The structural transformation reversibility of biogas slurry derived dissolved organic matter and its binding properties with norfloxacin under temperature fluctuation.

The widespread use of biogas slurry could potentially raise the environmental risk of antibiotics. Dissolved organic matter (DOM), as the most active part of biogas slurry, was able to interact with antibiotics and play a crucial role in the structure and function of soil and aquatic ecosystems. The recent shifts in global climate patterns have garnered significant attention due to their substantial impact on temperature, thereby exerting a direct influence on the characteristics of DOM and subsequently on the environmental behavior of antibiotics. However, there is limited research concerning the impact of temperature on the binding of DOM and antibiotics. Thus, this study aimed to explore the temperature-dependent structural transformation and driving factors of biogas slurry-derived DOM (BSDOM). Additionally, the binding characteristics between BSDOM and the commonly used antibiotic norfloxacin (NOR) at different temperatures were studied by using multi spectroscopic methods and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) analysis. The results suggested that the temperature-dependent structural transformation of BSDOM was reversible, with a slight lag in the transition temperature under cooling (13 °C for heating and 17 °C for cooling). Heating promoted the conversion of protein-like to humic-like substances while cooling favored the decomposition of humic-like substances. BSDOM and NOR were static quenching, with oxygen-containing functional groups such as C-O and -OH playing an important role. Temperature influenced the order of binding, the activity of the protein fraction, and its associated functional groups. At temperatures of 25 °C and 40 °C, the fluorescent components were observed to exhibit consistent binding preferences, whereby the humic-like component demonstrated a greater affinity for NOR compared to the protein-like component. However, the functional group binding order exhibited an opposite trend. At 10 °C, a new protein-like component appeared and bound preferentially to NOR, when no C-O stretch corresponding to the amide was observed. The finding will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the interaction mechanisms between DOM and antibiotics under climate change, as well as providing a theoretical basis to reduce the environmental risks of biogas slurry and antibiotics.

Glass-like thermal conductivity and phonon transport mechanism in disordered crystals.

Solid materials with ultra-low thermal conductivity (κ) are of great interest in thermoelectrics for energy conversion or as thermal barrier coatings for thermal insulation. Many low-κ materials exhibit unique properties, such as weak or even insignificant dependence on temperature (T) for κ, i.e., an anomalous glass-like behavior. However, a comprehensive theoretical model elucidating the microscopic phonon mechanism responsible for the glass-like κ-T relationship is still absent. Herein, we take rare-earth tantalates (RE3TaO7) as examples to reexamine phonon thermal transport in defective crystals. By combining experimental studies and atomistic simulations up to 1800 K, we revealed that diffusion-like phonons related to inhomogeneous interatomic bonding contribute more than 70% to the total κ, overturning the conventional understanding that low-frequency phonons dominate heat transport. Furthermore, due to the bridging effects of interatomic bonding, the κ of high-entropy tantalates is not necessarily lower than that of medium-entropy materials, suggesting that attempts to reduce κ through high-entropy engineering are limited, at least in defective fluorite tantalates. The new physical mechanism of multimodal phonon thermal transport in defective structures demonstrated in this work provides a reference for the analysis of phonon transport and offers a new strategy to develop and design low-κ materials by regulating the inhomogeneity of interatomic bonding.

[Retracted] miR­206 inhibits cancer initiating cells by targeting EHF in gastric cancer.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the colony formation assay data shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 8 were strikingly similar to data that had already appeared in another article written by different authors at different research institutes [Chen W, Wang J, Liu S, Wang S, Cheng Y, Zhou W, Duan C and Zhang C: MicroRNA­361­3p suppresses tumor cell proliferation and metastasis by directly targeting SH2B1 in NSCLC. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 35: 76, 732516, 2016]. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been published prior to its submission to Oncology Reports, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Oncology Reports 38: 1688­1694, 2017; DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5794].

Choline deficiency-related multi-omics characteristics are susceptible factors for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia.

The XELOX chemotherapy protocol that includes capecitabine and oxaliplatin is the routine treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC), but it can cause chemotherapy-related adverse events such as thrombocytopenia (TCP). To identify predictive biomarkers and clarify the mechanism of TCP susceptibility, we conducted integrative analysis using normal colorectal tissue (CRT), plasma, and urine samples collected before CRC patients received adjuvant XELOX chemotherapy. RNA-sequencing and DNA methylation arrays were performed on CRT samples, while liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed on CRT, plasma, and urine samples. Differentially expressed features (DEFs) from each uni-omics analysis were then subjected to integrative analysis using Multi-Omics Factor Analysis (MOFA). Choline-deficiency in plasma and CRT was found as the most critical TCP-related feature. Based on bioinformatic analysis and literature research, we further concluded that choline-deficiency was the possible reason for most of the other TCP-related multi-omics DEFs, including metabolites representing reduced sphingolipid de novo synthesis and elevated solute carrier-mediated transmembrane transportation in CRT and plasma, DNA hypermethylation and elevated expression of genes involved in neuronal system genes. In terms of thrombocytopoiesis, these TCP-related DEFs may cause atypical maintenance and differentiation of megakaryocyte, resulting a suppressed ability of thrombocytopoiesis, making patients more susceptible to chemotherapy-induced TCP. At last, prediction models were developed and validated with reasonably good discrimination. The area under curves (AUCs) of training sets were all > 0.9, while validation sets had AUCs between 0.778 and 0.926. In conclusion, our results produced reliable marker systems for predicting TCP and promising target for developing precision treatment to prevent TCP.

Factors for Visual Acuity Improvement After Anti-VEGF Treatment of Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration in China: 12 Months Follow up.

Purpose: To evaluate the treatment solutions and effectiveness of intravitreal ranibizumab (RBZ) or conbercept in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) in a real-life setting in China. Methods: The medical records of 368 patients with wAMD who started RBZ or conbercept treatment between 1 May 2014 and 30 April 2018 were evaluated. All patients were defined on fundus angiography at baseline to determine the subtype of AMD (PCV or CNV). We report visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) measurements at baseline and 12 months. Results: The average number of anti-VEGF injections was 2.1 ± 1.2. The BCVA improvement of these two groups was similar with a difference of 1.00 letter (95% CI: -1.4~3.4, p = 0.8505). At the end of the study, a BCVA increase of at least 5 letters was determined to be a satisfactory efficacy endpoint. Several factors were related to the possible improvement in the satisfactory efficacy endpoint, including female sex (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.22~3.51), number of injections (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.12~1.75) and VA change at the first month (OR 13.75, 95% CI 7.41~25.51). Additionally, some factors were related to the possible reduction in the satisfactory efficacy endpoint, including diabetes (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.10~0.73) and disease history (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57~0.98). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that anti-VEGF drugs can effectively improve BCVA and reduce CRT in AMD patients. Sex, number of injections, VA change at the first month, diabetes and disease history are the most important factors affecting visual acuity.

The effect of interface angle on the thermal conductivity of Si/Ge superlattices.

Si/Ge superlattices (SLs) are good candidates for thermoelectric materials because of their remarkable thermal insulating performance compared with their bulk counterparts. In this paper, the non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulation method was applied to investigate the thermal conductivity of Si/Ge SLs containing tilted interfaces. It was found that the thermal conductivity will be 4-5 times higher than that of other angles when the period length is 4-8 atomic layers and the interface angle is 45°. This phenomenon can be attributed to the smooth arrangement of the 45° interface which induces phonon coherent transport. Meanwhile, the thermal conductivity has not been improved due to the phonon localization although the phonons satisfy the coherent transport when the interface angle is 90°. Interestingly, the thermal conductivity is almost unchanged with the increasing interface angle when the period length is large enough which exceeds 20 atomic layers. The main reason for the unchanged thermal conductivity is due to the period length which is greater than the phonon coherence length inducing the phonon incoherent transport.

[A mathematical calculation model of replacement fluid and citric acid infusion in continuous veno-venous hemofiltration].

OBJECTIVE: To design a mathematical calculation model for better understanding and grasping the logical problem of replacement fluid and citric acid anticoagulant infusion in continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). METHODS: (1) Parameter definition: A, B, and T were respectively called the main part of pre-replacement fluid, 5% sodium bicarbonate solution, and 4% sodium citrate infused before filter. And a and b were respectively called the main part of post-replacement fluid, and 5% sodium bicarbonate solution infused after filter. (2) Logic conversion: The liquid in back terminal (Z) was artificially divided into two parts. One (X) was the original residual plasma after filtration. The second (Y) was the part excluding the plasma, including the left part of pre-replacement fluid with sodium citrate, and the post-replacement fluid. (3) The mathematical formulas of liquid volume and electrolyte concentration at X, Y and Z in unit time were listed according to the principle of CVVH and the screening coefficient of filter for different substances. (4) The calculation formulas were entered into Excel form, and a mathematical calculation model was made, and a simulation calculation with examples was carried out. RESULTS: An Excel model was established by inserting the calculation formulas of volume, electrolyte, and total calcium at X, Y and Z. And it was found that the concentration of Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3- at Y point remained unchanged only when A, B and (or) a, b was kept in same side and proportion even with the change of blood flow and other parameters without sodium citrate as anticoagulant. Once any of the parameters (such as blood flow, replacement fluid volume, etc.) were adjusted in other infusion methods (such as different ratios, different directions of the same year, etc.), the calculation results at Y would vary, and the electrolyte concentration at Z would change accordingly. A change of dilution model or parameter would result in the change of the electrolyte concentration at Y and Z with sodium citrate as anticoagulant. The concentration of total calcium scarcely changed no matter in what model and parameters. CONCLUSIONS: All kinds of infusion ways could be included in the Excel model. The infusion results of all kinds of infusion matching could be intuitively evaluated. It is helpful for the medical staff to make a logical analysis and risk prediction in CVVH.

[Reason analysis of ineffective triggering caused by a continuous nebulization airflow in mechanical ventilation].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the ineffective triggering caused by nebulization in the way of respiratory mechanics. METHODS: A test-lung and an oxygen-driven jet nebulizer were connected to the circuit in a PB840 ventilator. The test-lung was pulled outwards in manual way till an inspiration was effectively triggered separately in different flow-trigger modes [flow-trigger sensitivity (VTrig) 3 L/min and 5 L/min] and pressure-trigger modes [pressure-trigger sensitivity (PTrig) 2 cmH2O and 4 cmH2O, 1 cmH2O = 0.098 kPa] with the nebulizer being closed and opened in turn. The corresponding relationship and characteristics between the flow and pressure in the circuit under different triggering conditions were observed by adjusting the curve amplitude in the screen. The minimum alveolar pressure (Pa) which could cause an effective triggering and the variation span of Pa during the triggering period were analyzed in respiratory mechanics. RESULTS: (1) In flow-trigger mode: Pa was pulled down from positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) or intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPi) to "PEEP-VTrigR" (R meant airway resistance) without nebulization, and the span of Pa was "VTrigR" or "PEEPi-PEEP+VTrigR". Pa was pulled down from PEEP or PEEPi to "PEEP-(VTrig+N)R" (N meant nebulization airflow) with nebulization, and the span of Pa was "(VTrig+N)R" or "PEEPi-PEEP+(VTrig+N)R". (2) In pressure-trigger mode: Pa was pulled down from PEEP or PEEPi to "PEEP-PTrig-1R" without nebulization, and the span of Pa was "PTrig+1R" or "PEEPi-PEEP+PTrig+1R". Pa was pulled down from PEEP or PEEPi to "PEEP-PTrig-(N+1)R" with nebulization, and the span of Pa was "PTrig+(N+1)R" or "PEEPi-PEEP+PTrig+(N+1)R". CONCLUSIONS: Nebulization airflow increases the difficulty of inspiratory triggering in mechanical ventilation. PEEPi makes it more difficult.

The treatment and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity in neonatal intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vascular proliferative disorder of the developing retina and a significant cause of childhood blindness around the world. The incidence of ROP is affected by many factors, and the incidence rate varies from country to country. The purpose of this study is to report the incidence and risk factors of ROP in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Guangzhou First People's Hospital in China. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 436 premature infants who were consecutive ROP screened in the NICU of Guangzhou First People's Hospital from March 2013 to October 2017. The single-factor analysis and the logistic multivariate regression analysis were used to detect risk factors of ROP. RESULTS: Total 436 premature infants were consecutive ROP screened, 138 (31.65%) were found ROP, and 61(13.99%) were treated. The single-factor analysis revealed that the incidence of ROP was associated with multiple births, gestational age, birth weight, mechanical ventilation, intravascular hemolysis, the number of operations and blood culture results. The logistic multivariate regression analysis revealed that gestational age; birth weight, mechanical ventilation, minimum SaO2 and daily weight gain were independent risk factors for ROP onset. Forty-nine patients underwent retinal laser photocoagulation with recurrence 20 patients. Twelve patients underwent anti-VEGF drug (Ranibizumab) via intraocular injection with 5 patients of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ROP in NICU of Guangzhou China will match those in middle-income countries, but higher than high-income countries. Anti-VEGF drugs could be preferred as a good treatment method for zone 1 ROP and aggressive posterior ROP.

miR­206 inhibits cancer initiating cells by targeting EHF in gastric cancer.

Cancer initiating cells (CIC) are defined as the unique subpopulation in the tumors that possess the ability to initiate tumor growth and sustain self-renewal as well as metastatic potential. In this study, we found that EHF overexpression promoted formation of CIC traits and silencing it inhibited the traits in gastric cancer NCI­N87 cells. Overexpressing EHF downregulated the antitumor effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in NCI­N87 cells. We found that miR­206 downregulated EHF protein expression by targeting its 3'UTR in NCI­N87 cells and GES-1 cells. Overexpressing miR­206 inhibited formation of CIC in NCI­N87 cells. In gastric cancer tissues, EHF protein expression was upregulated and miR­206 was downregulated. We identified a negative correlation between EHF protein and miR­206 expression in gastric cancer tissues. Thus, we concluded that miR­206 inhibits formation of CICs by targeting EHF in gastric cancer.

Barriers to community-based drug dependence treatment: implications for police roles, collaborations and performance indicators.

INTRODUCTION: Worldwide, people who use drugs (PWUD) are among the populations at highest risk for HIV infection. In China, PWUD are primarily sentenced to compulsory detainment centres, in which access to healthcare, including HIV treatment and prevention services, is limited or non-existent. In 2008, China's 2008 Anti-Drug Law encouraged the development and use of community-based drug dependence rehabilitation, yet there is limited evidence evaluating the efficacy and challenges of this model in China. In this study, we explore these challenges and describe how cooperation between law enforcement and health departments can meet the needs of PWUD. METHODS: In 2015, we conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with all four staff members and 16 clients of the Ping An Centre No. 1 for community-based drug treatment, three local police officers and three officials from the local Centre for Disease Control. Interviews explored obstacles in implementing community-based drug dependence treatment and efforts to resolve these difficulties. Transcripts were coded and analyzed with qualitative data analysis software (MAXQDA 11). RESULTS: We identified three challenges to community-based drug treatment at the Ping An Centre No. 1: (1) suboptimal coordination among parties involved, (2) a divergence in attitudes towards PWUD and harm reduction between law enforcement and health officials and (3) conflicting performance targets for police and health officials that undermine the shared goal of treatment. We also identified the take-home methadone maintenance treatment model at the Ping An Centre No. 1 as an example of an early successful collaboration between the police, the health department and PWUD. CONCLUSIONS: To overcome barriers to effective community-based drug treatment, we recommend aligning the goals of law enforcement and public health agencies towards health-based performance indicators. Furthermore, tensions between PWUD and police need to be addressed and trust between them fostered, using community-based treatment centres as mediators. The preliminary success of the take-home methadone maintenance treatment pilot can serve as an example of how collaboration with the police and other government agencies can meet the needs of PWUD and contribute to the success of community-based treatment.

[Testify patient's blood electrolyte concentration a tendency to approach that of replacement-fluid in continuous renal replacement therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To prove with mathematical formula that the patient's blood electrolyte concentration shows a tendency to approach that of replacement-fluid after continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). METHODS: Electrolyte concentration of plasma, replacement-fluid and returning fluid were compared, and they were labeled as C(blood), C(norm), and C(return) respectively. The "C(return)" was calculated, and the relationship among them was demonstrated with comparison by mathematical formula. At last, according to their relationship, plasma change towards to the replacement fluid was analyzed. RESULTS: It was showed that "C(blood)C(return)>C(norm)", and according the relationship, it was derive that the trend of change in "C(blood)" after circulation for m unit time was "C(blood)1>C(blood)2>C(blood)3> ... >C(blood)m>C(norm)" or "C(blood)1 < C(blood)2 < C(blood)3 < ... < C(blood)m < C(norm)". The plasma electrolyte concentration would close to that of replacement fluid infinitely with the continue of CRRT. CONCLUSIONS: With mathematical model, it is proved that the replacement fluid electrolyte concentration is the final target of the plasma. We must make up the replacement fluid correctly. And this results provide the basis for CRRT treatment of electrolyte disorder.

Tuberculate fruit gene Tu encodes a C2 H2 zinc finger protein that is required for the warty fruit phenotype in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).

Cucumber fruits that have tubercules and spines (trichomes) are known to possess a warty (Wty) phenotype. In this study, the tuberculate fruit gene Tu was identified by map-based cloning, and was found to encode a transcription factor (TF) with a single C2 H2 zinc finger domain. Tu was identified in all 38 Wty lines examined, and was completely absent from all 56 non-warty (nWty) lines. Cucumber plants transgenic for Tu (TCP) revealed that Tu was required for the Wty fruit phenotype. Subcellular localization showed that the fusion protein GFP-Tu was localized mainly to the nucleus. Based on analyses of semi-quantitative and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and mRNA in situ hybridization, we found that Tu was expressed specifically in fruit spine cells during development of fruit tubercules. Moreover, cytokinin (CTK) content measurements and cytological observations in Wty and nWty fruits revealed that the Wty fruit phenotype correlated with high endogenous CTK concentrations. As a result of further analyses on the transcriptomic profile of the nWty fruit epidermis and TCP fruit warts, expression of CTK-associated genes, and hormone content in nWty fruit epidermis, Wty fruit warts and epidermis, and TCP fruit warts and epidermis, we found that Tu probably promoted CTK biosynthesis in fruit warts. Here we show that Tu could not be expressed in the glabrous and tubercule-free mutant line gl that contained Tu, this result that futher confirmed the epistatic effect of the trichome (spine) gene Gl over Tu. Taken together, these data led us to propose a genetic pathway for the Wty fruit trait that could guide future mechanistic studies.

Preferential CTL targeting of Gag is associated with relative viral control in long-term surviving HIV-1 infected former plasma donors from China.

It is generally believed that CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play a critical role in limiting the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and in determining the outcome of the infection, and this effect may partly depend on which HIV product is preferentially targeted. To address the correlation between HIV-1-specific CTL responses and virus replication in a cohort of former plasma donors (FPDs), 143 antiretroviral therapy naive FPDs infected with HIV-1 clade B' strains were assessed for HIV-1-specific CTL responses with an IFN-γ Elispot assay at single peptide level by using overlapping peptides (OLPs) covering the whole consensus clade B proteome. By using a Spearman's rank correlation analysis, we found that the proportion of Gag-specific CTL responses among the total virus-specific CTL activity was inversely correlated with viral loads while being positively correlated to CD4 counts, as opposed to Pol- and Env-specific responses that were associated with increased viral loads and decreased CD4 counts. In addition, Vpr-specifc CTL responses showed a similar protective effect with Gag responses, but with a much lower frequency of recognition. Significantly, we also observed an association between HLA-A*30/B*13/Cw*06 haplotype and lower viral loads that was probably due to restricted Gag-specific CTL responses. Thus, our data demonstrate the prominent role of Gag-specific CTL responses in disease control. The advantage of HLA-A*30/B*13/Cw*06 haplotype in viral control may be associated with the contribution of Gag-specific CTL responses in the studied individuals.

A c.1363C>T (p.R455X) nonsense mutation of RB1 gene in a southern Chinese retinoblastoma pedigree.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common malignant intraocular tumor in children. Fifty percent of RB patients are carriers of a predisposing germline mutation with high penetrance. RB1 has been identified as the only pathological gene. We present the rapid detection of an RB1 gene mutation in a Han pedigree of two RB patients from southern China. Total RNA was extracted from whole blood for reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to analyze RB1 transcripts, and genomic DNA for PCR and direct sequencing to test RB1 exons. Allele-specific PCR was used to verify the mutation. The results showed that the bilaterally affected son and the unilaterally affected father were both heterozygous for the nonsense mutation c.1363C>T (p.R455X) in exon 14 of RB1. Our studies suggest the molecular basis of RB in this Chinese family and provide further evidence that codon 455 is one of the recurrent spots for mutations in RB1.

[T cell receptor diversity of CD8+ T lymphocytes and its association with viral load in individuals with HIV-1 infection].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) length diversity of T cell receptor Vbeta repertoires of CD8+ T lymphocytes and to explore its association with viral load in individuals with HIV-1 infection. METHODS: Separation of CD8+ T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was carried out by using immunomagnetic beads coated with anti-CD8 antibody. Total RNAs from the purified CD8+ T lymphocytes were isolated and used to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications in CDR3 of 22 T cell receptor (TCR) gene families. CDR3 diversity and its association with viral load in individuals with HIV-1 infection were analyzed. RESULTS: An average diversity for all CDR3 profiles in CD8+ T cells from 9 HIV-infected individuals was significantly different as compared to 7 age-matched healthy donors (P<0.05) with the HIV-infected individuals losing diversity in the CDR3 profiles. There was positive correlation between changes in TCR CDR3 diversity and viral load (r=0.771, P<0.05). The changes in CDR3 length diversity of Vbeta families in HIV-infected individuals, particular in Vbeta2, Vbeta4, Vbeta5, Vbeta17, Vbeta20, Vbeta21, Vbeta23, Vbeta24, were statistically different from the healthy controls. CONCLUSION: HIV-1 infection might induce the loss of TCR Vbeta repertoire diversity and disrupt the CDR3 distributions within CD8+ T cells. There should be positive correlation between changes in TCR CDR3 diversity and the viral load in HIV-1 infected patients.

[Observation of the metatarsal nutrient artery]

OBJECTIVE: To observe the origin, course and diameter of the metatarsal nutrient artery. METHODS: The metatarsaL nutrient in 90 feet, ranging in age from newborn to 87 years, were studied by perfusion method. The origin, course and diameter of these arteries were observed and measured. RESULTS: The diameter of the metatarsal nutrient artery was 0.24 approximate, equals 0.30 mm. The nutrient arteries of the first metatarsal bone originated from the deep plantar branch and the first metatarsal plantar artery in 59.6% of specimens, while the nutrient arteries of the other metatarsal bones mainly originate from the plantar metatarsal arteries, the plantar arch and its perfora-ting branches. The diaphysial nutrient foramina were situated in the middle third of the shaft over 90% of specimens. CONCLUSION: The metatarsal nutrient artery showes practical significance in clinic.