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BACKGROUND: Populations of the plant pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae display a complex and rich genetic diversity, yet the existence of sexual reproduction in the fungus remains contested. As pivotal genes, MAT genes play a crucial role in regulating cell differentiation, morphological development, and mating of compatible cells. However, the functions of the two mating type genes in V. dahliae, VdMAT1-1-1, and VdMAT1-2-1, remain poorly understood. RESULTS: In this study, we confirmed that the MAT loci in V. dahliae are highly conserved, including both VdMAT1-1-1 and VdMAT1-2-1 which share high collinearity. The conserved core transcription factor encoded by the two MAT loci may facilitate the regulation of pheromone precursor and pheromone receptor genes by directly binding to their promoter regions. Additionally, peptide activity assays demonstrated that the signal peptide of the pheromone VdPpg1 possessed secretory activity, while VdPpg2, lacked a predicted signal peptide. Chemotactic growth assays revealed that V. dahliae senses and grows towards the pheromones FO-a and FO-α of Fusarium oxysporum, as well as towards VdPpg2 of V. dahliae, but not in response to VdPpg1. The findings herein also revealed that VdMAT1-1-1 and VdMAT1-2-1 regulate vegetative growth, carbon source utilization, and resistance to stressors in V. dahliae, while negatively regulating virulence. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the potential roles of VdMAT1-1-1 and VdMAT1-2-1 in sexual reproduction and confirm their involvement in various asexual processes of V. dahliae, offering novel insights into the functions of mating type genes in this species.

Cu/Cu2O-modified activated carbon composites (Cu/Cu2O@AC) were synthesized via an one-step solvothermal method. The characterization results indicated that copper was uniformly dispersed on the surface of AC as nano-sized Cu0 and Cu(I), which allowed Cu/Cu2O to make full contact with I−. The high specific surface area of Cu/Cu2O@AC and the affinity of Cu+ for I− led to the equilibrium adsorption capacity within forty minutes. Additionally, the removal of trace I− (300 μg L−1) at pH = 3 by Cu/Cu2O@AC reached 96.4%. This work provides a promising application for the inexpensive and efficient capture of trace iodine from medical wastewater. We synthesized Cu/Cu2O@AC composites for adsorption of iodide ions in solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain and visceral hypersensitivity. Reducing visceral hypersensitivity is the key to effectively relieving abdominal pain in IBS. Increasing evidence has confirmed that the thalamic nucleus reuniens (Re) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurotransmitter system play an important role in the development of colorectal visceral pain, whereas the exact mechanisms remain largely unclear. In this study, we found that high expression of the 5-HT2B receptors in the Re glutamatergic neurons promoted colorectal visceral pain. Specifically, we found that neonatal maternal deprivation (NMD) mice exhibited visceral hyperalgesia and enhanced spontaneous synaptic transmission in the Re brain region. Colorectal distension (CRD) stimulation induced a large amount of c-Fos expression in the Re brain region of NMD mice, predominantly in glutamatergic neurons. Furthermore, optogenetic manipulation of glutamatergic neuronal activity in the Re altered colorectal visceral pain responses in CON and NMD mice. In addition, we demonstrated that 5-HT2B receptor expression on the Re glutamatergic neurons was upregulated and ultimately promoted colorectal visceral pain in NMD mice. These findings suggest a critical role of the 5HT2B receptors on the Re glutamatergic neurons in the regulation of colorectal visceral pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Loss-of-function mutations of ZBTB24 cause immunodeficiency, centromeric instability, and facial anomalies syndrome 2 (ICF2). ICF2 is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with immunological defects in serum antibodies and circulating memory B cells, resulting in recurrent and sometimes fatal respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. The genotype–phenotype correlation in patients with ICF2 indicates an essential role of ZBTB24 in the terminal differentiation of B cells. Methods: We used the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPER)/Cas9 technology to generate B cell specific Zbtb24-deficient mice and verified the deletion specificity and efficiency by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and western blotting analyses in fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-sorted cells. The development, phenotype of B cells and in vivo responses to T cell dependent or independent antigens post immunization were analyzed by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Adoptive transfer experiment in combination with in vitro cultures of FACS-purified B cells and RNA-Seq analysis were utilized to specifically determine the impact of Zbtb24 on B cell biology as well as the underlying mechanisms. Results: Zbtb24 is dispensable for B cell development and maintenance in naive mice. Surprisingly, B cell specific deletion of Zbtb24 does not evidently compromise germinal center reactions and the resulting primary and secondary antibody responses induced by T cell dependent antigens (TD-Ags), but significantly inhibits T cell independent antigen-elicited antibody productions in vivo. At the cellular level, Zbtb24-deficiency specifically impedes the plasma cell differentiation of B1 cells without impairing their survival, activation and proliferation in vitro. Mechanistically, Zbtb24-ablation attenuates heme biosynthesis partially through mTORC1 in B1 cells, and addition of exogenous hemin abrogates the differentiation defects of Zbtb24-null B1 cells. Conclusions: Zbtb24 seems to regulate antibody responses against TD-Ags B cell extrinsically, but it specifically promotes the plasma cell differentiation of B1 cells via heme synthesis in mice. Our study also suggests that defected B1 functions contribute to recurrent infections in patients with ICF2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We compared total arterial revascularization (TAR) versus conventional revascularization (CR) in terms of left ventricular function recovery in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 162 consecutive patients with multivessel CAD and reduced LVEF who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting at our institution between January 2013 and July 2022. We assessed left ventricular function by transthoracic echocardiography at admission, before discharge, and at follow-up of 3, 6, and 12 months, using LVEF, global longitudinal peak strain, end-diastolic volume index, and end-systolic volume index. We also evaluated mitral valve regurgitation and graft patency rate at 1 year. Results The TAR group had a significantly higher increase in LVEF and global longitudinal peak strain, and a significantly lower decrease in end-diastolic volume index and end-systolic volume index than the CR group at 6 and 12 months after surgery. The TAR group also had a significantly lower degree of mitral valve regurgitation than the CR group at all-time points within 12 months after surgery. The TAR group had a significantly higher graft patency rate than the CR group at 12 months. There was no significant difference in hospital mortality or repeat revascularization between the groups. Conclusions TAR was associated with better recovery of left ventricular function than CR in patients with multivessel CAD and reduced LVEF. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in this high-risk population. What is already known on this topic: Previous studies have shown that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can improve left ventricular function in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Total arterial revascularization (TAR) has been shown to have superior long-term outcomes than conventional revascularization (CR). Limited data exist comparing TAR versus CR for left ventricular recovery in those with multivessel disease and reduced ejection fraction. What this study adds: This study compared the recovery of left ventricular function after TAR versus CR in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease and reduced ejection fraction. The results showed that TAR was associated with better recovery of left ventricular function than CR. TAR was also associated with lower degree of mitral regurgitation and higher graft patency rate than CR at 12 months after surgery. How this study might affect research, practice or policy: This study suggests that TAR may have a beneficial effect on the remodeling and contractility of the left ventricle in this patient population. TAR may be the optimal revascularization strategy for patients with multivessel CAD and reduced LVEF, as it may improve left ventricular function and overall outcomes. More studies are needed to address these issues and to provide more robust evidence for the use of TAR in this high-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pediatric patients undergoing liver transplantation are particularly susceptible to complications arising from intraoperative fluid management strategies. Conventional liberal fluid administration has been challenged due to its association with increased perioperative morbidity. This study aimed to assess the impact of intraoperative high-volume fluid therapy on pediatric patients who are undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods: Conducted at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from March 2018 to April 2021, this retrospective study involved 90 pediatric patients divided into high-volume and non-high-volume fluid administration groups based on the 80th percentile of fluid administered. We collected the perioperative parameters and postoperative information of two groups. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to assess the association between estimated blood loss (EBL) and high-volume FA. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare patient survival after pediatric LDLT. Results: Patients in the high-volume FA group received a higher EBL and longer length of stay than that in the non-high-volume FA group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that hours of maintenance fluids and fresh frozen plasma were significantly associated risk factors for the occurrence of EBL during pediatric LDLT. In addition, survival analysis showed no significant differences in one-year mortality between the groups. Conclusions: High-volume fluid administration during LDLT is linked with poorer intraoperative and postoperative outcomes among pediatric patients. These findings underscore the need for more conservative fluid management strategies in pediatric liver transplantations to enhance recovery and reduce complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peptide transporter 1 (PepT1) transports bacterial oligopeptide products and induces inflammation of the bowel. Nutritional peptides compete for the binding of intestinal bacterial products to PepT1. We investigated the mechanism of short-peptide-based enteral nutrition (SPEN) on the damage to the gut caused by the bacterial oligopeptide product muramyl dipeptide (MDP), which is transported by PepT1. The gut-lung axis is a shared mucosal immune system, and immune responses and disorders can affect the gut-respiratory relationship. Methods and results: Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged with solutions containing MDP, MDP + SPEN, MDP + intact-protein-based enteral nutrition (IPEN), glucose as a control, or glucose with GSK669 (a NOD2 antagonist). Inflammation, mitochondrial damage, autophagy, and apoptosis were explored to determine the role of the PepT1-nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2)-beclin-1 signaling pathway in the small intestinal mucosa. MDP and proinflammatory factors of lung tissue were explored to determine that MDP can migrate to lung tissue and cause inflammation. Induction of proinflammatory cell accumulation and intestinal damage in MDP gavage rats was associated with increased NOD2 and Beclin-1 mRNA expression. IL-6 and TNF-α expression and apoptosis were increased, and mitochondrial damage was severe, as indicated by increased mtDNA in the MDP group compared with controls. MDP levels and expression of proinflammatory factors in lung tissue increased in the MDP group compared with the control group. SPEN, but not IPEN, eliminated these impacts. Conclusions: Gavage of MDP to rats resulted in damage to the gut-lung axis. SPEN reverses the adverse effects of MDP. The PepT1-NOD2-beclin-1 pathway plays a role in small intestinal inflammation, mitochondrial damage, autophagy, and apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have numerous applications in the field of carbon nanomaterials. However, the associated toxicity concerns have increased significantly because of their widespread use. The inhalation of MWCNTs can lead to nanoparticle deposition in the lung tissue, causing inflammation and health risks. In this study, celastrol, a natural plant medicine with potent anti-inflammatory properties, effectively reduced the number of inflammatory cells, including white blood cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, and levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, in mice lungs exposed to MWCNTs. Moreover, celastrol inhibited the activation of the NF-κB-signaling pathway. This study confirmed these findings by demonstrating comparable reductions in inflammation upon exposure to MWCNTs in mice with the deletion of NF-κB (P50−/−). These results indicate the utility of celastrol as a promising pharmacological agent for preventing MWCNT-induced lung tissue inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, three-dimensional Bi-MOF/Bi2WO6 microspheres were successfully prepared using Bi2WO6 microspheres as a template with the help of organometallic skeleton (MOF), which has diverse pore structures, abundant active sites, and good redox activity. Tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) degradation was used to gauge the composites performed as photocatalysts under simulating sunlight irradiation. The results show that the Bi-MOF/Bi2WO6 composite could remove most of TC within 60 min with a degradation rate higher than 89.2% and a reaction rate constant k as high as 0.0373 min−1, which is 2.0 times higher than that of pure Bi2WO6. The enhanced light absorption intensity in the UV area, as well as the increased electron/hole separation and compounding efficiency were considered as the reasons for the highly improved photocatalytic performance of the composites. By examining potential electron transport routes, the formation of heterojunction was confirmed. A series of Bi-MOF/Bi2WO6 heterostructures were prepared using Bi-MOF as a hard template to create a close contact heterojunction interface. This study provides a strategy for the design and preparation of highly reactive Bi2WO6-based heterojunction materials that can effectively address the challenges of environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have shown an association between gut microbiota and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the underlying causal relationship remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and CVDs and to explore the pathogenic role of gut microbiota in CVDs. Methods: In this two-sample Mendelian randomization study, we used genetic instruments from publicly available genome-wide association studies, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with gut microbiota (n = 14,306) and CVDs (n = 2,207,591). We employed multiple statistical analysis methods, including inverse variance weighting, MR Egger, weighted median, MR pleiotropic residuals and outliers, and the leave-one-out method, to estimate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and CVDs. Additionally, we conducted multiple analyses to assess horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity. Results: GWAS summary data were available from a pooled sample of 2,221,897 adult and adolescent participants. Our findings indicated that specific gut microbiota had either protective or detrimental effects on CVDs. Notably, Howardella (OR = 0.955, 95% CI: 0.913–0.999, P =.05), Intestinibacter (OR = 0.908, 95% CI:0.831–0.993, P =.03), Lachnospiraceae (NK4A136 group) (OR = 0.904, 95% CI:0.841–0.973, P =.007), Turicibacter (OR = 0.904, 95% CI: 0.838–0.976, P =.01), Holdemania (OR, 0.898; 95% CI: 0.810–0.995, P =.04) and Odoribacter (OR, 0.835; 95% CI: 0.710–0.993, P =.04) exhibited a protective causal effect on atrial fibrillation, while other microbiota had adverse causal effects. Similar effects were observed with respect to coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and hypertension. Furthermore, reversed Mendelian randomization analyses revealed that atrial fibrillation and ischemic stroke had causal effects on certain gut microbiotas. Conclusion: Our study underscored the importance of gut microbiota in the context of CVDs and lent support to the hypothesis that increasing the abundance of probiotics or decreasing the abundance of harmful bacterial populations may offer protection against specific CVDs. Nevertheless, further research is essential to translate these findings into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, in view of the increasingly serious problems of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radiation pollution, smart EMI shielding materials with tunable shielding effectiveness (SE), especially "On/Off" switchable capability, are highly desirable. Herein, Co‐based amorphous wires (AWs) with excellent soft magnetic and mechanical properties are regularly arranged on a 3D‐printed mold as tunable EMI shielding composites. The EMI SE can be easily tuned in the range of ≈0.6–24.7 dB by way of rotation, which has been confirmed to be an effective way to achieve free tuning of EMI SE by simulation. In addition, by compositing AWs with reduced graphene oxide and constructing a double‐layer structure with a gap of 1/4 wavelength in the X‐band, a much wider SE tuning range of ≈1.0–57.7 dB is further realized. The representative "On/Off" switchable shielding capability that can switch between EM transmission and effective shielding, together with the wide SE tuning range larger than 50 dB, shows the great potential of Co‐based AW composites in smart EMI shielding applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total neointima implantation (patch neointima technique + triple‐branched stent graft placement) has been performed in proximal aortic repair for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) for more than 10 years at a center. However, there is no report on the mid‐term outcomes with a control group of the surgical procedure. Consequently, the authors aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this technique in this study. Patients who underwent the total neointima implantation were classified as Group A, and those who underwent the conventional aortic root reconstruction with the "sandwich" technique and the total aortic arch replacement were classified as Group B. Furthermore, the authors described the preoperative characteristics, operative data, and patient outcomes. Group A patients experienced a shorter surgery duration, lower volumes of perioperative bleeding, and fewer red blood cell transfusions. The incidence of neurological complications was significantly reduced in Group A. All patients maintained a normal range of proximal aortic sizes after surgery. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed no significant differences between the patients in the two groups regarding cumulative mortality and the incidence of moderate‐to‐severe aortic insufficiency. In well‐selected patients, total neointima implantation is an alternative procedure for the surgical repair of ATAAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: Five novel Daphniphyllum alkaloids, named dcalycinumines A—E (1—4, 6), and eight previously described Daphniphyllum alkaloids (5, 7—13) were isolated from Daphniphyllum calycinum. Compound 1 is the first Daphniphyllum alkaloid possessing a highly rearranged 6/6/6/7/5/6 hexacyclic architecture with a unique 3‐methyl‐1‐azabicyclo [4,4,0] decane ring system. Compound 2 represents a rare diamino Daphniphyllum alkaloid with an unprecedented 6/5/5/6/6/5 carbon skeleton featuring a unique 1‐aza‐6‐azaspiro [4,5] decane unit, whereas 3 also represents a rare diamino Daphniphyllum alkaloid as a possible precursor of 2. Compound 4 is the second example of C‐22‐nor yuzurimine‐type alkaloids. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by HRESIMS, NMR spectroscopic analyses, ECD calculations, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Moreover, compound 1 showed remarkable antitumor activities, which could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, and promoted nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]