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Carbohydrate utilization is critical to microbial survival. The phosphotransferase system (PTS) is a well-documented microbial system with a prominent role in carbohydrate metabolism, which can transport carbohydrates through forming a phosphorylation cascade and regulate metabolism by protein phosphorylation or interactions in model strains. However, those PTS-mediated regulated mechanisms have been underexplored in non-model prokaryotes. Here, we performed massive genome mining for PTS components in nearly 15,000 prokaryotic genomes from 4,293 species and revealed a high prevalence of incomplete PTSs in prokaryotes with no association to microbial phylogeny. Among these incomplete PTS carriers, a group of lignocellulose degrading clostridia was identified to have lost PTS sugar transporters and carry a substitution of the conserved histidine residue in the core PTS component, HPr (histidine-phosphorylatable phosphocarrier). Ruminiclostridium cellulolyticum was then selected as a representative to interrogate the function of incomplete PTS components in carbohydrate metabolism. Inactivation of the HPr homolog reduced rather than increased carbohydrate utilization as previously indicated. In addition to regulating distinct transcriptional profiles, PTS associated CcpA (Catabolite Control Protein A) homologs diverged from previously described CcpA with varied metabolic relevance and distinct DNA binding motifs. Furthermore, the DNA binding of CcpA homologs is independent of HPr homolog, which is determined by structural changes at the interface of CcpA homologs, rather than in HPr homolog. These data concordantly support functional and structural diversification of PTS components in metabolic regulation and bring novel understanding of regulatory mechanisms of incomplete PTSs in cellulose-degrading clostridia.

Background The pain induced by degenerative knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is common in postmenopausal women, but there is a lack of clinical evidence on whether it has an association with decreased sex hormone levels and inflammatory cytokines in the synovial fluid. Objective To assess the associations of degenerative KOA pain with sex hormones in the serum 〔estradiol (E2) , testosterone (T) , prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH) , follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone (P) 〕, and inflammatory cytokines in synovial fluids 〔interleukin-1 (IL-1) , IL-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) 〕 in postmenopausal women, providing a novel basis for estrogen hormone treatment of pain induced by degenerative KOA. Methods Ninety postmenopausal women with pain induced by degenerative KOA were recruited from the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from June 2019 to June 2021, including 30 with mild pain (VAS score ≤ 3) , 30 with moderate pain (VAS score higher than 4 but lower than 7) , and 30 with severe pain (VAS score higher than 7 but lower than 10) . They were compared to 30 postmenopausal women with knee effusion (controls) undergoing physical examination in the hospital during the same period. The levels of serum sex hormones and inflammatory cytokines in synovial fluids were measured in all cases. All subjects were tested for sex hormones in the serum and inflammatory cytokines in synovial fluids. Results The BMI differed across mild, moderate, and severe pain subgroups and the controls (P0.05) . The levels of IL-1, IL-6, and IL-10 as well as TNF-α varied across mild, moderate, and severe pain subgroups and the controls (P0.05) . Conclusion In postmenopausal women, VAS score for degenerative knee pain was negatively correlated with E2 and T levels. There was no significant difference in prolactin, LH, FSH and P levels among degenerative KOA patients with different pain levels. The IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in synovial fluids were positively correlated with the VAS score of degenerative knee pain. So reducing the levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α could improve the tolerance of knee pain, which may be a reference for clinical treatment of degenerative knee pain.

The cotton industry in Xinjiang, China, is limited by irrigation. In cotton production, 1,1-dimethyl-piperidinium chloride (DPC) is used as a growth regulator to improve plant shape, resistance, yield, and quality. However, few studies have investigated the mechanisms by which DPC affects the growth and yield of cotton when combined with different irrigation water volumes. In this study, a split-zone design was used to conduct field experiments over two years using Zhongmiansuo 92 and Zhongmiansuo 087. Three irrigation volumes (3750, 4500, and 5250 m3 hm−2; W1, W2, and W3, respectively) and four DPC applications (0, 120, 240, and 480 g hm−2) were evaluated. The SPAD (Soil and Plant Analyzer Development) values, photosynthesis, dry matter accumulation and partitioning, agronomic traits, yield, and water use efficiency of cotton leaves were assessed. W2 increased the chlorophyll content and stomatal opening of leaves, improved photosynthetic rates, promoted the accumulation of aboveground dry matter, and increased plant height, main stem node number, and fruit branch platform. The best yields were obtained using W1 and W2 with 120 g hm−2 DPC and W3 with 240 g hm−2 DPC. These results can be applied practically to improve cotton production in Xinjiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) has been increasingly accepted as a potential therapy in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), However, there remains a dearth of data on the effectiveness of PRP prepared by automatic blood cell separator with a combination of topical minoxidil for the treatment of AGA. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PRP prepared by automatic blood cell separator combined with topical 5% minoxidil therapy in male AGA. Methods: Thirty male patients with mild/moderate AGA were enrolled in a randomized double‐blind controlled study. Patients were randomly divided into two treatment arms: (group A) PRP prepared by automatic blood cell separator combined with topical 5% minoxidil group; (group B) PRP prepared by automatic blood cell separator combined with a topical placebo group. Trichoscopic assessments regarding hair density/quantity and mean hair diameter were performed at baseline and follow‐up. Clinical efficacy of global photography and patient satisfaction were conducted to verify the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment, and the occurrence of adverse reactions was recorded. Results: We detected a significant increase in all patients in hair density and quantity after PRP treatment (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in mean hair diameter. Although hair density/quantity was more pronounced in group A than in group B, the difference between groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In terms of clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction, group A was superior to group B, and no serious adverse reactions occurred. Conclusion: We hereby conclude that the injections of PRP prepared by an automated method are effective and safe in the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate male AGA patients, and its combination with topical 5% minoxidil therapy was superior to PRP monotherapy with better clinical efficacy and higher patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold stress is a major environmental factor affecting plant growth and development. Although some plants have developed resistance to cold stress, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are poorly understood. Using genome-wide association mapping with 200 cotton accessions collected from different regions, we identified variations in the short chain alcohol dehydrogenase gene, GhSAD1 , that responds to cold stress. Virus-induced gene silencing and overexpression in Arabidopsis revealed that GhSAD1 fulfils important roles in cold stress responses. Ectopic expression of a haploid genotype of GhSAD1 (GhSAD1 HapB ) in Arabidopsis increased cold tolerance. Silencing of GhSAD1 HapB resulted in a decrease in abscisic acid (ABA) content. Conversely, overexpression of GhSAD1 HapB increased ABA content. GhSAD1 HapB regulates cold stress responses in cotton through modulation of C-repeat binding factor activity, which regulates ABA signalling. GhSAD1 HapB induces the expression of COLD - REGULATED (COR) genes and increases the amount of metabolites associated with cold stress tolerance. Overexpression of GhSAD1 HapB partially complements the phenotype of the Arabidopsis ABA2 mutant, aba2-1. Collectively, these findings increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying GhSAD1 -mediated cold stress responses in cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roots play an important role in the response to nitrogen stress in cotton. To better understand the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying the adaptation of cotton roots to nitrogen stress, the responses of genes in roots to nitrogen changes were analysed by RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq), and morphological and physiological indicators were measured for verification. This study revealed that lack of nitrogen stress (LN, 0 mm) and excess nitrogen stress (HN, 8 mm) inhibited root growth. Moderate nitrogen (MN, 4 mm) resulted in the largest values for root length, projected area and volume. Nitrogen stress regulated root growth via two mechanisms. Nitrogen stress decreased root growth by regulating cell wall growth via alterations in the cell wall composition and the expression of cell wall‐related genes. Under LN and HN, the contents of cellular polysaccharide and glucan reached their lowest levels, whereas the contents of lignin and cellulose reached their highest levels. Lower expression of EXPA17, EXLB1 and PME3 as well as higher expression of EXLA1, WAT1, CESA1, CESA3, CAD6, COMT1, SAMS, LAC4 and NAC081 were obtained under nitrogen stress compared to MN, indicating that nitrogen stress increases lignin and cellulose synthesis and promotes root ageing. Nitrogen stress also decreased root growth by affecting the contents and regulation of salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA) and abscisic acid (ABA). Nitrogen significantly upregulated the expression of PAD4, ALD1, WRKY70, WAKL10, MYB44, FER, LHY and BHLH112 as well as significantly downregulated that of TGA6, BT1, BT2 and PYL4. The changes in the expression of these genes under nitrogen stress resulted in significant increases in the SA, JA and ABA contents in roots. Our results suggested that nitrogen stress inhibits the growth of the cotton root system by affecting cell wall growth and hormone regulation. These results contribute to our understanding of how nitrogen regulates cotton root growth at the genetic and physiological levels, and they provide a theoretical basis for the efficient utilization of nitrogen resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton yield is affected by drought stress. We performed widely targeted metabolomics to explore metabolic changes under drought stress in the roots and leaves of two cotton varieties differing in drought tolerance—XLZ8 as sensitive and G95079 as tolerant variety. A total of 537 metabolites were detected at different stages of drought stress. Abscisic acid (ABA) was significantly enriched in all stages of drought stress in both roots and leaves of XLZ8. Amino acids showed enrichment in leaves of G95079 in the early stage of drought stress. Flavonoids were significantly enriched in the leaves of the two varieties in the late stage of drought stress. In roots, nucleotides and their derivatives were highly enriched in XLZ8 in the late stage of drought stress. The biosynthetic pathways of kynurenine and polyamine and glycerophospholipid metabolism may play an important role in cotton drought tolerance by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reconstructing cell membranes. Spraying appropriate concentrations of proline, kynurenine, S‐adenosylmethionine, glucose and 1‐oleoyl‐2‐hydroxy‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (lyso PC18:1) significantly increased the survival rate of cotton seedlings under drought stress. We speculated that ABA‐dependent and ABA‐independent metabolic changes may lead to differences in drought tolerance among cotton varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to explore the effects of nitrogen on cotton root morphology and related hormone contents and to analyse the correlation between the indexes. The effects of different nitrogen concentrations (N0, N1, N2, and N3 with 0, 2, 4, and 8 mmol l−1, respectively) on main and lateral roots were evaluated. A moderate nitrogen concentration (N2, 4 mmol l−1) promotes root growth. Lateral roots responded quickly to changes in nitrogen concentrations. Compared with N0 treatment, N2 treatment resulted in significantly greater main root volume after 12 days as well as increased lateral root length, root projected area, root surface area, and root volume after 8 days. Nitrogen significantly decreased abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), and isopentenyladenine (iP) content, which were the lowest in N2 treatment (33.92% lower than N0). The ABA and SA content were negatively correlated with root morphology. This shows that a moderate nitrogen concentration (4 mmol l−1) significantly decreased ABA and SA content in the main and lateral roots and promoted root growth in cotton plants. These results will contribute to root growth theory regarding efficient nitrogen utilization by cotton plants and will provide a theoretical basis to ensure nitrogen resources are utilized efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the metamorphosis of anuran amphibians, the tail resorption process is a necessary and crucial change. One subject that has received relatively little or no attention is the expression patterns of proteins and metabolites in the different tail portions during metamorphosis, especially in highland amphibians. The mechanisms of tail resorption in three portions (the tip, middle and root) of the tail were investigated in N. pleskei G43 tadpole based on two omics (proteomic and metabolomic). Integrin αVβ3 was found to be high expressed in the distal portion of the tail, which could improve the sensitiveness to thyroid hormones in the distal portion of the tail. Muscle regression displayed a spatial pattern with stronger regression in distal and weaker one in proximal portion. Probably, this stronger regression was mainly performed by the proteases of proteasome from the active translation by ribosomes. The suicide model and murder model coexisted in the tail resorption. Meanwhile, fatty acids, amino acids, pyrimidine, and purine which derived from the breakdown of tissues can be used as building blocks or energy source for successful metamorphosis. Our data improved a better comprehension of the tail resorption mechanisms underlying the metamorphism of N. pleskei tadpole through identifying important participating proteins and metabolites., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Zhang, Jia, Li, Niu, Zhang, Dong, Peng, Ma, Wang, Tang and Chen.)

Effective internal fixation with pedicle screw is a key factor in the success of lumbar fusion with internal fixation. Whether navigation robots can improve the efficacy and safety of screw placement is controversial. Thirty-eight patients who underwent oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion internal fixation from March 2022 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, 16 cases in the navigational robot group and 22 cases in the fluoroscopy group. Using visual analog score (VAS) for the low back and lower limbs, Oswestry Disability Index to compare the clinical efficacy of the 2 groups; using perioperative indexes such as the duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, and postoperative hospital stay to compare the safety of the 2 groups; and using accuracy of pedicle screws (APS) and the facet joint violation (FJV) to compare the accuracy of the 2 groups. Postoperative follow-up at least 6 months, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in the baseline data (P > .05). The navigational robot group's VAS-back was significantly lower than the fluoroscopy group at 3 days postoperatively (P < .05). However, the differences between the 2 groups in VAS-back at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, and in VAS-leg and Oswestry Disability Index at 3 days, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively were not significant (P > .05). Although duration of surgery in the navigational robot group was significantly longer than in the fluoroscopy group (P > .05), the intraoperative blood loss and the intraoperative fluoroscopy times were significantly lower than in the fluoroscopy group (P < .05). The difference in the PHS between the 2 groups was not significant (P > .05). The APS in the navigation robot group was significantly higher than in the fluoroscopy group, and the rate of FJV was significantly lower than in the fluoroscopy group (P < .05). Compared with the traditional fluoroscopic technique, navigation robot-assisted lumbar interbody fusion with internal fixation provides less postoperative low back pain in the short term, with less trauma, less bleeding, and lower radiation exposure, as well as better APS and lower FJV, resulting in better clinical efficacy and safety., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) is high among children, with development of AD occurring during early childhood in most affected children and some having a chronic disease course. Risk factors for AD in this group remain undefined. Objectives: We analyzed the medical records of children with AD under 5 years of age. We summarized characteristics of the natural course of AD in these children and explored relevant risk factors of AD in infancy and early childhood. Methods: Using a self-developed questionnaire, we investigated 716 children under 5 years of age who were treated for AD at the Dermatology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China. We conducted the study from October 2021 to September 2022 using telephone and on-site interviews with the children's parents. In parental interviews, data were gathered on neonatal diseases, comorbidities, parental allergy history, maternal history of tobacco and alcohol use, and basic infant information at birth. Some children were tested for serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) before this study. Results: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), neonatal infection, and infection during childhood had a significant impact on persistent symptoms and the onset of first symptoms in children with AD ( P  < 0.05). Allergic diseases as common comorbidities with AD, which had earlier onset of AD related to more obvious disease activity ( P  < 0.05). Parental history of allergy was also significant in AD ( P  < 0.05). Serum total iIgE levels in children with AD showed an impact on the clinical course of AD; neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and NRDS may affect IgE levels ( P  < 0.05). Persistent AD had a significant effect on the physical growth of children with height/length for age Z score ≤3 and weight for height/length Z score ≤3 ( P  < 0.05). Conclusions: Early adverse events in infants, infection before onset, and susceptibility to infection may affect the onset and clinical course of childhood AD. Serum total IgE levels affect the progression of AD. Persistent AD in childhood may have a slight impact on children's physical growth.

Introduction: Research on the brain activity during resting state has found that brain activation is centered around three networks, including the default mode network (DMN), the salient network (SN), and the central executive network (CEN), and switches between multiple modes. As a common disease in the elderly, Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects the state transitions of functional networks in the resting state., Methods: Energy landscape, as a new method, can intuitively and quickly grasp the statistical distribution of system states and information related to state transition mechanisms. Therefore, this study mainly uses the energy landscape method to study the changes of the triple-network brain dynamics in AD patients in the resting state., Results: AD brain activity patterns are in an abnormal state, and the dynamics of patients with AD tend to be unstable, with an unusually high flexibility in switching between states. Also , the subjects' dynamic features are correlated with clinical index., Discussion: The atypical balance of large-scale brain systems in patients with AD is associated with abnormally active brain dynamics. Our study are helpful for further understanding the intrinsic dynamic characteristics and pathological mechanism of the resting-state brain in AD patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Li, An, Zhou, Su, Zhang, Li, Jiang, Mu, Yao, Huang and Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative.)

Objective: To investigate the effect of intermittent pneumatic compression combined with hyperthermia (IPCH) on the hemodynamic changes in lower limbs of male rabbits and to clarify whether its efficacy is superior to that of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) or hyperthermia (HT) alone., Methods: Thirty male adult New Zealand white rabbits with a body mass of 2.6±0.3 kg were obtained to establish a model of postoperative hypercoagulable state by simulating left hip surgery. Then they were randomly divided into HT group, IPC group, and IPCH group. Relevant hemodynamic parameters were examined by color Doppler ultrasound before and after treatment. A femoral vein finite element model was established according to fluid mechanics to analyze the blood flow velocity distribution vector, total deformation, equivalent stress of the femoral vein and venous valve., Results: The heart rate, blood flow per minute, and mean and peak blood velocity of the femoral vein in IPCH group were significantly higher than those in HT and IPC groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in venous diameter (P>0.05). The blood flow velocity distribution vector, the total deformation of femoral vein, and the equivalent stress between femoral vein and venous valve in the IPCH group were higher than those in HT and IPC groups, but the total deformation of venous valve was smaller in IPCH group., Conclusions: IPCH superimposes the effects of IPC and HT, and can more effectively promote changes in local blood circulation to prevent deep vein thrombosis., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2022.)