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Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most lethal gynecological malignancies in women worldwide. G protein–coupled receptor 12 (GPR12) is a member of G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) and plays an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation and survival. However, its role in EOC is underappreciated. In this study, we found that GPR12 is highly expressed in the EOC tissues and can be an ideal biomarker to predict the prognosis of patients with EOC. GPR12 knockdown obviously inhibits the proliferation of EOC cells by inducing cellular apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, bioinformatic analysis showed that the inhibitory effect of GPR12 knockdown on the cell viability is closely related with Extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway, which has been confirmed by the fact that the activity of ERK1/2 pathway has been significantly blocked in the GPR12 knockdown cells. LM22B-10, ERK1/2 pathway activator, could reverse the inhibited proliferation caused by GPR12 knockdown in the EOC cells. Our findings suggest that GPR12 is involved in the EOC process and is a potential therapeutic target for EOC.

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapies may change or accelerate aging trajectories in cancer patients. Emerging evidence has shown that “omics” data can be used to study molecular changes of the aging process. Here, we integrated the drug-induced and normal aging transcriptomic data to computationally characterize the potential cancer drug-induced aging process in patients. Our analyses demonstrated that the aging-associated gene expression in the GTEx dataset can recapitulate the well-established aging hallmarks. We next characterized the drug-induced transcriptomic changes of 28 FDA approved cancer drugs in brain, kidney, muscle, and adipose tissues. Further drug-aging interaction analysis identified 34 potential drug regulated aging events. Those events include aging accelerating effects of vandetanib (Caprelsa®) and dasatinib (Sprycel®) in brain and muscle, respectively. Our result also demonstrated aging protective effect of vorinostat (Zolinza®), everolimus (Afinitor®), and bosutinib (Bosulif®) in brain.

Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo is a famous plant with a high medicinal value which has been recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 Edition). The medicinal properties of D. officinale are based on its chemical composition. However, there are no reports on how different cultivation methods affect its chemical composition. In order to reveal this issue, samples of the D. officinale were collected in this study through tree epiphytic cultivation, stone epiphytic cultivation, and greenhouse cultivation. Polysaccharides were determined by phenol sulfuric acid method and secondary metabolites were detected by the UPLC-MS technique. In addition, with regards to metabolomics, we used multivariate analyses including principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares analysis (OPLS-DA) to screen for differential metabolites which met the conditions of variable importance projection values >1, fold change >4, and p < 0.05. The differential metabolites were taken further for metabolic pathway enrichment analysis, which was based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, and validated by antioxidant activity. Comparing the three groups of samples according to the standards of the ChP (2020 edition), the results showed that the polysaccharide content of the samples from stony epiphytic cultivation and greenhouse cultivation was significantly higher than that of the samples from live tree epiphytic cultivation. Metabolomic analysis revealed that there were 185 differential metabolites among the 3 cultivation methods, with 99 of the differential metabolites being highest in the stone epiphytic cultivation. The results of the metabolic pathway enrichment analysis showed that the different cultivation strategies mainly effected four carbohydrate metabolic pathways, five secondary metabolite synthesis pathways, six amino acid metabolic pathways, one nucleotide metabolism pathway, three cofactor and vitamin metabolism pathways, and one translation pathway in genetic information processing. Furthermore, D. officinale from stone epiphytic cultivation which had the best antioxidant activity was implicated in differential metabolite production. This study revealed the effects of different cultivation methods on the chemical composition of D. officinale and also provided a reference for establishing the quality control standards to aid its development and utilization.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is an important strategy for cancer treatment and has achieved remarkable clinical results. Further enhancement of the efficacy of ICB therapy with a new technical approach is of potential medical importance. In this study, we constructed a novel nanotherapeutic agent (PDL1-NP-FEXO) for cancer immunotherapy by attaching PD-L1 aptamers to albumin nanoparticles that were loaded with H1-antihitamine fexofenadine (FEXO). FEXO has been reported to enhance the immunotherapy response by reducing the immunosuppressive M2-like macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. The albumin nanoparticle was fabricated using a self-assembly method. A dynamic light scattering (DLS) study revealed that the average size of PD-L1 aptamer-modified nanoparticle without FEXO (PDL1-NP) was 135.5 nm, while that of PDL1-NP-FEXO was 154.6 nm. Similar to free PD-L1 aptamer, PDL1-NP could also bind with PD-L1-expressing tumor cells (MDA-MB-231). Of note, compared with free PD-L1 aptamer, PDL1-NP significantly boosted tumor inhibition in CT26-bearing mice. Moreover, PDL1-NP-FEXO further enhanced the antitumor efficacy vs. PDL1-NP in an animal model, without raising systemic toxicity. These results indicate that PDL1-NP-FEXO represents a promising strategy to improve ICB efficacy and may have application potential in cancer immunotherapy.

The luminescence properties of iron-doped ZnSe (Fe2+:ZnSe) single crystals grown via a traveling heater method have been studied via photoluminescence (PL). Nine emission bands were identified in the PL spectra of Fe2+:ZnSe single crystals and their origins were also discussed. The near-infrared emission bands seen at 820 nm and 978 nm can be attributed to the emission bands formed by the background Fe or other impurity-related defect complexes in Fe2+:ZnSe single crystals, rather than by doped transition-metal-related defects. With the increase in temperature, the PL intensity increased slightly and reached a maximum near room temperature for bound excitons (430–490 nm), but the PL intensity decreased significantly for impurity-defect emission bands (500–720 nm), indicating the occurrence of a thermal quenching effect. The excitation wavelength-dependent PL spectra showed that PL intensity first increased and then decreased with an increase in the excitation wavelengths, and the maximum PL intensity of the bound excitons was obtained at 364 nm. In addition, the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results showed that both bivalent and trivalent iron ions were found, but bivalence was the dominant charge state for iron atoms in the iron-doped ZnSe single crystals, meaning that they are suitable for developing mid-infrared gain medium applications.

Simulated moving bed chromatography (SMB) is a proven and efficient separation tool for the complex separation needs of a variety of industries. On the basis of analysis on the SMB chromatographic separation, the appropriate indexes were selected to optimize and control the separation process. Taking the component purity and yield of extract and residual solution as prediction objects, the soft-sensor modeling was conducted based on online sequential extreme learning machine (OS-ELM), online sequential reduced kernel extreme learning machine (OS-RKELM) and regularized online sequential extreme learning machine (ReOS-ELM). The results show that different limit learning functions can effectively realize the accurate prediction of key economic and technical indexes, and can meet the real-time, efficient and robust operation of SMB chromatographic separation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A genome-wide association study of resistance to retained placenta (RETP) using 632,212 Holstein cows and 74,747 SNPs identified 200 additive effects with p-values < 10−8 on thirteen chromosomes but no dominance effect was statistically significant. The regions of 87.61–88.74 Mb of Chr09 about 1.13 Mb in size had the most significant effect in LOC112448080 and other highly significant effects in CCDC170 and ESR1, and in or near RMND1 and AKAP12. Four non-ESR1 genes in this region were reported to be involved in ESR1 fusions in humans. Chr23 had the largest number of significant effects that peaked in SLC17A1, which was involved in urate metabolism and transport that could contribute to kidney disease. The PKHD1 gene contained seven significant effects and was downstream of another six significant effects. The ACOT13 gene also had a highly significant effect. Both PKHD1 and ACOT13 were associated with kidney disease. Another highly significant effect was upstream of BOLA-DQA2. The KITLG gene of Chr05 that acts in utero in germ cell and neural cell development, and hematopoiesis was upstream of a highly significant effect, contained a significant effect, and was between another two significant effects. The results of this study provided a new understanding of genetic factors underlying RETP in U.S. Holstein cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an inflammatory disease of the liver. Liver X receptors (LXRs), including the α and β isoforms, are previously known for their anti‐inflammatory activities. The goal of this study is to determine whether and how LXR plays a role in AIH. LXRα gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function mouse models were used, in conjunction with the concanavalin A (ConA) model of T‐cell mediated hepatitis. We first showed that the hepatic expression of LXRα was decreased in the ConA model of hepatitis and in human patients with AIH. In the ConA model, we were surprised to find that activation of LXRα in the constitutively activated VP‐LXRα whole‐body knock‐in (LXRα‐KI) mice exacerbated ConA‐induced AIH, whereas the LXRα−/− mice showed attenuated ConA‐induced AIH. Interestingly, hepatocyte‐specific activation of LXRα in the fatty acid binding protein–VP‐LXRα transgenic mice did not exacerbate ConA‐induced hepatitis. Mechanistically, the sensitizing effect of the LXRα‐KI allele was invariant natural killer T (iNKT)–cell dependent, because the sensitizing effect was abolished when the LXRα‐KI allele was bred into the NKT‐deficient CD1d−/− background. In addition, LXRα‐enhanced ConA‐induced hepatitis was dependent on interferon gamma. In contrast, adoptive transfer of hepatic iNKT cells isolated from LXRα‐KI mice was sufficient to sensitize CD1d−/− mice to ConA‐induced AIH. Conclusion: Activation of LXRα sensitizes mice to ConA‐induced AIH in iNKT and interferon gamma–dependent manner. Our results suggest that LXRα plays an important role in the development of AIH.

Gaultheria griffithiana is an evergreen shrub in the family Ericaceae. It is used as a source of the Chinese traditional medicine, Tougucao, with distribution of the junction of eastern Himalaya and Hengduan Mountain. The chloroplast genome of G. griffithiana is 175,649 bp in length with 135 genes, including eight rRNA genes, 39 tRNA genes, and 85 protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis has converged on the placement of G. griffithiana as sister to G. praticola, G. nummularioides, and G. hookeri within the Leucothoides clade of Gaultheria in this study.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the biological characteristics and functions of a Trichinella spiralis serine proteinase (TsSerp) during larval invasion and development in the host. The full-length TsSerp cDNA sequence was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. The results of RT-PCR, IFA and western blotting analyses showed that TsSerp was a secretory protein that was highly expressed at the T. spiralis intestinal infective larva and muscle larva stages and primarily located at the cuticle, stichosome and intrauterine embryos of the parasite. rTsSerp promoted the larval invasion of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and the enteric mucosa, whereas an anti-rTsSerp antibody impeded larval invasion; the promotion and obstruction roles were dose-dependently related to rTsSerp and the anti-rTsSerp antibodies, respectively. Vaccination of mice with rTsSerp elicited a remarkable humoral immune response (high levels of serum IgG, IgG1/IgG2a, IgE and IgM), and it also triggered both systemic (spleen) and local intestinal mucosal mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cellular immune responses, as demonstrated by a significant elevation in Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4) after the spleen and MLN cells from vaccinated mice were stimulated with rTsSerp. Anti-TsSerp antibodies participated in the killing and destruction of newborn larvae via ADCC. The mice vaccinated with rTsSerp exhibited a 48.7% reduction in intestinal adult worms and a 52.5% reduction in muscle larvae. These results indicated that TsSerp participates in T. spiralis invasion and development in the host and might be considered a potential candidate target antigen to develop oral polyvalent preventive vaccines against Trichinella infection.

Uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) is a relatively infrequent, but extremely aggressive endometrial malignancy. Although surgery and chemotherapy have improved outcomes, overall survival (OS) remains dismal due to the lack of targeted therapy and biphasic (epithelial and mesenchymal) nature that renders the tumor aggressive and difficult to manage. Here we report a role of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) in maintaining epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and aggressiveness in UCS. Using a 3D-culture system, we evaluated the efficacy of the transforming growth factor-β receptor-I (TGFβR1) kinase inhibitor Galunisertib (GLT), alone and in combination with standard chemotherapeutic drugs used for the management of UCS. We demonstrate that GLT by inhibiting canonical and non-canonical signaling emanating from transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) reduces cellular viability, invasion, clonal growth and differentiation. Interestingly, GLT sensitizes UCS cells to chemotherapy both in vitro and in in vivo preclinical tumor model. Hence, targeting TGFβ signaling, in combination with standard chemotherapy, may be exploited as an important strategy to manage the clinically challenging UCS.

Abstract Background The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now becoming an enormous threat to public health. The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 is extensive, of which critical cases are with rapid disease progression and high mortality. The aim of our study is to summarize the characteristics of different subtypes and explore risk factors of illness severity for early identification and prompt treatment. Methods In this retrospective study, we collected data of patients confirmed COVID-19 in Zhejiang Province from 17 January to 12 February 2020. According to the definition of clinical classification, we divided confirmed cases into four types, and summarize epidemiological and clinical characteristics, laboratory and radiograph findings, treatments, and outcomes, respectively. Moreover, we used univariate and multivariate ordinal logistic regression models to explore risk factors for the severity of illness in patients with COVID-19. Results A total of 788 patients were enrolled in our study, of whom 52 cases (6.6%) were mild type, 658 cases (83.5%) were common type, 61 cases (7.2%) were severe type, and 17 cases (2.2%) were critical type. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression demonstrated increasing odds of the severity of illness in patients with COVID-19 associated with male (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2–2.6 P = 0.008), fever (OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 2.1–6.3, P

Drug metabolism is an orchestrated process in which drugs are metabolized and disposed through a series of specialized enzymes and transporters. Alterations in the expression and/or activity of these enzymes and transporters can affect the bioavailability (pharmacokinetics, or PK) and therapeutic efficacy (pharmacodynamics, or PD) of drugs. Recent studies have suggested that the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are highly relevant to drug metabolism and drug resistance, including chemo-resistance in cancers, through the regulation of drug metabolism and disposition related genes. This review summarizes the regulation of enzymes, transporters, or regulatory proteins involved in drug metabolism by lncRNAs, with a particular emphasis on drug metabolism and chemo-resistance in cancer patients. The perspective strategies to integrate multi-dimensional pharmacogenomics data for future in-depth analysis of drug metabolism related lncRNAs are also proposed. Understanding the role of lncRNAs in drug metabolism will not only facilitate the identification of novel regulatory mechanisms, but also enable the discovery of lncRNA-based biomarkers and drug targets to personalize and improve the therapeutic outcome of patients, including cancer patients. KEY WORDS: LncRNA, Drug metabolism, Chemo-resistance, Xenobiotic receptor, Regulation

Moss, was frequently found growing in litchi orchards. However, less known about whether it can be used as a visual bio-indicator for evaluating soil fertility and health. Therefore, soil chemical and biological properties, microbial community structures and the metabolic functions of microbes in soils between moss- and non-moss-growth areas were analyzed using traditional and high-throughput sequencing technologies. The results showed that pH and the contents of and available phosphorus (AP) in moss growth areas were significantly lower than those of non-moss growth areas, but the contents of alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN) and available potassium (AK) were significantly increased. In comparison with the soil of the non-moss-growth area, the abundances of hypotrophic microorganisms, such as Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria and WPS-2 enriched in the soil of the moss-grown area. Moreover, the proportions of eutrophic microorganisms, such as Proteobacteria and Firmicutes also declined in the soils of the moss-growth area. Furthermore, the metabolic pathways of soil bacteria and fungi were also degraded in the moss-growth area. All above results indicated that not only lower soil fertility, but also soil microbial diversity also declined in moss growth area which compared to those of non-moss growth area. In one word, moss can be considered using as a visual bio-indicator for representing soil degradation in litchi orchards.

The molar mass of H _2 O (18 g mol ^−1 ) is smaller than that of dry air (29 g mol ^−1 ), which makes humid air lighter than dry air with the same temperature and pressure. This vapor buoyancy (VB) effect has been traditionally considered small in large-scale climate dynamics and even neglected in some leading climate models. Here, using theory and aquaplanet simulations with prescribed surface temperatures, we show that VB increases tropospheric air temperature, and that the warmer atmosphere emits more clear-sky thermal radiation by about 2–4 W m ^−2 in the dry subtropical areas, a significant radiative effect. We then analyze Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 simulations with prescribed sea surface temperatures and realistic topography. The results show that VB can increase clear-sky thermal radiation by up to 5 W m ^−2 over the ocean and about 15 W m ^−2 over the subtropical arid land regions. The radiative effect over arid land is amplified by a substantial increase of surface temperature due to VB. Our results highlight the role of VB in regulating Earth’s energy balance both at the top of the atmosphere and at the land surface. This study points to new ways to improve climate models and their simulated energy balance.

Oilseed rape is sensitive to soil phosphorus deficiencies. In contrast, white lupin is widely used as a model plant because it has efficient phosphorus utilization. Therefore, soil fertility and microbial composition in the rhizospheres of oilseed rapes and root exudate metabolites were compared under monocropping and intercropping systems. The main purpose was to explore whether the phosphorus absorption of rapeseed can be promoted by intercropping with white lupine. In comparison with oilseed rape monoculture (RR), the results showed that the contents of soil-available phosphorus, microbial biomass and phosphorus in the rhizospheres of oilseed rapes in the intercropping system (RL) were all higher than those of RR. Meanwhile, in comparison with RR, not only phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria, such as Streptomyces, Actinomadura and Bacillus, but also phosphorus-solubilizing fungi, such as Chaetomium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, were enriched in the rhizospheres of the oilseed rape under the RL system. Moreover, more abundant soil bacterial functions, organic acids and metabolites were also detected in root exudates of the oilseed rapes under the RL system. All of the above results suggest that soil phosphorus availability in the rhizospheres of oilseed rape could be improved by intercropping with white lupin. Additionally, soil phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms, that are enriched in the rhizospheres of oilseed rapes under RL systems, have an important function in the improvement of phosphorus absorption of rapeseed by intercropping with white lupin.

Abstract Background X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) is a rare inherited primary immunodeficiency disease characterized by the B cell developmental defect, caused by mutations in the gene coding for Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), which may cause serious recurrent infections. The diagnosis of XLA is sometimes challenging because a few number of patients have higher levels of serum immunoglobulins than expected. In this study, we reported an atypical case with recurrent meningitis, delayed diagnosis with XLA by genetic analysis at the second episode of meningitis at the age of 8 years. Case report An 8-year-old Chinese boy presented with fever, dizziness and recurrent vomiting for 3 days. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results were suggestive of bacterial meningoencephalitis, despite the negative gram staining and cultures of the CSF. The patient was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and responded well to the treatment. He had history of another episode of acute pneumococci meningitis 4 years before. The respective level of Immunoglobulin G (IgG), Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) was 4.85 g/L, 0.93 g/L and 0.1 g/L at 1st episode, whereas 1.9 g/L, 0.27 g/L and 0 g/L at second episode. The B lymphocytes were 0.21 and 0.06% of peripheral blood lymphocytes at first and second episode respectively. Sequencing of the BTK coding regions showed that the patient had a point mutation in the intron 14, hemizyous c.1349 + 5G > A, while his mother had a heterozygous mutation. It was a splice site mutation predicted to lead to exon skipping and cause a truncated BTK protein. Conclusion Immunity function should be routinely checked in patients with severe intracranial bacterial infection. Absence of B cells even with normal level of serum immunoglobulin suggests the possibility of XLA, although this happens only in rare instances. Mutational analysis of BTK gene is crucial for accurate diagnosis to atypical patients with XLA.

Two different qualities of pumpkin, cultivars G1519 and G1511, were grown in the same environment under identical management. However, their qualities, such as the contents of total soluble solids, starch, protein, and vitamin C, were significantly different. Do rhizospheric microbes contribute to pumpkin quality? To answer this question, this study investigated the soil microbial compositions in the rhizospheres of different quality pumpkin cultivars to determine the differences in these soil microbial compositions and thus determine how soil microbes may affect pumpkin quality. Firstly, a randomized complete block design with two pumpkin cultivars and three replications was performed in this study. The soil microbial compositions and structures in the rhizospheres of the two pumpkin cultivars were analyzed using a high-throughput sequencing technique. In comparison with the low-quality pumpkin cultivar (G1519), higher microbial diversity and richness could be found in the rhizospheres of the high-quality pumpkin cultivar (G1511). The results showed that there were significant differences in the soil bacterial and fungal community compositions in the rhizospheres of the high- and low-quality pumpkin cultivars. Although the compositions and proportions of microorganisms were similar in the rhizospheres of the two pumpkin cultivars, the proportions of Basidiomycota and Micropsalliota in the G1519 rhizosphere were much higher than those in the G1511 rhizosphere. Furthermore, the fungal phylum and genus Rozellomycota and Unclassified_p__Rozellomycota were unique in the rhizosphere of the high-quality pumpkin cultivar (G1511). All the above results indicate that soil microbes were enriched differentially in the rhizospheres of the low- and high-quality pumpkin cultivars. In other words, more abundant soil microbes were recruited in the rhizosphere of the high-quality pumpkin cultivar as compared to that of the low-quality cultivar. Rozellomycota and Unclassified_p__Rozellomycota may be functional microorganisms relating to pumpkin quality.

Radioluminescence materials (scintillators) are widely investigated because of their potential application in many fields, such as medical imaging, security‐related techniques, and nondestructive inspection. However, the fabrication of scintillator materials with simultaneously fast response time, high absorption coefficient, and high light yield, as well as low toxicity is still a challenge. Herein, the synthesis of Cu(I)‐doped Cs2AgI3 single crystals (SCs) with a 1D crystal structure is presented. A bright blue‐green photoluminescence (PL) is observed after incorporating Cu+ into the Cs2AgI3 SCs under UV irradiation at room temperature. The PL quantum yield of the doped samples can reach up to 73% at a Cu+ concentration of 0.66%. Experimental and theoretical studies show that the blue‐green emission may originate from self‐trapped excitons, which is further verified by photophysical results from control experiments on pure Cs2AgI3 SCs. Upon X‐ray excitation, Cu‐doped SCs exhibit fast scintillation decay time (288 ns), high light yield (27 000 photons per MeV), and high absorption coefficient compared with the commercial product (CsI: Tl). These results suggest that Cu‐doped Cs2AgI3 is an ideal scintillator, which will be a promising candidate for potential application in dynamic real‐time imaging and radiation detection.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common diseases leading to physical disability, with age being the main risk factor, and degeneration of articular cartilage is the main focus for the pathogenesis of OA. Autophagy is a crucial intracellular homeostasis system recycling flawed macromolecules and cellular organelles to sustain the metabolism of cells. Growing evidences have revealed that autophagy is chondroprotective by regulating apoptosis and repairing the function of damaged chondrocytes. Then, OA is related to autophagy depending on different stages and models. In this review, we discuss the character of autophagy in OA and the process of the autophagy pathway, which can be modulated by some drugs, key molecules and non-coding RNAs (microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs). More in-depth investigations of autophagy are needed to find therapeutic targets or diagnostic biomarkers through in vitro and in vivo situations, making autophagy a more effective way for OA treatment in the future. The aim of this review is to introduce the concept of autophagy and make readers realize its impact on OA. The database we searched in is PubMed and we used the keywords listed below to find appropriate article resources.

To determine whether rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria contribute to the ripening of pumpkins, an analysis was conducted on rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria and soil fertility in the rhizospheres of early and late-maturing pumpkin varieties. The results showed higher nitrogen and abscisic acid content and more gibberellin-producing bacteria in the rhizospheres or endophytes of the early maturing varieties. Greater soil fertility and more abundant rhizospheric and endophytic bacterial genera with a greater metabolic function might be important mechanisms for early ripening. Rhodococcus, Bacillus, and Arthrobacter can be considered the functional bacteria in promoting pumpkin maturation. On the other hand, Ralstonia could be the functional bacterium that delays ripening.

Abstract Background The 2014–2016 Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa was the largest outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in history. Clarifying the influence of other prevalent diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) will help improve treatment and supportive care of patients with EVD. Case presentation We examined HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody prevalence among suspected EVD cases from the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Biological Safety Laboratory during the epidemic in Sierra Leone. HIV and HCV antibodies were tested in 678 EVD-negative samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A high HIV prevalence (17.6%) and low HCV prevalence (0.22%) were observed among the suspected cases. Notably, we found decreased HIV positive rates among the suspected cases over the course of the epidemic. This suggests a potentially beneficial effect of an improved public health system after assistance from the World Health Organization and other international aid organizations. Conclusions This EVD epidemic had a considerable impact on the public health system and influenced the prevalence of HIV found among suspected cases in Sierra Leone, but also provided an opportunity to establish a better surveillance network for infectious diseases.