Seven new species of the subgenus Homoneura Malloch (Diptera, Lauxaniidae, Homoneura) from Jiangjin District, southwestern Chongqing, China.

Seven new species of the subgenus Homoneura are described, Homoneura (Homoneura) biconica Chen & Li, sp. nov., Homoneura (Homoneura) dilatata Chen & Li, sp. nov., Homoneura (Homoneura) jiangjinensis Chen & Li, sp. nov., Homoneura (Homoneura) microtricha Chen & Li, sp. nov., Homoneura (Homoneura) multiseta Chen & Li, sp. nov., Homoneura (Homoneura) serrulata Chen & Li, sp. nov., Homoneura (Homoneura) simianshana Chen & Li, sp. nov., which were collected from Jiangjin District, southwestern Chongqing, China and are assigned to the henanensis group. A key to all of the 53 species of this species group in China is presented.

A targeting nanoplatform for chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy of small-cell lung cancer.

The precise delivery of drugs to tumor sites and the thermoresistance of tumors remain major challenges in photothermal therapy (PTT). Somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) is proposed as an ideal target for the precise treatment of SCLC. We developed a targeting nano-drug delivery system comprising anti-SSTR2 monoclonal antibody (MAb) surface-modified nanoparticles co-encapsulating Cypate and gambogic acid (GA). The formed SGCPNs demonstrated excellent monodispersity, physiological stability, preferable biocompatibility, and resultant efficient photothermal conversion efficacy. SGCPNs were quickly internalized by SSTR2-overexpressing SCLC cells, triggering the release of GA under acidic and near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation environments, leading to their escape from lysosomes to the cytosol and then diffusion into the nucleus. SGCPNs can not only decrease the cell survival rate but also inhibit the activity of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). SGCPNs can be precisely delivered to xenograft tumors of SSTR2-positive SCLC in vivo. Upon NIR laser irradiation, therapy of SGCPNs showed significant tumor regression. In conclusion, SGCPNs provide a new chemo-photothermal synergistic treatment strategy for targeting SCLC.

Salidroside Alleviates Furan-Induced Impaired Gut Barrier and Inflammation via Gut Microbiota-SCFA-TLR4 Signaling.

As a food contaminant that can be quickly absorbed through the gastrointestinal system, furan has been shown to disrupt the intestinal flora and barrier. Investigation of the intestinal toxicity mechanism of furan is of great significance to health. We previously identified the regulatory impact of salidroside (SAL) against furan-provoked intestinal damage, and the present work further explored whether the alleviating effect of SAL against furan-caused intestinal injury was based on the intestinal flora; three models, normal, pseudo-germ-free, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), were established, and the changes in intestinal morphology, barrier, and inflammation were observed. Moreover, 16S rDNA sequencing observed the variation of the fecal flora associated with inflammation and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Results obtained from the LC-MS/MS suggested that SAL increased furan-inhibited SCFA levels, activated the mRNA expressions of SCFA receptors (GPR41, GPR43, and GPR109A), and inhibited the furan-activated TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling. Analysis of protein-protein interaction further confirmed the aforementioned effects of SAL, which inhibited furan-induced barrier damage and intestinal inflammation.

Amentoflavone alleviated cartilage injury and inflammatory response of knee osteoarthritis through PTGS2.

The role of amentoflavone on cartilage injury in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rats and the underlying mechanism were explored. KOA rat and IL-1ß-stimulated chondrocyte models were constructed. MTT, colony formation, and ELISA were performed to determine the cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, and inflammatory factors. The role of PTGS2 in IL-1ß-stimulated chondrocytes was also confirmed through transfecting PTGS2 overexpression and silencing plasmids. Further, we analyzed how amentoflavone regulated PTGS2 to improve IL-1ß-stimulated chondrocytes in vitro. Additionally, we analyzed the expression of PTGS2 after amentoflavone treatment. In vivo, HE and Safranin-O staining were carried out, and the inflammatory response was detected by ELISA and HE staining. In addition, we also analyzed the regulatory effect of amentoflavone on PTGS2 and explored the mechanism effect of PTGS2 in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that PTGS2 was the downstream molecule of amentoflavone, which was highly expressed in IL-1ß-stimulated chondrocytes and KOA rats, and amentoflavone decreased PTGS2 expression. We also confirmed the potential role of amentoflavone on KOA, which was also characterized by the repair of cartilage injury, reduction of inflammatory infiltration, and improvement of functional disability. Consistent with in vivo results, in vitro experiments gave the same conclusions. Amentoflavone reduced PTGS2 expression in IL-1ß-stimulated chondrocytes and inhibited inflammation of chondrocytes via PTGS2. Collectively, the results confirmed that this drug was the potential targeted drug for KOA, whose repair effect on cartilage injury was partly related to PTGS2.

The mitochondrial genome of Homoneura picta (Diptera: Lauxaniidae) and its phylogenetic analysis.

Homoneura picta belongs to the Homoneurinae subfamily of Lauxaniidae, and it is widely distributed and common in China. This study reports the newly sequenced mitochondrial genome of H. picta. The sequence is 15,469 bp long and contains 37 genes (13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA, and 2 rRNA genes) and a control region. The overall base composition is 38.4% for A, 37.7% for T, 14.1% for C, and 9.8% for G, with a bias toward A + T (76.1%). Phylogenetic analysis show that Homoneura is a sister genus of Cestrotus. We have successfully sequenced the mitochondrial genome of H. picta, which can be useful in investigating the phylogenetic status of Homoneurinae. Our results provide data for further studies of phylogeny in Diptera.

Differential Antioxidant Enzyme Gene Expression and Functional Analysis of Pyridaben-Susceptible and -Resistant Strains of Tetranychus truncatus (Acari: Tetranychidae) under High Temperature Stress.

Tetranychus truncatus (Acari: Tetranychidae) has caused serious economic losses on some crops (soybean, corn, and cotton) in China, and has developed resistance to most acaricides. Our laboratory study found that T. truncatus was resistant to pyridaben and also adapted to high temperature (34-40 °C). High temperature stress may cause arthropods to produce a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing oxidative damage. Antioxidant enzymes, as the main antioxidants, can reduce the damage caused by excessive ROS in arthropods. In order to study the adaptation mechanism of the pyridaben-resistant strain of T. truncatus to high temperature and the role of antioxidant enzyme genes under high temperature stress, four antioxidant enzyme genes, TtSOD, TtPOD3, TtPOD4, and TtGSTs2, were screened according to the transcriptome sequencing data of pyridaben-susceptible and -resistant strains in T. truncatus. Firstly, the phylogeny and structure analyses of these four genes were carried out. Then, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) technology was used to analyze the gene expression patterns of antioxidant enzymes in two strains of T. truncatus at three different high temperature ranges (34 °C, 38 °C, and 42 °C). The results showed that the expression levels of four antioxidant enzyme genes of two strains of T. truncatus were induced by high temperature stress, and the expression levels of antioxidant enzyme genes were significantly different in each development state. The gene expression of antioxidant enzyme genes in resistant strains at the adult stage was significantly higher than that in susceptible strains. After the TtSOD and TtPOD4 genes of adult mites of the resistant strain were silenced by RNA interference (RNAi) technology, the mortality rate of mites with TtPOD4 gene silencing reached 41.11% after 96 h at 34 °C, which was significantly higher than that of the control and TtSOD gene silencing. It has been confirmed that the TtPOD4 gene plays a key role in the adaptation of pyridaben-resistant strain of T. truncatus to high temperature. It lays a theoretical foundation for revealing the thermal adaptation mechanism of T. truncatus.

[Morphological characteristics and reduction techniques of sagittal beak-like deformity of head-neck fragment in femoral intertrochanteric fractures].

Objective: To summarize the morphological characteristics of sagittal beak-like deformity of head-neck fragment in femoral intertrochanteric fractures and to investigate the technical skills in fracture reduction. Methods: A clinical data of 31 patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures between May 2021 and April 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. The fractures had sagittal beak-like deformity of head-neck fragment in all patients. There were 13 males and 18 females, with an average age of 76.2 years (range, 68-83 years). The time from injury to operation was 36-76 hours (mean, 51.2 hours). Fractures were classified as type A1.2 in 10 cases, type A1.3 in 11 cases, type A2.2 in 6 cases, and type A2.3 in 4 cases according to the AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA)-2018 classification; and as type A1.3 in 10 cases, type A2.1 in 11 cases, type A2.2 in 6 cases, type A2.3 in 2 cases, and type A2.4 in 2 cases according to a novel comprehensive classification for femoral intertrochanteric fractures proposed by the "Elderly Hip Fracture" Research Group of the Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery Committee of the Chinese Rehabilitation Medical Association. Based on preoperative X-ray films, CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction, the fractures were classified into two types: type 1 (14 cases), with uncomplicated fracture morphology, severe bone interlocking and (or) soft tissue incarceration; type 2 (17 cases), with severe fracture crushing, obvious dissociation between bone blocks, and severe soft tissue hinge destruction. After the failure of the closed reduction, all patients underwent fracture reduction assisted with instrument via anterior minimal incision and proximal femoral nail antirotation nails internal fixation. The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy, intraoperative visible blood loss, length of hospital stay, and incidence of complications were recorded. The fracture reduction quality and stability score were assessed at immediate after operation under fluoroscopy. The fracture healing was evaluated and healing time was recorded by X-ray films. The pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was performed at 48 hours after operation and Parker-Palmer activity score at 3 months after operation for function evaluation. Results: The operation time was 39-58 minutes (mean, 46.3 minutes); fluoroscopy was performed 13-38 times (mean, 23.5 times) during operation; the intraoperative visible blood loss was 45-90 mL (mean, 65.3 mL). The fracture reduction quality and stability score were rated as good in 29 cases and acceptable in 2 cases. The pain VAS score was 2-6 (mean, 3.1) at 48 hours after operation. Eleven patients developed deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs after operation. Patients were hospitalized for 6-10 days (mean, 7.3 days). All patients were followed up 5-8 months (mean, 6.5 months). All fractures healed at 3.5-8.0 months after operation (mean, 4.5 months). Parker-Palmer activity score at 3 months after operation was 9 in 28 cases and 6 in 3 cases. Conclusion: The femoral intertrochanteric fracture with sagittal beak-like deformity of head-neck fragment is difficult to manually reduce. The pin combined with cannulated screw insertion to the neck cortex can hold the fragment and assist fracture reduction, which is a simple and effective technique.

Androgen deprivation induces neuroendocrine phenotypes in prostate cancer cells through CREB1/EZH2-mediated downregulation of REST.

Although effective initially, prolonged androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) promotes neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) and prostate cancer (PCa) progression. It is incompletely understood how ADT transcriptionally induces NE genes in PCa cells. CREB1 and REST are known to positively and negatively regulate neuronal gene expression in the brain, respectively. No direct link between these two master neuronal regulators has been elucidated in the NED of PCa. We show that REST mRNA is downregulated in NEPC cell and mouse models, as well as in patient samples. Phenotypically, REST overexpression increases ADT sensitivity, represses NE genes, inhibits colony formation in culture, and xenograft tumor growth of PCa cells. As expected, ADT downregulates REST in PCa cells in culture and in mouse xenografts. Interestingly, CREB1 signaling represses REST expression. In studying the largely unclear mechanism underlying transcriptional repression of REST by ADT, we found that REST is a direct target of EZH2 epigenetic repression. Finally, genetic rescue experiments demonstrated that ADT induces NED through EZH2's repression of REST, which is enhanced by ADT-activated CREB1 signaling. In summary, our study has revealed a key pathway underlying NE gene upregulation by ADT, as well as established novel relationships between CREB1 and REST, and between EZH2 and REST, which may also have implications in other cancer types and in neurobiology.

2D Exfoliation Chemistry Towards Covalent Pseudo-Layered Phosphate Framework Derived by Radical/Strain-Synergistical Process.

2D compounds exfoliated from weakly bonded bulk materials with van der Waals (vdW) interaction are easily accessible. However, the strong internal ionic/covalent bonding of most inorganic crystal frameworks greatly hinders 2D material exfoliation. Herein, we first proposed a radical/strain-synergistic strategy to exfoliate non-vdW interacting pseudo-layered phosphate framework. Specifically, hydroxyl radicals (⋅OH) distort the covalent bond irreversibly, meanwhile, H2O molecules as solvents, further accelerating interlayered ionic bond breakage but mechanical expansion. The innovative 2D laminar NASICON-type Na3V2(PO4)2O2F crystal, exfoliated by ⋅OH/H2O synergistic strategy, exhibits enhanced sodium-ion storage capacity, high-rate performance (85.7 mAh g-1 at 20 C), cyclic life (2300 cycles), and ion migration rates, compared with the bulk framework. Importantly, this chemical/physical dual driving technique realized the effective exfoliation for strongly coupled pseudo-layered frameworks, which accelerates 2D functional material development.

Mechanism of apoptosis induced by the combined action of acrylamide and Elaidic acid through endoplasmic reticulum stress injury.

Thermal processing of food is likely to form acrylamide (AA) and elaidic acid (EA), which are both mainly metabolized by the liver. The two substances are associated with the pathogenesis of liver disease. In the current study, we investigated the toxic effects of the combined action of AA and EA on HSC-T6 cells, and the mechanism of apoptosis exacerbated by the co-exposure. The results showed a synergistic effect of AA and EA, which exacerbated the damage and oxidative stress (OS) in HSC-T6. Meanwhile, the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) proteins, such as GRP78 and CHOP, was increased, the ERS pathway was activated, and Ca2+ in cells was increased, which exacerbated mitochondrial damage, and opened IP3R-Grp75-VDAC1 channel. Both ERS and mitochondrial damage caused the process of cell apoptosis. Inhibition of ERS by 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) significantly reversed the synergistic effects on mitochondrial damage via ERS, suggesting that AA and EA exacerbated mitochondrial damage through ERS-mediated Ca2+ overload. AA and EA synergistically damaged the function of mitochondria through exacerbating ERS and led to cell apoptosis.

Biomechanical comparative study on external fixators of new configurations in the treatment of Tile C pelvic injury.

To compare the biomechanical properties of several anterior pelvic ring external fixators with two new configurations in the treatment of Tile C pelvic fractures, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the new configurations and provide a reference for their clinical application. A finite element model of a Tile C pelvic ring injury (unilateral longitudinal sacral fracture and ipsilateral pubic fracture) was constructed. The pelvis was fixed with iliac crest external fixator (IC), anterior inferior iliac spine external fixator (AIIS), combination of IC and AIIS, combination of anterior superior iliac spine external fixator (ASIS) and AIIS, and S1 sacroiliac screw in 5 types of models. The stability indices of the anterior and posterior pelvic rings under vertical longitudinal load, left-right compression load and anterior-posterior shear load were quantified and compared. In the simulated bipedal standing position, the results of the vertical displacement of the midpoint on the upper surface of the sacrum are consistent with the displacement of the posterior rotation angle, and the order from largest to smallest is IC, AIIS, ASIS + AIIS, IC + AIIS and S1 screw. The longitudinal displacement of IC is greater than that of the other models. The displacements of ASIS + AIIS and IC + AIIS are similar and the latter is smaller. In the simulated semi-recumbent position, the vertical displacement and posterior rotation angle displacement of the midpoint on the upper surface of the sacrum are also consistent, ranking from large to small: IC, AIIS, ASIS + AIIS, IC + AIIS and S1 screw. Under the simulated left-right compression load state, the lateral displacements of the highest point of the lateral sacral fracture end are consistent with the highest point of the lateral pubic fracture end, and the order from large to small is S1 screw, IC, AIIS, ASIS + AIIS and IC + AIIS, among which the displacements of S1 screw and IC are larger, and the displacements of ASIS + AIIS and IC + AIIS are similar and smaller than those of other models. The displacements of IC + AIIS are smaller than those of ASIS + AIIS. Under the simulated anterior-posterior shear load condition, the posterior displacements of the highest point of the lateral sacral fracture end and the highest point of the lateral pubic fracture end are also consistent, ranking from large to small: IC, AIIS, ASIS + AIIS, IC + AIIS and S1 screw. Among them, the displacements of IC and AIIS are larger. The displacements of ASIS + AIIS and IC + AIIS are similar and the latter are smaller. For the unstable pelvic injury represented by Tile C pelvic fracture, the biomechanical various stabilities of the combination of IC and AIIS are superior to those of the external fixators of conventional configurations. The biomechanical stabilities of the combination of ASIS and AIIS are also better than those of the external fixators of conventional configurations, and slightly worse than those of the combination of IC and AIIS. Compared with sacroiliac screw and conventional external fixators, the lateral stabilities of IC + AIIS and ASIS + AIIS are particularly prominent.

First Specific Detection of Mammalian Orthoreovirus from Goats Using TaqMan Real-Time RT-PCR Technology.

Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) infections are ubiquitous in multiple mammalian species including humans, and mainly causes gastroenteritis and respiratory disease. In this study, we developed a rapid and sensitive TaqMan qRT-PCR method for MRV detection based on the primers and probe designed within the conserved L1 gene. The qRT-PCR assay was evaluated for its sensitivity, specificity, efficiency and reproducibility. It was found that the detection sensitivity was equivalent to 10 DNA copies/µL, and the standard curves had a linear correlation of R2 = 0.998 with an amplification efficiency of 99.6%. The inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation (CV%) were in the range of 0.29% to 2.16% and 1.60% to 3.60%, respectively. The primer sets specifically amplified their respective MRV segments and had the highest detection sensitivities of 100.25 TCID50/mL with amplification efficiencies of 99.5% (R2 = 0.999). qRT-PCR was used for MRV detection from samples of sheep, goats, and calves from four regions in China, and the overall MRV prevalence was 8.2% (35/429), whereas 17/429 (4.0%) were detected by RT-PCR and 14/429 (3.3%) by virus isolation. The qRT-PCR assay showed significantly higher sensitivity than RT-PCR and virus isolation. Results from an epidemiological survey indicated that the positive rate of MRV in rectal swabs from sheep and goats tested in Shaanxi, Jiangsu, and Xinjiang were 9/80 (11.3%), 12/93 (12.9%) and 14/128 (10.9%), respectively. In goats and sheep, MRV prevalence was obviously associated with season and age, with a high positive rate of more than 8% during September to April and approximately 13% in small ruminant animals under two months of age. This is the first instance of MRV infection in sheep and goats in China, thus broadening our knowledge of MRV hosts. Consequently, primer optimization for qRT-PCR should not only prioritize amplification efficiency and specificity, but also sensitivity. This assay will contribute to more accurate and rapid MRV monitoring by epidemiological investigation, viral load, and vaccination efficacy.

Heat-induced SUMOylation differentially affects bacterial effectors in plant cells.

Bacterial pathogens deliver effectors into host cells to suppress immunity. How host cells target these effectors is critical in pathogen-host interactions. SUMOylation, an important type of posttranslational modification in eukaryotic cells, plays a critical role in immunity, but its effect on bacterial effectors remains unclear in plant cells. In this study, using bioinformatic and biochemical approaches, we found that at least 16 effectors from the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 are SUMOylated by the enzyme cascade from Arabidopsis thaliana. Mutation of SUMOylation sites on the effector HopB1 enhances its function in the induction of plant cell death via stability attenuation of a plant receptor kinase BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1)-ASSOCIATED RECEPTOR KINASE 1. By contrast, SUMOylation is essential for the function of another effector, HopG1, in the inhibition of mitochondria activity and jasmonic acid signaling. SUMOylation of both HopB1 and HopG1 is increased by heat treatment, and this modification modulates the functions of these 2 effectors in different ways in the regulation of plant survival rates, gene expression, and bacterial infection under high temperatures. Therefore, the current work on the SUMOylation of effectors in plant cells improves our understanding of the function of dynamic protein modifications in plant-pathogen interactions in response to environmental conditions.

Establishing an ANO1-Based Cell Model for High-Throughput Screening Targeting TRPV4 Regulators.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is a widely expressed cation channel that plays an important role in many physiological and pathological processes. However, most TRPV4 drugs carry a risk of side effects. Moreover, existing screening methods are not suitable for the high-throughput screening (HTS) of drugs. In this study, a cell model and HTS method for targeting TRPV4 channel drugs were established based on a calcium-activated chloride channel protein 1 Anoctamin 1 (ANO1) and a double mutant (YFP-H148Q/I152L) of the yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). Patch-clamp experiments and fluorescence quenching kinetic experiments were used to verify that the model could sensitively detect changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The functionality of the TRPV4 cell model was examined through temperature variations and different concentrations of TRPV4 modulators, and the performance of the model in HTS was also evaluated. The model was able to sensitively detect changes in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration and also excelled at screening TRPV4 drugs, and the model was more suitable for HTS. We successfully constructed a drug cell screening model targeting the TRPV4 channel, which provides a tool to study the pathophysiological functions of TRPV4 in vitro.

A new species and three records of Chloroperlidae (Plecoptera) from China.

A new species of the genus Suwallia Ricker, 1943, S. rostrata sp. nov., from Xizang of southwestern China is described, illustrated and compared with similar species. Alloperla kurentzovi Zhiltzova & Zapekina-Dulkeit, 1977, A. kurilensis Zhiltzova, 1978, A. teleckojensis mal, 1939 are reported for the first time from China. The diagnostic features of these species are illustrated with color images.

Additional records of Neoperla (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from Yunnan Province of China, with description of a new species.

A new species of the genus Neoperla, N. donglaii sp. nov., is described from Yunnan Province of southwestern China. The new species is assigned to the N. lushana-complex of the N. (Formosita) subgenus due to the presence of paired, ventral spiny lobes of the aedeagus. The new species was compared with related species in the subgenus. Neoperla hamata Jewett, 1975 and N. idella Stark & Sivec, 2008 are newly recorded for China and N. quadrata Wu & Claassen, 1934 specifically from Yunnan Province, China. Neoperla quadrata had not been collected for 90 years.

A metallic two-dimensional b-BS2 monolayer as a superior Na/K-ion battery anode.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with light weight and ultra-high electrical conductivity are expected to exhibit high capacity as anodes of batteries. We have explored the curved square lattice BS2 (b-BS2) monolayer possessing a space group similar to the transition metal chloride (space group: P4̄M2). The electrochemical performance of the b-BS2 monolayer as the anode for various metal-ion batteries (Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, and Al) has been investigated. It exhibits low diffusion energy barrier, high theoretical capacity, and low open circuit voltage for Na/K-ion batteries (SIBs/PIBs). The ultrahigh energy densities of 2146.08 and 715.36 mA h g-1 can be achieved with the stoichiometries BS2Na6 and BS2K2, respectively. Furthermore, the b-BS2 monolayer may be synthesized on the surfaces of metal substrate materials (Ag(111), Al(111), and Au(111)). These results indicate that the b-BS2 monolayer is a good candidate for the anode material of SIBs/PIBs.

Noninvasive Targeting System with Three-Dimensionally Printed Customized Device in Stereotactic Brain Biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: Three-dimensional (3D) printed models are used in the medical field. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a 3D-printed guide plate for use in brain biopsy. METHODS: Twelve patients with intracranial lesions were retrospectively reviewed to determine clinical outcomes and technical procedural operability. These patients underwent brain biopsy assisted with the 3D-printed guide plate. Postoperative computed tomography was performed to assess the accuracy and associated complications of this guide plate. RESULTS: All patients received definite diagnoses assisted by this guide plate. The deviations of the entry and target points were 3.93 ± 0.96 mm and 2.59 ± 0.11 mm, respectively. The angle drift of the puncture path was 5.12° ± 0.14°, and the deviation of the puncture depth was 2.35 ± 1.13 mm. The operation time ranged from 38.5 minutes with local anesthesia to 76.2 minutes with general anesthesia. No patient experienced complications. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D-printed guide plate was noninvasive and had acceptable accuracy and the flexibility of frameless systems. The economic and operative benefits of this device supported its status as a powerful tool for brain biopsy in medical facilities in economically disadvantaged areas or institutions without navigation systems.

S-acylation of a non-secreted peptide controls plant immunity via secreted-peptide signal activation.

Small peptides modulate multiple processes in plant cells, but their regulation by post-translational modification remains unclear. ROT4 (ROTUNDIFOLIA4) belongs to a family of Arabidopsis non-secreted small peptides, but knowledge on its molecular function and how it is regulated is limited. Here, we find that ROT4 is S-acylated in plant cells. S-acylation is an important form of protein lipidation, yet so far it has not been reported to regulate small peptides in plants. We show that this modification is essential for the plasma membrane association of ROT4. Overexpression of S-acylated ROT4 results in a dramatic increase in immune gene expression. S-acylation of ROT4 enhances its interaction with BSK5 (BRASSINOSTEROID-SIGNALING KINASE 5) to block the association between BSK5 and PEPR1 (PEP RECEPTOR1), a receptor kinase for secreted plant elicitor peptides (PEPs), thereby activating immune signaling. Phenotype analysis indicates that S-acylation is necessary for ROT4 functions in pathogen resistance, PEP response, and the regulation of development. Collectively, our work reveals an important role for S-acylation in the cross-talk of non-secreted and secreted peptide signaling in plant immunity.