IL-6 Up-Regulates Expression of LIM-Domain Only Protein 4 in Psoriatic Keratinocytes through Activation of the MEK/ERK/NF-κB Pathway.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by the activation of keratinocytes and the infiltration of immune cells. Overexpression of the transcription factor LIM-domain only protein 4 (LMO4) promoted by IL-23 has critical roles in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of psoriatic keratinocytes. IL-6, an autocrine cytokine in psoriatic epidermis, is a key mediator of IL-23/T helper 17-driven cutaneous inflammation. However, little is known about how IL-6 regulates the up-regulation of LMO4 expression in psoriatic lesions. In this study, human immortalized keratinocyte cells, clinical biopsy specimens, and an animal model of psoriasis induced by imiquimod cream were used to investigate the role of IL-6 in the regulation of keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Psoriatic epidermis showed abnormal expression of IL-6 and LMO4. IL-6 up-regulated the expression of LMO4 and promoted keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo studies showed that IL-6 up-regulates LMO4 expression by activating the mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/NF-κB signaling pathway. These results suggest that IL-6 can activate the NF-κB signaling pathway, up-regulate the expression of LMO4, lead to abnormal proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, and promote the occurrence and development of psoriasis.

Caenorhabditis elegans LIN-24, a homolog of bacterial pore-forming toxin, protects the host from microbial infection.

Aerolysin-like pore-forming protein (af-PFP) superfamily members are double-edge swords that assist the bacterial infection but shied bacteria from the host by various mechanisms in some species including the toad Bombina maxima and zebrafish. While members of this family are widely expressed in all kingdoms, especially non-bacteria species, it remains unclear whether their anti-bacterial function is conserved. LIN-24 is an af-PFP that is constitutively expressed throughout the Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan. Here, we observed that LIN-24 knockdown reduced the maximum lifespan of worms. RNA-seq analysis identified 323 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) post-LIN-24 knockdown that were enriched in "immune response" and "lysosome pathway," suggesting a possible role for LIN-24 in resisting microbial infection. In line with this, we found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa 14 (PA14) infection induced LIN-24 expression, and that survival after PA14 infection was significantly reduced by LIN-24 knockdown. In contrast, LIN-24 overexpression (LIN-24-OE) conferred protection against PA14 infection, with worms showing longer survival time and reduced bacterial load. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis of LIN-24-OE worms showed that the highest correlation module was enriched in factors related to immunity and the defense response. Finally, by predicting transcription factors from RNA-seq data and knocking down candidate transcription factors in LIN-24-OE worms, we revealed that LIN-24 may protect worms against bacterial infection by stimulating DAF-16-mediated immune responses. These findings agree with our previous studies showing an anti-microbial role for the amphibian-derived af-PFP complex ßγ-CAT, suggesting that af-PFPs may play a conserved role in combatting microbial infections. Further research is needed to determine the roles this protein family plays in other physio-pathological processes, such as metabolism, longevity, and aging.

Constructing a Ready-to-Use mRNA Vaccine Delivery System for the Prevention of Influenza A virus, Utilizing FDA-Approved Raw Materials.

Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, serving as a rapid and easily scalable emergency preventive measure, have played a pivotal role in preventing infectious diseases. The effectiveness of mRNA vaccines heavily relies on the delivery carrier, but the current market options are predominantly lipid nanoparticles. Their intricate preparation process and high transportation costs pose challenges for widespread use in remote areas. In this study, we harnessed FDA-approved polymer PLGA and lipid components widely employed in clinical experiments to craft a ready-to-use mRNA vaccine delivery system known as lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPP). Following formulation optimization, the PDCD nanoparticles emerged as the most effective, showcasing exceptional mRNA delivery capabilities both in vitro and in vivo. Loading PDCD nanoparticles with mRNA encoding the H1N1 influenza virus HA antigen-fused M2e peptide enabled the successful induction of M2e-specific antibodies and T cell immune responses in immunized mice. After three rounds of vaccine immunization, the mice demonstrated weight recovery to normal levels and maintained a survival rate exceeding 80% following an encounter with the H1N1 influenza virus. The innovative mRNA delivery system that we designed demonstrates outstanding effectiveness in preventing infectious diseases, with the potential to play an even more significant role in future clinical applications.

Activation and modulation of the AGEs-RAGE axis: Implications for inflammatory pathologies and therapeutic interventions - A review.

Chronic inflammation is a common foundation for the development of many non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes, atherosclerosis, and tumors. The activation of the axis involving Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) and their receptor RAGE is a key promotive factor in the chronic inflammation process, influencing the pathological progression of these diseases. The accumulation of AGEs in the body results from an increase in glycation reactions and oxidative stress, especially pronounced in individuals with diabetes. By binding to RAGE, AGEs activate signaling pathways such as NF-κB, promoting the release of inflammatory factors, exacerbating cell damage and inflammation, and further advancing the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and tumor development. This review will delve into the molecular mechanisms by which the AGEs-RAGE axis activates chronic inflammation in the aforementioned diseases, as well as strategies to inhibit the AGEs-RAGE axis, aiming to slow or halt the progression of chronic inflammation and related diseases. This includes the development of AGEs inhibitors, RAGE antagonists, and interventions targeting upstream and downstream signaling pathways. Additionally, the early detection of AGEs levels and RAGE expression as biomarkers provides new avenues for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, atherosclerosis, and tumors.

The novel small molecule E0924G dually regulates bone formation and bone resorption through activating the PPARδ signaling pathway to prevent bone loss in ovariectomized rats and senile mice.

Osteoporosis is particularly prevalent among postmenopausal women and the elderly. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the novel small molecule E0924G (N-(4-methoxy-pyridine-2-yl)-5-methylfuran-2-formamide) on osteoporosis. E0924G significantly increased the protein expression levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and thus significantly promoted osteogenesis in MC3T3-E1 cells. E0924G also significantly decreased osteoclast differentiation and inhibited bone resorption and F-actin ring formation in receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclasts from RAW264.7 macrophages. Importantly, oral administration of E0924G in both ovariectomized (OVX) rats and SAMP6 senile mice significantly increased bone mineral density and decreased bone loss compared to OVX controls or SAMR1 mice. Further mechanistic studies showed that E0924G could bind to and then activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ), and the pro-osteoblast effect and the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation induced by E0924G were significantly abolished when PPARδ was knocked down or inhibited. In conclusion, these data strongly suggest that E0924G has the potential to prevent OVX-induced and age-related osteoporosis by dual regulation of bone formation and bone resorption through activation of the PPARδ signaling pathway.

A novel small-molecule PCSK9 inhibitor E28362 ameliorates hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) binds to the epidermal growth factor precursor homologous domain A (EGF-A) of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in the liver and triggers the degradation of LDLR via the lysosomal pathway, consequently leading to an elevation in plasma LDL-C levels. Inhibiting PCSK9 prolongs the lifespan of LDLR and maintains cholesterol homeostasis in the body. Thus, PCSK9 is an innovative pharmacological target for treating hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. In this study, we discovered that E28362 was a novel small-molecule PCSK9 inhibitor by conducting a virtual screening of a library containing 40,000 compounds. E28362 (5, 10, 20 µM) dose-dependently increased the protein levels of LDLR in both total protein and the membrane fraction in both HepG2 and AML12 cells, and enhanced the uptake of DiI-LDL in AML12 cells. MTT assay showed that E28362 up to 80 µM had no obvious toxicity in HepG2, AML12, and HEK293a cells. The effects of E28362 on hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis were evaluated in three different animal models. In high-fat diet-fed golden hamsters, administration of E28362 (6.7, 20, 60 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.) for 4 weeks significantly reduced plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and PCSK9 levels, and reduced liver TC and TG contents. In Western diet-fed ApoE-/- mice (20, 60 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.) and human PCSK9 D374Y overexpression mice (60 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.), administration of E28362 for 12 weeks significantly decreased plasma LDL-C levels and the area of atherosclerotic lesions in en face aortas and aortic roots. Moreover, E28362 significantly increased the protein expression level of LDLR in the liver. We revealed that E28362 selectively bound to PCSK9 in HepG2 and AML12 cells, blocked the interaction between LDLR and PCSK9, and induced the degradation of PCSK9 through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, which finally resulted in increased LDLR protein levels. In conclusion, E28362 can block the interaction between PCSK9 and LDLR, induce the degradation of PCSK9, increase LDLR protein levels, and alleviate hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in three distinct animal models, suggesting that E28362 is a promising lead compound for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Primary Cutaneous Cryptococcosis in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

ABSTRACT: This article reports an elderly male patient with nodules and ulcers on the face and behind the left ear after trauma. Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis was confirmed using pathological biopsy, special staining, tissue culture, and fungal sequencing. The patient received a therapeutic intervention involving the administration of the antifungal agent itraconazole. Substantial amelioration of cutaneous manifestations was observed after a 3-month course of treatment. After an elapsed interval, the patient was diagnosed with esophageal tumor. Moreover, the literature on 33 patients with primary cutaneous cryptococcosis published in the past 10 years was also reviewed.

Application of membrane separation technology in the purification of pharmaceutical components.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is often composed of a variety of natural medicines. Its composition is complex, and many of its components can not be analyzed and identified. The first step in the rational application of TCM is to successfully separate the effective components which is also a great inspiration for the development of new drugs. Among the many separation technologies of TCM, the traditional heating concentration separation technology has high energy consumption and low efficiency. As a new separation technology, membrane separation technology has the characteristics of simple operation, high efficiency, environment-friendly and so on. The separation effect of high molecular weight difference solution is better. The applications of several main membrane separation technologies such as microfiltration, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis are reviewed, the methods of restoring membrane flux after membrane fouling are discussed, and their large-scale industrial applications in the future are prospected and summarized.

A Homopolymer of Xanthenoxanthene-Based Polycyclic Heteroaromatic for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

Highly efficient perovskite solar cells typically rely on spiro-OMeTAD as a hole transporter, achieving a 25.7 % efficiency record. However, these cells are susceptible to harsh 85 °C conditions. Here, we present a peri-xanthenoxanthene-based semiconducting homopolymer (p-TNI2) with matched energy levels and a high molecular weight, synthesized nearly quantitatively through facile oxidative polymerization. Compared to established materials, p-TNI2 excels in hole mobility, morphology, modulus, and waterproofing. Implementing p-TNI2 as the hole transport layer results in n-i-p perovskite solar cells with an initial average efficiency of 24.6 %, rivaling 24.4 % for the spiro-OMeTAD control cells under identical conditions. Furthermore, the p-TNI2-based cells exhibit enhanced thermostability at 85 °C and operational robustness.

Aza[5]helicene-Derived Semiconducting Polymers for Improved Performance in Perovskite Solar Cells: Exploring Energetic and Morphological Influences.

The strategic design of solution-processable semiconducting polymers possessing both matched energy levels and elevated glass transition temperatures is of urgent importance in the progression of thermally robust n-i-p perovskite solar cells with efficiencies exceeding 25 %. In this work, we employed direct arylation polymerization to achieve the high-yield synthesis of three aza[5]helicene-derived copolymers with distinct HOMO energy levels and exceptional glass transition temperatures. Upon integration of these semiconducting polymers into formamidinium lead triiodide-based perovskite solar cells, marked disparities in photovoltaic parameters manifest, primarily stemming from variations in the electrical conductivity and film morphology of the hole transport layers. The p-A5HP-E-POZOD-E copolymer, featuring a main chain comprising alternating repeats of aza[5]helicene, ethylenedioxythiophene, phenoxazine, and ethylenedioxythiophene, attains an initial average efficiency of 25.5 %, markedly surpassing reference materials such as spiro-OMeTAD (23.0 %), PTAA (17.0 %), and P3HT (11.6 %). Notably, p-A5HP-E-POZOD-E exhibits a high cohesive energy density, resulting in enhanced Young's modulus and diminished external species diffusion coefficients, thereby conferring perovskite solar cells with exceptional 85 °C tolerance and operational stability.

Triisocyanate Derived Interlayer and High-Melting-Point Doping Promoter Boost Operational Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells.

Formamidinium lead triiodide serves as the optimal light-absorbing layer in single-junction perovskite solar cells. However, achieving operational stability of high-efficiency n-i-p type devices at elevated temperatures remains challenging. In this work, we implemented effective surface modifications on microcrystalline perovskite films. This involved the nucleophilic addition of formamidinium cations and coordination of residual PbI2 with triphenylmethane triisocyanate as well as subsequent polymerization. The in situ growth of a cross-linking network chemically anchored on the perovskite film in this approach effectively reduced trap densities, favorably altered surface work function, suppressing interface charge recombination and thus enhancing cell efficiency. Coupled with a high-melting-point air-doping promoter, we fabricated n-i-p type perovskite solar cells surpassing 25 % efficiency, demonstrating excellent operational stability at 65 °C.

SIRT1 Activator E1231 Alleviates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating Lipid Metabolism.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases. Silencing information regulator 1 (SIRT1) was demonstrated to modulate cholesterol and lipid metabolism in NAFLD. Here, a novel SIRT1 activator, E1231, was studied for its potential improvement effects on NAFLD. C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFHC) for 40 weeks to create a NAFLD mouse model, and E1231 was administered by oral gavage (50 mg/kg body weight, once/day) for 4 weeks. Liver-related plasma biochemistry parameter tests, Oil Red O staining, and hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that E1231 treatment ameliorated plasma dyslipidemia, plasma marker levels of liver damage (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)), liver total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) contents, and obviously decreased hepatic steatosis score and NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) in the NAFLD mouse model. Western blot results showed that E1231 treatment significantly regulated lipid-metabolism-related protein expression. In particular, E1231 treatment increased SIRT1, PGC-1α, and p-AMPKα protein expression but decreased ACC and SCD-1 protein expression. Additionally, in vitro studies demonstrated that E1231 inhibited lipid accumulation and improved mitochondrial function in free-fatty-acid-challenged hepatocytes, and required SIRT1 activation. In conclusion, this study illustrated that the SIRT1 activator E1231 alleviated HFHC-induced NAFLD development and improved liver injury by regulating the SIRT1-AMPKα pathway, and might be a promising candidate compound for NAFLD treatment.

Amplification-Free Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Down to Single Virus Level by Portable Carbon Nanotube Biosensors.

The rapid and sensitive detection of trace-level viruses in a simple and reliable way is of great importance for epidemic prevention and control. Here, a multi-functionalized floating gate carbon nanotube field effect transistor (FG-CNT FET) based biosensor is reported for the single virus level detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen and RNA rapidly with a portable sensing platform. The aptamers functionalized sensors can detect SARS-CoV-2 antigens from unprocessed nasopharyngeal swab samples within 1 min. Meanwhile, enhanced by a multi-probe strategy, the FG-CNT FET-based biosensor can detect the long chain RNA directly without amplification down to single virus level within 1 min. The device, constructed with packaged sensor chips and a portable sensing terminal, can distinguish 10 COVID-19 patients from 10 healthy individuals in clinical tests both by the RNAs and antigens by a combination detection strategy with an combined overall percent agreement (OPA) close to 100%. The results provide a general and simple method to enhance the sensitivity of FET-based biochemical sensors for the detection of nucleic acid molecules and demonstrate that the CNT FG FET biosensor is a versatile and reliable integrated platform for ultrasensitive multibiomarker detection without amplification and has great potential for point-of-care (POC) clinical tests.

Plaque modification and stabilization after drug-coated balloon angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerotic lesions.

OBJECTIVES: A drug-coated balloon (DCB) has potential applications in the treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD). We aimed to evaluate changes of vessel wall features of ICAD lesions after DCB treatment by using vessel wall MRI (VWMRI). METHODS: We retrospectively included patients with symptomatic ICAD who underwent DCB angioplasty alone. The incidences of stenosis of the lumen area, vessel wall thickening, hyperintense plaques, and prominent wall enhancement were compared between the baseline and follow-up VWMRI. RESULTS: There were 29 ICAD lesions from 29 patients, of which 22 were stenosis and 7 were occlusion. The median interval between DCB treatment and follow-up VWMRI was 4.1 [3.3, 6.7] months. After DCB treatment, follow-up VWMRI showed a significant decrease in the stenosis degree of the lumen area (83% [71%, 96%] vs 15% [3%, 41%], p < 0.001). Thirty-eight percent (11/29) of the patients observed normal appearance of the target vessel wall on follow-up VWMRI. In the stenosis group, the prevalence of hyperintense plaques decreased from 66.7% (14/21) at baseline to 23.8% (5/21) at follow-up, and prominent wall enhancement decreased from 66.7% (14/21) at baseline to 19.0%(4/21) at follow-up. The incidence of hyperintense plaques (p = 0.028) and vessel wall thickening (p = 0.018) tended to decrease with follow-up time. Although not significant (p = 0.106), a similar trend was observed between the incidence of prominent wall enhancement and follow-up time. CONCLUSION: Vascular healing with plaque modification and stabilization occurred following DCB treatment of ICAD lesions. KEY POINTS: • A drug-coated balloon (DCB) has potential applications in the treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD). • Vascular healing with plaque modification and stabilization occurred following DCB treatment of ICAD lesions.

The value of endoscopically-placed metal clips for transcatheter arterial embolization in the treatment of recurrent acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: Acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (ANVUGIB) is a common clinical emergency. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is usually used to locate the bleeding site and provide interventional embolization. During TAE, there is a low positive rate of angiography, and localization of the culprit vessel is difficult. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the role of preplaced metal clips in TAE for ANVUGIB patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with ANVUGIB in whom bleeding sites were identified endoscopically and treated with TAE from January 1st, 2005 to July 1st, 2021 were retrospectively included. According to the presence or absence of preplaced metal clips, they were divided into two groups. The main outcome measurements included the clinical success rate and rebleeding rate. Secondary outcome measurements included the mortality rate and the need for surgery. Predictors of the clinical success rate were assessed with univariate analysis and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients were included in this study, and all of them had undergone arterial embolization. There were 73 cases in the group with metal clips and 29 cases in the group without metal clips with consistent baseline information. The group with metal clips had a higher clinical success rate (82.2% vs. 45.0%, P < 0.001), lower rebleeding rate (8.2% vs 27.6%, P = 0.039) and additional surgery rate (11.0% vs 20.7%, P < 0.001) than the group without metal clips. In univariate analysis, ROCKALL score and preplaced metal clip marking were shown to affect clinical success rate. In multivariate analysis, metal clip marking was found to facilitate clinical success (OR = 3.750, 95CI = 1.456-9.659, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: In ANVUGIB patients, preplaced metal clips could improve the clinical success rate of TAE and reduce the mortality rate and the risk of rebleeding.

A Monocyte-Orchestrated IFN-I-to-IL-4 Cytokine Axis Instigates Protumoral Macrophages and Thwarts Poly(I:C) Therapy.

Type I IFNs (IFN-I) are important for tumor immune surveillance and contribute to the therapeutic responses for numerous treatment regimens. Nevertheless, certain protumoral activities by IFN-I have been increasingly recognized. Indeed, our recent work showed that systemic poly(I:C)/IFN treatment can undesirably trigger high arginase (ARG1) expression within the tumor-associated monocyte/macrophage compartment. Using a line of CRISPR-generated Arg1-YFP reporter knock-in mice, we have determined that a subset of tumor-associated macrophages represent the major Arg1-expressing cell type following poly(I:C)/IFN stimulation. More detailed analyses from in vitro and in vivo models demonstrate a surprising IFN-to-IL-4 cytokine axis in transitional monocytes, which can subsequently stimulate IL-4 target genes, including Arg1, in macrophages. Intriguingly, IFN stimulation of transitional monocytes yielded concurrent M2 (YFP+)- and M1 (YFP-)-skewed macrophage subsets, correlated with an inhibitory crosstalk between IFN-I and IL-4. Genetic abrogation of IL-4 signaling in mice diminished poly(I:C)/IFN-induced ARG1 in tumors, leading to enhanced activation of CD8+ T cells and an improved therapeutic effect. The present work uncovered a monocyte-orchestrated macrophage phenotype conversion mechanism that may have broad implications.

Effect of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics on depression: results from a meta-analysis.

Accumulating studies have shown the effects of gut microbiota management tools in improving depression. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on patients with depression. We searched six databases up to July 2022. In total, 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 786 participants were included. The overall results demonstrated that patients who received prebiotics, probiotics or synbiotics had significantly improved symptoms of depression compared with those in the placebo group. However, subgroup analysis only confirmed the significant antidepressant effects of agents that contained probiotics. In addition, patients with mild or moderate depression could both benefit from the treatment. Studies with a lower proportion of females reported stronger effects for alleviating depressive symptoms. In conclusion, agents that manipulate gut microbiota might improve mild-to-moderate depression. It is necessary to further investigate the benefits of prebiotic, probiotic and synbiotic treatments relative to antidepressants and follow up with individuals over a longer time before these therapies are implemented in clinical practice.

Clinical features and risk factors of plastic bronchitis caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the clinical characteristics of children with plastic bronchitis (PB) caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and explored its risk factors. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed clinical data of children with MP pneumonia (MPP) treated with fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB). Patients were classified into a PB and non-PB group. General information, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, results of computed tomography scan, and FB findings were compared between groups. We conducted statistical analysis of risk factors for developing PB. RESULTS: Of 1169 children who had MPP and were treated with FB, 133 and 1036 were in the PB and non-PB groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in sex, age, and incident season between groups (P > 0.05). The number of children in the PB group decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared with children in the non-PB group, those in the PB group had longer duration of hospitalization, increased levels of neutrophil (N), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST); lower levels of lymphocyte (L) and platelet (PLT); and higher incidence of lack of appetite, decreased breath sounds, single lobar infiltrate, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, mucosal erosion and/or necrosis, and bronchial embolization. L levels and pleural effusion were identified as risk factors in multivariate logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: Children with PB caused by MPP had a strong and local inflammatory response. L levels and pleural effusion were independent risk factors of PB with MPP in children. Our findings will help clinicians identify potential PB in pediatric patients for early and effective intervention.

Occurrence of Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum fructicola on Ficus hirta in Southern China.

Ficus hirta Vahl. is a Moraceae plant, named for its palm-like leaves. It is a widely used traditional medicinal material with definite curative effect. At the same time, it is also a commonly used soup material among the folk in South China. In March 2022, a serious leaf spot disease with symptoms similar to anthracnose was observed on F. hirta in several plantations in Qinzhou and Zhanjiang City of China, with an incidence of 32~65%. The early symptoms of infected leaves were small, round, yellow spots that further expanded into larger, brown, irregular, necrotic lesions surrounded by dark brown edges, which eventually led to leaf wilt. Twenty symptomatic leaves were collected from three plantations with a total area of about 10 hm2. Fragments (2×2 mm) from the 20 infected leaves were surface sterilized, plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 28°C. After 3 days, isolates with similar cultural morphology were obtained and three representative isolates (WZMT-1, WZMT-3 and WZMT-8) were randomly selected for following study. The colonies by single-spore purification on PDA were initially cottony, pale white and became grayish green with age. The conidia were hyaline, abundant, cylindrical, with rounded ends, 14.4~18.2 µm×4.6~6.0 µm (av. 16.2 µm×5.4 µm, n=100). Conidiogenous cells hyaline, cylindrical or ampulliform, 6.2~22.7 µm × 2.7~5.0 µm (av. 12.9 µm×3.8 µm, n=50). Appressoria were brown to dark brown, ovoid to clavate, elliptical or irregular, 7.9~13.4 µm × 5.6~9.2 µm (av. 10.6 µm×7.9 µm, n=50). The morphology of the fungus resembled Colletotrichum fructicola (Prihastuti et al. 2009). For molecular identification, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphatedehydrogenase (GAPDH), actin (ACT), beta-tubulin 2 (TUB2), calmodulin (CAL), partial manganese superoxide dismutase (sod2), partial Apn2-Mat1-2 intergenic spacer and partial mating type (Mat1-2) (ApMat) genes were amplified from genomic DNA for the isolates using the primers described by Silva et al. (2012) and Weir et al. (2012). The sequences of the above seven loci of the three isolates (accession nos. OQ121661 to OQ121663 and OQ133400 to OQ133417) were obtained and showed over 99% identity with the existing sequences of ex-type culture ICMP 18581 of Colletotrichum fructicola (Weir et al. 2012). A multilocus phylogenetic analysis of the seven loci concatenated sequences using the maximum likelihood method revealed that the isolates belong to C. fructicola. To confirm pathogenicity, five 3-month-old potted plants were used for inoculation with each representative isolate. Tested plants were sprayed with 10 ml of a conidial suspension (1 × 108 conidia/ml) , and the controls plants were sprayed with sterile water. All the plants were incubated in a growth chamber at 26 ± 2°C with 95% relative humidity. After 10 days, typical lesions like those observed on the field plants appeared on all inoculated plants, while the control remained healthy. The same fungal pathogen was reisolated and the identity was confirmed by morphological characterization and molecular analysis, confirming Koch's postulates. The pathogen has been reported as the causal agent of anthracnose on a wide range of plant hosts worldwide (Marquez-Zequera et al. 2018; Horfer et al. 2021; Jiang et al. 2022; Li et al. 2023). To our knowledge, this is the first report of anthracnose on F. hirta caused by C. fructicola in southern China.

Progress in Active Infrared Imaging for Defect Detection in the Renewable and Electronic Industries.

In recent years, infrared thermographic (IRT) technology has experienced notable advancements and found widespread applications in various fields, such as renewable industry, electronic industry, construction, aviation, and healthcare. IRT technology is used for defect detection due to its non-contact, efficient, and high-resolution methods, which enhance product quality and reliability. This review offers an overview of active IRT principles. It comprehensively examines four categories based on the type of heat sources employed: pulsed thermography (PT), lock-in thermography (LT), ultrasonically stimulated vibration thermography (UVT), and eddy current thermography (ECT). Furthermore, the review explores the application of IRT imaging in the renewable energy sector, with a specific focus on the photovoltaic (PV) industry. The integration of IRT imaging and deep learning techniques presents an efficient and highly accurate solution for detecting defects in PV panels, playing a critical role in monitoring and maintaining PV energy systems. In addition, the application of infrared thermal imaging technology in electronic industry is reviewed. In the development and manufacturing of electronic products, IRT imaging is used to assess the performance and thermal characteristics of circuit boards. It aids in detecting potential material and manufacturing defects, ensuring product quality. Furthermore, the research discusses algorithmic detection for PV panels, the excitation sources used in electronic industry inspections, and infrared wavelengths. Finally, the review analyzes the advantages and challenges of IRT imaging concerning excitation sources, the PV industry, the electronics industry, and artificial intelligence (AI). It provides insights into critical issues requiring attention in future research endeavors.