Hepatic Metabolomic Responses to Low-Temperature Stress in the Invasive Turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans.

Investigating the physiological and biochemical changes of ectothermic species before entering hibernation would contribute to the understanding of how they adapt to low-temperature environments. Here, red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) hatchlings were maintained under different thermal treatments (24 °C, slowly decreasing temperatures from 24 °C to 14 °C, and to 4 °C). Hepatic metabolite alterations were measured to assess the metabolic impacts of low-temperature stress in this species. Of these differentially changed metabolites, some (e.g., raffinose, spermidine, allocholic acid, taurohyocholate, 2-ketobutyric acid, acetylcysteine) were shown to decrease, while others (e.g., stearolic acid, D-mannose) increased in low-temperature treatments. Our results indicated that short-term low-temperature stress might have limited impacts on lipid and energy metabolism in this species. The changes in other metabolites (e.g., allocholic acid, taurohyocholate, spermine, acetylcysteine) might be associated with a low food intake (and thus reduced digestive performance) and weakened immune ability of low-temperature-exposed animals.

Predictive Value of Pretreatment Neutrophil to Albumin Ratio in Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy of Breast Cancer.

Background: The immune system appears to play a crucial role in how breast cancer responds to chemotherapy. In this study, we investigated a peripheral marker of immune and inflammation named the neutrophil to albumin ratio (NAR) to explore its potential relationship with pathological complete response (pCR) in locally advanced breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 212 consecutive breast cancer patients who received NAC. The NAR was calculated by examining the complete blood cell count and albumin level in peripheral blood before starting NAC. Through ROC curve analysis, we determined the optimal cutoff value for NAR as 0.0877. We used Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test to evaluate the relationship between NAR and pCR, as well as other clinical and pathological characteristics. Logistic regression models were employed for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The results of both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that NAR was associated with tumor pathological regression. The NAR high group had a higher pCR rate compared to the NAR low group (OR 3.127 [95% CI 1.545-6.328]; p = 0.002). Conclusion: According to this study, it was observed that patients with breast cancer who had high levels of NAR were more likely to achieve pCR when undergoing NAC.

Alarming and calming: Dual functions of S100A9 on Mycoplasma gallisepticun infection in avian cells.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is the primary causative agent of chronic respiratory disease (CRD) in chickens, characterized by respiratory inflammation. S100A9 plays a pivotal role in modulating the inflammatory response to microbial pathogens. Our prior investigation revealed a significant upregulation of S100A9 in the lungs of chickens following MG infection. This study delves into the immunomodulatory effects of S100A9 during MG infection, demonstrating a notable increase in S100A9 levels in the lungs, immune organs, alveolar epithelial type II cells (AECII), and macrophage HD11 cells of MG-infected chicks and embryos. In MG-infected AECII cells, S100A9 overexpression significantly enhanced MG proliferation and adhesion, suppressed AVBD1, NFκB, pro-inflammatory factors (IL1ß and TNFα), and chemokines, reduced apoptosis, and promoted cell proliferation, thereby facilitating MG infection. Conversely, inhibiting S100A9 produced opposing effects. In MG-infected HD11 cells, S100A9 impeded MG proliferation and adhesion, increased AVBD1, NFκB, pro-inflammatory factors, and chemokines, and induced cell apoptosis while inhibiting proliferation. Additional results demonstrated that S100A9 facilitates MG infection by modulating the TLR7/NFκB/JAK/STAT pathway in AECII/HD11 cells. In summary, S100A9 exhibits a dual role in activating/inhibiting the natural immune response through TLR7/NFκB/JAK/STAT pathway regulation. This dual role promotes MG infection in AECII cells while enabling MG to evade immune surveillance by HD11 cells, ultimately enhancing the overall infection process. These findings advance our understanding of host-pathogen interactions during MG infection and underscore S100A9's potential as a therapeutic target for CRD in chickens.

Global longitudinal strain and the risk of major adverse cardiac events in post-myocardial infarction patients: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the relationship between global longitudinal strain (GLS) and late major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Data of newly diagnosed AMI patients between March 2010 and July 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients underwent serial echocardiography at admission and at third and sixth months post-admission. We calculated GLS by averaging the strain from all myocardial segments using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). We used multivariate Cox regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses to assess the relationship between GLS at admission and late MACEs. RESULTS: Eighty-nine newly diagnosed AMI patients were enrolled. The average age at diagnosis was 61 ± 12.5 years, and approximately 89.9% of the patients were men. The average level of GLS was -17.5 ± 3.9%. The overall prevalence of MACEs was 23.6% (21/89), compared with 44% (11/25) in the group with GLS≥-15% and 17.9% (5/28) in the group with GLS<-20%. GLS was positively linked with MACEs in the fully adjusted Cox proportional hazard model (hazard ratio [HR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.37; P=0.014) after adjusting potential confounders. The ROC curve analysis for one year MACEs between GLS at admission, with the most significant area under the curve(AUC) 78.1% (95% CI, 63.8% - 92.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial dysfunction, characterized by impaired GLS, is often observed in AMI patients, and a decrease in GLS levels at admission were associated with an increased risk of long-term MACEs in post-myocardial infarction patients.

IL-6 regulates epithelial ovarian cancer EMT, invasion, and metastasis by modulating Let-7c and miR-200c through the STAT3/HIF-1α pathway.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) play important roles in epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and tumor development. Previous studies have demonstrated that IL-6 promotes EMT, invasion, and metastasis in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells by activating the STAT3/HIF-1α pathway. MicroRNA (miRNA) is non-coding small RNAs that also play an important role in tumor development. Notably, Let-7 and miR-200 families are prominently altered in EOC. However, whether IL-6 regulates the expression of Let-7 and miR-200 families through the STAT3/HIF-1α signaling to induce EMT in EOC remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted in vitro and in vivo investigations using two EOC cell lines, SKOV3, and OVCAR3 cells. Our findings demonstrate that IL-6 down-regulates the mRNA levels of Let-7c and miR-200c while up-regulating their target genes HMGA2 and ZEB1 through the STAT3/HIF-1α signaling in EOC cells and in vivo. Additionally, to explore the regulatory role of HIF-1α on miRNAs, both exogenous HIF blockers YC-1 and endogenous high expression or inhibition of HIF-1α can be utilized. Both approaches can confirm that the downstream molecule HIF-1α inhibits the expression and function of Let-7c and miR-200c. Further mechanistic research revealed that the overexpression of Let-7c or miR-200c can reverse the malignant evolution of EOC cells induced by IL-6, including EMT, invasion, and metastasis. Consequently, our results suggest that IL-6 regulates the expression of Let-7c and miR-200c through the STAT3/HIF-1α pathway, thereby promoting EMT, invasion, and metastasis in EOC cells.

Poor immune response to inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in patients with hypertension.

Purpose: The safety and efficacy of vaccination in people with hypertension (HTN) is important. There are currently a few data on the immunogenicity and safety of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in hypertension patients. Methods: After receiving a two-dose immunization, 94 hypertension adult patients and 74 healthy controls (HCs) in this study, the evaluation included looking at antibodies (Abs) against receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG, SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), RBD-specific B cells, and memory B cells (MBCs). Results: There was no discernible difference in the overall adverse events (AEs) over the course of 7 or 30 days between HTN patients and HCs. HTN patients had lower frequencies of RBD-specific memory B cells and the seropositivity rates and titers of Abs compared with HCs (all, p < 0.05). HTN patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions (CCVD) have lower titers of CoV-2 NAb than in HCs. The titers of both Abs in HTN declined gradually over time. Conclusion: Inactivated COVID-19 vaccinations were safe in hypertension patients; however humoral immune was limited, especially merged CCVD and declined gradually over time.

m6A modification of lncRNA PHKA1-AS1 enhances Actinin Alpha 4 stability and promotes non-small cell lung cancer metastasis.

Cancer is a disease with molecular heterogeneity that is closely related to gene mutations and epigenetic changes. The principal histological subtype of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is a kind of RNA that is without protein coding function, playing a critical role in the progression of cancer. In this research, the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA phosphorylase kinase regulatory subunit alpha 1 antisense RNA 1 (PHKA1-AS1) in the progression of NSCLC were explored. The increased level of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in NSCLC caused the high expression of PHKA1-AS1. Subsequently, high-expressed PHKA1-AS1 significantly facilitated the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC cells, and these effects could be reversed upon the inhibition of PHKA1-AS1 expression, both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, the target protein of PHKA1-AS1 was actinin alpha 4 (ACTN4), which is known as an oncogene. Herein, PHKA1-AS1 could enhance the protein stability of ACTN4 by inhibiting its ubiquitination degradation process, thus exerting the function of ACTN4 in promoting the progress of NSCLC. In conclusion, this research provided a theoretical basis for further exploring the potential mechanism of NSCLC metastasis and searching novel biomarkers related to the pathogenesis and progression of NSCLC.

[Transcriptomic characteristics analysis of bone from chronic osteomyelitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanism of chronic osteomyelitis and to clarify the role of MAPK signal pathway in the pathogenesis of chronic osteomyelitis, by collecting and analyzing the transcriptional information of bone tissue in patients with chronic osteomyelitis. METHODS: Four cases of traumatic osteomyelitis in limbs from June 2019 to June 2020 were selected, and the samples of necrotic osteonecrosis from chronic osteomyelitis (necrotic group), and normal bone tissue (control group) were collected. Transcriptome information was collected by Illumina Hiseq Xten high throughput sequencing platform, and the gene expression in bone tissue was calculated by FPKM. The differentially expressed genes were screened by comparing the transcripts of the Necrotic group and control group. Genes were enriched by GO and KEGG. MAP3K7 and NFATC1 were selected as differential targets in the verification experiments, by using rat osteomyelitis animal model and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 5548 differentially expressed genes were obtained by high throughput sequencing by comparing the necrotic group and control group, including 2701 up-regulated and 2847 down-regulated genes. The genes enriched in MAPK pathway and osteoclast differentiation pathway were screened, the common genes expressed in both MAPK and osteoclast differentiation pathway were (inhibitor of nuclear factor κ subunit Beta, IκBKß), (mitogen-activated protein kinase 7, MAP3K7), (nuclear factor of activated t cells 1, NFATC1) and (nuclear factor Kappa B subunit 2, NFκB2). In rat osteomyelitis model, MAP3K7 and NFATC1 were highly expressed in bone marrow and injured bone tissue. CONCLUSION: Based on the transcriptome analysis, the MAPK signaling and osteoclast differentiation pathways were closely related to chronic osteomyelitis, and the key genes IκBKß, MAP3K7, NFATC1, NFκB2 might be new targets for clinical diagnosis and therapy of chronic osteomyelitis.

Performance of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanoparticles Carrying FeNiCu as Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Rechargeable Zinc-Air Battery.

Catalysts for zinc-air batteries (ZABs) must be stable over long-term charging-discharging cycles and exhibit bifunctional catalytic activity. In this study, by doping nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) materials with three metal atoms (Fe, Ni, and Cu), a single-atom-distributed FeNiCu-NC bifunctional catalyst is prepared. The catalyst includes Fe(Ni-doped)-N4 for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), Fe(Cu-doped)-N4 for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and the NiCu-NC catalytic structure for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles. This single-atom distribution catalyst structure enhances the bifunctional catalytic activity. If a trimetallic single-atom catalyst is designed, it will surpass the typical bimetallic single-atom catcalyst. FeNiCu-NC exhibits outstanding performance as an electrocatalyst, with a half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.876 V versus RHE, overpotential (Ej = 10) of 253 mV versus RHE at 10 mA cm-2, and a small potential gap (ΔE = 0.61 V). As the anode in a ZAB, FeNiCu-NC can undergo continuous charge-discharged cycles for 575 h without significant attenuation. This study presents a new method for achieving high-performance, low-cost ZABs via trimetallic single-atom doping.

Cryptic diversity and rampant hybridization in annual gentians on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau revealed by population genomic analysis.

Understanding the evolutionary and ecological processes involved in population differentiation and speciation provides critical insights into biodiversity formation. In this study, we employed 29,865 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and complete plastomes to examine genomic divergence and hybridization in Gentiana aristata, which is endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) region. Genetic clustering revealed that G. aristata is characterized by geographic genetic structures with five clusters (West, East, Central, South and North). The West cluster has a specific morphological character (i.e., blue corolla) and higher values of FST compared to the remaining clusters, likely the result of the geological barrier formed by the Yangtze River. The West cluster diverged from the other clusters in the Early Pliocene; these remaining clusters diverged from one another in the Early Quaternary. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on SNPs and plastid data revealed substantial cyto-nuclear conflicts. Genetic clustering and D-statistics demonstrated rampant hybridization between the Central and North clusters, along the Bayankala Mountains, which form the geological barrier between the Central and North clusters. Species distribution modeling demonstrated the range of G. aristata expanded since the Last Interglacial period. Our findings provide genetic and morphological evidence of cryptic diversity in G. aristata, and identified rampant hybridization between genetic clusters along a geological barrier. These findings suggest that geological barriers and climatic fluctuations have an important role in triggering diversification as well as hybridization, indicating that cryptic diversity and hybridization are essential factors in biodiversity formation within the QTP region.

Unmasking the dynamics of Mycoplasma gallisepticum: deciphering HD11 macrophage polarization for innovative infection control strategies.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is a highly contagious avian respiratory pathogen characterized by rapid spread, widespread distribution, and long-term persistence of infection. Previous studies have shown that chicken macrophage HD11 cells play a critical role in the replication and immunomodulation of MG. Macrophages are multifunctional immunomodulatory cells that polarize into different functions and morphologies in response to exogenous stimuli. However, the effect of MG infection on HD11 polarization is not well understood. In this study, we observed a time-dependent increase in both the expression of the MG-related virulence protein pMGA1.2 and the copy number of MG upon MG infection. Polarization studies revealed an upregulation of M1-type marker genes in MG-infected HD11 cells, suggesting that MG mainly induces HD11 macrophages towards M1-type polarization. Furthermore, MG activated the inflammatory vesicle NLRP3 signaling pathway, and NLRP3 inhibitors affected the expression of M1 and M2 marker genes, indicating the crucial regulatory role of the NLRP3 signaling pathway in MG-induced polarization of HD11 macrophages. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism of MG infection, namely the polarization of MG-infected HD11 macrophages. This discovery suggests that altering the macrophage phenotype to inhibit MG infection may be an effective control strategy. These findings provide new perspectives on the pathogenic mechanism and control measures of MG.

Rapid Access to Chiral Spiro[2.3] Lactams: Stereoselective Hydroborylation and Hydrosilylation and Remote Control of Axial Chirality by Copper-Catalyzed Desymmetrization of Spirocyclopropenes.

Chiral spirocyclopropyl ß-lactams are common motifs in bioactive compounds and pharmaceuticals. Here we disclose a diastereoselective and enantioselective hydroborylation and hydrosilylation of spirocyclopropenes, via a Cu-catalyzed desymmetrization strategy, for the rapid preparation of enantio-enriched spirocyclopropyl ß-lactams. The efficient desymmetrization strategy allows the remote control of axial chirality, offering the borylated and silylated products bearing central, spiro, and axial chirality. The combination of multichiral elements would provide a novel motif for biological evaluation in potential drug discovery.

TC2N inhibits distant metastasis and stemness of breast cancer via blocking fatty acid synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Tandem C2 domains, nuclear (TC2N) is a C2 domain-containing protein that belongs to the carboxyl-terminal type (C-type) tandem C2 protein family, and acts as an oncogenic driver in several cancers. Previously, we preliminarily reported that TC2N mediates the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway to inhibit tumor growth of breast cancer (BC) cells. Beyond that, its precise biological functions and detailed molecular mechanisms in BC development and progression are not fully understood. METHODS: Tumor tissues of 212 BC patients were subjected to tissue microarray and further assessed the associations of TC2N expression with pathological parameters and FASN expression. The protein levels of TC2N and FASN in cell lines and tumor specimens were monitored by qRT-PCR, WB, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. In vitro cell assays, in vivo nude mice model was used to assess the effect of TC2N ectopic expression on tumor metastasis and stemness of breast cancer cells. The downstream signaling pathway or target molecule of TC2N was mined using a combination of transcriptomics, proteomics and lipidomics, and the underlying mechanism was explored by WB and co-IP assays. RESULTS: Here, we found that the expression of TC2N remarkedly silenced in metastatic and poorly differentiated tumors. Function-wide, TC2N strongly inhibits tumor metastasis and stem-like properties of BC via inhibition of fatty acid synthesis. Mechanism-wise, TC2N blocks neddylated PTEN-mediated FASN stabilization by a dual mechanism. The C2B domain is crucial for nuclear localization of TC2N, further consolidating the TRIM21-mediated ubiquitylation and degradation of FASN by competing with neddylated PTEN for binding to FASN in nucleus. On the other hand, cytoplasmic TC2N interacts with import proteins, thereby restraining nuclear import of PTEN to decrease neddylated PTEN level. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, we demonstrate a previously unidentified role and mechanism of TC2N in regulation of lipid metabolism and PTEN neddylation, providing a potential therapeutic target for anti-cancer.

Anatomic prognostic factors and their potential roles in refining M1 classification for de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To identify anatomic prognostic factors and their potential roles in refining M1 classification for de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (M1-NPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All M1-NPC treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy between 2010 and 2019 from two centers (training and validation cohort) were included. The prognostic value of metastatic disease extent and involved organs for overall survival (OS) were assessed by several multivariable analyses (MVA) models. A new M1 classification was proposed and validated in a separate cohort who received immuno-chemotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 197 M1-NPC in the training and 307 in the validation cohorts were included for M1 subdivision study with median follow-up of 46 and 57 months. MVA model with "≤2 organs/≤5 lesions" as the definition of oligometastasis had the highest C-index (0.623) versus others (0.606-0.621). Patients with oligometastasis had better OS versus polymetastasis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.47/0.63) while liver metastases carried worse OS (HR 1.57/1.45) in MVA in the training/validation cohorts, respectively. We proposed to divide M1-NPC into M1a (oligometastasis without liver metastases) and M1b (liver metastases or polymetastasis) with 3-year OS of 66.5%/31.7% and 64.9%/35.0% in the training/validation cohorts, respectively. M1a subset had a better median progress-free survival (not reach vs. 17 months, p < 0.001) in the immuno-chemotherapy cohort (n = 163). CONCLUSION: Oligometastasis (≤2 organs/≤5 lesions) and liver metastasis are prognostic for M1-NPC. Subdivision of M1-NPC into M1a (oligometastasis without liver metastasis) and M1b (liver metastasis or polymetastasis) depicts the prognosis well in M1-NPC patients who received immuno-chemotherapy.

Optimization Method of Three-Dimensional Equilibrium Displacement in Thin Interbed Reservoirs.

Most thin interbed reservoirs face a common problem that a nonequilibrium injection and production relationship in plane and vertical directions results in quick water breakthrough, rapid water-cut rise, and a poor water flooding efficiency in a single layer. A finer injection-production strategy should be developed to avoid serious water channeling and an ineffective water cycle. To narrow this gap, this work presents a three-dimensional intelligent equilibrium displacement model (3D-IEDM) to optimize water flooding in thin interbed reservoirs. A water-injection splitting model is first established to determine the water-injection rate of each layer based on displacement pressure and flow resistance. Then, water saturation is calculated for the injection-production well group based on the material balance principle. To achieve three-dimensional equilibrium flooding, the minimum water saturation variance is chosen as the optimization target and the improved particle swarm optimization algorithm is employed to reduce the optimization time caused by iterative calculations. Finally, the 3D-IEDM is programmed as software to provide a quantitative equilibrium flooding optimization scheme in an actual oilfield. The implementation in the pilot B36 well group test of the PL oilfield indicates that the optimization velocity of the 3D-IEDM can optimize the vertical water injection profile of thin interbed reservoirs and improve the sweep efficiency, and the length of time is approximately 14 times less than that of conventional simulator-based methods. Compared with the conventional injection-production scheme, the initial productivity of the pilot well group using the 3D-IEDM increases by 6.45%, and the utilization factor of water injection improves by 15%.

[Effect of soil moisture on efficacy to eliminate dampness and relieve jaundice and flavonoid content of Sedum sarmentosum].

The growth environment of medicinal plants plays an important role in the formation of their medicinal quality. However, there is a lack of combined analysis studying the close relationship between the growth environment, chemical components, and related biological activities of medicinal plants. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of different soil moisture treatments on the efficacy to eliminate dampness and relieve jaundice and the flavonoid content of Sedum sarmentosum, and explored their correlation. The flavonoid content in the decoction of S. sarmentosum growing under field conditions with soil moisture levels of 35%-40%(T1), 55%-60%(T2), 75%-80%(T3), and 95%-100%(T4) was compared. The effects of these treatments on liver function parameters, liver inflammation, and oxidative damage in mice with dampness-heat jaundice were evaluated, and the correlation between pharmacological indicators and flavonoid content was analyzed. The results showed that the total flavonoid and total phenolic acid content in the decoction of S. sarmentosum were highest in the T1 treatment, followed by the T3 treatment. The content of quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin was highest in the T2, T1, and T3 treatments, respectively. Among the different moisture treatments, the T3 group of S. sarmentosum effectively reduced the levels of serum ALT, AKP, TBIL, DBIL, TBA, as well as hepatic TNF-α and IL-6 in mice with jaundice, followed by T2 treatment, especially in reducing AST level. The T4 treatment had the poorest effect. Correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between AST, ALT, AKP levels in mice and the total content of quercetin and the three flavonoids. MDA showed a significant negative correlation with the total flavonoid content and kaempferol. TNF-α exhibited a significant negative correlation with the content of isorhamnetin. In conclusion, S. sarmentosum growing under field conditions with a soil moisture level of 75%-80% exhibited the best efficacy to eliminate dampness and relieve jaundice. This study provides insights for optimizing the cultivation mode of medicinal plants guided by pharmacological experiments.

[Cloning and expression analysis of wpHSP90 gene from Whitmania pigra at different temperatures].

HSP90 is a widely distributed molecular chaperone that participates in a variety of cellular processes and plays an important role in the meiosis of germ cells. However, its role in the gonadal development of hermaphroditic Whitmania pigra is not yet clear. To explore the effect of HSP90 on the germ cell development of Wh. Pigra, this study cloned the wpHSP90 gene, performed bioinformatics analysis, and measured its expression levels. The results showed that the cloned wpHSP90 was 2 592 bp in length, with an open reading frame(ORF) of 2 373 bp, encoding 790 amino acids. Prediction analysis revealed 85 phosphorylation modification sites on serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues of the wpHSP90 protein. Structural domain prediction and multiple sequence alignment results showed that wpHSP90 contained two conserved domains of HSP90 and exhibited the highest homology with Helobdella robusta, with a sequence similarity of 80.72%. RT-qPCR results showed that the relative expression level of wpHSP90 in the gonads of 5-month-old Wh. pigra was positively correlated with temperature within the range of 12 ℃ to 28 ℃. The expression level in the female gonads was significantly higher than in the male gonads and correlated with the trend of germ cell development in the ovaries and testes. In conclusion, wpHSP90 may be involved in regulating the development of germ cells, particularly oocytes, in Wh. pigra. This study provides a reference for further research on the gonadal development mechanism in Wh. pigra.

Transition-metal-free and additive-free intermolecular hydroarylation of alkenes with indoles in hexafluoroisopropanol.

Hydroarylation of alkenes is one of the most straightforward and atom-economical strategy for the construction of multi-aryl-substituted alkanes, but systematic studies have been limited to transition metal catalysis. Here we report a hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP)-promoted hydroarylation of alkenes with indoles without the presence of transition metal catalysts or any additive. HFIP was the only reagent used in this work, and could be easily removed via evaporation, and recovered via distillation in industry settings. This reaction was shown to provide an efficient, clean and operationally simple procedure with a remarkable substrate scope and versatile transformations, delivering a variety of multi-aryl alkanes incorporating the indole motif. In preliminary studies, several of these products showed biologically activity against cells from an array of human cancer cell lines. A mechanistic study was also carried out and suggested that the quinone methide might be the key intermediate. And in contrast to the conclusions of a previous report, the current work suggested that protonation by HFIP might not be the rate-determining step.

Rhizosphere microbial ecological characteristics of strawberry root rot.

Introduction: Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) holds a preeminent position among small fruits globally due to its delectable fruits and significant economic value. However, strawberry cultivation is hampered by various plant diseases, hindering the sustainable development of the strawberry industry. The occurrence of plant diseases is closely linked to imbalance in rhizosphere microbial community structure. Methods: In the present study, a systematic analysis of the differences and correlations among non-culturable microorganisms, cultivable microbial communities, and soil nutrients in rhizosphere soil, root surface soil, and non-rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased strawberry plants affected by root rot was conducted. The goal was to explore the relationship between strawberry root rot occurrence and rhizosphere microbial community structure. Results: According to the results, strawberry root rot altered microbial community diversity, influenced fungal community composition in strawberry roots, reduced microbial interaction network stability, and enriched more endophytic-phytopathogenic bacteria and saprophytic bacteria. In addition, the number of bacteria isolated from the root surface soil of diseased plants was significantly higher than that of healthy plants. Discussion: In summary, the diseased strawberry plants changed microbial community diversity, fungal species composition, and enriched functional microorganisms significantly, in addition to reshaping the microbial co-occurrence network. The results provide a theoretical basis for revealing the microecological mechanism of strawberry root rot and the ecological prevention and control of strawberry root rot from a microbial ecology perspective.