Explore the vast range of titles available.

Wetland virus (WELV) is a recently identified segmented orthonairovirus associated with human febrile illness in northeastern China. To elucidate its ecological drivers and transmission patterns, we conducted multi-host surveillance in seven eco-climate regions across China through an integrated approach combining molecular and serological profiling. Over 33,000 questing and feeding ticks representing 11 species were systematically screened WELV-RNA alongside 1,493 wild small mammals, while 2,578 domestic animals and 3,921 patients presenting with outdoor field or tick exposure history underwent both WELV specific molecular and serological evaluation. WELV-RNA detection via real-time RT-PCR revealed low but widespread infection, including 0.54% (8/1,493) in wild rodents ( , ), 1.12% (29/2,578) in domestic animals, and 0.86% (275/33,091) in ticks, including five newly confirmed vector species. Serological analysis via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) demonstrated 2.44% (63/2,578) IgG seroprevalence in livestock. Clinical surveillance identified acute WELV infections in 1.81% (71/3,921) of febrile patients, predominantly as monoinfections (77.46%, 55/71). Coinfected patients exhibited elevated disease severity markers, with hospitalization rates doubling compared to single-infection cases (87.50% vs. 36.36%). Spatiotemporal analysis showed spring-summer predominance of WELV for both ticks and human patients. Phylogenetic analyses revealed remarkable genetic conservation patterns of WELV strains across diverse hosts and tick vectors; and clustering across geographical regions. These findings establish WELV as an emerging tick-borne virus with trans-regional spread across heterogeneous landscapes in China. The intersecting transmission cycles among wildlife reservoirs, domestic amplifier hosts, and expanding tick vectors underscore the imperative for integrated surveillance strategies to mitigate this growing public health threat.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), an emerging pathogen from the family Phenuiviridae , poses severe threats to public health in East Asia. In this study, we elucidate SFTSV’s epidemiological dynamics, transmission patterns, and molecular determinants of virulence, through analysis of 1942 genomes obtained from multiple host species across endemic regions in China, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand (2005–2023). Phylogenetic reconstruction delineates two major lineages (L1-Chinese and L2-Japanese-Korean) comprising 13 genotypes (I-XIII). Viral diversity is shaped by extensive segment-specific reassortment (212 events, including L1-L1, L2-L2, and L1-L2 patterns) and recombination (69 events, 62 in China). The M segment exhibited significantly elevated recombination frequency compared to the L and S segments. Geographically, Hubei province in China emerges as a reassortment hotspot with exceptional genotype diversity, while Henan, Hubei, and Zhejiang provinces serve as key recombination centers. Bayesian phylogeographic analysis traces the origin of SFTSV to the Jiangsu-Anhui border region (~17th century). Subsequent spread occurred through two distinct transmission networks: the L1 lineage disseminated terrestrially from Jiangsu-Anhui/Shandong to the Dabie Mountains and Liaoning province, while the L2 lineage dispersed via marine routes, with South Korea acting as a key transmission hub. Integration of clinical data identifies five positively selected sites and mortality-associated co-mutation networks that are enriched in the genotype IV, which is associated with mortality. Authors reconstruct the molecular evolution of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) in East Asia. SFTSV splits into two lineages with diversity driven by segment-specific reassortment; transmission occurs via distinct networks.

Roots of Euphorbia fischeriana and Euphorbia ebracteolata are recorded as the source plant of traditional Chinese medicine “Langdu,” containing active ingredients with anticancer and anti-AIDS activity. However, the two species have specific patterns in the graphic distribution. Compared with E. ehracteolata, E. fischeriana distributes in higher latitude and lower temperature areas and might have experienced cold stress adaptation. To reveal the molecular mechanism of environmental adaptation, RNA-seq was performed toward the roots, stems, and leaves of E. fischeriana and E. ehracteolata . A total of 6,830 pairs of putative orthologs between the two species were identified. Estimations of non-synonymous or synonymous substitution rate ratios for these orthologs indicated that 533 of the pairs may be under positive selection (Ka/Ks > 0.5). Functional enrichment analysis revealed that significant proportions of the orthologs were in the TCA cycle, fructose and mannose metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and terpenoid biosynthesis providing insights into how the two closely related Euphorbia species adapted differentially to extreme environments. Consistent with the transcriptome, a higher content of soluble sugars and proline was obtained in E. fischeriana , reflecting the adaptation of plants to different environments. Additionally, 5 primary or secondary metabolites were screened as the biomarkers to distinguish the two species. Determination of 4 diterpenoids was established and performed, showing jolkinolide B as a representative component in E. fischeriana , whereas ingenol endemic to E. ebracteolate . To better study population genetics, EST-SSR markers were generated and tested in 9 species of Euphorbia . A total of 33 of the 68 pairs were screened out for producing clear fragments in at least four species, which will furthermore facilitate the studies on the genetic improvement and phylogenetics of this rapidly adapting taxon. In this study, transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed the evolution of genes related to cold stress tolerance, biosynthesis of TCA cycle, soluble sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids, consistent with the molecular strategy that genotypes adapting to environment. The key active ingredients of the two species were quantitatively analyzed to reveal the difference in pharmacodynamic substance basis and molecular mechanism, providing insights into rational crude drug use.

Root size is a key trait in plant cultivation and can be influenced by the cultivation environment. However, physical evidence of root size change in a secular context is scarce due to the difficulty in preserving ancient root samples, and how they were modified during the domestication and cultivation stays unclear. About 100 ancient root samples of Panax notoginseng , preserved as tribute in the Palace Museum (A.D. 1636 to 1912, Qing dynasty), provided an opportunity to investigate the root size changes during the last 100 years of cultivation. The dry weight of ancient root samples (~120 tou samples, tou represents number of roots per 500 g dry weight) is 0.22-fold of the modern samples with the biggest size (20 tou samples). Transcriptome analysis revealed that PnGAP and PnEXPA4 were highly expressed in 20 tou samples, compared with the 120 tou samples, which might contribute to the thicker cell wall and a higher content of lignin, cellulose, and callose in 20 tou samples. A relatively lower content of dencichine and higher content of ginsenoside Rb 1 in 20 tou samples are also consistent with higher expression of ginsenoside biosynthesis-related genes. PnPHL8 was filtrated through transcriptome analysis, which could specifically bind the promoters of PnGAP, PnCYP716A47 , and PnGGPPS3 , respectively. The results in this study represent the first physical evidence of root size changes in P. notoginseng in the last 100 years of cultivation and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of how the cultivation environment affected root size, chemical composition, and clinical application.

Given the limitations and adverse effects of current rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatments, there is an urgent need for safer and more effective therapeutic options. Levamisole (LVM) is a non-specific immunomodulator with potential for treating skin diseases, tumors, and autoimmune disorders. Recognizing LVM's potential despite its controversial reputation, this study aimed to investigate its safety profile and therapeutic efficacy towards RA. To evaluate the potential toxicity of LVM, a 28-day oral administration was conducted in SD rats, assessing general toxicity and neurotoxicity using serum biochemical indicators, the Morris water maze test, transmission electron microscopy, and H&E staining. Subsequently, the therapeutic effects of LVM on RA were evaluated. The results showed that 30 mg/kg LVM has promising therapeutic effects in the treatment of RA with negligible toxicity from 45 mg/kg to 180 mg/kg. This study provides valuable preclinical data on the safety and efficacy of LVM, laying the groundwork for future clinical applications and potentially offering a safer and more effective treatment option for RA patients.