Identification of novel mammalian viruses in tree shrews(Tupaia belangeri chinensis)

The Chinese tree shrew(Tupaia belangeri chinensis),a member of the mammalian order Scandentia,exhibits considerable similarities with primates,including humans,in aspects of its nervous,immune,and metabolic systems.These similarities have established the tree shrew as a promising experimental model for biomedical research on cancer,infectious diseases,metabolic disorders,and mental health conditions.Herein,we used metatranscriptomic sequencing to analyze plasma,as well as oral and anal swab samples,from 105 healthy asymptomatic tree shrews to identify the presence of potential zoonotic viruses.In total,eight mammalian viruses with complete genomes were identified,belonging to six viral families,including Flaviviridae,Hepeviridae,Parvovirinae,Picornaviridae,Sedoreoviridae,and Spinareoviridae.Notably,the presence of rotavirus was recorded in tree shrews for the first time.Three viruses-hepacivirus 1,parvovirus,and picornavirus-exhibited low genetic similarity(<70%)with previously reported viruses at the whole-genome scale,indicating novelty.Conversely,three other viruses-hepacivirus 2,hepatovirus A and hepevirus-exhibited high similarity(>94%)to known viral strains.Phylogenetic analyses also revealed that the rotavirus and mammalian orthoreovirus identified in this study may be novel reassortants.These findings provide insights into the diverse viral spectrum present in captive Chinese tree shrews,highlighting the necessity for further research into their potential for crossspecies transmission.

Dosimetric risk factors for radiation esophagitis in patients with breast cancer following regional nodal radiation

BACKGROUND Radiation esophagitis(RE)is one of the most common clinical symptoms of regional lymph node radiotherapy for breast cancer.However,there are fewer studies focusing on RE caused by hypofractionated radiotherapy(HFRT).AIM To analyze the clinical and dosimetric factors that contribute to the development of RE in patients with breast cancer treated with HFRT of regional lymph nodes.METHODS Between January and December 2022,we retrospectively analysed 64 patients with breast cancer who met our inclusion criteria underwent regional nodal intensity-modulated radiotherapy at a radiotherapy dose of 43.5 Gy/15F.RESULTS Of the 64 patients in this study,24(37.5%)did not develop RE,29(45.3%)developed grade 1 RE(G1RE),11(17.2%)developed grade 2 RE(G2RE),and none developed grade 3 RE or higher.Our univariable logistic regression analysis found G2RE to be significantly correlated with the maximum dose,mean dose,relative volume 20-40,and absolute volume(AV)20-40.Our stepwise linear regression analyses found AV30 and AV35 to be significantly associated with G2RE(P<0.001).The optimal threshold for AV30 was 2.39 mL[area under the curve(AUC):0.996;sensitivity:90.9%;specificity:91.1%].The optimal threshold for AV35 was 0.71 mL(AUC:0.932;sensitivity:90.9%;specificity:83.9%).CONCLUSION AV30 and AV35 were significantly associated with G2RE.The thresholds for AV30 and AV35 should be limited to 2.39 mL and 0.71 mL,respectively.

Understanding Sulfur Redox Mechanisms in Different Electrolytes for Room-Temperature Na-S Batteries

This work reports influence of two different electrolytes,carbonate ester and ether electrolytes,on the sulfur redox reactions in room-temperature Na-S batteries.Two sulfur cathodes with different S loading ratio and status are investigated.A sulfur-rich composite with most sulfur dispersed on the surface of a carbon host can realize a high loading ratio(72%S).In contrast,a confined sulfur sample can encapsulate S into the pores of the carbon host with a low loading ratio(44%S).In carbonate ester electrolyte,only the sulfur trapped in porous structures is active via‘solid-solid’behavior during cycling.The S cathode with high surface sulfur shows poor reversible capacity because of the severe side reactions between the surface polysulfides and the carbonate ester solvents.To improve the capacity of the sulfur-rich cathode,ether electrolyte with NaNO_(3) additive is explored to realize a‘solid-liquid’sulfur redox process and confine the shuttle effect of the dissolved polysulfides.As a result,the sulfur-rich cathode achieved high reversible capacity(483 mAh g^(−1)),corresponding to a specific energy of 362 Wh kg^(−1) after 200 cycles,shedding light on the use of ether electrolyte for high-loading sulfur cathode.

Thymol Protects against Aspergillus Fumigatus Keratitis by Inhibiting the LOX-1/IL-1βSignaling Pathway

Objective To explore the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of action of thymol in Aspergillus fumigatus(A.fumigatus)keratitis.Methods The minimum inhibitory concentration of thymol against A.fumigatus was detected.To characterize the anti-inflammatory effects of thymol,mouse corneas and human corneal epithelial cells were pretreated with thymol or dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)before infection with A.fumigatus spores.Slit-lamp microscopy,immunohistochemistry,myeloperoxidase detection,quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,and Western blotting were used to assess infection.Neutrophil and macrophage recruitment,in addition to the secretion of LOX-1 and IL-1β,were quantified to evaluate the relative contribution of thymol to the inflammatory response.Results We confirmed that the growth of A.fumigatus was directly inhibited by thymol.In contrast with the DMSO group,there was a lower degree of inflammation in the mouse corneas of the thymol-pretreated group.This was characterized by significantly lower clinical scores,less inflammatory cell infiltration,and lower expression of LOX-1 and IL-1β.Similarly,in vitro experiments indicated that the production of LOX-1 and IL-1βwas significantly inhibited after thymol treatment,in contrast with the DMSO-pretreated group.Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that thymol exerted a direct fungistatic activity on A.fumigatus.Furthermore,thymol played a protective role in fungal keratitis by inhibiting LOX-1/IL-1βsignaling pathway and reducing the recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages.

Gallium-based liquid metals for lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)are one of the most exciting inventions of the 20th century and have been widely employed in modern society.LIBs have powered many of our electronics,such as laptop computers,smartphones,and even large-scale energy storage systems.With the development of modern technology,next-generation LIBs with higher energy density are in demand.A number of electrode materials with high theoretical capacity,including Sn,Si,Li metal anode,and S cathode materials,have been explored.Nevertheless,they usually suffer from structural or interface failure during cycling,limiting their practical application.Ga-based liquid metals(LMs)possess self-healing capability,fluidity,and metallic advantages so they have been employed as self-healing skeletons or interfacial protective layers to minimize the negative impact of volume expansion or dendritic growth on the electrode materials.Herein,the features of Ga-based LMs are briefly discussed to indicate their potential for battery systems.In addition,recent developments on Ga-based LMs applied in LIBs have been summarized,including from the aspects of anodes,cathodes,and electrolytes.Finally,future opportunities and challenges for the development of Ga-based LMs in LIBs are highlighted.

New monatomic layer clusters for advanced catalysis materials

Noble metals have been widely applied as catalysts in chemical production,energy conversion,and emission control [1-3],but their high cost and scarcity are major obstacles for any large-scale practical applications.It is therefore of great interest to explore new active material systems that require less mass loading of noble metal catalysts but with even better performance.Recently,intense research has been devoted towards downsizing the noble metals into single-atom catalysts (SACs)[4,5].