Clpf encodes pentatricopeptide repeat protein (PPR5) and regulates pink flesh color in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.).

KEY MESSAGE: The gene controlling pink flesh in watermelon was finely mapped to a 55.26-kb region on chromosome 6. The prime candidate gene, Cla97C06G122120 (ClPPR5), was identified through forward genetics. Carotenoids offer numerous health benefits; while, they cannot be synthesized by the human body. Watermelon stands out as one of the richest sources of carotenoids. In this study, genetic generations derived from parental lines W15-059 (red flesh) and JQ13-3 (pink flesh) revealed the presence of the recessive gene Clpf responsible for the pink flesh (pf) trait in watermelon. Comparative analysis of pigment components and microstructure indicated that the disparity in flesh color between the parental lines primarily stemmed from variations in lycopene content, as well as differences in chromoplast number and size. Subsequent bulk segregant analysis (BSA-seq) and genetic mapping successfully narrowed down the Clpf locus to a 55.26-kb region on chromosome 6, harboring two candidate genes. Through sequence comparison and gene expression analysis, Cla97C06G122120 (annotated as a pentatricopeptide repeat, PPR) was predicted as the prime candidate gene related to pink flesh trait. To further investigate the role of the PPR gene, its homologous gene in tomato was silenced using a virus-induced system. The resulting silenced fruit lines displayed diminished carotenoid accumulation compared with the wild-type, indicating the potential regulatory function of the PPR gene in pigment accumulation. This study significantly contributes to our understanding of the forward genetics underlying watermelon flesh traits, particularly in relation to carotenoid accumulation. The findings lay essential groundwork for elucidating mechanisms governing pigment synthesis and deposition in watermelon flesh, thereby providing valuable insights for future breeding strategies aimed at enhancing fruit quality and nutritional value.

Quercetin alleviates chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression-like behavior by inhibiting NMDAR1 with α2δ-1 in rats.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a serious mental disorder and the most prevalent cause of disability and suicide worldwide. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) can lead to a significant acceleration of depression development. Quercetin (Que) is a flavonoid compound with a wide range of pharmacological effects. Recent studies have shown that quercetin can improve CUMS-induced depression-like behavior, but the mechanism of its improvement is still unclear. α2δ-1 is a regulatory subunit of voltage-gated calcium channel, which can interact with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) to form a complex. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we found that Que could inhibit the increase of α2δ-1 and NMDAR expression in rat hypothalamus induced by CUMS. In pain, chronic hypertension and other studies have shown that α2δ-1 interacts with the NMDAR to form a complex, which subsequently affects the expression level of NMDAR. Consequently, the present study aimed to investigate the antidepressant effect of Que in vivo and in vitro and to explore its mechanism of action in terms of the interaction between α2δ-1 and NMDAR. METHODS: Rats were randomly exposed to two stressors every day for 4 weeks to establish a CUMS rat model, then sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and open field test (OFT) were performed to detect the behavior of CUMS rats, so as to evaluate whether the CUMS rat model was successfully established and the improvement effect of Que on CUMS-induced depression-like behavior in rats. Experimental techniques such as serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation, as well as in vitro experiments, were used to investigate the mechanisms by which Que exerts its antidepressant effects. RESULTS: Behavioral and ELISA test results showed that Que could produce a reduction in the excitability of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in CUMS rats and lead to significant improvements in their depressive behavior. Western blot, immunofluorescence, and co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that Que produced a decrease in NMDAR1 and α2δ-1 expression levels and interfered with α2δ-1 and NMDAR1 binding. In addition, the neural regulation mechanism of Que on antidepressant effect in PC12 cells knocked out α2δ-1 gene was further verified. Cellular experiments demonstrated that Que led to a reversal of up-regulation of NMDAR1 and α2δ-1 expression levels in corticosterone-injured PC12 cells, while Que had no effects on NMDAR1 expression in PC12 cells with the α2δ-1 gene knockout. CONCLUSIONS: Que has a good antidepressant effect and can significantly improve the depression-like behavior caused by CUMS. It exerts antidepressant effects by inhibiting the expression level of α2δ-1, interfering with the interaction between α2δ-1 and NMDAR, and then reducing the excitability of the HPA axis.

Development and application of one-step multiplex Real-Time PCR for detection of three main pathogens associated with bovine neonatal diarrhea.

Introduction: Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) is one of the most common diseases in calves, causing huge economic and productivity losses to the bovine industry worldwide. The main pathogens include bovine rotavirus (BRV), bovine coronavirus (BCoV), and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K99. Since multiple infectious agents can be involved in calf diarrhea, detecting each causative agent by traditional methods is laborious and expensive. Methods: In this study, we developed a one-step multiplex Real-Time PCR assay to simultaneously detect BRV, BCoV, and E. coli K99+. The assay performance on field samples was evaluated on 1100 rectal swabs of diseased cattle with diarrhea symptoms and compared with the conventional gel-based RT-PCR assay detect BRV, BCoV, and E. coli K99+. Results: The established assay could specifically detect the target pathogens without cross-reactivity with other pathogens. A single real-time PCR can detect ~1 copy/µL for each pathogen, and multiplex real-time PCR has a detection limit of 10 copies/µL. Reproducibility as measured by standard deviation and coefficient of variation were desirable. The triple real-time PCR method established in this study was compared with gel-based PT-PCR. Both methods are reasonably consistent, while the real-time PCR assay was more sensitive and could rapidly distinguish these three pathogens in one tube. Analysis of surveillance data showed that BRV and BCoV are major enteric viral pathogens accounting for calves' diarrhea in China. Discussion: The established assay has excellent specificity and sensitivity and was suitable for clinical application. The robustness and high-throughput performance of the developed assay make it a powerful tool in diagnostic applications and calf diarrhea research. ​.

A viral protein competitively bound to rice CIPK23 inhibits potassium absorption and facilitates virus systemic infection in rice.

Potassium (K+) plays a crucial role as a macronutrient in the growth and development of plants. Studies have definitely determined the vital roles of K+ in response to pathogen invasion. Our previous investigations revealed that rice plants infected with rice grassy stunt virus (RGSV) displayed a reduction in K+ content, but the mechanism by which RGSV infection subverts K+ uptake remains unknown. In this study, we found that overexpression of RGSV P1, a specific viral protein encoded by viral RNA1, results in enhanced sensitivity to low K+ stress and exhibits a significantly lower rate of K+ influx compared to wild-type rice plants. Further investigation revealed that RGSV P1 interacts with OsCIPK23, an upstream regulator of Shaker K+ channel OsAKT1. Moreover, we found that the P1 protein recruits the OsCIPK23 to the Cajal bodies (CBs). In vivo assays demonstrated that the P1 protein competitively binds to OsCIPK23 with both OsCBL1 and OsAKT1. In the nucleus, the P1 protein enhances the binding of OsCIPK23 to OsCoilin, a homologue of the signature protein of CBs in Arabidopsis, and facilitates their trafficking through these CB structures. Genetic analysis indicates that mutant in oscipk23 suppresses RGSV systemic infection. Conversely, osakt1 mutants exhibited increased sensitivity to RGSV infection. These findings suggest that RGSV P1 hinders the absorption of K+ in rice plants by recruiting the OsCIPK23 to the CB structures. This process potentially promotes virus systemic infection but comes at the expense of inhibiting OsAKT1 activity.

Li3PO4-Enriched SEI on Graphite Anode Boosts Li+ De-Solvation Enabling Fast-Charging and Low-Temperature Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Li+ de-solvation at solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI)-electrolyte interface stands as a pivotal step that imposes limitations on the fast-charging capability and low-temperature performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Unraveling the contributions of key constituents in the SEI that facilitate Li+ de-solvation and deciphering their mechanisms, as a design principle for the interfacial structure of anode materials, is still a challenge. Herein, we conducted a systematic exploration of the influence exerted by various inorganic components (Li2CO3, LiF, Li3PO4) found in the SEI on their role in promoting the Li+ de-solvation. The findings highlight that Li3PO4-enriched SEI effectively reduces the de-solvation energy due to its ability to attenuate the Li+-solvent interaction, thereby expediting the de-solvation process. Building on this, we engineer Li3PO4 interphase on graphite (LPO-Gr) anode via a simple solid-phase coating, facilitating the Li+ de-solvation and building an inorganic-rich SEI, resulting in accelerated Li+ transport crossing the electrode interfaces and interphases. Full cells using the LPO-Gr anode can replenish its 80 % capacity in 6.5 minutes, while still retaining 70 % of the room temperature capacity even at -20 °C. Our strategy establishes connection between the de-solvation characteristics of the SEI components and the interfacial structure design of anode materials for high performance LIBs.

Polymerase chain reaction-based methods for the rapid identification of Amanita exitialis.

Amanita exitialis, a deadly mushroom found in eastern Asia, causes the highest death rates among all poisonous mushrooms in China. The aim of the present study was to develop an efficient, accurate, and user-friendly PCR-based method for identifying A. exitialis that could facilitate the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of associated food poisoning. A. exitialis-specific primers and probes were designed based on the internal transcribed spacer region variations of 27 mushroom species. Specificity was confirmed using conventional and real-time PCR for 23 non-target mushroom species, including morphologically similar and closely related species. Compared to conventional PCR, real-time PCR was more sensitive (detectable DNA concentration: 1.36 × 10-2 ng/µL vs. 1.36 × 10-3) and efficient (analysis time: 1 h vs. 40 min). Furthermore, the real-time PCR results could be immediately visualized using amplification curve analysis. The results present two robust PCR-based methods for A. exitialis identification that can facilitate food safety.

Characterization of the proteome of stable and unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Currently, noninvasive imaging techniques and circulating biomarkers are still insufficient to accurately assess carotid plaque stability, and an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to plaque instability is still lacking. METHODS: We established a clinical study cohort containing 182 patients with carotid artery stenosis. After screening, 39 stable and 49 unstable plaques were included in the discovery group, and quantitative proteomics analysis based on data independent acquisition was performed for these plaque samples. Additionally, 35 plaques were included in the validation group to validate the proteomics results by immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS: A total of 397 differentially expressed proteins were identified in stable and unstable plaques. These proteins are primarily involved in ferroptosis and lipid metabolism-related functions and pathways. Plaque validation results showed that ferroptosis- and lipid metabolism-related proteins had different expression trends in stable plaques versus unstable fibrous cap regions and lipid core regions. Ferroptosis- and lipid metabolism-related mechanisms in plaque stability were discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results may provide a valuable strategy for revealing the mechanisms affecting plaque stability and will facilitate the discovery of specific biomarkers to broaden the therapeutic scope.

Bioadsorption, bioaccumulation and biodegradation of antibiotics by algae and their association with algal physiological state and antibiotic physicochemical properties.

Bioadsorption, bioaccumulation and biodegradation processes in algae, play an important role in the biomagnification of antibiotics, or other organic pollutants, in aquatic food chains. In this study, the bioadsorption, bioaccumulation and biodegradation of norfloxacin [NFX], sulfamethazine [SMZ] and roxithromycin [RTM]) is investigated using a series of culture experiments. Chlorella vulgaris was exposed to these antibiotics with incubation periods of 24, 72, 120 and 168 h. Results show the bioadsorption concentration of antibiotics in extracellular matter increases with increasing alkaline phosphatase activity (AKP/ALP). The bioaccumulation concentrations of NFX, SMZ and RTM within cells significantly increase after early exposure, and subsequently decrease. There is a significant positive antibiotics correlation to superoxide dismutase (SOD), the photosynthetic electron transport rate (ETR) and maximum fluorescence after dark adaptation (Fv/Fm), while showing a negative correlation to malondialdehyde (MDA). The biodegradation percentages (Pb) of NFX, SMZ and RTM range from 39.3 - 97.2, 41.3 - 90.5, and 9.3 - 99.9, respectively, and significantly increase with increasing Fv/Fm, density and chlorophyll-a. The accumulation of antibiotics in extracellular and intracellular substances of C. vulgaris is affected by antibiotic biodegradation processes associated with cell physiological state. The results succinctly explain relationships between algal growth during antibiotics exposure and the bioadsorption and bioaccumulation of these antibiotics in cell walls and cell matter. The findings draw an insightful understanding of the accumulation of antibiotics in algae and provide a scientific basis for the better utilization of algae treatment technology in antibiotic contaminated wastewaters. Under low dose exposures, the biomagnification of antibiotics in algae is affected by bioadsorption, bioaccumulation and biodegradation.

Breaking Low-Strain and Deep-Potassiation Trade-Off in Alloy Anodes via Bonding Modulation for High-Performance K-Ion Batteries.

Alloy anode materials have garnered unprecedented attention for potassium storage due to their high theoretical capacity. However, the substantial structural strain associated with deep potassiation results in serious electrode fragmentation and inadequate K-alloying reactions. Effectively reconciling the trade-off between low-strain and deep-potassiation in alloy anodes poses a considerable challenge due to the larger size of K-ions compared to Li/Na-ions. In this study, we propose a chemical bonding modulation strategy through single-atom modification to address the volume expansion of alloy anodes during potassiation. Using black phosphorus (BP) as a representative and generalizing to other alloy anodes, we established a robust P-S covalent bonding network via sulfur doping. This network exhibits sustained stability across discharge-charge cycles, elevating the modulus of K-P compounds by 74%, effectively withstanding the high strain induced by the potassiation process. Additionally, the bonding modulation reduces the formation energies of potassium phosphides, facilitating a deeper potassiation of the BP anode. As a result, the modified BP anode exhibits a high reversible capacity and extended operational lifespan, coupled with a high areal capacity. This work introduces a new perspective on overcoming the trade-off between low-strain and deep-potassiation in alloy anodes for the development of high-energy and stable potassium-ion batteries.

Highly efficient capture of iodine vapor by [Mo3S13]2- intercalated layered double hydroxides.

From the swollen LDH, bulky [Mo3S13]2- anions are facilely introduced into the LDH interlayers to assemble the Mo3S13-LDH composite, which exhibits excellent iodine capture performance and good irradiation resistance. The positive-charged LDH layers may disperse the [Mo3S13]2- uniformly within the interlayers, providing abundant adsorption sites for effectively trapping iodine. The Mo-S bond serving as a soft Lewis base has strong affinity to I2 with soft Lewis acidic characteristic, which is conducive to improvement of iodine capture via physical sorption. Besides, chemisorption has a significant contribution to the iodine adsorption. The S22-/S2- in [Mo3S13]2- can reduce the I2 to [I3]- ions, which are facilely fixed within the LDH gallery in virtue of electrostatic attraction. Meanwhile, the S22-/S2- themselves are oxidized to S8 and SO42-, while Mo4+ is oxidized (by O2 in air) to Mo6+, which combines with SO42- forming amorphous Mo(SO4)3. With the collective interactions of chemical and physical adsorption, the Mo3S13-LDH demonstrates an extremely large iodine adsorption capacity of 1580 mg/g. Under γ radiation, the structure of Mo3S13-LDH well maintains and iodine adsorption capability does not deteriorate, indicating the good irradiation resistance. This work provides an important reference to tailor cost-effective sorbents for trapping iodine from radioactive nuclear wastes.

Bifunctional Interphase Promotes Li+ De-Solvation and Transportation Enabling Fast-Charging Graphite Anode at Low Temperature.

The most successful lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) based on ethylene carbonate electrolytes and graphite anodes still suffer from severe energy and power loss at temperatures below -20 °C, which is because of high viscosity or even solidification of electrolytes, sluggish de-solvation of Li+ at the electrode surface, and slow Li+ transportation in solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Here, a coherent lithium phosphide (Li3P) coating firmly bonding to the graphite surface to effectively address these challenges is engineered. The dense, continuous, and robust Li3P interphase with high ionic conductivity enhances Li+ transportation across the SEI. Plus, it promotes Li+ de-solvation through an electron transfer mechanism, which simultaneously accelerates the charge transport kinetics and stands against the co-intercalation of low-melting-point solvent molecules, such as propylene carbonate (PC), 1,3-dioxolane, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane. Consequently, an unprecedented combination of high-capacity retention and fast-charging ability for LIBs at low temperatures is achieved. In full-cells encompassing the Li3P-coated graphite anode and PC electrolytes, an impressive 70% of their room-temperature capacity is attained at -20 °C with a 4 C charging rate and a 65% capacity retention is achieved at -40 °C with a 0.05 C charging rate. This research pioneers a transformative trajectory in fortifying LIB performance in cryogenic environments.

Ten-year experiences and outcomes of bypass surgery and endovascular therapy in the management of infrarenal aortic occlusion: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Background: Infrarenal aortic occlusion (IAO) is a life-threatening condition that often causes lower limb ischemia. Although open surgery is the current recommendation for first-line treatment, recent technological innovations have made endovascular treatment (EVT) a promising alternative. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of bypass surgery and EVT in the treatment of IAO. Methods: This study is a single-center retrospective observative study at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Consecutive 92 patients with chronic and atherosclerotic IAO were treated with either EVT (n=40) or bypass surgery (n=52) between 2011 and 2021. The baseline clinical factors (including demographic data and comorbidities), perioperative data (including Rutherford classification changes, technical success) and complication rates were evaluated. The mid-term patency and overall survival of EVT and bypass were assessed. Follow-up was defined as the time from surgery to the last outpatient visit. Continuous variables and category variables were statistically compared, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were conducted for vascular patency. Results: The study found that the demographics and pre-operative Rutherford classification were evenly distributed between the two groups (P>0.05). As for technical success, clinical success, comorbidities, mortality, complication rate, and Rutherford classification after procedures, no significant differences were observed (P>0.05). The average post-procedure hospital stay was 5.15 days in the EVT group and was significantly shorter than that of the bypass group, which was 11.83 days (P<0.0001). As for short-term and long-term results, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year primary patency rates were 81.8%, 73.1%, and 73.1% in the EVT group and 97.8%, 80.6%, and 80.6% in the bypass group. The bypass group had significantly better primary patency (P=0.034). There was a significant difference in the secondary patency rate (Bypass 100% vs. EVT 81.6%; P=0.005). Moreover, survival rates were higher in the bypass surgery group than in the EVT group (P=0.035). Conclusions: Although EVT's primary patency rate was lower than that with the bypass surgery, its safety and efficacy were still comparable to anatomic bypass surgery for IAO with less severe perioperative complications and shorter hospital stay. Therefore, EVT could be a feasible option for IAO.

Cherry leaf decoction inhibits NMDAR expression and thereby ameliorates CUMS- induced depression-like behaviors through downregulation of α2δ-1.

Depression is a complex and prevalent mental illness. Cherry leaf is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, which has confirmed to exert a certain antidepressant effect, but its potential neural regulation mechanism is not clear. This paper aims to investigate the improved action of cherry leaf decoction (CLD) on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats and its potential neural regulation mechanism by verifying the role and function of NMDAR regulatory target α2δ-1 in depression due to CUMS. Male SD rats were subjected to random stressors persisting for 5 weeks to establish the CUMS depression rat model. CLD could effectively alleviate depression-like behaviors of CUMS rats in behavioral tests including sucrose preference test, forced swimming test, tail suspension test and open field test. After the administration of the CLD, the expression of corticotropic-releasing hormone (CRH) in the hypothalamus was inhibited. Moreover, the levels of CRH, adrenal cortical hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) in serum also decreased significantly. CUMS upregulated the expressions of α2δ-1, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor 1 (NR1), NR2A and NR2B, and enhanced the binding ability to of α2δ-1 and NR1, which were reversed by CLD. The results demonstrated that CLD could ameliorate depression-like behaviors due to CUMS, which was related to the fact that CLD down-regulated α2δ-1 level and interfered with α2δ-1 binding to NR1, thereby reducing NMDAR expression and ultimately inhibiting HPA axis activity.

[Sn2S6]4- Anion-Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxides for Highly Efficient Capture of Iodine.

The development of low-cost and high-efficiency iodine sorbents is of great significance for the control of nuclear pollution. In this work, we intercalate the tin sulfide cluster of [Sn2S6]4- to Mg/Al-type layered double hydroxides to obtain Sn2S6-LDH, which exhibits highly efficient capture performance of iodine vapor and iodine in solutions. The dispersion effect of the positively charged LDH layers contributes to the adequate exposure of [Sn2S6]4- anions, providing plentiful adsorption sites. For iodine vapor, Sn2S6-LDH showed an extremely large iodine capture capacity of 2954 mg/g with a large contribution from physisorption. For iodine in solutions, a significantly large sorption capacity of 1308 mg/g was achieved. During iodine capture, I2 molecules were reduced to I- ions (by S2- in [Sn2S6]4-), which then reacted with Sn4+ to form SnI4, where the molar amount of captured iodine is 4-fold that of Sn. Besides, the as-reduced I- combined with I2 again to generate [I3]-, which then entered the LDH interlayers to maintain electric neutrality. While reducing iodine, S2- itself in [Sn2S6]4- was oxidized to S8, which further combined with SnI4 to form a novel compound of SnI4(S8)2. The excellent iodine capture capability endows Sn2S6-LDH with a promising application in trapping radioactive iodine.

Study on Potato Bud Cultivation Techniques in a Greenhouse in Spring.

The species degeneration caused by traditional potato cultivation methods is becoming increasingly evident, and it is particularly important to study new potato cultivation methods. Sprout planting technology has the advantages of large reproductive capacity, fast growth speed, and simplified maintenance of cultivated crops. In this study, four disease-free potato varieties ('Fujin', 'Youjin', 'Zhongshu 4', and 'Feiwuruita') were treated with different parts (top bud, middle bud, and tail bud) and different bud lengths (10 cm, 15 cm, and 20 cm), and then potato sprout planting was carried out. A nutrient pot experiment was performed following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with various replicates and a natural control (CK) treatment. By comprehensively measuring the emergence, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, dry matter distribution during the bulking period of blocks, and effect of growth and quality with bud direct seeding under both treatments, it was found that potato block top bud direct seeding cultivation is significantly superior to other parts. In terms of early maturity and yield statistics, the advantage of top bud cultivation in 'zhongshu 4' is most obvious; it reaches maturity an average of 14 days earlier, and the yield can be increased by 38.05%. Therefore, top bud direct seeding is more suitable for potato sprout planting technology. On this basis, the 20 cm and 15 cm bud length treatments of top buds were used for direct cultivation, and all the above indicators performed well. Among them, in the zhongshu 4 variety, the yields of 15 cm and 20 cm bud length treatments increased by 41.78% and 38.05%, the growth rates of commercial potatoes increased by 6% and 6.9%, respectively, and the effects were the most obvious. In conclusion, the deep research and application of potato sprouting technology has high utilization value for improving potato yield and quality and has guiding significance for greenhouse potato cultivation in early spring.

A systematic review of blunt abdominal aortic injury and analysis of predictors of death.

At present, research on blunt abdominal aortic injury (BAAI) is limited, with the majority being case reports. Consequently, there is a significant knowledge gap concerning this condition. To address this, we conducted a systematic review by extensively searching major databases. We included all literature that provided individual (non-identifiable) data on BAAI patients, irrespective of the study design. Furthermore, we undertook regression analyses to identify predictors of death after BAAI. The search yielded 2,099 results, leading to the inclusion of 102 case reports and one conference abstract. Using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for assessment, all studies were deemed of medium to high quality. In total, 133 patients were included, with a median age of 34 years, and 73.7% being male. The predominant clinical manifestation was pain, reported in 65.6% of patients. The most frequently observed aortic lesion severity was grade A (intimal tear or intramural hematoma) at 46.9%, and the most common lesion location was zone III (infrarenal aorta) in 88.3% of cases.  The overall mortality after BAAI was 15.3%. Multivariate regression analyses revealed the following predictors of death after BAAI: lower limb ischemia (relative risk [RR] = 7.137, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.154 - 44.161), cardiopulmonary arrest (RR = 10.250, 95% CI 1.452 - 72.344), and injuries to body parts other than the abdomen and lumbar spine (RR = 2.593, 95% CI 1.189 - 5.655). In conclusion, this review provides a detailed quantitative summary of BAAI's clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, emphasizing its high mortality rate and identifying three critical variables as predictors of death.

A contrast-enhanced CT-based radiomic nomogram for the differential diagnosis of intravenous leiomyomatosis and uterine leiomyoma.

Objective: Uterine intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare and unique leiomyoma that is difficult to surgery due to its ability to extend into intra- and extra-uterine vasculature. And it is difficult to differentiate from uterine leiomyoma (LM) by conventional CT scanning, which results in a large number of missed diagnoses. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of a contrast-enhanced CT-based radiomic nomogram for preoperative differentiation of IVL and LM. Methods: 124 patients (37 IVL and 87 LM) were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Radiomic features were extracted from contrast-enhanced CT before surgery. Clinical, radiomic, and combined models were developed using LightGBM (Light Gradient Boosting Machine) algorithm to differentiate IVL and LM. The clinical and radiomic signatures were integrated into a nomogram. The diagnostic performance of the models was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC) and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: Clinical factors, such as symptoms, menopausal status, age, and selected imaging features, were found to have significant correlations with the differential diagnosis of IVL and LM. A total of 108 radiomic features were extracted from contrast-enhanced CT images and selected for analysis. 29 radiomics features were selected to establish the Rad-score. A clinical model was developed to discriminate IVL and LM (AUC=0.826). Radiomic models were used to effectively differentiate IVL and LM (AUC=0.980). This radiological nomogram combined the Rad-score with independent clinical factors showed better differentiation efficiency than the clinical model (AUC=0.985, p=0.046). Conclusion: This study provides evidence for the utility of a radiomic nomogram integrating clinical and radiomic signatures for differentiating IVL and LM with improved diagnostic accuracy. The nomogram may be useful in clinical decision-making and provide recommendations for clinical treatment.

The Great Game between Plants and Viruses: A Focus on Protein Homeostasis.

Plant viruses are tiny pathogenic obligate parasites that cause significant damage to global crop production. They exploit and manipulate the cellular components of host plants to ensure their own survival. In response, plants activate multiple defense signaling pathways, such as gene silencing and plant hormone signaling, to hinder virus propagation. Growing evidence suggests that the regulation of protein homeostasis plays a vital role in the ongoing battle between plants and viruses. The ubiquitin-proteasome-degradation system (UPS) and autophagy, as two major protein-degradation pathways, are widely utilized by plants and viruses in their arms race. One the one hand, these pathways act as essential components of plant's antiviral defense system by facilitating the degradation of viral proteins; on the other hand, viruses exploit the UPS and autophagy to create a favorable intracellular environment for viral infection. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the events involved in protein homeostasis regulation during viral infection in plants. Gaining knowledge in this area will enhance our understanding of the complex interplay between plants and viruses.

Renal perfusion improvement in the perioperative period after unilateral endovascular revascularization in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

Background: The clinical benefits of endovascular treatment in renal artery stenosis (RAS) remain controversial. This study used an intraoperative renal perfusion imaging technique, called flat-panel detector parenchymal blood volume imaging (FD-PBV), to observe the change in renal perfusion after endovascular treatment in RAS. Materials and methods: In a prospective, single-center study, we assigned 30 patients with atherosclerotic RAS who underwent endovascular treatment between March 2016 and March 2021. The preoperative and postoperative results of renal perfusion, blood pressure, and renal function, were compared. Results: Both median kidney volume (p < 0.001) and median preoperative mean density of contrast medium (MDCM) (p = 0.028) increased significantly after endovascular treatment. The ratio of postoperative and preoperative MDCM differed greatly among the patients. For patients with preoperative MDCM <304.0 HU (Subgroup A, 15 cases), MDCM significantly increased after treatment (p = 0.001) and 12 (80.0%) patients had more than 10% increase in renal perfusion. For patients who had relatively high preoperative renal perfusion (MDCM ≥304.0 HU, Subgroup B, 15 cases), preoperative and postoperative MDCM were similar (p = 0.776). On the other hand, the serum creatinine levels significantly decreased in Subgroup A (p = 0.033) and fewer antihypertensive drugs were used after endovascular revascularization (p = 0.041). The preoperative and postoperative creatinine levels and number of antihypertensive drugs were similar in Subgroup B. Conclusions: During the perioperative period, RAS patients with relatively low preoperative renal perfusion levels had greater improvement in renal perfusion, renal function, and blood pressure control after endovascular treatment. The improvement of renal function needs to be confirmed by long-term follow-up.

Identification of the Regulatory Role of SlWRKYs in Tomato Defense against Meloidogyne incognita.

Root-knot nematode (RKN) infections are among the most serious soil-borne diseases in the world, and tomato is a common host of RKNs. WRKY transcription factors are involved in complex, diverse biological processes in plants. In a previous study, a resistant variety, LA3858 (Mi-3/Mi-3), was treated at different soil temperatures before RNA-seq, and six differentially expressed genes (DEGs) encoding WRKY proteins were screened. In this study, cloning and sequencing were used to identify six target DEGs encoding SlWRKY1, SlWRKY13, SlWRKY30, SlWRKY41, SlWRKY46, and SlWRKY80. Conserved domain identification and phylogenetic tree analysis showed that SlWRKY1, SlWRKY13, and SlWRKY46 have similar functions and are mainly involved in plant growth and development and abiotic stress responses. SlWRKY30 and SlWRKY41 share high homology, while AtWRKY46 and AtWRKY70, which are highly homologous to SlWRKY80, play an important role in the disease resistance of A. thaliana. Considering these findings combined with the high level of SlWRKY80 expression observed in the roots and leaves of the resistant variety Motelle (Mi-1/Mi-1) and the continuous upregulation of SlWRKY80 expression in the roots after inoculation of Motelle with M. incognita, it is speculated that SlWRKY80 plays an important role in the Mi-1-mediated disease resistance pathway. Further study revealed that SlWRKY80 is a typical nuclear-localized protein, and a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) assay verified that SlWRKY80 is involved in tomato resistance to RKNs as a positive regulator. SA and JA signals play an important role in Mi-1-mediated resistance to RKNs. SlWRKY80 was able to respond rapidly to treatment with both plant hormones, which indicated that SlWRKY80 might be involved in disease resistance regulation through various immune pathways.