Six-month binocular stereopsis recovery and its influencing factors in children with intermittent exotropia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the recovery of binocular stereopsis recovery and its influencing factors in children with intermittent exotropia after successful correction of eye position. METHODS: Prospective clinical study. A total of 178 patients, aged 9 ∼ 14 (10.8 ± 1.7) years, who were successfully corrected after intermittent exotropia surgery at the Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from October 2023 to September 2023 were collected, the follow-up duration was six-month or longer. Paired t test, Pearson correlation analysis and multivariable linear regression analysis were used to probe preoperative clinical features that may predict the stereopsis six months after surgery. RESULTS: Six months after surgery, the angle of deviation of the patients met the orthotopic standard, and there was significant difference compared with that before surgery (distant: -2.7△±3.2△ vs. -30.5△±8.4△, t=-25.3, P < 0.001. Near:-3.7△±4.1△ vs. -33.7△±8.0△, t=-26.1, P < 0.001). Distant stereopsis (3.0 ± 0.6 vs. 3.9 ± 0.4, t = 4.9, P < 0.05) and near stereopsis (2.3 ± 0.5 vs. 2.6 ± 0.4, t = 3.8, P < 0.05) were both significantly improved compared with that of before surgery. 17% and 22% patients rebuilt normal distant stereopsis and normal near stereopsis, respectively. Preoperative distant stereopsis (r=-0.26, P = 0.004) and near stereopsis (r=-0.23, P = 0.011) was significantly negatively correlated with convergence reserve. Multivariable analysis showed that patients' age (ß = 0.003, p = 0.037), anisometropia (ß = 0.015, p = 0.043), and preoperative distant stereopsis (ß = 0.456, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with postoperative distant stereopsis. Patients' age (ß = 0.005, p = 0.044), anisometropia (ß = 0.127, p = 0.034), angle of deviation (ß=-0.230, p = 0.020), and preoperative near stereopsis (ß = 0.136, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with postoperative near stereopsis. CONCLUSION: IXT patients could get eye position fixed after surgery, about 20% patients benefited from stereopsis improvement. Patient's age, binocular anisometropia, angle of deviation and preoperative stereopsis were independent factors influencing postoperative stereopsis.

High triglyceride levels increase the risk of diabetic microvascular complications: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing. The effect of lipid profiles on diabetic microvascular complications remains debated. This research aimed to study the correlation between lipid profiles and microvascular complications. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 1096 T2DM patients. The patients were divided into the control, diabetic retinopathy (DR), nephropathy (DKD), and peripheral neuropathy (DPN) groups based on the existence of corresponding complications. The lipid profiles were analyzed, and the effect on complications was assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the diabetic microvascular complications group had a higher dyslipidemia rate. The rate of high TGs increased significantly with an increasing number of complications. High TG levels contributed to the risk of DKD, DR, and DPN [odds ratios (ORs): 2.447, 2.267, 2.252; 95% confidence interval: 1.648-3.633, 1.406-3.655, 1.472-3.445]. In the age (years) > 55, T2DM duration (years) > 10, and HbA1c (%) ≥ 7 groups, the risk of high TGs was higher for DKD (ORs: 2.193, 2.419, 2.082), DR (ORs: 2.069, 2.317, 1.993), and DPN (ORs: 1.811, 1.405, 1.427). CONCLUSION: High TG levels increase the risk of diabetic microvascular complications, and patients with older age, longer T2DM duration, and higher HbA1c levels are recommended to keep lipid levels more strictly.

Undifferentiated high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma of the colon: a rare case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), also known as malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), hardly originates from the colorectum. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported a 65-year-old female presented with UPS in the descending colon. Computed tomography (CT) revealed an irregularly thickened descending colon. On colonoscopy examination, an ulcerative tumour was identified. The patient received radical resection of the left colon and partial enterectomy. The resected tumor was ulcerative, 10 cm × 8 cm × 5 cm in size, and infiltrated the serosa layer. Postsurgical pathology showed that the tumor was high-graded UPS in the colon with large amounts of necrotic tissues. CONCLUSIONS: UPS in the large intestine is a rare malignant tumor with a poor prognosis and unknown pathogenesis. The main treatment for UPS is early complete resection. Postsurgery adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy can be attempted.

Study on the treatment of advanced lung adenocarcinoma in the elderly with pemetrexed combined with platinum drugs.

To study the treatment of advanced lung adenocarcinoma in the elderly with pemetrexed combined with platinum drugs. 200 elderly patients who had been treated for advanced lung adenocarcinoma in our hospital were enrolled as research objects. They were randomly divided into control group and research group, each containing 100 patients. The control group was given Pemetrexed therapy and routine nursing mode, while the research group was given pemetrexed combined with platinum drugs and evidence-based nursing mode. The therapeutic effect and nursing effect of the two groups were compared. The overall treatment effective rate of the research was 85.00% and that of the control group was 60.00%, indicating the research group had significant advantage over the control group, p<0.05. The incidence of adverse reactions including nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, bone marrow suppression, fatigue and fatigue, and hair loss was significantly lower in the research group (22.00%) than that in the control group (45.00%), p<0.05. The quality of life of the research group was higher than that of the control group, p<0.05. For the elderly patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma, the implementation of pemetrexed combined with platinum drug can help patients get better treatment results.

High Expression of GRP78 Promotes Invasion and Metastases in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has a poor prognosis due to its high frequency of metastasis and invasion. Recent studies have suggested glucose-regulated protein 78KD (GRP78) may play important roles in progression and development of malignant tumors. However, the mechanisms of invasion and metastasis of ESCC in relation to GRP78 still remain obscure. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of GRP78 on invasion and metastasis of ESCC and to explore its potential mechanism. METHODS: GRP78 expression levels in ESCC tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR and western blot were used to test the relative expression of GRP78 in non-metastatic and high-metastatic ESCC cells. In vitro and in vivo studies were both performed to investigate the role of GRP78 in invasion and metastasis of ESCC cells. The expression of metastasis-related proteins was examined by western blot in GRP78-depleted cells. RESULTS: The expression of GRP78 is correlated with invasion, metastasis and poor prognosis in ESCC patients. GRP78 expression was significantly higher in highly metastatic cells compared with ESCC non-metastatic cells. In addition, down-regulation of GRP78 significantly inhibited the metastatic potential of ESCC cells in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were down-regulated in GRP78-depleted ESCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that GRP78 plays important roles in invasion and metastasis of ESCC, indicating that GRP78 might be used as a potential prognostic and therapeutic marker in patients with ESCC by modulating the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

Meta-analysis of the risk of cataract in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the risk of cataract. METHODS: Databases of Pubmed, Embase, and SpringerLink were retrieved for observational studies published before November 2013. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used for estimating the association. All statistical analyses were performed by Stata 10.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 8 studies involving 20837 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of any cataract (AC) in T2D patients was higher than that in non-diabetic subjects (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.45-2.67, P < 0.001). The risks of cortical cataract posterior (CC) (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.47-1.91, P < 0.001) and posterior subcapsular (PSC) (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.27-1.90, P < 0.001) were significantly elevated in T2D patients, while no significant association was found in nuclear sclerosis (NS) (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.97-1.90, P = 0.070). CONCLUSION: T2D patients had a higher risk of cataracts, excepting NS. Special attention should be paid on the ophthalmic extermination, especially for cataract in T2D patients.

Comparison of upper eyelid pressure and ocular surface parameters in dry eye disease and benign essential Blepharospasm: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To compare the upper eyelid pressure (UEP) and ocular surface parameters between dry eye disease (DED) and DED coexisting with benign essential blepharospasm (BEB), exploring which parameters could assist in distinguishing between DED and BEB, as potential risk factors for DED with BEB. METHODS: All enrolled participants diagnosed with DED or DED coexisting with BEB were initially subjected to ocular surface disease index (OSDI) determination. Subsequently, the upper eyelid pressure was recorded using an innovative eyelid pressure measurement device, followed by a series of ocular surface examinations. The two groups were compared using the independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify which parameters can predict the onset of blepharospasm. RESULTS: The BEB group achieved a higher upper eyelid pressure (101.9 ± 23.5mN vs 88.4 ± 18.1mN, P = 0.009), lower number of total blink (6.2 ± 4.2 vs 7.1 ± 4.1, P = 0.016), higher corneal fluorescein staining score (4.0 ± 1.9 vs 3.0 ± 1.7, P = 0.046), higher partial blink rate (0.9 ± 0.2 vs 0.5 ± 0.4, P = 0.000) and the lower grade of meibum expressibility (1 (1, 2) vs 2 (1, 3), P = 0.000) and meibum quality (1 (1, 1) vs 1 (1, 1), P = 0.033) compared with the DED group. The upper eyelid pressure (OR = 1.123), partial blink rate (OR = 0.014) and the grade of meibum expressibility (OR = 10.804) showed significant associations with BEB (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite similar OSDI scores, DED coexisting with BEB exhibited higher upper eyelid pressure, lower corneal fluorescein staining score, lower partial blink rate, more total blinks, lower grades of meibum expressibility, and lower meibum quality compared to DED alone. Among these, higher upper eyelid pressure, lower partial blink rate, and worse grade of meibum expressibility were identified as risk factors for BEB in DED.

[Hydrochemical Characteristics, Controlling Factors and Water Quality Evaluation of Shallow Groundwater in Tan-Lu Fault Zone （Anhui Section）].

To study the hydrochemical characteristics, controlling factors, and groundwater quality of the Tan-Lu fault zone (Anhui section), 86 groundwater samples were taken from the areas surrounding the Tan-Lu fault zone (Anhui section), which included the Jianghuai Wavy Plain, the Yanjiang Hill Plain, and the Dabie Mountains in western Anhui. Descriptive statistics, Piper diagram, Gibbs diagram, ion ratio analysis, saturation index, chloride-alkalinity index, and entropy weight water quality index (EWQI) were used to comprehensively study the hydrochemical characteristics and controlling factors of groundwater and to evaluate its quality. The results showed that the shallow groundwater in the Tan-Lu fault zone (Anhui section) was weakly alkaline, with dominant anions and cations of HCO3-, Ca2+ and Na+, respectively, and the hydrochemical types were mainly HCO3-Ca·Mg and HCO3-Na·Ca. The solute source of groundwater was mainly controlled by water-rock interactions, and the weathering of silicate and carbonate rocks jointly contributed to the formation of the chemical components of groundwater. Strong cation exchange adsorption was an important factor causing Na+ enrichment. The overall quality of groundwater in the study area was good but was polluted to a certain extent by human activities. Most of the groundwater in the Jianghuai Wavy Plain and Yanjiang Hill Plain was not suitable for direct drinking. The results of this research have important implications for the sustainable development and utilization of shallow groundwater resources and environmental protection in the Tan-Lu fault zone (Anhui section).

[Hydrochemical Characteristics and Control Factors of Shallow Groundwater in Anqing Section of the Yangtze River Basin].

Shallow groundwater is the main source of water for living and industrial and agricultural production in Anqing City, which is an important basic guarantee to maintain the sustainable development of the social economy and regional ecological environment. In order to further study the water chemical characteristics and controlling factors of shallow groundwater in Anqing City, 196 groups of shallow groundwater samples were collected. A Piper diagram graph, Gibbs chart, ion ratio, and mathematical statistics were comprehensively used to study the water chemical characteristics and controlling factors of groundwater in Anqing City, and the contribution of different sources to the water chemical components of groundwater was quantitatively evaluated. The results showed that the shallow groundwater in Anqing City was weakly alkaline, with pH values ranging from 5.84 to 8.38, with an average value of 7.21. The TDS ranged from 47 to 1 620 mg·L-1, with an average of 324.21 mg·L-1. HCO3- and Ca2+ were the main anions, and the water chemical type was HCO3-Ca type. The chemical components of groundwater were affected by rock weathering leaching, cation alternating adsorption, mineral dissolution and precipitation, and human activities. Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3- were mainly derived from the weathering dissolution of carbonate and silicate; Na+, Cl-, and SO42- were affected by industrial activities and domestic sewage discharge; and K+ and NO3- were affected by agricultural activities. The APCS-MLR receptor model analysis further revealed that the chemical components of groundwater were mainly geological factors, industrial factors, agricultural factors, and unknown sources, and their contribution rates were 45.35%, 14.19%, 25.38%, and 15.08%, respectively. Geological factors were important sources of hydrochemical components of shallow groundwater, and human activities aggravated the evolution of groundwater hydrochemistry.

BMP7 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its potential role in modulating metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Our previous study showed that BMP7 revealed significantly higher levels in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues with lymph node metastasis compared with non-lymph node metastasis, using gene expression profiling assays. The roles of BMP7 in ESCC is not fully understood. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BMP7 on lymph node metastasis of ESCC and to explore its potential mechanism. METHODS: Expression of BMP7 in ESCC tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. BMP7 were down-regulated by RNA interference. The protein and mRNA levels of BMP7 were detected by western blot and RT-PCR, respectively. High content screening and transwell assay were used to identify the metastatic ability of tumor cells. RESULTS: Positivity of BMP7 staining was 57.5 % in the tissues of primary carcinoma with lymph node metastasis compared to tissues without lymph node metastasis, and expression of BMP7 was significantly higher in the cell lines with highly metastatic capacity than that in the cell lines without metastatic ability. Suppression of endogenous BMP7 expression by siRNA in the highly metastatic cell lines resulted in significant reduction in ability of cell migration and invasion in both in vitro and in vivo studies. In addition, inhibition of BMP7 by siRNA also leads to up-regulation of E-cadherin and down-regulation of MMP-9 in the highly metastatic cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that BMP7 modulates the expression of E-cadherin and MMP-9, and by which mechanism it may regulate cell migration and metastasis of ESCCs.

Identification and characterization of cotton genes involved in fuzz-fiber development.

Cotton fuzz fibers, like Arabidopsis trichomes, are elongated unicells. It is postulated that a transcriptional complex of GLABRA1 (GL1), GLABRA3 (GL3), and TRANSPARENT TESTAGLABRA1 (TTG1) might be in existence in Arabidopsis as evidenced by their physical interaction in yeast, and the complex regulates expression of GLABRA2 (GL2) controlling trichome cell differentiation; it is also assumed that TRIPTYCHON (TRY) and CAPRICE (CPC) counteract the complex formation in neighboring cells. Here, the homologs GaMYB23 (a homolog of GL1), GaDEL65 (a homolog of GL3), GaTTG1, GaCPC and GaTRY were identified in Gossypium arboreum. We show that GaMYB23 can bind to and activate the promoters of GaCPC, GaGL2 and GaTRY, and that GaMYB23, GaTRY and GaTTG1 could interact with GaDEL65 in yeast and in planta. In situ analysis showed that GaMYB23, GaGL2, GaDEL65, and GaTRY were predominantly expressed in fuzz fiber, but GaTRY proteins were primarily found in undeveloped epidermal cells. A G. arboreum fuzzless mutant with consistently high level GaMYB23 transcript has lost the detectable GaMYB23-promoter of GaGL2 complex, corresponding to sharply reduced transcription of GaGL2. Our results support that cotton homologs to the genetic molecules regulating Arabidopsis trichome differentiation interacted in the epidermis of ovules and the redundant GaMYB23 serves as a negative regulator in fuzz-fiber patterning.

[Distribution and Pollution Assessment of Nutrients in the Surface Sediments of Lake in Huoqiu County].

To clarify the spatial distribution and pollution characteristics of nutrients in the surface sediments of Chengxi Lake and Chengdong Lake in Huoqiu County, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and organic matter (OM) in 30 surface sediment samples of Chengxi Lake and Chengdong Lake were determined, and their pollution levels and sources were analyzed. The results showed that the contents of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and organic matter (OM) in Chengxi Lake were significantly higher than those in Chengdong Lake, and their average contents were 746.23 mg·kg-1, 538.38 mg·kg-1, and 1.17% and 470.80 mg·kg-1, 492.08 mg·kg-1, and 0.68%, respectively. The spatial distribution in the north and northwest of Chengxi Lake was significantly higher than that in other areas and decreased from north to south. The C/N value indicated that the organic matter in Chengxi Lake and Chengdong Lake mainly came from unbundled plants and phytoplankton. Correlation analysis showed that total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and organic matter (OM) in Chengxi Lake and Chengdong Lake were homologous. The average values of TN and TP single index (STN and STP) of sediments in Chengxi Lake and Chengdong Lake were 0.67 and 1.18 and 0.42 and 1.08, respectively, indicating that TN in the two lakes was clean whereas TP was moderately polluted, and the average comprehensive pollution index (FF) was 1.51 and 1.31, respectively. The evaluation of organic index and organic nitrogen index showed that both Chengxi Lake and Chengdong Lake were clean.

[Heavy Metal Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Soil-crops System in Anhui Section of the Yangtze River Basin].

In order to explore the pollution characteristics and health risks of heavy metals in a soil-crop system in the Anhui section of the Yangtze River basin, a total of 338 groups of soil samples from rice, wheat, and their roots were collected, and the contents of eight types of heavy metals were determined. Additionally, the pollution index method, potential ecological hazard, multivariate statistical analysis, and health risk were used to evaluate the heavy metal content in rice and wheat root soil. The results showed that Cd, Cu, Cr, and Ni in the soil had an obvious accumulation effect, and the pollution of rice root soil was more serious than that of wheat soil. The potential ecological risk was mild to moderate, which mainly came from the elements Cd and Hg. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd were industrial sources and agricultural sources; Cr and Ni were natural sources; and As and Hg were agricultural sources. The absorption and enrichment intensity of heavy metals by rice was in the order of Cd>Zn>Cu>Hg>Ni>As>Cr=Pb, and those in wheat were ordered as Zn>Cd>Cu>Hg>Ni>As=Pb>Cr. The root soil heavy metal health risk assessment indicated that oral intake was the main exposure route of non-carcinogenic risk, and children were more vulnerable to heavy metal pollution. Non-carcinogenic risk assessment showed that wheat root soil posed non-carcinogenic risk to children but no carcinogenic risk. Intake of rice and wheat had some degree of non-carcinogenic risk and unacceptable carcinogenic risk for both adults and children.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is associated with short-term glycemic variability metrics derived from continuous glucose monitoring in T2DM.

This study aims to investigate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and continuous glucose monitoring-assessed short-term glycemic variability (GV) and HbA1c among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We conducted a cross-sectional study recruiting 325 patients. The association between 25OHD and GV metrics (mean amplitude of glycemic excursions [MAGE], coefficient of variation [CV], standard deviation of sensor glucose [SD], and TIR) and HbA1c were analyzed using multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses. The 25OHD level and GV metrics showed significant differences among HbA1c groups (P < 0.01). CV, MAGE, SD and HbA1c decreased, and TIR increased with ascending 25OHD tertiles (P < 0.05). Serum 25OHD was inversely associated with CV (ß = - 0.211 [- 0.350 to - 0.071], P < 0.01) and HbA1c (ß = - 0.061 [- 0.114 to - 0.031], P < 0.01), and further multivariable analyses confirmed these results (P < 0.05). However, no association of HbA1c and 25OHD was found with the highest tertile of CV. These findings revealed that increased GV and HbA1c were both associated with lower 25OHD, and the relationship between HbA1c and 25OHD was attenuated with higher glucose CV in T2DM. Taken together, the analyses suggest that increasing vitamin D status has effects on improvements in long-term glycemic control and low glycemic variability.

Case Report: Intramural colonic signet ring cell carcinoma presenting as intestinal pseudo-obstruction: A case presentation and review of the literature.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Other than adenocarcinomas, exceptional tumors of the colon and rectum represent a neglected clinical issue due to their rarity. Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a rare subtype of CRC and has an extremely poor prognosis due to its advanced stage at diagnosis. Here we report a rare case of colorectal SRCC manifested as recurrent intestinal obstruction with a negative colonoscopy. Finally, he was diagnosed with signet ring cell carcinoma of the colon by postoperative pathology. It emphasized the special feature of intramural tumor growth without penetrating the mucosa in SRCC, which requires timely surgical intervention to avoid delay in diagnosis and treatment.

Comprehensive retinal vascular measurements: time in range is associated with peripheral retinal venular calibers in type 2 diabetes in China.

AIM: Retinal vascular parameters are biomarkers of diabetic microangiopathy. We aimed to investigate the relationship between time in range (TIR) assessed by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and retinal vascular parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes in China. METHODS: The TIR assessed by CGM and retinal photographs were obtained at the same time from adults with type 2 diabetes who were recruited. Retinal vascular parameters were extracted from retinal photographs by a validated fully automated computer program, and TIR was defined as between 3.9-7.8 mmol/L over a 24-h period. The association between TIR and caliber of retinal vessels distributed in different zones were analyzed using multivariable linear regression analyses. RESULTS: For retinal vascular parameters measurements, the peripheral arteriovenous and middle venular calibers widen with decreasing TIR quartiles (P < 0.05). Lower TIR was associated with wider peripheral venule after adjusting for potential confounders. Even after further correction for GV, there was still a significant correlation between TIR and peripheral vascular calibers (CV: ß = - 0.015 [- 0.027, - 0.003], P = 0.013; MAGE: ß = - 0.013 [- 0.025, - 0.001], P = 0.038) and SD: ß = - 0.013 [- 0.026, - 0.001], P = 0.004). Similar findings were not found for the middle and central venular calibers or arterial calibers located in different zones. CONCLUSIONS: The TIR was associated with adverse changes to peripheral retinal venules but not central and middle vessels in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting that peripheral retinal vascular calibers may be affected by glycemic fluctuations earlier.

Scaffold-Scaffold Interaction Facilitates Cell Polarity Development in Caulobacter crescentus.

Cell polarity development is the prerequisite for cell differentiation and generating biodiversity. In the model bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, the polarization of the scaffold protein PopZ during the predivisional cell stage plays a central role in asymmetric cell division. However, our understanding of the spatiotemporal regulation of PopZ localization remains incomplete. In the current study, a direct interaction between PopZ and the new pole scaffold PodJ is revealed, which plays a primary role in triggering the new pole accumulation of PopZ. The coiled-coil 4-6 domain in PodJ is responsible for interacting with PopZ in vitro and promoting PopZ transition from monopolar to bipolar in vivo. Elimination of the PodJ-PopZ interaction impairs the PopZ-mediated chromosome segregation by affecting both the positioning and partitioning of the ParB-parS centromere. Further analyses of PodJ and PopZ from other bacterial species indicate this scaffold-scaffold interaction may represent a widespread strategy for spatiotemporal regulation of cell polarity in bacteria. IMPORTANCE Caulobacter crescentus is a well-established bacterial model to study asymmetric cell division for decades. During cell development, the polarization of scaffold protein PopZ from monopolar to bipolar plays a central role in C. crescentus asymmetric cell division. Nevertheless, the spatiotemporal regulation of PopZ has remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the new pole scaffold PodJ functions as a regulator in triggering PopZ bipolarization. The primary regulatory role of PodJ was demonstrated in parallel by comparing it with other known PopZ regulators, such as ZitP and TipN. Physical interaction between PopZ and PodJ ensures the timely accumulation of PopZ at the new cell pole and the inheritance of the polarity axis. Disruption of the PodJ-PopZ interaction impaired PopZ-mediated chromosome segregation and may lead to a decoupling of DNA replication from cell division during the cell cycle. Together, the scaffold-scaffold interaction may provide an underlying infrastructure for cell polarity development and asymmetric cell division.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 and insulin in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) is considered a decline in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but it remains controversial that whether such reduction is attributed to obesity. Aims: This systematic review aims to explore whether IGFBP-1 is reduced in PCOS, and whether such reduction is associated with obesity. Results: Our pooled study included 12 studies with a total of 450 participants. IGFBP-1 levels in PCOS were significantly lower than that in non-PCOS (SMD (95%CI)=-0.49(-0.89, -0.09), P=0.02). No significant difference in IGFBP-1 levels between patients with or without PCOS classified by BMI. Whilst, stratification by PCOS status revealed a significant decrease in IGFBP-1 in overweight (SMD (95%CI)=-0.92(-1.46, -0.37), P=0.001). When comparing fasting insulin in the same way, PCOS patients had significantly elevated fasting insulin level but not statistically declined IGFBP-1 after classified by BMI. Conclusion: This meta-analysis provides evidence that the decrease of IGFBP-1 in PCOS was more strongly influenced by comorbid obesity than by PCOS itself. Additionally, contrast to previous findings that insulin significantly suppresses IGFBP-1, our results suggested that the suppression of PCOS-related hyperinsulinemia on IGFBP-1 seemed diminished. Overall, our work may provide a novel perspective on the mechanism between insulin and IGFBP-1 underlying PCOS development.

The Temporal Dynamics of Rumen Microbiota in Early Weaned Lambs.

Weaning affects the development of ruminal bacteria in lambs during early life. However, the temporal dynamics of rumen microbiota in early weaned lambs is unknown compared to conventionally weaned lambs. In this study, one group was reared with their dams (control, CON) and conventionally weaned at 49 days (d), while the other lambs were weaned at 21 d (early weaning, EW) using starter. Rumen microbial samples collected at 26, 35, and 63 d were used for next-generation sequencing. Here, we found that the abundance and diversity of rumen microbiota in EW were significantly lower at 26 and 35 d than the CON. Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis was performed to identify the signature microbiota for EW at these three ages. At 26 d, Prevotella 7, Syntrophococcus, Sharpea, Dialister, Pseudoscardovia, and Megasphaera in the rumen of the EW group had greater relative abundances. At 35 d, the Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group was enriched in CON. On 63 d, Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-002 was abundant in EW. Syntrophococcus and Megaspheaera in EW lambs were abundant at 26 and 35 d, but kept similar to CON at 63 d. The relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-002 at all-time points was consistently higher in the EW group. In conclusion, early weaning led to a significant decrease in rumen microbiota richness and diversity in the short term. The changes in rumen microbiota are associated with the persistence of weaning stress. The temporal dynamics of relative abundances of Syntrophococcus, Megasphaera, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 reflect the weaning stress over a short period and rumen recovery after early weaning.

Facile Exfoliation for High-Quality Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoflakes and Relevant Field-Effect Transistors Developed With Thermal Treatment.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a typical member of the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) group, is known for its excellent electronic performance and is considered a candidate next-generation semiconductor. The preparation of MoS2 nanoflakes for use as the core of semiconducting devices depends on mechanical exfoliation, but its quality has not yet been optimized. In this paper, a novel exfoliation method of achieving MoS2 nanoflakes is proposed. We find that the size and yield of the exfoliated flakes are improved after thermal treatment for 2 h at a temperature of 110°C followed by precooling for 10 min in ambient air. The new method has the advantage of a 152-fold larger size of obtained MoS2 flakes than traditional mechanical exfoliation. This phenomenon may be attributable to the differences in van Der Waals force and the increase in surface free energy at the interface induced by thermal treatment. In addition, a field-effect transistor (FET) was fabricated on the basis of multilayer MoS2 prepared according to a new process, and the device exhibited a typical depleted-FET performance, with an on/off ratio of ~105 and a field-effect mobility of 24.26 cm2/Vs in the saturated region when V G is 10 V, which is generally consistent with the values for devices reported previously. This implies that the new process may have potential for the standard preparation of MoS2 and even other 2D materials as well.