The potato rot nematode (Ditylenchus destructor) is a very economically important nematode in agronomic and horticultural plants worldwide. In this study, 43 populations of D. destructor were ...collected from different hosts across China, including 37 populations from Chinese herbal medicine plants. Obtained sequences of ITS-rDNA and D2–D3 of 28S-rDNA genes of D. destructor were compared and analyzed. Nine types of significant length variations in ITS sequences were observed among all populations. The differences in ITS1 length were mainly caused by the presence of repetitive elements with substantial base substitutions. Reconstructions of ITS1 secondary structures showed that the minisatellites formed a stem structure. Ten haplotypes were observed in all populations based on mutations and variations of helix H9. Among them, 3 known haplotypes (A–C) were found in 7 populations isolated from potato, sweet potato, and Codonopsis pilosula, and 7 unique haplotypes were found in other 36 populations collected from C. pilosula and Angelica sinensis compared with 7 haplotypes (A–G) according to Subbotin’ system. These unique haplotypes were different from haplotypes A–G, and we named them as haplotypes H–N. The present results showed that a total of 14 haplotypes (A–N) of ITS-rDNA have been found in D. destructor. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS-rDNA and D2–D3 showed that all populations of D. destructor were clustered into two major clades: one clade only containing haplotype A from sweet potato and the other containing haplotypes B–N from other plants. For further verification, PCR-ITS-RFLP profiles were conducted on 7 new haplotypes. Collectively, our study suggests that D. destructor populations on Chinese medicinal materials are very different from those on other hosts and this work provides a paradigm for relevant researches.
FOXM1 (forkhead box protein M1) is a critical proliferation-associated transcription factor that is widely spatiotemporally expressed during the cell cycle. It is closely involved with the processes ...of cell proliferation, self-renewal, and tumorigenesis. In most human cancers, FOXM1 is overexpressed, and this indicates a poor prognosis for cancer patients. FOXM1 maintains cancer hallmarks by regulating the expression of target genes at the transcriptional level. Due to its potential role as molecular target in cancer therapy, FOXM1 was named the Molecule of the Year in 2010. However, the mechanism of FOXM1 dysregulation remains indistinct. A comprehensive understanding of FOXM1 regulation will provide novel insight for cancer and other diseases in which FOXM1 plays a major role. Here, we summarize the transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications of FOXM1, which will provide extremely important implications for novel strategies targeting FOXM1.
Due to the phenotypic and molecular diversity of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), it is still a challenge to determine patients' prognosis. We aim to identify new prognostic markers for resected HCC ...patients.
274 patients were retrospectively identified and samples collected from Zhongshan hospital, Fudan University. We analyzed the gene expression patterns of tumors and compared expression patterns with patient survival times. We identified a "9-gene signature" associated with survival by using the coefficient and regression formula of multivariate Cox model. This molecular signature was then validated in three patients cohorts from internal cohort (n = 69), TCGA (n = 369) and GEO dataset (n = 80).
We identified 9-gene signature consisting of ZC2HC1A, MARCKSL1, PTGS1, CDKN2B, CLEC10A, PRDX3, PRKCH, MPEG1 and LMO2. The 9-gene signature was used, combined with clinical parameters, to fit a multivariable Cox model to the training cohort (concordance index, ci = 0.85), which was successfully validated (ci = 0.86 for internal cohort; ci = 0.78 for in silico cohort). The signature showed improved performance compared with clinical parameters alone (ci = 0.70). Furthermore, the signature predicted patient prognosis than previous gene signatures more accurately. It was also used to stratify early-stage, HBV or HCV-infected patients into low and high-risk groups, leading to significant differences in survival in training and validation (P < 0.001).
The 9-gene signature, in which four were upregulated (ZC2HC1A, MARCKSL1, PTGS1, CDKN2B) and five (CLEC10A, PRDX3, PRKCH, MPEG1, LMO2) were downregulated in HCC with poor prognosis, stratified HCC patients into low and high risk group significantly in different clinical settings, including receiving adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization and especially in early stage disease. This new signature should be validated in prospective studies to stratify patients in clinical decisions.
Summary Approximately 27–37% of the people experienced prolonged sleep duration and 12–16% reported shortened sleep duration. However, prolonged or shortened sleep duration may be associated with ...serious health problems. A comprehensive, flexible, non-linear meta-regression with restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to investigate the dose–response relationship between sleep duration and all-cause mortality in adults. Medline (Ovid), Embase, EBSCOhost—PsycINFO, and EBSCOhost—CINAHL Plus databases, reference lists of relevant review articles, and included studies were searched up to Nov. 29, 2015. Prospective cohort studies investigating the association between sleep duration and all-cause mortality in adults with at least three categories of sleep duration were eligible for inclusion. We eventually included in our study 40 cohort studies enrolling 2,200,425 participants with 271,507 deaths. A J-shaped association between sleep duration and all-cause mortality was present: compared with 7 hours of sleep (reference for 24-hour sleep duration), both shorted and prolonged sleep durations were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (4 hours: relative risk RR = 1.05; 95% confidence interval CI = 1.02–1.07; 5 hours: RR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.03–1.09; 6 hours: RR =1.04; 95% CI = 1.03–1.06; 8 hours: RR = 1.03; 95% CI = 1.02–1.05; 9 hours: RR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.10–1.16; 10 hours: RR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.22–1.29; 11 hours: RR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.33–1.44; n = 29; P < 0.01 for non-linear test). With regard to the night-sleep duration, prolonged night-sleep duration was associated with increased all-cause mortality (8 hours: RR = 1.01; 95% CI = 0.99–1.02; 9 hours: RR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.04–1.11; 10 hours: RR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.21–1.28; n = 13; P < 0.01 for non-linear test). Subgroup analysis showed females with short sleep duration a day (<7 h) were at high risk of all-cause mortality (4 hours: RR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.02–1.13; 5 hours: RR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.03–1.14; 6 hours: RR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.02–1.09), but males were not (4 hours: RR = 1.01; 95% CI = 0.96–1.06; 5 hours: RR = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.97–1.08; 6 hours: RR = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.98–1.06). The current evidence suggests that insufficient or prolonged sleep may increase all-cause mortality. Women may be more susceptible to short sleep duration on all-cause mortality. Glossary of terms Restricted cubic spline: A smoothly joined piecewise polynomial with third-order polynomials fitted within each piecewise, which the left and (or) right tail of the curve are (is) restricted to linear. The joints of polynomials refer to knots. This function is usually used to fit the non-linear relationship.
Abstract
Light variability is an essential attribute of young stellar objects (YSOs) at the pre-main-sequence (PMS) stage, which can be treated as an indicator to trace star formation. We present a ...statistical study on the infrared NEOWISE variability of new and large-sized PMS stars as well as Herbig Ae/Be (HAeBe) and classical Be (CBe) stars identified from Gaia Data Release 2. A total of 3792 (including 714 HAeBe), 417, and 473 NEOWISE variable sources were detected from the catalog of 8470 PMS (including 1361 HAeBe), 693 CBe, and 1309 uncertain (possibly belonging to either HAeBe or CBe) stars, respectively. We found that 80% of the PMS variables are dominated by irregular infrared variability, whereas variables in the CBe and uncertain categories exhibit comparable contributions from secular (linear, curved, and periodic) and stochastic (burst, drop, and irregular) variables. This, in combination with infrared W1–W2 colors, W4 luminosities, and the spectral energy distribution slope at near- and mid-infrared wavelengths, suggests different evolutionary stages of the PMS (including HAeBe), uncertain, and CBe stars, from less to more evolved. A statistical analysis of variable source properties (e.g., period and fractional amplitude) further reveals a potential sequence possibly associated with disk evolution for different types of light curves (from linear, to curved, periodic, stochastic, and nonvariable stars). Possible mechanisms for the variable sources are suggested to be related to either extinction via circumstellar matter, or contribution of multiple systems surrounding the YSOs, as opposed to variable accretion (e.g., episodic accretion or accretion burst).
Since the prediction of multi‐hydrogen high‐temperature superconductor by Ashcroft in 2004, many possible candidates have been proposed, e.g., LaH10 showing the highest superconducting transition ...temperature (Tc) around 250–260 K at 170‐200 GPa hitherto. However, this pressure is too large to be taken into practical use. To address this challenge, it proposes a few‐hydrogen metal‐bonded perovskite superconductor, MgHCu3, by combining a novel design idea with first‐principles calculations. Different from multi‐hydrogen hydrides, whose high Tc relies on extreme pressure, the metallic bond in few‐hydrogen superconductor MgHCu3 improves the structural stability and ductility at atmospheric pressure. Here, the small amount of hydrogen is found to be vital for Tc. After the incorporation of hydrogen, the electron–phonon coupling constant of MgHCu3 is increased to 0.83, which is larger than that of the well‐known MgB2. Moreover, the anisotropy of MgHCu3 also plays an important role in enhancing Tc. Based on the Migdal‐Eliashberg theory, it predicts that the phonon‐mediated metal‐bonded perovskite MgHCu3 is a superconductor with Tc of 42 K. The first predicted ternary metal‐bonded perovskite, MgHCu3, enriches the family of perovskite and will promote further investigation on few‐hydrogen superconductors under atmospheric pressure.
To solve the instability of multi‐hydrogen superconductors under atmospheric pressure, it proposes a few‐hydrogen metal‐bonded perovskite superconductor MgHCu3. First‐principles calculations show that its superconducting transition temperature can reach 42 K at atmospheric pressure. The proper amount of hydrogen in perovskite structure not only gives rise to stronger electron–phonon coupling but also ensures stability by the help of the metallic bond.
To examine the associations of near work related parameters with spherical equivalent refraction and axial length in Chinese children.
A total of 1770 grade 7 students with mean age of 12.7 years ...were examined with cycloplegic autorefraction and axial length. Questions were asked regarding time spent in near work and outdoors per day, and near work related parameters.
Multivariate models revealed the following associations with greater odds of myopia: continuous reading (> 45min), odds ratio OR, 1.4; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.1-1.8; close television viewing distance (≤ 3m), OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.3; head tilt when writing, OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.7, and desk lighting using fluorescent vs. incandescent lamp, OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0. These factors, together with close reading distance and close nib-to-fingertip distance were significantly associated with greater myopia (P<0.01). Among near work activities, only reading more books for pleasure was significantly associated with greater myopia (P=0.03). Television viewing distance (≤ 3 m), fluorescent desk light, close reading distance (≤20 cm) and close nib-to-fingertip distance (≤ 2 cm) were significantly associated with longer axial length (P<0.01). Reading distance, desk light, and reading books for pleasure had significant interaction effects with parental myopia.
Continuous reading, close distances of reading, television viewing and nib-to-fingertip, head tilt when writing, reading more books for pleasure and use of fluorescent desk light were significantly associated with myopia in 12-year-old Chinese children, which indicates that visual behaviors and environments may be important factors mediating the effects of near work on myopia.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a global health problem in which gut microbiota dysbiosis plays an important pathogenic role. However, the current drugs for IBD treatment are far from optimal. ...Previous researches indicated that parthenolide (PTL) had not only anti-cancer properties but also strong anti-inflammatory activities.
: To investigate the protective effect of PTL on colon inflammation and demonstrate the underlying gut microbiota-dependent mechanism.
Colon inflammation severity in mouse model was measured by body weight change, mortality, colon length, disease activity index (DAI) score, H&E staining and colonoscopy evaluation. Gut microbiota alteration and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production were analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing and targeted metabolomics. Luminex cytokine microarray and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were conducted to measure the colon cytokines profile. The frequency of immune cells in lamina propria (LP) and spleen were phenotyped by flow cytometry.
: The PTL-treated mice showed significantly relieved colon inflammation, as evidenced by a reduction in body weight loss, survival rate, shortening of colon length, DAI score, histology score and colonoscopy score. Notably, when the gut microbiota was depleted using antibiotic cocktails, the protective effect of PTL on colon inflammation disappeared. PTL treatment downregulated the level of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-17A and upregulated the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 in colon tissue. 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that PTL-treated mice exhibited much more abundant gut microbial diversity and flora composition. Targeted metabolomics analysis manifested the increased SCFAs production in PTL-treated mice. Additionally, PTL administration selectively upregulated the frequency of colonic regulatory T (Treg) cells as well as downregulated the ratio of colonic T helper type 17 (Th17) cells, improving the Treg/Th17 balance to maintain intestinal homeostasis. Gut microbiota depletion and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was performed to confirm this gut microbiota-dependent mechanism.
: PTL ameliorated colon inflammation in a gut microbiota-dependent manner. The underlying protective mechanism was associated with the improved Treg/Th17 balance in intestinal mucosa mediated through the increased microbiota-derived SCFAs production. Collectively, our results demonstrated the role of PTL as a potential gut microbiota modulator to prevent and treat IBD.
An In-based metal–organic framework, with 1D nanotubular open channels, In2(OH)(btc)(Hbtc)0.4(L)0.6·3H2O (1), has been synthesized via an in situ ligand reaction, in which 1,2,4-H3btc is partially ...transformed into the L ligand. Compound 1 exhibits exceptional thermal and chemical stability, especially in water or acidic media. The activated 1 presents highly selective sorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) over dinitrogen. Interestingly, diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy with a carbon monoxide probe molecule demonstrates that both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites are involved in compound 1. As a result, as a heterogeneous Lewis and Brønsted acid bifunctional catalyst, 1 possesses excellent activity and recyclability for chemical fixation of CO2 coupling with epoxides into cyclic carbonates under mild conditions. In addition, the mechanism for the CO2 cycloaddition reaction has also been discussed.
To determine the annual incidences and rates of progression of myopia and high myopia in Chinese schoolchildren from grade 1 to grade 6 and explore the possible cause-specific risk factors for ...myopia.
From 11 randomly selected primary schools in Anyang city, central China, 2835 grade 1 students were examined with annual follow ups for 5 years. Students were invited to undergo a comprehensive examination, including cycloplegic autorefraction, ocular biometry, and standardized questionnaires.
The mean spherical equivalent refraction decreased substantially from +0.94 ± 1.03 diopter (D) in grade 1 to -1.37 ± 2.08 D in grade 6, with rapid annual myopic shifts, especially for students in grades 3 through 6 (-0.51 to -0.59 D). The prevalence of myopia increased substantially, with the yearly incidence of myopia increasing from 7.8% in grade 1 and 2 to 25.3% in grades 5 and 6, and the incidence of high myopia increased from 0.1% to 1.0%. The 5-year incidence of myopia was lowest among children who has a baseline spherical equivalent refraction of greater than +2.00 D (4.4%), and increased to nearly 92.0% among children whose baseline spherical equivalent refraction was 0.00 to -0.50 D. The incidence of myopia was higher in children who had less hyperopic baseline refraction, two myopic parents, longer axial length, deeper anterior chamber, higher axial length-corneal radius of curvature ratio, and thinner lenses.
Both the annual incidence and progression rates of myopia and high myopia were high in Chinese schoolchildren, especially after grade 3. Hyperopic refraction of children should be monitored before primary school as hyperopia reserve to prevent the onset of myopia and high myopia.
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