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Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of an online service offering Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physique conditioning under the normalization of epidemic prevention and control. Methods From March 1, 2020 to March 10, 2020, 190 subjects who were judged as "Qi deficiency" by "TCM constitution test" were recruited online. A research team was set up to develop physique conditioning plans, formulate "Ear Massage", construct a physique conditioning WeChat group and public account for Qi-deficiency subjects, and provided online physique conditioning services for 6 months. The conversion score of Qi-deficiency, the frequency of respiratory infection in 6 months and psychological status were compared before and after intervention. Results Compared with before intervention, the conversion score of Qi-deficiency, the frequency of respiratory infection in 6 months, the negative emotion score and total score of the five dimensions of depression, nervous decline, fear, compulsion-anxiety and hypochondria of the subjects decreased, with statistical significance(P

Riemerella anatipestifer is an important pathogen in waterfowl, and is generally multidrug resistant. This study assessed the current status of Riemerella anatipestifer antibiotic resistance and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs), compared the results of different detection methods, and evaluated a new method of studying the association between antibiotic resistance and ARGs in Riemerella anatipestifer. In this study, 51 strains of Riemerella anatipestifer were isolated from ducks on several farms, their resistance to 28 antibiotics was assessed, and the isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. The number of ARGs carried by Riemerella anatipestifer was predicted, compared, and analyzed, and the consistency between ARGs and antibiotic-resistance phenotypes was assessed. The potential for loss of resistance genes during the sequencing and assembly of genome-wide framework map was assessed, and a new ARG detection method was pilot tested. The 51 strains of Riemerella anatipestifer were multidrug resistant (MDR) and had high level of resistance to aminoglycosides, trimethoprim, lincosamides, polypeptides, and macrolides. Based on the genome-wide framework map of the 51 strains, 3 local databases of ABRicate software and 1 online database of CARD website were used to detect ARGs, and a mean of 4 to 5 ARGs were identified per isolate. Although the detection results differed according to the database used, the general performance was consistent. The online website detected more types of ARGs than the ABRicate software. The association between ARGs and antibiotic-resistance phenotypes was assessed, and the ermF gene was identified as a possible key ARGs regulating macrolide resistance of Riemerella anatipestifer. The method used to investigate and detect Riemerella anatipestifer ARGs was convenient and rapid, and had strong accuracy and pertinence. The ARGs detection method reported here combined the advantages of PCR and genome detection, and could greatly reduce workload and detect ARGs more precisely.

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) has a desirable sweet taste and exotic aroma, making it popular in the markets. However, the biosynthesis of aroma volatiles in litchi fruit has rarely been investigated. In this study, the content and composition of volatile compounds were determined during litchi fruit ripening. In the mature green and mature red stages of litchi, 49 and 45 volatile compounds were detected, respectively. Monoterpenes were found to be the most abundant volatile compounds in mature red fruit, and their contents significantly increased compared to green fruit, mainly including citronellol, geraniol, myrcene, and D‐limonene, which contributed to the aroma in litchi fruit. By comparing the expression profiles of the genes involved in the terpene synthesis pathway during fruit development, a terpene synthesis gene (LcTPS1‐2) was identified and characterized as a major player in the synthesis of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. A subcellular localization analysis found LcTPS1‐2 to be present in the plastid and cytoplasm. The recombinant LcTPS1‐2 enzyme was able to catalyze the formation of three monoterpenes, myrcene, geraniol and citral, from geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) and to convert farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) to a sesquiterpene, caryophyllene in vitro. Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing LcTPS1‐2 exclusively released one monoterpene D‐limonene, and three sesquiterpenes cis‐thujopsene, (E)‐β‐famesene and trans‐β‐ionone. These results indicate that LcTPS1‐2 plays an important role in the production of major volatile terpenes in litchi fruit and provides a basis for future investigations of terpenoid biosynthesis in litchi and other horticultural crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vegetable fermentation, pellicle is a common quality deterioration phenomenon. This study investigates the characteristics of glucose, organic acids, amino acids, and biogenic amines during the pellicle occurrence and disappearance of paocai. The results revealed a slight increase in pH of the fermentation system after pellicle occurred, and glucose was the main carbohydrate that microbial activity primary relied on. The microorganisms responsible for pellicle formation consumed organic acids in brine, but the lactic acid in paocai gradually increased and exceeded 25 mg/g. The appearance of pellicle caused a decrease in total free amino acids from 200.390 mg/100 g to 172.079 when pellicle occurred, whereas its impact on biogenic amines was not apparent. Through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment of metagenomics sequencing data, screening, and sorting of the key enzymes involved in organic acid metabolism, it was observed that the composition and species of the key microorganisms capable of metabolizing organic acids were more abundant before the appearance of pellicle. When pellicle occurred, lactic acid may be metabolized by Lactobacillus plantarum; in contrast, Lactobacillus and Pichia were associated with citric acid metabolism, and Lactobacillus, Pichia, Saccharomycodes, and Kazachstania were linked to malic acid metabolism. Moreover, Prevotella, Kazachstania, Lactobacillus, Vibrio, and Siphonobacter were implicated in succinic acid metabolism. Additionally, the production of tartaric acid and oxalic acid in paocai and brine resulted from abiotic effects. This knowledge offers a theoretical basis for precise control of paocai fermentation process. Practical Application: Our study revealed the specific situation of the metabolites produced by the microorganisms during the pollution and recovery process of pellicle in paocai fermentation, especially the effect of pellicle on the key process of organic acid metabolism. These research results provided theoretical basis for precise control of paocai fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gamma-ray irradiation-assisted polyacrylamide gel method has been used to synthesize MgAl2O4:Ce and Mn-codoped MgAl2O4:Ce phosphors. Ce ion doping improved the photoluminescence properties of MgAl2O4 but did not change the cubic spinel structure of the host. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the mean particle size of the Ce- and Mn-codoped MgAl2O4 nanoparticles was smaller than that of the MgAl2O4 nanoparticles. Ce and Mn codoping improved the light absorption capacity and utilization, the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers, and the photocatalytic activity of the MgAl2O4 nanoparticles. The MgAl2O4:Ce:Mn nanoparticles exhibited high photocatalytic activity for photodegradation of methylene blue dye under simulated sunlight irradiation due to the synergistic effects of the band-edge position, the light absorption capacity and utilization, and the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]