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Simple Summary: Silkworm farming is one of the key economic drivers for farmers in Asia (90% of global silk production). In countries like Thailand, silk production is an important cottage industry that contributes significantly to the economy. Silk is not only used for making silk cloth, but also for other purposes: cosmetics, supplementary food, biological materials, and medical treatments. Waste and frass from silkworm rearing may also be used as fertilizer or for biogas production. However, the greatest challenge in silk production arises from microbial diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, microsporidia, or other fungi. Meanwhile, other microorganisms can serve as beneficial microbes, acting as biological control, and competing with harmful microorganisms. They have the potential to inhibit, or reduce, various pathogens while also being used for feed supplementation to enhance growth in silkworms. Utilizing the potential of silkworm gut microbiota and isolated probiotic bacteria emerges as a strategic approach to promoting silkworm farming within sustainable agroecosystems. Pathogenic infections of silkworms constitute the greatest threat to sericulture. An attractive approach to the improvement in silkworm health and performance comprises the use of probiotics, i.e., microorganisms that confer beneficial properties such as an increased growth rate and resistance against pathogens. While this method has already resulted in promising results, generally, there is a lack of a rational basis for guidance on the selection of probiotics. This review attempts to organize useful information that needs to be considered for the successful application of probiotics: the constitution of the microbiota in silkworms and its origins; the interaction of the major silkworm pathogens with the microbiota; and the microorganisms that have been used so far as silkworm probiotics. Our analysis points to two major issues that seem of vital importance: (1) the absence of a "core microbiota" in silkworms which necessitates continuous supply of beneficial microorganisms according to environmental conditions and (2) the apparent negative impact that some other microorganisms can have on resistance against baculovirus infections. Recent findings have reported the beneficial effects of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus sp.) when applied as probiotics in improving silkworm health and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uncontrolled severe eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (eCRS) is associated with elevated levels of Th2 cells and raised immunoglobulin concentrations in nasal polyp tissue. eCRS is characterized by high eosinophilic infiltration and type 2 inflammation. Gαi1/3 proteins participate in allergic inflammation by regulating immune cells. Whether Gαi1/3 proteins have a role in the development of eCRS remains unknown. Objectives: To investigate the association between Gαi1/3 expression levels and CRS and the underlying mechanisms Methods: Western blotting and immunohistology were used to detect Gαi1/3 expression. Correlations between Gαi1/3 and immune cells and clinical parameters were analyzed. Signaling pathway activation in IL-5-induced Gαi1/3-knockout or knockdown mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and eosinophils (EoL-1 cells) was detected by western blotting. EdU/DAPI was used to evaluate the proliferation of EoL-1 cells. A CRS model was established using Gαi1/3-knockout mice, and histological analysis and inflammatory cytokine measurements were performed. Results: Compared with the non-eCRS subset, the eCRS subset showed significantly increased Gαi1/3 expression levels. High nasal tissue Gαi1/3 levels were linked to high tissue eosinophil infiltration, and high disease severity and allergic conditions in CRS patients. Gαi1/3 were required for IL-5-induced Akt-mTOR and Erk activation in MEFs. In EoL-1 cells, Gαi1/3 was associated with IL-5-activated IL-5Rα, promoting IL-5Rα endocytosis and transducing downstream signaling. IL-5-induced EoL-1 cell proliferation and degranulation were suppressed after Gαi1/3 silencing. In a CRS murine model, immune cell infiltration and type 2 inflammation were largely impaired in Gαi1/3-double-knockout mice. Conclusion: Increased Gαi1/3 expression levels in nasal tissue are linked to eosinophil infiltration and increased disease severity in CRS patients. Gαi1/3 contributes to eosinophil activation and participates in regulating allergic inflammation in CRS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The juxtaposition of coal seams and tight gas reservoirs is a common geological structure in coal-bearing formations. Elucidating the production dynamics of coalbed methane (CBM) and tight gas from such overlaid formations holds significant importance for the synergistic development of coal-bearing resources. Initially, the study examines the gas and water production characteristics and reservoir average pressure evolution under separate development of CBM and tight gas. Subsequently, employing a wellbore node analysis method, it iteratively calculates pressure distribution characteristics under varying mass flow conditions, using wellbore pressure drop as a link to couple the mutual interference of pressure between coalseams and tight gas formations and their respective production characteristics. Finally, a dynamic gas production prediction model for co-production wells in the "coal seam above, tight below" juxtaposition relationship is established. The study analyzes the stable production capacity of co-production wells and the evolution of production contribution from each layer under different production systems, revealing that: (1) the stable production period of co-production wells (averaging 2 158 days) significantly exceeds that of CBM separate development. (2) The cumulative gas production of co-production wells sharing a single wellbore differs by only 2.56% compared to multiple drilling for separate development, demonstrating the strong economic benefits of CBM-tight gas combined production. (3) Due to the typical characteristics of early-stage single-phase drainage of CBM, its contribution to gas production in co-production wells exhibits an initial zero phase followed by a slow increase in the later period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a highly heterogeneous disease with varied clinical features and treatment effects. This study aimed to investigate the additive effect of blood and tissue eosinophilia on patients with CRSwNP. Methods: Based on the blood eosinophil (Beos) count and tissue eosinophil (Teos) count, we divided 144 CRSwNP patients into four groups, analysed their clinical features and histopathologic changes, and investigated their postoperative control. Results: Patients in the Beos+Teos+ (blood eosinophil count > 0.3 × 109/L, tissue eosinophil count > 10/HPF) group had a higher incidence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. Lund‐Mackay (LM) scores, hyposmia visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Global Osteitis Scoring Scale (GOSS) scores were higher in the Beos+Teos+ group than those in the other groups. Tissue remodelling, such as connective tissue oedema and basement membrane thickening was more severe in the Beos+Teos+ group compared with other groups. There were more uncontrolled patients after surgery in Beos+Teos+, Beos+Teos− (blood eosinophil count > 0.3 × 109/L, tissue eosinophil count ≤ 10/HPF)and Beos−Teos+ (blood eosinophil count ≤ 0.3 × 109/L, tissue eosinophil count > 10/HPF)groups compared with the Beos−Teos− group. Conclusions: Eosinophilic inflammation both in blood and tissue was accompanied by more severe clinical features and tissue remodelling. Eosinophilia in blood or tissue indicated poorer disease control after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: A deep understanding of the role of Toll receptors in the innate immunity of insects is mostly restricted to the model insect Drosophila melanogaster, and much more research is needed to reveal their role in other insects. This article focuses on the BmToll9-2 receptor, one of 14 Toll-related receptors in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Similarly to its closely related paralog, BmToll9-1, BmToll9-2 acts as a positive regulator of the innate humoral response in the midgut of silkworm larvae, as evidenced by RNAi and bacterial challenge experiments. More specifically, the expression level of BmToll9-2 is positively correlated with those of intermediary genes in the Toll signaling pathway as well as with immune effector genes, such as antimicrobial peptides. Consequently, both Toll9 receptors in the silkworm, BmToll9-1 and BmToll9-2, act redundantly to stimulate antibacterial activity and immune-related gene expression in the Toll pathway. Toll receptors play important roles in the development and innate immunity of insects. Previously, we reported the immunological function of BmToll9-2 in silkworm, Bombyx mori, larvae. In this study, we focused on the role of BmToll9-2 as a regulator in the Toll signaling pathway. The expressions of most signaling genes in the Toll pathway, as well as immune effectors, were reduced after the RNAi of BmToll9-2. Coincidentally, hemolymph from BmToll9-2-silenced larvae exhibited decreased antibacterial activity in the growth of Escherichia coli, demonstrated either by growth curve or inhibitory zone experiments. The oral administration of heat-inactivated E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus following the RNAi of BmToll9-2 up-regulated the expression of most signaling genes in the Toll pathway and downstream immune effectors. The above results indicate that BmToll9-2 is positively involved in the Toll signaling pathway. As a positive regulator, BmToll9-2 is shown to be activated preferentially against E. coli and, in turn, positively modulates the humoral immune response in antibacterial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the aerodynamic performance of centrifugal impellers, this study presents an advanced optimization design methodology. This methodology addresses the challenges associated with numerous design variables, inflexible configurations, and low optimization efficiency. We propose two distinct spline function parameterization techniques: a global mapping model for Bezier surfaces and a local mapping model for Free-Form Deformation (FFD) control bodies. We investigate the impact of these parameterization methods on blade geometry configuration and aerodynamic performance. By integrating these two parameterization approaches with multi-objective evolutionary algorithms and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques, we enable global and local optimization of centrifugal compressor blades. The optimization results demonstrate a 1.77% enhancement in isentropic efficiency under rated operating conditions, a 7.8% increase in surge margin, a 1.6% improvement in isentropic efficiency under normal operating conditions, and an 11.8% enhancement in surge margin. Through two optimization stages, the optimization space for blade geometry is thoroughly explored, enhancing solution quality and contributing to the advancement of impeller mechanical optimization design theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Insects rely on innate immunity to defend against invading pathogens in nature. BmToll9-1 is a receptor in the immune pathway of silkworms. BmToll9-1 is abundantly present in the midgut tissue of silkworm larvae. Silencing of BmToll9-1 results in smaller larval and cocoon bodies. Concomitantly, the expression of most downstream genes in the immune pathways is reduced. The antibacterial activity of hemolymph is also inhibited. The findings reveal that BmToll9-1 plays a positive role in regulating the development and immune response in silkworm. Toll receptors are involved in the development and innate immunity of insects. BmToll9-1 is an important immune receptor in the Toll pathway. Previous studies have focused on its role as a receptor in immune response. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of BmToll9-1 as a regulator in the immune response. The expression profiles demonstrated that BmToll9-1 was predominantly expressed in the midgut. RNA interference (RNAi) of BmToll9-1 was found to be effective in the midgut via the injection of dsRNA, which resulted in smaller and lighter larvae and cocoons. Most signaling genes in the Toll pathway and downstream effector genes were downregulated after the RNAi of BmToll9-1. The hemolymph from BmToll9-1-silenced larvae showed decreased antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, either in growth curve or inhibition zone experiments. The above results indicate that BmToll9-1 might be positively involved in the immune pathway of silkworm. As a positive regulator, BmToll9-1 might function mainly in the gut to maintain microbial homeostasis to regulate the growth of silkworms. Silencing of BmToll9-1 downregulates the signaling genes in the Toll pathway and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) production, resulting in decreased antibacterial activity in the hemolymph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The etiology of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) remains unknown; inflammation may be one cause. We retrospectively studied SSHNL cases in terms of the inflammatory parameters involved. Methods: We reviewed 169 SSNHL cases. The control group contained 132 patients with vocal cord polyps. The C-reactive protein (CRP) level, CRP/serum albumin (Alb) ratio, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were compared between the 2 groups. The relationships between these parameters and the time to treatment after SSHNL onset, hearing level, and therapeutic effects were also analyzed. Results: The CRP level, CRP/Alb ratio, and NLR were higher in SSNHL patients than in controls, but only the NLR differed significantly between the 2 groups. We found no significant differences between patients with different hearing levels, those evaluated at various times after SSNHL onset, and those with different outcomes. Conclusion: The NLR is a reliable SSNHL diagnostic marker. The CRP level and CRP/Alb ratio are not useful indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]