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In 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate azole resistance in environmental Aspergillus fumigatus isolates obtained from different agricultural fields in China. Using 63 soil cores, we cultured for azole-resistant A. fumigatus and characterized isolates by their cyp51A gene type, short tandem repeat genotype, and mating type. Of 206 A. fumigatus isolates, 21 (10.2%) were azole resistant. Nineteen of 21 had mutations in their cyp51A gene (5 TR34/L98H, 8 TR34/L98H/S297T/F495I, 6 TR46/Y121F/T289A). Eighteen were cultured from soil samples acquired from strawberry fields, suggesting this soil type is a potential hotspot for azole resistance selection. Twenty resistant isolates were mating type MAT1-1, suggesting asexual sporulation contributed to their evolution. Prochloraz, difenoconazole, and tebuconazole were the most frequently detected fungicides in soil samples with azole-resistant fungus. Our study results suggest that managing the fungicides used in agriculture will help contain the problem of antifungal drug resistance in clinics.

LGBTQ+ community's higher susceptibility to worse mental health outcomes and more help-seeking barriers compared to the cis-heterosexual population. Despite the LGBTQ+ population facing higher mental health risks, there has been a dearth of research focusing on developing tailored interventions targeting them. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a digital multicomponent intervention in promoting help-seeking for mental health issues in LGBTQ+ young adults. We recruited LGBTQ+ young adults aged between 18 and 29 who scored moderate or above on at least 1 dimension of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 and did not have help-seeking experiences in the past 12 months. Participants (n = 144) were stratified by gender assigned at birth (male/female) and randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to the intervention or active control parallel condition by generating a random number table, so they were blinded to the intervention condition. All participants received online psychoeducational videos, online facilitator-led group discussions, and electronic brochures in December 2021 and January 2022, with the final follow-up in April 2022. The contents of the video, discussion, and brochure are help-seeking for the intervention group and general mental health knowledge for the control group. The primary outcomes were help-seeking intentions for emotional problems and suicidal ideation and attitudes toward seeking help from mental health professionals at the 1-month follow-up. The analysis was performed by including all participants based on their randomized group regardless of adherence to the protocol. A linear mixed model (LMM) was used for analysis. All models were adjusted for baseline scores. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2100053248. A total of 137 (95.1%) participants completed a 3-month follow-up, and 4 participants from the intervention condition and 3 from the control condition did not complete the final survey. Compared with the control group (n = 72), a significant improvement was found in help-seeking intentions for suicidal ideation in the intervention group (n = 70) at post-discussion (mean difference = 0.22, 95% CI [0.09, 0.36], p = 0.005), 1-month (mean difference = 0.19, 95% CI [0.06, 0.33], p = 0.018), and 3-month follow-ups (mean difference = 0.25, 95% CI [0.11, 0.38], p = 0.001). There was also a significant improvement in the intervention condition on the help-seeking intention for emotional problems at 1-month (mean difference = 0.17, 95% CI [0.05, 0.28], p = 0.013) and 3-month follow-ups (mean difference = 0.16, 95% CI [0.04, 0.27], p = 0.022) compared with the control group. Participants' depression and anxiety literacy and help-seeking encouragement related knowledge in intervention conditions showed significant improvements. There were no significant improvements in actual help-seeking behaviors, self-stigma toward seeking professional assistance, depression, and anxiety symptoms. No adverse events or side effects were observed. However, the follow-up time point was limited to 3 months which might not be long enough for drastic mindset and behavioral changes in help-seeking to occur. The current intervention was an effective approach in promoting help-seeking intentions, mental health literacy, and help-seeking encouragement-related knowledge. Its brief yet integrated intervention format could also be utilized in treating other imminent concerns confronted by LGBTQ+ young adults. Chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2100053248.

Selecting the right reference genes for data normalization is the only way to ensure the precision and reproducibility of gene expression measurement using qRT-PCR. Ottelia cordata is a member of the Hydrocharitaceae family in aquatic plants that exhibits both floating and submerged leaf forms. It has recently drawn interest as a possible model plant for research into non-KRANZ C4 photosynthesis and heteroblastic leaves. Our earlier research has demonstrated bias in gene expression analysis when actin or GAPDH, two common reference genes, are used for normalization. Furthermore, there has been no study on the Hydrocharitaceae family reference gene selection published to date. To standardize qRT-PCR in O. cordata, seven genes were chosen from a transcriptome database: ACT7, EF1_α, GAPDH, BRCC36, PP2A, UBC7, and UBQ. We conducted qRT-PCR experiments in various tissues, leaves in different developmental stages, leaves in high/low carbon treatment, and leaves in high/low temperature treatment. After analyzing the stability using five statistical methods (geNorm, normFinder, comparative ΔCt, bestKeeper, and comprehensive analysis), PP2A and UBQ were identified as the most stable genes. BRCC36 was identified as a new reference gene in plants. Finally, by contrasting the expression patterns of pepc2, a crucial gene connected to C4 photosynthesis, in floating and submerged leaves, PP2A, UBQ, and UBC7 were verified. Of these, PP2A and UBQ were shown to be the superior gene for the precise qRT-PCR data normalization. The results of this study offer the initial information concerning reference gene identification for O. cordata as well as the first data in Hydrocharitaceae plants. It will make it easier to do more gene function and molecular biology research on O. cordata and other closely related species.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a critical condition with high morbidity and mortality, lacks reliable non-invasive biomarkers for timely diagnosis. Traditional biomarkers like troponins lack sensitivity in unstable angina, and troponin levels often remain within the normal range in the early phase of myocardial infarction. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), implicated in vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis, may serve as novel biomarkers. This study evaluated four lncRNAs (NORAD, MIR181A1HG, HEAT4, MERRICAL) for ACS diagnosis and their correlation with inflammatory cytokines [Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α)]. A total of 156 ACS patients and 100 non-coronary artery disease (CAD) chest pain patients were enrolled from April 2021 to April 2023, with an independent validation cohort (36 ACS and 24 non-CAD) recruited from May to August 2023. Serum levels of lncRNAs were measured via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR; normalized to GAPDH), and inflammatory cytokines via Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Multivariable logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and Spearman correlation were used to assess diagnostic performance and associations. NORAD (P<0.0001) and MIR181A1HG (P=0.0279) were significantly upregulated in ACS patients, whereas HEAT4 and MERRICAL did not differ significantly. Multivariate regression identified NORAD as an independent predictor of ACS [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=2.567, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.724-3.823, P<0.001]. ROC analysis showed NORAD alone achieved an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.726 (95% CI 0.661-0.790), with sensitivity 81.1% and specificity 56.0% at the optimal cutoff. Incorporating NORAD into a model with traditional risk factors improved diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.700 vs 0.763, P=0.024), validated in the independent cohort (AUC: 0.823 vs 0.690, P=0.015). NORAD levels correlated positively with IL-1β (R=0.40, P<0.001) and IL-6 (R=0.34, P<0.001), but not TNF-α. NORAD is a promising diagnostic biomarker for ACS. Its correlation with inflammatory cytokines underlying its involvement in ACS pathogenesis.

Rapid advances in flexible and wearable smart textiles demand low-cost, high-energy/power-density fiber-shaped supercapacitors (FSCs). The performance of FSCs is determined by the fabrication and assembly of fiber-shaped electrodes (FSEs), where an active charge-storage material is always clad around flexible charge transmission current collectors. Inspired by the tissue structure of natural bamboo, wherein parenchyma cells (PCs) that store nutrients are clad around bamboo fibers (BFs), we propose a strategy for converting bamboo cells into FSEs using conductive BFs and activated PCs as current collectors and active materials, respectively. The assembled electrode has a high specific capacitance of 1454 mF cm −2 at 0.64 mA cm −2 . A solid-state FSC with a pair of bamboo-structured electrodes exhibited a substantially high energy density. Its mechanical flexibility enabled the knitting of wearable wristbands to drive ultra-small voltmeter indicators. This lightweight, low cost, and high-energy-density bamboo-structured FSC could enable numerous smart textile applications.

This paper studies the problem of fixed-time synchronization for a class of delayed complex-valued neural networks with inertial term. Two different controllers are designed, under which the addressed inertial complex-valued neural networks with different types of activation functions can achieve synchronization perfectly in a fixed time. The corresponding synchronization criteria in terms of matrix inequalities and the estimates of the settling times are derived by using separation and direct methods, respectively, which are concise and easy to verify compared with algebraic inequalities conditions. Some innovative inequalities in the complex field are fully utilized. The in-depth analysis results are an advancement of the existing research progress. Finally, in order to support the theoretical results, numerical simulations for different types of activation functions are provided.

Benzene, a well-established human carcinogen and major industrial pollutant, poses significant health risks through occupational exposure due to its no-threshold effect, leading to multi-system damage involving the hematopoietic, nervous, and immune systems. This makes the investigation of its toxic mechanisms crucial for precise prevention and control of its health impacts. Programmed cell death (PCD), an orderly and regulated form of cellular demise controlled by specific intracellular genes in response to various stimuli, has emerged as a key pathway where dysfunction may underlie benzene-induced toxicity. This review systematically integrates evidence linking benzene toxicity to PCD dysregulation, revealing that benzene and its metabolites induce abnormal subtypes of PCD (apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis) in hematopoietic cells. This occurs through mechanisms including activation of Caspase pathways, regulation of long non-coding RNAs, and epigenetic modifications, with recent research highlighting the IRP1-DHODH-ALOX12 ferroptosis axis and oxidative stress–epigenetic interactions as pivotal. Additionally, this review describes a comprehensive monitoring system for early toxic effects comprising benzene exposure biomarkers (urinary t,t-muconic acid (t,t-MA), S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA)), PCD-related molecules (Caspase-3, let-7e-5p, ACSL1), oxidative stress indicators (8-OHdG), and genetic damage markers (micronuclei, p14ARF methylation), with correlative analyses between PCD mechanisms and benzene toxicity elaborated to underscore their integrative roles in risk assessment. Furthermore, the review details analytical techniques for these biomarkers, including direct benzene detection methods—direct headspace gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (DHGC-FID), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and portable headspace sampling (Portable HS)—alongside molecular imprinting and fluorescence probe technologies, as well as methodologies for toxic effect markers such as live-cell imaging, electrochemical techniques, methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and Western blotting, providing technical frameworks for mechanistic studies and translational applications. By synthesizing current evidence and mechanistic insights, this work offers novel perspectives on benzene toxicity through the PCD lens, identifies potential therapeutic targets associated with PCD dysregulation, and ultimately establishes a theoretical foundation for developing interventional strategies against benzene-induced toxicity while emphasizing the translational value of mechanistic research in occupational and environmental health.

At present, the potential of natural products in new drug development has attracted more and more scientists’ attention, and natural products have become an important source for the treatment of various diseases or important lead compounds. Geniposide, as a novel iridoid glycoside compound, is an active natural product isolated from the herb Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (GJ) for the first time; it is also the main active component of GJ. Recent studies have found that geniposide has multiple pharmacological effects and biological activities, including hepatoprotective activity, an anti-osteoporosis effect, an antitumor effect, an anti-diabetic effect, ananti-myocardial dysfunction effect, a neuroprotective effect, and other protective effects. In this study, the latest research progress of the natural product geniposide is systematically described, and the pharmacological effects, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of geniposide are also summarized and discussed comprehensively. We also emphasize the major pathways modulated by geniposide, offering new insights into the pharmacological effects of geniposide as a promising drug candidate for multiple disorders.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection associated with genital warts and multiple cancers. HPV awareness and vaccine coverage remain low in mainland China. With the rise of digital social media, young people increasingly acquire knowledge and information online, influencing their perceptions and decisions. Impact of social media on HPV knowledge and vaccine hesitancy remains unclear. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of HPV and its vaccines hesitancy among young adults in China using an online structured questionnaire with implied consent. Our findings showed that 94.4% of respondents had heard of HPV, with most aware of its sexual transmission and risks to both men and women. However, gaps in knowledge and misconceptions were identified, particularly concerning the asymptomatic nature of HPV infections and the lack of effective antiviral treatments for HPV. Misconceptions about HPV and vaccine safety were notable, contributing to vaccine hesitancy. Yet 78.4% of participants believed in the effectiveness of HPV vaccine, and 83.5% expressed their willingness to receive vaccination if recommended by a doctor. Although overall awareness of HPV and HPV vaccination was high, significant knowledge gaps and misconceptions remain. Thereby reshaping public perception and enhancing awareness, trust and motivation for HPV vaccination are under challenge. Addressing misinformation through strategic educational initiatives could enhance trust in HPV vaccination and improve coverage, ultimately reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases in China.

Itching is a common clinical symptom in diabetic patients. This research is to carry out experiments on the pathological changes in the P2Y12 receptor in type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with chronic itching. Changes in body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), thermal hyperalgesia, cold hyperalgesia, spontaneous itching, and sciatic nerve conduction velocity were detected. The content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the dorsal root ganglion was detected by chemical fluorescence. The expression of the P2Y12 receptor, NLRP3, ASC, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-18 was detected by Western blotting, real-time quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence double labelling, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Itching and pain behaviours of the mice in the type 2 diabetes mellitus + itch group were significantly increased, and the expression of P2Y12 and NLRP3 as well as the content of ROS increased, and these changes were significantly reversed by treatment with P2Y12 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) or P2Y12 antagonist ticagrelor. Upregulated P2Y12 receptor expression after the activation of satellite glial cells contributes to the increase in ROS content in vivo, followed by NLRP3 inflammasome activation, increased inflammatory cytokine release, and damage to peripheral nerves, which leads to chronic itching. Treatment with P2Y12 shRNA or ticagrelor can inhibit these pathological changes, thus improving itching behaviour. Graphical abstract Development mechanism of diabetes mellitus complicated with chronic itching. Notes: The upregulation of P2Y12 receptor expression and the activation of SGCs lead to the increase of ROS content in vivo, followed by the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, the increase of inflammatory cytokine release, the abnormal excitation of DRG neurons, and the damage of peripheral nerves, resulting in chronic itching. P2Y12 receptor–related inflammatory injury involves chronic itching in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Treatment with P2Y12 receptor shRNA or P2Y12 antagonist ticagrelor can inhibit these pathological changes and improve itching behaviour.