Six Species of Phyllachora with Three New Taxa on Grass from Sichuan Province, China.

Phyllachora (Phyllachoraceae, Phyllachorales) species are parasitic fungi with a wide global distribution, causing tar spots on plants. In this study, we describe three newly discovered species: Phyllachora chongzhouensis, Phyllachora neidongensis, and Phyllachora huiliensis from Poaceae in China. These species were characterized using morphological traits and multi-locus phylogeny based on the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) with the intervening 5.8S rRNA gene, the large subunit of the rRNA gene (LSU), and the 18S ribosomal RNA gene (SSU). Three known species of P. chloridis, P. graminis, and P. miscanthi have also been redescribed, because, in reviewing the original references of P. chloridis, P. graminis, and P. miscanthi, these were found to be relatively old and in Chinese or abbreviated. In addition, the illustrations were simple. In molecular identification, the ITS sequence is short, while the ITS, LSU, and SSU are incomplete. Therefore, this study provides new important references for the redescription of three known species and provides further evidence for the identification of new taxa.

Exploring the causal link between circulating cytokines and sarcopenia traits: A Mendelian randomization analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous observational studies have linked circulating cytokines to sarcopenia, but their causal relationship remains unclear. This study employed Mendelian Randomization (MR) to investigate the causal links between circulating cytokines and sarcopenia-related traits using genetic data. METHODS: A two-sample bidirectional MR analysis was conducted using data from individuals of European ancestry, utilizing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) statistics. The study selected instrumental single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with circulating cytokines and applied multiple MR methods, including inverse variance weighted (IVW), Weighted Median, MR-Egger, Weighted Mode, Simple Mode, and MR-PRESSO. The traits analyzed were appendicular lean mass (ALM) and grip strength. Heterogeneity, robustness, and consistency of results were assessed using Cochran's Q statistic, MR-Egger regression, and "leave-one-out" sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: The IVM-MR analysis showed a casual association between genetically predicted circulating levels of interleukin-16 and both ALM and grip strength (ALM: OR = 0.990, 95% CI: 0.980-1.000, p = .049; grip strength: OR = 0.971, 95% CI: 0.948-0.995, p = .020). Additionally, interferon-gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10), interleukin-1-beta (IL-1ß), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were correlated with ALM and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and interleukin-5 (IL-5) with grip strength. Comparable results were confirmed via the MR-Egger, Weighted Median, Weighted Mode, and Simple Mode methods. Sensitivity analysis showed no horizontal pleiotropy to bias the causal estimates. CONCLUSION: The results suggest a significant causal effect of inflammatory cytokines on sarcopenia, offering new avenues for therapeutic target development. However, the study's focus on a European ancestry cohort limits its generalizability to other populations. Future research should aim to include diverse ethnic groups to validate and broaden these findings, thereby enhancing our understanding of sarcopenia's mechanisms in a global context.

Discussion on syndrome differentiation and treatment of acupuncture-moxibustion encephalopathy based on Shi's Xingnao Kaiqiao theory / 国际中医中药杂志

By exploring the core ideas of the "Xingnao Kaiqiao" theory, analyzing the relationship between the "Xingnao Kaiqiao" theory and the TCM encephalopathy, and exploring the necessity of acupuncture for the treatment of TCM encephalopathy, in order to clarify how to diagnose and treat brain diseases in acupuncture and moxibustion. The "Xingnao Kaiqiao" is the core of the theory of the "Tiaoshen", the acupuncture of "Xingnao Kaiqiao" was based on the principle of "Xingnao","Xingshen" and "Tiaoshen", the idea of the "Tiaoshen" was inseparable from the diagnosis and treatment of the TCM encephalopathy. Based on the special features of acupuncture therapy and complexity and particularity of TCM encephalopathy, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of encephalopathy was supposed to have their own unique system of syndrome differentiation and treatment. During the practice of acupuncture, the diagnosis and treatment of TCM encephalopathy should be based on "brain", "Xingnao Tiaoshen" as a general rule, adding and subtracting from the main points of the "Xingnao Kaiqiao", and the different brain diseases are matched with appropriate treatments.

Clinical Observation on Abdominal Penetrating Moxibustion Combined with Acupuncture at Four Chong Acupoints for the Treatment of Stroke in the Convalescent Stage / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the effects of abdominal penetrating moxibustion combined with acupuncture at the"four chong points"on balance,walking function and trunk control in patients recovering from stroke.Methods Seventy-eight patients recovering from stroke were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 39 patients in each group.The control group was given conventional rehabilitation exercises,while the observation group was given abdominal penetrating moxibustion combined with acupuncture at the"four chong points"on the basis of the control group.Both groups were treated for 2 consecutive months.After 2 months of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the changes in the Berg Scale score and the Timed Up and Go Test(TUGT)were observed before and after treatment.The changes in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores were compared before and after treatment between the two groups.The Sheikh Trunk Control Scale scores were also evaluated.Results(1)The total effective rate of the observation group was 94.87%(37/39),and the total effective rate of the control group was 80.00%(31/39),and the efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the Berg scores of the patients in the two groups were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the Berg scores of the observation group were higher than those of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the TUGT time and NIHSS score of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the TUGT time of the observation group was shorter than that of the control group,and the NIHSS score was lower than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the Sheikh trunk control scores of the two groups were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the Sheikh trunk control score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Abdominal penetrating moxibustion method combined with acupuncture at the four chong points for the treatment of stroke recovery can effectively restore the patients'balance and walking function,improve the patients'trunk control ability,and the therapeutic effect is precise.

Total flavonoids of Pterocarya hupehensis Skan inhibit migration and in-vasion of fibroblast-like synoviocytes by regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To observe how total flavonoids of Pterocarya hupehensis Skan(PHSTF)affects the migra-tion and invasion of human rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocyte line MH7A.METHODS:The MH7A cells were divided into control group(without any treatment),low-,medium-and high-dose(6.25,12.5 and 25 mg/L,respectively)PHSTF groups,phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)inhibitor 740Y-P(10 μmol/L)group,and 740Y-P(10 μmol/L)+high-dose(25 mg/L)PHSTF group.The viability of the MH7A cells was determined by CCK-8 assay,while the migration and inva-sion were assessed by scratch and Transwell assays.The protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2),MMP-9,PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT and p-AKT were detected by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with control group,the cell via-bility in PHSTF treatment groups was reduced(P<0.05),the cell wound healing area was significantly decreased(P<0.01),migratory and invasive cells in the lower chamber were significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the protein expres-sion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K and pAKT/AKT were decreased(P<0.01).Compared with high-dose PHSTF group,the addition of PI3K/AKT pathway agonist 740Y-P significantly increased the migration and invasion ability of MH7A cells(P<0.01)and elevated the protein expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K and pAKT/AKT(P<0.01)under the treatment with PHSTF.CONCLUSION:Total flavonoids of Pterocarya hupehensis Skan could inhibit the migration and invasion of MH7A cells by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Effects of total flavonoids of Pterocarya hupehensis Skan on migration,invasion and ferroptosis of non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the impact of total flavonoids of Pterocarya hupehensis Skan(PHSTF)on the migration,invasion,and ferroptosis of non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells.METHODS:The A549 cells were divided into control group,low-,medium-and high-dose(100,150 and 200 μg/mL)PHSTF groups,ferroptosis inhibitor liprox-statin-1(Lip-1)group,and high-dose PHSTF combined with Lip-1 group,each cultured in corresponding media.Cell via-bility was assessed using the CCK-8 assay,while cell migration and invasion abilities were determined through scratch and Transwell assays.Cell lipid peroxidation levels were measured using the glutathione(GSH)assay kit.RT-qPCR was em-ployed to assess the mRNA expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),while Western blot was utilized to examine the protein expression of SLC7A11,GPX4,Kelch-like epichlorohy-drin-associated protein-1(Keap-1),nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1).RE-SULTS:Compared with control group,PHSTF significantly diminished the viability of A549 cells in a time-and dose-de-pendent manner(P＜0.01),and the cell migration and invasion were also reduced(P＜0.01),along with a significant de-crease in GSH level(P＜0.01).Treatment with PHSTF inhibited the mRNA and protein expression levels of ferroptosis-re-lated proteins,including SLC7A11 and GPX4(P＜0.01),suppressed the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1(P＜0.01),and enhanced the expression of Keap-1(P＜0.01).The Lip-1 partially restored the decrease in cell viability in-duced by PHSTF(P＜0.01),significantly up-regulated the protein expression levels of SLC7A11,GPX4,Nrf2 and HO-1,and suppressed the protein expression of Keap-1(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:Total flavonoids of Pterocarya hupehen-sis Skan can inhibit the migration and invasion of non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells,and induce the cell ferroptosis by regulating the Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Current status of health management (physical examination) service capacity of medical institutions in Tianjin / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective:To investigate and analyze the current status of health management (physical examination) service capabilities of medical institutions in Tianjin in 2021.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. Using the census method, a questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain the health management (physical examination) service capabilities of 86 medical institutions in Tianjin in 2021. The questionnaire covered the basic information of the institution, human resources and equipment, physical examination items carried out, the annual number of people receiving physical examination, the degree of informatization, and the completion of quality control indicators. In this survey, a total of 86 questionnaires were distributed and 86 valid questionnaires were collected (100%). Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test were used to compare the differences of health management (physical examination) indicators between public and private medical institutions, and to analyze the current health management (physical examination) service capabilities of medical institutions in Tianjin. Results:Among the 86 medical institutions included in the analysis, 53 (61.6%) were public institutions and 33 (38.4%) were private medical institutions. In terms of basic information, the proportion of comprehensive hospitals and level-3 medical institutions belonging to public institutions, as well as the time of health management (physical examination) business development, were significantly higher than those of private medical institutions [62.3% vs 30.3%, 62.3% vs 0, 11 (7, 5) years vs 7 (5, 10) years], and the proportion of independent setup of the physical examination center and the business area of health management (physical examination) were significantly lower than those of private institutions[33.3% vs 98.1%, 1 011 (600, 1 000) m 2 vs 2 000 (1 395, 2 782) m 2] (all P<0.05). In terms of practitioners, there were 2 964 health management (physical examination) practitioners in Tianjin in 2021, aged 43 (35, 56) years. The proportion of male practitioners, part-time practitioners, nurses, practitioners with intermediate professional title, chief inspection physician, health management specialist in public institutions and the time engaged in health management work of employees were all significantly higher than those in private medical institutions [20.6% vs 17.5%, 20.7% vs 8.1%, 33.8% vs 23.4%, 40.7% vs 27.3%, 7.1% vs 3.9%, 13.8% vs 4.7%, 6 (3, 11) years vs 5 (3, 8) years] (all P<0.05). In terms of business development, the implementation rates of preventive medical management, mental health management, hypertension risk management, health management contract service, pulmonary nodule management, health management intervention plan, health risk assessment, and health education programs in public institutions were significantly higher than those in private medical institutions (24.5% vs 0, 28.3% vs 0, 35.8% vs 15.2%, 39.6% vs 15.2%, 41.5% vs 12.1%, 50.9% vs 18.2%, 66.0% vs 36.4%, 83.0% vs 42.4%), and the annual health physical examination person-times, group and individual physical examination person-times in public institutions were significantly lower than those in private institutions [18 625 (11 844, 27 998) to 38 384 (10 832, 46 927), 14 818 (8 803, 23 915) to 28 663 (4 982, 41 927), 2 179 (1 221, 3 588) to 5 784 (1 461, 12 156)] (all P<0.05). Among the six quality control indicators of health examination, the completion rates of waist-hip circumference measurement in both types of institutions were low (<40%). Conclusion:Compared with public institutions, the talent echelon construction and service capability of health management (physical examination) in private medical institutions in Tianjin still needs to be improved.

Identification and Expression Pattern of Salvia miltiorrhiza Terpenoid Synthase Gene Family / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveBioinformatics methods were used to systematically identify the Salvia miltiorrhiza terpenoid synthase （SmTPS） gene family members and predict their functions from the perspective of the genome. MethodThe genome and transcriptome data of S. miltiorrhiza， Arabidopsis thaliana， and tomato were obtained from the national genomics data center （NGDC）， national center for biotechnology information （NCBI）， the Arabidopsis information resource （TAIR）， and tomato functional genomics database （TFGD）， and the whole genome identification and bioinformatics analysis of the SmTPS gene family member were carried out with the help of Perl language programming， Tbtools， and other bioinformatics tools. ResultA total of 52 TPS gene family members were identified， and they were distributed on eight chromosomes of S. miltiorrhiza. Their coding amino acid number was 207-822 aa. The isoelectric points were 4.76-9.16. The molecular mass was 24.11-94.81 kDa， and all members are hydrophilic proteins. Gene structure analysis showed that there were significant differences in the number of introns among different subfamilies. The number of introns in 72.6% of TPS-a， b， and g subfamilies was 6， and that in 88.9% of TPS-c and e/f subfamilies was more than 10. Protein motifs were conserved among TPS subfamilies. The analysis of promoter cis-acting elements showed that all promoters of the SmTPSs contained a large number of light-responsive elements， and most of them had hormone-responsive elements. Gene expression analysis showed that SmTPS gene family members exhibited tissue-specific expression， and 24 of them responded to exogenous methyl jasmonate. ConclusionBased on the published S. miltiorrhiza genome， 52 SmTPS gene family members were identified， and their functions were predicted based on the phylogenetic analysis and expression patterns. This paper provides reference information for the further biosynthesis pathway and regulatory mechanism analysis of terpenoids in S. miltiorrhiza.

Inhibitory effect and mechanism of total flavonoids from Melicope pteleifolia on transplanted tumor of colorectal cancer in nude mice / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the inhibitory effect and mechanism of total flavonoids from Melicope pteleifolia （TF-MPL） on transplanted tumor of colorectal cancer in nude mice. METHODS The transplanted tumor model of colorectal cancer was induced by injecting 0.2 mL colorectal cancer cell LoVo subcutaneously via the right armpit of nude mice. After successful modeling， nude mice were randomly divided into model group， 5-fluorouracil group （positive control， 10 mg/kg）， TF-MPL high- dose and low-dose groups （25， 12.5 mg/kg）； a normal group （normal saline containing 0.3% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium） without modeling was additionally set up， with 6 mice in each group. Each group was intraperitoneally injected with the corresponding drug solution/solvent for 21 consecutive days. The inhibitory rate of the transplanted tumor， liver and spleen index， and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in serum were detected after the last medication； the morphological changes of tumor tissue were observed； immunohistochemical staining was used to detect protein expressions of Toll- like receptor 4 （TLR4） and nuclear factor-κB subunit p65 （NF-κB p65） in tumor tissue of nude mice. Western blot assay was used to detect protein expressions of TLR4， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， TNF receptor-associated factor 6 （TRAF6）， interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 （IRAK-1）， NF-κB p65 and caspase-3 in tumor tissue of nude mice. RESULTS Compared with the model group， TF-MPL high-dose group showed a significant decrease in tumor weight （inhibitory rate of 36.91%）， liver and spleen index， serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 and protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， TRAF6，IRAK-1 and NF- κB p65 （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the expression of caspase-3 protein was increased significantly （P＜0.05）， and more tumor cell shrinkage and deformation， nuclear pyknosis and fragmentation were observed. CONCLUSIONS TF-MPL can significantly inhibit the growth of transplanted tumor of colorectal cancer in nude mice， the mechanism of which may be associated with reducing inflammatory response， inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway， and promoting apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.

Research on the operation efficiency of the basic medical insurance system for urban and rural residents in China and its influencing factors / 中国卫生政策研究

Objective:Operational efficiency and influencing factors of China's basic medical insurance system from 2020 to 2021 is conducted to provide reference for improving the operational efficiency and optimizing the input-output relationship.Methods:The super-efficiency SBM model based on unexpected output and the Malmquist index are used to measure the static and dynamic efficiency of resident medical insurance in 31 provinces in China,and Tobit regression analysis is employed to analyze the influencing factors.Results:The overall operational efficiency of resident medical insurance still needs improvement.The operational efficiency of resident medical insurance in the central and western regions is lower than that in the eastern region,and the gap is significant.Different levels and regions have differentiated main constraints on the operational efficiency of resident medical insurance.In terms of dynamic efficiency,the total factor productivity of resident medical insurance operation shows an increasing trend,mainly due to technological progress.In terms of influencing factors,the degree of aging,the level of medical expenses and the level of medical insurance supervision have a significant impact on the operational efficiency.Suggestions:Efforts should be made to bridge regional disparities,promote the equitable development of medical insurance,reasonably control the level of medical expenses,strengthen the supervision of medical insurance funds,and implement active aging policies.

Treatment of Atrophy Syndrome Based on the Theory of"Yang Transforming into Qi,Yin Forming Shape" / 中国中医药信息杂志

The two injuries of fluid and qi are the pathological basis of atrophy syndrome,and also the result of the imbalance of"yang transforming into qi,yin forming shape".Deficiency of yang transforming into qi,imbalance of yin forming shape would result in dysfunction of visceral functions,internal generation of water,phlegm,and blood stasis,and loss of nourishment in limbs and nine orifices,and then later result in atrophy syndrome.Based on the theory of"yang transforming into qi,yin forming shape",this article discussed Professor Gao Ying's treatment of myasthenia gravis with insufficient yang transforming into qi by using the method of promoting yang transforming into qi;the method of tonifying the kidney and regulating the shape could be used to treat multiple sclerosis with imbalance in yin forming shape;yin-yang tonifying method could be used to treat motor neuron disease with both yin and yang damaged.In the treatment of atrophy syndrome,it is necessary to examine the syndrome and seek the cause,distinguish between yin and yang,adjust biases,and provide TCM treatment in the early stages of the disease to delay the progression of the disease and improve prognosis.

The role of postoperative radiotherapy for central neurocytoma / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To evaluate clinical efficacy of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for central neurocytoma (CN) after surgical resection.Methods:Clinical data of 136 CN patients admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital and Xuanwu Hospital from January 2001 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Preliminary interventions consisted of craniotomy (gross total resection, subtotal resection and partial resection, the latter two belonging to incomplete resection) and postoperative radiotherapy. Three-dimensional conformal or intensity-modulated radiotherapy was adopted, with a median radiotherapy dose of 54 Gy. Post-recurrence treatment included salvage surgery and radiotherapy. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analysis was performed by log-rank test to evaluate the effect of each prognostic factor on OS and PFS. The effects of multiple prognostic factors on PFS and OS were assessed by Cox regression model.Results:The median age was 28 years (range: 6-66 years). The median follow-up was 94.5 months (12-237 months). Among all patients, 79 cases underwent total resection, and 68 of them received adjuvant radiotherapy. Thirty-eight patients underwent subtotal resection, and 37 of them were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy. Sixteen patients received partial resection and adjuvant radiotherapy. Three cases received biopsy and postoperative radiotherapy. Among all patients, 3 cases died, including 2 from tumor recurrence and 1 from postoperative complication. Eight patients had recurrences during follow-up. Among them, 7 patients had recurrences at the primary site,1 had tumor dissemination to the spinal cord. The 5- and 10-year OS rates were 98.5% and 96.8%, and the 5- and 10-year PFS rates were 95.3% and 91.6% for the in the entire cohort. In the gross total resection without radiotherapy group, the 5- and 10-year PFS rates were 90.9% and 90.9%, and 96.6% and 96.6% in the gross total resection + radiotherapy group ( P=0.338). The 5- and 10-year OS rates were 100% and 100% in the gross total resection without radiotherapy group, and 98.5% and 98.5% in the gross total resection + radiotherapy group ( P=0.693). The 10-year PFS rates between the gross total resection±radiotherapy group and the incomplete resection+radiotherapy group was 95.8% vs. 90.3% ( P=0.368), and the 10-year OS rate was 98.6% vs. 94.7% ( P=0.436). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor site, degree of surgical resection, adjuvant radiotherapy and age exerted no significant effects on PFS and OS. A total of 81 patients had late neurotoxicities, including 69 cases at grade 1, 9 cases at grade 2, and 3 cases at grade 3. And 64.2% (52/81 cases) of patients suffered from short-term memory impairment. Conclusions:Gross total resection alone yields high efficacy for CN. Postoperative radiotherapy is not required. Incomplete resection combined with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy can achieve equivalent clinical efficacy to gross total resection.

Supplementingand activating blood circulation method to treat vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia with posterior circulatory watershed infarction: a case report of two patients.

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD), a rare posterior circulation vascular variant disease, is an important risk factor for many acute cerebrovascular diseases. An insufficient understanding of VBD often leads to misdiagnose. Two cases of VBD that were initially diagnosed as posterior circulation watershed infarction are reported here. Absence of common causes of stroke including hypoperfusion, blood system diseases, carotid and aortic dissection, and eosinophil elevation, the symptoms of the 2 patients met the diagnostic criteria of VBD. Both patients displayed symptoms that were in line with the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome pattern of "deficiency and blood stasis". Accordingly, they were comprehensively treated with Supplementingand activating blood circulation method. The clinical manifestations of the 2 patients were remarkably improved and no recurrence of watershed infarction was found in a 1-year follow-up. A detailed medical history and laboratory examination are capable of improving diagnostic accuracy of VBD. TCM treatment based on syndrome identification might be a promising candidate for VBD management.

Morphological and molecular analyses reveal two new species of Microcera (Nectriaceae, Hypocreales) associated with scale insects on walnut in China.

The fungal genus Microcera consists of species mostly occurring as parasites of scale insects, but are also commonly isolated from soil or lichens. In the present study, we surveyed the diversity and assess the taxonomy of entomopathogenic fungi in Sichuan Province, China. Two new species of Microcera, viz. M.chrysomphaludis and M.pseudaulacaspidis, were isolated from scale insects colonising walnut (Juglansregia). Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses of ITS, LSU, tef1-α, rpb1, rpb2, acl1, act, tub2, cmdA and his3 sequence data provide evidence for the validity of the two species and their placement in Nectriaceae (Hypocreales). Microcerapseudaulacaspidis primarily differs from similar species by having more septate and smaller cylindrical macroconidia, as well as DNA sequence data. Meanwhile, Microcerachrysomphaludis has elliptical, one-septate ascospores with acute ends and cylindrical, slightly curved with 4-6 septate macroconidia up to 78 µm long. Morphological descriptions with illustrations of the novel species and DNA-based phylogeny generated from analyses of multigene dataset are also provided to better understand species relationships.

Gut microbial profile of treatment-naive patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

Background and aims: The pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is associated with alterations of gut microbiota. We compared the gut microbiota of PBC patients and healthy controls from Zhejiang Province and assessed the use of these data for the diagnosis of PBC. Methods: First, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to characterize the gut microbiota of treatment-naive PBC patients (n=25) and matched healthy controls (n=25). Then, the value of gut microbiota composition for the diagnosis of PBC and assessment of PBC severity was determined. Results: The gut microbiota of PBC patients had lower diversity based on three different metrics of alpha-diversity (ace, Chao1, and observed features) and fewer overall genera (all p<0.01). PBC patients had significant enrichment of four genera and significant depletion of eight genera. We identified six amplicon sequence variants (Serratia, Oscillospirales, Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium, Sutterellaceae, and Coprococcus) as optimal biomarkers to distinguish PBC patients from controls based on receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.824). PBC patients who were anti-gp210-positive had lower levels of Oscillospiraceae than those who were anti-gp210-negative. KEGG functional annotation suggested the major changes in the gut microbiota of PBC patients were related to lipid metabolism and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Conclusion: We characterized the gut microbiota of treatment-naive PBC patients and healthy controls from Zhejiang Province. The PBC patients had significant alterations in their gut microbiota, suggesting that gut microbiota composition could be useful as a non-invasive tool for the diagnosis of PBC.

Plant serine/arginine-rich proteins: versatile players in RNA processing.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins participate in RNA processing by interacting with precursor mRNAs or other splicing factors to maintain plant growth and stress responses. Alternative splicing is an important mechanism involved in mRNA processing and regulation of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level, which is the main reason for the diversity of genes and proteins. The process of alternative splicing requires the participation of many specific splicing factors. The SR protein family is a splicing factor in eukaryotes. The vast majority of SR proteins' existence is an essential survival factor. Through its RS domain and other unique domains, SR proteins can interact with specific sequences of precursor mRNA or other splicing factors and cooperate to complete the correct selection of splicing sites or promote the formation of spliceosomes. They play essential roles in the composition and alternative splicing of precursor mRNAs, providing pivotal functions to maintain growth and stress responses in animals and plants. Although SR proteins have been identified in plants for three decades, their evolutionary trajectory, molecular function, and regulatory network remain largely unknown compared to their animal counterparts. This article reviews the current understanding of this gene family in eukaryotes and proposes potential key research priorities for future functional studies.

Global Analysis of Dark- and Heat-Regulated Alternative Splicing in Arabidopsis.

Alternative splicing (AS) is one of the major post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms that contributes to plant responses to various environmental perturbations. Darkness and heat are two common abiotic factors affecting plant growth, yet the involvement and regulation of AS in the plant responses to these signals remain insufficiently examined. In this study, we subjected Arabidopsis seedlings to 6 h of darkness or heat stress and analyzed their transcriptome through short-read RNA sequencing. We revealed that both treatments altered the transcription and AS of a subset of genes yet with different mechanisms. Dark-regulated AS events were found enriched in photosynthesis and light signaling pathways, while heat-regulated AS events were enriched in responses to abiotic stresses but not in heat-responsive genes, which responded primarily through transcriptional regulation. The AS of splicing-related genes (SRGs) was susceptible to both treatments; while dark treatment mostly regulated the AS of these genes, heat had a strong effect on both their transcription and AS. PCR analysis showed that the AS of the Serine/Arginine-rich family gene SR30 was reversely regulated by dark and heat, and heat induced the upregulation of multiple minor SR30 isoforms with intron retention. Our results suggest that AS participates in plant responses to these two abiotic signals and reveal the regulation of splicing regulators during these processes.

Efficacy of press needle on immune function and quality of life in female breast cancer patients after radical mastectomy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Radical mastectomy may lead to suppression of cellular immune function in patients with malignant tumors, and affect the quality of life (QOL) of patients. Immune suppression is a common cause of complications and adverse reactions in adjuvant therapy after radical mastectomy of breast cancer. Currently, there are few proven effective treatments for immune suppression. Therefore, it's necessary to develop a new treatment method. Press needle is widely used in clinical practice. However, there have been relatively few studies that evaluate the effects of press needle on postoperative immune function. The aim of the present study is to assess the effects of press needle on immune function and QOL in female breast cancer patients undergoing radical mastectomy. This study will be a single-center, randomized and single-blinded trial. Totally 78 eligible patients will be randomized in a ratio of 1:1 to the press needle group or the sham press needle group. During the treatment phase, patients will undergo five times weekly of verum press needle or sham press needle for 2 weeks. The primary outcome measures will be the peripheral blood levels of CD8+, CD4+, CD3+, and CD4+/CD8+ T cells. The secondary outcome measures will be the changes of patients' QOL, evaluated by the Karnofsky Performance Scale score and the EORTC core quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Furthermore, 5-year survival rate and recurrence rate will be evaluated. Safety and adverse events will be assessed at each visit. The results of this on-going study will provide clinical evidence for the effects and safety of press needle on immune function and QOL in patients after breast cancer resection compared with sham press needle. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000040100. Registered on 21 November 2020.

Application and comparison of three occupational health risk assessment methods in automobile manufacturing enterprises / 环境与职业医学

Background The complex and diverse occupational disease hazards in automobile manufacturing industry pose high occupational health risks to workers. Objective To explore the methods that can accurately reflect the workplace health risk grade of automobile manufacturing enterprises, and to guide enterprises to practice risk classification management. Methods Comprehensive index method, International Commission on Mining and Metals occupational health risk assessment method (ICMM method), and risk index method were used toassess health risks of occupational disease hazards in major workstations such as welding, polishing, and painting in three automobile manufacturing enterprises in Hunan Province. Kappa consistency test was used to test the grading results of the three assessment methods. The re-examine results and detection rate of contraindications of occupational health examinations in the past three years were used to verify the assessment results. Results The results of comprehensive index method showed that the hazards of each selected workstation in enterprises A and B were evaluated as grade 2-3, among which NO2 in enterprise A was grade 3, and welding fume, NO2, and formaldehyde in enterprise B were all grade 3. The hazards of each selected workstation in enterprise C were grade 3-4, among which NO2 and benzene in were grade 4, and welding fume, manganese and its compounds, grinding wheel dust, and xylene were grade 3. The hazards evaluated by ICMM quantitative method were grade 2 and grade 5, among which manganese and its compounds in enterprise A and welding fume, grinding wheel dust, and benzene series in enterprise C were graded as grade 5. The hazards evaluated by risk index method were grade 1-4, among which manganese and its compounds in enterprises A and B were grade 3, and manganese and its compounds and benzene in enterprise C were grade 4. The Kappa value between comprehensive index method and ICMM method was 0.084 (P>0.05), that between comprehensive index method and risk index method was −0.046 (P>0.05), and that between ICMM method and risk index method was 0.014 (P>0.05), indicating poor consistency. By comparing the results of occupational health surveillance with the results of occupational health risk assessment, one worker was found to have occupational contraindication of manganese exposure and 1 worker was found to have excessive manganese in hair in enterprise A. However, the comprehensive index method graded low risk for manganese and its compounds in enterprise A and the result is conservative. The key workstations identified by ICMM method were consistent with the occupational health examination results, but the assessment grades were all extremely high risk, and the results were too strict. One worker was found to be contraindicated to welding fumes, and 2 polishers were found to have severe mixed pulmonary ventilation dysfunction in enterprise C. Mild and moderate pulmonary ventilation dysfunction was found to be common in welding and polishing workstations in each enterprise. The assessment results of welding fumes and grinding wheel dust by the risk index method were negligible risks, which were inconsistent with the occupational health examination results. Conclusion The comprehensive index method, ICMM method, and risk index method can basically identify workstations with serious occupational hazards, but they have certain limitations and applicability. In general, the evaluation results of the comprehensive index method were generates more consistent with the results with occupational health surveillance than the other two methods, is more comprehensive and objective in consideration, and is more suitable for health risk assessment of automobile manufacturing enterprises.