9 research outputs found

    Preservation of Litchi Fruit with Nanosilver Composite Particles (Ag-NP) and Resistance against <i>Peronophythora litchi</i>

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    Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is susceptible to infection by Peronophythora litchi post storage, which rapidly decreases the sensory and nutritional quality of the fruit. In this study, the effects of nanosilver (Ag-NP) solution treatment on the shelf life of litchi fruit and the inhibition of P. litchi were examined, and the underlying mechanisms were discussed. For investigations, we used one variety of litchi (‘Feizixiao’), dipping it in different concentrations of Ag-NP solution after harvesting. Meanwhile, we treated P. litchi with different concentrations of Ag-NP solution. According to the data analysis, litchi treated with 400 μg/mL Ag-NPs and stored at 4 °C had the highest health rate and the lowest browning index among all the samples. In the same trend, treatment with 400 μg/mL Ag-NPs produced the best results for anthocyanin content, total soluble solids content, and titratable acidity content. Additionally, according to the results of the inhibition test, 800 μg/mL Ag-NP solution had a 94.97% inhibition rate against P. litchi. Within 2–10 h following exposure to 400 μg/mL Ag-NP solution, the contents of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase in P. litchi gradually increased and peaked, followed by a gradual decline. At this time, the integrity of the cell membrane of P. litchi could be broken by Ag-NP solution, and the sporangia showed deformed germ tubes and abnormal shapes. Taken together, these results suggested that Ag-NP treatment inhibited respiration and P. litchi activity, which might attenuate litchi pericarp browning and prolong the shelf life of litchi. Accordingly, Ag-NPs could be used as an effective antistaling agent in litchi fruit and as an ecofriendly fungicide for the post-harvest control of litchi downy blight. This study provides new insights into the application of Ag-NP as an antistaling agent for fruit storage and as an ecofriendly fungicide

    Mutational burden and potential oligogenic model of TBX6

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    Abstract Background Congenital scoliosis (CS) is a spinal deformity due to vertebral malformations. Although insufficiency of TBX6 dosage contributes to a substantial proportion of CS, the molecular etiology for the majority of CS remains largely unknown. TBX6‐mediated genes involved in the process of somitogenesis represent promising candidates. Methods Individuals affected with CS and without a positive genetic finding were referred to this study. Proband‐only exome sequencing (ES) were performed on the recruited individuals, followed by analysis of TBX6‐mediated candidate genes, namely MEOX1, MEOX2, MESP2, MYOD1, MYF5, RIPPLY1, and RIPPLY2. Results A total of 584 patients with CS of unknown molecular etiology were recruited. After ES analysis, protein‐truncating variants in RIPPLY1 and MYF5 were identified from two individuals, respectively. In addition, we identified five deleterious missense variants (MYOD1, n = 4; RIPPLY2, n = 1) in TBX6‐mediated genes. We observed a significant mutational burden of MYOD1 in CS (p = 0.032) compared with the in‐house controls (n = 1854). Moreover, a potential oligogenic disease‐causing mode was proposed based on the observed mutational co‐existence of MYOD1/MEOX1 and MYOD1/RIPPLY1. Conclusion Our study characterized the mutational spectrum of TBX6‐mediated genes, prioritized core candidate genes/variants, and provided insight into a potential oligogenic disease‐causing mode in CS

    24 versus 48 Weeks of Peginterferon Plus Ribavirin in Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 6 Chronically Infected Patients with a Rapid Virological Response: A Non-Inferiority Randomized Controlled Trial

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    <div><p>Objectives</p><p>The optimal treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 is unclear owing to its limited geographic distribution. Because of a high predictive value of rapid virological response (RVR) for sustained virological response (SVR), we conducted an open-label randomized controlled trial to compare 24- and 48-week peginterferon/ribavirin combination therapy for patients with HCV genotype 6 in Southern China who achieved an RVR.</p><p>Methods and Findings</p><p>Treatment-naive, non-cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 6 were treated with pegylated interferon α-2a (180 μg/week) and ribavirin (800–1,200 mg, according to weight) for 4 weeks. Patients who achieved an RVR, which was defined as HCV RNA negativity at week 4 (<50 IU), were randomized to receive either an additional 20 or 44 weeks of treatment (24- and 48-week treatment groups, respectively). The primary outcome measure was SVR. From January 2011 to June 2014, 152(152/210, 72.4%) patients with HCV genotype 6a and RVR were randomized 1:1 to the 24- or 48-week treatment group. The SVR rates in the 24- and 48-week groups in the intention-to-treat analysis were 90.8% (69/76) and 88.2% (67/76), respectively; those in the per-protocol analysis were 95.7% (67/70) and 97.0% (64/66), respectively. More patients in the 48-week group had anemia (46.1% vs. 28.9%, <i>P</i> = 0.03), but other adverse events were comparable between the groups. The limitation of the present study was that only patients from Southern China were enrolled which may inhibit the extensive application of the findings.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Twenty-four weeks of peginterferon/ribavirin combination therapy was non-inferior to 48 weeks in patients with HCV genotype 6a in Southern China who achieved an RVR.</p><p>Trial Registration</p><p>ClinicalTrials.gov <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01263860" target="_blank">NCT01263860</a></p></div

    Baseline patient characteristics (<i>n</i> = 152).

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    <p>Abbreviations: ALT, alanine aminotransferase; UNL, upper limit of normal; BMI, body mass index; HCV, hepatitis C virus; IL, interleukin</p><p><sup>a</sup> Surgery, intravenous injection, dentist visit, hemodialysis, tattooing, cosmetology, occupational exposure, or intercourse with an HCV-infected person</p><p><sup>b</sup> The patient did not recall any specific exposure risk.</p><p><sup>c</sup> Patients were attributed into two groups according to ALT lower and not lower than 3 times of upper limit of normal.</p><p><sup>d</sup> No patient had the IL-28B rs12979860 TT genotype.</p><p>Baseline patient characteristics (<i>n</i> = 152).</p

    Treatment-related adverse events.

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    <p>Abbreviations: Hb, hemoglobin; ANC, absolute neutrophil count</p><p><sup>a</sup> Influenza-like symptoms: pyrexia, rigors, headache, and myalgia</p><p><sup>b</sup> Gastrointestinal symptoms: anorexia, nausea, and vomiting</p><p><sup>c</sup> Dermatologic symptoms: dermatitis, pruritus, and alopecia</p><p><sup>d</sup> Psychiatric symptoms: insomnia, depression, and irritability</p><p>Treatment-related adverse events.</p
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