Photosynthetic plasticity aggravates the susceptibility of magnesium-deficient leaf to high light in rapeseed plants: the importance of Rubisco and mesophyll conductance.

Plants grown under low magnesium (Mg) soils are highly susceptible to encountering light intensities that exceed the capacity of photosynthesis (A), leading to a depression of photosynthetic efficiency and eventually to photooxidation (i.e., leaf chlorosis). Yet, it remains unclear which processes play a key role in limiting the photosynthetic energy utilization of Mg-deficient leaves, and whether the plasticity of A in acclimation to irradiance could have cross-talk with Mg, hence accelerating or mitigating the photodamage. We investigated the light acclimation responses of rapeseed (Brassica napus) grown under low- and adequate-Mg conditions. Magnesium deficiency considerably decreased rapeseed growth and leaf A, to a greater extent under high than under low light, which is associated with higher level of superoxide anion radical and more severe leaf chlorosis. This difference was mainly attributable to a greater depression in dark reaction under high light, with a higher Rubisco fallover and a more limited mesophyll conductance to CO2 (gm ). Plants grown under high irradiance enhanced the content and activity of Rubisco and gm to optimally utilize more light energy absorbed. However, Mg deficiency could not fulfill the need to activate the higher level of Rubisco and Rubisco activase in leaves of high-light-grown plants, leading to lower Rubisco activation and carboxylation rate. Additionally, Mg-deficient leaves under high light invested more carbon per leaf area to construct a compact leaf structure with smaller intercellular airspaces, lower surface area of chloroplast exposed to intercellular airspaces, and CO2 diffusion conductance through cytosol. These caused a more severe decrease in within-leaf CO2 diffusion rate and substrate availability. Taken together, plant plasticity helps to improve photosynthetic energy utilization under high light but aggravates the photooxidative damage once the Mg nutrition becomes insufficient.

Sufficient potassium improves inorganic phosphate-limited photosynthesis in Brassica napus by enhancing metabolic phosphorus fractions and Rubisco activity.

Crop photosynthesis (A) and productivity are often limited by a combination of nutrient stresses, such that changes in the availability of one nutrient may affect the availability of another nutrient, in turn influencing A. In this study, we examined the synergistic effects of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on leaf A in a nutrient amendment experiment, in which P and K were added individually or in combination to Brassica napus grown under P and K co-limitation. The data revealed that the addition of P gradually removed the dominant limiting factor (i.e. the limited availability of P) and improved leaf A. Strikingly, the addition of K synergistically improved the overall uptake of P, mainly by boosting plant growth, and compensated for the physiological demand for P by prioritizing investment in metabolic pools of P (P-containing metabolites and inorganic phosphate, Pi). The enlarged pool of metabolically active P was partially associated with the upregulation of Pi regeneration through release from triose phosphates rather than replacement of P-containing lipids. This process mitigated P restrictions on A by maintaining the ATP/NADPH and NADPH/NADP+ ratios and increasing the content and activity of Rubisco. Our findings demonstrate that sufficient K increased Pi-limited A by enhancing metabolic P fractions and Rubisco activity. Thus, ionic synergism may be exploited to mitigate nutrient-limiting factors to improve crop productivity.

Potassium deficiency enhances imbalances in rice water relations under water deficit by decreasing leaf hydraulic conductance.

Potassium (K+) is an essential macronutrient for appropriate plant development and physiology. However, little is known about the mechanisms involved in the regulation of leaf water relations by K under water deficit. A pot experiment with two K supplies of 0.45 and 0 g K2O per pot (3 kg soil per pot) and two watering conditions (well-watered and water-deficit) was conducted to explore the effects of K deficiency on canopy transpiration characteristics, leaf water status, photosynthesis, and hydraulic traits in two rice genotypes with contrasting resistance to drought. The results showed that K deficiency reduced canopy transpiration rate by decreasing stomatal conductance, which led to higher canopy temperatures, resulting in limited water deficit tolerance in rice. In addition, K deficiency led to further substantial reductions in leaf relative water content and water potential under water deficit, which increased the imbalance in leaf water relations under water deficit. Notably, K deficiency limited leaf gas exchange by reducing leaf hydraulic conductance, but decreased the intrinsic water use efficiency under water deficit, especially for the drought-resistant cultivar. Further analysis of the underlying process of leaf hydraulic resistance revealed that the key limiting factor of leaf hydraulic conductance under K deficiency was the outside-xylem hydraulic conductance rather than the xylem hydraulic conductance. Overall, our results provide a comprehensive perspective for assessing leaf water relations under K deficiency, water deficit, and their combined stresses, which will be useful for optimal rice fertilization strategies.

Pursuing sustainable productivity with millions of smallholder farmers.

Sustainably feeding a growing population is a grand challenge, and one that is particularly difficult in regions that are dominated by smallholder farming. Despite local successes, mobilizing vast smallholder communities with science- and evidence-based management practices to simultaneously address production and pollution problems has been infeasible. Here we report the outcome of concerted efforts in engaging millions of Chinese smallholder farmers to adopt enhanced management practices for greater yield and environmental performance. First, we conducted field trials across China's major agroecological zones to develop locally applicable recommendations using a comprehensive decision-support program. Engaging farmers to adopt those recommendations involved the collaboration of a core network of 1,152 researchers with numerous extension agents and agribusiness personnel. From 2005 to 2015, about 20.9 million farmers in 452 counties adopted enhanced management practices in fields with a total of 37.7 million cumulative hectares over the years. Average yields (maize, rice and wheat) increased by 10.8-11.5%, generating a net grain output of 33 million tonnes (Mt). At the same time, application of nitrogen decreased by 14.7-18.1%, saving 1.2 Mt of nitrogen fertilizers. The increased grain output and decreased nitrogen fertilizer use were equivalent to US$12.2 billion. Estimated reactive nitrogen losses averaged 4.5-4.7 kg nitrogen per Megagram (Mg) with the intervention compared to 6.0-6.4 kg nitrogen per Mg without. Greenhouse gas emissions were 328 kg, 812 kg and 434 kg CO2 equivalent per Mg of maize, rice and wheat produced, respectively, compared to 422 kg, 941 kg and 549 kg CO2 equivalent per Mg without the intervention. On the basis of a large-scale survey (8.6 million farmer participants) and scenario analyses, we further demonstrate the potential impacts of implementing the enhanced management practices on China's food security and sustainability outlook.

Long-term rice-crayfish farming alters soil dissolved organic carbon quality and biodegradability by regulating microbial metabolism and iron oxidation.

The biodegradability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a crucial process in the migration and transformation of soil organic carbon (SOC), and play a vital role in the global soil carbon (C) cycle. Although the significance of DOC in SOC transportation and microbial utilization is widely acknowledged, the impact of long-term rice-crayfish (RC) farming on the content, quality, and biodegradability of DOC in paddy soils, as well as regulatory mechanisms involved, remains unclear. To address this gap, a space-for-time method was employed to investigate the effects of different RC farming durations (1-, 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20- years) on the quality and biodegradability of DOC, as well as their relationship with soil microbial metabolism and minerals in this study. The results revealed that continuous RC farming increased the soil DOC content, but reduced DOC biodegradability. Specifically, after 20 years of continuous RC farming, the DOC content increased by 52.7% compared to the initial year, whereas the DOC biodegradability decreased by 63.4%. Analysis using three-dimensional fluorescence and ultraviolet spectroscopy demonstrated that continuous RC farming resulted in a decrease in the relative abundance of humus-like fractions, humification, and aromaticity indexes in DOC, but increased the relative abundance of protein-like fractions, biological, and fluorescence index, indicating that long-term RC farming promoted the simple depolymerization of the molecular structure of DOC. Continuous RC farming increased the activity of hydrolase involved in soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycles and oxidase, but decreasing the hydrolase C/N and C/P acquisition ratios; moreover, it also stimulated an increase in soil iron oxides and exchangeable calcium content. Structural equation modeling suggests that soil hydrolases and iron oxides are the primary drivers of DOC quality change, with DOC biodegradability being driven solely by soil iron oxides and not regulated by DOC quality. In conclusion, long-term RC farming promotes the catalytic decomposition of DOC aromatic substances and the production of DOC protein-like components by increasing soil oxidase activity and decreasing the hydrolase C/N acquisition ratio; these processes collectively contribute to the simple depolymerization of DOC molecular structure. Additionally, long-term RC farming induced legacy effects of soil iron oxides and enhanced chemical protection role leading to reduced DOC biodegradability. These findings suggested that long-term RC farming may reduce the rapid turnover and loss of DOC, providing a negative feedback on climate warming.

Reaction Process of Solid Waste Composite-Based Cementitious Materials for Immobilizing and Characterizing Heavy Metals in Lead and Zinc Tailings: Based on XRD, SEM-EDS and Compressive Strength Characterization.

This study investigates the synergistic effect and mechanism of gelling materials with blast furnace slag (BFS), steel slag (SS) and desulphurization gypsum (DG) as the main components on the hardening of heavy metal ions by lead and zinc tailings. It is found that lead and zinc tailing (LZT) is mainly composed of dolomite and quartz and contain small amounts of calcium, aluminum, iron, magnesium and other elements as well as heavy metals such as lead and zinc. By the mechanical activation method, it is found that the lead and zinc tailings powder has the largest specific surface area and the highest activity index when the ball milling time is 2 h. At a hardening timepoint of 28 d, the calcite crystals in the samples are intertwined with the amorphous C-S-H gel (C-S-H gels are mainly composed of 3CaO∙SiO2 and 2CaO∙SiO2), which enhances the structural strength of the samples. The chemical reaction analysis confirmed that the formation of calcite is a major driver for the hydration reaction of the steel slag-desulphurization gypsum (SSSDG) system. Overall, the slag, steel slag and desulphurization gypsum solid waste-based gelling materials have synergistic effects in hardening heavy metals by limiting the leaching of metal ions, adsorbing metal ions and hardening heavy metals, and facilitating the hydration process through the formation of compound salt precipitates.

Adsorption Potential, Speciation Transformation, and Risk Assessment of Hg-, Cd-, and Pb-Contaminated Soils Using Biochar in Combination with Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate.

The objective of this study is to develop a remediation technology for composited heavy metal-contaminated soil. Biochars (BC300, BC400, and BC500) derived from corn were combined with potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) to immobilize and remove heavy metal ions, including mercury (Hg2+), cadmium (Cd2+), and lead (Pb2+). The adsorption kinetics of metal ions in aqueous solutions with different concentrations was tested, and the fitting effects of the two models were compared. The findings demonstrate that the joint application of biochar and KH2PO4 could markedly enhance the immobilization efficacy of Pb2+, whereas the utilization of KH2PO4 on its own exhibited a more pronounced immobilization impact on Cd2+. Furthermore, the present study underscores the shortcomings of various remediation techniques that must be taken into account when addressing heavy metal-contaminated soils. It also emphasizes the value of comprehensive remediation techniques that integrate multiple remediation agents. This study offers a novel approach and methodology for addressing the intricate and evolving challenges posed by heavy metal contamination in soil. Its practical value and potential for application are significant.

First-line nivolumab plus chemotherapy vs chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric, gastroesophageal junction and esophageal adenocarcinoma: CheckMate 649 Chinese subgroup analysis.

First-line chemotherapy for advanced/metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJC) has poor median overall survival (OS; <1 year). We report efficacy and safety results from Chinese patients in the phase III global CheckMate 649 study of nivolumab plus chemotherapy vs chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of GC/GEJC/esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Chinese patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic GC/GEJC/EAC were randomized to receive nivolumab (360 mg Q3W or 240 mg Q2W) plus chemotherapy (XELOX [capecitabine and oxaliplatin] Q3W or FOLFOX [oxaliplatin, leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil] Q2W), nivolumab plus ipilimumab (not reported) or chemotherapy alone. OS, blinded independent central review-assessed progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR) and safety are reported. Of 1581 patients enrolled and randomized, 208 were Chinese. In these patients, nivolumab plus chemotherapy resulted in clinically meaningful improvement in median OS (14.3 vs 10.2 months; HR 0.61 [95% CI: 0.44-0.85]), median PFS (8.3 vs 5.6 months; HR 0.57 [95% CI: 0.40-0.80]), ORR (66% vs 45%) and median DOR (12.2 vs 5.6 months) vs chemotherapy, respectively. The safety profile was acceptable, with no new safety signals observed. Consistent with results from the global primary analysis of CheckMate 649, nivolumab plus chemotherapy demonstrated a clinically meaningful improvement in OS and PFS and higher response rate vs chemotherapy and an acceptable safety profile in Chinese patients. Nivolumab plus chemotherapy represents a new standard first-line treatment for Chinese patients with non-HER2-positive advanced GC/GEJC/EAC.

Effects of optimized nitrogen fertilizer management on the yield, nitrogen uptake, and ammonia volatilization of direct-seeded rice.

BACKGROUND: Direct-seeded rice has been developed rapidly because of labor savings. Changes in rice cultivation methods put forward new requirements for nitrogen (N) fertilizer management practices. Field experiments with five different fertilizer ratios of basal, tillering and panicle fertilizer, namely N1 (10:0:0), N2 (6:2:2), N3 (4:3:3), N4 (2:4:4) and N5 (0:5:5), were conducted to investigate the effects of different N fertilizer management practices on yield formation, N uptakes, and ammonia (NH3 ) volatilization from paddy fields in direct-seeded rice. RESULTS: The results showed that the N4 treatment improved grain yield by 5.1% while decreasing NH3 volatilization by 20.4% compared with that of conventional fertilizer treatment (N2). The panicle number per unit area was the key factor to determine the yield of direct-seeded rice (72%). Excessive N application of basal fertilizer (N1) reduced seedling emergence, N use efficiency, and yield by 45.3%, 160.6%, and 6.9% respectively and increased NH3 volatilization by 28.1% compared with that of the N4 treatment. Removal of basal N fertilizer (N5) N reduced spike number and yield by 13.0% and 6.9% respectively, minimizing NH3 volatilization while affecting the construction of high-yielding populations compared with that of the N4 treatment. CONCLUSION: Optimized N fertilizer management achieved delayed senescence (maintenance of higher leaf Soil Plant Analysis Development meter values in late reproduction), higher canopy photoassimilation (suitable leaf area), higher N fertilizer use efficiency, and less N loss (lower cumulative NH3 volatilization). © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

To explore the remediation mechanism and effect of biochar and KH2PO4 on soils contaminated with heavy metal ions Hg2+, Cd2+ and Pb2.

In this study, wheat straw-derived biochar was prepared by setting a temperature of 400 °C under an oxygen-limited environment using the technique of "programmed temperature increase control". The results showed that the biochar had a strong adsorption capacity for Hg2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions, and the adsorption pattern was Hg2+>Cd2+>Pb2+. There was a competitive adsorption effect during the coexistence of the ions. The results of the soil remediation tests showed that the effects of biochar on soil physicochemical properties and heavy metal distribution was generally greater than those of KH2PO4 in single or combined contaminated soil. The adsorption effect of heavy metal ions in soil was the best in the case of mixed additions. The results can provide a scientific basis for the treatment of heavy metal contaminated soil with wheat straw biochar in the future.

Pembrolizumab versus paclitaxel for previously treated advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (KEYNOTE-063): A randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial in Asian patients.

BACKGROUND: KEYNOTE-063 (NCT03019588) investigated pembrolizumab versus paclitaxel as second-line therapy in Asian patients with advanced programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive (combined positive score ≥1) gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. METHODS: This randomized, open-label, phase 3 study was conducted at 36 medical centers in China (mainland), Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to 200 mg of pembrolizumab intravenously every 3 weeks for ≤2 years or 80 mg/m2 of paclitaxel intravenously every week. Primary end points were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points were objective response rate (ORR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 and safety. RESULTS: Between February 16, 2017, and March 12, 2018, 94 patients were randomly assigned (47 pembrolizumab/47 paclitaxel) after screening; enrollment was stopped on March 12, 2018, based on the results of the global KEYNOTE-061 study, and patients were followed until the last patient's last visit. Median OS was 8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4-10 months) with pembrolizumab versus 8 months (95% CI, 5-11 months) with paclitaxel (hazard ratio [HR], 0.99; 95% CI, 0.63-1.54). Median PFS was 2 months (95% CI, 1-3 months) with pembrolizumab versus 4 months (95% CI, 3-6 months) with paclitaxel (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.04-2.52). ORR was 13% for pembrolizumab versus 19% for paclitaxel. Any-grade treatment-related adverse events occurred in 28 pembrolizumab-treated patients (60%) and 42 paclitaxel-treated patients (96%); grades 3 to 5 events occurred in 5 patients (11%) and 28 patients (64%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Definitive conclusions about the efficacy of second-line pembrolizumab in Asian patients with advanced PD-L1-positive gastric/GEJ cancer are limited because of insufficient power, but pembrolizumab was well tolerated in this patient population. Efficacy followed a trend similar to that observed in the phase 3 KEYNOTE-061 trial.

Potassium availability influences the mesophyll structure to coordinate the conductance of CO2 and H2 O during leaf expansion.

Leaf growth relies on photosynthesis and hydraulics to provide carbohydrates and expansion power; in turn, leaves intercept light and construct organism systems for functioning. Under potassium (K) deficiency stress, leaf area, photosynthesis and hydraulics are all affected by alterations in leaf structure. However, the connection between changes in leaf growth and function caused by the structure under K regulation is unclear. Consequently, the leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf ) and photosynthetic rate (A) combined with leaf anatomical characteristics of Brassica napus were continuously observed during leaf growth under different K supply levels. The results showed that Kleaf and A decreased simultaneously after leaf area with the increasing K deficiency stress. K deficiency significantly increased longitudinal mesophyll cell investment, leading to a reduced volume fraction of intercellular air-space (fias ) and decreased leaf expansion rate. Furthermore, reduced fias decreased mesophyll and chloroplast surfaces exposed to intercellular airspace and gas phase H2 O transport, which induced coordinated changes in CO2 mesophyll conductance and hydraulic conductance in extra-xylem pathways. Adequate K supply facilitated higher fias through smaller palisade tissue cell density (loose mesophyll cell arrangement) and smaller spongy tissue cell size, which coordinated CO2 and H2 O conductance and promoted leaf area expansion.

Potassium regulates diel leaf growth of Brassica napus by coordinating the rhythmic carbon supply and water balance.

Carbon and water are two main factors limiting leaf expansion. Restriction of leaf growth by low availability of carbon or water is among the earliest visible effects of potassium (K) deficiency. It is not known how K is involved in regulating the rhythmic supply of these two substrates, which differ remarkably across the day-night cycle, affecting leaf expansion. We investigated the effects of different K regimes on the time courses of leaf expansion, carbon assimilation, carbohydrates, and hydraulic properties of Brassica napus. Potassium supply increased leaf area, predominantly by promoting night-time leaf expansion (>60%), which was mainly associated with increased availability of carbohydrates from photosynthetic carbon fixation and import from old leaves rather than improvement of leaf hydraulics. However, sufficient K improved leaf hydraulic conductance to balance diurnal evaporative water loss and increase the osmotic contribution of water-soluble carbohydrates, thereby maintaining leaf turgor and increasing the daytime expansion rate. The results also indicated an ontogenetic role of K in modifying the amplitude of circadian expansion; almost 80% of the increase in leaf area occurred before the area reached 66.9% of the mature size. Our data provide mechanistic insight into K-mediated diel coordination of rhythmic carbon supply and water balance in leaf expansion.

Deep muscularis propria tumor invasion without lymph node metastasis as a unique subclassification of stage IB gastric cancer: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis difference based on the depth of tumor muscularis propria invasion in gastric cancer (GC) was still debated, and therapy strategy for stage IB GC patient required further investigation. METHODS: A total of 380 patients with pT2 GC after radical surgery were retrospectively analyzed, including 185 in superficial muscularis propria (sMP) group and 195 in deep muscularis propria (dMP) group. RESULTS: The overall survival (OS) was significantly better for patients in sMP group than for patients in dMP group (P = 0.007). In multivariate analysis, depth of tumor invasion, pN stage, age, primary location, positive expression of p53, elevated maximal LDH, elevated initial CA19-9 and AFP level were independent prognostic factors for OS. The sMP group had a significantly better OS than dMP group (P = 0.014) in pN0 stage. After further stratification, the survival outcomes were not significantly different between deep muscularis propria tumor invasion without lymph node metastasis (dMPN0) group (stage IB) and superficial muscularis propria tumor invasion with stage 1-2 lymph node metastasis (sMPN1-2) group (stage II) (P = 0.100). Patients with adjuvant chemotherapy had a statistically better survival than those without in dMPN0 group (P = 0.045) and dMPN0 patients with adjuvant chemotherapy had better OS than sMPN1-2 patients (P = 0.015). In addition, greater postoperative survival could be observed in sMPN0 patients than dMPN0 patients in p53-positive group (P = 0.002), and similar OS could be seen between dMPN0 patients with p53-positive and T2N1-2 patients (P = 0.872). CONCLUSION: As a unique subclassification of stage IB GC, appropriate adjuvant chemotherapy should be considered for patients with dMPN0 stage. In addition, positive expression of p53, elevated LDH could be potential factors in identifying the different prognoses for stage IB GC patients.

Rapid soil rewetting promotes limited N2O emissions and suppresses NH3 volatilization under urea addition.

The alternation of dry and wet is an important environmental factor affecting the emission of nitrous oxide from soil. However, the consistent or opposite effects on NH3 and N2O emissions caused by adding exogenous urea in this process have not been fully considered. Here, we controlled the initial (slow drying) and final (adding water) water-filled pore space (WFPS) at 70%, 60%, or 50% through microculture experiment to simulate a process of slow drying-fertilization and rapid wetting of the soil from rice harvest to dryland crop fertilization. Through measuring soil chemical properties and the abundance and composition of related microbial communities during drying process, we studied the pathways of influence of drying and rewetting on the emission of N2O and NH3 after urea application. During the progressive drying process (WFPS decreasing from 70% to 60% and 50%), soil N2O and NH3 emissions decreased by 49.77%-72.13% and 17.89%-42.19%, respectively. After rapid rewetting (WFPS increasing from 60% to 70%, 50%-60% and 70%), N2O emissions showed a slight increase, while NH3 volatilization continued to decrease. Soil NH4+-N and DOC contents both decreased during progressive drying, while the soil NO3--N content was enhanced. The drying process changed the community structure of ureC and amoA-b and reduced their abundance but had no effect on amoA-a, nirK or nirS. Correlation analysis indicated that the reductions in NH4+-N content and the abundances of ureC and amoA-b were the main factors suppressing N2O and NH3 emissions. We believe that drying process limits the related microbial activity and substrate supply during ammonia oxidation process in terms of N2O emissions, while in terms of NH3 volatilization, it reduces the related microbial activity of urea hydrolysis process and increases the ammonium adsorption to the soil.

Deep-learning-based analysis of preoperative MRI predicts microvascular invasion and outcome in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion (MVI) is critical for treatment strategy making in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to develop a deep learning (DL) model based on preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to predict the MVI status and clinical outcomes in patients with HCC. METHODS: We retrospectively included a total of 321 HCC patients with pathologically confirmed MVI status. Preoperative DCE-MRI of these patients were collected, annotated, and further analyzed by DL in this study. A predictive model for MVI integrating DL-predicted MVI status (DL-MVI) and clinical parameters was constructed with multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 321 HCC patients, 136 patients were pathologically MVI absent and 185 patients were MVI present. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly different between the DL-predicted MVI-absent and MVI-present. Among all clinical variables, only DL-predicted MVI status and a-fetoprotein (AFP) were independently associated with MVI: DL-MVI (odds ratio [OR] = 35.738; 95% confidence interval [CI] 14.027-91.056; p < 0.001), AFP (OR = 4.634, 95% CI 2.576-8.336; p < 0.001). To predict the presence of MVI, DL-MVI combined with AFP achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.824. CONCLUSIONS: Our predictive model combining DL-MVI and AFP achieved good performance for predicting MVI and clinical outcomes in patients with HCC.

Straw incorporation improved the adsorption of potassium by increasing the soil humic acid in macroaggregates.

Straw incorporation has been broadly demonstrated to be effective for the maintenance of soil potassium (K) fertility in farmlands, which increases K and carbon (C) inputs and improves soil stability due to aggregate formation and physiochemical bonding. However, the response of K retention in aggregate fractions (AFs) to soil organic carbon (SOC) changes is poorly understood. Field trials under a completely random experimental design considering two factors, straw return and K fertilization, were conducted to study the comprehensive effects of SOC and various AFs on soil K adsorption. The results indicated that the soil exchangeable and nonexchangeable K pools (EKP and NKP) increased upon straw incorporation due to an increase in macroaggregates (>2 mm fraction). The synergistic increase in SOC and humic acid (HA) contents, which resulted in a complex molecular structure and improved soil aggregation, promoted K adsorption. Good linear relationships existed between the apparent K balance and the EKP and NKP values in the >2 mm fraction. Structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that SOC and various AFs exerted positive and significant effects on soil EKP and NKP, and thus verified 96% of the total variation in K adsorption. Thus, combination of straw and K fertilization increased the aggregate-associated C and K, which were primarily correlated with the >2 mm fraction. These direct measurements and estimates provide insights into the aggregates associated with K, which enhances the understanding of the chemical behavior of soil K upon straw incorporation.

Optimal potassium management strategy to enhance crop yield and soil potassium fertility under paddy-upland rotation.

BACKGROUND: An unbalanced application of potassium (K) fertilizer usually destabilizes crop yield and affects soil K fertility. Developing a sustainable K management strategy requires improvements in crop yield without reducing soil K supply capacity over the long term. A combination of field experiments of K fertilization and straw return using rice (Oryza sativa L.)-oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) rotation was designed to develop an optimal K management strategy. RESULTS: The results showed the best strategy to maintain yield was KG +S (input equivalent K removed by seed treatment and straw return), KS +KG (input equivalent K removed by straw and seed) and KC +S (conventional K fertilization and straw return) treatments, and the yield gap among different treatments expanded with the extension of planting years. There were significant differences present in rice and rape K uptake, although no differences in seed K uptake were observed under different K management strategies. The K balance was approximately maintained under KG +S and KS +KG treatments, and negative K balances were present for KN (no K application), KC (conventional fertilization), +S (straw return) and KS treatments (input equivalent K that removed by straw treatment). A positive balance was observed under KC +S treatment. Slight changes in soil exchangeable and nonexchangeable K were observed under KG +S and +S treatments. However, high inputs of K fertilizer prevented the improvement of agronomic efficiency and recovery efficiency of K. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the optimal K management strategy was KG +S, which stabilizes the crop yield, maintains soil K fertility and maximizes K use efficiency. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ontogeny of hepatic methionine catabolic enzyme activities (Transmethylation and Transsulphuration) and associated physiological amino acids in E10-21 chick embryos and D1-49 broilers.

Developmental changes in hepatic methionine adenosyltransferase, cystathionine ß-synthase, cystathionase, and glycine N-methyltransferase were determined in broiler chick embryos and hatched chicks by using radiometric and spectrometric methods. Hepatic free methionine, S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine, homocysteine, cystathionine, and cysteine levels were also investigated. Results showed an increase in hepatic MAT activity from E10 to E21 during embryogenesis, suggesting greater transmethylation rates throughout the rapid embryonic growth and development period. A strong positive correlation between embryo BW and MAT activity also supports this idea. The MAT specific activity continued to increase after hatching, but there was a negative correlation between chick BW and MAT activities from D1 to D49. This may indicate different MAT isozymes exist for chick embryo hepatic tissue compared to hepatic tissue of hatched chick and growing broilers. The developmental pattern of MAT isozymes could be critical for methionine metabolism to cope with the demand imposed on the embryo, chicks, and growing broilers. Additionally, the specific activity of hepatic CBS in chick embryos was determined to be lower compared to that observed in older broilers (35 and 49 days). Since liver CBS specific activity is at the lowest point from D1-7 in young chicks, the ability to convert adequate homocysteine to cysteine through transsulphuration may be limiting for cysteine synthesis at this time. Steady-state hepatic homocysteine levels in chick embryos and chicks may be a function of the rates of homocysteine formation, remethylation, and catabolism via the transsulphuration pathway. The present study indicates young chicks from D1 to D7 may have a limited ability for adequate transsulphuration; therefore, dietary cystine may be needed for optimum performance.

Clinical application of the AUC-guided dosage adjustment of docetaxel-based chemotherapy for patients with solid tumours: a single centre, prospective and randomised control study.

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel (DTX) is a widely used anti-tumour drug, and its dosage is solely determined by body surface area (BSA). Adverse events, such as neutropenia or unsatisfied efficacy, likely occur because of differences in the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics of patients. Thus, a feasible dosage adjustment method is needed. METHODS: A total of 209 eligible patients who provided consent were enrolled and randomised into two groups to receive the BSA- and PK-guided dosage adjustments of DTX-based chemotherapy (3 weeks per cycle). The AUC of DTX was detected, and the therapeutic window for Chinese patients was determined. The proportion of patients within the therapeutic window was evaluated. Neutropenia was examined in accordance with the toxicity grading standard suggested by the World Health Organisation. Tumour response was assessed in accordance with Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. The primary endpoint was the incidence of neutropenia, and the secondary endpoints were disease control rate (DCR) and 3-year survival rate. RESULTS: The therapeutic window for Chinese patients was 1.7-2.5 mg·h/L. The proportion of patients within the therapeutic window was 63.89% versus 28.33% (P < 0.0001), and the incidence of neutropenia was 68.33% versus 38.89% (P = 0.001) in the experimental group versus the control group in the sixth cycle, respectively. DCR was 72% versus 85% (P = 0.018) in the control group versus the experimental group. The 3-year survival rate of the PK group was significantly higher than that of the BSA group (P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: The PK-guided dosage adjustment of DTX could significantly increase the proportion of patients within the therapeutic window, decrease the incidence of neutropenia and increase the DCR and the 3-year survival rate. The PK-guided dosage adjustment based on the dynamic monitoring of AUC could be a useful method for oncologists to improve individualised treatment options, optimise drug efficacy and reduce drug toxicity.