In 2013, the government of Zhejiang Province put forward a strategic project named “Five Water Cohabitation” (FWC) by integrating five water treatments: “sewage treatment,” “flood prevention,” ...“drainage system improvement,” “water supply guarantee,” and “water saving promotion.” It has been eight years since the project was proposed and launched. The primary purpose of the present study is to investigate the performance and significant effects of the project on the sustainable development of agriculture. This study investigates the project’s implementation from four aspects: environmental sustainability, resource sustainability, social sustainability, and economic sustainability. Furthermore, the difference-in-differences approach is applied to verify the treatment effect. Liaoning Province is chosen as the control group because it is also the traditionally agricultural province, and it has not implemented any large-scale water management projects. This study selects six sustainable variables, i.e., per capita GDP, urban-rural disparity, total water resources, domestic waste clearance, urbanization level, and health security level. The results show that the FWC project positively affects the sustainable development of agriculture for Zhejiang Province in economic sustainability, ecological sustainability, and social sustainability.
New therapeutic approaches are needed to treat leukemia effectively. Dietary restriction regimens, including fasting, have been considered for the prevention and treatment of certain solid tumor ...types. However, whether and how dietary restriction affects hematopoietic malignancies is unknown. Here we report that fasting alone robustly inhibits the initiation and reverses the leukemic progression of both B cell and T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL and T-ALL, respectively), but not acute myeloid leukemia (AML), in mouse models of these tumors. Mechanistically, we found that attenuated leptin-receptor (LEPR) expression is essential for the development and maintenance of ALL, and that fasting inhibits ALL development by upregulation of LEPR and its downstream signaling through the protein PR/SET domain 1 (PRDM1). The expression of LEPR signaling-related genes correlated with the prognosis of pediatric patients with pre-B-ALL, and fasting effectively inhibited B-ALL growth in a human xenograft model. Our results indicate that the effects of fasting on tumor growth are cancer-type dependent, and they suggest new avenues for the development of treatment strategies for leukemia.
An ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensor was designed for the rapid label-free detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA, EGFR 19 Dels for non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC). We linked the ...highly conjugated tricatecholate, 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene (HHTP) with Ni(II) ions into the two-dimensional porous conductive metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which is termed Ni-catecholates (Ni-CAT). Then, the AuNPs/Ni-catecholates/carbon black/polarized pencil graphite electrode (AuNPs/Ni-CAT/CB/PPGE) was obtained by electrodeposition of AuNPs on the surface of PPGE modified with Ni-CAT/CB composite materials. The AuNPs/Ni-CAT/CB/PPGE were used for label-less detection of ctDNA, with a total detection time of only 30 min. Under optimal detection conditions, the AuNPs/Ni-CAT/CB/PPGE sensor exhibited excellent detection performance with good linear response to ctDNA over a wide concentration range and the detection limit down to the femtomolar level. The sensor was applied to the determination of ctDNA in serum samples with high sensitivity. This simple, efficient, and expeditious method has practical value in liquid biopsy of ctDNA and has potential for development in early detection, treatment, and prognosis of tumors.
Graphical abstract
Herein, an ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensor was designed for the rapid label-free detection of ctDNA (EGFR 19 Dels for non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC). We linked the highly conjugated tricatecholate, 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene (HHTP) with Ni(II) ions into the two-dimensional porous conductive metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which is termed as Ni-catecholates (Ni-CAT). Then, the AuNPs/Ni-catecholates/carbon black/polarized pencil graphite electrode (AuNPs/Ni-CAT/CB/PPGE) was obtained by electrodeposition of AuNPs on the surface of PPGE modified with Ni-CAT/CB composite materials. The AuNPs/Ni-CAT/CB/PPGEs were used for label-less detection of ctDNA, with a total detection time of only 30 min. Under optimal detection conditions, the AuNPs/Ni-CAT/CB/PPGE sensor exhibited excellent detection performance with good linear response to ctDNA in the concentration range of 1 × 10
−15
M to 1 × 10
−6
M and with a detection limit as low as 0.32 fM. The sensor was applied for determination of ctDNA in serum samples and gave high sensitivity. This simple, efficient and expeditious method has practical value in liquid biopsy of ctDNA and has potential for development in early detection, treatment and prognosis of tumors.
This work established a novel nucleic acid aptamer sensor for the sensitive and selective detection of AFB1 (Aflatoxin B1), which has important implication for food safety. In a word, we synthesized ...MXene/MWCNTs/NiCo
2
O
4
composite nanomaterials to improve the sensitivity of the aptamer sensor. The surface of the composite nanomaterials was modified with PDA (poly dopamine) in order to immobilize the NH
2
-cDNA-aptamer complex on the electrode surface by the Schiff base reaction. Characterization of MXene/MWCNTs/NiCo
2
O
4
nanocomposites was carried by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Meanwhile, 4-carboxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl free radical (TEMPO-COOH) was used as an electrochemical signal to detect AFB1. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical DPV signal decreased with increasing AFB1 concentration, ranging from 2.5 to 200 ng/mL, and the lowest limit of detection (LOD) at 1.890 ng/mL (S/N = 3). In addition, the ensemble sensor showed great reproducibility, stability, and selectivity, which has been successfully applied to the determination of AFB1 in maize flour and maize residue samples with recoveries in the 92.2 ~ 109.8% range. Compared to other detection methods for AFB1, this approach afforded comparable detection limits and detection ranges, in reduced analysis time (within 5 min). Thus, a time-saving, sensitive, and selective approach was achieved for the rapid determination of AFB1 in food.
Two species of hairstreak butterflies from the genus Calycopis are known in the United States: C. cecrops and C. isobeon. Analysis of mitochondrial COI barcodes of Calycopis revealed cecrops-like ...specimens from the eastern US with atypical barcodes that were 2.6% different from either USA species, but similar to Central American Calycopis species. To address the possibility that the specimens with atypical barcodes represent an undescribed cryptic species, we sequenced complete genomes of 27 Calycopis specimens of four species: C. cecrops, C. isobeon, C. quintana and C. bactra. Some of these specimens were collected up to 60 years ago and preserved dry in museum collections, but nonetheless produced genomes as complete as fresh samples. Phylogenetic trees reconstructed using the whole mitochondrial and nuclear genomes were incongruent. While USA Calycopis with atypical barcodes grouped with Central American species C. quintana by mitochondria, nuclear genome trees placed them within typical USA C. cecrops in agreement with morphology, suggesting mitochondrial introgression. Nuclear genomes also show introgression, especially between C. cecrops and C. isobeon. About 2.3% of each C. cecrops genome has probably (p-value < 0.01, FDR < 0.1) introgressed from C. isobeon and about 3.4% of each C. isobeon genome may have come from C. cecrops. The introgressed regions are enriched in genes encoding transmembrane proteins, mitochondria-targeting proteins and components of the larval cuticle. This study provides the first example of mitochondrial introgression in Lepidoptera supported by complete genome sequencing. Our results caution about relying solely on COI barcodes and mitochondrial DNA for species identification or discovery.
We obtained and analyzed whole genome data for more than 160 representatives of skipper butterflies (family Hesperiidae) from all known subfamilies, tribes and most distinctive genera. We found that ...two genera,
Watson, 1893 and
Karsch, 1895, which are sisters, are well-separated from all other major phylogenetic lineages and originate near the base of the Hesperiidae tree, prior to the origin of some subfamilies. Due to this ancient origin compared to other subfamilies, this group is described as Katreinae Grishin,
DNA sequencing of primary type specimens reveals that
Karsch, 1895 is not a female of
Mabille, 1891, but instead a female of
Holland, 1896. This finding establishes
as a junior subjective synonym of
. Furthermore, we see that
Evans, 1949 does not originate within Pyrginae Burmeister, 1878, but, unexpectedly, forms an ancient lineage of its own at the subfamily rank: Chamundinae Grishin,
. Finally, a group of two sister genera,
de Nicéville, 1902 and
Leech, 1893, originates around the time Hesperiinae Latreille, 1809 have split from their sister clade. A new subfamily Barcinae Grishin,
sets them apart from all other Hesperiidae.
Increasing evidence suggests that the loss of functional stem cells may be important in the aging process. Our experiments were originally aimed at testing the idea that, in the specific case of ...age-related osteoporosis, declining function of osteogenic precursor cells might be at least partially responsible. To test this, aging female mice were transplanted with mesenchymal stem cells from aged or young male donors. We find that transplantation of young mesenchymal stem cells significantly slows the loss of bone density and, surprisingly, prolongs the life span of old mice. These observations lend further support to the idea that age-related diminution of stem cell number or function may play a critical role in age-related loss of bone density in aging animals and may be one determinant of overall longevity.
The Small Cabbage White (
Pieris rapae) is originally a Eurasian butterfly. Being accidentally introduced into North America, Australia, and New Zealand a century or more ago, it spread throughout ...the continents and rapidly established as one of the most abundant butterfly species. Although it is a serious pest of cabbage and other mustard family plants with its caterpillars reducing crops to stems, it is also a source of pierisin, a protein unique to the Whites that shows cytotoxicity to cancer cells. To better understand the unusual biology of this omnipresent agriculturally and medically important butterfly, we sequenced and annotated the complete genome from USA specimens. At 246 Mbp, it is among the smallest Lepidoptera genomes reported to date. While 1.5% positions in the genome are heterozygous, they are distributed highly non-randomly along the scaffolds, and nearly 20% of longer than 1000 base-pair segments are SNP-free (median length: 38000 bp). Computational simulations of population evolutionary history suggest that American populations started from a very small number of introduced individuals, possibly a single fertilized female, which is in agreement with historical literature. Comparison to other Lepidoptera genomes reveals several unique families of proteins that may contribute to the unusual resilience of
Pieris. The nitrile-specifier proteins divert the plant defense chemicals to non-toxic products. The apoptosis-inducing pierisins could offer a defense mechanism against parasitic wasps. While only two pierisins from
Pieris rapae were characterized before, the genome sequence revealed eight, offering additional candidates as anti-cancer drugs. The reference genome we obtained lays the foundation for future studies of the Cabbage White and other Pieridae species.
Background: The Hoary Edge Skipper (Achalarus lyciades) is an eastern North America
endemic butterfly from the Eudaminae subfamily of skippers named for an underside whitish patch
near the hindwing ...edge. Its caterpillars feed on legumes, in contrast to Grass skippers (subfamily
Hesperiinae) which feed exclusively on monocots.
Results: To better understand the evolution and phenotypic diversification of Skippers (family Hesperiidae),
we sequenced, assembled and annotated a complete genome draft and transcriptome of a
wild-caught specimen of A. lyciades and compared it with the available genome of the Clouded Skipper
(Lerema accius) from the Grass skipper subfamily. The genome of A. lyciades is nearly twice the
size of L. accius (567 Mbp vs. 298 Mbp), however it encodes a smaller number of proteins (15881 vs.
17411). Gene expansions we identified previously in L. accius apparently did not occur in the genome
of A. lyciades. For instance, a family of hypothetical cellulases that diverged from an endochitinase
(possibly associated with feeding of L. accius caterpillars on nutrient-poor grasses) is absent in A. lyciades.
While L. accius underwent gene expansion in pheromone binding proteins, A. lyciades has
more opsins. This difference may be related to the mate recognition mechanisms of the two species:
visual cues might be more important for the Eudaminae skippers (which have more variable wing patterns),
whereas odor might be more important for Grass skippers (that are hardly distinguishable by
their wings). Phylogenetically, A. lyciades is a sister species of L. accius, the only other Hesperiidae
with a complete genome.
Conclusions: A new reference genome of a dicot-feeding skippers, the first from the Eudaminae subfamily,
reveals its larger size and suggests hypotheses about phenotypic traits and differences from
monocot-feeding skippers.
Despite intensive research efforts, there remains a need for novel methods to improve the ossification of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Based on a common phenomenon and known pathological ...conditions of peritoneal membrane ossification following peritoneal dialysis, we have explored the possibility of regenerating ossified tissue in the peritoneum. Interestingly, in addition to inflammatory cells, we discovered a large number of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the peritoneal lavage fluid from mice with peritoneal catheter implants. The osteogenic potential of these peritoneal progenitor cells was demonstrated by their ability to easily infiltrate decalcified bone implants, produce osteocalcin and form mineralized bone in 8 weeks. Additionally, when poly(l-lactic acid) scaffolds loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (a known osteogenic differentiation agent) were implanted into the peritoneum, signs of osteogenesis were seen within 8 weeks of implantation. The results of this investigation support the concept that scaffolds containing BMP-2 can stimulate the formation of bone in the peritoneum via directed autologous stem and progenitor cell responses.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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