Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an important sugar crop. Biotic and abiotic stresses such as diseases, cold, and drought are major factors limiting sugarcane production. β-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.39), a member of the pathogenesis-related protein family, plays an essential role not only in the plant defenses against pathogens but also in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. To systematically investigate the sugarcane β-1,3-glucanase gene family, 132 glycoside hydrolase (GH) 17 family members were identified in the genomes of the sugarcane wild species Saccharum spontaneum 'Np-X', the tropical species S. officinarum 'LA-Purple', and the Saccharum spp. hybrid cultivar 'R570'. The results of the phylogenetic analysis categorized them into four subfamilies, of which subfamily Ⅳ had the largest proportion of members (102). The members of the sugarcane GH17 gene family contained five conserved motifs and 0-16 introns. The majority of the GH17 genes exhibited a genome-wide replication pattern, with 89.50% originating from S. spontaneum 'Np-X' and S. officinarum 'LA-Purple', while 58.10% of them in the Saccharum spp. hybrid cultivar 'R570' belonged to the discrete replication type. Four major classes of cis-acting elements were identified in the promoters, including the elements related to plant growth, development, and tissue-specific expression (14.21%), light-responsive elements (38.24%), biotic or abiotic stress-responsive elements (9.18%), and hormone-responsive elements (38.37%), which suggested that this gene family was involved in plant growth, development, hormone responses, and stress responses. Transcriptome and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses showed that the sugarcane GH17 genes exhibited tissue-specific expression and were differentially expressed under low temperature, drought, and hormone treatments, as well as during the interactions between different sugarcane genotypes and Sporisorium scitamineum, suggesting their potential roles in plant defenses. In addition, some SsGlu genes (SsGlu5, SsGlu20, SsGlu21, SsGlu25, SsGlu28, and SsGlu39) were expected to serve as candidate stress-related genes. This study lays a foundation for further revealing the molecular mechanisms of the stress resistance of sugarcane via β-1,3-glucanase genes.
Saccharum/physiology* ; Stress, Physiological/genetics* ; Glucan 1,3-beta-Glucosidase/metabolism* ; Multigene Family ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/genetics*

Organophosphorus nerve agents are the most threatening chemical warfare agents and terrorist agents.The number of nerve agents and their related chemicals involved in the verification of Chemical Weapon Convention(CWC)exceeds ten million,with the majority being isomers.Accurate structural identification of these chemicals has always been one of the challenges in CWC related verification analysis.In this work,a total of 17 kinds of alkyl phosphonate isomers and structural analogs from 5 groups were designed and synthesized,and then analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)and gas chromatography-infrared spectroscopy(GC-FTIR).The spectra of isomers or structural analogs obtained from two techniques as well as the structural information provided therein were compared and analyzed.The results showed that for isomers or structural analogs with similar MS spectra,FTIR spectra could provided more structural fingerprint information of compounds and had advantages in confirming structures.Combined with the excellent separation ability of GC,GC-FTIR can be used to assist GC-MS in the structural confirmation of alkyl phosphates,achieving rapid and accurate identification of isomers or structural analogues.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of serum uric acid(UA),homocysteine(Hcy)and the product index of UA and Hcy in patients with stable coronary artery disease(SCAD).Methods A total of 783 patients with suspected coronary heart disease were collected,all of whom underwent coronary angiography.Patients were divided into coronary heart disease(CHD)group and non-coronary heart disease(NCHD)group.The CHD group was further divided into low score group(≤35 points)and high score group(>35 points)according to Gensini scores.Baseline data,blood lipids,Hcy,UA,left ventricular function ultrasound indicators,and comorbidities were collected.Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors associated with the onset of SCAD and severe coronary artery disease,while the Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)curve was conducted to assess the predictive efficacy of the product index of UA and Hcy,and related risk factors,for SCAD onset and severe coronary artery disease.Results 1.In CHD group,UA,Hcy and the product index of UA and Hcy were all higher than in the NCHD group(P<0.001);the high-score group had higher UA,Hcy and the product index of UA and Hcy than the low Gensini score group(P<0.001).2.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female age,sex,body mass index(BMI),product index of UA and Hcy,high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and hypertension(HTN)were independent risk factors for SCAD(P<0.05).BMI,the product index of UA and Hcy,HDL-C,LDL-C and LVEF were independent risk factors for severe coronary artery disease(P<0.05).3.There was a positive correlation between UA and Hcy product index and Gensini scores(r=0.433,P<0.05).4.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the product index of UA and Hcy and combined detection of coronary heart disease risk factors had predictive value for the occurrence of SCAD(P<0.05),and the predictive value of combined detection was higher(area under the curve 0.808);both the product index of UA and Hcy and the combined detection of coronary heart disease risk factors had predictive value for severe coronary artery lesions(P<0.05),with a higher predictive value for combined detection(area under the curve 0.771).Conclusion As an independent predictor of the risk of SCAD and severe coronary stenosis,the product index of UA and Hcy has a high predictive efficacy regarding disease risk and the severity of coronary artery in patients with SCAD.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of changes in serum homocysteine(Hcy),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and the homocysteine-to-HDL-C ratio(HHR)for the incidence and short-term prognosis of patients with premature coronary heart disease(PCHD).Methods Between January 2022 and December 2023,301 patients with the suspected coronary heart disease(males≤55 years,females≤65 years)were retrospectively selected from the Department of Cardiology at the Third People's Hospital of Yunnan Province.All patients who underwent coronary angiography(CAG)were divided into the premature coronary heart disease(PCHD)group(n=98)and the non-coronary heart disease(NCHD)group(n=203).Patients with PCHD were followed up six months after the discharge and were further classified into the good prognosis group(n=55)and the poor prognosis group(n=43)based on the presence of worsening clinical symptoms such as chest tightness,chest pain,arrhythmias,heart failure,or death.Data collected included general patient information,blood lipid levels,Hcy levels,left ventricular function ultrasound indicators,and the presence of hypertension and type 2 diabetes.Results Hcy and HHR levels were significantly higher in the PCHD group compared to the NCHD group,while HDL-C levels were lower(P<0.001).In the poor prognosis group,Hcy and HHR levels were elevated,and HDL-C levels were reduced compared to the good prognosis group(P<0.001).The Hcy and HHR levels in the severe coronary artery stenosis group were markedly higher than those in the normal coronary artery group and the mild to the moderate stenosis group,with HDL-C levels being lower(P<0.001).Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that male sex,HHR,Hcy,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)were independent factors influencing premature coronary heart disease(P<0.05).HHR was found to be an independent risk factor for the poor short-term prognosis in PCHD.The analysis of the operating characteristic curve of the subjects showed that serum Hcy and HHR had the predictive value for the occurrence of PCHD(P<0.05),with HHR showing higher predictive value(area under the curve[AUC]=0.713).HHR also had the substantial predictive value for the short-term prognosis of PCHD(AUC=0.715).Conclusion Elevated HHR levels are associated with the severe coronary artery disease in patients with PCHD.HHR serves as a significant predictor for both the occurrence and short-term prognosis of PCHD.

Based on the strategy of metabolomics combined with bioinformatics, this study analyzed the potential allergens and mechanism of pseudo-allergic reactions (PARs) induced by the combined use of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection. All animal experiments and welfare are in accordance with the requirements of the First Affiliated Experimental Animal Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee of Henan University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: YFYDW2020002). Based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology combined with UNIFI software, a total of 21 compounds were identified in Reduning and penicillin G mixed injection. Based on molecular docking technology, 10 potential allergens with strong binding activity to MrgprX2 agonist sites were further screened. Metabolomics analysis using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology revealed that 34 differential metabolites such as arachidonic acid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes were endogenous differential metabolites of PARs caused by combined use of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection. Through the analysis of the "potential allergen-target-endogenous differential metabolite" interaction network, the chlorogenic acids (such as chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and isochlorogenic acid A) and β-lactam allergens in the combination of the two may be mainly regulated by PLD1, PLA2G12A and CYP1A1. The three upstream signal target proteins mainly activate the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway, promote the degranulation of mast cells, release downstream endogenous inflammatory mediators, and induce PARs.

BACKGROUND: In China, lung cancer remains the cancer with the highest incidence and mortality rate. Among early-stage lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD), the micropapillary (MPP) component is prevalent and typically exhibits high aggressiveness, significantly correlating with early metastasis, lymphatic infiltration, and reduced five-year survival rates. Therefore, the study is to explore the similarities and differences between MPP and non-micropapillary (non-MPP) components in malignant pulmonary nodules characterized by GGOs in early-stage LUAD, identify unique mutational features of the MPP component and analyze the relationship between the ZNF469 gene, a member of the zinc-finger protein family, and the prognosis of early-stage LUAD, as well as its correlation with immune infiltration. METHODS: A total of 31 malignant pulmonary nodules of LUAD were collected and dissected into paired MPP and non-MPP components using microdissection. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on the components of early-stage malignant pulmonary nodules. Mutational signatures analysis was conducted using R packages such as maftools, Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF), and Sigminer to unveil the genomic mutational characteristics unique to MPP components in invasive LUAD compared to other tumor tissues. Furthermore, we explored the expression of the ZNF469 gene in LUAD using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to investigate its potential association with the prognosis. We also investigated gene interaction networks and signaling pathways related to ZNF469 in LUAD using the GeneMANIA database and conducted Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Lastly, we analyzed the correlation between ZNF469 gene expression and levels of immune cell infiltration in LUAD using the TIMER and TISIDB databases. RESULTS: MPP components exhibited a higher number of genomic variations, particularly the 13th COSMIC (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer) mutational signature characterized by the activity of the cytidine deaminase APOBEC family, which was unique to MPP components compared to non-MPP components in tumor tissues. This suggests the potential involvement of APOBEC in the progression of MPP components in early-stage LUAD. Additionally, MPP samples with high similarity to APOBEC signature displayed a higher tumor mutational burden (TMB), indicating that these patients may be more likely to benefit from immunotherapy. The expression of ZNF469 was significantly upregulated in LUAD compared to normal tissue, and was associated with poor prognosis in LUAD patients (P<0.05). Gene interaction network analysis and GO/KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that COL6A1, COL1A1, COL1A2, TGFB2, MMP2, COL8A2 and C2CD4C interacted with ZNF469 and were mainly involved in encoding collagen proteins and participating in the constitution of extracellular matrix. ZNF469 expression was positively correlated with immune cell infiltration in LUAD (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The study has unveiled distinctive mutational signatures in the MPP components of early-stage invasive LUAD in the Asian population. Furthermore, we have identified that the elevated expression of mutated ZNF469 impacts the prognosis and immune infiltration in LUAD, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in LUAD.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung/genetics* ; China ; Prognosis ; Transcription Factors

Objective To study the clinical and pathological characteristics,as well as diagnosis,treatment methods and prognosis of adult patients with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection(CAEBVI).Methods Clinical and pathological data of 8 adult patients with CAEBVI admitted to a hospital in Gansu Province from January 2017 to December 2022 were collected retrospectively,clinical and histopathological characteristics,EBV-related test re-sults,as well as treatment and prognosis of patients were analyzed.Results Among 8 CAEBVI patients,3 were males and 5 were females,with the median age of 21.5 years.The median time from onset to diagnosis of CAEBVI was 7 months.The main manifestations were fever,pancytopenia(involving two or three peripheral blood lines),as well as lymph node enlargement,hepatomegaly and splenomegaly.The quantifications of plasma EBV nucleic acid(DNA)were all＞1.0 × 103.The sorting results of EBV infected cells showed that 3 cases were T lymphocytes in-fection,2 were NK cell infection,and 3 were co-infection of T lymphocytes and NK cells.Bone marrow cytological examination of 8 patients showed no atypical lymphocytes,while 6 patients showed hemophagocytic cells.Flow cy-tometey(FCM)typing results showed that no abnormal cell population was detected in all the 8 patients,and no myeloid,B lymphocyte,T lymphocyte and NK cell markers were expressed.The positive rate of T cell receptor(TCR)gene rearrangement was 37.5％(n=3).Histopathology showed that most cases(n=6,75.0％)expressed CD3,partial cases expressed CD4,CD8,CD56,TIA-1,and EBV encoded RNA(EBER),all were positive.The survival rate of patients after treatment was 50.0％(n=4),the follow-up time was 6-51 months,the 1-year sur-vival rate was 85.7％,and the median survival time was 24 months.Conclusion CAEBVI is characterized by varia-ble clinical manifestations that may lead to fatal complications.Early diagnosis and individualized treatment should be performed to reduce mortality of patients.

Objective:This study aimed to assess left atrial function in adults across various age groups using 4-dimensional automated left atrial quantification(4D Auto LAQ)technology.The study also aimed to compare the differences in two-dimensional(2D)and four-dimensional(4D)strains of the left atrium among different age groups, with the goal of enhancing the clinical utility of 4D Auto LAQ.Methods:A total of 409 healthy volunteers were recruited for the research.Two-dimensional and four-dimensional images were obtained using a GE Vivid E95 ultrasound system with a 4Vc four-dimensional probe.The study examined variations in 2D and 4D ultrasound parameters across various age groups.Furthermore, the relationship between left atrial reservoir strain(LASr), Left atrial conduit strain(LAScd), left atrial contraction strain(LASct), and age was explored.Results:The study involved 409 volunteers, with 217 males and 192 females, who were categorized into three age groups: young(18-45 years, n=56), middle-aged(46-65 years, n=202), and elderly(>65 years, n=151).Conventional ultrasound measurements indicated changes in left atrial anterior-posterior diameter with age progression: (31.70±3.65)mm for the young group, (34.02±3.91)mm for the middle-aged group, and(35.2±4.37)mm for the elderly group( P<0.01).The 2D and 4D left atrial parameters across the age groups were as follows: LASr(2D)(%): 37.48±7.51, 30.95±8.23, 26.9±7.56( P<0.01); LA VImax(ml/m 2): 23.54±5.79, 26.33±7.6, 28.99±8.15( P<0.01); LASr(%): 31.2±17.07, 22.5±8.59, 19.49±7.47( P<0.01).Both 2D and 4D left atrial parameters exhibited significant associations with age.Specifically, the correlations between LASr(2D)(%), LAScd(2D)(%), LASr(%), LAScd(%), and age were -0.429, 0.580, -0.354, 0.298, respectively( P<0.01). Conclusions:The 4D Auto LAQ technology is efficient in assessing left atrial function across various age groups, with age playing a significant role in influencing left atrial parameters.When compared to other ultrasound parameters, both 2D and 4D left atrial strain parameters have the ability to detect differences at an early stage, making them suitable for the early screening, evaluation, and monitoring of age-related left atrial dysfunction, especially in the elderly population.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Shuangye San(the prescription mainly composed of Mori Folium and Nelumbinis Folium)in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)of spleen deficiency and phlegm stasis type.Methods A total of 80 patients with T2DM complicated with NAFLD of spleen deficiency and phlegm stasis type were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 40 cases in each group.The control group was treated with conventional western medicine for lowering blood glucose and lipid,protecting liver and lowering enzymes.The treatment group was treated with the granules of Shuangye San orally on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment lasted for three months.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),fasting insulin(FINS),fasting blood glucose(FBG),2-hour postprandial blood glucose(2hPG),glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1C),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),liver function indicators and B-ultrasound grading of fatty liver in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After three months of treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group was 85.00％(34/40),and that of the control group was 70.00％(28/40).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the scores of TCM symptoms of obese physique,heaviness and weakness in the limbs,shortness of breath and unwilling to talk,tightness and stabbing pain in the chest,abdominal distension and poor appetite in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of TCM syndrome scores in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the levels of glucose and lipid metabolism indicators of FINS,HOMA-IR,FBG,2hPG,HbA1C,TC,TG and LDL-C in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the level of HDL-C was significantly increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of FINS,HOMA-IR,FBG,2hPG,HbA1C,TC,TG and LDL-C levels and the increase of HDL-C levels in the treatment group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the levels of liver function indicators of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT)in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of liver function indicators in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(5)After treatment,the B-ultrasound grading of fatty liver of the two groups was significantly improved compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the improvement of fatty liver B-ultrasound grading in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(6)During the treatment,there were no adverse reactions such as impairment of liver and kidney function and abnormalities in routine blood,urine and stool test in the two groups.Conclusion Shuangye San exerts certain effect in the treatment of T2DM complicated with NAFLD of spleen deficiency and phlegm stasis type.It can alleviate the clinical symptoms of patients,correct the disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism,and improve liver function and fatty liver B-ultrasound grading.