Past hybridization between two East Asian long-tailed tits (Aegithalos bonvaloti and A. fuliginosus)

Introduction: Incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization are two major nonexclusive causes of haplotype sharing between species. Distinguishing between these two processes is notoriously difficult as they can generate similar genetic signatures. Previous studies revealed that the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) differentiation between two East Asian long-tailed tits (Aegithalos bonvaloti and A. fuliginosus) was extremely low, even lower than intraspecific differentiation in some other long-tailed tits. Using a combination of multilocus and coalescent analyses, we explored the causes of the anomalous lack of mtDNA differentiation between the two species.Results: The mtDNA divergence between the two species was shallow, while the nuclear DNA (nuDNA) divergence was considerably deeper. The IMa analyses based on the mtDNA dataset suggested relatively high gene flow from A. fuliginosus to A. bonvaloti, while negligible gene flow in the opposite direction. In contrast to mtDNA, the migration rates at autosomal and Z-linked nuDNA loci were negligible or much lower. The NEWHYBRIDS analysis assigned all individuals except one to pure parental species with high posterior probability. The Bayesian skyline plot showed that both species underwent population expansions during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), and the ecological niche modelling suggested that their ranges overlapped more during the LGM than at present.Conclusions: We suggest that historical hybridization, in combination with selective sweep and/or genetic drift might be the main causes of the extremely low mtDNA differentiation between the two species. The hybridization probably occurred mainly between A. fuliginosus females and A. bonvaloti males. The LGM distribution expansion might have facilitated hybridization, while the post-LGM distribution contraction could have facilitated some mtDNA sorting. Ongoing hybridization between the two species might be very limited, but further studies with more samples from the contact zone are needed to test this conclusion

Diversity and correlation analysis of different root exudates on the regulation of microbial structure and function in soil planted with Panax notoginseng

IntroductionSpecific interactions between root exudates and soil microorganisms has been proposed as one of the reasons accounting for the continuous cropping obstacle (CCO) of Panax notoginseng. However, rotation of other crops on soils planted with P. notoginseng (SPP) did not show CCO, suggesting that root exudates of different crops differentially regulate soil microorganisms in SPP.MethodsHere, we investigated the microbial community structure and specific interaction mechanisms of the root exudates of the four plant species, P. notoginseng (Pn), Zea mays (Zm), Nicotiana tabacum (Nt) and Perilla frutescens (Pf), in SPP by static soil culture experiment.ResultsThe results showed that the chemical diversity of root exudates varied significantly among the four plant species. Pn had the highest number of unique root exudates, followed by Nt, Zm and Pf. Terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids and phenolic acids were the most abundant differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) in Pn, Nt, Zm and Pf, respectively. However, lipids were the most abundant common DAMs among Zm Nt and Pf. Pn root exudates decreased the relative abundance of bacteria, but increased that of fungi. While specific DAMs in Pn enriched Phenylobacterium_zucineum, Sphingobium_yanoikuyae, Ophiostoma_ulmi and functional pathways of Nucleotide excision repair, Streptomycin biosynthesis, Cell cycle-Caulobacter and Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis, it inhibited Paraburkholderia _caledonica and Ralstonia_pickettii. However, common DAMs in Zm, Nt and Pf had opposite effects. Moreover, common DAMs in Zm, Nt and Pf enriched Ralstonia_pseudosolanacearum and functional pathway of Xylene degradation; unique DAMs in Zm enriched Talaromyces_purcureogeneus, while inhibiting Fusarium_tricinctum and functional pathways of Nucleotide excision repair and Alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; unique DAMs in Pf enriched Synchytrium_taraxaci.DiscussionThe core strains identified that interact with different root exudates will provide key clues for regulation of soil microorganisms in P. notoginseng cultivation to alleviate CCO

Kaempferol is a novel antiviral agent against channel catfish virus infection through blocking viral attachment and penetration in vitro

Channel catfish virus (CCV, Ictalurid herpesvirus 1) is the causative pathogen of channel catfish virus disease, which has caused high mortality and substantial economic losses in the catfish aquaculture industry. Due to the lack of licensed prophylactic vaccines and therapeutic drugs, the prevention and control of CCV infection seem to remain stagnant. Active compounds from medicinal plants offer eligible sources of pharmaceuticals and lead drugs to fight against endemic and pandemic diseases and exhibit excellent effect against viral infection. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral ability of 12 natural compounds against CCV with cell models in vitro and found kaempferol exhibited the strongest inhibitory compound against CCV infection among all the tested compounds. Correspondingly, kaempferol decreased transcription levels of viral genes and the synthesis of viral proteins, as well as reduced proliferation and release of viral progeny, the severity of the CPE induced by CCV in a dose-dependent manner, based on quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), western blotting, viral cytopathic effects (CPE) and viral titer assessment. Moreover, time-of-drug-addition assays, virus attachment, and penetration assays revealed that kaempferol exerted anti-CCV activity probably by blocking attachment and internalization of the viral entry process. Altogether, the present results indicated that kaempferol may be a promising candidate antiviral agent against CCV infection, which shed light on the development of a novel and potent treatment for fish herpesvirus infection

Heparan sulfate is the attachment factor associated with channel catfish virus infection on host cells

Channel catfish virus (CCV; family Alloherpesviridae) infects channel catfish, causing great harm to aquaculture fisheries and economic development. Attachment is the first step in viral infection and relies on the interaction of virions with components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The present study aimed to explored the role of the main three ECM components in CCV attachment. Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that neither collagen nor hyaluronic acid treatments had significant effects on CCV attachment. When exogenous heparin was used as a competitive inhibitor, the adhesion of heparin sodium salt to CCV was dose-dependent. When the concentration of heparin sodium salt was 10 mg/mL, the inhibitory effect on CCV infection of channel catfish ovary (CCO/BB) cells was more than 90%. Heparinase I could significantly prevent CCV attachment by digesting heparan sulfate on the cell surface, and both heparin sodium salt and heparinase I could dose-dependently reduce CCV titers, suggesting that heparin plays an important role in CCV attachment. In addition, the binding experiments between heparin-agarose beads and virions showed that CCV virions could specifically bind to heparin in a dose-dependent manner. The above results suggested that heparan sulfate might be an attachment factor involved in CCV infection of CCO/BB cells. These results increase our understand of the attachment mechanism of CCV and lay the foundation for further research on antiviral drugs

Necrotizing pneumonia and purulent meningitis caused by bloodstream infection of CA-MRSA in a child: A rare case report

Case presentationWe report the case of a girl aged 2 years and 10 months who had fever for 2 days, vomiting, poor mental status for 1 day, and one episode of convulsions.Symptoms and signsThe patient experienced a rapid onset of symptoms with fever, vomiting, and convulsions. Upon physical examination on admission, she presented with the following: temperature 38.6°C; pulse 185 beats/min; respiration 49 beats/min; blood pressure 89/51 mmHg; drowsiness; piebald skin all over her body; rice-grain-sized pustular rashes scattered on the front chest and both lower limbs, protruding from the surface of the skin; bilateral pupils that were equal in size and a circle with a diameter of about 3.0 mm, and slow light reflex; cyanotic lips; shortness of breath; positive for the three-concave sign; a small amount of phlegm that could be heard in both lungs; capillary refill time of 5 s; cold extremities; and a positive Babinski sign.Diagnostic methodA chest computed tomography scan showed multiple nodular and flake-like high-density shadows of varying sizes in each lobe in bilateral lungs, and a cavity with blurred edges could be seen in some nodules. A cranial magnetic resonance imaging examination demonstrated that the hyperintensity of diffusion-weighted imaging could be observed on the left cerebellar hemisphere and left parietal blade. Blood cultures, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by fiberoptic bronchoscopy all indicated the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).Treatment methodsAfter admission, the child was given meropenem combined with vancomycin, cefoperazone sulbactam combined with rifamycin, linezolid (oral) for anti-infection successively, and other adjuvant therapies.Clinical outcomesThe patient recovered clinically and was discharged from our hospital.Recommended readersNeurology; Respiratory Medicine; Infectious Diseases Department

Evolution Application of Two-Dimensional MoS2-Based Field-Effect Transistors

High-performance and low-power field-effect transistors (FETs) are the basis of integrated circuit fields, which undoubtedly require researchers to find better film channel layer materials and improve device structure technology. MoS2 has recently shown a special two-dimensional (2D) structure and superior photoelectric performance, and it has shown new potential for next-generation electronics. However, the natural atomic layer thickness and large specific surface area of MoS2 make the contact interface and dielectric interface have a great influence on the performance of MoS2 FET. Thus, we focus on its main performance improvement strategies, including optimizing the contact behavior, regulating the conductive channel, and rationalizing the dielectric layer. On this basis, we summarize the applications of 2D MoS2 FETs in key and emerging fields, specifically involving logic, RF circuits, optoelectronic devices, biosensors, piezoelectric devices, and synaptic transistors. As a whole, we discuss the state-of-the-art, key merits, and limitations of each of these 2D MoS2-based FET systems, and prospects in the future

Targeting mitochondria with antioxidant nutrients for the prevention and treatment of postweaning diarrhea in piglets

Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets poses a significant challenge and presents a grave threat to the global swine industry, resulting in considerable financial losses and compromising the welfare of animals. PWD is commonly associated with gut homeostatic imbalance, including oxidative stress, excessive inflammation, and microbiota dysbiosis. Antibiotic use has historically been a common initiative to combat PWD, but concerns about the development of antibiotic resistance have led to increased interest in alternative strategies. Mitochondria are key players in maintaining cellular homeostasis, and their dysfunction is intricately linked to the onset and progression of PWD. Accumulating evidence suggests that targeting mitochondrial function using antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and polyphenolic compounds, may represent a promising approach for preventing and treating PWD. Moreover, nutrients based on antioxidant strategies have been shown to improve mitochondrial function, restore intestinal redox balance, and reduce oxidative damage, which is a key driver of PWD. The present review begins with an overview of the potential interplay between mitochondria and gut homeostasis in the pathogenesis of PWD in piglets. Subsequently, alternative strategies to prevent and treat PWD using antioxidant nutrients to target mitochondria are described and discussed. Ultimately, we delve into potential limitations and suggest future research directions in this field for further advancement. Overall, targeting mitochondria using antioxidant nutrients may be a promising approach to combat PWD and provides a potential nutrition intervention strategy for regulating gut homeostasis of weaned piglets

Influenza a H1N1 infection complicated with encephalopathy and acute pancreatitis: a case report

Abstract This paper reports a case of influenza complicated with influenza associated encephalopathy complicated with acute pancreatitis. This kind of disease is relatively rare, we hope to draw people’s attention to it in order to improve early detection and prognosis