Molecular characterization of a new botybirnavirus that infects Alternaria sp. from tobacco.

The genus Alternaria comprises many important fungal pathogens that infect a wide variety of organisms. In this report, we present the discovery of a new double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) mycovirus called Alternaria botybirnavirus 2 (ABRV2) from a phytopathogenic strain, XC21-21C, of Alternaria sp. isolated from diseased tobacco leaves in China. The ABRV2 genome consists of two dsRNA components, namely dsRNA1 and dsRNA2, with lengths of 6,162 and 5,865 base pairs (bp), respectively. Each of these genomic dsRNAs is monocistronic, encoding hypothetical proteins of 201.6 kDa (P1) and 2193.3 kDa (P2). ABRV2 P1 and P2 share 50.54% and 63.13% amino acid sequence identity with the corresponding proteins encoded by dsRNA1 of Alternaria botybirnavirus 1 (ABRV1). Analysis of its genome organization and phylogenetic analysis revealed that ABRV2 is a new member of the genus Botybirnavirus.

Trichomonas vaginalis triggers the release of THP-1 extracellular traps.

Trichomonas vaginalis is responsible for the prevalence of trichomoniasis, which may be one of the most epidemic nonviral sexually transmitted pathogens. Extracellular traps (ET) are a unique form of innate immunity against infection; they bind to and kill microorganisms. However, the effect of T. vaginalis on ET release in the human monocytic cell line THP-1 remains unclear. In the present study, the morphology of ET derived from THP-1 in response to T. vaginalis was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrated ET entangling T. vaginalis. Then, the colocalization of histone (H3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) with DNA was observed via fluorescence confocal microscopy. Colocalization revealed the classic characteristics of DNA decorated with H3 and MPO. T. vaginalis significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and THP-1-derived ET. In addition, we measured the levels of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and the phosphorylation of the P38 and ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathways. The results indicated that the formation of ET induced by T. vaginalis was related to phosphorylation of the P38 and ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathways but not to LDH levels. These data confirmed the phenomenon of THP-1-derived ET being triggered by T. vaginalis in vitro; this process may play a pivotal role in innate immunity during defense against T. vaginalis infection.

Differential Protein Expressions in Virus-Infected and Uninfected Trichomonas vaginalis.

Protozoan viruses may influence the function and pathogenicity of the protozoa. Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic protozoan that could contain a double stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus, T. vaginalis virus (TVV). However, there are few reports on the properties of the virus. To further determine variations in protein expression of T. vaginalis, we detected 2 strains of T. vaginalis; the virus-infected (V+) and uninfected (V-) isolates to examine differentially expressed proteins upon TVV infection. Using a stable isotope N-terminal labeling strategy (iTRAQ) on soluble fractions to analyze proteomes, we identified 293 proteins, of which 50 were altered in V+ compared with V- isolates. The results showed that the expression of 29 proteins was increased, and 21 proteins decreased in V+ isolates. These differentially expressed proteins can be classified into 4 categories: ribosomal proteins, metabolic enzymes, heat shock proteins, and putative uncharacterized proteins. Quantitative PCR was used to detect 4 metabolic processes proteins: glycogen phosphorylase, malate dehydrogenase, triosephosphate isomerase, and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, which were differentially expressed in V+ and V- isolates. Our findings suggest that mRNA levels of these genes were consistent with protein expression levels. This study was the first which analyzed protein expression variations upon TVV infection. These observations will provide a basis for future studies concerning the possible roles of these proteins in host-parasite interactions.

Gait analysis of patients with knee osteoarthritis before and after Chinese massage treatment.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Chinese massage therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) by measuring lower-limb gait parameters. We recruited 20 women with knee OA, who then underwent Chinese massage therapy three times per week for 2 weeks. The patients underwent gait evaluation using a six-camera infrared motion analysis system. They completed Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index questionnaires before and after treatment. We calculated the forward speed, step width, step length, total support time percentage, initial double support time percentage, and single support time percentage. We also measured the angles at the knee, hip, and ankle during the stance phase of walking. The results showed statistically significant mean differences in knee pain relief, alleviation of stiffness, and physical function enhancement after therapy (P < 0.05). The patients gained significantly faster gait speed, greater step width, and increased total support time percentage after the Chinese massage therapy (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the range of motion or initial contact angles of the knee, hip, or ankle during the stance phase of walking. We concluded that Chinese massage is a beneficial complementary treatment and an alternative therapy choice for patients with knee OA for short-term pain relief. Chinese massage may improve walking ability for these patients.

Remote sensing and GIS-based study of land use/cover dynamics, driving factors, and implications in southern Ethiopia, with special reference to the Legabora watershed.

This paper investigates the trends, drivers, and consequences of LULC changes in Legabora watershed, Ethiopia, by utilizing remote sensing and geographic systems. Landsat Maltispectiral scanner (MSS), Thematic Mapper (TM), Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+), and Operational Land Imager (OLI) images of years 1976, 1991, 2001, and 2022, respectively, were used to study the dynamics of LULC. Essential image pre-processing steps were carefully carried out to correct distortions caused by sensor limitations. Eight main LULC categories were identified based on supervised image categorization methods and the maximum likelihood classification algorithm.The findings of change detection and cross-tabulation matrix demonstrate that there has been a significant increase in the area of cropland 345.1 ha/year, settlement 5.9 ha/year, forest 38.2 ha/year, and degraded lands 2.56 ha/year, respectively, over the period between 1976 and 2022. In contrast, considerable decreases were observed in grasslands (-248 ha/year) and shrublands (-144 ha/year), whereas other LULC categories augmented. The results revealed that the overall accuracy rates stood at 88.3 %, 88.4 %, and 85.6 % for 1976, 1991, and 2022, respectively. The overall kappa coefficient demonstrated values of 0.86 %, 0.86 %, and 0.83 % for the same period. Surveyed respondents perceived population growth, settlement, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development as the most noticeable drivers of these LULC changes. In contrast, deforestation, land degradation, lack of livestock fodder, and biodiversity loss were identified as the main consequences of LULC changes. The factors and implications addressed in this study may be helpful tool for the formulation and implementation of evidence-based land use policies and strategies within in the study area and elsewhere.

Differential dissolved protein expression throughout the life cycle of Giardia lamblia.

Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia) has a simple life cycle that alternates between a cyst and a trophozoite, and this parasite is an important human and animal pathogen. To increase our understanding of the molecular basis of the G. lamblia encystment, we have analyzed the soluble proteins expressed by trophozoites and cysts extracted from feces by quantitative proteomic analysis. A total of 63 proteins were identified by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) labeling, and were categorized as cytoskeletal proteins, a cell-cycle-specific kinase, metabolic enzymes and stress resistance proteins. Importantly, we demonstrated that the expression of seven proteins differed significantly between trophozoites and cysts. In cysts, the expression of three proteins (one variable surface protein (VSP), ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OTC), ß-tubulin) increased, whereas the expression of four proteins (14-3-3 protein, α-tubulin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), protein disulfide isomerase 2 (PDI-2)) decreased significantly when compared with the levels of these proteins in trophozoites. The mRNA expression patterns of four of these proteins (OTC, α-tubulin, GAPDH, VSP) were similar to the expression levels of the proteins. These seven proteins appear to play an important role in the completion of the life cycle of G. lamblia.

Land use and land cover change, and analysis of its drivers in Ojoje watershed, Southern Ethiopia.

There have been incredible changes that have taken place in the land use pattern globally over the last 50 years, which resulted from environmental degradation and climate change impacts. Quantitative analysis of the LULC dynamics helps in land-use management and ecosystem degradation at large. The study was conducted in the Doyogena district, southern Ethiopia to identify LULC change dynamics, and analyze the driving forces using combined approaches: remote sensing, field observations, in-depth household interviews, key informants, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). A supervised maximum likelihood image cataloging method was employed in conjunction with feature extraction of satellite images to categorize and map LULC classes of the study area. Satellite image handing out, classification technique, and remotely sensed data were processed using ArcGIS map 10.6, and ERDAS Imagine 2014. Common LULC categories were identified, and a change analysis was conducted. Accordingly, seven LULC categories were determined. The result showed a considerable decline in forestland from 1756.7 ha (38.8%) in 1973 to 71.6 ha (1.6%) in 2020. Similarly, wetlands have declined successively from 16.8 in 2000-2010 to 6.3 in 1986-2020 ha/year over the last three and half decades respectively. On the other hand, cropland has increased from 34.1% in 1986-2000 to 46.3% between 1986-2020, which is linked to population growth, settlement, and expansion of farmlands. The study watershed has experienced a considerable change in LULC change over the last >3 decades. Hence, local and national regimes should implement sustainable land planning, management strategies including integrated land- use planning, and policy reform into development projects and programs.

Efficacy, safety, and controversy of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of T1N0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate the safety effect, and controversy on the treatment outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for T1N0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Materials and methods: This study is assessed the medical records of 142 patients with primary T1N0M0 PTC tumors after RFA between 2014 and 2022. 4 patients underwent delayed surgery (DS) after RFA and 411 T1N0M0 patients underwent DS were recorded. Outcomes were compared between RFA and DS groups after propensity score matching (PSM). Results: The maximal diameter (MD) and volume (V) increased in months 1 (P < 0.01) and reduced after the 6-month follow-up (all P < 0.01). The disappearance and disease progression rates were 53.5% and 2.1%, respectively. The complication and disease progression rates had no significant difference between RFA and DS (P>0.05). In some cases, the tumors were not fully inactivated after RFA, and the central compartment lymph node (CCLN) were metastasis. The CCLN metastasis rate was 13.4%. MD, V and clustered calcifications were independent risk factors for CCLN metastasis by univariate analysis. Conclusions: RFA is an effective and safe treatment option in selected patients with solitary T1N0M0 PTC. There are the risks of tumor incompletely ablated and CCLN metastasis.

Occurrence of macroprolactinemia in schizophrenia patients treated with risperidone or amisulpride.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate macroprolactinemia caused by antipsychotics and its clinical significance. METHODS: A total of 133 patients with schizophrenia were selected, all of whom were treated with either risperidone or amisulpride alone. The levels of total prolactin (T-PRL) and macroprolactin (MPRL) were measured before treatment as well as the second, fourth, and sixth weeks of treatment. RESULTS: After 2 weeks of treatment, 75.09% (100/133) of the patients met the diagnostic criteria for hyperprolactinemia, the incidence of macroprolactinemia was 43% (43/100), and MPRL levels were positively correlated T-PRL levels. CONCLUSION: Risperidone and amisulpride caused hyperprolactinemia and macroprolactinemia; thus, detection of MPRL in the clinical setting should be performed as this phenomenon appears early in treatment (the second week) and continues, that can avoid unnecessary examination and treatment for asymptomatic patients with macroprolactinemia.

A fine balance between CCNL1 and TIMP1 contributes to the development of breast cancer cells.

Cyclin L1 (CCNL1) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1) are candidate genes involved in several types of cancer. However, the expression of CCNL1 and the relationship between CCNL1 and TIMP1 in breast cancer cells is unknown. Using patients' breast cancer tissues, the expression of CCNL1 and TIMP1 was measured by cDNA microarray and further confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and western blotting. Overexpression or repression of CCNL1 and TIMP1, individually or together, was performed in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells by transient transformation methods to investigate their role in breast cancer cell growth. Simultaneously, mRNA and protein expression levels of CCNL1 and TIMP1 were also measured. CCNL1 and TIMP1 expression was significantly elevated in breast cancer tissues compared with that in peri-breast cancer tissues of patients by cDNA microarray and these results were further confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and western blotting. Interestingly, in vitro experiments showed a stimulatory effect of TIMP1 and an inhibitory effect of CCNL1 on growth of MDA-MB-231 cells. Co-expression or co-repression of these two genes did not affect cell growth. Overexpression of CCNL1 and TIMP1 individually induced overexpression of each other. These data demonstrate that there is a fine balance between CCNL1 and TIMP1, which may contribute to breast cancer development.

The absence of PRDM2 involved the tumorigenesis of somatotroph adenomas through regulating c-Myc.

Somatotroph adenoma is the main cause of acromegaly which have peripheral signs with growth of soft tissues and multiple comorbidities. Surgery and adjuvant therapy with somatostatin analogs (SSA) fail in more than 25% of patients. PRDM2, a tumor suppressor, plays an important role in cancer and obesity, including pituitary adenomas. In this study, we analyze the correlation of PRDM2 and oncogene c-Myc in 70 somatotroph adenomas according immunohistochemical staining, furthermore, we probed that whether PRDM2 participates in c-Myc signaling pathway in vitro experiment. 70 somatotroph adenomas patients were divided into low patients and high patients according to median of H-score of PRDM2 or c-Myc. Low PRDM2 patients had higher risk of invasive behavior, larger tumor volume and recurrence chance than high PRDM2 group (P = 0.015, P = 0.031, P = 0.017). High c-Myc patients had higher risk of invasive behavior, larger tumor volume and recurrence chance than low c-Myc group (P = 0.012, P = 0.002, P = 0.015). It was a negative correlation between H-score of PRDM2 and c-Myc (PRDM2 = -0.163 × c-Myc + 67.11, r = -0.407). The ability of cell proliferation was declined in a time dependent manner after overexpression of PRDM2 (PRDM2 group) compared to that in control GH3 cells (P < 0.05). Through flow cytometry assay, PRDM2 could induce the apoptosis and G2/M arrest in GH3 cell (both p < 0.05). Transwell experiment proved less trans-membrane cells in PRDM2 group than those in control group (415 ± 76 vs 145 ± 37, P < 0.01). RT-PCR and western blot both proved PRDM2 could inhibit the level c-Myc and elevate the levels of CDKN1A and CDKN1B. Combined with c-Myc inhibitor 10058-F4, PRDM2 further inhibited cell proliferation and induced more apoptosis in GH3 cell. Taken together, we found that PRDM2 negatively regulated the expression of c-Myc in somatotroph adenomas, and testified the synergism between PRDM2 gene therapy and c-Myc inhibitor in vitro experiment.

Biotechnological approaches to the production of plant-derived promising anticancer agents: An update and overview.

The plant kingdom is a rich source of bioactive compounds, many of which have been used since pre-history for their therapeutic properties to treat a range of illnesses. These metabolites have recently attracted attention to their antineoplastic activities to treat various cancers relying on different mechanisms. Some of these molecules are glycosides, which have proven useful as anti-cancer agents, namely podophyllotoxin (PPT) anaryltetralin lignan or alkaloids. There are three primary forms of alkaloids, such as indole alkaloids (vincristine and vinblastine from Catharanthus roseus), quinoline alkaloid (camptothecin from Camptotheca acuminata), and diterpenoid alkaloid (taxol and it's analogous from Taxus and Corylus species). This review considers various plant biotechnology approaches used to enhance the production of these anticancer molecules in different species. In this regard, many in vitro culture techniques such as stimulation of suspension culture and hairy roots are being used to investigate the effects of plant growth regulators and elicitors on various explants.

Expression and clinical significance of LXRα and SREBP-1c in placentas of preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression and correlations of liver X receptor alpha (LXRa) and its target gene sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) in placentas of preeclampsia (PE) and their significance in PE. METHODS: Pregnancies were divided into two groups, 60 cases (29 cases of mild and 31 cases of severe) of PE group and 56 cases of normal group. The level of mRNA and protein of LXRa and SREBP-1c were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the placentas. RESULTS: RT-PCR and IHC results showed that the mRNA and protein expression of both LXRa and SREBP-1c increased gradually with the extent of PE among normal pregnancy, mild PE and severe PE groups, and the differences were of statistically significance (P<0.01 or P<0.05). There were positive correlations between the expression of LXRa mRNA and SREBP-1c mRNA, also between LXRa mRNA and LXRa protein (r=0.521, P<0.01; r=0.422, P<0.01). The expression of SREBP-1c mRNA positively correlated with its protein level (r=0.598, P<0.01). There were positive correlations between the expression of LXRa protein and SREBP-1c protein (r=0.612, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The expression of LXRa is elevated significantly in placentas of PE patients, and might contribute for promoting the transcription and translation of its target gene SREBP1-c, which is related to the occurrence and development of PE.

Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Yunnan Province, China.

Among 144 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated from 4 hospitals in Yunnan province, 113 were identified as carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). BlaKPC-2 (99/113, 87.6%) was the most common carbapenemase gene and Klebsiella pneumoniae (100/113, 88.5%) was the most common species. BlaNDM-1 (11/113, 9.7%), blaIMP-4 (10/113, 8.8%), and blaIMP-1 (1/113, 0.9%) genes were also detected. Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase genes were common in CPE, and the SHV- and CTX-M-types were predominant.