Wide transcriptional investigation unravel novel insights of the on-tree maturation and postharvest ripening of‘Abate Fetel’pear fruit

To decipher the transcriptomic regulation of the on-tree fruit maturation in pear cv.‘Abate Fetel’,a RNA-seq transcription analysis identified 8939 genes differentially expressed across four harvesting stages.These genes were grouped into 11 SOTA clusters based on their transcriptional pattern,of which three included genes upregulated while the other four were represented by downregulated genes.Fruit ripening was furthermore investigated after 1 month of postharvest cold storage.The most important variation in fruit firmness,production of ethylene and volatile organic compounds were observed after 5 days of shelf-life at room temperature following cold storage.The role of ethylene in controlling the ripening of‘Abate Fetel’pears was furthermore investigated through the application of 1-methylcyclopropene,which efficiently delayed the progression of ripening by reducing fruit softening and repressing both ethylene and volatile production.The physiological response of the interference at the ethylene receptor level was moreover unraveled investigating the expression pattern of 12 candidate genes,initially selected to validate the RNA-seq profile.This analysis confirmed the effective role of the ethylene competitor in downregulating the expression of cell wall(PG)and ethylene-related genes(ACS,ACO,ERS1,and ERS2),as well as inducing one element involved in the auxin signaling pathway(Aux/IAA),highlighting a possible cross-talk between these two hormones.The expression patterns of these six elements suggest their use as molecular toolkit to monitor at molecular level the progression of the fruit on-tree maturation and postharvest ripening.

Microbiologic and Clinical Comparison of Patients Harboring <i>Escherichia coli</i>Blood Isolates with and without Extended-Spectrum <i>β</i>-Lactamases

The clinical and microbiologic characteristics of 34 patients with extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) positive E. coli isolated from blood were compared to 66 bacteremic patients with ESBL negative E. coli, from January 2007 through December 2009. Of the 21 ESBL positive isolates available for PCR analysis, 13 were positive for CTX-M, 8 for TEM, 4 for SHV β-lactamases, with 6 possessing multiple enzymes. Twenty of 34 (59%) ESBL-positive and 41 of 66 (62%) ESBL-negative blood isolates were considered community-associated. All but one isolate in both groups had MICs of ≤1.0 μg/ml to meropenem. However, when compared to ESBL-negative isolates, ESBL-positive isolates were more frequently resistant to levofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and had higher MICs to gentamicin, tobramycin and piperacillin/tazobactam. The use of intravenous and urinary catheters was strongly associated with the isolation of E. coli bloodstream isolates in both groups of patients. Although hospital stay was similar in both groups, appropriate therapy was given in 87% of patients with ESBL positive vs. 98% of patients with ESBL negative isolates and mortality was greater for patients with ESBL positive isolates (26% vs. 17%). Since a large proportion of E. coli blood isolates were ESBL-positive and community-associated, carbapenems should be considered as initial empiric therapy for such infections in our locale.

Baicalein Reduces Metastasis and Heightens Caspase-Induced Apoptosis in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Current colorectal cancer (CRC) treatments exhibit unwanted cytotoxicity against healthy proliferating cells. Hence, these therapeutics demand higher specificity upon drug delivery, a task that may be facilitated by the discovery of anticancer agents bearing critical mechanisms of action. Baicalein is a flavonoid with promising anticancer activity, among other pharmacological benefits, and has therefore been of high clinical interest. We tested baicalein in vitro for its effect on several CRC hallmarks, including the suppression of metastasis (the spread of cancer cells from their initial site), the ability to induce apoptosis (cell death), and the inhibition of proliferation (the growth of cells). The suppression of the metastasis of CRC cells was recorded via two studies: the cell migration assay and the in silico docking of baicalein with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Results from the cell migration assay showed that baicalein inhibited metastasis by up to 25.76% (p 0.01) in a concentration-dependent manner. We then reinforced these results by docking baicalein with TLR4 (binding affinity: -8.4 kcal/mol) and docking baicalein with MMP-9 (binding affinity: -7.9 kcal/mol), classifying strong binding affinities as those less than -6.0 kcal/mol. The induction of cell death was measured using a caspase activity assay. Again, a docking study was done to reinforce the findings from the primary in vitro experiment, though this time between baicalein and caspase-3 (binding affinity: -7.1 kcal/mol). Despite mixed observations in concentration dependence, caspase activity, relative to control, reached a maximal increase of 88.6% (p 0.01), and results from the MTT assay demonstrated a survival rate, relative to control, of as low as 59.64%. Considerations for future studies include the testing of baicalein in vivo and on more aberrative CRC cell lines.

Taizhou’s COVID-19 prevention and control experience with telemedicine features

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has spread rapidly around the world.As of May 30,2020,a total of 84568 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been recorded in China,with a mortality rate of approximately 5.5%.Taizhou is a prefecture-level city in Zhejiang Province.A total of 146 cases were diagnosed in this epidemic,with a fatality rate of 0%.This condition is due to the establishment of an“Internet+”diagnosis and treatment model based on online medical application(APP),telemedicine,WeChat service,and consultation hotline in Taizhou.Taizhou led in opening the“COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment Special Line”in China,which is conducive to pre-hospital screening,suppressing social panic,and clinical support.Hospitals also carried out related online lectures and popularization of science.We summarize Taizhou’s COVID-19 prevention and control experience with telemedicine features,with a view to providing reference for the control of the epidemic at home and abroad.

Protecting healthcare personnel from 2019-nCoV infection risks:lessons and suggestions

The outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19,caused by the 2019-nCoV infection)in December 2019 is one of the most severe public health emergencies since the founding of People’s Republic of China in 1949.Healthcare personnel(HCP)nationwide are facing heavy workloads and high risk of infection,especially those who care for patients in Hubei Province.Sadly,as of February 20,2020,over two thousand COVID-19 cases are confirmed among HCP from 476 hospitals nationwide,with nearly 90%of them from Hubei Province.Based on literature search and interviews with some HCP working at Wuhan,capital city of Hubei,we have summarized some of the effective measures taken to reduce infection among HCP,and also made suggestions for improving occupational safety during an infectious disease outbreak.The experience and lessons learned should be a valuable asset for international health community to contain the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic around the world.