Nutrient addition does not increase the benefits of clonal integration in an invasive plant spreading from open patches into plant communities.

One benefit of clonal integration is that resource translocation between connected ramets enhances the growth of the ramets grown under stressful conditions, but whether such resource translocation reduces the performance of the ramets grown under favourable conditions has not produced consistent results. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that resource translocation to recipient ramets may reduce the performance of donor ramets when resources are limiting but not when resources are abundant. We grew Mikania micrantha stolon fragments (each consisting of two ramets, either connected or not connected) under spatially heterogeneous competition conditions such that the developmentally younger, distal ramets were grown in competition with a plant community and the developmentally older, proximal ramets were grown without competition. For half of the stolon fragments, slow-release fertiliser pellets were applied to both the distal and proximal ramets. Under both the low and increased soil nutrient conditions, the biomass, leaf number and stolon length of the distal ramets were higher, and those of the proximal ramets were lower when the stolon internode was intact than when it was severed. For the whole clone, the biomass, leaf number and stolon length did not differ between the two connection treatments. Connection did not change the biomass of the plant communities competing with distal ramets of M. micrantha. Although clonal integration may promote the invasion of M. micrantha into plant communities, resource translocation to recipient ramets of M. micrantha will induce a cost to the donor ramets, even when resources are relatively abundant.

[Establishment of Geographic Information System on risk assessment regarding infectious diseases imported to China].

Objectives: To establish a geographic information application system for analyzing the spatial and temporal distribution of major infectious diseases in various regions of the world and to assess the risk of importation of those diseases, to China. Methods: We collected and integrated the following information on: 1) outbreaks and areas of epidemics of major infectious diseases in the world from 2000 to 2017, 2) cases of infectious diseases in arriving travelers through active surveillance at international entry-exit ports in mainland China from 2014 to 2016, 3) numbers of annual global international flights and travelers in the country. With the above information, a global space-time distribution database on major infectious diseases was then established, using the technology related to the system. Models regarding technologies on time-space analysis, probabilistic risk assessment and geographic information visualization, were applied to establish a geographic information system on risk assessment of infectious diseases that imported to China. Results: Through integration of information on outbreaks and epidemic areas of 60 major infectious diseases in 220 countries and regions around the world, as well as 42 kinds of infectious diseases identified among the international arrivals in mainland China, a system was then developed. Information on the distribution of major infectious diseases and their potential risks in the worldwide various regions, characteristics of spectrum and disease burden of infectious diseases imported to each province of mainland China were displayed. Thus, risks on importing infectious diseases in each province via air way were able to be evaluated and simulated by the probabilistic risk assessment model, under the information on specific kind of infectious disease, outside China. Conclusion: Geographic Information System on Risk Assessment Regarding Infectious Diseases Imported to China provides basic data for epidemiological reconnaissance and assessment on risks of importing infectious diseases outside China, thus would be helpful for the improvement of strategies on surveillance, prevention and control regarding the importing infectious diseases, in China.

Influence of lncRNA HOTAIR on acute kidney injury in sepsis rats through regulating miR-34a/Bcl-2 pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To study the regulatory effect of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) on acute kidney injury (AKI) in sepsis rats and its regulatory mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sepsis-induced AKI model was established in Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats through cecal ligation puncture. A total of 30 SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group and lncRNA HOTAIR mimic group, with 10 rats in each group. Relative levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in kidney tissues were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Apoptosis of kidney tissues was detected via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Moreover, the target gene of miR-34a was searched using the miRNA online database. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of miR-34a and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) were detected via Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Compared with those in the control group, the rats in the model group showed injured pathological morphology of kidney, elevated contents of TNF-α and IL-1ß, and apoptosis in kidney tissues. The target gene of miR-34a was Bcl-2, according to the miRNA online database. MiR-34a level in kidney tissues was upregulated, while the mRNA level of Bcl-2 significantly decreased in the model group. Compared with those in the model group, the pathological morphology of kidney tissues was improved, the content of TNF-α and IL-1ß markedly declined, and the apoptotic rate of kidney tissues also reduced in lncRNA HOTAIR mimic group. The miR-34a level in kidney tissues decreased, while the Bcl-2 mRNA level remarkably increased in lncRNA HOTAIR mimic group. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA HOTAIR overexpression can alleviate AKI in sepsis rats by inhibiting the apoptosis of kidney tissues by downregulating the miR-34a/Bcl-2 signaling pathway.

[Myofibroma/myofibromatosis: a clinicopathologic analysis of 9 cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinical and histological features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of myofibroma/myofibromatosis. Methods: The clinical data and pathology features of nine cases of myofibroma/myofibromatosis were collected from August 2011 to November 2016 in Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School and Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Immunohistochemistry(IHC), PDGFRB molecular analysis and ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion were performed and relevant literature reviewed. Results: There were 7 males and 2 females, with age ranging from 3 days to 18 years (mean 5 years). The tumors were located in head and neck (eight cases) and trunk (one case). Clinically, the tumors presented as freely movable nodules. Microscopically, they appeared biphasic with alternating light- and dark-staining areas. The light-staining area consisted mainly of plump myoid spindle cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm arranged in nodules, short fascicles, or whorls.The dark-staining area was composed of round or polygonal cells with slightly hyperchromatic nuclei or small spindle cells arranged around a distinct hemangiopericytoma-like vascular pattern. IHC showed the tumor cells in the light-staining area were strongly positive for vimentin and SMA, while cells in dark-staining area were strongly positive for vimentin, and weakly for SMA. Tumor cells were negative for desmin, S-100 protein, h-Caldesmon, CD34 and STAT6. Analysis of PDGFRB mutations was performed in seven cases. Two cases showed 12 exon point mutation c. 1681 c>T(p.R561C), one case showed 14 exon point mutation c. 1998C>G (p.N666K). ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion was not detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization in four patients under three years old. All cases were followed for 6 to 68 months, with two recurrences. Conclusions: Myofibroma/myofibromatosis is an uncommon benign myofibroblastic tumor of infancy and childhood. The tumor can appear biphasic, and may show PDGFRB point mutation which is of potential diagnostic value.

[Comparative study of three different decalcifying solutions in bone metastasis specimens with breast cancer].

Objective: To investigate the optimal strategy for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining in bone metastasis specimens from breast cancer. Methods: Twenty-eight bone metastases specimens from breast cancers were divided into three groups and subjected to different decalcifying agents (group A-10% nitrate, group B-EDTA decalcification, and group C-imported decalcifying solution RapidCal). The effects of those on HE and IHC staining for Ki-67, ER, PR, GATA3, RANK, RANKL, HER2 and HER2 FISH results were assessed. Results: There were no significant differences among three groups in HE morphology and IHC staining. Antigen content in the RapidCal group were all intact; the EDTA group showed a similar staining rate, which was better than the nitrate group (P<0.05). Nitrate group showed marked reduction in nuclear Ki-67 staining, but the loss of cytoplasmic antigens (RANK, RANKL) was less than cell membrane antigen (HER2). For FISH, the RapidCal group and EDTA group showed same results, concordant with IHC staining results. The expression of HER2 protein in the nitric acid group was significantly decreased and chromosome 17 labelling was lost (P<0.05). Conclusions: RapidCal treated bone metastases specimens from breast cancer show excellent sample quality in morphological, IHC and FISH results compared with traditional decalcifying agents. Owing to the longer time of EDTA decalcification, the new decalcifying agent RapidCal plays an important role in quality control and clinical application.

Two-beam combined 3.36 J, 100 Hz diode-pumped high beam quality Nd:YAG laser system.

In this paper, we develop a diode-pumped all-solid-state high-energy and high beam quality Nd:YAG laser system. A master oscillator power amplifier structure is used to provide a high pulse energy laser output with a high repetition rate. In order to decrease the amplifier working current so as to reduce the impact of the thermal effect on the beam quality, a beam splitting-amplifying-combining scheme is adopted. The energy extraction efficiency of the laser system is 50.68%. We achieve 3.36 J pulse energy at a 100 Hz repetition rate with a pulse duration of 7.1 ns, a far-field beam spot 1.71 times the diffraction limit, and 1.07% energy stability (RMS).

Cholecystokinin octapeptide purified from brains of Australian marsupials.

Cholecystokinin octapeptides (CCK8s) have been purified from methanol extracts of two brains from each of two Australian marsupials, Tammar Wallaby and Eastern Quoll, containing 3 nmol and 2 nmol of the peptides, respectively. Immunoreactive CCK was concentrated on QMA SepPak cartridges and purified by two successive HPLC steps on Nova C18 radial-pak cartridges. The sequence of each of the peptides is identical with that previously reported for Old World mammals (DYMGWMDF). This is in contrast to the previously reported sequence for CCK8 from the South American hystricomorphs, guinea pig and chinchilla, which differs in a substitution of valine for methionine in position 3 from the NH2-terminus. Although evolutionary history suggests that marsupials migrated from South America into Australia before the two continents separated, this peptide resembles that found in Old World mammals rather than that of South American hystricomorphs. Such molecular data are useful in assessing phylogenetic relationships among taxa.

Cholecystokinin mRNA in porcine cerebellum.

Using previously cloned cDNAs to pig brain prepro-cholecystokinin mRNA and slot blot and S1 nuclease protection assays, the relative cholecystokinin mRNA levels in different regions of the pig brain were measured. The relative amounts of cholecystokinin mRNA generally correlated well with the levels of cholecystokinin-immunoreactive peptides in the various regions tested. One clear exception was noted in the cerebellum; in this region, levels of cholecystokinin mRNA were about 20% of the levels in brain cortex (or second highest level in all areas tested) whereas the mature forms of cholecystokinin peptides (cholecystokinin 58, cholecystokinin 8) were undetectable (less than 3 pmol/g). In vitro translation of cerebellar and cortical cholecystokinin mRNA indicated that there was no difference in the efficiency with which these two RNAs were translated into immunoreactive prepro-cholecystokinin. DNA sequence analysis confirmed that a cloned full-length cerebellar cholecystokinin cDNA was indistinguishable from its cortical counterpart and, therefore, must encode an identical prepro-cholecystokinin. We conclude that there are pronounced regional differences in cholecystokinin expression in pig brain. The apparent discrepancy between levels of immunoreactive cholecystokinin peptides and cholecystokinin mRNA in the cerebellum could be explained by a high turnover rate for the peptides, differential processing of the peptides, or tissue-specific inhibition of cholecystokinin mRNA translation.

Cholecystokinin octapeptides purified from chinchilla and chicken brains.

Cholecystokinin octapeptides (CCK8's) have been purified from methanol extracts of 30 chinchilla and 50 chicken brains containing 9.3 nmol and 8.5 nmol of the peptides respectively. Immunoreactive CCK was concentrated on a DEAE trisacryl column and purification effected by two successive HPLC steps. The peptides were each shown to have a sulfated tyrosine. The sequences of the two peptides are compared with the corresponding CCK8's of pig and guinea pig (GP). Chinchilla & GP: D Y V G W M D F; Chicken & pig: D Y M G W M D F. Since chinchilla insulin resembles other mammalian insulins more than does GP insulin, it is of particular interest that the CCK8's of these two species are identical and raises the question as to whether other brain-gut peptides of the chinchilla, which is a New World mammal as is the GP, would resemble those of the GP or the corresponding peptides of Old World mammals.