A new framework for evaluating land suitability for Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) cultivation across China.

As a valuable Chinese medicinal herb and functional food, Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) berries have been consumed for more than 4500 years in China and have received extensive international attention. However, stakeholders have adopted traditional management strategies, and rational planning for national Goji cultivation is still lacking across China's pedoclimatic regions, greatly hindering efficient production and improving crop quality.

Serum expression of ESM-1 and Syndecan-1 and its relationship with disease severity in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Background: This study aim to investigate the role of endothelial damage in the pathogenesis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) by comparing serum levels of endothelial cell-specific molecule 1 (ESM-1) and Syndecan-1 in patients with varying degrees of MPP severity. Additionally, we aim to explore the relationship between the production of ESM-1 and Syndecan-1 and the severity of MPP, inflammation, as well as hypercoagulative state in children.

Methods: A prospective, observational study that included clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and serum ESM-1 and Syndecan-1 assays.

Characterization of Human Viral Diversity and Adenovirus Isolates in a Sewage Treatment Plant in Tianjin: Implications for Public Health and Advanced Monitoring.

This study focuses on the characterization of human viral diversity within a major Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in the central area of Tianjin, China, with a particular emphasis on adenoviruses due to their robust survivability and potential health implications. By employing metagenomic sequencing, targeted sequencing, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis, and cell culture methodologies, we identified a broad spectrum of human viruses, encompassing 25 viral families and 45 viral genera, including enteric, respiratory, and contact viruses. Our findings demonstrate that adenoviruses were stably present in sewage from January to May and retained their infectious activity.

Fecal microbiota transplantation from Helicobacter pylori carriers following bismuth quadruple therapy exacerbates alcohol-related liver disease in mice via LPS-induced activation of hepatic TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling.

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is common in patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ALD), and bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) is widely used for eradication. However, its impact on ALD remains unclear. This study aims to characterize BQT-induced gut microbiota alterations in asymptomatic H.

Accurate and Noninvasive Dysphagia Assessment via a Soft High-Density sEMG Electrode Array Conformal to the Submental and Infrahyoid Muscles.

Accurate, noninvasive dysphagia assessment is important for rehabilitation therapy but current clinical diagnostic methods are either invasive or subjective. Surface electromyography (sEMG) that monitors muscle activity during swallowing, offers a promising alternative. However, existing sEMG electrode arrays for dysphagia assessment remain challenging in combining the advantages of a large coverage area and strong compliance to the entire swallowing muscles.

Unveiling the Genomic Features and Biocontrol Potential of Against Root Rot Pathogens.

species are among the most significant pathogens causing root rot in . In this study, a strain of was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of and subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Plate confrontation experiments were conducted to investigate the antagonistic effects of against , , and , the primary species causing root rot.

Clinical features of intracardiac thrombotic complication in patients with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Background: Intracardiac thrombus (ICT) is the rarest yet most severe complication of severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (SMPP) in children. This study aims to elucidate the clinical characteristics of patients with SMPP-related ICT.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 68 children with SMPP (18 cases of ICT, 50 cases of non-ICT) who were admitted from January 2014 to January 2024.

Clinicopathological analysis of anti-VEGF drug-associated renal thrombotic microangiopathy: A case series and review of the literature.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (aVEGF-TMA) was recently discovered in patients with malignant tumors. Four aVEGF-TMA patients diagnosed by renal biopsy between 2018 and 2022 were identified, and all were females aged 30-62 years (mean age, 47 years). Two patients with malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumors who received sunitinib were analyzed.

Clinical characteristics of Chinese children with EV-D68-associated pneumonia: A single-center retrospective analysis.

Background: Human enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has been associated with an increase in mild-to-severe pediatric respiratory diseases in western countries. However, the prevalence and clinical characteristics of EV-D68-associated pneumonia in China remain understudied.

Methods: Between January 2022 and January 2024, 28 patients with EV-D68-associated pneumonia were enrolled.

NnSBE1 encodes a starch branching enzyme involved in starch biosynthesis in lotus seeds.

Lotus seed starch holds vast potential for utilization across various industries, with its content and structure directly influencing the commercial value of lotus seeds. However, there has been limited information available on the molecular mechanisms underlying lotus seed starch biosynthesis. In this study, three starch branching enzyme homologs were identified in the lotus genome, designated as NnSBE1 to NnSBE3, which possess conserved CBM_48 and α_Aamy domains.

Unveiling the molecular dynamics of low temperature preservation in postharvest lotus seeds: a transcriptomic perspective.

Background: Postharvest quality deterioration poses a significant challenge to the commercial value of fresh lotus seeds. Low temperature storage is widely employed as the primary method for preserving postharvest lotus seeds during storage and transportation.

Results: This approach effectively extends the storage life of lotus seeds, resulting in distinct physiological changes compared to room temperature storage, including a notable reduction in starch, protein, HO, and MDA content.

Nitrate recovery from groundwater and simultaneous upcycling into single-cell protein using a novel hybrid biological-inorganic system.

Nitrate pollution in groundwater is a serious problem worldwide, as its concentration in many areas exceeds the WHO-defined drinking water standard (50 mg/L). Hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria (HOB) are a group of microorganisms capable of producing single-cell protein (SCP) using hydrogen and oxygen. Furthermore, HOB can utilize various nitrogen sources, including nitrate.

NnSUS1 encodes a sucrose synthase involved in sugar accumulation in lotus seed cotyledons.

Fresh lotus seeds are gaining favor with consumers for their crunchy texture and natural sweetness. However, the intricacies of sugar accumulation in lotus seeds remain elusive, which greatly hinders the quality improvement of fresh lotus seeds. This study endeavors to elucidate this mechanism by identifying and characterizing the sucrose synthase (SUS) gene family in lotus.

The miR6445-NAC029 module regulates drought tolerance by regulating the expression of glutathione S-transferase U23 and reactive oxygen species scavenging in Populus.

MicroRNAs are essential in plant development and stress resistance, but their specific roles in drought stress require further investigation. Here, we have uncovered that a Populus-specific microRNAs (miRNA), miR6445, targeting NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC) family genes, is involved in regulating drought tolerance of poplar. The expression level of miR6445 was significantly upregulated under drought stress; concomitantly, seven targeted NAC genes showed significant downregulation.

Differential interactions between natural clay minerals and dissolved organic matter affect reactive oxygen species formation.

Naturally occurring reactive oxygen species (ROS) are widely involved in many environmental processes. Here we investigated the ROS generation associated with the interaction between complexed natural clay minerals (CMs) and dissolved organic matter (DOM). Our results showed that among the nine chemical-reduced CMs (CR-CMs), the light brown CR-CM (CR-CM 7) generated the highest ROS via oxygenation, relying on the reactive structural Fe(II) (Fe species that can transfer electrons to oxygen) instead of total structural Fe(II) as previously reported.

Applying the Adjusted Chinese Dietary Balance Index-16 to Assess the Dietary Quality of Chinese Postpartum Lactating Mothers.

A balanced diet is considered necessary in maternal recovery and neonatal development; however, the dietary quality of lactating mothers in China has not been systematically evaluated in different regions and stages of lactation. In addition, the release of the Chinese Dietary Guidelines in 2022 implies that the dietary index method needs to be adjusted accordingly. In this study, the adjusted Chinese Dietary Balance Index-16 (DBI-16) was used to assess the dietary quality of lactating women, referred to as the Dietary Balance Index for lactating women (DBI-L).

Promoter variations in DBR2-like affect artemisinin production in different chemotypes of .

is the only known plant source of the potent antimalarial artemisinin, which occurs as the low- and high-artemisinin producing (LAP and HAP) chemotypes. Nevertheless, the different mechanisms of artemisinin producing between these two chemotypes were still not fully understood. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of genome resequencing, metabolome, and transcriptome data to systematically compare the difference in the LAP chemotype JL and HAP chemotype HAN.

A genome-wide association study reveals that epistasis underlies the pathogenicity of .

spp. are important bacterial pathogens that cause soft rot symptoms in various crops. However, their mechanism of pathogenicity requires clarity to help control their infections.

Selective and nonselective removal of hydrophobic compounds by coupling engineered FeOCl in a cathode-anode synergistic electrochemical platform.

Efficient and selective removal of water pollutants remains a critical challenge. Here, we addressed this challenge by ingeniously engineering FeOCl via polyaniline intercalation and dodecyl group modification (FeOCl-P-S) to improve its activity and selectivity for the in situ removal of hydrophobic phenolic compounds. We further encapsulated the catalyst inside commercial cheap corundum balls and developed a "millimeter-scale reactor", which maintained a high efficiency of 86.

Investigation of the Role of a Zinc Uptake Regulator (Zur) in the Virulence of .

spp. infect many horticultural crops worldwide and lead to serious crop losses. Zinc-uptake-regulator (Zur) proteins are present widely in prokaryotes and play an important role in pathogenicity.

Risk factors of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.

Method: We retrospectively collected data from 363 hemodialysis patients who were on dialysis for at least 3 months at January 1, 2020. According to the echocardiogram results, these patients were divided into left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) group and non-LVDD group.

Multi-omics reveal key enzymes involved in the formation of phenylpropanoid glucosides in Artemisia annua.

Although mainly known for producing artemisinin, Artemisia annua is enriched in phenylpropanoid glucosides (PGs) with significant bioactivities. However, the biosynthesis of A. annua PGs is insufficiently investigated.

Dynamic coordination of two-phase reactions in heterogeneous Fenton for selective removal of water pollutants.

The •OH-mediated heterogeneous Fenton reaction has been widely applied despite the limitations of low pollutant selectivity and unclear oxidation mechanism. Here we reported an adsorption-assisted heterogeneous Fenton process for the selective degradation of pollutants and systematically illustrated its dynamic coordination in two phases. The results showed that the selective removal was improved by (i) surface enrichment of target pollutants via electrostatic interactions including real adsorption and adsorption-assisted degradation and (ii) inducing the diffusion of HO and pollutants from the bulk solution to the catalyst surface to trigger the homogeneous and surface heterogeneous Fenton reactions.