Streptococcus pneumoniae endopeptidase O induces trained immunity and confers protection against various pathogenic infections.

Antibiotic resistance and the surge of infectious diseases during the pandemic present significant threats to human health. Trained immunity emerges as a promising and innovative approach to address these infections. Synthetic or natural fungal, parasitic and viral components have been reported to induce trained immunity. However, it is not clear whether bacterial virulence proteins can induce protective trained immunity. Our research demonstrates Streptococcus pneumoniae virulence protein PepO, is a highly potent trained immunity inducer for combating broad-spectrum infection. Our findings showcase that rPepO training confers robust protection to mice against various pathogenic infections by enhancing macrophage functionality. rPepO effectively re-programs macrophages, re-configures their epigenetic modifications and bolsters their immunological responses, which is independent of T or B lymphocytes. In vivo and in vitro experiments confirm that trained macrophage-secreted complement C3 activates peritoneal B lymphocyte and enhances its bactericidal capacity. In addition, we provide the first evidence that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) derived from trained macrophages plays a pivotal role in shaping central-trained immunity. In summation, our research demonstrates the capability of rPepO to induce both peripheral and central trained immunity in mice, underscoring its potential application in broad-spectrum anti-infection therapy. Our research provides a new molecule and some new target options for infectious disease prevention.

Vacancy Manipulation by Ordered Mesoporous Induced Optimal Carrier Concentration and Low Lattice Thermal Conductivity in BixSb2- xTe3 Yielding Superior Thermoelectric Performance.

For BixSb2- xTe3 (BST) in thermoelectric field, the element ratio is easily influenced by the chemical environment, deviating from the stoichiometric ratio and giving rise to various intrinsic defects. In P-type polycrystalline BST, SbTe and BiTe are the primary forms of defects. Defect engineering is a crucial strategy for optimizing the electrical transport performance of Bi2Te3-based materials, but achieving synchronous improvement of thermal performance is challenging. In this study, mesoporous SiO2 is utilized to successfully mitigate the adverse impacts of vacancy defects, resulting in an enhancement of the electrical transport performance and a pronounced reduction in thermal conductivity. Crystal and the microstructure of the continuous modulation contribute to the effective phonon-electronic decoupling. Ultimately, the peak zT of Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3/0.8 wt% SiO2 (with a pore size of 4 nm) nanocomposites reaches as high as 1.5 at 348 K, and a thermoelectric conversion efficiency of 6.6% is achieved at ΔT = 222.7 K. These results present exciting possibilities for the realization of defect regulation in porous materials and hold reference significance for other material systems.

Autophagy protects mitochondrial health in heart failure.

The progression of heart failure is reported to be strongly associated with homeostatic imbalance, such as mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal autophagy, in the cardiomyocytes. Mitochondrial dysfunction triggers autophagic and cardiac dysfunction. In turn, abnormal autophagy impairs mitochondrial function and leads to apoptosis or autophagic cell death under certain circumstances. These events often occur concomitantly, forming a vicious cycle that exacerbates heart failure. However, the role of the crosstalk between mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal autophagy in the development of heart failure remains obscure and the underlying mechanisms are mainly elusive. The potential role of the link between mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal autophagy in heart failure progression has recently garnered attention. This review summarized recent advances of the interactions between mitochondria and autophagy during the development of heart failure.

Fine mapping and transcriptome profiling reveal CpAPRR2 to modulate immature fruit rind color formation in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo).

KEY MESSAGE: A large fragment deletion of CpAPRR2, encoding a two-component response regulator-like protein, which influences immature white rind color formation in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo). Fruit rind color is an important agronomic trait that affects commodity quality and consumer choice in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo). However, the molecular mechanism controlling rind color is unclear. We characterized two zucchini inbred lines: '19' (dark green rind) and '113' (white rind). Genetic analysis revealed white immature fruit rind color to be controlled by a dominant locus (CpW). Combining bulked segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq) and Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) markers, we mapped the CpW locus to a 100.4 kb region on chromosome 5 and then narrow down the candidate region to 37.5 kb using linkage analysis of 532 BC1 and 1613 F2 individuals, including 6 coding genes. Among them, Cp4.1LG05g02070 (CpAPRR2), encoding a two-component response regulator-like protein, was regarded to be a promising candidate gene. The expression level of CpAPRR2 in dark green rind was significantly higher than that in white rind and was induced by light. A deletion of 2227 bp at the 5' end of CpAPRR2 in '113' might explain the white phenotype. Further analysis of allelic diversity in zucchini germplasm resources revealed rind color to be associated with the deletion of CpAPRR2. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that CpAPRR2 was a nuclear protein. Transcriptome analysis using near-isogenic lines with dark green (DG) and white (W) rind indicated that genes involved in photosynthesis and porphyrin metabolism pathways were enriched in DG compared with W. Additionally, chlorophyll synthesis-related genes were upregulated in DG. These results identify mechanisms of zucchini rind color and provide genetic resources for breeding.

Mapping and transcriptomic profiling reveal that the KNAT6 gene is involved in the dark green peel colour of mature pumpkin fruit (Cucurbita maxima L.).

KEY MESSAGE: We identified a 580 bp deletion of CmaKNAT6 coding region influences peel colour of mature Cucurbita maxima fruit. Peel colour is an important agronomic characteristic affecting commodity quality in Cucurbit plants. Genetic mapping of fruit peel colour promotes molecular breeding and provides an important basis for understanding the regulatory mechanism in Cucurbit plants. In the present study, the Cucurbita maxima inbred line '9-6' which has a grey peel colour and 'U3-3-44' which has a dark green peel colour in the mature fruit stage, were used as plant materials. At 5-40 days after pollination (DAP), the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids in the 'U3-3-44' peels were significantly greater than those in the '9-6' peels. In the epicarp of the '9-6' mature fruit, the presence of nonpigmented cell layers and few chloroplasts in each cell in the pigmented layers were observed. Six generations derived by crossing '9-6' and 'U3-3-44' were constructed, and the dark green peel was found to be controlled by a single dominant locus, which was named CmaMg (mature green peel). Through bulked-segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq) and insertion-deletion (InDel) markers, CmaMg was mapped to a region of approximately 449.51 kb on chromosome 11 using 177 F2 individuals. Additionally, 1703 F2 plants were used for fine mapping to compress the candidate interval to a region of 32.34 kb. Five coding genes were in this region, and CmaCh11G000900 was identified as a promising candidate gene according to the reported function, sequence alignment, and expression analyses. CmaCh11G000900 (CmaKNAT6) encodes the homeobox protein knotted-1-like 6 and contains 4 conserved domains. CmaKNAT6 of '9-6' had a 580 bp deletion, leading to premature transcriptional termination. The expression of CmaKNAT6 tended to increase sharply during the early fruit development stage but decrease gradually during the late period of fruit development. Allelic diversity analysis of pumpkin germplasm resources indicated that the 580 bp deletion in the of CmaKNAT6 coding region was associated with peel colour. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that CmaKNAT6 is a nuclear protein. Transcriptomic analysis of the inbred lines '9-6' and 'U3-3-44' indicated that genes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis were more enriched in 'U3-3-44' than in '9-6'. Additionally, the expression of transcription factor genes that positively regulate chlorophyll synthesis and light signal transduction pathways was upregulated in 'U3-3-44'. These results lay a foundation for further studies on the genetic mechanism underlying peel colour and for optimizing peel colour-based breeding strategies for C. maxima.

Transcriptomic analysis provides insights into the mechanisms underlying the resistance of Penaeus vannamei to Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP).

The Penaeus vannamei aquaculture industry is facing a significant challenge in the form of hepatopancreatic microsporidiosis (HPM) caused by Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), resulting in substantial economic losses. However, the extent of knowledge regarding the mechanisms by which shrimp resist EHP is limited. We screened resistant and susceptible shrimp and found that resistant shrimp had lower EHP load and less tissue damage. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the EHP resistance of shrimp, a comparison was conducted at the transcriptional level between the resistant and susceptible families. Transcriptomic analysis of shrimp hepatopancreas revealed significant differences between the resistant and susceptible families. Compared to the susceptible family, the immune system of the resistant family was activated. The resistant family showed up-regulation in the expression of cathepsin L, C-type lectin, penaeidin, chitinase genes, and metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450-related genes. Additionally, the resistant shrimp exhibited a higher capacity for amino acid uptake. The observed differences in the resistant and susceptible family transcriptome may contribute to the shrimp's resistance to EHP.

Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Dorsal Root Ganglion Toxicity in the New Zealand White Rabbit.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated degeneration of sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and trigeminal ganglia (TG) has been observed in non-human primates (NHPs) following intravenous (IV) and intrathecal (IT) delivery. Administration of recombinant AAV encoding a human protein transgene via a single intra-cisterna magna (ICM) injection in New Zealand white rabbits resulted in histopathology changes very similar to NHPs: mononuclear cell infiltration, degeneration/necrosis of sensory neurons, and nerve fiber degeneration of sensory tracts in the spinal cord and of multiple nerves. AAV-associated clinical signs and incidence/severity of histologic findings indicated that rabbits were equally or more sensitive than NHPs to sensory neuron damage. Another study using human and rabbit transgene constructs of the same protein demonstrated comparable changes suggesting that the effects are not an immune response to the non-self protein transgene. Rabbit has not been characterized as a species for general toxicity testing of AAV gene therapies, but these studies suggest that it may be an alternative model to investigate mechanisms of AAV-mediated neurotoxicity and test novel AAV designs mitigating these adverse effects.

Sokotrasterol Sulfate Suppresses IFN-γ-Induced PD-L1 Expression by Inhibiting JAK Activity.

PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies exhibit promising therapeutic effectiveness in multiple cancers. However, developing a simple and efficient non-antibody treatment strategy using the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway still remains challenging. In this study, we developed a flow cytometry assay to screen bioactive compounds with PD-L1 inhibitory activity. A total of 409 marine natural products were screened, and sokotrasterol sulfate (SKS) was found to efficiently suppress the IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression. SKS sensitizes the tumor cells to antigen-specific T-cell killing in the T cell-tumor cell coculture system. Mechanistically, SKS directly targeted Janus kinase (JAK) to inhibit the downstream activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and the subsequent transcription of PDL1. Our findings highlight the immunological role of SKS that may act as a basis for a potential immunotherapeutic agent.

Efficient degradation of bisphenol A and amino black 10B by magnetic composite Fe3O4@MOF-74 as catalyst.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibit high chemical stability and porosity, and have been widely applied in various fields including selective adsorption and separation, sensors, and catalysis. When combined with Fe3O4, they effectively address issues such as aggregation of Fe3O4 particles and the difficulty in recovering MOFs as catalysts. Therefore, in this study, we used a simple solvothermal method as a catalyst to synthesize a high specific surface area magnetic composite Fe3O4@MOF-74, which was used to catalyze the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) and amino black 10B in wastewater. We activated Na2S2O8 to generate radicals for oxidizing and degrading BPA and amino black 10B. Experimental results showed that at 35 °C, with Fe3O4@MOF-74 (Fe3O4: MOF-74=1:1) concentration of 0.2 g/L and Na2S2O8 concentration of 2 g/L, the catalytic effect is efficient and economical. Meanwhile, removal rates of BPA and amino black 10B exceeded 95.58 % over a broad pH range (pH 3-9). Furthermore, even after multiple cycles of use, Fe3O4@MOF-74 maintained catalytic degradation rates of BPA and amino black 10B above 93.24 % and 95.01 %, respectively. Additionally, in water samples, removal rates of BPA and amino black 10B exceeded 91.55 %. This study provides a new and efficient catalyst material for wastewater treatment, which is expected to play an important role in environmental remediation.

Morphological Analyses and QTL Mapping of Mottled Leaf in Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.).

The mottled leaf is one of the agronomic traits of zucchini and can be applied as a marker trait in aggregation breeding. However, the genetic mechanism responsible for mottled leaf has yet to be elucidated. In the present study, we used two inbred lines (line '19': silver mottled leaf; line '113': normal leaf) as parents for the physiological and genetic analysis of mottled leaf. The synthesis and net photosynthetic rate of chlorophyll were not significantly affected in the mottled areas of leaves. However, we detected a large space between the palisade parenchyma in the leaf mottle area of line '19', which may have caused the mottled leaf phenotype. Light also plays an important role in the formation of mottled leaf, and receiving light during the early stages of leaf development is a necessary factor. Genetic analysis has previously demonstrated that mottled leaf is a quantitative trait that is controlled by multiple genes. Based on the strategy of quantitative trait locus sequencing (QTL-seq), two QTLs were identified on chromosomes 1 and 17, named CpML1.1 and CpML17.1, respectively. Two major loci were identified using R/qtl software version 1.66 under greenhouse conditions in April 2019 (2019A) and April 2020 (2020A) and under open cultivation conditions in May 2020 (2020M). The major QTL, CpML1.1, was located in a 925.2-kb interval on chromosome 1 and explained 10.51%-24.15% of the phenotypic variation. The CpML17.1 was located in a 719.7-kb interval on chromosome 17 and explained 16.25%-38.68% of the phenotypic variation. Based on gene annotation, gene sequence alignment, and qRT-PCR analysis, the Cp4.1LG01g23790 at the CpML1.1 locus encoding a protein of the TPX2 family (target protein of Xklp2) may be a candidate gene for mottled leaf in zucchini. Our findings may provide a theoretical basis for the formation of mottled leaf and provide a foundation for the fine mapping of genes associated with mottled leaf. Molecular markers closely linked to mottled leaf can be used in molecular-assisted selection for the zucchini mottled leaf breeding.

[Changes in seminal plasma composition and corresponding sperm quality in patients with chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Progress in studies].

Prostatitis is one of the three most common prostate diseases in men, the other two being prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer, and about 50% of men worldwide have been attacked by prostatitis during their lives. The incidence of infertility is significantly higher in patients with chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) than in those without it, which is mainly attributed to the changed semen composition of the CP/CPPS patients. Using the key words chronic prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, sperm, semen, and seminal plasma, we searched PubMed and Medical Lines online for originals, review articles, clinical trials, case reports and associated citations on humans and animals published up to 2024. We comprehensively reviewed the previous studies and investigations relating chronic prostatitis, seminal plasma change and sperm quality, and discussed the impact of the change of semen composition on sperm quality.

Formation of a Porous Crystalline Mg1-xAl2Oy Overlayer on Metal Catalysts via Controlled Solid-State Reactions for High-temperature Stable Catalysis.

Catalyst deactivation by sintering and coking is a long-standing issue in metal-catalyzed harsh high-temperature hydrocarbon reactions. Ultrathin oxide coatings of metal nanocatalysts have recently appeared attractive to address this issue, while the porosity of the overlayer is difficult to control to preserve the accessibility of embedded metal nanoparticles, thus often leading to a large decrease in activity. Here, we report that a nanometer-thick alumina coating of MgAl2O4-supported metal catalysts followed by high-temperature reduction can transform a nonporous amorphous alumina overlayer into a porous Mg1-xAl2Oy crystalline spinel structure with a pore size of 2-3 nm and weakened acidity. The high porosity stems from the restrained Mg migration from the MgAl2O4 support to the alumina overlayer through solid-state reactions at high temperatures. The resulting Ni/MgAl2O4 and Pt/MgAl2O4 catalysts with a porous crystalline Mg1-xAl2Oy overlayer achieved remarkably high stability while preserving much higher activity than the corresponding alumina-coated Ni and Pt catalysts on MgO and Al2O3 supports in the reactions of dry reforming of methane and propane dehydrogenation, respectively.

Preparation of Ge-Sb-Se glass fibers with excellent bending properties by the pulsated orifice ejection method.

We have innovatively introduced the pulsated orifice ejection method into the preparation of glass fibers, successfully preparing high-purity Ge28Sb12Se60 glass fibers. These fibers have a smooth surface, uniform elemental distribution, and excellent bending properties, with a minimal bending radius of 2 mm. In the infrared spectrum from 2.5 to 13.5 µm, the fibers achieve 65% transmission. Additionally, the fibers possess a density of 4.586 g/cm3, a diameter of 35 µm, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 369°C, and an onset crystallization temperature (Tx) of 557°C. We have also measured the surface tension of the glass fibers, finding values from 0.288 N/m to 0.124 N/m as temperatures rose from 450°C to 500°C. The POEM holds the potential to achieve fiber cores of lengths up to hundreds of meters in theory. Our work provides a distinctive perspective for the preparation of glass fibers.

Temporal Control of Fluorescent EuW10 Aggregates for Autonomous DNA Capture and Information Encryption.

Self-assembly exploits noncovalent interaction to offer an effective method for the fabrication of materials. For Na9 [EuW10 O36 ] ⋅ 32H2 O (EuW10 ), the negative charges and abundant oxygen atoms on its surface provide a handle for static self-assembly. New properties are envisioned for EuW10 aggregates which are able to display such kinetics and time-programming characteristics, in order to satisfy more complex and intelligent application scenarios, such as DNA binding and information encryption. In this work, EuW10 coupling with stimuli-responsive dodecyl dimethylamine oxide (C12 DMAO) can generate versatile aggregates with pH-responsive properties. We demonstrated the temporal programming of the assembly and disassembly of EuW10 nanospheres using a pH clock reaction of acid/urease hydrolysis. The pH clock reaction endows EuW10 assemblies with dynamical properties, in which the charges and fluorescence changes are coded in this system. These fluorescent assemblies provide new application in time-programmed DNA capture and information encryption.

Diffusion-Ordered Spectroscopy (DOSY) as a Powerful NMR Method to Investigate Molecular Mobilities and Intermolecular Interactions in Complex Oil Mixtures.

Studying the characteristics and molecular mechanisms of liquid self-diffusion coefficient and viscosity changes is of great significance for, e. g., chemical and petroleum processing. As examples of highly complex liquid,an asphaltene-free high-acid and high-viscosity crude oil and its extracted fractions were studied by comparing their 1 H DOSY diffusion maps. The crude oil exhibited a polydisperse diffusion distribution, including multiple diffusion portions with diffusion coefficients much smaller than that of any single fraction in independent diffusion. The main mechanism that leads to the decreases in the diffusion coefficients of crude oil is attributed to diffusion resistance enhanced by Dynamical Molecular-Interaction Networks (DMINs), rather than by enlargement of the diffusion species caused by molecular aggregation. Constructed through the synergistic interactions of various polar molecules in crude oil, DMINs dynamically bind polar molecules, trap polarizable molecules, and spatially hinder the free motion of non-polar molecules. Overall, this reduces the mobility of all molecular species, as illustrated by the decreased diffusion coefficients. This study demonstrates that DOSY is a powerful NMR method to investigate molecular motion abilities also in complex mixtures. In addition, the insights in the influence of the interaction matrix on the molecular mobility also help to understand the contribution of "structural viscosity" to the viscosity of heavy oil.

Mechanical Properties of Low-Molecular-Weight Peptide Hydrogels Improved by Thiol-Ene Click Chemistry.

Low-molecular-weight peptide hydrogels can be formed by self-assembly through weak interactions, but the application of the hydrogel is influenced by its weak mechanical properties. Therefore, it is important to construct low-molecular-weight peptide hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties. In this work, we designed the pentapeptide molecule Fmoc-FFCKK-OH (abbreviated as FFCKK) with a sulfhydryl group, and another low-molecular-weight cross-linker N,N'-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBA) was introduced to construct a hydrogel with excellent mechanical properties. The secondary structure change process of FFCKK and the assembly mechanism of hydrogel were analyzed using theoretical calculations and experimental characterizations. The occurrence of thiol-ene click chemistry provides covalent interaction in the hydrogel, and the synergistic effect ofcovalent interaction and hydrogen bonding improves the mechanical properties of the hydrogel by nearly 10-fold. The hydrogel was observed to be able to withstand a stress of 368 Pa and to break in a layer-by-layer manner by compression testing. The micromechanics of the hydrogels were characterized, and the excellent mechanical properties of the hydrogels were confirmed. The synergistic approach provides a new idea for the preparation of low-molecular-weight peptide hydrogels and facilitates the expansion of their potential applications in biomedical fields.

Safety and efficacy of liraglutide on reducing visceral and ectopic fat in adults with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of liraglutide to reduce visceral and ectopic fat in adults with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Four databases were searched up to 6 May 2022 for randomized clinical trials assessing the effect of liraglutide on visceral and ectopic fat. The mean and standard deviation of the values of visceral fat, ectopic fat and body mass index were calculated. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the type of disease (T2DM or non-T2DM), duration of intervention, dosage of liraglutide and whether life interventions were added to liraglutide therapy. We extracted and integrated the safety assessments reported in each article. RESULTS: Sixteen randomized clinical trials with, in total, 845 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Liraglutide could significantly decrease visceral fat [standard mean difference (SMD) = -0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI; -1.12, -0.33)], liver fat [SMD = -0.78, 95% CI (-1.24, -0.32)] and body mass index [weighted mean difference = -1.44, 95% CI (-1.95, -0.92)] in adult patients with or without T2DM when compared with the control group. However, reduction of epicardial fat by liraglutide [SMD = -0.74, 95% CI (-1.82, 0.34)] was not statistically significant. Subgroup analysis revealed that an adequate dosage (≥1.8 mg/day) and appropriate duration of treatment (ranging from 16 to 40 weeks) were the decisive factors for liraglutide to reduce visceral fat effectively. Mild gastrointestinal reactions were the main adverse event of liraglutide. CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide significantly and safely reduces visceral and ectopic liver fat irrespective of T2DM status, and reduces visceral fat provided adequate dosage and duration of therapy are ensured.

Molecular cloning and characteristic analysis of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor-like (plgRL) in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea).

In the present study, the polyimmunoglobulin receptor-like (pIgRL) of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) was first cloned and characterized. LcpIgRL's full-length cDNA was 1610 bp, encoding 377 amino acids, and the protein's predicted molecular weight was 41.9 kDa, containing two immunoglobulin-like structural domains. The transcript levels of LcpIgRL in different tissues of healthy large yellow croaker were examined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the results showed that the gills and head kidney had the highest levels. Within 36 h of the large yellow croaker being infected with Vibrio harveyi, pIgRL mRNA first increased and then decreased in all determined tissues, with the highest expression in the skin and hindgut. Furthermore, a recombinant protein of the extracellular region of LcpIgRL was expressed in E. coli BL21, and a murine rLcpIgRL polyclonal antibody was prepared, which could react specifically with the natural LcpIgRL in skin mucus, but no natural LcpIgRL was detected in serum. Meanwhile, it was found that the rLcpIgRL could bind to the recombinant IgM and the natural IgM, indicating that LcpIgRL could mediate the transport of IgM in mucus. In addition, rLcpIgRL binds to Aeromonas hydrophila and V. harveyi, as well as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and various saccharides, and reduced binding to bacteria was observed under LPS treatment, suggesting that LcpIgRL can bind to bacteria to prevent infection and that saccharide binding is an important mechanism of interaction between pIgRL and bacteria.

Investigation of the effects of cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) on the growth, immunity, gut microbiota and disease resistance of Penaeus vannamei.

To investigate the effects of adding different concentrations of cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) to the feed on the growth performance, hepatopancreas and intestinal microstructure, gene expression, enzyme activity, as well as intestinal microorganisms and resistance to Vibrio parahaemolyticus E1 and White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection of the shrimp, cup plant was added to the basal feed at 1%, 3%, 5% and 7% respectively, and fed the shrimp for 6 weeks. It was found that the addition of different concentrations of cup plant could significantly improve the specific growth rate and survival rate of shrimp, reduce the feed conversion rate, and improve the resistance to V. parahaemolyticus E1 and WSSV in shrimp, with the best effect of 5% addition. The tissue sections observations showed that the addition of cup plant significantly improved the hepatopancreas and intestinal tissues of shrimp, especially in alleviating the tissue damage caused by V. parahaemolyticus E1 and WSSV infection, but too high an addition (7%) could also cause side effects on the shrimp intestinal tract. Meantime, the addition of cup plant can also increase the activity of immunodigestive-related enzymes in the hepatopancreas and intestinal tissues of shrimp, and can significantly induce the up-regulation of immune-related genes expression, and it is positively correlated with the amount of addition in a certain range. In addition, it was found that the addition of cup plant has a significant regulating effect on the intestinal flora of shrimp, which can significantly promote the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Haloferula sp., Algoriphagus sp. and Coccinimonas sp., and inhibit pathogenic bacteria Vibrio sp., such as the number of Vibrionaceae_Vibrio and Pseudoalteromonadaceae_Vibrio in the experimental group were significantly reduced, and the lowest level in the 5% addition group. In summary, the study shows that cup plant can promote the growth of shrimp, improve the resistance of shrimp to disease, and is a potential green environmental feed additive that can replace antibiotics.

Syringomyelia secondary to thoracic spinal dural arteriovenous fistula presenting as paraparesis.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is also known as a type 1 spinal arteriovenous malformation, representing the most frequent vascular malformation of the spine. A high suspicion index is often required for the initial diagnosis of SDAVF because of subtle magnetic resonance imaging signs. We present the case of a patient with SDAVF associated with syringomyelia of the thoracic spinal cord and hypothesize that a fistula might induce intramedullary fluid accumulation due to venous hypertension, which leads to syrinx formation.