A Better Fruit Quality of Grafted Blueberry Than Own-Rooted Blueberry Is Linked to Its Anatomy.

To further clarify the impact of different rootstocks in grafted blueberry, fruit quality, mineral contents, and leaf gas exchange were investigated in 'O'Neal' blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) grafted onto 'Anna' (V. corymbosum) (AO), 'Sharpblue' (V. corymbosum) (SO), 'Baldwin' (V. virgatum) (BO), 'Plolific' (V. virgatum) (PO), and 'Tifblue' (V. virgatum) (TO) rootstocks and own-rooted 'O'Neal' (NO), and differences in anatomic structures and drought resistance were determined in AO, TO, and NO. The findings revealed that fruit quality in TO and PO was excellent, that of BO and SO was good, and that of AO and NO was medium. 'Tifblue' and 'Plolific' rootstocks significantly increased the levels of leaf phosphorus and net photosynthetic rate of 'O'Neal', accompanied by a synchronous increase in their transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO2. Additionally, the comprehensive evaluation scores from a principal component analysis based on anatomic structure traits from high to low were in the order TO > AO > NO. The P50 (xylem water potential at 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity) values of these grafted plants descended in the order NO > AO > TO, and the branch hydraulic conductivity of TO and sapwood hydraulic conductivity of TO and AO were significantly lower than those of NO. Thus, TO plants exhibited the strongest drought resistance, followed by AO, and NO, and this trait was related to the effects of different rootstocks on the fruit quality of 'O'Neal' blueberry. These results provided a basis for a deeper understanding of the interaction between rootstocks and scions, as well mechanisms to improve blueberry fruit quality.

[Retracted] Methylene blue relieves the development of osteoarthritis by upregulating lncRNA MEG3.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.5918.].

Constructing an interaction in plant polyphenol-modified carbon fiber with amylopectin-based waterborne polyurethane sizing agent via hydrogen bonding to improve the interfacial performance of carbon fiber/nylon 6 composites.

The adhesive strength between the sizing agent and carbon fiber (CF) plays a crucial role in improving the interfacial properties of composites, while such a vital aspect has been consistently disregarded. In this study, a hyperbranched waterborne polyurethane (HWPU) sizing agent was synthesized from biogenetically raw materials including gallic acid, l-Lysine diisocyanate and amylopectin. Concurrently, hydrogen-bonded cross-linked network structures were established utilizing a botanical polyphenol tannin as coupling agent to effectively connect CF with HWPU. This meticulous process yielded CF/nylon 6 composites with improved properties and their mechanical characteristics were systematically investigated. The findings showcased a noteworthy boost in flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), showing enhancements of 54.6 % and 61.4 %, respectively, surpassing those of untreated CF. Furthermore, the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) test indicated a remarkable 70.3 % improvement. This approach presents a highly promising concept aimed at developing sustainable green waterborne polyurethane sizing agent and improving the interfacial performance of CF composite materials.

Nonconserved epitopes dominate reverse preexisting T cell immunity in COVID-19 convalescents.

The herd immunity against SARS-CoV-2 is continuously consolidated across the world during the ongoing pandemic. However, the potential function of the nonconserved epitopes in the reverse preexisting cross-reactivity induced by SARS-CoV-2 to other human coronaviruses is not well explored. In our research, we assessed T cell responses to both conserved and nonconserved peptides shared by SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, identifying cross-reactive CD8+ T cell epitopes using enzyme-linked immunospot and intracellular cytokine staining assays. Then, in vitro refolding and circular dichroism were performed to evaluate the thermal stability of the HLA/peptide complexes. Lastly, single-cell T cell receptor reservoir was analyzed based on tetramer staining. Here, we discovered that cross-reactive T cells targeting SARS-CoV were present in individuals who had recovered from COVID-19, and identified SARS-CoV-2 CD8+ T cell epitopes spanning the major structural antigens. T cell responses induced by the nonconserved peptides between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV were higher and played a dominant role in the cross-reactivity in COVID-19 convalescents. Cross-T cell reactivity was also observed within the identified series of CD8+ T cell epitopes. For representative immunodominant peptide pairs, although the HLA binding capacities for peptides from SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV were similar, the TCR repertoires recognizing these peptides were distinct. Our results could provide beneficial information for the development of peptide-based universal vaccines against coronaviruses.

Long-lasting humoral and cellular memory immunity to vaccinia virus Tiantan provides pre-existing immunity against mpox virus in Chinese population.

Investigating immune memory to vaccinia virus and pre-existing immunity to mpox virus (MPXV) among the population is crucial for the global response to this ongoing mpox epidemic. Blood was sampled from vaccinees inoculated with vaccinia virus Tiantan (VTT) strain born before 1981 and unvaccinated control subjects born since 1982. After at least 40 years of the inoculation, 60% or 5% VTT vaccinees possess neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) to VTT or MPXV, with at least 50% having T cell memory to VTT protein antigens. Notably, 46.7% vaccinees show pre-existing T cell responses to MPXV. Broad pre-existing CD8+ T cell reactivities to MPXV are detected not only against conserved epitopes but also against variant epitopes between VTT and MPXV. Persistent NAbs and T cell memory to VTT among vaccinees, along with pre-existing T cells to MPXV among both vaccinees and the unvaccinated population, indicate a particular immune barrier to mpox.

Effects of abdominal core strengthening on flexibility in tae kwon do athletes / Efeitos do fortalecimento do centro abdominal sobre a flexibilidade dos atletas de tae kwon do / Efectos del fortalecimiento del núcleo abdominal en la flexibilidad de los atletas de tae kwon do

ABSTRACT Introduction In competitive sports like Tae Kwon Do, the body remains in constant disequilibrium and displacement. In this state, the limbs generate and transmit energy through the muscles of the abdominal core, which is the main link in the human kinetic energy chain. Objective Explore the effect of abdominal core strength on improving flexibility in taekwondo athletes. Methods Thirty male athletes were selected, with a minimum sport time limit of 4 years, and a mean age of 21±1 years. They were randomly divided into three groups, A, B and C, with 10 people in each group. Group A participated in stable abdominal core strength training, 1 hour daily, 3 times a week, for a total of 12 weeks. Results Intra-group comparisons: There were extremely significant differences between groups A, B and C; extremely significant differences were found between the first and second and third times in group A; when compared, the first, second and third times in group B also showed modifications. Conclusion Stable and unstable core strength training can improve flexibility; after training, flexibility gains from unstable abdominal core strength training are more lasting. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução Em esportes competitivos como o Tae Kwon Do, o corpo permanece em constante desequilíbrio e deslocamento. Neste estado, os membros geram e transmitem energia através dos músculos do centro abdominal, que é o elo principal da cadeia de energia cinética humana. Objetivo Explorar o efeito da força do centro abdominal na melhoria da flexibilidade dos atletas de taekwondo. Métodos Foram selecionados 30 atletas masculinos, com limite de tempo esportivo mínimo de 4 anos, e idade média de 21±1 anos. Foram divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos, A, B e C, com 10 pessoas em cada grupo. O grupo A participou do treinamento estável da força do centro abdominal, 1 hora diária, 3 vezes por semana, por um total de 12 semanas. Resultados Comparações intra-grupo: Houve diferenças extremamente significativas entre os grupos A, B e C; foram encontradas diferenças extremamente significativas entre a primeira e segunda e terceira vez no grupo A; quando comparados, a primeira, segunda e terceira vezes do grupo B também apresentaram modificações. Conclusão O treinamento estável e instável da força do centro abdominal pode melhorar a flexibilidade; após o treinamento, os ganhos de flexibilidade do treinamento instável da força do centro abdominal são mais duradouros. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción En los deportes de competición como el Tae Kwon Do, el cuerpo permanece en constante desequilibrio y desplazamiento. En este estado, las extremidades generan y transmiten energía a través de los músculos del núcleo abdominal, que es el principal eslabón de la cadena de energía cinética humana. Objetivo Explorar el efecto de la fuerza del núcleo abdominal en la mejora de la flexibilidad en atletas de taekwondo. Métodos Se seleccionaron 30 atletas masculinos, con un tiempo mínimo de práctica deportiva de 4 años, y una edad media de 21±1 años. Se dividieron aleatoriamente en tres grupos, A, B y C, con 10 personas en cada grupo. El grupo A participó en un entrenamiento de fuerza abdominal estable, 1 hora diaria, 3 veces por semana, durante un total de 12 semanas. Resultados Comparaciones intragrupo: Hubo diferencias extremadamente significativas entre los grupos A, B y C; se encontraron diferencias extremadamente significativas entre el primer y el segundo y tercer tiempo del grupo A; cuando se compararon, el primer, el segundo y el tercer tiempo del grupo B también mostraron modificaciones. Conclusión El entrenamiento de la fuerza del núcleo estable e inestable puede mejorar la flexibilidad; después del entrenamiento, las ganancias de flexibilidad del entrenamiento de la fuerza del núcleo abdominal inestable son más duraderas. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Family relationship and psychological stress response of college students in Shanghai under the COVID-19 epidemic / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the association between the family relationship of college students in Shanghai and the psychological stress response under the COVID-19 epidemic.@*Methods@#Totally 904 college students from universities in Shanghai were investigated with questionnaire of FACESII-CV and IES-R.@*Results@#The score of family relationship intimacy was(61.32±6.29), the score of family relationship adaptability was(43.30±5.83), the score of psychological stress was(30.77±7.33), the score of internal dimension，avoidance, high alertness were(11.63±2.53)(11.69±2.64)(7.45±2.33). About 77.5%(701) and 17.3%(156) of college students showed mild and moderate stress reactions. Three dimensional scores of psychological stress response and two dimensional scores of family relationship differed significantly by age, grade, family income and parental education(P<0.01). Moreover, family relationship intimacy and adaptability scores showed negative associations with intrusive symptoms, avoidance symptoms, and high alert symptom dimension scores(P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#College students showed mild psychological stress under the COVID 19 epidemic with intrusion and avoidance symptoms as the most common. The intimacy and adaptability of family relationships are negatively associated with psychological stress response of college students under the epidemic. High-quality family relationships can reduce the psychological impact and adverse effects of the new crown epidemic on college students.