Hydrological response of biological soil crusts to global warming: A ten-year simulative study.

Biological soil crusts across the desert regions play a key role in regional ecological security and ecological health. They are vital biotic components of desert ecosystems that maintain soil stability, fix carbon and nitrogen, influence the establishment of vascular plants, and serve as habitats for a large number of arthropods and microorganisms, as well as influencing soil hydrological processes. Changes in temperature and precipitation are expected to influence the functioning of desert ecosystems by altering biotic components such as the species composition of biological soil crusts. However, it remains unclear how these important components will respond to the prolonged warming and reduced precipitation that is predicted to occur with climate change. To evaluate how the hydrological properties of these biological soil crusts respond to these alterations, we used open-top chambers over a 10-year period to simulate warming and reduced precipitation. Infiltration, dew entrapment, and evaporation were measured as surrogates of the hydrological functioning of biological soil crusts. It was found that the ongoing warming coupled with reduced precipitation will more strongly affect moss in crustal communities than lichens and cyanobacteria, which will lead to a direct alteration of the hydrological performance of biological soil crusts. Reductions in moss abundance, surface cover, and biomass resulted in a change in structure and function of crustal communities, decreased dew entrapment, and increased infiltration and evaporation of biological soil crusts in desert ecosystems, which further impacted on the desert soil water balance.

Incidence of human rabies and characterization of rabies virus nucleoprotein gene in dogs in Fujian Province, Southeast China, 2002-2012.

BACKGROUND: Rabies is a global fatal infectious viral disease that is characterized by a high mortality after onset of clinical symptoms. Recently, there has been an increase in the incidence of rabies in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of human rabies and characterize the rabies virus nucleoprotein gene in dogs sampled from Fujian Province, Southeast China from 2002 to 2012. METHODS: Data pertaining to human rabies cases in Fujian Province during the period from 2002 through 2012 were collected, and the epidemiological profiles were described. The saliva and brain specimens were collected from dogs in Quanzhou, Longyan and Sanming cities of the province, and the rabies virus antigen was determined in the canine saliva specimens using an ELISA assay. Rabies virus RNA was extracted from canine brain specimens, and rabies virus nucleoprotein gene was amplified using a nested RT-PCR assay, followed by sequencing and genotyping. RESULTS: A total of 226 human rabies cases were reported in Fujian Province from 2002 to 2012, in which 197 cases were detected in three cities of Quanzhou, Longyan and Sanming. ELISA assay revealed positive rabies virus antigen in six of eight rabid dogs and 165 of 3492 seemingly healthy dogs. The full-length gene fragment of the rabies virus nucleoprotein gene was amplified from the brain specimens of seven rabid dogs and 12 seemingly healthy dogs. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed that these 19 rabies virus nucleoprotein genes all belonged to genotype I, and were classified into three genetic groups. Sequencing analysis showed a 99.7% to 100% intra-group and an 86.4% to 89.3% inter-group homology. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first description pertaining to the epidemiological characteristics of human rabies cases and characterization of the rabies virus nucleoprotein gene in dogs in Fujian Province, Southeast China. Our findings may provide valuable knowledge for the development of strategies targeting the prevention and control of rabies.

Development and validation of a risk prediction model for tracheostomy in acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury patients.

PURPOSE: Tracheostomy may become indispensable for patients with acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injuries. However, the early prediction of a tracheostomy is often difficult. Previous prediction models using the pulmonary function test (PFT) have limitations because some severely injured patients could not provide acceptable PFT results. We aim to develop an alternative model for predicting tracheostomy using accessible data obtained from the bedside. METHOD: Clinical, neurological and radiological data from 345 consecutive patients with acute tetraplegia were retrospectively reviewed. We applied multiple logistic regression analysis (MLRA) and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis to develop the prediction model for tracheostomy. By train-test cross-validation, we used the sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) and correction rate to evaluate the performance of these models. RESULTS: According to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) standards, an admission ASIA motor score (AAMS) ≤ 22, ASIA grade A and presence of respiratory complications were identified as independent predictors of tracheostomy by both models. The model derived by CART suggested that the highest signal change (HSC) in the spinal cord on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also affected a patient's requirement for a tracheostomy, while MLRA demonstrated that tracheostomy was also influenced by the presence of an ASIA grade B injury. The CART model had a sensitivity of 73.7%, specificity of 89.7%, AUC of 0.909 and overall correction rate of 87.3%. The sensitivity, specificity, AUC and correction rate of the MLRA model were 81.8, 86.4, 0.889 and 85.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest using the CART model in clinical applications. Patients with AAMS ≤ 1 exhibit an increased likelihood of requiring a tracheostomy. For patients with an AAMS in the range of 2-22, surgeons should consider giving these patients a tracheostomy once respiratory complications occur. Surgeons should be cautious to give a tracheostomy to patients with an AAMS ≥ 23, if the patient experiences an incomplete spinal cord injury and the HSC in the spinal cord is at C3 level or lower based on MRI. For other patients, close observation is necessary; generally, patients with complete SCI might require a tracheostomy more frequently.

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus among different groups of people in the province of Fujian, China.

Genotyping of hepatitis C virus (HCV) can provide valuable information for prognosis and treatment duration prediction. To explore the genetic diversity of HCV in Fujian Province, China, 112, 104 and 48 anti-HCV-positive serum samples were collected from volunteer blood donors, IDUs and patients, respectively, from Jan 2008 to Dec 2008 and were genotyped through sequence analysis, followed by phylogenetic analysis in the C/E1 and NS5B regions. Genotypes could be determined for 85.61 and 84.85 % of samples in the C/E1 and NS5B region, respectively. 6a was the most prevalent subtype, which accounted for 42.04 and 43.75 % in the C/E1 and NS5B region, respectively. Mixed infection and potential recombination were detected in this study. Kappa tests indicated that similar results were obtained by two genotyping methods targeting the C/E1 and NS5B regions. The differences in the main prevalent subtype between the three target groups suggest diversity of HCV prevalence in different populations.

[Comparison of curative effects between minimally invasive locking plate internal fixation and open reduction with internal fixation for the treatment of proximal humerus fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the comparison of curative effects in treating proximal humerus fractures' patients between minimally invasive locking plate internal fixation and open reduction with internal fixation, and to provide guidance for the operation method of the proximal humerus fracture patients. METHODS: In the study, 157 patients of proximal humerus fractures from May 2006 to December 2012 in Peking University Third Hospital were analyzed retrospectively, of whom 78 were followed up, including 19 males and 59 females. They were from 15 to 90 years old, with the mean age of 60.5 years. According to Neer classification, there were 53 cases of two-part fractures, 19 cases of three-part fractures and 6 cases of four-part fractures. According to AO classification, there were 49 cases of type A,21 cases of type B and 8 cases of type C. There were 24 cases treated with minimally invasive locking plate internal fixation operation and 54 cases treated with open reduction with internal fixation operation. The patients were followed up with postoperative physical examinations and X ray examinations. Postoperative shoulder pain after 1 week and more than 6 months was assessed using the VAS score. Postoperative shoulder joint function with the use of Constant-Murley score and ASES score were evaluated after 3 months and more than 6 months. The results were analyzed by SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: The follow-up time was 6 to 85 months, with the mean time of 33.8 months. According to the rank sum test: there were significant differences in operation time (P=0.002), postoperative hospital day (P=0.001), the satisfaction of patients (P=0.029), postoperative shoulder pain after 1 week (P=0.024), postoperative Constant-Murley score after 3 months (P=0.012) and postoperative ASES score after 3 months (P=0.001) between minimally invasive group and non-minimally invasive group. There weren't significant differences in clinical union time of bone (P=0.446), postoperative shoulder pain after more than 6 months (P=0.894), postoperative Constant-Murley score after more than 6 months (P=0.122) and postoperative ASES score after more than 6 months (P=0.351) between minimally invasive group and non-minimally invasive group. There were no breakage of the internal fixation and humeral head osteonecrosis. Minimally invasive group had 2 cases with internal fixation loosening (8.3%) and 1 case with complete limitation of abduction (4.2%). Non-minimally invasive group had 1 case with tracture nonunion (1.9%), 1 case with internal fixation loosening (1.9%) and 1 case with complete limitation of abduction (1.9%). CONCLUSION: The operation method of proximal humerus fractures is an important factor affecting the recovery of shoulder joint function. Minimally invasive locking plate internal fixation operation in early stage (1 week) of pain control, early (3 months) functional recovery, operation time, postoperative hospital day and patient satisfaction are better than those of traditional operation.

[Analysis of the blood loss in perioperative period of femoral intertrochanteric fractures in old patients treated with different internal fixations].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze blood loss in perioperative period of femoral intertrochanteric fractures in old patients treated with Gamma interlocking intramedullary nail (Gamma3), proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) and dynamic hip screw (DHS), and to comprehend the character of blood loss in perioperative period of femoral intertrochanteric fractures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of the medical records of 408 old patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures admitted to our hospital between January 1, 2007 and to December 31, 2012. The estimated blood loss was calculated by Gross equation, according to the height, weight and changes of blood test pre- and post-operation and the differences of blood loss among Gamma3 group, PFNA group and DHS group were compared. The statistical analysis was conducted using One-Way ANOVA analysis with SPSS 13.0. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In the Gamma3 group (96 cases, 39 males, 57 females), the average operation time was (74.7 ± 25.0) min, the mean obvious blood loss was (103.5 ± 83.0) mL, the mean total blood loss was (831.9 ± 474.8) mL, and the mean hidden blood loss was (728.3 ± 455.5) mL. In the PFNA group (84 cases,31 males, 53 females), the average operation time was (69.0 ± 27.1) min, the mean obvious blood loss was (91.5 ± 111.4) mL, the mean total blood loss was (825.7 ± 478.0) mL, and the mean hidden blood loss was (734.2 ± 455.7) mL. In the DHS group (40 cases, 14 males, 26 females), the average operation time was (97.5 ± 25.0) min, the mean obvious blood loss was (283.6 ± 142.1) mL, the mean total blood loss was (695.7 ± 502.4) mL, and the mean hidden blood loss was (412.1 ± 457.6) mL. CONCLUSION: By comparing the three kinds of internal fixation methods we find that the Gamma3 and PFNA groups have a smaller size of incision, shorter time of operation and less intraoperative bleeding than the DHS group, but there is a considerable perioperative hidden blood loss. We should give enough attention to reducing the incidence of postoperative complications.

Incidence and cost of vertebral fracture in urban China: a 5-year population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporotic vertebral fractures cause pain and disability, which result in a heavy socioeconomic burden. However, the incidence and cost of vertebral fractures in China are unknown. We aimed to assess the incidence and cost of clinically recognized vertebral fractures among people aged 50 years and older in China from 2013 to 2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This population-based cohort study was conducted by using Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) and Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI) data in China from 2013 to 2017, which covered more than 95% of the Chinese population in urban areas. Vertebral fractures were identified by the primary diagnosis (i.e. International Classification of Diseases code or text of diagnosis) in UEBMI and URBMI. The incidence and medical cost of these clinically recognized vertebral fractures in urban China were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 271 981 vertebral fractures (186 428, 68.5% females and 85 553, 31.5% males) were identified, with a mean age of 70.26 years. The incidence of vertebral fractures among patients aged 50 years and over in China increased ~1.79-fold during the 5 years, from 85.21 per 100 000 person-years in 2013 to 152.13 per 100 000 person-years in 2017. Medical costs for vertebral fractures increased from US$92.74 million in 2013 to US$505.3 million in 2017. Annual costs per vertebral fracture case increased from US$3.54 thousand in 2013 to US$5.35 thousand in 2017. CONCLUSION: The dramatic increase in the incidence and cost of clinically recognized vertebral fractures among patients aged 50 and over in urban China implies that more attention should be given to the management of osteoporosis to prevent osteoporotic fractures.

[Litter decomposition and its effects on soil microbial community in Shapotou area, China]. / æ²™å¡å¤´åœ°åŒºå‡‹è½ç‰©åˆ†è§£åŠå ¶å¯¹åœŸå£¤å¾®ç”Ÿç‰©ç¾¤è½çš„å½±å“.

We investigated the decomposition characteristics of Eragrostis minor, mosses, and leaves of Artemisia ordosica with litterbag method in the sand-binding revegetation area, southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert, and further examined their effects on soil microbial communities using the Illumina MiSeq sequencing method. The results showed that the decomposition duration and litter types significantly affected litter decomposition rate. Mosses had the lowest decomposition rate, with a mass loss ratio of only 15.4% after decomposition for 13 months. The average decomposition rates of E. minor and leaves of A. ordosica were 4.9 and 3.4-fold of that of mosses, respectively. During decomposition for 11 months, the dominant bacterial phyla were Actinomycota and Proteobacteria, while that of the fungal community was Ascomycota. Moss decomposition significantly increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Chloroflexi, but remarkedly decreased the abundance of Basidiomycetes. The diversity and richness of bacterial and fungal communities significantly increased after litter decomposition. The compositional changes of fungal community were significant among litters, but that of bacterial community was not. There was a negative correlation between decomposition rate and the diversity and richness of bacterial and fungal communities. Plant polysaccharides, total phosphorus, soil pH, microbial biomass nitrogen, and soil ammonium content were the main factors affecting microbial community structure. Litter decomposition changed the composition and interspecific similarity within microbial communities, as well as increased the diversity and richness of soil microbial communities, and thus would promote the restoration of soil habitat.

[Analysis of the failure reason of internal fixation in peritrochanteric fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the reasons and precautions for the failure of internal fixation in peritrochanteric fractures. METHODS: A retrospective study of 256 patients treated in surgical way during the period of May 2005 to June 2009 in our hospital was utilized by Logistic regression via analyzing age, sex, type of fracture, bone quality, type of internal fixation device, neck-shaft angle, Garden index and the initial load time. RESULTS: The ages of 256 patients ranged from 14 to 103 years. All the patients were treated by internal fixation, of whom 194 were followed up after surgery. The follow-up rate was 75.8% and follow-up time 12-53 months, with an average of 17.8 months. Ten cases failed after surgery because of penetration, cut and break-up of screw and bone non-union. The failure rate was 5.15%. The failure cases were 31-A2.2 (4 cases, 1.56%), 31-A2.3 (5 cases, 1.95%), and 31-A3.1 (1 cases, 0.39%). The type of failure devices: Dynamic hip screw (DHS) 3 cases, proximal femoral nail (PFN) 2 cases, proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) 1 case, less invasive stabilization system (LISS) 4 cases. According to statistic results, initial load time after operation was a risk factor of internal fixation failure. Generally, the older, the more osteoporosis and the less effect of internal fixation. According to our experience, the more complex fracture, the more time before operation, the more difficult the reduction and the higher the rate of device failure. CONCLUSION: The initial load time after operation is crucial to the destiny of internal fixation. We should keep patients from early loading after operation and make a time table for the individual according to the patient's own condition.

Loss of the posteromedial support: a risk factor for implant failure after fixation of AO 31-A2 intertrochanteric fractures.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze cases of AO31-A2 intertrochanteric fractures (ITFs) and to identify the relationship between the loss of the posteromedial support and implant failure. METHODS: Three hundred ninety-four patients who underwent operative treatment for ITF from January 2003 to December 2017 were enrolled. Focusing on posteromedial support, the A2 ITFs were divided into two groups, namely, those with (Group A, n = 153) or without (Group B, n = 241) posteromedial support post-operatively, and the failure rates were compared. Based on the final outcomes (failed or not), we allocated all of the patients into two groups: failed (Group C, n = 66) and normal (Group D, n = 328). We separately analyzed each dataset to identify the factors that exhibited statistically significant differences between the groups. In addition, a logistic regression was conducted to identify whether the loss of posteromedial support of A2 ITFs was an independent risk factor for fixation failure. The basic factors were age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, side of affected limb, fixation method (intramedullary or extramedullary), time from injury to operation, blood loss, operative time and length of stay. RESULTS: The failure rate of group B (58, 24.07%) was significantly higher than that of group A (8, 5.23%) (χ = 23.814, P < 0.001). Regarding Groups C and D, the comparisons of the fixation method (P = 0.005), operative time (P = 0.001), blood loss (P = 0.002) and length of stay (P = 0.033) showed that the differences were significant. The logistic regression revealed that the loss of posteromedial support was an independent risk factor for implant failure (OR = 5.986, 95% CI: 2.667-13.432) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: For AO31-A2 ITFs, the loss of posteromedial support was an independent risk factor for fixation failure. Therefore, posteromedial wall reconstruction might be necessary for the effective treatment of A2 fractures that lose posteromedial support.

Comparison of a Novel Tension Band and Patellotibial Tubercle Cerclage in the Treatment of Comminuted Fractures of Inferior Pole of the Patella.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic effect of a novel tension band using 3.0 mm cannulated screw combined with a titanium cable and specific shims comparatively with patellotibial tubercle cerclage in comminuted fractures of the inferior pole of the patella. METHODS: The retrospective study from March 2012 to July 2017 was conducted in Peking University Third Hospital and comprised 63 patients with comminuted fractures of the inferior pole of the patella: 41 treated with new tension band using 3.0 mm cannulated screw combined with a titanium cable and specific shims (new tension band group) and 22 with patellotibial tubercle cerclage (tubercle cerclage group). Gender, age, AO/OTA fracture type, injury mechanism, inter-fragmentary gap, and follow-up time of patients were recorded. Two groups were compared regarding: operation time, blood loss, partial weight-bearing time, fracture-healed time, Bostman score and knee mobility at 12-month follow-up, and postoperative complications. Continuous and categorical parameters were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test and the chi-squared test, respectively. Fisher's exact test was used for small data subsets. RESULTS: Between the two groups, no statistically significant difference was found in mean age, gender, AO/OTA fracture type, injury mechanism, mean inter-fragmentary gap, or mean follow-up time (P > 0.05). The mean operation time of new tension band group was significantly longer than that of tubercle cerclage group (76.4 min vs 64.2 min, P = 0.006), while there was no significant difference in blood loss. After surgery, new tension band group had a significantly earlier mean partial weight-bearing time (5.2 weeks vs 7.4 weeks, P < 0.001) and fracture-healed time (9.6 weeks vs 11.6 weeks, P < 0.001). At 12-month follow-up, patients of new tension band group had a significantly higher mean Bostman score (28.5 vs 25.8, P < 0.001) and knee mobility (126.7 vs 117.3, P < 0.001). Ten complications related with internal fixation were found in tubercle cerclage group including two cases of loose internal fixation, two cases of cerclage breakage, and six cases of low patella position who undertook secondary operation. No complications were found in new tension band group (0 in 41 vs 10 in 22, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with comminuted fractures of the inferior pole of the patella treated with a novel tension band experienced a longer operation time, but earlier partial-weight-bearing and fracture-healed time, better clinical outcomes at 12-month follow-up, and less complications. It should be considered an alternative therapy for the treatment of distal pole patellar fractures.

[Analysis of Gene Mutation Types of Thalassemia in Quanzhou Area of Fujian Province in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the gene mutation types and gene carrying rate of common thalassemia in patients with thalassemia in Quanzhou, and to analyze its molecular epidemiological characteristics in Quanzhou. METHODS: 546 patients with thalassemia diagnosed at the first hospital of Quanzhou from January 2017 to October 2018 were collected and retrospectively analyzed for their types of mutations and carrier rates. RESULTS: Among the 4226 samples submitted, 546 positive samples were detected, the total carrying rate of the thalassaemia genes was 12.92%; the carrier rate of α-thalassemia was 8.16%; the carrier rate of ß-thalassemia was 4.76%; There were more α-thalassemia missing patients than non-deleted patients. The Southeast Asian deletion type (--SEA /αα) was the most common one, with a composition ratio of 68.98%, which was followed by 22.61% (-α3.7/αα), 2.61% (αWSα/αα), and 2.32% (ααCS/αα), 2.32% (αQSα/αα), 1.16% (-α4.2/αα); 9 types of ß-thalassemia gene mutations were detected. The most common three mutations were IVSII-654 (C→T, 42.29%), CD41-42 (-TTCT, 33.83%), CD17 (A→T, 12.94%). 2 cases of --THAI/αα , 1 case of αα/αααanti3.7 and 1 case of HKαα were detected. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the gene carrying rate of thalassemia in Quanzhou is high and has diversity, which can provide some reference for the prevention and control of thalassemia in Quanzhou.

Predictors and reduction techniques for irreducible reverse intertrochanteric fractures.

BACKGROUND: Reverse intertrochanteric fractures are usually initially treated with closed reduction. However, sometimes these fractures are not amenable to closed reduction and require open reduction. To date, few studies have been conducted on predictors of and reduction techniques for irreducible reverse intertrochanteric fractures. Therefore, this study aimed to summarize the displacement patterns of irreducible reverse intertrochanteric fractures and corresponding reduction techniques, and explore predictors of irreducibility. METHODS: We reviewed 1174 cases of trochanteric fractures treated in our hospital from January 2006 to October 2018, 113 of which were reverse intertrochanteric fractures. An irreducible fracture was determined according to intra-operative fluoroscopy imaging after closed manipulation. Fractures were assessed for displacement patterns, radiographic features of irreducibility, and reduction techniques. Logistic regression analysis was performed on potential predictors for irreducibility, including gender, age, body mass index, AO Foundation/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification, and radiographic features. RESULTS: Seventy-six irreducible fractures were identified, accounting for 67% of reverse intertrochanteric fractures. Six patterns of fracture displacement after closed manipulation were identified; the most common pattern was medial displacement and posterior sagging of the femoral shaft relative to the head-neck fragment. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified three predictors of irreducibility: a medially displaced femoral shaft relative to the head-neck fragment on the anteroposterior (AP) view (odds ratio [OR], 8.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.04-21.04; P < 0.001), a displaced lesser trochanter (OR, 3.61; 95% CI, 1.35-9.61; P = 0.010), and a displaced lateral femoral wall (OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.02-8.34; P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of reverse intertrochanteric fractures are not amenable to closed reduction. Six patterns of fracture displacement after closed manipulation were identified. Different reduction techniques are required for different displacement patterns. Predictors of irreducibility include a medially displaced femoral shaft relative to the head-neck fragment on the AP view, a displaced lesser trochanter, and a displaced lateral femoral wall. These patients warrant special consideration in terms of recognition and management.

KMT5A promotes metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma through reducing cadherin-1 expression.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most common types of kidney cancer and is accompanied by a poor prognosis due to a high potential for metastasis and recurrence. The mechanism of ccRCC metastasis is not well known. N-lysine methyltransferase KMT5A serves a crucial role in the progression of human cancer; however, the function of KMT5A in the development of ccRCCs has not yet been investigated, which has triggered an interest in investigating the potential association between KMT5A and ccRCC. The present study demonstrates for the first time that KMT5A is a driving factor in ccRCC metastasis. The KMT5A expression level was revealed to be significantly higher in ccRCC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Patients with ccRCC whose tumors expressed high levels of KMT5A were demonstrated to have significantly shorter postoperative survival times. In vitro knockdown of KMT5A expression in 786-O cells inhibited cell migration and invasion. KMT5A reduced cadherin-1 (CDH1) protein levels by directly inhibiting its transcription. The CDH1 mRNA levels were inversely correlated with KMT5A expression in ccRCC samples. Patients with high tumor KMT5A or low CDH1 levels had the poorest prognosis with the shortest overall survival (OS) time, and this combination was demonstrated to be an independent prognostic indicator for patient OS time in ccRCC, more accurate than monitoring KMT5A or CDH1 alone. Together, these results indicate that KMT5A serves a vital role in ccRCC development and progression, and it may be a novel target for ccRCC treatment and prevention.

[Epidemiological Survey of Thalassemia in Women of childbearing age in Quanzhou Area of Fujian Province in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the gene prevalence and spectrum of thalassemia in the women of childbearing age in quanzhou area. METHODS: Venous blood of the women were collected for study, all subjects were registered in each county of quanzhou area by using cluster sampling. Both the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were used for screening thalassemia．Genotyping of the screened positive samples was performed by gap single polymerase chain reaction (gap-PCR) and reverse dot blot (RDB) hybridization．Unknown positive samples were analyzed with DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Out of all 7 082 samples, Three hundred and eighty four were identified as thalassemia gene carriers with a carrying rate of 5.42 %. The α and ß thalassemia were 3.21% and 2.15% respectively. --SEA /αα was the most common genotype with 68.72 % in mutation types of α thalassemia, In addition gene, 2 cases of --THAI/αα and 1 case of αα/αααanti3.7 were also detected. IVS-Ⅱ-654/N and CD41-42/N were the most common gentypes with 75.00 % in mutation types of ß thalassemia gene, 5 cases were found to be α ß compogite thalassemia. CONCLUSION: The carrying rate of thalassemia gene in quanzhou area is higher, and with the most common gentypes including --SEA /αα、IVSⅡ-654(C→T)/N and CD41-42(-TTCT)/N. The study results are beneficial for the screening of thalassemia in the genetic consultation and the prenatal gene diagnosis.

The complete mitochondrial genome of golden yellow snakehead fish, Channa argus.

We sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of golden yellow snakehead fish, Channa argus. The mitogenomes contained the typical complement of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and a non-coding control region. They share the same gene arrangement pattern that was identical with most vertebrates. The entire mitochondrial DNA molecule of golden yellow snakehead fish was 16,558 bp long. All information reported in this article will be a useful source of sequence information for general molecular and evolutionary studies of the family Channidae.

High-level expression of recombinant dengue virus type 2 envelope domain III protein and induction of neutralizing antibodies in BALB/C mice.

Dengue fever is a growing public health problem in many countries since so far no effective vaccines are available. In this study, the domain III of dengue virus type 2 envelope was expressed in Escherichia coli without fusion of any carrier protein. The recombinant protein was detected in the form of inclusion bodies, which were solubilized in 8M urea and could be purified subsequently by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on an ion exchange column. After refolding, the recombinant protein inhibited the DEN-2 plaque formation on C6/36 cells, demonstrated its function of receptor-interaction was retained. The recombinant protein was inoculated into BALB/c mice to test its immunogenicity and ability to induce neutralizing antibodies. The mice immunized with the purified protein developed high antibody titers. A neutralizing titer of 1:64 was also obtained by a cytopathogenic effect (CPE) inhibition assay in C6/36 cells. Mice challenged with lethal dose of DEN-2 in combination with sera from immunized mice were protected completely. The results suggested that these expression and purification strategies have the potential for development of an inexpensive vaccine.

Gross rainfall amount and maximum rainfall intensity in 60-minute influence on interception loss of shrubs: a 10-year observation in the Tengger Desert.

In water-limited regions, rainfall interception is influenced by rainfall properties and crown characteristics. Rainfall properties, aside from gross rainfall amount and duration (GR and RD), maximum rainfall intensity and rainless gap (RG), within rain events may heavily affect throughfall and interception by plants. From 2004 to 2014 (except for 2007), individual shrubs of Caragana korshinskii and Artemisia ordosica were selected to measure throughfall during 210 rain events. Various rainfall properties were auto-measured and crown characteristics, i.e., height, branch and leaf area index, crown area and volume of two shrubs were also measured. The relative interceptions of C. korshinskii and A. ordosica were 29.1% and 17.1%, respectively. Rainfall properties have more contributions than crown characteristics to throughfall and interception of shrubs. Throughfall and interception of shrubs can be explained by GR, RI60 (maximum rainfall intensities during 60 min), RD and RG in deceasing importance. However, relative throughfall and interception of two shrubs have different responses to rainfall properties and crown characteristics, those of C. korshinskii were closely related to rainfall properties, while those of A. ordosica were more dependent on crown characteristics. We highlight long-term monitoring is very necessary to determine the relationships between throughfall and interception with crown characteristics.

[Species composition and population structure of plant communities on semi-fixed dunes of the Gurbantongut Desert, China.] / å¤å°”ç­é€šå¤ç‰¹æ²™æ¼ åŠå›ºå®šæ²™ä¸˜æ¤ç‰©ç¾¤è½ç‰©ç§ç»„æˆå’Œç§ç¾¤ç»“æž„.

The objective of this study was to investigate species composition, and predict future development of dominant species on semi-fixed sand dunes in the Gurbantongut Desert. Using the plant height, crown area and volume instead of age structure, the growth and development condition of dominant shrub populations were analyzed. The results showed that totally 23 species were observed, of which Chenopodiaceae occurred the most with 6 genera 8 species, followed by Asteraceae with 5 genera 6 species. The vegetation community of Gurbantunggut Desert was characterized by few species, and simple structure. As a dominant species, Haloxylon persicum was distributed mainly on the top of the dunes and was a stable increasing population. However, the number of H. ammodendron was small. Artemisia ordosica, as an exotic species introduced by vegetation restoration after construction, covered mainly in the windward and the top of dunes. The po-pulation of A. ordosica had an increasing age structure with a strongly increasing potential, which has affected local species composition. The populations of Calligonum leucocladum and Ephedra distachya were lack of seedlings and had few saplings, resulting in the declining age structure. Due to the same distribution habitat, C. leucocladum might be replaced by A. ordosica in the future.

Neutralizing antibodies respond to a bivalent dengue DNA vaccine or/and a recombinant bivalent antigen.

There is currently no effective vaccine to prevent dengue infection, despite the existence of multiple studies on potential methods of immunization. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of DNA and/or recombinant protein on levels of neutralizing antibodies. For this purpose, envelope domain IIIs of dengue serotypes 1 and 2 (DEN-1/2)were spliced by a linker (Gly­Gly­Ser­Gly­Ser)3 and cloned into the prokaryotic expression plasmid pET30a (+) and eukaryotic vector pcDNA3.1 (+). The chimeric bivalent protein was expressed in Escherichia coli, and one­step purification by high­performance liquid chromatography was conducted. Protein expression levels of the DNA plasmid were tested in BHK­21 cells by indirect immunofluorescent assay. In order to explore a more effective immunization strategy and to develop neutralizing antibodies against the two serotypes, mice were inoculated with recombinant bivalent protein, the DNA vaccine, or the two given simultaneously. Presence of the specific antibodies was tested by ELISA and the presence of the neutralizing antibodies was determined by plaque reduction neutralization test. Results of the analysis indicated that the use of a combination of DNA and protein induced significantly higher titers of neutralizing antibodies against either DEN­1 or DEN­2 (1:64.0 and 1:76.1, respectively) compared with the DNA (1:24.7 and 1:26.9, DEN­1 and DEN­2, respectively) or the recombinant protein (1:34.9 and 1:45.3 in DEN­1 and DEN­2, respectively). The present study demonstrated that the combination of recombinant protein and DNA as an immunization strategy may be an effective method for the development of a vaccine to prevent dengue virus infection.