CT-based radiomics for prediction of pulmonary haemorrhage after percutaneous CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy of pulmonary nodules.

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of intranodular and perinodular computed tomography (CT) radiomics features for predicting the occurrence of pulmonary haemorrhage after percutaneous CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy (PCTLB) in pulmonary nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data for 332 patients with pulmonary nodules who underwent PCTLB were reviewed retrospectively. Pulmonary haemorrhage after PCTLB was evaluated using CT (144 cases occurred). Radiomics features based on gross nodular (GNV) and perinodular volumes (PNV) were extracted from pre-biopsy CT images and features selection using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and three radiomics scores (rad-scores) were built. Rad-scores, clinical, and clinical-radiomic models were developed and evaluated to predict the occurrence of pulmonary haemorrhage. RESULTS: Five, five, and six significant features were selected for prediction of pulmonary haemorrhage based on GNV, PNV, and GNV + PNV, respectively. Lesion depth was the only clinical characteristics related to pulmonary haemorrhage. Lesion depth and rad-score based on GNV, PNV, and GNV + PNV for predicting the pulmonary haemorrhage achieved areas under the curves (AUCs) of 0.656, 0.645, 0.651, and 0.635 in the validation group, respectively. Three clinical-radiomic models improved the AUCs to 0.743, 0.723, and 0.748. The performance of rad-score_GNV + PNV combined with lesion depth outperformed the clinical model (p=0.024) and the radiomics signature (p=0.038). In addition, the radiomics signatures were significantly associated with higher-grade pulmonary haemorrhage (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Radiomics features from intranodular and perinodular regions of pulmonary nodules have good predictive ability for pulmonary haemorrhage after PCTLB, which may provide additional predictive value for clinical practice.

[Psychological effect of physical function dependence on maintenance hemodialysis patients and their primary family caregivers].

Objective: To investigate the psychological effect of physical function dependence on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and their primary family caregivers. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey. The MHD patients in the hemodialysis centre, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from March 2022 to June 2022 were enrolled. The patients' demographics and laboratory data were collected. Katz and Lawton-Brody questionnaires were used to assess patients' physical function, and Five Item Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) was used to evaluate the psychological conditions of the patients and their primary family caregivers. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of MHI-5 scores of the patients and their primary family caregivers. Results: A total of 116 patients were included, with 61 males and 55 females. There were 47 patients (40.5%) with physical function dependence. In the physical function dependence group, serum albumin (t=-2.512, P=0.013), MHI-5 scores of patients and their primary family caregivers (t=-8.461, P < 0.001; t=-8.533, P < 0.001) and male ratio (χ2=8.467, P=0.002) were significantly lower, and the age (t=9.754, P < 0.001) and the proportions of hypertension (χ2=20.421, P < 0.001), diabetes (χ2=10.470, P=0.002), cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (χ2=9.898, P=0.003) were significantly higher than those in the normal physical function group. The incidence of mental disorders in MHD patients was 39.7%(46/116), and the incidence of mental disorders in the physical function dependence group was significantly higher than that in the normal physical function group [72.3%(34/47) vs. 17.4%(12/69), χ2=35.275, P < 0.001]. The incidence of mental disorders in the primary family caregivers was 32.8%(38/116), and the incidence of mental disorders in the primary family caregivers of physical function dependence group was significantly higher than that in the normal physical function group [66.0%(31/47) vs. 10.1%(7/69), χ2=39.536, P < 0.001]. The incidence of mental disorders in the primary family caregivers of MHD patients who were not spouses was significantly higher than that of spouses [46.0%(29/63) vs. 17.0%(9/53), χ2=11.028, P=0.001], and in physical function dependence group, the incidence of mental disorders in non-spouses was significantly higher than that in spouses [80.6%(25/31) vs. 37.5%(6/16), χ2=8.749, P=0.003]. Multiple linear analysis showed that bathing (ß=-5.182, P=0.015), doing laundry (ß=-7.053, P < 0.001), taking medication (ß=-8.680, P=0.003), and female patients (ß=-2.982, P=0.030) were the influencing factors of MHI-5 scores decline in MHD patients. Bathing (ß=-4.404, P=0.032), preparing meals (ß=-3.954, P=0.041), managing money (ß=-5.067, P=0.021), and female patients (ß=-2.466, P=0.042) were the influencing factors of MHI-5 scores decline in primary family caregivers. Conclusions: The incidence of physical function dependence in MHD patients is high, and its manifestations and influencing factors are diverse. The incidence of mental disorders in MHD patients and their primary family caregivers is also high, especially in patients with physical function dependence and non- spouse family caregivers. Clinicians should pay attention to and assess the physical function dependence of MHD patients as early as possible, and intervene in time. At the same time, they should also pay attention to the mental health of MHD patients and their primary family caregivers.

[Treatment and prognosis of 826 infants with critical congenital heart disease: a single center retrospective study].

Objective: To analyze the current status of clinical treatment and factors influencing postoperative mortality in infants with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) in China, optimize the perioperative management of CCHD, and provide a new scientific basis for clinical decision-making for the optimal management of these patients. Methods: This is a retrospective single-center study. Infants diagnosed with CCHD in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 (aged 0-1 years at admission) were enrolled. General clinical information, inpatient treatment information, prognosis and complications were collected and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the independent risk factors of postoperative death in infants with CCHD. Results: A total of 826 infants with CCHD were included, including 556 males (67.3%) and the age at first admission was 51.0 (5.0,178.3) days. 264 (32.0%) cases were tetralogy of Fallot and 137 (16.6%) cases were total anomalous pulmonary venous return. 195 cases (23.6%) were diagnosed prenatally. 196 cases (23.7%) were treated with prostaglandin. The preoperative invasive ventilation time was 0 (0, 0) hour, and the postoperative invasive ventilation time was 95.0 (26.0, 151.8) hours. A total of 668 cases (80.9%) underwent surgical treatment. The age was 100.5 (20.0, 218.0) days during operation and the operation time was 190.0 (155.0, 240.0) hours. Sixty-two cases (7.5%) received medical treatment, and 96 cases (11.6%) gave up treatment. A total of 675 cases (81.7%) were discharged with improvement, 96 cases (11.6%) were discharged after giving up treatment, 55 cases (6.7%) died and 109 cases (13.2%) were readmitted within one year. Complications occurred in 565 (68.6%) cases, including pneumonia in 334 cases (40.4%) and cardiac arrhythmias in 182 cases (22.0%). Multifactorial analysis showed that delayed chest closure (OR=49.775, 95%CI 3.291-752.922, P=0.005), prolonged post-operative invasive ventilator ventilation (OR=1.003, 95%CI 1.000-1.005, P=0.038) and cardiac hypoplasia syndrome (OR=272.658, 95%CI 37.861-1 963.589, P<0.001) were the independent risk factors for mortality in CCHD infants post-operation. Conclusions: Tetralogy of Fallot and total anomalous pulmonary venous return account for the majority of infants with CCHD. The proportion of infants diagnosed prenatally was less than 1/4. The majority CCHD infants received surgical treatment. The main complications are pneumonia and arrhythmia. Delayed chest closure, prolonged postoperative invasive ventilator ventilation and low cardiac output syndrome are the independent risk factors for postoperative death in infants with CCHD.

[Concordant point mutation of ETS-related gene (ERG) in tumor tissues from a synchronous multiple primary lung cancer: A case report].

The rearrangement of the gene encoding the transcription factor ETS-related gene (ERG) is thought to play a key role in the development of prostate cancer. However, the studies on the ERG mutations have been rarely reported in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Here, we reported genetic features regarding a case of a 68-year-old male patient who presented the primary synchronous multiple tumor lesions in the separated lungs. The patient was hospitalized due to the presence of tumor lesions at the right and left lungs revealed by a chest computerized tomography (CT) scan. After conducting lobectomies at the both lungs, the tumor nodules were all removed, and the histological analysis suggested adenocarcinoma at the both tumor lesions. The patient was diagnosed with synchronous multiple primary lung cancer (SMPLC) based on Martini-Melamed criteria and American College of Chest Physicians practice guidelines. An exome analysis of 315 genes in the two tumor lesions and a non-tumor lesion was conducted by using Illumina Nextseq500 platform from each tumor region to decipher a potential evolutional progress of SMPLC. Single or pair-end reads were first mapped to a human genome reference and filtered based on the mapping quality score. The read depth was ≥ 1 000× and the depth of coverage was 95%. The data revealed a discordant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) from the separate lungs; additionally, a high frequency of point mutation on exon 9 H310P of the ERG gene was detected at the both sites of the tumor lesions. This case showed that a potential role of the molecular features analysis from each tumor lesion might contribute to the understanding of the evolutional development of SMPLC. This study suggests that the same environment may contribute certain gene(s) mutations in the same sites in the early stages of polyclonal tumor origins; meanwhile the extensive studies on these genes may help us understand the evolution and progress of tumor clones.

Voriconazole and squamous cell carcinoma after lung transplantation: A multicenter study.

This study evaluated the independent contribution of voriconazole to the development of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in lung transplant recipients, by attempting to account for important confounding factors, particularly immunosuppression. This international, multicenter, retrospective, cohort study included adult patients who underwent lung transplantation during 2005-2008. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the effects of voriconazole and other azoles, analyzed as time-dependent variables, on the risk of developing biopsy-confirmed SCC. Nine hundred lung transplant recipients were included. Median follow-up time from transplantation to end of follow-up was 3.51 years. In a Cox regression model, exposure to voriconazole alone (adjusted hazard ratio 2.39, 95% confidence interval 1.31-4.37) and exposure to voriconazole and other azole(s) (adjusted hazard ratio 3.45, 95% confidence interval 1.07-11.06) were associated with SCC compared with those unexposed after controlling for important confounders including immunosuppressants. Exposure to voriconazole was associated with increased risk of SCC of the skin in lung transplant recipients. Residual confounding could not be ruled out because of the use of proxy variables to control for some confounders. Benefits of voriconazole use when prescribed to lung transplant recipients should be carefully weighed versus the potential risk of SCC. EU PAS registration number: EUPAS5269.

An in-situ thermally regenerated air purifier for indoor formaldehyde removal.

Formaldehyde is a common indoor pollutant that is an irritant and has been classified as carcinogen to humans. Adsorption technology is safe and stable and removes formaldehyde efficiently, but its short life span and low adsorption capacity limit its indoor application. To overcome these limitations, we propose an in-situ thermally regenerated air purifier (TRAP) which self-regenerates as needed. This purifier has four working modes: cleaning mode, regeneration mode, exhaust mode, and outdoor air in-take mode, all of which are operated by valve switching. We developed a real-scale TRAP prototype with activated carbon as adsorbent. The experimental testing showed that the regeneration ratios for formaldehyde of TRAP were greater than 90% during 5 cycles of adsorption-regeneration and that through the 5 cycles, there was no damage to the adsorption material as confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) tests. The total energy consumption by the prototype for purifying 1000 m3 indoor air was 0.26 kWh. This in-situ thermal-regeneration method can recover the purifier's adsorption ability through at least five cycles.

Combined use of an electrostatic precipitator and a high-efficiency particulate air filter in building ventilation systems: Effects on cardiorespiratory health indicators in healthy adults.

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration in combination with an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) can be a cost-effective approach to reducing indoor particulate exposure, but ESPs produce ozone. The health effect of combined ESP-HEPA filtration has not been examined. We conducted an intervention study in 89 volunteers. At baseline, the air-handling units of offices and residences for all subjects were comprised of coarse, ESP, and HEPA filtration. During the 5-week long intervention, the subjects were split into 2 groups, 1 with just the ESP removed and the other with both the ESP and HEPA removed. Each subject was measured for cardiopulmonary risk indicators once at baseline, twice during the intervention, and once 2 weeks after baseline conditions were restored. Measured indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and ozone concentrations, coupled with time-activity data, were used to calculate exposures. Removal of HEPA filters increased 24-hour mean PM2.5 exposure by 38 (95% CI: 31, 45) µg/m3 . Removal of ESPs decreased 24-hour mean ozone exposure by 2.2 (2.0, 2.5) ppb. No biomarkers were significantly associated with HEPA filter removal. In contrast, ESP removal was associated with a -16.1% (-21.5%, -10.4%) change in plasma-soluble P-selectin and a -3.0% (-5.1%, -0.8%) change in systolic blood pressure, suggesting reduced cardiovascular risks.

Intralymphatic treatment of flagellin-ovalbumin mixture reduced allergic inflammation in murine model of allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial flagellin, a Toll-like receptor 5 agonist, is used as an adjuvant for immunomodulation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect and its mechanism following intralymphatic administration of OVA-flagellin (FlaB) mixture in the mouse model of allergic rhinitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BALB/c mice were sensitized with OVA and treated with an OVA-FlaB mixture via intranasal, sublingual, and intralymphatic routes to evaluate the effect of each treatment. Several parameters for allergic inflammation and its underlying mechanisms were then evaluated. RESULTS: Intralymphatic injection of the OVA-FlaB mixture reduced symptom scores, eosinophil infiltration in the nasal mucosa, and total and OVA-specific IgE levels more significantly than intranasal and sublingual administration. Systemic cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-17, and IFN-γ) production and local cytokine (IL-4 and IL-5) production were also reduced significantly after intralymphatic injection with OVA-FlaB. Double intralymphatic injection of the mixture was more effective than single injection. Moreover, the expression of innate cytokines such as IL-25 and IL-33 in nasal epithelial cells was reduced, and the expression of chemokines such as CCL24 (eotaxin-2), CXCL1, and CXCL2 was decreased in the nasal mucosa, suggesting the underlying mechanism for intralymphatic administration of the OVA-FlaB mixture. CONCLUSION: Intralymphatic administration of an OVA-FlaB mixture was more effective in alleviating allergic inflammation than intranasal and sublingual administration in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis. This effect may be attributed to the reduced expression of innate cytokines and chemokines. This treatment modality can be considered as a new therapeutic method and agent.

Understanding and controlling airborne organic compounds in the indoor environment: mass transfer analysis and applications.

Mass transfer is key to understanding and controlling indoor airborne organic chemical contaminants (e.g., VVOCs, VOCs, and SVOCs). In this study, we first introduce the fundamentals of mass transfer and then present a series of representative works from the past two decades, focusing on the most recent years. These works cover: (i) predicting and controlling emissions from indoor sources, (ii) determining concentrations of indoor air pollutants, (iii) estimating dermal exposure for some indoor gas-phase SVOCs, and (iv) optimizing air-purifying approaches. The mass transfer analysis spans the micro-, meso-, and macroscales and includes normal mass transfer modeling, inverse problem solving, and dimensionless analysis. These representative works have reported some novel approaches to mass transfer. Additionally, new dimensionless parameters such as the Little number and the normalized volume of clean air being completely cleaned in a given time period were proposed to better describe the general process characteristics in emissions and control of airborne organic compounds in the indoor environment. Finally, important problems that need further study are presented, reflecting the authors' perspective on the research opportunities in this area.

[An investigation of psychological state at different stages of occupational AIDS exposure and related influencing factors in Nanning, China].

Objective: To investigate the changes in psychological state after occupational exposure in the AIDS occupational exposure population and related influencing factors, and to provide baseline data and a basis for related departments to conduct mental health prevention and intervention for personnel with occupational AIDS exposure. Methods: AIDS risk assessment was performed for all personnel with occupational AIDS exposure in 2014 in Nanning, China, and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) psychological scale was used for psychological state evaluation at 24 hours, 1 week, and 3 months after occupational exposure in all persons who met the research criteria. Results: Most of the persons with occupational AIDS exposure came from secondary and tertiary hospitals (85%) , and nurses accounted for the highest percentage (78.3% ). The age ranged from 21 to 50 years, and the mean age was 31.02 ± 7.92 years. The persons with occupational AIDS exposure aged 20~29 years accounted for the highest percentage (51.6%) , and most persons (76.7%) graduated from junior colleges. Compared with the adult norm, there was significant increases in the total psychological score and the number of positive items after occupational exposure (P<0.05). The scores of all items at 24 hours were significantly higher than those at the other time points, and the scores of all items gradually decreased over time (F=227.24, 267.57, and 287.46, P<0.05). Compared with the adult norm, there were significant increases in the factor points at 24 hours and significant reductions in the factor points at 3 months (P<0.05). Compared with those at 24 hours, the factor scores at 3 months decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion: Occupational AIDS exposure affects the mental status of related personnel, and the mental status at 24 hours after exposure is poor. Related departments should provide corresponding psychological counseling for the occupational exposure population at different exposure times.

TGF-ß1 and Serpine 1 expression changes in traumatic deep vein thrombosis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the expression changes of transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) and Serpine 1 in rats with traumatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In total, 60 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into model (N = 50) and control groups (Group A, N = 10). From the model group, 10 rats were randomly selected after modeling as the pre-thrombosis group (Group B, N = 10), and the remaining 40 rats in the model group were divided into the thrombosis (Group C) and no thrombosis groups (Group D) depending on whether DVT was apparent at 25 h after modeling. All rats were dissected and the total RNAs of the femoral veins were extracted. TGF-ß1 and Serpine 1 expression was detected by microarray and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses, and the related signal pathways were analyzed using bioinformatic analysis. Of the 40 rats, DVT was evident in 23, yielding an incidence rate of 57.50%. TGF-ß1 and Serpine 1 expression increased significantly at 2.5 h after modeling, while DVT began to form at 25 h after modeling. Both PCR and microarray analysis showed that TGF-ß1 and Serpine 1 expression levels were significantly higher in the thrombosis group than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Bioinformatic analysis indicated that TGF-ß1 was an upstream regulatory gene of Serpine 1 and could induce Serpine 1 overexpression. Together, these results suggested that TGF-ß1 and Serpine 1 overexpression might play an important role in DVT formation and have predictive values.

Detection of targets and their mechanisms for early diagnosis of traumatic deep vein thrombosis.

The purpose of this investigation was to identify targets for the early diagnosis and predictors of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and the role of these targets in the formation of venous thrombosis. A model of DVT was constructed in rats. Thromboses and venous walls were sampled for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction study, and blood was sampled for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay studies. Vein endothelial cells were cultured to observe the effects of interleukin (IL)-17 on the expression of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)/plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1). IL-17 monoclonal antibody was used to study its effect on preventing the formation of DVT. One-hundred and twenty hours after the animal model was constructed, significant DVT started to form. Polymerase chain reaction tests showed that immediately after the model was created, the expression of IL-17 increased greatly, whereas the balance between t-PA and PAI-1 was disrupted just before DVT formed. The increase of serum IL-17 was positively related with the formation of DVT. Thus, the application of IL-17 monoclonal antibody could reduce the formation of DVT in rats. IL-17 might be a target for the early diagnosis of DVT and should be further studied to assess its clinical value.

Qualitative Analyses of Protein Phosphorylation in Bovine Pluripotent Stem Cells Generated from Embryonic Fibroblasts.

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) generated from somatic cells via ectopic expression of specific transcription factors provide an unlimited cell resource for regenerative medicine and transgenic breeding. Here, we describe the successful generation of bovine induced PSCs (biPSCs) from foetal fibroblasts by lentivirus-mediated delivery of bovine pluripotency reprogramming factors (PRFs) OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4, c-MYC, NANOG and LIN28. The generated biPSCs resembled embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in their gene expression profiles, self-renewal capabilities and proliferation, as well as maintenance of a normal karyotype and differentiation into diverse cell types of all three germ layers both in vitro and in vivo. Qualitative phosphoproteomics of biPSCs revealed a large number of phosphorylated proteins, which might be related to the control of biPSCs status. The successful generation of biPSCs and the analysis of their phosphoproteome would further our understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms underlying iPSC pluripotency, thus promoting their application in bovine transgenic breeding and marking avenues for future research.

First Report of Lasiodiplodia theobromae Associated with Stem Canker of Cassia fistula in Guangxi, South China.

Cassia fistula, a member of the Fabaceae, known as the golden shower tree, is native to South Asia. It is now distributed worldwide and is popular as an ornamental plant as well as being used in herbal medicine. In October 2013, symptoms of stem canker were observed on C. fistula in a nursery (108°38' E, 22°87' N) in Nanning, Guangxi, China. The symptoms began as small brown lesions, which enlarged over several months to long, striped, slightly sunken lesions, 1 to 9 cm in width and 16 to 135 cm in length. The conspicuous cankers had vertical cracks outlining the canker and evenly spaced horizontal cracks, eventually resulting in whole plants dying back. The cankers were found on 90% of six-year-old plants in this nursery and were also observed in other plantings. On potato dextrose agar (PDA), isolates with similar morphological characteristics were consistently recovered from symptomatic plant tissues after surface sterilization in 75% ethanol for 30 sec and then in 0.1% mercuric chloride for 2 min. Over 100 conidia were examined from three isolates and were found to be elliptical and hyaline when immature, becoming dark brown, one-septate, and longitudinally striate when mature and ranging from 20 to 31 × 11 to 16 µm (average 25.5 × 13.6 µm). The rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of isolate LC-1 was sequenced (GenBank Accession No. KM387285), and it showed 100% identity to Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griffon & Maubl. (GenBank KC964548), confirming the morphological identification (2) as L. theobromae (also known as Botryosphaeria rhodina (Cooke) Arx). A culture of this isolate has been preserved in the Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences fungal collection. The pathogenicity of the isolate was tested on healthy twigs and branches of C. fistula trees in a field setting at Guangxi Agricultural Vocational-Technical College, Nanning, Guangxi, in June and August 2014. For each treatment, five green twigs and five 2-year-old branches were used. Five adjacent needle punctures were made on each branch with a sterilized needle. A mycelial plug was then placed on the wound of each branch and wrapped with Parafilm. Control twigs were treated with sterile PDA plugs. One week later, typical lesions were observed on the inoculated branches, with symptoms becoming more extensive after two weeks, but no symptoms were seen on the controls. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by re-isolation of L. theobromae from diseased branches. L. theobromae is recognized as an important wood pathogen and has been reported to cause cankers, dieback, and fruit and root rots in over 500 different hosts, including perennial fruit and nut trees, vegetable crops, and ornamental plants (2). The fungus has been reported on C. fistula in India since the 1970s (1); however, to our knowledge, this is the first report of L. theobromae infecting C. fistula in China. References: (1) R. S. Mathur. The Coelomycetes of India. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Delhi, India, 1979. (2) J. R. Úrbez-Torres et al. Plant Dis. 92:519, 2008.

First Report of Leaf Spot Disease Caused by Glomerella magna on Lobelia chinensis in China.

Lobelia chinensis is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Campanulaceae that is native to China, where it grows well in moist to wet soils. It is commonly used as a Chinese herbal medicine. In May 2012, symptoms of leaf spot were observed on leaves of L. chinensis in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The leaf lesions began as small, water-soaked, pale greenish to grayish spots, which enlarged to gray to pale yellowish spots, 4 to 6 mm in diameter. At later stages, numerous acervuli appeared on the lesions. Acervuli were mostly epiphyllous, and 40 to 196 µm in diameter. On potato dextrose agar (PDA), a fungus was consistently recovered from symptomatic leaf samples, with a 93% isolation rate from 60 leaf pieces that were surface sterilized in 75% ethanol for 30 s and then in 0.1% mercuric chloride for 45 s. Three single-spore isolates were used to evaluate cultural and morphological characteristics of the pathogen. Setae were two to three septate, dark brown at the base, acicular, and up to 90 µm long. Conidia were long oblong-elliptical, guttulate, hyaline, and 11 to 20 × 4.1 to 6.3 µm (mean 15.2 × 5.1 µm). These morphological characteristics of the fungus were consistent with the description of Colletotrichum magna (teleomorph Glomerella magna Jenkins & Winstead) (1). The rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of one isolate, LC-1, was sequenced (GenBank Accession No. KC815123), and it showed 100% identity to G. magna, GenBank HM163187.1, an isolate from Brazil cultured from papaya (2). Although KC815123 was identified as G. magna, it shows 99% identity to GenBank sequences from isolates of C. magna, and more research is needed to elucidate the relationships between these taxa, especially with consideration to host specificity. Pathogenicity tests were performed with each of the three isolates by spraying conidial suspensions (1 × 106 conidia/ml) containing 0.1% Tween 20 onto the surfaces of leaves of 30-day-old and 6- to 8-cm-high plants. For each isolate, 30 leaves from five replicate plants were treated. Control plants were treated with sterilized water containing 0.1% Tween 20. All plants were incubated for 36 h at 25°C and 90% relative humidity in an artificial climate chamber, and then moved into a greenhouse. Seven days after inoculation, gray spots typical of field symptoms were observed on all inoculated leaves, but no symptoms were seen on water-treated control plants. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by reisolation of G. magna from diseased leaves. To our knowledge, this is the first report of G. magna infecting L. chinensis worldwide. References: (1) M. Z. Du et al. Mycologia 97:641, 2005. (2) R. J. Nascimento et al. Plant Dis. 94:1506, 2010.

First Report of Leaf Spot Caused by Corynespora cassiicola on Baphicacanthus cusia in China.

Baphicacanthus cusia is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Acanthaceae that is native to China, where it grows in warm temperate mountainous or hilly regions. It is commonly used as a Chinese herbal medicine. In March 2012, symptoms of leaf spot were observed on leaves of B. cusia in Long'an County, Guangxi, China, where this plant is extensively cultivated. Symptoms were initially small brown dots which developed into irregular to circular leaf spots. These spots enlarged and overlapped, extending until the 7- to 9-cm-long and 3- to 4-cm-wide leaves withered entirely, mostly within 2 months. On potato dextrose agar (PDA), the same fungus was cultured from 92% of 75 symptomatic leaf samples that had been surface sterilized in a 45-second dip in 0.1% mercuric chloride. Fungal structures were observed on diseased leaves: conidiophores (85 to 460 × 4 to 8 µm) were erect, brown, single or in clusters, and conidia (36 to 90 × 5 to 16 µm) were single or in chains of two to four, brown, cylindrical or obclavate, straight or slightly curved, with 3 to 18 pseudosepta and a conspicuous hilum. Three single-spore isolates were identified as Corynespora cassiicola (Berk & Curt.) Wei based on morphological and cultural characteristics (1). The rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of one isolate, ZY-1, was sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JX908713), and it showed 100% identity to C. cassiicola, GenBank FJ852716, an isolate from Micronesia cultured from Ipomoea batatas (2). Pathogenicity tests were performed with each of the three isolates by spraying conidial suspensions (5 × 104 conidia/ml) containing 0.1% Tween 20 onto the surfaces of leaves of 60-day-old, 20-cm tall plants. For each isolate, 30 leaves from five replicate plants were treated. Control plants were treated with sterilized water containing 0.1% Tween 20. All plants were incubated for 36 h at 25°C and 90% relative humidity in an artificial climate chamber, and then moved into a greenhouse. Seven days after inoculation, dark brown spots typical of field symptoms were observed on all inoculated leaves, but no symptoms were seen on water-treated control plants. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by reisolation of C. cassiicola from diseased leaves. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. cassiicola infecting B. cusia worldwide. References: (1) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. Commonwealth Mycological Institute: Kew, Surrey, England, 1971. (2) L. J. Dixon et al. Phytopathology 99:1015, 2009.

An Outbreak of Gummosis of Mango Trees Caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in Guangxi, South China.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an economically important fruit in southern provinces of China. In May 2012, field surveys including 2,250 mango trees were done in nine orchards of five different counties in Guangxi Province. An outbreak of gummosis was observed in the province involving over 30,000 ha with an average of 50% disease incidence (DI) and a maximum of 70% in some orchards. Until then, gummosis had been considered a common but not serious disease. In 2012, high temperatures in April and extensive rain in May favored increased disease development. Infected plants showed abundant gum secretion from branches, stems, and main trunks. Some branches died from the disease. During the early stages of infection, branches or stems turned brown followed by xylem necrosis and exudation of a milky sap. The sap turned yellow and finally formed amber gum within several days. Initially, the gum appeared as small droplets, increasing in number, and covering most of the branches and the trunk with bark cracking under severe conditions. On potato dextrose agar (PDA), isolates with similar morphology were consistently recovered from symptomatic plant tissues after surface sterilization in 75% ethanol for 30 seconds and then in 0.1% mercuric chloride for 1 min. Five single-spore isolates from five different locations in Guangxi Province were used to evaluate characteristics of the pathogen. On PDA, cultures were gray with an irregularly distributed, fast-growing, and fluffy aerial mycelium, showing a dark underside as the colony changed from greenish to black after 5 days at 28°C. After 1 month, cultures produced globose pycnidia. Conidia were elliptical and hyaline when immature, becoming dark brown and one-septate, longitudinally striate when mature, and ranged from 20.0 to 28.0 × 10.5 to 16.0 µm (average 23.3 × 13.7 µm). Paraphyses produced within the tissues of pycnidia were hyaline, cylindrical, nonseptate, and up to 61 µm long. The fungus was identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griffon & Maubl. (=Botryosphaeria rhodina (Cooke) Arx) based on morphological and cultural characteristics (1,2). The rDNA internal transcribed spacer region of one isolate showed 100% identity to L. theobromae (GenBank HM346876.2) and was deposited in GenBank (JX982240). Pathogenicity of the five isolates was tested in the field on healthy tissues in June 2012. Five green twigs and five 3-year-old branches were used. Three wounds were made on each twig or branch with a sterilized needle. Mycelial plugs were placed on wounds and covered with Parafilm. Uncolonized PDA plugs were used as controls. Two weeks later, typical brown lesions were observed on inoculated branches, and gum exuded from infected wounds. No symptoms were seen on the controls. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by reisolation of L. theobromae from diseased branches. L. theobromae is well documented as a pathogen of mango. In China, the disease was observed in the 1990s in Hainan Province, and the causal agents were identified as L. theobromae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz. & Sacc based on morphological observation (3). To our knowledge, this is the most severe outbreak reported from China. References: (1) V. S. de Oliveira Costa et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 127:509, 2010. (2) F. Wang et al. Plant Dis. 95:1378, 2011. (3) Q. C. Xiao et al. Tropical Crops Research (in Chinese) 2:25, 1995.

[Bibliometric analysis of publications pertaining to artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum based on Web of Science from 2011 to 2022].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the global literature output and citation of publications pertaining to artemisinin (ART) resistance in Plasmodium falciparum from 2011 to 2021, so as to provide insights into researches on resistance of P. falciparum to ART. METHODS: The publications pertaining to ART resistance in P. falciparum were retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) database in Web of Science during the period from January 2011 through May 2022. The subject, journal, country, affiliation and author distributions and citations of publications were descriptively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1 640 publications pertaining to ART resistance in P. falciparum were retrieved in the SCIE database during the period from January 2011 through May 2022, and the number of publications appeared an overall tendency towards a rise during the study period. These articles were published in 343 journals, and the three most productive journals included Malaria Journal (341 publications, 20.79%), Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (141 publications, 8.60%), American Journal of Aropical Medicine and Hygiene (68 publications, 4.15%), with infectious diseases (565 publications, 34.45%), parasitology (531 publications, 32.38%), and tropical medicine (517 publications, 31.54%) as the predominant subject. The three most productive countries included the United States of America (627 publications, 38.23%), United Kingdom (395 publications, 24.08%), and Thailand (294 publications, 17.94%), with total citations of 25 280, 18 622 and 15 474, respectively, and the most productive countries included Mahidol University (Thailand), Oxford University (England) and London University (England), with 234, 220 publications and 142 publications and 15 058, 15 421 citations and 6 191 citations, respectively. The three most productive authors were all from Mahidol University, with 85, 77 and 63 publications, respectively; and among the three most cited authors, two were from Mahidol University, Thailand, with 8 623 and 7 961 total citations, and one from National Institutes of Health, the United States of America, with 6 267 total citations. A total of 138 articles were published by Chinese scientists, with 3 434 total citations, and National Institute of Parasitic Diseases of Chinese Center for the Diseases Control and Prevention was the most productive Chinese institution, with 35 publications, 1 165 total citations and 33.29 citations per publication. CONCLUSIONS: The literature output of ART resistance in P. falciparum was relatively high in the United States of America, Europe, and Southeast Asian countries during the period from 2011 to 2021, with a relatively high academic impact. Publications in Malaria Journal and Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy are recommended to be paid much attention by Chinese scientists to understand the latest advances and extend the research interests.