Combined traditional Chinese medicine therapy for the treatment of infertility with polycystic ovary syndrome: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) infertility has attracted great attention from researchers due to its high incidence. Numerous studies have shown that Chinese medicine is effective in treating this disease, but there is a wide variety of Chinese medicine therapies available, and there is a lack of comparative evaluation of the efficacy of various Chinese medicine combination therapies in the clinic, which requires further in-depth exploration. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a combined traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS using network meta-analysis (NMA). METHODS: In PubMed, web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang Data, VIP Database, China Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed) databases, searchs were conducted for information about the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of combined TCM therapy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS. Quality evaluation was performed using the Cochrane 5.3 risk of bias assessment tool, and NMA using Stata 16.0. RESULTS: This study comprised 28 RCTs using 8 combined TCM therapies in total. The results of the NMA showed that moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, acupuncture + herbal, electroacupuncture + herbal, and acupoint application + herbal improved the clinical pregnancy rate better than acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy (P < .05). Additionally, ear point pressure + herbal enema + herbal, acupuncture and moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, and acupuncture + herbal improved the ovulation rate better than acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy (P < .05). Moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, and acupuncture + herbal are the 3 most effective therapies for improving the clinical pregnancy rate. Fire acupuncture + herbal, acupuncture + herbal, and ear point pressure + herbal enema + herbal are the 3 most effective therapies for improving the ovulation rate. CONCLUSION: The combined TCM therapy demonstrated better efficacy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS compared to acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy. However, the optimal treatment therapy varied depending on the outcome indicators. Further large sample, high-quality, and standardized RCTs are needed to verify these findings.

How relations between early reading skills and third-grade mathematics outcomes vary across distribution: A quantile regression approach.

Early reading skills are critical for later academic outcomes, which include mathematics. Yet, these relations may vary by a child's ability level. This study examined how early reading skills relate to different levels of third-grade mathematics. The samples included 105 same-sex twin pairs (210 individuals, 57% female, 43% male) from the ongoing longitudinal Western Reserve Reading and Math Projects, assessed at kindergarten (M = 6.18, SD = 0.44) and third grade (M = 9.07, SD = 0.49). Kindergarten reading measures consisted of the Letter Identification task from the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test-Revised Normative Update, the Deletion subtests from Phonological Awareness Test, and the Letter Naming Fluency task from the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills; third-grade math measures included Calculation, Fluency, Applied Problem, and Quantitative Concepts subtests of Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement. Both linear and quantile regressions were conducted using reading measures as predictors and math measures as the dependent variables. Linear regressions indicated that the Deletion Summary Score was a unique predictor of Applied Problems, and Letter Naming Fluency was a significant and unique predictor of Calculation Fluency and Quantitative Concepts. Quantile regressions provided a more thorough analysis of these relations. It was found that Letter Naming Fluency was significantly associated with Calculation, Calculation Fluency, and Quantitative Concepts at the lower level. The Deletion Summary Score had relatively stable relations with Applied Problems across all levels. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Harnessing noncanonical crRNA for highly efficient genome editing.

The CRISPR-Cas12a system is more advantageous than the widely used CRISPR-Cas9 system in terms of specificity and multiplexibility. However, its on-target editing efficiency is typically much lower than that of the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Here we improved its on-target editing efficiency by simply incorporating 2-aminoadenine (base Z, which alters canonical Watson-Crick base pairing) into the crRNA to increase the binding affinity between crRNA and its complementary DNA target. The resulting CRISPR-Cas12a (named zCRISPR-Cas12a thereafter) shows an on-target editing efficiency comparable to that of the CRISPR-Cas9 system but with much lower off-target effects than the CRISPR-Cas9 system in mammalian cells. In addition, zCRISPR-Cas12a can be used for precise gene knock-in and highly efficient multiplex genome editing. Overall, the zCRISPR-Cas12a system is superior to the CRISPR-Cas9 system, and our simple crRNA engineering strategy may be extended to other CRISPR-Cas family members as well as their derivatives.

Pre-Treatment, Extraction Solvent, and Color Stability of Anthocyanins from Purple Sweetpotato.

Purple sweetpotato anthocyanins (PSPA) exhibit significant potential as food colorants with associated health benefits. However, challenges related to browning and instability have hindered the application of PSPA. In this study, various pre-treatments and solvents for PSPA extraction were evaluated based on color, anthocyanin yields, antioxidant capabilities, and brown index. Browning markedly influenced the color and reduced the antioxidant capacity. Optimal results were obtained with the pre-treatment of "steaming of unpeeled whole sweetpotato" and the solvent "1% citric acid-ddH2O". Furthermore, the color stability of purified PSPA solutions was evaluated under pH levels from 1 to 13 at 25 °C and 65 °C. The PSPA solutions showed a color spectrum from magenta, blue/green, and then to yellow across the pH range. The blue/green hues at pH 10-12 rapidly degraded, while the magenta hue at lower pH showed higher color stability. Elevated temperatures significantly accelerated the PSPA degradation. However, PSPA solutions at pH 1-2 exhibited remarkable color stability, with no spectral decay at either 65 °C for 12 h or 25 °C for 32 days. These results provide valid guidance for the extraction, preservation, and application of PSPA in the food industry.

Enhancement of sweetpotato tolerance to chromium stress through melatonin and glutathione: Insights into photosynthetic efficiency, oxidative defense, and growth parameters.

Melatonin (MT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) roles in mitigating chromium (Cr) toxicity in sweetpotato were explored. Plants, pre-treated with varying MT and GSH doses, were exposed to Cr (40 µM). Cr severely hampered growth by disrupting leaf photosynthesis, root system, and oxidative processes and increased Cr absorption. However, the exogenous application of 1 µM of MT and 2 mM of GSH substantially improved growth parameters by enhancing chlorophyll content, gas exchange (Pn, Tr, Gs, and Ci), and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm, ETR, qP, and Y(II)). Furthermore, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide ion (O2•-), electrolyte leakage (EL), and Cr uptake by roots (21.6 and 27.3%) and its translocation to shoots were markedly reduced by MT and GSH application, protecting the cell membrane from oxidative damage of Cr-toxicity. Microscopic analysis demonstrated that MT and GSH maintained chloroplast structure and integrity of mesophyll cells; they also enhanced stomatal length, width, and density, strengthening the photosynthetic system and plant growth and biomass. MT and GSH improved osmo-protectants (proline and soluble sugars), gene expression, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities, mitigating osmotic stress and strengthening plant defenses under Cr stress. Importantly, the efficiency of GSH pre-treatment in reducing Cr-toxicity surpassed that of MT. The findings indicate that MT and GSH alleviate Cr detrimental effects by enhancing photosynthetic organ stability, component accumulation, and resistance to oxidative stress. This study is a valuable resource for plants confronting Cr stress in contaminated soils, but further field validation and detailed molecular exploration are necessary.

A tailored series of engineered yeasts for the cell-dependent treatment of inflammatory bowel disease by rational butyrate supplementation.

Intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and metabolic disruption are considered essential characteristics in inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD). Reasonable butyrate supplementation can help patients regulate intestinal flora structure and promote mucosal repair. Here, to restore microbiota homeostasis and butyrate levels in the patient's intestines, we modified the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce butyrate. We precisely regulated the relevant metabolic pathways to enable the yeast to produce sufficient butyrate in the intestine with uneven oxygen distribution. A series of engineered strains with different butyrate synthesis abilities was constructed to meet the needs of different patients, and the strongest can reach 1.8 g/L title of butyrate. Next, this series of strains was used to co-cultivate with gut microbiota collected from patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. After receiving treatment with engineered strains, the gut microbiota and the butyrate content have been regulated to varying degrees depending on the synthetic ability of the strain. The abundance of probiotics such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus increased, while the abundance of harmful bacteria like Candidatus Bacilloplasma decreased. Meanwhile, the series of butyrate-producing yeast significantly improved trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in mice by restoring butyrate content. Among the series of engineered yeasts, the strain with the second-highest butyrate synthesis ability showed the most significant regulatory and the best therapeutic effect on the gut microbiota from IBD patients and the colitis mouse model. This study confirmed the existence of a therapeutic window for IBD treatment by supplementing butyrate, and it is necessary to restore butyrate levels according to the actual situation of patients to restore intestinal flora.

CRISPR-COPIES: an in silico platform for discovery of neutral integration sites for CRISPR/Cas-facilitated gene integration.

The CRISPR/Cas system has emerged as a powerful tool for genome editing in metabolic engineering and human gene therapy. However, locating the optimal site on the chromosome to integrate heterologous genes using the CRISPR/Cas system remains an open question. Selecting a suitable site for gene integration involves considering multiple complex criteria, including factors related to CRISPR/Cas-mediated integration, genetic stability, and gene expression. Consequently, identifying such sites on specific or different chromosomal locations typically requires extensive characterization efforts. To address these challenges, we have developed CRISPR-COPIES, a COmputational Pipeline for the Identification of CRISPR/Cas-facilitated intEgration Sites. This tool leverages ScaNN, a state-of-the-art model on the embedding-based nearest neighbor search for fast and accurate off-target search, and can identify genome-wide intergenic sites for most bacterial and fungal genomes within minutes. As a proof of concept, we utilized CRISPR-COPIES to characterize neutral integration sites in three diverse species: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Cupriavidus necator, and HEK293T cells. In addition, we developed a user-friendly web interface for CRISPR-COPIES (https://biofoundry.web.illinois.edu/copies/). We anticipate that CRISPR-COPIES will serve as a valuable tool for targeted DNA integration and aid in the characterization of synthetic biology toolkits, enable rapid strain construction to produce valuable biochemicals, and support human gene and cell therapy applications.

Association of tea and its extracts with colorectal adenomas: meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: There are many studies on the association of tea and its extracts with colorectal adenomas, but the results have varied. The study aims to investigate the effect of tea and its extracts on colorectal adenomas using meta analysis and systematic review. Methods: Literature was obtained through PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Chinese BioMedical Literature Service System since the establishment of the database until April 31, 2023. Search terms include adenomas, polyps, colorectal, rectal, rectum, tea, epigallocatechin, drinking and beverages. Meta-regression analysis was used to infer the source of heterogeneity. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics and Q test. The effect measures were odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Stata17.0 software was used for data processing. Results: The findings indicated that study design (t = 0.78, P = 0.454), types of tea intake (t = 1.35, P = 0.205), occurrences (t = -0.19, P = 0.852), regions (t = 1.13, P = 0.281) and grades of adenomas (t = 0.06, P = 0.952) were statistical homogeneity. Tea and its extracts were negatively correlated with the risk of colorectal adenomas (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.66-0.98). No publication bias was found in this study (t = -0.22, P = 0.828) and the results are robust. Conclusion: This study suggests that tea and its extracts have a certain protective effect on colorectal adenomas, which provides scientific evidence for preventive strategies for colorectal adenomas. As for the causal relationship between tea and its extracts on colorectal adenomas, further prospective studies are needed.

Spatio-temporal pattern and associate factors of intestinal infectious diseases in Zhejiang Province, China, 2008-2021: a Bayesian modeling study.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant progress in sanitation status and public health awareness, intestinal infectious diseases (IID) have caused a serious disease burden in China. Little was known about the spatio-temporal pattern of IID at the county level in Zhejiang. Therefore, a spatio-temporal modelling study to identify high-risk regions of IID incidence and potential risk factors was conducted. METHODS: Reported cases of notifiable IID from 2008 to 2021 were obtained from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Moran's I index and the local indicators of spatial association (LISA) were calculated using Geoda software to identify the spatial autocorrelation and high-risk areas of IID incidence. Bayesian hierarchical model was used to explore socioeconomic and climate factors affecting IID incidence inequities from spatial and temporal perspectives. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2021, a total of 101 cholera, 55,298 bacterial dysentery, 131 amoebic dysentery, 5297 typhoid, 2102 paratyphoid, 27,947 HEV, 1,695,925 hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), and 1,505,797 other infectious diarrhea (OID) cases were reported in Zhejiang Province. The hot spots for bacterial dysentery, OID, and HEV incidence were found mainly in Hangzhou, while high-high cluster regions for incidence of enteric fever and HFMD were mainly located in Ningbo. The Bayesian model showed that Areas with a high proportion of males had a lower risk of BD and enteric fever. People under the age of 18 may have a higher risk of IID. High urbanization rate was a protective factor against HFMD (RR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.88, 0.94), but was a risk factor for HEV (RR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.10). BD risk (RR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.10-1.18) and enteric fever risk (RR = 1.18, 95% CI:1.10-1.27) seemed higher in areas with high GDP per capita. The greater the population density, the higher the risk of BD (RR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.23-1.36), enteric fever (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.00-1.25), and HEV (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.09-1.21). Among climate variables, higher temperature was associated with a higher risk of BD (RR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.23-1.41), enteric fever (RR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.33-1.50), and HFMD (RR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08-1.38), and with lower risk of HEV (RR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.78-0.89). Precipitation was positively correlated with enteric fever (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.08), HFMD (RR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00-1.06), and HEV (RR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03-1.08). Higher HFMD risk was also associated with increasing relative humidity (RR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.16-1.24) and lower wind velocity (RR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.84-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: There was significant spatial clustering of IID incidence in Zhejiang Province from 2008 to 2021. Spatio-temporal patterns of IID risk could be largely explained by socioeconomic and meteorological factors. Preventive measures and enhanced monitoring should be taken in some high-risk counties in Hangzhou city and Ningbo city.

To Cut or not to Cut: Next-generation Genome Editors for Precision Genome Engineering.

Since the original report of repurposing the CRISPR/Cas9 system for genome engineering, the past decade has witnessed profound improvement in our ability to efficiently manipulate the mammalian genome. However, significant challenges lie ahead that hinder the translation of CRISPR-based gene editing technologies into safe and effective therapeutics. The CRISPR systems often have a limited target scope due to PAM restrictions, and the off-target activity also poses serious risks for therapeutic applications. Moreover, the first-generation genome editors typically achieve desired genomic modifications by inducing double-strand breaks (DSBs) at target site(s). Despite being highly efficient, this "cut and fix" strategy is less favorable in clinical settings due to drawbacks associated with the nuclease-induced DSBs. In this review, we focus on recent advances that help address these challenges, including the engineering and discovery of novel CRISPR/Cas systems with improved functionalities and the development of DSB-free genome editors.

Association between dietary factors and colorectal serrated polyps: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Dietary factors may affect the incidence of colorectal serrated polyps (SP). However, its effects on SP are unclear as epidemiological studies on this topic have showed inconsistent results. The present systematic review and meta-analysis sought to evaluate the effects of dietary factors on SPs. Methods: Studies regarding the association between dietary factors and SPs were identified by searching PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase and Chinese Biomedical Literature database from inception until 27 February 2023. Search terms include serrated, hyperplastic, adenoma, polyps, colorectal, rectal, rectum and risk. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. The meta-analysis was conducted by using a random-effects model, and the pooled effects were expressed with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Probable sources of heterogeneity were identified through meta-regression. Subgroup analysis were based on lesion types, study designs, countries, and so on. Results: 28 studies were ultimately eligible after scanning, and five dietary factors including vitamin D, calcium, folate, fiber and red or processed meat were excerpted. Higher intakes of vitamin D (OR = 0.95, 95%CI:0.90-1.02), calcium (OR = 0.97, 95%CI: 0.91-1.03) and folate (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.6-1.13) were not significantly associated with SP. Fiber intake (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82-0.99) was a protective factor against SPs. Red meat intake increased the risk of SPs by 30% for the highest versus lowest intakes (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.13-1.51). For different lesion types, higher folate intake was associated with a decreased risk of HPs (OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.44-0.79), and higher vitamin D intake decreased the risk of SPs including SSA/P (OR = 0.93, 95%CI: 0.88-0.98). Conclusions: Higher dietary fiber intake plays an effective role in preventing SP, while red meat intake is associated with an increased risk of SP. This evidence provides guidance for us to prevent SP from a dietary perspective. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?, RecordID=340750.

C-176 loaded Ce DNase nanoparticles synergistically inhibit the cGAS-STING pathway for ischemic stroke treatment.

The neuroinflammatory responses following ischemic stroke cause irreversible nerve cell death. Cell free-double strand DNA (dsDNA) segments from ischemic tissue debris are engulfed by microglia and sensed by their cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), which triggers robust activation of the innate immune stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway and initiate the chronic inflammatory cascade. The decomposition of immunogenic dsDNA and inhibition of the innate immune STING are synergistic immunologic targets for ameliorating neuroinflammation. To combine the anti-inflammatory strategies of STING inhibition and dsDNA elimination, we constructed a DNase-mimetic artificial enzyme loaded with C-176. Nanoparticles are self-assembled by amphiphilic copolymers (P[CL35-b-(OEGMA20.7-co-NTAMA14.3)]), C-176, and Ce4+ which is coordinated with nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) group to form corresponding catalytic structures. Our work developed a new nano-drug that balances the cGAS-STING axis to enhance the therapeutic impact of stroke by combining the DNase-memetic Ce4+ enzyme and STING inhibitor synergistically. In conclusion, it is a novel approach to modulating central nervus system (CNS) inflammatory signaling pathways and improving stroke prognosis.

Analysis on the factors associated with COVID-19 infection among Chinese residents after the implementation of the 10 new rules to optimize COVID-19 response: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the status of COVID-19 infection and the associated factors among Chinese residents after the implementation of the 10 New Rules to optimize COVID response. Methods: Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. The study used self-filled questionnaires to examine COVID-19 infection and associated factors among Chinese residents, from December 29, 2022, to January 2, 2023. For the statistical analysis, descriptive and quantitative analyses were used. The potential risk factors for COVID-19 infection were identified by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: After the adjustments in control strategies against COVID-19, the infection rate of COVID-19 was high among respondents, and 98.4% of individuals who tested positive showed symptoms including cough, fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, sputum production, muscle and joint pain, and runny nose. The main problems respondents reported were the shortage of drugs and medical supplies, the increased burden on families, and the unreliable information source of COVID-19 infection. Logistic regression showed that isolating patients with COVID-19 at home was associated with a lower risk of COVID-19 infection (OR = 0.58, 95%CI: 0.42-0.81). Conclusion: COVID-19 infection among residents is closely related to age, gender, and epidemic prevention measures. The government needs to strengthen education for individuals and centrally manage and properly address difficulties that may arise during COVID-19.

Research on the predictive model based on the depth of problem-solving discussion in MOOC forum.

A discussion forum is an indispensable part of a massive open online course (MOOC) environment as it enables knowledge construction through learner-to-learner interaction such as discussion of solutions to assigned problems among learners. In this paper, a machine prediction model is built based on the data from the MOOC forum and the depth of discussion of solutions to assigned problems on the topic among students was analyzed. The data for this study was obtained from Modern educational technology course through Selenium with Python. The course has been offered to a total of 11,184 students from China seven times since February, 2016. The proposed model includes the formula of the depth of problem-solving discussion in MOOC forum and its prediction probability. The efficiency of the prediction model and the most important factor of the depth of problem-solving discussion in MOOC are explained in the paper. Based on the results, useful suggestions for effective teaching in MOOC forums are provided in the article.

Synthetic bacterial therapies for intestinal diseases based on quorum-sensing circuits.

Bacterial therapy has become a key strategy against intestinal infectious diseases in recent years. Moreover, regulating the gut microbiota through traditional fecal microbiota transplantation and supplementation of probiotics faces controllability, efficacy, and safety challenges. The infiltration and emergence of synthetic biology and microbiome provide an operational and safe treatment platform for live bacterial biotherapies. Synthetic bacterial therapy can artificially manipulate bacteria to produce and deliver therapeutic drug molecules. This method has the advantages of solid controllability, low toxicity, strong therapeutic effects, and easy operation. As an essential tool for dynamic regulation in synthetic biology, quorum sensing (QS) has been widely used for designing complex genetic circuits to control the behavior of bacterial populations and achieve predefined goals. Therefore, QS-based synthetic bacterial therapy might become a new direction for the treatment of diseases. The pre-programmed QS genetic circuit can achieve a controllable production of therapeutic drugs on particular ecological niches by sensing specific signals released from the digestive system in pathological conditions, thereby realizing the integration of diagnosis and treatment. Based on this as well as the modular idea of synthetic biology, QS-based synthetic bacterial therapies are divided into an environmental signal sensing module (senses gut disease physiological signals), a therapeutic molecule producing module (plays a therapeutic role against diseases), and a population behavior regulating module (QS system). This review article summarized the structure and function of these three modules and discussed the rational design of QS gene circuits as a novel intervention strategy for intestinal diseases. Moreover, the application prospects of QS-based synthetic bacterial therapy were summarized. Finally, the challenges faced by these methods were analyzed to make the targeted recommendations for developing a successful therapeutic strategy for intestinal diseases.

The complete plastome sequence of Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson ex F.A. Zorn) Fosberg, (Moraceae).

Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson ex F.A. Zorn) Fosberg is native to the Pacific Islands, India, and the Philippines. It is also cultivated in Taiwan and Hainan. The complete plastome of the species was assembled and annotated in this study. The circular genome was 160,184 bp in size, presenting a typical quadripartite structure including two inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,734 bp, a large single-copy (LSC) of 88,791 bp, and a small single-copy (SSC) of 19,925 bp. The genome contained 132 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The total G/C content of complete plastome was 36.0%, with the corresponding values of the LSC, SSC, and IR being 33.7%, 28.8%, and 42.7%, respectively. The complete plastome sequence of A. altilis (Parkinson ex F.A. Zorn) Fosberg will make contributions to the conservation genetics of this species as well as to phylogenetic studies of Moraceae.

Predicting the potential suitable distribution area of Emeia pseudosauteri in Zhejiang Province based on the MaxEnt model.

Human activities, including urbanization, industrialization, agricultural pollution, and land use, have contributed to the increased fragmentation of natural habitats and decreased biodiversity in Zhejiang Province as a result of socioeconomic development. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the protection of ecologically significant species can play a crucial role in restoring biodiversity. Emeia pseudosauteri is regarded as an excellent environmental indicator, umbrella and flagship species because of its unique ecological attributes and strong public appeal. Assessing and predicting the potential suitable distribution area of this species in Zhejiang Province can help in the widespread conservation of biodiversity. We used the MaxEnt ecological niche model to evaluate the habitat suitability of E. pseudosauteri in Zhejiang Province to understand the potential distribution pattern and environmental characteristics of suitable habitats for this species, and used the AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) and TSS (true skill statistics) to evaluate the model performance. The results showed that the mean AUC value was 0.985, the standard deviation was 0.011, the TSS average value was 0.81, and the model prediction results were excellent. Among the 11 environmental variables used for modeling, temperature seasonality (Bio_4), altitude (Alt) and distance to rivers (Riv_dis) were the key variables affecting the distribution area of E. pseudosauteri, with contributions of 33.5%, 30% and 15.9%, respectively. Its main suitable distribution area is in southern Zhejiang Province and near rivers, at an altitude of 50-300 m, with a seasonal variation in temperature of 7.7-8 °C. Examples include the Ou River, Nanxi River, Wuxi River, and their tributary watersheds. This study can provide a theoretical basis for determining the scope of E. pseudosauteri habitat protection, population restoration, resource management and industrial development in local areas.

ROS-responsive 18ß-glycyrrhetic acid-conjugated polymeric nanoparticles mediate neuroprotection in ischemic stroke through HMGB1 inhibition and microglia polarization regulation.

Ischemic stroke is an acute and serious cerebral vascular disease, which greatly affects people's health and brings huge economic burden to society. Microglia, as important innate immune components in central nervous system (CNS), are double-edged swords in the battle of nerve injury, considering their polarization between pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is one of the potent pro-inflammatory mediators that promotes the M1 polarization of microglia. 18ß-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is an effective intracellular inhibitor of HMGB1, but of poor water solubility and dose-dependent toxicity. To overcome the shortcomings of GA delivery and to improve the efficacy of cerebral ischemia therapy, herein, we designed reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive polymer-drug conjugate nanoparticles (DGA) to manipulate microglia polarization by suppressing the translocation of nuclear HMGB1. DGA presented excellent therapeutic efficacy in stroke mice, as evidenced by the reduction of infarct volume, recovery of motor function, suppressed of M1 microglia activation and enhanced M2 activation, and induction of neurogenesis. Altogether, our work demonstrates a close association between HMGB1 and microglia polarization, suggesting potential strategies for coping with inflammatory microglia-related diseases.

Vanadium Stress Alters Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Growth, ROS Accumulation, Antioxidant Defense System, Stomatal Traits, and Vanadium Uptake.

Vanadium (V) is a heavy metal found in trace amounts in many plants and widely distributed in the soil. This study investigated the effects of vanadium concentrations on sweet potato growth, biomass, root morphology, photosynthesis, photosynthetic assimilation, antioxidant defense system, stomatal traits, and V accumulation. Sweet potato plants were grown hydroponically and treated with five levels of V (0, 10, 25, 50, and 75 mg L-1). After 7 days of treatment, V content at low concentration (10 mg L-1) enhanced the plant growth and biomass; in contrast, drastic effects were observed at 25, 50, and 75 mg L-1. Higher V concentrations negatively affect the relative water content, photosynthetic assimilation, photosynthesis, and root growth and reduce tolerance indices. The stomatal traits of sweet potato, such as stomatal length, width, pore length, and pore width, were also decreased under higher V application. Furthermore, V concentration and uptake in the roots were higher than in the shoots. In the same way, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (hydrogen peroxide), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), osmolytes, glutathione, and enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) activities were increased significantly under V stress. In conclusion, V at a low level (10 mg L-1) enhanced sweet potato growth, and a higher level of V treatment (25, 50, and 75 mg L-1) had a deleterious impact on the growth, physiology, and biochemical mechanisms, as well as stomatal traits of sweet potato.

Metabolic Profiling and Antioxidant Analysis for the Juvenile Red Fading Leaves of Sweetpotato.

Leaves of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) are promising healthy leafy vegetable. Juvenile red fading (JRF) leaves of sweetpotato, with anthocyanins in young leaves, are good candidates for developing functional vegetables. Here, metabolic profiling and possible antioxidants were analyzed for five leaf stages of the sweetpotato cultivar "Chuanshan Zi". The contents of anthocyanins, total phenolics, and flavonoids all declined during leaf maturation, corresponding to declining antioxidant activities. By widely targeted metabolomics, we characterized 449 metabolites belonging to 23 classes. A total of 193 secondary metabolites were identified, including 82 simple phenols, 85 flavonoids, 18 alkaloids, and eight terpenes. Analysis of the metabolic data indicates that the antioxidant capacity of sweetpotato leaves is the combined result of anthocyanins and many other colorless compounds. Increased levels of "chlorogenic acid methyl ester", a compromised form of chlorogenic acid, significantly correlated with the declined antioxidant abilities. Besides anthocyanins, some significant metabolites contributing to the high antioxidant property of the sweetpotato leaves were highlighted, including chlorogenic acids, isorhamnetin glycosides, trans-4-hydroxycinnamic acid methyl ester, 4-methoxycinnamic acid, esculetin, caffeate, and trigonelline. This study provides metabolic data for the utilization of sweetpotato leaves as food sources, and sheds light on the metabolomic change for JRF leaves of other plants.