Insight into the mystery of Pheretima smells worse exposed to water: Identification, type, and volatility of stenchy odor.

Pheretima is a popular healthy food, but Pheretima and related foods have specific stenchy odor, especially after decocting or warm soaking, the odor is intense, resulting in nausea and vomiting. This indicates that the release of stenchy odor components is intensified when Pheretima was exposed to hot water. It is urgent to study the composition and release pattern of the stenchy odor components of Pheretima. In this study, a series of samples with different odors were prepared by the combination of SFE-CO2 and warm soaking. The results showed that the fishy and smoky odor of Pheretima were heavier, attributed to the components such as dimethyl trisulfide, TMA, and guaiacol. When Pheretima was exposed to hot water, the fishy odor increased sharply. Dimethyl trisulfide and TMA were the key odor components, especially the exposure of TMA increased by 2∼3 times after warm soaking. The volatilization rate of n-hexanal, TMA, dimethyl trisulfide and other components was found to be highly volatile, and the volatilization rate at 75 °C was 2.5 times that at room temperature. This study proved for the first time that stenchy odor substances include two categories: water-soluble and liposoluble. And found that the water-soluble odor components accelerate their exposure and volatilization in warm water, which is the scientific principle of "Pheretima smells worse exposed to water".

Fostering resilience and post-traumatic growth in overseas Chinese left-behind children: The role of autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the impact of parental migration on the psychological well-being and development of left-behind children (LBCs) in Zhejiang, China, within the broader context of the country's rural transformations and urban migration. It investigates how intellectual and relational engagement (RE), autonomy (AUT), competence (COM), and relatedness (RES) contribute to resilience (REL) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) in these children, reflecting on the shift from viewing parental separation merely as a source of trauma to recognizing its potential to foster significant personal growth. METHODS: Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the research was conducted in April and May 2023 with 1348 LBCs from a total sample of 4049 students inZhejiang. A two-step random, stratified, cluster-based sampling strategy was employed, and structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypothesized relationships among the constructs. RESULTS: The statistical analysis demonstrated significant positive effects of intellectual engagement (IE), AUT, COM, and RE on both REL and PTG (p < .05 for all). IE strongly correlated with AUT (r = .68, p < .001) and COM (r = .71, p < .001), enhancing REL and facilitating PTG. Additionally, the presence of secure and consistent relationships was identified as crucial for maintaining psychological well-being, with high correlation coefficients (r > .60) underscoring their importance. Notably, REL was found to moderate the relationships among RES, COM, and PTG, highlighting its critical role in the psychological adaptation of left-behind children. CONCLUSION: The study underscores the importance of nurturing intellectual and REs, AUT, and COM to enhance psychological REL and well-being among LBAs. These elements are crucial for supporting the mental health and developmental needs of children facing the challenges of parental migration. The findings advocate for targeted interventions that can address the unique needs of this vulnerable population, emphasizing the potential for growth and adaptation despite adversities.

Diversity of soybean rhizobia in Northeast China and their application.

Biological nitrogen fixation is the main source of nitrogen in ecosystems. The diversity of soil rhizobia and their effects on soybeans need further research. In this study, we collected soybean rhizosphere samples from eight sites in the black soil soybean planting area in Northeast China. A total of 94 strains of bacteria were isolated and identified using the 16S rRNA and symbiotic genes (nodC, nifH) analysis, of which 70 strains were identified as rhizobia belonging to the genus Bradyrhizobium. To further validate the application effects of rhizobia, we selec-ted seven representative indigenous rhizobia based on the results of phylogenetic analysis, and conducted laboratory experiments to determine their nodulation and the impacts on soybeans. The results showed that, compared to the control without rhizobial inoculation, all the seven indigenous rhizobia exhibited good promoting and nodulation abilities. Among them, strains H7-L22 and H34-L6 performed the best, with the former significantly increasing plant height by 25.7% and the latter increasing root nodule dry weight by 20.9% to 67.1% compared to other indi-genous rhizobia treatments. We tested these two efficient rhizobia strains as soybean rhizobial inoculants in field experiments. The promoting effect of mixed rhizobial inoculants was significantly better than single ones. Compared to the control without inoculation, soybean yield increased by 8.4% with the strain H7-L22 treatment and by 17.9% with the mixed inoculant treatment. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the number of four-seed pods in soybeans. In conclusion, the application of rhizobial inoculants can significantly increase soybean yield, thereby reducing dependence on nitrogen fertilizer during soybean production, improving soil health, and promoting green development in agriculture in the black soil region of Northeast China.

Ningxiang Pig-Derived Microbiota Affects the Growth Performance, Gut Microbiota, and Serum Metabolome of Nursery Pigs.

The gut microbiota is crucial for maintaining the host's intestinal homeostasis and metabolism. This study investigated the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from Ningxiang pigs on the growth performance, fecal microbiota, and serum metabolites of the same-old DLY pigs. The results indicated that the average daily gain of FMT pigs was significantly greater than that of the control (CON) group. Compared to the CON group, the FMT group significantly improved the apparent digestibility of crude fiber, crude ash, gross energy, and calcium of the pigs. The analysis of serum antioxidant status revealed that the activities of total superoxide dismutase and catalase in the serum of pigs in the FMT group were significantly elevated, whereas the level of malondialdehyde was significantly reduced. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that the Ningxiang pig-derived microbiota altered the fecal microbiota structure and modulated the diversity of the gut microbiota in the DLY pigs. Untargeted LC-MS metabolomics demonstrated that pigs in the FMT group exhibited distinct metabolomic profiles compared to those in the CON group. Significant changes were observed in key metabolites involved in amino acid, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism. Additionally, a correlation analysis between serum differential metabolites and the gut microbiota revealed that the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Corynebacterium was highly correlated with lipid compounds. In conclusion, Ningxiang pig-derived microbiota can alleviate oxidative stress and enhance growth performance in DLY pigs by modulating their gut microbiota and metabolic features.

The Transcription Factor ZmMYB56 Regulates High CO2-Induced Stomatal Closure in Maize Seedlings by Regulating ZmHLT1 Expression.

Stomata are channels through which plants exchange H2O and CO2 with the external environment. The regulation of stomatal movement has significant impacts on plant growth, development and stress adaptation. Here, we present a maize R2R3 -MYB transcription factor, ZmMYB56, which regulates high CO2-induced stomatal closure in maize seedlings. ZmMYB56 is highly expressed in stomatal guard cells and is negatively regulated by CO2 and HCO3 -. Loss of ZmMYB56 function leads to insensitivity to high CO2. As a transcription factor, ZmMYB56 binds to a cis-acting element in the ZmHLT1 promoter and regulates its expression. ZmHLT1 plays a key role in CO2- induced maize stomatal movement, and its absence causes a severe weakening of maize's response to ambient CO2. ZmHLT1 expression is negatively regulated by bicarbonate, which does not occur in Zmmyb56 mutants, highlighting the significance of this regulatory relationship in plant responses to CO2 and HCO3 -. Taken together, these results show that ZmMYB56-regulated ZmHLT1 expression is important for high CO2-induced stomatal closure in maize. Our findings provide insight into genetic pathways that could be manipulated to improve maize growth and stress tolerance, especially under increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations.

Chaperonin-containing TCP-1 subunit genes are potential prognostic biomarkers and are correlated with Th2 cell infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma: An observational study.

A family of molecular chaperone complexes called chaperonin-containing T-complex protein 1 (TCP-1) subunit genes (CCTs) aids in the folding of numerous proteins. With regard to lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), this study provided a thorough understanding of the diagnostic and prognostic use of CCTs. The expression of CCTs in LUAD was evaluated by using databases including UALCAN and the Gene Expression Omnibus. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was conducted to validate the expression of CCTs in LUAD. The mutation in the CCTs was identified through the cBioPortal database, while promoter methylation was measured by the UALCAN database. The prognostic value of CCTs was evaluated using the PrognoScan analysis. The GEPIA2.0 database was used to measure the prognostic value of CCTs and associated Hub genes. Correlation analysis between CCTs expression in LUAD was based on the GEPIA2.0 database. The ROC curves, clinical correlation analysis, gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome analysis, and immune cell infiltration analysis were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and then analyzed and visualized using the R language. The STRING database was used for protein-protein interaction analysis. Upregulation of CCTs expression in patients with LUAD indicated advanced diseases and a poor prognosis. ROC curve analysis revealed that the CCTs may serve as diagnostic indicators. The functional enrichment analysis showed that CCTs were involved in the mitosis-mediated cell cycle process. Additionally, 10 hub genes associated with CCTs that were linked to LUAD prognosis and tumor progression were identified. Immune cell infiltration analysis showed that CCTs expression in tumor tissues tends to be related to T helper type 2 cell infiltration. This study revealed that CCTs may serve as valuable biomarkers for the diagnosis and targeted therapy of LUAD.

A retrospective comparative study of robot-assisted unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar decompression and fusion surgery versus percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression and fusion surgery.

The objective of this study is to illustrate the advantages of robot-assisted unilateral biportal endoscopy in lumbar decompression fusion and internal fixation surgery. According to the different surgical methods, we divided the 26 patients into 2 groups, robot-assisted unilateral biportal endoscopy for lumbar interbody fusion (R-ULIF) group and percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression and interbody fusion (Endo-LIF) group, with a 1:1 ratio. Gender, disease course, lesion site, fluoroscopy times, operative time, blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, screw placement success rate, fusion rate, complications rate, postoperative pain visual analog scale (VAS) (The VAS score is used only to evaluate pain in the lower back and legs.) Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (The ODI score can serve as a reference indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment for patients with low back pain, and has good responsiveness in assessing patients with chronic low back pain), and MacNab (The MacNab standard is divided into 4 levels: excellent, good, fair, and poor, which can be used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of certain spinal surgeries) standard efficacy evaluation were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups. All patients successfully completed the surgery. Compared with the Endo-LIF group, the R-ULIF group had fewer fluoroscopy procedures, less intraoperative blood loss, and shorter postoperative hospital stay (P < .05). The VAS scores and ODI scores of both groups significantly decreased at all-time points (P < .05). The ODI scores of the R-ULIF group were better than the Endo-LIF group at 1 month and 3 months after surgery (P = .017/P = .047), but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups before surgery and 1 week after surgery (P > .05). The efficacy was evaluated using the MacNab criteria at 6 months after surgery. The R-ULIF group has an excellent and good rate of 84.6%, while the Endo-LIF group has an excellent and good rate of 76.9% (P = 1.000). Robot-assisted unilateral biportal endoscopy for lumbar interbody and fusion surgery has shown short-term clinical efficacy in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation combined with lumbar instability, surpassing endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion surgery. Robot-assisted unilateral biportal endoscopy for lumbar interbody and fusion surgery has demonstrated high success rate in screw placement, minimal radiation exposure, less intraoperative blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and thus deserves further clinical promotion.

Analyze interleukin-1ß, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in dry eye and the therapeutic effect of cyclosporine A.

BACKGROUND: Dry eye is a common eye disease. Artificial tears supplements are widely used for the treatment of dry eyes. However, multiple adverse effects have been observed in patients receiving long-term treatment with artificial tears, which may affect the therapeutic effect. AIM: To analyze the characteristics of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in patients with dry eye and the therapeutic effect of artificial tears combined with cyclosporine A. METHODS: A total of 124 dry eye patients treated at The First People's Hospital of Xining from April 2020 to April 2022 were selected as the observation group, while 20 healthy individuals served as the control group during the same period. Levels of inflammatory markers, including IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α, were analyzed. The observation group was further divided into a study group and a control group, each consisting of 62 patients. The control group received artificial tears, whereas the study group received a combination of artificial tears and cyclosporine A. Inflammatory markers, Schirmer's test (SIT), tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) scores, and adverse events (AEs) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The observation group exhibited significantly elevated serum levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α in comparison to the healthy group. Following treatment, the study group demonstrated substantial reductions in IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α levels relative to the control group. Moreover, after treatment, the study group experienced a marked decrease in CFS scores and significant increases in both SIT and BUT levels when compared to the control group. Additionally, significant improvements were observed in the primary symptom of dry eye and secondary symptoms such as photophobia, foreign body sensation, fatigue, red eye, and burning sensation within the study group. Furthermore, post-treatment NEI-VFQ-25 scores across all dimensions exhibited significant enhancements in the study group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). It is noteworthy that significant AEs were reported in both groups throughout the treatment period. CONCLUSION: Cyclosporine A combined with artificial tears is effective in treating dry eye, yielding enhanced outcomes by improving SIT and TBUT levels, reducing CFS scores, and ameliorating vision-related quality of life.

Exploring the relationship between metal ion valency and electron transfer in copigmentation processes of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside in simulated fruit wine solutions.

In this experiment, five metal ions (K+, Mg2+, Al3+, Ga3+, and Sn4+) were utilized as copigments to investigate their copigmentation processes with cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3OG) in simulated fruit wine solutions. The color characteristics were analyzed using Glories and CIELAB methods, and the copigmentation effects were determined spectrophotometrically. Thermodynamic parameters, including the equilibrium constant (K) and standard Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), were calculated to comprehend the binding affinity between metal ions and C3OG. Ultra-fast femtosecond spectroscopy was employed to monitor the photoinduced electron transfer process between C3OG and cations. Theoretical calculations were also conducted to support experimental findings. The results revealed that the presence of metal ions significantly enhanced the color intensity of C3OG in simulated fruit wine solutions. Higher valency cations, particularly Sn4+, Ga3+, and Al3+, exhibited superior copigmentation effects, resulting in significant bathochromic and hyperchromic changes. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed that the interaction between C3OG and metal ions was spontaneous and exothermic. Ultra-fast femtosecond spectroscopy demonstrated that electron transfer from C3OG to metal ions occurred, with the efficiency of transfer being dependent on valency. Theoretical calculations corroborated the experimental results by highlighting the role of metal ions in stabilizing C3OG/metal complexes through electron transfer. The findings presented in this study contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of pigment/metal complexes and the underlying chemistry behind fruit wine color. Furthermore, it advances the theoretical foundation of copigmentation and broadens its applications in the beverage industry.

[Evolution Characteristics of PM2.5 and O3 and Their Synergistic Effects on Atmospheric Compound Pollution in Tangshan].

The concentrations of atmospheric pollutants PM2.5, O3, SO2, NO2, and CO together with the meteorological factors of temperature （T）, relative humidity （RH）, wind speed, and other relevant data in Tangshan from 2015 to 2021 were collected to study the variation characteristics of PM2.5 and O3 at different periods in Tangshan City in the past seven years and their influencing factors, to discuss the contributions of air mass transport to PM2.5 and O3 pollution, and to reveal the synergistic influence mechanism of PM2.5 and O3 on atmospheric compound pollution by using correlation analysis and backward trajectory cluster analysis techniques. The results showed that PM2.5 concentrations in Tangshan decreased year by year from 2015 to 2021, whereas O3 concentration showed a unimodal trend, with the peak appearing in 2017. Both PM2.5 and O3 concentrations showed obvious seasonal variation trends； PM2.5 was characterized by the highest concentration in winter and the lowest concentration in summer, whereas O3 was characterized by the highest concentration in summer and the lowest concentration in winter. In addition, the diurnal variation in PM2.5 showed a bimodal distribution, with the peak occurring during the morning and evening on weekdays, and O3 showed a unimodal distribution, with the peak value appearing during the period with strong ultraviolet radiation in the afternoon. PM2.5 had a significant positive correlation with SO2, NO2, and CO, whereas O3 had a significant positive correlation with radiation and temperature. Under the different pollution conditions, PM2.5 and O3 were affected by air mass transports from different directions. Being impacted by various factors, the synergistic effect of PM2.5 and O3 on atmospheric compound pollution showed an obvious negative effect in winter, whereas there was an obvious positive effect in spring, summer, and autumn. Under the backgrounds of different pollutions, when the concentration of PM2.5 exceeded 150 µg·m-3, the synergistic effect of PM2.5 and O3 showed an obvious negative effect.

Validation of the JAMR upper-arm pressure monitor B23 according to the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard (ISO 81060- 2:2018/AMD 1:2020).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the JAMR upper-arm blood pressure monitor B23 in the general population according to the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard (ISO 81060-2 : 2018/AMD 1 : 2020). The study recruited participants who met the criteria of the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard in terms of their number, sex, age, limb size, and blood pressure (BP) distribution. The study involved measuring BP, including both SBP and DBP, using both the test device and a standard mercury sphygmomanometer in sequential measurements. Of 90 participants, 85 qualified participants were analyzed. A total of 255 sets of comparison data (three sets for each subject) were obtained and analyzed. For the validation criterion 1, the mean ±â€…SD of the differences between the JAMR B23 and mercury sphygmomanometer BP readings was -0.24 ±â€…6.52/-2.67 ±â€…5.6 mmHg (SBP/DBP). For criterion 2, the SD of the averaged BP (SBP/DBP) differences between the JAMR B23 and reference BP (SBP/DBP) per participant was 5.61/5.13 mmHg (the requirement was ≤6.95/6.43 mmHg by calculation). The JAMR B23 passed all the requirements of the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard (ISO 81060-2 : 2018/AMD 1 : 2020) and can be recommended for clinical and self/home use in the general population.

Palladium-Catalyzed Decarbonylative Michaelis-Arbuzov Reaction of Carboxylic Acids and Triaryl Phosphites.

A Pd-catalyzed decarbonylative Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction of carboxylic acids and triaryl phosphites for preparing aryl phosphonates under anhydride-free conditions has been reported. In this context, triaryl phosphites serve as both reagents for activating the carboxylic acids and substrates for the reaction. There have been no reports to date of efficient and direct methods for the in situ activation of carboxylic acids using triaryl phosphites. In comparison to known methods, this reaction avoids the use of organohalides and has an excellent functional group tolerance for the synthesis of various aryl phosphonates from triaryl phosphites and carboxylic acids. This reaction is scalable and applicable to the synthesis of aryl phosphonates featuring bioactive fragments.

Hypermethylation of the glutathione peroxidase 4 promoter predicts poor prognosis in patients with hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Background: Hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is a syn-drome with a high short-term mortality rate, and its prognosis is critical in clinical management. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in the occurrence and development of HBV-ACLF and its prognostic value for 90-day mortality. Methods: The expression levels of GPX4, oxidative stress-related molecules and inflammatory cytokines in serum or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 289 participants were determined by RT-qPCR or ELISA, and the methylation level of GPX4 promoter in PBMCs was determined by MethyLight. Results: The expression levels of GPX4 in the PBMCs and serum of HBV-ACLF patients were lower than those in non-HBV-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (non-HBV ACLF) patients, patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and healthy control (HC) individuals, while the methylation level of the GPX4 promoter was greater. In HBV-ACLF patients, the methylation level of the GPX4 promoter is correlated with oxidative stress, inflammation-related molecules, and some clinicopathological indicators. The methylation level of the GPX4 promoter was identified as an independent risk factor for 90-day mortality in HBV-ACLF patients and yielded a larger area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) than the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in predicting 90-day mortality. Conclusion: The GPX4 promoter methylation level has promising potential as a predictor of 90-day mortality in patients with HBV-ACLF.

Spatial and temporal characteristic of PM2.5 and influence factors in the Yellow River Basin.

The Yellow River Basin has been instrumental in advancing ecological preservation and fostering national high-quality development. However, since the advent of China's reform and opening-up policies, the basin has faced severe environmental pollution issues. This study leverages remote sensing data from 1998 to 2019. As per the "Basin Scope and Its Historical Changes" published by the Yellow River Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources, the Yellow River Basin is categorized into upstream, midstream, and downstream regions for analysis of their spatial and temporal distribution traits using spatial autocorrelation methods. Additionally, we employed probes to study the effects of 10 factors, including mean surface temperature and air pressure, on PM2.5. The study findings reveal that (1) the annual average concentration of PM2.5 in the Yellow River Basin exhibited a fluctuating trend from 1998 to 2019, initially increasing, then decreasing, followed by another increase before ultimately declining. (2) The air quality in the Yellow River Basin is relatively poor, making it challenging for large-scale areas with low PM2.5 levels to occur. (3) The PM2.5 concentration in the Yellow River Basin exhibits distinct high and low-value concentration areas indicative of air pollution. Low-value areas are predominantly found in the sparsely populated central and southwestern plateau regions of Inner Mongolia, characterized by a better ecological environment. In contrast, high-value areas are prevalent in the inland areas of Northwest China, with poorer natural conditions, as well as densely populated zones with high energy demand and a relatively developed economy. (4) The overall population density in the Yellow River Basin, as well as in the upstream, midstream, and downstream regions, serves as a primary driving factor. (5) The primary drivers in the middle reaches and the entire Yellow River Basin remain consistent, whereas those in the upper and lower reaches have shifted. In the upstream, air pressure emerges as a primary driver of PM2.5, while in the downstream, NDVI and precipitation become the main influencing factors.

Microbial signatures predictive of short-term prognosis in severe pneumonia.

Objective: This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the composition and diversity of lung microbiota in patients with severe pneumonia and explore its association with short-term prognosis. Methods: A total of 301 patients diagnosed with severe pneumonia underwent bronchoalveolar lavage fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) testing from February 2022 to January 2024. After applying exclusion criteria, 236 patients were included in the study. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between survival and non-survival groups. Microbial composition and diversity were analyzed using alpha and beta diversity metrics. Additionally, LEfSe analysis and machine learning methods were employed to identify key pathogenic microorganism associated with short-term mortality. Microbial interaction modes were assessed through network co-occurrence analysis. Results: The overall 28-day mortality rate was 37.7% in severe pneumonia. Non-survival patients had a higher prevalence of hypertension and exhibited higher APACHE II and SOFA scores, higher procalcitonin (PCT), and shorter hospitalization duration. Microbial α and ß diversity analysis showed no significant differences between the two groups. However, distinct species diversity patterns were observed, with the non-survival group showing a higher abundance of Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecium, while the survival group had a higher prevalence of Corynebacterium striatum and Enterobacter. LEfSe analysis identified 29 distinct terms, with 10 potential markers in the non-survival group, including Pseudomonas sp. and Enterococcus durans. Machine learning models selected 16 key pathogenic bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, significantly contributing to predicting short-term mortality. Network co-occurrence analysis revealed greater complexity in the non-survival group compared to the survival group, with differences in central genera. Conclusion: Our study highlights the potential significance of lung microbiota composition in predicting short-term prognosis in severe pneumonia patients. Differences in microbial diversity and composition, along with distinct microbial interaction modes, may contribute to variations in short-term outcomes. Further research is warranted to elucidate the clinical implications and underlying mechanisms of these findings.

Three novel woody litter inhabiting fungi in Didymosphaeriaceae, Phaeoseptaceae and Synnemasporellaceae from Zhujiangyuan Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, P.R. China.

Zhujiangyuan Nature Reserve, located in Qujing City, Yunnan Province, China, is reported with high fauna and floral diversity, while the fungal diversity of the region is poorly documented. During the summer season in 2023, decaying wood-inhabiting microfungi were collected from different microhabitats. The novel species were identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses (based on combined datasets of ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 regions). Two species belong to Dothideomycetes (viz., Spegazziniazhujiangyuanensis sp. nov. and Phaeoseptumzhujiangyuanense sp. nov. in Pleosporales) while the other one resides in Sordariomycetes (Synnemasporellafanii sp. nov. in Diaporthales). The results are in conformity with the earlier studies that predicted higher fungal diversity in this region.

Development of a TaqMan probe-based multiplex real-time PCR for the simultaneous detection of four clinically important filamentous fungi.

Filamentous fungi present significant health hazards to immunocompromised individuals globally; however, the prompt and precise identification of them during infection remains challenging. In this study, a TaqMan probe-based multiplex real-time PCR (M-qPCR) assay was developed to detect simultaneously the target genes of four important pathogenic filamentous fungi: ANXC4 gene of Aspergillus fumigatus, EF1-α gene of Fusarium spp., mitochondrial rnl gene of Mucorales, and hcp100 gene of Histoplasma capsulatum. In this M-qPCR assay, the limit of detection (LoD) to all four kinds of fungi was 100 copies and the correlation coefficients (R2) were above 0.99. The specificity of this assay is 100%, and the minimum detection limit is 100 copies/reaction. In conclusion, an M-qPCR detection assay was well established with high specificity and sensitivity for rapid and simultaneous detection on four important filamentous fungi in the clinic. IMPORTANCE: World Health Organization developed the first fungal priority pathogens list (WHO FPPL) in 2022. Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucorales, Fusarium spp., and Histoplasma spp. are the four types of pathogenic fungi with filamentous morphology in the critical priority group and high priority group of WHO FPPL. These four filamentous fungal infections have become more common and severe in immunocompromised patients with the increase in susceptible populations in recent decades, which resulted in a substantial burden on the public health system. However, prompt and precise identification of them during infection remains challenging. Our study established successfully a TaqMan probe-based multiplex real-time qPCR assay for four clinically important filamentous fungi, A. fumigatus, Fusarium spp., Mucorales, and Histoplasma capsulatum, with high sensitivity and specificity, which shows promising potential for prompt and precise diagnosis against fungal infection.

Zero-Dimensional Copper(I) Halide Microcrystals as Highly Efficient Scintillators for Flexible X-ray Imaging.

Commercially available rare-earth-doped inorganic oxide materials have been widely applied as X-ray scintillators, but the fragile characteristics, high detection limit, and harsh preparation condition seriously restrict their wide applications. Furthermore, it remains a huge challenge to realize X-ray flexible imaging technology for real-time monitoring of the curving interface of complex devices. To address these issues, we herein report two isostructural cuprous halides of zero-dimensional (0D) [AEPipz]CuX3·X·H2O (AEPipz = N-aminoethylpiperazine, X = Br and I) with controllable size to nanosize crystal as highly efficient scintillators toward flexible X-ray imaging. These cuprous halides exhibit highly efficient cyan photoluminescence and radioluminescence emissions with the highest quantum yield of 92.1% and light yield of 62,400 photons MeV-1, respectively, surpassing most of the commercially available inorganic scintillators. Meanwhile, the ultralow detection limit of 95.7 nGyair s-1 was far below the X-ray dose required for diagnosis (5.5 µGyair s-1). More significantly, the flexible film is facilely assembled with excellent foldability and high crack resistance, which further acts as a scintillation screen achieving a high spatial resolution of 17.4 lp mm-1 in X-ray imaging, demonstrating the potential application in wearable radiation radiography. The combined advantages of high light yield, low detection limit, and excellent flexibility promote these 0D cuprous halides as the most promising X-ray scintillators.