The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the etiological spectrum of respiratory infections in children.

Objective: Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic, a series of preventive and control measures were adopted by the public, which have had a certain impact on the occurrence of respiratory infectious diseases and changes in their etiology. This article aims to explore the changes in respiratory pathogens among children with respiratory infections during the COVID-19 pandemic and after the comprehensive lifting of restrictions, providing a basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pediatric respiratory infections in the post-pandemic era.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the targeted sequencing results of multiple respiratory pathogens in children with respiratory infections treated at the Children's Hospital affiliated with Shandong University from January 2022 to December 2023.

Integrative single-cell multi-omics profiling of human pancreatic islets identifies T1D-associated genes and regulatory signals.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified over 100 signals associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, it has been challenging to translate any given T1D GWAS signal into mechanistic insights, such as causal variants, their target genes, and the specific cell types involved. Here, we present a comprehensive multi-omic integrative analysis of single-cell/nucleus resolution profiles of gene expression and chromatin accessibility in human pancreatic islets under baseline and T1D-stimulating conditions.

A Human Immuno-Lung Organoid Model to Study Macrophage-Mediated Lung Cell Senescence Upon SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

While COVID-19 affects multiple organ systems, the human respiratory system is the primary viral target and main site for disease progression. In this study, spatial transcriptional assays (NanoString CosMx) are utilized to analyze both explant and autopsy samples from non-COVID and COVID-19 lungs, identifying the activation of proinflammatory macrophages in COVID-19 explants. It is further developed immuno-lung organoids comprising hPSC-derived alveolar and airway organoids co-cultured with macrophages to investigate the impact and underlying mechanisms of macrophage-mediated lung damage following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance soil nutrient cycling by regulating soil bacterial community structures in mango orchards with different soil fertility rates.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) substantially enhance soil fertility and are widely recognized as one of the most extensively researched biological inoculants. However, the effects of AMF on soil nutrient availability in mango orchards, along with the physiological processes regulating this availability under varying soil fertility conditions, remain poorly understood. To address this research gap, experiments were conducted with two soil types (soil from mango orchards co-cultivated with butterfly pea plants for 5 years) and a control (no butterfly pea plants) and two mycorrhizal inoculations (+AMF and -AMF).

Reference equations for pulmonary function testing in healthy Chinese children aged 4-18 years.

Background: Accurate spirometry reference equations are essential for diagnosing and managing respiratory conditions in children. Although the GLI Global Equations have been proposed for general use, there were few Asian populations available for inclusion. This study aims to develop and validate spirometric reference equations for healthy Chinese children.

Organoids in Haematologic Research: Advances and Future Directions.

Organoid technology, as a revolutionary biomedical tool, has shown immense potential in haematological research in recent years. By using three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems constructed from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) or adult stem cells (ASCs), organoids can highly mimic the characteristics of in vivo organs, thereby offering significant potential for investigating human organ development, disease processes and treatment strategies. This review introduces the development of organoids and focuses on their progress in haematological research, including haematopoietic-related organoids, immune-related organoids and organoids used for studying blood system diseases.

Genomic Characterization of Plant Immune Receptor Genes Reveals the Role of Alfalfa in Salt Tolerance and Disease Resistance.

Plant immune receptor proteins, including pattern recognition receptors and nucleotide-binding domains and leucine-rich repeat sequence receptors (NLRs), are essential for various aspects of plant growth and development, including microbial sensing and immune responses. However, a comprehensive and systematic understanding of immune-related gene families in alfalfa plants is lacking. This study aimed to identify and characterize these genes in alfalfa to fill this knowledge gap.

A prospective clinical study of allergy progression in identical and fraternal twin pairs of children.

Background: Understanding the factors leading to the development of allergic disease is a critical area of research. We studied the development of allergic disease in identical and fraternal twins to identify potential differences in environment versus genetic factors.

Methods: Twins aged up to 4 years were selected for inclusion in this long-term follow-up study.

De novo-designed amphiphilic α-helical peptide Z2 exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and anti-inflammatory efficacy in acute Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show considerable promise in combating bacterial infections due to their broad-spectrum efficacy, unique mechanisms of action, and resistance capabilities. In this study, we de novo designed a series of α-helical AMPs (Z1-Z6) with enhanced antimicrobial activity, anti-biofilm, and anti-inflammatory effects. The design incorporated isoleucine with long alkyl side chains and carefully balanced the positive charge and hydrophobicity.

Organoid Models to Study Human Infectious Diseases.

Infectious diseases have become significant events that threaten global public health and economic development. Since the 20th century, multiple outbreaks of infectious diseases have gradually deepened humanity's understanding of viral infections, prevention and treatment. Organoids possess a high degree of similarity to human physiological states and have strong self-organising capabilities.

Effects of Drought Stress at the Booting Stage on Leaf Physiological Characteristics and Yield of Rice.

Drought stress is a major environmental constraint that limits rice ( L.) production worldwide. In this study, we investigated the effects of drought stress at the booting stage on rice leaf physiological characteristics and yield.

Phenotypic and genomic characterization of ST11-K1 CR-hvKP with highly homologous -bearing plasmids in China.

Unlabelled: Carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent (CR-hvKP) strains present a significant global public health threat due to their high mortality rates. This study investigated the genomic characteristics of seven ST11-K1 CR-hvKP isolates harboring highly homologous KPC-2-encoding multidrug-resistance plasmids. The strains were isolated from a Chinese tertiary hospital between 2017 and 2020.

Ambroxol hydrochloride spray (Luo Runchang®) in the treatment of acute respiratory infectious diseases: a prospective, multicenter, open label, randomized controlled study.

Purpose: Cough and sputum are the most common clinical symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection. Ambroxol is a mucolytic expectorant commonly used in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and compliance of ambroxol hydrochloride spray (Luo Runchang ®) for the treatment of acute respiratory tract diseases in children.

Reference values for exhaled nitric oxide in healthy children aged 6-18 years in China: a cross-sectional, multicenter clinical study.

Background: The reference values of eNO have certain differences among people of different countries and races. We aimed to obtain the reference value of eNO in healthy children and adolescents (6-18 years old) in China and to explore the associations between the reference values with ages, gender, heights, BMI, and regions.

Methods: We measured FeNO levels in 5949 healthy Chinese children and adolescents, FeNO and CaNO levels in 658 participants from 16 provinces of 7 administrative areas in China aged 6-18.

Human Vascularized Macrophage-Islet Organoids to Model Immune-Mediated Pancreatic β cell Pyroptosis upon Viral Infection.

There is a paucity of human models to study immune-mediated host damage. Here, we utilized the GeoMx spatial multi-omics platform to analyze immune cell changes in COVID-19 pancreatic autopsy samples, revealing an accumulation of proinflammatory macrophages. Single cell RNA-seq analysis of human islets exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or Coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) viruses identified activation of proinflammatory macrophages and β cell pyroptosis.

A novel antimicrobial peptide S24 combats serious wound infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii.

Objectives: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are ranked as top-priority organisms by WHO. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising antimicrobial agents that are highly effective against serious bacterial infections.

Methods: In our previous study, a series of α-helical AMPs were screened using a novel multiple-descriptor strategy.

Glycosyltransferase Slr1064 regulates carbon metabolism by modulating the levels of UDP-GlcNAc in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

Glycosyltransferases (GTs) are enzymes that transfer sugars to various targets. They play important roles in diverse biological processes, including photosynthesis, cell motility, exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, and lipid metabolism; however, their involvement in regulating carbon metabolism in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 has not been reported.

Effects of low-molecular-weight organic acids on the transformation and phosphate retention of iron (hydr)oxides.

The retention and mobilization of phosphate in soils are closely associated with the adsorption of iron (hydr)oxides and root exudation of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs). This study investigated the role of LMWOAs in phosphate mobilization under incubation and field conditions. LMWOAs-mediated iron (hydr)oxide transformation and phosphate adsorption experiments revealed that the presence of LMWOAs decreased the phosphate adsorption capacity of iron (hydr)oxides by up to ~74 % due to the competition effect, while LMWOAs-induced iron mineral transformation resulted in an approximately six-fold increase in phosphate retention by decreasing the crystallinity and increasing the surface reactivity.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of Pedicularis kansuensis illuminates genome evolution of facultative parasitic plant.

Parasitic plants have a heterotrophic lifestyle, in which they withdraw all or part of their nutrients from their host through the haustorium. Despite the release of many draft genomes of parasitic plants, the genome evolution related to the parasitism feature of facultative parasites remains largely unknown. In this study, we present a high-quality chromosomal-level genome assembly for the facultative parasite Pedicularis kansuensis (Orobanchaceae), which invades both legume and grass host species in degraded grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

MODMS: a multi-omics database for facilitating biological studies on alfalfa ( L.).

Alfalfa ( L.) is a globally important forage crop. It also serves as a vegetable and medicinal herb because of its excellent nutritional quality and significant economic value.

SARS-CoV-2 infection causes dopaminergic neuron senescence.

COVID-19 patients commonly present with signs of central nervous system and/or peripheral nervous system dysfunction. Here, we show that midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are selectively susceptible and permissive to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection of DA neurons triggers an inflammatory and cellular senescence response.