Calcium tunneling through the ER and transfer to other organelles for optimal signaling in Toxoplasma gondii.

Ca 2+ signaling in cells begins with the opening of Ca 2+ channels in either the plasma membrane (PM) or the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and results in a dramatic increase in the physiologically low (<100 nM) cytosolic Ca 2+ level. The temporal and spatial Ca 2+ levels are well regulated to enable precise and specific activation of critical biological processes. Ca 2+ signaling regulates pathogenic features of apicomplexan parasites like Toxoplasma gondii which infects approximately one-third of the world's population. T. gondii relies on Ca 2+ signals to stimulate traits of its infection cycle and several Ca 2+ signaling elements play essential roles in its parasitic cycle. Active egress, an essential step for the infection cycle of T. gondii is preceded by a large increase in cytosolic Ca 2+ most likely by release from intracellular stores. Intracellular parasites take up Ca 2+ from the host cell during host Ca 2+ signaling events to replenish intracellular stores. In this work, we investigated the mechanism by which intracellular stores are replenished with Ca 2+ and demonstrated a central role for the SERCA-Ca 2+ -ATPase to keep not only the ER filled with Ca 2+ but also acidic stores. We also show mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake, by transfer of Ca 2+ from the ER most likely through membrane contact sites. We propose a central role for the ER in tunneling of calcium from the extracellular milieu through the ER to other organelles. HIGHLIGHTS: The T. gondii ER efficiently takes up Ca 2+ that enters the cytosol from the extracellular milieu. Filling of acidic stores in T. gondii appears to be dependent on the filling of the ER The mitochondrion of T. gondii has no direct access to extracellular calcium but is able to take up Ca 2+ by transfer from the ER and/or acidic stores.

Tuning Zn-ion de-solvation chemistry with trace amount of additive towards stable Aqueous Zn anodes.

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted widespread attention due to their intrinsic safety, cost-effectiveness. However, active H2O in the solvated ions [Zn(H2O)6]2+ continuously migrate to the Zn surface to trigger hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and accelerate Zn corrosion. Herein, Zn dendrites and the related by-products have been successfully inhibited by using trace amounts of Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). Theoretical research indicates that two carboxyl groups of NTA molecule strongly anchored on the Zn surface and exposed another carboxyl group outside. Due to the violent interaction of carboxyl groups of NTA with H2O, the de-solvation energy barrier of solvated Zn2+ ([Zn(H2O)6]2+) on the Zn surface was obviously decreased, inhibit the active water splitting. Meanwhile, the preferential adsorption of NTA on the Zn surface increases the thickness of electric double layer EDL and provides a buffer layer to hinder the dendrite growth. Using 0.04 M NTA as additives in 2.0 M ZnSO4 electrolyte, the cycling lifespan of both Zn||Zn symmetric and Zn||MnO2 full cells is markedly prolonged. This study provides certain perspectives for trace amounts of electrolyte additives to satisfy the demand of long-cycle life AZIBs.

Tryptophan supplements in high-carbohydrate diets by improving insulin response and glucose transport through PI3K-AKT-GLUT2 pathways in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala).

The aim of this experiment was to elucidate the metabolic ramifications of tryptophan supplementation in the context of high-carbohydrate diet-feeding, which is important for improving feeding strategies in aquaculture in order to improve fish carbohydrate metabolism. Juvenile blunt snout bream with an initial mean body mass of 55.0±0.5 g were allocated to consume one of three experimental diets: CN, a normal diet with carbohydrate content of 30% (w/w); HC, a diet with high carbohydrate content of 43% (w/w); and HL, a high-carbohydrate diet to which 0.8% L-tryptophan (L-trp) had been added. These diets were fed for 8 weeks, and the effects of the carbohydrate and tryptophan contents of the diets were assessed. Histological analysis using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Oil Red O staining revealed that high-carbohydrate intake was associated with abnormal hepatocyte morphology and excessive liver lipid accumulation, which were notably ameliorated by tryptophan supplementation. A significant increase in plasma glucose, glucagon, AGEs (advanced glycation end products), triglycerides, total cholesterol, and a significant decrease in insulin and hepatic glycogen after a high-carbohydrate diet in terms of plasma indices, compared to the control group. Almost all of them were restored to the normal level in the HL group. The present study might preliminarily suggest that tryptophan supplementation ameliorates the imbalance in glucose metabolism of this species induced by a high-carbohydrate diet. Transcriptomics showed that glucose metabolism under high carbohydrate was mainly regulated by the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. The mRNA expression and protein levels of GLUT2 also varied with this pathway, which would suggest that sustained activation of this pathway with the addition of tryptophan accelerates glucose transport and insulin secretion under high-carbohydrate diet. Subsequent GTT and ITT experiments have also demonstrated that tryptophan improves glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance in blunt snout bream on a high-carbohydrate diet. In conclusion, these findings elucidate the positive regulatory effect of tryptophan on the PI3K-AKT-GLUT2 pathway under a high carbohydrate diet and provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent rational application of high carbohydrate diets in the future.

Savior or saboteur? A nationwide study on digital economy and depression in China.

The regional boom in digital economy has provided people with remote conversations and socialization while reducing the risk of depression. This study aims to elucidate whether regional digital economy can be a savior for individual depression. The multi-source dataset collects 11,845 individuals from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2018 (CHARLS), with the combination of corresponding regional data from China City Statistical Yearbooks. A series of regressions with integrated mediation and moderation analyses are employed to bridge the link between the digital economy and depression. The results suggest that people living in areas with a higher level of digital economy are less likely to suffer from depression. The development of the digital economy helps people find solace or air grievances more easily, thereby reducing the risk of depression. Individual information and communications technology (ICT) engagement is found to mediate the relationship between the regional digital economy and individual depression. Residence type moderates the association between the three casual pairs of digital economy, ICT engagement, and depression. Improved digitization stimulates personal engagement with ICTs, which in turn expands social connections and support. Strengthened social interactions naturally keep depression away. Moreover, the urban-rural differences further confirm the underlying mechanism. Properly embracing the new digital world can therefore benefit from the transformative potential and mitigate depressive outcomes.

The U-shape Association between Population Agglomeration and Individual Depression: the Role of Dialect Diversity.

Depression is a relevant mental illness affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. As urbanization accelerates, agglomeration of populations has altered individual social network distances and life crowding, which in turn affects depressive prevalence. However, the association between depression and population agglomeration (PA) remains controversial. This study aims to explore whether and how PA could influence individual depression. Based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2018, the empirical results showed that there was a U-shaped association between PA and individual CES-D scores. As PA increases, the risk of depression first decreases and then increases. CES-D was lowest at moderate aggregation. Dialect diversity (DD) was positively related to the incidence of individual depression. The higher the DD, the higher the risk of depression. Meanwhile, DD also played a moderating role in the association between PA and individual depression. Our observations suggest that the optimistic level of agglomeration for individual mental health is within 1500 to 2000 persons per square kilometer.

Polyhedral magnetic nanoparticles induce apoptosis in gastric cancer stem cells and suppressing tumor growth through magnetic force generation.

Gastric cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide, posing challenges due to its poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) were demonstrated as a subset of cancer cells responsible for tumor initiation and progression, and their inherent resistance to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy critically contributes to tumor recurrence and metastasis. Promoting the eradication of cancer stem cells is crucial for enhancing the efficacy of cancer treatments. This study introduces a novel therapeutic strategy utilizing polyhedral magnetic nanoparticles (PMNPs) functionalized with CD44 antibodies and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) to improve uptake by gastric cancer stem cells (MCSCs). PMNPs, synthesized via thermal decomposition, exhibited a diameter of 90 nm ± 9 nm and a saturation magnetization of 79.9 emu/g. Functionalization enhanced their uptake capabilities. Under a rotating magnetic field (RMF) of 15 Hz, PMNPs disrupted cellular structure, leading to apoptosis and ferroptosis in MCSCs. The in vitro studies showed significant reduction in MCSCs viability, while in vivo studies demonstrated tumor growth suppression with minimal side effects and high biocompatibility. This work presents a novel strategy for designing magnetic nanoparticles to mechanically destroy cancer stem cells, offering a more efficient and safety treatment option for gastric cancer.

Sex-Specific Risk Factors and Clinical Dementia Outcomes for White Matter Hyperintensities in a large South Korean Cohort.

Objective: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) on brain MRI images are the most common feature of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Studies have yielded divergent findings on the modifiable risk factors for WMH and WMH's impact on cognitive decline. Mounting evidence suggests sex differences in WMH burden and subsequent effects on cognition. Thus, we aimed to identify sex-specific modifiable risk factors for WMH. We then explored whether there were sex-specific associations of WMH to longitudinal clinical dementia outcomes. Methods: Participants aged 49-89 years were recruited at memory clinics and underwent a T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) 3T MRI scan to measure WMH volume. Participants were then recruited for two additional follow-up visits, 1-2 years apart, where clinical dementia rating sum of boxes (CDR-SB) scores were measured. We first explored which known modifiable risk factors for WMH were significant when tested for a sex-interaction effect. We additionally tested which risk factors were significant when stratified by sex. We then tested to see whether WMH is longitudinally associated with clinical dementia that is sex-specific. Results: The study utilized data from 713 participants (241 males, 472 females) with a mean age of 72.3 years and 72.8 years for males and females, respectively. 57.3% and 59.5% of participants were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) for males and females, respectively. 40.7% and 39.4% were diagnosed with dementia for males and females, respectively. Of the 713 participants, 181 participants had CDR-SB scores available for three longitudinal time points. Compared to males, females showed stronger association of age to WMH volume. Type 2 Diabetes was associated with greater WMH burden in females but not males. Finally, baseline WMH burden was associated with worse clinical dementia outcomes longitudinally in females but not in males. Discussion: Elderly females have an accelerated increase in cerebrovascular burden as they age, and subsequently are more vulnerable to clinical dementia decline due to CSVD. Additionally, females are more susceptible to the cerebrovascular consequences of diabetes. These findings emphasize the importance of considering sex when examining the consequences of CSVD. Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms driving these sex differences and personalized prevention and treatment strategies. Clinical trial registration: The BICWALZS is registered in the Korean National Clinical Trial Registry (Clinical Research Information Service; identifier, KCT0003391). Registration Date 2018/12/14.

Combining single-cell profiling and functional analysis explores the role of pseudogenes in human early embryonic development.

More and more studies have demonstrated that pseudogenes possess coding ability, and the functions of their transcripts in the development of diseases have been partially revealed. However, the role of pseudogenes in maintenance of normal physiological states and life activities has long been neglected. Here we identify pseudogenes that are dynamically expressed during human early embryogenesis, showing different expression pattern from that of adult tissues. We explore the expression correlation between pseudogenes and the parent genes, part due to their shared gene regulatory elements or the potential regulation network between them. The essential role of three pseudogenes, PI4KAP1, TMED10P1, and FBXW4P1, in maintaining self-renewal of human embryonic stem cells is demonstrated. We further find that the three pseudogenes might perform their regulatory functions by binding to proteins or microRNAs. The pseudogene-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms are significantly associated with human congenital disease, further illustrating their importance during early embryonic development. Overall, this study is an excavation and exploration of functional pseudogenes during early human embryonic development, suggesting that pseudogenes are not only capable of being specifically activated in pathological states, but also play crucial functions in the maintenance of normal physiological states.

Targeting delivery of miR-146a via IMTP modified milk exosomes exerted cardioprotective effects by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Reperfusion therapy is critical for saving heart muscle after myocardial infarction, but the process of restoring blood flow can itself exacerbate injury to the myocardium. This phenomenon is known as myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), which includes oxidative stress, inflammation, and further cell death. microRNA-146a (miR-146a) is known to play a significant role in regulating the immune response and inflammation, and has been studied for its potential impact on the improvement of heart function after myocardial injury. However, the delivery of miR-146a to the heart in a specific and efficient manner remains a challenge as extracellular RNAs are unstable and rapidly degraded. Milk exosomes (MEs) have been proposed as ideal delivery platform for miRNA-based therapy as they can protect miRNAs from RNase degradation. In this study, the effects of miR-146a containing MEs (MEs-miR-146a) on improvement of cardiac function were examined in a rat model of MIRI. To enhance the targeting delivery of MEs-miR-146a to the site of myocardial injury, the ischemic myocardium-targeted peptide IMTP was modified onto the surfaces, and whether the modified MEs-miR-146a could exert a better therapeutic role was examined by echocardiography, myocardial injury indicators and the levels of inflammatory factors. Furthermore, the expressions of miR-146a mediated NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins were detected by western blotting and qRT-PCR to further elucidate its mechanisms. MiR-146 mimics were successfully loaded into the MEs by electroporation at a square wave 1000 V voltage and 0.1 ms pulse duration. MEs-miR-146a can be up-taken by cardiomyocytes and protected the cells from oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion induced damage in vitro. Oral administration of MEs-miR-146a decreased myocardial tissue apoptosis and the expression of inflammatory factors and improved cardiac function after MIRI. The miR-146a level in myocardium tissues was significantly increased after the administration IMTP modified MEs-miR-146a, which was higher than that of the MEs-miR-146a group. In addition, intravenous injection of IMTP modified MEs-miR-146a enhanced the targeting to heart, improved cardiac function, reduced myocardial tissue apoptosis and suppressed inflammation after MIRI, which was more effective than the MEs-miR-146a treatment. Moreover, IMTP modified MEs-miR-146a reduced the protein levels of IRAK1, TRAF6 and p-p65. Therefore, IMTP modified MEs-miR-146a exerted their anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the IRAK1/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings suggested miR-146a containing MEs may be a promising strategy for the treatment of MIRI with better outcome after modification with ischemic myocardium-targeted peptide, which was expected to be applied in clinical practice in future.

Molecular subtypes of ischemic heart disease based on circadian rhythm.

Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAD) is among the most prevalent chronic diseases globally. Circadian rhythm disruption (CRD) is closely associated with the progression of various diseases. However, the precise role of CRD in the development of CAD remains to be elucidated. The Circadian rhythm disruption score (CRDscore) was employed to quantitatively assess the level of CRD in CAD samples. Our investigation revealed a significant association between high CRDscore and adverse prognosis in CAD patients, along with a substantial correlation with CAD progression. Remarkably distinct CRDscore distributions were also identified among various subtypes. In summary, we have pioneered the revelation of the relationship between CRD and CAD at the single-cell level and established reliable markers for the development, treatment, and prognosis of CAD. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms may offer new possibilities for incorporating "the therapy of coronary heart disease based circadian rhythm" into personalized medical treatment regimens.

Strategies for the Isolation and Identification of Gastric Cancer Stem Cells.

Gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) originate from both gastric adult stem cells and bone marrow cells and are conspicuously present within the histological milieu of gastric cancer tissue. GCSCs play pivotal and multifaceted roles in the initiation, progression, and recurrence of gastric cancer. Hence, the characterization of GCSCs not only facilitates precise target identification for prospective therapeutic interventions in gastric cancer but also has significant implications for targeted therapy and the prognosis of gastric cancer. The prevailing techniques for GCSC purification involve their isolation using surface-specific cell markers, such as those identified by flow cytometry and immunomagnetic bead sorting techniques. In addition, in vitro culture and side-population cell sorting are integral methods in this context. This review discusses the surface biomarkers, isolation techniques, and identification methods of GCSCs, as well as their role in the treatment of gastric cancer.

[Characteristics of soil moisture limitation and non-limitation in the response of sap flow to transpiration driving factors]. / æ ‘å¹²æ¶²æµå¯¹è’¸è ¾é©±åŠ¨å› å­å“åº”çš„åœŸå£¤æ°´åˆ†é™åˆ¶ä¸Žéžé™åˆ¶ç‰¹å¾.

Transpiration is a significant part of water cycle in forest ecosystems, influenced by meteorological factors and potentially constrained by soil moisture. We used Granier-type thermal dissipation probes to monitor xylem sap flow dynamics of three tree species (Quercus liaotungensis, Platycladus orientalis, and Robinia pseudoacacia) in a semi-arid loess hilly region, and to continuously monitor the key meteorological factors and soil water content (SWC). We established the SWC thresholds delineating soil moisture-limited and -unlimited sap flow responses to transpiration drivers. The results showed that mean sap flux density (Js) of Q. liaotungensis and R. pseudoacacia was significantly higher during period with higher soil moisture compared to lower soil moisture, while the difference in Js for P. orientalis between the two periods was not significant. We used an exponential saturation function to fit the relationship between the Js of each tree species and the integrated transpiration variable (VT) which reflected solar radiation and vapor pressure deficit. The difference in the fitting curve parameters indicated that there were distinct response patterns between Js and VT under different soil moisture conditions. There was a threshold in soil moisture limitation on sap flow for each species, which was identified as 0.129 m3·m-3 for Q. liaotungensis, 0.116 m3·m-3 for P. orientalis, and 0.108 m3·m-3 for R. pseudoacacia. Below the thresholds, Js was limited by soil moisture. Above these points, the normalized sensitivity index (NSI) for Q. liaotungensis and P. orientalis reached saturation, while that of R. pseudoacacia did not reach saturation but exhibited a significant reduction in moisture limitation. Among the three species, P. orientalis was the most capable of overcoming soil moisture constraints.

The function of the cytoplasmic dynein light chain PTKM23 in the transport of PTSMAD2 during spermatogenesis in Portunus trituberculatus.

Cytoplasmic dynein participates in transport functions and is essential in spermatogenesis. KM23 belongs to the dynein light chain family. The TGFß signaling pathway is indispensable in spermatogenesis, and Smad2 is an important member of this pathway. We cloned PTKM23 and PTSMAD2 from Portunus trituberculatus and measured their expression during spermatogenesis. PTKM23 may be related to cell division, acrosome formation and nuclear remodeling, and PTSMAD2 may participate in regulating the expression of genes related to spermatogenesis. We assessed the localization of PTKM23 with PTDHC and α-Tubulin, and the results suggested that PTKM23 functions in intracellular transport during spermatogenesis. We knocked down PTKM23 in vivo, and the expression of p53, B-CATAENIN and CYCLIN B decreased significantly, further suggesting a role of PTKM23 in transport and cell division. The localization of PTDIC with α-Tubulin and that of PTSMAD2 with PTDHC changed after PTKM23 knockdown. We transfected PTKM23 and PTSMAD2 into HEK-293 T cells and verified their colocalization. These results indicate that PTKM23 is involved in the assembly of cytoplasmic dynein and microtubules during spermatogenesis and that PTKM23 mediates the participation of cytoplasmic dynein in the transport of PTSMAD2 during spermatogenesis. This study provides a theoretical molecular biological basis for the breeding of P. trituberculatus.

Machine-learning-based feature selection to identify attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder using whole-brain white matter microstructure: A longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to identify important features of white matter microstructures collectively distinguishing individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from those without ADHD using a machine-learning approach. METHODS: Fifty-one ADHD patients and 60 typically developing controls (TDC) underwent diffusion spectrum imaging at two time points. We evaluated three models to classify ADHD and TDC using various machine-learning algorithms. Model 1 employed baseline white matter features of 45 white matter tracts at Time 1; Model 2 incorporated features from both time points; and Model 3 (main analysis) further included the relative rate of change per year of white matter tracts. RESULTS: The random forest algorithm demonstrated the best performance for classification. Model 1 achieved an area-under-the-curve (AUC) of 0.67. Model 3, incorporating Time 2 variables and relative rate of change per year, improved the performance (AUC = 0.73). In addition to identifying several white matter features at two time points, we found that the relative rate of change per year in the superior longitudinal fasciculus, frontal aslant tract, stria terminalis, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, thalamic and striatal tracts, and other tracts involving sensorimotor regions are important features of ADHD. A higher relative change rate in certain tracts was associated with greater improvement in visual attention, spatial short-term memory, and spatial working memory. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the significant diagnostic value of white matter microstructure and the developmental change rates of specific tracts, reflecting deviations from typical development trajectories, in identifying ADHD.

Investigation of the optimal cutting depth in small incision lenticule extraction based on a collagen fibril crimping constitutive model of the cornea.

To investigate the optimal cutting depth (Cap) in small incision lenticule extraction from the perspective of corneal biomechanics, a three-dimensional finite element model of the cornea was established using a stromal sub-regional material model to simulate small incision lenticule extraction. The displacement difference PΔ at the central point of the posterior corneal surface before and after lenticule extraction, as well as the von Mises stress at four points of different thicknesses in the center of the cornea, were analyzed using the finite element model considering the hyperelastic property and the difference in stiffness between the anterior and posterior of the cornea. The numerical curves of PΔ-Cap and von Mises Stress-Cap relations at different diopters show that the displacement difference PΔ has a smallest value at the same diopter. In this case, the von Mises stress at four points with different thicknesses in the center of the cornea was also minimal. Which means that the optimal cutting depth exsisting in the cornea. Moreover, PΔ-Cap curves for different depth of stromal stiffness boundaries show that the optimal cap thickness would change with the depth of the stromal stiffness boundary. These results are of guiding significance for accurately formulating small incision lenticule extraction surgery plans and contribute to the advancement of research on the biomechanical properties of the cornea.

Role of umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells in skin rejuvenation.

Aging is the main cause of many degenerative diseases. The skin is the largest and the most intuitive organ that reflects the aging of the body. Under the interaction of endogenous and exogenous factors, there are cumulative changes in the structure, function, and appearance of the skin, which are characterized by decreased synthesis of collagen and elastin, increased wrinkles, relaxation, pigmentation, and other aging characteristics. skin aging is inevitable, but it can be delayed. The successful isolation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) in 1991 has greatly promoted the progress of cell therapy in human diseases. The International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) points out that the MSC is a kind of pluripotent progenitor cells that have self-renewal ability (limited) in vitro and the potential for mesenchymal cell differentiation. This review mainly introduces the role of perinatal umbilical cord-derived MSC(UC-MSC) in the field of skin rejuvenation. An in-depth and systematic understanding of the mechanism of UC-MSCs against skin aging is of great significance for the early realization of the clinical transformation of UC-MSCs. This paper summarized the characteristics of skin aging and summarized the mechanism of UC-MSCs in skin rejuvenation reported in recent years. In order to provide a reference for further research of UC-MSCs to delay skin aging.

[Development and application of SSR markers of Saposhnikovia divaricata based on transcriptome].

Transcriptome sequencing was employed to mine the simple sequence repeat(SSR) locus information of Saposhnikovia divaricata and design specific primers, which aimed to provide a basis for the research on the genetic diversity of S. divaricata germplasm resources. The seed purity, 1 000-seed weight, germination rate, and seed vigor were determined. MISA was used to obtain the SSR locus information from 12 606 unigene longer than 1 kb in the transcriptome database. Forty-three pairs of SSR primers designed in Primer 3 were used to analyze the polymorphism of 28 S. divaricata samples of different sources. The results showed that there were differences in the seed purity, 1 000-seed weight, germination rate, vigor, and seed length and width among S. divaricata samples of different sources. Particularly, the germination rate and seed vigor had significant differences, and HB-ZJK1, NMG-CF4, NMG-BT, NMG-HLE1, and NMG-CF2 had significantly higher 1 000-seed weight, germination rate, and seed vigor than the samples of other sources. Among the 86 233 unigene, 12 606(14.62%) unigene contained 15 958 SSR loci, with one SSR locus every 5 009 bp on average. The SSR loci were mainly single nucleotide and dinucleotide repeats, which were dominated by G/C and TC/AG, respectively. All the primers were screened by using 28 S. divaricata sample from different habitats, and the primers corresponding to the amplification products with clear bands and stable polymorphism were obtained. The clustering results of the biological characteristics and genetic diversity of the 28 S. divaricata samples were basically consistent, and the samples of the same origin(HB-AG1, HB-AG2, HB-ZJK1, and HB-ZJK2) generally gathered together and had close genetic relationship. The SSRs in S. divaricata transcriptome has high frequency, rich types, and high polymorphism, which provides candidate molecular markers for the germplasm identification, genetic map construction, and molecular-assisted breeding.

Performance Evaluation of Newly-Developed Tumor Markers Assay Kit Based on Flow Fluorescence Assay.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of recently developed tumor marker clinical kits in China, with the aim of encouraging local medical technology innovation and thus narrowing the research and development gap with foreign kits. METHODS: The newly established reagent kits were analyzed on the TESMI F3999-Luminex200 flow lattice instrument to verify precision, sensitivity (blank limit), linearity, anti-interference ability, carry-over contamination rate, hook effect, and reference interval verification. Additionally, the newly established reagent kits were compared to other commercially available detection kits (reference reagent kits) to analyze the correlation between the two types of kits. RESULTS: The intra-assay and inter-assay precision had coefficients of variations (CVs) less than 3.50% and 6.91%, respectively. The tumor marker blank limits were lower than the manufacturer's statement. The newly established reagent kits demonstrated excellent linearity (r > 0.99). Rheumatoid factor, triglycerides, bilirubin, and hemoglobin did not have significant interference with the determination of tumor markers. The carry-over contamination rates were all much lower than 3%. At extremely high concentrations of AFP (277,335 ng/mL and 1,031,424 ng/mL), the measured tumor marker values were higher than the upper limit of the linear range and no hook effect occurred. The reference interval was suitable for use in clinical laboratory settings. Correlation analysis indicated a satisfactory relevance and consistency between the newly developed reagent kits and reference reagent kits, with correlation coefficients of r > 0.967 among 654 patients and healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed reagent kits for tumor markers performed well in all evaluated parameters, having the potential for clinical promotion and application.