CT radiomic features reproducibility of virtual non-contrast series derived from photon-counting CCTA datasets using a novel calcium-preserving reconstruction algorithm compared with standard non-contrast series: focusing on epicardial adipose tissue.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of computed tomography (CT) radiomic features (RFs) about Epicardial Adipose Tissue (EAT). The features derived from coronary photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) angiography datasets using the PureCalcium (VNC) and conventional virtual non-contrast (VNC) algorithm were compared with true non-contrast (TNC) series.

Methods: RFs of EAT from 52 patients who underwent PCCT were quantified using VNC, VNC, and TNC series.

Using kin discrimination to construct synthetic microbial communities of Bacillus subtilis strains impacts the growth of black soldier fly larvae.

Using synthetic microbial communities to promote host growth is an effective approach. However, the construction of such communities lacks theoretical guidance. Kin discrimination is an effective means by which strains can recognize themselves from non-self, and construct competitive microbial communities to produce more secondary metabolites.

[Effects of water levels in heterogeneous habitats on sexual reproductive allocation of ].

Taking as the research object, a representative plant of wetland in Sanjiang Plain, we analyzed the variations of individual size and biomass among the habitats of swamp wetlands, swampy meadows, typical meadows and miscellaneous grass meadows, and the relationship between reproductive components and plant biomass. We explored the effects of water level on individual biomass and reproductive allocation of in different types of wetlands. The results showed that plant biomass, height and the characteristics of sexual reproduction significantly decreased with the increases of water level.

[Effects of sugarcane-soybean intercropping on cane yield, quality and economic benefit under low nitrogen condition].

To explore the effects of sugarcane-soybean intercropping on cane yield, quality and economic benefit, three sugarcane cultivars (B8, ROC22 and GT21) planted under sugarcane monoculture and sugarcane-soybean intercropping with low nitrogen fertilization (urea application of 150 kg · hm(-2)). The field design was a split-plot with the cropping pattern being the principal factor and the sugarcane cultivar being the secondary factor. The results showed that the millable stalks, stalk diameter, cane yield and sugar production were significantly affected by sugarcane-soybean intercropping while the cane quality wasn' t changed obviously.

The expression and crystallization of Cry65Aa require two C-termini, revealing a novel evolutionary strategy of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry proteins.

The insecticidal crystal protein (Cry) genes of Bacillus thuringiensis are a key gene resource for generating transgenic crops with pest resistance. However, many cry genes cannot be expressed or form crystals in mother cells. Here, we report a novel Cry protein gene, cry65Aa1, which exists in an operon that contains a downstream gene encoding a hypothetical protein ORF2.

Complete genome sequence of Bacillus thuringiensis serovar galleriae strain HD-29, a typical strain of commercial biopesticide.

Bacillus thuringiensis serovar galleriae is highly toxic to Lepidoptera insect pests, and has been widely used as Bt biopesticide in many countries. Here we reported the complete genome of strain HD-29, a standard serotype strain in galleriae serovariety. More than previous work reported, it harbors ten plasmids, and three large ones carry eight insecticidal protein genes (cry1Aa, cry1Ac, cry1Ca, cry1Da, cry1Ia, cry2Ab, cry9Ea and vip3Aa) and an intact zwittermicin A biosynthetic gene cluster.

ApnI, a transmembrane protein responsible for subtilomycin immunity, unveils a novel model for lantibiotic immunity.

Subtilomycin was detected from the plant endophytic strain Bacillus subtilis BSn5 and was first reported from B. subtilis strain MMA7. In this study, a gene cluster that has been proposed to be related to subtilomycin biosynthesis was isolated from the BSn5 genome and was experimentally validated by gene inactivation and heterologous expression.

Protein elicitor PemG1 from Magnaporthe grisea induces systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in plants.

Elicitors can stimulate defense responses in plants and have become a popular strategy in plant disease control. Previously, we isolated a novel protein elicitor, PemG1, from Magnaporthe grisea. In the present study, PemG1 protein expressed in and purified from Escherichia coli improved resistance of rice and Arabidopsis to bacterial infection, induced transient expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes, and increased accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in rice.

Validation of the intact zwittermicin A biosynthetic gene cluster and discovery of a complementary resistance mechanism in Bacillus thuringiensis.

Zwittermicin A (ZmA) is a hybrid polyketide-nonribosomal peptide produced by certain Bacillus cereus group strains. It displays broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Its biosynthetic pathway in B.

High-definition CT Gemstone spectral imaging of the brain: initial results of selecting optimal monochromatic image for beam-hardening artifacts and image noise reduction.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to select the optimal monochromatic level for gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) to minimize both the image noise and beam-hardening artifacts (BHAs) in nonenhanced cranial computed tomography (CT).

Materials And Methods: One hundred subjects scanned with GSI mode on Discovery CT750HD were enrolled. Six sets of CT images were obtained from a single GSI acquisition: conventional 140 kilovolt (peak) (kV[p]) polychromatic images and 5 sets of monochromatic images (80, 75, 70, 65, and 60 kiloelectron volts [keV]).

Genome-wide screening reveals the genetic determinants of an antibiotic insecticide in Bacillus thuringiensis.

Thuringiensin is a thermostable secondary metabolite in Bacillus thuringiensis and has insecticidal activity against a wide range of insects. Until now, the regulatory mechanisms and genetic determinants involved in thuringiensin production have remained unclear. Here, we successfully used heterologous expression-guided screening in an Escherichia coli-Bacillus thuringiensis shuttle bacterial artificial chromosome library, to clone the intact thuringiensin synthesis (thu) cluster.