Meta-Analysis: Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Versus Conventional Ultrasound for Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions

This meta-analysis aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), conventional ultrasound (US) combined with CEUS (US + CEUS) and US for distinguishing breast lesions. From thorough literature research, studies that compared the diagnostic performance of CEUS versus US or US + CEUS versus US, using pathology results as the gold standard, were included. A total of 10 studies were included, of which 9 compared the diagnostic performance of CEUS and US, and 5 studies compared US + CEUS and US. In those comparing CEUS versus US, the pooled sensitivity was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.91–0.95) versus 0.87 (95% CI: 0.85–0.90) and pooled specificity was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.84–0.88) versus 0.72 (95% CI: 0.69–0.75). In studies comparing US + CEUS versus US, the pooled sensitivity was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.92–0.96) versus 0.87 (95% CI: 0.84–0.90) and pooled specificity was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.82–0.89) versus 0.80 (95% CI: 0.76–0.84). In terms of diagnosing breast malignancy, areas under the curve of the summary receiver operating characteristic (of both CEUS (p = 0.003) and US + CEUS (p = 0.000) were statistically higher than that of US. Both CEUS alone and US + CEUS had better diagnostic performance than US in differentiation of breast lesions, and US + CEUS also had low negative likelihood ratio

Research and implementation of good agricultural practice for traditional Chinese medicinal materials in Jilin Province, China

Jilin Province is one of the principal production bases of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in China with its typical preponderance in TCM resources, research and development power, and industrialization capacity. The province has 2,790 species of TCM materials in total. Over 20% of the TCM materials in common use are from Jilin Province. The province has established 36 good agricultural practice bases for 22 typical TCMs. The overall situation, in terms of collection, processing, and preparation, and the implementation of good agricultural practice of TCM materials in Jilin Province are summarized

Existence of three non-negative solutions for a three-point boundary-value problem of nonlinear fractional differential equations

This article concerns the existence of three non-negative solutions for two kinds of three-point boundary-value problems of nonlinear fractional differential equations, where the fractional derivative is taken in the Riemann-Liouville sense. Using Leggett-Williams fixed point theorem, we present some existence criteria and then illustrate our results with examples

Complete Genomic Characterization and Identification of Saccharomycopsisphalluae sp. nov., a Novel Pathogen Causes Yellow Rot Disease on Phallus rubrovolvatus

“Hongtuozhusun” (Phallus rubrovolvatus) is an important edible and medicinal mushroom endemic to Southwest China. However, yellow rot disease is a severe disease of P. rubrovolvatus that occurs extensively in Guizhou Province. It has caused major economic losses and hinders the development of the P. rubrovolvatus industry. In this study, 28 microorganism strains were isolated from diseased fruiting bodies of P. rubrovolvatus at various stages, two of which were confirmed to be pathogenic based on Koch’s postulates. These two strains are introduced herein as Saccharomycopsisphalluae sp. nov. based on morphological, physiological, and molecular analysis. We reported a high-quality de novo sequencing and assembly of the S. phalluae genome using single-molecule real-time sequencing technology. The whole genome was approximately 14.148 Mb with a G+C content of 43.55%. Genome assembly generated 8 contigs with an N50 length of 1,822,654 bp. The genome comprised 5966 annotated protein-coding genes. This is the first report of mushroom disease caused by Saccharomycopsis species. We expect that the information on genome properties, particularly in pathogenicity-related genes, assist in developing effective control measures in order to prevent severe losses and make amendments in management strategies

First report of Cladobotryum verticillatum (Ascomycota, Hypocreaceae) causing cobweb disease on Paxillus involutus

Paxillus, a type of ectomycorrhizal fungi distributed widely in the world, is also an essential category for researching bioactive substances and pharmacological functions. We discovered fruitbodies of Paxillus involutus covered in a layer of white mycelium in 2020. Cladobotryum verticillatum, a pathogenic fungus related to cobweb disease, was isolated and identified based on morphological and phylogenetic features. Koch's postulates were used to confirm the pathogenicity. The host range test revealed that C. verticillatum could cause disease in all examined mushrooms except Ganoderma sichuanense. To our knowledge, C. verticillatum is a new record species in China and a new pathogen on Paxillus involutus

The Structural Characterization and Immunomodulatory Activity of Polysaccharides from Pleurotus abieticola Fruiting Bodies

Polysaccharides obtained from mushrooms have been reported to possess immunomodulatory properties. In this study, a water-soluble polysaccharide was purified from the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus abieticola, entitled PAPS1. After its composition and structural analysis, the immunomodulatory activity was investigated in immunosuppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX) at a dosage of 70 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection for 7 days. After 28 days of intragastric administration, PAPS1 alleviated cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced histopathological damage and increased the expressions of splenic CD4, CD8, CD56 and IgM in the serums of immunosuppressed mice. PAPS1 suppressed the oxidative stress indicated by preventing the increases in ROS and MDA levels. According to the intestinal microflora analysis, PAPS1 regulated 11 bacteria at the gene level, including Helicobacter and Paraprevotella, which are related to immunity and oxidative capacity. Compared with CTX-treated mice, significant increases in immune-related cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6 and IL-12 in the serums of mice treated with PAPS1, were observed. Finally, PAPS1 can strongly increase the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream proteins. In conclusion, PAPS1-boosted immunity may be related to its suppression on oxidative stress via enhancing the activity of Nrf2 signaling. Thus, PAPS1 can be investigated as a candidate for immunomodulatory therapy

Optimizing Straw-Rotting Cultivation for Sustainable Edible Mushroom Production: Composting Spent Mushroom Substrate with Straw Additions

In recent years, the optimization of straw-rotting formulations for cultivating edible mushrooms and the management of the resulting spent mushroom substrate have emerged as new challenges. This study aimed to investigate the composting of spent mushroom substrate produced from mushroom cultivation with various straw additions, under conditions where chicken manure was also used. Parameters measured during the composting process included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), germination index (GI), moisture, and total nitrogen content. Additionally, changes in nutrient content within the compost piles before and after composting were determined, and the variations in bacterial and fungal communities across different treatments before and after composting were analyzed using 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing. The results indicated that the spent mushroom substrate produced by adding 20% straw during mushroom cultivation was more suitable for composting treatment. The findings suggest that incorporating an appropriate amount of straw in mushroom cultivation can facilitate subsequent composting of spent mushroom substrate, providing an effective strategy for both environmental protection and cost reduction

Polysaccharides of Floccularia luteovirens Alleviate Oxidative Damage and Inflammatory Parameters of Diabetic Nephropathy in db/db Mice

Background: Floccularia luteovirens (Alb. & Schwein.) Pouzar, is an extremely rare edible and medicinal mushroom in China. The crude polysaccharides of F. luteovirens (FLPs) has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammation activities and exerts excellent protective functions in diabetic nephropathy (DN) complications, but the material basis of the pharmacological effects of FLPs and the molecular mechanism of its pharmacological action are still unclear. Methods: First, we performed systemic composition analysis on extracted and isolated FLPs. Next, the spontaneous db/db mouse DN model was used to investigate the mitigation and protection functions of FLPs in DN and the underlying mechanism through the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR)/GSK-3β/NRF-2 pathway. Results: FLPs contained 65.0% total sugars, 7.2% reducing sugars, 7.93% proteins, 0.36% total flavonoids, 17 amino acids, 13 fatty acids, and 8 minerals. After intragastric administration of FLPs with concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg for 8 weeks, FLPs inhibited excessive weight gain, relieved the symptoms of obesity, and significantly improved glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism in the db/db mice. In addition, FLPs were also involved in regulating the indicators of various oxidases and inflammatory factors in the serum and kidney of db/db mice. Conclusions: FLPs effectively improved and relieved kidney tissue injury caused by high glucose, targeted and regulated phospho-GSK-3β, and suppressed inflammatory factor accumulation. Furthermore, FLPs activated the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 (NRF2/HO-1) pathway and enhanced the activity of catalase (CAT) to further play a role in relieving and treating T2DM and nephropathy complications

Effect of different drying temperatures on the rehydration of the fruiting bodies of Yu Muer (Auricularia cornea ) and screening of browning inhibitors

In this study, the color of the dry fruiting bodies, fresh weight (FW): dry weight (DW) ratio, amino acids, and total phenolics, which are of nutritional or commercial interest, were compared among different drying temperature treatments. The effect of rehydration methods and color protection reagents on the fruiting body color, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, and browning inhibition rate were evaluated. The results showed that drying with hot air at 65℃ was quickest and resulted in a better color without compromising the FW:DW ratio and rehydration ratio of the fruiting bodies. Furthermore, some reactions that occurred under high temperatures increased the content of protein, amino acids, and total phenolics. Soaking after boiling was the most suitable rehydration method, leading to the lowest PPO activity (39.87 ± 1.35 U/g). All of the four analyzed color protection reagents could significantly inhibit the browning of Yu Muer fruiting bodies under room temperature water rehydration conditions, with a citric acid content of 6 g/L showing the best performance. These results provide technical support for the development of the Yu Muer industry and for promoting the commercial processing of Yu Muer fruiting bodies slices

Identification of a putative polyketide synthase gene involved in usnic acid biosynthesis in the lichen Nephromopsis pallescens.

Usnic acid is a unique polyketide produced by lichens. To characterize usnic acid biosynthesis, the transcriptome of the usnic-acid-producing lichen-forming fungus Nephromopsis pallescens was sequenced using Illumina NextSeq technology. Seven complete non-reducing polyketide synthase genes and nine highly-reducing polyketide synthase genes were obtained through transcriptome analysis. Gene expression results obtained by qPCR and usnic acid detection with LCMS-IT-TOF showed that Nppks7 is probably involved in usnic acid biosynthesis in N. pallescens. Nppks7 is a non-reducing polyketide synthase with a MeT domain that also possesses beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, acyl transferase, product template, acyl carrier protein, C-methyltransferase, and Claisen cyclase domains. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Nppks7and other polyketide synthases from lichens form a unique monophyletic clade. Taken together, our data indicate that Nppks7 is a novel PKS in N. pallescens that is likely involved in usnic acid biosynthesis