To investigate the effects of phosphorus fertilizer on the morphological traits, active ingredients and rhizosphere soil microbial community of Polygala tenuifolia. The phosphorus fertilizer was calculated in terms of P_2O_5. Five treatments were set up: 0(CK), 17(P1), 34(P2), 51(P3), and 68(P4) kg per Mu(1 Mu≈667 m~2). A randomized block design was adopted. Samples of P. tenuifolia and its rhizosphere soil were collected under different superphosphate fertilizer treatments. Illumina high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the rhizosphere soil microbial community, 9 morphological traits were measured and the content of 11 active ingredients were determined. The results showed that the whole plant weight, shoot fresh weight, root weight, and root peel thickness were the highest under P1 treatment, increasing by 34.41%, 38.80%, 39.21%, and 3.17% respectively compared to CK. Under P2 treatment, the plant height, stem diameter, root thickness, and core thickness were significantly higher than CK. Phosphorus fertilizer had a significant impact on the content of tenuifolin, sibiricose A5, sibiricose A6, arillanin A, 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose, and polygalaxanthone Ⅲ. Correlation analysis results showed that the relative abundance of Arthrobacter, Bacillus, norank＿f＿Vicinamibacteraceae, norank＿o＿Vicinamibacterales, MND1 and other bacteria, as well as the relative abundance of Neocosmospora, Paraphoma and other fungi were positively correlated with root diameter, wood core diameter, the whole plant weight, root weight, shoot fresh weight of P. tenuifolia. Bacillus, Neocosmospora, Subulicystidium were significantly positively correlated with oligosaccharides such as 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose, sibiricose A5、sibiricose A6、glomeratose A、arillanin A and tenuifoliside C. Arthrobacter, Humicola, Aspergillus, Paraphoma were positively correlated with tenuifolin and norank＿f＿Vicinamibacteraceae, norank＿o＿Vicinamibacterales, Fusarium were positively correlated with polygalaxanthone Ⅲ. Evidently, appropriate phosphorus application is conducive to the growth and quality improvement of P. tenuifolia, and can increase the abundance of beneficial microorganisms in the soil.
Rhizosphere ; Phosphorus/pharmacology* ; Soil Microbiology ; Polygala/anatomy & histology* ; Fertilizers/analysis* ; Bacteria/metabolism* ; Soil/chemistry* ; Microbiota/drug effects* ; Plant Roots/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: Patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection frequently develop central nervous system damage, yet the mechanisms driving this pathology remain unclear. This study investigated the primary pathways and key factors underlying brain tissue damage induced by the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant (lineage B.1.351). METHODS: K18-hACE2 and C57BL/6 mice were intranasally infected with the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant. Viral replication, pathological phenotypes, and brain transcriptomes were analyzed. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed to identify altered pathways. Expression changes of host genes were verified using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: Pathological alterations were observed in the lungs of both mouse strains. However, only K18-hACE2 mice exhibited elevated viral RNA loads and infectious titers in the brain at 3 days post-infection, accompanied by neuropathological injury and weight loss. GO analysis of infected K18-hACE2 brain tissue revealed significant dysregulation of genes associated with innate immunity and antiviral defense responses, including type I interferons, pro-inflammatory cytokines, Toll-like receptor signaling components, and interferon-stimulated genes. Neuroinflammation was evident, alongside activation of apoptotic and pyroptotic pathways. Furthermore, altered neural cell marker expression suggested viral-induced neuroglial activation, resulting in caspase 4 and lipocalin 2 release and disruption of neuronal molecular networks. CONCLUSION These findings elucidate mechanisms of neuropathogenicity associated with the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant and highlight therapeutic targets to mitigate COVID-19-related neurological dysfunction.
Animals ; COVID-19/genetics* ; Mice ; Brain/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; SARS-CoV-2/physiology* ; Pyroptosis ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Male ; Female

OBJECTIVE: CRISPR-Cas protects bacteria from exogenous DNA invasion and is associated with bacterial biofilm formation and pathogenicity. METHODS: We analyzed the type I-F CRISPR-Cas system of Legionella pneumophila WX48, including Cas1, Cas2-Cas3, Csy1, Csy2, Csy3, and Cas6f, along with downstream CRISPR arrays. We explored the effects of the CRISPR-Cas system on the in vitro growth, biofilm-forming ability, and pathogenicity of L. pneumophila through constructing gene deletion mutants. RESULTS: The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system did not affect the in vitro growth of wild-type or mutant strains. The biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation of the mutant strains were weaker than those of the wild type owing to the regulation of type IV pili and Dot/Icm type IV secretion systems. In particular, Cas6f deletion strongly inhibited these processes. CONCLUSION The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system may reduce biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation in L. pneumophila.
Legionella pneumophila/pathogenicity* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Biofilms/growth & development* ; Phenotype ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Deletion

Objective To analyze the molecular markers of various nuclei in the human basal ganglia and the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)among different nuclei,gender,and Parkinson's disease(PD),followed by the biological function annotations of the DEGs.Methods Forty-five specimens of basal ganglia from 10 human postmortem brains were divided into control and PD groups,and the control group was further categorized into female and male groups.RNA from each sample was extracted for high-throughput transcriptome sequencing.Bioinformatic analysis was conducted to identify molecular markers of each nuclei in the control group,nuclei-specific,gender-specific,and PD-specific DEGs,followed by gene enrichment analysis and functional annotation.Results Sequencing analysis revealed top DEGs such as DRD1,FOXG1,and FAM183A in the caudate;SLC6A3,EN1,SLC18A2,and TH in the substantia nigra;MEPE and FGF10 in the globus pallidus;and SLC17A6,PMCH,and SHOX2 in the subthalamic nucleus.In them,putamen showed some overlapping DEGs with caudate,such as DRD1 and FOXG1.A significant number of DEGs were identified among different nuclei in the control group,with the highest number between caudate and globus pallidus(9321),followed by putamen and globus pallidus(6341),caudate and substantia nigra(6054),and substantia nigra and subthalamic nucleus(44).Gene enrichment analysis showed that downregulated DEGs between caudate and globus pallidus were significantly enriched in processes like myelination of neurons and cell migration.Upregulated DEGs between putamen and globus pallidus were enriched processes like chemical synaptic transmission and regulation of membrane potential,while downregulated DEGs were enriched in myelination and cell adhesion.Upregulated DEGs between caudate and substantia nigra were enriched in processes like chemical synaptic transmission and axonal conduction,while downregulated DEGs were enriched in myelination of neurons.Totally 468,548,1402,333,and 341 gender-specific upregulated DEGs and 756,988,2532,444,and 1372 downregulated DEGs were identified in caudate,putamen,substantia nigra,globus pallidus,and subthalamus nucleus.Gene enrichment analysis revealed upregulated DEGs mostly enriched in pathways related to immune response and downregulated DEGs in chemical synaptic transmission.At last,709,852,276,507,and 416 PD-specific upregulated DEGs and 830,2014,1218,836,and 1730 downregulated DEGs were identified in caudate,putamen,substantia nigra,globus pallidus,and subthalamus nucleus.Gene enrichment analysis revealed upregulated DEGs mostly enriched in apoptotic regulation and downregulated DEGs in chemical synaptic transmission and action potential regulation.Conclusion We identified and analysed the molecular markers of different human basal ganglia nuclei,as well as DEGs among different nuclei,different gender,and between control and PD.

Objective To construct a three-dimensional statistical shape model of the pelvis and analyze the individual variation and gender differences of the three-dimensional shape of the pelvis.Methods We collected CT data from 201 Chinese individuals and used deep learning to automatically reconstruct three-dimensional models of the pelvis.Through three-dimensional model registration,dense correspondence mesh mapping,and the use of statistical shape modelling(SSM)and principal component(PC)analysis method,we extracted models of variations(MoV)of pelvic shape changes and statistically compared the shape MoV between males and females.Results We analysed the top 10 principal components of shape variations,which accounted for 86.1％of the total variability.Among them,PC01,PC02,and PC04 showed significant differences between genders(P＜0.001),accounting for a total variability of 60.1％.PC08 and PC 10 demonstrated pelvic asymmetry,accounting for a total variability of 3.8％.Conclusion We constructed a three-dimensional statistical shape model of the pelvis in Chinese individuals,revealing the morphological variation and sex differences of Chinese pelvis.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks,and to provide a basis for early identification of BPD in twin preterm infants in clinical practice.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks who were admitted to 22 hospitals nationwide from January 2018 to December 2020.According to their conditions,they were divided into group A(both twins had BPD),group B(only one twin had BPD),and group C(neither twin had BPD).The risk factors for BPD in twin preterm infants were analyzed.Further analysis was conducted on group B to investigate the postnatal risk factors for BPD within twins.Results A total of 904 pairs of twins with a gestational age of<34 weeks were included in this study.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with group C,birth weight discordance of>25%between the twins was an independent risk factor for BPD in one of the twins(OR=3.370,95%CI:1.500-7.568,P<0.05),and high gestational age at birth was a protective factor against BPD(P<0.05).The conditional logistic regression analysis of group B showed that small-for-gestational-age(SGA)birth was an independent risk factor for BPD in individual twins(OR=5.017,95%CI:1.040-24.190,P<0.05).Conclusions The development of BPD in twin preterm infants is associated with gestational age,birth weight discordance between the twins,and SGA birth.

Objective: To explore the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness, willingness, uptake patterns, barriers and needs among Chinese student men who have sex with men (MSM), so as to provide relevant evidence for targeted interventions with PrEP. Methods: A proportional sampling method was used to conduct a cross sectional survey of MSM aged 16 years and older residing in 21 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in mainland China between October 20 and December 20, 2021, to collect information on demographic and sexual behavioral characteristics, and 923 students of them were selected as the subjects of this study. The chi-square test and Fisher s test were used for univariate analysis, followed by multivariate Logistic regression to analyze the influencing factors of PrEP awareness and uptake. Results: According to the cascade analysis method, the awareness, willingness, uptake and adherence rates of PrEP among the student MSM were obtained as 88.95%, 67.36%, 13.20% and 45.21 %, respectively. HIV testing more than once in the last 3 months, and all of them were aware of the HIV test results of their sexual partners, and those with high frequency of condom use had a higher rate of awareness ( OR =2.32, 1.79, 1.69, P <0.05). Willingness rates were higher for those from the pilot city, using substances, and HIV testing more than once in the last 3 months ( OR =2.13, 1.65, 1.69, P <0.05). Higher rates of uptake were found among those from high risk and pilot areas, presence of commercial sex, substance use, and high literacy ( OR =5.60, 3.54,2.81, 1.92, 4.54, P <0.05). Adherence rates were higher among those who used one pill per day or both ( OR =12.77, 13.26, P <0.05). The barriers and needs faced by student MSM were primarily personal concerns about medication side effects, preventative effects, and confidence in sexual behavioral styles, and the high cost of medication and related service costs. Conclusions The student MSM population in China is characterized by high awareness, low willingness, low uptake, and low adherence to PrEP. Targeted interventions should be considered and tailored by the departments to facilitate PrEP promotion among student MSM.

Tumor metastasis is closely related to high mortality rate of cancer.It is well known that glutamine plays an important role in the malignant progression of cancer.Notably,as an important carbon and nitrogen donor,glutamine has been found to be closely related to tumor metastasis in recent years.Glutamine is not only involved in regulating the proliferation of tumor cells,but is also closely related to the migration and invasion of tumor cells.Furthermore,various enzymes along with transporters in the metabolism of glutamine are involved in the process of tumor metastasis through different signaling pathways.This review provided a summary of the role of glutamine in tumor metastasis in recent years and proposed therapeutic targets to provide new strategies for the clinical treatment of tumor metastases.

Objective To predict and verify the mechanism of Naoan capsules(NAC)in treatment of ischemic stroke(IS)by network pharmacology,Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database,and molecular docking technology.Methods The active components in NAC were collected using the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacological Analysis Platform,and the disease-related differential genes were screened using GEO database.After screening and obtaining the common targets of the two,the compound disease network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.8.2 software.At the same time,protein-protein interaction networks were created to identify candidate targets for NAC treatment of IS,and gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses were performed.Finally,core targets were verified by molecular docking technology.Results A total of 56 candidate compounds and 18 544 disease-related differential genes were screened.Further,quercetin,kaempferol,luteolin and baicalein were found to be the key active compounds of NAC in the treatment of IS through the compound disease network.In the search of PPI network core,eight key targets for NAC treatment of IS were screened,including mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1),B-cell lymphoma factor 2(Bcl-2),cysteinylaspartate specific protease 3(CASP3),etc.In addition,the key pathways of NAC treatment of IS are mainly concentrated in lipid and atherosclerosis,advanced glycation end products and receptor for advanced glycation end products(AGE-RAGE),tumor necrosis factor(TNF),interleukin17(IL-17),C-type lectin receptor,apoptosis,hypoxia-inducing factor-1(HIF-1),MAPK and other signaling pathways.Finally,the molecular docking results showed that the key active compounds(quercetin,kaempferol,luteolin and baicalein)had good binding force with the 8 key targets,which initially verified the results of network pharmacology.Conclusion NAC plays a role in the treatment of IS through multi-component,multi-target and multi-pathway.

Objective:To investigate the current status of the use and management of medical devices in various primary medical and health institutions under hierarchical medical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A stratified random cluster sampling method was used to select 450 medical personnel from 50 township and urban primary medical and health institutions of Shijiazhuang from May to August 2023 and a questionnaire network survey on the use and management of medical devices was conducted,which covered 16 items across three dimensions including the use of commonly used medical devices in primary medical institutions,maintenance and quality control management.Results:A total of 450 questionnaires were distributed and 450 valid questionnaires were collected,including 239 from township primary level medical institutions and 211 from urban primary level ones.According to the results of 211 urban primary level questionnaires,the proportions of the training and examination carried out by the medical staff of urban grass-roots medical and health institutions prior to the use of medical devices,understanding parameters of medical devices and timely detection of malfunction of medical devices were 62.6%(132/211),77.7%(164/211)and 70.1%(148/211),respectively,which were higher than those at the township primary level,the difference was statistically significant(x2=17.750,29.649,22.384,P<0.05).The proportions of urban primary medical and health institutions with maintenance system,inspection and maintenance standards,regular calibration provisions,and equipment calibration standards were 64.0%(135/211),53.6%(112/211),55.9%(118/211)and 55.0%(116/211),respectively,which were higher than those of the township primary level,the difference was statistically significant(x2=5.834,34.728,6.004,25.540,P<0.05).The difference was not statistically significant between urban primary level and township primary level in each item of quality control management(P>0.05).Conclusion:Primary medical and health institutions were required to strengthen training and assessment before medical and health personnel use medical devices;improve related system and standards for medical device maintenance;formulate quality control management system for commonly used medical devices;strengthen analysis and discussion processes after quality control,and promote continuous improvement of medical device quality management.