Exploring factors influencing delayed first antibiotic treatment for suspected early-onset sepsis in preterm newborns: a study before quality improvement initiative.

BACKGROUND: Early-onset sepsis (EOS) is a serious illness that affects preterm newborns, and delayed antibiotic initiation may increase the risk of adverse outcomes. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the present time of antibiotic administration in preterm infants with suspected EOS and the factors that contribute to delayed antibiotic initiation. METHODS: In this retrospective study in China, a total of 82 early preterm infants with suspected EOS between December 2021 and March 2023 were included. The study utilized a linear regression analytical approach to identify independent factors that contribute to delayed antibiotic administration. RESULTS: The mean gestational age and birth weight of the study population were 29.1 ± 1.4 weeks and 1265.7 ± 176.8 g, respectively. The median time of initial antibiotic administration was 3.8 (3.1-5.0) hours. Linear regression revealed that severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (ß = 0.07, P = 0.013), penicillin skin test (PST) timing (ß = 0.06, P < 0.001) and medical order timing (ß = 0.04, P = 0.017) were significantly associated with the initial timing of antibiotic administration. CONCLUSIONS: There is an evident delay in antibiotic administration in preterm infants with suspected EOS in our unit. Severe RDS, PST postponement and delayed medical orders were found to be associated with the delayed use of antibiotics, which will be helpful for quality improvement efforts in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

A Randomized Clinical Trial to Compare Three Different Methods for Estimating Orogastric Tube Insertion Length in Newborns: A Single-Center Experience in China.

Background: Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) tubes are frequently used in the NICU. Obtaining a relatively accurate estimated length before insertion could significantly reduce complications. While previous studies have mainly focused on the NG tube, OG tubes are more commonly used in China. Purpose: The objective was to determine whether there were differences in the rate of accurate placement among the adapted nose-ear-xiphoid (NEX) method, nose-ear-midway to the umbilicus (NEMU) method, and weight-based (WB) equation in estimating the OG tube insertion distance. Methods: A randomized, controlled, open-label clinical trial to compare the three methods was conducted in a single center. After enrollment, newborns were randomly assigned into three groups. By radiological assessment, the anatomical region for OG tube placement was analyzed. The primary metric was the tip within the gastric body, and the second metric was strictly accurate placement defined as the tube was not looped back within the stomach and the end was located more than 2 cm but less than 5 cm into the stomach, referred to as T10. Results: This study recruited 156 newborns with the majority being preterm infants (n = 96; 61.5 percent), with an average birth weight of 2,200.8 ± 757.8 g. For the WB equation, 96.2 percent (50 cases) of the OG tubes were placed within the stomach, and the rates were 78.8 percent (41 cases) in the adapted NEX and NEMU methods. The strictly accurate placement rates were highest for the WB equation at 80.8 percent (42/52), followed by the adapted NEX method at 65.4 percent (34/52), and the NEMU method at 57.7 percent (30/52). Conclusion: The WB equation for estimating the insertion depth of the OG tube in newborn infants resulted in more precise placement compared to the adapted NEX and NEMU methods.

Balancing selection and wild gene pool contribute to resistance in global rice germplasm against planthopper.

Interactions and co-evolution between plants and herbivorous insects are critically important in agriculture. Brown planthopper (BPH) is the most severe insect of rice, and the biotypes adapt to feed on different rice genotypes. Here, we present genomics analyses on 1,520 global rice germplasms for resistance to three BPH biotypes. Genome-wide association studies identified 3,502 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 59 loci associated with BPH resistance in rice. We cloned a previously unidentified gene Bph37 that confers resistance to BPH. The associated loci showed high nucleotide diversity. Genome-wide scans for trans-species polymorphisms revealed ancient balancing selection at the loci. The secondarily evolved insect biotypes II and III exhibited significantly higher virulence and overcame more rice varieties than the primary biotype I. In response, more SNPs and loci evolved in rice for resistance to biotypes II and III. Notably, three exceptional large regions with high SNP density and resistance-associated loci on chromosomes 4 and 6 appear distinct between the resistant and susceptible rice varieties. Surprisingly, these regions in resistant rice might have been retained from wild species Oryza nivara. Our findings expand the understanding of long-term interactions between rice and BPH and provide resistance genes and germplasm resources for breeding durable BPH-resistant rice varieties.

Combining next-generation sequencing and single-molecule sequencing to explore brown plant hopper responses to contrasting genotypes of japonica rice.

BACKGROUND: The brown plant hopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, is one of the major pest of rice (Oryza sativa). Plant defenses against insect herbivores have been extensively studied, but our understanding of insect responses to host plants' resistance mechanisms is still limited. The purpose of this study is to characterize transcripts of BPH and reveal the responses of BPH insects to resistant rice at transcription level by using the advanced molecular techniques, the next-generation sequencing (NGS) and the single-molecule, real-time (SMRT) sequencing. RESULTS: The current study obtained 24,891 collapsed isoforms of full-length transcripts, and 20,662 were mapped to known annotated genes, including 17,175 novel transcripts. The current study also identified 915 fusion genes, 1794 novel genes, 2435 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and 20,356 alternative splicing events. Moreover, analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) revealed that genes involved in metabolic and cell proliferation processes were significantly enriched in up-regulated and down-regulated sets, respectively, in BPH fed on resistant rice relative to BPH fed on susceptible wild type rice. Furthermore, the FoxO signaling pathway was involved and genes related to BPH starvation response (Nlbmm), apoptosis and autophagy (caspase 8, ATG13, BNIP3 and IAP), active oxygen elimination (catalase, MSR, ferritin) and detoxification (GST, CarE) were up-regulated in BPH responses to resistant rice. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides the first demonstrations of the full diversity and complexity of the BPH transcriptome, and indicates that BPH responses to rice resistance, might be related to starvation stress responses, nutrient transformation, oxidative decomposition, and detoxification. The current result findings will facilitate further exploration of molecular mechanisms of interaction between BPH insects and host rice.

Reassessment of the Phylogenetics of Two Pygmy Grasshopper Generic Groups Tetrix and Systolederus through Mitochondrial Phylogenomics Using Four New Mitochondrial Genome Assemblies.

Mitochondrial genomes offer pragmatic genetic markers to reconstruct evolutionary relationships and inform taxonomic classifications. Here, we present complete mitochondrial sequences for four Chinese pygmy grasshoppers (Tetrigidae), aiming to reevaluate phylogenetic patterns and morphological taxonomy. Our 17,643 bp, 16,274 bp, 15,086 bp, and 15,398 bp mitogenomes of Exothotettix guangxiensis, Formosatettix longwangshanensis, Euparatettix sinufemoralis and Systolederus zhengi, respectively, exhibit archetypal Tetrigidae architecture. We constructed phylogenies using 13 protein-coding loci from 39 Tetrigidae mitogenomes, revealing several genus-level clusters with statistically solid support, conflicts regarding Ex. guangxiensis, F. longwangshanensis merging into Tetrix, and two subclades of Systolederus. The dated divergence analysis indicates over 150 Mya of Tetrigidae ancestry, tracing the Systolederus generic group splits up to ~75 million years ago. Moreover, the Tetrix generic group radiated over 14 Mya across vast distributions, consistent with rapid adaptive dispersals. Our mitochondrial reconstructions suggest that Synstolederus is taxonomically overextended for a single genus, while the distinctiveness of Ex. guangxiensis and F. longwangshanensis from Tetrix appears questionable, and the Tetrix generic group comprises a potential tRNA-Ile coding region. Our integrative mitogenomic approaches will help resolve issues stemming from morphological taxonomy that is reliant on traits that are prone to convergence. This investigation enhances comprehension of Tetrigidae phylogeny and accentuates molecular systematics.

Review of the genus Formosatettix Tinkham (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) with description of new taxa, new synonymy and an updated key to species.

The genus Formosatettix Tinkham is reviewed. Seven new species from China, Formosatettix cliva Deng, sp. nov., Formosatettix guangyuanensis Deng, sp. nov., Formosatettix shuimogouensis Deng, sp. nov., Formosatettix strictivertex Deng, sp. nov., Formosatettix tangjiaheensis Deng, sp. nov., Formosatettix yueqingensis Deng, sp. nov., Formosatettix zheminzhengi Deng, sp. nov. are described and illustrated. One new name is proposed: Formosatettix latifemurus Deng, nom. nov. One new combination is established: Formosatettix nyalamensis (Zheng & Lin, 2015), comb. nov. The following new synonyms are established: Bolivaritettix circocephalus Zheng, 1992 = Formosatettix torulosinota Zheng & Mao, 2002, syn. nov., Criotettix bispinosus (Dalman, 1818) = Formosatettix hainanensis Zheng, 2012, syn. nov., Epitettix guangxiensis (Zheng & Jiang, 1994) = Formosatettix guangxiensis Zheng & Jiang, 1998, syn. nov., Formosatettix longwangshanensis Zheng, 1998 = Formosatettix tianmushanensis Zheng & Li, 2001, syn. nov., Formosatettix serrifemora Deng, 2019 = Formosatettix wulongensis Zha & Ding, 2020, syn. nov., Formosatettix huapingensis Zheng & Jiang, 1997 = Formosatettix nanlingensis Zheng & Cao, 2011, syn. nov. = Formosatettix undulatifemura, Zheng, 2012, syn. nov. = Formosatettix guposhanensis Deng, 2019, syn. nov. In addition, Formosatettix leigongshanensis Zha & Ding, 2020 is briefly commented.

Twenty-three new synonyms of the Eastern common groundhopper, Tetrixjaponica (Bolívar, 1887) (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae).

The Eastern common groundhopper, Tetrixjaponica, is a pygmy grasshopper species widely distributed in the Eastern Palearctic region, and shows a high degree of phenotypic variation. The classification of Tetrixjaponica is difficult and frequently involved errors. Among the many species of Tetrigidae that have been described in China within the last decades, many synonyms of Tetrixjaponica were found. The type specimens of many species deposited in the Chinese museums have been re-examined and as a result, Tetrixjaponica is systematically revised. Based on the results of this review, 23 new synonyms of Tetrixjaponica are proposed: Coptotettixcircinihumerus Zheng & Deng, 2004, syn. nov.; Coptotettixemeiensis Zheng, Lin & Zhang, 2012, syn. nov.; Euparatettixrongshuiensis Zheng, 2005, syn. nov.; Euparatettixzayuensis Zheng, Zeng & Ou, 2011, syn. nov.; Macromotettixnigritubercle Zheng & Jiang, 2006, syn. nov.; Macromotettixyaoshanensis Zheng & Jiang, 2000, syn. nov.; Tetrixalbistriatus Yao & Zheng, 2006, syn. nov.; Tetrixalbomaculatus Zheng & Jiang, 2006, syn. nov.; Tetrixalbomarginis Zheng & Nie, 2005, syn. nov.; Tetrixcenwanglaoshana Zheng, Jiang & Liu, 2005, syn. nov.; Tetrixcliva Zheng & Deng, 2004, syn. nov.; Tetrixduolunensis Zheng, 1996, syn. nov.; Tetrixgrossovalva Zheng, 1994, syn. nov.; Tetrixjiuwanshanensis Zheng, 2005, syn. nov.; Tetrixlatipalpa Cao & Zheng, 2011, syn. nov.; Tetrixliuwanshanensis Deng, Zheng & Wei, 2007, syn. nov.; Tetrixqinlingensis Zheng, Huo & Zhang, 2000, syn. nov.; Tetrixrectimargina Zheng & Jiang, 2004, syn. nov.; Tetrixruyuanensis Liang, 1998, syn. nov.; Tetrixxianensis Zheng, 1996, syn. nov.; Tetrixxinchengensis Deng, Zheng & Wei, 2007, syn. nov.; Tetrixyunlongensis Zheng & Mao, 2002, syn. nov.; Tetrixzhoushanensis Gao, Liu & Yin, 2022, syn. nov. It is expected that there will be the discoveries of more synonyms of this and other Tetriginae species from the Eastern Palearctic.

Description of a new species of the genus Pseudepitettix Zheng (Orthoptera: Tetrigoidea: Cladonotinae) from China.

Pseudepitettix convexa Deng, sp. nov. is described with detailed illustrations of external morphology. Comparison between new species and other species of the genus Pseudepitettix Zheng, 1995 is compiled into a table for identification. An updated key to species of the genus is given.

New species and new synonyms of Macromotettixoides (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) with an updated key.

The genus Macromotettixoides Zheng, Wei Jiang, 2005 is reviewed. Four new species of the genus, M. daiyunshanensis Deng, sp. nov., M. curvicarina Deng, sp. nov., M. convexa Deng, sp. nov. and M. shengtangshanensis Deng, sp. nov. are described with detailed illustrations of external morphology. Two new synonyms are established: M. jinggangshanensis, syn. nov. is synonymized with M. jiuwanshanensis Zheng, Wei Jiang, 2005; M. parvula Zha Wen, 2017, syn. nov. is synonymized with M. undulatifemura Deng, Zheng Yang, 2012. Additionally, an updated key to species of the genus is given.

Significantly enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis of rice straw via a high-performance two-stage deep eutectic solvents synergistic pretreatment.

A two-stage deep eutectic solvents (DESs) treatment was shown to be an effective method for improving the utilization of certain DESs, and the specific order of pretreatment, such as malic acid/proline (MP) or choline chloride/oxalic acid (CO) during the first stage and choline chloride/urea (CU) during the second stage, resulted in better performance for enhancing the sugar yield due to the synergistic effect of the two DESs on biomass fractionation. Moreover, the presence of water during these processes could balance the loss of components by tuning the pretreatment severity, thus ensuring higher sugar yields. By eliminating the washing step after the first stage treatment, enhanced cellulose recovery and glucose yield were achieved for the CO-CU pretreatment in the presence of 5% water, and a simpler process was established with a glucose yield of 90.2% after a 3-h treatment at 100°C.