Geminiviruses cause substantial crop yield losses worldwide. The replication initiator protein (Rep) encoded by geminiviruses is indispensable for geminiviral replication. The Rep protein encoded by beet severe curly top virus (BSCTV, genus Curtovirus, family Geminiviridae) induces VARIANT IN METHYLATION 5 (VIM5) expression in Arabidopsis leaves upon BSCTV infection. VIM5 functions as a ubiquitination-related E3 ligase to promote the proteasomal degradation of methyltransferases, resulting in reduction of methylation levels in the BSCTV C2-3 promoter. However, the specific domains of Rep responsible for VIM5 induction remain poorly characterized. Although Rep proteins from several geminiviruses act as viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs), whether BSCTV Rep also possesses VSR activity remains to be illustrated. In this study, we employed a transient expression system in the 16c-GFP transgenic and the wild-type Nicotiana benthamiana plants to analyze the VSR and the VIM5-inducing activities of different truncated Rep proteins haboring distinct domains. We found that the N-terminal domain (amino acids 1-180) of Rep suppressed GFP silencing in 16c-GFP transgenic N. benthamiana leaves. The minimal N-terminal fragment (amino acids 1-104) induced VIM5 expression upon co-infiltration, while C-terminal truncations lacked VIM5-inducing activity. Our results indicate that the N-terminal domain of Rep encoded by BSCTV mediates the suppression of RNA silencing and induces VIM5 expression. Thus, our findings contribute to a better understanding of interactions between geminiviral Rep and plant hosts.
Geminiviridae/genetics* ; Nicotiana/metabolism* ; Arabidopsis/metabolism* ; RNA Interference ; Viral Proteins/metabolism* ; Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism* ; Protein Domains ; Plant Diseases/virology* ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism* ; DNA Helicases/genetics*

Objective To investigate the impact of the artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction (AIIR) algorithm on image quality in chest computed tomography (CT) at different radiation doses, and assess its value in reducing radiation dose during chest CT examinations. Methods A simulated chest phantom was scanned with 12 groups of tube voltages and milliampere-seconds, and the radiation dose was recorded for each group. The images of each group were reconstructed using seven methods: AIIR with noise levels 1-5, KARL iterative reconstruction, and filtered back projection (FBP). The CT values and standard deviations of soft tissue, thoracic vertebrae, pulmonary nodules, and the mediastinum were measured, with standard deviation representing image noise. Subjective evaluation of image quality was performed. The Friedman test was used to compare CT values among the seven reconstruction groups, a linear mixed model was employed for statistical analysis of image noise, and the Friedman test was also used for comparing subjective evaluation scores. Results The reconstruction algorithm, tube voltage, milliampere-seconds, and their interactions all showed statistically significant effects on image noise for the four tissues (F = 2.041-391.283, P < 0.05). Among the reconstruction algorithms, noise reduction capability decreased in the following order: AIIR levels 1-5, KARL, and FBP. The interaction between the reconstruction algorithm and tube voltage or milliampere-seconds indicated that AIIR exhibited improved noise reduction efficacy under low tube voltage and low milliampere-second conditions (|t| = 1.892-8.245, P < 0.05). In terms of subjective evaluation of image quality, there was no statistically significant difference among AIIR levels 3-5 (|Z| ≤ 0.567, P > 0.05), and the score of AIIR level 3 was significantly higher than those of AIIR level 1, AIIR level 2, FBP, and KARL level 2 (|Z| = 3.449-5.906, P < 0.05). Conclusion The AIIR reconstruction algorithm significantly reduced image noise in chest CT examinations. For improving image quality while maintaining image realism, AIIR level 3 is recommended, which can reduce the radiation dose by more than 75%. Furthermore, AIIR showed superior performance in noise reduction under low tube voltage and low milliampere-second conditions, demonstrating significant potential for reducing radiation dose.

Objective To evaluate the application value of the three-point localization method in improving the quality and efficiency of four-chamber view acquisition in cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)imaging.Methods A total of 215 patients who underwent four-chamber view in CMR imaging from January 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively enrolled and divided into two groups.The control group(n=109)received traditional localization method while the study group(n=106)received three-point localization method.The image quality of mitral valve,tricuspid valve and cruciform structure in four-chamber view images were assessed by two radiologists using a Likert 4-piont scale.The time-consumption from scout imaging to the finish of four-chamber view imaging was recorded.Constituent data and numeral data were compared by Chi-square test and two-sample t test,respectively.Kappa test was used to analyze the inter-observer consistency.Results There were no significant inter-group differences in gender,age,disease profile,or the radiographers'experience.The mean quality scores of the mitral valve,tricuspid valve and cruciform structure in the control group and the study group were 3.44±0.64 and 3.63±0.49(P=0.023),3.43±0.67 and 3.53±0.60(P=0.202),3.71±0.49 and 3.83±0.35(P=0.047),respectively.The image quality score was higher in the study group than in the control group,with the differences in mitral valve and cruciform structure reaching statistical significance.The time-consumption for obtaining four-chamber view for the control group and the study group was 11.67±3.49 minutes and 7.212±1.83 minutes,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.001).Conclusion Compared with the traditional localization method,the three-point localization method provides better image quality in four-chamber view imaging with shortened imaging time.

Objective To evaluate the factors affecting urinary stone detection rate using virtual unenhanced(VUE)images obtained from triphasic dual-energy CT urography(DECTU)based on Logistic regression analysis.Methods For this study,150 patients who had suspected urinary stone and underwent triphasic DECTU were included.The true unenhanced(TUE)images were reconstructed as 120 kVp-like images,and VUE images at the portal venous phase[VUE(VP)]and excretory phase[VUE(EP)]were obtained using iodine removal technique from portal venous and excretory phase DECTU images,respectively.Two readers independently evaluated the above three types of images,and recorded the number of urinary stones,their anatomical locations,and whether there was residual iodine on the VUE images.Stone size and CT number were recorded only on the TUE images.Stone size,CT number,anatomical location,and iodine contrast agent were included in univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses to evaluate the factors affecting urinary stone detection rate using VUE images.Thresholds for detecting urinary stones on VUE images were determined using receiver operating characteristics(ROC)analysis.Results We detected 304 stones on TUE images,while the detection rates were 92.4％and 71.4％when using VUE(VP)and VUE(EP)images,respectively.Stone size and CT number were important factors influencing urinary stone detection rate using VUE(VP)and VUE(EP)images(P＜0.01).The area under curve(AUC)of using stone size and CT number for detecting stones using the VUE(VP)images was up to 0.96,and as threshold values,stones with size larger than 3.52 mm and CT number greater than 469 HU were found to have high accuracy.However,the AUC decreased to 0.88 when we combined stone size,CT number and anatomical location using the VUE(EP)images.In addition,different contrast agents did not affect the detection rate of stones on the VUE(EP)images(P=0.57).The stone detection rate in the kidney was significantly lower than those on the VUE(EP)images(P＜0.001).Conclusion VUE(VP)images provide better stone detection.Stone size and CT number have significant impacts on the stone detection rate using VUE images.The lower stone detection rate in the kidney on the VUE(EP)images is related to the residual iodine.

Objective To investigate the value of abdominal aortic combined with routine one-stop triple rule-out computed tomography angiography(TRO-CTA)in the examination of patients with acute chest pain.Methods A total of 1 482 patients with nontraumatic chest pain were included in this retrospective study.Of them 414 patients underwent the conventional TRO-CTA scanning while 1 068 patients underwent TRO-CTA that included the abdominal aorta(TRO-CTAwAA)under the request of clinicians.All scanning parameters were the same,except the scanning range for the third phase in TRO-CTA:conventional TRO-CTA covered only the thoracic aorta,while TRO-CTAwAA extended to the entire aorta.Patient etiology was investigated and the detection rates of major vessel abnormalities(aortic dissection,aneurysm,penetrating ulcer,intramural hematoma,vascular occlusion,and thrombosis)between the two groups was compared using chi square tests.The radiation dose(CTDIvol and DLP)and scanning time between the two groups were compared using analysis of variance(ANOVA).Results The TRO-CTAwAA had significantly higher detection rate of major artery abnormalities than the TRO-CTA group(35.1％vs.4.8％,P＜0.001).In the TRO-CTAwAA group,26.5％of the vascular anomalies were detected in both the thoracic and abdominal aortas,and another 8.6％were seen only in the abdominal aorta.With regard to the radiation dose between the two groups,the total DLP was significantly higher in the TRO-CTAwAA group than in the conventional TRO-CTA group(P＜0.001).The two groups did not significantly differ in scanning time(P=0.410).Conclusion TRO-CTA with scan range including the abdominal aorta significantly improves the detection rate for major vessel abnormalities in patients with chest pain without increasing the examination process.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between the pericoronary fat attenuation index(FAI)and the image reconstruction parameters of computed tomography(CT)coronary angiography,including reconstruction kernel,iterative reconstruction algorithm and image thickness.Methods Forty-four CT coronary angiography scans were prospectively enrolled.All scans were reconstructed by three means as follows:① Four different kernels(Soft_AA,Soft_BA,Soft_CA,and Soft_DA,sharpness from low to high)as the iterative reconstruction algorithm(KARL5)and image thickness(0.5 mm)remained unchanged.② Filtered back projection(FBP)and iterative reconstruction kernel(KARL5)as the kernel and image thickness(0.5 mm)remained unchanged.③ Different image thickness(0.5 mm and 1 mm)as the kernel(Soft_AA)and iterative reconstruction algorithm(KARL5)remained unchanged.The FAI of left anterior descending artery(LAD),left circumflex artery(LCX),and right coronary artery(RCA)was calculated using a dedicated software.Paired t-test and analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis.Results For LAD,LCX and RCA:① The differences of FAI among different reconstruction kernels reached statistical significance(P＜0.001),and FAI decreased as the sharper kernel was used.③ Compared with FBP,the FAI of KARL5-reconstructed images significantly increased(P＜0.001).③ Compared with 0.5 mm,the FAI of images with 1.0 mm thickness significantly decreased(P＜0.001).Conclusion The kernel,iterative reconstruction algorithms,and image thickness all have a significant impact on the FAI of each coronary artery.When using FAI for clinical diagnosis,the effect of CT reconstruction parameters should be taken into account.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the treatment status of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in China.Methods:Data of chronic phase (CP) and accelerated phase (AP) CML patients diagnosed from January 2006 to December 2022 from 77 centers, ≥18 years old, and receiving initial imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib or flumatinib-therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China with complete data were retrospectively interrogated. The choice of initial TKI, current TKI medications, treatment switch and reasons, treatment responses and outcomes as well as the variables associated with them were analyzed.Results:6 893 patients in CP ( n=6 453, 93.6%) or AP ( n=440, 6.4%) receiving initial imatinib ( n=4 906, 71.2%), nilotinib ( n=1 157, 16.8%), dasatinib ( n=298, 4.3%) or flumatinib ( n=532, 7.2%) -therapy. With the median follow-up of 43 ( IQR 22-75) months, 1 581 (22.9%) patients switched TKI due to resistance ( n=1 055, 15.3%), intolerance ( n=248, 3.6%), pursuit of better efficacy ( n=168, 2.4%), economic or other reasons ( n=110, 1.6%). The frequency of switching TKI in AP patients was significantly-higher than that in CP patients (44.1% vs 21.5%, P<0.001), and more AP patients switched TKI due to resistance than CP patients (75.3% vs 66.1%, P=0.011). Multi-variable analyses showed that male, lower HGB concentration and ELTS intermediate/high-risk cohort were associated with lower cytogenetic and molecular responses rate and poor outcomes in CP patients; higher WBC count and initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher response rates; Ph + ACA at diagnosis, poor PFS. However, Sokal intermediate/high-risk cohort was only significantly-associated with lower CCyR and MMR rates and the poor PFS. Lower HGB concentration and larger spleen size were significantly-associated with the lower cytogenetic and molecular response rates in AP patients; initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher treatment response rates; lower PLT count, higher blasts and Ph + ACA, poorer TFS; Ph + ACA, poorer OS. Conclusion:At present, the vast majority of newly-diagnosed CML-CP or AP patients could benefit from TKI treatment in the long term with the good treatment responses and survival outcomes.

Objective To analyze the expression levels of the three different subtypes of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors(PPARs),including PPAR-α,PPAR-β and PPAR-γ,in the ectopic lesion tis-sues of the patients with endometriosis(EMs)in order to provide new methods for this disease diagnosis.Methods The ectopic endometrial tissue samples from 30 patients with EMs treated by laparoscopic surgery in this hospital from April to December 2021 were selected as the experimental group,and the ovarian lesion tissue samples from 30 patients with mature cystic teratoma of the ovary(MCTO)during the same period treated by laparoscopic surgery were selected as the control group.The expression levels of PPAR-α,PPAR-βand PPAR-γ in lesion tissues were detected by using immunohistochemistry,and their expression differences between the experimental group and control group were analyzed.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was utilized to evaluate the diagnostic value of the ratios of PPAR-α/PPAR-β,PPAR-α/PPAR-γ,and PPAR-β/PPAR-γ for EMs.Results The expression levels of PPAR-α,PPAR-β and PPAR-γ in the lesion tis-sues of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P＜0.05).In the pa-tients with EMs,PPAR-α was predominantly expressed(P＜0.05),whereas in the patients with MCTO,PPAR-γ was predominantly expressed(P＜0.05).In the ROC curve of PPAR-α/PPAR-β ratio for diagnosing EMs,when the cutoff value was 1.251,the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.65(95％CI:0.51-0.80),the sensitivity was 90.00％,and the specificity was 50.00％.In the ROC curve of PPAR-α/PPAR-γ ratio for diag-nosing EMs,when the cutoff value was 0.817,AUC was 0.88(95％CI:0.78-0.99),the sensitivity was 96.67％and the specificity was 80.00％.In the curve of the PPAR-β/PPAR-γ ratio for diagnosing EMs,when the cutoff value was 0.755,AUC was 0.91(95％CI:0.82-1.00),the sensitivity was 100.00％,and the speci-ficity was 86.67％.Conclusion The expression of PPAR-α in the ectopic lesion tissues of the patients with EMs is significantly higher than that of PPAR-β and PPAR-γ,while in lesion tissues of the patients with MC-TO,the PPAR-γ expression is predominant.The PPAR-β/PPAR-γ ratio may become a potential biomarker for diagnosing EMs.

The clinical data of a case of Niemann-Pick disease type C diagnosed at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University on December 22, 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.The patient, male, 1 year and 28 days old, was admitted to the hospital primarily due to intermittent fever, cough and dyspnea for 8 months, and hepatosplenomegaly for 20 days.The patient initially presented with cough, expectoration, and wheezing, followed by hypotonia and delayed motor development.At the age of 1 year, the child developed hepatosplenomegaly and diffuse interstitial changes in both lungs.At the age of 3 years, the child had obvious vertical supranuclear gaze palsy and gelastic cataplexy, followed by dysarthria and dysphagia.The foam cells were found by bone marrow cytology, while sphingomyelinase and glucocerebrosidase were normal, so Niemann-Pick disease type A/B and Gaucher disease were excluded.Finally, genetic testing revealed two pathogenic mutations in the NPC1 gene, so Niemann-Pick disease type C was confirmed.Miglustat treatment began when the child was 3 years old, and vertical supranuclear gaze palsy and gelastic cataplexy improved for a while, but then the neurological symptoms worsened again, with dysphagia and dyspnea gradually increasing, and finally he died at the age of 4 years and 11 months.

Objective To investigate the effects of acute sleep deprivation on the behavior and synaptic protein expression of rats.Methods Seventy healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups,a Control group and sleep deprivation groups(24,48,72,96,120 and 144 hours).The sleep deprivation rat model was established by the modified multiplatform water environment sleep deprivation method.Spatial learning and memory were assessed by the Morris water maze.Anxiety was assessed by the open field test.The morphology and quantity of hippocampal neurons were observed by Nissl staining.Western blot and Real-time PCR were used to determine the expression of synaptophysin(SYN),post-synaptic density protein-95(PSD-95),and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in rats.Results Compared with the Control group,the numbers of standing and modification were significantly increased by prolongation of the sleep deprivation time(P＜0.05).The escape latency and path length were significantly increased in 120 and 144 h groups(P＜0.05),whereas the number of platform crossings and the percentage of the target quadrant time were significantly decreased(P＜0.01)and negatively correlated to the sleep deprivation time.The expression levels of BDNF,SYN,and PSD-95 were significantly decreased with the prolongation of sleep deprivation time(P＜0.01).Conclusions With the increase in sleep deprivation time,cognitive dysfunction and anxiety gradually deteriorated,which may be related to decreases in the expression of synaptic biomarkers.