[Analysis of pollution status and influencing factors of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in household dust in five cities in northern China].

Objective: To investigate the pollution levels and influencing factors of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in household dust in five cities in northern China. Methods: Based on the "Chinese Indoor Environment and Health Surveillance" project carried out by the National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2018-2019, during the warm season (April 2018 to September 2018) and the cold season (November 2018 to March 2019), Lanzhou in Northwest China, Shijiazhuang in North China, Panjin in Northeast China, Luoyang in Central China, and Qingdao in East China were selected as the research sites. A total of 87 families were recruited to study residences in real-life scenarios. At the same time, dust samples were collected to detect the concentration of PBDEs. The level of household environmental indicators was measured, and the residential building characteristics and family behavior habits were collected through questionnaires. A total of 142 valid dust samples and 140 valid questionnaires were obtained. The differences in PBDE concentrations across seasons, wind zones, residential building characteristics, and family habits were analyzed. The exploratory factor analysis was performed to investigate the possible sources of PBDEs, and multivariate linear regression was used to explore the factors influencing PBDEs in household dust. Results: The M (Q1, Q3) of total PBDE concentrations in 142 household dust samples in five cities was 144.51 (106.61, 222.65) ng/g in the warm season and 145.10 (98.57, 180.65) ng/g in the cold season, respectively. There were seasonal differences in the concentration of ∑12PBDEs in Luoyang and Shijiazhuang (P<0.01). The concentration of BDE-71 was highest among PBDE homologues, followed by BDE-66 and BDE-47. Three factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis in the warm season, and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 67.90%. The multivariate linear regression showed that the house completion less than ten years [ß (95%CI): 0.186 (0.013, 0.359)], infrequent home cooking [ß (95%CI):-0.342 (-0.570, -0.114)], and increased residential PM10 concentration [ß (95%CI): 0.001 (0.000, 0.002)] during the warm season, as well as the house far from driveway [ß (95%CI): 0.093 (0.013, 0.172)], house area less than 90 m2 [ß (95%CI):-0.138 (-0.264, -0.013)], and lower residential xylene concentration [ß (95%CI):-0.006 (-0.011, -0.001)] during the cold season might be related to the elevated concentrations of ∑12PBDEs in household dust. Conclusion: The pollution of PBDEs in household dust in five northern cities is at a medium to high level. Years of house completion, frequency of cooking at home, residential PM10 concentration, distance from house to driveway, house area, and residential xylene concentration may influence household PBDE concentrations.

[Effect of hyperandrogenism on pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer].

Objective: To explore the effects of hyperandrogenism (HA) on pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on infertile women with PCOS undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET from January 2017 to June 2021 in our center. Patients were divided into HA group and NON-HA group according to the levels of testosterone. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the influence of female age and IVF/ICSI-ET for patients with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)antagonist protocol and GnRH agonist protocol, separately. After the PSM procedure, 191 cases in HA group and 382 cases in NON-HA group, were included. Hormone levels and pregnancy outcomes were compared in the two groups. Results: The female age was comparable in two groups [HA: (29.6±3.7) vs NON-HA: (29.5±3.6), P=0.665]. The basal luteinizing hormone [(10.82±6.73) vs (7.76±5.30) IU/L], testosterone [(3.27±0.97) vs (1.60±0.59) nmol/L], free androgen index (7.13 vs 2.77), anti-mullerian hormone [(11.37±5.74) vs (9.67±4.67) ng/ml], fasting glucose [(5.18±0.49) vs (5.06±0.42) mmol/L], 1h glucose [(9.34±2.42) vs (7.99±2.21) nmol/L], 2 h glucose [(7.66±2.17) vs (6.64±1.84) nmol/L], 2 h insulin [(129.81±145.49) vs (97.51±86.92) mU/L], total cholesterol [(5.35±0.89) vs (4.92±0.92) mmol/L], triglycerides [(1.55±1.28) vs (1.33±0.77) mmol/L], and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels [(3.38±0.66) vs (3.14±0.71) mmol/L] were significantly higher in HA group, compared with NON-HA group (P<0.05). The initiated gonadotropin dose was higher in HA group than that in NON-HA group [(126.96±33.65) vs (137.60±38.12) U, P=0.001], but moderate-severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rate was similar in two groups (P>0.05). The rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). Also, in the subgroups, the rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, live birth, and miscarriage were similar in HA group and NON-HA group. Conclusions: The risks of hormonal abnormality and glucose-lipid metabolic disorder were higher in PCOS women with HA, whereas satisfactory pregnancy outcomes could be achieved under proper ovarian stimulation undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET.

Effects of water deficiency on preference and performance of an insect herbivore Ostrinia furnacalis.

With further climate change still expected, it is predicted to increase the frequency with plants will be water stressed, which subsequently influences phytophagous insects, particularly Lepidoptera with limited mobility of larvae. Previous studies have indicated that oviposition preference and offspring performance of Lepidoptera insects are sensitive to drought separately. However, the integration of their two properties is not always seen. Here, we evaluated changes in oviposition selection and offspring fitness of a Lepidoptera insect under three water-stressed treatments using a model agroecosystem consisting of maize Zea mays, and Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis. Results found that female O. furnacalis preferred to laying their eggs on well-watered maize, and then their offspring tended to survive better, attained bigger larvae mass, and developed more pupae and adults on the preferred maize. Oviposition selection of O. furnacalis positively correlated with height and leaf traits of maize, and offspring fitness positively related with water content and phytochemical traits of hosts. Overall, these results suggest that oviposition choice performed by O. furnacalis reflects the maximization of offspring fitness, supporting preference-performance hypothesis. This finding further highlights that the importance of simultaneous evaluation of performance and performance for water driving forces should be involved, in order to accurately predict population size of O. furnacalis under altered precipitation pattern.

[Analysis of the status quo and influencing factors of short-term quality of life after discharge in colorectal cancer patients following enhanced recovery after surgery pathway].

Objective: To describe the status quo of short term quality of life after discharge in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) following enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway and to explore its influencing factors. Methods: Surveys of 127 CRCs following ERAS pathway were conducted. The Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) were issued at the discharge and 1 months after the operation,respectively. Results: The score of global quality of life was 66.8±18.8. Education,surgical type,stoma,and the readiness for hospital discharge were influencing factors of global quality of life. Conclusion: CRC patients' global quality of life is at the middle level. Patients with low education,open surgery,stoma and low readiness for hospital discharge are of poor global quality of life at 1 months after the operation,which should be regarded as the focus of medical attention.

[Molecular epidemiological analysis of Norovirus in patients with foodborne diseases in sentinel hospital, Ma'anshan City, Anhui Province].

Objective: To understand the infection status and genetic characteristics of Norovirus from foodborne diseases in sentinel hospital of Ma'anshan city. Methods: The 911 stool samples and epidemiological data of the patients with foodborne disease were collected from three hospitals of Ma'anshan city during January 2015 to June 2018. The G Ⅰ and G Ⅱ Norovirus were detected by real-time reverse transcription PCR. Some of the positive specimens were amplified by conventional reverse transcription PCR, and the PCR products were sequenced for sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Results: The positive rate of Norovirus was 14.7% (134/911), in which 7 strains were G Ⅰ, 124 strains were G Ⅱ and 3 strains were mixed infection. Norovirus can be detected throughout the year, with high positive rate from December to April of the next year [24.4%(20/82)-45.3%(24/53)]. The 78 males (15.5%) and 55 females (13.7%) were positive for Norovirus (χ(2)=0.58,P=0.448). There was no significant difference in different age groups (χ(2)=9.55, P=0.089). A total of 79 strains were successfully sequenced, 4 strains were G Ⅰ group(5.1%), 75 strains were G Ⅱ group (94.9%). The predominant strains were GⅡ.17 and GⅡ.4, aud the number were 35 and 15 respectively. The predominant strains were different in different years. The main strain was GⅡ.17 in 2015 (30, 68.2%),GⅡ.4 in 2016 (5/9) and 2017 (8/16), but GⅡ.3 in 2018 (3/6). Conclusion: Norovirus diarrhea was popular in Ma'anshan city throughout the year,especially in winter and spring. The prevalent strain was GⅡ,genotypes were diversified distribution,the dominant strains were GⅡ.17 and GⅡ.4. The predominant strains were different in different years.

Lessons learned from an unusual condition of incidental synchronous multiple hernias of indirect inguinal hernia, femoral hernia, and incarcerated obturator hernia.

Hernias are one of the most common diseases. The frequency of multiple hernias is much higher than the frequency reported during herniorrhaphy. Multiple hernias may account for some of the so-called recurrences, in which the small hernia may be veiled by the bigger one and omitted. In this study, we present a case of an 83-year-old female who suffered from multiple hernias namely a left-sided indirect inguinal hernia, a right-sided femoral hernia, and a right-sided incarcerated obturator hernia. Additionally, the characteristics and treatment of obturator hernia were discussed. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) are capable of accurately diagnosing groin hernia. Preoperative bilateral ultrasound of examinations or abdominopelvic CT should be recommended to perform routinely for patients with suspected hernias to avoid ignoring the concurrent hernias. A careful exploration of the operative field in the operation is mandatory. The CT is also helpful for early diagnosis of obturator hernia. In addition, the intra-abdominal approach through a low midline incision might be a preference for the treatment of obturator hernia.

The effects of add-on exenatide to insulin on glycemic variability and hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of add-on exenatide to insulin on glycemic excursion and the counter-regulatory hormone in response to hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: 30 patients with T1DM were recruited and randomly assigned to exenatide + insulin-treated group (group 1, n = 15) or insulin-only-treated group (group 2, n = 15) for 4 weeks. All patients had continuous glucose monitor system (CGMS) applied at before (week-0) and after (week-4) treatment to evaluate the glycemic variability. All patients had an arginine-stimulated test at before and after treatment. Six patients from each group also had hypoglycemic clamp test to assess counter-regulatory hormone level. RESULTS: Patients in the exenatide group had significant reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), total insulin dose, bolus insulin dose, fructosamine, and glycemic excursion after 4 weeks' treatment. Compared with patients in group 2, the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) and coefficient of variation (CV) of exenatide group decreased significantly. Similarly, a significant decrease of glucagon (GLC) in the arginine-stimulated test was found in group 1. No significant changes of GLC, growth hormone (GH), cortisol (COR), epinephrine (E), and norepinephrine (NE) were found in both groups during hypoglycemia clamp test. However, patients who had residual islet function in group 1 showed an upward trend of basic C-peptide (C-P) and GLC during the hypoglycemia period. CONCLUSION: Although exenatide could inhibit glucagon secretion during euglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients with T1DM, it has no effect on GLC and counter-regulatory hormones during hypoglycemia clamp in patients with no functional residual islet test.

[Analysis of clinical characteristics of paraganglioma in 42 patients].

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of paraganglioma. Methods: A total of 215 pheochromocytoma/ paraganglioma cases in Peking University First Hospital between January 1996 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the tumor position: pheochromacytoma group (173 patients) and paraganglioma group (42 patients). Then the clinical characteristics between the groups were compared. Results: There were 42 paraganglioma cases in the study, accounting for 19.5%. The most common position was retroperitoneum (66.7%, 28/42), followed by bladder (19.0%, 8/42), para-aorta (11.9%, 5/42) and pelvic cavity (2.4%, 1/42). Sixty-nine percent (29/42) of patients had different degree of hypertension, while up to 31.0% (13/42) was silent type. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in severity of hypertension, age, gender, duration, abnormal glucose metabolism, and the incidence of hypokalemia( all P>0.05). Adrenaline level was higher in pheochromocytoma group (13.4% vs 9.5%, P=0.004), while noradrenaline level was higher in paraganglioma group (80.8% vs 59.2%, P=0.001). Malignancy (21.4% vs 4.6%, P<0.001) and bigger tumor size [(6.67±3.24)cm vs (5.55±2.76)cm, P=0.024] was more common in paraganglioma group. The maximum tumor volume was 18.0 cm×18.0 cm×10.5 cm vs 14.0 cm×13.0 cm×7.0 cm, while the minimum was 1.8 cm×1.3 cm×1.3 cm vs 1.2 cm×1.0 cm×1.0 cm. There was no significant difference in the pathological manifestations between the two groups. In the study, 11.9% (5/42) of patients in paraganglioma group was misdiagnosed or indefinite at the early diagnosis. Conclusion: Compared with pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma has the characteristics of widely distribution, more various clinical performance, more silent type and higher malignant rate. It is critical to put emphasis on its early diagnosis and treatment.

[Consistency of PD-L1 immunohistochemical detection platforms in biopsy samples with advanced lung adenocarcinoma: a multicenter study].

Objective: To analyze the expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma and the consistency of four PD-L1 immunohistochemical detection platforms, with an aim of establishing baseline information to predict and select patients for programmed death 1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 immune inhibitor therapy. Methods: This was a multi-center retrospective study, collecting totally 57 advanced lung adenocarcinoma biopsy specimens from four centers from August 2017 to December 2017.The mean age of 57 patients was 59 (range 34-81) years, and 29 cases were male, 28 cases were female. Four PD-L1 immunohistochemical stains were done for each case, including 22C3 (Dako), 28-8 (Abcam), SP263 (Ventana), and SP142 (Ventana). Among them, 22C3 staining was done using Dako autostainer, and for the other three antibodies, Ventana Ultraview detection system and autostainer was used. The immunohistochemical slides were read by two trained histopathologists in a double-blinded way, and the percentage of PD-L1 positive tumor cells was assessed as <1%, 1%-24%, 25%-49% and more than 50%. Results: The Dako 22C3 was used as the standard. There were eight cases in which the PD-L1 staining was more than 50% (14.0%, 8/57). The staining consistency of tumor cells was higher in 22C3, 28-8 and SP263 (ρ=0.729-0.809). The two scoring doctors had a high degree of concordance in PD-L1 positive tumor cells (ρ=0.707-0.896), and this was most noticeable in 22C3 and SP263. Conclusions: 22C3, 28-8 and SP263 show high consistency in tumor cell staining. The study can provide an effective basis for screening for potential patient population that may benefit from immunotherapy.

Changes in flowering functional group affect responses of community phenological sequences to temperature change.

Our ability to predict how temperature modifies phenology at the community scale is limited by our lack of understanding of responses by functional groups of flowering plants. These responses differ among species with different life histories. We performed a reciprocal transplant experiment along four elevation gradients (e.g., 3,200, 3,400, 3,600 and 3,800 m) to investigate the effects of warming (transferred downward) and cooling (transferred upward) on plant flowering functional groups (FFGs) and community phenological sequences (i.e., seven phenological events). Warming significantly decreased early-spring-flowering (ESF) plant coverage and increased mid-summer-flowering plant (MSF) coverage, while cooling had the opposite effect. All community phenological events were advanced by warming and delayed by cooling except for the date of complete leaf-coloring, which showed the opposite response. Warming and cooling could cause greater advance or delay in early-season phenological events of the community through increased coverage of MSF species, and warming could delay late-season phenological events of the community by increased coverage of ESF species. These results suggested that coverage change of FFGs in the community induced by temperature change could mediate the responses of the community phenological events to temperature change in the future. The response of phenological events to temperature change at the species level may not be sufficient to predict phenological responses at the community-level due to phenological compensation between species in the community.

[Clinical significance of σ1 receptor over-expression in cervical cancer and the effect of its synthetic ligands on the growth of cervical cancer cells].

Objective: To explore the role of σ1 receptor (σ1R) in the clinical prognosis of cervical cancer,and provide a theoretical basis for σ1R targeted molecular therapy through observing the inhibition of synthetic σ1R-specific ligand compounds on the growth of cervical cancer cells. Methods: (1) Immunohistochemical or immunocytochemistry staining were respectively used to detect the expression and localization of σ1R protein. (2) The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data set was used to validate our results. (3) Two series of 4 novel σ1R ligand compounds were synthesized by altering the N-terminal substituents on the piperidine ring of the prezamicol analogue, named as 14a, 14e, 15c and 15f. Methyl thiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay was detect the anti-proliferative effect of the four compounds on HeLa and SiHa cells. Compound 14a with potent inhibitory activity and the highest specificity of σ1R was selected for further experiments. Scratch test was observed the migration effect of compound 14a on HeLa and SiHa cells. Flow cytometry was determined cell cycles and apoptosis. Results: (1) Immunostaining of σ1R protein was located in the cytoplasm and nucleus of cervical epithelium. The expression of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was significantly higher than those of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) or normal cervical tissues. There was no significant difference in the expression of σ1R between HSIL and normal cervical tissues. σ1R expression in cervical adenocarcinoma (AC) was higher than that in SCC (P=0.020). The nuclear expression rate of σ1R in AC (10/18) was higher than that of SCC (27.1%, 19/70; P=0.024). The median overall survival (MOS) of σ1R-positive SCC patients was lower than that of σ1R-negative patients [(45.8±3.1) vs (51.7±2.9) months, P=0.045]. MOS of the patients with σ1R nuclear positive SCC was lower than that of non-nuclear staining [(38.9±3.8) vs (48.7±2.1) months, P=0.022]. MOS of the patients with σ1R nuclear positive AC was lower than that of non-nuclear staining [(35.0±6.3) vs (44.2±4.2) months, P=0.034]. (2) Analysis of TCGA data showed that σ1R expression of in SCC was correlated with age (P=0.005). σ1R expression in AC was significantly associated with advanced stage, lymphnode metastasis and vascular invasion (all P<0.05). MOS of AC patients with σ1R overexpression was significantly lower than that of the patients with low expression (P=0.034). There was no significant difference in the MOS of different expression of σ1R mRNA in SCC patients(P=0.930). (3) MTT assay showed that these four compounds could suppressed the growth of HeLa and SiHa cells in time- and dose-dependent manner. The growth inhibition rates of HeLa and SiHa cells at 48 hours treated by combination of different concentrations of nedaplatin (NDP) with compound 14a (6 µmol/L) were significantly higher than those treated by NDP alone. Compound 14a (30 µmol/L) significantly inhibited the migration (both P<0.01) and induced the apoptosis of HeLa or SiHa cells (both P<0.01). Conclusions: σ1R is over-expressed in cervical cancer and HSIL. σ1R nuclear expression is an important marker of AC. σ1R over-expression, especially σ1R nuclear expression is associated with the poor prognosis of cervical cancer. Our study is mostly consistent with cervical cancer data of TCGA. These results suggest that the novel synthetic prezamicol analogues 14a for σ1R could inhibit the growth of cervical cancer cells and cell migration through inducing apoptosis and arresting cell cycle in G(0)/G(1) period, enhance NDP-induced cytotoxicity.

Relatively stable response of fruiting stage to warming and cooling relative to other phenological events.

The timing of the fruit-set stage (i.e., start and end of fruit set) is crucial in a plant's life cycle, but its response to temperature change is still unclear. We investigated the timing of seven phenological events, including fruit-set dates during 3 yr for six alpine plants transplanted to warmer (approximately +3.5°C in soils) and cooler (approximately -3.5°C in soils) locations along an altitudinal gradient in the Tibetan area. We found that fruit-set dates remained relatively stable under both warming and cooling during the 3-yr transplant experiment. Three earlier phenological events (emergence of first leaf, first bud set, and first flowering) and two later phenological events (first leaf coloring and complete leaf coloring) were earlier by 4.8-8.2 d/°C and later by 3.2-7.1 d/°C in response to warming. Conversely, cooling delayed the three earlier events by 3.8-6.9 d/°C and advanced the two later events by 3.2-8.1 d/°C for all plant species. The timing of the first and/or last fruit-set dates, however, did not change significantly compared to earlier and later phenological events. Statistical analyses also showed that the dates of fruit set were not significantly correlated or had lower correlations with changes of soil temperature relative to the earlier and later phenological events. Alpine plants may thus acclimate to changes in temperature for their fruiting function by maintaining relatively stable timings of fruit set compared with other phenological events to maximize the success of seed maturation and dispersal in response to short-term warming or cooling.

Protective effect of Honokiol against endometriosis in Rats via attenuating Survivin and Bcl-2: A mechanistic study.

Nearly 10-15% of women in the reproductive age were affected by endometriosis and currently facing the unmet need of effective therapeutic interventions for its management. Concerning this, the present study was intended to investigate the effect of Honokiol (HK) for the treatment of endometrial hyperplasia. The rat endometrial model was established and subsequently administered with a numerous dose of HK. The histopathology of tissues was also investigated. Results showed that, HK effectively inhibit the proliferation of rat edometeriotic tissues in a dose dependent manner. In terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) -mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method, HK was able to bring apoptosis in endometrotic cells. Moreover, it also inhibits the mRNA levels of Survivin gene and Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) in qPCR and Western blot analysis together with increases the mRNA level of apoptosis promoting factor Bax. These results clearly suggest that, HK was proficient to provoke apoptosis of rat endometriotic cells.

Genetic and epigenetic diversity and structure of Phragmites australis from local habitats of the Songnen Prairie using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers.

The genetic and epigenetic diversity and structure of naturally occurring Phragmites australis populations occupying two different habitats on a small spatial scale in the Songnen Prairie in northeastern China were investigated by assessing amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) and methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphisms (MSAPs) through fluorescent capillary detection. The two groups of P. australis were located in a seasonal waterlogged low-lying and alkalized meadow with a pH of 8-8.5 and in an alkaline patch without accumulated rainwater and with a pH greater than 10. These groups showed high levels of genetic diversity at the habitat level based on the percentage of polymorphic bands (90.32, 82.56%), Nei's gene diversity index (0.262, 0.248), and the Shannon diversity index (0.407, 0.383). Although little is known about the between-habitat genetic differentiation of P. australis on a small spatial scale, our results implied significant genetic differentiation between habitats. Extensive epigenetic diversity within habitats, along with clear differentiation, was found. Specifically, the former habitat (Habitat 1, designated H1) harbored higher levels of genetic and epigenetic diversity than the latter (Habitat 2, designated H2), and population-level diversity was also high. This study represents one of few attempts to predict habitat-based genetic differentiation of reeds on a small scale. These assessments of genetic and epigenetic variation are integral aspects of molecular ecological studies on P. australis. Possible causes for within- and between-habitat genetic and epigenetic variations are discussed.

Cloning, characterization, expression, and feeding response of thyrotropin receptor in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

Thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor that regulates the synthesis, storage, and secretion of thyroid hormones in the thyroid tissue. The aims of the present study were to characterize the full-length TSHR cDNA in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and to determine the TSHR gene transcription levels in different tissues. In addition, the response of TSHR transcription levels to daily feeding in thyroid tissue was investigated. The results showed that the full-length cDNA sequence was 2743 bp with an open reading frame of 2340 bp encoding a 779-amino acid peptide. BLAST analysis indicated that the amino acid sequence displayed 58.4-90.2% identity and 5.6-125.8 divergence, compared with other known fish species. The most abundant TSHR transcription levels were found in the spleen, head kidney, and kidney. Feeding did not affect the transcription level of TSHR in thyroid tissue over the course of the day. Thus, the current study suggests that there was no relationship between daily nutritional status and TSHR transcription level in the thyroid tissue of largemouth bass. The spleen, head kidney, and kidney exhibited the most abundant TSHR transcription levels.

Communication: Tracking molecular structure deformation and relaxation in real time.

The CH3I structural deformation induced by strong laser fields is revealed by time- and frequency-resolved ro-vibrational spectra. The experimental results show that the CH3I molecule undergoes ultrafast structural deformation of CH3 "umbrella-closing" induced by the strong fs laser field (more than 10(11) W/cm(2)) and followed by a structural relaxation of "umbrella-opening" within an exponential decay time scale of ∼620 fs. This study provides a first glimpse of the immense potential of the time- and frequency-resolved vibrational spectra in studying molecular deformation dynamics.