INDETERMINATE1 autonomously regulates phosphate homeostasis upstream of the miR399-ZmPHO2 signaling module in maize.

The macronutrient phosphorus is essential for plant growth and development. Plants have evolved multiple strategies to increase the efficiency of phosphate (Pi) acquisition to protect themselves from Pi starvation. However, the crosstalk between Pi homeostasis and plant development remains to be explored. Here, we report that overexpressing microRNA399 (miR399) in maize (Zea mays) is associated with premature senescence after pollination. Knockout of ZmPHO2 (Phosphate 2), a miR399 target, resulted in a similar premature senescence phenotype. Strikingly, we discovered that INDETERMINATE1 (ID1), a floral transition regulator, inhibits the transcription of ZmMIR399 genes by directly binding to their promoters, alleviating the repression of ZmPHO2 by miR399 and ultimately contributing to the maintenance of Pi homeostasis in maize. Unlike ZmMIR399 genes, whose expression is induced by Pi deficiency, ID1 expression was independent of the external inorganic orthophosphate status, indicating that ID1 is an autonomous regulator of Pi homeostasis. Furthermore, we show that ZmPHO2 was under selection during maize domestication and cultivation, resulting in a more sensitive response to Pi starvation in temperate maize than in tropical maize. Our study reveals a direct functional link between Pi-deprivation sensing by the miR399-ZmPHO2 regulatory module and plant developmental regulation by ID1.

The transcription factors ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 coordinate with Opaque2 to promote endosperm filling in maize.

Endosperm filling in maize (Zea mays), which involves nutrient uptake and biosynthesis of storage reserves, largely determines grain yield and quality. However, much remains unclear about the synchronization of these processes. Here, we comprehensively investigated the functions of duplicate NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2 (NAC)-type transcription factors, namely, ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130, in endosperm filling. The gene-edited double mutant zmnac128 zmnac130 exhibits a poorly filled kernel phenotype such that the kernels have an inner cavity. RNA sequencing and protein abundance analysis revealed that the expression of many genes involved in the biosynthesis of zein and starch is reduced in the filling endosperm of zmnac128 zmnac130. Further, DNA affinity purification and sequencing combined with chromatin-immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR and promoter transactivation assays demonstrated that ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 are direct regulators of 3 (16-, 27-, and 50-kD) γ-zein genes and 6 important starch metabolism genes (Brittle2 [Bt2], pullulanase-type starch debranching enzyme [Zpu1], granule-bound starch synthase 1 [GBSS1], starch synthase 1 [SS1], starch synthase IIa [SSIIa], and sucrose synthase 1 [Sus1]). ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 recognize an additional cis-element in the Opaque2 (O2) promoter to regulate its expression. The triple mutant zmnac128 zmnac130 o2 exhibits extremely poor endosperm filling, which results in more than 70% of kernel weight loss. ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 regulate the expression of the transporter genes sugars that will eventually be exported transporter 4c (ZmSWEET4c), sucrose and glucose carrier 1 (ZmSUGCAR1), and yellow stripe-like2 (ZmYSL2) and in turn facilitate nutrient uptake, while O2 plays a supporting role. In conclusion, ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 cooperate with O2 to facilitate endosperm filling, which involves nutrient uptake in the basal endosperm transfer layer (BETL) and the synthesis of zeins and starch in the starchy endosperm (SE).

Toward unveiling transcriptome dynamics and regulatory modules at the maternal/filial interface of developing maize kernel.

The basal region of maize (Zea mays) kernels, which includes the pedicel, placenta-chalazal, and basal endosperm transfer layers, serves as the maternal/filial interface for nutrient transfer from the mother plant to the developing seed. However, transcriptome dynamics of this maternal/filial interface remain largely unexplored. To address this gap, we conducted high-temporal-resolution RNA sequencing of the basal and upper kernel regions between 4 and 32 days after pollination and deeply analyzed transcriptome dynamics of the maternal/filial interface. Utilizing 790 specifically and highly expressed genes in the basal region, we performed the gene ontology (GO) term and weighted gene co-expression network analyses. In the early-stage basal region, we identified five MADS-box transcription factors (TFs) as hubs. Their homologs have been demonstrated as pivotal regulators at the maternal/filial interface of rice or Arabidopsis, suggesting their potential roles in maize kernel development. In the filling-stage basal region, numerous GO terms associated with transcriptional regulation and transporters are significantly enriched. Furthermore, we investigated the molecular function of three hub TFs. Through genome-wide DNA affinity purification sequencing combined with promoter transactivation assays, we suggested that these three TFs act as regulators of 10 basal-specific transporter genes involved in the transfer of sugars, amino acids, and ions. This study provides insights into transcriptomic dynamic and regulatory modules of the maternal/filial interface. In the future, genetic investigation of these hub regulators must advance our understanding of maternal/filial interface development and function.

The DEAD-box helicase RCF1 plays roles in miRNA biogenesis and RNA splicing in Arabidopsis.

RCF1 is a highly conserved DEAD-box RNA helicase found in yeast, plants, and mammals. Studies about the functions of RCF1 in plants are limited. Here, we uncovered the functions of RCF1 in Arabidopsis thaliana as a player in pri-miRNA processing and splicing, as well as in pre-mRNA splicing. A mutant with miRNA biogenesis defects was isolated, and the defect was traced to a recessive point mutation in RCF1 (rcf1-4). We show that RCF1 promotes D-body formation and facilitates the interaction between pri-miRNAs and HYL1. Finally, we show that intron-containing pri-miRNAs and pre-mRNAs exhibit a global splicing defect in rcf1-4. Together, this work uncovers roles for RCF1 in miRNA biogenesis and RNA splicing in Arabidopsis.

Ultrasonic treatment can improve maize seed germination and abiotic stress resistance.

Constant-frequency ultrasonic treatment helped to improve seed germination. However, variable-frequency ultrasonic treatment on maize seed germination were rarely reported. In this study, maize seeds were exposed to 20-40 kHz ultrasonic for 40 s. The germination percentage and radicle length of maize seeds increased by 10.4% and 230.5%. Ultrasonic treatment also significantly increased the acid protease, α-amylase, and ß-amylase contents by 96.4%, 73.8%, and 49.1%, respectively. Transcriptome analysis showed that 11,475 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in the ultrasonic treatment and control groups, including 5,695 upregulated and 5,780 downregulated. Metabolic pathways and transcription factors (TFs) were significantly enriched among DEGs after ultrasonic treatment. This included metabolism and genetic information processing, that is, ribosome, proteasome, and pyruvate metabolism, sesquiterpenoid, triterpenoid, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and oxidative phosphorylation, as well as transcription factors in the NAC, MYB, bHLH, WRKY, AP2, bZIP, and ARF families. Variable-frequency ultrasonic treatment increased auxin, gibberellin, and salicylic acid by 5.5%, 37.3%, and 28.9%, respectively. Abscisic acid significantly decreased by 33.2%. The related DEGs were upregulated and downregulated to varying degrees. Seed germination under the abiotic stress conditions of salt stress (NaCl solution), drought (PEG solution), and waterlogging (water-saturated sand bed) under ultrasonic treatment were promoted, radicle length was significantly increased by 30.2%, 30.5%, and 27.3%, respectively; and germination percentage by 14.8%, 20.1%, and 21.6%, respectively. These findings provide new insight into the mechanisms through ultrasonic to promote maize seed germination.

Association of domain-specific physical activity with albuminuria among prediabetes and diabetes: a large cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Albuminuria, the presence of excess of protein in urine, is a well-known risk factor for early kidney damage among diabetic/prediabetic patients. There is a complex interaction between physical activity (PA) and albuminuria. However, the relationship of specific-domain PA and albuminuria remained obscure. METHODS: Albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) > 30 mg/g. PA was self-reported by participants and classified into transportation-related PA (TPA), occupation-related PA (OPA), and leisure-time PA (LTPA). Weighted logistic regression was conducted to compute the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to evaluate the dose-response of PA domains with the risk of albuminuria. RESULTS: A total of 6739 diabetic/prediabetic patients (mean age: 56.52 ± 0.29 years) were enrolled in our study, including 3181 (47.20%) females and 3558 (52.80%) males. Of them, 1578 (23.42%) were identified with albuminuria, and 5161(76.58%) were without albuminuria. Diabetic/prediabetic patients who adhered the PA guidelines for total PA had a 22% decreased risk of albuminuria (OR = 0.78, 95%CI 0.64-0.95), and those met the PA guidelines for LTPA had a 28% decreased of albuminuria (OR = 0.72, 95%CI 0.57-0.92). However, OPA and TPA were both not associated with decreased risk of albuminuria. RCS showed linear relationship between the risk of albuminuria with LTPA. CONCLUSIONS: Meeting the PA guideline for LTPA, but not OPA and TPA, was inversely related to the risk of albuminuria among diabetic/prediabetic patients. Additionally, achieving more than 300 min/week of LTPA conferred the positive effects in reducing albuminuria among diabetic/prediabetic patients.

The ABI4-RGL2 module serves as a double agent to mediate the antagonistic crosstalk between ABA and GA signals.

Abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GA) antagonistically mediate several biological processes, including seed germination, but the molecular mechanisms underlying ABA/GA antagonism need further investigation, particularly any role mediated by a transcription factors module. Here, we report that the DELLA protein RGL2, a repressor of GA signaling, specifically interacts with ABI4, an ABA signaling enhancer, to act as a transcription factor complex to mediate ABA/GA antagonism. The rgl2, abi3, abi4 and abi5 mutants rescue the non-germination phenotype of the ga1-t. Further, we demonstrate that RGL2 specifically interacts with ABI4 to form a heterodimer. RGL2 and ABI4 stabilize one another, and GA increases the ABI4-RGL2 module turnover, whereas ABA decreases it. At the transcriptional level, ABI4 enhances the RGL2 expression by directly binding to its promoter via the CCAC cis-element, and RGL2 significantly upregulates the transcriptional activation ability of ABI4 toward its target genes, including ABI5 and RGL2. Abscisic acid promotes whereas GA inhibits the ability of ABI4-RGL2 module to activate transcription, and ultimately ABA and GA antagonize each other. Genetic analysis demonstrated that both ABI4 and RGL2 are essential for the activity of this transcription factor module. These results suggest that the ABI4-RGL2 module mediates ABA/GA antagonism by functioning as a double agent.

Cytosolic ABA Receptor Kinases phosphorylate the D6 PROTEIN KINASE leading to its stabilization which promotes Arabidopsis growth.

The polar auxin transport is required for proper plant growth and development. D6 PROTEIN KINASE (D6PK) is required for the phosphorylation of PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin efflux carriers to regulate auxin transport, while the regulation of D6PK stabilization is still poorly understood. Here, we found that Cytosolic ABA Receptor Kinases (CARKs) redundantly interact with D6PK, and the interactions are dependent on CARKs' kinase activities. Similarly, CARK3 also could interact with paralogs of D6PK, including D6PKL1, D6PKL2, and D6PKL3. The genetic analysis shows that D6PK acts the downstream of CARKs to regulate Arabidopsis growth, including hypocotyl, leaf area, vein formation, and the length of silique. Loss-of-function of CARK3 in overexpressing GFP-D6PK plants leads to reduce the level of D6PK protein, thereby rescues plant growth. In addition, the cell-free degradation assays indicate that D6PK is degraded through 26 S proteasome pathway, while the phosphorylation by CARK3 represses this process in cells. In summary, D6PK stabilization by the CARK family is required for auxin-mediated plant growth and development.

Associations between rheumatoid arthritis and intestinal flora, with special emphasis on RA pathologic mechanisms to treatment strategies.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints. Individuals at risk for RA and people with RA develop intestinal dysbiosis. The changes in intestinal flora composition in preclinical and confirmed RA patients suggest that intestinal flora imbalance may play an important role in the induction and persistence of RA. METHODS: Based on the current research on the interaction between RA and intestinal microbiota, intestinal microbiota metabolites and intestinal barrier changes. This paper systematically summarized the changes in intestinal microbiota in RA patients, the metabolites of intestinal flora, and the influence mechanism of intestinal barrier on RA, and further discussed the influence of drugs for RA on intestinal flora and its mechanism of action. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, α diversity analysis of intestinal flora showed no significant difference, ß diversity analysis showed significant differences. The intestinal flora produces bioactive metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids and aromatic amino acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects. Abnormal intestinal flora leads to impaired barrier function and mucosal immune dysfunction, promoting the development of inflammation. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and chemical drugs can also alleviate RA by regulating intestinal flora, intestinal flora metabolites, and intestinal barrier. Intestinal flora is closely related to the pathogenesis of RA and may become potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of RA. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal flora and its metabolites play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as RA, and are expected to become a new target for clinical diagnosis and treatment, providing a new idea for targeted treatment of RA.

Exhaled VOC detection in lung cancer screening: a comprehensive meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer (LC), characterized by high incidence and mortality rates, presents a significant challenge in oncology. Despite advancements in treatments, early detection remains crucial for improving patient outcomes. The accuracy of screening for LC by detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath remains to be determined. METHODS: Our systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines and analyzing data from 25 studies up to October 1, 2023, evaluates the effectiveness of different techniques in detecting VOCs. We registered the review protocol with PROSPERO and performed a systematic search in PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Reviewers screened the studies' titles/abstracts and full texts, and used QUADAS-2 tool for quality assessment. Then performed meta-analysis by adopting a bivariate model for sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: This study explores the potential of VOCs in exhaled breath as biomarkers for LC screening, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods. In all studies, exhaled VOCs discriminated LC from controls. The meta-analysis indicates an integrated sensitivity and specificity of 85% and 86%, respectively, with an AUC of 0.93 for VOC detection. We also conducted a systematic analysis of the source of the substance with the highest frequency of occurrence in the tested compounds. Despite the promising results, variability in study quality and methodological challenges highlight the need for further research. CONCLUSION: This review emphasizes the potential of VOC analysis as a cost-effective, non-invasive screening tool for early LC detection, which could significantly improve patient management and survival rates.

Adenosine Alleviates Necrotizing Enterocolitis by Enhancing the Immunosuppressive Function of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Newborns.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a common disorder in premature infants that is characterized by hyperinflammation and severe necrosis in the intestine. The pathogenesis of NEC remains to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that adenosine, a metabolite more abundant in infants than in adults, plays an important role in the prevention of NEC. Administration of adenosine or its analog, adenosine-5'-N-ethyluronamide (NECA), dramatically relieved the severity of NEC in neonatal mice. Meanwhile, adenosine treatment significantly enhanced the immunosuppressive function, antibacterial activity, and migration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). However, depletion of MDSCs or inhibition of their migration using the CXCR2 inhibitor SB225002 almost completely abrogated the protective effect of adenosine on NEC. Mechanistic studies showed that MDSCs in newborns expressed abundant adenosine receptor A2B (A2BR) that elicits intracellular cAMP signaling and its downstream target NF-κB. Importantly, intestinal tissues from patients with NEC showed significantly lower infiltration of A2BR-positive MDSCs than those from healthy donors. These observations revealed that adenosine-induced MDSCs represent an essential immune axis for intestinal homeostasis in newborns.

Novel heptafluoroisopropyl N-phenylpyrazole aryl amides containing cyanoalkyl groups: Design, synthesis, insecticidal activity, docking studies and theoretical calculations.

To discover and develop new insecticides of the phenylpyrazole class, a series of heptafluoroisopropyl N-phenylpyrazole aryl amide compounds bearing cyanoalkyl groups were synthesized based on the lead compound nicofluprole. Their structures were established by HRMS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Bioassay results indicated that several of these compounds exhibited remarkable acaricidal and insecticidal activities. The LC50 values for compounds A1, A2 and A5 against Tetranychus cinnabarinus (T. cinnabarinus) were 1.7-4.2 times lower than that of nicofluprole (3.124 mg/L). Compounds A1, A2, A4 and A7 against Myzus persicae (M. persicae) had LC50 values of 0.261, 1.292, 0.589 and 1.133 mg/L respectively, exceeding that of nicofluprole (LC50 = 4.200 mg/L). Some compounds also demonstrated good insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella (P. xylostella). For example, compounds A1-A4, A6, and A7 had a mortality rate of 100 % at a low concentration of 1.25 mg/L, which was comparable to nicofluprole (93.3%). Compound A1 exhibited insecticidal activity against Chilo suppressalis (C. suppressalis) with an LC50 value of 2.271 mg/L, which was superior to both nicofluprole (6.021 mg/L) and the positive control broflanilide (6.895 mg/L). Taking compound A5 as a representative, we tested the insecticidal activity against Aphis fabae (A. fabae), Aphis gossypii Glover (A. gossypii Glover), Nilaparvata lugens (N. lugens) and Laodelphax striatellus (L. striatellus) at 10 mg/L, and our results revealed that compound A5 exhibited broad-spectrum insecticidal activity. Molecular docking studies suggested that A1 had a lower binding energy of -7.764 kcal/mol with the P. xylostella gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAR). Density functional theory calculations (DFT) provided insights into the design of new compounds. This research suggested that the novel phenylpyrazoles featuring cyanoalkyl moieties in this work hold potential as novel insecticides for further research and development.

Sesquiterpenoids from Carpesium abrotanoides and their anti-inflammatory activity both in vitro and in vivo.

Twenty-nine sesquiterpenoids, including pseudoguaiane-type (1-11), eudesmane-type (12-23), and carabrane-type (24-29), have been identified from the plant Carpesium abrotanoides. Of them, compounds 1-4, 12-15, and 24-27, namely carpabrotins A-L, are twelve previously undescribed ones. Compound 3 possessed a pseudoguaiane backbone with a rearrangement modification at C-11, C-12 and C-13, while compound 4 suffered a carbon bond break between the C-4 and C-5 to form a rare 4,5-seco-pseudoguaiane lactone. Compounds 1-3, 5, 13-16 and 25-27 exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages with IC50 values less than 40 µM, while compounds 1, 2, 5, 13, 14, 16, and 25-27 showed significant inhibitory activity comparable to that of dexamethasone. The anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) effects of compounds 5 and 16 were tested according to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like skin lesions in KM mice, and the results revealed that the major products 5 and 16 improved the histological features of AD-like skin lesions and mast cell infiltration in mice. This study suggested that sesquiterpenoids in C. abrotanoides should play a key role in its anti-inflammatory use.

The Typical Nail Lichen Planus Severity Index: An Outcome Instrument for Typical Nail Lichen Planus.

INTRODUCTION: Despite numerous treatment options for nail lichen planus (NLP), a validated method for measuring the severity of NLP and therapeutic response in clinical trials is absent. The aim of the study was to develop and validate a measurement instrument, Typical Nail Lichen Planus Severity Index (tNLPSI), for typical NLP that could be used in clinical trials. METHODS: A total of 48 patients pathologically confirmed with typical NLP were enrolled in this study. Five dermatologists were trained to use the tNLPSI activity scale and the Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) scale to score samples independently to estimate inter-rater and intra-rater reliability across two sessions. In addition, tNLPSI activity scores were compared with PGA scores to assess the construct validity. RESULTS: The tNLPSI activity scale had excellent internal consistency and inter-rater reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.990; ICC = 0.954; 95% CI = 0.930-0.971), and the correlations between the different graders' scores indicate good consistency (rp = 0.934-0.968). In addition, the tNLPSI activity scale demonstrated high intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.996; 95% CI = 0.993-0.998), showing good reproducibility. And tNLPSI activity scores and PGA scores showed good construct validity (Spearman's rho = 0.941 and Spearman's rho = 0.903-0.935, respectively; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The tNLPSI activity scale was demonstrated to be consistent, reliable, reproducible, and feasible, making it a potential valuable tool for evaluating the treatment response in typical NLP clinical trials.

Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Sepsis in PICUs in Southwest China: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric sepsis in Southwest China PICUs. DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter, and observational study. SETTING: Twelve PICUs in Southwest China. PATIENTS: The patients admitted to the PICU from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. The age ranged from 28 days to 18 years. All patients met the criteria of severe sepsis or septic shock. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 31 PICUs invited to participate, 12 PICUs (capacity of 292 beds) enrolled patients in the study. During the study period, 11,238 children were admitted to the participating PICUs, 367 (3.3%) of whom met the diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock. The most prevalent sites of infection were the respiratory system (55%) and the digestive system (15%). The primary treatments administered to these patients included antibiotics (100%), albumin (61.3%), invasive mechanical ventilation (58.7%), glucocorticoids (55.6%), blood products (51%), gammaglobulin (51%), and vasoactive medications (46.6%). Sepsis-related mortality in the PICU was 11.2% (41/367). Nearly half of the sepsis deaths occurred within the first 3 days of PICU admission (22/41, 53.7%). The mortality rate of septic shock (32/167, 19.2%) was significantly higher than that of severe sepsis (9/200, 4.5%; p < 0.001). The outcomes of a multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that a higher pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and the use of invasive mechanical ventilation and vasoactive medications were independently associated with PICU mortality in children with sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: This report updates the epidemiological data of pediatric sepsis in PICUs in Southwest China. Sepsis is still a life-threatening disease in children.

Exploring transvaginal sonographic characteristics of the levator ani muscle in women with postpartum pelvic floor myofascial pain.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic floor myofascial pain is one of the pelvic floor dysfunction diseases disturbing women after delivery. There is a lack of objective standardization for the diagnosis of pelvic floor myofascial pain due to the various symptoms and the dependence on the palpating evaluation. Ultrasound imaging has the advantages of safety, simplicity, economy and high resolution, which makes it an ideal tool for the assistant diagnosis of pelvic floor myofascial pain and evaluation after treatment. METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study including women accepting evaluation of pelvic floor function at 6 weeks to 1 year postpartum. They were divided into pelvic floor myofascial pain group and normal control group. A BCL 10-5 biplane transducer was applied to observed their puborectalis. The length, minimum width, area, deficiency, deficiency length, deficiency width, deficiency area, rate of deficiency area, local thickening,angle between the tendinous arch of levator ani muscle and puborectalis of corresponding puborectalis in different groups were observed and measured. RESULTS: A total of 220 postpartum women participated in the study, with 77 in the pelvic floor myofascial pain group and 143 in the normal control group. The Intraclass correlation coefficient value was over 0.750, and Kappa ranged from 0.600 to 0.800. puborectalis deficiency (adjusted odds ratio = 11.625, 95% confidence interval = 4.557-29.658) and focal thickening (adjusted odds ratio = 16.891, 95% confidence interval = 1.819-156.805) were significantly associated with higher odds of having postpartum pelvic floor myofascial pain. Grayscale or the angle between the arch tendineus levator ani and puborectalis measurements on the pain side tended to be smaller than on the non-pain side in patients with unilateral puborectalis or iliococcygeus pain (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that transvaginal ultrasound was a potentially efficient technique for evaluating postpartum pelvic floor myofascial pain due to its ability to assess various sonographic characteristics of the levator ani muscles.

Exhaled Volatile Organic Compounds Detection in Pneumonia Screening: A Comprehensive Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a common lower respiratory tract infection, and early diagnosis is crucial for timely treatment and improved prognosis. Traditional diagnostic methods for pneumonia, such as chest imaging and microbiological examinations, have certain limitations. Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detection, as an emerging non-invasive diagnostic technique, has shown potential application value in pneumonia screening. METHOD: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, with the retrieval time up to March 2024. The inclusion criteria were diagnostic studies evaluating exhaled VOCs detection for the diagnosis of pneumonia, regardless of the trial design type. A meta-analysis was performed using a bivariate model for sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: A total of 14 diagnostic studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results demonstrated that exhaled VOCs detection had a combined sensitivity of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.92-0.95) and a combined specificity of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.81-0.84) in pneumonia screening, with an area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve (AUC) of 0.96. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 104.37 (95% CI: 27.93-390.03), and the pooled positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR) were 8.98 (95% CI: 3.88-20.80) and 0.11 (95% CI: 0.05-0.22), indicating a high diagnostic performance. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the potential of exhaled VOCs detection as an effective, non-invasive screening method for pneumonia, which could facilitate future diagnosis in pneumonia. Further high-quality, large-scale studies are required to confirm the clinical utility of exhaled VOCs detection in pneumonia screening. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, Review no. CRD42024520498.

The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality Rehabilitation in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Extended reality (XR), including virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality, has been increasingly used in postoperative rehabilitation of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of XR-based rehabilitation in TKA compared to conventional rehabilitation. METHODS: In this study, we searched PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase (OVID), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov from inception to February 15, 2023 for eligible studies. A total of 14 randomized controlled trials with 989 patients were included in our study. The primary outcomes were pain and function. The secondary outcomes were anxiety and quality of life. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: The pooled data indicated XR-based rehabilitation significantly improved the visual analog scale (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.31, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] [-0.47 to -0.15], P = .0001), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (SMD = -0.46, 95% CI [-0.86 to -0.06], P = .02), range of motion (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI [0.09 to 0.72], P = .01), and anxiety scores (mean difference = -3.95, 95% CI [-7.76 to -0.13], P = .04) than conventional rehabilitation, but Timed Up and Go test and quality of life were similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis found XR-based rehabilitation improved pain, function, and anxiety, but not quality of life in TKA compared to conventional rehabilitation within 1 month postoperatively. Based on the pooled results, we suggested that XR-based rehabilitation may have benefit in patients' postoperative rehabilitation in TKA.

PIF4 interacts with ABI4 to serve as a transcriptional activator complex to promote seed dormancy by enhancing ABA biosynthesis and signaling.

Transcriptional regulation plays a key role in the control of seed dormancy, and many transcription factors (TFs) have been documented. However, the mechanisms underlying the interactions between different TFs within a transcriptional complex regulating seed dormancy remain largely unknown. Here, we showed that TF PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR4 (PIF4) physically interacted with the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling responsive TF ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE4 (ABI4) to act as a transcriptional complex to promote ABA biosynthesis and signaling, finally deepening primary seed dormancy. Both pif4 and abi4 single mutants exhibited a decreased primary seed dormancy phenotype, with a synergistic effect in the pif4/abi4 double mutant. PIF4 binds to ABI4 to form a heterodimer, and ABI4 stabilizes PIF4 at the protein level, whereas PIF4 does not affect the protein stabilization of ABI4. Subsequently, both TFs independently and synergistically promoted the expression of ABI4 and NCED6, a key gene for ABA anabolism. The genetic evidence is also consistent with the phenotypic, physiological and biochemical analysis results. Altogether, this study revealed a transcriptional regulatory cascade in which the PIF4-ABI4 transcriptional activator complex synergistically enhanced seed dormancy by facilitating ABA biosynthesis and signaling.

Prolonged adhesiolysis to pregnancy interval is associated with placenta accreta spectrum in women with intrauterine adhesion.

BACKGROUND: Both the trauma of endometrium and hysteroscopic adhesiolysis can lead to a high rate of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in women with intrauterine adhesion (IUA). This study analysed the impact of time interval from adhesiolysis to pregnancy on PAS in IUA women. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with IUA who underwent adhesiolysis in Anhui Women and Children's Medical Centre between January 2016 and December 2020 were included in this case-series study. Clinical data were obtained from electronic medical records and telephone interviews. RESULTS: Among a total of 102 IUA women with successful pregnancies, 8 (7.8%) suffered from miscarriages with PAS, and 94 (92.2%), 47 with PAS and 47 without PAS, had successful delivery. The total prevalence of PAS in pregnant women with IUA was 53.9% (55/102). The average time from adhesiolysis to pregnancy in the PAS group was significantly longer than in the non-PAS group (14.2 ± 5.7 vs. 10.3 ± 4.4 months, p = 0.000). Regression analysis showed that AFS grade (OR = 7.40, 95% CI 1.38-39.73, p = 0.020) and adhesiolysis to pregnancy interval time between 12 and 24 months (OR = 12.09, 95% CI 3.76-38.83, p = 0.000) were closely related to PAS. A Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the median interval time to PAS was 16.00 months (95% CI 15.11-16.89). CONCLUSIONS: We assume that prolonged adhesiolysis to pregnancy interval may be considered a significant risk factor for PAS in IUA women.

Both the trauma of endometrium and hysteroscopic adhesiolysis can result in a high rate of placenta accreta spectrum in women with intrauterine adhesion. This study analysed the impact of time interval from adhesiolysis to pregnancy on placenta accreta spectrum in intrauterine adhesion women. This case-series study included patients diagnosed with intrauterine adhesion who underwent adhesiolysis in Anhui Women and Children's Medical Centre between January 2016 and December 2020. Clinical data were obtained from electronic medical records and telephone interviews. We assume that prolonged adhesiolysis to pregnancy interval may be considered a significant risk factor for placenta accreta spectrum in intrauterine adhesion women.