The Role of Serine Protease 8 in Mediating Gefitinib Resistance in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This investigation aims to explore the expression levels of serine protease 8 (PRSS8) in gefitinib-resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (PC9/GR) and elucidate its mechanism of action. METHODOLOGY: We measured PRSS8 expression in gefitinib-resistant (PC9/GR) and sensitive (PC9) NSCLC cell lines using Western blot analysis. PRSS8-specific small interfering RNA (PRSS8-siRNA), a recombinant plasmid, and a corresponding blank control were transfected into PC9/GR cells. Subsequently, Western blot analyses were conducted to assess the expression levels of PRSS8, phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), AKT, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), mTOR, and various apoptosis-related proteins within each group. Additionally, a cell proliferation assay utilizing Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) was performed on each group treated with gefitinib. RESULT: PRSS8 expression was markedly higher in PC9/GR cells compared to PC9 cells (p < 0.05). The group treated with PRSS8-siRNA exhibited significantly reduced protein expression levels of PRSS8, p-AKT, p-mTOR, ß-catenin, and BCL-2 compared to the control siRNA (Con-siRNA) group, whereas expressions of Caspase9 and Bax were significantly increased. In the untransfected PC9/GR cells, protein expressions of PRSS8, p-AKT, pmTOR, and BCL-2 were significantly elevated when compared with the plasmid-transfected group, which also showed a significant reduction in Bax expression. The proliferative activity of the PRSS8-siRNA group postgefitinib treatment was significantly diminished at 24, 48, and 72 hours in comparison to the Con-siRNA group. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that PRSS8 contributes to the acquisition of resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC, potentially through regulation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Effect of obstructive sleep apnea on postoperative delirium: a system review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on postoperative delirium (PD), and evaluate the effectiveness of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on PD among OSA patients. METHODS: We systematically searched Embase, Cochrane Library and PubMed databases from their establishment to November 27, 2022. A random-effects approach was employed to determine aggregated results. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were carried out to investigate heterogeneity. RESULTS: Sixteen eligible studies were included in the analysis. Thirteen studies revealed that OSA significantly elevated the likelihood of developing PD (OR = 1.71; 95%CI = 1.17 to 2.49; p = 0.005). Subgroup analysis according to delirium assessment scales showed that OSA did not exhibit an association with the incidence of PD assessed by the Confusion Assessment Method-Intensive Care Unit (OR = 1.14; 95%CI = 0.77 to 1.67; p = 0.51) but enhanced the likelihood of developing PD evaluated with other measurement scales (OR = 2.15; 95%CI = 1.44 to 3.19; p = 0.0002). Three additional studies explored the impact of PAP treatment on PD among OSA individuals, indicating no significant reduction in PD incidence with PAP use (OR = 0.58; 95%CI = 0.13 to 2.47; p = 0.46). CONCLUSIONS: OSA may not be a risk factor for PD in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit, but may increase the likelihood of developing PD among individuals receiving regular care in the ward postoperatively. The efficacy of PAP therapy in decreasing PD incidence among OSA patients remains debatable.

Acidithiobacillus acidisediminis sp. nov., an acidophilic sulphur-oxidizing chemolithotroph isolated from acid mine drainage sediment.

Strain S30A2T, isolated from the acid mine drainage sediment of Mengzi Copper Mine, Yunnan, is proposed to represent a novel species of the sulphur-oxidizing genus Acidithiobacillus. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, non-endospore forming, highly motile with one or two monopolar flagella and rod-shaped. The strain was mesophilic, growing at 30-50 °C (optimum, 38 °C), acidophilic, growing at pH 2.0-4.5 (optimum, pH 2.5), and tolerant of 0-4 % (w/v; 684 mol l-1) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene-based sequence analysis showed that strain S30A2T belongs to the genus Acidithiobacillus and shows the largest similarity of 96.6 % to the type strain Acidithiobacillus caldus KUT. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain S30A2T was 59.25 mol%. The average nucleotide identity ANIb and ANIm values between strain S30A2T and A. caldus KUT were 70.95 and 89.78 %, respectively and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization value was 24.9 %. Strain S30A2T was strictly aerobic and could utilize elementary sulphur and tetrathionate to support chemolithotrophic growth. The major cellular fatty acid of S30A2T was C19 : 1ω7c. The respiratory quinones were ubiquinone-8 and ubiquinone-7. Based upon its phylogenetic, genetic, phenotypic, physiologic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain S30A2T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Acidithiobacillus, for which the name Acidithiobacillus acidisediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S30A2T (=CGMCC 1.17059T=KCTC 72580T).

Clinical profile analysis and nomogram for predicting in-hospital mortality among elderly severe community-acquired pneumonia patients: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Severe community-acquired pneumonia is one of the most lethal forms of CAP with high mortality. For rapid and accurate decisions, we developed a mortality prediction model specifically tailored for elderly SCAP patients. METHODS: The retrospective study included 2365 elderly patients. To construct and validate the nomogram, we randomly divided the patients into training and testing cohorts in a 70% versus 30% ratio. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used in the training cohort to identify independent risk factors. The robustness of this model was assessed using the C index, ROC and AUC. DCA was employed to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the model. RESULTS: Six factors were used as independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality to construct the prediction model, including age, the use of vasopressor, chronic renal disease, neutrophil, platelet, and BUN. The C index was 0.743 (95% CI 0.719-0.768) in the training cohort and 0.731 (95% CI 0.694-0.768) in the testing cohort. The ROC curves and AUC for the training cohort and testing cohort (AUC = 0.742 vs. 0.728) indicated a robust discrimination. And the calibration plots showed a consistency between the prediction model probabilities and observed probabilities. Then, the DCA demonstrated great clinical practicality. CONCLUSIONS: The nomogram incorporated six risk factors, including age, the use of vasopressor, chronic renal disease, neutrophil, platelet and BUN, which had great predictive accuracy and robustness, while also demonstrating clinical practicality at ICU admission.

Effectiveness of mandibular advancement devices in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and the impact of different body positions on treatment： A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of mandibular advancement device (MAD) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and explore the effect of different positions on MAD for OSA. METHODS: The Embase, PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant studies evaluating the effect of MAD on the treatment of OSA from database inception to November 2022. The Bayesian random-effects mode was used to calculate the pooled outcome. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were applied to investigate the heterogeneity. RESULTS: A total of 6 studies enrolling 643 patients were eligible for further analysis. MAD treatment led to improvements in total apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) for both positional OSA(POSA) and Non-POSA groups, but there was no significant difference in the effect of MAD on Non-POSA and POSA (MD = -1.46,95%CI [-4.89,1.97], P = 0.40). In the supine position, AHI improvement after MAD treatment in POSA group was more than that in Non-POSA group by 15 events/hour in average (MD = 14.82, 95%CI [11.43,18.22], P＜0.00001), while in the non-supine position, the change of AHI in Non-POSA group was significantly better than that in POSA group by approximately 8 events/hour (MD = -7.55,95%CI[-10.73,-4.38],p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: MAD is more suitable for POSA compared to Non-POSA in patients with habitual sleep in the supine or supine predominant position. While for patients with habitual sleep in the non-supine position, MAD is an effective treatment option for Non-POSA.

lncRNA ASBEL and lncRNA Erbb4-IR reduce chemoresistance against gemcitabine and cisplatin in stage IV lung squamous cell carcinoma via the microRNA-21/LZTFL1 axis.

Drug resistance is a major cause of treatment failure and post-treatment disease progression in patients with cancer. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of chemoresistance to gemcitabine (GEM) plus cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, DDP) combination therapy in stage IV lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). It also examined the functional role of lncRNA ASBEL and lncRNA Erbb4-IR in the malignant progression of LSCC. The expression of lncRNA ASBEL, lncRNA Erbb4-IR, miR-21, and LZTFL1 mRNA was examined in human stage IV LSCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues, human LSCC cells and normal human bronchial epithelial cells using qRT-PCR. Furthermore, LZTFL1 protein levels were also examined using western blots. Cell proliferation, cell migration and invasion, and cell cycle progression and apoptosis were evaluated in vitro using the CCK-8, transwell, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Based on the treatment response, LSCC tissues were classified as GEM-, DDP-, and GEM+DDP-sensitive/resistant. The MTT assay was performed to assess the chemoresistance of human LSCC cells to GEM, DDP, and GEM+DDP following transfection experiments. The results showed that lncRNA ASBEL, lncRNA Erbb4-IR, and LZTFL1 were down-regulated in human LSCC tissues and cells, whereas miR-21 was up-regulated. In stage IV human LSCC tissues, miR-21 levels were negatively correlated with those of lncRNA ASBEL, lncRNA Erbb4-IR, and LZTFL1 mRNA. The overexpression of lncRNA ASBEL and lncRNA Erbb4-IR inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. It also blocked cell cycle entry and accelerated apoptosis. These effects were mediated by the miR-21/LZTFL1 axis and reduced chemoresistance to GEM+DDP combination therapy in stage IV human LSCC. These findings indicate that lncRNA ASBEL and lncRNA Erbb4-IR function as tumor suppressors in stage IV LSCC and attenuate chemoresistance to GEM+DDP combination therapy via the miR-21/LZTFL1 axis. Hence, lncRNA ASBEL, lncRNA Erbb4-IR, and LZTFL1 may be targeted to enhance the efficacy of GEM+DDP combination chemotherapy against LSCC.

Real-world evidence of osimertinib in Chinese patients with EGFR T790M-positive non-small cell lung cancer: a subgroup analysis from ASTRIS study.

PURPOSE: ASTRIS study aimed the largest to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of second- or higher-line osimertinib in patients with advanced/metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the real-world setting. Here we report the results of Chinese patients in ASTRIS study. METHODS: Adults with EGFR T790M-positive advanced NSCLC pretreated with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), having a WHO performance status score of 0-2 and asymptomatic, stable central nervous system (CNS) metastases were included. All patients received once-daily osimertinib 80 mg orally. The outcomes included investigator-assessed clinical response, progression-free survival (PFS), time-to-treatment discontinuation (TTD), and safety. RESULTS: A total of 1350 patients were included. Response rate was 55.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53-0.58). The median PFS and the median TTD were 11.7 months (95% CI 11.1-12.5) and 13.9 months (95% CI 13.1-15.2), respectively. Overall, 389 patients (28.8%) had at least one protocol-specified adverse event (AE); AEs of interstitial lung diseases/pneumonitis-like events and QT prolongation were reported in 3 (0.2%) and 59 (4.4%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Osimertinib was effective in Chinese patients with T790M-positive NSCLC who had progressed after first- or second-generation EGFR-TKI in real-word setting and the results were consistent with ASTRIS study overall population and AURA studies. No new safety signals or events were identified. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT02474355.

Multiverruca sinensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermotolerant fungus isolated from soil in China.

During a survey of thermotolerant fungi in China, three isolates were obtained from soil samples. Phylogenetic analysis of a combined internal transcribed spacer and large subunit dataset showed that these isolates belong to the same species, which form a well-separated lineage distinct from the other genera in Latoruaceae. Morphologically, the isolates are characterized by having globose and smooth conidiogenous cells, verruculose mycelium and cymbiform conidia. Combining the phylogenetic analyses and morphological characteristics, Multiverruca gen. nov. is proposed and introduced to accommodate a single new species, Multiverruca sinensis sp. nov. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and notes are provided for the new genus and species.

Deciphering roles of microbiota in arsenic biotransformation from the earthworm gut and skin.

Biotransformation mediated by microbes can affect the biogeochemical cycle of arsenic. However, arsenic biotransformation mediated by earthworm-related microorganisms has not been well explored, especially the role played by earthworm skin microbiota. Herein, we reveal the profiles of arsenic biotransformation genes (ABGs) and elucidate the microbial communities of the earthworm gut, skin, and surrounding soil from five different soil environments in China. The relative abundance of ABGs in the earthworm skin microbiota, which were dominated by genes associated with arsenate reduction and transport, was approximately three times higher than that in the surrounding soil and earthworm gut microbiota. The composition and diversity of earthworm skin microbiota differed significantly from those of the soil and earthworm gut, comprising a core bacterial community with a relative abundance of 96% Firmicutes and a fungal community with relative abundances of 50% Ascomycota and 13% Mucoromycota. In addition, stochastic processes mainly contributed to the microbial community assembly across all samples. Moreover, fungal genera such as Vishniacozyma and Oomyces were important mediators of ABGs involved in the biogeochemical cycle of arsenic. This is the first study to investigate earthworm skin as a reservoir of microbial diversity in arsenic biotransformation. Our findings broaden the current scientific knowledge of the involvement of earthworms in the arsenic biogeochemical cycle.

Responses of microbial community to geochemical parameters on vertical depth in bioheap system of low-grade copper sulfide.

Monitoring of the microbial community in bioleaching system is essential for control process parameters and enhance the leaching efficiency. Due to the difficulty of sampling, microbial distribution, community succession and bioleaching activity along the vertical depth of bioleaching heaps remain unresolved. This study investigated the geochemical parameters and microbial community structure along a depth profile in a bioleaching heap and leachate. 80 ore samples at different heap depths and 9 leaching solution samples from three bioheaps of Zijin Copper Mine were collected. Microbial composition, mineral types and geochemical parameters of these samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and a series of chemical measurement technologies. The results revealed that the pH, Cu, Fe and the total sulfur contents were the major factors shaping the composition of the microbial communities in the bioleaching system. The extent of mineral oxidation increased as the sample depth increases, followed by the increasing of sulfur oxidizers. The abundance of sulfur and iron oxidizers including members of Acidithiobacillus, Sulfobacillus and Acidiferrobacter were significantly higher in the leaching heap than in the leaching solution, meanwhile, they showed strong positive interactions with other members within the same genera and iron oxidizer Leptospirillum and Ferroplasma. Besides, Acidithiobacillus negatively interacted with heterotrophs such as Sphingobium, Exiguobacterium, Brevundimonas and so on. On the contrast, members of Leptospirillum and unclassified Archaea were significantly abundant in the leaching solution and revealed strong interactions with members of Thermoplasmatales. The main conclusion of this study, especially the leaching potential of microorganisms prevailing in bioheaps and their relationships with geochemical factors, provides theoretical guidance for future process design such as the control of processing parameters and microbial community in heap leaching.

Application of CUBE-STIR MRI and high-frequency ultrasound in contralateral cervical 7 nerve transfer surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the feasibility of CUBE-SITR MRI and high-frequency ultrasound for the structural imaging of the brachial plexus to exclude neoplastic brachial plexopathy or structural variation and measure the lengths of anterior and posterior divisions of the C7 nerve, providing guidelines for surgeons before contralateral cervical 7 nerve transfer. METHODS: A total of 30 patients with CNS and 20 with brachial plexus injury were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent brachial plexus CUBE-STIR MRI and high-frequency ultrasound, and the lengths of the anterior and posterior divisions of C7 nerve were measured before surgery. Precise length of anterior and posterior divisions of contralateral C7 nerve was measured during surgery. RESULTS: MRI-measured lengths of anterior and posterior divisions of C7 nerves were positively correlated with that measured during surgery (anterior division, r = 0.94, p < .01; posterior division, r = 0.92, p < .01). High agreement was found between MRI-measured and intra-surgery measured length of anterior and posterior divisions of C7 nerve by BLAD-ALTMAN analysis. Ultrasonography could feasibly image supraclavicular C7 nerve and recognize small variant branches derived from middle trunk of C7 nerve root, which could be dissected intra-operatively and confirmed by electromyography during the procedure of contralateral C7 nerve transfer. CONCLUSION: CUBE-STIR MRI had advantages for the imaging of the brachial plexus and measurement of the length of root-trunk-anterior/posterior divisions of C7 nerve. The clinical role of ultrasonography may be a simple way of evaluating general condition of C7 nerve and provide guidelines for contralateral C7 nerve transfer surgery.

Regulated cell death in cancer: from pathogenesis to treatment.

ABSTRACT: Regulated cell death (RCD), including apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, is regulated by a series of evolutionarily conserved pathways, and is required for development and tissue homeostasis. Based on previous genetic and biochemical explorations of cell death subroutines, the characteristics of each are generally considered distinctive. However, recent in-depth studies noted the presence of crosstalk between the different forms of RCD; hence, the concept of PANoptosis appeared. Cancer, a complex genetic disease, is characterized by stepwise deregulation of cell apoptosis and proliferation, with significant morbidity and mortality globally. At present, studies on the different RCD pathways, as well as the intricate relationships between different cell death subroutines, mainly focus on infectious diseases, and their roles in cancer remain unclear. As cancers are characterized by dysregulated cell death and inflammatory responses, most current treatment strategies aim to selectively induce cell death via different RCD pathways in cancer cells. In this review, we describe five types of RCD pathways in detail with respect to tumorigenesis and cancer progression. The potential value of some of these key effector molecules in tumor diagnosis and therapeutic response has also been raised. We then review and highlight recent progress in cancer treatment based on PANoptosis and ferroptosis induced by small-molecule compounds, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and nanoparticles. Together, these findings may provide meaningful evidence to fill in the gaps between cancer pathogenesis and RCD pathways to develop better cancer therapeutic strategies.

A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Trial of Tobramycin Inhalation Solution in Adults With Bronchiectasis With Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection.

BACKGROUND: Few large-scale studies have demonstrated the efficacy of tobramycin nebulization in bronchiectasis. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of nebulized tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS) in adults with bronchiectasis with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can TIS effectively reduce sputum P aeruginosa density and improve the bronchiectasis-specific quality of life in patients with bronchiectasis with P aeruginosa infection? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a phase 3, 16-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eligible adults with bronchiectasis were recruited from October 2018 to July 2021. On the basis of usual care, patients nebulized TIS (300 mg/5 mL twice daily) or normal saline (5 mL twice daily) via vibrating-mesh nebulizer. Treatment consisted of two cycles, each consisting of 28 days on-treatment and 28 days off-treatment. The coprimary end points included changes from baseline in P aeruginosa density and Quality-of-Life Bronchiectasis Respiratory Symptoms score on day 29. RESULTS: The modified intention-to-treat population consisted of 167 patients in the tobramycin group and 172 patients in the placebo group. Compared with placebo, TIS resulted in a significantly greater reduction in P aeruginosa density (adjusted mean difference, 1.74 log10 colony-forming units/g; 95% CI, 1.12-2.35; P < .001) and greater improvement in Quality-of-Life Bronchiectasis Respiratory Symptoms score (adjusted mean difference, 7.91; 95% CI, 5.72-10.11; P < .001) on day 29. Similar findings were observed on day 85. TIS resulted in a significant reduction in 24-h sputum volume and sputum purulence score on days 29, 57, and 85. More patients became culture negative for P aeruginosa in the tobramycin group than in the placebo group on day 29 (29.3% vs 10.6%). The incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events were comparable between the two groups. INTERPRETATION: TIS is an effective treatment option and has an acceptable safety profile in patients with bronchiectasis with P aeruginosa infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; No. NCT03715322; URL: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov.

Research progress in anti-reflux reconstructions and mechanism after proximal gastrectomy / 中华胃肠外科杂志

The electrophysiological activity of the gastrointestinal tract and the mechanical anti-reflux structure of the gastroesophageal junction are the basis of the anti-reflux function of the stomach. Proximal gastrectomy destroys the mechanical structure and normal electrophysiological channels of the anti-reflux. Therefore, the residual gastric function is disordered. Moreover, gastroesophageal reflux is one of the most serious complications. The emergence of various types of anti-reflux surgery through the mechanism of reconstructing mechanical anti-reflux barrier and establishing buffer zone, and the preservation of, the pacing area and vagus nerve of the stomach, the continuity of the jejunal bowel, the original gastroenteric electrophysiological activity of the gastrointestinal tract, and the physiological function of the pyloric sphincter, are all important measures for gastric conservative operations. There are many types of reconstructive approaches after proximal gastrectomy. The design based on the anti-reflux mechanism and the functional reconstruction of mechanical barrier, and the protection of gastrointestinal electrophysiological activities are important considerations for the selected of reconstructive approaches after proximal gastrectomy. In clinical practice, we should consider the principle of individualization and the safety of radical resection of tumor to select a rational reconstructive approaches after proximal gastrectomy.

Antioxidative and Cytoprotective Effects of Ganoderma applanatum and Fomitopsis pinicola in PC12 Adrenal Phaeochromocytoma Cells.

Considering the impact of oxidative stress on the development of many diseases, together with the role of natural antioxidants in maintaining physiological balance in humans, medicinal mushrooms are potential sources of bioactive compounds against many diseases. In the present work, in vitro evaluation of the biological activities of the alcoholic extracts of two wild tree mushrooms, namely, Ganoderma applanatum and Fomitopsis pinicola, has been performed. Extraction of G. applanatum (GAE) and F. pinicola (FPE) was conducted with 60% ethanol and 100% ethanol sequentially. UPLC-MS/MS identification was conducted on the two mushrooms extracts. A total of 15 substances were identified in GAE, including 3 spiro meroterpenoids and 12 triterpenoids; a total of 14 chemical constituents were iden¬tified in FPE, including 8 triterpenoids, 4 triterpene glycosides, 1 lanosterol, and 1 lanostanoid. The resulting extracts were examined for their in vitro antioxidative and cytoprotective effects against AAPH-induced oxidative damage. Our results demonstrated that both extracts have potent antioxidative activities, when GAE was 0.2 mg/mL, the clearance rates of DPPH and ABTS have reached 93.34% and 99.93%, respectively. When FPE was 1.4 mg/mL and 0.6 mg/mL, the scavenging rates of DPPH and ABTS have reached 91.76% and 100%, respectively. Both the alcoholic extracts of G. applanatum and F. pinicola were able to protect the AAPH-induced damage and could effectively inhibit cell aging via ß-galactosidase (SA ß-gal) staining activity test and scanning electron microscopy analysis.

Characterization and Comparative Analysis of Chloroplast Genomes in Five Uncaria Species Endemic to China.

Uncaria, a perennial vine from the Rubiaceae family, is a typical Chinese traditional medicine. Currently, uncertainty exists over the Uncaria genus' evolutionary relationships and germplasm identification. The complete chloroplast genomes of four Uncaria species mentioned in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Uncaria scandens (an easily confused counterfeit) were sequenced and annotated. The findings demonstrated that the whole chloroplast genome of Uncaria genus is 153,780-155,138 bp in full length, encoding a total of 128-131 genes, containing 83-86 protein-coding genes, eight rRNAs and 37 tRNAs. These regions, which include eleven highly variable loci and 31-49 SSRs, can be used to create significant molecular markers for the Uncaria genus. The phylogenetic tree was constructed according to protein-coding genes and the whole chloroplast genome sequences of five Uncaria species using four methods. The topology of the two phylogenetic trees showed no difference. The sequences of U. rhynchophylla and U. scandens are clustered in one group, while the U. hirsuta and U. macrophylla are clustered in another group. U. sessilifructus is clustered together with the above two small clades. New insights on the relationship were revealed via phylogenetic research in five Uncaria species. This study will provide a theoretical basis for identifying U. rhynchophylla and its counterfeits, as well as the species of the Uncaria genus. This research provides the initial chloroplast genome report of Uncaria, contributes to elucidating the chloroplast genome evolution of Uncaria in China.

Species Diversity of Cordyceps-Like Fungi in the Tiankeng Karst Region of China.

Tiankeng acts as a refugium for biodiversity amid a changing global climate, and a previous study has shown that some ancient (Alsophila spinulosa) and unique plants (cool-adapted plants) are present in Tiankeng. However, there are few reports on Ascomycota from the Tiankeng karst region. In this research, the species diversity of Cordyceps-like fungi in Monkey-Ear Tiankeng was investigated. Seven species in the genera Akanthomyces, Beauveria, Cordyceps, and Samsoniella were identified based on internal transcribed spacer sequences and morphological characteristics. Eight new species in the genera Akanthomyces, Cordyceps, and Samsoniella were established and described according to a multilocus phylogenetic analysis and morphological characteristics. Our results revealed that Cordyceps-like fungi were abundant in Monkey-Ear Tiankeng, providing new insights into the diversity of Ascomycota in this special eco-environment. IMPORTANCE Karst Tiankeng has a special eco-environment and acts as a refugium for biodiversity. However, there are few reports on Ascomycota from the Tiankeng karst region. In this research, seven known species and eight new species in the genera Akanthomyces, Beauveria, Cordyceps, and Samsoniella were reported. The results showed that Cordyceps-like fungi are abundant in Monkey-Ear Tiankeng. Interestingly, the month of the sampling was November, which is not an active period of growth and reproduction for Cordyceps-like fungi. These results revealed that unconventional time sampling should not be ignored, especially for a special eco-environment, and provided new insights into the diversity of Ascomycota in this special eco-environment.

Soil microbiomes divergently respond to heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in contaminated industrial sites.

Contaminated sites from electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling and coking plants feature high concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) and/or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil. Mixed contamination (HMs + PAHs) hinders land reclamation and affects the microbial diversity and function of soil microbiomes. In this study, we analyzed HM and PAH contamination from an e-waste dismantling plant and a coking plant and evaluated the influences of HM and PAH contamination on soil microbiomes. It was noticed that HMs and PAHs were found in all sites, although the major contaminants of the e-waste dismantling plant site were HMs (such as Cu at 5,947.58 ± 433.44 mg kg-1, Zn at 4,961.38 ± 436.51 mg kg-1, and Mn at 2,379.07 ± 227.46 mg kg-1), and the major contaminants of the coking plant site were PAHs (such as fluorene at 11,740.06 ± 620.1 mg kg-1, acenaphthylene at 211.69 ± 7.04 mg kg-1, and pyrene at 183.14 ± 18.89 mg kg-1). The microbiomes (diversity and abundance) of all sites were determined via high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes, and redundancy analysis was conducted to investigate the relations between soil microbiomes and contaminants. The results showed that the microbiomes of the contaminated sites divergently responded to HMs and PAHs. The abundances of the bacterial genera Sulfuritalea, Pseudomonas, and Sphingobium were positively related to PAHs, while the abundances of the bacterial genera Bryobacter, Nitrospira, and Steroidobacter were positively related to HMs. This study promotes an understanding of how soil microbiomes respond to single and mixed contamination with HMs and PAHs.

New taxonomic framework for Arthrodermataceae: a comprehensive analysis based on their phylogenetic reconstruction, divergence time estimation, phylogenetic split network, and phylogeography.

The Arthrodermataceae, or dermatophytes, are a major family in the Onygenales and important from a public health safety perspective. Here, based on sequenced and downloaded from GenBank sequences, the evolutionary relationships of Arthrodermataceae were comprehensively studied via phylogenetic reconstruction, divergence time estimation, phylogenetic split network, and phylogeography analysis. These results showed the clades Ctenomyces, Epidermophyton, Guarromyces, Lophophyton, Microsporum, Paraphyton, and Trichophyton were all monophyletic groups, whereas Arthroderma and Nannizzia were polyphyletic. Among them, Arthroderma includes at least four different clades, Arthroderma I, III and IV are new clades in Arthrodermataceae. Nannizzia contains at least two different clades, Nannizzia I and Nannizzia II, but Nannizzia II was a new clade in Arthrodermataceae. The unclassified group, distributed in Japan and India, was incorrectly identified; it should be a new clade in Arthrodermataceae. The phylogenetic split network based on the ITS sequences provided strong support for the true relationships among the lineages in the reconstructed phylogenetic tree. A haplotype phylogenetic network based on the ITS sequences was used to visualize species evolution and geographic lineages relationships in all genera except Trichophyton. The new framework provided here for the phylogeny and taxonomy of Arthrodermataceae will facilitate the rapid identification of species in the family, which should useful for evaluating the results of preventive measures and interventions, as well as for conducting epidemiological studies.

Keratinophyton chongqingense sp. nov. and Keratinophyton sichuanense sp. nov., from soil in China.

Keratinophyton is a genus of well-known keratinophilic fungi found in various terrestrial habitats. During a survey of keratinolytic fungi in China, a total of 12 isolates of Keratinophyton species, representing eight taxa, were obtained from the soil. Two of these isolates were described as new species based on their morphological characteristics and molecular analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region and the rRNA gene of the nuclear large subunit. Descriptions and illustrations of these two novel species, which are named Keratinophyton chongqingense sp. nov. and Keratinophyton sichuanense sp. nov., are provided herein.