PemK's Arg24 is a crucial residue for PemIK toxin-antitoxin system to induce the persistence of Weissella cibaria against ciprofloxacin stress.

The toxin-antitoxin (TA) system plays a key role in bacteria escaping antibiotic stress with persistence, however, the mechanisms by which persistence is controlled remain poorly understood. Weissella cibaria, a novel probiotic, can enters a persistent state upon encountering ciprofloxacin stress. Conversely, it resumes from the persistence when ciprofloxacin stress is relieved or removed. Here, it was found that PemIK TA system played a role in transitioning between these two states. And the PemIK was consisted of PemK, an endonuclease toxic to mRNA, and antitoxin PemI which neutralized its toxicity. The PemK specifically cleaved the U↓AUU in mRNA encoding enzymes involved in glycolysis, TCA cycle and respiratory chain pathways. This cleavage event subsequently disrupted the crucial cellular processes such as hydrogen transfer, electron transfer, NADH and FADH2 synthesis, ultimately leading to a decrease in ATP levels and an increase in membrane depolarization and persister frequency. Notably, Arg24 was a critical active residue for PemK, its mutation significantly reduced the mRNA cleavage activity and the adverse effects on metabolism. These insights provided a clue to comprehensively understand the mechanism by which PemIK induced the persistence of W. cibaria to escape ciprofloxacin stress, thereby highlighting another novel aspect PemIK respond for antibiotic stress.

Urinary Endometriosis Misdiagnosed as Ureteral Malignant Tumor by PET/CT: A Case Study.

ABSTRACT: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory estrogen-dependent benign disease. It is defined as the endometrium growing outside the uterine cavity and the myometrium. It usually has low FDG uptake but rarely occurs in the ureters. We reported a case of a 47-year-old woman's left ureteral nodule originally misdiagnosed as a ureteral malignant tumor by PET/CT and finally pathologically confirmed as endometriosis.

High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging-based radiomic features aid in selecting endovascular candidates among patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

OBJECTIVES: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) can cause sinus obstruction and stenosis, with potentially fatal consequences. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) can diagnose CVST qualitatively, although quantitative screening methods are lacking for patients refractory to anticoagulation therapy and who may benefit from endovascular treatment (EVT). Thus, in this study, we used radiomic features (RFs) extracted from HRMRI to build machine learning models to predict response to drug therapy and determine the appropriateness of EVT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RFs were extracted from three-dimensional T1-weighted motion-sensitized driven equilibrium (MSDE), T2-weighted MSDE, T1-contrast, and T1-contrast MSDE sequences to build radiomic signatures and support vector machine (SVM) models for predicting the efficacy of standard drug therapy and the necessity of EVT. RESULTS: We retrospectively included 53 patients with CVST in a prospective cohort study, among whom 14 underwent EVT after standard drug therapy failed. Thirteen RFs were selected to construct the RF signature and CVST-SVM models. In the validation dataset, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve performance for the RF signature model were 0.833, 0.937, and 0.977, respectively. The radiomic score was correlated with days from symptom onset, history of dyslipidemia, smoking, fibrin degradation product, and D-dimer levels. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve for the CVST-SVM model in the validation set were 0.917, 0.969, and 0.992, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CVST-SVM model trained with RFs extracted from HRMRI outperformed the RF signature model and could aid physicians in predicting patient responses to drug treatment and identifying those who may require EVT.

[Biochar or Straw Substituting Chemical Fertilizer Increase the Risk of Phosphorus Loss in Subsurface Runoff in Sloping Farmland].

The purple soil slope farmland is an important agricultural land in southwest China but is also one of the main sources of agricultural non-point source pollution in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. Taking reasonable measures to control the loss of soil nutrients is of great significance to the treatment of non-point source pollution in the region. Here, a three-year (2018-2020) field runoff experiment was conducted to monitor and evaluate the phosphorus (P) loss in sloping farmland via surface runoff (i.e., surface flow, 0-20 cm) and subsurface runoff (i.e., subsurface flow, 20-60 cm), with five treatments including no fertilization (CK), conventional fertilization (CF), optimal fertilization (OF), biochar combined with 85% of OF (BF), and straw combined with 85% of OF (SF). The results showed that fertilization application reduced the sediment yields and surface runoff flux but increased the subsurface runoff flux. The total loss flux of phosphate (PO3-4-P), total phosphorus (TP), and particulate phosphorus (PP) in surface flow were the highest in the BF treatment and the lowest in the SF treatment. All fertilization applications increased the P loss fluxes in subsurface flow relative to that in CK. The highest PO3-4-P and TP loss flux in subsurface flow was found in the BF (213.88 g·hm-2 and 694.54 g·hm-2, respectively) treatment, followed by that in the OF and SF treatments. Redundancy analysis (RDA) results showed that surface runoff flux and biochar application were the main factors contributing to increased P loss in surface flow, and subsurface runoff flux was the main factor contributing to increased P loss in subsurface flow. In summary, the SF treatment reduced the amount of sediment yield and surface runoff flux in sloping farmland of purple soil and was the most effective for controlling P loss, whereas the risk of subsurface runoff flux requires further attention.

Gap junction is essential for the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine.

OBJECTIVES: Fluoxetine has been used as the first line for the therapy of depression. However, lack of therapeutic efficacy and time lag still limit the application of fluoxetine. Gap junction dysfunction is a potentially novel pathogenic mechanism for depression. To clarify the mechanism underlying these limitations, we investigated whether gap junction was related to the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine. METHODS AND KEY FINDINGS: After chronic unpredictable stress (CUS), animals showed decreases in gap junction intracellular communication (GJIC). Treatment with fluoxetine 10 mg/kg significantly improved GJIC and anhedonia of rats until six days. These results indicated that fluoxetine improved gap junction indirectly. Furthermore, to test the role of gap junction on antidepressant effects of fluoxetine, we blocked gap junction using carbenoxolone (CBX) infusion in the prefrontal cortex. CBX dampened fluoxetine-induced decrease in immobility time of mice in tail suspension test (TST). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that gap junction dysfunction blocks antidepressant effects of fluoxetine, contributing to understanding the mechanism underlying the time lag of fluoxetine.

Korean red ginseng alleviate depressive disorder by improving astrocyte gap junction function.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Korean red ginseng (KRG), a processed product of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey, show significant anti-depressive effect in clinic. However, its mechanism is still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) dysfunction is a potential pathogenesis of depression. Therefore, this study's objective is to investigate whether the antidepressant effect of KRG is related to GJIC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rat were restraint 8 h every day for 28 consecutive days to prepare depression models, and meanwhile, rats were intragastrically administrated with normal saline, KRG solutions (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) 1 h before stress. The behavioral performance was determined by forced swimming test, sucrose preference test and open field test. GJIC was determined by the Lucifer yellow (LY) diffusion distance in prelimb cortex (PLC). In addition, the level of Cx43, one of executors of GJIC, was tested by Western blot. To find out the protective effect of KRG against GJIC dysfunction directly, rats were intracranially injected with carbenoxolone (CBX, blocker of GJIC), and meanwhile normal saline, KRG (100 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) was administered daily. The behavioral performance of these rats was detected, and the LY localization injection PLC area was used to detect the gap junction function. RESULTS: Chronic resistant stress (CRS) induced depressive symptoms, as manifested by prolonged immobility time in forced swimming test and decreased sucrose consumption ratio. Administration of KRG alleviated these depressive symptoms significantly. GJIC determination showed that KRG improved the LY diffusion and increased Cx43 level in prefrontal cortex (PFC) significantly, indicated that GJIC dysfunction was alleviated by the treatment of KRG. However, the astrocytes number was also increased by the treatment of KRG, which maybe alleviate depression-like symptoms by increasing the number of astrocytes rather than improving GJIC. Injection of CBX produced depressive symptoms and GJIC dysfunction, as manifested by decreased sucrose consumption ratio and prolonged immobility time in forced swimming test, but no astrocytes number changes, KRG also reversed depressive symptoms and GJIC dysfunction, suggested that the improvement of depressive-like symptoms was improved by GJIC. CONCLUSIONS: KRG alleviate depressive disorder by improving astrocytic gap junction function.

Taxonomic study of the Oriental genus Catullioides Bierman, 1910 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Tropiduchidae), with description of a new species from China.

The tropiduchid genus Catullioides Bierman, 1910 is redescribed and illustrated. Catullioides includes two species, C. rubrolineata Bierman, 1910 (the type species) and C. taishunensis Zhu, Wang & Song, sp. nov. A key to the species of the genus is provided.

Antidepressant-like effects of helicid on a chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression rat model: Inhibiting the IKK/IκBα/NF-κB pathway through NCALD to reduce inflammation.

We previously reported that helicid, an active plant monomer of Helicid nilgirica Bedd, had good antidepressant pharmacological activities. However, the potential mechanism of action remains unknown. Current investigation showed the antidepressant-like effects of helicid and its effects on the neurocalcin delta (NCALD) gene, and its mechanism of action through a depression model in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). We evaluated depression symptoms using the sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT), and forced swimming test (FST). By silencing NCALD and using rescue experiments, the IL-6, iNOS, IL-1ß, COX-2, and TNF-α levels in the hippocampus or peripheral blood were determined using western blotting and ELISAs. The expression of IKKß, p-IкBα, p-IKKß, NF-кB p65, and IкBα were tested using western blots of the cytoplasmic or nuclear samples. Helicid and silencing NCALD relieved the CUMS-irritated depressive-like actions of rats, which were shown by increased consumption of sucrose, numbers of rearings, total running distance, zone crossings, and reduced immobility times. Helicid or silencing NCALD reversed the CUMS-induced high levels of IL-1ß, COX-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS in the hippocampus or peripheral blood. Helicid or silencing NCALD also reduced the expressions of p-IκBα and p-IKKß in the cytoplasm and the expression of nuclear NF-κB p 65 in hippocampus, and simultaneously elevated cytoplasmic expressions of IκBα, IKKß, and NF-κB p65 in the hippocampus. Notably, after NCALD overexpression, the biochemical indices of rat helicid administration were reversed. In conclusion, the antidepressant action of helicid was mediated through NCALD in rats of CUMS by repressing hippocampal neuro-inflammation and abating the activation of the IKK/IκBα/NF-κB pathway.

[Effects of Fertilizer Reduction and Application of Organic Fertilizer on Soil Nitrogen and Phosphorus Nutrients and Crop Yield in a Purple Soil Sloping Field].

The reduction in chemical fertilizers combined with organic fertilizers is a national strategy to achieve environmental friendliness and maintain the quality of cultivated land. It is of great significance for the prevention and control of soil pollution and the sustainable development of agriculture. In this study, purple soil and sloping land in the Three Gorges Reservoir area was studied. The field experiment method was used to study the control, conventional fertilization, optimized fertilization, biochar (fertilizer combined with biochar), and straw under rapeseed/corn rotation mode. The effects of five treatments on soil nitrogen/phosphorus form, crop nitrogen and phosphorus content, fertilizer utilization rate, and crop yield were studied in the field (fertilizer reduction combined with straw returning). The results showed that the soil ammonium nitrogen content was the highest in the rapeseed season, which was 4.51 mg·kg-1. The contents of ammonium nitrogen and alkali nitrogen in the treated corn season were significantly higher than those in the rape season. The reduction in chemical fertilizers can guarantee and increase the total nitrogen content of the soil. Among them, the total nitrogen content in the rapeseed and corn seasons treated with straw was the highest (0.56 g·kg-1 and 0.60 g·kg-1, respectively). The soil treated with straw in the rapeseed season had the highest available phosphorus content (0.76 mg·kg-1). Compared with conventional treatment, the reduction of chemical fertilizers combined with organic fertilizer did not significantly reduce the total phosphorus content of soil. The reduction of fertilization combined with organic fertilizer showed a slight increase in yield but showed the highest yield of rapeseed treated by biochar (2328 kg·hm-2) and the highest yield of conventionally treated maize (5838 kg·hm-2). However, there was no significant difference in each treatment (P>0.05). Regardless of the rapeseed season or the corn season, the reduction of fertilization treatment generally improved the agronomic utilization rate of nitrogen fertilizer and phosphate fertilizer. In the purple soil area, the combination of chemical fertilizer reduction and biochar and straw returning were beneficial to improve soil nutrients, improve fertilizer utilization, and reduce the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and phosphate fertilizer application on crop yield.

Relative location of foramen ovale, foramen lacerum, and foramen spinosum in Hartel pathway.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a common disease in Chinese people. Minimal invasive transforaminal pathway is widely used in treating trigeminal neuralgia. The Hartel pathway is the most commonly used operation route, but it has potential to injure vessels such as arteria meningea media and the internal carotid artery. We measured the location of operation route, foramen spinosum, and foramen lacerum in a three-dimensional pattern. We found that to protect those 2 vessels, the angle and depth of puncture should be well regulated. The horizontal component of the angle between the needle axis and y axis should be more than 22 degrees in women and 20 degrees in men to avoid the injury of arteria meningea media. And for protecting the internal carotid artery, the depth of puncture should be less than 85 mm for women and 93 mm for men, or less than 9 mm after penetrating the meninges.

Linear heterocyclic aromatic fluorescence compounds having various donor-acceptor spacers prepared by the combination of carbon-carbon bond and carbon-nitrogen bond cross-coupling reactions.

A family of novel linear 1,10-phenanthroline-based (A-D-A-D-A) and oligothiophene-based (A-D-D-D-(D)-A) heterocyclic aromatic fluorescence compounds having N-containing imidazole and pyridine tails with effective π-conjugated systems, prepared by the combination of carbon-carbon (C-C) bond and carbon-nitrogen (C-N) bond cross-coupling reactions, is described. They have molecular lengths of more than 2.30 nm in the cases of 4, 6, 9, and 26, various D-A spacers, and certain N-coordination sites (phen, imidazole, and pyridine). X-ray single-crystal structures of 13 compounds reveal a variety of trans and cis configurations with different dihedral angles between adjacent aromatic heterocycles. Synthetic, computational, and spectral studies have been made to reveal the differences between cross-coupling approaches on the C-C bond and C-N bond formation as well as band gaps and energy levels and optical and electrochemical properties for related compounds. The influences of introducing a ß-methyl group to the thiophene ring on reaction activity, solubility, and conformation of related compounds have also been discussed.

The first observation of azo-hydrazone and cis-trans tautomerisms for disperse yellow dyes and their nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes.

Azo-hydrazone and cis-trans tautomerisms have been firstly observed between two disperse yellow dyes (cis/trans-HL(1) and cis-HL(2)) and three neutral dye-metal complexes (one mononuclear Ni(II) complex 3 and two Cu(II) coordination polymers 4 and 5 formulated as [Ni(trans-L(1))(2)(CH(3)OH)(2)].2H(2)O, [Cu(cis-L(1))(2)](n) and [Cu(L(3))(H(2)O)](n)).