[Content, Distribution, Source Analysis, and Risk Assessment of PAHs in Arable Soils of Taiyuan].

PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) accumulated in arable soils have significant impacts on farmland quality and human health, which has attracted wide attention from scientists and the public. A total of 22 arable soil samples were collected from Taiyuan, an old industrial city, including three districts (industrial zones, hilly areas, and sewage irrigation area), and the contents of 21 PAHs were detected using the GC-MS method. The sources of PAHs in soils were analyzed using the diagnostic ratios (DRs) method and positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, and the soil health risks were analyzed using the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) model. The results indicated that the average concentrations of Σ21PAHs and Σ16PAHs in arable soils of Taiyuan were 934.6 ng·g-1 and 787.7 ng·g-1, respectively, which were lower than the soil pollution risk screening value of agricultural land stipulated in GB 15168-2018. 3-5 rings PAHs were the dominant components, accounting for~90% of the Σ21PAHs. Approximately 60% of sites in industrial zones, 13% in hilly areas, and 33% in the sewage irrigation area had high PAHs contents larger than 1000 ng·g-1. The spatial distribution of PAHs showed that more severe PAHs pollution in the soil occurred in industrial areas than that in the other two districts. The DRs suggested that the combustion of coals, bio-masses, and traffic emissions were the dominant sources for PAHs pollution in arable soils in Taiyuan. The simulation results of the PMF model indicated that the sources and contribution rates of PAHs in cultivated soils were coal and biomass burning sources (59%), traffic sources (22%), and coking sources (19%). The risk assessment confirmed that the arable soils in Taiyuan had high potential carcinogenic risks; thus, more attention should be paid to the PAHs pollutions in arable soils.

Current status and progress of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: A review.

After 30 years of development, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) has become the main method for treating adult inguinal hernia. LIHR is more standardized, the approach of single-port laparoscopic hernioplasty, the advantages of robotic inguinal hernioplasty, the application of new patches and the selection of surgical methods for different populations have become the focus and difficulty of current research. This article summarized the research progress of LIHR in recent years. Different keywords and phrases including inguinal hernia, LIHR, transabdominal laparoscopic preperitoneal hernia repair, and total extraperitoneal hernia repair were used to search the PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Web of Science databases for related original and review articles that serve the aim of this article well, which was to perform a nonsystematic review of the development, progress, and current status of LIHR.

Newly discovered mechanisms that mediate tumorigenesis and tumour progression: circRNA-encoded proteins.

Proteins produced by cap-independent translation mediated by an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) in circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in tumour progression. To date, numerous studies have been performed on circRNAs and the proteins they encode. In this review, we summarize the biogenesis of circRNAs and the mechanisms regulating circRNA-encoded proteins expression. We also describe relevant research methods and their applications to biological processes such as tumour cell proliferation, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis, autophagy and chemoresistance. This paper offers deeper insights into the roles that circRNA-encoded proteins play in tumours. It also provides a theoretical basis for the use of circRNA-encoded proteins as biomarkers of tumorigenesis and for the development of new targets for tumour therapy.

Atmospheric dustfall exhibits consistent sedimentary sorting with height evidenced by grain size characteristics.

The grain size of aeolian deposits is a key property to understanding their sedimentary sorting characteristics, which determine the sedimentary dynamics of an airflow field. Although atmospheric dust sedimentary sorting processes are understood well in the horizontal direction, those in the vertical direction and their influencing factors remain unclear. Herein, modern atmospheric dustfall was collected using dust traps at heights of 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 m to reveal its sedimentary sorting characteristics. The analysis demonstrated that atmospheric dustfall exhibits a bimodal grain size distribution, and the bimodal grain size distribution curves change within a height of 8 m. However, either peak 1 or peak 2 exhibits consistent grain size characteristics with height; hence, each sub-peak indicates consistent sedimentary sorting within a height of 8 m. The modification of grain size distribution curves with height is mainly driven by different sedimentary fluxes for peak 1 at different heights. Dustfall grain size characteristics are also potentially affected by the settling height, concentration of the atmospheric dust, and dust sedimentary flux. However, the sedimentary sorting of sub-peak components is mainly governed by the near-surface airflow field. Thus, this reveals the process of formation and grain size distribution of aeolian deposits. Overall, atmospheric dustfall with mixed multi-peak components conceals information on the sedimentary environment.

Study on Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Surface Albedo at the Northern Edge of the Badain Jaran Desert Based on C + STNLFFM Model.

Obtaining surface albedo data with high spatial and temporal resolution is essential for measuring the factors, effects, and change mechanisms of regional land-atmosphere interactions in deserts. In order to obtain surface albedo data with higher accuracy and better applicability in deserts, we used MODIS and OLI as data sources, and calculated the daily surface albedo data, with a spatial resolution of 30 m, of Guaizi Lake at the northern edge of the Badain Jaran Desert in 2016, using the Spatial and Temporal Non-Local Filter-based Fusion Model (STNLFFM) and topographical correction model (C model). We then compared the results of STNLFFM and C + STNLFFM for fusion accuracy, and for spatial and temporal distribution differences in surface albedo over different underlying surfaces. The results indicated that, compared with STNLFFM surface albedo and MODIS surface albedo, the relative error of C + STNLFFM surface albedo decreased by 2.34% and 3.57%, respectively. C + STNLFFM can improve poor applicability of MODIS in winter, and better responds to the changes in the measured value over a short time range. After the correction of the C model, the spatial difference in surface albedo over different underlying surfaces was enhanced, and the spatial differences in surface albedo between shifting dunes and semi-shifting dunes, fixed dunes and saline-alkali land, and the Gobi and saline-alkali land were significant. C + STNLFFM maintained the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of STNLFFM surface albedo, but the increase in regional aerosol concentration and thickness caused by frequent dust storms weakened the spatial difference in surface albedo over different underlying surfaces in March, which led to the overcorrection of the C model.

[Retracted] MicroRNA­936 inhibits the malignant phenotype of retinoblastoma by directly targeting HDAC9 and deactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Following the publication of the above paper, it was drawn to the Editors' attention by a concerned reader that certain of the flow cytometric data featured in Figs. 2D, 4D and 5D, the colony formation assay data shown in Figs. 2C, 4C and 5C, and the tumor images shown in Fig. 7A were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article were already under consideration for publication, or 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 43: 635­645, 2020; DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7456].

Influence of leaf morphological characteristics on the dynamic changes of particulate matter retention and grain size distributions.

ABSTRACTPlant leaves can retain atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and thus alleviate air pollution. Herein, four plant species (Cerasus. serrulata, H. syriacus, H. tuberosus, and E. japonicus) from the central part of Shanxi Province, China, were investigated to analyse the dynamic changes in their PM retention capacity and grain size over five periods. The relationship between leaf morphological characteristics (leaf size and leaf surface microstructure) and dynamic changes were discussed in PM retention, revealing the influence of leaf morphological characteristics on the amount of PM retention and its composition. The results showed that amount and grain sizes of the retained PM differed significantly among the various studied species; however, the trends in PM retention of different species in the time series were the same. The grain size distributions of PM from the four species displayed a bimodal distribution, in which the main peak distribution range was 5-60 µm and the secondary peak distribution range was 0.4-1 µm. Leaves of smaller sizes and those with rough surfaces had a high PM retention capacity. Leaves with deep grooves are conductive to retaining PM2.5 and PM2.5-10, while leaves with hair are conductive to retaining PM>10. Therefore, the morphological characteristics of leaves should be considered when selecting the use of plant species to alleviate air pollution.Highlights Dynamics of PM retention capacity and grain size distributions of four plant species were analysed.Grain size distributions of PM retained on leaves had a bimodal distribution.Small leaves with grooves or hair are conductive to PM retention.Grooves are conductive to fine PM retention while hairs are conductive to coarse PM retention.

Multi-omics analyses of 398 foxtail millet accessions reveal genomic regions associated with domestication, metabolite traits, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica), which was domesticated from the wild species green foxtail (Setaria viridis), is a rich source of phytonutrients for humans. To evaluate how breeding changed the metabolome of foxtail millet grains, we generated and analyzed the datasets encompassing the genomes, transcriptomes, metabolomes, and anti-inflammatory indices from 398 foxtail millet accessions. We identified hundreds of common variants that influence numerous secondary metabolites. We observed tremendous differences in natural variations of the metabolites and their underlying genetic architectures between distinct sub-groups of foxtail millet. Furthermore, we found that the selection of the gene alleles associated with yellow grains led to altered profiles of metabolites such as carotenoids and endogenous phytohormones. Using CRISPR-mediated genome editing we validated the function of PHYTOENE SYNTHASE 1 (PSY1) gene in affecting millet grain color and quality. Interestingly, our in vitro cell inflammation assays showed that 83 metabolites in millet grains have anti-inflammatory effects. Taken together, our multi-omics study illustrates how the breeding history of foxtail millet has shaped its metabolite profile. The datasets we generated in this study also provide important resources for further understanding how millet grain quality is affected by different metabolites, laying the foundations for future millet genetic research and metabolome-assisted improvement.

[Using geographical detection to analyze responses of vegetation growth to climate change in the Loess Pla-teau, China]. / 基于地理探测的黄土高原植被生长对气候的响应.

In order to explore the responses of different vegetation types to climatic change in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP), we analzyed the changes of different vegetation types and their relationships with meteorological factors using trend analysis, Hurst index, and geographical detector model based on normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The results showed that NDVI of different vegetation types from 2002 to 2019 was dominated by a growing trend and codirectional moderate persistence. The NDVI of crops in the built-up and adjacent areas decreased significantly. Except for grassland or meadow that was affected by mixed pixels, the spatial variation of NDVI was significant in the growing season (from April to October). The mean NDVI of different vegetation types followed an oder: coniferous forest > broadleaved forest > scrub > meadow > grassland > crop > steppe > desert. The interactions between meteorological factors were synergistic and non-linear enhancement in the CLP. Moreover, the interaction was more prominent under steppe and desert where habitat was fragile. The synergistic effect of precipitation and temperature had a great influence on all vegetation types. Water vapor, relative humidity, sunshine duration, atmospheric pressure, and wind speed had different explanatory powers on NDVI through indirectly affec-ting hydrothermal conditions.

Knockdown of Long Non-coding RNA TUG1 Suppresses Migration and Tube Formation in High Glucose-Stimulated Human Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells by Sponging miRNA-145.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential functional role of long non-coding RNA TUG1 in high glucose (HG)-stimulated human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMECs). The results demonstrated that following 72 h of HG stimulation, enhanced proliferation, migration, and tube formation process were observed in hRMECs. Moreover, HG treatment markedly increased TUG1 expression in hRMECs, and knockdown of TUG1 notably restrained the aberrant phenotypes of hRMECs induced by HG. Mechanistically, TUG1 may serve as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-145, thereby blocking the repression on VEGF-A in hRMECs. Rescue experiments further indicated that inhibition of miR-145 abolished the beneficial role of TUG1 knockdown in HG-treated hRMECs. Our data suggested that knockdown of TUG1 protects hRMECs against HG stimulation partly by regulating miR-145/VEGF-A axis.

Selective retention of particulate matter by nine plant species in central Shanxi Province, China.

Plant leaves can accumulate particulate matter (PM) from the air, thus mitigating air pollution. Nine plant species from the central part of Shanxi Province, China, were investigated to characterize differences in their PM retention capacity and the grain sizes of the collected PM. Styphnolobium japonicum, Syringa oblata, and Cerasus serrulata demonstrated strong retention capacity for PM particles of diverse size fractions. Philadelphus incanus, Viburnum opulus, and Yulania biondii had relatively weak retention capacity for overall and fine PM. Generally, species with smaller leaves and roughness surfaces, waxy leaves, or leaves with hair had strong PM retention capacity. Leaves with suitable groove widths better retained fine PM. Foliar dust observed on leaves presented multimodal distribution curves, including bimodal, trimodal, and four-peak distributions, which differed from the trimodal distribution of natural dustfall. The different PM retention capacities of the nine investigated species and the differing grain sizes between foliar dust and atmospheric dustfall indicated that plant leaves could selectively retain PM. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the use of the plant to mitigate particulate air pollution.

MicroRNA­936 inhibits the malignant phenotype of retinoblastoma by directly targeting HDAC9 and deactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

MicroRNA­936 (miR­936) has been reported to play important roles in the progression of non­small cell lung cancer and glioma. However, the expression and functions of miR­936 in retinoblastoma (RB) remain elusive and need to be further elucidated. Herein, the aims were to measure miR­936 expression in RB, identify the functional importance of miR­936 in the oncogenicity of RB, and investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Reverse­transcription quantitative PCR was carried out to determine miR­936 expression in RB tissues and cell lines. Cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in vitro and tumor growth in vivo were examined respectively by Cell Counting Kit­8, colony formation, flow cytometric, and Transwell migration and invasion assays and a subcutaneous heterotopic xenograft experiment. The potential target of miR­936 was predicted by bioinformatic analysis and was subsequently validated by luciferase reporter assay, reverse­transcription quantitative PCR, and western blotting. miR­936 expression was weak in both RB tissues and cell lines and was correlated with differentiation, lymph node metastasis and TNM staging in RB. RB cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion in vitro and tumor growth in vivo were attenuated by exogenous miR­936, whereas apoptosis was enhanced by miR­936 overexpression. Further molecular investigation identified histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9) as a direct target gene of miR­936 in RB cells. HDAC9 depletion had effects similar to those of miR­936 overexpression in RB cells. Recovery of HDAC9 expression counteracted the tumor­suppressive action of miR­936 on the oncogenicity of RB cells. Ectopic miR­936 expression deactivated the PI3K/AKT pathway in RB cells in vitro and in vivo by decreasing HDAC9 expression. Downregulated miR­936 is related to poor prognosis in RB, and its upregulation inhibits RB aggressiveness via direct targeting of HDAC9 mRNA and thereby inactivation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Synthesis of mulberry leaf extract mediated gold nanoparticles and their ameliorative effect on Aluminium intoxicated and diabetic retinopathy in rats during perinatal life.

The present report showed the green synthesis of Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Mulberry leaf extract via an environment friendly approach and investigated to know the probable ameliorative effect via biochemical assessment on retinopathy of rats that are maternally subjected to Al intoxication and diabetes. Mulberry leaf extract biomolecules act as capping and reducing agent for fabrication of AgNPs. Later, the fabricated AgNPs were characterized by using spectroscopic and microscopic instrumental techniques such as HR-TEM, UV-Vis, XRD and FT-IR. EDS, XRD and TEM have confirmed the synthesis of AgNPs. HRTEM results exhibited that the formed AgNPs are polydispersed and spherical in nature with mean particle size of 35 nm. Microscopic observation of retina in Al-intoxicated and diabetic mother rats showed abnormal changes in retinal cell layers. Yet, the retina of rats that are maternally received AgNPs plus diabetes or Al-intoxicated exhibited noticeable amelioration. However, lower ameliorations were found in rat's retina that are maternally undergone for combined exposure. Additionally, biochemical assessment revealed that the application of AgNPs caused the amelioration of the changes in Al concentration and maternal serum glucose. The present study revealed that AgNPs are active against diabetic and Aluminium-persuaded developmental retinopathy.

Morroniside alleviates coxsackievirus B3-induced myocardial damage apoptosis via restraining NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced myocardial damage always leads to serious heart failure by inducing cardiac injury. NLRP3 inflammasome activation has been identified as a central player in the pathogenesis of CVB3-induced viral myocarditis. Therefore, restraining NLRP3 inflammasome activation has been supposed to significantly alleviate the severity of myocardial damage and improve cardiac function. Morroniside (MR), one of the main iridoid glycosides, has the ability to depress the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and restrain the expression of caspase-3 and -9. Of importance, ROS and caspase are essential for NLRP3 inflammasome activation in response to CVB3 infection. Therefore, in the present study, MR was selected as a model drug to alleviate CVB3-induced myocardial damage. The results of cardiac function index determination showed that abnormal indexes including mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and left ventricular systolic pressure of myocardial damage rats could be recovered by treating with MR. Such results can be further verified by histopathological evaluation, with the heart tissues of CVB3-infected rats displaying the most amount of H&E and TUNEL positive cells. The underlying mechanism by which MR improves the cardiac function was subsequently investigated. The detection of various gene levels indicated that NLRP3 inflammasome activation was inhibited by MR through down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin (IL)-ß and IL-18, the pivotal factors that lead to inflammatory responses. More importantly, the related genes, cardiac function indexes, and various myocardial damage markers of normal rats treated with MR did not exhibit any obvious changes compared with the control group, indicating a satisfactory biocompatibility of MR. In summary, MR holds a great potential in the alleviation of CVB3-induced myocardial damage with a negligible cytotoxicity to normal heart tissues.

Vascular protection of DPP-4 inhibitors in retinal endothelial cells in in vitro culture.

People with diabetes are at high risk of developing diabetes-related eye disease, termed as diabetic retinopathy, due damage being caused to the blood vessels in the retina. An efficient medical treatment to reduce diabetic retinopathy can improve the quality of life for diabetes patients. In our study, we show that linagliptin, a commercially available DPP-4 inhibitor, plays a protective role in retinal vascular endothelial cells. The presence of linagliptin protects retinal endothelial cells against TNF-α-induced cytotoxicity and enhances their viability. Linagliptin treatment suppresses TNF-α-induced production of reactive oxygen species and improves mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, linagliptin suppresses TNF-α-induced production of pro-inflammatory and pro-adhesive vascular cytokines including IL-6, IL-8, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1. The presence of linagliptin in cell media can reduce the number of THP-1 cells that adhere to retina endothelial cells. Mechanistically, linagliptin potently suppresses TNF-α-induced accumulation of NF-κB nuclear protein p65 and activation of NF-κB promoter. Our data indicate that linagliptin is an anti-inflammatory diabetic agent, with the potential to be applied as a treatment for diabetic retinopathy.

Application of Prussian blue staining in the diagnosis of ocular siderosis.

AIM: To explore the value of Prussian blue staining in the diagnosis of ocular siderosis. METHODS: Between January 2012 and January 2013, the Prussian blue stain used in anterior lens capsule and vitreous liquid after centrifugation from patients with definitive diagnosis and suspicious diagnosed of ocular siderosis. At the same time, give a negative control. RESULTS: Anterior lens capsule membrane and liquid of vitreous cavity from patients with definitive diagnosis and suspicious diagnosed of ocular siderosis revealed ferric ions that stained positively with Prussian blue. In the control group, there is no positive reaction. CONCLUSION: Prussian blue staining in the diagnosis of ocular siderosis has a very significant worth, suspected cases can be definitive diagnosed.

[Effects of salt stress on Nitraria roborowskii growth and physiological characteristics of stress resistance].

A pot experiment was conducted to study the influences of different NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 mmol x L(-1)) on the growth, leaf hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malonaldehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutases (SOD), catalases (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzymes activity, water potential, soluble sugar and proline contents of Nitraria roborowskii. The results showed that the growth of N. roborowskii was not affected at lower NaCl concentrations (< or = 50 mmol L(-1)), while the SOD, POD, CAT and APX activities in leaves of N. roborowskii were increased. However, higher NaCl concentrations (> 50 mmol x L(-1)) restrained the growth parameters of crown area, number of branches, dry mass of leaf, branch and lateral root, and remarkably reduced the SOD, POD and CAT activities, soluble sugar and proline contents in leaves of N. roborowskii. H2O2 and MDA contents in leaves were increased and water potential was reduced with increasing NaCl concentrations.