Comprehensive determination of fatty acids in real samples without derivatization by DMU-SPME-GC methods.

The comprehensive determination of fatty acids without derivatization, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs), is a big challenge but powerful for lipidomics in biology, food, and environment. Herein, the dual mode unity solid-phase microextraction (DMU-SPME) combined with gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) or mass spectrometry (MS) was proposed as a powerful method for the determination of comprehensive free fatty acids in real samples. Under the optimized DMU-SPME conditions, the proposed method has good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.994) and low limits of determination (0.01-0.14 mg/L). In the stability analysis, the intra-day relative standard deviation was 1.39-12.43 %, and the inter-day relative standard deviation was 2.84-10.79 %. The recoveries of selected 10 fatty acids in real samples ranged from 90.18 % to 110.75 %, indicating that the method has good accuracy. Fatty acids ranging from C2 to C22 were detected in real samples by the untargeted determination method of DMU-SPME combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The DMU-SPME method proposed in this study can be used for lipid metabolism analysis and free fatty acid determination in the fields of biology, food, and environment.

Identification of potential therapeutic target SPP1 and related RNA regulatory pathway in keloid based on bioinformatics analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the complex mechanisms of keloid, new approaches have been developed by different strategies. However, conventional treatment did not significantly reduce the recurrence rate. This study aimed to identify new biomarkers and mechanisms for keloid progression through bioinformatics analyses. METHODS: In our study, microarray datasets for keloid were downloaded from the GEO database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by R software. Multiple bioinformatics tools were used to identify hub genes, and reverse predict upstream miRNAs and lncRNA molecules of target hub genes. Finally, the total RNA-sequencing technique and miRNA microarray were combined to validate the identified genes. RESULTS: Thirty-one DEGs were screened out and the upregulated hub gene SPP1 was finally identified, which was consistent with our RNA-sequencing analysis results and validation dataset. In addition, a ceRNA network of mRNA (SPP1)-miRNA (miR-181a-5p)-lncRNA (NEAT1, MALAT1, LINC00667, NORAD, XIST and MIR4458HG) was identified by the bioinformatics databases. The results of our miRNA microarray showed that miR-181a-5p was upregulated in keloid, also we found that the lncRNA NEAT1 could affect keloid progression by retrieving the relevant literature. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that SPP1 is a potential candidate biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with keloid, and NEAT1/miR-181a-5p/SPP1 might be the RNA regulatory pathway that regulates keloid formation.

Identify new biomarkers in keloid, potentially improve disease diagnosis and treatment.Through a variety of bioinformatics analysis tools, we found that the miRNA pathway NEAT1/miR-181a-5p/SPP1 may participant in controlling disease progression in the keloid.Providing insight into the mechanisms of disease development in the keloid at the transcriptome level.

Identifying the Pattern Characteristics of Anoikis-Related Genes in Keloid.

Objective: Anoikis is a kind of programmed cell death that is triggered when cells lose contact with each other or with the matrix. However, the potential value of anoikis-related genes (ARGs) in keloid (KD) has not been investigated. Approach: We downloaded three keloid fibroblast (KF) RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and obtained 338 ARGs from a search of the GeneCards database and PubMed articles. Weighted correlation network analysis was used to construct the coexpression network and obtain the KF-related ARGs. The LASSO-Cox method was used to screen the hub ARGs and construct the best prediction model. Then, GEO single-cell sequencing datasets were used to verify the expression of hub genes. We used whole RNA-seq for gene-level validation and the correlation between KD immune infiltration and anoikis. Results: Our study comprehensively analyzed the role of ARGs in KD for the first time. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis identified six hub ARGs (HIF1A, SEMA7A, SESN1, CASP3, LAMA3, and SIK2). A large number of miRNAs participate in the regulation of hub ARGs. In addition, correlation analysis revealed that ARGs were significantly correlated with the infiltration levels of multiple immune cells in patients with KD. Innovation: We explored the expression characteristics of ARGs in KD, which is extremely important for determining the molecular pathways and mechanisms underlying KD. Conclusions: This study provides a useful reference for revealing the characteristics of ARGs in the pathogenesis of KD. The identified hub genes may provide potential therapeutic targets for patients. This study provides new ideas for individualized therapy and immunotherapy.

Biocontrol Methods for the Management of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Legumes: A Review.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is an economically damaging fungal pathogen that causes Sclerotinia stem rot in legumes, producing enormous yield losses. This pathogen is difficult to control due to its wide host spectrum and ability to produce sclerotia, which are resistant bodies that can remain active for long periods under harsh environmental conditions. Here, the biocontrol methods for the management of S. sclerotiorum in legumes are reviewed. Bacillus strains, which synthesized lipopeptides and volatile organic compounds, showed high efficacies in soybean plants, whereas the highest efficacies for the control of the pathogen in alfalfa and common bean were observed when using Coniothyrium minitans and Streptomyces spp., respectively. The biocontrol efficacies in fields were under 65%, highlighting the lack of strategies to achieve a complete control. Overall, although most studies involved extensive screenings using different biocontrol agent concentrations and application conditions, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the specific antifungal mechanisms, which limits the optimization of the reported methods.

Prognostic Value of Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-3alpha (MIP3-Alpha) and Severity Scores in Elderly Patients with Sepsis.

Objective: This study examines the effectiveness of MIP-3alpha and severity scores in determining the prognosis of elderly sepsis patients. Methods: From October 2020 to April 2021, a total of 171 elderly sepsis patients were admitted to the Emergency Department of the Shijingshan Branch of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University. According to the 28-day mortality rate, they were divided into two groups: survivors (48 cases) and deaths (123 cases). At admission, severity scores which are the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) were calculated. The logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors associated with 28-day mortality in elderly sepsis patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the value of MIP-3alpha, SOFA, and APACHE II in the evaluation of 28-day mortality in elderly sepsis patients. Results: MIP-3alpha, SOFA and APACHE II of the death group were significantly higher than those of the survival group (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MIP-3alpha, SOFA, APACHE II, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality of senile sepsis (P < 0.05). Analysis of the ROC curve revealed that MIP-3alpha, SOFA, APACHE II had predictive value for the 28-day prognosis of senile sepsis (all P < 0.01). Combing with MIP-3alpha and SOFA showed better predictive ability (Z1 = 3.733, Z2 = 2.996, both P < 0.01), compared to detecting MIP-3alpha and SOFA alone. Conclusion: In senile sepsis, MIP-3alpha, SOFA, APACHE II and SBP are independent risk factors for 28-day mortality. The combination of MIP-3alpha and SOFA can further enhance the predictive value of 28-day mortality in patients with senile sepsis and provide some reference value for the evaluation and treatment of senile sepsis.

Metabolism, fibrosis, and apoptosis: The effect of lipids and their derivatives on keloid formation.

Keloids, pathological scars resulting from skin trauma, have traditionally posed significant clinical management challenges due to their persistence and high recurrence rates. Our research elucidates the pivotal roles of lipids and their derivatives in keloid development, driven by underlying mechanisms of abnormal cell proliferation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix deposition. Key findings suggest that abnormalities in arachidonic acid (AA) synthesis and non-essential fatty acid synthesis are integral to keloid formation. Further, a complex interplay exists between lipid derivatives, notably butyric acid (BA), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), and the regulation of hyperfibrosis. Additionally, combinations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with BA and 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-Prostaglandin J2 have exhibited pronounced cytotoxic effects. Among sphingolipids, ceramide (Cer) displayed limited pro-apoptotic effects in keloid fibroblasts (KFBs), whereas sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) was found to promote keloid hyperfibrosis, with its analogue, FTY720, demonstrating contrasting benefits. Both Vitamin D and hexadecylphosphorylcholine (HePC) showed potential antifibrotic and antiproliferative properties, suggesting their utility in keloid management. While keloids remain a prevalent concern in clinical practice, this study underscores the promising potential of targeting specific lipid molecules for the advancement of keloid therapeutic strategies.

Gut microbiota influence frailty syndrome in older adults: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.

Frailty syndrome denotes a decreased capacity of the body to maintain the homeostasis and stress of the internal environment, which simultaneously increases the risk of adverse health outcomes in older adults, including disability, hospitalization, falls, and death. To promote healthy aging, we should find strategies to cope with frailty. However, the pathogenesis of frailty syndrome is not yet clear. Recent studies have shown that the diversity, composition, and metabolites of gut microbiota significantly changed in older adults with frailty. In addition, several frailty symptoms were alleviated by adjusting gut microbiota with prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiosis. Therefore, we attempt to explore the pathogenesis of frailty syndrome in older people from gut microbiota and summarize the existing interventions for frailty syndrome targeting gut microbiota, with the aim of providing timely and necessary interventions and assistance for older adults with frailty.

Theory and protocol of dual mode unity solid-phase microextraction.

The solid-phase microextraction (SPME) bias problem limits comprehensive analysis of volatile compounds in real samples. The study introduces dual mode unity solid-phase microextraction (DMU-SPME) as a novel SPME mode to achieve balanced extraction of both volatile and low-volatile compounds. The DMU-SPME method exhibits excellent linearity (R2 ≥ 0.994), low quantitation limits (0.12-240 µg/L), and notable stability (relative standard deviations below 20 % for both intra-day and inter-day analyses). In practical application to soy sauce, the DMU-SPME method identified a total of 107 compounds, encompassing all those detected by both headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME). Theoretical insights indicate that DMU-SPME is less influenced by Kfs0 and Kfs in comparison to HS/DI-SPME, rendering it suitable for complex matrices containing both volatile and low-volatile compounds. In conclusion, DMU-SPME emerges as a highly effective extraction mode for analyzing volatile and low-volatile compounds in food, medical, and environmental samples.

Progress in the application of Enterococcus faecium in animal husbandry.

As a probiotic, enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) has the characteristics of high temperature resistance, gastric acid resistance, bile salt resistance, etc. It can also effectively improve animal performance and immunity and improve the animal's intestinal environment, so in recent years it has been more widely used in the livestock industry. However, due to the improper use of antibiotics and the growing environmental stress of strains, the drug resistance of enterococcus faecium has become more and more serious, and because some enterococcus faecium carry virulence genes, leading to the emergence of pathogenic strains, its safety issues have been widely concerned. This paper focuses on the biological characteristics of enterococcus faecium, the application of this bacterium in animal husbandry and the safety issues in its use, with a view to providing a reference for the application of enterococcus faecium in the development of animal husbandry.

MsNRAMP2 Enhances Tolerance to Iron Excess Stress in Nicotiana tabacum and MsMYB Binds to Its Promoter.

Iron(Fe) is a trace metal element necessary for plant growth, but excess iron is harmful to plants. Natural resistance-associated macrophage proteins (NRAMPs) are important for divalent metal transport in plants. In this study, we isolated the MsNRAMP2 (MN_547960) gene from alfalfa, the perennial legume forage. The expression of MsNRAMP2 is specifically induced by iron excess. Overexpression of MsNRAMP2 conferred transgenic tobacco tolerance to iron excess, while it conferred yeast sensitivity to excess iron. Together with the MsNRAMP2 gene, MsMYB (MN_547959) expression is induced by excess iron. Y1H indicated that the MsMYB protein could bind to the "CTGTTG" cis element of the MsNRAMP2 promoter. The results indicated that MsNRAMP2 has a function in iron transport and its expression might be regulated by MsMYB. The excess iron tolerance ability enhancement of MsNRAMP2 may be involved in iron transport, sequestration, or redistribution.

Up-regulation of CREB-1 regulates tendon adhesion in the injury tendon healing through the CREB-1/TGF-ß3 signaling pathway.

AIM: To explore the mechanism of the healing of tendon tissue and anti-adhesion, and to discuss the role of the transforming growth factor-ß3 (TGF-ß3)/cAMP response element binding protein-1 (CREB-1) signaling pathway in the healing process of tendons. METHOD: All mice were divided into four groups of 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks respectively. Each time group was divided into four treatment groups: the amplification group, the inhibition group, the negative group, and the control group. When the tendon injury model was established, the CREB-1 virus was injected into the tendon injury parts. A series of methods such as gait behaviourism, anatomy, histological examination, immunohistochemical examination and collagen staining were employed to assess the tendon healing and the protein expression of TGF-ß3, CREB-1, Smad3/7 and type I/III collagen (COL-I/III). CREB-1 virus was sent to tendon stem cells to assess the protein expression of TGF-ß1, TGF-ß3, CREB-1, COL-I/III by methods such as immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: The amplification group showed better gait behaviourism than the inhibition group in the healing process. The amplification group also had less adhesion than the negative group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining of tendon tissue sections showed that the number of fibroblasts in the amplification group was less than the inhibition group, and the immunohistochemical results indicated that the expression of TGF-ß3, CREB-1, and Smad7 at each time point was higher than the inhibition group. The expression of COL-I/III and Smad3 in the amplification group was lower than the inhibition group at all time points. The collagen staining indicated that the ratio of type I/III collagen in the amplification group was higher than the negative group at 2,4,8 week. The CREB-1 amplification virus could promote the protein expression of TGF-ß3, CREB-1 and inhibit the protein expression of TGF-ß1 and COL-I/III in the tendon stem cells. CONCLUSION: In the process of tendon injury healing, CREB-1 could promote the secretion of TGF-ß3, so as to promote the tendon healing and have the effect of anti-adhesion in tendons. It might provide new intervention targets for anti-adhesion treatment of tendon injuries.

Dipicolinic acid enhances kiwifruit resistance to Botrytis cinerea by promoting phenolics accumulation.

BACKGROUND: Kiwifruit is highly susceptible to fungal pathogens, such as Botrytis cinerea, which reduce crop production and quality. In this study, dipicolinic acid (DPA), which is one of the main components of Bacillus spores, was evaluated as a new elicitor to enhance kiwifruit resistance to B. cinerea. RESULTS: DPA enhances antioxidant capacity and induces the accumulation of phenolics in B. cinerea-infected 'Xuxiang' kiwifruit. The contents of the main antifungal phenolics in kiwifruit, including caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and isoferulic acid, increased after DPA treatment. DPA enhanced H2 O2 levels after 0 and 1 days, which promoted catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, reducing long-term H2 O2 levels. DPA promoted the up-regulation of several kiwifruit defense genes, including CERK1, MPK3, PR1-1, PR1-2, PR5-1 and PR5-2. Furthermore, DPA at 5 mM inhibited B. cinerea symptoms in kiwifruit (95.1% lesion length inhibition) more effectively than the commercial fungicides carbendazim, difenoconazole, prochloraz and thiram. CONCLUSIONS: The antioxidant properties of DPA and the main antifungal phenolics of kiwifruit were examined for the first time. This study uncovers new insights regarding the potential mechanisms used by Bacillus species to induce disease resistance. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Inhibition of miR-143-3p alleviates myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury via limiting mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.

MicroRNA (miR)-143-3p is a potential regulatory molecule in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI), wherein its expression and pathological effects remains controversial. Thus, a mouse MI/RI and cell hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) models were built for clarifying the miR-143-3p's role in MI/RI. Following myocardial ischemia for 30 min, mice underwent reperfusion for 3, 6, 12 and 24 h. It was found miR-143-3p increased in the ischemic heart tissue over time after reperfusion. Cardiomyocytes transfected with miR-143-3p were more susceptible to apoptosis. Mechanistically, miR-143-3p targeted B cell lymphoma 2 (bcl-2). And miR-143-3p inhibition reduced cardiomyocytes apoptosis upon H/R, whereas it was reversed by a specific bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-737. Of note, miR-143-3p inhibition upregulated bcl-2 with better mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), reduced cytoplasmic cytochrome c (cyto-c) and caspase proteins, and minimized infarction area in mice upon I/R. Collectively, inhibition of miR-143-3p might alleviate MI/RI via targeting bcl-2 to limit mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. To our knowledge, this study further clarifies the miR-143-3p's pathological role in the early stages of MI/RI, and inhibiting miR-143-3p could be an effective treatment for ischemic myocardial disease.

Balanced extraction of volatile and semi-volatile compounds by dynamic linked position unity solid-phase microextraction.

Although the compound profiles in extracts are linked to the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) position (headspace or liquid), a theoretical interpretation of this scenario has not yet been provided. In this study, the dynamic linked position unity (DLPU)-SPME is proposed as a method that allows balanced extraction of volatile and semi-volatile compounds. Furthermore, the pH, temperature, and salt were confirmed as the key factors affecting the extraction efficiency of DLPU-SPME. Theoretical calculations indicated that Kfs0Kfs is a key factor directly indicating the SPME extraction position (Kfs0Kfs > 1, headspace; Kfs0Kfs = 1, any position; Kfs0Kfs < 1, in liquid), while the target analytes determined that VhKhs+VsVeKfhKhs regulates the effect of the extraction position on the extracted amount. The proposed DLPU-SPME method containing both extraction positions (i.e., headspace and liquid) can simultaneously extract volatile and semi-volatile compounds, thus avoiding extraction bias.

The Photoperiod Regulates Granulosa Cell Apoptosis through the FSH-Nodal/ALK7 Signaling Pathway in Phodopus sungorus.

The photoperiod regulates the seasonal reproduction of mammals by affecting the follicle development, for which the granulosa cells provide nutrition. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were raised under different photoperiods to study the ovarian status and explore the potential mechanism of the follicle development mediated by the FSH-Nodal/ALK7 signaling pathway. Compared with the moderate daylight (MD) group, the short daylight (SD) group exhibited a significant decrease in the ovarian weight and increase in the atretic follicle number and granulosa cell apoptosis, whereas the long daylight (LD) group showed an increase in the ovarian weight, the growing follicle number, and the antral follicle number, but a decrease in the granulosa cell apoptosis. Based on these findings, the key genes of the Nodal/ALK7 signaling pathway controlling the granulosa cell apoptosis were studied using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. In the SD group, the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration significantly decreased and the Nodal/ALK7/Smad signaling pathways were activated, while the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PIK3)/Akt signaling pathway was inhibited. The BAX expression was significantly increased, while the Bcl-xL expression was significantly decreased, leading to an increase in the caspase-3 activity, the granulosa cell apoptosis, and ovarian degeneration. However, in the LD group, the FSH concentration significantly increased, the Nodal/ALK7/Smad signaling pathway was inhibited, and the PIK3/Akt signaling pathway was activated. Taken together, our results indicate that the photoperiod can regulate the apoptosis of the granulosa cells by regulating the concentration of FSH, activating or inhibiting the Nodal/ALK7 signaling pathway, thereby affecting the ovarian function. Our research provides an important theoretical basis for understanding the photoperiod-regulated mechanisms of the mammalian seasonal reproduction.

Oenothein B ameliorates hepatic injury in alcoholic liver disease mice by improving oxidative stress and inflammation and modulating the gut microbiota.

Introduction: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a global health problem for which there is no current food and drug administration (FDA)-approved therapy. Oenothein B (OEB) is a macrocyclic dimer ellagic tannin that possesses abundant biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammation, antitumor, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial properties. Materials and methods: In this study, the hepatoprotective effect of OEB against ALD was investigated in vivo and in vitro. Results: We found that OEB treatment dramatically reduced alcohol-induced hepatic injury, as evidenced by decreased levels of aminotransferases and inflammatory biomarkers and increased antioxidant capacity in OEB-treated groups. Discussion: OEB treatment alleviated oxidative stress by upregulating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibited inflammation by downregulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Additionally, OEB treatment positively improved alcohol-induced intestinal microbial dysbiosis by modulating the structure and composition of gut microbiota. Interestingly, we observed the increasement of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers (Muribaculaceae) and the decreasement of Gram-negative bacteria (Akkermansia) in the OEB treatment groups, which may contribute to the inhibition of hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation via the gut-liver axis. In summary, our findings indicate that OEB is a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating ALD.

Methylprednisolone pulse therapy promotes the differentiation of regulatory T cells by inducing the apoptosis of CD4+ T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) induced by methylprednisolone (MP) pulse therapy in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We enrolled 30 patients with SLE and analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) before and after MP pulse therapy. Peripheral Tregs, apoptosis of PBMCs subsets, and TGFß production by monocytes was quantified by flow cytometry. Proliferation and IFN-γ production of CD4+ T cells were measured. Furthermore, TGFß1 production by human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDM) stimulated with MP-treated CD4+ T cells were quantified by ELISA. RESULTS: Peripheral Tregs was significantly increased after MP pulse therapy (6.76 ± 1.46% vs. 3.82 ± 1.02%, p < 0.01), with an expansion of Nrp1- induced Tregs (4.54 ± 0.46% vs. 1.75 ± 0.38%, p < 0.01). Proliferation and IFN-γ production of CD4+ T cells were significantly decreased after MP pulse therapy. MP pulse therapy induced CD4+ T cell apoptosis (early apoptosis, 26.34 ± 3.54% vs. 14.81 ± 2.89%, p < 0.01) and TGFß expression on monocytes (6.02% vs. 2.45%, p < 0.01). Furthermore, MP induced CD4+ T cell apoptosis in vitro, which stimulated HMDM to produce TGFß. Moreover, elevated TGFß level in supernatant from HMDM stimulated with MP-treated CD4+ T cells promoted Tregs differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: MP pulse therapy induces CD4+ T cell apoptosis, which promotes monocytes to produce TGFß and further facilitates Tregs differentiation. Newly-differentiated Tregs suppress proliferation and IFN-γ production of CD4+ T cells and contribute to immunoregulatory milieu after MP pulse therapy.

Exogenous genistein enhances soybean resistance to Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines.

BACKGROUND: Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines (Xag) is the causal agent of bacterial pustule disease and results in enormous losses in soybean production. Although isoflavones are known to be involved in soybean resistance against pathogen infection, the effects of exogenous isoflavones on soybean plants remain unexplored. RESULTS: Irrigation of soybean plants with isoflavone genistein inhibited plant growth for short periods, probably by inhibiting the tyrosine (brassinosteroids) kinase pathway, and increased disease resistance against Xag. The number of lesions was reduced by 59%-63% when applying 50 µg ml-1 genistein. The effects on disease resistance were observed for 15 days after treatment. Genistein also enhanced the disease resistance of soybean against the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Exogenous genistein increased antioxidant capacity, decreased H2 O2 level and promoted the accumulation of phenolics in Xag-infected soybean leaves. Exogenous genistein reduced the amounts of endogenous daidzein, genistein and glycitein and increased the concentration of genistin, which was found to show strong antibacterial activity against the pathogen and to reduce the expression of virulence factor yapH, and flagella formation gene flgK. The expression of several soybean defense genes, such as chalcone isomerase, glutathione S-transferase and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase 1, was upregulated after genistein treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of exogenous genistein on soybean plants were examined for the first time, revealing new insights into the roles of isoflavones in soybean defense and demonstrating that irrigation with genistein can be a suitable method to induce disease resistance in soybean plants. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Clinical characteristics of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis and distinguished features from rheumatoid arthritis: a single-center experience in China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH). METHODS: The clinical manifestations, laboratory examination results and histologic characteristics of eleven patients with MRH were collected and compared with those of 33 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS: In total, 72.7% of the MRH patients were women. The median age was 46 years (range 33-84 years). Diagnosed by specific pathologic features, all MRH patients exhibited cutaneous involvement. The dorsa of the hands, arms, face and auricle were the most commonly affected areas. Nodules were also located on the legs, scalp, trunk, neck, and even the hypoglossis and buccal mucosa. Ten MRH patients (90.9%) had symmetric polyarthritis. Compared with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, MRH patients were more likely to have distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) involvement (63.6% vs 24.2%, P = 0.017) and less likely to have elbow (36.4% vs 72.7%, P = 0.003), ankle (45.5% vs 93.9%, P < 0.001) and metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) (36.4% vs 78.8%, P = 0.009) involvement. Positivity for rheumatoid factor (RF) (36.4% vs 84.6%, P = 0.001) and anti-CCP antibody (9.1% vs 81.8%, P = 0.000), as well as the median RF titer [43.8 (31.7-61.0) vs 175.4 (21.3-940.3), P = 0.021], in MRH patients was lower than in RA patients. Elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was also less common in MRH patients than in RA patients (36.4% vs 72.7%, P = 0.030). After treatment with median- to large-dose corticosteroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, 8 patients achieved complete remission and 2 patients partial remission (skin lesions ameliorated, joint lesions not ameliorated). CONCLUSION: Always pathologically diagnosed, MRH is a systemic disease involving RA-like erosive polyarthritis and a specific distribution of skin nodules characterized by "coral beads". More DIP involvement and less elbow, ankle and MCP involvement are seen in MRH than in RA. In addition, less positivity and lower-titer RF, uncommon presence of anti-CCP antibodies and ESR elevation may be helpful to distinguish MRH from RA.