Functional differentiation of industrial hemp rhizosphere microbiome along environmental gradients.

The southwestern, central, and northeastern regions of China are the primary cultivation areas for industrial hemp. Microorganisms within the soil-root continuum play a crucial role in plant health. However, the mechanisms by which these microbial communities respond to environmental gradients remain unclear.

Genomic Evidence for a-α Heterothallic and α-α Unisexual Mating and Recombination in an Environmental Population.

Unlabelled: is a human fungal pathogen capable of both -α and α-α mating and sexual reproduction in laboratory settings. However, the extent of -α and α-α sexual reproductions in natural populations remain unexplored. Here we analyzed the whole-genome sequences of 24 environmental strains of from western Saudi Arabia, including one and 23 α isolates, with 15 α isolates belonging to multi-locus sequence type ST160 as defined by their combined DNA sequences at seven loci.

Genotypic and Phenotypic Investigation of Clinical Aspergillus isolates from Iran Indicates Nosocomial Transmission Events of Aspergillus flavus.

Aspergillosis is one of the most common human fungal infections. The invasive form of this infectious disease has high mortality rates. Moreover, antifungal resistance has been increasing, thereby limiting treatment options.

Genome-wide identification and expression profiles of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes in Lentinula edodes.

The superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes are a group of key enzymes involved in oxidative stress defense and play a significant role in organismal growth and development. The SOD gene family has been identified in many plants, animals, and some fungi but not in the economically important edible mushroom Lentinula edodes. In this study, members of the SOD gene family of L.

Co-Infection of Pulmonary Aspergillosis and Cryptococcal Meningitis in an HIV-Positive Patient: A Case Report.

Opportunistic fungal infections (OFIs) are common among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -positive patients, especially in those with delayed diagnosis and treatment. Patients with severe HIV/AIDS with clusters of differentiation 4 (CD4) counts less than 100 are significantly prone to develop multiple OFIs. In the current study, we present a case of co-infection of pulmonary aspergillosis and cryptococcal meningitis in a late-diagnosed HIV patient with a low CD4 count.

Contact Angle Mapping Using Microdroplets.

Most surfaces of practical interest are heterogeneous, with natural surfaces often exhibiting microscale variations in wetting characteristics. These variations make it challenging to accurately characterize surface properties and interactions with fluids using conventional bulk contact angle measurements. Existing methods for directly measuring microcontact angles are limited by inadequate spatial resolution or reliance on indirect, force-based approaches.

Depletion or activation? Challenging linear models of ego depletion.

This study investigates the interplay between depletion and activation effects in ego-depletion research, addressing ongoing controversies regarding ego depletion. A total of 244 participants were randomly assigned to depletion, control, or practice groups. Classical ANOVA and Bayesian hypothesis testing were used to compare post-manipulation performance.

PEO-SA-NaTFSI-Based Binder with Enhanced Adhesion, Fast Ion Transport, and Robust Solid-Electrolyte Interphase for Sn Anodes Enabling High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are promising for large-scale energy storage due to their high cost-effectiveness and safety. Alloy anodes exhibit significantly higher specific capacities compared to those of carbonaceous anode materials, holding great promise for enhancing the energy density of SIBs. However, their practical application is severely hindered by substantial volume expansion, sluggish reaction kinetics, and continuous fracture reformation of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI).

Fatal cryptococcal meningitis in an immunocompetent patient.

Introduction: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) typically affects immunocompromised individuals and are commonly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans.

Case Report: We present CM case involving an immunocompetent male due to Cryptococcus gattii molecular type VGI.

Results: This case illustrates the diagnostic and management challenges associated with CM and emphasizes the need for continued vigilance in monitoring and understanding the epidemiology of cryptococcal infections in diverse patient populations.

Correlation of fibrinogen levels with acute myocardial infarction risk in the Chinese Han population.

To evaluate the correlation between plasma fibrinogen levels and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the Chinese Han population. A total of 1522 patients with incident AMI and 6125 controls were recruited between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013. The relationship between fibrinogen levels and incident AMI was evaluated using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression, and the possible interaction effects between fibrinogen and other risk factors on incident AMI were investigated.

Calcium carbonate amorphous-to-crystalline transition drives complex precipitation patterns in confined fluids.

Calcium carbonate undergoes an amorphous-to-crystalline transition during its precipitation, where the morphology of precipitates changes from amorphous aggregates to individual crystal particles. This transition has been extensively investigated in biomineralization and material synthesis while its relevance to fluid dynamics is less explored. Here we demonstrate through microfluidic experiments that this transition drives complex flow behaviors and precipitation patterns during mixing-induced precipitation in confined fluids.

Inbreeding and Genetic Differentiation Among Geographic Populations of in Southwest China.

is an economically important wild edible fungus in sub-tropical and temperate Asia. At present, little is known about its genetic diversity, mode of reproduction, and population structure in natural environments. In this study, we collected 102 specimens from eight geographic locations across three provinces in southwest China.

Directed Evolution of Transcriptional Factor BreR for Improved Substrate Specificity Toward Deoxycholic Acid and Ursodeoxycholic Acid.

Bile acids are endogenous organic acids in mammals that are crucial for digestion and human health. Diverse bile acids serve distinct roles in physiological processes. Deoxycholic acid (DCA) is acknowledged as a biomarker linked to liver and gallbladder disorders, while ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) serves as a therapeutic agent for gallstones and various biliary conditions.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis often misdiagnosed as lung cancer: A case report.

Rationale: The incidence of epidemiological pulmonary aspergillosis (PA) is increasing worldwide. Diagnosis of PA is challenging because of the nonspecificity of its clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics. PA has a high mortality rate, making early diagnosis and treatment critical.

Enhancing the Performance of Broadband SbSe/GaO Self-Powered Photodetectors via Modulation of GaO Surface States and Their Application in All-Day Corona Detection.

The technology for photodetection and localization of corona discharge typically necessitates the integration of various photodetectors (PDs) with different photoresponse bands and relies on external power supplies. A self-powered PD was fabricated utilizing the SbSe/GaO heterojunction, exhibiting a broadband photoresponse from solar-blind ultraviolet (SBUV) to visible (Vis) and near-infrared (NIR) bands. The surface states of GaO nanorod array (NR) films were modulated by treatment with hydrogen peroxide (HO) solution for different periods of time to suppress the interface recombination of photogenerated carriers in type-I heterojunctions.

Distribution patterns and assembly mechanisms of microbial communities in the riverine waters of southeastern Tibet.

A comprehensive understanding of microbial community structure and assembly mechanisms in plateau rivers is crucial for the conservation and management of these ecosystems and their downstream environments. However, current knowledge of microbial communities in high-altitude rivers remains limited. In this study, we systematically investigated the distribution patterns, co-occurrence networks, and community assembly processes of fungal and bacterial communities across river systems in southeastern Tibet.

Diagnose underlying diseases in patients with high probability of pulmonary hypertension by combined echocardiography.

Background: In the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is only used for risk assessment, cardiac function evaluation and prognosis judgment of pulmonary hypertension, and rarely mentioned for the diagnosis of underlying diseases. To investigate the effect of combined echocardiography on the diagnosis of underlying diseases in patients with high probability of PH.

Methods: 64 patients with high probability of PH assessed by TTE without definite diagnosis of underlying diseases were enrolled.

Case Report: A Case of Visceral Leishmaniasis Misdiagnosed as Brucellosis.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus and transmitted through the bites of infected female sandflies. Due to its nonspecific clinical presentation, VL is prone to misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. Though rare, VL is endemic in regions of Africa, South America, Asia, and parts of Europe, including the Mediterranean.

Application potential of submicron-sized bamboo cellulose as natural Pickering emulsion stabilizers: Structural properties and stabilization mechanisms.

Bamboo powder (BP) is rich in natural cellulose, potentially serving as Pickering stabilizer. In this study, high-performance bamboo cellulose (MBCs) was developed via alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) pretreatment and wet ball milling at different milling times (0-12 h) to stabilize Pickering emulsions. Prolonged milling (12 h) reduced particle size from 5115 to 845 nm (MBC-12) and enhanced ζ-potential from -18.

Leukemia cells remodel bone marrow stromal cells to generate a protumoral microenvironment via the S100A8-NOX2-ROS signaling pathway.

The bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML cells can modify the BMM to establish a more favorable environment for their survival. However, the mechanism about the complex regulatory interplay between the BMM and AML cells remains unclear.

The association of immune-inflammation indices at multiple time points with treatment response and survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Background: Immune and inflammation participate in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and some immune-inflammation indexes may serve as prognostic biomarkers in NSCLC patients. This study aimed to investigate the association between immune-inflammation indices at multiple time points and prognosis in advanced NSCLC patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Methods: This retrospective study included 102 advanced NSCLC patients treated with ICIs and collected their blood indices within 7 days before treatment (T1), before the 3rd treatment cycle (T2), and before the 5th treatment cycle (T3) to calculate neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), pan-immune-inflammatory value (PIV), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and lung immune prognostic index (LIPI).

Prognostic value of glycemic gap in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction-associated acute kidney injury.

Background: Stress-induced hyperglycemia (SIH) is a common phenomenon in acute myocardial infarction and is associated with poor prognosis. The relationship between glycemic gap (GG), a marker of SIH, and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)-associated acute kidney injury (STAAKI) remains unclear. This study aims to explore the predictive value of GG for the risk of STAAKI after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in STEMI patients.

Circulating Tumor DNA Dynamic Changes in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Receiving Immunochemotherapy.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment strategy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The value of ctDNA dynamic changes in ESCC patients treated with immunochemotherapy was not clear.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed to analyze the association of ctDNA dynamic changes with the treatment efficacy of immunochemotherapy in patients with locally advanced, metastatic, or recurrent ESCC and who received immunochemotherapy at the Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center from June 2023 to December 2024.

DNA metabarcode analyses reveal similarities and differences in plant microbiomes of industrial hemp and medicinal in China.

Endophytic bacteria within plant tissues play crucial roles in plant health, stress tolerance, and contribute to the metabolite diversity of host plants. L. is an economically significant plant, with industrial hemp (IH) and medicinal (MC) being the two main cultivars.

Development of a deep neural network model for ultra-early neurological deterioration in ischemic stroke and analysis of associated risk factors.

Background: In this study, we established a deep neural network (DNN)-based predictive model, aiming to provide a basis for improving the treatment prognosis of early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with ultra-early ischemic stroke after intravenous thrombolysis with Alteplase.

Methods: A total of 1747 patients with ultra-early ischemic stroke who received intravenous thrombolysis with Alteplase were retrospectively included into the Yidu cloud database. These patients were assigned into the END group (234 cases) and the (No-END) group (1513 cases) based on whether END occurred within 48 h of admission.