Life expectancy and mental related burden of disease among people living with HIV/AIDS.

Mental health problems leads to serious disease burden among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). The study aimed at measuring the mental disorders-caused burden of disease based on PLHIV in mainland China. The data used was from the national HIV/AIDS case reporting system, life expectancy (LE) and LE-eliminated suicide were evaluated by the life-table method. The total YLLs and YLLs caused by suicide in each age group were calculated. The disability weights were estimated by the scale of depression symptoms (CES-D) from the multi-center cross-sectional survey, then calculated the corresponding YLDs as a burden of mental illness among PLHIV. Results showed that the LE had been prolonged by implementing antiviral therapy for PLHIV. The proportion of YLLs caused by suicide was the highest (5·46%) in the 15-24 age group. The YLDs in the 25-34 age group were the highest. The YLLs caused by suicide in males were higher than those in the same age group of females. The YLDs and YLLs were higher in heterosexual-infected PLHIV than in homosexual-infected PLHIV, except for YLLs in the 25-34 age group. In summary, this study first provided localized data on the disease burden caused by mental health problems among PLHIV.

Effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiac function and health status in chronic heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Numerous clinical studies have explored sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and SGLT2i were proved to significantly reduce CHF hospitalization, cardiovascular death, cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction in patients with or without T2DM. However, only a limited few have investigated the effects of SGLT-2i on HF disease-specific health status and cardiac function. This meta-analysis aims to assess the effects of SGLT2i on disease-specific health status and cardiac function in CHF patients. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted of trials by searching in PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus, and Web of Science, and two Chinese databases (CNKI and Wanfang), Clinical Trials ( http://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov ) were also searched. RESULTS: A total of 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 23,953 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The effects of SGLT2 inhibitors were compared with control or placebo groups in CHF with or without T2DM. The SGLT2 inhibitors group exhibited a significant reduction in pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels by 136.03 pg/ml (95% confidence interval [CI]: -253.36, - 18.70; P = 0.02). Additionally, a greater proportion of patients in the SGLT2 inhibitors group showed a ≥ 20% decrease in NT-proBNP (RR = 1.45, 95% CI [0.92, 2.29], p = 0.072). However, no statistically significant difference was observed for the effects on B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). The use of SGLT-2 inhibitors led to a noteworthy improvement in LVEF by 2.79% (95% CI [0.18, 5.39];P = 0.036). In terms of health status, as assessed by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) and 6-minute walk distance, SGLT2 inhibitors led to a significant improvement in KCCQ clinical summary (KCCQ-CS) score (WMD = 1.7, 95% CI [1.67, 1.73], P < 0.00001), KCCQ overall summary (KCCQ-OS) score (WMD = 1.73, 95% CI [0.94, 2.52], P < 0.00001), and KCCQ total symptom (KCCQ-TS) score (WMD = 2.88, 95% CI [1.7, 4.06], P < 0.00001). Furthermore, the occurrence of KCCQ-CS and KCCQ-OS score increases ≥ 5 points had relative risks (RR) of 1.25 (95% CI [1.11, 1.42], P < 0.00001) and 1.15 (95% CI [1.09, 1.22], P < 0.00001), respectively. Overall, SGLT2 inhibitors increased the 6-minute walk distance by 23.98 m (95% CI [8.34, 39.62]; P = 0.003) compared to control/placebo from baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The SGLT2 inhibitors treatment offers an effective strategy for improving NT-proBNP levels, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire scores and 6-minute walk distance in CHF with or without T2DM. These findings indicate that SGLT2i improve cardiac function and health status in CHF with or without T2DM, and provide valuable guidance for clinicians making treatment decisions for patients with CHF.

Uncoordinated Coupling Assessment of New Urbanization and Ecological Carrying Capacity in the Yellow River Basin.

Under the restriction of the national "double carbon" goal, how to realize the coordination between urbanization and low-carbon development in the Yellow River Basin is a problem worthy of attention. In this paper, a new urbanization and ecological carrying capacity evaluation index system is established to evaluate the new urbanization level and ecological carrying capacity of the Yellow River Basin. On this basis, the uncoordinated coupling level of new urbanization and ecological carrying capacity in the Yellow River Basin is measured by using the improved uncoordinated coupling model, and its temporal and spatial characteristics and internal impact mechanism are analyzed. The study shows that the new urbanization and ecological carrying capacity of the Yellow River Basin has a benign development trend as a whole. Shandong province belongs to the low-level uncoordinated coupling type; Gansu Province and Qinghai Province belong to the running-in uncoordinated type; and Shanxi Province, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Shaanxi Province, and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region belong to the antagonistic uncoordinated coupling type. The uncoordinated coupling degree between new urbanization and ecological carrying capacity in the Yellow River Basin has a spatial interaction effect. It presents a low-level cluster centered on Shaanxi Province and Shandong Province and a high-level cluster centered on Gansu Province, Qinghai Province, and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. From the perspective of the internal main impact mechanism, water resources have a two-way impact on the development of the two systems of new urbanization and ecological carrying capacity; the number of permanent residents and the level of scientific and technological investment have a one-way impact on the process of new urbanization; and the green coverage rate of built-up areas has a one-way impact on the development of ecological carrying capacity. The main contributions of this paper are as follows. First, the evaluation index system of new urbanization and ecological carrying capacity has been improved in combination with the new development concept. The evaluation of new urbanization by this index system is more in line with the current national requirements for high-quality development. Second, the impact of potential resources and human regulation has been added to the traditional ecological carrying capacity evaluation index system, and the evaluation of ecological carrying capacity by this index system is more in line with reality. Thirdly, taking the time effect into account, an improved uncoordinated coupling method is proposed. Using this method to evaluate the relationship between systems is conducive to bringing the dynamic relationship within the system into the evaluation system, which is more in line with the reality of system changes. Fourth, from the perspective of problem diagnosis, research on the relationship between new urbanization and ecological carrying capacity will help to find the internal mechanism that affects the coordinated development of new urbanization and ecological carrying capacity in the Yellow River Basin. This method is universal for exploring the internal influence mechanism of the relationship between systems.

Environmental Performance Evaluation of Key Polluting Industries in China-Taking the Power Industry as an Example.

This paper analyzes the environmental performance, spatial and temporal characteristics, and optimization paths of key polluting industries, represented here by the power industry, using the super-efficient MinDS model. The study shows that the environmental performance as a whole presents the characteristics of an inverted U-shaped and then a U-shaped trend; each region presents an asymmetric state of convergent development followed by differentiated development, with 2014 as the structural change point; the development trend of environmental performance in each region is divided into three categories (rising, falling, and stable) and four types of spatial clustering (ultra-high, high, medium, and low levels); and input-output indicators of environmental performance in China and across regions have varying degrees of redundancy, with labor input redundancy being the greatest, followed by capital input, technology input, and pollution emissions. On this basis, we propose to improve the monitoring and inspection mechanism of the implementation process of pollution control in key polluting industries and to improve the level of environmental performance of key polluting industries by optimizing the combination of labor, capital, and technology input factors in each region according to local conditions and adopting differentiated strategies. The main contributions of this paper are threefold: first, we incorporate technological inputs into the environmental performance evaluation index system of the electric power industry, which can better reflect the real inputs of the electric power industry and measure the results more accurately; second, we adopt the MinDS model for measuring the environmental performance level, which can quantitatively analyze the gap between each indicator and the optimal level; and third, we propose a redundancy index, which can be used to compare the redundancy of each indicator and then judge the main efficiency levels of the different factors.

Identification of a locus conferring dominant resistance to maize rough dwarf disease in maize.

Maize rough dwarf disease (MRDD) is a severe viral disease of maize that occurs worldwide, particularly in the summer maize-growing areas in China, resulting in yield losses and quality deterioration in susceptible maize varieties. An effective solution to control MRDD is to use resistance genes to improve the behavior of susceptible genotypes. Here, we employed maize F2 populations derived from a cross between susceptible line S221 and resistant line K36 for the deep sequencing of the two DNA pools containing extremely resistant and susceptible F2 individuals, and used traditional linkage analysis to locate the resistance-related genomic region. The results showed that MRDD resistance in K36 was controlled by a single dominant locus, and an associated region was identified within the genomic interval of 68,396,487 bp and 69,523,478 bp on chromosome 6. Two simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers 6F29R29 and 6F34R34 were tightly linked to the MRDD resistance locus. The findings of the present study improve our understanding of the inheritance patterns of MRDD resistance, and should inform MRDD-resistant maize breeding programs.

Genome-wide sequencing of longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) provides insights into molecular basis of its polyphenol-rich characteristics.

Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.), an important subtropical fruit in the family Sapindaceae, is grown in more than 10 countries. Longan is an edible drupe fruit and a source of traditional medicine with polyphenol-rich traits. Tree size, alternate bearing, and witches' broom disease still pose serious problems. To gain insights into the genomic basis of longan traits, a draft genome sequence was assembled. The draft genome (about 471.88 Mb) of a Chinese longan cultivar, "Honghezi," was estimated to contain 31 007 genes and 261.88 Mb of repetitive sequences. No recent whole-genome-wide duplication event was detected in the genome. Whole-genome resequencing and analysis of 13 cultivated D. longan accessions revealed the extent of genetic diversity. Comparative transcriptome studies combined with genome-wide analysis revealed polyphenol-rich and pathogen resistance characteristics. Genes involved in secondary metabolism, especially those from significantly expanded (DHS, SDH, F3΄H, ANR, and UFGT) and contracted (PAL, CHS, and F3΄5΄H) gene families with tissue-specific expression, may be important contributors to the high accumulation levels of polyphenolic compounds observed in longan fruit. The high number of genes encoding nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) and leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase proteins, as well as the recent expansion and contraction of the NBS-LRR family, suggested a genomic basis for resistance to insects, fungus, and bacteria in this fruit tree. These data provide insights into the evolution and diversity of the longan genome. The comparative genomic and transcriptome analyses provided information about longan-specific traits, particularly genes involved in its polyphenol-rich and pathogen resistance characteristics.

Ras-Related Nuclear Protein Ran3B Gene Is Involved in Hormone Responses in the Embryogenic Callus of Dimocarpus longan Lour.

Ras-related guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding nuclear protein (Ran) GTPases function as molecular switches and regulate diverse cellular events in eukaryotes. Our previous work suggested that DlRan3B is active during longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) somatic embryogenesis (SE) processes. Herein, subcellular localization of DlRan3B was found to be localized in the nucleus and expression profiling of DlRan3B was performed during longan SE and after exposure to plant hormones (indoleacetic acid (IAA), gibberellin A3 (GA3), salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonte (MeJA), and abscisic acid (ABA)). We cloned and sequenced 1569 bp of 5'-flanking sequence of DlRan3B (GenBank: JQ279697). Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the promoter contained plant hormone-related regulatory elements. Deletion analysis and responses to hormones identified stimulative and repressive regulatory elements in the DlRan3B promoter. The key elements included those responding to auxin, gibberellin, SA, MeJA, and ABA. DlRan3B was located in the nucleus and accumulated in the late stage of longan SE. The expression of DlRan3B was significantly induced by IAA, GA3, and ABA, but suppressed by SA and MeJA. Promoter transcription was induced by IAA and GA3, but suppressed by SA. Thus, DlRan3B might participate in auxin, gibberellin, and ABA responses during longan late SE, and DlRan3B is involved in phytohormone responsiveness.

Identification of Immune Related LRR-Containing Genes in Maize (Zea mays L.) by Genome-Wide Sequence Analysis.

A large number of immune receptors consist of nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeat (NBS-LRR) proteins and leucine rich repeat-receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLK) that play a crucial role in plant disease resistance. Although many NBS-LRR genes have been previously identified in Zea mays, there are no reports on identifying NBS-LRR genes encoded in the N-terminal Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) motif and identifying genome-wide LRR-RLK genes. In the present study, 151 NBS-LRR genes and 226 LRR-RLK genes were identified after performing bioinformatics analysis of the entire maize genome. Of these identified genes, 64 NBS-LRR genes and four TIR-NBS-LRR genes were identified for the first time. The NBS-LRR genes are unevenly distributed on each chromosome with gene clusters located at the distal end of each chromosome, while LRR-RLK genes have a random chromosomal distribution with more paired genes. Additionally, six LRR-RLK/RLPs including FLS2, PSY1R, PSKR1, BIR1, SERK3, and Cf5 were characterized in Zea mays for the first time. Their predicted amino acid sequences have similar protein structures with their respective homologues in other plants, indicating that these maize LRR-RLK/RLPs have the same functions as their homologues act as immune receptors. The identified gene sequences would assist in the study of their functions in maize.

Endogenous target mimics down-regulate miR160 mediation of ARF10, -16, and -17 cleavage during somatic embryogenesis in Dimocarpus longan Lour.

MicroRNA160 plays a critical role in plant development by negatively regulating the auxin response factors ARF10, -16, and -17. However, the ways in which miR160 expression is regulated at the transcriptional level, and how miR160 interacts with its targets during plant embryo development, remain unknown. Here, we studied the regulatory relationships among endogenous target mimics (eTMs), and miR160 and its targets, and their involvement in hormone signaling and somatic embryogenesis (SE) in Dimocarpus longan. We identified miR160 family members and isolated the miR160 precursor, primary transcript, and promoter. The promoter contained cis-acting elements responsive to stimuli such as light, abscisic acid, salicylic acid (SA) and heat stress. The pri-miR160 was down-regulated in response to SA but up-regulated by gibberellic acid, ethylene, and methyl jasmonate treatment, suggesting that pri-miR160 was associated with hormone transduction. Dlo-miR160a, -a(∗) and -d(∗) reached expression peaks in torpedo-shaped embryos, globular embryos and cotyledonary embryos, respectively, but were barely detectable in friable-embryogenic callus. This suggests that they have expression-related and functional diversity, especially during the middle and later developmental stages of SE. Four potential eTMs for miR160 were identified. Two of them, glucan endo-1,3-beta- glucosidase-like protein 2-like and calpain-type cysteine protease DEK1, were confirmed to control the corresponding dlo-miR160a(∗) expression level. This suggests that they may function to abolish the binding between dlo-miR160a(∗) and its targets. These two eTMs also participated in 2,4-D and ABA signal transduction. DlARF10, -16, and -17 targeting by dlo-miR160a was confirmed; their expression levels were higher in friable-embryogenic callus and incomplete compact pro-embryogenic cultures and responded to 2,4-D, suggesting they may play a major role in the early stages of longan SE dependent on 2,4-D. The eTMs, miR160, and ARF10, -16, and -17 exhibited tissue specificity in 'Sijimi' longan vegetative and reproductive organs, but were not significant negatively correlated. These results provide insights into the possible role of the eTM-miR160-ARF10-16-17 pathway in longan somatic embryo development.

DlRan3A is involved in hormone, light, and abiotic stress responses in embryogenic callus of Dimocarpus longan Lour.

Ras-related nuclear protein (Ran) GTPase plays an important role in nucleo-cytoplasmic transportation of proteins and RNA, mitotic spindle assembly, microtubule assembly and nuclear envelope (NE) assembly. We previously identified the full-length cDNAs and a DNA of DlRan3A from longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) somatic embryos and demonstrated its possible roles in cell activities during longan somatic embryogenesis (SE). However, thus far little is known of how Ran functions in the signaling pathways in plant embryos in response to changing environmental stimuli. To discover more biological roles of DlRan3A, we observed DlRan3A located in the nucleus and detected abundant accumulation of DlRan3As in globular and cotyledon embryos during longan SE, which suggested its involvement in auxin signal pathways in longan early SE. The transcript level of the DlRan3A gene were also determined in longan embryogenic callus (EC) in response to different levels of exogenous phytohormones (indoleacetic acid (IAA), gibberellin A3 (GA3), salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and ethephon (Eth)), salt, sucrose, prolonged culturing period and light quality treatments. IAA (1mg/L), GA3 (12 mg/L), SA (75 µm), MeJA (50 and 100 µm), and Eth (50mg/L) modulate expression of DlRan3A to 1.3-1.4 folds, and the expression of DlRan3A was significantly affected by light quality, significantly induced to 2-fold by salt (10 g/L), 2.7-fold by sucrose (90 g/L) and was completely suppressed by prolonged cultivation (>40 days). Deletion analysis suggested that both activation and repression regulatory elements co-exist in the DlRan3A promoter sequence and that the key cis-acting elements included ones in response to auxin, SA, MeJA, and stress. Promoter activities were induced to the highest level by IAA followed by SA, GA3 and MeJA, while suppressed by ABA and Eth. Together, these results showed DlRan3A close involvement in phytohormones, light, and abiotic stress responsiveness during longan SE.

[The serological and genetic identification of a CisAB blood sample].

OBJECTIVE: To verify the DNA sequence of a sample serologically identified as CisAB. METHODS: Forward and reverse group methods were used to determine the blood serological type of that the sample, and PCR-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) method was used for genotyping the sample. RESULTS: Serologically, the forward group test showed that the sample was AB, while the reverse group test showed that the sample had the anti-B and anti-H + + +. The auto antibodies were negative. PCR-SSP assay showed the sample was CisAB01. ABO genetic locus sequencing showed c.261delG in exon 6, c.297 was homozygous AA. Mutations c.467C to T and c.803G to C were found in exon 7. A novel heterozygous mutation, c.724G to T, was detected. CONCLUSION: The serological phenotype of the specimen was CisAB. The genotype was ABO *CisAB01 and ABO *O01. A novel mutation c.724G to T in exon 7 was identified (GenBank accession no. JF304777).

Ghrelin-attenuated cognitive dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetic encephalopathy is clinically characterized by acquired behavior and cognitive dysfunction but its pathogenesis is not clear. This study aimed to explore the pathogenesis of diabetic encephalopathy and the mechanisms of ghrelin to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in diabetic rats. Thirty-six streptozotocin diabetic rat models were established; 12 weeks later, all the rats were randomly divided into 3 groups [diabetic model group (D), ghrelin treatment group (T1), and ghrelin and D-lys-3-GHRP-6 treatment group (T2)] of 12 each. Twelve normoglycemic rats were classified in the normal group (N). Learning and memory behaviors were measured using a spatial version of the Morris water maze test. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB), phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), caspase-3, and Bcl-xl protein expressions in the hippocampi of all the rats were detected using immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expressions of BDNF, CREB, and caspase-3 were examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The hippocampus neuronal apoptosis was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling method. We found that learning and memory level in the ghrelin treatment group improved significantly, expression of Bcl-xl, BDNF, CREB, p-CREB, and p-ERK1/2 in the hippocampus was increased in the ghrelin treatment group, and the number of apoptotic neurons in the hippocampus decreased remarkably. Our results showed that the changes of BDNF, CREB, and hippocampus neuronal apoptosis might be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic encephalopathy. We suggested that ghrelin improved cognitive ability in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by improving the expressions of BDNF and CREB and by attenuating hippocampus neuronal apoptosis. The effects of ghrelin depend on the receptor of ghrelin, GHSR-1a, and ERK1/2 pathway.

[Preparation and spectral characterization of CdS(y)Te(1-y) thin films].

CdS(y)Te(1-y) (0 < or = y < or = 1) polycrystalline thin films were prepared on glass substrates by co-evaporation of powders of CdTe and CdS. For the characterization of the structure and composition of the CdS(y)Te(1-y) thin films the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used. The results indicate that the values of sulfur content y detected and controlled by the quartz wafer detector show good agreement with the EDS results. The films were found to be cubic for x < 0. 3, and hexagonal for x > or = 0.3. The 20-50 nm of grain sizes for CdS(y)Te(1-y) thin films were calculated using a method of XRD analysis. Finally, the optical properties of CdS(y)Te(1-y) thin films were characterized by UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy alone. According to a method from Swanepoel, together with the first-order Sellmeier model, the thickness, of d-535 nm, energy gap of E(g)-1.41 eV, absorption coefficient, alpha(lambda) and refractive index, n(lambda) of CdS(0.22) Te(0.78) thin films were determined from the transmittance at normal incidence of light in the wavelength range 300-2 500 nm. The results also indicate that the CdS(y)Te(1-y) thin films with any composition (0 < or = y < or = 1) can be prepared by co-evaporation, and the method to characterize the optical properties of CdS(y)Te(1-y) thin films can be implemented for other semiconductor thin films.

Image background removal in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography.

This paper describes a new technique for removing the background level from digital images produced in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC). Background removal is an important first step in the larger problem of quantitative analysis. The approach estimates the background level across the chromatographic image based on structural and statistical properties of GCxGC data. Then, the background level is subtracted from the image, producing a chromatogram in which the peaks rise above a near-zero mean background. After the background level is removed, further analysis is required to determine the quantitative relationship between the peaks and chemicals in the sample. The algorithm is demonstrated experimentally to be effective at determining and removing the background level from GCxGC images. The algorithm has several parametric controls and is incorporated into an interactive program with graphical interface for rapid and accurate detection of GCxGC peaks.