Marine fish peptides (collagen peptides) compound intake promotes wound healing in rats after cesarean section

Background

Wound complications are a major source of morbidity after cesarean section (CS) and contribute to increased risks in subsequent pregnancies. In the present study, we aim to investigate the wound healing potential of a kind of oligopeptide compound, mainly derived from the marine fish peptides (MFPs), in rats after CS by biomechanical, biochemical, and histological methods.

Methods

Eighty-four pregnant Sprague–Dawleyrats were randomly assigned to four groups, namely the control group and 1.1, 2.2, and 4.4 mg/kg MFP groups, respectively. The MFPs or normal saline of the equal volume was intragastrically administered every morning on the second day after CS. On days 5, 10, and 15 after the surgery, seven rats from each group were randomly selected. The samples of skin wound and uterus were harvested and then used for the following experiments and analyses.

Results

Using the CS rat model, this study demonstrated that in the MFP groups, the skin tensile strength, uterine bursting pressure, and hydroxyproline (Hyp) were significantly higher than those in the control group at all three time points (P < 0.05). The formation of collagen and smooth muscle fibers and the expression of CD34 and connective tissue growth factor at the incision site were increasingly observed in the MFP groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

MFPs have a great potential to accelerate the process and quality of wound healing in rats after CS.

Goslin: A Grammar of Succinct Lipid Nomenclature

We introduce Goslin, a polyglot grammar for common lipid shorthand nomenclatures based on the LIPID MAPS nomenclature and the shorthand nomenclature established by Liebisch and coauthors and used by LipidHome and SwissLipids. Goslin was designed to address the following pressing issues in the lipidomics field: (1) to simplify the implementation of lipid name handling for developers of mass spectrometry-based lipidomics tools, (2) to offer a tool that unifies and normalizes the main existing lipid name dialects enabling a lipidomics analysis in a high-throughput fashion, and (3) to provide a consistent mapping from lipid shorthand names to lipid building blocks and structural properties. We provide implementations of Goslin in four major programming languages, namely, C++, Java, Python 3, and R to kick-start adoption and integration. Further, we set up a web service for users to work with Goslin directly. All implementations are available free of charge under a permissive open source license.

International expert consensus on laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy

IMPORTANCE

While laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) is being adopted with increasing enthusiasm worldwide, it is still challenging for both technical and anatomical reasons. Currently, there is no consensus on the technical standards for LPD.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this consensus statement is to guide the continued safe progression and adoption of LPD.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

An international panel of experts was selected based on their clinical and scientific expertise in laparoscopic and open pancreaticoduodenectomy. Statements were produced upon reviewing the literature and assessed by the members of the expert panel. The literature search and its critical appraisal were limited to articles published in English during the period from 1994 to 2019. The Web of Science, Medline, and Cochrane Library and Clinical Trials databases were searched, The search strategy included, but was not limited to, the terms 'laparoscopic', 'pancreaticoduodenectomy, 'pancreatoduodenectomy', 'Whipple's operation', and 'minimally invasive surgery'. Reference lists from the included articles were manually checked for any additional studies, which were included when appropriate. Delphi method was used to establish expert consensus and the AGREE II-GRS Instrument was applied to assess the methodological quality and externally validate the final statements. The statements were further discussed during a one-day face-to-face meeting at the 1st Summit on Minimally Invasive Pancreatico-Biliary Surgery in Wuhan, China.

FINDINGS

Twenty-eight international experts from 8 countries constructed the expert panel. Sixteen statements were produced by the members of the expert panel. At least 80% of responders agreed with the majority (80%) of statements. Other than three randomized controlled trials published to date, most evidences were based on level 3 or 4 studies according to the AGREE II-GRS Instrument.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The Wuhan international expert consensus meeting on LPD has produced a set of clinical practice statements for the safe development and progression of LPD. LPD is currently in its development and exploration stages, as defined by the international IDEAL framework for surgical innovation. More robust randomized controlled trial and registry study are essential to proceed with the assessment of LPD.

[Two Cases of Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the Sophisticated and Complicated Situations (with Video)]

Objective

To explore the individualized surgical strategies and surgical methods which can greatly improve the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in difficult and complicated situations, such as pancreatic head malignant tumors invade the major vascular and chronic pancreatitis with severe abdominal adhesions.

Methods

Case 1：A 65-year-old man with jaundice was diagnosed preoperatively with a pancreatic acinus process with superior mesenteric vein (SMV) invasion. In order to ensure R0 resection, the patient underwent laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with SMV resection and reconstruction, taking the way of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA)-first approach. The length of SMV removed was 2 cm (see the Video 1 in Supplemental Contents, http://ykxb.scu.edu.cn/article/doi/10.12182/20200760501). The portal vein (PV)-SMV occlusion time was 26 min, the reconstruction time was 17 min. The duration of the surgery was 340 min, with 200 mL of blood loss and no transfusion. Case 2: A 47-year-old man with abdominal pain was admitted with preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic head mass with obstructive jaundice. His past medical history included small bowel resection and bowel anastomosis for abdominal trauma, open Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy for acute pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice. In the operation, we used ultracision harmonic scalpel, hook electrode, laparoscopic scissors, and other means to separate the adhesion of different parts of the abdominal, adjusted traditional modular surgical procedure for laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy with Easy First strategy to perform surgical resection (see the Video 2 in Supplemental Contents, http://ykxb.scu.edu.cn/article/doi/10.12182/20200760501). Emergencies such as mass bleeding，used Two Chief Surgeons Model to control bleeding and suture the bleeding site. The duration of the surgery was 400 min, with 500 mL of blood loss and no transfusion.

Results

Case 1: The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, with a hospital stay of 9 d. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of a 3.6 cm×2.4 cm×1.8 cm pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumor (R0 and lymph nodes 1/26, AJCC 8th T ₂N ₁M ₀, stage ⅡA). The removed SMV layer was invased and the cut edges were negative. The patient underwent 6 cycles of GS (gemcitabine+tegio) chemotherapy. The patient was asymptomatic 1 year later, with no tumor recurrence and no pancreatic insufficiency. Case 2: The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, with a hospital stay of 11 d. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of a 6 cm pancreatic inflammatory mass. The patient was asymptomatic 20 months later, with no recurrence of acute pancreatitis again.

Conclusion

With different surgical methods and individualized surgical strategies, laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in difficult and complicated situations is safe and feasible in the experienced pancreas minimally invasive center.

[State-of-the-Art and Development Trends of Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery]

Compared with traditional surgery, minimally invasive surgery has the advantages of less complications and quick postoperative recovery. Therefore, modern surgery is developing towards the direction of minimally invasive. while minimally invasive pancreatic surgeries are rather challenging and develop slowly, due to the limits with different operation techniques, long operation time and different operation outcomes, which are only carried out in high-volume pancreatic surgery centers. This special coverage topic will elaborate our long-term experience and the key points to overcome the operational difficulties in laparoscopic and robotic pancreas surgery. In order to promote the development of minimally invasive pancreatic technology and benefit more patients (especially pancreatic cancer patients), some suggestions and prospects with the latest research results at home and abroad are put forward for the future development of this field.

[Optimization of Operative Procedure in Total Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy (with Video)]

Objective

To optimize operative procedure on intraoperative exploration, resection and reconstruction in total laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD).

Methods

The clinical data of patients who underwent total LPD in West China Hospital (and Shangjin Hospital) of Sichuan University from Dec. 2015 to Dec. 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnosis of the patients included ampullar cancer, distal common bile duct cancer, benign and maligant tumors of pancreatic head and chronic pancreatitis of pancreatic head. The patients were divided into experimental group and control group according to weather the optimization of operative procedure was used. The position and Trocar arrangement in both groups were same. Two Chief Surgeons Model was used in experimental group, the procedure was divided into three key steps: laparoscopic exploration, resection and reconstruction, each followed anticlockwise operative process, from left to right, from shallow to deep (see the Videos 1 to 3 in Supplemental Contents, http://ykxb.scu.edu.cn/article/doi/10.12182/202007606108). As to control group, the chief operation was finished by chief surgeon and no specific operative procedure was applied. All the patients were followed up to postoperative 90 d.

Results

A total of 146 patients were collected, including 76 patients undergoing LPD with optimization of operative procedure and 70 patients in the control group. There was no significant difference in preoperative data between the two groups regarding to ASA scoring, age, gender, body mass index and laboratory tests ( P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the operative time in the experimental group was significantly shorter (341 min vs. 397 min, P<0.05), estimated blood loss was significantly reduced (110 mL vs. 180 mL, P<0.05). The conversive rate, transfusion rate, length of postoperative hospital stay, number of harvested lymph nodes, post pancreatectomy hemorrhage, bile leakage, pancreatic fistula (Grade B+C), reoperation, the occurrence of severe postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo Ⅲ-Ⅳ), and postoperative 90 d mortality were no statistically difference.

Conclusion

With Two Chief Surgeons Model combined with anticlockwise operative process could optimize operative procedure in total LPD. It is safe and feasible, and could shorten the operation time and reduce intraoperative blood loss.

A novel surgical approach for en-bloc resection laparoscopic total pancreatectomy

Laparoscopic total pancreatectomy (LTP) is technical challenging and rarely reported in the literature. Herein, we introduced a safe and feasible approach to perform LTP basing on our own experience.Over the period of July 2015 to August 2018, we performed 13 cases of LTP at our institution. Demographic characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative variables, and follow-up outcomes were prospectively collected. The surgical procedures were also described in this study.Seven male and six female patients were included in this study. The median age of the patients was 51 years (range 29-79 years). The median operative time was 355 minutes (range 300-470 minutes). The median estimated blood loss was 200 mL (range 50-1000 mL). The median postoperative hospital stay was 17 days (range 12-23 days). One patient suffered from bile leakage and another patient suffered from delayed gastric emptying. Both patients cured with conservative therapy.Laparoscopic total pancreatectomy can be safely and feasibly performed in well-selected patients.

NWChem: Past, present, and future

Specialized computational chemistry packages have permanently reshaped the landscape of chemical and materials science by providing tools to support and guide experimental efforts and for the prediction of atomistic and electronic properties. In this regard, electronic structure packages have played a special role by using first-principle-driven methodologies to model complex chemical and materials processes. Over the past few decades, the rapid development of computing technologies and the tremendous increase in computational power have offered a unique chance to study complex transformations using sophisticated and predictive many-body techniques that describe correlated behavior of electrons in molecular and condensed phase systems at different levels of theory. In enabling these simulations, novel parallel algorithms have been able to take advantage of computational resources to address the polynomial scaling of electronic structure methods. In this paper, we briefly review the NWChem computational chemistry suite, including its history, design principles, parallel tools, current capabilities, outreach, and outlook.

Facilitating Protein Expression with Portable 5'-UTR Secondary Structures in Bacillus licheniformis

The 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of prokaryotic mRNAs plays an essential role in post-transcriptional regulation. Bacillus species, such as Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis, have gained considerable attention as microbial cell factories for the production of various valuable chemicals and industrial proteins. In this work, we developed a portable 5'-UTR sequence for enhanced protein output in the industrial strain B. licheniformis DW2. This sequence contains only ∼30 nt and forms a hairpin structure located right before the open reading frame. The optimized Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence was presented as a single strand on the loop of the hairpin for better ribosome recognition and recruitment. By optimizing the free energy of folding, this 5'-element could effectively enhance the expression of eGFP by ∼50-fold and showed good adaptability for other target proteins, including RFP, nattokinase, and keratinase. This 5'-UTR could promote the accessibility of both the SD sequence and start codon, leading to improved efficiency of translation initiation. Furthermore, the hairpin structure protected mRNA against 5'-exonucleases, resulting in enhanced mRNA stability. It is well-known that the stable structure at a ribosome binding site (RBS) impedes initiation in Escherichia coli. In this study, we presented a unique structure at a RBS that can effectively enhance protein production, which is an exception of this prevailing concept. By adjusting a single thermodynamic parameter and holding the other factors affecting protein output constant, a series of 5'-UTR elements with different expression strengths could be rationally designed for wide use in Bacillus sp.

Equation of motion coupled-cluster cumulant approach for intrinsic losses in x-ray spectra

We present a combined equation of motion coupled-cluster cumulant Green's function approach for calculating and understanding intrinsic inelastic losses in core level x-ray absorption spectra (XAS) and x-ray photoemission spectra. The method is based on a factorization of the transition amplitude in the time domain, which leads to a convolution of an effective one-body absorption spectrum and the core-hole spectral function. The spectral function characterizes intrinsic losses in terms of shake-up excitations and satellites using a cumulant representation of the core-hole Green's function that simplifies the interpretation. The one-body spectrum also includes orthogonality corrections that enhance the XAS at the edge.

Successful management of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome in a pregnant Asian woman: A case report

RATIONALE

Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome (KTS) is a congenital vascular disease characterized by cutaneous hemangiomas, venous varicosities, and limb hypertrophy. Although extremely rare in pregnant women, the present vascular alterations may be aggravated, consequent to postural and hormonal changes inherent to the pregnancy. Pregnancy is not advised in KTS women due to increased obstetrical risk.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 31-year-old pregnancy woman presented with prominent vascularity in pelvis, right lower limb, spleen, and liver at 28 weeks of gestation. We started administration of anticoagulant therapy and obstetrics management.

DIAGNOSIS

MRI and ultrasound revealed that multiple varicosities in her pelvis, right lower limb, spleen, and liver. She was diagnosed with KTS.

INTERVENTIONS

At her first visit at 28 weeks of gestation, multidisciplinary evaluation had been done. Blood transfusion and iron supplement had been given for anemia correction. Anticoagulant therapy was performed to prevent potential thrombus risk. She had a vaginal delivery with a healthy newborn in her second visit without any complications at the gestation of 36 weeks due to rupture of preterm membranes.

OUTCOMES

After successful management, the patient was discharged without any complications 2 days after vaginal delivery. No symptoms of hemorrhage or thrombus were observed. At 6 months follow-up, her right lower toes enlarged obviously, MRI revealed that no obvious changes of hemangiomas was found compared to those during the pregnancy and ultrasound revealed that there was no thrombus in her right lower limb.

LESSONS

Patients with KTS can be pregnant and have healthy babies safely with regularly monitor and reasonable treatment during pregnancy. A careful follow-up and guidance are necessary.

Laparoscopic Beger procedure for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis: a single-centre first experience

Background

The Beger procedure is a common surgical option in the management of the unremitting abdominal pain of chronic pancreatitis (CP). As an organ-sparing surgery, it might be a better choice than pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). However, it is rather challenging for surgeons to perform the Beger procedure laparoscopically, especially for patients with CP; indeed, it has rarely reported. Here, we describe the technique and results of our early experience in laparoscopic Beger procedure for the treatment of CP.

Case presentation

Five patients (1 male) with CP (alcohol induced, n = 3; idiopathic, n = 2) who underwent laparoscopic Beger procedure from May to October 2019 in West China Hospital were included in this study. The median pancreatic duct diameter was 6.8 (4 to 12) mm. The median operating time was 275 (150 to 305) minutes without conversion. Only one patient (20%) developed a grade B pancreatic fistula. One patient required re-operation for jejunal anastomotic bleeding on the first post-operative day. The median hospital stay was 11 (9 to 34) days. No patient experienced biliary fistula, gastroparesis, duodenal necrosis, or abdominal bleeding. The 90-day mortality rate was 0%. All the patients were pain free in the two months after the operation.

Conclusion

The laparoscopic Beger procedure is feasible and safe with good short-term results and some potential benefits in selected patients with chronic pancreatitis. Further study and longer follow-up are required.

LipidCreator workbench to probe the lipidomic landscape

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based targeted lipidomics enables the robust quantification of selected lipids under various biological conditions but comprehensive software tools to support such analyses are lacking. Here we present LipidCreator, a software that fully supports targeted lipidomics assay development. LipidCreator offers a comprehensive framework to compute MS/MS fragment masses for over 60 lipid classes. LipidCreator provides all functionalities needed to define fragments, manage stable isotope labeling, optimize collision energy and generate in silico spectral libraries. We validate LipidCreator assays computationally and analytically and prove that it is capable to generate large targeted experiments to analyze blood and to dissect lipid-signaling pathways such as in human platelets.

Indocyanine Green-Enhanced Fluorescence in Laparoscopic Duodenum-Preserving Pancreatic Head Resection: Technique with Video

BACKGROUND

In 1972, Beger et al.1 first described duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR) for patients with severe chronic pancreatitis. Then DPPHR also was proved capable of providing comparable long-term oncologic outcomes in the setting of benign or low-grade malignant tumors.2 As an organ-preserving procedure, DPPHR preserves the integrity of the digestive tract and improves the patient's quality of life compared with pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD),3 although DPPHR is more technically challenging, especially in protecting the bile duct and the pancreaticoduodenal vascular arch.4^,5 The indocyanine green (ICG)-enhanced fluorescence imaging system in laparoscopic surgery can identify the biliary and vascular anatomy clearly to ensure a safe cholecystectomy and an adequate vascular supply for colectomy or nephrectomy.6 Nevertheless, to date, no report has described ICG-enhanced fluorescence in laparoscopic duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (LDPPHR). This article describes the technique of LDPPHR using a video of a real-time ICG fluorescence imaging system.

METHODS

A 29-year-old woman received a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis and an inflammatory mass in the head of the pancreas. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed atrophy of the pancreas, dilation of the main pancreatic duct, and heterogeneous enhancement of the pancreatic head parenchyma (Fig. 1). Her other preoperative examination results were normal except for high blood sugar. To avoid an extended PD for this young patient, LDPPHR was performed. The patient was placed in supine position with her two legs apart. The observing trocar (10 mm) was located at the inferior umbilicus. Four trocars (two 5-mm trocars and two 12-mm trocars) were distributed symmetrically at the midclavicular line and anterior axillary line. Another 5-mm trocar located at the subxiphoid was used for traction of the stomach with a rubber band. Before the operation, ICG (5 mg) was injected intravenously from the elbow vein. The gastrocolic ligament was opened, and the hepatic flexure of the colon was taken down to explore the head of the pancreas without making a Kocher's maneuver. After hanging of the distal stomach with a rubber band, both the right gastroepiploic vein and Henle's trunk were dissected. The number 8a lymph node was dissected for intraoperative rapid frozen pathology. A post-pancreatic neck tunnel was built, and the pancreatic neck was transected with an ultrasonic scalpel. The main pancreatic duct was identified and transected with cold scissors. The superior mesenteric vein (SMV) was hung with another rubber band and retracted to the left. The uncinate process of the pancreas was retracted to the right, and subcapsular dissection was performed, with particular attention paid to protection of the anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (AIPDA), the posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (PIPDA), and their branches that go into the duodenum. Then the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) was identified, and the anterosuperior pancreatic duodenal artery (ASPDA) was dissected. The upper part of the pancreatic head was separated to expose the common bile duct (CBD) with the help of real-time ICG fluorescence imaging (Fig. 2). The pancreas was dissected from the left edge of the duodenum and the right and ventral edges of the CBD. The posterosuperior pancreatic duodenal artery (PSPDA) was identified at the dorsal edge of the CBD. The PSPDA and its branches going into the distal CBD as well as the ampulla of Vater were carefully preserved. The proximal side of the main and accessory pancreatic duct was identified and sutured. Pancreatic anastomosis was performed using the technique of Bing's anastomosis.7 Fig. 1 Enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showing atrophy of the pancreas, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, and heterogeneous enhancement of the pancreatic head parenchyma Fig. 2 The common bile duct was separated and exposed from the head to the tail by the assistance of the real-time indocyanine green (ICG)-enhanced fluorescence imaging system RESULTS: The operation time was 251 min, and the estimated blood loss was 150 ml. The postoperative course was uneventful, with a hospital stay of 13 days. From February 2019 to November 2019, LDPPHR was used by the authors to manage 24 cases, including chronic pancreatitis (6 cases), pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous tumors (6 cases), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (4 cases), pancreatic solid pseudopapillary tumors (4 cases), serous cystadenoma (3 cases), and mucinous cystadenoma (1 case).

CONCLUSIONS

Indocyanine green-enhanced fluorescence in laparoscopic duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection was safe and may offer a benefit for maintaining the integrity of the biliary system.

[Application of Early Splenic Artery Occlusion in Laparoscopic Spleen-preserving Distal Pancreatectomy using Kimura Technique]

Objective

To present our institutional experience in laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (Lap-SPDP) using Kimura technique with or without early occlusion of the root of the splenic artery. In addition, to explore the safety and feasibility of this occlusion technique, especially its advantages in intraoperative hemorrhage control and spleen preservation.

Methods

From February 2011 to May 2019, 54 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as benign or low-grade malignant space-occupying lesions at the body and the tail of pancreas underwent Lap-SPDP using Kimura technique in our institution. Twenty-five patients before 2015 were allocated into non-occlusion group and 29 patients after 2015 were allocated into occlusion group. The non-occlusion group underwent direct dissection of the distal pancreas with blood supply from the splenic artery as well as traditional traction of the splenic artery without occlusion. Whereas the occlusion group underwent temporary occlusion of the root of the splenic artery by Bulldog clip after transecting the neck of the pancreas and distal pancreas was excised under a relatively bloodless situation. Surgical techniques were described in detail. Data between groups were retrospectively collected and stratification analysis was performed based on the diameter of tumor (>3 cm or ≤3 cm).

Results

Before stratification, there was a statistical difference in age between the two groups ( P=0.033), but no difference in body mass index (BMI) ( P=0.069). The median lesion diameter of the two groups was 2.5 cm and 4 cm, respectively, with no statistical difference ( P=0.065). The success rates of spleen preservation in the two groups were 93.1% and 92% respectively, showing no significant difference ( P=1.000). The length of hospital stay was slightly longer in the non-occlusion group than that in the occlusion group ( P=0.020). Comparing with the non-occlusion group, the occlusion group had significantly shorter operation time (median, 165 min vs. 235 min) and less estimated blood loss (median, 100 mL vs. 200 mL) ( P<0.05). After stratification by the tumor diameter, there were 2 cases of failed spleen preservation both in occlusion and non-occlusion group with tumor diameter >3 cm (occlusion group: 2/8, 25% and non-occlusion group: 2/14,14.3%). However there was no statistical difference between the two groups ( P=0.602). When the tumor diameter ≤3 cm, the spleen preservation rate of both groups reached 100%. When the tumor diameter was >3 cm, the operation time of the occlusion group was shorter than that of the non-occlusion group ( P=0.005). In terms of intraoperative blood loss, regardless of tumor size, the occlusion group had less estimated blood loss than that of the non-occlusion group ( P<0.05). In the occlusion group, no conversion or blood transfusion was needed intraoperatively and/or postoperatively. After stratification, there was no difference in the length of hospital stay between two groups ( P>0.05). During the follow-up period (median (Min-Max), 13.5 (3-96) months), no perioperative death, disease recurrence, portal vein or splenic vein thrombosis, gastric varices or upper gastrointestinal bleeding was noted.

Conclusion

Lap-SPDP using Kimura technique with early occlusion of the root of splenic artery was safe and feasible and could be generally applied. By using this technique, we could reduce the operation time and blood loss, as well as sustain a high probability of spleen preservation.

Genomic Features of Cladobotryum dendroides, Which Causes Cobweb Disease in Edible Mushrooms, and Identification of Genes Related to Pathogenicity and Mycoparasitism

Cladobotryum dendroides, which causes cobweb disease in edible mushrooms, is one of the major fungal pathogens. Our previous studies focused on the genetic and morphological characterization of this fungus, as well as its pathogenicity and the identification of appropriate fungicides. However, little is known about the genome characters, pathogenic genes, and molecular pathogenic mechanisms of C. dendroides. Herein, we reported a high-quality de novo genomic sequence of C. dendroides and compared it with closely-related fungi. The assembled C. dendroides genome was 36.69 Mb, consisting of eight contigs, with an N50 of 4.76 Mb. This genome was similar in size to that of C. protrusum, and shared highly conserved syntenic blocks and a few inversions with C. protrusum. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that, within the Hypocreaceae, Cladobotryum was closer to Mycogone than to Trichoderma, which is consistent with phenotypic evidence. A significant number of the predicted expanded gene families were strongly associated with pathogenicity, virulence, and adaptation. Our findings will be instrumental for the understanding of fungi-fungi interactions, and for exploring efficient management strategies to control cobweb disease.

Resistance Profiles of Salmonella Isolates Exposed to Stresses and the Expression of Small Non-coding RNAs

Salmonella can resist various stresses and survive during food processing, storage, and distribution, resulting in potential health risks to consumers. Therefore, evaluation of bacterial survival profiles under various environmental stresses is necessary. In this study, the resistance profiles of five Salmonella isolates [serotypes with Agona, Infantis, Typhimurium, Enteritidis, and a standard strain (ATCC 13076, Enteritidis serotype)] to acidic, hyperosmotic, and oxidative stresses were examined, and the relative expressions of non-coding small RNAs were also evaluated, including CyaR, MicC, MicA, InvR, RybB, and DsrA, induced by specific stresses. The results indicated that although all tested strains displayed a certain resistance to stresses, there was great diversity in stress resistance among the strains. According to the reduction numbers of cells exposed to stress for 3 h, S. Enteritidis showed the highest resistance to acidic and hyperosmotic stresses, whereas ATCC 13076 showed the greatest resistance to oxidative stress, with less than 0.1 Log CFU/ml of cell reduction. Greater resistance of cells to acidic, hyperosmotic, and oxidative stresses was observed within 1 h, after 2 h, and from 1 to 2 h, respectively. The relative expression of sRNAs depended on the isolate for each stress; acidic exposure for the tested isolates induced high expression levels of DsrA, MicC, InvR, RybB, MicA, and CyaR. The sRNA RybB, associated with sigma E and outer membrane protein in bacteria, showed a fold change of greater than 7 in S. Enteritidis exposed to the tested stresses. CyaR and InvR involved in general stress responses and stress adaptation were also induced to show high expression levels of Salmonella exposed to hyperosmotic stress. Overall, these findings demonstrated that the behaviors of Salmonella under specific stresses varied according to strain and were likely not related to other profiles. The finding also provided insights into the survival of Salmonella subjected to short-term stresses and for controlling Salmonella in the food industry.