Recent Molecular Characterization of Porcine Rotaviruses Detected in China and Their Phylogenetic Relationships with Human Rotaviruses.

Porcine rotavirus A (PoRVA) is an enteric pathogen capable of causing severe diarrhea in suckling piglets. Investigating the prevalence and molecular characteristics of PoRVA in the world, including China, is of significance for disease prevention. In 2022, a total of 25,768 samples were collected from 230 farms across China, undergoing porcine RVA positivity testing. The results showed that 86.52% of the pig farms tested positive for porcine RVA, with an overall positive rate of 51.15%. Through the genetic evolution analysis of VP7, VP4 and VP6 genes, it was revealed that G9 is the predominant genotype within the VP7 segment, constituting 56.55%. VP4 genotypes were identified as P[13] (42.22%), P[23] (25.56%) and P[7] (22.22%). VP6 exhibited only two genotypes, namely I5 (88.81%) and I1 (11.19%). The prevailing genotype combination for RVA was determined as G9P[23]I5. Additionally, some RVA strains demonstrated significant homology between VP7, VP4 and VP6 genes and human RV strains, indicating the potential for human RV infection in pigs. Based on complete genome sequencing analysis, a special PoRVA strain, CHN/SD/LYXH2/2022/G4P[6]I1, had high homology with human RV strains, revealing genetic reassortment between human and porcine RV strains in vivo. Our data indicate the high prevalence, major genotypes, and cross-species transmission of porcine RVA in China. Therefore, the continuous monitoring of porcine RVA prevalence is essential, providing valuable insights for virus prevention and control, and supporting the development of candidate vaccines against porcine RVA.

Measuring ecosystem services supply and demand in rural areas: cases from China's key counties to receive assistance in pursuing rural revitalization.

There is a considerable challenge to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ending poverty and maintaining ecosystems' function in rural areas, largely due to that the rural people's livelihood relied heavily on fragile ecosystems. China is ambitious to solve this issue by enacting economic stimulus policies such as ecological protection compensation and payment for ecosystem services (ESs). However, these interventions are generally based on stockholders' willingness and lack of scientific basis. Here, we firstly combined InVEST model and social-economic data to evaluate the ecosystem services supply and demand (ESSD), by taking 25 key counties to receive assistance in pursuing rural revitalization in Sichuan province as the study cases. The coupling coordination degree model was then employed to measure the coordination relationship of ESSD. Finally, the driving factors were analyzed based on correlation analysis and stepwise regression method. The results showed that all ESs, except carbon sequestration, were oversupplied with significant spatial heterogeneity. From 2000 to 2020, the supply of all ESs increased, in which the food production had the most notable increase ratio amounting to 48.20%, while the demand of water retention and air purification decreased substantially. Due to the inconsistency between cultivated land area and population changes, significant spatial heterogeneity existed in the coordination relationship of food production. The counties with the highest and the lowest annual average coordination index were Yanyuan (0.9950) and Rangtang (0.1208), respectively. The rural employees and the agricultural gross output value were the key positive factors influencing the quantity and coordination of ESSD, while ecological compensation and financial expenditure had no significant impact, further indicating that these policies were not linked to the performance of ecosystems' function. Finally, policy implications were raised. This study provides a scientific framework for enacting the interventions towards ecological sustainability and poverty ending from ESSD perspective.

Capsulotomy enlargement after femtosecond laser treatment among cataract patients of different age groups: a retrospective case series.

PURPOSE: Larger-than-planned capsulotomies can occur, yet their association with age and eye parameters remains poorly understood. This study aimed to assess capsulotomy enlargement after femtosecond laser treatment in cataract surgery and to explore a possible correlation of capsulotomy enlargement with age and eye parameters. METHODS: This retrospective case series included consecutive patients diagnosed with cataracts between 05/2018 and 11/2019. Among them, patients within the age ranges of <18, 18-49, and ≥50 years were assigned to the childhood cataract (CC), young adult cataract (YAC), and age-related cataract (ARC) groups, respectively. The capsulotomy enlargement ratio (CER), age, degree of cataract, lens thickness (LT), axial length, and anterior chamber depth were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 155 participants (179 eyes) were enrolled. The CER was significantly different among the three groups (CC: 1.245 vs. YAC: 1.060 vs. ARC: 1.029, P<0.001). The CER was found to be independently associated with both age (ß=-0.011 (0.001), P<0.001) and LT (ß=-0.049 (0.017), P=0.006) in the CC group, but it was only independently correlated with age (ß=-0.004 (0.001), P=0.002) in the YAC group and LT (ß=-0.014 (0.007), P=0.048) in the ARC group. CONCLUSIONS: Capsulotomy enlargement can occur after femtosecond laser treatment in cataract surgery, especially in the non-adult group. Age was a determinant of the CER in CC and YAC groups, while LT was an independent determinant of the CER in CC and ARC groups. These two factors should be taken into consideration for more precise sized capsulotomy.

Two Pairs of New Bisabolane-Type Sesquiterpenoids from Aspergillus sydowii.

Two pairs of new bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids, (+)-aspersydowin A (7S) [(+)-1], (-)-aspersydowin A (7R) [(-)-1], (+)-aspersydowin B (7S,11S) [(+)-2], (-)-aspersydowin B (7R,11R) [(-)-2], along with six known compounds (1-8) were isolated from the fungus Aspergillus sydowii. Compounds 1 and 2 are enantiomers resolved by the Chiralpak IC, using a hexane- propan-2-ol mobile phase. The structure of 1 and 2 with absolute configuration were assigned tentatively by 1D (1 H, 13 C, and DEPT) & 2D (HSQC, 1 H-1 H COSY, HMBC, and NOESY) NMR data analyses and ECD calculations. Compounds 1-8 were screened for the biological activities in vitro. The results showed that compounds 3, 4 and 8 exhibited immunosuppressive activities with IC50 values of 10.9, 17.6 and 13.4 µM, respectively.

Characteristics, Comparative Analysis, and Phylogenetic Relationships of Chloroplast Genomes of Cultivars and Wild Relatives of Eggplant (Solanum melongena).

The eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a popular vegetable around the world. However, the origin and evolution of eggplant has long been considered complex and unclear, which has become the barrier to improvements in eggplant breeding. Sequencing and comparative analyses of 13 complete chloroplast (cp) genomes of seven Solanum species were performed. Genome sizes were between 154,942 and 156,004 bp, the smallest genome was from S. torvum and the largest from S. macrocapon. Thirteen cp genomes showed highly conserved sequences and GC contents, particularly at the subgenus level. All genes in the 13 genomes were annotated. The cp genomes in this study comprised 130 genes (i.e., 80 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 42 tRNA genes), apart from S. sisymbriifolium, which had 129 (79 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 42 tRNA genes.). The rps16 was absent from the cp genome of S. sisymbriifolium, resulting in a nonsense mutation. Twelve hotspot regions of the cp genome were identified, which showed a series of sequence variations and differed significantly in the inverted repeat/single-copy boundary regions. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis was conducted using 46 cp genomic sequences to determine interspecific genetic and phylogenetic relationships in Solanum species. All species formed two branches, one of which contained all cultivars of the subgenus Leptostemonum. The cp genome data and phylogenetic analysis provides molecular evidence revealing the origin and evolutionary relationships of S. melongena and its wild relatives. Our findings suggest precise intra- and interspecies relatedness within the subgenus Leptostemonum, which has positive implications for work on improvements in eggplant breeding, particularly in producing heterosis, expanding the source of species variation, and breeding new varieties.

An indole diketopiperazine alkaloid and a bisabolane sesquiterpenoid with unprecedented skeletons from Aspergillus fumigatus.

Fumitryprostatin A (1), the first example of an indole diketopiperazine alkaloid with a tricyclic 5/6/5 skeleton characterized by a dipyrrolo[1,2-a:1',2'-d]pyrazine-5,10-dione ring system decorated with a prenylated indole moiety, and fuminoid A (2), a sesquiterpenoid with a bicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring featuring a novel carbon skeleton via the transformation of the methyl, were isolated from the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus along with six known diketopiperazine alkaloids. The structure with the absolute configuration of 1 was determined based on spectroscopic analyses and X-ray crystallographic analysis, while the configuration of 2 was assigned tentatively by 13C NMR data with DP4+ probability analyses and ECD calculations. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1 was proposed starting from L-Trp and L-Pro via normal indole diketopiperazine. Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity with an IC50 value of 14.6 µM, while compound 8 exhibited moderate immunosuppressive activity in vitro.

Understanding the nutraceutical diversity through a comparative analysis of the taproot metabolomes of different edible radish types via UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

Radishes are root vegetables that are rich in bioactive compounds and provide numerous health benefits, but the overall metabolic profiles of radish taproots and the metabolic differences among different edible types are not fully understood. In this research, we used UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS to identify the metabolites in cooked, processed and fruit radishes of ten varieties. In total, 264 metabolites belonging to 18 categories were detected. A multivariate analysis revealed that the metabolite composition differed among the three radish groups, and a comparative analysis showed that the significantly differentially accumulated metabolites were mainly amino acids and derivatives, lipids, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamate derivatives and carbohydrates. The accumulation of metabolites, particularly flavonoids, was greater in fruit radishes than in cooked and processed radishes. This work provides novel insights into the radish metabolomic profiles for assessment of the nutritional value of different edible radish types for humans.

Engineering a Feruloyl-Coenzyme A Synthase for Bioconversion of Phenylpropanoid Acids into High-Value Aromatic Aldehydes.

Aromatic aldehydes find extensive applications in food, perfume, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. However, a limited natural enzyme selectivity has become the bottleneck of bioconversion of aromatic aldehydes from natural phenylpropanoid acids. Here, based on the original structure of feruloyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase (FCS) from Streptomyces sp. V-1, we engineered five substrate-binding domains to match specific phenylpropanoid acids. FcsCIAE407A/K483L, FcsMAE407R/I481R/K483R, FcsHAE407K/I481K/K483I, FcsCAE407R/I481R/K483T, and FcsFAE407R/I481K/K483R showed 9.96-, 10.58-, 4.25-, 6.49-, and 8.71-fold enhanced catalytic efficiency for degrading CoA thioesters of cinnamic acid, 4-methoxycinnamic acid, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation illustrated that novel substrate-binding domains formed strong interaction forces with substrates' methoxy/hydroxyl group and provided hydrophobic/alkaline catalytic surfaces. Five recombinant E. coli with FCS mutants were constructed with the maximum benzaldehyde, p-anisaldehyde, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, protocatechualdehyde, and vanillin productivity of 6.2 ± 0.3, 5.1 ± 0.23, 4.1 ± 0.25, 7.1 ± 0.3, and 8.7 ± 0.2 mM/h, respectively. Hence, our study provided novel and efficient enzymes for the bioconversion of phenylpropanoid acids into aromatic aldehydes.

Blocking Cancer-Nerve Crosstalk for Treatment of Metastatic Bone Cancer Pain.

The tumor microenvironment is a complex milieu where neurons constitute an important non-neoplastic cell type. From "cancer neuroscience," the crosstalk between tumors and neurons favors the rapid growth of both, making the cancer-nerve interaction a reciprocally beneficial process. Thus, cancer-nerve crosstalk may provide new targets for therapeutic intervention against cancer and cancer-related symptoms. We proposed a nerve-cancer crosstalk blocking strategy for metastatic bone cancer pain treatment, achieved by Mg/Al layered-double-hydroxide nanoshells (Mg/Al-LDH) with AZ-23 loaded inside and alendronate decorated outside. The pain-causing H+ is rapidly eliminated by the LDH, with neurogenesis inhibited by the antagonist AZ-23. As positive feedback, the decreased pain reverses the nerve-to-cancer Ca2+ crosstalk-related cell cycle, dramatically inhibiting tumor growth. All experiments confirm the improved pain threshold and enhanced tumor inhibition. The study may inspire multidisciplinary researchers to focus on cancer-nerve crosstalk for treating cancer and accompanied neuropathic diseases.

Exploring rhizo-microbiome transplants as a tool for protective plant-microbiome manipulation.

The development of strategies for effectively manipulating and engineering beneficial plant-associated microbiomes is a major challenge in microbial ecology. In this sense, the efficacy and potential implications of rhizosphere microbiome transplant (RMT) in plant disease management have only scarcely been explored in the literature. Here, we initially investigated potential differences in rhizosphere microbiomes of 12 Solanaceae eggplant varieties and accessed their level of resistance promoted against bacterial wilt disease caused by the pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, in a 3-year field trial. We elected 6 resistant microbiomes and further tested the broad feasibility of using RMT from these donor varieties to a susceptible model Solanaceae tomato variety MicroTom. Overall, we found the rhizosphere microbiome of resistant varieties to enrich for distinct and specific bacterial taxa, of which some displayed significant associations with the disease suppression. Quantification of the RMT efficacy using source tracking analysis revealed more than 60% of the donor microbial communities to successfully colonize and establish in the rhizosphere of recipient plants. RTM from distinct resistant donors resulted in different levels of wilt disease suppression, reaching up to 47% of reduction in disease incidence. Last, we provide a culture-dependent validation of potential bacterial taxa associated with antagonistic interactions with the pathogen, thus contributing to a better understanding of the potential mechanism associated with the disease suppression. Our study shows RMT from appropriate resistant donors to be a promising tool to effectively modulate protective microbiomes and promote plant health. Together we advocate for future studies aiming at understanding the ecological processes and mechanisms mediating rates of coalescence between donor and recipient microbiomes in the plant rhizosphere.

Improving the Physicochemical and Biopharmaceutical Properties of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine through Cocrystal Engineering.

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) extracted and isolated from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) are of interest for drug development due to their wide range of biological activities. However, the overwhelming majority of APIs in TCMs (T-APIs), including flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and phenolic acids, are limited by their poor physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties, such as solubility, dissolution performance, stability and tabletability for drug development. Cocrystallization of these T-APIs with coformers offers unique advantages to modulate physicochemical properties of these drugs without compromising the therapeutic benefits by non-covalent interactions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current challenges, applications, and future directions of T-API cocrystals, including cocrystal designs, preparation methods, modifications and corresponding mechanisms of physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties. Moreover, a variety of studies are presented to elucidate the relationship between the crystal structures of cocrystals and their resulting properties, along with the underlying mechanism for such changes. It is believed that a comprehensive understanding of cocrystal engineering could contribute to the development of more bioactive natural compounds into new drugs.

[Clinical Effect of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of P230 Chronic Myeloid Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the curative efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of e19a2 transcript (P230) CML chronic phase (CML-CP) patients. METHODS: The clinical data of 11 P230 CML-CP patients were collected from July 2008 to December 2019. Blood routine examination, bone marrow cytology, chromosome, and BCR-ABL qualitative and quantitative tests were performed at initial diagnosis. After TKIs treatment, BCR-ABL (P230)/ABL in peripheral blood was regularly detected to evaluate molecular response by real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: There were 11 patients (7 males and 4 females) in chronic phase from 6 domestic hospitals enrolled, their median age was 46 years old (range from 19 to 56 years old). Among 4 patients treated with imatinib (400 mg, qd) firstly, 3 cases switched to nilotinib (400 mg, bid) and 1 case switched to dasatinib (100 mg, qd) due to failure to achieve best molecular response at the landmark time or mutation of ABL kinase. Then major molecular response (MMR) was obtained within 1 year. In addition, 5 patients were treated with nilotinib (300 mg, bid) and 2 patients with dasatinib (100 mg, qd) as first-line treatment, all of them got MMR within 6 months. CONCLUSION: For intolerance or resistance to imatinib, second-generation TKIs can enable P230 CML patients to achieve deeper molecular response, and MMR in a short time.

NIR-Triggered Intracellular H+ Transients for Lamellipodia-Collapsed Antimetastasis and Enhanced Chemodynamic Therapy.

In solid tumors, tumor invasion and metastasis account for 90 % of cancer-related deaths. Cell migration is steered by the lamellipodia formed at the leading edge. These lamellipodia can drive the cell body forward by its mechanical deformation regulated by cofilin. Inhibiting cofilin activity can cause significant defects in directional lamellipodia formation and the locomotory capacity of cell invasion, thus contributing to antimetastatic treatment. Herein, a near infrared light (NIR)-controlled nanoscale proton supplier was designed with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) as a core coated in MIL-88B for interior photoacids loading; this photoacids loading can boost H+ transients in cells, which converts the cofilin to an inactive form. Strikingly, inactive cofilin loses the ability to mediate lamellipodia deformation for cell migration. Additionally, the iron, which serves as a catalyticaly active center in MIL-88B, initiates an enhanced Fenton reaction due to the increased H+ in the tumor, ultimately achieving intensive chemodynamic therapy (CDT). This work provides new insight into H+ transients in cells, which not only regulates cofilin protonation for antimetastatic treatment but also improves chemodynamic therapy.

ZIF-Based Nanoparticles Combine X-Ray-Induced Nitrosative Stress with Autophagy Management for Hypoxic Prostate Cancer Therapy.

Although reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated tumor treatments are predominant in clinical applications, ROS-induced protective autophagy promotes cell survival, especially in hypoxic tumors. Herein, X-ray triggered nitrite (NO2- ) is used for hypoxic prostate cancer therapy by inhibiting autophagy and inducing nitrosative stress based on an electrophilic zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF-82-PVP). After internalization of pH-responsive ZIF-82-PVP nanoparticles, electrophilic ligands and Zn2+ are delivered into cancer cells. Electrophilic ligands can not only consume GSH under hypoxia but also capture low-energy electrons derived from X-rays to generate NO2- , which inhibits autophagy and further elevates lethal nitrosative stress levels. In addition, dissociated Zn2+ specifically limits the migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells through ion interference. In vitro and in vivo results indicate that ZIF-82-PVP nanoparticles under X-ray irradiation can effectively promote the apoptosis of hypoxic prostate cancer cells. Overall, this nitrosative stress-mediated tumor therapy strategy provides a novel approach targeting hypoxic tumors.

The first complete mitochondrial genome of eggplant (Solanum melongena).

Eggplant is an important vegetable crop because of its rich nutrition, but to date no mitochondrial genome has been reported. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the eggplant was sequenced. The complete mitochondrial genome was 498,136bp, linear structure, containing 54 protein-coding genes, four rRNAs, and 32 tRNAs. The phylogenetic tree supported the hypothesis that the eggplant is most closely related to Solanum tuberosum and Solanum lycopersicum.

Inheritance of Solanum chloroplast genomic DNA in interspecific hybrids.

The chloroplast genomic information was obtained from three wild Solanum and four hybrids by chloroplast genome sequencing. The chloroplast genomes of the seven samples comprise of a circular structure and sizes from 155,581 to 155,612 bp and composed of 130 genes. The genome structures of the two hybrids were identical, while the other two hybrids showed 2 bp differences in the LSC when compared with their maternal parent. The total sites of SNP and InDel were 39-344 and 54-90, respectively. With the exception of one hybrid with two additional sites, the other hybrids were identical to their maternal.

Constructing Electron Levers in Perovskite Nanocrystals to Regulate the Local Electron Density for Intensive Chemodynamic Therapy.

The local electron density of an atom is one key factor that determines its chemical properties. Regulating electron density can promote the atom's reactivity and so reduce the reaction activation energy, which is highly desired in many chemical applications. Herein, we report an intra-crystalline electron lever strategy, which can regulate the electron density of reaction centre atoms via manipulating ambient lattice states, for Fenton activity improvement. Typically, with the assistance of ultrasound, the Mn4+ -O-Fe3+ bond in BiFe0.97 Mn0.03 O3 perovskite nanocrystals can drive valence electrons and free electrons to accumulate on Fe atoms by a polarization electric field originated from the designed lattice strain. The increase of electron density significantly improves the catalytic activity of Fe, decreasing the activation energy of BiFe0.97 Mn0.03 O3 -mediated Fenton reaction by 52.55 %, and increasing the . OH yield by 9.21-fold. This study provides a new way to understand the sono-Fenton chemistry, and the increased . OH production enables a highly effective chemodynamic therapy.

A high-quality genome assembly of the eggplant provides insights into the molecular basis of disease resistance and chlorogenic acid synthesis.

The eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the most important Solanaceae crops, ranking third for total production and economic value in its genus. Herein, we report a high-quality, chromosome-scale eggplant reference genome sequence of 1155.8 Mb, with an N50 of 93.9 Mb, which was assembled by combining PacBio long reads and Hi-C sequencing data. Repetitive sequences occupied 70.1% of the assembly length, and 35,018 high-confidence protein-coding genes were annotated based on multiple sources. Comparative analysis revealed 646 species-specific families and 364 positive selection genes, conferring distinguishing traits on the eggplant. We performed genome-wide comparative identification of disease resistance genes and discovered an expanded gene family of bacterial spot resistance in eggplant and pepper, but not in tomato and potato. The genes involved in chlorogenic acid synthesis were comprehensively characterized. Highly similar chromosomal distribution patterns of polyphenol oxidase genes were observed in the eggplant, tomato, and potato genomes. The eggplant reference genome sequence will not only facilitate evolutionary studies of the Solanaceae but also facilitate their breeding and improvement.

Near-infrared light-triggered NO release for spinal cord injury repair.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is caused by external physical impacts and can induce complex cascade events, sometimes converging to paralysis. Existing clinical drugs to traumatic SCI have limited therapeutic efficacy because of either the poor blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) permeability or a single function. Here, we suggest a "pleiotropic messenger" strategy based on near-infrared (NIR)-triggered on-demand NO release at the lesion area for traumatic SCI recovery via the concurrent neuroregeneration and neuroprotection processing. This NO delivery system was constructed as upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP) core coated by zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) with NO donor (CysNO). This combined strategy substantial promotes the repair of SCI in vertebrates, ascribable to the pleiotropic effects of NO including the suppression of gliosis and inflammation, the promotion of neuroregeneration, and the protection of neurons from apoptosis, which opens intriguing perspectives not only in nerve repair but also in neurological research and tissue engineering.

Controllable Synthesis of Anatase TiO2 Nanosheets Grown on Amorphous TiO2/C Frameworks for Ultrafast Pseudocapacitive Sodium Storage.

Pseudocapacitance has been confirmed to significantly improve the rate capability and cycling durability of electrode materials. However, rational design and controllable synthesis of intercalation pseudocapacitive materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) still remain greatly challenging. Herein, a core-shell TiO2-based anode composed of S-, Co-, and N-doped amorphous TiO2/C framework cores and ultrathin anatase TiO2 nanosheet shells (SCN-TC@UT) was synthesized using Ti-based metal-organic frameworks (Ti-MOFs) as self-sacrificing templates coupled with a solvothermal sulfidation process. Thanks to heteroatom doping, integration of carbon species, and 2D nanosheet coating, the kinetic properties of SCN-TC@UT have been significantly improved. As a consequence, the anode achieves ultrahigh capacitive contributions up to 90.9 and 96.3% of the total capacity at scan rates of 5 and 10 mV s-1 and delivers unprecedented capacities of 211, 201, and 100 mA h g-1 at 1, 5, and 30 C (1 C=335 mA g-1) for over 800, 2000, and 18,000 cycles, respectively. Even at an ultrahigh rate of 50 C, the anode can still deliver a capacity of 108 mA h g-1. This work demonstrates the most efficient TiO2-based anode ever reported for SIBs and holds great potential in directing the development of amorphous materials for intercalation pseudocapacitance.