AIEgen-functionalized metal-organic gel as a bifunctional platform for efficient adsorption and portable sensing of gaseous iodine.

Herein, we proposed a novel metal-organic gel (YTU-G-1) for efficient adsorption and portable sensing of gaseous iodine. YTU-G-1 exhibits an unprecedentedly high detection sensitivity (KSV = 2.21 × 106 L mol-1) and an extremely low limit of detection (LOD) down to the pmol level (481 pmol L-1). YTU-G-1 also shows a marked iodine adsorption capacity of 1.398 g g-1. A wearable membrane was successfully fabricated via the electrospinning technique, which exhibits excellent skin-compatibility and serves as a portable tool for sensitive response to potential on-site nuclear emergencies.

Antioxidant packaging films based upon starch-montmorillonite with forsythia flower extract: characterization and application.

Plastic pollution is one of the most acute environmental problems in the world, so active packaging materials made from biodegradable natural polymers have received widespread attention in recent years. In this paper, forsythia flower extract, serving as an active ingredient, was integrated into the starch-sodium alginate-montmorillonite composite film. The physicochemical properties and functional packaging applications of the composite films were investigated. The results demonstrate the formation of a tightly-knit network structure through molecular interactions among forsythia flowers, starch, sodium alginate, and montmorillonite. Notably, the addition of forsythia flower extracts conferred better UV resistance (from 200 nm to 400 nm) and outstanding antioxidant properties to the composite films. After 18 days of storage, in comparison with the control group, the decay rate of fresh cherry tomatoes packaged with the composite film containing forsythia flower extract showed a significant reduction of 40%, the hardness increased by 25%, and the content of vitamin C was enhanced by 33%. Hence, the forsythia flower extract composite film offers a novel perspective for the design and development of bio-based packaging films for preserving fresh fruits. The results serve as a foundation for the subsequent advancement and application of forsythia flower in the field of packaging.

De novo biosynthesis of anthocyanins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using metabolic pathway synthases from blueberry.

BACKGROUND: Anthocyanins are water-soluble flavonoids in plants, which give plants bright colors and are widely used as food coloring agents, nutrients, and cosmetic additives. There are several limitations for traditional techniques of collecting anthocyanins from plant tissues, including species, origin, season, and technology. The benefits of using engineering microbial production of natural products include ease of use, controllability, and high efficiency. RESULTS: In this study, ten genes encoding enzymes involved in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway were successfully cloned from anthocyanin-rich plant materials blueberry fruit and purple round eggplant rind. The Yeast Fab Assembly technology was utilized to construct the transcriptional units of these genes under different promoters. The transcriptional units of PAL and C4H, 4CL and CHS were fused and inserted into Chr. XVI and IV of yeast strain JDY52 respectively using homologous recombination to gain Strain A. The fragments containing the transcriptional units of CHI and F3H, F3'H and DFR were inserted into Chr. III and XVI to gain Strain B1. Strain B2 has the transcriptional units of ANS and 3GT in Chr. IV. Several anthocyanidins, including cyanidin, peonidin, pelargonidin, petunidin, and malvidin, were detected by LC-MS/MS following the predicted outcomes of the de novo biosynthesis of anthocyanins in S. cerevisiae using a multi-strain co-culture technique. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a novel concept for advancing the heterologous de novo anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, as well as fundamental information and a theoretical framework for the ensuing optimization of the microbial synthesis of anthocyanins.

Analysis of hospitalization expenses and influencing factors for elderly cancer patients in a tertiary hospital in Dalian, China: a five­year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Because the proportion of elderly individuals and the incidence of cancer worldwide are continually increasing, medical costs for elderly inpatients with cancer are being significantly increasing, which puts tremendous financial pressure on their families and society. The current study described the actual direct medical costs of elderly inpatients with cancer and analyzed the influencing factors for the costs to provide advice on the prevention and control of the high medical costs of elderly patients with cancer. METHOD: A retrospective descriptive analysis was performed on the hospitalization expense data of 11,399 elderly inpatients with cancer at a tier-3 hospital in Dalian between June 2016 and June 2020. The differences between different groups were analyzed using univariate analysis, and the influencing factors of hospitalization expenses were explored by multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The hospitalization cost of elderly cancer patients showed a decreasing trend from 2016 to 2020. Specifically, the top 3 hospitalization costs were material costs, drug costs and surgery costs, which accounted for greater than 10% of all cancers according to the classification: colorectal (23.96%), lung (21.74%), breast (12.34%) and stomach cancer (12.07%). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that cancer type, surgery, year and length of stay (LOS) had a common impact on the four types of hospitalization costs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in the four types of hospitalization costs for elderly cancer patients according to the LOS, surgery, year and type of cancer. The study results suggest that the health administration department should enhance the supervision of hospital costs and elderly cancer patient treatment. Measures should be taken by relying on the hospital information system to strengthen the cost management of cancer diseases and departments, optimize the internal management system, shorten elderly cancer patients LOS, and reasonably control the costs of disease diagnosis, treatment and department operation to effectively reduce the economic burden of elderly cancer patients.

Biodegradable gelatin/pectin films containing cellulose nanofibers and biguanide polymers: Characterization and application in sweet cherry packaging.

To expand the utilization of gelatin and pectin derived from agricultural by-products, the composite films composed of gelatin, citrus pectin, cellulose nanofibers (CNF), and polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride (PHMB) were prepared through the solvent casting method. Fourier infrared spectroscopy analysis verified the successful integration of CNF and PHMB into the gelatin-pectin matrix. The incorporation of CNF as a reinforcing agent substantially enhanced the barrier capabilities of the composite film. Moreover, the addition of PHMB, functioning as an antimicrobial agent, not only granted the film with antibacterial properties but also improved its physical characteristics and biodegradability. A water contact angle experiment revealed the film presented a certain degree of hydrophobicity. The optimal performances were attained with a composition in which CNF and PHMB constituted 8 % and 3 %, respectively, of the total weight of gelatin and pectin. As a packaging film, the composite film demonstrated its effectiveness by reducing the decay index and weight loss rate of sweet cherries during a 12-day storage period. In the soil degradation test, the composite film exhibited notable structural degradation by the 16th day. Consequently, the composite film will be used as an innovative and biodegradable packaging material to provide a sustainable solution for food packaging industries.

Provable Unrestricted Adversarial Training without Compromise with Generalizability.

Adversarial training (AT) is widely considered as the most promising strategy to defend against adversarial attacks and has drawn increasing interest from researchers. However, the existing AT methods still suffer from two challenges. First, they are unable to handle unrestricted adversarial examples (UAEs), which are built from scratch, as opposed to restricted adversarial examples (RAEs), which are created by adding perturbations bound by an lp norm to observed examples. Second, the existing AT methods often achieve adversarial robustness at the expense of standard generalizability (i.e., the accuracy on natural examples) because they make a tradeoff between them. To overcome these challenges, we propose a unique viewpoint that understands UAEs as imperceptibly perturbed unobserved examples. Also, we find that the tradeoff results from the separation of the distributions of adversarial examples and natural examples. Based on these ideas, we propose a novel AT approach called Provable Unrestricted Adversarial Training (PUAT), which can provide a target classifier with comprehensive adversarial robustness against both UAE and RAE, and simultaneously improve its standard generalizability. Particularly, PUAT utilizes partially labeled data to achieve effective UAE generation by accurately capturing the natural data distribution through a novel augmented triple-GAN. At the same time, PUAT extends the traditional AT by introducing the supervised loss of the target classifier into the adversarial loss and achieves the alignment between the UAE distribution, the natural data distribution, and the distribution learned by the classifier, with the collaboration of the augmented triple-GAN. Finally, the solid theoretical analysis and extensive experiments conducted on widely-used benchmarks demonstrate the superiority of PUAT.

Rapid Rescue of Goose Astrovirus Genome via Red/ET Assembly.

The host-specific infection of Avian Astrovirus (AAstVs) has posed significant challenges to the poultry industry, resulting in substantial economic losses. However, few reports exist on the functional consequences of genome diversity, cross-species infectivity and mechanisms governing virus replication of AAstVs, making it difficult to develop measures to control astrovirus transmission. Reverse genetics technique can be used to study the function of viruses at the molecular level, as well as investigating pathogenic mechanisms and guide vaccine development and disease treatment. Herein, the reverse genetics technique of goose astrovirus GAstV/JS2019 strain was developed based on use of a reconstructed vector including CMV promotor, hammerhead ribozyme (HamRz), hepatitis delta virus ribozyme (HdvRz), and SV40 tail, then the cloned viral genome fragments were connected using Red/ET recombineering. The recombinant rGAstV-JS2019 was readily rescued by transfected the infectious clone plasmid into LMH cells. Importantly, the rescued rGAstV/JS2019 exhibited similar growth kinetics comparable to those of the parental GAstV/JS2019 isolate in cultured cells. Our research results provide an alternative and more effective reverse genetic tool for a detailed understanding of viral replication, pathogenic mechanisms, and molecular mechanisms of evolution.

PRRSV degrades MDA5 via dual autophagy receptors P62 and CCT2 to evade antiviral innate immunity.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a major economically devastating pathogen that has evolved various strategies to evade innate immunity. Downregulation of antiviral interferon largely promotes PRRSV immunoevasion by utilizing cytoplasmic melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5), a receptor that senses viral RNA. In this study, the downregulated transcription and expression levels of porcine MDA5 in PRRSV infection were observed, and the detailed mechanisms were explored. We found that the interaction between P62 and MDA5 is enhanced due to two factors: the phosphorylation modification of the autophagic receptor P62 by the upregulated kinase CK2α and the K63 ubiquitination of porcine MDA5 catalyzed by the E3 ubiquitinase TRIM21 in PRRSV-infected cells. As a result of these modifications, the classic P62-mediated autophagy is triggered. Additionally, porcine MDA5 interacts with the chaperonin containing TCP1 subunit 2 (CCT2), which is enhanced by PRRSV nsp3. This interaction promotes the aggregate formation and autophagic clearance of MDA5-CCT2-nsp3 independently of ubiquitination. In summary, enhanced MDA5 degradation occurs in PRRSV infection via two autophagic pathways: the binding of MDA5 with the autophagy receptor P62 and the aggrephagy receptor CCT2, leading to intense innate immune suppression. The research reveals a novel mechanism of immune evasion in PRRSV infection and provides fundamental insights for the development of new vaccines or therapeutic strategies.

Quadrivalent hemagglutinin and adhesion expressed on Saccharomyces cerevisiae induce protective immunity against Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection and improve gut microbiota.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection causes infectious respiratory diseases in poultry, causing economic losses to the poultry industry. Therefore, this study aims to develop a safe, convenient, and effective multivalent recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae vaccine candidate and to explore its potential for oral immunization as a subunit vaccine. Mycoplasma gallisepticum Cytadhesin (MGC) and variable lipoprotein and hemagglutinin (vlhA) are associated with the pathogenesis of MG. In this study, a quadrivalent recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ST1814G-MG) displaying on MGC2, MGC3, VLH5, and VLH3, proteins was innovatively constructed, and its protective efficiency was evaluated in birds. The results showed that oral immunization with ST1814G-MG stimulates specific antibodies in chickens, reshapes the composition of the gut microbiota, reduces the Mycoplasma loading and pulmonary disease injury in the lungs. In addition, we found that oral ST1814G-MG had better protection against MG infection than an inactivated vaccine, and co-administration with the inactivated vaccine was even more effective. The results suggest that ST1814G-MG is a potentially safer and effective agent for controlling MG infection.

[Prognosis analysis of multi-indicator combined with sequential organ failure assessment in patients with sepsis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prognostic value of early multiple detection indicators in combination with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) in sepsis patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted. Patients with sepsis admitted to the department of critical care medicine of Huanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze University from May 2020 to May 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Coagulation indicators, inflammatory factors, blood routine, liver and kidney function, and blood gas analysis were collected at admission. Organ dysfunction was assessed based on the SOFA score within 24 hours after admission. Patients were divided into a survival group and a death group according to the outcome of 28 days in ICU. Differences in the above indicators between the two groups were compared. Multifactorial Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze prognostic factors of 28-day mortality in sepsis patients. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to analyze the predictive performance of various indicators, the SOFA score, and the combine model for the 28-day outcome in patients with sepsis. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients with sepsis were enrolled, 56 patients survived and 45 patients died. Compared to the survival group, patients in the death group were older, the proportion of patients with septic shock was larger, the SOFA score, and the proportion of pulmonary infection were higher, the prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were significantly prolonged, the prothrombin activity (PTA) was significantly shortened, and antithrombin (AT) was significantly decreased, the levels of hypersensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total bilirubin (TBil), and lactic acid (Lac) were significantly increased, while the platelet count (PLT) was significantly decreased. Multifactorial Logistic regression analysis showed that pulmonary infection [odds ratio (OR) = 0.010, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.001-0.164, P = 0.001], AT (OR = 0.944, 95%CI was 0.910-0.978, P = 0.002), hs-CRP (OR = 1.008, 95%CI was 1.001-1.015, P = 0.017), Lac (OR = 1.619, 95%CI was 1.195-2.193, P = 0.002), and SOFA score (OR = 1.363, 95%CI was 1.076-1.727, P = 0.010) were independent prognostic factors for 28-day mortality in patients. A combined model was constructed using pulmonary infection, AT, hs-CRP, Lac, and SOFA score. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the combine model in predicting sepsis prognosis was 0.936 (95%CI was 0.869-0.975, P < 0.001), which was higher in value compared to single indicators (AUC of AT, hs-CRP, Lac, and SOFA score were 0.775, 0.666, 0.802, 0.796, respectively, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The predictive ability of the SOFA score for sepsis patient outcomes is limited. The combine model combining infection site, AT, hs-CRP, and Lac shows better predictive ability.

Tartary buckwheat protein-derived peptide AFYRW alleviates H2O2-induced vascular injury via the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway.

Tartary buckwheat protein-derived peptide (Ala-Phe-Tyr-Arg-Trp, AFYRW) is a natural active peptide that hampers the atherosclerosis process, but the underlying role of AFYRW in angiogenesis remains unknown. Here, we present a system-based study to evaluate the effects of AFYRW on H2O2-induced vascular injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were co-incubated with H2O2 for 2 h in the vascular injury model, and AFYRW was added 24 h in advance to investigate the protective mechanism of vascular injury. We identified that AFYRW inhibits oxidative stress, cell migration, cell invasion, and angiogenesis in H2O2-treated HUVECs. In addition, we found H2O2-induced upregulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 and nuclear translocation of NF-κB decreased by AFYRW. Taken together, AFYRW attenuated H2O2-induced vascular injury through the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway. Thereby, AFYRW may serve as a therapeutic option for vascular injuries.

Recombinant hemagglutinin displaying on yeast reshapes congenital lymphocyte subsets to prompt optimized systemic immune protection against avian influenza infection.

Introduction: Prophylactic vaccination is regarded as the most effective means to control avian flu infection. Currently, there is a need for a universal vaccine that provides broad and long-lasting protection against influenza virus. Meanwhile, although yeast-based vaccines have been used in clinic, studies are still required to further understand the molecular mechanism of yeast-based vaccines under physiological conditions. Methods: We generated a yeast-based vaccine against influenza hemagglutinin (HA) of H5, H7 and H9 using surface displaying technology and evaluated the protective efficacy of chickens after exposure to H9N2 influenza virus. Results: Oral yeast vaccine provided less clinical syndrome, reduced viral loading and alleviated airway damage significantly. Compared to the commercial inactivated vaccine, yeast vaccine stimulated the activation of splenic NK and APCs cells and boosted TLR7-IRF7-IFN signaling in spleen. Meanwhile, γδ T cells in the bursa of Fabricius were activated and the innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in the bursa of Fabricius promoted the CILPs to differentiate to ILC3 cells in oral yeast birds. Moreover, the reshaped gut microbiota and a suppressed Th17-IL17-mediated inflammation in intestine was observed in oral yeast chickens, which might facilitate the recovery of intestinal mucosal immunity upon virus infection. Collectively, our findings suggest that oral yeast based multivalent bird flu vaccines provide an attractive strategy to update host defense function via reshapes of multi-systemic immune homeostasis.

The impact of electricity-carbon market coupling on system marginal clearing price and power supply cost.

In this study, we assessed the impacts of the benchmark designs of emissions allowance allocation in China's national carbon emissions trading system with plant-level data and further estimated the marginal clearing price and power supply cost in Guangdong power market under electricity-carbon market coupling with unit commitment and economic dispatch model. We find that the existing allowances benchmark would result in a considerable surplus of allowances at about 222 Mt. But the benchmarking and exemplary levels on the heat rate of power supply would motivate thermal power units to reduce CO2 emissions. Under a tight balance of supply and demand in Guangdong, peaking thermal power plants will become the marginal clearing units and higher clearing prices will add to the revenue of lower cost inframarginal renewable energy power units. However, the combined impact of electricity-carbon market coupling would cause the marginal clearing price fluctuates obviously from 0 to 1159 CNY/MWh. Compared to the baseline scenario with free CO2 allowances allocation, the efficiency of thermal power utilization would decrease by 23%-59% and the net revenue per MWh power supply of coal-fired power units would decrease by 275%-325% under the stress scenario. Our study suggests that setting a more stringent allowances allocation benchmark for carbon price discovery is necessary. As electricity-carbon market coupling changes the role of coal-fired power plants to provide flexibility service and decrease their revenues, it calls for further market designs on proper reimbursement of flexible resources, under which the electricity market can effectively achieve the synergy among accommodating new energy, ensuring resource adequacy, and delivering cost efficiency. In addition, the synergy can be enhanced by formulating a tax program, which can promote renewable energy investment.

Antidiabetic activity of Tartary buckwheat protein-derived peptide AFYRW and its effects on protein glycosylation of pancreas in mice.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the most important public health problems, and new antidiabetic drugs with fewer side effects are urgently needed. Here, we measured the antidiabetic effects of an antioxidant peptide (Ala-Phe-Tyr-Arg-Trp, AFYRW) from Tartary Buckwheat Albumin (TBA) in a high-fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model. The data showed that AFYRW suppressed hepatocyte steatosis and triglycerides while ameliorating insulin resistance in mice. Successively, the influence of AFYRW on aberrant protein glycosylation in diabetic mice was further investigated by lectin microarrays. The results suggested AFYRW could restore the expression of GalNAc, GalNAcα1-3Gal and GalNAcα1-3Galß1-3/4Glc recognized by PTL-I, Siaα2-3Galß1-4Glc(NAc)/Glc, Siaα2-3Gal, Siaα2-3 and Siaα2-3GalNAc recognized by MAL-II, terminating in GalNAcα/ß1-3/6Gal recognized by WFA and αGalNAc, αGal, anti-A and B recognized by GSI-I to normal levels in the pancreas of HFD-STZ-induced diabetic mice. This work may provide new targets for the future discovery of potential biomarkers to evaluate the efficacy of food-derived antidiabetic drugs based on precise alterations of glycopatterns in DM.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA polymerase IV overcomes Rad51 inhibition of DNA polymerase δ in Rad52-mediated direct-repeat recombination.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA polymerase IV (Pol4) like its homolog, human DNA polymerase lambda (Polλ), is involved in Non-Homologous End-Joining and Microhomology-Mediated Repair. Using genetic analysis, we identified an additional role of Pol4 also in homology-directed DNA repair, specifically in Rad52-dependent/Rad51-independent direct-repeat recombination. Our results reveal that the requirement for Pol4 in repeat recombination was suppressed by the absence of Rad51, suggesting that Pol4 counteracts the Rad51 inhibition of Rad52-mediated repeat recombination events. Using purified proteins and model substrates, we reconstituted in vitro reactions emulating DNA synthesis during direct-repeat recombination and show that Rad51 directly inhibits Polδ DNA synthesis. Interestingly, although Pol4 was not capable of performing extensive DNA synthesis by itself, it aided Polδ in overcoming the DNA synthesis inhibition by Rad51. In addition, Pol4 dependency and stimulation of Polδ DNA synthesis in the presence of Rad51 occurred in reactions containing Rad52 and RPA where DNA strand-annealing was necessary. Mechanistically, yeast Pol4 displaces Rad51 from ssDNA independent of DNA synthesis. Together our in vitro and in vivo data suggest that Rad51 suppresses Rad52-dependent/Rad51-independent direct-repeat recombination by binding to the primer-template and that Rad51 removal by Pol4 is critical for strand-annealing dependent DNA synthesis.

Recombinant hemagglutinin protein and DNA-RNA-combined nucleic acid vaccines harbored by yeast elicit protective immunity against H9N2 avian influenza infection.

A safe, convenience, and effective vaccine for controlling avian influenza virus infection is crucial in scale poultry production. Yeasts are considered useful vaccine vehicles for the delivery of antigens, which has been used to protect human and animal health. We report here the development of H9N2 strain hemagglutinin (HA)-based recombinant protein vaccines (rH9HA) and DNA-RNA-combined vaccine (rH9-DNA-RNA) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the first time. The immunogenicity assay indicated that both rH9HA and rH9-DNA-RNA could induce robust production of serum IgG, mucosal sIgA, and cellular immune responses. The reshape and diversification of gut microbiota and an enriched Lactobacillus, Debaryomyces were observed after oral immunization with rH9HA or rH9-DNA-RNA yeast vaccine, which might contribute to modulate the intestinal mucosal immunity and antiviral process. Oral immunized birds with either rH9HA or rH9-DNA-RNA were effectively protected from H9N2 virus challenge. Our findings suggested that yeast-derived H9N2 HA-based recombinant protein vaccines and DNA-RNA-combined nucleic acid vaccines are feasible and efficacious, opening up a new avenue for rapid and cost-effective production of avian influenza vaccines to achieve good protection effect.

Fabrication of a Large-Area Flexible Scintillating Membrane for High-Resolution X-ray Imaging Using an AIEgen-Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework.

With the growing demand for X-ray imaging, especially for three-dimensional objects with curved surfaces, a large-area flexible X-ray imaging membrane based on scintillating materials becomes the focus of vigorous investigation. Among the developed scintillators, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) featuring tunable photophysical properties and marked luminescence stability hold great promise for serving as ideal X-ray scintillators. Here, we report a flexible composite scintillating membrane with superior imaging performance. The membrane is achieved by embedding an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogen (AIEgen, H4ETTC)-functionalized MOF scintillator (Y-PCN-94) into a polymer matrix (PDMS). Notably, Y-PCN-94 exhibits a strong AIE effect under both ultraviolet (UV) light and X-ray irradiation, which is also the first time that the AIE effect was observed in the MOF system under an ionizing radiation field. This also gives the material promising radioluminescence properties, such as a low X-ray detection limit (1.6 µGy s-1) and high imaging resolution (>14.3 lp mm-1), which can be mainly attributed to the combination of the AIE effect and strong X-ray stopping power. This work demonstrates that incorporating AIEgens into MOFs or other frameworks can offer an alternative approach for producing high-performance X-ray scintillators.

Co-Gasification Synergistic Characteristics of Sewage Sludge and High-Sodium Coal.

A comprehensive study was conducted to assess the co-gasification characteristics of sewage sludge and high-sodium coal. As the gasification temperature increased, the CO2 concentration was decreased, and the concentrations of CO and H2 were increased, while the change of CH4 concentration was not obvious. As the coal blending ratio increased, the H2 and CO concentrations initially increased and then decreased, while the CO2 concentration initially decreased and then increased. The mixture of sewage sludge and high-sodium coal shows the synergistic effect of co-gasification, and the synergistic effect was to promote the gasification reaction positively. The average activation energies of co-gasification reactions were calculated by the OFW method, and the average activation energy initially decreases and then increases as the coal blending ratio increases. Both fluidized-bed gasification and thermogravimetric analyzer gasification show that the optimum coal blending ratio is 0.6. Overall, these results provide a theoretical basis for the industrial application of sewage sludge and high-sodium coal co-gasification.

N-Acetyltransferase 9 Inhibits Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Proliferation by N-Terminal Acetylation of the Structural Protein GP5.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a serious threat to the global swine industry. As a typical immunosuppressive virus, PRRSV has developed a variety of complex mechanisms to escape the host innate immunity. In this study, we uncovered a novel immune escape mechanism of PRRSV infection. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident N-acetyltransferase Nat9 is an important host restriction factor for PRRSV infection. Nat9 inhibited PRRSV proliferation in an acetyltransferase activity-dependent manner. Mechanistically, glycoprotein 5 (GP5) of PRRSV was identified as interacting with Nat9 and being N-terminally acetylated by it, which generates a GP5 degradation signal, promoting the K27-linked-ubiquitination degradation of GP5 to decrease virion assembly. Meanwhile, the expression of Nat9 was inhibited during PRRSV infection. In detail, two transcription factors, ETV5 and SP1, were screened out as the key transcription factors binding to the core promoter region of Nat9, and the PRRSV nonstructural protein 1ß (Nsp1ß), Nsp4, Nsp9, and nucleocapsid (N) proteins were found to interfere significantly with the expression of ETV5 and SP1, thereby regulating the transcription activity of Nat9 and inhibiting the expression of Nat9. The findings suggest that PRRSV decreases the N-terminal acetylation of GP5 to support virion assembly by inhibiting the expression of Nat9. Taken together, our findings showed that PRRSV has developed complex mechanisms to inhibit Nat9 expression and trigger virion assembly. IMPORTANCE To ensure efficient replication, a virus must hijack or regulate multiple host factors for its own benefit. Understanding virus-host interactions and the molecular mechanisms of host resistance to PRRSV infection is necessary to develop effective strategies to control PRRSV. The N-acetyltransferase Nat9 plays important roles during virus infection. Here, we demonstrate that Nat9 exhibits an antiviral effect on PRRSV proliferation. The GP5 protein of PRRSV is targeted specifically by Nat9, which mediates GP5 N-terminal acetylation and degradation via a ubiquitination-dependent proteasomal pathway. However, PRRSV manipulates the transcription factors ETV5 and SP1 to inhibit the expression of Nat9 and promote virion assembly. Thus, we report a novel function of Nat9 in PRRSV infection and elucidate a new mechanism by which PRRSV can escape the host innate immunity, which may provide novel insights for the development of antiviral drugs.

Complete genome sequence and phylogenetic analysis of a goose astrovirus isolate in China.

Astroviruses are considered the cause of gastroenteritis in humans and animals. Studies in recent years show avian astroviruses are also associated with duckling hepatitis, gosling gout, and chicken nephritis. In this study, a GAstV strain, designated as JS2019/China, was detected in dead goslings from a commercial goose farm in Jiangsu province of China. Viral strain was proliferated in goose embryos and sequence analysis showed the isolated strain had a classical structure arrangement and a series of conserved regions compared with other GAstVs. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis of whole genome and ORF2 revealed that JS2019/China belongs to the GAstV-1 group, which consists of most of the GAstV strains. Amino acid analysis indicated that some mutants might have an impact on viral protease capacity, such as V505I and K736E of ORF1a and T107I, F342S, and S606P of ORF2. Taken together, a novel GAstV strain was isolated and genomic analysis and protein polymorphism analysis indicated that some amino acid mutants might affect the viral virulence.