The association between baseline viral load and long-term risk in patients with COVID-19 in Hong Kong: a territory-wide study.

COVID-19 can increase the long-term risk of multiorgan dysfunction. Few studies investigated the long-term risk in Asian populations or investigated the association between viral load and long-term risk. We aimed to investigate the post-discharge rates of hospitalization and association with baseline viral load in all patients with COVID-19 in Hong Kong.

LRJ-1 alleviates constipation through promoting gut -derived γ-aminobutyric acid production.

Multiple gastrointestinal disorders are associated with impaired gut microbiota. Probiotic can improve bowel disorder, however, the action mechanism is poorly understood. We integrated multi-omics data from the gut metagenome, metabolome, and colon transcriptome of constipated mice underlying LRJ-1 treatment to provide insights into host-microbial metabolic pathway.

Unveiling soil-transmitted helminth infections and associated risk factors in rural primary schoolchildren in Malaysia.

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are known as one of the neglected parasitic diseases, leading to significant health issues and associated complications. This study aims to assess the current prevalence of STH infections and the associated risk factors among rural primary schoolchildren in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 638 schoolchildren (7-11 years old) from 10 rural primary schools in five regions of Malaysia.

Metagenomic approach reveals the role of bioagents in the environmental dissemination risk of rhizosphere soil antibiotic resistance genes pollution.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been identified as emerging contaminants, raising concerns around the world. As environmentally friendly bioagents (BA), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been used in agricultural systems. The introduction of BA will lead to the turnover of the microbial communities structure.

Transcriptome Regulation Mechanisms Difference between Female and Male in Response to Drought Stress and Rehydration.

Drought, a pervasive global challenge, significantly hampers plant growth and crop yields, with drought stress being a primary inhibitor. Among resilient species, , a warm-season and dioecious turfgrass, stands out for its strong drought resistance and minimal maintenance requirements, making it a favored choice in ecological management and landscaping. However, there is limited research on the physiological and molecular differences in drought resistance between male and female To decipher the transcriptional regulation dynamics of these sexes in response to drought, RNA-sequencing analysis was conducted using the 'Texoka' cultivar as a model.

Characterization of gut microbiota in the Uyghur osteopenia population.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the composition of gut microbiota and its relationship with bone loss in the Uyghur osteopenia population, identify potential disease-related taxa and collect information for the prevention and treatment of osteopenia in different people by regulating gut microbiota. We selected Uyghur residents, measured their heel BMD, collected faeces and general information, grouped them by BMD level, obtained faecal 16S rRNA sequences, and compared and analysed the differences between the groups. This study showed that the numbers of OTUs and species in the gut microbiota in the osteopenia group were higher than those in the control.

Combination of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and an indirect fluorescence assay for a nationwide sero-survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pig herds in Taiwan.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic pathogen that can infect farm animals, companion animals, and humans, sometimes causing public health issues. In Taiwan, the pig industry is a vital agricultural industry, with a self-sufficiency rate of 91 %, and pigs are also food-producing animal reservoirs of Toxoplasma gondii. Infected pigs are usually asymptomatic, and abortions and death may occur in severe cases.

Correlations between growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) serum levels and gene polymorphism with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: To date, the relationship between Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15) gene polymorphism and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been clarified. Our study aims to explore the association between serum GDF-15 levels and related gene polymorphism with the risk of T2DM in a Chinese rural Yao population.

Methods: This was a 1:1 case-control study with 179 T2DM patients and 179 age- and sex-matched control participants.

On the Rapid Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide via Ultrasound-Promoted Eco-Friendly Reduction Approach and Its Effects on Physicochemical Properties.

The common synthesis approach of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using toxic reducing agents poses a threat to environmental pollution. This study used banana peel extract as a green reducing agent for the synthesis of rGO. Ultrasonication was assimilated to expedite the synthesis process.

Transcriptomic and physiological analysis provide new insight into seed shattering mechanism in Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Liqiu'.

Through the histological, physiological, and transcriptome-level identification of the abscission zone of Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Liqiu', we explored the structure and the genes related to seed shattering, ultimately revealing the regulatory network of seed shattering in P. alopecuroides. Pennisetum alopecuroides is one of the most representative ornamental grass species of Pennisetum genus.

Octoploids Show Enhanced Salt Tolerance through Chromosome Doubling in Switchgrass ( L.).

Polyploid plants often exhibit enhanced stress tolerance. Switchgrass is a perennial rhizomatous bunchgrass that is considered ideal for cultivation in marginal lands, including sites with saline soil. In this study, we investigated the physiological responses and transcriptome changes in the octoploid and tetraploid of switchgrass ( L.

Life tables of annual life expectancy and risk factors for mortality in cats in the UK.

Objectives: The aims of the present study were to generate the first life tables for the UK companion cat population overall as well as broken down by sex and breed status, and to quantify associations between mortality and traits such as sex, neuter status, breed status and body weight in relation to mortality.

Methods: Life table construction and modelling included data on 7936 confirmed deaths in cats under primary veterinary care at clinics participating in the VetCompass Programme in 2019. The life tables were built for cats overall, female and male cats, and crossbred and purebred cats.

Association between multiple-heavy-metal exposures and systemic immune inflammation in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese general population.

Background: Exposure to heavy metals alone or in combination can promote systemic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate potential associations between multiple plasma heavy metals and markers of systemic immune inflammation.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional study, routine blood tests were performed on 3355 participants in Guangxi, China.

Preclinical Evaluation of Off-The-Shelf PD-L1+ Human Natural Killer Cells Secreting IL15 to Treat Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

We described previously a human natural killer (NK) cell population that upregulates PD-L1 expression upon recognizing and reacting to tumor cells or exposure to a combination of IL12, IL18, and IL15. Here, to investigate the safety and efficacy of tumor-reactive and cytokine-activated (TRACK) NK cells, human NK cells from umbilical cord blood were expanded, transduced with a retroviral vector encoding soluble (s) IL15, and further cytokine activated to induce PD-L1 expression. Our results show cryopreserved and thawed sIL15_TRACK NK cells had significantly improved cytotoxicity against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vitro when compared with non-transduced (NT) NK cells, PD-L1+ NK cells lacking sIL15 expression (NT_TRACK NK), or NK cells expressing sIL15 without further cytokine activation (sIL15 NK cells).

Metagenomic insights into the response of soil microbial communities to pathogenic .

Understanding the response of soil microbial communities to pathogenic is crucial for preventing bacterial wilt outbreaks. In this study, we investigated the soil physicochemical and microbial community to assess their impact on the pathogenic through metagenomics. Our results revealed that certain archaeal taxa were the main contributors influencing the health of plants.

Identification and Genome Characterization of a Novel Virus within the Genus from Chinese Bayberry ().

Chinese bayberry () is an economically significant fruit tree native to eastern Asia and widely planted in south-central China. However, studies about the viruses infecting remain largely lacking. In the present study, we employed the metatranscriptomic method to identify viruses in leaves exhibiting yellowing and irregular margin symptoms collected in Fuzhou, a city located in China's Fujian province in the year 2022.