A novel model for runoff prediction based on the ICEEMDAN-NGO-LSTM coupling.

Prediction of runoff trends is a critical topic in hydrological forecasting. Accurate and reliable prediction models are important for the rational use of water resources. This paper proposes a new coupled model, ICEEMDAN-NGO-LSTM, for runoff prediction in the middle reaches of the Huai River. This model combines the excellent nonlinear processing capability of the Improved Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (ICEEMDAN) algorithm, the perfect optimization strategy of the Northern Goshawk Optimization (NGO) algorithm, and the advantages of the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) algorithm in modeling time series data. The results show that the ICEEMDAN-NGO-LSTM model predicts the monthly runoff trend with higher accuracy compared to the actual data variation. The average relative error is 5.95% within 10%, and the Nash Sutcliffe (NS) is 0.9887. These results indicate that the ICEEMDAN-NGO-LSTM coupled model has superior prediction performance and provides a new method for short-term runoff forecasting.

Soil bacterial communities associated with marbled fruit in Citrus reticulata Blanco 'Orah'.

Citrus reticulata Blanco 'Orah' is grown throughout southern China and provides enormous economic value. However, the agricultural industry has suffered substantial losses during recent years due to marbled fruit disease. The present study focuses on the soil bacterial communities associated with marbled fruit in 'Orah'. The agronomic traits and microbiomes of plants with normal and marbled fruit from three different orchards were compared. No significant differences were found in agronomic traits between the groups, except for higher fruit yields and higher quality of fruits in normal fruit group. Additionally, a total of 2,106,050 16S rRNA gene sequences were generated via the NovoSeq 6000. The alpha diversity index (including the Shannon and Simpson indices), Bray-Curtis similarity, and principal component analyses indicated no significant differences in microbiome diversity between normal and marbled fruit groups. For the healthy 'Orah', the most abundant associated phyla were Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. In comparison, Burkholderiaceae and Acidobacteria were the most abundant taxa with the marbled fruit group. In addition, the family Xanthomonadaceae and the genus Candidatus Nitrosotalea were prevalent with this group. Analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways showed that several pathways related to metabolism significantly differed between the groups. Thus, the present study provides valuable information regarding soil bacterial communities associated with marbled fruit in 'Orah'.

Clinical Utility of Next-Generation Sequencing for Developmental Disorders in the Rehabilitation Department: Experiences from a Single Chinese Center.

This study investigated the clinical and genetic characteristics of developmental disorders (DDs) in children attending a rehabilitation department. A total of 94 children with suspected rare and undiagnosed DDs were included in this study. All patients were subjected to next-generation sequencing by means of proband single whole-exome sequencing (Pro-WES) or trio whole-exome sequencing (Trio-WES). To investigate the copy number variations (CNVs), 63 patients were subjected to the trio strategy, and 17 cases were subjected to the proband single strategy. The patients developed early and suffered from severe symptoms. WES reached a high diagnostic rate (48.7%, 46/94), and de novo (48.3%, 28/58) was the main pathogenic form. Most identified single-nucleotide variations (SNVs)/small insertions and deletions (indels) were found only in one patient. The number of uncertain significant locus in the patients taking Trio-WES was significantly lower than that in patients taking Pro-WES (2.1% vs 2.8%). Compared with hereditary mutations passed from parents, pathogenicity was more obvious in de novo mutations. The diagnostic rate of WES accompanied by CNVseq (57.5%, 46/80) was significantly higher (p = 0.016) than WES alone. Next-generation sequencing exhibited a satisfactory diagnostic rate for DDs patients in the rehabilitation department. Compared with the proband-only model, the family trio strategy should be employed more frequently because it can reduce the number of uncertain significant sites and help to identify de novo pathogenic mutations.

Prenatal Diagnosis and Molecular Analysis of a Large Novel Deletion (- -JS) Causing α0-Thalassemia.

α-Thalassemia (α-thal) is a very common single gene hereditary disease caused by large deletions or point mutations of the α-globin gene cluster in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Here, we report for the first time, a novel large α-thal deletion in a Chinese family from Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China (PRC), which removes almost the entire α2 and α1 genes from the α-globin gene cluster. Thus, it was named the Jiangsu deletion (- -JS) on the α-globin gene cluster causing α0-thal. Heterozygotes for this deletion showed an α-thal trait phenotype with reduced mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (Hb) (MCH) levels. The sequencing results showed that a 2538 bp deletion (NG_000006.1: g.35801_38338) existed in this novel genotype on the basis of -α4.2 (leftward), indicating a deletion of about 6.8 kb from the α-globin cluster. In addition, a 29 bp sequence was inserted into the deletion during the recombination events that led to this deletion. Through pedigree analysis, we knew that the proband inherited the novel allele from his mother.

Genetic Susceptibility to Norovirus GII.4 Sydney Strain Infections in Taiwanese Children.

BACKGROUND: A comprehensive evaluation of associations between the susceptibility to norovirus infections and histo-blood group antigens is not available in the Taiwanese population, in which the nonsecretor phenotype is absent. METHODS: A 1:1 matched case-control study was conducted in northern Taiwan from February 2013 to December 2014 when an epidemic of norovirus infection occurred. Cases were children <18 years old who were hospitalized because of diarrhea and were found to have laboratory-confirmed norovirus infections. Controls were healthy children matched to the cases by age and gender. The norovirus genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction sequencing of the VP1 gene. The secretor status, Lewis antigen and ABO type were determined by characterization of genetic polymorphisms in the FUT2, FUT3 and ABO genes, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 147 case-control pairs were included. GII.4 Sydney strain was the major genotype and identified in 78.3% of the cases. The weak-secretor and Lewis-positive genotypes were less commonly identified in cases than in controls (5.4% vs. 23.1% and 79.6% vs. 89.8%, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that the secretor and Lewis-negative genotypes were both independent factors associated with increased risk of norovirus infections [matched odds ratio: 6.766, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.649-17.285, P < 0.0001 and matched odds ratio: 3.071, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.322-7.084, P = 0.0085, respectively]. The ABO types were not significantly related to norovirus infections (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The weak-secretor genotype and the Lewis antigen-positive genotype were both protective factors against severe norovirus gastroenteritis during the GII.4 Sydney strain epidemic in Taiwan.

Annexin A2, up-regulated by IL-6, promotes the ossification of ligament fibroblasts from ankylosing spondylitis patients.

BACKGROUND: Annexin A2, a calcium-dependent phospholipid binding protein, is involved in osteogenesis. The objective of the present study was to explore the expression of Annexin A2 in spinal ligament tissues (LT) of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and determine its pathological functions. METHODS: mRNA and protein expression of Annexin A2 was detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration in serum was assessed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured with ALP activity kit on a microplate reader. RESULTS: mRNA and protein expression of Annexin A2 in LT, and IL-6 concentration in serum were significantly increased in AS patients. Moreover, exogenous IL-6 treatment significantly up-regulated Annexin A2 expression and ALP activity. Silencing of Annexin A2 expression significantly ameliorated IL-6-induced ossification of fibroblasts from AS patients, as indicated by ALP activity, expression of proteins associated with osteogenic differentiation, including bone morphogenetic protein-2, osteocalcin and osterix, and the ratio of osteoprotegerin to receptor activator of NF-κB ligand. Further MEK inhibitor experiments suggested that Annexin A2 may exert its function through extracellular signal-related kinase pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Annexin A2, up-regulated by IL-6, may promote ligament ossification of AS patients.

[Evaluation of the effect for ffh gene silencing on the aciduricity of fluoride resistant Streptococcus mutans].

PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of ffh gene silencing on the aciduricity of fluoride resistant Streptococcus mutans in vitro. METHODS: By using electroporation, UA159-FR was transformed and combined with targeted site of ffh gene sequence, and the best piece of siRNA for fluoride resistant Streptococcus mutans was screened. In different values of pH of BHI, they were cultured for 24 hours with UA159-FR respectively, and then centrifugated to determine the pH and OD600. SPSS17.0 software package was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The aciduricity of UA159-FR had significant differences compared with ffh gene silencing for UA159-FR in δpH (P<0.05), and the former was higher than the latter. At pH=3.5-5.0, P<0.01; at pH=5.5-7.5, P<0.05. Significant differences were noted in OD600 and their growth tendency were similar. CONCLUSIONS: The aciduricity of fluoride resistant Streptococcus mutans has significant effect when the ffh gene is silenced.

Two Novel α 1,2-Fucosyltransferase Alleles in an H-Deficient Phenotype Individual.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal α1,2-fucosyltransferase activity due to gene mutation results in decreased synthesis of H antigen and leads to an H-deficient phenotype. Here we studied the underlying molecular mechanisms in 7 Chinese blood donors with the H-deficient phenotype. METHODS: Red blood cell typing was performed using standard serologic tests, and ABO genotype was analyzed using ABO polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primer tests. The coding sequence of the FUT1 gene was amplified using the specific primers. The FUT1 alleles were identified by a pCRII-TOPO carrier for TOPO TA cloning sequencing. RESULTS: The H-deficient phenotype frequency was estimated to be approximately 1/30,000 (6/159,515) in the Chinese Han population. The FUT1 gene mutation was demonstrated in 6 Chinese blood donors with the H-deficient phenotype. In only 1 case, no mutation was detected. Novel FUT1 alleles were found in 1 donor. One of these novel FUT1 alleles showed nucleotide 35C>T and 748C>T site mutations that resulted in amino acid substitution of Ala to Val and Trp to Arg at positions 11 and 250, respectively. Another novel FUT1 allele had a nucleotide 655G>C site mutation, causing amino acid substitution of Leu to Val at position 219. CONCLUSIONS: Two novel FUT1 alleles, 35T+748T and 655C, were identified that may greatly diminish the activity of α1,2-fucosyltransferase and result in the H-deficient phenotype.

[Serological survys on anti-H1N1 IgG of blood donors in Dongguan].

OBJECTIVE: To access the sustained immune effect in influenza A H1N1 vaccine vaccinated-blood donors as well as the level of anti-H1N1 IgG in unvaccinated-blood donors in order to provide reference for preventing and treating influenza A H1N1. METHODS: Anti-H1N1 IgG was detected in 1166 vaccinated-blood donors as well as 1265 unvaccinated-blood donors by ELISA method in Dongguan from January 2010 to June 2010. RESULTS: The mean positive rate and high-titer rate of anti-H1N1 IgG were 78.82% and 46.57% respectively, both of which were sustained at relatively high level after reaching their peak at vaccination time of 71-90 d. The mean positive rate of anti-H1N1 IgG in unvaccinated-blood donors was 26.01%. No difference was found in the positive rate of anti-H1N1 IgG among different gender or age groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The influenza A H1N1 vaccine, with good sustained immune effect, plays an important role in preventing and treating influenza A H1N1. The positive rate of anti-H1N1 IgG in influenza A HIN1 vaccine unvaccinated-blood donors is low. Vaccination should be strengthened.

Separation of sensitized and non-sensitized RBCs: sephadex-based cell-affinity adsorbents.

INTRODUCTION: In transfusion medicine, antibodies that cause RBCs positive DATs, may interfere with patients' phenotyping. Traditionally, these antibodies were removed using various antibody elution methodologies. However, the elution agents and conditions used have been only partially successful; and no one method is superior. The purpose of this study was to develop a general and efficient method to separate non-sensitized from sensitized RBCs using Sephadex-based cell-affinity adsorbents. METHODS: First, we coupled Sephadex support with Staphylococcal Protein G (SpG) with or without NHS. Then we simulated clinical conditions by mixing different ratios of sensitized and non-sensitized RBCs in vitro. Sensitized cells were prepared by mixing antibody with corresponding antigen-positive RBCs. Finally, we checked the sensitization status of absorbed RBCs after absorption with modified Sephadex support. RESULTS: The number of sensitized RBCs bound to Sephadex-based cell-affinity adsorbents is approximately 5×10(8) RBCs/mL support. Activated Sephadex could separate sensitized from non-sensitized RBCs. Conclusion Sephadex-based cell-affinity adsorbents with an NHS spacer arm have bigger capacity for binding RBCs than unmodified Sephadex. The Sephadex-based cell-affinity adsorbents readily separate non-sensitized RBCs from sensitized RBCs, thus providing a new strategy to type the blood for transfused patients.

[Determination of electron density in atmospheric pressure radio frequency dielectric barrier discharges by Stark broadening].

The use of high frequency power to generate plasma at atmospheric pressure is a relatively new development. An apparatus of atmospheric pressure radio frequency dielectric barrier discharge was constructed. Plasma emission based measurement of electron density in discharge columns from Stark broadening Ar is discribed. The spacial profile of electron density was studied. In the middle of the discharge column, as the input power increases from 138 to 248 W, the electron density rises from 4.038 x 10(21) m(-3) to 4.75 x 10(21) m(-3).

Transplantation of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells improves survival rates in a rat model of acute hepatic necrosis.

INTRODUCTION: Stem cell-based therapies are emerging as important and promising methods in the treatment of end-stage liver disease. This study is aimed to evaluate the effects of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell (HUCBMSC) transplantation in acute hepatic necrosis (AHN). METHODS: Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled HUCBMSCs were injected into the liver of rats in which AHN was induced by carbon tetrachloride, and the migration of these cells in liver slices was evaluated from 48 hours to 4 weeks post-transplantation. The transdifferentiation status of the HUCBMSCs was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and survival rates were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Dispersed GFP fluorescence was observed along the portal area 48 hours after transplantation. One week post-transplantation, GFP-positive cells were found in necrotic liver areas, and GFP-positive cells persisted after 4 weeks. Immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that transplanted HUCBMSCs expressed several human liver tissue-specific markers in rats with AHN. Statistical analysis revealed that rats with AHN that were transplanted with HUCBMSCs had significantly lower death rates after 48 hours than those receiving no HUCBMSCs. CONCLUSION: HUCBMSC transplantation can significantly improve the survival of rats with AHN. The underlying mechanisms involved may include the transdifferentiation of HUCBMSCs into hepatocyte-like cells and targeted migration of these cells to liver lesion sites.

[Source and air-sea fluxes of heavy metals in the atmospheric particles of East China Sea].

From 2006 to 2007, four surveys for marine atmosphere in East China Sea were carried out included different seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter). Based on the survey data of heavy metals in marine atmospheric particles, analyzed the source of heavy metals by the calculation of Enrichment Factors, calculated the air-sea fluxes via dry deposition. The results showed, comparing with the crustal and seawater, the heavy metals including Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn were highly concentrated, mainly from the pollutants of human activities. The fluxes of heavy metals via dry deposition were Zn [10.92 mg/(m2 x a)] > Pb [2.299 mg/(m2 x a)] > Cu [1.611 mg/(m2 x a)] > Cd [0.017 mg/(m2 x a)]. The fluxes of heavy metals in winter were highest,the summer and autumn were lower. The input of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd from atmosphere to sea via dry deposition was 2 376 t, nearly 13% compared with the input of The Changjiang River (Yangtze River).

The manual Polybrene test has limited sensitivities for detecting the Kidd blood group system.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Kidd system antibodies, if undetected, can cause immediate or delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions as well as hemolytic disease of the newborn. There have been anecdotal reports about the inefficiency of the manual Polybrene test in detecting these antibodies. Here, we sought to determine the sensitivity of the manual Polybrene test in detecting anti-Jk(a) and anti-Jk(b) antibodies and Jk(a) and Jk(b) antigens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten archived anti-Jk(a)/Jk(b) antibody positive human sera were examined by both the manual Polybrene test and the indirect antiglobulin test using polyspecific antibodies, monospecific anti-IgG antibodies and anti-C3 antibodies. Furthermore, 40 randomly selected donor blood samples were collected and phenotyped for the frequencies of Jk(a) and Jk(b) antigens using the manual Polybrene test and the indirect antiglobulin test. The results from these tests were further confirmed by saline tube tests. RESULTS: The manual Polybrene test displayed an overall sensitivity of 60% in detecting anti-Jk(a) and anti-Jk(b) antibody. Specifically, it had a sensitivity of 57.14% for anti-Jk(a) antibody and a sensitivity of 66.7% for anti-Jk(b) antibody. Furthermore, the manual Polybrene test exhibited a sensitivity of 46.15% for Jk(a) antigen and a sensitivity of 77.42% for Jk(b) antigen. CONCLUSION: The manual Polybrene test has a very low sensitivity in detecting anti-Jk(a) and anti-Jk(b) antibody, especially anti-Jk(a) antibody. It is also a very insensitive test for detecting Jk(a) antigen.

[Study about seroconversion of HBV NAT screening-positive crowd from blood donors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of seroconversion of HBV NAT screening-positive crowd from blood donors in Dongguan city and provide reference for the safety of blood transfusion and disease prevention. METHODS: With retrospective survey, Nucleic acid testing (NAT) was used to analyze 28800 HBsAg-negative samples by ELISA from blood donors in Dongguan city from August, 2006 to August, 2007 with Roche Cobas AmpliScreen systems; and follow-up research including NAT for HBV-DNA, ELISA for HBsAg and multiple factors analysis for HBV infection was carried out on HBV NAT screening-positive crowd. RESULTS: 10 positive pooling were screened from 28800 samples; after further detection, 2 of these positive pooling were HBV-DNA negative and 8 HBV-DNA positive samples were found.The 10-week follow-up research on these 8 blood donors showed that 6 were HBV-DNA positive and HBsAg-negative at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks respectively, 1 was not HBsAg positive until 2 weeks and was positive on follow-up, and considered in "window period", 1 was HBV-DNA negative, HBsAg-negative on follow-up. Of these 8,7 were not only migrant laborers with poor condition of work, life and health but also in high risk of secondary infection for HBV, in addition they had little idea of therapy or prevention measures of HBV infection and the other 1 was HBV-DNA negative, HBsAg-negative on follow-up, who was in better condition than the above 7 donors. CONCLUSION: NAT is more sensitive than ELISA in screening HBV, but the probability of being false positive of NAT can not be ignored at the same time. On the hand, only screening HBsAg for HBV is relative limitation in high infection region of China. Some factors would have effect on the serum conversion of blood donors including the quality of work and life, therapy or prevention measures.

[Analysis of DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR genetic polymorphism in Chinese Han population].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the genetic polymorphism of DC-SIGN's and DC-SIGNR's neck regions in normal Chinese Han population, and to obtain the genetic data of the two loci in Chinese Han population. METHODS: The genotypes and alleles of repeat sequences of DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR neck region were typed by PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis and sequencing. Polymorphism information content (PIC) of DC-SIGNR was calculated. RESULTS: DC-SIGN genetic polymorphism was rare. Allele 7 was most and its frequency was 0.9808. 4-, 5-, 6- and 8- alleles were also found, although their frequencies were very low. Caucasians had only 6- and 8- allele mutants; DC-SIGNR genetic polymorphism was high, its PIC was 0.5312, 4-,5-,6-,7-,8-,9- alleles and 16 genotypes were found in normal Chinese Han population. The differences of 6/5,7/4,7/5,7/6,7/7,9/5,9/7,9/9 genotypes distribution and 5-,6-,7-,9- alleles frequency between normal Chinese Han population and Caucasian population were all extremely distinct (P<0.01). The inserted mutation seemed more in Chinese Hans than Caucasian population. CONCLUSION: DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR genotypes and alleles distribution in Chinese Han population are significantly different from Caucasian population and with Chinese own population genetic characteristics, compared with Caucasians.

[Comparison of homemade and imported HbsAg ELISA kits on screening blood samples].

BACKGROUND: To evaluate homemade and imported HbsAg ELISA kits on screening blood donors. METHODS: Samples for evaluation included 120 HbsAg serum plates for the golden criteria and 400 sets of serum from blood donors in Dongguan. The samples underwent blind screening with homemade and imported ELISA kits respectively. RESULTS: The sensitivity of homemade (Xinchuang) and imported (Diasorin) HbsAg ELISA kit were 85.71% (72/84) and 100% (84/84), respectively. Their specificity was 100% (436/436) and 96.55% (421/436) respectively. The consistency of two ELISA kits was 100%. CONCLUSION: The imported ELISA kit had the highest sensitivity, but its specificity was not as good as that of homemade ELISA kit. The two kinds of ELISA kits had good repetition. The combination of the two reagents may ensure the safety of blood transfusion.

Possible insensitivity of the polybrene antibody screen to detect anti-Jka.

An acute hemolytic transfusion reaction (AHTR) occurred in a 28-yr-old gravida immediately after transfusion with leukocyte-reduced red cells. The patient gave no history of prior transfusion. Initial serologic testing by the polybrene method was negative for both antibody screening and cross-matching. Further testing by the indirect anti-globulin test (IAT) demonstrated the presence of anti-Jka antibodies. These observations suggest a limitation in polybrene testing for Jka antibodies associated with hemolytic transfusions. Caution is advised when the polybrene test is used as the sole determinant for anti-Jka.

Comparison of microbial community between two shallow freshwater lakes in middle Yangtze basin, East China.

In order to investigate the role of the microbial community in aquatic ecology and nutrient transformations in the development of eutrophication in large shallow freshwater lakes along Yangtze River, the microbial community in the depth-related sediment in Lake Chaohu and Lake Longganhu were compared. Lake Chaohu is one of the three most polluted lakes in China. However, the neighboring Lake Longganhu, a mesotrophic lake, is relatively pristine. The total phosphorous (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) concentration in water was detected at 0.193 mgl(-1) and 3.035 mgl(-1) for Lake Chaohu, 0.051 mgl(-1) and 0.774 mgl(-1) for Lake Longganhu, respectively. The population of the microorganisms with various ecological nutrient transforming functions (e.g. phosphate solubilizing, denitrifying and cellulose decomposing) and a batch of environmental parameters concerning the nutrient accumulating and transforming (e.g. total organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorous concentrations) were assayed in the depth-related sediment samples from several defined points in both lakes. The sediment samples from Lake Chaohu showed higher density of actinomycetes (P<0.05) and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (P<0.001) and less profusion of denitrifying bacteria (P<0.05) and cellulolytic microbes (P<0.001), compared with those of Lake Longganhu. The data suggested that the current microbial community in the sediment of Lake Chaohu is in favor of sustaining or further accelerating the process of the lake eutrophication. A possible positive feedback loop which consists of sustained growth of microorganisms and gradual decline of lake eutrophic status is worth further discussing.