Genome Sequencing and Comparative Transcriptomics of the Model Entomopathogenic Fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and M. acridum

Metarhizium spp. are being used as environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical insecticides, as model systems for studying insect-fungus interactions, and as a resource of genes for biotechnology. We present a comparative analysis of the genome sequences of the broad-spectrum insect pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae and the acridid-specific M. acridum. Whole-genome analyses indicate that the genome structures of these two species are highly syntenic and suggest that the genus Metarhizium evolved from plant endophytes or pathogens. Both M. anisopliae and M. acridum have a strikingly larger proportion of genes encoding secreted proteins than other fungi, while ∼30% of these have no functionally characterized homologs, suggesting hitherto unsuspected interactions between fungal pathogens and insects. The analysis of transposase genes provided evidence of repeat-induced point mutations occurring in M. acridum but not in M. anisopliae. With the help of pathogen-host interaction gene database, ∼16% of Metarhizium genes were identified that are similar to experimentally verified genes involved in pathogenicity in other fungi, particularly plant pathogens. However, relative to M. acridum, M. anisopliae has evolved with many expanded gene families of proteases, chitinases, cytochrome P450s, polyketide synthases, and nonribosomal peptide synthetases for cuticle-degradation, detoxification, and toxin biosynthesis that may facilitate its ability to adapt to heterogenous environments. Transcriptional analysis of both fungi during early infection processes provided further insights into the genes and pathways involved in infectivity and specificity. Of particular note, M. acridum transcribed distinct G-protein coupled receptors on cuticles from locusts (the natural hosts) and cockroaches, whereas M. anisopliae transcribed the same receptor on both hosts. This study will facilitate the identification of virulence genes and the development of improved biocontrol strains with customized properties

Clinical observation on the treatment of papular pustular rosacea with 2% Fusidic acid cream combined with hyaluronic acid

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of 2% Fusidic acid cream combined with hyaluronic acid in the treatment of papular pustular rosacea. Methods Seventy-two patients were randomly divided into the hyaluronic acid and the control groups, 36 patients per group. Both groups were given oral doxycycline 100 mg, qd for 6 weeks and topical 2% Fusidic acid cream twice daily for 4 weeks. In the hyaluronic acid group, topical hyaluronic acid was also given twice daily for 8 weeks. At the enrollment, 2-, 4-, and 8-week follow-up, the IGA, number of inflammatory papules, DLQI score, and symptom score were compared between the two groups. Results Out of the 72 patients, 69 patients completed the study. Following 2 weeks of the treatment, both the cure rate and the rate of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) were significant higher in the hyaluronic acid group than in the controls (χ2=4.70, P=0.013 for cure rate; χ2=4.14, P=0.020 for MCID). However, neither the cure rate nor the rate of MCID differed significantly between the two groups at 4- and 8-week follow-up. Moreover, the symptom scores were lower in the hyaluronic acid group than in the controls at 2- and 4-week (t=-2.63, P=0.011; t=-4.62, P<0.001), but not at 8-week follow-up. Conclusion Treatments of rosacea with the combination of 2% Fusidic acid cream and hyaluronic acid can rapidly improve clinical symptoms and the quality of patients′ lives

Higher-order aberrations and visual quality after incision lenticule extraction surgery with intraoperative angle kappa adjustments between small and large kappa patients: A 2-year follow-up

Purpose: To evaluate the postoperative visual outcomes, that is, corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and visual quality, of patients with an angle kappa greater than 0.30 mm who underwent angle kappa adjustment during small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) 2 years after surgery compared to eyes with an angle kappa less than 0.30 mm. Methods: This was a retrospective study and included 12 patients from October 2019 to December 2019 who underwent the SMILE procedure for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism and had one eye with a large kappa angle and another eye with a small kappa angle. Twenty-four months after surgery, an optical quality analysis system (OQAS II; Visiometrics, Terrassa, Spain) was used to measure the modulation transfer function cutoff frequency (MTFcutoff), Strehl2D ratio, and objective scatter index (OSI). HOAs were measured with a Tracey iTrace Visual Function Analyzer (Tracey version 6.1.0; Tracey Technologies, Houston, TX, USA). Assessment of subjective visual quality was achieved using the quality of vision (QOV) questionnaire. Results: At 24 months postoperatively, the mean spherical equivalent (SE) refraction was − 0.32 ± 0.40 and − 0.31 ± 0.35 in the S-kappa group (kappa 0.05). The mean OSI was 0.73 ± 0.32 and 0.81 ± 0.47, respectively (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in MTFcutoff and Strehl2D ratio between the two groups (P > 0.05). Total HOA, coma, spherical, trefoil, and secondary astigmatism were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between the two groups. Conclusion: Adjustment of angle kappa during SMILE helps reduce the decentration, results in less HOAs, and promotes visual quality. It provides a reliable method to optimize the treatment concentration in SMILE

Metal Ions (Li, Mg, Zn, Ce) Doped into La₂O₃ Nanorod for Boosting Catalytic Oxidative Coupling of Methane

A series of La2O3 nanorod catalysts with doping of active metal ions (Li, Mg, Zn and Ce) were synthesized successfully by the hydrothermal method. The La2O3 nanorods show a uniform size with the length of 50–200 nm and the width of 5–20 nm, and the {110} crystal facet is a preferentially exposed surface. The active metal ions (Li, Mg, Zn and Ce) doped into the lattice of La2O3 nanorods enhance the selectivity of the desired products during oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) and decrease the reaction temperature. Among these catalysts, the Mg-La2O3 catalyst exhibits the best catalytic performance during the OCM reaction, i.e., its selectivity and yield of C2 products at 780 °C is 73% and 21%, respectively. The effect of doped metal ions on catalytic activity for OCM was systematically investigated. Insight into the fabrication strategy and promoting factors of the OCM reaction indicates the potential to further design a high-efficient catalyst in the future

Ordered Hierarchical Porous Structure of PtSn/3DOMM-Al₂O₃ Catalyst for Promoting Propane Non-Oxidative Dehydrogenation

Herein, the hierarchical porous catalyst of 3-dimensional ordered macro-mesoporous (3DOMM) Al2O3 supported active PtSn nanoparticles (NPs) was prepared by the combined synthesized path of evaporation-induced self-assembly with colloid crystal template (EISA-CCT) methods. The hierarchical macro-mesoporous composite structure can markedly increase the specific surface area, accommodate the diffusion of propene, and decrease the number of surface acid sites. In addition, the special surface property and pore structure of 3DOMM-Al2O3 can modify the interaction between metals and substrates, as well as stabilize the metal nanoparticle, which promotes the formation of a highly active and stable PtSn phase. The PtSn/3DOMM-Al2O3 catalyst exhibits higher productivity and stability than PtSn/Al2O3 catalysts with macropore and mesopore structures. The PtSn/3DOMM-Al2O3 catalyst displays the best catalytic performance with propylene selectivity over 95% at a propane conversion of 33.9%. The study of the ordered hierarchical porous structure of PtSn/3DOMM-Al2O3 catalysts can contribute to obtaining improved catalysts in industrial processes