Effect of cooking methods on flavor profiles of Xuanwei Ham: Analytical insights into aromatic composition and sensory attributes.

To examine flavor variations in Xuanwei ham due to different cooking methods, we selected one-year cured Xuanwei ham and applied four techniques: dry frying (DF), baking (BA), steaming (ST), and boiling (BO). Organoleptic evaluation revealed ST received the highest overall sensory score. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed that the total nucleotide content was significantly different (P < 0.05), lactic acid predominated the measured organic acids. Solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) and chromatography-electronic nose (GC-E-Nose) data indicated that ST resulting in significantly higher total volatile compounds than the other methods (P < 0.05). SPME-GC-MS detected 55 volatile compounds, and 12 characteristic flavor substances were identified using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) (VIP > 1). This study aimed to support comprehensive research on the flavor characteristics of cooked Xuanwei ham and guide the selection of appropriate processing methods.

Prediction of Solubility of Proteins in Escherichia coli Based on Functional and Structural Features Using Machine Learning Methods.

Protein solubility is a critical parameter that determines the stability, activity, and functionality of proteins, with broad and far-reaching implications in biotechnology and biochemistry. Accurate prediction and control of protein solubility are essential for successful protein expression and purification in research and industrial settings. This study gathered information on soluble and insoluble proteins. In characterizing the proteins, they were mapped to STRING and characterized by functional and structural features. All functional/structural features were integrated to create a 5768-dimensional binary vector to encode proteins. Seven feature-ranking algorithms were employed to analyze the functional/structural features, yielding seven feature lists. These lists were subjected to the incremental feature selection, incorporating four classification algorithms, one by one to build effective classification models and identify functional/structural features with classification-related importance. Some essential functional/structural features used to differentiate between soluble and insoluble proteins were identified, including GO:0009987 (intercellular communication) and GO:0022613 (ribonucleoprotein complex biogenesis). The best classification model using support vector machine as the classification algorithm and 295 optimized functional/structural features generated the F1 score of 0.825, which can be a powerful tool to differentiate soluble proteins from insoluble proteins.

Sex disparities of clinical manifestations in acute pulmonary embolism and predictive value for in-hospital mortality: Insights from CURES.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and potentially fatal disease, with differences in mortality rates among PE patients of different sexes. This study aims to investigate the disparities in clinical manifestations and in-hospital mortality rates between sexes in PE patients, as well as the association of clinical symptoms with in-hospital mortality. METHODS: We analyzed data from the China pUlmonary thromboembolism REgistry Study (CURES), a nationwide, multicenter, prospective registry focusing on patients with acute PE. Using propensity score matching (PSM) to pair male and female patients with PE, we explored the correlation between clinical symptoms and in-hospital mortality through multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 15,203 patients with acute PE were enrolled, and 380 died during hospitalization. The incidence of chest pain, hemoptysis, and palpitations was significantly higher in males compared to females. The incidence of dyspnea, fever, and syncope was higher in females. Hemoptysis and dyspnea were associated with increased in-hospital mortality in males, whereas dyspnea, fever, and palpitations were linked to higher mortality in females. Overall, males exhibited a higher in-hospital mortality than females (2.9 % vs. 2.1 %, p = 0.002). After matching 13,130 patients using the PSM method, the mortality rate of males remained higher than that of females (2.7 % vs. 2.1 %, p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that male patients with PE have a higher risk of in-hospital mortality than females. Significant differences in clinical symptoms between sexes are associated with increased mortality risk, emphasizing the need for clinical awareness.

cNPAS2 induced ß cell dysfunction by regulating KANK1 expression in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is formed by defective insulin secretion with the addition of peripheral tissue resistance of insulin action. It has been affecting over 400 million people all over the world. AIM: To explore the pathogenesis of T2DM and to develop and implement new prevention and treatment strategies for T2DM. METHODS: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to conduct diagnostic markers. The expression level of genes was determined by reverse transcription-PCR as well as Western blot. Cell proliferation assays were performed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) tests. At last, T2DM mice underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. RESULTS: We found that NPAS2 was significantly up-regulated in islet ß cell apoptosis of T2DM. The ROC curve revealed that NPAS2 was capable of accurately diagnosing T2DM. NPAS2 overexpression did increase the level of KANK1. In addition, the CCK-8 test revealed knocking down NPAS2 and KANK1 increased the proliferation of MIN6 cells. At last, we found that gastric bypass may treat type 2 diabetes by down-regulating NPAS2 and KANK1. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that NPAS2 induced ß cell dysfunction by regulating KANK1 expression in type 2 diabetes, and it may be an underlying therapy target of T2DM.

Internal migrants as drivers of long-distance cross-regional transmission of tuberculosis in China.

OBJECTIVES: Internal migrants in China frequently travel between their hometowns and the cities where they work, creating ample opportunities for cross-regional transmission of tuberculosis (TB). The aim of this study was to explore the role of internal migrants in transmitting TB across different regions and the contribution of cross-region transmission to China's TB burden. METHODS: The study included a total of 8,664 TB patients and their Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates, collected from two large cities and three rural regions. Genomic clusters were defined as having a genomic distance of < 12-SNPs. Cross-regional clusters were defined as clusters containing patients from at least two regions, indicative of cross-regional transmission. RESULTS: A total of 2403 clustered cases (27.7%) were grouped into 845 clusters, of which 142 (16.8%) were cross-regional. An increased risk for cross-regional transmission was found for internal migrants (aOR=1.45, 95% CI 1.13-1.87), individuals less than 55 years (aOR=2.73, 95% CI 1.81-4.13), and housekeepers/factory workers (aOR=1.16, 95% CI 0.90-1.50). Among 200 cross-regional transmission events identified by transmission inference, 96 occurred between urban patients, 98 between urban and rural patients, and only 6 between rural patients. Notably, 93.5% (187/200) of cross-regional transmission events involved internal migrants. Epidemiological data showed that just 5.5% of cross-regional transmission events involved patients from the same township or neighboring counties, where the transmission likely occurred. CONCLUSION: The mobility of the internal migrant population appears to be responsible for most cross-regional transmission of TB in China. The magnitude and dynamics of cross-regional transmission should be addressed in future strategies to reduce the incidence of TB in China.

Exogenous Substances Used to Relieve Plants from Drought Stress and Their Associated Underlying Mechanisms.

Drought stress (DS) is one of the abiotic stresses that plants encounter commonly in nature, which affects their life, reduces agricultural output, and prevents crops from growing in certain areas. To enhance plant tolerance against DS, abundant exogenous substances (ESs) have been attempted and proven to be effective in helping plants relieve DS. Understanding the effect of each ES on alleviation of plant DS and mechanisms involved in the DS relieving process has become a research focus and hotspot that has drawn much attention in the field of botany, agronomy, and ecology. With an extensive and comprehensive review and summary of hundred publications, this paper groups various ESs based on their individual effects on alleviating plant/crop DS with details of the underlying mechanisms involved in the DS-relieving process of: (1) synthesizing more osmotic adjustment substances; (2) improving antioxidant pathways; (3) promoting photosynthesis; (4) improving plant nutritional status; and (5) regulating phytohormones. Moreover, a detailed discussion and perspective are given in terms of how to meet the challenges imposed by erratic and severe droughts in the agrosystem through using promising and effective ESs in the right way and at the right time.

Efficacy of different analgesic strategies combined with conventional physiotherapy program for treating chronic shoulder pain: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of five analgesic strategies combined with conventional physiotherapy program (CPT) in managing chronic shoulder pain. METHODS: Two authors independently screened studies, extracted data using a pre-formatted chart, and assessed bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. A network meta-analysis was performed by the Stata 17.0 and R 4.3.2 software. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies with 862 subjects were identified. These analgesic strategies included extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), suprascapular nerve block (SSNB), corticosteroid injection (CSI), hyaluronic acid injection (HAI), and kinesio taping (KT). ESWT plus CPT was the most efficient intervention in alleviating pain intensity and improving physical function. SSNB plus CPT was the optimal intervention in improving shoulder mobility. Compared to CPT alone, CSI + CPT only significantly improved the SPADI total score, but showed no difference in pain intensity or shoulder mobility. HAI + CPT showed no significant difference in improving pain intensity, physical function, or shoulder mobility compared to CPT alone. Adding KT to CPT did not yield additional benefits in improving shoulder mobility. CONCLUSION: Overall, in managing chronic shoulder pain, ESWT + CPT was the most effective intervention for reducing pain intensity and improving physical function. SSNB + CPT was optimal for enhancing shoulder mobility. Future rigorous clinical trials with larger sample sizes and higher methodological rigor are strongly required to confirm the current results.

Mechanistic characterisation of a fungal fusicoccane-type diterpene synthase involved in the biosynthesis of talaro-7,13-diene.

The cyclisation mechanism of the fungal fusicoccane (FC)-type diterpene synthase (DTS) TadA was investigated by extensive isotopic labelling experiments, and the pH-dependency of the product selectivity of this enzyme was explored. These studies provide new insights into the cyclisation mechanisms of FC-type DTSs.

Inhibition of JNK Signaling Overcomes Cancer-Associated Fibroblast-Mediated Immunosuppression and Enhances the Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Bladder Cancer.

Currently, only 20-40% of cancer patients benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and characterizing dynamic changes in the immunological landscape during treatment are critical for improving responsiveness to immunotherapy. Here, we identified JNK signaling in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as a regulator of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Single-cell RNA sequencing of bladder cancer treated with a JNK inhibitor revealed enhanced cytotoxicity and effector functions of CD8+ T cells. In untreated tumors, CAFs interacted frequently with CD8+ T cells and mediated their exhaustion. JNK inhibition abrogated the immunosuppression function of CAFs by downregulating the expression of TSLP, thereby restoring CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity. In addition, blockade of CAF-derived TSLP in combination with anti-PD1 treatment promoted tumor elimination by CD8+ T cells in vivo. Collectively, these results indicate that JNK signaling plays an important immunosuppressive role in the tumor microenvironment by promoting expression of TSLP in CAFs and suggest that inhibiting JNK signaling could be a promising immunotherapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

Encapsulated lactiplantibacillus plantarum improves Alzheimer's symptoms in APP/PS1 mice.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that can result in neurotoxicity and an imbalance in gut microbiota. Probiotics have been shown to play an important role in regulating the gut microbiota, but their viability and bioactivity are often compromised as they traverse the gastrointestinal tract, thereby reducing their efficacy and limiting their clinical utility. RESULTS: In this work, layer-by-layer (LbL) encapsulation technology was used to encapsulate Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) to improve the above shortcomings. Studies in APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice show that LbL-encapsulated LP ((CS/SP)2-LP) protects LP from gastrointestinal damage while (CS/SP)2-LP treatment It improves brain neuroinflammation and neuronal damage in AD mice, reduces Aß deposition, improves tau protein phosphorylation levels, and restores intestinal barrier damage in AD mice. In addition, post-synaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) expression increased in AD mice after treatment, indicating enhanced synaptic plasticity. Fecal metabolomic and microbiological analyzes showed that the disordered intestinal microbiota composition of AD mice was restored and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels were significantly increased after (CS/SP)2-LP treatment. CONCLUSION: Overall, the above evidence suggests that (CS/SP)2-LP can improve AD symptoms by restoring the balance of intestinal microbiota, and (CS/SP)2-LP treatment will provide a new method to improve the symptoms of AD patients.

Transmission of tuberculosis in rural Henan, China: a prospective population-based genomic spatial epidemiological study.

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has declined more slowly in rural than urban areas in China, and data on the patterns of transmission and the high-risk populations in rural areas remains scarce. We conducted a population-based study of culture-positive pulmonary TB patients diagnosed in rural Linzhou City, Henan Province from July 2018 to February 2023. Genomic clusters were defined based on whole-genome sequencing and risk factors for clustering were identified by logistic regression. Transmission events were inferred with phybreak and transmission links were sought through epidemiological investigation of clustered patients. Logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between genomic differences of patient isolates and geographical distances of patient residences. Spatial hotspots were defined using kernel density estimation. Of 455 culture-positive patients, 430 were included in the final analysis. Overall, 192 (44.7%,192/430) patients were grouped into 49 clusters. Clusters containing ≥5 patients accounted for 18.4% (9/49) of the clusters and clustering was highest in student patients. No super-spreaders were detected. Confirmed epidemiologic links were identified for only 18.2% of clustered patients. The clustering risk decreased rapidly with increasing distances between patient residences, but 77.6% of clustered patient pairs lived ≥5.0 km apart. Both the Central Subdistrict and Rencun Township were identified as hotspots for TB transmission. Recent transmission appears to be an important driver of the TB burden in Linzhou. The formulation of effective strategies to reduce TB incidence in rural areas will require further studies to identify high-risk populations and venues where local inhabitants congregate and transmit the infection.

Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Disease: Success Rate and Complications among Different Patient Populations.

INTRODUCTION: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an effective intervention for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTEPD). We aimed to identify the patient group with a low success rate or high complication rate of BPA, which is still unclear. METHODS: Both CTEPD patients with or without pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH and NoPH-CTEPD) were included. CTEPH patients were divided into groups with or without pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA-CTEPH and NoPEA-CTEPH). The efficacy and safety of BPA were compared among the groups. RESULTS: There were 450, 66, and 41 sessions in the NoPEA-CTEPH, PEA-CTEPH, and NoPH-CTEPD groups, respectively. The success rate (≥1 degree improvement in flow grade) in the PEA-CTEPH group was 94.5%, significantly lower than that in the NoPEA-CTEPH (97.1%) and NoPH-CTEPD (98.4%) groups (p = 0.014). The percentage of complete flow recovery in treated vessels was also lower in PEA-CTEPH group. BPA-related complication rate in NoPEA-CTEPH, PEA-CTEPH, and NoPH-CTEPD patients was 6.1%, 6.0%, and 0.0%, respectively (p = 0.309). One BPA-related death occurred (solely in NoPEA-CTEPH). Mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥41.5 mm Hg was a predictor of BPA-related complications. NoPEA-CTEPH patients had more improvement in 6-min walk distance (6MWD, 87 ± 93 m NoPEA-CTEPH vs. 40 ± 43 m PEA-CTEPH vs. 18 ± 20 m NoPH-CTEPD, p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: BPA was safe and effective for all CTEPD groups with less improvement for the PEA-CTEPH and NoPH-CTEPD groups. The success rate of BPA was lower in the PEA-CTEPH group and the complication rate was lower in the NoPH-CTEPD group. Pre-BPA treatment to lower pulmonary artery pressure should not be overlooked in CTEPD patients.

Association of EEG and cognitive impairment in overweight and non-overweight patients with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a globally prevalent, severe chronic mental disorder, with cognitive dysfunction being one of its core symptoms. Notably, overweight is exceedingly common among individuals with SCZ, and overweight can also impact cognitive function. Therefore, the relationship between overweight and cognition in SCZ is a clinical issue that is in need of research attention. METHODS: This study enrolled 77 patients with SCZ, including 36 overweight and 41 non-overweight patients. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess symptom severity, while cognitive functions were evaluated using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Electroencephalography (EEG) testing was performed, with power spectral analysis conducted across various frequency bands (δ, θ, α, ß, low γ, and high γ). RESULTS: Compared to non-overweight SCZ patients, those overweight exhibited significantly lower RBANS total and index scores in immediate memory, visuospatial/constructional abilities, and delayed memory. EEG spectral analysis revealed that overweight SCZ patients demonstrated significantly lower oscillation power ratios in the ß, low γ, and high γ frequency bands compared to their non-overweight counterparts. Correlation analyses indicated a significant positive relationship between ß wave activity and RBANS total scores among overweight SCZ patients, suggesting that reduced ß power correlates with more severe cognitive dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that overweight SCZ patients experience more severe cognitive impairments in a resting state than those who are not overweight, with significant differences in EEG spectrum observed in the ß and γ frequency bands. Additionally, our study establishes a correlation between various EEG spectrum dimensions and cognition. This research highlights the effects of overweight on cognition in individuals with SCZ. Additionally, employing EEG technology to study cognitive function in overweight SCZ patients can offer valuable electrophysiological insights.

Triangle-toothed gear occlude-guided universal nanotechnology constructs 3D symmetric DNA polyhedra with high assembly efficiency for precision cancer therapy.

Chemotherapy is commonly used to treat malignant tumors. However, conventional chemotherapeutic drugs often cannot distinguish between tumor and healthy cells, resulting in adverse effects and reduced therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, zigzag-shaped gear-occlude-guided cymbal-closing (ZGC) DNA nanotechnology was developed based on the mirror-symmetry principle to efficiently construct symmetric DNA polyhedra. This nanotechnology employed simple mixing steps for efficient sequence design and assembly. A targeting aptamer was installed at a user-defined position using an octahedron as a model structure. Chemotherapeutic drug-loaded polyhedral objects were subsequently delivered into tumor cells. Furthermore, anticancer drug-loaded DNA octahedra were intravenously injected into a HeLa tumor-bearing mouse model. Assembly efficiency was almost 100 %, with no residual building blocks identified. Moreover, this nanotechnology required a few DNA oligonucleotides, even for complex polyhedrons. Symmetric DNA polyhedrons retained their structural integrity for 24 h in complex biological environments, guaranteeing prolonged circulation without drug leakage in the bloodstream and promoting efficient accumulation in tumor tissues. In addition, DNA octahedra were cleared relatively slowly from tumor tissues. Similarly, tumor growth was significantly inhibited in vivo, and a therapeutic outcome comparable to that of conventional gene-chemo combination therapy was observed. Moreover, no systemic toxicity was detected. These findings indicate the potential application of ZGC DNA nanotechnology in precision medicine.

A P450 superfamily member NtCYP82C4 promotes nicotine biosynthesis in Nicotiana tabacum.

In plants, cytochrome P450s are monooxygenase that play key roles in the synthesis and degradation of intracellular substances. In tobacco, the majority of studies examining the P450 superfamily have concentrated on the CYP82E subfamily, where multiple family members function as demethylases, facilitating the synthesis of nornicotine. In this study, NtCYP82C4, a tobacco P450 superfamily member, was identified from a gene-edited tobacco mutant that nicotine biosynthesis in tobacco leaves is evidently reduced. Compared to the wild-type plants, the knockout of NtCYP82C4 resulted in a significantly lower nicotine content and biomass in tobacco leaves. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses indicated that the knockout of NtCYP82C4 inhibites secondary metabolic processes in tobacco plants, leading to the accumulation of some important precursors in the nicotine synthesis process, including aspartic acid and nicotinic acid, and increases nitrogen partitioning associated with those processes such as amino acid synthesis and utilization. It is speculated that NtCYP82C4 may function as an important catalase downstream of the nicotine synthesis. Currently, most of the steps and enzymes involved in the nicotine biosynthesis process in tobacco have been elucidated. Here, our study deepens the current understanding of nicotine biosynthesis process and provides new enzyme targets for nicotine synthesis in tobacco plants.

Risk Factors Analysis and Prediction of Rotator Cuff Tears: A Retrospective Study.

AIM: Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are a major cause of shoulder pain and disability, affecting millions worldwide. Understanding the risk factors and developing reliable predictive measures for RCTs is essential for early diagnosis, targeted prevention, and effective treatment of this patient population. This study seeks to enhance our understanding by analyzing the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and Constant-Murley Score (CMS) in patients with and without RCTs, thereby aiding the development of a predictive model aimed at improving clinical outcomes and prevention strategies in rotator cuff pathology. METHODS: This retrospective analysis involved 201 patients with shoulder pain, categorized into RCT (n = 72) and no RCTs (N-RCTs, n = 129) groups based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings. We compared demographics, AHD, CMS, and rotator cuff status between groups and utilized logistic regression for identifying RCT predictors, leading to the development of a multifactorial predictive model. RESULTS: The mean AHD was 6.60 ± 1.12 mm. The RCT group showed a marginally higher AHD than the N-RCT group (p = 0.669). CMS scores were significantly lower in the RCT group (p < 0.001). Dominant side involvement (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.244), type III acromion (OR 6.106), and lower CMS (OR 0.938) significantly correlated with RCTs. The predictive model demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.701 for RCT diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced CMS, dominance of the affected side, and type III acromion emerged as key risk factors for RCTs. Our predictive model, incorporating these factors, holds promise for RCT diagnosis, with future studies needed for further validation.

Identification of three novel P450 enzymes involved in the oxidative modification of a newly discovered fusicoccane diterpene.

Fusicoccane (FC)-type diterpenoids are a class of diterpenoids characterized by a unique 5-8-5 ring system and exhibit diverse biological activities. Recently, we identified a novel FC-type diterpene synthase MgMS, which produces a myrothec-15(17)-en-7-ol (1) hydrocarbon skeleton, however, its tailoring congeners have not been elucidated. Here, we discovered two additional gene clusters Bn and Np, each encoding a highly homologous terpene synthase to MgMS but distinct tailoring enzymes. Heterologous expression of the terpene synthases BnMS and NpMS yielded the same product as MgMS. Subsequent introduction of three P450 enzymes MgP450, BnP450 and NpP450 from individual gene clusters resulted in four new FC-type diterpenoids 2-5. Notably, MgP450 serves as the first enzyme responsible for hydroxylation of the C19 methyl group, whereas NpP450 functions as a multifunctional P450 enzyme involved in the oxidations at C5, C6, and C19 positions of the 5-8-5 tricyclic skeleton. C5 oxidation of the hydrocarbon skeleton 1 led to broadening of the NMR signals and incomplete spectra, which was resolved by high-temperature NMR spectral analysis.

The relationship between intracranial atherosclerosis and white matter hyperintensity in ischemic stroke patients: a retrospective cross-sectional study using high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging.

Background: Both intracranial atherosclerosis and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) are prevalent among the stroke population. However, the relationship between intracranial atherosclerosis and WMH has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the characteristics of intracranial atherosclerotic plaques and the severity of WMH in patients with ischemic stroke using high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging. Methods: Patients hospitalized with ischemic stroke and concurrent intracranial atherosclerosis at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, a tertiary comprehensive stroke center, who underwent high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging and conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging were continuously recruited from January 2018 to December 2018. Both intracranial plaque characteristics (plaque number, maximum wall thickness, luminal stenosis, T1 hyperintensity, and plaque length) and WMH severity (Fazekas score and volume) were evaluated. Spearman correlation or point-biserial correlation analysis was used to determine the association between clinical characteristics and WMH volume. The independent association between intracranial plaque characteristics and the severity as well as WMH score was analyzed using logistic regression. The associations of intracranial plaque characteristics with total white matter hyperintensity (TWMH) volume, periventricular white matter hyperintensity (PWMH) volume and deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH) volume were determined using multilevel mixed-effects linear regression. Results: A total of 159 subjects (mean age: 64.0±12.5 years; 103 males) were included into analysis. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that age was associated with TWMH volume (r=0.529, P<0.001), PWMH volume (r=0.523, P<0.001) and DWMH volume (r=0.515, P<0.001). Point-biserial correlation analysis indicated that smoking (r=-0.183, P=0.021) and hypertension (r=0.159, P=0.045) were associated with DWMH volume. After adjusting for confounding factors, logistic regression analysis showed plaque number was significantly associated with the presence of severe WMH [odds ratio (OR), 1.590; 95% CI, 1.241-2.035, P<0.001], PWMH score of 3 (OR, 1.726; 95% CI, 1.074-2.775, P=0.024), and DWMH score of 2 (OR, 1.561; 95% CI, 1.150-2.118, P=0.004). Intracranial artery luminal stenosis was associated with presence of severe WMH (OR, 1.032; 95% CI, 1.002-1.064, P=0.039) and PWMH score of 2 (OR, 1.057; 95% CI, 1.008-1.109, P=0.023). Multilevel mixed-effects linear regression analysis showed that plaque number was associated with DWMH volume (ß=0.128; 95% CI, 0.016-0.240; P=0.026) after adjusted for age and sex. Conclusions: In ischemic stroke patients, intracranial atherosclerotic plaque characteristics as measured by plaque number and luminal stenosis were associated with WMH burden.

A novel AP2/ERF transcription factor, NtERF10, positively regulates plant height in tobacco.

Ethylene response factors have been shown to be involved in the effects of plant developmental processes and to regulate stress tolerance. The aim of this study was to recognize the regulatory mechanisms of ethylene response factors on tobacco plant height. In this study, a gene-edited mutant (ERF10-KO) and wild type (WT) were utilized as experimental materials. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses were used to investigate the regulatory mechanism of NtERF10 gene editing on plant height in tobacco. Here, through the analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 2051 genes were upregulated and 1965 genes were downregulated. We characterized the different ERF10-KO and WT plant heights and identified key genes for photosynthesis, the plant hormone signal transduction pathway and the terpene biosynthesis pathway. NtERF10 was found to affect the growth and development of tobacco by regulating the expression levels of the PSAA, PSBA, GLY17 and GGP3 genes. Amino acid metabolism was analyzed by combining analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs). In addition, we found that members of the bHLH, NAC, MYB, and WRKY transcription factor families have vital roles in regulating plant height. This study not only provides important insights into the positive regulation of the ethylene response factor NtERF10 on plant height during plant growth and development but also provides new research ideas for tobacco molecular breeding.

Smart RNA Sequencing Reveals the Toxicological Effects of Diisobutyl Phthalate (DiBP) in Porcine Oocytes.

Diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) is commonly used in the plastics industry, and recent studies have shown that environmental exposure and accumulation in the food chain caused inflammation in some organs. However, the underlying mechanisms by which DiBP affects oocyte quality have not yet been fully defined. We used immunostaining and fluorescence to evaluate the effects of DiBP exposure and demonstrated that it impaired the morphology of matured porcine oocytes through generation of cytoplasmic fragmentation, accompanied by the perturbed dynamics of the spindle and actin cytoskeleton, misdistributed endoplasmic reticulum, as well as partial exocytosis of cortical granules and ovastacin. Moreover, analysis of Smart RNA-seq found that DiBP-induced aberrant oocyte maturation could be induced by abnormal mitochondrial function and apoptosis. Importantly, we discovered that supplementation with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) significantly attenuated the meiotic abnormalities induced by DiBP exposure through the modulation of reactive oxygen species levels. Our findings demonstrated that DiBP exposure adversely affects oocyte meiotic maturation and that PQQ supplementation was an effective strategy to protect oocyte quality against DiBP exposure.