Transcriptome analysis of Scylla paramamosain hepatopancreas response to mud crab dicistrovirus-1 infection.

Scylla paramamosain, an economically significant crab, is widely cultivated worldwide. In recent years, S. paramamosain has faced a serious threat from viral diseases due to the expansion of culture scale and increased culture density. Among these, mud crab dicistrovirus-1 (MCDV-1) stands out as highly pathogenic, presenting substantial challenges to the healthy development of mud crab aquaculture. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the mud crab immune response to MCDV-1 infection is imperative for devising effective disease prevention strategies. In this study, transcriptomic analyses were conducted on the hepatopancreas of mud crabs infected with MCDV-1. The findings revealed a total of 5139 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between healthy and MCDV-1 infected mud crabs, including 3327 upregulated and 1812 downregulated DEGs. Further analysis showed that mud crabs resist MCDV-1 infection by activating humoral immune-related pathways, including the MAPK signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway-fly, and Toll and Imd signaling pathway. In contrast, MCDV-1 infection triggers host metabolic disorders. Several immune-related vitamin metabolism pathways (ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, retinol metabolism, and nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism) were significantly inhibited, which may create favorable conditions for the virus's self-replication. Notably, endocytosis emerged as significantly upregulated both in GO terms and KEGG pathways, with several viral endocytosis-related pathways showing significant activation. PPI network analysis identified 9 hub genes associated with viral endocytosis within the endocytosis. Subsequent GeneMANIA analysis confirmed the association of these hub genes with viral endocytosis. Both transcriptome data and qPCR analysis revealed a significant upregulation of these hub genes post MCDV-1 infection, suggesting MCDV-1 may use viral endocytosis to enter cells and facilitate replication. This study represents the first comprehensive report on the transcriptomic profile of mud crab hepatopancreas response to MCDV-1 infection. Future investigations should focus on elucidating the mechanisms through which MCDV-1 enters cells via endocytosis, as this may holds critical implications for the development of vaccine targets.

Comparison of intelligent virtual reality first-aid training outcomes among individuals with different demographic characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of intelligent first-aid training based on virtual reality (VR) among individuals with different demographic characteristics. METHODS: A total of 50 nonmedical professional volunteers from Nanchang were conveniently sampled in March 2021. All participants underwent intelligent VR first-aid training, and a comparative analysis was conducted by dividing them into different groups based on demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Male participants had a lower chest compression interruption time compared to female participants (7.40 ± 0.50 vs. 8.04 ± 0.56, t = -4.231, p < 0.001). Additionally, male participants had a higher proportion of compressions with correct compression depth (81.33 ± 1.24 vs. 79.78 ± 1.48, t = 4.038, p < 0.001), higher mean ventilation volume (518.11 ± 1.50 vs. 516.61 ± 2.17, t = 2.881, p = 0.006), and higher theoretical knowledge test score (8.74 ± 0.59 vs. 8.00 ± 0.43, t = 4.981, p < 0.001). There were statistically significant differences in the mean chest compression frequency (110.38 ± 5.74 vs. 105.00 ± 4.78 vs. 107.80 ± 5.97, F = 5.187, p = 0.009) among participants with different educational backgrounds. Pairwise comparisons showed that technical degree holders had a higher mean chest compression frequency than bachelor's degree holders, whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between master's degree holders and bachelor's degree holders. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of first-aid training differ among participants of different genders and with different educational backgrounds. With all participants meeting the training qualifications, it is believed that the application of intelligent VR first-aid training platforms can improve the first aid capabilities of the public.

Artemisitene shows superiority over artemisinin in preventing Schistosoma japonica-induced liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Artemisinin (ART) analogs, such as dihydroartemisinin, arteether, artemether, and artesunate, all featuring an endoperoxide bridge, have demonstrated efficacy against schistosomiasis. Artemisitene (ATT), which contains an additional α, ß-unsaturated carbonyl structure, has shown enhanced biological activities. This study aims to evaluate the anti-schistosomaiasis japonica activity of ATT and compare it with ART. METHODS: We assessed liver inflammation and fibrosis in mice using hematoxylin and eosin staining and Sirius red staining, respectively. RNA sequencing analyzed transcriptomics in female and male Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) adult worms and mice livers, with cytokine profiling and flow cytometry to study immune responses under ART or ATT treatment. RESULTS: ATT exhibits a marked reduction in female S. japonicum adult worms and egg numbers, damaging the adult worms' surface. It also influences the transcription of genes related to cellular anatomical structures. Notably, ATT treatment resulted in significant reductions in liver granuloma size and collagen area, alongside lowering serum levels of glutamic pyruvic and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase more effectively than ART. Both ART and ATT markedly decreased neutrophil frequency in the liver and elevated eosinophil counts. However, only ATT treatment significantly reduced the M1/M2 and Th1/Th2 indices, indicating a pronounced shift in immune response profiles. ATT-affected host immunity correlated with the extent of liver fibrosis and the count of single males more strongly than ART. CONCLUSION: ATT, as a novel preventive strategy for schistosomiasis japonica in mice, significantly outperforms ART.

Causal effects of socioeconomic traits on frailty: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: The relationship between socioeconomic status and frailty has been extensively investigated in the literature, but it remains unclear whether a causal relationship exists. Our goal is to evaluate the causal relationship between six socioeconomic traits and the frailty index using summary-level data for single nucleotide polymorphisms from large genome-wide association studies with individuals of European ancestry. Methods: A two-sample MR was performed. We applied the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method for the primary estimate, with sensitivity analyses conducted using alternative MR methods to evaluate the robustness of the findings. A subsequent multivariable MR was undertaken to adjust for the effects of body mass index (BMI). Finally, the MR Steiger directionality test was performed to confirm the causal direction. Results: The IVW MR analysis revealed significant associations between various socioeconomic factors and the frailty index. Specifically, genetically predicated age completed full time education (ß = -0.477, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.634 to -0.319) and average total household income before tax (ß = -0.321, 95% CI: -0.410 to -0.232) were negatively associated with the frailty index. On the other hand, genetically predicted job involves heavy manual or physical work (ß = 0.298, 95% CI: 0.113 to 0.484), job involves mainly walking or standing (ß = 0.179, 95% CI: 0.013 to 0.345), Townsend deprivation index at recruitment (ß = 0.535, 95% CI: 0.285 to 0.785), and social isolation/loneliness (ß = 1.344, 95% CI: 0.834 to 1.853) were positively associated with the frailty index. Sensitivity analysis using other MR methods and multivariable MR analysis adjusting for BMI yielded stable results. The MR Steiger directionality test confirmed the causal direction. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of socioeconomic factors in affecting frailty risk. Future research should focus on unraveling the pathways through which these socioeconomic factors exert their effects on frailty, with the ultimate goal of developing targeted strategies to mitigate the risk of frailty.

Enhancing thromboprophylaxis after colorectal cancer surgery in China: Bridging the gap between evidence and implementation through pathway optimization.

BACKGROUND: The CRC-VTE trial conducted in China revealed a significant occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients following colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery, raising concerns about implementing thromboprophylaxis measures. The present study aimed to identify and analyze inappropriate aspects of current thromboprophylaxis practices. METHODS: This study performed an analysis of the CRC-VTE trial, a prospective multicenter study that enrolled 1836 patients who underwent CRC surgery. The primary objective was to identify independent risk factors for VTE after CRC surgery using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, among the cases in which VTE occurred, the appropriateness of thromboprophylaxis was assessed based on several factors, including pharmacologic prophylaxis, time to initiate prophylaxis, drug selection, drug dosage, and duration of pharmacologic prophylaxis. Based on the analysis of the current state of thromboprophylaxis and relevant clinical guidelines, a modified Delphi method was used to develop a clinical pathway for VTE prophylaxis after CRC surgery. RESULTS: In this analysis of 1836 patients, 205 (11.2%) were diagnosed with VTE during follow-up. The multifactorial analysis identified several independent risk factors for VTE, including age (≥70 years), female sex, varicose veins in the lower extremities, intraoperative blood transfusion, and the duration of immobilization exceeding 24 h. None of the patients diagnosed with VTE in the CRC trial received adequate thromboprophylaxis. The main reasons for this inappropriate practice were the omission of thromboprophylaxis, delayed initiation, and insufficient duration of thromboprophylaxis. We developed a specialized clinical pathway for thromboprophylaxis after CRC surgery to address these issues. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers a comprehensive nationwide evaluation of existing thromboprophylaxis practices in patients after CRC surgery in China. A specialized clinical pathway was developed to address the identified gaps and improve the quality of care. This clinical pathway incorporates explicit, tailored, detailed recommendations for thromboprophylaxis after CRC surgery.

The IFT80/Hedgehog Pathway Regulates the Osteogenic-adipogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

BACKGROUND: Steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (SANFH) is a typical refractory disease that often progresses irreversibly and has a high disability rate. Numerous studies have confirmed that abnormal osteogenic-adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) is one of the major factors of SANFH. However, the mechanism remains to be elucidated. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the mechanism and effect of the IFT80/Hedgehog-mediated osteogenic-adipogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs in SANFH. METHODS: Femoral head specimens of SANFH patients and femoral neck fractures (FNF) patients were collected to detect the expression of IFT80, Shh and osteogenic-adipogenic differentiation-related genes by immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blot (WB) and Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Based on the rabbit SANFH model, the mRNA expression and protein level of IFT80 and Shh were detected by RT-qPCR and WB. After the osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation based on rabbit BM-MSCs, the IFT80, Gli1, PPAR-γ, and Runx2 expression were detected. Differences in alkaline phosphodiesterase activity, calcium nodule, quantification/distribution of lipid droplets, expression of IFT80/Hedgehog axis, and the level of osteogenic- adipogenic associated factors were determined after IFT80 overexpression. RESULTS: RT-qPCR, WB and IHC revealed that IFT80 and Shh lowly expressed in the osteoblasts and intra-trabecular osteocytes at the edge of trabeculae and in the intercellular matrix of the bone marrow lumen in the SANFH specimens. The Runx2 expression was low, while the PPAR-γ expression was high in both human specimens and animal models of SANFH, suggesting that the balance of osteogenic-adipogenic differentiation was dysregulated. Rabbit BM-MSCs with stable overexpression of IFT80 showed increased alkaline phosphatase activity after induction of osteogenic differentiation, increased calcium nodule production, and decreased adipogenesis after induction of adipogenic differentiation. CONCLUSION: There is a dysregulation of the balance of osteogenic-adipogenic differentiation in SANFH. IFT80 may inhibit adipogenic differentiation while promoting osteogenic differentiation in rabbit BM-MSCs by activating the Hedgehog pathway.

Upregulated lncRNA PRNT promotes progression and oxaliplatin resistance of colorectal cancer cells by regulating HIPK2 transcription.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and a significant cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Resistance to chemotherapy, especially during CRC treatment, leads to reduced effectiveness of drugs and poor patient outcomes. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in various pathophysiological processes of tumor cells, including chemotherapy resistance, yet the roles of many lncRNAs in CRC remain unclear. AIM: To identify and analyze the lncRNAs involved in oxaliplatin resistance in CRC and to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms influencing this resistance. METHODS: Gene Expression Omnibus datasets GSE42387 and GSE30011 were reanalyzed to identify lncRNAs and mRNAs associated with oxaliplatin resistance. Various bioinformatics tools were employed to elucidate molecular mechanisms. The expression levels of lncRNAs and mRNAs were assessed via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Functional assays, including MTT, wound healing, and Transwell, were conducted to investigate the functional implications of lncRNA alterations. Interactions between lncRNAs and transcription factors were examined using RIP and luciferase reporter assays, while Western blotting was used to confirm downstream pathways. Additionally, a xenograft mouse model was utilized to study the in vivo effects of lncRNAs on chemotherapy resistance. RESULTS: LncRNA prion protein testis specific (PRNT) was found to be upregulated in oxaliplatin-resistant CRC cell lines and negatively correlated with homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) expression. PRNT was demonstrated to sponge transcription factor zinc finger protein 184 (ZNF184), which in turn could regulate HIPK2 expression. Altered expression of PRNT influenced CRC cell sensitivity to oxaliplatin, with overexpression leading to decreased sensitivity and decreased expression reducing resistance. Both RIP and luciferase reporter assays indicated that ZNF184 and HIPK2 are targets of PRNT. The PRNT/ZNF184/HIPK2 axis was implicated in promoting CRC progression and oxaliplatin resistance both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that PRNT is upregulated in oxaliplatin-resistant CRC cells and modulates the expression of HIPK2 by sponging ZNF184. This regulatory mechanism enhances CRC progression and resistance to oxaliplatin, positioning PRNT as a promising therapeutic target for CRC patients undergoing oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

Engineering of Halide Methyltransferase BxHMT through Dynamic Cross-Correlation Network Analysis.

Halide methyltransferases (HMTs) provide an effective way to regenerate S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) from S-adenosyl homocysteine and reactive electrophiles, such as methyl iodide (MeI) and methyl toluene sulfonate (MeOTs). As compared with MeI, the cost-effective unnatural substrate MeOTs can be accessed directly from cheap and abundant alcohols, but shows only limited reactivity in SAM production. In this study, we developed a dynamic cross-correlation network analysis (DCCNA) strategy for quickly identifying hot spots influencing the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme, and applied it to the evolution of HMT from Paraburkholderia xenovorans. Finally, the optimal mutant, M4 (V55T/C125S/L127T/L129P), exhibited remarkable improvement, with a specific activity of 4.08 U/mg towards MeOTs, representing an 82-fold increase as compared to the wild-type (WT) enzyme. Notably, M4 also demonstrated a positive impact on the catalytic ability with other methyl donors. The structural mechanism behind the enhanced enzyme activity was uncovered by molecular dynamics simulations. Our work not only contributes a promising biocatalyst for the regeneration of SAM, but also offers a strategy for efficient enzyme engineering.

Two new species and one new combination of Ophiocordyceps (Hypocreales, Ophiocordycipitaceae) in Guizhou.

Ophiocordyceps is the largest genus in Ophiocordycipitaceae and has a broad distribution with high diversity in subtropical and tropical regions. In this study, two new species, pathogenic on lepidopteran larvae are introduced, based on morphological observation and molecular phylogeny. Ophiocordycepsfenggangensissp. nov. is characterised by having fibrous, stalked stroma with a sterile tip, immersed perithecia, cylindrical asci and filiform ascospores disarticulating into secondary spores. Ophiocordycepsliangiisp. nov. has the characteristics of fibrous, brown, stipitate, filiform stroma, superficial perithecia, cylindrical asci and cylindrical-filiform, non-disarticulating ascospores. A new combination Ophiocordycepsmusicaudata (syn. Cordycepsmusicaudata) is established employing molecular analysis and morphological characteristics. Ophiocordycepsmusicaudata is characterised by wiry, stipitate, solitary, paired to multiple stromata, yellowish, branched fertile part, brown stipe, immersed perithecia, cylindrical asci and cylindrical-filiform, non-disarticulating ascospores.

Isobavachalcone, a natural sirtuin 2 inhibitor, exhibits anti-triple-negative breast cancer efficacy in vitro and in vivo.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and lethal clinical subtype and lacks effective targeted therapies at present. Isobavachalcone (IBC), the main active component of Psoralea corylifolia L., has potential anticancer effects. Herein, we identified IBC as a natural sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) inhibitor and characterized the potential mechanisms underlying the inhibition of TNBC. Molecular dynamics analysis, enzyme activity assay, and cellular thermal shift assay were performed to evaluate the combination of IBC and SIRT2. The therapeutic effects, mechanism, and safety of IBC were analyzed in vitro and in vivo using cellular and xenograft models. IBC effectively inhibited SIRT2 enzyme activity with an IC50 value of 0.84 ± 0.22 µM by forming hydrogen bonds with VAL233 and ALA135 within its catalytic domain. In the cellular environment, IBC bound to and stabilized SIRT2, consequently inhibiting cellular proliferation and migration, and inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by disrupting the SIRT2/α-tubulin interaction and inhibiting the downstream Snail/MMP and STAT3/c-Myc pathways. In the in vivo model, 30 mg/kg IBC markedly inhibited tumor growth by targeting the SIRT2/α-tubulin interaction. Furthermore, IBC exerted its effects by inducing apoptosis in tumor tissues and was well-tolerated. IBC alleviated TNBC by targeting SIRT2 and triggering the reactive oxygen species ROS/ß-catenin/CDK2 axis. It is a promising natural lead compound for future development of SIRT2-targeting drugs.

Perinatal prevalence of birth defects in the Mainland of China, 2000-2021: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although birth defects are of great concern globally, the latest national prevalence has not yet been quantified in China. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the perinatal prevalence of birth defects in the Mainland of China between 2000 and 2021. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search of six databases for relevant articles published between January 1, 2000, and March 1, 2023. We included published studies that reported data on the perinatal prevalence of birth defects in the Mainland of China. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models were used to estimate the pooled prevalence and its 95% confidence interval (CI). We also conducted subgroup analyses and univariable meta-regressions to explore differences in prevalence by time period, geographic region, and other characteristics. RESULTS: We included 254 studies reporting the perinatal prevalence of birth defects and 86 studies reporting only the prevalence of specific types of birth defects. Based on 254 studies covering 74,307,037 perinatal births and 985,115 cases with birth defects, the pooled perinatal prevalence of birth defects was 122.54 (95% CI 116.20-128.89) per 10,000 perinatal births in the Mainland of China during 2000-2021. Overall, the perinatal prevalence of birth defects increased from 95.60 (86.51-104.69) per 10,000 in 2000-2004 to 208.94 (175.67-242.22) per 10,000 in 2020-2021. There were also significant disparities among different geographical regions. Congenital heart defects (33.35 per 10,000), clefts of the lip and/or palate (13.52 per 10,000), polydactyly (12.82 per 10,000), neural tube defects (12.82 per 10,000), and inborn errors of metabolism (11.41 per 10,000) were the five most common types of birth defects. The perinatal prevalence among males was significantly higher than that among females (ß = 2.44 × 10-3, P = 0.003); a higher perinatal prevalence of birth defects was observed among perinatal births whose mothers were ≥ 35 years (ß = 4.34 × 10-3, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Comprehensive and sustained efforts are needed to strengthen surveillance and detection of birth defects, improve prenatal and postnatal healthcare, and promote rehabilitation, especially in underdeveloped areas.

Relationship between job demands, work engagement, emotional workload and job performance among nurses: A moderated mediation model.

AIM: To explore the mediating effect of work engagement and the moderated mediating effect of emotional workload on the relationship between job demands and job performance among nurses. BACKGROUND: Nurses work in a high-demand situation that could affect their job performance. However, previous studies have reported an inconsistent relationship between job demands and job performance. The underlying mechanism of how job demands influence job performance remains unclear. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 893 nurses from 14 cities in Sichuan Province between November and December 2021. Data were collected using the Job Demands Scale, Job Performance Scale, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, and emotional workload subscale of the Questionnaire on the Experience and Evaluation of Work. Bootstrap and simple slope methods were used to test a moderated mediation model using Hayes' PROCESS macro. The STROBE reporting guidelines were utilized. RESULTS: Job demands had a positive effect on job performance, and this effect was mediated by work engagement. Emotional workload moderated the indirect relationship between job demands and job performance. Specifically, the positive effect of job demands on job performance via work engagement was attenuated in nurses with a high emotional workload. CONCLUSION: This study sheds light on the complex relationship between job demands and job performance. Work engagement and emotional workload deserve more attention to improve nurses' performance. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND NURSING POLICY: Policymakers and nurse managers should make efforts to develop and implement strategies to foster nurses' work engagement, reduce their emotional workload, and further help nurses efficiently deal with job demands.

The Potential Relationship Between Cardiovascular Diseases and Monkeypox.

Mpox, a novel epidemic disease, has broken out the period of coronavirus disease 2019 since May 2022, which was caused by the mpox virus. Up to 12 September 2023, there are more than 90,439 confirmed mpox cases in over 115 countries all over the world. Moreover, the outbreak of mpox in 2022 was verified to be Clade II rather than Clade I. Highlighting the significance of this finding, a growing body of literature suggests that mpox may lead to a series of cardiovascular complications, including myocarditis and pericarditis. It is indeed crucial to acquire more knowledge about mpox from a perspective from the clinical cardiologist. In this review, we would discuss the epidemiological characteristics and primary treatments of mpox to attempt to provide a framework for cardiovascular physicians.

Apelin-13: A Protective Role in Vascular Diseases.

Vascular disease is a common problem with high mortality all over the world. Apelin-13, a key subtype of apelin, takes part in many physiological and pathological responses via regulating many target genes and target molecules or participating in many signaling pathways. More and more studies have demonstrated that apelin-13 is implicated in the onset and progression of vascular disease in recent years. It has been shown that apelin-13 could ameliorate vascular disease by inhibiting inflammation, restraining apoptosis, suppressing oxidative stress, and facilitating autophagy. In this article, we sum up the progress of apelin-13 in the occurrence and development of vascular disease and offer some insightful views about the treatment and prevention strategies of vascular disease.

A Potential Role of NFIL3 in Atherosclerosis.

Nuclear factor interleukin-3 (NFIL3), a proline- and acidic-residue-rich (PAR) bZIP transcription factor, is called the E4 binding protein 4 (E4BP4) as well, which is relevant to regulate the circadian rhythms and the viability of cells. More and more evidence has shown that NFIL3 is associated with different cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, it has been found that NFIL3 has significant functions in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS) via the regulation of inflammatory response, macrophage polarization, some immune cells and lipid metabolism. In this overview, we sum up the function of NFIL3 during the development of AS and offer meaningful views how to treat cardiovascular disease related to AS.

The claustrum-prelimbic cortex circuit through dynorphin/κ-opioid receptor signaling underlies depression-like behaviors associated with social stress etiology.

Ample evidence has suggested the stress etiology of depression, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood yet. Here, we report that chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) attenuates the excitatory output of the claustrum (CLA) to the prelimbic cortex (PL) through the dynorphin/κ-opioid receptor (KOR) signaling, being critical for depression-related behaviors in male mice. The CSDS preferentially impairs the excitatory output from the CLA onto the parvalbumin (PV) of the PL, leading to PL micronetwork dysfunction by disinhibiting pyramidal neurons (PNs). Optogenetic activation or inhibition of this circuit suppresses or promotes depressive-like behaviors, which is reversed by chemogenetic inhibition or activation of the PV neurons. Notably, manipulating the dynorphin/KOR signaling in the CLA-PL projecting terminals controls depressive-like behaviors that is suppressed or promoted by optogenetic activation or inhibition of CLA-PL circuit. Thus, this study reveals both mechanism of the stress etiology of depression and possibly therapeutic interventions by targeting CLA-PL circuit.

Causal association between adiposity and hemorrhoids: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Hemorrhoids are a very common anorectal disorder affecting a large number of individuals throughout the world. This study aimed to evaluate the causal effects of four adiposity traits including body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio on hemorrhoids by Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods: We used summary statistics of BMI (N = 461,460), body fat percentage (N = 454,633), waist circumference (N = 462,166), waist-to-hip ratio (N = 212,244), and hemorrhoids (N = 337,199) from large-scale genome wide association studies of European ancestry. Univariable and multivariable MR were carried out to infer causality. The MR Steiger directionality test was used to test the causal direction. Results: The primary MR analysis using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method showed that there were positive effects of genetically determined BMI [odds ratio (OR) = 1.005, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.003-1.008, per standard deviation (SD), p = 7.801 × 10-5], body fat percentage (OR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.001-1.008, per SD, p = 0.008), waist circumference (OR = 1.008, 95% CI: 1.005-1.011, per SD, p = 1.051 × 10-6), and waist-to-hip ratio (OR = 1.010, 95% CI: 1.003-1.017, per SD, p = 0.003) on hemorrhoids. These findings were robust in multivariable MR adjusting for physical activity. The Steiger directionality test showed evidence against reverse causation. Conclusion: Our MR study supports a causal role of adiposity in the development of hemorrhoids. Adiposity prevention may be an important strategy for reducing hemorrhoids risk.

[Evolution Characteristics of Atmospheric Formaldehyde Emissions in Guangdong Province from 2006 to 2020].

Atmospheric formaldehyde, a key precursor for ozone (O3) and secondary PM2.5, is carcinogenic and plays an important role in atmospheric photochemistry and the formation of secondary pollution. However, the lack of understanding of the emission sources of atmospheric formaldehyde limits the study on the formation mechanism of secondary pollution and the formulation of pollution control strategies. This study used the emission factor and source profile methods to establish the emission inventories of formaldehyde in Guangdong Province from 2006 to 2020 and identified the main emission sources of formaldehyde and spatial and temporal evolution characteristics. The results showed that the formaldehyde emissions in Guangdong Province fluctuated in the range of 39000-56000 tons during 2006 to 2020, exhibiting a very weak downward trend. Biomass combustion is an important source of formaldehyde emission in Guangdong Province, of which the contribution decreased from 58% in 2006 to 27% in 2020 owing to effective control measures implemented in Guangdong Province. The solvent use source became the predominant emission source of formaldehyde in 2020 by contributing up to 28%, primarily through plastic products and asphalt paving sources. The construction machinery and trucks fueled by diesel were important contributors of formaldehyde emissions from mobile sources. Although the formaldehyde emissions in the Pearl River Delta and the non-Pearl River Delta were equivalent, the spatial distributions showed that formaldehyde emission hotspots were concentrated in the center of the Pearl River Delta and the eastern and western areas of the non-Pearl River Delta. This was primarily because the solvent use and mobile sources were the main sources of formaldehyde emissions in the Pearl River Delta, whereas the biomass combustion source was the dominant source in the non-Pearl River Delta. Therefore, the formaldehyde emission mitigations of the industrial and mobile sources in the central region of the Pearl River Delta and the biomass combustion source in the western area of Guangdong should be further strengthened in the future.

Thrixspermumtaeniophyllum (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae), a new species from southwest China, based on molecular and morphological evidence.

Thrixspermumtaeniophyllum is described as a new orchid species from Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province of southwest China. It is morphologically similar to T.japonicum, but it differs from the latter in having branched stems, slightly fleshy strap-shaped leaves, longer inflorescences with 3-6 flowers and a capitate gynandrium with a lip-shaped mouth opening. Its species status is also supported by molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on nuclear ribosome internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and three chloroplast DNA fragments (matK, psbA-trnH and trnL-F), which showed distinct systematic boundaries from the most morphologically similar T.japonicum and their morphological relatives T.saruwatarii and T.pygmaeum.