Avian Tembusu virus infection effectively triggers host innate immune response through MDA5 and TLR3-dependent signaling pathways

Additional file 4 ATMUV infection causes significant up-regulation of TLR3 and MDA5. RT-PCR was performed to examine the mRNA expression of TLR3 and MDA5 in CEF (A), chickens (B) and 293T cells (C) at the indicated time after ATMUV infection, respectively

Fatigue status and influencing factors of heavy-duty commercial truck drivers

BackgroundFatigue driving is an important cause of road traffic accidents in modern society, and the fatigue condition of heavy-duty commercial truck drivers has attracted widespread attention. Research on the fatigue status and influencing factors of heavy-duty commercial truck drivers in China is relatively rare at present. ObjectiveTo analyze the main characteristics of fatigue among heavy-duty commercial truck drivers and the impacts of factors such as working hours, insomnia, and occupational burnout on their fatigue status. MethodsUsing cluster sampling method, a cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2023, enrolling heavy-duty commercial truck drivers in long-distance freight logistics markets (stations) located in three administrative regions of W City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect demographic and occupational characteristics of heavy-duty commercial truck drivers, and the Chinese versions of Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey (MBI-GS) were used to evaluate their fatigue, insomnia, and occupational burnout status, respectively. Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Walls H test were used to compare intergroup differences, and Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between variables. Hierarchical regression models were used to study the impacts of selected variables on fatigue status. ResultsThis study obtained 311 valid questionnaires, with a valid recovery rate of 88.86% (311/350). The physical fatigue, mental fatigue, and total fatigue scores of the survey subjects in M (P25, P75) were 3.00 (2.00, 4.00), 2.00 (1.00, 3.00), and 5.00 (4.00, 6.00), respectively. The comparison results showed that, except for smoking, there were statistically significant differences in total fatigue scores between different groups of age, marital status, number of children, educational level, service length of freight transportation, average daily working time, and average monthly income (P<0.05). The difference in total fatigue score among the groups without sleep disorders, with suspected insomnia, and with insomnia was statistically significant (P<0.001). The difference in total fatigue score among the groups without occupational burnout, with moderate occupational burnout, and with severe occupational burnout was also statistically significant (P<0.001). Positive correlations were found between insomnia score and scores of physical fatigue (rs=0.507), mental fatigue (rs=0.547), and total fatigue (rs=0.618) (P<0.001). Hierarchical regression models revealed that having more children, extended daily working hours, insomnia, and increased scores of decreased personal accomplishment were negative factors affecting the fatigue status of heavy-duty commercial truck drivers (P<0.05), and the final regression equation was: total fatigue score=7.579+0.581×number of children+0.916×average daily working time+0.434×score of AIS+0.754×score of reduced personal accomplishment. ConclusionThe fatigue status of heavy-duty commercial truck drivers is not optimistic. An increase in the number of children, extended daily working hours, severe insomnia symptoms, and increased scores of decreased personal accomplishment associate with their worse fatigue status

A combination of recombinase polymerase amplification with CRISPR technology rapidly detects goose parvovirus with high accuracy and sensitivity

BackgroundGoose parvovirus (GPV) poses a significant threat to the waterfowl industry, necessitating reliable detection methods. However, conventional techniques are often time-consuming, equipment-dependent, or lack sufficient sensitivity for detecting early-stage infection. In contrast, emerging CRISPR/Cas12a-based systems offer a promising alternative for rapid, sensitive, and on-site diagnostics.MethodsWe developed and optimized a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA)-CRISPR/Cas12a assay targeting the conserved VP3 gene of GPV. The analytical and diagnostic performance of this assay was rigorously validated using plasmid standards and clinical specimens from both experimentally infected and field-collected ducklings.ResultsOur developed assay combines RPA with CRISPR/Cas12a technology for rapid GPV nucleic acids detection. This method achieves a detection limit of 10 copies/μL of the VP3 gene within one hour, demonstrating high sensitivity and rapid turnaround. The assay exhibited exceptional specificity, with no cross-reactivity against other waterfowl viruses, and showed robust reproducibility, with intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation consistently below 5.0%. Clinical validation using 42 field samples confirmed a diagnostic sensitivity of 100% and 95.5% specificity, showing superior performance to real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in both metrics. Furthermore, the assay supports flexible visual readouts using portable blue light transilluminators, facilitating on-site interpretation.ConclusionsThis study established a highly field-deployable RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a assay for rapid, visual detection of GPV with outstanding sensitivity and specificity. Its capability for instrument-free on-site diagnosis via blue light transillumination makes this approach particularly promising for resource-limited settings

New insights into the mitogenomic phylogeny and evolutionary history of Murinae (Rodentia, Muridae) with the description of a new tribe

Murinae is the largest known subfamily of Muridae and includes 15 tribes and 3 genera (incertae sedis). Although the phylogeny of Murinae has been studied, its phylogenetic relationships have not been completely elucidated. We used phylogenetic framework and molecular dating methodologies with the vast majority of available mitochondrial genomes to disentangle the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of Murinae. Sixteen tribes were identified within the Murinae subfamily. Among these, fifteen tribes were found to be consistent with those currently recognized. Hapalomyini (Clade A) was located at the base of the Murinae clade with strong nodal support contrary to previous studies, which showed that Phloeomyini diverged first. The Clade B consisted of Micromyini, Rattini, and the genus Vernaya. Vernaya cannot be accommodated in any existing tribe. The origin of Murinae dates back to 17.22 Ma. The split between Micromyini and Vernayini was dated to 11.69 Ma during the Miocene, indicating that they were both early branches of Murinae. Combined with the differences between Vernaya and its sister tribes (Micromyini and Rattini) in morphology, skull and teeth, we validated a new tribe, Vernayini tribe nov. We believe that it is necessary to combine morphological and molecular perspectives (especially from a genome-wide perspective) to determine the phylogenetic position of tribes with an uncertain taxonomic position in Murinae

Duck cGAS inhibits DNA and RNA virus replication by activating IFNs and antiviral ISGs

Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase (cGAS) is a pivotal adaptor of the signaling pathways involving the pattern recognition receptors and plays an important role in apoptosis and immune regulation. The cGAS function in mammals has been investigated extensively; however, the function of duck cGAS (du-cGAS) in response to viral infections is still unclear. This study aimed to clone the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) cGAS homolog to investigate the function of duck cGAS (du-cGAS) in host antiviral innate immunity. The results showed that the open reading frame (ORF) region of the du-cGAS gene was 1296 bp, encoding 432 amino acids (aa) and exhibiting similar functional domains with its chicken counterpart. Knockdown of the endogenous du-cGAS by specific sgRNA strongly increased the replication of DNA viruses, including duck adenovirus B2 (DAdV B2) and duck short beak and dwarfism syndrome virus (SBDSV). However, the knockout did not impair the replication of novel duck reovirus (NDRV), an RNA virus. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of type I interferon (IFNs) and vital interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) were remarkably reduced in the du-cGAS knockout DEF cell line. Inversely, du-cGAS overexpression greatly activated the transcription of IFN-α, IFN-β, and vital ISGs, and impaired the replication of DAdV B2, SBDSV, and NDRV in the DEF cell line. Importantly, we found that a deletion of 68 aa in the N terminus didn’t impair the antiviral function of du-cGAS. Overexpressing NTase Core, C-Domain (Mab21), or Zinc-Ribbon domain independently had no antiviral effects. Generally, these results reveal that du-cGAS is a vital component of the innate immune system of ducks, with a universal antiviral activity, and provides a useful strategy for the control of waterfowl viral diseases

Long-Noncoding RNA Colorectal Neoplasia Differentially Expressed Gene as a Potential Target to Upregulate the Expression of IRX5 by miR-136-5P to Promote Oncogenic Properties in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background/Aims: The long-noncoding RNA colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) gene was first found to be activated in colorectal neoplasia. Now, it also has been found to be upregulated in many other solid tumors. Whether CRNDE affects tumorigenesis remains unknown. Methods: We conducted bioinformatics, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot analysis, cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, cell migration and invasion assays, RNA immunoprecipitation, and reporter vector construction and luciferase assays. Results: CRNDE was upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The overexpression of CRNDE promoted HCC cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion in intro and in vivo, and acted as an oncogene in HCC progression. Furthermore, CRNDE impaired miR-136-5P expression in a RISC manner, and a reciprocal repression feedback loop was possible between CRNDE and miR-136-5P. We found that the neighboring mRNA of CRNDE was IRX5, and IRX5 increased the tumorigenicity of HCC cells. IRX5 was a potential downstream target gene of miR-136-5P. MiR-136 regulated IRX5 by interacting with its 3’UTR. In addition, miR-136-5P was involved in the CRNDE-regulated expression of IRX5. Conclusion: CRNDE acted as a tumor oncogene by exhibiting oncogenic properties of human HCC and revealed a novel CRNDE-miR-136-5P-IRX5 regulatory network in HCC. CRNDE may be considered to be a potential target for HCC therapies based on its ability to upregulate IRX5, and it deserves further investigation

Comparative Analysis of Microstructure and Physicochemical Properties of Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) Starch

To explore and make use of the properties of sweetpotato starch (Luoshu), the particle morphology, particle size, ordered structure, lamella structure, amylose content, amylopectin chain length distribution, degree of branching, thermal, pasting and rheological properties of sweetpotato starch were analyzed. Furthermore, the correlations between their microstructure and physicochemical properties were also studied using correlation analysis. The starch granules were round spherical, round-like, oval, hemispherical, and angled polyhedral shapes, and the median diameter range was 15.01~18.40 μm. The pasting pattern of the sweetpotato starch was "from the central umbilical point of the starch granule to the surface", and the main fragments of amylopectin were short chains, with fa and fb1 chains accounting for 76.27%~79.22%. Luoshu 9 and Luoshu 10 had high peak viscosity and swelling power. Luoshu 11 had low breakdown value, high storage modulus and loss modulus. Luoshu 12 exhibited the lowest setback value and was difficult to retrogradation. Luoshu 14 had good thermal stability and elasticity. Luoshu 16 had the highest amylose content and setback value. Therefore, Luoshu 9 and Luoshu 10 could be used as thickeners, Luoshu 11 was suitable for baked foods, Luoshu 12 was suitable for frozen products, Luoshu 14 could be used as raw materials for jelly, and Luoshu 16 was suitable for starch noodle processing. In addition, particle size, molecular structure of amylose and amylopectin, short-range order degree were the key factors affecting the thermal stability, pasting and gel properties of sweetpotato starch. A significant correlation was observed between the microstructure and physicochemical properties of starch made from different varieties of sweetpotatoes, thus providing a basis for the processing and utilization of sweetpotato starch as well as sweetpotato breeding

Development of patient-specific iPSC-based epilepsy models and identification of differentially expressed genes for disease mechanisms

IntroductionEpilepsy is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which poses significant challenges for clinical management and therapeutic development. Recent advances in stem cell biology have enabled the use of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as a novel in vitro model for studying human diseases, including neurological disorders. In particular, iPSCs offer a promising platform for investigating the molecular mechanisms of epilepsy and facilitating personalized medicine.MethodsIn this study, we generated iPSC lines from individuals diagnosed with epilepsy who carry a novel mutation in the CLCNKB gene. These patient-derived iPSCs were reprogrammed from somatic cells and subsequently characterized. To explore the molecular alterations associated with epilepsy, we performed transcriptomic profiling using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Differential gene expression analysis was conducted to compare the patient-derived iPSCs with control iPSC lines.ResultsThe RNA-seq analysis revealed a set of differentially expressed genes in epilepsy-derived iPSCs, with both upregulated and downregulated genes identified relative to controls. Several of these genes have previously been implicated in epilepsy-related phenotypes, as supported by published literature. This suggests a potential role for these genes in the pathophysiology of epilepsy linked to CLCNKB mutations.DiscussionThe successful establishment of CLCNKB-mutant patient-specific iPSC lines and their transcriptomic characterization provide a valuable tool for studying the molecular basis of epilepsy. These findings underscore the potential of iPSC-based models to advance our understanding of disease mechanisms and support the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Moreover, this study demonstrates the applicability of iPSCs for epilepsy research and their promise in the field of personalized medicine

Segmentation and lateral growth of intracratonic strike-slip faults in the northern Tarim Basin, NW China: influences on Ordovician fault-controlled carbonate reservoirs

Intracratonic strike-slip faults have been recognized as a major factor controlling the formation of fracture-cave carbonate reservoirs in deep buried basins, yet which properties and how the strike-slip faults influence reservoir distribution and their connectivity are still ambiguous. This uncertainty significantly restricts hydrocarbon exploration and development, such as in the Fuman oilfield, northern Tarim Basin, NW China. Using a high-resolution 3D seismic reflection survey and borehole data, we investigated the geometry and kinematic evolution of the FI17 fault zone in the Fuman oilfield. This fault zone is characterized by a single fault zone, pop-up or pull-apart structures, right-stepping en echelon normal faults, and much smaller displacement (&lt;30 m) normal fault arrays from bottom to top. The FI17 fault zone consists of four genetic segments, including the extensional strike-slip duplex, Riedel left-lateral shear, right-stepping horsetail splay, and horizontal slip segments in map view. In particular, the formation of the ∼18 km Riedel shear zone is characterized by the growth and linkage of segmented shear faults (synthetic and secondary synthetic shears). We observed that the large-scale fault-controlled fracture-cave reservoirs are distributed in positions with wider fault zones, which are characterized by overlapping of neighboring secondary shear faults. Furthermore, the reservoir width examined in this study is natural logarithmic correlated (positively) to the fault zone width. The reservoirs linked by the same shear faults show better internal connectivity. The spatial coherence between fault geometry and reservoir features indicates that segmentation and lateral growth of intracratonic strike-slip faults controls the occurrence of fracture-cave reservoirs, which may provide support for reservoir prediction in the Fuman oilfield and other deeply buried fault-controlled carbonate reservoirs in general

Immunogenicity and safety of co-administration with the Sabin-strain-based inactivated poliovirus vaccine (vero cell) and the diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine in eligible children in China: a randomized, controlled, multicenter, non-inferiority trial

ObjectiveIn developing countries, combined vaccine availability remains limited due to economic constraints, healthcare infrastructure, and supply chain challenges. While some imported combined vaccines are available in China, their accessibility is restricted. Co-administration of individual vaccines presents a viable alternative. This study evaluates the immunogenicity and safety of simultaneous sIPV and DTaP administration to support vaccination policies and improve immunization rates.MethodsIn this randomized, controlled, open-label, multicenter non-inferiority trial, 702 healthy 3-month-old infants from Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Hebei provinces were enrolled and assigned to three groups: Group 1 (sIPV + DTaP co-administration), Group 2 (sIPV alone), and Group 3 (DTaP alone). Vaccines were administered on a 3-4-5-month schedule. Serum samples were collected pre-vaccination and 30 days post-vaccination to assess antibody responses. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored for safety evaluation.ResultsAmong 671 infants completing the study (642 per protocol), co-administration (Group 1) demonstrated non-inferior immunogenicity compared to separate administration. Seroconversion rates and geometric mean titers (GMTs) for poliovirus types 1,2 and 3 were comparable between Groups 1 and 2. For anti-PT, FHA, D, T, Group 1 showed non-inferiority to Group 3 in seroconversion. However, anti-PT and anti-FHA geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) were lower (Group 1:anti-PT 31.06 [95% CI: 28.56–33.77], anti-FHA 29.40 [27.68–31.24]; Group 3: anti-PT 39.32 [36.25–42.65], anti-FHA 33.06 [31.01–35.24]). No significant differences were observed in anti-D and anti-T GMCs. AE rates were similar across groups, with local reactions (e.g., induration) more frequent in Group 1 (6.84%) than in Group 2 (0.85%). Systemic AEs (primarily grade 1–2 fever) did not differ significantly.ConclusionCo-administration of sIPV and DTaP is immunogenically non-inferior to separate administration and demonstrates comparable safety. This strategy is feasible and may support simplified immunization schedules in China.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04053010