Epstein-Barr virus envelope glycoprotein 110 inhibits NF-κB activation by interacting with NF-κB subunit p65.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the lymphotropic virus family and is highly correlated with some human malignant tumors. It has been reported that envelope glycoprotein 110 (gp110) plays an essential role in viral fusion, DNA replication, and nucleocapsid assembly of EBV. However, it has not been established whether gp110 is involved in regulating the host's innate immunity. In this study, we found that gp110 inhibits tumor necrosis factor α-mediated NF- κB promoter activity and the downstream production of NF- κB-regulated cytokines under physiological conditions. Using dual-luciferase reporter assays, we showed that gp110 might impede the NF-κB promoter activation downstream of NF-κB transactivational subunit p65. Subsequently, we used coimmunoprecipitation assays to demonstrate that gp110 interacts with p65 during EBV lytic infection, and that the C-terminal cytoplasmic region of gp110 is the key interaction domain with p65. Furthermore, we determined that gp110 can bind to the N-terminal Rel homologous and C-terminal domains of p65. Alternatively, gp110 might not disturb the association of p65 with nontransactivational subunit p50, but we showed it restrains activational phosphorylation (at Ser536) and nuclear translocation of p65, which we also found to be executed by the C-terminal cytoplasmic region of gp110. Altogether, these data suggest that the surface protein gp110 may be a vital component for EBV to antagonize the host's innate immune response, which is also helpful for revealing the infectivity and pathogenesis of EBV.

CD44-targeting hyaluronic acid-selenium nanoparticles boost functional recovery following spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic strategies based on scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and suppressing inflammatory cascades are effective in improving functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the lack of targeting nanoparticles (NPs) with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties hampers the clinical translation of these strategies. Here, CD44-targeting hyaluronic acid-selenium (HA-Se) NPs were designed and prepared for scavenging ROS and suppressing inflammatory responses in the injured spinal cord, enhancing functional recovery. RESULTS: The HA-Se NPs were easily prepared through direct reduction of seleninic acid in the presence of HA. The obtained HA-Se NPs exhibited a remarkable capacity to eliminate free radicals and CD44 receptor-facilitated internalization by astrocytes. Moreover, the HA-Se NPs effectively mitigated the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (such as IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6) by microglia cells (BV2) upon lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. In vivo experiments confirmed that HA-Se NPs could effectively accumulate within the lesion site through CD44 targeting. As a result, HA-Se NPs demonstrated superior protection of axons and neurons within the injury site, leading to enhanced functional recovery in a rat model of SCI. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the potential of CD44-targeting HA-Se NPs for SCI treatment.

Effects of tree sex, maturity, local abiotic, and biotic neighborhoods on the growth of a subtropical dioecious tree species Diospyros morrisiana.

PREMISE: Understanding the drivers of the growth in long-lived woody trees is the key to predicting their responses to and maintaining their populations under global change. However, the role of tree sex and differential investment to reproduction are often not considered in models of individual tree growth, despite many gymnosperm and angiosperm species having separate male and female sexes. Thus, better models of tree growth should include tree sex and life stage along with the abiotic and biotic neighborhoods. METHODS: We used a sex-specific molecular marker to determine the sex of 2188 individual trees >1 cm DBH of the dioecious tree species Diospyros morrisiana in a 50-ha subtropical forest plot in China. We used long-term census data from about 300,000 trees, together with 625 soil samples and 2352 hemispherical photographs to characterize the spatially explicit biotic and abiotic neighborhoods. RESULTS: We found a male-biased effective sex ratio and a female-biased overall population sex ratio of D. morrisiana. No sex spatial segregation was detected for the overall population, mature, or immature trees. Immature trees grew faster than mature trees and females grew slower than males. Further, conspecific neighbors significantly decreased tree growth, while the abiotic neighborhood showed no significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that variation in resource allocation patterns within and across individual trees of different sexes and life-history stages should be more widely accounted for in models of tree growth. In addition, our study highlights the importance of sex-specific molecular markers for studying populations of long-lived dioecious tree species.

Effect of Reactive Oxygen Scavenger N,N'-Dimethylthiourea (DMTU) on Seed Germination and Radicle Elongation of Maize.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are an important part of adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses and regulate seed germination through positive or negative signaling. Seed adaptation to abiotic stress may be mediated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The effects of the ROS scavenger N,N'-dimethylthiourea (DMTU) on maize seed germination through endogenous H2O2 regulation is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of different doses of DMTU on seed endogenous H2O2 and radicle development parameters using two maize varieties (ZD958 and DMY1). The inhibitory effect of DMTU on the germination rate and radicle growth was dose-dependent. The inhibitory effect of DMTU on radicle growth ceased after transferring maize seeds from DMTU to a water medium. Histochemical analyses showed that DMTU eliminated stable H2O2 accumulation in the radicle sheaths and radicles. The activity of antioxidant enzyme and the expression of antioxidant enzyme-related genes (ZmAPX2 and ZmCAT2) were reduced in maize seeds cultured with DMTU compared with normal culture conditions (0 mmol·dm-3 DMTU). We suggest the use of 200 mmol·dm-3 DMTU as an H2O2 scavenger to study the ROS equilibrium mechanisms during the germination of maize seeds, assisting in the future with the efficient development of plant growth regulators to enhance the seed germination performance of test maize varieties under abiotic stress.

Transformation of HBCDs by Rhodococcus sp. stu-38.

1,2,5,6,9,10-Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are brominated flame retardants causing serious environmental pollution. HBCDs in the environment could be transformed to various products. Identification of transformation products has been performed using various mass-spectrometric techniques. However, bacterial transformation of HBCDs yielding low-level products was not well studied. In this paper, a Rhodococcus strain stu-38 which could stereoselectively transform HBCDs in mineral salt medium, seawater, and growth medium was isolated. Seven potential biotransformation products of HBCDs were identified by using GC-MS. These products, including brominated alkenes, dibromocyclododecadiene and bromocyclododecatriene; brominated alkenols, bromocyclododecadienol and bromocyclododecatrienol; fully debrominated compounds, cyclododecadiendiol, 1,2-epoxy-5,9-cyclododecadiene, and cyclododecadienol, were presented in rather low level which could lead to false negative results. The low-level transformation products should not be ignored because their toxicity was less assessment. This research highlighted identification of the low-level transformation products to reveal the complicated stereoselective biotransformation of HBCDs.

Risk factors for failed back surgery syndrome following open posterior lumbar surgery for degenerative lumbar disease.

BACKGROUND: With the growing number of traditional posterior open surgery, the incidence of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) increases gradually. We aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors for FBSS following open posterior lumbar surgery for degenerative lumbar disease (DLD). METHOD: A multivariable regression analysis was performed for 333 consecutive patients to identify potential risk factors for FBSS. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by the validated North American Spine Society (NASS) Questionnaire and numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain. Demographics, diagnostic characteristics, surgical data, radiographic parameters for each patient were analyzed. RESULT: 16.8% of the included patients were classified as FBSS. Univariate analysis showed that age, hypertension, symptom location, intermittent claudication, preoperative pain NRS-leg, HIZ, Modic changes (MCs), surgical strategy and postoperative rehabilitation were related to FBSS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that preoperative NRS-leg (OR:0.80, 95%CI:0.71-0.91, P = 0.001), hypertension (OR: 2.22, 95%CI: 1.10-4.51, P = 0.027), intermittent claudication with waking distance > 100 m (OR: 4.07, 95%CI: 1.75-9.47, P = 0.001) and waking distance ≤ 100 m (OR: 12.43, 95%CI: 5.54-27.92, P < 0.001), HIZ (OR: 8.26, 95%CI: 4.00-17.04, P < 0.001), MCs (OR: 3.41, 95%CI: 1.73-6.71, P < 0.001), postoperative rehabilitation (OR: 2.63, 95%CI: 1.13-6.12, P = 0.024) were risk factors for FBSS. CONCLUSION: Open posterior lumbar surgery is an effective treatment for DLD which provides pain reduction and lumbar curve improvement with a considerable satisfaction rate. Lower preoperative NRS-leg, hypertension, intermittent claudication, HIZ, MCs and postoperative rehabilitation are risk factors for FBSS, which can serve as a tool for clinicians to identify at-risk population and provide more effective management to mitigate the doctor-patient contradictions and further occupation of medical resources.

Limited evidence of vertical fine-root segregation in a subtropical forest.

Vertical root segregation and the resulting niche partitioning can be a key underpinning of species coexistence. This could result from substantial interspecific variations in root profiles and rooting plasticity in response to soil heterogeneity and neighbours, but they remain largely untested in forest communities. In a diverse forest in subtropical China, we randomly sampled > 4000 root samples from 625 0-30 cm soil profiles. Using morphological and DNA-based methods, we identified 109 woody plant species, determined the degree of vertical fine-root segregation, and examined rooting plasticity in response to soil heterogeneity and neighbour structure. We found no evidence of vertical fine-root segregation among cooccurring species. By contrast, root abundance of different species tended to be positively correlated within soil zones. Underlying these findings was a lack of interspecific variation in fine-root profiles with over 90% of species concentrated in the 0-10 cm soil zone with only one species dominating in the 10-20 cm soil zone. Root profiles exhibited low responsiveness to root neighbours but tended to be shallow in soils with low phosphorus and copper content. These findings suggest that if there is niche differentiation leading to coexistence in this diverse forest, it would be occurring by mechanisms other than vertical fine-root segregation.

The complexity of trait-environment performance landscapes in a local subtropical forest.

That functional traits should affect individual performance and, in turn, determine fitness and population growth, is a foundational assumption of trait-based ecology. This assumption is, however, not supported by a strong empirical base. Here, we measured simultaneously two individual performance metrics (survival and growth), seven traits and 10 environmental properties for each of 3981 individuals of 205 species in a 50-ha stem-mapped subtropical forest. We then modelled survival/growth as a function of traits, environments and trait × environment interactions, and quantified their relative importance at both the species and individual levels. We found evidence of alternative functional designs and multiple performance peaks along environmental gradients, indicating the presence of complicated trait × environment interactions. However, such interactions were relatively unimportant in our site, which had relatively low environmental variations. Moreover, individual performance was not better predicted, and trait × environment interactions were not more likely detected, at the individual level than at the species level. Although the trait × environment interactions might be safely ignored in relatively homogeneous environments, we encourage future studies to test the interactive effects of traits and environments on individual performances and lifelong fitness at larger spatial scales or along experimentally manipulated environmental gradients.

Limiting similarity shapes the functional and phylogenetic structure of root neighborhoods in a subtropical forest.

Environmental filtering and limiting similarity mechanisms can simultaneously structure community assemblages. However, how they shape the functional and phylogenetic structure of root neighborhoods remains unclear, hindering the understanding of belowground community assembly processes and diversity maintenance. In a 50-ha plot in a subtropical forest, China, we randomly sampled > 2700 root clusters from 625 soil samples. Focusing on 10 root functional traits measured on 76 woody species, we examined the functional and phylogenetic structure of root neighborhoods and linked their distributions with environmental cues. Functional overdispersion was pervasive among individual root traits (50% of the traits) and accentuated when different traits were combined. Functional clustering (20% of the traits) seemed to be associated with a soil nutrient gradient with thick roots dominating fertile areas whereas thin roots dominated infertile soils. Nevertheless, such traits also were sorted along other environmental cues, showing multidimensional adaptive trait syndromes. Species relatedness also was an important factor defining root neighborhoods, resulting in significant phylogenetic overdispersion. These results suggest that limiting similarity may drive niche differentiation of coexisting species to reduce competition, and that alternative root strategies could be crucial in promoting root neighborhood resource use and species coexistence.

Direct effects of selection on aboveground biomass contrast with indirect structure-mediated effects of complementarity in a subtropical forest.

Understanding the multiple biotic and abiotic controls of aboveground biomass (AGB) is important for projecting the consequences of global change and to effectively manage carbon storage. Although large-scale studies have identified the major environmental and biological controls of AGB, drivers of local-scale variation are less well known. Additionally, involvement of multiple causal paths and scale dependence in effect sizes potentially confounds comparisons among studies differing in methodology and sampling grain. We tested for scale dependence in evidence supporting selection, complementarity and environmental factors as the main determinants of AGB variation over a 50 ha study extent in subtropical China, modelling this at four sampling grains (0.01, 0.04, 0.25 and 1 ha). At each grain, we used piecewise structural equation models to quantify the direct and indirect effects of environmental (topographic and edaphic properties) and forest attributes (structure, diversity and functional traits) on AGB, while controlling for spatial autocorrelation. Direct scale-invariant effects on AGB were evident for structure and community-mean traits, supporting dominance of selection effects. However, diversity had strong indirect effects on AGB via forest structure, particularly at larger sampling grains (≥ 0.25 ha), while direct effects only emerged at the smallest grain size (0.01 ha). The direct and indirect effects of edaphic and topographic factors were also important for explaining both forest attributes and AGB across all scales. Although selection effects appeared to be more influential on ecosystem function, ignoring indirect causal pathways for diversity via structural attributes risks overlooking the importance of complementarity on ecosystem functioning, particularly as sampling grain increases.

Expression and Prognostic Significance of Cadherin 4 (CDH4) in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Aberrant expression of cadherin family members and their possible biological function have been widely studied in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the expression of cadherin 4 (CDH4) and its value in RCC diagnosis and prognosis remains elusive. MATERIAL AND METHODS The TCGA database was used to analyze the expression of CDH4 and its clinical parameters and prognosis in 891 RCC patients. In addition, real-time PCR was used to verify the transcription of CDH4 in renal clear cell carcinoma tissue, and the distribution of protein was observed by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS We found that the mRNA level of CDH4 was elevated in primary RCC in contrast with normal kidney samples using bioinformatics analysis based on the TCGA database. Among the 3 main subtypes of RCC, transcriptional CDH4 was significantly increased in KIRC and KIRP, while it was downregulated in KICH. Interestingly, CDH4 mRNA gradually decreased with the progression of KIRC and KIRP. The transcription of CDH4 in the primary tumor of KIRP patients at T3-T4 stages and KIRC patients with lymph node and distant metastasis were decreased significantly. Overall survival (OS) showed that KIRC and KICH patients with lower expression of CDH4 had worse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The transcriptional level of CDH4 may serve as an effective diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for RCC patients.

Open versus endoscopic carpal tunnel release: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) and open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) both have advantages and disadvantages for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). We compared the effectiveness and safety of ECTR and OCTR based on evidence from a high-level randomized controlled trial. METHODS: We comprehensively searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Medline to identify relevant articles published until August 2019. Data regarding operative time, grip strength, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire scores, digital sensation, patient satisfaction, key pinch strength, return to work time, and complications were extracted and compared. All mean differences (MD) and odds ratios (OR) were expressed as ECTR relative to OCTR. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis contained twenty-eight studies. ECTR was associated with significantly higher satisfaction rates (MD, 3.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43 to 4.82; P = 0.0003), greater key pinch strengths (MD, 0.79 kg; 95% CI, 0.27 to 1.32; P = 0.003), earlier return to work times (MD, - 7.25 days; 95% CI, - 14.31 to - 0.19; P = 0.04), higher transient nerve injury rates (OR, 4.87; 95% CI, 1.37 to 17.25; P = 0.01), and a lower incidence of scar-related complications (OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.59; P = 0.004). The permanent nerve injury showed no significant differences between the two methods (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 0.58 to 6.40; P = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, evidence from randomized controlled trials indicates that ECTR results in better recovery of daily life functions compared to OCTR, as revealed by higher satisfaction rates, greater key pinch strengths, earlier return to work times, and fewer scar-related complications. Our findings suggest that patients with CTS can be effectively managed with ECTR.

Value of Ferritin Heavy Chain (FTH1) Expression in Diagnosis and Prognosis of Renal Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Serum ferritin is a useful tumor marker for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the expression of ferritin heavy chain (FTH1), the main subunit of ferritin, is unclear in primary RCC tissues. In this study, we investigated FTH1 mRNA expression and its diagnostic and prognostic value in RCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS The mRNA expression of FTH1 was analyzed using including Oncomine, Gene Expression Omnibus, and Cancer Genome Atlas datasets, while the protein level of FTH1 was analyzed using the Human Protein Atlas database. The associations between FTH1 and clinicopathologic characteristics and survival time and Cox multivariate survival analysis were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software. A meta-analysis was performed to assess consistency of FTH1 expression. GO, KEGG, and PPI analyses were used to predict biological functions. RESULTS According to TCGA data, overexpression of FTH1 was detected in 890 RCC tissues (15.2904±0.63157) compared to 129 normal kidney tissues (14.4502±0.51523, p<0.001). Among the clinicopathological characteristics evaluated, patients with increased pathologic T staging, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis were significantly associated with higher expression of FTH1. Elevated FTH1 mRNA levels were correlated with worse prognosis of RCC patients. Cox multivariate survival analysis indicated that age, stage, and M stage were predictors of poor prognosis in patients with RCC. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that FTH1 expression is an effective prognostic and diagnosis biomarker for RCC.

Cervical spondylotic amyotrophy: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Cervical spondylotic amyotrophy (CSA) is characterized by upper limb muscle weakness and atrophy, without sensory deficits. The pathophysiology of CSA has been attributed to selective injury to the ventral nerve root and/or anterior horn of the spinal cord. This review aimed to delineate the history of CSA and to describe the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, classification, clinical features, radiological and electrophysiological assessment, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, natural history and treatment of CSA. METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library and Web of Science databases was conducted, from their inception to April 3, 2018. RESULTS: Clinically, CSA is classified into three types: a proximal-type (involving the scapular muscles, deltoid and biceps), a distal-type (involving the triceps and muscles of the forearm and hand) and a diffuse-type (involving features of both the distal- and proximal-type). Diagnosis requires documentation of muscle atrophy, without significant sensory deficits, supported by careful neurological, radiological and neurophysiological assessments, with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parsonage-Turner syndrome, rotator cuff tear and Hirayama disease being the principle differential diagnoses. Conservative management of CSA includes cervical traction, neck immobilization and physical therapy, with vitamin B12 or E administration being useful in some patients. Surgical treatment, including anterior decompression and fusion or laminoplasty, with or without foraminotomy, is indicated after conservative treatment failure. Factors associated with a poor outcome include the distal-type CSA, long symptom duration, older age and greater preoperative muscle weakness. CONCLUSION: Although the disease process of CSA is self-limited, treatment remains challenging, leaving scope for future studies. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

PARP-1 serves as a novel molecular marker for hepatocellular carcinoma in a Southern Chinese Zhuang population.

PARP-1 (poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1) plays an important role in tumorigenesis. Since its effects on different populations are varied, this study investigated the impact of PARP-1 on primary hepatocellular carcinoma in a Southern Chinese Zhuang population. We assessed the global PARP-1 messenger RNA expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma using The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset. Increased PARP-1 expression, related to alpha-fetoprotein level, was observed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value was 0.833. Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated that higher PARP-1 expression was not correlated with poorer overall survival and recurrence-free survival. In a Zhuang population, PARP-1 messenger RNA and protein levels were increased in the hepatocellular carcinoma tissue and its adjacent liver tissues as assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. Higher PARP-1 level was associated with a higher tumor stage (p < 0.05), without correlation with age, gender, smoking, drinking, tumor size, serum alpha-fetoprotein level, hepatitis B virus infection, metastasis, and invasion (p > 0.05). Further analysis suggested that H2AX, a PARP-1 protein interaction partner, was coordinated with PARP-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis. Overall, some new characteristics of PARP-1 expression were noted in the Zhuang population. PARP-1 is a novel promising diagnostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma in the Southern Chinese Zhuang population.

Predictors of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation after Isolated On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients ≥60 Years Old.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the most common complications that can contribute to an increased risk of mortality, particularly in older patients. The identification of predictors of POAF after CABG could impact patient care. This study aims to determine the risk factors of POAF in patients ≥60 years old who underwent isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (ONCAB) in order to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of POAF after ONCAB. METHODS: Between October 2011 and November 2015, a total of 304 patients ≥60 years old underwent isolated ONCAB in our department. The patients were divided into 2 groups, the AF group and the non-AF group, according to the occurrence of POAF. A retrospective analysis was performed on the general characteristics and perioperative data of the patients. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of POAF after ONCAB in patients ≥60 years old. RESULTS: The incidence of POAF after ONCAB in patients ≥60 years old was 23.36% (71/304). Statistically significant differences were observed in patients' age, history of hypertension, left atrium diameter, European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) I and II, and the highest level of serum creatinine after operation (all P < .05). Logistic regression analyses showed that a history of hypertension (OR = 2.575, CI 1.208-5.488, P = .014), left atrium diameter (OR = 1.105, CI 1.047-1.167, P = .000) and EuroSCORE I score (OR = 1.132, CI 1.001-1.279, P = .048) were independent risk factors for POAF after ONCAB in patients ≥60 years old. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of POAF after isolated ONCAB in patients ≥60 years old was affected by many risk factors; a history of hypertension, the left atrium diameter and the EuroSCORE I score were all predictors of POAF.

Root-centric ß diversity reveals functional homogeneity while phylogenetic heterogeneity in a subtropical forest.

Root-centric studies have revealed fast taxonomic turnover across root neighborhoods, but how such turnover is accompanied by changes in species functions and phylogeny (i.e., ß diversity) remains largely unknown. As ß diversity can reflect the degree of community-wide biotic homogenization, such information is crucial for better inference of below-ground assembly rules, community structuring, and ecosystem processes. We collected 2480 root segments from 625 0-30 cm soil profiles in a subtropical forest in China. Root segments were identified into 138 species with DNA-barcoding with six root morphological and architectural traits measured per species. By using the mean pairwise (Dpw ) and mean nearest neighbor distance (Dnn ) to quantify species ecological differences, we first tested the non-random functional and phylogenetic turnover of root neighborhoods that would lend more support to deterministic over stochastic community assembly processes. Additionally, we examined the distance-decay pattern of ß diversity, and finally partitioned ß diversity into geographical and environmental components to infer their potential drivers of environmental filtering, dispersal limitation, and biotic interactions. We found that functional turnover was often lower than expected given the taxonomic turnover, whereas phylogenetic turnover was often higher than expected. Phylogenetic Dpw (e.g., interfamily species) turnover exhibited a distance-decay pattern, likely reflecting limited dispersal or abiotic filtering that leads to the spatial aggregation of specific plant lineages. Conversely, both functional and phylogenetic Dnn (e.g., intrageneric species) exhibited an inverted distance-decay pattern, likely reflecting strong biotic interactions among spatially and phylogenetically close species leading to phylogenetic and functional divergence. While the spatial distance was generally a better predictor of ß diversity than environmental distance, the joint effect of environmental and spatial distance usually overrode their respective pure effects. These findings suggest that root neighborhood functional homogeneity may somewhat increase forest resilience after disturbance by exhibiting an insurance effect. Likewise, root neighborhood phylogenetic heterogeneity may enhance plant fitness by hindering the transmission of host-specific pathogens through root networks or by promoting interspecific niche complementarity not captured by species functions. Our study highlights the potential role of root-centric ß diversity in mediating community structures and functions largely ignored in previous studies.

Association of imaging classification and histopathological grading in primary intraosseous meningioma of the skull.

BACKGROUND: Primary intraosseous meningioma of the skull (PIMS) is a rare type of primary extradural meningioma (PEM) involving cranial bone. The existing literature strongly suggest the importance of radiological feacures in pathological diagnosis of PIMS. Thereby, the aim of this study is to investigate the association between imaging classification and histopathological grading in PIMS. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we retrospectively analyzed the computed tomography scan/magnetic resonance imaging and pathological data pertaining to patients with pathologically proven PIMS. The association between radiological features, imaging classification, and histopathological grading was analyzed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In this study, data of 25 patients with PIMS were assessed. The univariate logistic regression analysis results showed significant correlation between histopathological grading and imaging classification (OR: 22.5; 95% CI: 2.552-198.378; p = 0.005), intra- and extracalvarial extension (OR: 7.2; 95% CI: 1.066-48.639; p = 0.043), and tumor margin (OR: 7.19; 95% CI: 1.06-47.61; p = 0.043). According to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, imaging classification was the strongest independent risk factor for high-grade PIMS, and the risk of aggressiveness of osteoblastic type of PIMS was 16.664 times higher than that of osteolytic type of PIMS (OR: 16.664; 95% CI: 1.15-241.508; p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Imaging classification is an independent risk factor for high-grade PIMS.

Novel insights into aerobic 17ß-estradiol degradation by enriched microbial communities from mangrove sediments.

Various persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including estrogens are often enriched in mangrove regions. This research investigated the estrogens pollution levels in six mangroves located in the Southern China. The estrogen levels were found to be in the range of 5.3-24.9 ng/g dry weight, suggesting that these mangroves had been seriously contaminated. The bacterial communities under estrogen stress were further enriched by supplementing 17ß-estradiol (E2) as the sole carbon source. The enriched bacterial communities showed an excellent E2 degradation capacity > 95 %. These communities were able to transform E2 into estrone (E1), 4-hydroxy-estrone, and keto-estrone, etc. 16 S rDNA sequencing and metagenomics analysis revealed that bacterial taxa Oleiagrimonas, Pseudomonas, Terrimonas, and Nitratireductor etc. were the main contributors to estrogen degradation. Moreover, the genes involved in E2 degradation were enriched in the microbial communities, including the genes encoding 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, estrone 4-hydroxylase, etc. Finally, the analyses of functional genes and binning genomes demonstrated that E2 was degraded by bacterial communities via dehydrogenation into E1 by 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. E1 was then catabolically converted to 3aα-H-4α(3'-propanoate)- 7aß-methylhexahydro-1,5-indanedione via 4,5-seco pathway. Alternatively, E1 could also be hydroxylated to keto-estrone, followed by B-ring cleavage. This study provides novel insights into the biodegradation of E2 by the bacterial communities in estrogen-contaminated mangroves.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals POD as an Important Indicator for Assessing Low-Temperature Tolerance in Maize Radicles during Germination.

Low-temperature stress (TS) limits maize (Zea mays L.) seed germination and agricultural production. Exposure to TS during germination inhibits radicle growth, triggering seedling emergence disorders. Here, we aimed to analyse the changes in gene expression in the radicles of maize seeds under TS by comparing Demeiya1 (DMY1) and Zhengdan958 (ZD958) (the main Northeast China cultivars) and exposing them to two temperatures: 15 °C (control) and 5 °C (TS). TS markedly decreased radicle growth as well as fresh and dry weights while increasing proline and malondialdehyde contents in both test varieties. Under TS treatment, the expression levels of 5301 and 4894 genes were significantly different in the radicles of DMY1 and ZD958, respectively, and 3005 differentially expressed genes coexisted in the radicles of both varieties. The phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway was implicated within the response to TS in maize radicles, and peroxidase may be an important indicator for assessing low-temperature tolerance during maize germination. Peroxidase-encoding genes could be important candidate genes for promoting low-temperature resistance in maize germinating radicles. We believe that this study enhances the knowledge of mechanisms of response and adaptation of the maize seed germination process to TS and provides a theoretical basis for efficiently assessing maize seed low-temperature tolerance and improving maize adversity germination performance.