Fanconi Anemia Complementary Group A (FANCA) Facilitates the Occurrence and Progression of Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is a serious liver disease worldwide, and its pathogenesis is complicated. AIMS: This study investigated the potential role of FANCA in the advancement and prognosis of LIHC. METHODS: Public databases, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were employed to measure FANCA expression between tumor and normal samples. The relationship between FANCA expression and prognosis of LIHC patients were examined. Functional enrichment of FANCA-related genes was performed. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the independent prognosis value of FANCA in LIHC. Finally, influence of FANCA knockout on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HepG2 cell was validated with cloning formation, CCK8, and Transwell assays. RESULTS: Expression analysis presented that FANCA had high expression level in LIHC tissues and cells. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that FANCA was of great diagnosis value in LIHC. Clinicopathological analysis revealed that FANCA was significantly greater expressed in the advanced stage than in the early stage of LIHC. Univariate, multivariate, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis confirmed that high expression of FANCA was strongly associated with poor survival of LIHC patients. In addition, high level of FANCA in LIHC showed a negative association with immunoinfiltrated B cells, T cells, and stromal scores. Moreover, Knockout of FANCA significantly inhibited HepG2 cell proliferative activity, migration, and invasion ability. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed that high level of FANCA was closely associated with LIHC malignant progression, suggesting its potential utility as a diagnostic, predictive indicator, and therapeutic target.

[Efficacy Analysis of Unrelated Cord Blood Transplantation in the Treatment of Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) in the treatment of Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). METHODS: The clinical data of 5 children with JMML who were treated with unrelated UCBT from October 2011 to July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The age of onset for the five children (male) ranged from 0.4 to 5.0 years old, with a median age of 1.5 years old. All the patients received myeloablative conditioning regimen without ATG to whom cyclosporine A (CsA) with short-term mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was given for GVHD prophylaxis. RESULTS: Four children acquired engraftment. One patient received secondary haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation because of the failure in the first unrelated UCBT. Grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ aGVHD occurred in 2 cases and was controlled, and none of the patients developed cGVHD. Three cases achieved long-time disease free survival，and no patient relapsed. CONCLUSION: UCBT is an effective treatment for children with JMML.

Intense boundary emission destroys normal radio-frequency plasma sheath.

The plasma sheath is the non-neutral space charge region that isolates bulk plasma from a boundary. Radio-frequency (RF) sheaths are formed when applying RF voltage to electrodes. Generally, applied bias is mainly consumed by a RF sheath, which shields an external field. Here we report evidence that an intense boundary emission destroys a normal RF sheath and establishes a type of RF plasma where external bias is consumed by bulk plasma instead of a sheath. Ions are naturally confined while plasma electrons are unobstructed, generating a strong RF current in the entire plasma, combined with a unique particle and energy balance. The proposed model offers the possibility for ion erosion mitigation of a plasma-facing component. It also inspires techniques for reaction rate control in plasma processing and wave mode conversion.

[Efficacy Analysis of Unrelated Cord Blood Transplantation for High-Risk Refractory AML1-ETO Positive Myeloid Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical outcomes of engraftment, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and survival in the patients with AML1-ETO positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT). METHODS: Forty-Five patients with high-risk refractory AML1-ETO positive AML were treated with a single UCBT in a single center from July 2010 to April 2018. All the patients underwent a myeloablative preconditioning regimen，and cyclosporine A (CSA) combined with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was used to prevent GVHD. RESULTS: The median value of total nucleated cells (TNC) in cord blood was 5.21 (1.96-12.68)×107/kg recipient body weight, and that of CD34+ cells was 5.61 (0.56-15.4)×105/kg recipient weight. The implantation rate of neutrophil at 42 d and that of platelet at 120 d were 95.6% and 86.7%, respectively. The median time of absolute neutrophil count (ANC)＞0.5×109/L and platelet 20×109/L were 16 (12-18) d and 37 (17-140) d after transplantation, respectively. The cumulative incidence of Ⅰ -Ⅳ grade acute GVHD (aGVHD) at 100 d after transplantation was 48.9% (95% CI 33.5%-62.6%), Ⅱ-Ⅳ grade aGVHD occurred in 12 cases (33.3%) (95% CI 20%-47.2%) , and Ⅲ-Ⅳ grade a GVHD in 8 cases (20%) (95% CI 9.8% -32.8%). In 5 cases of 40 patients survived over 100 days, the chronic GVHD (cGVHD) occurred after transplantation, among which 4 were localized, and 1 was extensive. 3 patients relapsed, and the 2-year cumulative relapse rate was 9.5% (95% CI 2.4%-22.8%). The median follow-up time was 23.5 (0.9-89.67) months, 10 patients died, 2-year disease-free survival rate (DFS) was 72.7%, and overall survival rate (OS) was 75.5%. Multivariate analysis showed that Ⅲ-Ⅳ. acute GVHD (aGVHD) affected overall survival. CONCLUSION: UCBT is an effective rescue treatment for patients with high-risk refractory AML1-ETO positive AML.

[Comparison of Decitabine Rigimen and Traditional Chemotherapy Regimen in Treatment of Patients with Intermediate or High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy and relevant adverse reactions of homebred decitabine regimen and traditional chemotherapy regimen in treatment of patients with intermediate or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). METHODS: Forty-eight patients suffered from newly diagnosed intermediate or high-risk MDS from December 2011 to December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them 29 patients were treated by traditional chemotherapy regimen, and 19 patients were treated by decitabine regimen [15 mg/(m2·d), ivgtt, d1-5]. The clinical efficacy and relevant adverse reactions in two groups were compared. RESULTS: The overall response rate (ORR) of decitabine group was 78.9% (15/19), after 2 cycles of treatment, among them 5 achieved complete remission(CR), 5 achieved partial remission(PR), and 5 achieved hematologic improvement (HI); the ORR of traditional chemotherapy group was 65.9% (16/29), including 6 CR, 5 PR, 8 HI, the ORR and remission rate (PR+CR) in decitabine treatment group were not statistically significantly different from the that in traditional chemotherapy group (x2=0.458,P>0.05; x2=0.499, P>0.05). After 4 cycles of treatment, the ORR in decitabine group was 84.2% (16/19), including 5 CR, 9 PR and 2 HI. The ORR in traditional chemotherapy group was 68.9% (20/29), including 6 CR, 5 PR and 9 HI. The ORR of decitabine group was not statistically significantly different from the that in traditional chemotherapy (x2=0.726,P>0.05), but the remission rate was statistically significantly different(x2=4.534,P<0.05). The overall survival and progression-free survival in the decitabine group were different statistically significantly different from the traditional chemotherapy (P<0.05; P<0.01). The incidences of III-IV grades adverse reactions of hemoglobin, platelet and neutrophile in the patients treated with decitabine and traditional chemotherapy group were 52.6% and 79.3% (P>0.05), 57.9% and 86.2%(P>0.05), 84.2% and 96.6%(P>0.05), respectively. The infection rates were 26.3% and 79.3%(P<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: The homebred decitabine can effectively treat intermediate-or high-risk MDS, also can be well tolerated. So, it is worth to be clinically popularized.

Exopisiod B and farylhydrazone C, two new alkaloids from the Antarctic-derived fungus Penicillium sp. HDN14-431.

Two new compounds, exopisiod B (1) and farylhydrazone C (2), together with two known compounds (3-4), were isolated from the Antarctic-derived fungus Penicillium sp. HDN14-431. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and TDDFT ECD calculations. The cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities of all compounds were tested.

Light Suppresses Bacterial Population through the Accumulation of Hydrogen Peroxide in Tobacco Leaves Infected with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci.

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci (Pst) is a hemibiotrophic bacterial pathogen responsible for tobacco wildfire disease. Although considerable research has been conducted on the tobacco plant's tolerance to Pst, the role of light in the responses of the photosystems to Pst infection is poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the reduced photosystem damage in tobacco leaves due to Pst infection under light conditions. Compared to dark conditions, Pst infection under light conditions resulted in less chlorophyll degradation and a smaller decline in photosynthetic function. Although the maximal quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) and the activity of the photosystem I (PSI) complex decreased as Pst infection progressed, damage to PSI and PSII after infection was reduced under light conditions compared to dark conditions. Pst was 17-fold more abundant in tobacco leaves under dark compared to light conditions at 3 days post inoculation (dpi). Additionally, H2O2 accumulated to a high level in tobacco leaves after Pst infection under light conditions; although to a lesser extent, H2O2 accumulation was also significant under dark conditions. Pretreatment with H2O2 alleviated chlorotic lesions and decreased Pst abundance in tobacco leaves at 3 dpi under dark conditions. MV pretreatment had the same effects under light conditions, whereas 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea pretreatment aggravated chlorotic lesions and increased the Pst population. These results indicate that chlorotic symptoms and the size of the bacterial population are each negatively correlated with H2O2 accumulation. In other words, light appears to suppress the Pst population in tobacco leaves through the accumulation of H2O2 during infection.

Photoinhibition and photoinhibition-like damage to the photosynthetic apparatus in tobacco leaves induced by pseudomonas syringae pv. Tabaci under light and dark conditions.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci (Pst), which is the pathogen responsible for tobacco wildfire disease, has received considerable attention in recent years. The objective of this study was to clarify the responses of photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) to Pst infection in tobacco leaves. RESULTS: The net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and carboxylation efficiency (CE) were inhibited by Pst infection. The normalized relative variable fluorescence at the K step (W k) and the relative variable fluorescence at the J step (V J) increased while the maximal quantum yield of PSII (F v/F m) and the density of Q A-reducing PSII reaction centers per cross section (RC/CSm) decreased, indicating that the reaction centers, and the donor and acceptor sides of PSII were all severely damaged after Pst infection. The PSI activity decreased as the infection progressed. Furthermore, we observed a considerable overall degradation of PsbO, D1, PsaA proteins and an over-accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). CONCLUSIONS: Photoinhibition and photoinhibition-like damage were observed under light and dark conditions, respectively, after Pst infection of tobacco leaves. The damage was greater in the dark. ROS over-accumulation was not the primary cause of the photoinhibition and photoinhibition-like damage. The PsbO, D1 and PsaA proteins appear to be the targets during Pst infection under light and dark conditions.

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Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci (Pst) is a hemi-biotrophic bacterial pathogen that causes the formation of brown spots named wildfire disease. Pst has received considerable attention in recent years. However, most of the studies focused on the tolerance and defense mechanisms of the host and non-host plants against Pst infection and a toxin originally described as being from Pst named tabtoxin, little information is available on the photosynthetic performance of tobacco leaves after Pst infection. Exploring the effects of Pst on the photosystem Ⅱ (PSⅡ) will not only help in clarifying tobacco-Pst interaction mechanisms, but also deepen the understanding of bacterial pathogen disease from a physiological perspective. By analyzing chlorophyll a fluorescence transient, performing western blot of thylakoid membrane and measuring the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total chlorophyll, the effects of Pst on PS2 in tobacco were studied under light (200 µmol·m-2·s-1) or dark conditions. The results showed that chlorophyll content significantly decreased and significant chlorosis of the infiltrated zone was observed compared to the untreated ones, and tobacco leaves exhibited a visible and overt wildfire symptom at 3 days post Pst infection (dpi) under light and dark conditions. The H2O2 content increased at 3 dpi compared to untreated ones in tobacco leaves under light and dark conditions, and was much higher under light than dark condition. Besides, markedly increase of the normalized relative variable fluorescence at the K step (WK) and the relative variable fluorescence at the J step (VJ), significant decrease of maximal quantum yield of PS2 (Fv/Fm) and density of QA- reducing PS2 reaction centers per cross section (RC/CSm) were observed in tobacco leaves after Pst infection at 3 dpi under light and dark conditions. Moreover, inhibition of the K and J steps was more pronounced in the dark, as indicated by the greater increase of WK and VJ under darkness compared with the light conditions during Pst inoculation. Dramatic (net) degradation of D1 protein and PsaO, the core protein of PS2 reaction center and oxygen evolving complex (OEC) respectively, at 3 dpi after Pst infection was observed in tobacco leaves under both light or dark conditions, and the decline was more exacerbated under dark than light condition. The results indicated that the electron transport from QA to QB of photosynthesis electron transport chain was severely blocked, OEC was damaged on both the donor and acceptor sides, and the reaction center of PS2 was severely damaged by Pst infection in tobacco lea-ves under either light or dark condition. Photoinhibition and photoinhibition-like damage of PSⅡ was observed after Pst infection, and the damage to PS2 under dark condition was much more severe than under light condition in tobacco leaves.

The clinicopathologic significance of the loss of BAF250a (ARID1A) expression in endometrial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A) is a tumor suppressor gene that encodes the BAF250a protein. Recent studies have shown the loss of ARID1A expression in several types of tumors. We aimed to investigate the clinical and pathologic role of BAF250a in endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: We examined the expression of BAF250a and its correlation with the expression of p53, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, glucocorticoid receptor, hypoxiainduciblefactor-1α, and vascular endothelial growth factor in normal and various malignant endometrial tissues. RESULTS: The expression of BAF250 was significantly down-regulated in endometrial carcinoma when compared with normal endometrial tissues. The loss of BAF250a expression was found in 25% of endometrial carcinoma samples but not in normal endometrial tissues, complex endometrial hyperplasia, and atypical endometrial hyperplasia samples. Subtypes of endometrial carcinoma, especially uterine endometrioid carcinoma and uterine clear cell carcinoma, had higher frequency of loss of BAF250a expression. In addition, the expression of BAF250a was positively correlated with estrogen receptor and negatively correlated with p53 in poorly differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the expression of BAF250a was significantly associated with the differentiation status of endometrial carcinoma but not associated with clinical stage, the depth of myometrial invasion, lymph node metastasis, and overall survival of patients with endometrial carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that loss of BAF250a is frequently found in high-grade endometrioid and clear cell carcinomas but not in other types of endometrial carcinoma. The loss of BAF250a expression does not have prognostic value for endometrial carcinoma.

[Effects of Festuca arundinacea on the microbial community in crude oil-contaminated saline-alkaline soil].

By using the routine soil physical and chemical analysis methods and the Biolog technique, this paper studied the effects of Festuca arundinacea growth on the pH value, total salt content, and microbial community in the rhizosphere of crude dil-contaminated saline-alkaline soil in Songnen Plain of Northeast China. Crude oil contamination resulted in the increases of average well color development (AWCD), Shannon index (H), and carbon source utilization richness index (S), and altered the utilization patterns of carbon sources by the microbes. F. arundinacea had greater potential to remediate crude oil-contaminated soil. This plant could decrease the soil pH and soil total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content, and increase the soil water content. The AWCD and S in F. arundinacea rhizosphere soil were obviously higher than those in the soil of naked land, providing a suitable environment for the growth and development of rhizosphere soil microbes.

[Effects of combined fertilization of N, P, and K on nicotine content of filling type flue-cured tobacco].

An orthogonal regression field experiment was conducted to study the effects of combined fertilization of N, P, and K on the nicotine content in the upper leaves of filling type flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum) variety "Longjiang 911" from Northeast China. The regression effect models of N, P, and K fertilization rates and upper leaf nicotine content were established, and the effects of the fertilization rates and their interactions were analyzed. Based on these, an optimized NPK fertilization scheme was drawn up to reduce the nicotine content in the upper leaves of "Longjiang 911". The model analyses showed that the nicotine content in the upper leaves of "Longjiang 911" decreased after an initial increase with the increasing fertilization rate of N, increased with the increasing fertilization rate of P, and had a sharp decrease with the increasing fertilization rate of K. The two-factor effects of NKP on the nicotine content were in the order of NK >PK>NP. Within a certain range of fertilization rates, NP and PK had negative correlations with the nicotine content, suggesting the antagonistic effects between N and P and between P and K, while NK was on the contrary, suggesting the synergistic effects between N and K. A comprehensive analysis on the regression effect models of N, P, and K fertilization rates and upper leaf nicotine content showed that the basal fertilization rates of N, P, and K for the tobacco production on warp soil were recommended as 33.5-47.8 kg x hm(-2), 40.2-63.6 kg x hm(-2), and 78.0-119.6 kg x hm(-2), respectively.

[Effects of exogenous CaCl2 on the functions of flue-cured tobacco seedlings leaf photosystem II under drought stress].

Taking chlorophyll a fluorescence transient OJIP as the probe, this paper studied the effects of foliar spraying 10 mmol x L(-1) of CaCl2 on the functions of photosystem II (PS II) in tobacco seedling leaves under drought stress. Drought stress decreased the conversion efficiency of PS II primary light energy (F(v)/F(m)) and electron transport rate (ETR), and inhibited the primal process of photosynthesis, resulting in an obvious photoinhibition. After the spraying of CaCl2, the decrement of quantum yield for electron transport (phiE(o)) under drought stress was obviously lower, and the increment of electron transport efficiency of per reaction center (ET(o)/RC) was obviously higher, compared with those after the spraying of water. Foliar spraying CaCl2 increased the amount of PS II -captured light energy used for photosynthesis electron transport, the efficiency of surplus active reaction center, as well as the energy transport in electron transport chain, making the PS II remain relatively high activity under drought stress, and accordingly, the drought resistance of the tobacco seedlings was improved.

[Effects of foliar spraying methyl jasmonate on leaf chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of flue-cured tobacco seedlings under drought and re-watering].

Taking the flue-cured tobacco variety of "Longjiang 911" from Heilongjiang Province of Northeast China as test material, a pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of foliar spraying different concentration methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on the seedlings leaf chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics during the transplantation stage under drought and re-watering. Under drought condition, the leaf chlorophyll content, maximum fluorescence (F(m)), potential activities of PSII (F(v)/F(o)), maximum photochemical efficiency (F(v)/F(m)), actual photochemical efficiency (psi(PSII)), apparent electron transport rate (ETR), and photochemical quenching (q(P)) decreased, but the minimal fluorescence (F(o)) and non-photochemical quenching (q(N)) increased. Foliar spraying 0.2 and 0.5 mmol x L(-1) of MeJA had obvious positive effects in mitigating the decrease of F(v)/F(m), F(v)/F(o), phi(PSII), ETR, and q(P) and the increase of q(N) under drought stress, while spraying 1.0 mmol x L(-1) of MeJA had lesser effects. After re-watering, all the leaf chlorophyll fluorescence indices had obvious recovery, and spraying MeJA made the indices more close to the original levels before drought. It was suggested that foliar spraying MeJA could alleviate the degradation of chlorophyll and play definite role in protecting the PSII under drought stress, decrease the damage of drought stress on the seedlings, promote the rapid MeJA recovery of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters after re-watering, and thus, ensure the regrowth of flue-cured tobacco seedlings.

[Carbon source utilization characteristics of microbial communities in a petroleum-contaminated soil in Daqing Oil Field, Northeast China].

By using Biolog technique, this paper studied the carbon source utilization characteristics of microbial communities in different layers (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm) of a petroleum-contaminated soil near an oil well having exploited for 36 years in Daqing Oil Field. Petroleum contamination enhanced the metabolic activity of the soil microbial communities obviously. In the three layers of the petroleum-contaminated soil, the metabolic activity of the microbes was higher than that of the control, and there existed significant differences between different layers of the petroleum-contaminated soil. The carbon source metabolic capacity of the microbes in different layers of the petroleum-contaminated soil was in the order of 20-30 cm > 10-20 cm > 0-10 cm. Petroleum contamination made the kinds of soil carbon source and the metabolic diversity of soil microbes increased, being more obvious in 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm soil layers but less change in 0-10 cm soil layer. In the contaminated soil, the majority of the carbon sources utilized by the microbes in 10-20 cm soil layer were carbohydrates instead of the carboxylic acids in non-contaminated soil, whereas the majority of the carbon substrates utilized in 20-30 cm soil layer were carboxylic acids. All the results suggested that petroleum-contaminated soil had its unique microbial community structure and peculiar microbial carbon source utilization characteristics.