Erratum: Overexpression of lncRNA H19/miR-675 promotes tumorigenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Erratum.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7150/ijms.16571.].

A cohort study of intrapartum group B streptococcus prophylaxis on atopic dermatitis in 2-year-old children.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the occurrence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children aged 2 years on exposure to maternal group B streptococcus (GBS) antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of 2909 mother-child pairs. SETTING: Taixing People's Hospital in Eastern China. PARTICIPANTS: Term infants born 2018-2019, followed longitudinally from birth to 2 years. EXPOSURES: The GBS-IAP was defined as therapy with intravenous penicillin G or ampicillin or cefazolin ≥ 4 h prior to delivery to the mother. Reference infants were defined as born without or with other intrapartum antibiotic exposure. OUTCOMES: The logistic regression models were employed to analyze the effect of intrapartum GBS prophylaxis on AD in 2-year-old children during delivery. Analysis was a priori stratified according to the mode of delivery and adjusted for relevant covariates. RESULTS: The cohorts showed that preventive GBS-IAP was potentially associated with increased incidence of AD in children delivered vaginally according to logistic regression models before and after covariate-adjusted treatment (OR: 6.719,95% CI: 4.730-9.544,P < 0.001;aOR: 6.562,95% CI: 4.302-10.008, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic treatment of intrapartum GBS may raise the risk of AD in vaginally delivered children. These findings highlight the need to better understand the risk between childhood AD and current GBS-IAP intervention strategies.

microRNA-539 functions as a tumor suppressor in papillary thyroid carcinoma via the transforming growth factor ß1/Smads signaling pathway by targeting secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid malignancy, with growing incidence every year. microRNAs (miRs) are known to regulate the physiological and pathological processes of cancers, such as proliferation, migration, invasion, survival, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Herein, this study aimed to investigate the effect of miR-539 on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and EMT by targeting secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) via the transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1)/Smads signaling pathway in PTC. First, PTC-related differentially expressed genes and regulatory miR were screened using bioinformatics analysis, dual luciferase reporter gene assay, and ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation, which identified the SLPI gene and the regulatory miR-539 for this study. We identified SLPI as a highly expressed gene in PTC tissues, and SLPI was targeted and negatively regulated by miR-539. Then, we introduced a series of miR-539 mimics, miR-539 inhibitors, and small interfering RNA against SLPI plasmids into CGTHW-3 cells to examine the effects of miR-539 and SLPI on the expression of TGF-ß1/Smads signaling pathway-, EMT-, and apoptosis-related factors, as well as cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. The obtained results indicated that CGTHW-3 cells treated with silenced SLPI or overexpressed miR-539 suppressed the cell proliferation, migration, invasion abilities, and resistance to apoptosis of PTC cells, corresponding to increased expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein, TGF-ß1, Sekelsky mothers against dpp 4, and epithelial cadherin, and decreased B cell lymphoma 2, Vimentin, and N-cadherin. Altogether, we concluded that overexpressed miR-539 could inhibit the PTC cell proliferation and promote apoptosis and EMT by targeting SPLI via activation of the TGF-ß1/Smads signaling pathway.

δ-Quench Measurement of a Pure Quantum-State Wave Function.

The measurement of a quantum state wave function not only acts as a fundamental part in quantum physics but also plays an important role in developing practical quantum technologies. Conventional quantum state tomography has been widely used to estimate quantum wave functions, which usually requires complicated measurement techniques. The recent weak-value-based quantum measurement circumvents this resource issue but relies on an extra pointer space. Here, we theoretically propose and then experimentally demonstrate a direct and efficient measurement strategy based on a δ-quench probe: by quenching its complex probability amplitude one by one (δ quench) in the given basis, we can directly obtain the quantum wave function of a pure ensemble by projecting the quenched state onto a postselection state. We confirm its power by experimentally measuring photonic complex temporal wave functions. This new method is versatile and can find applications in quantum information science and engineering.

Oil body biogenesis and biotechnology in legume seeds.

The seeds of many legume species including soybean, Pongamia pinnata and the model legume Medicago truncatula store considerable oil, apart from protein, in their cotyledons. However, as a group, legume storage strategies are quite variable and provide opportunities for better understanding of carbon partitioning into different storage products. Legumes with their ability to fix nitrogen can also increase the sustainability of agricultural systems. This review integrates the cell biology, biochemistry and molecular biology of oil body biogenesis before considering biotechnology strategies to enhance oil body biosynthesis. Cellular aspects of packaging triacylglycerol (TAG) into oil bodies are emphasized. Enhancing seed oil content has successfully focused on the up-regulation of the TAG biosynthesis pathways using overexpression of enzymes such as diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 and transcription factors such as WRINKLE1 and LEAFY COTYLEDON1. While these strategies are central, decreasing carbon flow into other storage products and maximizing the packaging of oil bodies into the cytoplasm are other strategies that need further examination. Overall there is much potential for integrating carbon partitioning, up-regulation of fatty acid and TAG synthesis and oil body packaging, for enhancing oil levels. In addition to the potential for integrated strategies to improving oil yields, the capacity to modify fatty acid composition and use of oil bodies as platforms for the production of recombinant proteins in seed of transgenic legumes provide other opportunities for legume biotechnology.

ECG-gated pulmonary artery CTA for evaluation of right ventricular function in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate right ventricular function in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) using electrocardiogram-gated CTA and to discuss the clinical value of pulmonary artery CTA PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on death risk evaluation, 86 APE patients were divided into high-risk group (n=46) and non-high-risk group (n=40). The CT pulmonary embolism (PE) index and parameters of right ventricular function were analyzed from the CTPA images and compared between the two groups. Potential correlation between the two was also discussed. RESULT: CT PE index (median 24.69%) of the high-risk group was obviously higher than that of the non-high-risk group (median 8.58%) (P<.05). Except the diameter of superior vena cava, all other parameters of right ventricular function were significantly different between the two groups (P<.05). CT PE index was correlated with the parameters of right ventricular function. CONCLUSION: ECG-gated pulmonary artery CTA is suitable for assessing the severity of APE and right ventricular function.

Multislice spiral CT angiography for evaluation of acute aortic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the diagnostic value of multislice CT angiography (MSCTA) in acute aortic syndrome (AAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical and imaging data of 36 cases diagnosed as AAS by MSCTA were collected. The manifestations of the MSCTA images were reviewed retrospectively, and the average x-ray dose was calculated. RESULTS: Among 36 AAS cases, 16 cases had aortic dissection (AD), 8 cases had penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU), 7 cases had intramural hematoma (IMH), and 5 cases had unstable thoracic aneurysm (UTA). Of 16 cases with AD, type A and type B accounted for 43.7% (7/16) and 56.3% (9/16), respectively. Of 7 cases with IMH, type A and type B accounted for 42.9% (3/7) and 57.1% (4/7), respectively. CONCLUSION: In spite of the x-ray radiation, MSCTA proves to be a rapid and noninvasive imaging technique for the diagnosis of AAS.

Overexpression of lncRNA H19/miR-675 promotes tumorigenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

There is accumulating evidence indicating that long non-coding RNA H19 and its mature product miR-675 play essential roles for tumor growth and progression. However, their prognostic value in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), particular in laryngeal carcinoma, remains to be elucidated. In this study, we observed that both H19 and miR-675 were significantly overexpressed in a cohort of 65 primary tumor samples and two HNSCC cell lines. Importantly, when paired with patient follow-up data, higher expression of either H19 or miR-675 was significantly correlated with higher risk of patient relapse, and associated with worse overall survival and poor disease-free survival. Knockdown miR-675 caused significant reduction of cell viability, migratory and invasive capabilities. Taken together, these results suggest that the strong correlation of H19 overexpression together with higher miR-675 and lymph node metastases could be useful predictive markers, indicating a potentially therapeutic strategy for HNSCC patients.

Endoscopic decompression of the optic canal for traumatic optic neuropathy.

PURPOSE: Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is a serious complication of head trauma with the incidence rate of 0.5%-5%. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of endoscopic decompression of the optic canal for optic nerve injuries. METHODS: In this study, 11 patients treated in our hospital from January 2009 to January 2015 with the visual loss resulting from TON were retrospectively reviewed for preoperative vision, visual evoked potential (VEP) scan, surgical approach, postoperative visual acuity, complications, and follow-up results. RESULTS: All these patients received endoscopic decompression of the optic canal. At the 3-month follow- up, the visual acuity improvement rate of the 11 patients was 45.5%. The vision acuity of 2 cases improved from hand movement to 0.08 and 0.3 after operation. Another patient's vision acuity returned to 0.05 compared to light sensation preoperatively. Two cases had finger counting before surgery but they had a vision acuity of 0.4 and light sensation respectively after surgery. However, the other 6 cases' vision did not improve after surgery. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic decompression of the optic canal is an effective way to cure TON. VEP could be used as an important reference for preoperative and prognosis evaluation. Operative time after trauma is only a relative condition that may affect the therapeutic effect of optic canal decompression. Poor results of this procedure may be related to the severity of the optic nerve injury.

A correlation of computed tomography perfusion and histopathology in tumor edges of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The peripheral morphologic characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) reflect tumor growth patterns. Computed tomography (CT) perfusion is a new method to analyze hemodynamic changes in tissues. We assessed the relationship between CT perfusion and histopathologic findings in the periphery of HCC lesions. METHODS: Non-contrast CT, enhanced dual-phase CT, and CT perfusion were performed on 77 subjects (47 patients and 30 controls). Based on the imaging findings of enhanced dual-phase CT, the tumor edges were classified into three types: type I (sharp); type II (blurry); and type III (mixed). The CT perfusion parameters included hepatic blood flow, hepatic arterial fraction, hepatic arterial perfusion, and hepatic portal perfusion. The tissue sections from resected specimens were subjected to routine hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining for CD34. The correlations between microvessel density (MVD) and the CT perfusion parameters were analyzed using Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient. Changes in the perfusion parameters in tumor edges of different tumor types were evaluated. RESULTS: Type I (sharp): the pathologic findings showed fibrous connective tissue capsules in the tumor edges, and an MVD ≤30/mm2. Type II (blurry): the histology showed that the edges were clear with no capsules and an MVD>30/mm2. Type III (mixed): the pathology was similar to that of types I and II, and an MVD>30/mm2. Hepatic blood flow, hepatic arterial fraction, hepatic arterial perfusion, and hepatic portal perfusion were significantly increased in the tumor edges of HCC patients compared to those of the controls (P<0.05). The correlation between CT perfusion parameters and MVD was higher in blurry tumor edges of type II than in those of types I or III. CONCLUSION: CT perfusion imaging of tumor edges may be helpful in revealing histopathological features, and indirectly reflect angiogenic changes of HCCs.

Association of the Healthy Dietary Index 2020 and its components with chronic respiratory disease among U.S. adults.

Background: Chronic respiratory disease is an important public health problem in the United States and globally. Diet, an important part of a healthy lifestyle, is also relevant to chronic respiratory health. We aimed to explore the relationship between overall dietary quality and the risk of chronic respiratory disease (CRD), include chronic bronchitis (CB), emphysema and asthma. Method: A total of 4,499 United States adults were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2017-2018. Diet quality was assessed using 2 day, 24 h dietary recall data and quantified as the Healthy Diet Index (HEI)-2020 score. Binary logistic regression models, restricted cubic splines (RCS) and generalized additive modeling (GAM), the weighted quartile sum (WQS) and qgcom models were used to assess the relationship between HEI-2020 scores and risk of CB, emphysema and asthma. Results: High HEI-2020 scores are associated with low risk of chronic respiratory disease (CB: 0.98, 0.97-0.99; emphysema: 0.98, 0.97-0.99; asthma: 0.98, 0.97-0.99) and consistent results across different dietary variable categorization (Tertile: CB: 0.58, 0.42-0.81; asthma: 0.51, 0.35-0.74; Quartile: CB: 0.57, 0.34-0.97; asthma: 0.56, 0.36-0.86) and different weighting models. Negative dose-response relationship between dietary quality and risk of chronic respiratory disease also shown in RCS and GAM models. The WQS and qgcom models also showed a healthy mixing effect of dietary components on respiratory disease, with high-quality proteins, vegetables, and fruits making the heaviest contributions. Conclusion: Higher HEI-2020 scores were associated with lower risk of CB, emphysema, and asthma. Following Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 could support enhanced respiratory health.

Role of 2-day critical ultrasound training curriculum in guiding clinical activities in China.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of critical care ultrasound has been demonstrated and training for it is urgent. Critical Care Ultrasound Study Group (CCUSG) has been dedicated to ultrasound training. The aim of the study was to evaluate course structure and training effect and provide improvement suggestions for future training. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted. All participants went through a 2-day training curriculum based on the critical care ultrasonic examination (CCUE) protocol. Pre- and post-class evaluation were applied and data were collected. Non-parametric tests were adopted for the comparison, and a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) was used for further analysis. RESULTS: A total number of 792 trainees, with a mean age of 35.8, participated in the study. There were more males in the study population. Most of the trainees were attendings, and most of them had bachelor's degrees, worked at tertiary hospitals and had a mean working experience of 6.9 years. The scores of all trainees were improved to various degrees after the course. An increase from 50% to 72% (P≤0.001) was seen in theory test scores. All the competency assessment scores, including IAS (34% to 50% for cardiac images and 30% to 60% for pulmonary images), IPS (30% to 50%) and AAS (31% to 44%), were improved. A questionnaire after class suggested that 88.0% of the participants found the training course very useful. CONCLUSION: 2-day training course can improve the ability of physicians to assess critically ill patients with the help of the ultrasound.

From embryo sac to oil and protein bodies: embryo development in the model legume Medicago truncatula.

• The cell and developmental biology of zygotic embryogenesis in the model legume Medicago truncatula has received little attention. We studied M. truncatula embryogenesis from embryo sac until cotyledon maturation, including oil and protein body biogenesis. • We characterized embryo development using light and electron microscopy, measurement of protein and lipid fatty acid accumulation and by profiling the expression of key seed storage genes. • Embryo sac development in M. truncatula is of the Polygonum type. A distinctive multicellular hypophysis and suspensor develops before the globular stage and by the early cotyledon stage, the procambium connects the developing apical meristems. In the storage parenchyma of cotyledons, ovoid oil bodies surround protein bodies and the plasma membrane. Four major lipid fatty acids accumulate as cotyledons develop, paralleling the expression of OLEOSIN and the storage protein genes, VICILIN and LEGUMIN. • Zygotic embryogenesis in M. truncatula features the development of a distinctive multicellular hypophysis and an endopolyploid suspensor with basal transfer cell. A clear procambial connection between the apical meristems is evident and there is a characteristic arrangement of oil bodies in the cotyledons and radicle. Our data help link embryogenesis to the genetic regulation of oil and protein body biogenesis in legume seed.

Early changes of hepatic hemodynamics measured by functional CT perfusion in a rabbit model of liver tumor.

BACKGROUND: Early detection and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma is crucial to improving the patients' survival. The hemodynamic changes caused by tumors can be serially measured using CT perfusion. In this study, we used a CT perfusion technique to demonstrate the changes of hepatic hemodynamics in early tumor growth, as a proof-of-concept study for human early hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: VX2 tumors were implanted in the liver of ten New Zealand rabbits. CT perfusion scans were made 1 week (early) and 2 weeks (late) after tumor implantation. Ten normal rabbits served as controls. CT perfusion parameters were obtained at the tumor rim, normal tissue surrounding the tumor, and control liver; the parameters were hepatic blood flow, hepatic blood volume, mean transit time, permeability of capillary vessel surface, hepatic arterial index, hepatic arterial perfusion and hepatic portal perfusion. Microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor were correlated. RESULTS: At the tumor rim, compared to the controls, hepatic blood flow, hepatic blood volume, permeability of capillary vessel surface, hepatic arterial index, and hepatic arterial perfusion increased, while mean transit time and hepatic portal perfusion decreased on both early and late scans (P<0.05). Hepatic arterial index increased (135%, P<0.05), combined with a sharp increase in hepatic arterial perfusion (182%, P<0.05) and a marked decrease in hepatic portal perfusion (-76%, P<0.05) at 2 weeks rather than at 1 week (P<0.05). Microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor showed significant linear correlations with hepatic blood flow, permeability of capillary vessel surface and hepatic arterial index, but not with hepatic blood volume or mean transit time. CONCLUSION: The CT perfusion technique demonstrated early changes of hepatic hemodynamics in this tumor model as proof-of-concept for early hepatocellular carcinoma detection in humans.

Ontogeny of embryogenic callus in Medicago truncatula: the fate of the pluripotent and totipotent stem cells.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Understanding the fate and dynamics of cells during callus formation is essential to understanding totipotency and the mechanisms of somatic embryogenesis. Here, the fate of leaf explant cells during the development of embryogenic callus was investigated in the model legume Medicago truncatula. METHODS: Callus development was examined from cultured leaf explants of the highly regenerable genotype Jemalong 2HA (2HA) and from mesophyll protoplasts of 2HA and wild-type Jemalong. Callus development was studied by histology, manipulation of the culture system, detection of early production of reactive oxygen species and visualization of SERK1 (SOMATIC EMBRYO RECEPTOR KINASE1) gene expression. KEY RESULTS: Callus formation in leaf explants initiates at the cut surface and within veins of the explant. The ontogeny of callus development is dominated by the division and differentiation of cells derived from pluripotent procambial cells and from dedifferentiated mesophyll cells. Procambium-derived cells differentiated into vascular tissue and rarely formed somatic embryos, whereas dedifferentiated mesophyll cells were competent to form somatic embryos. Interestingly, explants incubated adaxial-side down had substantially less cell proliferation associated with veins yet produced similar numbers of somatic embryos to explants incubated abaxial-side down. Somatic embryos mostly formed on the explant surface originally in contact with the medium, while in protoplast microcalli, somatic embryos only fully developed once at the surface of the callus. Mesophyll protoplasts of 2HA formed embryogenic callus while Jemalong mesophyll protoplasts produced callus rich in vasculature. CONCLUSIONS: The ontogeny of embryogenic callus in M. truncatula relates to explant orientation and is driven by the dynamics of pluripotent procambial cells, which proliferate and differentiate into vasculature. The ontogeny is also related to de-differentiated mesophyll cells that acquire totipotency and form the majority of embryos. This contrasts with other species where totipotent embryo-forming initials mostly originate from procambial cells.

Assessment of tumor vascularization with functional computed tomography perfusion imaging in patients with cirrhotic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor in China, and early diagnosis is critical for patient outcome. In patients with HCC, it is mostly based on liver cirrhosis, developing from benign regenerative nodules and dysplastic nodules to HCC lesions, and a better understanding of its vascular supply and the hemodynamic changes may lead to early tumor detection. Angiogenesis is essential for the growth of primary and metastatic tumors due to changes in vascular perfusion, blood volume and permeability. These hemodynamic and physiological properties can be measured serially using functional computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging and can be used to assess the growth of HCC. This study aimed to clarify the physiological characteristics of tumor angiogenesis in cirrhotic liver disease by this fast imaging method. METHODS: CTP was performed in 30 volunteers without liver disease (control subjects) and 49 patients with liver disease (experimental subjects: 27 with HCC and 22 with cirrhosis). All subjects were also evaluated by physical examination, laboratory screening and Doppler ultrasonography of the liver. The diagnosis of HCC was made according to the EASL criteria. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, pre- and post-contrast triple-phase CT and CTP study. A mathematical deconvolution model was applied to provide hepatic blood flow (HBF), hepatic blood volume (HBV), mean transit time (MTT), permeability of capillary vessel surface (PS), hepatic arterial index (HAI), hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP) and hepatic portal perfusion (HPP) data. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine differences in perfusion parameters between the background cirrhotic liver parenchyma and HCC and between the cirrhotic liver parenchyma with HCC and that without HCC. RESULTS: In normal liver, the HAP/HVP ratio was about 1/4. HCC had significantly higher HAP and HAI and lower HPP than background liver parenchyma adjacent to the HCC. The value of HBF at the tumor rim was significantly higher than that in the controls. HBF, HBV, HAI, HAP and HPP, but not MTT and PS, were significantly higher in the cirrhotic liver parenchyma involved with HCC than those of the controls. Perfusion parameters were not significantly different between the controls and the cirrhotic liver parenchyma not involved with HCC. CONCLUSIONS: CTP can clearly distinguish tumor from cirrhotic liver parenchyma and controls and can provide quantitative information about tumor-related angiogenesis, which can be used to assess tumor vascularization in cirrhotic liver disease.

High Central Venous Pressure and Right Ventricle Size Are Related to Non-decreased Left Ventricle Stroke Volume After Negative Fluid Balance in Critically Ill Patients: A Single Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Optimal adjustment of cardiac preload is essential for improving left ventricle stroke volume (LVSV) and tissue perfusion. Changes in LVSV caused by central venous pressure (CVP) are the most important concerns in the treatment of critically ill patients. Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the changes in LVSV after negative fluid balance in patients with elevated CVP, and to elucidate the relationship between the parameters of right ventricle (RV) filling state and LVSV changes. Methods: This prospective cohort study included patients with high central venous pressure (CVP) (≥8 mmHg) within 24 h of ICU admission in the Critical Medicine Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Patients were classified into two groups based on the LVSV changes after negative fluid balance. The cutoff value was 10%. The hemodynamic and echo parameters of the two groups were recorded at baseline and after negative fluid balance. Results: A total of 71 patients included in this study. Forty in VI Group (LVOT VTI increased ≥10%) and 31 in VNI Group (LVOT VTI increased <10%). Of all patients, 56.3% showed increased LVSV after negative fluid balance. In terms of hemodynamic parameters at T0, patients in VI Group had a higher CVP (p < 0.001) and P(v-a)CO2 (p < 0.001) and lower ScVO2 (p < 0.001) relative to VNI Group, regarding the echo parameters at T0, the RVD/LVD ratio (p < 0.001), DIVC end-expiratory (p < 0.001), and ΔLVOT VTI (p < 0.001) were higher, while T0 LVOT VTI (p < 0.001) was lower, in VI Group patients. The multifactor logistic regression analysis suggested that a high CVP and RVD/LVD ratio ≥0.6 were significant associated with LVSV increase after negative fluid balance in critically patients. The AUC of CVP was 0.894. A CVP >10.5 mmHg provided a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 77.4%. The AUC of CVP combined with the RVD/LVD ratio ≥0.6 was 0.926, which provided a sensitivity of 92.6% and a specificity of 80.4%. Conclusion: High CVP and RVD/LVD ratio ≥0.6 were significant associated with RV stressed in critically patients. Negative fluid balance will not always lead to a decrease, even an increase, in LVSV in these patients.

Comparison between computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in clinical diagnosis and treatment of tibial platform fractures.

BACKGROUND: Tibial plateau fracture is one of the common fracture types. It occurs mainly in teenagers and is usually caused by a fall. After the occurrence of fracture, knee swelling, pain, limited activity, etc. greatly affect the patient's exercise habits and lifestyle. X-ray, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used in this examination. X-rays are relatively new and easy to operate. However, there are some errors in the observation of fracture collapse and fracture displacement. In recent years, CT and MRI have been actively used to diagnose various types of clinical fractures. They have more diagnostic power than X-ray film. However, some scholars believe that CT is also prone to errors in clinical application. The volume effect leads to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis in some cases, while the multidirection scanning of MRI technology can effectively overcome the shortcomings of CT. To facilitate the selection of clinical examination regimens, this study further observed the diagnostic ability of these two regimens in the diagnosis of tibial plateau fractures. AIM: To explore the value of nuclear MRI and CT in the clinical diagnosis of tibial plateau fractures. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with tibial plateau fractures admitted from September 2017 to August 2019 were included. All patients were examined by nuclear MRI and CT scanning. The results were sent to senior physicians in our hospital to complete the diagnosis. RESULTS: Nuclear magnetic resonance showed the same effects as CT in four aspects: fracture displacement, bone defect, fracture site and fracture comminution. There was no significant difference in the score data (P > 0.05). Nuclear magnetic resonance and CT tended to be consistent in the B3, C2 and C3 fracture diagnosis coincidence rate, combined injury detection rate and fracture detection rate. The diagnostic coincidence rate of type B1, B2 and C1 fractures and the accuracy rate of overall fracture classification indicated that the MRI technique was significantly better than that of CT (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: MRI and CT have good diagnostic typing in the diagnosis of tibial plateau fractures, but MRI is more accurate and may be preferred.

Aspergillus niger changes the chemical form of uranium to decrease its biotoxicity, restricts its movement in plant and increase the growth of Syngonium podophyllum.

Aspergillus niger (A. niger) and Syngonium podophyllum (S. podophyllum) have been used for wastewater treatment, and have exhibited a promising application in recent years. To determine the effects of A. niger on uranium enrichment and uranium stress antagonism of S. podophyllum, the S. podophyllum-A. niger combined system was established, and hydroponic remediation experiments were carried out with uranium-containing wastewater. The results revealed that the bioaugmentation of A. niger could increase the biomass of S. podophyllum by 5-7%, reverse the process of U(VI) reduction induced by S. podophyllum, and increase the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) of S. podophyllum to uranium by 35-41 and 0.01-0.06, respectively, thereby improving the reduction of uranium in wastewater. Moreover, A. niger could promote the cell wall immobilization and the subcellular compartmentalization of uranium in the root of S. podophyllum, reduce the phytotoxicity of uranium entering root cells, and inhibit the calcium efflux from root cells, thereby withdrawing the stress of uranium on S. podophyllum.

Regulation of Carbon Partitioning in the Seed of the Model Legume Medicago truncatula and Medicago orbicularis: A Comparative Approach.

The proportion of starch, protein and oil in legume seeds is species dependent. The model legume, Medicago truncatula, has predominantly oil and protein stores. To investigate the regulation of seed oil production we compared M. truncatula with M. orbicularis, which has less oil and protein. The types of protein and fatty acids are similar between the two species. Electron microscopy indicated that the size and distribution of the oil bodies in M. orbicularis, is consistent with reduced oil production. M. orbicularis has more extruded endosperm mucilage compared to M. truncatula. The cotyledons have a greater cell wall content, visualized as thicker cell walls. The reduced oil content in M. orbicularis is associated with increased expression of the MtGLABRA2-like (MtGL2) transcription factor, linked to an inverse relationship between mucilage and oil content in Arabidopsis. The expression of the pectin biosynthesis GALACTURONOSYLTRANSFERASE (GAUT) genes, is also increased in M. orbicularis. These increases in extruded mucilage and cell wall storage components in M. orbicularis are accompanied by reduced expression of transcriptional regulators of oil biosynthesis, MtLEAFY COTYLEDON1-LIKE (MtL1L), MtABSCISIC ACID-INSENSITIVE3 (MtABI3), and MtWRINKLED-like (MtWRI), in M. orbicularis. The reduced oil in M. orbicularis, is consistent with increased synthesis of cell wall polysaccharides and decreased expression of master transcription factors regulating oil biosynthesis and embryo maturation. Comparative investigations between these two Medicago species is a useful system to investigate the regulation of oil content and carbon partitioning in legumes.