Acyl chloride-mediated synthesis of rhodanine-modified UiO-66 for high-efficiency silver recovery.

Silver (Ag) recovery is essential for ecological protection, human health and economic benefits. Effective capture of Ag(I) from wastewater is still challenging due to insufficient accessible sites of adsorbents. Herein, an acyl chloride-mediated strategy is developed to synthesize rhodanine (Rd) modified UiO-66 derivatives for Ag(I) adsorption. Benefitting from the high grafting density of Rd, the optimal Rd-modified UiO-66-NH2 (UiO-66-NH2@20Rd) features an ultra-high uptake capacity (maximum capacity of 923.9 mg·g-1) and selectivity (maximum selectivity coefficient of 1665.52) for Ag(I). Almost 90 % of Ag(I) could be captured in one minute over UiO-66-NH2@20Rd and maintained a removal rate of 98.9 % even after six cycles. Moreover, a fixed-bed column test demonstrates that approximately 21,780 bed volumes of Ag(I) simulated wastewater can be effectively treated, indicating great promise for practical application. Mechanism investigation illustrates that outstanding performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect of Ag(I) adsorption and reduction on dense rhodanine sites. This study highlights that such a general strategy can provide a valuable avenue toward various functional adsorption materials.

Cone-beam CT evaluation of post-extraction alveolar bone changes at the maxillary incisor sites in an East Asian population: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: Understanding the characteristics of alveolar bone resorption in an East Asian population after maxillary incisor extraction and providing a reference for implant treatment plans. Study design: Cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) data of 125 East Asian patients with unilateral extraction of maxillary incisors for 3 months were collected. The alveolar bone width and height in the extraction sites were measured and compared with the corresponding contralateral sites. Results: The differences in alveolar bone width between the extraction site and contralateral site were as follows: 4.11 mm, 2.68 mm, and 2.09 mm (3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm apical from CEJ of the contralateral tooth). Data are expressed as the median. The horizontal resorption ratio of alveolar bone was 49.94 %, 31.5 %, and 24.46 %. The difference in alveolar bone height was 0.78 mm. The vertical resorption ratio was 7.78 %. The resorption did not differ significantly between sexes and was not significantly affected by tooth positions. Conclusions: In the studied East Asian population, significant horizontal and vertical alveolar bone resorption occurs after natural healing of maxillary incisor extraction for 3 months. The closer to the alveolar ridge crest, the more significant the horizontal resorption, resulting in an "inverted triangle" shape residual alveolar bone.

Synthesis, Structures, and Reactivities of BCN-Heterocyclic B-N Chains.

The BCN-heterocyclic B-N chain compounds, the sodium and potassium salts of 3 and 4 anions (Na3, Na4, and K4), were synthesized by reactions of ethane 1,2-diamineborane (BH3NH2CH2CH2NH2BH3, 1) and propane 1,2-diamineborane (BH3NH2CH2CH2CH2NH2BH3, 2) with MH (M = Na and K). Then, the neutral B-N chain compounds 5 and 6 were prepared with dehydrogenation of [NH4]3 and [NH4]4, formed by metathesis reactions of Na3 and Na4 with NH4Cl or NH4SCN, respectively. Compounds 7 and 8, analog 5, were also prepared using pyridine and 4-methoxypyridine instead of NH3 in 5. These synthesized compounds were characterized spectroscopically, and the singe-crystal structures of the Na3·18-crown-6 and K4·18-crown-6 adducts were determined. Furthermore, the reactions of Na3 and Na4 with cationic B-N chain compounds, [NH3BH2NH3]Cl and [NH3BH2NH2BH2NH3]Cl, could not form longer BCN-heterocyclic B-N chain. The solubility of metal hydrides, the ability for proton abstracting, the basicity of Lewis bases, and the chelate effect may influence these reactions even though the reaction mechanism is not fully understood.

Recovery of Ag(I) from Wastewater by Adsorption: Status and Challenges.

Untreated or inadequately treated silver-containing wastewater may pose adverse effects on hu-man health and the ecological environment. Currently, significant progress has been made in the treatment of Ag(I) in wastewater using adsorption methods, with adsorbents playing a pivotal role in this process. This paper provides a systematic review of various adsorbents for the recovery and treatment of Ag(I) in wastewater, including MOFs, COFs, transition metal sulfides, metal oxides, biomass materials, and other polymeric materials. The adsorption mechanisms of these materials for Ag(I) are elaborated upon, along with the challenges currently faced. Furthermore, insights into optimizing adsorbents and developing novel adsorbents are proposed in this study.

Molecular detection and genetic characteristics of porcine circovirus 3 and porcine circovirus 4 in central China.

Porcine circoviruses (PCVs) are a significant cause of concern for swine health, with four genotypes currently recognized. Two of these, PCV3 and PCV4, have been detected in pigs across all age groups, in both healthy and diseased animals. These viruses have been associated with various clinical manifestations, including porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) and respiratory and enteric signs. In this study, we detected PCV3 and PCV4 in central China between January 2022 and February 2023. We tested fecal swabs and tissue samples from growing-finishing and suckling pigs with or without respiratory and systemic manifestations and found the prevalence of PCV3 to be 15.15% (15/99) and that of PCV3/PCV4 coinfection to be 4.04% (4/99). This relatively low prevalence might be attributed to the fact that most of the clinical samples were collected from pigs exhibiting respiratory signs, with only a few samples having been obtained from pigs with diarrhea. In some cases, PCV2 was also detected, and the coinfection rates of PCV2/3, PCV2/4, and PCV2/3/4 were 6.06% (6/99), 5.05% (5/99), and 3.03% (3/99), respectively. The complete genomic sequences of four PCV3 and two PCV4 isolates were determined. All four of the PCV3 isolates were of subtype PCV3b, and the two PCV4 isolates were of subtype PCV4b. Two mutations (A24V and R27K) were found in antibody recognition domains of PCV3, suggesting that they might be associated with immune escape. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular epidemiology and evolution of PCV3 and PCV4 that will be useful in future investigations of genotyping, immunogenicity, and immune evasion strategies.

Risk Factors of Chylothorax After Congenital Heart Surgery in Infants: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study.

Background: Studies of chylothorax after congenital heart disease in infants are rare. Chylothorax has a higher incidence in infancy, but its risk factors are not well understood. Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the risk factors of chylothorax after congenital heart surgery in infants. Methods: This retrospective study included 176 infants who underwent congenital heart disease surgery at the Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, China, between 2016 and 2020. According to the occurrence of chylothorax, the patients were divided into a control group (n = 88) and a case group (n = 88). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to analyse the incidence and influencing factors of chylothorax after congenital heart surgery in infants. Results: Between 2016 and 2020, the annual incidence rate fluctuated between 1.55% and 3.17%, and the total incidence of chylothorax was 2.02%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that postoperative albumin (p = 0.041; odds ratio [OR] = 0.095), preoperative mechanical ventilation (p = 0.001; OR = 1.053) and preterm birth (p = 0.002; OR = 5.783) were risk factors for postoperative chylothorax in infants with congenital heart disease. Conclusion: The total incidence of chylothorax was 2.02% and the annual incidence rate fluctuated between 1.55% and 3.17% between 2016 and 2020. Premature infants, longer preoperative mechanical ventilation and lower albumin after congenital heart surgery may be risk factors for chylothorax. In addition, infants with chylothorax are inclined to be infected, need more respiratory support, use a chest drainage tube for longer and remain longer in hospital.

Distinctive Craniofacial and Oral Anomalies in MN1 C-terminal Truncation Syndrome.

MN1 C-terminal truncation (MCTT) syndrome was first reported in 2020 and only 28 patients have been recorded to date. Since MCTT syndrome is a newly defined and rare syndrome with many clinical features, the present study reviewed the manifestations and management of oral and dental anomalies. Gene variants of MCTT syndrome and their positive phenotypes were summarised. The phenotypes of variants in two exons differed from each other mainly in the craniomaxillofacial region, including brain MRI abnormalities and palatal morphology. Pathogenic mechanisms, especially in craniofacial and oral anomalies, were discussed. Appropriate treatments in the stomatology and respiratory departments could improve the symptoms of MCTT syndrome. The different sites of MN1 gene variants may influence the clinical symptoms and there may be racial differences in MCTT syndrome. We recommend oral and pulmonary evaluations for the multidisciplinary treatment of MCTT syndrome.

Trichinella spiralis -induced immunomodulation signatures on gut microbiota and metabolic pathways in mice.

The hygiene hypothesis proposes that decreased exposure to infectious agents in developed countries may contribute to the development of allergic and autoimmune diseases. Trichinella spiralis, a parasitic roundworm, causes trichinellosis, also known as trichinosis, in humans. T. spiralis had many hosts, and almost any mammal could become infected. Adult worms lived in the small intestine, while the larvae lived in muscle cells of the same mammal. T. spiralis was a significant public health threat because it could cause severe illness and even death in humans who eat undercooked or raw meat containing the parasite. The complex interactions between gastrointestinal helminths, gut microbiota, and the host immune system present a challenge for researchers. Two groups of mice were infected with T. spiralis vs uninfected control, and the experiment was conducted over 60 days. The 16S rRNA gene sequences and untargeted LC/MS-based metabolomics of fecal and serum samples, respectively, from different stages of development of the Trichinella spiralis-mouse model, were examined in this study. Gut microbiota alterations and metabolic activity accompanied by parasite-induced immunomodulation were detected. The inflammation parameters of the duodenum (villus/crypt ratio, goblet cell number and size, and histological score) were involved in active inflammation and oxidative metabolite profiles. These profiles included increased biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan while decreasing cholesterol metabolism and primary and secondary bile acid biosynthesis. These disrupted metabolisms adapted to infection stress during the enteral and parenteral phases and then return to homeostasis during the encapsulated phase. There was a shift from an abundance of Bacteroides in the parenteral phase to an abundance of probiotic Lactobacillus and Treg-associated-Clostridia in the encapsulated phase. Th2 immune response (IL-4/IL-5/IL-13), lamina propria Treg, and immune hyporesponsiveness metabolic pathways (decreased tropane, piperidine and pyridine alkaloid biosynthesis and biosynthesis of alkaloids derived from ornithine, lysine, and nicotinic acid) were all altered. These findings enhanced our understanding of gut microbiota and metabolic profiles of Trichinella -infected mice, which could be a driving force in parasite-shaping immune system maintenance.

Function of Cortactin/N-cadherin signal axis in pathological myocardial hypertrophy / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the regulatory effect of Cortaetin on pathological myocardial hypertrophy induced by isoprenaline (ISO) and the underlying mechanism. Methods ISO was used to stimulate neonatal rat cardiomyocytes for 24 h, and myocardial hypertrophy model was established at the cellular level. C57BL/6 mice were injected subcutaneously with ISO for one week to establish myocardial hypertrophy model at animal level. RT-qPCR was used to detect the changes of mRNA and Western blot was used to detect the changes of relative protein content. Immunofluorescence was used to measure the subcellular location of Cortaetin and the change of its expression. The overex-pression of Cortaetin by adenovirus infection and the knockdown of Cortaetin by transfection of small interfering RNA were studied. Results On the cellular and animal levels, ISO-induced myocardial hypertrophy models were successfully established, and it was observed that ISO caused the decrease of Cortaetin and N-cadherin protein levels. Overexpression of Cortaetin could reverse the decrease of N-cadherin protein level and myocardial hypertrophy caused by ISO. Knockdown of Cortaetin showed the opposite effect. Conclusion Cortaetin, in combination with N-cadherin, may play a role in combating myocardial hypertrophy by enhancing the connections between cardiomyocytes.

A new strategy for the treatment of heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer: A case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is one of the most common type of cancers worldwide and remains a critical health issue. Although there are numerous treatment options for advanced metastatic breast cancer, the results are not satisfactory, particularly for triple-negative breast cancer. New treatment modalities need to be explored. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a breast cancer patient with multiple metastases who achieved a good response and tolerance to the combination treatment of utidelone plus capecitabine. After being treated with 10 cycles of combined treatment, the patient is now in a good general condition with a progression-free survival time of 10 months. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of utidelone plus capecitabine successfully treating a patient with heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer. This combined treatment offers a new option for patients with multi-drug resistant breast cancer.

An improved method for the synthesis and formation mechanism of M2B10H14 based on the reactions of B10H14 with MNH2BH3 (M = Na, K).

An efficient method for the synthesis of M2B10H14 (M = Na and K) has been developed. The two possible formation mechanisms of the B10H142- anion are proposed, in which the NH2BH3- anion acts as a proton abstractor and a hydride donor. Furthermore, the B10H13- and B10H15- intermediates were detected.

Effect of electroacupuncture on enteric neuronal autophagy in functional constipation mice. / ç”µé’ˆå¯¹åŠŸèƒ½æ€§ä¾¿ç§˜å°é¼ è‚ é“ç¥žç»å ƒè‡ªå™¬æ°´å¹³çš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) on functional constipation (FC) at the combined lower he-sea and front-mu points of large intestine based on enteric neuronal autophagy. METHODS: A total of 40 SPF Kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 8), i.e. a control group, a model group, an acupuncture group, a 3-methyl adenine (3-MA) group, and a 3-MA + acupuncture group. Except the control group, the FC model was established by gavage with compound diphenoxylate suspension for 14 days in the other 4 groups. After successful modeling, the mice of the acupuncture group and the 3-MA + acupuncture group received EA at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37), stimulated for 30 min with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/15 Hz of frequency, 1 mA of intensity. EA was delivered once daily. One course of treatment was composed of 5 days and 2 courses were needed, with an interval of 2 days. An intraperitoneal injection of 3-MA (15 mg/kg) was administered 30 min before EA in the mice of the 3-MA group and the 3-MA + acupuncture group, once daily. Before and after intervention, the time of the first black stool defecation and defecation behaviors in 6 h were observed in each group. After intervention, in every group, the small intestine propulsion rate was calculated, the colon tissue morphology was observed using HE staining, the ultrastructure of enteric neuronal autophagy was observed under transmission electron microscope, and the expressions of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), Beclin-1 and neuronal nuclear antigen protein (NeuN) in neurons of colonic muscularis were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Before intervention, when compared with those in the control group, the time of the first black stool defecation was prolonged (P<0.01, P<0.05), and numbers (P<0.01), wet weight (P<0.01, P<0.05) and water content (P<0.05, P<0.01) of stool in 6 h were reduced in the model, acupuncture, 3-MA and 3-MA + acupuncture groups. After intervention, compared with those in the control group, the time of the first black stool defecation was longer (P<0.05), and numbers (P<0.01), wet weight (P<0.01) and water content (P<0.01) of stool in 6 h were decreased in the model group. The time of the first black stool defecation was shortened (P<0.01), and numbers (P<0.01), wet weight (P<0.01) and water content (P<0.01) of stool in 6 h were increased in the acupuncture group when compared with those in the model group. The time of the first black stool defecation was extended (P<0.01), and numbers (P<0.01), wet weight (P<0.01) and water content (P<0.01) of stool in 6 h were declined in the 3-MA + acupuncture group in comparison with those in the acupuncture group. All layers of colon tissue were normal and intact in each group. When compared with the control group, the small intestine propulsion rate and the average optical density (OD) values of LC3, Beclin-1 and NeuN in neurons of colonic muscularis were decreased (P<0.01), and autophagosomes were dropped in the model group. In the acupuncture group, the small intestine propulsion rate and the average OD values of NeuN, LC3 and Beclin-1 in neurons of colonic muscularis increased (P<0.01,P<0.05), and autophagosomes were elevated when compared with those in the model group. The small intestine propulsion rate and the average OD values of NeuN, LC3 and Beclin-1 in neurons of colonic muscularis were dropped (P<0.05,P<0.01) in the 3-MA + acupuncture group in comparison with those in the acupuncture group. CONCLUSIONS: Electroacupuncture may promote enteric neuronal autophagy and increase the number of neurons so that the intestinal motility can be improved and constipation symptoms can be relieved in FC mice.

An Information-Assisted Deep Reinforcement Learning Path Planning Scheme for Dynamic and Unknown Underwater Environment.

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) has shown impressive potential and promising exploitation prospects in numerous marine missions. Among its various applications, the most essential prerequisite is path planning. Although considerable endeavors have been made, there are several limitations. A complete and realistic ocean simulation environment is critically needed. As most of the existing methods are based on mathematical models, they suffer from a large gap with reality. At the same time, the dynamic and unknown environment places high demands on robustness and generalization. In order to overcome these limitations, we propose an information-assisted reinforcement learning path planning scheme. First, it performs numerical modeling based on real ocean current observations to establish a complete simulation environment with the grid method, including 3-D terrain, dynamic currents, local information, and so on. Next, we propose an information compression (IC) scheme to trim the mutual information (MI) between reinforcement learning neural network layers to improve generalization. A proof based on information theory provides solid support for this. Moreover, for the dynamic characteristics of the marine environment, we elaborately design a confidence evaluator (CE), which evaluates the correlation between two adjacent frames of ocean currents to provide confidence for the action. The performance of our method has been evaluated and proven by numerical results, which demonstrate a fair sensitivity to ocean currents and high robustness and generalization to cope with the dynamic and unknown underwater environment.

Generative AI-based Data Completeness Augmentation Algorithm for Data-driven Smart Healthcare.

In the decade, artificial intelligence has achieved great popularity and applications in medicine and healthcare. Various AI-based algorithms have shown astonishing performance. However, in various data-driven smart healthcare algorithms, the problem of incomplete dataset remains a huge challenge. In this paper, we propose a data completeness enhancement algorithm based on generative AI (i.e., GenAI-DAA) to solve the problems of the in-sufficient data for model training, the data imbalance, and the biases of the training samples. We first construct the cognitive field of the generative models and effectively understand the state of incomplete cognition in generative models. Secondly, on this basis, we propose a quest algorithm for abnormal samples in the cognitive field based on local outlier factor. By fine-grained value evaluation, abnormal samples are given more refined attention. Finally, integrating the above process through multiple cognitive adjustments, GenAI-DAA gradually improves the cognitive ability. GenAI-DAA can be summarized as "Quest-→Estimate-→Tune-up". We have conducted extensive experiments to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm, and shown widely applications to some typical data-driven smart healthcare algorithms.

Anchoring ultrasmall Pd nanoparticles by bipyridine functional covalent organic frameworks for semihydrogenation of acetylene.

Acetylene hydrogenation is a well-accepted solution to reduce by-products in the ethylene production process, while one of the key technical difficulties lies in developing a catalyst that can provide highly dispersed active sites. In this work, a highly crystalline layered covalent organic framework (COF) material (TbBpy) with excellent thermal stability was synthesized and firstly applied as support for ultrasmall Pd nanoparticles to catalyze acetylene hydrogenation. 100% of C2H2 conversion and 88.2% of C2H4 selectivity can be obtained at 120 °C with the space velocity of 70 000 h-1. The reaction mechanism was elucidated by applying a series of characterization techniques and theoretical calculation. The results indicate that the coordination between Pd and N atom in the bipyridine functional groups of COFs successfully increased the dispersibility and stability of Pd particles, and the introduction of COFs not only improved the adsorption of acetylene and H2 onto catalyst surface, but enhanced the electron transfer process, which can be responsible for the high selectivity and activity of catalyst. This work, for the first time, reported the excellent performance of Pd@TbBpy as a catalyst for acetylene hydrogenation and will facilitate the development and application of COFs materials in the area of petrochemicals.

Molecular detection and genetic characteristics of a novel porcine circovirus (porcine circovirus 4) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in Shaanxi and Henan Provinces of China.

Porcine circovirus 4 (PCV4) is a recently discovered circovirus that was first reported in 2019 in several pigs with severe clinical disease in Hunan province of China, and also identified in pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). To further investigate the epidemic profile and genetic characteristics of the two viruses, 150 clinical samples were collected from 9 swine farms in Shaanxi and Henan provinces of China, and a SYBR Green I-based duplex quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was developed for detecting PCV4 and PRRSV simultaneously. The results showed the limits of detection were 41.1 copies/µL and 81.5 copies/µL for PCV4 and PRRSV, respectively. The detection rates of PCV4 and PRRSV were 8.00% (12/150) and 12.00% (18/150) respectively, and a case of co-infection with PCV4 and PRRSV was found in the lung tissue of a suckling pig with respiratory symptom. Subsequently, the complete genomic sequences of five PCV4 strains were obtained, of which one PCV4 strain (SX-ZX) was from Shaanxi province, and these strains were 1770 nucleotides in length and had 97.7%-99.4% genomic identity with 59 PCV4 reference strains. The genome characteristic of the SX-ZX strain was evaluated from three aspects, a "stem-loop" structure, ORF1 and ORF2. As essential elements for the replication, the 17-bp iterative sequence was predicted as the stem structure, in which three non-tandem hexamers were found at downstream with H1/H2 (12-CGGCACACTTCGGCAC-27) as the minimal binding site. Three of the five PCV4 strains were clustered into PCV4b, which was composed of Suidae, fox, dairy cow, dog and raccoon dog. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that seven PRRSV strains from the present study were clustered into the PRRSV-2 genotype. Collectively, these data extend our understanding of the genome characteristic of PCV4 as well as the molecular epidemiology and the genetic profile of PCV4 and PRRSV.

Syntheses, Structures, and Reactivities of N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Coordinated Aminoborane Complexes.

Recent research has attracted considerable attention toward N-heterocyclic carbene-coordinated boranes (NHC-borane) and their B-substituted derivatives because of their unique characteristics. In the present work, we focused on the syntheses, structures, and reactivities of such types of amine complexes, [NHC·BH2NH3]X ((NHC = IPr (1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) and IMe (1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene); X = Cl, I, OTf). We have developed a synthetic method to access NHC·BH2NH2 through the reaction of NaH with [IPr·BH2NH3]I, which was synthesized by the reaction of IPr·BH2I with NH3. As a Lewis base, NHC·BH2NH2 could further react with HCl or HOTf to produce the corresponding salts of [IPr·BH2NH3]+. IPr·BH2NH2BH2X (X = Cl, I) were synthesized by the reaction of HCl/I2 with IPr·BH2NH2BH3 and then converted to [IPr·BH2NH2BH2·IPr]X (X = Cl, I) by reacting with IPr. The IMe-coordinated boranes reacted quite similarly. The preliminary results revealed that the introduction of the NHC molecule has a considerable impact on the solubility and reactivities of aminoboranes.

Simultaneous detection and phylogenetic analysis of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and porcine circovirus 4 in Henan province, China.

Porcine circovirus 4 (PCV4) is a recently discovered circovirus that was first reported in 2019 in several pigs in Hunan province of China and has also been identified in pigs infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). To further investigate the coinfection and genetic diversity of these two viruses, 65 clinical samples (including feces and intestinal tissues) were collected from diseased piglets on 19 large-scale pig farms in Henan province of China, and a duplex SYBR Green I-based quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed for detecting PEDV and PCV4 simultaneously. The results showed that the limit of detection was 55.2 copies/µL and 44.1 copies/µL for PEDV and PCV4, respectively. The detection rate for PEDV and PCV4 was 40% (26/65) and 38% (25/65), respectively, and the coinfection rate for the two viruses was 34% (22/65). Subsequently, the full-length spike (S) gene of eight PEDV strains and a portion of the genome containing the capsid (Cap) gene of three PCV4 strains were sequenced and analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all of the PEDV strains from the present study clustered in the G2a subgroup and were closely related to most of the PEDV reference strains from China from 2011 to 2021, but they differed genetically from a vaccine strain (CV777), a Korean strain (virulent DR1), and two Chinese strains (SD-M and LZC). It is noteworthy that two PEDV strains (HEXX-24 and HNXX-24XIA) were identified in one sample, and the HNXX-24XIA strain had a large deletion at amino acids 31-229 of the S protein. Moreover, a recombination event was observed in strain HEXX-24. Phylogenetic analysis based on the amino acid sequence of the PCV4 Cap protein revealed that PCV4 strains were divided into three genotypes: PCV4a1, PCV4a2, and PCV4b. Three strains in the present study belonged to PCV4a1, and they had a high degree of sequence similarity (>98% identity) to other PCV4 reference strains. This study not only provides technical support for field investigation of PEDV and PCV4 coinfection but also provides data for their prevention and control.

Electroacupuncture Alleviates Functional Constipation in Mice by Activating Enteric Glial Cell Autophagy via PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate autophagy-related mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) action in improving gastrointestinal motility in mice with functional constipation (FC). METHODS: According to a random number table, the Kunming mice were divided into the normal control, FC and EA groups in Experiment I. The autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) was used to observe whether it antagonized the effects of EA in Experiment II. An FC model was established by diphenoxylate gavage. Then the mice were treated with EA stimulation at Tianshu (ST 25) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) acupoints. The first black stool defecation time, the number, weight, and water content of 8-h feces, and intestinal transit rate were used to assess intestinal transit. Colonic tissues underwent histopathological assessment, and the expressions of autophagy markers microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin-1 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The expressions of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway members were investigated by Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The relationship between enteric glial cells (EGCs) and autophagy was observed by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, localization analysis, and electron microscopy. RESULTS: EA treatment shortened the first black stool defecation time, increased the number, weight, and water content of 8-h feces, and improved the intestinal transit rate in FC mice (P<0.01). In terms of a putative autophagy mechanism, EA treatment promoted the expressions of LC3 and Beclin-1 proteins in the colonic tissue of FC mice (P<0.05), with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and LC3 significantly colocalized. Furthermore, EA promoted colonic autophagy in FC mice by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The positive effect of EA on intestinal motility in FC mice was blocked by 3-MA. CONCLUSION: EA treatment can inhibit PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in the colonic tissues of FC mice, thereby promoting EGCs autophagy to improve intestinal motility.