Search

Background: Michelia lacei W.W.Smith (Magnoliaceae), was classified as a Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations (PSESP) by the Yunnan Provincial Government in both action plans of 2012 and 2021. This evergreen tree is known for its high ornamental and scientific value, but it faces significant threats due to its extremely small population size and narrow geographical distribution. The study aims to understand the genetic structure, diversity, and demographic history of this species to inform its conservation strategies. Results: The analysis of transcriptome data from 64 individuals across seven populations of M. lacei identified three distinct genetic clusters and generated 104,616 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The KM ex-situ population, originating from Longling County, exhibited unique genetic features, suggesting limited gene flow. The genetic diversity was substantial, with significant differences between populations, particularly between the KM lineage and the OTHER lineage. Demographic history inferred from the data indicated population experienced three significant population declines during glaciations, followed by periods of recovery. We estimated the effective population size (Ne) of the KM and OTHER lineages 1,000 years ago were 85,851 and 416,622, respectively. Gene flow analysis suggested past gene flow between populations, but the KM ex-situ population showed no recent gene flow. A total of 805 outlier SNPs, associated with four environmental factors, suggest potential local adaptation and showcase the species' adaptive potential. Particularly, the BZ displayed 515 adaptive loci, highlighting its strong potential for adaptation within this group. Conclusions: The comprehensive genomic analysis of M. lacei provides valuable insights into its genetic background and highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts. The study underscores the importance of ex-situ conservation methods, such as seed collection and vegetative propagation, to safeguard genetic diversity and promote population restoration. The preservation of populations like MC and BZ is crucial for maintaining the species' genetic diversity. In-situ conservation measures, including the establishment of in-situ conservation sites and community engagement, are essential to enhance protection awareness and ensure the long-term survival of this threatened plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The point cloud segmentation method plays an important role in practical applications, such as remote sensing, mobile robots, and 3D modeling. However, there are still some limitations to the current point cloud data segmentation method when applied to large-scale scenes. Therefore, this paper proposes an adaptive clustering segmentation method. In this method, the threshold for clustering points within the point cloud is calculated using the characteristic parameters of adjacent points. After completing the preliminary segmentation of the point cloud, the segmentation results are further refined according to the standard deviation of the cluster points. Then, the cluster points whose number does not meet the conditions are further segmented, and, finally, scene point cloud data segmentation is realized. To test the superiority of this method, this study was based on point cloud data from a park in Guilin, Guangxi, China. The experimental results showed that this method is more practical and efficient than other methods, and it can effectively segment all ground objects and ground point cloud data in a scene. Compared with other segmentation methods that are easily affected by parameters, this method has strong robustness. In order to verify the universality of the method proposed in this paper, we test a public data set provided by ISPRS. The method achieves good segmentation results for multiple sample data, and it can distinguish noise points in a scene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escherichia coli is a common Gram-negative human pathogen. The emergence of E. coli with multiple-antibiotic-resistant phenotypes has become a serious health concern. This study reports the whole-genome sequences of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-R) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli EC6868 and explores the acquired antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) as well as their genetic contexts. Methods: E. coli EC6868 was isolated from a vaginal secretion sample of a pregnant patient in China. The antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed, and whole-genome sequencing was conducted. The acquired ARGs, insertion sequence (IS) elements, and integrons within the genome of E. coli EC6868 were identified, and the genetic contexts associated with the ARGs were analyzed systematically. Results: E. coli EC6868 was determined to belong to ST69 and harbored a 144.9-kb IncF plasmid (pEC6868-1) with three replicons (Col156, IncFIBAP001918, and IncFII). The ESBL gene blaCTX-M-27 was located on the structure "∆ISEcp1-blaCTX-M-27-IS 903B", which was widely present in the species of Enterobacteriales. Other ARGs carried by plasmid pEC6868-1 were mainly located on the 18.9-kb IS 26-composite transposon (five copies of intact IS 26 and one copy of truncated IS 26) composing of IS 26-mphA-mrx(A)-mphR(A)-IS 6100, ∆TnAs3-eamA-tet(A)-tetR(A)-aph(6)-Id-aph(3")-Ib-sul2-IS 26, and a class 1 integron, which was widely present on IncF plasmids of E. coli, mainly distributed in ST131, ST38, and ST405. Notably, pEC6868 in our study was the first report on a plasmid harboring the 18.9-kb structure in E. coli ST69 in China. Conclusion: The 3GC-R E. coli ST69 strain with an MDR IncF plasmid carrying blaCTX-M-27 and other ARGs, conferring resistance to aminoglycosides, macrolides, sulfonamides, tetracycline, and trimethoprim, was identified in a hospital in China. Mobile genetic elements including ISEcp1, IS 903B, IS 26, Tn 3, IS 6100 and class 1 integron were found within the MDR region, which could play important roles in the global dissemination of these resistance genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most reported members of Microascaceae that have been reported originate from the terrestrial environment, where they act as saprobes or plant pathogens. However, our understanding of their species diversity and distribution in the marine environment remains vastly limited, with only 22 species in nine genera having been reported so far. A survey of the fungal diversity in intertidal areas of China's mainland has revealed the discovery of several Microascaceae strains from 14 marine algae and 15 sediment samples. Based on morphological characteristics and LSU-ITS-tef1-tub2 multilocus phylogeny using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, 48 strains were identified as 18 species belonging to six genera. Among these, six new species were discovered: Gamsia sedimenticola, Microascus algicola, M. gennadii, Scedosporium ellipsosporium, S. shenzhenensis, and S. sphaerospermum. Additionally, the worldwide distribution of the species within this family across various marine habitats was briefly reviewed and discussed. Our study expands the knowledge of species diversity and distribution of Microascaceae in the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intertidal zones comprise diverse habitats and directly suffer from the influences of human activities. Nevertheless, the seasonal fluctuations in fungal diversity and community structure in these areas are not well comprehended. To address this gap, samples of seawater and sediment were collected seasonally from the estuary and swimming beaches of Qingdao's intertidal areas in China and were analyzed using a metabarcoding approach targeting ITS2 rDNA regions. Compared to the seawater community dominated by Ciliophora and Agaricomycetes, the sediment community was rather dominated by Dothideomycetes and Eurotiomycetes. Furthermore, the seawater community shifted with the seasons but not with the locations, while the sediment community shifted seasonally and spatially, with a specific trend showing that Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Aureobasidium occurred predominantly in the estuarine habitats during winter and in the beach habitats during spring. These spatiotemporal shifts in fungal communities' composition were supported by the PERMANOVA test and could be explained partially by the environmental variables checked, including temperature, salinity, and total organic carbon. Unexpectedly, the lowest fungal richness was observed in the summer sediments from two swimming beaches which were attracting a high influx of tourists during summer, leading to a significant anthropogenic influence. Predicted trophic modes of fungal taxa exhibited a seasonal pattern with an abundance of saprotrophic fungi in the summer sediments, positively correlating to the temperature, while the taxa affiliated with symbiotroph and pathotroph-saprotroph occurred abundantly in the winter and spring sediments, respectively. Our results demonstrate the space–time shifts in terms of the fungal community, as well as the trophic modes in the intertidal region, providing in-depth insights into the potential influence of environmental factors and human activity on intertidal mycobiomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rust fungi are characterized by large genomes with high repeat content and have two haploid nuclei in most life stages, which makes achieving high‐quality genome assemblies challenging. Here, we described a pipeline using HiFi reads and Hi‐C data to assemble a gigabase‐sized fungal pathogen, Puccinia polysora f.sp. zeae, to haplotype‐phased and chromosome‐scale. The final assembled genome is 1.71 Gbp, with ~850 Mbp and 18 chromosomes in each haplotype, being currently one of the two giga‐scale fungi assembled to chromosome level. Transcript‐based annotation identified 47,512 genes for the dikaryotic genome with a similar number for each haplotype. A high level of interhaplotype variation was found with 10% haplotype‐specific BUSCO genes, 5.8 SNPs/kbp, and structural variation accounting for 3% of the genome size. The P. polysora genome displayed over 85% repeat contents, with genome‐size expansion and copy number increasing of species‐specific orthogroups. Interestingly, these features did not affect overall synteny with other Puccinia species having smaller genomes. Fine‐time‐point transcriptomics revealed seven clusters of coexpressed secreted proteins that are conserved between two haplotypes. The fact that candidate effectors interspersed with all genes indicated the absence of a "two‐speed genome" evolution in P. polysora. Genome resequencing of 79 additional isolates revealed a clonal population structure of P. polysora in China with low geographic differentiation. Nevertheless, a minor population differentiated from the major population by having mutations on secreted proteins including AvrRppC, indicating the ongoing virulence to evade recognition by RppC, a major resistance gene in Chinese corn cultivars. The high‐quality assembly provides valuable genomic resources for future studies on disease management and the evolution of P. polysora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolutionary breakdown from rigorous outbreeding to self‐fertilization frequently occurs in angiosperms. Since the pollinators are not necessary, self‐compatible populations often reduce investment in floral display characteristics and pollination reward. Primula forbesii is a biennial herb with distribution restricted to southwest China; it was initially a self‐incompatible distylous species, but after 20 years of artificial domestication, homostyly appeared. This change in style provides an ideal material to explore the time required for plant mating systems to adapt to new environmental changes and test whether flower attraction has reduced following transitions to selfing. We did a survey in wild populations of P. forbesii where its seeds were originally collected 20 years ago and recorded the floral morph frequencies and morphologies. The floral morphologies, self‐incompatibility, floral scent, and pollinator visitation between distyly and homostyly were compared in greenhouse. Floral morph frequencies of wild populations did not change, while the cultivated population was inclined to L‐morph and produced homostyly. Evidence from stigma papillae and pollen size supports the hypothesis that the homostyly possibly originated from mutations of large effect genes in distylous linkage region. Transitions to self‐compatible homostyly are accompanied by smaller corolla size, lower amounts of terpenoids, especially linalool and higher amounts of fatty acid derivatives. The main pollinators in the greenhouse were short‐tongued Apis cerana. However, homostyly had reduced visiting frequency. The mating system of P. forbesii changed rapidly in just about 20 years of domestication, and our findings confirm the hypothesis that the transition to selfing is accompanied by decreased flower attraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research describes a link between winter–springtime snow cover anomalies in central Europe and precipitation over the low‐latitude highlands of China (LLHC). Excessive snow cover over Europe and East Asia alters the meridional temperature gradient, which induces zonal wind anomalies at the 500 hPa level that impact the strength and position of subtropical streams. These anomalies persist until spring and result in a distinctive paired cyclonic–anticyclonic circulation pattern. Over Mongolia, the imposition of cyclonic circulation weakens the Mongolia High and reduces the potential southward flow of cold air that normally affects the LLHC during spring. Concurrently, the development of anticyclonic conditions over the LLHC weakens springtime precipitation in this area. This paired circulation system is verified by the linear baroclinic model, which also confirms that the observed linkage between snow cover and precipitation is not modulated by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. This analysis affords new insight into the effects of snow cover on the subtropical stream and atmospheric circulations downwind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptosphaerulina leaf blight occurs on most turfgrasses. Hitherto, Leptosphaerulina species associated with this disease include L. americana, L. argentinensis, L. australis, and L. trifolii. However, following Koch's postulates, L. australis was confirmed as saprobes but not pathogens, and the other three species have not been tested. The pathogenicity of Leptosphaerulina spp. is still questionable. In this study, we isolated 19 Leptosphaerulina strains from diseased golf turfgrasses in China, and they were identified as L. gaeumannii, L. saccharicola, and a new species, L. macrospora, through multilocus (ITS, 28S, rpb2, and tub2) phylogenetic analyses and morphological observations. Pathogenicity test revealed that the three Leptosphaerulina species identified in this study cannot infect live/healthy turfgrass tissues of Poa pratensis and Agrostis stolonifera and only produced pseudothecia on the dead leaves of stressed seedlings. Considering the results of pathogenicity tests in this and previous studies, we speculate that most Leptosphaerulina species isolated from diseased turfgrass are not pathogens but saprobes. Applying proper management practices to prevent severe turfgrass stress is a key measure to reduce or eliminate the effects of Leptosphaerulina on golf turfgrass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epiphytic orchids exhibit varying degrees of phorophyte tree specificity. We performed a pilot study to investigate why epiphytic orchids prefer or avoid certain trees. We selected two orchid species, Panisea uniflora and Bulbophyllum odoratissimum co-occurring in a forest habitat in southern China, where they showed a specific association with Quercus yiwuensis and Pistacia weinmannifolia trees, respectively. We analysed a number of environmental factors potentially influencing the relationship between orchids and trees. Difference in bark features, such as water holding capacity and pH were recorded between Q. yiwuensis and P. weinmannifolia, which could influence both orchid seed germination and fungal diversity on the two phorophytes. Morphological and molecular culture-based methods, combined with metabarcoding analyses, were used to assess fungal communities associated with studied orchids and trees. A total of 162 fungal species in 74 genera were isolated from bark samples. Only two genera, Acremonium and Verticillium, were shared by the two phorophyte species. Metabarcoding analysis confirmed the presence of significantly different fungal communities on the investigated tree and orchid species, with considerable similarity between each orchid species and its host tree, suggesting that the orchid-host tree association is influenced by the fungal communities of the host tree bark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-seven Colletotrichum isolates associated with asymptomatic tissues of bamboo (Bambusoideae, Gramineae) were isolated from Anhui, Beijing, and Guangxi in China. Based on multilocus (internal transcribed spacer [ITS], glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [GAPDH], chitin synthase [CHS], actin [ACT], beta-tubulin [TUB2]) phylogenetic analyses and morphological characteristics, three species were distinguished, including two novel species, C. bambusicola and C. guangxiense, and one known species, C. metake, which is a first report for China. These species have hitherto only been discovered on Bambusoideae, indicating that they probably have host preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recently described new species of Gesneriaceae, Lysionotus bijantiae D. Borah & A. Joe, was misidentified, it is conspecific with Henckelia oblongifolia (Roxb.) D. J. Middleton & Mich. Möller. We treat Lysionotus bijantiae as a new synonym for Henckelia oblongifolia [ previous Chirita oblongifolia ( Roxb.) Sinclair] by examining relevant specimens and literature. The type specimens of Lysionotus bijantiae were collected from the southern slope of the Himalayas in Southeast Xizang, China. The diversity of Gesneriaceae in this area is also abundant. The authors attributed it to the genus Lysionotus because of its flower with two stamens, and compared it with other Lysionotus species because of its calyx 5, lobed above the middle, but they ignored the fact that the seed apex had no appendages. We observed that the seeds of this species in the populations of Motuo and the type localities both had no appendages by scanning the seeds with electron microscope, it is confirmed that this species is not a species of Lysionotus, but a species of Henckelia. At the same time? we offer the color images (including seeds scanned images) and the lectotype of Henckelia oblongifolia, and also describe the characteristics and distinguishing methods of the two genera Henckelia Spreng. and Lysionotus D. Don, in order to provide a reference for species identification of the two genera and avoid more confusion of species classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading fatal cancer in the world and its incidence ranked second among all malignant tumors in China. The molecular classification of GC, proposed by the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), was added to the updated edition (2019) of WHO classification for digestive system tumor. Although MSI and EBV subtypes appeared as ever-increasingly significant roles in immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Methods: We systematically summarized the relationship between EBV, d-MMR/MSI-H subtypes and clinicopathological parameters in 271 GC cases. Furthermore, GSE62254/ACRG and TCGA-STAD datasets, originated from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and TCGA respectively, were analyzed to figure out the prognosis related molecular characteristics by bioinformatics methods. Results: Patients with MSI subtype had better prognosis than the MSS subtype (P = 0.013) and considered as an independent biomarker by the univariate analysis (P = 0.017) and multivariate analysis (P = 0.050). While there was no significant difference between EBV positive and negative tissues (P = 0.533). The positive prognostic value conferred by MSI in different cohorts was revalidated via the clinical analysis of GSE62254/ACRG and TCGA-STAD datasets regardless of race. Then key gene module that tightly associated with better status and longer OS time for MSI cases was obtained from weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA). NUBP2 and ENDOG were screened from the gene cluster and oxidative phosphorylation, reactive oxygen species(ROS) and glutathione metabolism were analyzed to be the differential pathways in their highly expressed groups. Conclusions: Our results manifested the significant prognostic value of MSI in Chinese GC cohort and comparisons with other populations. More opportunities to induce apoptosis of cancer cells, led by the unbalance between antioxidant system and ROS accumulation, lay foundations for unveiling the better prognosis in MSI phenotype through the bioinformatics analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seeds play key roles in the acquisition of plant pioneer microbiota, including the transmission of microbes from parent plants to offspring. However, the issues about seed microbial communities are mostly unknown, especially for their potential origins and the factors influencing the structure and composition. In this study, samples of rice seed and rhizosphere were collected from northeast and central-south China in two harvest years and analyzed using a metabarcoding approach targeting 16S rRNA gene region. A higher level of vertical transmission (from parent seed microbiota to offspring) was revealed, as compared to the acquisition from the rhizosphere (25.5 vs 10.7%). The core microbiota of the rice seeds consisted of a smaller proportion of OTUs (3.59%) than that of the rice rhizosphere (7.54%). Among the core microbiota, species in Arthrobacter , Bacillus , Blastococcus , Curtobacterium , Pseudomonas , and Ramlibacter have been reported as potential pathogens and/or beneficial bacteria for plants. Both the seed and the rhizosphere of rice showed distance-decay of similarity in microbial communities. Seed moisture and winter mean annual temperature (WMAT) had significant impacts on seed microbiota, while WMAT, total carbon, available potassium, available phosphorus, aluminum, pH, and total nitrogen significantly determined the rhizosphere microbiota. Multiple functional pathways were found to be enriched in the seed or the rhizosphere microbiota, which, to some extent, explained the potential adaptation of bacterial communities to respective living habitats. The results presented here elucidate the composition and possible sources of rice seed microbiota, which is crucial for the health and productivity management in sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penicillium species in section Lanata‐divaricata are common soil‐inhabiting fungi, but their presence in acidic soil has rarely been investigated. In an ongoing survey of Penicillium species occurring in China, 465 strains were isolated from soil, and of which 60 belonged to section Lanata‐divaricata. The majority of these strains were isolated from acidic soil. The phylogenetic relationship between these 60 isolates and accepted species of section Lanata‐divaricata was studied using ITS, BenA, CaM and RPB2 sequences, which revealed the presence of seven accepted species and 13 novel lineages. Combining phylogenetic data with data generated during macro‐ and microscopic observations resulted in the description of 13 new species. The growth rate of the new species obtained in this study was determined under acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions (pH 4, 7, 10). With the exception of P. hainanense, which was not able to grow at pH 10, all strains were able to grow at the three examined pH levels. Eleven species (i.e. P. austrosinense, P. flaviroseum, P. globosum, P. griseoflavum, P. hainanense, P. jianfenglingense, P. laevigatum, P. rubriannulatum, P. soliforme, P. spinuliferum, P. yunnanense) grew faster at low pH (pH 4) than at pH 7 or 10, and these species are therefore referred to as acid‐preferential. Penicillium viridissimum grew fastest on neutral medium and P. guangxiense grew best at pH 10, and is therefore considered to be acid‐tolerant. By isolating strains from a unique environment, combined with targeted isolation using a well‐designed protocol, we are able to describe new fungal diversity with specific physiological characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new rust genus, Quasipucciniastrum, typified by Q. agrimoniae sp. nov., is proposed based on distinct morphological characters and phylogenetic placement. This genus is characterised by its uredinial ostiolar peridial cells with rough surface and sessile, multicellular teliospores with apparently thickened apical wall. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using internal transcribed spacer regions and intervening 5.8S nrRNA gene (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU) rDNA revealed that this genus is sister to the genus Cronartium (Cronartiaceae), but morphologically it is distinct from Cronartium in the sessile teliospores that are divided by vertical septa. Morphologically, Quasipucciniastrum should be compared to Pucciniastrum (Pucciniastraceae) in its multicellular teliospores, but they were phylogenetically distant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caves are typified by their permanent darkness and a shortage of nutrients. Consequently, bacteria play an important role in sustaining such subsurface ecosystems by dominating primary production and fueling biogeochemical cycles. China has one of the world's largest areas of karst topography in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, yet the bacteriomes in these karst caves remain unexplored. In this study, bacteriomes of eight karst caves in southwest China were examined, and co-occurrence networks of cave bacterial communities were constructed. Results revealed abundant and diversified bacterial communities in karst caves, with Proteobacteria , Actinobacteria , and Firmicutes being the most abundant phyla. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in bacteriomes among the eight caves. However, a PCoA plot did show that the bacterial communities of 128 cave samples clustered into groups corresponding to sampling types (air, water, rock, and sediment). These results suggest that the distribution of bacterial communities is driven more by sample types than the separate caves from which samples were collected. Further community-level composition analysis indicated that Proteobacteria were most dominant in water and air samples, while Actinobacteria dominated the sediment and rock samples. Co-occurrence analysis revealed highly modularized assembly patterns of the cave bacterial community, with Nitrosococcaceae wb1-P19, an uncultured group in Rokubacteriales , and an uncultured group in Gaiellales , being the top-three keystone members. These results not only expand our understanding of cave bacteriomes but also inspires functional exploration of bacterial strains in karst caves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Previous studies primarily based on the culture method have revealed that caves host a high fungal diversity and that exogenous carbon sources influence fungal communities. Here, we assess the fungal diversity and distribution patterns in karst caves in Southwest China and reveal the major factors that shape the fungal communities. Location: Southwest China. Methods: Samples of air, rock, sediment and water were collected from eight caves in Southwest China. Using high‐throughput sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 1 region of fungal rDNA, we examined the cave fungal communities in Southwest China and studied their correlations with potentially influential factors, such as substrate, cave, location and environmental variables. Results: Approximately 10,000 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) spanning 15 phyla were obtained. The highest diversity genus was Penicillium, while Mortierella had the highest relative abundance. Compared with air and rock samples, sediment and water samples harboured higher diversity and distinct communities. Substrate and cave were revealed to be the key determinants of the fungal communities in caves. Sample location and sampling distance from the entrance had more significant impacts on rock and sediment communities than on air and water assemblages. The fungal assemblages in air and water samples from the cave and outside cave environments were similar, while those of rock and sediment samples were significantly different. Main conclusions: Our results indicate that sediment and water harboured higher fungal diversity than air and rock, and substrate and spatial variables are key determinants of fungal communities in caves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel species of Microdochium was identified as the causal agent of a leaf blight of Poa pratensis (Kentucky blue grass) and Agrostis stolonifera (Creeping bentgrasses), two cold-season turfgrasses widely grown on golf courses in northern China. This disease first appears as small, water-soaked, and scattered leaf spots. Under conditions of high temperatures and successive days of rain, the infected leaves rapidly lose their integrity and large diseased patches appear. Fungal strains were isolated from blighted leaf spots. A phylogenetic analysis based on the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions and 5.8S rRNA gene (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) and parts of the β-tubulin (TUB2) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes strongly supported that these isolates are a distinct evolutionary lineage in Microdochium (Microdochiaceae, Xylariales) that represents a new taxonomic species, herein named as M. poae. Microscopic characters confirmed that these strains were morphologically distinct from known Microdochium species. The pathogenicity of M. poae was confirmed by inoculating spore suspension on both grasses and reisolation of the pathogen from symptomatic tissues. The optimal growth temperature suggests that the occurrence of the new leaf blight disease caused by M. poae was significantly different from the microdochium patch disease caused by M. nivale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alpha A-crystallin (CRYAA) is considered critical for the maintenance of lens transparency and is related to the pathogenesis of age-related cataracts (ARCs), especially the nuclear subtype. As the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) modulates gene expression, the purpose of current study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5' UTR of CRYAA were associated with susceptibility to ARC in a Han Chinese population and to clarify the mechanism of this association.Methods: SNPs in the 5' UTR (-1 to -1000) of CRYAA were identified in 243 nuclear ARC patients and 263 controls using polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Allele and genotype frequencies were calculated and compared between two groups. Haploview 4.2 was used to calculate the linkage disequilibrium index, and the SHEsis analysis platform was used to infer haplotype construction. A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used for transcription of CRYAA in the presence of a protective haplotype with individual SNP alteration, Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was employed to determine whether SNPs regulated CRYAA expression by altering the binding affinity of transcription factors.Results: Three polymorphisms were identified in the 5' UTR of CRYAA: rs3761381 (P = 0.000357, odds ratio [OR] = 1.837), rs13053109 (P = 0.788, OR = 1.086), and rs7278468 (P = 0.00136, OR = 0.652). The haplotype C-G-T (P = 0.0014, OR = 1.536) increased the risk of nuclear ARC, whereas the haplotype T-G-G (P = 0.00029, OR = 0.535) decreased the risk. The haplotype C-G-T decreased CRYAA transcription through rs7278468, which is located in the binding site of specificity protein 1 (Sp1). Furthermore, the G allele of rs7278468 increased CRYAA transcription by enhancing the binding affinity of Sp1.Conclusions: These data indicate that the CRYAA polymorphism is a genetic marker of inter-individual differences in the risk of nuclear ARC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Properly designed monitoring networks can generate data to understand status and trends of biodiversity, and to assess progress towards conservation targets. However, biodiversity monitoring is often affected by poor sampling design. We proposed an approach to choosing optimized monitoring sites among large areas. Based on comprehensive distribution data of 34,284 vertebrates and vascular plants from 2376 counties in China, we selected 564 optimized monitoring sites (counties) through complementarity analysis and pre-existing knowledge of nature reserves. The optimized monitoring sites are complementary to each other and reasonably distributed, to ensure that maximum species are covered while the total number of sites and monitoring costs are minimized. Incongruence of optimized monitoring sites among different taxa indicates that taxa with different ecological features should be selected for large-scale monitoring programmes. The results of this study have been applied in the design and operation of China Biodiversity Observation Network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cladosporiumspecies are ubiquitous in various environments but are hitherto rarely isolated from soil. In the present study, six newCladosporiumspecies inhabiting the plateau soils of China are described asC. neopsychrotolerans, C. paralimoniforme, C. prolongatum, C. sinuatum, C. tianshanense, andC. verruculosum. These species are phylogenetically distinct and morphologically different from known species. This study increased the number of species classified in theC. cladosporioidesandC. herbarumcomplexes and revealed Chinese plateau soil as a rich niche ofCladosporiumspecies diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The rare and threatened fern Christensenia aesculifolia of South-east Asia is listed in China as a second-ranked plant for national protection and is also categorized as one of 62 plant species with extremely small populations by the Yunnan provincial government. Field investigations during 2014–2017 failed to relocate one previously known population, and revealed that the single known extant population of C. aesculifolia contains only 10 individual plants. The most urgent conservation requirement for this species is to conserve the threatened habitat of the remnant population. Further field surveys and research are also required for an improved understanding of the species' status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the spatial patterns in species richness is a central issue in macroecology and biogeography. Analyses that have traditionally focused on overall species richness limit the generality and depth of inference. Spatial patterns of species richness and the mechanisms that underpin them in China remain poorly documented. We created a database of the distribution of 580 mammal species and 849 resident bird species from 2376 counties in China and established spatial linear models to identify the determinants of species richness and test the roles of five hypotheses for overall mammals and resident birds and the 11 habitat groups among the two taxa. Our result showed that elevation variability was the most important determinant of species richness of overall mammal and bird species. It is indicated that the most prominent predictors of species richness varied among different habitat groups: elevation variability for forest and shrub mammals and birds, temperature annual range for grassland and desert mammals and wetland birds, net primary productivity for farmland mammals, maximum temperature of the warmest month for cave mammals, and precipitation of the driest quarter for grassland and desert birds. Noteworthily, main land cover type was also found to obviously influence mammal and bird species richness in forests, shrubs and wetlands under the disturbance of intensified human activities. Our findings revealed a substantial divergence in the species richness patterns among different habitat groups and highlighted the group-specific and disparate environmental associations that underpin them. As we demonstrate, a focus on overall species richness alone might lead to incomplete or misguided understanding of spatial patterns. Conservation priorities that consider a broad spectrum of habitat groups will be more successful in safeguarding the multiple services of biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generic concept ofPhyllostictahas undergone substantial changes since its establishment in 1818. The existence of conidia with a mucilaginous sheath and an apical appendage is synapomorphic forPhyllostictaspecies, which has been shown in recent molecular phylogenetic studies. Thus a natural classification ofPhyllostictaspecies should emphasize above morphological characters. Many names inPhyllosticta, both published in the scientific literatures and in publically accessible databases, need updating. In China, more than 200 species names inPhyllostictahave been recorded, of which, 158 species names are reviewed here based on their morphological descriptions and molecular data. Only 20 species ofPhyllostictaare accepted from China. Other records ofPhyllostictarefer toPhoma(89 records),Asteromella(14 records),Boeremia(9 records),Phomopsis(7 records) andMicrosphaeropsis(1 record), with 19 names of uncertain generic classification. This work demonstrates an urgent need for the re-assessment of records ofPhyllostictaworldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic fungi include those that occur in freshwater, marine, and brackish water habitats. In China, aquatic fungi have been investigated since 1920s. In this paper, we summarized the known data and provided a comprehensive list of aquatic fungi in China. To date, 969 species have been reported in China, including 782 and 213 species from freshwater and marine habitats, respectively, with 26 overlaps. The 782 freshwater species comprise 25 chytridiomycetes, 256 ascomycetes, 416 hyphomycetes, 63 oomycetes, and 22 zygomycetes. The 213 marine species comprise 117 ascomycetes, 48 hyphomycetes, 1 basidiomycete, 5 oomycetes, and 42 yeasts. Although the aquatic fungi in China are still poorly investigated, with most areas of the territory untouched, the number of recorded species is higher than most of the other countries in the world. The investigation of aquatic fungi in China is patchy as most species were reported from the southwest areas. There is little overlapped taxa found on different substrata, which implies that most aquatic fungi may have a substrate preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic factors play important roles in the development of tuberculosis (TB). SP110 is a promising candidate target for controlling TB infections. However, several studies associating SP110 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with TB have yielded conflicting results. This may be partly resolved by studying other genes associated with SP110, such as MYBBP1A and RELA. Here, we genotyped 6 SP110 SNPs, 8 MYBBP1A SNPs and 5 RELA SNPs in 702 Chinese pulmonary TB patients and 425 healthy subjects using MassARRAY and SNaPshot methods. Using SNP-based analysis with Bonferroni correction, rs3809849 in MYBBP1A [ Pcorrected ( cor) = 0.0038] and rs9061 in SP110 ( Pcor = 0.019) were found to be significantly associated with TB. Furthermore, meta-analysis of rs9061 in East Asian populations showed that the rs9061 T allele conferred significant risk for TB [ P = 0.002, pooled odds ratio (OR), 1.24, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.08-1.43]. The MYBBP1A GTCTTGGG haplotype and haplotypes CGACCG/TGATTG within SP110 were found to be markedly and significantly associated with TB ( P = 2.00E−06, 5.00E−6 and 2.59E−4, respectively). Gene-based analysis also demonstrated that SP110 and MYBBP1A were each associated with TB ( Pcor = 0.011 and 0.035, respectively). The logistic regression analysis results supported interactions between SP110 and MYBBP1A, indicating that subjects carrying a GC/CC genotype in MYBBP1A and CC genotype in SP110 possessed the high risk of developing TB ( P = 1.74E−12). Our study suggests that a combination of SP110 and MYBBP1A gene polymorphisms may serve as a novel marker for identifying the risk of developing TB in the Chinese Han population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2002, parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted a decision "to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss." Comprehensive assessment of the progress toward this "significant reduction" is rare at the national level. We therefore developed national indicators and time-series data sets to evaluate whether China had made progress toward the 2010 biodiversity target, and found that considerable progress has been made: Forest resources have increased stably since 1989, the integrity of marine ecosystems has improved since 1997, water quality has remained stable, and desertified land is less extensive than it used to be as a result of various conservation initiatives. However, trends toward the loss of grasslands, threatened species, and genetic resources were not effectively checked. It is imperative that China undertake a more active and integrated strategy for biodiversity conservation to stem projected increases in wastewater discharges, nutrient loading, invasive alien species, and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is important for downregulation of T-cell activation, and CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms have been implicated as risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previous studies of the association between the +49 polymorphism of the CTLA-4 gene in RA have provided conflicting results. In order to determine association of the CTLA-4 gene with RA in Chinese Han population, we used denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to genotype polymorphisms of four SNPs (MH30, +49, CT60 and JO31) of the CTLA-4 gene in 326 RA patients and 250 healthy controls. Furthermore, meta-analysis of all available studies relating +49 polymorphism to the risk of RA was performed to confirm the disease association. Among the SNPs examined, the genotype frequencies of CTLA-4 +49 and CT60 in RA patients differed significantly from controls (P=0.028 and 0.007). In addition, the distribution of four haplotypes constructed by these two SNPs was significantly different between patients and controls (χ²/=10.58, d.f. =3, P=0.014). The meta-analysis also revealed that in both European and Asian populations, the CLTA-4 +49 G allele was associated with the risk of RA. These results suggested that the CTLA-4 gene might be involved in the susceptibility to RA in the Chinese Han population and both +49 and CT60 of CTLA-4 gene might be the causal variants in RA disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, PSESP, is a conservation concept developed in China aimed at rescuing most threatened plant species of China. The PSESP conservation program was first implemented in Yunnan Province in 2005. Here, we review the development and importance of this concept. Current progress based on the Implementation Plan of Rescuing and Conserving China's PSESP (2011–2015) is highlighted. 120 species were targeted for priority conservation under this program. Based on the PSESP guidelines, several key national and provincial projects supporting practical conservation and research in conservation biology were initiated. While a number of conservation objectives were achieved, unexpected challenges have hindered the fulfillment of five goals that the Plan expected to accomplish by 2015. We provide examples of a successful methodology and the factors supporting these techniques, as well as describe the gaps between scientific research and conservation practices. Finally, we emphasize how interdisciplinary conservation efforts involving multi-stakeholder coalitions with representatives from research institutes, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and local communities should be encouraged to achieve successful PSESP conservation. While this review seeks to facilitate China's tremendous plant conservation efforts to help overcome existing and be prepared for future challenges, the PSESP approach could be valuable in other countries for the preservation of threatened plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the need for urgent measures to protect the rare species of Magnoliaceae in China, Myanmar and Vietnam which were categorized as critically endangered due to habitat degradation, forest loss and low production of fruits.

Rice false smut caused by the fungal pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens is becoming a destructive disease throughout major rice-growing countries. Information about its genetic diversity and population structure is essential for rice breeding and efficient control of the disease. This study compared the genome sequences of two U. virens isolates. Three SNP-rich genomic regions were identified as molecular markers that could be used to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of U. virens in China. A total of 56 multilocus sequence types (haplotypes) were identified out of 162 representative isolates from 15 provinces covering five major rice-growing areas in China. However, the phylogeny, based on sequences at individual SNP-rich regions, strongly conflicted with each other and there were significant genetic differences between different geographical populations. Gene flow between the different geographical populations and genetic differentiation within each geographical population were also detected. In addition, genetic recombination and genetic isolation resulting from geographic separation was also found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Diaporthe species include important plant pathogenic fungi with wide host ranges and geographic distributions. In this paper, species associated with Lithocarpus glabra were examined using a multi-locus phylogeny based on a combined rDNA-internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1), beta tubulin (TUB), and calmodulin (CAL) regions. The phylogenies inferred from combined multi-locus sequences grouped isolates from L. glabra into seven distinct lineages with high branch support, which corresponded to two previously described species and five novel species described in this paper. Our results indicate a high species diversity of Diaporthe associated with L. glabra , and host association is further proved not reliable for species delimitation. Three species previously described in Phomopsis were transferred to Diaporthe in the present paper. A synopsis of morphological characters of the 14 species currently known from Fagaceae is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black rot disease of Vitis species and other host genera of Vitacease is caused by Phyllosticta ampelicida and allied taxa which is considered to be a species complex. In this paper, we introduce four new species of Phyllosticta , including two from the P. ampelicida complex, based on a polyphasic characterization including disease symptoms and host association, morphology, and molecular phylogeny. The phylogenetic analysis was conducted based on the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and a combined multi-locus alignment of the ITS, actin (ACT), partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1), and glyceraldehydes 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) gene regions. Our study confirms the phylogenetic distinctions of the four new species, as well as their phenotypic differences with known species in the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxin contamination of rice (Oryza sativa), especially that from aflatoxins (AFTs), is one of the greatest chemical hazards to humans and animals. However, few studies have investigated the relationships between fungal communities and mycotoxin contamination of rice grains. In the present study, we collected rice grain samples from 10 provinces in the northeastern (NE), southeastern (SE), and southwestern (SW) regions of China, encompassing the major rice-producing areas of China. The Fungal diversities of rice grains were significantly different among different regions and significantly higher in the SE and SW regions compared to the NE region. Geographic location was highly associated with fungal community alpha and beta diversity differences. Environmental variables determined the distribution of fungal communities, with winter mean temperature (WMT), mean annual precipitation (MAP), harvest mean wind speed (HMW), and grain moisture (GM) being the most important factor shaping the fungal communities, and the higher HMW could significantly reduce the abundance of aflatoxigenic fungi and aflatoxins. The Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus were defined as the major AFT-producing fungal taxa observed in the SE and SW region communities. The NE region exhibited a lower risk of AFT contamination due to its much lower prevalence of toxigenic fungi. Furthermore, keystone taxa of co-occurrence network analyses indicated that species belonging to the genera Clonostachys , Cryptococcus , Hannaella , Leptosphaerulina , Leptosphaeria , Phaeosphaeria , Sarocladium , Sphaerulina , Wallemia and Ustilaginoidea exhibited abundances that were negatively correlated with AFT-producing fungal abundances and could potentially inhibit the growth of AFT-producing fungi. The results provide potentially important data for the strategic guidance of local rice grains storage in order to better control toxin contamination and improve grain quality. • Rice grain fungal communities in major producing areas of China were explored. • Mycobiota of rice grain was correlated to geographic and environmental factors. • Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus were the main toxigenic fungal taxa in China. • Rice grains in Northeastern China exhibited a lower risk of AFT contamination. • The distribution of major mycotoxins-producing fungal taxa was characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuing emergence of invasive fungal pathogens poses an increasing threat to public health. Here, through the China Hospital Invasive Fungal Surveillance Net programme, we identified two independent cases of human infection with a previously undescribed invasive fungal pathogen, Rhodosporidiobolus fluvialis, from a genus in which many species are highly resistant to fluconazole and caspofungin. We demonstrate that R. fluvialis can undergo yeast-to-pseudohyphal transition and that pseudohyphal growth enhances its virulence, revealed by the development of a mouse model. Furthermore, we show that mouse infection or mammalian body temperature induces its mutagenesis, allowing the emergence of hypervirulent mutants favouring pseudohyphal growth. Temperature-induced mutagenesis can also elicit the development of pan-resistance to three of the most commonly used first-line antifungals (fluconazole, caspofungin and amphotericin B) in different Rhodosporidiobolus species. Furthermore, polymyxin B was found to exhibit potent activity against the pan-resistant Rhodosporidiobolus mutants. Collectively, by identifying and characterizing a fungal pathogen in the drug-resistant genus Rhodosporidiobolus, we provide evidence that temperature-dependent mutagenesis can enable the development of pan-drug resistance and hypervirulence in fungi, and support the idea that global warming can promote the evolution of new fungal pathogens., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Seeds are important microbial vectors, and seed-associated pathogens can be introduced into a country through trade, resulting in yield and quality losses in agriculture. The aim of this study was to characterize the microbial communities associated with barley seeds, and based on which, to develop technical approaches to trace their geographical origins, and to inspect and identify quarantine pathogens. Our analysis defined the core microbiota of barley seed and revealed significant differences in the barley seed-associated microbial communities among different continents, suggesting a strong geographic specificity of the barley seed microbiota. By implementing a machine learning model, we achieved over 95% accuracy in tracing the origin of barley seeds. Furthermore, the analysis of co-occurrence and exclusion patterns provided important insights into the identification of candidate biocontrol agents or microbial inoculants that could be useful in improving barley yield and quality. A core pathogen database was developed, and a procedure for inspecting potential quarantine species associated with barley seed was established. These approaches proved effective in detecting four fungal and three bacterial quarantine species for the first time in the port of China. This study not only characterized the core microbiota of barley seeds but also provided practical approaches for tracing the regional origin of barley and identifying potential quarantine pathogens., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work, there is no professional or other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product, service and/or company that could be construed as influencing the position presented in, or the review of, the manuscript entitled, “Characterization of core microbiota of barley seeds from different continents for origin tracing and quarantine pathogen assessment”., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This prospective, non-randomized, comparative study aimed to compare the visual outcomes and patient satisfaction after implantations of three presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses (IOLs) after myopic refractive surgery. It was conducted from January 2020 to December 2021 in Shanghai Heping Eye Hospital. Patients were divided into three groups based on the type of IOL implanted. The visual acuity, refractive stability, high-order aberrations, objective visual quality, spectacle independence, and visual function index 14 questionnaire scores of the three groups were compared. This study included 78 eyes of 39 patients: 26 eyes with 839MP, 26 eyes with MF30, and 26 eyes with ZXR00. Uncorrected distance visual acuity improved significantly for all three groups. For a pupil diameter of 4.0 mm, the spherical aberrations of the three groups were 0.33 ± 0.16 μ, 0.50 ± 0.08 μ, and 0.39 ± 0.10 μ, respectively. The spectacle independence for distance vision was over 90% in each group; for near vision, it was only 25% for the ZXR00 group. All three types of presbyopia-correcting IOLs improved visual quality in post-LASIK or PRK patients. However, the high incidence of photic phenomena after presbyopia-correcting IOL implantation in patients who have undergone myopic LASIK should not be neglected., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Magnolia sinica (Magnoliaceae) is a highly threatened tree endemic to southeast Yunnan, China. In this study, we generated for the first time a high-quality chromosome-scale genome sequence from M. sinica, by combining Illumina and ONT data with Hi-C scaffolding methods. The final assembled genome size of M. sinica was 1.84 Gb, with a contig N50 of ca. 45 Mb and scaffold N50 of 92 Mb. Identified repeats constituted approximately 57% of the genome, and 43,473 protein-coding genes were predicted. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the magnolias form a sister clade with the eudicots and the order Ceratophyllales, while the monocots are sister to the other core angiosperms. In our study, a total of 21 individuals from the 5 remnant populations of M. sinica, as well as 22 specimens belonging to 8 related Magnoliaceae species, were resequenced. The results showed that M. sinica had higher genetic diversity (θw = 0.01126 and θπ = 0.01158) than other related species in the Magnoliaceae. However, population structure analysis suggested that the genetic differentiation among the 5 M. sinica populations was very low. Analyses of the demographic history of the species using different models consistently revealed that 2 bottleneck events occurred. The contemporary effective population size of M. sinica was estimated to be 10.9. The different patterns of genetic loads (inbreeding and numbers of deleterious mutations) suggested constructive strategies for the conservation of these 5 different populations of M. sinica. Overall, this high-quality genome will be a valuable genomic resource for conservation of M. sinica., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press GigaScience.)

Mulching is an important agricultural management tool for increasing watermelon productivity and land-use efficiency because it helps improve water use efficiency and reduce soil erosion. However, there is relatively little available information regarding the effects of long-term continuous monoculture farming on soil fungal communities and related fungal pathogens in arid and semiarid regions. In this study, we characterized the fungal communities of four treatment groups, including gravel-sand-mulched farmland, gravel-sand-mulched grassland, fallow gravel-sand-mulched grassland, and native grassland, using amplicon sequencing. Our results revealed that the soil fungal communities differed significantly between mulched farmland and mulched grassland as well as the fallow mulched grassland. Gravel-sand mulch significantly impaired the diversity and composition of soil fungal communities. Soil fungal communities were more sensitive to gravel-sand mulch in grassland than in other habitats. Long-term continuous monoculture (more than 10 years) led to decreased abundance of Fusarium species, which contains include agronomically important plant pathogens. In the gravel-mulched cropland, some Penicillium and Mortierella fungi were significantly enriched with increasing mulch duration, suggesting potential beneficial properties of those fungi that could be applied to disease control. We also found that long-term gravel mulching in continuous monoculture farming could potentially form disease-suppressive soils and alter soil microbial biodiversity and fertility. Our study provides insights into the exploration of novel agricultural management strategies along with continuous monoculture practice to control watermelon wilt disease by maintaining a more sustainable and healthier soil environment. IMPORTANCE Gravel-sand mulching is a traditional agricultural practice in arid and semiarid regions, providing a surface barrier for soil and water conservation. However, application of such practice in monocropping systems may lead to outbreaks of several devastating plant diseases, such as watermelon Fusarium wilt. Our results with amplicon sequencing suggest that soil fungal communities differ significantly between mulched farmland and mulched grassland and are more sensitive to gravel-sand mulch in grassland. Under continuous monoculture regimens, long-term gravel mulch is not necessarily detrimental and may result in decreased Fusarium abundance. However, some known beneficial soil fungi may be enriched in the gravel-mulch cropland as mulch duration increases. A possible explanation for the reduction in Fusarium abundance may be the formation of disease-suppressive soils. This study provides insight into the need to explore alternative strategies using beneficial microbes for sustainable watermelon wilt control in continuous monocropping system., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Fungal communities are diverse and abundant in coastal waters, yet, their ecological roles and adaptations remain largely unknown. To address these gaps, ITS2 metabarcoding and metatranscriptomic analyses were used to capture the whole suite of fungal diversity and their metabolic potential in water column and sediments in the Yellow Sea during August and October 2019. ITS2 metabarcoding described successfully the abundance of Dikarya during August and October at the different examined habitats, but strongly underrepresented or failed to identify other fungal taxa, including zoosporic and early-diverging lineages, that were abundant in the mycobiome as uncovered by metatranscriptomes. Metatranscriptomics also revealed enriched expression of genes annotated to zoosporic fungi (e.g., chytrids) mainly in the surface water column in October. This enriched expression was correlated with the two-fold increase in chlorophyll-a intensity attributed to phytoplanktonic species which are known to be parasitized by chytrids. The concurrent high expression of genes related to calcium signalling and GTPase activity suggested that these metabolic traits facilitate the parasitic lifestyle of chytrids. Similarly, elevated expression of phagosome genes annotated to Rozellomycota, an early-diverging fungal phylum not fully detected with ITS2 metabarcoding, suggested that this taxon utilizes a suite of feeding modes, including phagotrophy in this coastal setting. Our data highlight the necessity of using combined approaches to accurately describe the community structure of coastal mycobiome. We also provide in-depth insights into the fungal ecological roles in coastal waters, and report potential metabolic mechanisms utilized by fungi to cope with environmental stresses that occur during distinct seasonal months in coastal ecosystems., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: To investigate the rotational stability of plate-haptic toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) during 3-month follow-up., Setting: Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China., Design: Prospective observational study., Methods: Patients with cataracts implanted with AT TORBI 709M toric IOLs were enrolled and followed at 1 hour, 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. A linear mixed model of repeated measures was applied to investigate the time course of absolute IOL rotation change. The 2-week overall IOL rotation was analyzed in the age, sex, axial length (AL), lens thickness (LT), preexisting astigmatism, and white-to-white subgroups., Results: A total of 328 eyes of 258 patients were included. The rotation from the end of surgery to 1 hour and 1 day to 3 days was significantly smaller compared with the rotation from 1 hour to 1 day but more than that at other time intervals in the overall group. 2 weeks postoperatively, the mean uncorrected distance visual acuity and remaining positive cylinder were 0.19 ± 0.22 logMAR and 0.60 ± 0.44 diopters, respectively. Significant between-group differences in 2-week overall rotation were found in the age, AL, and LT subgroups., Conclusions: Maximum rotation occurred within 1 hour to 1 day postoperatively, and the first 3 days postoperatively was a high-risk period for the plate-haptic toric IOL rotation. Surgeons should make the patients aware of this., (Copyright © 2023 Published by Wolters Kluwer on behalf of ASCRS and ESCRS.)

Purpose: To evaluate risk factors for significant rotation and determine optimal timing for repositioning surgery following a plate-haptic toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation., Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients who underwent the plate-haptic toric IOL implantation at seven hospitals in Shanghai. IOL rotation and residual astigmatism were compared before and after repositioning surgery. Risk factors for significant IOL rotation after cataract surgery were identified by stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. Spearman's and linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with IOL rotation after repositioning. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the optimal timing for repositioning surgery., Results: Among 2,745 eyes implanted with the toric IOL, 46 eyes (1.68%) of 45 patients underwent repositioning surgery. Axial length and lens thickness were significantly associated with IOL rotation before repositioning. After repositioning surgery, IOL rotation and residual astigmatism were significantly reduced (all P < .001). IOL rotation after repositioning was negatively associated with the timing of repositioning surgery (all P < .001). The ROC curve showed that the optimal cut-off for the timing of repositioning surgery was 15 days or greater., Conclusions: The prevalence of repositioning surgery after the plate-haptic toric IOL implantation was 1.68%, and the optimal timing for repositioning surgery was recommended to be 2 to 3 weeks after cataract surgery. [ J Refract Surg . 2023;39(2):120-126.] .

Purpose: To compare the visual outcomes and complications of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and conventional phacoemulsification (CPS) in patients with prior pars plana vitrectomy (PPV)., Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and Ears, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China., Design: Prospective randomized controlled cohort study., Method: According to the Lens Opacity Classification System III, cataract patients with nucleus grade 3 to 6 after prior PPV were randomized to 2 groups (FLACS or CPS). Endothelial cell density (ECD), central corneal thickness (CCT), and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. Intraoperative parameters and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded., Results: 86 eyes (45 and 41 in the FLACS and CPS groups, respectively) were included and analyzed, among which 43 had hard nuclei (grade 5 or 6). Cumulative dissipated energy was lower and ultrasound time was shorter among FLACS patients with hard nuclei ( P < .001). CDVA was similar in both groups at the final visit ( P > .05). ECD decreased in both groups but was lower among CPS patients with hard nuclei throughout the follow-up period ( P < .05). CCT had returned to preoperative levels at the final visit in both groups; however, eyes with hard cataract in the FLACS group recovered sooner. No serious complications occurred in either group., Conclusions: FLACS is beneficial in improving surgical safety and providing quicker visual rehabilitation in vitrectomized eyes with hard nuclear cataracts., (Copyright © 2022 Published by Wolters Kluwer on behalf of ASCRS and ESCRS.)

Purpose: To establish and validate an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted automatic cataract grading program based on the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III)., Setting: Eye and Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China., Design: AI training., Methods: Advanced deep-learning algorithms, including Faster R-CNN and ResNet, were applied to the localization and analysis of the region of interest. An internal dataset from the EENT Hospital of Fudan University and an external dataset from the Pujiang Eye Study were used for AI training, validation, and testing. The datasets were automatically labeled on the AI platform regarding the capture mode and cataract grading based on the LOCS III., Results: The AI program showed reliable capture mode recognition, grading, and referral capability for nuclear and cortical cataract grading. In the internal and external datasets, 99.4% and 100% of automatic nuclear grading, respectively, had an absolute prediction error of ≤1.0, with a satisfactory referral capability (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.983 for the internal dataset; 0.977 for the external dataset); 75.0% (internal dataset) and 93.5% (external dataset) of the automatic cortical grades had an absolute prediction error of ≤1.0, with AUCs of 0.855 and 0.795 for referral, respectively. Good consistency was observed between automatic and manual grading when both nuclear and cortical cataracts were evaluated. However, automatic grading of posterior subcapsular cataracts was impractical., Conclusions: The AI program proposed in this study showed robust grading and diagnostic performance for both nuclear and cortical cataracts, based on LOCS III., Competing Interests: Disclosures: J. Wang, X. He, and D. Ding are employees of Vistel AI Laboratory, Visionary Intelligence Ltd. The other authors declare that they had no commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest with this research., (Copyright © 2021 Published by Wolters Kluwer on behalf of ASCRS and ESCRS.)

BACKGROUNDMajor depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are highly comorbid and exhibit strong correlations with one another. We aimed to investigate mechanisms of underlying relationships between PTSD and 3 kinds of depressive phenotypes, namely, MDD, depressed affect (DAF), and depression (DEP, including both MDD and the broad definition of depression).METHODSGenetic correlations between PTSD and the depressive phenotypes were tested using linkage disequilibrium score regression. Polygenic overlap analysis was used to estimate shared and trait-specific causal variants across a pair of traits. Causal relationships between PTSD and the depressive phenotypes were investigated using Mendelian randomization. Shared genomic loci between PTSD and MDD were identified using cross-trait meta-analysis.RESULTSGenetic correlations of PTSD with the depressive phenotypes were in the range of 0.71-0.80. The estimated numbers of causal variants were 14,565, 12,965, 10,565, and 4,986 for MDD, DEP, DAF, and PTSD, respectively. In each case, causal variants contributing to PTSD were completely or largely covered by causal variants defining each of the depressive phenotypes. Mendelian randomization analysis indicated that the genetically determined depressive phenotypes confer a causal effect on PTSD (b = 0.21-0.31). Notably, genetically determined PTSD confers a causal effect on DEP (b = 0.14) and DAF (b = 0.15), but not MDD. Cross-trait meta-analysis of MDD and PTSD identified 47 genomic loci, including 29 loci shared between PTSD and MDD.CONCLUSIONEvidence from shared genetics suggests that PTSD is a subtype of MDD. This study provides support to the efforts in reducing diagnostic heterogeneity in psychiatric nosology.FUNDINGThe National Key Research and Development Program of China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Written vocabulary size plays a key role in children's reading development. We aim to study the relationship between Chinese written vocabulary size and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors in primary school students. Using stratified cluster sampling, 1162 pupils from Grade 2~5 in Guangzhou were investigated. Chinese written vocabulary size, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors were assessed by the Chinese written vocabulary size assessment scale, the dyslexia checklist for Chinese children (DCCC) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), respectively. The scores of visual word recognition deficit ( β = -3.32, 95% CI: -5.98, -0.66) and meaning comprehension deficit ( β = -6.52, 95% CI: -9.39, -3.64) were negatively associated with Chinese written vocabulary size; the score of visual word recognition deficit (odds ratio (OR) = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.07) was the related factor of a delay in written vocabulary size. The score of meaning comprehension deficit was negatively associated with boys' Chinese written vocabulary size, while the score of auditory word recognition deficit was negatively associated with girls' Chinese written vocabulary size. The related factor of a delay in written vocabulary size was spelling deficit in boys and visual word recognition deficit in girls. There is a significant correlation between Chinese written vocabulary size and cognitive factors, but not emotional and behavioral factors in primary school students and these correlations are different when considering gender.

Rationale: Acute liver failure (ALF) causes severe liver injury and a systemic inflammatory response, leading to multiorgan failure with a high short-term mortality. Bioartificial liver (BAL) therapy is a promising approach that is hampered by the lack of appropriate bioreactors and carriers to retain hepatic cell function and poor understanding of BAL treatment mechanisms in ALF and extrahepatic organ injury. Recently, we used a fiber scaffold bioreactor (FSB) for the high-density, three-dimensional (3D) culture of primary porcine hepatocytes (PPHs) combined with an absorption component to construct a BAL and verified its function in a D-galactosamine (D-gal)-induced ALF porcine model to evaluate its protective effects on the liver and extrahepatic organs. Methods: Male pigs were randomized into standard/supportive therapy (ST), ST+no-cell BAL (ST+Sham BAL) and ST+BAL groups and received treatment 48 h after receiving a D-gal injection. Changes in blood chemistry and clinical symptoms were monitored for 120 h. Tissues and plasma were collected for analysis by pathological examination, immunoblotting, quantitative PCR and immunoassays. Results: PPHs cultured in the FSB obtained sufficient aeration and nutrition for high-density, 3D culture and maintained superior viability and functionality (biosynthesis and detoxification) compared with those cultured in flasks. All the animals developed ALF, acute kidney injury (AKI) and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) 48 h after D-gal infusion and received corresponding therapies. Animals in the BAL group showed markedly improved survival (4/5; 80%) compared with those in the ST+Sham BAL (0/5; p < 0.001) and ST (0/5; p < 0.001) groups. The levels of blood ammonia and biochemical and inflammatory indices were alleviated after BAL treatment. Increased liver regeneration and attenuations in the occurrence and severity of ALF, AKI and HE were observed in the ST+BAL group compared with the ST (p = 0.0009; p = 0.038) and ST+Sham BAL (p = 0.011; p = 0.031) groups. Gut leakage, the plasma endotoxin level, bacterial translocation, and peripheral and neuroinflammation were alleviated in the ST+BAL group compared with those in the other groups. Conclusions: BAL treatment enhanced liver regeneration and alleviated the systemic inflammatory response and extrahepatic organ injury to prolong survival in the ALF model and has potential as a therapeutic approach for ALF patients., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Autologous fat grafting (AFG) has become a third alternative for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. However, total breast reconstruction using AFG remains a great challenge. We performed breast reconstruction using large-volume condensed and viable fat grafting in 30 postmastectomy patients (irradiated, n = 9; nonirradiated, n = 21). The grafts were purified and condensed by the washing and cotton gauze rolling technique. The surgical maneuver is designed to preserve the grafts viability. Three-dimensional expansion was applied where strong adhesions were present. Seven patients wore the Brava device for the expansion of the recipient site. The mean (SD) volume of fat grafted in each procedure was 230.5 (57.8) mL. The average number of sessions was 3.3 (0.7). The irradiated patients required more sessions than the nonirradiated patients (p=.017). The mean follow-up period was 12.8 (4.3) months. One patient (3%) developed postoperative cellulitis. Cysts and palpable nodules occurred in eight patients (27%) and one patient (3%), respectively. Severe dermatitis and skin pigmentation change occurred in one patient wearing the Brava device. The esthetic scores significantly improved after the treatments (p<.001). Approximately 90% of the patients were satisfied. No local recurrence or remote metastasis was documented during the follow-up period. Our study showed the success of total breast reconstruction using AFG. As a third alternative for breast reconstruction, total breast reconstruction using large volume condensed and viable fat grafting is an effective and safe approach for postmastectomy patients., (Copyright © 2020 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)