DNA double-strand break repair capacity and its pathway gene variants predict the risk and prognosis of lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the association between DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair capacity, variations in DSBs-related genes, and the occurrence and prognosis of lung cancer in the Chinese population. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 98 lung cancer patients and 60 healthy individuals. The individual DSBs repair capacity was assessed by measuring changes in γ-H2AX levels after treatment with etoposide. Exonic sequencing of 45 DSBs-related genes was performed on PBMC DNA. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between lung cancer risk and DSBs repair capacity as well as germlines gene variations. Survival analysis employed the Cox proportional hazards regression model, Kaplan-Meier method, and Log-rank test. RESULTS: Lower DSBs repair capacity predicted an increased risk of developing lung cancer (OR = 0.94, 95 %CI = 0.917-0.964, P＜0.001). Among lung cancer patients, higher DSBs repair capacity was associated with shorter progression-free survival (PFS) during first-line treatment (HR = 1.80, 95 %CI = 1.10-3.00, P = 0.031). Patients with BRCA1 mutations had shorter overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.92, 95 %CI = 1.12-3.28, P = 0.018). Patients with FOXO3 mutations had shorter PFS (HR = 4.23, 95 %CI = 1.44-12.36, P = 0.009). Analysis of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) indicated that LIG4 mutations were associated with shorter PFS (HR = 2.90, 95 %CI = 1.00-8.10, P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that assessing DSBs repair capacity holds promise for predicting both lung cancer risk and prognosis in the Chinese population. Further large-scale studies and functional validation of specific gene mutations related to double-strand breaks are necessary for confirmation.

Bisphenol A and its analogue bisphenol S exposure reduce estradiol synthesis via the ROS-mediated PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway.

As a kind of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, BPA may affect the human placenta. Due to consumer unease about BPA, many manufacturers are using alternatives to BPA, such as BPS. However, some reports suggest that BPS may produce similar results to BPA. To understand how BPA/BPS leads to reduced synthesis of placental estradiol (E2), we conducted studies using a human choriocarcinoma cell (JEG-3) model for research. In this study. Elisa assay revealed that both BPA/BPS exposures decreased E2 synthesis in JEG-3 cells. The results of RT-PCR showed that both BPA and BPS could reduce the mRNA expression of CYP19A1, a key enzyme for E2 synthesis in JEG-3 cells. In addition, Western blot assay showed that BPA/BPS-induced ER-stress PERK/eIF2α/ATF4 signaling protein expression was increased. The expression of ROS in cells after exposure to BPA/BPS was detected using the 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) method. The results of this experiment showed that BPA/BPS significantly induced an inhibition of ROS in JEG-3 cells. The present study concluded that, firstly, BPS exposure induced almost the same effect as BPA in reducing E2 synthesis in JEG-3 cells. Second, BPA/BPS exposure may reduce E2 synthesis in JEG-3 cells by increasing ROS levels and thus activating endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Investigation on the precipitate morphology and fraction characterization by atomic force microscopy.

Precipitate was typically characterized by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze the relationship between material property and precipitate fraction. However, these procedures tend to be are always time consuming because of the complicated sample preparation process involved and the observation course. Particularly, sometime the precipitate can't be highlighted solely from the images easily. In this study, atomic force microscopy (ATM) was performed to characterize the morphology and fraction of the precipitate in this paper. Five kinds of materials were selected and prepared by electropolishing or vibration polishing method to display the precipitates on the sample surface. The experiment results prove that different types of precipitates with higher values for height on a sample surface could be clearly observed by AFM, and the images quality is highly relied upon the surface quality. The precipitate fraction can be calculated using the AFM micrographs and image photo post treated software (IPP). It was turned out that AFM is found suitable for observation almost all kinds of precipitates, and the precipitates can be easily separated from the images. Not only vibration polishing but also electrolytic polishing could offer a smooth surface for observing nanosized precipitates by AFM. A comparison of the fraction result obtained by AFM and precise microchemical analysis proves that the fraction measurement result obtained by AFM is acceptable.

Discrepancy in ingroup bias among different self-construal individuals: The moderating role of group types.

Although ingroup bias is well confirmed in various groups, the extent of the bias is affected by culture. Using a point-assignment task and implicit association task (IAT) paradigm, we conducted research to explore the influence of independent/interdependent self-construal ingroup bias in live and minimal group situations from both explicit and implicit aspects. The results showed that no matter which construal style was used (independent or interdependent self-construal), participants showed ingroup bias in both live and minimal groups. In the minimal group condition, the ingroup bias of individuals with independent self-construal was significantly higher than that of individuals with interdependent self-construal. Conversely, in the live group condition, the ingroup bias of individuals with interdependent self-construal was significantly higher than that of individuals with independent self-construal. This study showed the influence of independent/interdependent self-construal on ingroup bias and group type is a moderating variable. Results indicate that group categorization may play an essential role in ingroup bias of different group types.

A miniaturized microstrip antenna with tunable double band-notched characteristics for UWB applications.

This paper proposes the step-by-step design procedure for obtaining independent dual band-notch performance, which provides a valuable method for designing tunable dual band-notched UWB antenna. The proposed antenna consists of the semicircle ring-like radiating patch with an elliptical-shaped slot and double split ring resonators on the top surface of the substrate and defected ground structure (DGS) on the bottom surface of the substrate. The operating frequencies ranged from 1.3 to 11.6 GHz (S11 < - 10 dB). By loading varactor diodes at the gap of the resonators structure and changing the varactor diode's reverse bias voltage(0-30 V), a wider band-notched tuning range from 2.47-4.19 to 4.32-5.96 GHz can be achieved, which covers the whole WiMAX band and WLAN band. The experimental results agree well with the simulated results. The notched gain at notched frequency points is about - 5.3 dBi and - 5 dBi, demonstrating that the narrow-band interference signal could be efficiently suppressed. The security of UWB communication systems can be further enhanced. Meanwhile, the selection of varactor diode and DC bias circuit are fully considered. Hence, the accuracy of the experiment results and antenna operating performance have been improved. Furthermore, the proposed antenna only has an electrical size of 0.26λ*0.19λ at 1.3 GHz. Compared to the related reported antennas, the proposed antenna has achieved a simpler structure, low profile, compact size, tunable dual band-notched characteristics, extensive independent tunable range, and good band-notched performance simultaneously, to the best of our knowledge. The proposed antenna is believed to have a valuable prospect in UWB communication, Wireless Body Area Network, Industry Science Medicine, mobile communication applications, etc.

Yajieshaba prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal barrier injuryanti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of Yajieshaba (YJSB) on the intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: C57BL/6 mice and rat intestinal epithelial cells were treated with LPS. Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide assay were used to detect cell viability. D-Lactate, diamine oxidase and myeloperoxidase and cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot was used to detect apoptosis-related proteins and tight junction (TJ) proteins. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify the levels of mRNA expression of cytokines. Histological analysis was performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. An immunofluorescence staining assay was performed to determine the expression level of TJ protein. RESULTS: YJSB increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis, maintained intestinal permeability after LPS-induced. YJSB inhibited LPS-induced decrease of TJ protein expression, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and neutrophil infiltration. CONCLUSION: YJSB protect against LPS-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis, suggesting its therapeutic potential against intestinal barrier injury-related diseases.

Nano zinc oxide decorated latex drainage: A promising antibacterial material prevent retrograde infection associated with drainage.

Surgical site infections (SSI) represent a considerable burden for healthcare systems. Studies show retrograde infection of the drainage tube is an important cause of surgical site infection. To this end, Surgeons work in various ways to reduce the incidence of retrograde infections. Fast progress in nanoscience and nanotechnology is revolutionizing the field of medicine to improve the quality of life due to the myriad of applications stemming from their unique properties, including the antibacterial activity against pathogens. Herein, we investigate the antibacterial properties of a novel nanomaterial composed of nano zinc oxide-decorated latex drainages. These materials were produced by the hydrothermal method and characterized through field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and DLS (Dynamic light scattering techniques). Then inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements showed that nano zinc oxide on the surface of the latex drainages showed a gradient release process. The antimicrobial activity of nano zinc oxide -decorated latex drainage was evaluated against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, the main bacteriological agent in the retrograde infection associated with drainage. The results showed that slices and rods nano zinc oxide (SAR-ZnO) drainage tubes had the best antibacterial properties both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, the cell viability assay demonstrated that nano zinc oxide-decorated latex drainages exerted good biocompatibility. Therefore, SAR-ZnO drainage tubes can be a perfect nanomaterial against the retrograde infection associated with drainage.

Evaluation of theTherapeutic Effect of the Hybrid Operation on Patients with Aneurysms Associated with Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations with different Redekop Classifications.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial aneurysms associated with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a rare condition in the clinic, and treatment is very difficult due to their particular anatomical features. We present our experience in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms with AVMs and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endovascular treatment combined with microsurgical resection (the hybrid operation). METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study in our neurosurgical department from January 2015 to January 2021. We collected clinical data from 48 patients with intracranial aneurysms associated with AVMs and categorized them according to Redekop classifications according to the results of cerebral imaging examination to compare the therapeutic effects of endovascular embolization and the hybrid operation. RESULTS: Compared to nonaneurysmal AVMs, intracranial aneurysms with AVMs more often presented with intracranial hemorrhage (P<0.05). Massive hematoma and severe neurological impairment were more often found in patients with intracranial aneurysms with AVMs (P<0.05). For flow-related aneurysms, the hybrid surgery had a higher one-stage cure rate than endovascular embolization alone (P<0.05). Both treatment methods had similar effects on intranidal aneurysms (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in prognostic indicators between the two treatments. However, the recurrence rate of AVMs with proximal flow-related aneurysms was lower in patients who underwent the hybrid operation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The hybrid operation was safe and effective for patients with intracranial aneurysms associated with AVMs. For flow-related aneurysms, the one-stage cure rate was higher and the recurrence rate was lower with the hybrid operation than with endovascular embolization alone.

MicroRNA-629-3p Promotes Interleukin-13-Induced Bronchial Epithelial Cell Injury and Inflammation by Targeting FOXA2.

OBJECTIVE: Asthma is a chronic pulmonary inflammatory disease. MicroRNA (miR)-629-3p expression is reported to be up-regulated in the sputum of asthma patients. Nonetheless, miR-629-3p's role and mechanism in asthma remain largely unknown. This study is aimed at exploring miR-629-3p's role in regulating the injury and inflammation of bronchial epithelial cells. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to detect the expression levels of miR-629-3p and forkhead box a2 (FOXA2) mRNA in 16HBE cells treated with interleukin-13 (IL-13). 16HBE cell viability was evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and cell apoptosis was analyzed by a flow cytometer. The levels of C-C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CCL11), C-C motif chemokine ligand 26 (CCL26), C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL-2)/mono-cyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in 16HBE cell supernatant were detected through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The downstream target genes of miR-629-3p were predicted through bioinformatics. Besides, the targeted relationship between miR-629-3p and FOXA2 mRNA 3'-UTR was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Western blot was utilized to determine the regulatory effects of miR-629-3p on the expression of FOXA2 protein in 16HBE cells. RESULTS: MiR-629-3p expression was significantly enhanced in IL-13-stimulated 16HBE cells while the FOXA2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly down-regulated. The transfection of miR-629-3p mimics inhibited 16HBE cells' viability, and promoted the apoptosis and the secretion of chemokines CCL11, CCL26, CCL-2/MCP-1, IL-1b, and IL-6 of 16HBE cells, whereas inhibiting miR-629-3p had the opposite effects. Moreover, FOXA2 was identified as a downstream miR-629-3p target, and its overexpression reversed the effects of the miR-629-3p on 16HBE cells. CONCLUSION: MiR-629-3p promotes IL-13-induced 16HBE cells' injury and inflammation by targeting FOXA2.

Contamination of typical phthalate acid esters in surface water and sediment of the Pearl River, South China: Occurrence, distribution, and health risk assessment.

The occurrence and distribution of six phthalate acid esters (PAEs) in surface water and sediment of the Pearl River were investigated, including Xijiang River (XR), Beijiang River (BR), Lingdingyang Estuary (LE), and Guangzhou River (GR) in South China. Six target PAEs were identified in surface water and sediment at almost all sites in the Pearl River, with di(2-ethyl-ethyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as dominant PAEs. Total 6 PAEs (ΣPAEs) in surface water and sediment ranged from 1,797.5 to 4,968.5 ng L-1 and 95.24 to 3,677.26 ng g-1 dw, respectively. In addition, the contamination levels of PAEs in the Pearl River are in the following order: XR > BR > GR > LE for surface water and BR > XR > GR for sediment. Local agricultural activities, industrial production, water confluence, and seawater intrusion are the probable sources of PAEs in the Pearl River. Based on correlation analysis, the possible collocation patterns of different PAEs were revealed. The risk assessment indicates that residual PAEs in the Pearl River pose a serious threat to the ecological environment. According to risk characterization of fish living in the Pearl River, the decreasing order of health risks was: GR > LE > XR > BR.

Preparation and Performance of Microencapsulated Sealing Material for Coal Mine Gas Drainage.

The performance of coal mine gas extraction borehole sealing material plays an essential role in the efficiency of gas extraction. Microcapsule technology was proposed to delay the expansion time of sealing materials to address the ineffective expansion of cement-based sealing materials in hydration. Based on conventional cement-based sealing materials, delayed-expansion microcapsules were prepared by phase separation with ethyl cellulose (EC) as the capsule wall material and montmorillonite (MMT) as the core material. A single-factor experiment showed that the delayed-expansion microcapsule had the best comprehensive effect when the EC content was 3%, the stirring rate was 400 rpm, the MMT content was 3.5%, and the core-wall ratio (CWR) was 10:3. Second, the slow release effect of the cement samples under the action of microcapsules is remarkable through physical tests. In addition, the triaxial compression test results show better mechanical properties of the delayed-expansion sealing materials. Then, nuclear magnetic resonance scanning was applied to the coal samples injected with different sealing materials. It was found that the proportions of macropores and mesopores in the total pore volume in the coal sample at 50 and 100 mm from the borehole wall decreased by 12.28 and 11.82%, respectively, indicating that the delayed-expansion sealing material has a better sealing effect.

Short-term outcomes of pelvic floor peritoneum closure in endoscopic low anterior resection of rectal cancer: A propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of pelvic floor peritoneum closure (PC) during endoscopic low anterior resection (E-LAR) of rectal cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify whether pelvic floor PC affected short-term outcomes. METHODS: The study group comprised patients with the pathologically confirmed diagnosis of rectal cancer who underwent E-LAR with pelvic floor PC or with no PC (NPC) between January 2013 and December 2018 in Southwest Hospital. After propensity score matching (PSM), 584 patients (292 who underwent PC and 292 who underwent NPC) were evaluated. Postoperative indicators, including the rates of complications, anastomotic leakage (AL), reoperation, and inflammation, were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in the rates of postoperative complications between the PC and NPC groups. The rates of AL were similar (11.3% vs. 9.2%, p = .414). However, the reoperation rate of patients in the PC group was significantly lower than that of patients in the NPC group after AL (36.4% vs. 11.1%, p = .025). The hospital costs were higher in the NPC leakage subgroup (p = .001). Additionally, the serum C-reactive protein levels were lower in the PC group on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, and 5, whereas procalcitonin levels on POD 1 and 3 were lower in the PC group but did not differ significantly on POD 5. CONCLUSION: Pelvic peritonization did not affect the rate of complications, especially AL; however, it effectively reduced the reoperation and inflammation rates and reduced hospitalization costs. Other short-term outcomes were similar, which warrant the increased use of pelvic peritonization in endoscopic surgery.

The phosphorylation of CHK1 at Ser345 regulates the phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells both in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: DNA damage and repair have been shown to be associated with carotid artery restenosis and atherosclerosis. The proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is the main cause of artery stenosis. This study aims to define the relationship between DNA damage and VSMCs proliferation. METHODS: A rat carotid artery injury model was established, and human and rat VSMCs cultured in vitro. H2O2 was used to induce DNA damage in vitro. The selected CHK1 inhibitor, LY2603618, was used to inhibit CHK1 phosphorylation both in vivo and in vitro. γH2AX, αSMA and phosphorylated CHK1 were detected both in rat carotid artery and cultured VSMCs from different groups. Hyperplasia ratio of rat carotid artery intimal was measured. RESULTS: DNA double-strand breaks occur in the rat carotid artery after injury. DNA damage induces CHK1 phosphorylation and down-regulates αSMA expression in VSMCs both in vitro and in vivo. The inhibition of CHK1 phosphorylation rescues αSMA expression in VSMCs both in vitro and in vivo, and rat carotid intimal hyperplasia after injury was suppressed. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated that phosphorylation of CHK1 under DNA damage stress modulates VSMCs phenotypic switching. CHK1 inhibition may be a potential therapeutic strategy for intima hyperplasia treatment.

Plant-Produced Anti-Enterovirus 71 (EV71) Monoclonal Antibody Efficiently Protects Mice Against EV71 Infection.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the main causative agent of severe hand-foot-mouth disease. EV71 affects countries mainly in the Asia-Pacific region, which makes it unattractive for pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs or vaccine to combat EV71 infection. However, development of these drugs and vaccines is vital to protect younger generations. This study aims to develop a specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) to EV71 using a plant platform, which is a cost-effective and scalable production technology. A previous report showed that D5, a murine anti-EV71 mAb, binds to VP1 protein of EV71, potently neutralizes EV71 in vitro, and effectively protects mice against EV71 infection. Herein, plant-produced chimeric D5 (cD5) mAb, variable regions of murine D5 antibody linked with constant regions of human IgG1, was transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana using geminiviral vectors. The antibody was expressed at high levels within six days of infiltration. Plant-produced cD5 retained its in vitro high-affinity binding and neutralizing activity against EV71. Furthermore, a single dose (10 µg/g body weight) of plant-produced cD5 mAb offered 100% protection against infection in mice after a lethal EV71 challenge. Therefore, our results showed that plant-produced anti-EV71 mAb is an effective, safe, and affordable therapeutic option against EV71 infection.

Thermodynamic analysis of air-ground and water-ground energy exchange process in urban space at micro scale.

With an acceleration of urbanization in China, a large number of natural underlying surface have been replaced by impervious surface, which seriously affect the urban thermal and water environment. In this study, we focus on four typical urban underlying surfaces, asphalt, cement, pervious brick, and lawn. Based on the theory of heat transfer and fluid mechanics, we establish a solar radiation model and a rainfall convection model to analyze the heat transfer process of thermal radiation, thermal conduction, and thermal convection of urban underlying surface under different meteorological conditions. The fitting effects of both models are good: For solar radiation model, 0.89 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.99, 1.93 °C ≤ RMSE≤2.45 °C, 1.87 °C ≤ MAE ≤ 2.17 °C. For rainfall convection model, 0.95 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.96, 0.17 °C ≤ RMSE≤0.21 °C, 0.15 °C ≤ MAE ≤ 0.2 °C. Results show that: 1) In the absence of rainfall, the land-surface temperature of asphalt, cement, and pervious brick underlying surface is higher than air temperature, which has a positive effect on urban near-surface air temperature. In addition, the lawn underlying surface with the lowest temperature and the lowest temperature difference has a negative impact on the urban surface temperature. 2) In the rainfall, the underlying surface transfers heat to the runoff in the form of convection, forcing the runoff temperature to rise. Asphalt has the most obvious heating effect on runoff and lawn has the least effect on runoff temperature. The study proposes that the land-surface temperature can be lowered by paving lawn in hot places, and the pervious underlying surface should be adopted in the areas adjacent to the water bodies to reduce the influence of the underlying surface on runoff temperature.

Robotic versus laparoscopic rectal resection surgery: Short-term outcomes and complications: A retrospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The safety of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) remains a concern. This study aimed to compare the complications after RAS versus laparoscopic-assisted surgery (LAS) for rectal cancer using the Clavien-Dindo classification and to identify risk factors related to the complications. METHOD: Between March 2010 and June 2016, 556 rectal cancer patients who underwent successful RAS and 1029 patients who received LAS were enrolled in this study. The complications were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, and the possible risk factors related to the complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall postoperative complication rate was 14.9%, with a 5% rate of severe complications that were classified as grade III or above in RAS group compared with 17.1% and 4.4% in LAS group. However, no significant difference was found (P = 0.608). A high ASA score was identified as an independent risk factor for overall and severe complications in both groups. The use of more than 3 staples in each operation and the anastomotic site of the anal verge at less than 5 cm were independent risk factors for complications. CONCLUSIONS: RAS for rectal cancer is technically safe and it does not significantly improve the complication rate. The incidence of overall complications is still related to tumor location, the general condition of the patients, and the surgical approach.

A PCR-lateral flow assay system based on gold magnetic nanoparticles for CYP2C19 genotyping and its clinical applications.

Presently, clopidogrel is the standard therapeutic drugs for antiplatelet therapy. Variants in the CYP2C19 gene influence the clinical response of clopidogrel. Thus, the US Food and Drug Administration suggested CYP2C19 genotyping needs to identify before taking medicine. Due to high cost, time consuming, and sophisticated instruments, current single nucleotide polymorphism detection methods are limited in clinical application. In the present study, we established a genotyping method for CYP2C19, which combines amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR with a lateral flow assay used gold magnetic nanoparticles (GMNPs) named as PCR-gold magnetic lateral flow assay system (PCR-GoldMag LFA). The PCR products with specific genotype can be explained within 5 minutes, either through visual or by a magnetic reader automatically according to the captured GMNPs probes on the test lines of the LFA strips. The limit of detection of this method is 5 ng of genomic DNA. The PCR-GoldMag LFA system was applied in a clinical trial with 1356 samples of Han Chinese. The concordance rate between the LFA system and sequencing is 99.93%. The allele frequency of CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3 are 30.38 and 7.08% in Han Chinese, respectively. This method provides a new way in the clinical application of CYP2C19 genotyping to guide the clopidogrel medication.

Using Transcriptome Analysis to Identify Genes Involved in Switchgrass Flower Reversion.

Floral reversion is a process in which differentiated floral organs revert back to vegetative organs. Although this phenomenon has been described for decades, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we found that immature switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) inflorescences can revert to neonatal shoots when incubated on a basal medium with benzylaminopurine. We used anatomical and histological methods to verify that these shoots were formed from floret primordia through flower reversion. To further explore the gene regulation of floral reversion in switchgrass, the transcriptome of reversed, unreversed, and uncultured immature inflorescences were analyzed and 517 genes were identified as participating in flower reversion. Annotation using non-redundant databases revealed that these genes are involved in plant hormone biosynthesis and signal transduction, starch and sucrose metabolism, DNA replication and modification, and other processes crucial for switchgrass flower reversion. When four of the genes were overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana, vegetative growth was facilitated and reproductive growth was inhibited in transgenic plants. This study provides a basic understanding of genes regulating the floral transition in switchgrass and will promote the research of floral reversion and flower maintenance.

[Progress of malaria elimination of Jiangsu Province, China].

There were vivax malaria, falciparum malaria, and malariae malaria epidemic in Jiangsu Province, and vivax malaria was the dominant disease. Anopheles sinensis and An. anthropophagus were malaria-transmitted vectors. Since the founding of People's Republic of China, there have been two major malaria outbreaks in Jiangsu Province, when the highest annual malaria incidence reached up to 24.95%. According to prevention and control principles of "adjusting measures to local conditions, giving different guidance to different categories and highlighting key points", during the epidemic outbreak stage, the largescale malaria prevention and control measures were implemented for all the residents who were target population in Jiangsu malaria-endemic areas. During the basic eradication stage, the targeted prevention and control measures had been carried out according to the different epidemic features to gradually consolidate the achievement of prevention and control in Jiangsu Province. In the malaria elimination stage, Jiangsu Province focused on controlling of the source of infection and malaria surveillance. According to the "1-3-7 targeted elimination" work model, the management of infectious sources and investigation and disposal of foci were carried out for each epidemic focus to block the malaria transmission. By the end of 2017, there had been no indigenous malaria cases for the six consecutive years in Jiangsu Province. All the 13 cities have passed the assessment of malaria elimination of Jiangsu Province. Although Jiangsu Province has achieved the goal of malaria elimination, it is urgent and necessary to maintain and improve malaria surveillance capabilities to prevent malaria reintroduction.

[Quality analysis of malaria microscopic examinations in Jiangsu Province from 2011 to 2017].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the quality of production of blood slides and laboratory personnel's ability to microscopically examine Plasmodium at Jiangsu Province clinic inspection stations at all levels, so as to provide the evidence for the construction of malaria diagnostic laboratories and the evaluation of malaria elimination effect. METHODS: After the reexamination of the negative blood slides of the examination stations of the malaria center in each county (district), the negative blood slides of the outpatient inspection station in the district and all the positive blood slides of the direct report of the network from 2011 to 2017, the staining and cleanliness of the blood smears, microscopic examination results and the coincidence rate of positive blood species were comprehensively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 19 109 checked blood samples were examined. The qualified rates of blood preparation, dyeing and cleanliness were 87.5%, 89.3% and 87.6%, respectively. The quality of reexamined blood slides in different years showed statistically significant difference (all P < 0.05), by using chi-square trend test, and there was a trend of increasing year by year. There was a significant difference in the quality of the reexamined blood slides among the different cities with districts (P < 0.05). In addition, there were 1 860 blood samples from 2012 to 2017, and the total coincidence rate was 87.4% and the coincidence rate of positive blood smear examinations was 98.9%. The species coincidence rates of Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale and mixed infection were 95.4%, 33.3%, 56.0%, 76.5% and 9.1%, respectively (P < 0.05). The total coincidence rates of blood smear reexaminations in different years were 85.0%, 90.1%, 86.0%, 85.3%, 90.0% and 87.6% from 2012 to 2017, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of blood slides at the primary clinic inspection stations in Jiangsu Province conforms to the standard established by the provincial malaria reference laboratory; however, the ability of Plasmodium species identification is insufficient and needs to be improved.