Identification of two novel QTL for Fusarium head blight resistance in German wheat cultivar Centrum.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease that occurs in warm and humid environments. The German wheat Centrum has displayed moderate to high levels of FHB resistance in the field for many years. In this study, an F6:8 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from cross Centrum × Xinong 979 was evaluated for FHB response following point inoculation in five environments. The population and parents were genotyped using the GenoBaits Wheat 16 K Panel. Stable quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with FHB resistance in Centrum were mapped on chromosome arms 2DS and 5BS. The most effective QTL, located in 2DS, was identified as a new chromosome region represented by a 1.4 Mb interval containing 17 candidate genes. Another novel QTL was mapped in chromosome arm 5BS of a 5BS-7BS translocation chromosome. In addition, two environmentally-sensitive QTL were mapped on chromosome arms 2BL from Centrum and 5AS from Xinong 979. Polymorphisms of flanking allele-specifc quantitative PCR (AQP) markers AQP-6 for QFhb.nwafu-2DS and 16K-13073 for QFhb.nwafu-5BS were validated in a panel of 217 cultivars and breeding lines. These markers could be useful for marker-assisted selection of FHB resistance and also provide a starting point for fine mapping and marker-based cloning of the resistance genes.

Prognostic Value of ctDNA Detection in Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is increasingly used as a biomarker for metastatic rectal cancer and has recently shown promising results in the early detection of recurrence risk. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the prognostic value of ctDNA detection in LARC patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). We systematically searched electronic databases for observational or interventional studies that included LARC patients undergoing nCRT. Study selection according to the PRISMA guidelines and quality assessment of the REMARK tool for biomarker studies. The primary endpoint was the impact of ctDNA detection at different time points (baseline, post-nCRT, post-surgery) on relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoint was to study the association between ctDNA detection and pathological complete response(pCR) at different time points. RESULTS: After further review and analysis of the 625 articles initially retrieved, we finally included 10 eligible studies. We found no significant correlation between ctDNA detection at baseline and long-term survival outcomes or the probability of achieving a pCR. However, the presence of ctDNA at post-nCRT was associated with worse RFS (HR = 9.16, 95% CI, 5.48-15.32), worse OS (HR = 8.49, 95% CI, 2.20-32.72), and worse pCR results (OR = 0.40, 95%CI, 0.18-0.89). The correlation between the presence of ctDNA at post-surgery and worse RFS was more obvious (HR = 14.94; 95% CI, 7.48-9.83). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that ctDNA detection is a promising biomarker for the evaluation of response and prognosis in LARC patients undergoing nCRT, which merits further evaluation in the following prospective trials.

A universal karyotypic system for hexaploid and diploid Avena species brings oat cytogenetics into the genomics era.

BACKGROUND: The identification of chromosomes among Avena species have been studied by C-banding and in situ hybridization. However, the complicated results from several cytogenetic nomenclatures for identifying oat chromosomes are often contradictory. A universal karyotyping nomenclature system for precise chromosome identification and comparative evolutionary studies would be essential for genus Avena based on the recently released genome sequences of hexaploid and diploid Avena species. RESULTS: Tandem repetitive sequences were predicted and physically located on chromosomal regions of the released Avena sativa OT3098 genome assembly v1. Eight new oligonucleotide (oligo) probes for sequential fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were designed and then applied for chromosome karyotyping on mitotic metaphase spreads of A. brevis, A. nuda, A. wiestii, A. ventricosa, A. fatua, and A. sativa species. We established a high-resolution standard karyotype of A. sativa based on the distinct FISH signals of multiple oligo probes. FISH painting with bulked oligos, based on wheat-barley collinear regions, was used to validate the linkage group assignment for individual A. sativa chromosomes. We integrated our new Oligo-FISH based karyotype system with earlier karyotype nomenclatures through sequential C-banding and FISH methods, then subsequently determined the precise breakage points of some chromosome translocations in A. sativa. CONCLUSIONS: This new universal chromosome identification system will be a powerful tool for describing the genetic diversity, chromosomal rearrangements and evolutionary relationships among Avena species by comparative cytogenetic and genomic approaches.

Karyotyping Dasypyrum breviaristatum chromosomes with multiple oligonucleotide probes reveals the genomic divergence in Dasypyrum.

The perennial species Dasypyrum breviaristatum (genome Vb) contains many potentially valuable genes for the improvement of common wheat. Construction of a detailed karyotype of D. breviaristatum chromosomes will be useful for the detection of Dasypyrum chromatin in wheat background. We established the standard karyotype of 1Vb-7Vb chromosomes through nondenaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH) technique using 28 oligonucleotide probes from the wheat - D. breviaristatum partial amphiploid TDH-2 (AABBVbVb) and newly identified wheat - D. breviaristatum disomic translocation and addition lines D2138 (6VbS.2VbL), D2547 (4Vb), and D2532 (3VbS.6VbL) by comparative molecular marker analysis. The ND-FISH with multiple oligo probes was conducted on the durum wheat - D. villosum amphiploid TDV-1 and large karyotype differences between D. breviaristatum and D. villosum was revealed. These ND-FISH probes will be valuable for screening the wheat - Dasypyrum derivative lines for chromosome identification, and the newly developed wheat - D. breviaristatum addition lines may broaden the gene pool of wheat breeding. The differences between D. villosum and D. breviaristatum chromosomes revealed by ND-FISH will help us understand evolutionary divergence of repetitive sequences within the genus Dasypyrum.

Maternal preconception and first trimester exposure to PM10 and the risk of oral clefts in offspring: a population-based, case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Current literature describes limited and controversial evidence on the associations between maternal preconception and first trimester exposure to particulate matter with a diameter ≤10 µm (PM10) and the risk of oral cleft (OC). METHODS: We conducted a case-control study involving 3086 OC cases and 7950 controls, registered in the Maternal and Child Health Certificate Registry in Liaoning Province between 2010 and 2015. PM10 concentrations were obtained from the Environment Protection Bureau. The exposure windows included the 3 months before pregnancy, the first trimester and the individual months. Unconditional logistic regression model was performed to estimate the OR and 95% CI for the association between PM10 exposure and the risk of OC, cleft lip only (CLO), cleft palate only (CPO), and cleft lip and palate (CLP). RESULTS: Maternal PM10 exposure was positively associated with an increased risk for OC during the 3 months preconception (per 10 µg/m3 increment: OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07; highest vs lowest quartile: OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.45) and the first trimester (per 10 µg/m3 increment: OR=1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.08; highest vs lowest quartile: OR=1.37, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.64). Analyses based on individual months presented similar positive associations, particularly in the second month of pregnancy (OR=1.77, 95% CI 1.51 to 2.09) for highest versus lowest quartile. In the subtype analysis, stronger associations were observed for CLO, whereas there was negligible evidence for CPO and CLP. Sensitivity analyses using propensity score matching generated similar findings. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that PM10 exposure during the 3 months preconception and the first trimester increases the risk of OC.

Association between maternal exposure to PM10 and polydactyly and syndactyly: A population-based case-control study in Liaoning province, China.

BACKGROUND: The number of studies on air pollution with birth defects as the primary outcome has increased dramatically over the past two decades, but the potential role of specific air pollutants in congenital limb anomalies remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate associations between preconception and first-trimester PM10 exposure and polydactyly and syndactyly in a population-based case-control study. METHODS: Polydactyly cases (n = 2605), syndactyly cases (n = 595), and controls without any birth defects (n = 7950) born between 2010 and 2015 were selected from the Maternal and Child Health Certificate Registry of Liaoning Province. The monthly mean PM10 concentrations were obtained from 75 air monitoring stations, and the exposure assessment was based on the mean concentration of all stations in mother's residential city. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: PM10 exposure was positively associated with the risks of polydactyly (preconception: aORT3 vs. T1 = 1.95, 95% CI 1.56-2.45, aOR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.10 [per 10-µg/m3 increment]; first-trimester: aORT3 vs. T1 = 2.51, 95% CI 2.00-3.15) and syndactyly (preconception: aORT3 vs. T1 = 2.86, 95% CI 1.98-4.13, aOR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.20 [per 10-µg/m3 increment]; first-trimester: aORT3 vs. T1 = 3.10, 95% CI 2.11-4.56). Analyses based on single month exposure windows basically showed similar positive associations. Additionally, these findings were robust in sensitivity analyses and broadly consistent across subgroups. CONCLUSION: Our study suggest that preconception and first-trimester PM10 exposures are related to increased risks of polydactyly and syndactyly.

Maternal exposure to ambient particulate matter 10 µm or less in diameter before and after pregnancy, and anencephaly risk: A population-based case-control study in China.

BACKGROUND: There is no epidemiological evidence on the effects of maternal exposure to ambient particulate matter 10 µm or less in diameter (PM10) and anencephaly risk in offspring. METHODS: We conducted a population-based case-control study in Liaoning Province, China. The case group consisted of 663 cases with anencephaly and the control group consisted of 7950 healthy infants from the Maternal and Child Health Certificate Registry of Liaoning Province that were born between 2010 and 2015. Daily PM10 concentrations were obtained from 77 monitoring stations located within the study area. A multivariable logistic regression model was established to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Maternal PM10 exposure was significantly associated with an increased risk of anencephaly at three months before conception (highest versus lowest tertile: OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.29-2.34; per 10 µg/m3 increment: OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.06-1.20) and three months after conception (highest versus lowest tertile: OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.44-2.60; per 10 µg/m3 increment: OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.95-1.08). The evaluation of shorter exposure windows revealed similar associations for PM10 exposure from the third month before pregnancy to the third month after pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal PM10 exposure is positively associated with anencephaly risk during the critical period of neural system development.

99mTc-DTPA SPECT/CT provided guide on triamcinolone therapy in Graves' ophthalmopathy patients.

INTRODUCTION: Distinguishing between the active and inactive stages of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is essential for making treatment decisions. 99mTc-DTPA SPECT/CT is sensitive in identifying inflammation in extraocular muscles of GO patients, which we designate 99mTc-DTPA-active. This study aimed to evaluate the response of 99mTc-DTPA-active GO patients to local immunosuppressive therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four 99mTc-DTPA-active GO patients (89 eyes) were retrospectively analyzed. Forty-five patients (64 eyes) received repeated peribulbar triamcinolone injection, and 19 patients (25 eyes) received no immunosuppressive treatment. Ophthalmological assessment, including clinical activity score, eyelid retraction, eyelid aperture, proptosis, diplopia, and ocular mobility, was recorded before and after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with untreated patients, the clinical activity score decreased significantly (P < 0.001) while eye symptoms (soft-tissue swelling and eyelid retraction and aperture) improved significantly (P = 0.02, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively) in treated patients after six months. The inferior and medial recti were significantly smaller (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively), and 99mTc-DTPA uptake in the two recti was significantly less (P = 0.001, P = 0.01, respectively) in treated patients than in untreated patients after 3 months. CONCLUSION: Clinical activity score of < 3 does not indicate inactive GO, as revealed with 99mTc-DTPA SPECT/CT. Patients with 99mTc-DTPA-active GO can improve the symptoms with peribulbar triamcinolone injection.

[Efficacy of 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT on the evaluation of lacrimal gland inflammation in patients with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the values of orbital single photon emission computed tomography/computerized tomography (SPECT/CT) with 99mTc-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) on the evaluation of lacrimal gland inflammation in patients with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).
 Methods: A total of 58 TAO patients were retrospectively recruited for this study, all of whom were categorized into all active group and all inactive group based on the clinical active score (CAS). Another 12 patients with the negative images on SPECT/CT served as a normal control group (NC). All patients were undergone the 99mTc-DTPA orbit SPECT/CT. Quantitative parameters of lacrimal gland including width, length, volume, and the count ratio of region of interest (ROI) drawn on lacrimal gland to the region of occipital brain (target/non-target ratio, T/NT), were measured on axial and coronal slices, respectively. Quantitative parameters were compared among the 3 groups, and the diagnostic value on discrimination of TAO patients from inactive to active ones was evaluated.
 Results: All parameters in TAO patients (except the length on coronal slices and the mean radioactive counts of axial T/NT in the TAO inactive group) were much greater than those in the NC group (P<0.05). All parameters in the TAO active group (except the length on axial and coronal slices) were much greater than those in the TAO inactive group (P<0.05). There were significant lineal positive correlations between the parameters in all TAO patients (except the length on coronal slices ) and CAS. The best diagnostic value was detected by the max radioactive counts of axial T/NT (area under the curve=0.82, P<0.01).
 Conclusion: As an invasive imaging modality, 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT is helpful to estimate the lacrimal gland inflammation and to assess the disease activity in TAO patients.

[Evaluation of inflammatory activity in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy by SPECT/CT with 99mTc-DTPA].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the inflammatory activity in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) by 99mTc-diethylene triamine pentaaceticacid (99mTc-DTPA) orbital single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT.
 Methods: A total of 48 patients were enrolled from Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between October 2016 and March 2017. According to clinical active score (CAS), 93 eyes were divided into a TAO active group (n=72) and a TAO inactive group (n=21). All patients underwent 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT examination, and the DTPA uptake in extraocular muscle belly was supposed to be positive. The results of 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT examination were compared with those of CAS score evaluation.
 Results: The uptake rate (UR) of 99mTc-DTPA in the TAO active group was higher than that in the TAO inactive group (P<0.01). There was a linear positive correlation between UR and its CAS scores in all patients (r=0.767, P<0.01). Five cases (7 eyes) showed inconsistent results between 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT examination and CAS score. Among the 7 eyes, 6 eyes showed myocarditis lesions in 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT examination while its CAS was no more than 3; meanwhile, there was 1 eye with CAS>3, but 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT examination showed negative myocarditis lesions.
 Conclusion: 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT is consistent with the CAS score in evaluation of the disease activity of TAO; 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT may be more objective and accurate to evaluate TAO than CAS.

[Nontarget area and threshold selection in 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT imaging inthyroid associated ophthalmopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To compare diagnostic value of 4 kinds of target-to-nontarget ratio (T/NT), and to choose a better one to assess thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) activity.
 Methods: The clinical data were collected for 29 newly-diagnosed patients (58 eyes) with TAO who underwent orbital 99mTc-DTPA single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) fusion images according to the clinical activity score (CAS). They were divided into an active group (18 cases, 36 eyes), an inactive group (11 cases, 22 eyes), and a control group (9 cases, 18 eyes). Diagnostic value of orbital/occipital lobe radioactive uptake count ratio (T/NT1), orbital/occipital radioactive uptake count ratio (T/NT2), orbital/thalamus radioactive uptake count ratio (T/NT3), and orbital/cerebellar radioactivity uptake count ratio (T/NT4) were calculated, and the CAS of Spearman rank correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were analyzed.
 Results: T/NT1, T/NT2 and CAS were correlated (r1=0.873, r2=0.527; P<0.001), with the better correlation between T/NT1 and CAS and there was no correlation between T/NT3, T/NT4 and CAS (r3=0.039, r4=0.090; P>0.05). Area under the ROC curve of T/NT1 was 0.860, area under the ROC curve of T/NT2 was 0.581, and the accuracy for T/NT1 on TAO activity was good. T/NT1=9.74 could be used as active threshold for judge of TAO in patients.
 Conclusion: There is a good correlation between T/NT1 and CAS. TAO activity assessment possesses high diagnostic value, and SPECT/CT together with imaging anatomical location is more accurate.

[A new peak detection algorithm of Raman spectra].

The authors proposed a new Raman peak recognition method named bi-scale correlation algorithm. The algorithm uses the combination of the correlation coefficient and the local signal-to-noise ratio under two scales to achieve Raman peak identification. We compared the performance of the proposed algorithm with that of the traditional continuous wavelet transform method through MATLAB, and then tested the algorithm with real Raman spectra. The results show that the average time for identifying a Raman spectrum is 0.51 s with the algorithm, while it is 0.71 s with the continuous wavelet transform. When the signal-to-noise ratio of Raman peak is greater than or equal to 6 (modern Raman spectrometers feature an excellent signal-to-noise ratio), the recognition accuracy with the algorithm is higher than 99%, while it is less than 84% with the continuous wavelet transform method. The mean and the standard deviations of the peak position identification error of the algorithm are both less than that of the continuous wavelet transform method. Simulation analysis and experimental verification prove that the new algorithm possesses the following advantages: no needs of human intervention, no needs of de-noising and background removal operation, higher recognition speed and higher recognition accuracy. The proposed algorithm is operable in Raman peak identification.

[Influence of collimation system on static Fourier transform spectrometer].

Collimation system provides collimated light for the static Fourier-transform spectroscopy (SFTS). Its quality is crucial to the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of SFTS. In the present paper, the physical model of SFTS was established based on the Fresnel diffraction theory by means of numerical software. The influence of collimation system on the SFTS was discussed in detail focusing on the aberrations of collimation lens and the quality of extended source. The results of simulation show that the influences of different kinds of aberrations on SNR take on obvious regularity, and in particular, the influences of off-axis aberrations on SNR are closely related to the location of off-axis point source. Finally the extended source's maximum radius allowed was obtained by simulation, which equals to 0.65 mm. The discussion results will be used for the design of collimation system.

Exploring the relationship between immune heterogeneity characteristic genes of rheumatoid arthritis and acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: People with autoimmune diseases are prone to cancer, and there is a close relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The bone marrow (BM) is affected throughout the course of RA, with a variety of hematologic involvement. Hopes are pinned on rheumatoid arthritis research to obtain BM biomarkers for AML. METHODS: Synovial transcriptome sequencing data for RA and osteoarthritis (OA), and single-cell sequencing data for RA and controls were obtained from the GEO database.Bone marrow sequencing data for AML patients and normal subjects were obtained from the UCSC Xena database. The final immune heterogeneity characteristics of RA were determined through ssGSEA analysis, gene differential expression analysis, fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm, and XGboost algorithm. Random Ferns classifiers (RFs) are used to identify new bone marrow markers for AML. RESULTS: SELL, PTPRC, IL7R, CCR7, and KLRB1 were able to distinguish leukemia cells from normal cells well, with AUC values higher than 0.970. CONCLUSION: Genes characterizing the immune heterogeneity of RA are associated with AML, and KLRBA may be a potential target for AML treatment.

Metal ion stimulation-related gene signatures correlate with clinical and immunologic characteristics of glioma.

Background: Environmental factors serve as one of the important pathogenic factors for gliomas. Yet people focus only on the effect of electromagnetic radiation on its pathogenicity, while metals in the environment are neglected. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between metal ion stimulation and the clinical characteristics and immune status of GM patients. Methods: Firstly, mRNA expression profiles of GM patients and normal subjects were obtained from Chinese GM Genome Atlas (CGGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to identify differentially expressed metal ion stimulation-related genes(DEMISGs). Secondly, two molecular subtypes were identified and validated based on these DEMISGs using consensus clustering. Diagnostic and prognostic models for GM were constructed after screening these features based on machine learning. Finally, supervised classification and unsupervised clustering were combined to classify and predict the grade of GM based on SHAP values. Results: GM patients are divided into two different response states to metal ion stimulation, M1 and M2, which are related to the grade and IDH status of the GM. Six genes with diagnostic value were obtained: SLC30A3, CRHBP, SYT13, DLG2, CDK1, and WNT5A. The AUC in the external validation set was higher than 0.90. The SHAP value improves the performance of classification prediction. Conclusion: The gene features associated with metal ion stimulation are related to the clinical and immune characteristics of transgenic patients. XGboost/LightGBM Kmeans has a higher classification prediction accuracy in predicting glioma grades compared to using purely supervised classification techniques.

18F-FDG PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters combined with SCC-Ag in predicting lymph node metastasis in stage I-II cervical cancer.

Objective: To explore the value of 18F-fluordeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) semi-quantitative parameters of primary tumor combined with squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) in predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) of cervical cancer (FIGO 2018 stage I-II). Materials and Methods: A total of 65 patients with stage I-II cervical cancer underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT were included in our study. Comparing the primary tumor 18F-FDG PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters and SCC-Ag between the LNM group and the non-LNM group. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were used to analyze the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters and SCC-Ag in predicting LNM. Results: There were 14 and 51 patients were classified as having LNM and NLNM. The semi-quantitative parameters, including the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), the mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean), the peak standardized uptake value (SUVpeak), the total lesion glycolysis (TLG), the metabolic tumor volume (MTV) of the tumor and SCC-Ag were all significantly higher in LNM than in NLNM (SUVmax, 16.07 ± 7.81 vs 11.19 ± 4.73, SUVmean, 9.16 ± 3.48 vs 6.29 ± 2.52, SUVpeak, 12.70 ± 5.26 vs 7.65 ± 3.26, MTV, 22.77 ± 12.36 vs 7.09 ± 5.21, TLG, 211.01 ± 154.25 vs 43.38 ± 36.17, SCC-Ag, 5.39 ± 4.56 vs 2.13 ± 2.50, all p<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that TLG was an independent predictor of LNM in stage I-II cervical cancer (OR 1.032, 95% CI 1.013-1.052, p<0.01). Moreover, the predictive value of TLG combined with SUVpeak and SCC-Ag increased and the area under the curve increased compared SUVpeak and SCC-Ag. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters and SCC-Ag have promise for assessing LNM in stage I-II cervical cancer. TLG of primary tumor provides independent and increasing values in predicting LNM in stage I-II cervical cancer.

Chromosome Rearrangement in Elymus dahuricus Revealed by ND-FISH and Oligo-FISH Painting.

As a perennial herb in Triticeae, Elymus dahuricus is widely distributed in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Central Asia. It has been used as high-quality fodders for improving degraded grassland. The genomic constitution of E. dahuricus (2n = 6x = 42) has been revealed as StStHHYY by cytological approaches. However, the universal karyotyping nomenclature system of E. dahuricus is not fully established by traditional fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). In this study, the non-denaturing fluorescent in situ hybridization (ND-FISH) using 14 tandem-repeat oligos could effectively distinguish the entire E. dahuricus chromosomes pairs, while Oligo-FISH painting by bulked oligo pools based on wheat-barley collinear regions combined with GISH analysis, is able to precisely determine the linkage group and sub-genomes of the individual E. dahuricus chromosomes. We subsequently established the 42-chromosome karyotype of E. dahuricus with distinctive chromosomal FISH signals, and characterized a new type of intergenomic rearrangement between 2H and 5Y. Furthermore, the comparative chromosomal localization of the centromeric tandem repeats and immunostaining by anti-CENH3 between cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and E. dahuricus suggests that centromere-associated sequences in H subgenomes were continuously changing during the process of polyploidization. The precise karyotyping system based on ND-FISH and Oligo-FISH painting methods will be efficient for describing chromosomal rearrangements and evolutionary networks for polyploid Elymus and their related species.

[Formononetin enhances the antitumor effect of H22 hepatoma transplanted mice].

Objective To explore the effect of formononetin on immunity of mice with transplanted H22 hepatocarcinoma. Methods Male C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously inoculated with H22 cells (4×105) to establish a tumor-bearing mouse model. The mice were treated with formononetin [10 mg/(kg.d)] or [50 mg/(kg.d)] for 28 days, and then the tumor inhibition rate was calculated. Carrilizumab was used as a positive control drug. The expressions of CD8, granzyme B and forkbox transcription factor 3 (FOXP3) in HCC tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA and protein expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand 1 (PD-L1) in HCC tissues were detected by real-time PCR or Western blot analysis, respectively. The serum levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) were detected by ELISA. Results Formononetin increased the tumor inhibition rate and the positive rate of CD8 and granzyme B staining in tumor-bearing mice. There was no significant difference in the positive rate of FOXP3 staining in tumor tissues of mice in each group. Formononetin decreased the levels of IL-10 and TGF-ß in serum of tumor-bearing mice, and decreased the relative expression of mRNA and protein of PD-1 and PD-L1 in tumor tissue of tumor-bearing mice. Conclusion Formononetin can activate CD8+ T cells and reduce the release of immunosuppressive factors in regulatory T cells by blocking PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and play an antitumor role.

Role of optical coherence tomography in depression detection: a protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive approach for detecting changes in the retinal layers, which may also reflect changes in brain structure and function. As one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, depression has been associated with alteration of brain neuroplasticity. However, the role of OCT measurements in detecting depression remains unknown. This study aims to employ a systematic review and meta-analysis approach to explore ocular biomarkers measured by OCT for detecting depression. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search studies describing the relationship between OCT and depression across seven electronic databases, and retrieve articles published from database inception to date. We will also manually search grey literature and reference lists included in the retrieved studies. Two independent reviewers will screen studies, extract data and assess risk of bias. Target outcomes will include peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, macular ganglion cell complex thickness and macular volume, as well as other related indicators. Next, we will conduct subgroup analysis and meta-regression to explore study heterogeneity, then perform sensitivity analysis to investigate the robustness of the synthesised results. Meta-analysis will be performed using Review Manager (V.5.4.1) and STATA (V.12.0), and the certainty of evidence will be graded according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval is not necessary because the data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis will be extracted from published studies. Study results will be disseminated by publishing our findings in a peer-reviewed journal.

Influencing Factors of Bidens pilosa L. Hyperaccumulating Cadmium Explored by the Real-Time Uptake of Cd2+ Influx around Root Apexes under Different Exogenous Nutrient Ion Levels.

Though Bidens pilosa L. has been confirmed to be a potential Cd hyperaccumulator, the accumulation mechanism is not yet clear. The dynamic and real-time uptake of Cd2+ influx by B. pilosa root apexes was determined using non-invasive micro-test technology (NMT), which partly explored the influencing factors of the Cd hyperaccumulation mechanism under the conditions of different exogenous nutrient ions. The results indicated that Cd2+ influxes at 300 µm around the root tips decreased under Cd treatments with 16 mM Ca2+, 8 mM Mg2+, 0.5 mM Fe2+, 8 mM SO42- or 18 mM K+ compared to single Cd treatments. The Cd treatments with a high concentration of nutrient ions showed an antagonistic effect on Cd2+ uptake. However, Cd treatments with 1 mM Ca2+, 0.5 mM Mg2+, 0.5 mM SO42- or 2 mM K+ had no effect on the Cd2+ influxes as compared with single Cd treatments. It is worth noting that the Cd treatment with 0.05 mM Fe2+ markedly increased Cd2+ influxes. The addition of 0.05 mM Fe2+ exhibited a synergistic effect on Cd uptake, which could be low concentration Fe2+ rarely involved in blocking Cd2+ influx and often forming an oxide membrane on the root surface to help the Cd uptake by B. pilosa. The results also showed that Cd treatments with high concentration of nutrient ions significantly increased the concentrations of chlorophyll and carotenoid in leaves and the root vigor of B. pilosa relative to single Cd treatments. Our research provides novel perspectives with respect to Cd uptake dynamic characteristics by B. pilosa roots under different exogenous nutrient ion levels, and shows that the addition of 0.05 mM Fe2+ could promote the phytoremediation efficiency for B. pilosa.