Comparative Analysis of Six Complete Plastomes of Tripterospermum spp.

The Tripterospermum, comprising 34 species, is a genus of Gentianaceae. Members of Tripterospermum are mostly perennial, entwined herbs with high medicinal value and rich in iridoids, xanthones, flavonoids, and triterpenes. However, our inadequate understanding of the differences in the plastid genome sequences of Tripterospermum species has severely hindered the study of their evolution and phylogeny. Therefore, we first analyzed the 86 Gentianae plastid genomes to explore the phylogenetic relationships within the Gentianae subfamily where Tripterospermum is located. Then, we analyzed six plastid genomes of Tripterospermum, including two newly sequenced plastid genomes and four previously published plastid genomes, to explore the plastid genomes' evolution and phylogenetic relationships in the genus Tripterospermum. The Tripterospermum plastomes have a quadripartite structure and are between 150,929 and 151,350 bp in size. The plastomes of Tripterospermum encoding 134 genes were detected, including 86 protein-coding genes (CDS), 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and three pseudogenes (infA, rps19, and ycf1). The result of the comparison shows that the Tripterospermum plastomes are very conserved, with the total plastome GC content ranging from 37.70% to 37.79%. In repeat sequence analysis, the number of single nucleotide repeats (A/T) varies among the six Tripterospermum species, and the identified main long repeat types are forward and palindromic repeats. The degree of conservation is higher at the SC/IR boundary. The regions with the highest divergence in the CDS and the intergenic region (IGS) are psaI and rrn4.5-rrn5, respectively. The average pi of the CDS and the IGS are only 0.071% and 0.232%, respectively, indicating that the Tripterospermum plastomes are highly conserved. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Gentianinae is divided into two clades, with Tripterospermum as a sister to Sinogeniana. Phylogenetic trees based on CDS and CDS + IGS combined matrices have strong support in Tripterospermum. These findings contribute to the elucidation of the plastid genome evolution of Tripterospermum and provide a foundation for further exploration and resource utilization within this genus.

The Complete Chloroplast Genomes of Bulbophyllum (Orchidaceae) Species: Insight into Genome Structure Divergence and Phylogenetic Analysis.

Bulbophyllum is one of the largest genera and presents some of the most intricate taxonomic problems in the family Orchidaceae, including species of ornamental and medical importance. The lack of knowledge regarding the characterization of Bulbophyllum chloroplast (cp) genomes has imposed current limitations on our study. Here, we report the complete cp genomes of seven Bulbophyllum species, including B. ambrosia, B. crassipes, B. farreri, B. hamatum, B. shanicum, B. triste, and B. violaceolabellum, and compared with related taxa to provide a better understanding of their genomic information on taxonomy and phylogeny. A total of 28 Bulbophyllum cp genomes exhibit typical quadripartite structures with lengths ranging from 145,092 bp to 165,812 bp and a GC content of 36.60% to 38.04%. Each genome contained 125-132 genes, encompassing 74-86 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The genome arrangements, gene contents, and length were similar, with differences observed in ndh gene composition. It is worth noting that there were exogenous fragment insertions in the IR regions of B. crassipes. A total of 18-49 long repeats and 38-80 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were detected and the single nucleotide (A/T) was dominant in Bulbophyllum cp genomes, with an obvious A/T preference. An analysis of relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) revealed that leucine (Leu) was the most frequently used codon, while cysteine (Cys) was the least used. Six highly variable regions (rpl32-trnLUAG > trnTUGU-trnLUAA > trnFGAA-ndhJ > rps15-ycf1 > rbcL-accD > psbI-trnSGCU) and five coding sequences (ycf1 > rps12 > matK > psbK > rps15) were identified as potential DNA markers based on nucleotide diversity. Additionally, 31,641 molecular diagnostic characters (MDCs) were identified in complete cp genomes. A phylogenetic analysis based on the complete cp genome sequences and 68 protein-coding genes strongly supported that 28 Bulbophyllum species can be divided into four branches, sects. Brachyantha, Cirrhopetalum, and Leopardinae, defined by morphology, were non-monophyly. Our results enriched the genetic resources of Bulbophyllum, providing valuable information to illustrate the complicated taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolution process of the genus.

Identification and Analysis of PEPC Gene Family Reveals Functional Diversification in Orchidaceae and the Regulation of Bacterial-Type PEPC.

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) gene family plays a crucial role in both plant growth and response to abiotic stress. Approximately half of the Orchidaceae species are estimated to perform CAM pathway, and the availability of sequenced orchid genomes makes them ideal subjects for investigating the PEPC gene family in CAM plants. In this study, a total of 33 PEPC genes were identified across 15 orchids. Specifically, one PEPC gene was found in Cymbidium goeringii and Platanthera guangdongensis; two in Apostasia shenzhenica, Dendrobium chrysotoxum, D. huoshanense, Gastrodia elata, G. menghaiensis, Phalaenopsis aphrodite, Ph. equestris, and Pl. zijinensis; three in C. ensifolium, C. sinense, D. catenatum, D. nobile, and Vanilla planifolia. These PEPC genes were categorized into four subgroups, namely PEPC-i, PEPC-ii, and PEPC-iii (PTPC), and PEPC-iv (BTPC), supported by the comprehensive analyses of their physicochemical properties, motif, and gene structures. Remarkably, PEPC-iv contained a heretofore unreported orchid PEPC gene, identified as VpPEPC4. Differences in the number of PEPC homolog genes among these species were attributed to segmental duplication, whole-genome duplication (WGD), or gene loss events. Cis-elements identified in promoter regions were predominantly associated with light responsiveness, and circadian-related elements were observed in each PEPC-i and PEPC-ii gene. The expression levels of recruited BTPC, VpPEPC4, exhibited a lower expression level than other VpPEPCs in the tested tissues. The expression analyses and RT-qPCR results revealed diverse expression patterns in orchid PEPC genes. Duplicated genes exhibited distinct expression patterns, suggesting functional divergence. This study offered a comprehensive analysis to unveil the evolution and function of PEPC genes in Orchidaceae.

Organelle Genomes of Epipogium roseum Provide Insight into the Evolution of Mycoheterotrophic Orchids.

Epipogium roseum, commonly known as one of the ghost orchids due to its rarity and almost transparent color, is a non-photosynthetic and fully mycoheterotrophic plant. Given its special nutritional strategies and evolutionary significance, the mitogenome was first characterized, and three plastomes sampled from Asia were assembled. The plastomes were found to be the smallest among Orchidaceae, with lengths ranging from 18,339 to 19,047 bp, and exhibited high sequence variety. For the mitogenome, a total of 414,552 bp in length, comprising 26 circular chromosomes, were identified. A total of 54 genes, including 38 protein-coding genes, 13 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes, were annotated. Multiple repeat sequences spanning a length of 203,423 bp (45.47%) were discovered. Intriguingly, six plastid regions via intracellular gene transfer and four plastid regions via horizontal gene transfer to the mitogenome were observed. The phylogenomics, incorporating 90 plastomes and 56 mitogenomes, consistently revealed the sister relationship of Epipogium and Gastrodia, with a bootstrap percentage of 100%. These findings shed light on the organelle evolution of Orchidaceae and non-photosynthetic plants.

Eco-friendly management of Meloidogyne incognita in cadmium-contaminated soil by using nematophagous fungus Purpureocillium lavendulum YMF1.683: Efficacy and mechanism.

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are distributed globally, including in agricultural fields contaminated by heavy metals (HM), and can cause serious crop damages. Having a method that could control RKNs in HM-contaminated soil while limit HM accumulation in crops could provide significant benefits to both farmers and consumers. In this study, we showed that the nematophagous fungus Purpureocillium lavendulum YMF1.683 exhibited a high nematocidal activity against the RKN Meloidogyne incognita and a high tolerance to CdCl2. Comparing to the P. lavendulum YMF1.838 which showed low tolerance to Cd2+, strain YMF1.683 effectively suppressed M. incognita infection and significantly reduced the Cd2+ uptake in tomato root and fruit in soils contaminated by 100 mg/kg Cd2+. Transcriptome analyses and validation of gene expression by RT-PCR revealed that the mechanisms contributed to high Cd-resistance in YMF1.683 mainly included activating autophagy pathway, increasing exosome secretion of Cd2+, and activating antioxidation systems. The exosomal secretory inhibitor GW4869 reduced the tolerance of YMF1.683 to Cd2+, which firstly demonstrated that fungal exosome was involved in HM tolerance. The up-regulation of glutathione synthesis pathway, increasing enzyme activities of both catalase and superoxide dismutase also played important roles in Cd2+ tolerance of YMF1.683. In Cd2+-contaminated soil, YMF1.683 limited Cd2+-uptake in tomato by up-regulating the genes of ABCC family in favor of HM sequestration in plant, and down-regulating the genes of ZIP, HMA, NRAMP, YSL families associated with HM absorption, transport, and uptake in plant. Our results demonstrated that YMF1.683 could be a promising bio-agent in eco-friendly management of M. incognita in Cd2+ contaminated soils.

Research progress in micro/nanobubbles for ultrasound diagnosis or treatment / 药学学报

In the past few decades, microbubbles were widely used as ultrasound contrast agents in the field of tumor imaging. With the development of research, ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction technology combined with drug-loaded microbubbles can achieve precise drug release and play a therapeutic role. As a micron-scale carrier, microbubbles are difficult to penetrate the endothelial cell space of tumors, and nano-scale drug delivery system—nanobubbles came into being. The structure of the two is similar, but the difference in size highlights the unique advantages of nanobubbles in drug delivery. Based on the classification principle of shell materials, this review summarized micro/nanobubbles used for ultrasound diagnosis or treatment and discussed the possible development directions, providing references for the subsequent development.

Comparative and phylogenetic analysis of Chiloschista (Orchidaceae) species and DNA barcoding investigation based on plastid genomes.

BACKGROUND: Chiloschista (Orchidaceae, Aeridinae) is an epiphytic leafless orchid that is mainly distributed in tropical or subtropical forest canopies. This rare and threatened orchid lacks molecular resources for phylogenetic and barcoding analysis. Therefore, we sequenced and assembled seven complete plastomes of Chiloschista to analyse the plastome characteristics and phylogenetic relationships and conduct a barcoding investigation. RESULTS: We are the first to publish seven Chiloschista plastomes, which possessed the typical quadripartite structure and ranged from 143,233 bp to 145,463 bp in size. The plastomes all contained 120 genes, consisting of 74 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes and eight rRNA genes. The ndh genes were pseudogenes or lost in the genus, and the genes petG and psbF were under positive selection. The seven Chiloschista plastomes displayed stable plastome structures with no large inversions or rearrangements. A total of 14 small inversions (SIs) were identified in the seven Chiloschista plastomes but were all similar within the genus. Six noncoding mutational hotspots (trnNGUU-rpl32 > rpoB-trnCGCA > psbK-psbI > psaC-rps15 > trnEUUC-trnTGGU > accD-psaI) and five coding sequences (ycf1 > rps15 > matK > psbK > ccsA) were selected as potential barcodes based on nucleotide diversity and species discrimination analysis, which suggested that the potential barcode ycf1 was most suitable for species discrimination. A total of 47-56 SSRs and 11-14 long repeats (> 20 bp) were identified in Chiloschista plastomes, and they were mostly located in the large single copy intergenic region. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Chiloschista was monophyletic. It was clustered with Phalaenopsis and formed the basic clade of the subtribe Aeridinae with a moderate support value. The results also showed that seven Chiloschista species were divided into three major clades with full support. CONCLUSION: This study was the first to analyse the plastome characteristics of the genus Chiloschista in Orchidaceae, and the results showed that Chiloschista plastomes have conserved plastome structures. Based on the plastome hotspots of nucleotide diversity, several genes and noncoding regions are suitable for phylogenetic and population studies. Chiloschista may provide an ideal system to investigate the dynamics of plastome evolution and DNA barcoding investigation for orchid studies.

[Discussion on the location of Dazhui (GV 14) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3)].

Since the anatomical location of acupoints was recorded in The latest Practice of Western Acupuncture in 1915, and Lecture Notes on Advanced Acupuncture in 1931, the Japanese acupuncture works of Chinese translation version, the location of Dazhui (GV 14) (under the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3) (under the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra) had rarely been questioned for nearly a century. In order to confirm the above statement, the writers have reviewed ancient literature, combined with the modern anatomical knowledge and searched the evidences from the core arguments of the acupuncture Mingtang chart and the bronze acupuncture statue. It is believed that Dazhui （GV 14） should be positioned under the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra, and Yaoyangguan（GV 3） be under the spinous process of the 5th lumbar vertebra. Accordingly, all of the other acupoints of these meridians should be moved down by 1 vertebra, i.e. those on the governor vessel from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoyangguan (GV 3), those on the 1st lateral line of the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang from Dazhu (BL 11) to Baihuanshu (BL 30) and those on the 2nd lateral line of the bladder meridian from Fufen (BL 41) to Zhibian (BL 54).

Characterization and Comparative Analysis of the Complete Plastomes of Five Epidendrum (Epidendreae, Orchidaceae) Species.

Epidendrum, one of the three largest genera of Orchidaceae, exhibits significant horticultural and ornamental value and serves as an important research model in conservation, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Given the ambiguous identification of germplasm and complex evolutionary relationships within the genus, the complete plastome of this genus (including five species) were firstly sequenced and assembled to explore their characterizations. The plastomes exhibited a typical quadripartite structure. The lengths of the plastomes ranged from 147,902 bp to 150,986 bp, with a GC content of 37.16% to 37.33%. Gene annotation revealed the presence of 78-82 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs. A total of 25-38 long repeats and 130-149 SSRs were detected. Analysis of relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) indicated that leucine (Leu) was the most and cysteine (Cys) was the least. The consistent and robust phylogenetic relationships of Epidendrum and its closely related taxa were established using a total of 43 plastid genomes from the tribe Epidendreae. The genus Epidendrum was supported as a monophyletic group and as a sister to Cattleya. Meanwhile, four mutational hotspots (trnCGCA-petN, trnDGUC-trnYGUA, trnSGCU-trnGUCC, and rpl32-trnLUAG) were identified for further phylogenetic studies. Our analysis demonstrates the promising utility of plastomes in inferring the phylogenetic relationships of Epidendrum.

Characteristics and Comparative Analysis of Seven Complete Plastomes of Trichoglottis s.l. (Aeridinae, Orchidaceae).

Trichoglottis exhibits a range of rich variations in colors and shapes of flower and is a valuable ornamental orchid genus. The genus Trichoglottis has been expanded by the inclusion of Staurochilus, but this Trichoglottis sensu lato (s.l.) was recovered as a non-monophyletic genus based on molecular sequences from one or a few DNA regions. Here, we present phylogenomic data sets, incorporating complete plastome sequences from seven species (including five species sequenced in this study) of Trichoglottis s.l. (including two species formerly treated as Staurochilus), to compare plastome structure and to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of this genus. The seven plastomes possessed the typical quadripartite structure of angiosperms and ranged from 149,402 bp to 149,841 bp with a GC content of 36.6-36.7%. These plastomes contain 120 genes, which comprise 74 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes, all ndh genes were pseudogenized or lost. A total of 98 (T. philippinensis) to 134 (T. ionosma) SSRs and 33 (T. subviolacea) to 46 (T. ionosma) long repeats were detected. The consistent and robust phylogenetic relationships of Trichoglottis were established using a total of 25 plastid genomes from the Aeridinae subtribe. The genus Trichoglottis s.l. was strongly supported as a monophyletic group, and two species formerly treated as Staurochilus were revealed as successively basal lineages. In addition, five mutational hotspots (trnNGUU-rpl32, trnLUAA, trnSGCU-trnGUCC, rbcL-accD, and trnTGGU-psbD) were identified based on the ranking of PI values. Our research indicates that plastome data is a valuable source for molecular identification and evolutionary studies of Trichoglottis and its related genera.

Comparative Analysis of Plastomes in Elsholtzieae: Phylogenetic Relationships and Potential Molecular Markers.

The Elsholtzieae, comprising ca. 7 genera and 70 species, is a small tribe of Lamiaceae (mint family). Members of Elsholtzieae are of high medicinal, aromatic, culinary, and ornamentals value. Despite the rich diversity and value of Elsholtzieae, few molecular markers or plastomes are available for phylogenetics. In the present study, we employed high-throughput sequencing to assemble two Mosla plastomes, M. dianthera and M. scabra, for the first time, and compared with other plastomes of Elsholtzieae. The plastomes of Elsholtzieae exhibited a quadripartite structure, ranging in size from 148,288 bp to 152,602 bp. Excepting the absence of the pseudogene rps19 in Elsholtzia densa, the exhaustive tally revealed the presence of 132 genes (113 unique genes). Among these, 85 protein-coding genes (CDS), 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 2 pseudogenes (rps19 and ycf1) were annotated. Comparative analyses showed that the plastomes of these species have minor variations at the gene level. Notably, the E. eriostchya plastid genome exhibited increased GC content regions in the LSC and SSC, resulting in an increased overall GC content of the entire plastid genome. The E. densa plastid genome displayed modified boundaries due to inverted repeat (IR) contraction. The sequences of CDS and intergenic regions (IGS) with elevated variability were identified as potential molecular markers for taxonomic inquiries within Elsholtzieae. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that four genera formed monophyletic entities, with Mosla and Perilla forming a sister clade. This clade was, in turn, sister to Collinsonia, collectively forming a sister group to Elsholtzia. Both CDS, and CDS + IGS could construct a phylogenetic tree with stronger support. These findings facilitate species identification and DNA barcoding investigations in Elsholtzieae and provide a foundation for further exploration and resource utilization within this tribe.

Dysregulated microRNAs as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy with a high incidence and fatality rate worldwide. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most important risk factors for its occurrence and development. Early detection of HBV-associated HCC (HBV-HCC) can improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. Biomarkers are extremely helpful, not only for early diagnosis, but also for the development of therapeutics. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a subset of non-coding RNAs approximately 22 nucleotides in length, have increasingly attracted scientists' attention due to their potential utility as biomarkers for cancer detection and therapy. HBV profoundly impacts the expression of miRNAs potentially involved in the development of hepatocarcinogenesis. In this review, we summarize the current progress on the role of miRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of HBV-HCC. From a molecular standpoint, we discuss the mechanism by which HBV regulates miRNAs and investigate the exact effect of miRNAs on the promotion of HCC. In the near future, miRNA-based diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications will make their way into the clinical routine.

2-Furoic acid associated with the infection of nematodes by Dactylellina haptotyla and its biocontrol potential on plant root-knot nematodes.

Dactylellina haptotyla is a typical nematode-trapping fungus that has garnered the attention of many scholars for its highly effective lethal potential for nematodes. Secondary metabolites play an important role in D. haptotyla-nematode interactions, but which metabolites perform which function remains unclear. We report the metabolic functions based on high-quality, chromosome-level genome assembly of wild D. haptotyla YMF1.03409. The results indicate that a large variety of secondary metabolites and their biosynthetic genes were significantly upregulated during the nematode-trapping stage. In parallel, we identified that 2-furoic acid was specifically produced during nematode trapping by D. haptotyla YMF1.03409 and isolated it from fermentation production. 2-Furoic acid demonstrated strong nematicidal activity with an LD50 value of 55.05 µg/mL against Meloidogyne incognita at 48 h. Furthermore, the pot experiment showed that the number of galls of tomato root was significantly reduced in the experimental group treated with 2-furoic acid. The considerable increase in the 2-furoic acid content during the infection process and its virulent nematicidal activity revealed an essential synergistic effect during the process of nematode-trapping fungal infection. IMPORTANCE Dactylellina haptotyla have significant application potential in nematode biocontrol. In this study, we determined the chromosome-level genome sequence of D. haptotyla YMF1.03409 by long-read sequencing technology. Comparative genomic analysis identified a series of pathogenesis-related genes and revealed significant gene family contraction events during the evolution of D. haptotyla YMF1.03409. Combining transcriptomic and metabolomic data as well as in vitro activity test results, a compound with important application potential in nematode biocontrol, 2-furoic acid, was identified. Our result expanded the genetic resource of D. haptotyla and identified a previously unreported nematicidal small molecule, which provides new options for the development of plant biocontrol agents.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of the nematode-trapping fungus Drechslerella dactyloides.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Drechslerella dactyloides was characterized in this study. This mitogenome is a closed circular molecule of 246860 bp in length with a GC content of 26.16%, including 87 predicted protein-coding genes, 29 transfer RNA genes, and two rRNA gens. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated amino acid sequences at 14 conserved mitochondrial protein-coding genes showed that D. dactyloides was closely related to Dactylellina haptotyla.

Origin and diversification of a Himalayan orchid genus Pleione.

Pleione is an orchid endemically distributed in high mountain areas across the Hengduan Mountains (HDM), Himalayas, Southeast Asia and South of China. The unique flower shapes, rich colors and immense medicinal importance of Pleione are valuable ornamental and economic resources. However, the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of the genus have not yet been comprehensively resolved. Here, the evolutionary history of Pleione was investigated using single-copy gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and chloroplast genome datasets. The data revealed that Pleione could be divided into five clades. Discordance in topology between the two phylogenetic trees and network and D-statistic analyses indicated the occurrence of reticulate evolution in the genus. The evolution could be attributed to introgression and incomplete lineage sorting. Ancestral area reconstruction suggested that Pleione was originated from the HDM. Uplifting of the HDM drove rapid diversification by creating conditions favoring rapid speciation. This coincided with two periods of consolidation of the Asian monsoon climate, which caused the first rapid diversification of Pleione from 8.87 to 7.83 Mya, and a second rapid diversification started at around 4.05 Mya to Pleistocene. The interaction between Pleione and climate changes, especially the monsoons, led to the current distribution pattern and shaped the dormancy characteristic of the different clades. In addition to revealing the evolutionary relationship of Pleione with orogeny and climate changes, the findings of this study provide insights into the speciation and diversification mechanisms of plants in the East Asian flora.

Vermicomposting of Pleurotus eryngii spent mushroom substrates and the possible mechanisms of vermicompost suppressing nematode disease caused by Meloidogyne incognita.

The mushroom industry produces a large amount of spent mushroom substrate (SMS), which requires a large geographical footprint and causes pollution. Vermicomposting is a low-cost technology for its value in recycling of organic wastes and production of beneficial organic fertilizers. In this study, the changes of physicochemical properties was characterized during vermicomposting of Pleurotus eryngii SMS with cow dung (CD) as amendment. The efficiency and possible mechanisms of vermicompost suppressing disease induced by Meloidogyne incognita was also investigated. Six combinations with different ratios of SMS and cow dung (CD) was included in the vermicomposting using Eisenia fetida. Effect of vermicompost against disease induced by M. incognita on tobacco was conducted under greenhouse condition. And the possible mechanisms of vermicompost suppressing M. incognita was investigated by evaluated the species diversity of nematode-trapping fungi (NTF) in soil, and the defense response enzymes in tobacco. The combination of 65% SMS +35% CD was more suitable for vermicomposting, in which the highest vermicompost production (57%) and earthworm biomass increment (268%) were achieved. Additionally, the reduction in pH, total organic carbon, carbon: nitrogen ratio, and the pronounced elevation in four overall nutrient status were also observed. Soil amended with vermicompost (100:1 w/w) showed 61% control efficiency against nematode disease caused by M. incognita on tobacco, which significantly higher than that of the normal compost (24%). Comparing to the normal compost, the potential mechanism of vermicompost suppressing M. incognita could be rely on promoting species diversity of NTF in soil and enhancing the activities of the defense response enzymes in tobacco plant. Our findings indicate that vermicomposting is a promising technology for recycling of P. eryngii SMS, and the resulting vermicompost as organic fertilizer can be sued for management of the diseases caused by root-knot nematodes. This study establish a sustainable avenue for P. eryngii SMS disposal and a practical manner for controlling pathogens.

Targeting KRAS G12C mutations in colorectal cancer.

With the advent of Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue G12C (KRAS G12C) inhibitors, RAS is no longer considered undruggable. For the suppression of RAS, new therapeutic approaches have been suggested. However, current clinical studies have indicated therapeutic resistance after short-lived tumour suppression. According to preclinical studies, this might be associated with acquired genetic alterations, reactivation of downstream pathways, and stimulation for upstream signalling. In this review, we aimed to summarize current approaches for combination therapy to alleviate resistance to KRAS G12C inhibitors in colorectal cancer with a focus on the mechanisms of therapeutic resistance. We also analysed the relationship between various mechanisms and therapeutic resistance.

Characterization of Angraecum (Angraecinae, Orchidaceae) Plastomes and Utility of Sequence Variability Hotspots.

Angraecum, commonly known as Darwin's orchid, is the largest genus of Angraecinae (Orchidaceae). This genus exhibits a high morphological diversity, making it as a good candidate for macroevolutionary studies. In this study, four complete plastomes of Angraecum were firstly reported and the potential variability hotspots were explored. The plastomes possessed the typical quadripartite structure and ranged from 150,743 to 151,818 base pair (bp), with a guanine-cytosine (GC) content of 36.6-36.9%. The plastomes all contained 120 genes, consisting of 74 protein-coding genes (CDS), 38 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes; all ndh genes were pseudogenized or lost. A total of 30 to 46 long repeats and 55 to 63 SSRs were identified. Relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) analysis indicated a high degree of conservation in codon usage bias. The Ka/Ks ratios of most genes were lower than 1, indicating that they have undergone purifying selection. Based on the ranking of Pi (nucleotide diversity) values, five regions (trnSGCU-trnGGCC, ycf1-trnNGGU, trnNGUU-rpl32, psaC-ndhE and trnSGCU-trnGGCC) and five protein-coding genes (rpl32, rps16, psbK, rps8, and ycf1) were identified. The consistent and robust phylogenetic relationships of Angraecum were established based on a total of 40 plastomes from the Epidendroideae subfamily. The genus Angraecum was strongly supported as a monophyletic group and sister to Aeridinae. Our study provides an ideal system for investigating molecular identification, plastome evolution and DNA barcoding for Angraecum.

Effects of staged acupuncture on endometrial receptivity and anxiety in patients with recurrent implantation failure of thin endometrium based on "thoroughfare vessel is the sea of blood" theory / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy between staged acupuncture based on "thoroughfare vessel is the sea of blood" theory combined with routine hormone replacement cycle treatment and routine hormone replacement cycle treatment for patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) of thin endometrium.@*METHODS@#A total of 72 RIF patients with thin endometrium were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 36 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with routine hormone replacement cycle treatment. Based on the treatment of the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with staged acupuncture based on "thoroughfare vessel is the sea of blood" theory. The main acupoints were Neiguan (PC 6) and Gongsun (SP 4), and the supplementary acupoints were selected according to the menstrual cycle and syndrome differentiation; the acupuncture was given once every other day, 3 times a week, for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles. The thickness and shape of endometrium, and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) score were observed at implantation window before and after treatment; the clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate and cycle cancellation rate were compared between the two groups; the correlation between endometrial thickness and HAMA score was analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the endometrial thickness in the two groups and the proportion of type A+B endometrium in the observation group were increased (P<0.05), and the HAMA scores in the two groups were decreased (P<0.05) after treatment. The above indexes in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (P<0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the cycle cancellation rate was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between endometrial thickness and HAMA score (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Based on the routine hormone replacement cycle treatment, the addition use of staged acupuncture based on "thoroughfare vessel is the sea of blood" theory could improve the thickness and shape of endometrium, relieve anxiety, increase the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate, and reduce the cycle cancellation rate in RIF patients with thin endometrium. The curative effect is superior to the routine hormone replacement cycle treatment alone.

The role of group 3 innate lymphoid cells(ILC3) in the evolution of the immune system: An update / 细胞与分子免疫学杂志

Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) are an ILC subset that is characterized by the expression of retinoic acid-related orphan nuclear receptor γt (RORγt) and interleukin 22 (IL-22). This review summarizes the role of ILC3 in coordinating innate immunity and adaptive immunity based on current research and elaborate the significance of ILC3 from the perspective of immune system evolution. In addition, based on immune-related functions, we propose a possible time when ILC3 appears in the evolution of the immune system. And then, the research limitations and prospects are discussed.