Comparative genomic analysis uncovered phylogenetic diversity, evolution of virulence factors, and horizontal gene transfer events in tomato bacterial spot .

Introduction: Bacterial spot, caused by diverse xanthomonads classified into four lineages within three species, poses a significant threat to global pepper and tomato production. In Taiwan, tomato bacterial spot xanthomonads phylogenetically related to an atypical pv. () strain NI1 from Nigeria were found.

Identification of Endosonographic Features that Compromise EUS-FNB Diagnostic Accuracy in Pancreatic Masses.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) is highly accurate for diagnosing pancreatic mass. However, making diagnosis is challenging in 5-20% of patients. This study investigated the challenging features associated with reduced diagnostic performance in EUS-FNB and potential rescue methods that can improve the diagnostic rate.

Both GacS-regulated lipopeptides and the type three secretion system contribute to Pseudomonas cichorii induced necrosis in lettuce and chicory.

Pseudomonas cichorii SF1-54, the causal agent of lettuce midrib rot disease, produces lipopeptides cichofactins and cichopeptins which are important virulence factors. The GacS/GacA two-component system is well known to regulate production of lipopeptides in pseudomonads. Additionally, the functions of the type three secretion system (T3SS) in P.

10-Day versus 14-day bismuth quadruple therapy for first-line eradication of infection: a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Bismuth quadruple therapy is currently consensus recommendation for first-line (. ) treatment; however, the optimal duration is unknown. We compared the efficacy of 10-day bismuth quadruple therapy with that of 14-day bismuth quadruple therapy for first-line eradication.

Germline mutations of homologous recombination genes and clinical outcomes in pancreatic cancer: a multicenter study in Taiwan.

Background: Cancer susceptibility germline mutations are associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the hereditary status of PDAC and its impact on survival is largely unknown in the Asian population.

Methods: Exome sequencing was performed on 527 blood samples from PDAC individuals and analyzed for mutations in 80 oncogenic genes.

Systemic treatments in pancreatic cancer: Taiwan pancreas society recommendation.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Over the past decade, significant therapeutic advancements have improved the survival rates of patients with pancreatic cancer. One of the primary factors contributing to these positive outcomes is the evolution of chemotherapy, from monotherapy to doublet or triplet regimens, and the integration of multimodal approaches.

An integrated microfluidic system for automatic detection of cholangiocarcinoma cells from bile.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive cancer that originates from the epithelial cells lining the bile ducts. Due to its location deep within the body and nonspecific symptoms in the early stages, it is often diagnosed at the advanced stage, thus leading to worse prognosis. Circulating tumor cells within liquid biopsies ( blood) have been considered as promising biomarkers for CCA diagnosis, though current methods for profiling them are not satisfactory in terms of sensitivity and specificity.

The experience of neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus upfront surgery in resectable pancreatic cancer: a cross sectional study.

Background: Upfront resection (UR) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy remains the standard treatment for resectable pancreatic cancer. There is increasing evidence suggesting favourable outcomes toward neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by surgery.

Methods: All clinical staging with resectable pancreatic cancer patients treated at a tertiary medical centre from 2013 to 2020 were identified.

First report of Colletotrichum grevilleae causing fruit anthracnose of pomegranate in Taiwan.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), native to northern India, is a popular fruit crop. In Taiwan, pomegranate is mainly cultivated in the mid and southern regions including Waipu, Taichung and Neipu, Pingtung.

Investigation into the content of red material in EUS-guided pancreatic cancer biopsies.

Background And Aims: The red material occupying the larger portion of the acquired sample in EUS fine-needle biopsy (FNB) is seldom investigated. We aimed to evaluate the composition of the red material.

Methods: Patients with a solid pancreatic mass who received EUS FNB from September 2020 to June 2021 were enrolled.

Complete Genome Sequence Resource of Strain F1-1 that Causes Soft Rot Disease of Taro.

is a recently named, narrow-host-range phytopathogenic bacterium causing soft rot of taro (). It is found on the Chinese mainland and the island of Taiwan. Taro is a domesticated crop with a long history of cultivation in Taiwan and the Pacific islands.

Tissue Quality Comparison Between Heparinized Wet Suction and Dry Suction in Endoscopic Ultrasound-Fine Needle Biopsy of Solid Pancreatic Masses: A Randomized Crossover Study.

Background/aims: A high-quality sample allows for next-generation sequencing and the administration of more tailored precision medicine treatments. We aimed to evaluate whether heparinized wet suction can obtain higher quality samples than the standard dry-suction method during endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biopsy of pancreatic masses.

Methods: A prospective randomized crossover study was conducted.

Impaired Chromatin Remodeling Predicts Better Survival to Modified Gemcitabine and S-1 plus Nivolumab in Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer: A Phase II T1219 Study.

Purpose: Modified gemcitabine and S-1 (GS) is an active regimen for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (ABTC) in our previous study. Herein, we report the results of a single-arm phase II of nivolumab plus modified GS (NGS) as first-line treatment in ABTC.

Patients And Methods: Patients received nivolumab 240 mg and 800 mg/m2 gemcitabine on day 1 plus daily 80/100/120 mg of S-1 (based on body surface area) on days 1 to 10, in a 2-week cycle.

The Differential Clinical Impacts of Cachexia and Sarcopenia on the Prognosis of Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has the highest frequency of developing cancer cachexia (CC)-sarcopenia (SC) syndrome, which negatively influences patients' outcome, quality of life, and tolerance/response to treatments. However, the clinical impacts of CC, SC, and their associated factors on outcomes for advanced PC has yet to be fully investigated. A total of 232 patients were enrolled in this study for the retrospective review of their clinical information and the measurement of skeletal muscle areas at the third lumber vertebra by computed tomography scan to identify CC or SC.

Cancer-cell-derived cell-free DNA can predict distant metastasis earlier in pancreatic cancer: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) is the only biomarker for monitoring responses during treatments of pancreatic cancer, but its accuracy for disease outcome is controversial. Fluid biopsy is a new method for diagnosis and monitoring treatment response. In this study, we investigate the usefulness of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in predicting disease progression during the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The Potential Biocontrol Agent TP3 Produces Fusaricidin-Type Compounds Involved in the Antagonism Against Gray Mold Pathogen .

is a beneficial bacterium for plant health. TP3 exhibits antagonistic activity toward and alleviates gray mold symptoms on the leaves of strawberry plants. Moreover, suppression of gray mold on the flowers and fruits of strawberry plants in field trials, including vegetative cells and endospores, was demonstrated, indicating the potential of strain TP3 as a biological control agent.

Comparative Genomic Analysis Uncovered Evolution of Pathogenicity Factors, Horizontal Gene Transfer Events, and Heavy Metal Resistance Traits in Citrus Canker Bacterium subsp. .

Worldwide citrus production is severely threatened by Asiatic citrus canker which is caused by the proteobacterium subsp. . Foliar sprays of copper-based bactericides are frequently used to control plant bacterial diseases.

Novel upper gastrointestinal monitoring system to track upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A pilot study.

 Early detection of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) rebleeding is not easy by observing clinical symptoms. We developed a novel UGI monitoring system and aimed to test its feasibility of continuous tracking of UGI bleeding.  A prospective study was conducted on patients with moderate to high risk of rebleeding.

The Gene Encoding the Major Glucose Transporter of C1L Participates in Root Colonization and Beneficial Metabolite Production to Induce Plant Systemic Disease Resistance.

Rhizosphere interactions between microorganisms and plants have great influence on plant health. C1L, an induced systemic resistance (ISR)-eliciting rhizobacterium from , can protect monocot and dicot plants from disease challenges. To identify the ISR-involved bacterial genes, the systemic protection effect of transposon-tagged mutants of C1L against southern corn leaf blight (SCLB) was surveyed, and a mutant of the gene encoding glucose-specific permease of the phosphotransferase system was severely impaired in the abilities of disease suppression and root colonization.

Complete Genome Sequence of C1L, a Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium from the Rhizosphere of Formosa Lily in Taiwan.

C1L, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, provides protection against fungal pathogens in monocot plants. To gain new insights into the biocontrol mechanisms used by this rhizobacterium, we determined the complete genome sequence of C1L. One chromosome and three plasmids were identified with a total size of ~6.

Feasible Management of Southern Corn Leaf Blight via Induction of Systemic Resistance by C1L in Combination with Reduced Use of Dithiocarbamate Fungicides.

Dithiocarbamate fungicides such as maneb and mancozeb are widely used nonsystemic protectant fungicides to control various plant fungal diseases. Dithiocarbamate fungicides should be frequently applied to achieve optimal efficacy of disease control and avoid either decline in effectiveness or wash-off from leaf surface. Dithiocarbamates are of low resistance risk but have the potential to cause human neurological diseases.

Characterization of Cichopeptins, New Phytotoxic Cyclic Lipodepsipeptides Produced by Pseudomonas cichorii SF1-54 and Their Role in Bacterial Midrib Rot Disease of Lettuce.

The lettuce midrib rot pathogen Pseudomonas cichorii SF1-54 produces seven bioactive compounds with biosurfactant properties. Two compounds exhibited necrosis-inducing activity on chicory leaves. The structure of the two phytotoxic compounds, named cichopeptin A and B, was tentatively characterized.

New linear lipopeptides produced by Pseudomonas cichorii SF1-54 are involved in virulence, swarming motility, and biofilm formation.

Pseudomonas cichorii is the causal agent of lettuce midrib rot, characterized by a dark-brown to green-black discoloration of the midrib. Formation of necrotic lesions by several plant-pathogenic pseudomonads is associated with production of phytotoxic lipopeptides, which contribute to virulence. Therefore, the ability of P.

Dimethyl disulfide is an induced systemic resistance elicitor produced by Bacillus cereus C1L.

Background: Bacillus cereus C1L is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium and can elicit induced systemic resistance (ISR) in plants against necrotrophic pathogens. However, little is known about ISR elicitors produced by B. cereus C1L, and no ISR elicitor has been identified and characterised.