Two-dimensional heavy fermions in the van der Waals metal CeSiI.

Heavy-fermion metals are prototype systems for observing emergent quantum phases driven by electronic interactions1-6. A long-standing aspiration is the dimensional reduction of these materials to exert control over their quantum phases7-11, which remains a significant challenge because traditional intermetallic heavy-fermion compounds have three-dimensional atomic and electronic structures. Here we report comprehensive thermodynamic and spectroscopic evidence of an antiferromagnetically ordered heavy-fermion ground state in CeSiI, an intermetallic comprising two-dimensional (2D) metallic sheets held together by weak interlayer van der Waals (vdW) interactions. Owing to its vdW nature, CeSiI has a quasi-2D electronic structure, and we can control its physical dimension through exfoliation. The emergence of coherent hybridization of f and conduction electrons at low temperature is supported by the temperature evolution of angle-resolved photoemission and scanning tunnelling spectra near the Fermi level and by heat capacity measurements. Electrical transport measurements on few-layer flakes reveal heavy-fermion behaviour and magnetic order down to the ultra-thin regime. Our work establishes CeSiI and related materials as a unique platform for studying dimensionally confined heavy fermions in bulk crystals and employing 2D device fabrication techniques and vdW heterostructures12 to manipulate the interplay between Kondo screening, magnetic order and proximity effects.

Yingxiang Acupoint Embedding Improves Mucosal Barrier Function in Rats with Local Allergic Rhinitis.

INTRODUCTION: Epithelial barrier disruption is the initial cause of various diseases. We previously reported that acupoint catgut embedding (AE) improves tight junction proteins (TJs) in rats with allergic rhinitis. However, whether AE improves the epithelial barrier in local allergic rhinitis (LAR) remains unknown. METHODS: A total of 36 Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats aged 5-7 weeks were divided into 6 groups with 6 rats each: control group, LAR model group, false acupoint embedding + LAR group, acupoint embedding + LAR group, capsaicin + LAR group, and tunicamycin + acupoint embedding + LAR group. Behavioral observation, ELISA to detect inflammatory factors in nasal lavage fluid and serum IgE, nasal mucosal permeability test, hematoxylin-eosin staining, PCR to detect Substance P (SP), Western blot, and immunofluorescence to detect endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) index and TJs were used to investigate the mechanism of AE in LAR. RESULTS: AE improved the symptoms and pathological features of nasal mucosa of LAR rats, reduced the inflammatory factors (IL4, IL5, IL13) of nasal lavage fluid, and showed no significant change in serum IgE levels in all groups. In addition, AE decreased the expression of SP in nasal mucosa of LAR rats, inhibited ERS, increased the expression of tight junction protein, reduced the permeability of nasal mucosa, and improved the function of nasal mucosal barrier. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that AE can improve the nasal mucosal barrier function of LAR by reducing the expression of SP, inhibiting ERS and increasing the expression of TJs, thus enhancing the nasal mucosal barrier function.

Computational Study of Ground-State Destabilization Effects and Dipole-Dipole Interaction Energies in Amphidynamic Crystals.

Ground-state destabilization is a promising strategy to modulate rotational barriers in amphidynamic crystals. Density functional theory studies of polar phenylenes installed as rotators in pillared paddle-wheel metal organic frameworks were performed to investigate the effects of ground-state destabilization on their rotational dynamics. We found that as the steric size of phenylene substituents increases, the ground-state destabilization effect is also increased. Specifically, a significant destabilization of the ground-state energy occurred as the size of the substituents increased, with values ranging from 2 to 11.7 kcal/mol. An evaluation of the effects of substituents on dipole-dipole interaction energies and rotational barriers suggests that it should be possible to engineer amphidynamic crystals where the dipole-dipole interaction energy becomes comparable to the rotational barriers. Notably, while pure dipole-dipole interaction energies reached values ranging from 0.6 to 2.4 kcal/mol, the inclusion of electronic and steric effects can alter dipolar orientations to significantly greater values. We propose that careful selection of polar substituents with different sizes may help create temperature-responsive materials with switchable collective polarization.

UiO-66/PIM-1 Mixed-Matrix Membrane for Hexane Isomer Separation.

The separation of high-octane dibranched alkanes from naphtha is critical in the refining of gasoline. To date, research on the membrane-based separation of alkane isomers has been limited, with a particular paucity of investigations into mixed-matrix membranes. Herein, the continuous and dense UiO-66/PIM-1 mixed-matrix membrane, which was prepared through precise control of the interfacial structure, was first applied to the differentiation of C6 alkane isomers. Due to the synergistic combination of UiO-66 with differential adsorption capabilities for alkanes and PIM-1 that possesses a cross-linkable structure, the resulting UiO-66/PIM-1-(20) membrane demonstrated remarkable separation performance and high stability. Pervaporation measurements showed that the mass fraction of 2,2-dimethylbutane in the feed side was increased from 50.0 to 75.8 wt % while an excellent flux of 1700 g m-2 h-1 was maintained over a continuous 40 h period. The UiO-66/PIM-1-(20) membrane, characterized by its facile replication and processing, shows potential for large-scale fabrication. This study offers a new approach to the membrane separation of alkane isomers.

Serum cytokines and creatinine/cystatin C ratio as prognostic biomarkers in advanced cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), specifically targeting the programmed cell death protein-1 or its ligand (PD-1/PD-L1), have been extensively used in the treatment of a spectrum of malignancies, although the predictive biomarkers remain to be elucidated. This study aims to investigate the association between baseline circulating levels of cytokines and the creatinine/cystatin C ratio (CCR) with the treatment outcomes of ICIs in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: The pre-treatment circulating levels of 10 cytokines (PD-L1, CTLA4, CXCL10, LAG3, HGF, CCL2, MIG, GRANB, IL-18, and IL-6) were measured via automated capillary-based immunoassay platform in the serum of 65 advanced cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1-based systemic therapy and 10 healthy volunteers. The levels of cytokines and CCR were quantified and categorized into high and low groups based on the median value. The associations of serum cytokines and CCR with response to treatment, survival, and immune-related adverse events were assessed. RESULTS: Elevated circulating levels of 6 cytokines (PD-L1, CXCL10, HGF, CCL2, MIG, and IL-6) were observed in cancer patients compared with that in healthy volunteers. The correlation coefficients between cytokines, CCR and nutritional risk index were also calculated. In the cancer cohort (N = 65), low circulating HGF (P = 0.023, P = 0.029), low IL-6 (P = 0.002, P < 0.001), and high CCR (P = 0.031, P = 0.008) were associated with significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Multi-variable COX analyses adjusted for clinicopathological factors revealed that low HGF, low IL-6, and high CCR were independent favorable prognostic factors for PFS (P = 0.028, P = 0.010, and P = 0.015, respectively) and OS (P = 0.043, P = 0.003, and P = 0.026, respectively). Grade 2 irAEs occurred more frequently in patients with low levels of circulating CCL2 and LAG3. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-treatment circulating levels of serum IL-6, HGF, and CCR may serve as independent predictive and prognostic biomarkers in advanced cancer patients treated with ICIs-based systemic therapy. These findings might help to identify potential patients who would benefit from these therapies.

Nonlinear nanoelectrodynamics of a Weyl metal.

Chiral Weyl fermions with linear energy-momentum dispersion in the bulk accompanied by Fermi-arc states on the surfaces prompt a host of enticing optical effects. While new Weyl semimetal materials keep emerging, the available optical probes are limited. In particular, isolating bulk and surface electrodynamics in Weyl conductors remains a challenge. We devised an approach to the problem based on near-field photocurrent imaging at the nanoscale and applied this technique to a prototypical Weyl semimetal TaIrTe4 As a first step, we visualized nano-photocurrent patterns in real space and demonstrated their connection to bulk nonlinear conductivity tensors through extensive modeling augmented with density functional theory calculations. Notably, our nanoscale probe gives access to not only the in-plane but also the out-of-plane electric fields so that it is feasible to interrogate all allowed nonlinear tensors including those that remained dormant in conventional far-field optics. Surface- and bulk-related nonlinear contributions are distinguished through their "symmetry fingerprints" in the photocurrent maps. Robust photocurrents also appear at mirror-symmetry breaking edges of TaIrTe4 single crystals that we assign to nonlinear conductivity tensors forbidden in the bulk. Nano-photocurrent spectroscopy at the boundary reveals a strong resonance structure absent in the interior of the sample, providing evidence for elusive surface states.

Enhancing Substrate-Metal Catalyst Affinity via Hydrogen Bonding: Pd(II)-Catalyzed ß-C(sp3)-H Bromination of Free Carboxylic Acids.

The achievement of sufficient substrate-metal catalyst affinity is a fundamental challenge for the development of synthetically useful C-H activation reactions of weakly coordinating native substrates. While hydrogen bonding has been harnessed to bias site selectivity in existing C(sp2)-H activation reactions, the potential for designing catalysts with hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) to enhance catalyst-substrate affinity and, thereby, facilitate otherwise unreactive C(sp3)-H activation remains to be demonstrated. Herein, we report the discovery of a ligand scaffold containing a remote amide motif that can form a favorable meta-macrocyclic hydrogen bonding interaction with the aliphatic acid substrate. The utility of this ligand scaffold is demonstrated through the development of an unprecedented C(sp3)-H bromination of α-tertiary and α-quaternary free carboxylic acids, which proceeds in exceedingly high mono-selectivity. The geometric relationship between the NHAc hydrogen bond donor and the coordinating quinoline ligand is crucial for forming the meta-macrocyclophane-like hydrogen bonding interaction, which provides a guideline for the future design of catalysts employing secondary interactions.

MYC-induced cytidine metabolism regulates survival and drug resistance via cGas-STING pathway in mantle cell lymphoma.

Lymphocyte proliferation and tumourigenesis are dependent on nucleotide synthesis to support DNA, RNA and phospholipid synthesis. Here, we identified that reprogramming of nucleotide metabolism as an important factor divides mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) into two groups with different transcriptional signalling pathways and varying prognoses. We establish a nucleotide metabolism-related prognostic model that includes six genes with different regression coefficients, which significantly predicts prognosis for MCL patients (p < 0.0001). Of these six genes, de novo CTP synthesis pathway enzyme CTPS1 whose inhibitor (STP938) is already in clinical trials for relapsed/refractory lymphomas (NCT05463263) has the highest regression coefficient. An increase in CTPS1 expression predicts adverse overall survival and progression-free survival with independent prognostic significance in 105 primary MCL samples and GEO database (GSE93291). CRISPR CTPS1 knockout causes DNA damage and proliferation defects in MCL. Additionally, MYC positively regulates CTPS1 expression, and TP53-aberrant and ibrutinib-resistant MCL cells also rely on cytidine metabolism. Furthermore, besides the obvious decreased CTP pool caused by CTPS1 deficiency, CTPS1 inhibition may also induce immune-related responses via activating dsDNA-cGAS-STING pathway, which plays a crucial role in impeding tumour growth in MCL patients.

Neiella litorisoli sp. nov., an alginate lyase: producing bacterium from South China Sea, and proposal of Echinimonadaceae fam. nov. in the order Alteromonadales.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated HB171785T, was isolated from soil sample collected from Qishui Bay, Hainan, China. The strain grew optimally at pH 7-8, 37-40 °C and with NaCl 3-4%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was found to be Q-8 and the major fatty acids were C16:0, C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c, C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c and C12:0 3OH. The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The size of the draft genome was 4.32 Mbp with G + C content 49.7%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the closest phylogenetically related species were Neiella marina j221T, "Neiella holothuriorum" 126 and Echinimonas agarilytica KMM 6351T with the similarities of 98.2, 96.0 and 95.0%, respectively. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene and phylogenomic tree based on core genome showed that strain HB171785T clustered together with N. marina j221T, with the highest values of average nucleotide identity (82.9%) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (25.4%). The combined phylogenetic relatedness, phenotypic and genotypic features supported the conclusion that strain HB171785T represents a novel species of the genus Neiella, for which the name Neiella litorisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HB171785T (= MCCC 1K04625T = KCTC 82319T). In addition, Echinimonadaceae fam. nov. in the order Alteromonadales was proposed.

Left ventricular hypertrophy, carotid atherosclerosis, and cognitive impairment in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) have been identified as factors associated with cognitive impairment (CI) but have not been studied in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study investigated the relationship between LVH and CAS and cognitive function in patients undergoing PD. METHODS: In this single-center cross-sectional study, the clinically stable patients who were over 18 years of age and had undergone PD for at least 3 months were enrolled. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), which included seven areas: visuospatial/executive function, naming, attention, language, abstraction, delayed recall, and orientation. LVH was defined as LVMI > 46.7 g/m2.7 in women and LVMI > 49.2 g/m2.7 in men. CAS was defined as carotid intima-media thickness ≥ 1.0 mm and/or the presence of plaque. RESULTS: A total of 207 patients undergoing PD were recruited, with an average age of 52.14 ± 14.93 years and a median PD duration of 8 months (5-19 months). The CI rate was 56%, and the prevalence of CAS was 53.6%. LVH occurred in 110 patients (53.1%). Patients in the LVH group tended to be older, and had a higher body mass index, a higher pulse pressure, a higher male proportion, a lower ejection fraction, a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease and CI, and a lower MoCA scores.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the association between LVH and CI (OR, 10.087; 95% confidence interval, 2.966-34.307). And the association between LVH and CI was still supported after propensity matching scores. CAS was not significantly associated with CI. CONCLUSION: LVH is independently associated with CI in patients undergoing PD, while CAS is not significantly associated with CI.

Acute Kidney Injury after Multiple Cycles of Cisplatin Chemotherapy: A Nomogram for Risk Assessment.

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by cisplatin is common and has a higher incidence of multiple use, resulting in a poor short- and long-term prognosis for patients. There is currently no good premedication AKI risk assessment tool. The aim of this study was to establish an AKI risk assessment nomogram for patients with multiple cisplatin applications. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of patients who were treated with non-first-time cisplatin chemotherapy regimen at Changzhou Second People's Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to January 2022. All data from the development group were used to screen the impact factors of AKI via univariate and multivariate analyses. A nomogram was developed based on these impact factors and verified with verification group. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curves, and decision curve analyses (DCAs) were used to evaluate the nomogram. RESULTS: Among the 256 patients enrolled in 450 cycles of chemotherapy, 282 were in the development cohort (97 AKI), and 168 were in the validation cohort (61 AKI). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that age, hypertension, diabetes, serum cystatin C (sCysC), urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (uKim1), and a single dose of cisplatin were independently associated with AKI. The results showed that our model yielded satisfied diagnostic performance with an AUC value of 0.887 and 0.906 using the development group and on verification group. The calibration plots and DCA showed the superior clinical applicability of the nomogram. These results were verified in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: A nomogram combining functional (sCysC) and tubular (uKim1) injury biomarkers with conventional clinical factors might assess the risk of AKI after multiple cycles of cisplatin chemotherapy.

The construction and operational models of internet hospitals in China: a hospital-based survey study.

BACKGROUND: China has empowered and continues to empower internet hospitals, which saw an increase in their development due to the pandemic, to fight against COVID-19. The construction and operational models of internet hospitals can be categorized as self-constructed and self-managed models, self-constructed and enterprise-run models, hospital and enterprise joint-owned models, and hosted by a third-party platform. Despite the growing importance of internet hospitals, there have been few systematic summaries of their construction and operational models. The primary purpose of the study was to understand the construction and operational models of internet hospitals in China. METHODS: Data was collected from 39 internet hospitals and 356 medical staff between September 2020 and April 2021, via internet hospital and hospital staff surveys. T-tests were used to compare the continuous variables, while Chi-square tests were employed to compare the proportions of categorical variables. The self-perception of the internet hospitals' services was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale on 16 aspects and a root cause analysis was conducted to identify the root causes and influencing factors of current deficiencies experienced by internet hospitals. RESULTS: Among the 39 internet hospitals, 22 (56.4%) were self-constructed and self-managed. Compared to other models of Internet hospitals, self-constructed and self-managed hospitals had lower percentages of professionals providing online services (P = 0.006), numbers of doctors outside of the entity (P = 0.006), numbers of online nurses (P = 0.004), and the ratio of online nurses to offline doctors (P < 0.001). Of the 16 aspects evaluated with regards to the medical staff's self-perception of the internet hospital services, the highest scores were given for fee transparency, fee rationality, travel cost capital, patience and responsibility, and consultation behaviors. The root causes included five aspects: human, channels, prices, services, and time. CONCLUSIONS: While the self-constructed and self-managed model was found to be the most prevalent form of internet hospital in China, the different models of internet hospitals can have an impact on both the quantity and quality of online healthcare services. This study contributes to the existing literature on internet hospitals' construction and operational models, offering additional policy implications for telemedicine management.

FGF2 mediates hepatic progenitor cell formation during human pluripotent stem cell differentiation by inducing the WNT antagonist NKD1.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are required to specify hepatic fate within the definitive endoderm through activation of the FGF receptors (FGFRs). While the signaling pathways involved in hepatic specification are well understood, the mechanisms through which FGFs induce hepatic character within the endoderm are ill defined. Here we report the identification of genes whose expression is directly regulated by FGFR activity during the transition from endoderm to hepatic progenitor cell. The FGFR immediate early genes that were identified include those encoding transcription factors, growth factors, and signaling molecules. One of these immediate early genes encodes naked cuticle homolog 1 (NKD1), which is a repressor of canonical WNT (wingless-type MMTV integration site) signaling. We show that loss of NKD1 suppresses the formation of hepatic progenitor cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells and that this phenotype can be rescued by using a pharmacological antagonist of canonical WNT signaling. We conclude that FGF specifies hepatic fate at least in large part by inducing expression of NKD1 to transiently suppress the canonical WNT pathway.

[Mechanism of tonifying Qi by traditional Chinese medicine from mitochondrial dynamics].

According to the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory, Qi is the essential component maintaining life. Mitochondria are the cellular organelles that generate energy. Qi exhibits abundant common characteristics in bioenergetics compared with mitochondria which control the cellular energy through fusion and fission. Studies have proven that the qi-tonifying function of Chinese medicinal plants and their components facilitates mitochondrial fusion, therefore enhancing ATP synthesis. These studies provide a framework for deciphering the pharmacological mechanisms of Qi-tonifying herbs. This article introduces the common source and function shared by Qi and mitochondria and the regulatory effects of herbal remedies on energy from mitochondria dynamics. This review aims to interpret the connotation of tonifying qi in TCM theory based on the modern biomedical theory.

Neobacillus paridis sp. nov., an endophyte of Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis.

A novel endophytic strain, designated YIM B02564T, was isolated from the root of Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis obtained from Yunnan Province, southwest China. By using a polyphasic approach, cells of the strain were characterized as facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive and rod-shaped. The growth conditions of the strain were found to occur at 20-55 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0). Strain YIM B02564T can tolerate 2% NaCl concentration. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YIM B02564T belonged to the genus Neobacillus and the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of strain YIM B02564T to the type strains of members of this genus ranged from 95.6 to 97.8%. The DNA G+C content of strain YIM B02564T calculated from the whole genome sequence was 41.6 mol%. Values of the ANI and the dDDH between strain YIM B02564T and its closely related Neobacillus species were below 77.9% and 21.5%. Strain YIM B02564T contained MK-7 as the major menaquinone, iso-C15:0 and anteiso-C15:0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid and four unidentified lipids. It contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. On the basis of polyphasic analysis, strain YIM B02564T could be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from recognized species of the genus Neobacillus. The isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Neobacillus paridis is proposed. The type strain is YIM B02564T (= JCM 34668T = CGMCC 1.18655T).

Incidence of allopurinol-induced severe cutaneous adverse drug reaction in Malaysia.

AIMS: Allopurinol is known to cause severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCAR) in Malaysia. However, the incidence of allopurinol-induced SCAR is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the incidence of allopurinol-induced SCAR in Malaysia over 5 years from 2015 to 2019. METHODS: This retrospective analysis was done in collaboration with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA). All allopurinol-induced adverse drug reaction cases reported to NPRA from 2015 to 2019 were extracted. Allopurinol-induced SCAR cases were identified and the incidence over the 5 years was calculated. RESULTS: Incidence of allopurinol-induced SCAR averaged at 2.5 cases per 1000 new users over the 5-year period, with a reducing trend from 3.2 per 1000 new users in 2015 to 2.25 per 1000 in 2019; despite the increasing number of adverse drug reaction cases being reported over the years. Stevens-Johnson syndrome was the commonest form of allopurinol-induced SCAR reported, at 143 cases (46.8% of total SCAR reported). Among Malaysia's 3 main ethnicities, the Chinese had the highest percentages of allopurinol-induced SCAR when compared to the Bumiputera and Indians (3.18 × 10-4 %). CONCLUSION: The estimated incidence of allopurinol-induced SCAR in Malaysia from 2015 to 2019 was 2.5 cases per 1000 new users. This figure is consistent with the incidence reported in other Asian countries, namely Taiwan and Thailand.

Distribution and identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineage in Kashgar prefecture.

OBJECTIVES: Kashgar prefecture is an important transportation and trade hub with a high incidence of tuberculosis. The following study analyzed the composition and differences in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) lineage and specific tags to distinguish the lineage of the M.tb in Kashgar prefecture, thus providing a basis for the classification and diagnosis of tuberculosis in this area. METHODS: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 161 M.tb clinical strains was performed. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using Maximum Likelihood (ML) based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and verified through principal component analysis (PCA). The composition structure of M.tb in different regions was analyzed by combining geographic information. RESULTS: M.tb clinical strains were composed of lineage 2 (73/161, 45.34%), lineage 3 (52/161, 32.30%) and lineage 4 (36/161, 22.36%). Moreover, the 3 lineages were subdivided into 11 sublineages, among which lineage 2 included lineage 2.2.2/Asia Ancestral 1 (9/73, 12.33%), lineage 2.2.1-Asia Ancestral 2 (9/73, 12.33%), lineage 2.2.1-Asia Ancestral 3 (18/73, 24.66%), and lineage 2.2.1-Modern Beijing (39/73, 53.42%). Lineage 3 included lineage 3.2 (14/52, 26.92%) and lineage 3.3 (38/52, 73.08%), while lineage 4 included lineage 4.1 (3/36, 8.33%), lineage 4.2 (2/36, 5.66%), lineage 4.4.2 (1/36, 2.78%), lineage 4.5 (28/36, 77.78%) and lineage 4.8 (2/36, 5.66%), all of which were consistent with the PCA results. One hundred thirty-six markers were proposed for discriminating known circulating strains. Reconstruction of a phylogenetic tree using the 136 SNPs resulted in a tree with the same number of delineated clades. Based on geographical location analysis, the composition of Lineage 2 in Kashgar prefecture (45.34%) was lower compared to other regions in China (54.35%-90.27%), while the composition of Lineage 3 (32.30%) was much higher than in other regions of China (0.92%-2.01%), but lower compared to the bordering Pakistan (70.40%). CONCLUSION: Three lineages were identified in M.tb clinical strains from Kashgar prefecture, with 136 branch-specific SNP. Kashgar borders with countries that have a high incidence of tuberculosis, such as Pakistan and India, which results in a large difference between the M.tb lineage and sublineage distribution in this region and other provinces of China.

Janibacter endophyticus sp. nov., an Endophytic Actinobacterium Isolated from the Root of Paris polyphylla Smith var. Yunnanensis.

A novel endophytic actinobacterium, designated as strain YIM B02568T, was isolated from the root of Paris polyphylla Smith var. Yunnanensis obtained from Yunnan Province, southwest China. Strain YIM B02568T was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this isolate belonged to the genus Janibacter. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of strain YIM B02568T to the type strains of members of this genus ranged from 95.8 to 98.6%. However, overall genome relatedness indices were significantly lower than the widely accepted species-defined threshold. The cell wall of strain YIM B02568T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H4). The main polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylinositol. The major cellular fatty acids were comprised of iso-C16:0 and C18:1 ω9c. The DNA G + C content was 71.6 mol%. Based on the data from the polyphasic studies, we propose that strain YIM B02568T represents a novel species within the genus Janibacter, Janibacter endophyticus sp. nov. The type strain is YIM B02568T (= JCM 34639T = CGMCC 1.18658T).

Azospirillum Endophyticum sp. nov., an Endophyte of Paris Polyphylla Smith var. Yunnanensis.

A Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacterial strain, designated YIM B02556T, was isolated from the root of Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis collected from Yunnan Province, southwest China. By using a polyphasic approach, its taxonomic position was investigated. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YIM B02556T belonged to the genus Azospirillum and the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of strain YIM B02556T to the type strains of members of this genus ranged from 94.9 to 98.3%. Overall genome relatedness index (OGRI) analysis estimated based on average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) between YIM B02556T and other Azospirillum species type strains were <90.8% and <37.8%, lower than the limit of species circumscription. Cells of the strain were characterized as oxidase- and catalase-positive, with motility provided by flagella. The growth conditions of the strain were found to occur at 20-40 °C (optimum, 35 °C), and pH 6.0-9.5 (optimum, pH 7.5). Strain YIM B02556T can tolerate 2% NaCl concentration. Strain YIM B02556T contained Q-10 as the major ubiquinone. The major fatty acids were C18:1 ω7c and summed feature three (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. Based on polyphasic analysis, strain YIM B02556T could be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from recognized species of the genus Azospirillum. Therefore, the isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Azospirillum endophyticum is proposed. The type strain is YIM B02556T (=JCM 34631T=CGMCC 1.18654T).

Intracorporeal reinforcement with barbed suture is associated with low anastomotic leakage rates after laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of most severe postoperative complications following low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer, and has an adverse impact on postoperative recovery. The occurence of AL is associated with several factors, while few studies explored the role of intracorporeal barbed suture reinforcement in it. METHODS: Consecutive cases underwent laparoscopic LAR for rectal cancer from Mar. 2018 to Feb. 2021 in our center were retrospectively collected. Cases were classified into the intracorporeal barbed suture reinforcement group and the control group according to whether performing intracorporeal reinforcement with barbed suture, and AL incidences were compared between two groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was then performed based on identified risk factors to reduce biases from covariates between two groups. AL incidences in the matched cohort were compared. RESULTS: A total of 292 cases entered into the study, and AL incidences were significantly lower in the intracorporeal barbed suture reinforcement group compared with the control group (10.00% vs 2.82%, P = 0.024). Sex, BMI, preoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and anastomotic level were chose for PSM analyses based on previous studies. In the matched cohort, the AL incidences were still significantly lower in the intracorporeal barbed suture reinforcement group (10.57% vs 2.44%, SD = 0.334). CONCLUSIONS: Intracorporeal barbed suture reinforcement is associated with low AL incidences after laparoscopic LAR for rectal cancer, which is a potential procedure for reducing AL and worthy of application clinically.