A Case of Type 1 Triallelic Patterns at D5S818, D18S51, D6S1043, and FGA Demonstrated by Short Tandem Repeat Analysis.

The triallelic pattern of short tandem repeat (STR) is rare; especially, the case where this pattern exists at 4 loci has not been reported. Here, we report the type 1 triallelic patterns at D5S818, D18S51, D6S1043, and FGA from a Chinese family, which were observed during our routine chimerism assays. Before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the blood sample of the certain patient was analyzed by performing chimerism analysis. A preliminary STR analysis was also performed on the samples of the patient's parents. STR signal data illustrated that the sum of the peak chart areas of the two types inherited from the father was basically the same as that of the mother, belonging to the type 1 triallelic pattern. In addition, the patient's elder sister's STR result appeared to be normal. Altogether, we presented a pedigree, in which the triallelic pattern was linked by inheritance in the family. This is the first reported case of the triallelic pattern at D5S818, D18S51, D6S1043, and FGA all around the world. We hope that in the future there will be any tools to achieve accurate verification against this possibility.

Molecular mechanism of long-term neuroprotective effects of gradual flow restoration on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in MCAO rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ischemia-reperfusion injuries (IRIs) can aggravate the condition of some patients with acute occlusion of major intracranial artery (AOMIA) who received endovascular thrombectomy. Here, we provided data confirming the association of Repressor Element-1 Silencing Transcription factor (REST) with the long-term neuroprotective effect of the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats underwent Gradual Flow Restoration (GFR). METHODS: Long term neuroprotective effects of GFR intervention were evaluated on MCAO rats model after 3d and 7d reperfusion. The neurological deficit score and TTC staining were performed to evaluate the degree of brain damage in GFR and other interventions at different time. Differentially expressed genes related to cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) were initially screened and identified using GSE32529 microarray analysis. REST protein expression in rat brain cortex infarction was detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: MCAO rats intervened with GFR exhibited reduced neurological deficit (P < 0.05) and alleviated brain infarction volume (P < 0.01). The REST gene with up-regulated expression and its downstream genes with down-regulated expression were screened by Microarray analysis. The brain cortex infarction in MCAO rats produced high levels of REST expression. The GFR intervention inhibited REST expression, and alleviated brain injury on MCAO rats. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that GFR intervention plays a long-term neuroprotective role and reduces brain edema and damage at reperfusion, possibly by inhibiting REST expression.

[Grade evaluation of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma based on quality constant evaluation method].

The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) quality constant herbal slices evaluation method was applied to evaluate the grade of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma based on the combination of traditional character identification and modern scientific and technological methods. The TCM quality constant evaluation method was used to determine the appearance and index content of medicinal slices, calculate the quality constant and percentile quality constant of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma from different sources, and discuss their classification. The quality constants of 15 batches of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma slices were between 0.004 and 0.063. The slices with the percentage quality constant ≥80% were classified as the first grade; those with the percentage quality constant ≥50% and <80% were classified as the second grade; and those with the percentage quality constant <50% were classified as the third grade. Then the slices with the quality constant ≥0.050 were classified as the first grade; those with the quality constant ≥0.032 and <0.050 were classified as the second grade; and those with the quality constant <0.032 were classified as the third grade. According to the results, the 15 batches of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma slices were divided into 1 batch of the first grade, 4 batches of the second grade, and 10 batches of the third grade. The quality constant evaluation method established is scientific, objective, simple and feasible. The application of the method in Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma slices has reasonable results, which is helpful to promote the classification of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma and promotes the high-quality application of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma.

Jasmonic Acids Facilitate the Degradation and Detoxification of Herbicide Isoproturon Residues in Wheat Crops ( Triticum aestivum).

Jasmonic acid (JA) [or methyl-jasmonic acid (MeJA)] is one of the important regulators of plant growth, development, and defense with respect to environmental stresses, but how JA is involved in mediation of pesticide accumulation and degradation in plants is largely unknown. This study investigated the contribution of MeJA to detoxification and degradation of isoproturon (IPU) residues in wheat ( Triticum aestivum). Wheat plants were exposed to 4 mg of isoproturon kg-1 (environmentally realistic concentration). The level of growth and chlorophyll concentration were reduced, while the electrolyte permeability in plants was enhanced. When plants were sprayed with 0.1 µM MeJA, the phytotoxicity induced by isoproturon was significantly assuaged, which was manifested by an increased chlorophyll concentration and a reduced level of cellular damage in wheat. Activities of several stress marker enzymes with isoproturon were repressed in the presence of MeJA. We measured accumulation of isoproturon in wheat and its residues in soil by high-performance liquid chromatography. The concentration of isoproturon in wheat and soils with MeJA was drastically reduced. Using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, 12 isoproturon derivatives (eight metabolites and four conjugates) in wheat were characterized. We further provided evidence that the concentration of endogenous MeJA was significantly increased in IPU-exposed plants. These results suggest that MeJA was able to detoxify or degrade isoproturon in wheat when grown in a realistic environmental isoproturon-polluted soil.

Efficacy and safety of Abelmoschus manihot for primary glomerular disease: a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Abelmoschus manihot, a single medicament of traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used to treat kidney disease. This is the first randomized controlled clinical trial to assess its efficacy and safety in patients with primary glomerular disease. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, open-label, multicenter, randomized, controlled, clinical trial. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: From May 2010 to October 2011, a total of 417 patients with biopsy-proven primary glomerular disease from 26 hospitals participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS: A manihot in the form of a huangkui capsule, 2.5 g, 3 times per day; losartan potassium, 50mg/d; or combined treatment, a huangkui capsule at 2.5 g 3 times per day, was combined with losartan potassium, 50mg/d. The duration of intervention was 24 weeks. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was change in 24-hour proteinuria from baseline after treatment. Change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline after treatment was a secondary outcome. The 24-hour proteinuria was measured every 4 weeks and eGFR was measured at 0, 4, 12, and 24 weeks. RESULTS: Mean baseline urine protein excretion was 1,045, 1,084, and 1,073 mg/d in the A manihot, losartan, and combined groups, respectively, and mean eGFR was 108, 106, and 106 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. After 24 weeks of treatment, mean changes in proteinuria were protein excretion of -508, -376, and -545 mg/d, respectively (P=0.003 for A manihot vs losartan and P<0.001 for the combined treatment vs losartan). Mean eGFR did not change significantly. The incidence of adverse reactions was not different among the 3 groups (P>0.05), and there were no severe adverse events in any group. LIMITATIONS: Results cannot be generalized to those with nephrotic syndrome or reduced eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: A manihot is a promising therapy for patients with primary kidney disease (chronic kidney disease stages 1-2) with moderate proteinuria.

[Epidemiological survey of childhood asthma in 2010 in urban Baotou, China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence rate of childhood asthma in 2010 in urban Baotou, China, as well as the characteristics of attacks and the status of diagnosis and treatment of childhood asthma. METHODS: More than 10 000 children (0-14 years) were selected from 3 secondary schools, 3 primary schools, 6 kindergartens, and 4 community vaccination sites in urban Baotou by cluster random sampling between September 2009 and August 2010. A standardized preliminary questionnaire was used for screening out suspected cases, which were then confirmed or excluded by a clinician; the confirmed cases underwent further questionnaire survey. Double entry and validation was adopted for all data using Epi-Info software, and analysis was performed using SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: A total of 11 323 children were surveyed. Asthma was diagnosed in 127 cases (including 121 children with typical asthma and 6 children with cough variant asthma), with a prevalence rate of 1.12%. The prevalence rate of asthma in male children was significantly higher than that in female children (1.51% vs 0.72%; P<0.01). The prevalence rate of asthma in 2010 was significantly increased compared with that in 1990 (0.55%) and 2000 (0.88%) (P<0.05). Systemic glucocorticoid use decreased significantly from 60.2% in 2000 to 25.9% in 2010 (P<0.01); inhaled corticosteroid use increased significantly from 13.6% in 2000 to 85.8% in 2010 (P<0.01); antibiotic use decreased from 98.1% in 2000 to 66.9% in 2010 (P<0.01). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that family history of allergy, allergic rhinitis, chronic cough, and recurrent respiratory tract infection were independent risk factors for childhood asthma. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of childhood asthma in urban Baotou shows an increasing trend. Inhaled corticosteroids have been widely used.

Huangqin decoction attenuates spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced neuropathic pain by modulating microglial M1/M2 polarization partially mediated by intestinal nicotinamide metabolism.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of neuropathic pain is progressively increasing over time. The activation of M1-type microglia plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of neuropathic pain. Huangqin Decoction (HQD) is traditionally used to alleviate dysentery and abdominal pain. However, it remains unclear whether HQD can effectively mitigate neuropathic pain and the underlying mechanisms. PURPOSE: The present study aims to investigate the impact of HQD on neuropathic pain induced by spared nerve injury (SNI) in mice, and to elucidate whether the analgesic effect of HQD is associated with microglia polarization. METHODS: The analgesic effect of HQD on SNI mice was investigated through assessments of mechanical pain threshold, thermal pain threshold, cold pain threshold, and motor ability. We elucidated the molecular mechanisms of HQD in alleviating SNI-induced neuropathic pain by focusing on microglia polarization and intestinal metabolite abnormalities. The expression levels of markers associated with microglia polarization (Iba-1, CD68, CD206, iNOS) was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot, and the levels of inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10, IL-6, TNF-α) were assessed by ELISA. UPLC-QTOF-MS metabolomics was utilized to identify differential metabolites in the intestines of SNI mice. We screened the differential metabolites related to microglial polarization by correlation analysis, subsequently nicotinamide was selected for validation in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrated that HQD (20 g/kg) significantly enhanced the mechanical pain threshold, thermal pain threshold, and cold pain threshold, and protected the injured DRG neurons of SNI mice. Moreover, HQD (20 g/kg) obviously suppressed the expression of microglia M1 polarization markers (Iba-1, CD68, iNOS, IL-6, TNF-α), and promoted the expression of microglia M2 polarization markers (CD206, IL-10, IL-4) in the spinal cord of SNI mice. Additionally, HQD (20 g/kg) prominently ameliorated intestinal barrier damage by upregulating Claudin 1 and Occludin expression in the colon of SNI mice. Furthermore, HQD (20 g/kg) rectified 19 metabolite abnormalities in the intestine. Notably, nicotinamide (100 µM), an amide derivative with anti-inflammatory property, effectively suppresses microglia activation and polarization in LPS-induced BV-2 cells by downregulating IL-6 level and CD68 expression while upregulating IL-4 level and CD206 expression. CONCLUSION: In summary, HQD alleviates neuropathic pain in SNI mice by regulating the activation and polarization of microglia, partially mediated through intestinal nicotinamide metabolism.

Lanthanum carbonate for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in CKD 5D: multicenter, double blind, randomized, controlled trial in mainland China.

BACKGROUND: Serum phosphorus control is critical for chronic kidney disease (CKD) 5D patients. Currently, clinical profile for an oral phosphorus binder in the mainland Chinese population is not available. OBJECTIVE: To establish the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of lanthanum carbonate in CKD 5D patients. DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. A central randomization center used computer generated tables to allocate treatments. SETTING: Twelve tertiary teaching hospitals and medical university affiliated hospitals in mainland China. PARTICIPANTS: Overall, 258 hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) adult patients were enrolled. INTERVENTION: After a 0-3-week washout period and a 4-week lanthanum carbonate dose-titration period, 230 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive lanthanum carbonate (1500 mg-3000 mg) or placebo for a further 4-week maintenance phase. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Efficacy and safety of lanthanum carbonate to achieve and maintain target serum phosphorus concentrations were assessed. RESULTS: In the titration phase, serum phosphorus concentrations of all patients decreased significantly. About three-fifths achieved target levels without significantly disturbing serum calcium levels. At the end of the maintenance period, the mean difference in serum phosphorus was significantly different between the lanthanum carbonate and placebo-treated groups (0.63±0.62 mmol/L vs. 0.15±0.52 mmol/L, P < 0.001). The drug-related adverse effects were mild and mostly gastrointestinal in nature. CONCLUSION: Lanthanum carbonate is an efficacious and well-tolerated oral phosphate binder with a mild AE profile in hemodialysis and CAPD patients. This agent may provide an alternative for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in CKD 5D patients in mainland China. TRIAL REGISTRATION: No. ChiCTR-TRC-10000817.

An ABCG-type transporter intensifies ametryn catabolism by Phase III reaction mechanism in rice.

Pesticide residues in food crops are one of the seriously environmental contaminants that risk food safety and human health. Understanding the mechanism for pesticide catabolism is critical to develop effective biotechniques for rapid eliminating the residues in food crops. In this study we characterized a novel ABC transporter family gene ABCG52 (PDR18) in regulating rice response to pesticide ametryn (AME) widely used in the farmland. Efficient biodegradation of AME was evaluated by measuring its biotoxicity, accumulation, and metabolites in rice plants. OsPDR18 was localized to the plasma membrane and strongly induced under AME exposure. Transgenic rice overexpressing OsPDR18 (OE) conferred rice resistance and detoxification to AME by increasing chlorophyll contents, improving growth phenotypes, and reducing AME accumulation in plants. The AME concentrations in OE plants were only 71.8-78.1% (shoots) and 75.0-83.3% (roots) of the wild type. Mutation of OsPDR18 by CRISPR/Cas9 protocol led to the compromised growth and enhanced AME accumulation in rice. Five AME metabolites for Phase I and 13 conjugates for Phase II reactions in rice were characterized by HPLC/Q-TOF-HRMS/MS. Relative content analysis revealed that the AME metabolic products in OE plants were significantly reduced compared with wild-type. Importantly, the OE plants accumulated less AME metabolites and conjugates in rice grains, suggesting that OsPDR18 expression may actively facilitate the transport of AME for catabolism. These data unveil a AME catabolic mechanism by which OsPDR18 contributes to the AME detoxification and degradation in rice crops.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation is involved in chrysin-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in cultured A549 lung cancer cells.

Here we show that chrysin induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in cultured lung cancer A549 cells, and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) may contribute to this process. Our Western-blots results demonstrated a significant AMPK activation after chrysin treatment in A549 cells. Inhibition of AMPK by shRNA-mediated gene silencing, or by its inhibitor, diminished chrysin-induced A549 cell growth inhibition and apoptosis. Forced activation of AMPK by introducing a constitutively active form of AMPKα (CA-AMPKα), or by its activators, mimicked chrysin's effect. For mechanism analysis, we found chrysin inhibited Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation, and knocking-down of AMPK by shRNA almost reversed this effect. Finally, we observed that a relative low dose of chrysin enhanced doxorubicin-induced AMPK activation to promote A549 cell apoptosis. Our study suggests that activation of AMPK by chrysin contributes to Akt suppression, growth inhibition and apoptosis in human lung cancer cells, and agents that could activate AMPK may serve as useful adjuvants for traditional chemotherapy against lung cancer.

Chlorambucil for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Chlorambucil has been used for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis as it possesses immunosuppressive properties. But it is unknown whether it benefits or harms these patients. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the beneficial and any harmful effects of chlorambucil for primary biliary cirrhosis patients. SEARCH METHODS: Eligible trials were identified by searching the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register (March 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library (2012, Issue 2), MEDLINE (1946 to March 2012), EMBASE (1974 to March 2012), Science Citation Index EXPANDED (1900 to March 2012), The Chinese Biomedical Database (1976 to March 2012), The Chinese Medical Current Contents (1994 to March 2012), The China Hospital Knowledge Database (1994 to March 2012), and a database of ongoing trials (http://www.controlled-trials.com/mrct/) (accessed 6 March 2012). The reference lists of the retrieved publications and review articles were also read through, and pharmaceutical companies known to produce chlorambucil were contacted. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised clinical trials, irrespective of language, year of publication, and publication status, comparing chlorambucil at any dose versus placebo, no intervention, another active drug, or one dose of chlorambucil with another dose. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We planned to assess continuous data with mean differences (MD), and dichotomous outcomes with relative risk (RR), both with 95% confidence intervals (CI). As we only identified one trial, Fisher's exact tests were employed. MAIN RESULTS: Only one randomised trial was identified and included in the review. The bias risk in the trial was high. The trial compared chlorambucil versus no intervention in 24 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Fisher's exact test did not show a significant reduction of mortality when comparing chlorambucil with no treatment (0/13 (0%) versus (2/11 (18.2%); P = 0.20). There was no significant difference regarding adverse events for chlorambucil compared with no treatment, but all patients receiving chlorambucil experienced adverse events (13/13 (100%) versus (3/11 (27%); P = 0.1). According to the authors of the trial, chlorambucil led to a significant improvement in mean serum levels of bilirubin (P < 0.05), albumin (P < 0.05), immunoglobulin M (P < 0.01), serum aspartate aminotransferase activity (P < 0.01), and hepatic inflammatory infiltrates (P < 0.01). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is not sufficient evidence to support or reject the use of chlorambucil for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Chlorambucil may show benefit in some unvalidated surrogate outcome measures (for example, serum bilirubin and immunoglobulin M levels). Chlorambucil is, however, connected with a number of adverse events. Bone marrow suppression should be noted in particular. Further randomised clinical trials are necessary to assess the benefits and harms of chlorambucil in this indication.

µ-2,5-Dihy-droxy-terephthalato-bis-[tri-aqua-(1,10-phenanthroline)zinc] dihy-droxy-terephthalate.

In the title compound, [Zn2(C8H4O6)(C12H8N2)2(H2O)6](C8H4O6), the complete ions of both the binuclear dication and the dianion are generated by crystallographic inversion symmetry. The Zn atom is bonded to an N,N'-bidentate phenanthroline ligand, three water moleules and an O-mono-denate 2,5-dihy-droxy-terephthalate dianion. In the resulting distorted octa-hedral ZnN2O4 coordination poly-hedron, the water O atoms are in a mer orientation. Two intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds occur in the bridging 2,5-dihy-droxy-terephthalate dianion within the complex cation and also in the free dianion. An intra-molecular Ow-H⋯O (w = water) hydrogen bond also occurs within the dication. In the crystal, O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the component ions into a three-dimensional network.

Minimized Atrazine Risks to Crop Security and Its Residue in the Environment by a Rice Methyltransferase as a Regulation Factor.

Atrazine (ATZ) is an agricultural pesticide for controlling field weeds. ATZ accumulates in many crops, posing high risks to crop production and food safety. Characterizing one of the novel rice MT genes named Oryza sativa atrazine-responsive methyltransferase (OsARM) showed that the expression of OsARM was associated with DNA demethylation (hypomethylation) in its promoter region. The enhancement of OsARM expression was manifested by the attenuated symptoms of ATZ toxicity including better growth and lower ATZ accumulation in plants. The promoted capacity of detoxification was confirmed by transgenic rice overexpression OsARM lines and also functionally proved by CRISPR-Cas9 knockout mutants. The transgenic lines accumulate more ATZ metabolites in rice and lower concentrations in the growth environment, pointing out that ATZ metabolism or degradation can be intensified. The ATZ-induced DNA demethylation is an important hallmark representing the epigenetic mechanism, which is required for the extra OsARM expression to facilitate ATZ disappearance in rice and the environment.

[Clinical Analysis of Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia with CCLG-AML 2015 Regimen].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical effects of CCLG-AML-2015 protocol on newly diagnosed children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: The clinical data of 60 newly diagnosed AML children in the Department of Hematology and Oncology, Wuhan Children's Hospital from August 2015 to September 2019 were summarized, the effect of chemotherapy using the CCLG-AML-2015 regimen (hereinafter referred to as the 2015 regimen) were retrospectively analyzed. 42 children with AML treated by the AML-2006 regimen (hereinafter referred to as the 2006 regimen) from February 2010 to July 2015 were used as control group. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between the 2015 regimen group and the 2006 regimen group in sex, age at first diagnosis, and risk stratification (P>0.05). The complete remission rate of bone marrow cytology after induction of 1 course of chemotherapy (84.7% vs 73.1%, P=0.155), and minimal residual disease detection (MRD) negative (42.3% vs 41.4%, P=0.928) in the 2015 regimen group were not statistically different than those in the 2006 regimen group. The bone marrow cytology CR (98.1% vs 80.6%, P=0.004) and MRD negative (83.3% vs 52.8%, P=0.002) in the 2015 regimen group after 2 courses of induction were higher than those in the 2006 regimen group. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate in the 2015 regimen group (62.3%±6.4% vs 20.6%±6.4%, P=0.001), the 5-year disease-free survival (EFS) rate (61.0%±6.4% vs 21.0% ±6.4% , P=0.001) were better than those in the 2006 regimen group. The 5-year OS and EFS of high-risk transplant patients in the 2015 regimen group were significantly better than those of high-risk non-transplant patients (OS: 86.6%±9.0% vs 26.7%±11.4%, P=0.000; EFS: 86.6%±9% vs 26.7%±11.4%, P=0.000). CONCLUSION: The 2015 regimen can increase the CR rate after 2 courses of induction compared with the 2006 regimen. High-risk children receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can significantly improve the prognosis.

Predictors of ninety-day mortality following mechanical thrombectomy for acute large vessel occlusion stroke.

OBJECTIVE: This study focused on the prediction factors of catastrophic outcomes of all-cause mortality at 90 days after mechanical thrombectomy and selection of candidates for clinical decision making up by the generating pre-MT and peri-MT prognostic models. METHOD: A secondary analysis based on the prospective, multicenter, randomized, non-inferiority clinical trial of Jrecan retriever from China were performed in this study. 187 stroke patients with a large-vessel anterior circulation occlusion, NIHSS score ≥ 6, ASPECT ≥ 7, and stroke onset time within 8 h were enrolled from March 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and followed up for 90 days. Data with mRS cumulative rates of 6, as well as mortality were analyzed and potential predictors for the mortality risk were identified by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 186 patients, the median age was 66 years (IQR, 58-74) and 106 patients (56.4%) were male. The mortality was 20.8% (39/186) and general favorable outcome was obtained in 78 patients (41.7%, 78/187) at 90 days after MT. Five variables including ASPECT≤ 9 (3.136 [1.239-7.939], P = 0.016), Occlusion location with IC-ICA (3.538 [1.604-7.803], P = 0.002), un-Successful recanalization; PH (7.644 [1.890-30.917], P = 0.004), and END (without PH) with a significance of P < 0.05 were entered into the multivariable logistic regression analysis and were incorporated into pre-procedure model and peri-procedure models respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Occlusion with IC-ICA and PH were the strong predictors for mortality risk at 90-day, which could be reduced through good management and evaluation during pre-procedure and peri-procedure of mechanical thrombectomy.

MRI radiomic features-based machine learning approach to classify ischemic stroke onset time.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the ability of MRI radiomics features-based machine learning (ML) models to classify the time since stroke onset (TSS), which could aid in stroke assessment and treatment options. METHODS: This study involved 84 patients with acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation artery occlusion (51 in the training cohort and 33 in the independent test cohort). Region of infarct segmentation was manually outlined by 3D-slicer software. Image processing including registration, normalization and radiomics features calculation were done in R (version 3.6.1). A total of 4312 radiomic features from each image sequence were captured and used in six ML models to estimate stroke onset time for binary classification (≤ 4.5 h). Receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) and other parameters were calculated to evaluate the performance of the models in both training and test cohorts. RESULTS: Twelve radiomics and six clinic features were selected to construct the ML models for TSS classification. The deep learning model-based DWI/ADC radiomic features performed the best for binary TSS classification in the independent test cohort, with an AUC of 0.754, accuracy of 0.788, sensitivity of 0.952, specificity of 0.500, positive predictive value of 0.769, and negative predictive value of 0.857, respectively. Furthermore, adding clinical information did not improve the performance of the DWI/ADC-based deep learning model. The TSS prediction models can be visited at: http://123.57.65.199:3838/deeptss/ . CONCLUSIONS: A unique deep learning model based on DWI/ADC radiomic features was constructed for TSS classification, which could aid in decision making for thrombolysis in patients with unknown stroke onset.

Identification of a novel function of a component in the jasmonate signaling pathway for intensive pesticide degradation in rice and environment through an epigenetic mechanism.

Developing a biotechnical system with rapid degradation of pesticide is critical for reducing environmental, food security and health risks. Here, we investigated a novel epigenetic mechanism responsible for the degradation of the pesticide atrazine (ATZ) in rice crops mediated by the key component CORONATINE INSENSITIVE 1a (OsCOI1a) in the jasmonate-signaling pathway. OsCOI1a protein was localized to the nucleus and strongly induced by ATZ exposure. Overexpression of OsCOI1a (OE) significantly conferred resistance to ATZ toxicity, leading to the improved growth and reduced ATZ accumulation (particularly in grains) in rice crops. HPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis revealed increased ATZ-degraded products in the OE plants, suggesting the occurrence of vigorous ATZ catabolism. Bisulfite-sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that ATZ exposure drastically reduced DNA methylation at CpG context and histone H3K9me2 marks in the upstream of OsCOI1a. The causal relationships between the DNA demethylation (hypomethylatioin), OsCOI1a expression and subsequent detoxification and degradation of ATZ in rice and environment were well established by several lines of biological, genetic and chemical evidence. Our work uncovered a novel regulatory mechanism implicated in the defense linked to the epigenetic modification and jasmonate signaling pathway. It also provided a modus operandi that can be used for metabolic engineering of rice to minimize amounts of ATZ in the crop and environment.

[The Relationship between Plasma sST2/Reg3α Levels and Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Children After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between plasma sST2/Reg3α levels and acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in children after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). METHODS: The clinical data of 29 pediatric patients received allo-HSCT treatment in Department of Hematology and Oncology of Wuhan Children's Hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected at 14 and 28 day after allo-HSCT. The plasma concentrations of sST2 and Reg3α were detected by Luminex assay. RESULTS: Among 29 patients there were 15 males and 14 females with a median age of 53 (29-117) months. After allo-HSCT, 18 patients developed grade 0-I aGVHD; while 11 patients developed grade II-IV aGVHD. These included skin aGVHD in 6 cases, gastrointestinal aGVHD (GI-aGVHD) in 3 cases and gastrointestinal/skin aGVHD in 5 cases. Plasma sST2 level in II-IV aGVHD group showed significantly higher than that in 0-I aGVHD group at 28 days after allo-HSCT [101.81 (73.94-150.77) ng/ml vs 48.97 (28.82-56.69) ng/ml, P=0.021]. Also, the plasma sST2 level was significantly higher in GI-aGVHD group than that in no-aGVHD group at 28 days after allo-HSCT [118.74 (87.00-243.36) ng/ml vs 48.97 (23.55-61.40) ng/ml, P=0.004]. Plasma sST2 level ≥65.34 ng/ml at 28 days after allo-HSCT showed a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 87.5% in predicting II-IV aGVHD. And the patients with a plasma sST2 level ≥65.34 ng/ml showed a significantly higher incidence of II-IV aGVHD than those with plasma sST2 level of < 65.34 ng/ml after allo-HSCT (P=0.021). There was no significant difference in plasma Reg3α level between the patients with II-IV aGVHD and the non-aGVHD ones. CONCLUSION: The increasing plasma sST2 level after allo-HSCT in children indicates the development of II-IV aGVHD, so sST2 is promising as a biomarker for predicting II-IV aGVHD.

Long-term biochar addition alters the characteristics but not the chlorine reactivity of soil-derived dissolved organic matter.

Biochar is widely and increasingly applied to farmlands. However, it remains unclear how long-term biochar addition alters the characteristics and chlorine reactivity of soil-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM), an important terrestrial disinfection byproduct (DBP) precursor in watersheds. Here, we analyzed the spectroscopic and molecular-level characteristics of soil-derived DOM and the formation and toxicity of DBP mixtures from DOM chlorination for two long-term (5 and 11 years) biochar addition experimental farmlands. As indicated by spectroscopic indices and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry analyses, 11 years of biochar addition could increase the humic-like and aromatic and condensed aromatic DOM and decrease the microbial-derived DOM, while 5 years of biochar addition at the other site did not. The response of condensed aromatic dissolved black carbon did not increase with increasing cumulative biochar dose but appeared to be affected by biochar aging time. Despite the possible increase in aromatic DOM, biochar addition neither increased the reactivity of DOM in forming trihalomethanes, haloacetonitriles, chloral hydrates, or haloketones nor significantly increased the microtoxicity or genotoxicity of the DBP mixture. This study indicates that biochar addition in watersheds may not deteriorate the drinking water quality via the export of terrestrial DBP precursors like wildfire events.

Distal left main coronary bifurcation lesions predict worse outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous implantation of drug-eluting stents: results from the Drug-Eluting Stent for the Treatment of Left Main Disease (DISTAL) Study.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the clinical outcome of stenting of unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA). METHODS: We studied 164 patients with nonbifurcated LMCA lesions (group A) and 96 patients with distal bifurcated lesions (group B). RESULTS: Clinical follow-up was available in 100%. Angiographic follow-up was 87.3% in group A and 86% in group B (p = 0.922). There were significant differences in major adverse cardiac events at 1 (p = 0.014) and 2 years (p = 0.002) between group B (19.8%, 25.0%) and group A (9.1%, 10.4%), mainly due to increased target-vessel revascularization (16.7, 21.9% in group B vs. 6.1, 7.3% in group A, p = 0.006 and 0.001, respectively). The double-stent technique was associated with worse outcomes at 1 year in group B compared to group A. Bifurcation lesions (HR 3.42, 95% CI 1.34-5.61, p = 0.001), diabetes (HR 2.68, 95% CI 2.01-12.11, p = 0.015), three-vessel disease (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.27-0.96, p = 0.001), incomplete revascularization (HR 0.15, 95% CI 0.11-0.35, p = 0.001) and stent diameter (HR 5.05, 95% CI 2.71-10.01, p = 0.03) were the independent factors of major adverse cardiac events in the whole patient cohort. CONCLUSION: Stenting unprotected distal bifurcated LMCA was associated with unfavorable results when compared to stenting other LMCA lesions.