR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.05, P=0.002), glucocorticoid use during hospitalization (HR=3.69, 95% CI: 1.62-8.37, P=0.021) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (HR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.03-1.18, P=0.004) might be the risk factors affecting 30-day mortality in patients with community acquired-bloodstream infection. Conclusion: The identified risk factors may help guide clinical treatment protocol for patients with community acquired-bloodstream infection, providing more effective treatment strategy selection with improved clinical outcomes.

The effect of predictive nursing on the mental state, compliance and sleep quality of senile cervicitis: An observational study.

To explore the effect of predictive nursing on the mental state, compliance and sleep quality of elderly patients with cervicitis. The clinical data of 96 elderly patients with cervicitis who were admitted to our hospital from June 2019 to June 2021 were selected as the research objects. According to the different treatments, they were divided into a control group and an observation group with 48 cases each. Among them, the control group was given routine care, and the observation group was given predictive care on the basis of the control group. The effects of the quality of life, mental state, compliance and sleep quality of the 2 groups of patients before and after nursing were compared. Comparing the nursing compliance of the 2 groups of elderly patients with cervicitis, statistics showed that the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). After nursing, the sleep quality, increased arousal, unstable sleep, and night terrors of the 2 groups of elderly patients with cervicitis were significantly improved, and the negative emotion score of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Statistics show that this difference is statistically significant (P < .05). The comparison of the quality of life scores of the 2 groups of patients before nursing was not statistically significant (P > .05). After nursing, the mental vitality score, social interaction score, emotional restriction score, and mental status of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Statistics showed that the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). After nursing, the psychological pressure of the 2 groups of elderly patients with cervicitis was significantly improved, and the observation group fear, anxiety, desire for knowledge, fear of discrimination, despair, and low self-esteem were significantly lower than those of the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P < .05). Predictive nursing can effectively improve the quality of life and sleep of elderly patients with cervicitis, reduce psychological pressure, improve compliance and sleep quality, and benefit the prognosis and clinical treatment of patients. It has a certain reference value for the nursing of elderly patients with cervicitis.

Genetic Manifestations and Phenotype Spectrum in Infants With Feeding Difficulty.

BACKGROUND: Feeding difficulties frequently co-occur with multisystem disorders attributed to rare genetic diseases. In this study, we aimed to describe the genetic manifestations and phenotype spectrum in infants experiencing feeding difficulties. METHODS: This case series included infants under 6 months old with feeding difficulties admitted to the neonatal department of Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from October 2018 to May 2022. All infants underwent whole-exome sequencing (WES) during hospitalisation, and their clinical phenotypes and genetic results were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 28 infants studied, nine were preterm and 19 were full-term. Median admission age was 13.5 days (IQR 6.5, 35), with a median hospital stay of 16 days (IQR 10.5, 30). Overall, 12 (42.9%) cases were complicated with multiple malformations. Abnormal muscle tone (53.6%) and neurological issues (42.9%) were notable prevalent in these infants. Cranial MR abnormalities were noted in 96.2% of cases. Based on the combined analysis of WES results and clinical phenotypes, a total of 22 (78.3%) patients displayed disease-related genetic variation identified through WES; among them, 15 (53.6%) patients received genetic diagnoses, while 7 (25%) patients were suspected diagnoses. Positive findings were more frequent in full-term (89.5%) than preterm infants (55.6%). Ultimately, 24 (85.7%) patients were discharged alive, with 75% requiring post-discharge tube feeding. Following discharge, five patients developed new symptoms linked to genetic variants, and two patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Feeding difficulty may constitute a facet of the phenotypic spectrum of rare genetic diseases. Whole-exome sequencing can enhance molecular diagnosis accuracy for infants with feeding difficulties.

Speech Perception and Quality-of-Life Outcomes in Mandarin-Speaking Postlingual Deaf Adults With Cochlear Implant: Any Difference With the Intonation Language Users?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of related factors on long-term speech perception and quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes in postlingual deaf Mandarin-speaking adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients and to assess any differences between tone language and other intonation language CI adult users. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cases review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Forty-five adult CI recipients (48 implanted ears). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Post-CI outcomes were evaluated after follow-ups of more than 24 months using speech perception tests and QoL questionnaires. We analyzed the related factors affecting CI outcomes. RESULTS: A shorter duration of profound deafness was predictive factors for better post-CI speech perception. Earlier implantation and better performance of vowel scores were predictive of better subjective improvements in social and emotional life. Post-CI vowel scores of over 56% indicated promising improvements in QoL. CONCLUSION: Shorter duration of deafness could have better post-CI speech perception. Post-CI vowel scores instead of monosyllable words have the more potential to predict the QoL in Mandarin-speaking adult CI recipients.

Association between genetically proxied glucosamine and risk of cancer and non-neoplastic disease: A Mendelian randomization study.

Introduction: Observational investigations have examined the impact of glucosamine use on the risk of cancer and non-neoplastic diseases. However, the findings from these studies face limitations arising from confounding variables, reverse causation, and conflicting reports. Consequently, the establishment of a causal relationship between habitual glucosamine consumption and the risk of cancer and non-neoplastic diseases necessitates further investigation. Methods: For Mendelian randomization (MR) investigation, we opted to employ single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instruments that exhibit robust associations with habitual glucosamine consumption. We obtained the corresponding effect estimates of these SNPs on the risk of cancer and non-neoplastic diseases by extracting summary data for genetic instruments linked to 49 varied cancer types amounting to 378,284 cases and 533,969 controls, as well as 20 non-neoplastic diseases encompassing 292,270 cases and 842,829 controls. Apart from the primary analysis utilizing inverse-variance weighted MR, we conducted two supplementary approaches to account for potential pleiotropy (MR-Egger and weighted median) and assessed their respective MR estimates. Furthermore, the results of the leave-one-out analysis revealed that there were no outlying instruments. Results: Our results suggest divergence from accepted biological understanding, suggesting that genetically predicted glucosamine utilization may be linked to an increased vulnerability to specific illnesses, as evidenced by increased odds ratios and confidence intervals (95% CI) for diseases, such as malignant neoplasm of the eye and adnexa (2.47 [1.34-4.55]), benign neoplasm of the liver/bile ducts (2.12 [1.32-3.43]), benign neoplasm of the larynx (2.01 [1.36-2.96]), melanoma (1.74 [1.17-2.59]), follicular lymphoma (1.50 [1.06-2.11]), autoimmune thyroiditis (2.47 [1.49-4.08]), and autoimmune hyperthyroidism (1.93 [1.17-3.18]). In contrast to prior observational research, our genetic investigations demonstrate a positive correlation between habitual glucosamine consumption and an elevated risk of sigmoid colon cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, and benign neoplasm of the thyroid gland. Conclusion: Casting doubt on the purported purely beneficial association between glucosamine ingestion and prevention of neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases, habitual glucosamine ingestion exhibits dichotomous effects on disease outcomes. Endorsing the habitual consumption of glucosamine as a preventative measure against neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases cannot be supported.

The fabrication of silicon/dual-network carbon nanofibers/carbon nanotubes as free-standing anodes for lithium-ion batteries.

Silicon, known for its high theoretical capacity and abundant resources, is regarded as one of the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the application of silicon anode materials is limited by huge expansion and poor electricity of silicon. Herein, a novel free-standing Si/C anode (noted as Si/CNFs/CNTs) is synthesized by combining electrospinning and in situ chemical vapor deposition, in which Si nanoparticles are composited with a conducting dual-network composed of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and in situ deposited carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In situ deposited CNTs surround the surface of CNFs to form an elastic buffer layer on the surface of Si attached to CNFs, which ensures structural integrity. CNTs with excellent conductivity and a large specific surface area shorten Li+ transport pathways. Therefore, Si/CNFs/CNTs exhibits stable cycling performance and maintains a capacity of 639.9 mA h g-1 and a capacity retention rate of 69.9% after 100 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g-1. This work provides a promising approach for the structural modification of self-supporting Si/C electrodes.