First Report of Uromyces aecidiiformis Causing Rust Disease on Fritillaria unibracteata in China.

Fritillaria unibracteata Hsiao et K. C. Hsia is a recognized source of 'Chuanbeimu' in the 'Chinese Pharmacopoeia'. In China, its bulbs have been used as a traditional herbal cough remedy for about 2,000 years. Surveys for fungal diseases were conducted in Xiaojin and Songpan, Sichuan Province, the primary cultivation region of F. unibracteata, with an area of 150 acres, in May and July 2022. Rust was found in almost all areas and incidence ranged from 5% to 80% in all study areas. Diseased leaves displayed yellow spots on the upper side, and raised buff, golden, or fuscous waxy pustules on the lower side. In severe cases, the infection extended to the stems and petioles, leading to wilting and death of plant. Spermogonia, aecia, and telia were mainly found on the underside of leaves. Spermogonia were scattered among the aecia and exhibited a range of colors from honey-yellow to chestnut-brown. They had a cross-sectional diameter of 94.4 to 214.3 µm height and 94.2 to 197.5 µm in width (n=30). They were nearly spherical, embedded in the host tissue, and had distinct periphysis at the pores. Aecia were hemispherical, initially white, with the peridium later turning yellowish-brown and opening via a central pore. Aeciospores were pale yellow, finely and closely verrucose, measuring 20.6 to 34.1 × 18.4 to 30.1 µm with a cell wall thickness of 1.5 to 2.4 µm (n=51). Prior to plants wilting, elongated telia were observed, gradually exposed, then finally opening through longitudinal cracks in the epidermis. Teliospores were unicellular, dark brown, oblong to oval, and solitary on stems, measuring 24.7 to 38.2 × 19.2 to 27.8 µm (n=130) with a wall thickness of 1.6 to 3.1 µm, with a low hyaline papilla at the apex and were moderately rugose with longitudinal parallel ridges. The characteristics align with previous descriptions of Uromyces aecidiiformi (Rees, 1917, Zhuang, 2005). The primer pair LR0R (Moncalvo et al., 1995)/LR5 (Vilgalys & Hester, 1990) was utilized for amplifying and sequencing the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA genes from strains IS909-3 and IS1816 (GenBank PQ008482, PQ008483). The obtained sequences showed a high similarity of 99.9% to 100% similarity to strains U1023 and UBC19 of U. aecidiiformis in RustHubb (KR0014142 and PUN23000)( Kaishian et al., 2024). Through examination of morphology, host range, and sequence similarity, we determined the rust species to be U. aecidiiformis. Pathogenicity testing was conducted by spraying a suspension of aeciospores (1×105 spores/mL in 0.05% Tween 20 solution) on six healthy four-year-old F. unibracteata plants indoors in May 2023. The plants were allowed to grow under natural conditions, where the diurnal temperature ranged from 9 to 20℃, with an average temperature of 14℃, which is conducive to the growth of F. unibracteata. Another six seedlings were sprayed with 0.05% Tween 20 solution as controls. After three weeks, all infected plants showed symptoms similar to those seen in the field, while control plants remained symptom-free. Microscopic examination and sequencing confirmed that the pathogen morphology was consistent between the field and the inoculation, meeting Koch's postulates. Although U. aecidiiformis has been previously reported to cause rust of F. pallidiflora and F. ussuriensis(Zhuang, 1989, Zhuang, 2005), this is the first report of U. aecidiiformis causing rust on F. unibracteata in China. This pathogen significantly reduces the yield and quality of Chuanbeimu, highlighting the importance of effectively identifying and controlling it.

Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the Academic Resilience Scale-30 (C-ARS-30) in college students.

Background: Amidst the expansion of student enrollment in higher education, the well-being and retention rates of students have emerged as important concerns. Resilience, especially academic resilience, a multidimensional construct that can lead to academic success in adversity, is pivotal in enabling students to successfully cope with academic challenges. While the Academic Resilience Scale-30 (ARS-30) has been validated as an effective instrument in various languages, its applicability for Chinese students in higher education remains unexplored. Objective: This study aims to translate and validate the ARS-30 in Chinese, assessing its reliability and validity among Chinese college students in higher education. Methods: A convenience sample of 1,542 students participated in this study. The inventory included the demographic form, Chinese version of ARS-30 (C-ARS-30), 10-item Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). The assessment of validity was conducted by analyzing content validity, construct validity, convergent and discriminant validity, as well as criterion-related validity. Construct validity was evaluated through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM). Reliability analysis was performed using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability. Results: The C-ARS-30 demonstrated commendable content validity, with the CVI value of items ranging from 0.833 to 1.000, and a total scale CVI of 0.986. ESEM analysis revealed a solid four-factor structure, maintaining the scale's 30 items with excellent fit indices (χ2/df = 2.647, CFI = 0.937, TLI = 0.915, RMSEA = 0.057, SRMR = 0.027). The total score of C-ARS-30 exhibited positive correlations with the CD-RISC-10 (r = 0.542) and the GSES (r = 0.488). The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.930) and test-retest reliability (0.794, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The C-ARS-30 is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing academic resilience among Chinese college students, offering a valuable tool for educational and psychological evaluations.

Integrated analysis reveals NLRC4 as a potential biomarker in sepsis pathogenesis.

Sepsis remains a significant global health burden and contributor to mortality, yet the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the immune response are not fully elucidated. To gain insight into this issue, we performed a comprehensive analysis using a variety of techniques including bulk RNA sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We performed enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes in sepsis and healthy individuals by utilizing Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and indicated significant enrichment of immune-related response. Following Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and protein-protein interaction analysis (PPI) were used to identify key immune-related hub genes and validated by ELISA to show that NLRC4 is highly expressed in sepsis. Additionally, an analysis of scRNA-seq data from newly diagnosed sepsis, sepsis diagnosis at 6 hours, and healthy samples demonstrates a significant increase in both the expression levels and proportions of NLRC4 in sepsis monocytes and neutrophils. In addition, using pySCENIC we identified upstream transcription factors that regulate NLRC4. Our study provides valuable insights into the identification of NLRC4 in peripheral blood as a potential candidate gene for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis.

Prevalence and assemblage identified of Giardia duodenalis in zoo and farmed Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) from the Heilongjiang and Fujian Provinces of China.

Captive and free-living wildlife serve as significant hosts for Giardia duodenalis. Asiatic black bears, valued for their economic and medicinal importance, are extensively farmed in China and also prevalent in zoos. However, studies on G. duodenalis in these animals in China are limited. Here, 218 feces samples of Asiatic black bears were collected: 36 from a zoo in Heilongjiang Province, and 182 from a farm in Fujian Province. Nested PCR of the SSU rRNA gene, followed by sequencing, was employed to determine the frequency and assemblage distribution of G. duodenalis. Positive samples underwent further analysis through multilocus genotyping (MLG) by amplifying the genes for glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), ß-giardin (bg), and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi). Of the 218 samples, G. duodenalis was detected in 22 cases at the SSU rRNA gene locus, including three from Heilongjiang and 19 from Fujian. Three assemblages were identified: A (n = 1), B (n = 16), and E (n = 2) in Fujian; and B (n = 3) in Heilongjiang. Out of the 22 positive samples, 20, 19, and 9 were effectively amplified and sequenced across the tpi, gdh, and bg loci, respectively. Seven samples were genotyped successfully at all three loci, identifying MLG-B1 (n = 1), MLG-B2 (n = 1), and MLG-B3 (n = 1), MLG-B4 (n = 1), MLG-B5 (n = 2), and MLG-B6 (n = 1) as the six assemblage B MLGs. This study marks the first documentation of G. duodenalis in Asiatic black bears in captivity in Fujian and Heilongjiang. The identification of zoonotic assemblages A and B, along with E, underscores potential public health concerns.

Title: Prévalence et assemblages de Giardia duodenalis chez les ours noirs d'Asie (Ursus thibetanus) d'élevage et de zoos dans les provinces chinoises du Heilongjiang et du Fujian. Abstract: Les faunes captive et libre incluent des hôtes importants pour Giardia duodenalis. Les ours noirs d'Asie, appréciés pour leur importance économique et médicinale, sont couramment élevés en Chine et répandus dans les zoos. Cependant, les études sur G. duodenalis chez ces animaux en Chine sont limitées. Ici, 218 échantillons d'excréments d'ours noirs d'Asie ont été collectés, 36 dans un zoo de la province du Heilongjiang et 182 dans une ferme de la province du Fujian. La PCR imbriquée de l'ARNr SSU, suivie d'un séquençage, a été utilisée pour déterminer la fréquence et la distribution des assemblages de G. duodenalis. Les échantillons positifs ont subi une analyse plus approfondie par génotypage multilocus (MLG) en amplifiant les gènes de la glutamate déshydrogénase (gdh), de la ß-giardine (bg) et de la triosephosphate isomérase (tpi). Sur les 218 échantillons, G. duodenalis a été détecté dans 22 cas par le locus du gène de l'ARNr SSU, dont trois du Heilongjiang et 19 du Fujian. Trois assemblages ont été identifiés : A (n = 1), B (n = 16) et E (n = 2) dans le Fujian, et B (n = 3) dans le Heilongjiang. Sur les 22 échantillons positifs, 20, 19 et 9 ont été efficacement amplifiés et séquencés respectivement pour les loci tpi, gdh et bg. Sept échantillons ont été génotypés avec succès sur les trois loci, identifiant MLG-B1 (n = 1), MLG-B2 (n = 1) et MLG-B3 (n = 1), MLG-B4 (n = 1), MLG- B5 (n = 2) et MLG-B6 (n = 1) comme les six assemblages MLG B. Cette étude marque la première investigation de G. duodenalis chez les ours noirs d'Asie en captivité au Fujian et au Heilongjiang. L'identification des assemblages zoonotiques A et B, ainsi que E, souligne des problèmes potentiels de santé publique.

N6-methyladenosine RNA modification regulates photoperiod sensitivity in cotton.

The methylation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) involves writers, erasers, and readers, acting synergistically in posttranscriptional regulation. These processes influence various biological processes, including plant floral transition. However, the specific role of m6A modifications in photoperiod sensitivity in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) remains obscure. To elucidate this, in this study, we conducted transcriptome-wide m6A sequencing during critical flowering transition stages in the photoperiod-sensitive wild G. hirsutum var. yucatanense (yucatanense) and the photoperiod-insensitive cultivated cotton G. hirsutum acc. TM-1 (TM-1). Our results revealed significant variations in m6A methylation of 2 cotton varieties, with yucatanense exhibiting elevated m6A modification levels compared with TM-1 under long-day conditions. Notably, distinct m6A peaks between TM-1 and yucatanense correlated significantly with photoperiod sensitivity. Moreover, our study highlighted the role of the demethylase G. hirsutum ALKB homolog 5 (GhALKBH5) in modulating m6A modification levels. Silencing GhALKBH5 led to a decreased mRNA level of key photoperiodic flowering genes (GhADO3, GhAGL24, and GhFT1), resulting in delayed bud emergence and flowering. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR analyses confirmed that silencing GhADO3 and GhAGL24 significantly downregulated the expression of the floral integrator GhFT1. Collectively, our findings unveiled a transcriptional regulatory mechanism in which GhALKBH5-mediated m6A demethylation of crucial photoperiodic flowering transcripts modulated photoperiod sensitivity in cotton.

The thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer, macula, and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer in people with drug-resistant epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Using Optical coherence tomography (OCT), we evaluated the association between peripapillary retinal nerve fiber, macular thickness, macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer, and drug resistance. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited people diagnosed with epilepsy and healthy controls. People with epilepsy were further stratified as drug-resistant or non-drug-resistant based on their response to anti-seizure medications. OCT measurements were conducted, and findings in right eye were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-one drug-resistant participants, 37 non-drug-resistant, and 45 controls were enrolled. The average peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer, and macular thickness were thinner in the epilepsy groups than in controls. The drug-resistant group had significantly lower average ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness (p = 0.004) and a higher proportion of abnormal/borderline GC/IPL thickness (p = 5.40E-04) than the non-drug-resistant group. Nevertheless, no significant differences were seen between the average thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber and macular thickness. The temporal sectors of these three parameters were also significantly thinner in the drug-resistant group than in the non-drug-resistant. In a multivariate regression model, drug resistance was an independent predictor of reduced ganglion cell-inner plexiform thickness (Odds ratios OR = 10.25, 95% CI 2.82 to 37.28). Increased seizure frequency (r = -0.23, p = 0.039) and a higher number of anti-seizure medications ever used (r = -0.27, p = 0.013) were negatively associated with ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness. SIGNIFICANCE: Individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy had a consistent reduction in average ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness and the temporal sector of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer and macular thickness. This suggests that ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness could potentially serve as an indicator of the burden of drug resistance, as it correlated with reduced thickness in individuals having more frequent seizures and greater exposure to ASMs. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: In our study, we used a special tool called OCT to measure how thick the retina is in people with epilepsy and in healthy control. We found that the retina was consistently thinner in all areas for those with epilepsy compared to healthy control. Particularly, a specific layer called the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer was a lot thinner in the group that didn't respond to medications, and this thinning was related to how often seizures occurred and how much medications were taken. Also, certain parts of the retina were thinner in the drug-resistant group.

Molecular prevalence, subtype distribution, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis sp. in wild rodents and shrews inhabiting Zhejiang province of China.

Introduction: Globally, rodents and shrew populations constitute crucial elements of diverse environments and animal communities. It is imperative to study their population dynamics to mitigate any potential negative impact on humans, as they can be involved in the transmission of critical zoonotic agents, such as Blastocystis. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the prevalence and genetic composition of Blastocystis in wild rodents and shrews residing in the Zhejiang provinces of China. Methods: A total of 652 wild rodents and and shrews were captured from three different regions in Zhejiang Province from April 1st to October 31, 2023. The DNA was isolated by collecting fresh feces from the intestines of each rodent or and shrew. Rodent and shrew species were examined by vertebrate cytochrome b (cytb) analysis and PCR amplification. Blastocystis was also found in all fecal samples using PCR analysis and sequencing of the partial small subunit of ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Results: Among all the samples, 6.6% (43/652) showed a positive result for Blastocystis. In the results, 6 species of rodent and shrew were identified with Blastocystis, including Apodemus agrarius (n = 36) (2.8%), Niviventer confucianus (n = 75) (17.3%), Rattus losea (n = 18) (5.6%), R. norvegicus (n = 155) (2.6%), R. tanezumi (n = 86) (3.5%), and Suncus murinus (n = 282) (7.4%). The existence of 6 Blastocystis subtypes, ST4 (n = 33), ST1 (4), ST7 (n = 3), ST2 (n = 1), ST3 (n = 1), and ST5 (n = 1), were confirmed by sequence analysis. Discussion: Based on the molecular data obtained, the wild rodents and shrews under investigation were found to be concurrently infected with zoonotic subtypes of Blastocystis, including ST1 to ST5 and ST7. This suggests that these animals could potentially pose a zoonotic threat to humans and other animals susceptible to Blastocystis infection.

Proposal for a Global Classification and Nomenclature System for A/H9 Influenza Viruses.

Influenza A/H9 viruses circulate worldwide in wild and domestic avian species, continuing to evolve and posing a zoonotic risk. A substantial increase in human infections with A/H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses (AIVs) and the emergence of novel reassortants carrying A/H9N2-origin internal genes has occurred in recent years. Different names have been used to describe the circulating and emerging A/H9 lineages. To address this issue, an international group of experts from animal and public health laboratories, endorsed by the WOAH/FAO Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza, has created a practical lineage classification and nomenclature system based on the analysis of 10,638 hemagglutinin sequences from A/H9 AIVs sampled worldwide. This system incorporates phylogenetic relationships and epidemiologic characteristics designed to trace emerging and circulating lineages and clades. To aid in lineage and clade assignment, an online tool has been created. This proposed classification enables rapid comprehension of the global spread and evolution of A/H9 AIVs.

Visible light-responsive TiO2-based hybrid nanofiller reinforced multifunctional chitosan film for effective fruit preservation.

In this study, we developed a multifunctional chitosan film with visible light-responsive photocatalytic properties by incorporating a novel nanofiller-a nanohybrid particle of poly(tannic acid) (PTA) and TiO2 (TP-NPs). Firstly, the hybridization of TiO2 with PTA not only improved its dispersion but also obtained TP-NPs with smaller band gaps (from 3.11 eV to 1.55 eV) and higher separation efficiency of photogenerated e--h+ (about 1.5-fold enhancement), thereby producing more reactive oxygen species and enhancing the antibacterial efficacy (compared with TiO2, the antibacterial effect of TP-NPs on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was heightened by about 2 times under visible light for 1 h). Secondly, TP-NPs were hydrogen bonded with chitosan, strengthening its mechanical and barrier properties, while imparting exceptional antibacterial efficacy. Moreover, the multifunctional properties enabled the active film to effectively delay the quality deterioration of grapes and kiwifruit. Hence, this study presented a multifunctional active packaging film tailored for fruit preservation.

Sensing Based on Plasmon-Induced Transparency in H-Shaped Graphene-Based Metamaterials.

Graphene can support surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in the terahertz band, and graphene SPP sensors are widely used in the field of terahertz micro- and nano-optical devices. In this paper, we propose an H-shaped graphene metasurface and investigate the plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) phenomenon in the proposed structure using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Our results show that the Fermi energy levels, as well as certain shape parameters, can effectively modulate the PIT phenomenon in the proposed structure. Interestingly, changing some of these shape parameters can excite two dips into three. In terms of sensing performance, the maximum values of sensitivity and figure of merit (FOM) are 1.4028 THz/RIU and 17.97, respectively. These results offer valuable guidance for the use of terahertz optical graphene SPP sensors.

Unveiling the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Davidiin's Anti-Diabetic Efficacy in Streptozotocin-Treated Rats: A Comprehensive Analysis of Serum Metabolome.

Background: Polygonum capitatum Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don (P. capitatum), a traditional herb used in Miao medicine, is renowned for its heart-clearing properties. Davidiin, the primary bioactive component (approximately 1%), has been used to treat various conditions, including diabetes. Given its wide range of effects and the diverse biomolecular pathways involved in diabetes, there is a crucial need to study how davidiin interacts with these pathways to better understand its anti-diabetic properties. Materials and Methods: Diabetic rats were induced using a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) administered intraperitoneally at 35 mg/kg. Out of these, 24 rats with blood glucose levels ≥ 11.1 mmol/L and fasting blood glucose levels ≥ 7.0 mmol/L were selected for three experimental groups. These groups were then treated with either metformin (gavage, 140 mg/kg) or davidiin (gavage, 90 mg/kg) for four weeks. After the treatment period, we measured body weight, blood glucose levels, and conducted untargeted metabolic profiling using UPLC-QTOF-MS. Results: Davidiin has been shown to effectively treat diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels from 30.2 ± 2.6 mmol/L to 25.1 ± 2.4 mmol/L (P < 0.05). This effect appears stronger than that of metformin, which lowered glucose levels to 26.5 ± 2.6 mmol/L. The primary outcomes of serum metabolomics are significant changes in lipid and lipid-like molecular profiles. Firstly, davidiin may affect phosphatide metabolism by increasing levels of phosphatidylinositol and sphingosine-1-phosphate. Secondly, davidiin could influence cholesterol metabolism by reducing levels of glycocholic acid and glycochenodeoxycholic acid. Lastly, davidiin might impact steroid hormone metabolism by increasing hepoxilin B3 levels and decreasing prostaglandins. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that davidiin modulates various lipid-related metabolic pathways to exert its anti-diabetic effects. These findings offer the first detailed metabolic profile of davidiin's action mechanism, contributing valuable insights to the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the context of diabetes treatment.

Coordinated molecular and ecological adaptations underlie a highly successful parasitoid.

The success of an organism depends on the molecular and ecological adaptations that promote its beneficial fitness. Parasitoids are valuable biocontrol agents for successfully managing agricultural pests, and they have evolved diversified strategies to adapt to both the physiological condition of hosts and the competition of other parasitoids. Here, we deconstructed the parasitic strategies in a highly successful parasitoid, Trichopria drosophilae, which parasitizes a broad range of Drosophila hosts, including the globally invasive species D. suzukii. We found that T. drosophilae had developed specialized venom proteins that arrest host development to obtain more nutrients via secreting tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), as well as a unique type of cell-teratocytes-that digest host tissues for feeding by releasing trypsin proteins. In addition to the molecular adaptations that optimize nutritional uptake, this pupal parasitoid has evolved ecologically adaptive strategies including the conditional tolerance of intraspecific competition to enhance parasitic success in older hosts and the obligate avoidance of interspecific competition with larval parasitoids. Our study not only demystifies how parasitoids weaponize themselves to colonize formidable hosts but also provided empirical evidence of the intricate coordination between the molecular and ecological adaptations that drive evolutionary success.

Identification of a longevity gene through evolutionary rate covariation of insect mito-nuclear genomes.

Oxidative phosphorylation, essential for energy metabolism and linked to the regulation of longevity, involves mitochondrial and nuclear genes. The functions of these genes and their evolutionary rate covariation (ERC) have been extensively studied, but little is known about whether other nuclear genes not targeted to mitochondria evolutionarily and functionally interact with mitochondrial genes. Here we systematically examined the ERC of mitochondrial and nuclear benchmarking universal single-copy ortholog (BUSCO) genes from 472 insects, identifying 75 non-mitochondria-targeted nuclear genes. We found that the uncharacterized gene CG11837-a putative ortholog of human DIMT1-regulates insect lifespan, as its knockdown reduces median lifespan in five diverse insect species and Caenorhabditis elegans, whereas its overexpression extends median lifespans in fruit flies and C. elegans and enhances oxidative phosphorylation gene activity. Additionally, DIMT1 overexpression protects human cells from cellular senescence. Together, these data provide insights into the ERC of mito-nuclear genes and suggest that CG11837 may regulate longevity across animals.

Biomaterials-Based Technologies in Skeletal Muscle Tissue Engineering.

For many clinically prevalent severe injuries, the inherent regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle remains inadequate. Skeletal muscle tissue engineering (SMTE) seeks to meet this clinical demand. With continuous progress in biomedicine and related technologies including micro/nanotechnology and 3D printing, numerous studies have uncovered various intrinsic mechanisms regulating skeletal muscle regeneration and developed tailored biomaterial systems based on these understandings. Here, the skeletal muscle structure and regeneration process are discussed and the diverse biomaterial systems derived from various technologies are explored in detail. Biomaterials serve not merely as local niches for cell growth, but also as scaffolds endowed with structural or physicochemical properties that provide tissue regenerative cues such as topographical, electrical, and mechanical signals. They can also act as delivery systems for stem cells and bioactive molecules that have been shown as key participants in endogenous repair cascades. To achieve bench-to-bedside translation, the typical effect enabled by biomaterial systems and the potential underlying molecular mechanisms are also summarized. Insights into the roles of biomaterials in SMTE from cellular and molecular perspectives are provided. Finally, perspectives on the advancement of SMTE are provided, for which gene therapy, exosomes, and hybrid biomaterials may hold promise to make important contributions.

Identification of TP53 germline variants in pediatric patients undergoing tumor testing: strategy and prevalence.

BACKGROUND: TP53 alterations are common in certain pediatric cancers, making identification of putative germline variants through tumor genomic profiling crucial for disease management. METHODS: We analyzed TP53 alterations in 3123 tumors from 2788 pediatric patients sequenced using tumor-only or tumor-normal paired panels. Germline confirmatory testing was performed when indicated. Somatic and germline variants were classified based on published guidelines. RESULTS: In 248 tumors from 222 patients, 284 tier 1/2 TP53 sequence and small copy number variants were detected. Following germline classification, 86.6% of 142 unique variants were pathogenic or likely pathogenic. Confirmatory testing on 118 patients revealed germline TP53 variants in 28 of them (23 pathogenic or likely pathogenic and 5 of uncertain significance), suggesting a minimum Li-Fraumeni syndrome incidence of 0.8% (23/2788) in this cohort, 10.4% (23/222) in patients with TP53 variant-carrying tumors, and 19.5% (23/118) with available normal samples. About 25% (7/28) of patients with germline TP53 variants did not meet Li-Fraumeni syndrome diagnostic or testing criteria, while 20.9% (28/134) with confirmed or inferred somatic origins did. TP53 biallelic inactivation occurred in 75% of germline carrier tumors and was also prevalent in other groups, causing an elevated tumor-observed variant allelic fraction. Somatic evidence, however, including low variant allele fraction correctly identified only 27.8% (25/90) of patients with confirmed somatic TP53 variants. CONCLUSION: The high incidence and variable phenotype of Li-Fraumeni syndrome in this cohort highlights the importance of assessing germline status of TP53 variants identified in all pediatric tumors. Without clear somatic evidence, distinguishing somatic from germline origins is challenging. Classifying germline and somatic variants should follow appropriate guidelines.

Transcriptomic Insights into Host Metabolism and Immunity Changes after Parasitization by Leptopilina myrica.

Parasitoids commonly manipulate their host's metabolism and immunity to facilitate their offspring survival, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we deconstructed the manipulation strategy of a newly discovered parasitoid wasp, L. myrica, which parasitizes D. melanogaster. Using RNA-seq, we analyzed transcriptomes of L. myrica-parasitized and non-parasitized Drosophila host larvae. A total of 22.29 Gb and 23.85 Gb of clean reads were obtained from the two samples, respectively, and differential expression analysis identified 445 DEGs. Of them, 304 genes were upregulated and 141 genes were downregulated in parasitized hosts compared with non-parasitized larvae. Based on the functional annotations in the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases, we found that the genes involved in host nutrition metabolism were significantly upregulated, particularly in carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism. We also identified 30 other metabolism-related DEGs, including hexokinase, fatty acid synthase, and UDP-glycosyltransferase (Ugt) genes. We observed that five Bomanin genes (Boms) and six antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) were upregulated. Moreover, a qRT-PCR analysis of 12 randomly selected DEGs confirmed the reproducibility and accuracy of the RNA-seq data. Our results provide a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of how L. myrica manipulates its host, laying a solid foundation for studies on the regulatory mechanisms employed by parasitoid wasps in their hosts.

First Report of Clonostachys rosea Causing Bulb Rot on Fritillaria taipaiensis in China.

Taibai Beimu (Fritillaria taipaiensis) is a species of Fritillaria commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for its antitussive, expectorant, and antihypertensive properties. In April of 2021 and 2022, an incidence 10-30% of yellowing or purpling, wilting, and dying symptoms was observed on Taibai Beimu in Wanyuan, Sichuan province. Infected roots and bulbs displayed spots ranging from brown to black, along with necrotic rot. In severe cases, the entire bulbs rotted. Fifteen symptomatic bulbs were cut into 0.5 × 0.5 cm pieces, surface sterilized in 75% ethanol for 30 s and 1% sodium hypochlorite for 3 min under aseptic conditions, rinsed with sterile water 3 times, and air-dried. The segments were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25℃ for 7 days in the dark. Six Clonostachys-like monospore isolates were obtained. Colonies on PDA reached 32 to 43 mm in diameter in 7 days at 25℃ in the dark, felty to tomentose to granulose aerial mycelia with a white or light yellow appearance, and reverse colors matching. On cornmeal-dextrose agar, primary conidiophores had a Verticillium-like structure with 1 to 3 levels. Stipes were 36.1 to 236.3µm long. Phialides formed in whorls of 2 to 5, 15.3 to 45.7µm long, 1.1 to 3.4µm wide at the base, and 1.03 to 2.41µm wide near opening (n=95). Each producing a small hyaline drop of conidia. Conidia were 3.7 to 11.3µm × 2.1 to 4.1µm (n=110). Secondary conidiophores displayed Penicillium-like structures, and stipes were 23.1 to 142.3µm long. Phialides formed in compressed whorls of 4 to 8 per metula, 7.0 to 16.0µm in length, 1.3 to 3.1µm in width at the base, 1.8 to 3.6µm at the widest point, and 0.8 to 1.8µm near opening (n=50). Conidia were 3.0 to 6.4µm ×1.6 to 3.4µm (n=65). The morphology was consistent with the previous description of Clonostachys rosea (Hans-Josef et al. 1999). The ATP citrate lyase (ACL1), ß-tubulin (TUB2), translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1α), and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of three strains were amplified and sequenced using primers acl1-230up/acl1-1220low (Gräfenhan et al. 2011), T1/CYLTUB1R (Crous et al. 2004; O'Donnell and Cigelnik 1997), EF1-728F/EF2 (Carbone and Kohn 1999; O'Donnell et al. 1998), and ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), respectively. Blastn homology search showed a > 97% similarity to the ex-type strains of C. rosea (CBS710.86). All sequences have been deposited in GenBank (PP394342 to PP394350, and PP396901 to PP396903). A phylogenetic tree was constructed using Bayesian analysis based on the alignment of the combined ACL1, TUB2, tef1α, and ITS sequences through IQ-TREE. The tree displayed clustering with known strains of C. rosea. Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating five healthy five-year-old Taibai beimu plants with a spore suspension (1.0 × 106 spores mL-1) of the strain WYEB1101, while sterilized water was used as a control. The inoculation process involved pouring the spore suspension over the wounded bulbs and covering with them sterile soil. Subsequently, all plants were cultivated in sterile soil indoors under natural conditions suitable for Taibai beimu. The pathogenicity assays were repeated twice. After 20 days of cultivation, the infected plants displayed symptoms similar to those observed in the field, while all control plants remained asymptomatic. Sequencing confirmed the re-isolation of C. rosea from the inoculated plants, satisfying Koch's hypothesis. Clonostachys rosea has been previously reported to cause root rot of Chinese medicine herb, such as Astragalus membranaceus and Gastrodia elata (Lee et al. 2020; Qi et al. 2022). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. rosea infecting Taibai Beimu in China, highlighting a potential risk to this crop.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis provides insights into the genetic networks regulating oil differential production in oil crops.

BACKGROUND: Plants differ more than threefold in seed oil contents (SOCs). Soybean (Glycine max), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), rapeseed (Brassica napus), and sesame (Sesamum indicum) are four important oil crops with markedly different SOCs and fatty acid compositions. RESULTS: Compared to grain crops like maize and rice, expanded acyl-lipid metabolism genes and relatively higher expression levels of genes involved in seed oil synthesis (SOS) in the oil crops contributed to the oil accumulation in seeds. Here, we conducted comparative transcriptomics on oil crops with two different SOC materials. In common, DIHYDROLIPOAMIDE DEHYDROGENASE, STEAROYL-ACYL CARRIER PROTEIN DESATURASE, PHOSPHOLIPID:DIACYLGLYCEROL ACYLTRANSFERASE, and oil-body protein genes were both differentially expressed between the high- and low-oil materials of each crop. By comparing functional components of SOS networks, we found that the strong correlations between genes in "glycolysis/gluconeogenesis" and "fatty acid synthesis" were conserved in both grain and oil crops, with PYRUVATE KINASE being the common factor affecting starch and lipid accumulation. Network alignment also found a conserved clique among oil crops affecting seed oil accumulation, which has been validated in Arabidopsis. Differently, secondary and protein metabolism affected oil synthesis to different degrees in different crops, and high SOC was due to less competition of the same precursors. The comparison of Arabidopsis mutants and wild type showed that CINNAMYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE 9, the conserved regulator we identified, was a factor resulting in different relative contents of lignins to oil in seeds. The interconnection of lipids and proteins was common but in different ways among crops, which partly led to differential oil production. CONCLUSIONS: This study goes beyond the observations made in studies of individual species to provide new insights into which genes and networks may be fundamental to seed oil accumulation from a multispecies perspective.