Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ST-III and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus KF7 Enhance the Intestinal Epithelial Barrier in a Dual-Environment In Vitro Co-Culture Model.

Intestinal barrier hyperpermeability, which is characterised by impaired tight junction proteins, is associated with a variety of gastrointestinal and systemic diseases. Therefore, maintaining intestinal barrier integrity is considered one of the effective strategies to reduce the risk of such disorders. This study aims to investigate the potential benefits of two probiotic strains (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ST-III and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus KF7) on intestinal barrier function by using a physiologically relevant in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium. Our results demonstrate that both strains increased transepithelial electrical resistance, a measure of intestinal barrier integrity. Immunolocalisation studies indicated that this improvement in barrier function was not due to changes in the co-localisation of the tight junction (TJ) proteins ZO-1 and occludin. However, we observed several modifications in TJ-related genes in response to the probiotics, including the upregulation of transmembrane and cytosolic TJ proteins, as well as TJ signalling proteins. Gene expression modulation was strain- and time-dependent, with a greater number of differentially expressed genes and higher fold-change being observed in the L. plantarum ST-III group and at the latter timepoint. Further studies to investigate how the observed gene expression changes can lead to enhanced barrier function will aid in the development of probiotic foods to help improve intestinal barrier function.

Psychosocial Adjustment Experiences Among Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Survivors: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has serious effects on the daily lives and psychosocial adjustment of survivors. In particular, psychosocial problems are a prominent concern. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to understand the lived experiences of NPC survivors regarding psychosocial adjustment. METHODS: A qualitative design using individual semistructured interviews was conducted with 20 NPC survivors. Each participant was asked open-ended questions about their lived experience with psychosocial adjustment. The data were then subjected to thematic analysis. RESULTS: The following 4 themes, which had subthemes, were identified from the data: (1) grappling with discomforts (symptoms distress of late toxicities, impaired body image, and returning-to-work restrictions), (2) struggling with uncertainty (disease attribution with self-blame, contradictory rehabilitation information, fear of cancer recurrence, and distance from medical staff), (3) changing social patterns (special favors, social isolation, and social discrimination), and (4) cultivating positive change (healthy lifestyle and positive mindset). CONCLUSIONS: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivors experience many obstacles, as well as positive changes, during psychosocial adjustment. This study highlights the pressing need to consider NPC survivors' concerns about their psychosocial adjustment. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Medical staff should provide NPC survivors with sufficient rehabilitation information to help them deal with possible late toxicities and mitigate their uncertainty and misunderstanding. Effective public education measures are needed to address misunderstandings about cancer in Chinese cultural settings.

Repurposing of rilpivirine for preventing platelet ß3 integrin-dependent thrombosis by targeting c-Src active autophosphorylation.

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected individuals are known to be at higher risk for thrombotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), which may also be differentially affected by components of anti-HIV drugs. To identify the effects of a series of FDA-approved anti-HIV drugs on platelet aggregation in humans, focusing on the novel pharmacological effects of rilpivirine (RPV), a reverse transcriptase inhibitor, on platelet function both in vitro and in vivo and the mechanisms involved. METHODS AND RESULTS: In vitro studies showed that RPV was the only anti-HIV reagent that consistently and efficiently inhibited aggregation elicited by different agonists, exocytosis, morphological extension on fibrinogen, and clot retraction. Treatment of mice with RPV significantly prevented thrombus formation in FeCl3-injured mesenteric vessels, postcava with stenosis surgery, and ADP -induced pulmonary embolism models without defects in platelet viability, tail bleeding, and coagulation activities. RPV also improved cardiac performance in mice with post-ischemic reperfusion. A mechanistic study revealed that RPV preferentially attenuated fibrinogen-stimulated Tyr773 phosphorylation of ß3-integrin by inhibiting Tyr419 autophosphorylation of c-Src. Molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance analyses showed that RPV can bind directly to c-Src. Further mutational analysis showed that the Phe427 residue of c-Src is critical for RPV interaction, suggesting a novel interaction site for targeting c-Src to block ß3-integrin outside-in signaling. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that RPV was able to prevent the progression of thrombotic CVDs by interrupting ß3-integrin-mediated outside-in signaling via inhibiting c-Src activation without hemorrhagic side effects, highlighting RPV as a promising reagent for the prevention and therapy of thrombotic CVDs.

The Mediating Role of Sleep Quality in the Association Between Negative Affect and Cognitive Function Among Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma After Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive function impairment is a severe yet largely unrecognized adverse reaction among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) following radiotherapy. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to examine the level of cognitive function, explore the influencing factors of the cognitive function of NPC after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and identify the mediating role of sleep quality between negative affect and cognitive function. METHODS: In total, 200 patients with NPC after IMRT were recruited from a tertiary cancer center in Southern China between September 2020 and March 2021. Participants completed the demographic and disease-related questionnaire, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, Profile of Mood States-Short Form, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: The mean Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale scores were 24.42 after adjustment, with 54.5% of patients having cognitive function impairment. Education level, income, seeking rehabilitation knowledge, radiation dose, sleep quality, and negative affect entered the final regression model and explained 82.6% of cognitive function variance. The total and direct effects of negative affect and indirect effects via sleep quality on cognitive function were significant (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should pay close attention to patients with poor educational levels, low income, and having difficulties seeking rehabilitation knowledge and patients who accept higher radiation doses. Improving their sleep quality and positive affect may contribute to preventing or reducing cognitive function impairment. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Clinical nurses should pay more attention to cognitive function among NPC patients after IMRT and take effective measures or interventions to prevent and reduce their cognitive function impairment.

A plant virus enhances odorant-binding protein 5 (OBP5) in the vector whitefly for more actively olfactory orientation to the host plant.

BACKGROUND: The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a notorious agricultural pest and the effective vector of many plant viruses worldwide. Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV), exclusively transmitted by B. tabaci in a semipersistent manner, is a serious causal agent in cucurbit crops in many countries. Plant viruses can manipulate the behaviors of insect vectors to promote the spread of themselves, but underlying mechanisms are remaining unclear. RESULTS: In this study, our observations indicated that B. tabaci, when carrying CCYV, oriented more actively to the host plant cucumber. Transcriptome analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcription analysis showed that the odorant-binding protein 5 (OBP5) was upregulated with viral acquisition. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed that BtabOBP5 was highly homologous with nine OBPs from other hemipteran insects. In addition, OBP5-silenced whiteflies significantly altered their orientation behavior towards cucumber plants and towards some typical volatile organic compounds released from cucumbers. CONCLUSION: This study described a novel mechanism by which the olfactory system of vector insects could be regulated by a semipersistent plant virus, thereby affecting insect olfactory behavior and relationship with host plants. These results provided a basis for developing potential olfaction-based pest management strategies in the future. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Discovery of novel whitefly vector proteins that interact with a virus capsid component mediating virion retention and transmission.

Specificity and efficiency of plant virus transmission depend largely on protein-protein interactions of vectors and viruses. Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV), transmitted specifically by tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, in a semi-persistent manner, has caused serious damage on cucurbit and vegetable crops around the world. However, the molecular mechanism of interaction during CCYV retention and transmission are still lacking. CCYV was proven to bind particularly to the whitefly foregut, and here, we confirmed that the minor coat protein (CPm) of CCYV is participated in the interaction with the vector. In order to identify proteins of B. tabaci that interact directly with CPm of CCYV, the immunoprecipitation (IP) assay and DUALmembrane cDNA library screening technology were applied. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5A (COX), tubulin beta chain (TUB) and keratin, type I cytoskeletal 9-like (KRT) of B. tabaci shown strong interactions with CPm and are closely associated with the retention within the vector and transmission of CCYV. These findings on whitefly protein-CCYV CPm interactions are crucial for a much better understanding the mechanism of semi-persistent plant virus transmission by insect vectors, as well as for implement new strategies for effective management of plant viruses and their vector insects.

Widely targeted analysis of metabolomic changes of Cucumis sativus induced by cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus.

BACKGROUND: Plant metabolites play vital roles in regulating the behavior of herbivore insects. Virus infection can universally alter plant metabolites to manipulate the orientation and feeding behaviors of insect vector, to favor the transmission of virus. Thus, determining the differentially accumulated metabolites of plant upon virus infection could provide insights into understanding how the triple interactions among plant, virus and insect vector happens. Our previous studies have found that vector whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) showed different orientation behavior and performance on CCYV-infected and healthy cucumber plants. Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) is exclusively transmitted by B. tabaci in a semi-persistent mode. In this study, we take the CCYV, B. tabaci and cucumber as a research system to explore the functions of phyto-metabolites in the triple interactions. RESULTS: A total of 612 metabolites changed upon CCYV infection were monitored. Metabolites mainly enriched in flavonoids, lipids, nucleotides and their derivatives. At 7 days post CCYV inoculation (dpi), the contents of lipids, terpenoids and flavonoids remarkably decreased, while amino acids, nucleotides and their derivatives notably up-accumulated. At 15 dpi, the accumulation of flavonoids were still significantly reduced upon CCYV infection, while lipids, amino acids, nucleotides and derivatives were remarkably enhanced. Most of significantly increased metabolites were lipids (lysophosphatidylethanolamine, LPE; lysophosphatidylcholine, LPC and their isomers). Also, the number of significantly changed metabolites increased with the infection period. However, only a few organic acids and phenolic acids showed difference between CCYV-infected and healthy cucumber plants. CONCLUSIONS: CCYV infection repressed the defensive flavonoids, terpeneoids metabolism but triggered the lipids, amino acids and nucleotides metabolism with the inoculation period. This result suggests that CCYV-infection makes cucumber plants more susceptible for whiteflies attack and CCYV infection. The reduction of defensive comounds and the increase of amino acids may be partially responsible for enhancing feeding preference of whiteflies to CCYV-infected hosts. CCYV may hijacked lipid metabolism for virus replication and assembly.

The mediating role of coping in the relationship between family function and resilience in adolescents and young adults who have a parent with lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Resilience plays an important role in helping individuals to adapt to adversity and improve their psychosocial outcomes. This study aims to examine the mediating role of coping in the relationship between family function and resilience in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) who have a parent with lung cancer. METHOD: A total of 135 AYAs with a lung cancer parent were recruited from a tertiary grade A cancer center in southern China, and investigated using a self-designed general information questionnaire, the Resilience Scale for Chinese Adolescents, the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, and the Family Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve index. RESULTS: The mean score of AYAs' resilience was (3.61 ± 0.49), and its influencing factors included AYAs' years in work, family function, and positive coping. The total effect of family function on resilience was significant (total effect = 0.38, 95% CI [0.048-0.115]), and a positive indirect effect was identified for family function on resilience via positive coping (indirect effect = 0.10, 95% CI [0.005-0.043]). CONCLUSION: Family functioning can facilitate resilience either directly or by promoting positive coping. This study suggests that individualized interventions can be made to improve resilience by promoting family function, or by enhancing positive coping in AYAs with a lung cancer parent.

The mediating role of self-efficacy in the association between perceived stigma and psychosocial adjustment: a cross-sectional study among nasopharyngeal cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the levels of and associations between perceived stigma, self-efficacy, and psychosocial adjustment (PA) among nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) survivors, and to identify the mediating role of self-efficacy between stigma and PA and explore the influencing factors of PA. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted and 307 NPC survivors were recruited by convenience sampling method in Southern China from July 2019 to January 2020. Data analyses were performed with the SPSS WIN 25.0 program and PROCESS macro version 3.3. RESULTS: Stigma and self-efficacy were positively associated with PA among Chinese NPC survivors. Tumor-free survival time, late toxicities (fatigue, dizziness and headache, and hearing loss), stigma, and self-efficacy entered the final regression model and explained 55.9% of the variance of PA. The total and direct effects of stigma on PA and its subscales were significant (p < 0.05). Positive indirect effects were found for stigma on PA via self-efficacy (point estimate = 0.159, SE = 0.032, 95% CI [0.102 to 0.229]). CONCLUSIONS: Stigma and self-efficacy are significantly associated with PA, and self-efficacy is also a mediating variable between stigma and PA among NPC survivors. Medical staff could improve the PA of NPC survivors by alleviating their stigma, enhancing their self-efficacy, and relieving their late toxicities (fatigue, dizziness and headache, and hearing loss).

Quality of Life and Its Influencing Factors Among Chinese Patients With Permanent Colostomy in the Early Postoperative Stage: A Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Although colostomies are necessary for disease treatment, they unavoidably affect patient quality of life (QOL), especially in the early postoperative stage. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic changes and factors influencing QOL among Chinese patients with permanent colostomy. METHODS: We investigated 74 patients before discharge and at 1 and 3 months after discharge. Instruments included the Quality of Life Questionnaire for People With Ostomy-Chinese version, Stoma Self-efficacy Scale, Stoma Self-care Scale-Early Stage Version, and a demographic and stoma-related information questionnaire. RESULTS: The average QOL increased significantly after discharge (P < .01). Multivariate linear regression showed that the influencing factor of QOL was self-efficacy (before discharge, explained 22.9% of the variance); self-efficacy, truth-telling, average time of stoma care, communicating with friends with colostomy, and family relationship (1 month after discharge, explained 48.8% of the variance); and self-efficacy, body image loss, and participating in activities of patients with colostomy (3 months after discharge, explained 85.2% of the variance). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians need to give attention to improving the QOL of colostomy patients especially 1 month after discharge. Interventions aimed at improving self-efficacy, preoperative education regarding the surgery, colostomy care ability, family relationship, stoma self-acceptance, and involvement in activities of friends with colostomy should be considered to improve QOL among Chinese patients in this setting. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Transitional care should be provided for colostomy patients especially 1 month after discharge. Interventions should focus on enhancing self-efficacy, stoma self-management, and social-environmental support.

Stigma, self-efficacy and late toxicities among Chinese nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivors.

OBJECTIVE: This study explores the level of stigma among Chinese nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivors, its influencing factors and relationship with self-efficacy. METHODS: In total, 281 nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivors were recruited from China, who completed the demographic, disease-related and late toxicities questionnaire, as well as the General Self-Efficacy Scale and Social Impact Scale. RESULTS: The mean scores for stigma and self-efficacy were 57.22 ± 9.58 and 28.06 ± 3.97, respectively, both showing a moderate level. The late toxicities with the highest incidence were xerostomia (91.8%), fatigue (78.3%) and hearing loss (63.0%). Stigma was significantly and negatively related to self-efficacy (r = -0.295, P < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression showed that self-efficacy, number of children, educational level, perceived support from spouse and other family members and some late toxicities (nasal obstruction and toothache) were influencing factors of stigma, accounting for 49.4% of the variance. CONCLUSION: Medical staff should be more aware of stigma among Chinese nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivors, especially those with more children and weaker educational backgrounds who are at a higher risk of stigma. They should take effective measures to alleviate stigma by improving patients' self-efficacy, relieving late toxicities and encouraging spouses and family members to provide more support for them.

Abdominal Massage Alleviates Skeletal Muscle Insulin Resistance by Regulating the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway.

Abdominal massage (AM), a traditional Chinese medicine-based treatment method, has received considerable attention in the recent years. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of AM on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance (IR) in comparison with resveratrol (RSV) treatment. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: standard chow diet (control group), high-fat diet (model group), HFD + abdominal massage (AM group), and HFD + resveratrol (RSV group). A rat model of IR was established by feeding HFD to rats for 8 weeks followed by treatment with AM or RSV for 4 weeks. The underlying HFD-induced IR molecular mechanisms were studied in rat serum and skeletal muscles. RSV and AM significantly improved glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia, obesity, and significantly reduced lipid accumulation [triglyceride (TC), total cholesterol (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], adipocytokine [free fatty acids (FFA), adiponectin (ADPN)] and serum pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) secretion. In addition, AM activated the AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway in rat skeletal muscle. In conclusion, our results showed that AM could improve IR by regulating the secretion of adipocytokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as related signaling pathways in the skeletal muscle of rats, which might provide insights into development of new treatment methods for the clinical treatment of IR.

A Computational Framework to Study the Effect of Acupuncture on Obesity by Integrating Multiple Levels of Data.

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of obesity by a computational framework integrating randomized controlled trials published in China and abroad. Specifically, clinical trial documents published on CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from 2007-2017 were downloaded and analyzed using Stata 15.1 system. As a result, a total of 13 articles were imported and 1052 patients were included. The analyses showed that the overall effect of an acupuncture group and a control group was not significant with P > 0.01. However, the curative effect of the acupuncture group was better than that of the diet and exercise instruction group with P < 0.01; the curative effect of the acupuncture group was better than that of the oral Chinese and western medicine group with P < 0.01. In conclusion, acupuncture as a complementary alternative therapy is recommended for the treatment of obesity.

Petunidin-Based Anthocyanin Relieves Oxygen Stress in Lactobacillus plantarum ST-III.

Application of probiotics in the food industry has been hampered by their sensitivity to challenging conditions that reduce their vitality in food matrices. A lot of attempts have been made to promote the growth of these probiotics in the aspect of nutrition demands. Among the other adverse conditions, oxygen stress can restrict the growth of probiotics and has not yet been paid enough attention to. In this study, the effect of a petunidin-based anthocyanin (ACN) on the growth of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum ST-III was investigated under oxygen stress. The growth of ST-III was analyzed through spot assay on agar plates as well as plating-based enumeration of the viable cells in the liquid culture. Results indicated that ACN could efficiently improve the growth of ST-III under oxygen stress, whereas no effect was observed in the absence of oxygen stress. Further investigations indicated that ACN reduced the oxido-reduction potential of the culture; meanwhile, it exerted a positive transcriptional regulation on the thioredoxin system of ST-III, leading to a decrease in reactive oxygen species accumulation within the cells. Moreover, ACN enabled the growth of ST-III in reconstituted skim milk and promoted the formation of milk clots. These results revealed the role of a petunidin-based ACN in oxygen stress relief and highlighted its potential in manufacture and preservation of L. plantarum-based dairy products.

Comparison of RN licensure examination: China and the United States.

Having the two largest nursing workforces across the globe, both China and the United States have implemented licensure examinations to standardize the qualifications of registered nurse. China established the National Nursing Licensure Examination (NNLE) in 1995. Like the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in the United States, the NNLE has become an important link in the nurse registration process and contributed a lot in quality assurance and development of nursing profession. It may be necessary for the NNLE to learn from NCLEX-RN in several aspects, including increasing the frequency of exam, providing examinees with individualized services, and continuing reforming exam content and format. By better aligning the content and format of the examination with the current nursing paradigm and clinical requirements, nurses may enter the healthcare field better prepared to care for patients. Considering the magnitude of their nursing workforce, both China and the United States have great potential to serve as a role model for other developing countries as they look towards establishing national nursing education programs. As new policies around standardized nurse education in China take form, we urge that the NNLE be included alongside curricular reforms. As these reforms are implemented, continued research will be needed to evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum and licensure exam regulations upon nurse preparedness and quality of nursing care in China.

Extrusion of Dissolved Oxygen by Exopolysaccharide From Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Its Implications in Relief of the Oxygen Stress.

Strains of Leuconostoc are generally facultatively anaerobic and exposure to oxygen might be detrimental; therefore, strategies to combat the oxygen stress are essential for these bacteria to survive and flourish in the oxygenic atmosphere. Despite the extensive applications in industry, the fundamental issues concerning the aerobic life of Leuconostocs remain to be addressed. In this study, we have demonstrated that Leuconostoc mesenteroides CGMCC10064 cultivated in sucrose medium would acquire a growth advantage over that in glucose medium under oxygenic conditions, as reflected by more viable cells and less accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Further analysis showed that the growth advantage was dependent on exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesized by a secreted glucansucrase. Determination of the dissolved oxygen in the culture suggested that the growth improvement was mediated by extrusion of dissolved oxygen from the aqueous circumstances. Growth experiments performed with the purified EPS showed that supplementation of 5 g/L EPS in the medium could improve the aerobic growth of L. mesenteroides by ∼10-fold. Moreover, the purified EPS was also effective in promoting the aerobic growth of oxygen-sensitive Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These results demonstrate that EPS of L. mesenteroides plays a critical role in relief of the oxygen stress, and suggest the potential of the EPS in manufacture as well as preservation of oxygen-sensitive probiotics.

Molecular and Functional Study of a Branching Sucrase-Like Glucansucrase Reveals an Evolutionary Intermediate between Two Subfamilies of the GH70 Enzymes.

Glucansucrases (GSs) in glycoside hydrolase family 70 (GH70) catalyze the synthesis of α-glucans from sucrose, a reaction that is widely seen in lactic acid bacteria (LAB). These enzymes have been implicated in many aspects of microbial life. Products of GSs have great commercial value as food supplements and medical materials; therefore, these enzymes have attracted much attention from both science and industry. Certain issues concerning the origin and evolution of GSs are still to be addressed, although an increasing number of GH70 enzymes have been characterized. This study describes a GS enzyme with the appearance of a branching sucrase (BrS). Structural analysis indicated that this GS enzyme produced a type of glucan composed of an α-(1→6) glucosidic backbone and α-(1→4) branches, as well as a considerable amount of α-(1→3) branches, distinguishing it from the GSs identified so far. Moreover, sequence-based analysis of the catalytic core of this enzyme suggested that it might be an evolutionary intermediate between the BrS and GS subgroups. These results provide an evolutionary link between these subgroups of GH70 enzymes and shed new light on the origination of GSs.IMPORTANCE GH70 GSs catalyze the synthesis of α-glucans from sucrose, a reaction that is widely seen in LAB. Products of these enzymes have great commercial value as food supplements and medical materials. Moreover, these enzymes have attracted much attention from scientists because they have potential in tailored synthesis of α-glucans with desired structures and properties. Although more and more GSs have been characterized, the origin and evolution of these enzymes have not been well addressed. This study describes a GS with the appearance of a BrS (i.e., high levels of similarity to BrSs in sequence analysis). Further analysis indicated that this enzyme synthesized a type of insoluble glucan composed of an α-(1→6) glucosidic backbone and many α-(1→4)- and α-(1→3)-linked branches, the linkage composition of which has rarely been reported in the literature. This BrS-like GS enzyme might be an evolutionary intermediate between BrS and GS enzymes.

Plastid phylogenomics resolves infrafamilial relationships of the Styracaceae and sheds light on the backbone relationships of the Ericales.

Relationships among the genera of the small, woody family Styracaceae and among families of the large, diverse order Ericales have resisted complete resolution with sequences from one or a few genes. We used plastome sequencing to attempt to resolve the backbone relationships of Styracaceae and Ericales and to explore plastome structural evolution. Complete plastomes for 23 species are newly reported here, including 18 taxa of Styracaceae and five of Ericales (including species of Sapotaceae, Clethraceae, Symplocaceae, and Diapensiaceae). Combined with publicly available complete plastome data, this resulted in a data set of 60 plastomes, including 11 of the 12 genera of Styracaceae and 12 of 22 families of Ericales. Styracaceae plastomes were found to possess the quadripartite structure typical of angiosperms, with sizes ranging from 155 to 159 kb. Most of the plastomes were found to possess the full complement of typical angiosperm plastome genes. Unusual structural features were detected in plastomes of Alniphyllum and Bruinsmia, including the presence of a large 20-kb inversion (14 genes) in the Large Single-Copy region, the loss or pseudogenization of the clpP and accD genes in Bruinsmia, and the loss of the first exon of rps16 in B. styracoides. Likewise, the second intron from clpP was found to be lost in Alniphyllum and Huodendron. Phylogenomic analyses including all 79 plastid protein-coding genes provided improved resolution for relationships among the genera of Styracaceae and families of Ericales. Styracaceae was strongly supported as monophyletic, with Styrax, Huodendron, and a clade of Alniphyllum + Bruinsmia successively sister to the remainder of the family, all with strong support. All genera of Styracaceae were recovered as monophyletic, except for Halesia and Pterostyrax, which were each recovered as polyphyletic with strong support. Within Ericales, all families were recovered as monophyletic with strong support, with Balsaminaceae sister to remaining Ericales. Most relationships recovered in plastome analyses are congruent with previous analyses based on smaller data sets. Our results demonstrate the power of plastid phylogenomics to improve phylogenetic hypotheses among genera and families, and provide new insight into plastome evolution across Ericales.

Gsy, a novel glucansucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides, mediates the formation of cell aggregates in response to oxidative stress.

Leuconostoc mesenteroides is a member of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with wide applications in the food and medical industries. Species in the genus Leuconostoc are catalase-negative and generally regarded as facultative anaerobic or aerotolerant organisms. Despite their extensive use in industry, certain issues concerning the aerobic life of L. mesenteroides, e.g., the mechanism involved in the tolerance to oxygen, remain to be addressed. In this manuscript, a survival strategy employed by L. mesenteroides BD3749 in response to oxidative stress was elucidated. BD3749 cells cultivated in medium with sucrose available synthesized large amounts of exopolysaccharides, mostly consisting of insoluble EPS. When BD3749 cells were challenged with oxidative stress, the amount of insoluble EPS was greatly enhanced. The synthesized EPSs reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bacterial cells and improved their survival during chronic oxidative stress. Another study showed that Gsy, a novel glucansucrase in the GH70 family that is induced by sucrose and up-regulated following exposure to oxygen, was responsible for the synthesis of insoluble EPS. Gsy was subsequently demonstrated to play pivotal roles in the formation of aggregates to alleviate the detrimental effects on BD3749 cells exerted by oxygen.