ABSTRACT
Aquaculture of bivalve shellfish and algae offers significant ecological benefits, yet the complex interactions between these organisms can substantially impact local carbon dynamics. This study investigated the effects of co-culturing four intertidal bivalve species Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas), Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum), Chinese clams (Cyclina sinensis), and hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) with microalgae (Isochrysis galbana) on specific water quality parameters, including total particulate matter (TPM), total organic matter (TOM), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), dissolved carbon dioxide (dCO2), dissolved oxygen (DO), and ammonium (NH4+) concentrations. The bivalves were divided into smaller and larger groups and cultured under two conditions: with algae (WP) and without (NP), along with matched controls. Total particulate matter (TPM), total organic matter (TOM), dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonium nitrogen (NH4+), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and CO2 (dCO2) were measured before and after 3-h cultivation. Results revealed species-specific impacts on water chemistry. C. gigas, C. sinensis and R. philippinarum showed the strongest reduction in DIC and dCO2 in WP groups, indicating synergistic bioremediation with algae. M. mercenaria notably reduced TPM, highlighting its particle carbon sequestration potential. DO concentrations decreased in most WP or NP groups, reflecting respiration of the cultured bivalves or microalgae. NH4+ levels also declined for most species, indicating nitrogen assimilation by these creatures. Overall, the bivalve size significantly impacted carbon and nitrogen processing capacities. These findings reveal species-specific capabilities in regulating water carbon dynamics. Further research should explore integrating these bivalves in carbon-negative aquaculture systems to mitigate environmental impacts. This study provides valuable insights underlying local carbon dynamics in shallow marine ecosystems.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nursing interns encounter numerous professional pressures during clinical practice. Assessing adversity quotient levels and understanding the influencing factors are crucial for supporting students' seamless transition to professional nurses. PURPOSE: This study examined the adversity quotient subtypes of nursing interns and explored the relationships between adversity quotient and depression, coping styles, positive psychological capital, and professional adaptability. METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional research design, involving a survey of 287 nursing interns in five general hospitals in Shanghai, China. Latent profile analysis was conducted to explore the subtypes of adversity quotient with the four domains as input variables. Multinomial logistic regression models and multiple correspondence analysis were used for subsequent data analysis. RESULTS: The average adversity quotient score of the nursing interns was 116.63 ± 32.22. A three-profile solution was obtained based on the latent profile analysis results. Three distinct subtypes emerged: a high-adversity quotient subtype (n = 50, 17.4%), a medium-adversity quotient subtype (n = 189, 65.9%), and a relatively low-adversity quotient subtype (n = 48, 16.7%). Multinomial logistic regression revealed that nursing interns in the high-adversity quotient subtype tended to be male, and had higher scores for positive psychological capital, negative coping style, and professional adaptability (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Most of the nursing interns were in the medium adversity quotient subtype. Gender, positive psychological capital, negative coping style and professional adaptability were all significantly related to the adversity quotient. Boosting the positive psychological capital of nursing interns is an effective way to improve the adversity quotient.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Depression , Students, Nursing , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Male , Female , Students, Nursing/psychology , China , Adult , Internship and Residency , Young Adult , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
As an essential macronutrient, phosphorus (P) is often a limiting nutrient because of its low availability and mobility in soils. Drought is a major environmental stress that reduces crop yield. How plants balance and combine P-starvation responses (PSRs) and drought resistance is unclear. In this study, we identified the transcription factor ZmPHR1 as a major regulator of PSRs that modulates phosphate (Pi) signaling and homeostasis. We found that maize zmphr1 mutants had reduced P concentration and were sensitive to Pi starvation, whereas ZmPHR1-OE lines displayed elevated Pi concentration and yields. In addition, 57% of PSR genes and nearly 70% of ZmPHR1-regulated PSR genes in leaves were transcriptionally responsive to drought. Under moderate and early drought conditions, the Pi concentration of maize decreased, and PSR genes were up-regulated before drought-responsive genes. The ZmPHR1-OE lines exhibited drought-resistant phenotypes and reduced stomatal apertures, whereas the opposite was true of the zmphr1 mutants. ZmPT7-OE lines and zmspx3 mutants, which had elevated Pi concentration, also exhibited drought resistance, but zmpt7 mutants were sensitive to drought. Our results suggest that ZmPHR1 plays a central role in integrating Pi and drought signals and that Pi homeostasis improves the ability of maize to combat drought.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In order to improve taVNS efficacy, the usage of fMRI to explore the predictive neuroimaging markers would be beneficial for screening the appropriate MDD population before treatment. METHODS: A total of 86 MDD patients were recruited in this study, and all subjects were conducted with the clinical scales and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan before and after 8 weeks' taVNS treatment. A two-stage feature selection strategy combining Machine Learning and Statistical was used to screen out the critical brain functional connections (FC) that were significantly associated with efficacy prediction, then the efficacy prediction model was constructed for taVNS treating MDD. Finally, the model was validated by separated the responding and non-responding patients. RESULTS: This study showed that taVNS produced promising clinical efficacy in the treatment of mild and moderate MDD. Eleven FCs were selected out and were found to be associated with the cortico-striatal-pallidum-thalamic loop, the hippocampus and cerebellum and the HAMD-17 scores. The prediction model was created based on these FCs for the efficacy prediction of taVNS treatment. The R-square of the conducted regression model for predicting HAMD-17 reduction rate is 0.44, and the AUC for classifying the responding and non-responding patients is 0.856. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates the validity and feasibility of combining neuroimaging and machine learning techniques to predict the efficacy of taVNS on MDD, and provides an effective solution for personalized and precise treatment for MDD.
Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder, Major , Machine Learning , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Vagus Nerve Stimulation , Humans , Depressive Disorder, Major/therapy , Depressive Disorder, Major/physiopathology , Depressive Disorder, Major/diagnostic imaging , Male , Adult , Female , Middle Aged , Vagus Nerve Stimulation/methods , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult , Brain/physiopathology , Brain/diagnostic imaging , Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation/methodsABSTRACT
DUSP22, an atypical dual-specificity phosphatase enzyme, plays a significant role in regulating multiple kinase signaling pathways by dephosphorylation. Our study demonstrated that decreased DUSP22 expression is associated with shorter disease-free survival, advanced TNM (tumor, lymph nodes, and metastasis), cancer stage, and higher tumor grade in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. Exogenous DUSP22 expression reduces the colony-forming capacity of lung cancer cells and inhibits xenograft tumor growth primarily by targeting EGFR and suppressing its activity through dephosphorylation. Knockdown of DUSP22 using shRNA enhances EGFR dependency in HCC827 lung cancer cells and increases sensitivity to gefitinib, an EGFR inhibitor. Consistently, genetic deletion of DUSP22 enhances EGFRdel (exon 19 deletion)-driven lung tumorigenesis and elevates EGFR activity. Pharmacological inhibition of DUSP22 activates EGFR, ERK1/2, and upregulates downstream PD-L1 expression. Additionally, lentiviral deletion of DUSP22 by shRNA enhances lung cancer cell migration through EGFR/c-Met and PD-L1-dependent pathways. Gefitinib, an EGFR inhibitor, mechanistically suppresses migration induced by DUSP22 deletion and inhibits c-Met activity. Furthermore, cabozantinib, a c-Met inhibitor, reduces migration and attenuates EGFR activation caused by DUSP22 deletion. Collectively, our findings support the hypothesis that loss of DUSP22 function in lung cancer cells confers a survival advantage by augmenting EGFR signaling, leading to increased activation of downstream c-Met, ERK1/2, and PD-L1 axis, ultimately contributing to the progression of advanced lung cancer.
ABSTRACT
AIM(S): To explore the mediating role of coping styles in the association between illness perception and kinesiophobia in atrial fibrillation patients. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Between June 2021 and November 2022, data were collected using a self-designed demographic questionnaire, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart (TSK-SV Heart) and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ). The sample comprised 474 atrial fibrillation patients recruited from three hospitals in China. To analyse the data, multiple linear regression models with forced entry were employed, and the mediation Mode 4 of the PROCESS macro in SPSS was implemented. RESULTS: In total, 57.8% of patients exhibited a high level of kinesiophobia. Regression analyses uncovered associations between kinesiophobia and various demographic and disease characteristics, as well as assessments of both illness perception and coping styles. Path analysis results indicated that illness perception reduced kinesiophobia through the mediating effect of confrontation, while avoidance and resignation intensified kinesiophobia. The mediating factor of coping styles explained a significant 53% of the overall effect. CONCLUSIONS: Coping styles mediate the relationship between illness perception and kinesiophobia, resulting in a shift in coping styles as illness perception decreases and ultimately leading to reduced kinesiophobia. IMPACT: Coping styles play a mediating role in the relationship between kinesiophobia and illness perception. The results suggest healthcare providers in identifying high-risk individuals and tailoring interventions to effectively break the vicious cycle of kinesiophobia. Therefore, screening and intervening with patients showcasing heightened illness perception aims to promote a transformation in coping styles, subsequently reducing atrial fibrillation kinesiophobia. REPORTING METHOD: The results of the observations were reported in adherence to the STROBE criteria. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient and public involvement.
ABSTRACT
Plants generally enhance their root growth in the form of greater biomass and/or root length to boost nutrient uptake in response to short-term low nitrogen (LN). However, the underlying mechanisms of short-term LN-mediated root growth remain largely elusive. Our genome-wide association study, haplotype analysis, and phenotyping of transgenic plants showed that the crucial nitrate signaling component NIN-LIKE PROTEIN3.2 (ZmNLP3.2), a positive regulator of root biomass, is associated with natural variations in root biomass of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings under LN. The monocot-specific gene AUXIN/INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID14 (ZmAux/IAA14) exhibited opposite expression patterns to ZmNLP3.2 in ZmNLP3.2 knockout and overexpression lines, suggesting that ZmNLP3.2 hampers ZmAux/IAA14 transcription. Importantly, ZmAux/IAA14 knockout seedlings showed a greater root dry weight (RDW), whereas ZmAux/IAA14 overexpression reduced RDW under LN compared with wild-type plants, indicating that ZmAux/IAA14 negatively regulates the RDW of LN-grown seedlings. Moreover, in vitro and vivo assays indicated that AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR19 (ZmARF19) binds to and transcriptionally activates ZmAux/IAA14, which was weakened by the ZmNLP3.2-ZmARF19 interaction. The zmnlp3.2 ZmAux/IAA14-OE seedlings exhibited further reduced RDW compared to ZmAux/IAA14 overexpression lines when subjected to LN treatment, corroborating the ZmNLP3.2-ZmAux/IAA14 interaction. Thus, our study reveals a ZmNLP3.2-ZmARF19-ZmAux/IAA14 module regulating root biomass in response to nitrogen limitation in maize.
ABSTRACT
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reproductive outcomes of women with complete septate uterus and duplicated cervix who either did or did not receive cervical septum incision during hysteroscopic transcervical incision of the uterine septum. DESIGN: Retrospective study approved by the hospital ethics committee. SETTING: Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. PATIENTS: Women with complete septate uterus and duplicated cervix who underwent hysteroscopic transcervical incision of the uterine septum in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University between January 2008 and December 2020 (n = 105). INTERVENTIONS: Hysteroscopic incision of the septum. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Included patients were grouped according to whether or not cervical septum incision was performed. Reproductive outcomes including gravidity, abortion rate, preterm birth rate, full-term birth rate, premature rupture of membranes, and cervical incompetence were assessed. In the no incision group, the abortion rate (7.4%) was significantly lower than that of the incision group (27.6%, p = .01); the preterm birth rate (4.6%) was significantly lower than that of the incision group (36.8%); and the full-term birth rate (95.5%) exceeded that of the incision group (63.2%, p <.01). Incidence of premature rupture of membranes and cervical incompetence during pregnancy was higher in the incision group (15.8% and 10.5%, p <.01 and p = .03). CONCLUSION: Significantly improved reproductive outcomes were observed among patients with complete septate uterus and duplicated cervix whose cervical septum was preserved during the hysteroscopic transcervical incision of the uterine septum procedure.
ABSTRACT
Increasing the penetration and accumulation of antitumor drugs at the tumor site are crucial in chemotherapy. Smaller drug-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) typically exhibit increased tumor penetration and more effective permeation through the nuclear membrane, whereas larger drug-loaded NPs show extended retention at the tumor site. In addition, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have unlimited proliferative potential and are crucial for the onset, progression, and metastasis of cancer. Therefore, a drug-loaded amphiphilic peptide, DDP- and ATRA-loaded Pep1 (DA/Pep1), is designed that self-assembles into spherical NPs upon the encapsulation of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). In an acidic environment, DA/Pep1 transforms into aggregates containing sheet-like structures, which significantly increases drug accumulation at the tumor site, thereby increasing antitumor effects and inhibiting metastasis. Moreover, although DDP treatment can increase the number of CSCs present, ATRA can induce the differentiation of CSCs in breast cancer to increase the therapeutic effect of DDP. In conclusion, this peptide nanodelivery system that transforms in response to the acidic tumor microenvironment is an extremely promising nanoplatform that suggests a new idea for the combined treatment of tumors.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Nanoparticles , Peptides , Tretinoin , Female , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Peptides/chemistry , Humans , Animals , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Tretinoin/chemistry , Tretinoin/pharmacology , Tretinoin/pharmacokinetics , Drug Carriers/chemistry , Cell Line, Tumor , Mice , Neoplastic Stem Cells/drug effects , Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism , Cisplatin/chemistry , Cisplatin/pharmacology , Cisplatin/pharmacokinetics , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Mice, Inbred BALB CABSTRACT
After the second industrial revolution, social productivity developed rapidly, and the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas increased greatly in industrial production. The burning of these fossil fuels releases large amounts of greenhouse gases such as CO2, which has caused greenhouse effects and global warming. This has endangered the planet's ecological balance and brought many species, including animals and plants, to the brink of extinction. Thus, it is crucial to address this problem urgently. One potential solution is the use of syngas fermentation with microbial cell factories. This process can produce chemicals beneficial to humans, such as ethanol as a fuel while consuming large quantities of harmful gases, CO and CO2. However, syngas-fermenting microorganisms often face a metabolic energy deficit, resulting in slow cell growth, metabolic disorders, and low product yields. This problem limits the large-scale industrial application of engineered microorganisms. Therefore, it is imperative to address the energy barriers of these microorganisms. This paper provides an overview of the current research progress in addressing energy barriers in bacteria, including the efficient capture of external energy and the regulation of internal energy metabolic flow. Capturing external energy involves summarizing studies on overexpressing natural photosystems and constructing semiartificial photosynthesis systems using photocatalysts. The regulation of internal energy metabolic flows involves two parts: regulating enzymes and metabolic pathways. Finally, the article discusses current challenges and future perspectives, with a focus on achieving both sustainability and profitability in an economical and energy-efficient manner. These advancements can provide a necessary force for the large-scale industrial application of syngas fermentation microbial cell factories.
Subject(s)
Fermentation , Bacteria/metabolism , Energy Metabolism , BiofuelsABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects and molecular mechanisms of tetrahedral framework nucleic acids-microRNA22 (tFNAs-miR22) on inhibiting pathological retinal neovascularization (RNV) and restoring physiological retinal vessels. A novel DNA nanocomplex (tFNAs-miR22) was synthesised by modifying microRNA-22 (miR22) through attachment onto tetrahedral frame nucleic acids (tFNAs), which possess diverse biological functions. Cell proliferation, wound healing, and tube formation were employed for in vitro assays to investigate the angiogenic function of cells. Oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model was utilised to examine the effects of reducing pathological neovascularization (RNV) and inhibiting vascular occlusion in vivo. In vitro, tFNAs-miR22 demonstrated the ability to penetrate endothelial cells and effectively suppress cell proliferation, tube formation, and migration in a hypoxic environment. In vivo, tFNAs-miR22 exhibited promising results in reducing RNV and promoting the restoration of normal retinal blood vessels in OIR model through modulation of the Wnt pathway. This study provided a theoretical basis for the further understanding of RNV, and highlighted the innovative and potential of tFNAs-miR22 as a therapeutic option for ischemic retinal diseases.
Subject(s)
Cell Proliferation , MicroRNAs , Retinal Neovascularization , Wnt Signaling Pathway , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Animals , Wnt Signaling Pathway/drug effects , Humans , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Retinal Neovascularization/metabolism , Retinal Neovascularization/pathology , Retinal Neovascularization/drug therapy , Mice , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Cell Movement/drug effects , Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism , Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Nucleic Acids/metabolismABSTRACT
Rationale: Multiple copies in T-cell malignancy 1 (MCT-1) is a prognostic biomarker for aggressive breast cancers. Overexpressed MCT-1 stimulates the IL-6/IL-6R/gp130/STAT3 axis, which promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer stemness. Because cancer stemness largely contributes to the tumor metastasis and recurrence, we aimed to identify whether the blockade of MCT-1 and IL-6R can render these effects and to understand the underlying mechanisms that govern the process. Methods: We assessed primary tumor invasion, postsurgical local recurrence and distant metastasis in orthotopic syngeneic mice given the indicated immunotherapy and MCT-1 silencing (shMCT-1). Results: We found that shMCT-1 suppresses the transcriptomes of the inflammatory response and metastatic signaling in TNBC cells and inhibits tumor recurrence, metastasis and mortality in xenograft mice. IL-6R immunotherapy and shMCT-1 combined further decreased intratumoral M2 macrophages and T regulatory cells (Tregs) and avoided postsurgical TNBC expansion. shMCT-1 also enhances IL-6R-based immunotherapy effectively in preventing postsurgical TNBC metastasis, recurrence and mortality. Anti-IL-6R improved helper T, cytotoxic T and natural killer (NK) cells in the lymphatic system and decreased Tregs in the recurrent and metastatic tumors. Combined IL-6R and PD-L1 immunotherapies abridged TNBC cell stemness and M2 macrophage activity to a greater extent than monotherapy. Sequential immunotherapy of PD-L1 and IL-6R demonstrated the best survival outcome and lowest postoperative recurrence and metastasis compared with synchronized therapy, particularly in the shMCT-1 context. Multiple positive feedforward loops of the MCT-1/IL-6/IL-6R/CXCL7/PD-L1 axis were identified in TNBC cells, which boosted metastatic niches and immunosuppressive microenvironments. Clinically, MCT-1high/PD-L1high/CXCL7high and CXCL7high/IL-6high/IL-6Rhigh expression patterns predict worse prognosis and poorer survival of breast cancer patients. Conclusion: Systemic targeting the MCT-1/IL-6/IL-6R/CXCL7/PD-L1 interconnections enhances immune surveillance that inhibits the aggressiveness of TNBC.
Subject(s)
B7-H1 Antigen , Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms , Humans , Animals , Mice , B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism , Interleukin-6/metabolism , Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Cell Line, Tumor , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/prevention & control , Immunotherapy , Tumor MicroenvironmentABSTRACT
MicroRNAs are crucial regulators of gene expression in maize. However, the mechanisms through which miRNAs control internode elongation remain poorly understood. This study engineered varying levels of internode elongation inhibition, revealing that dwarfing treatments diminished gibberellin levels, curtailed cell longitudinal growth, and slowed the rate of internode elongation. Comprehensive transcriptome and miRNA profiling of the internode elongation zone showed gene expression changes that paralleled the extent of the internode length reduction. We identified 543 genes and 29 miRNAs with significant correlations to internode length, predominantly within families, including miR164 and miR396. By incorporating target gene expression levels, we pinpointed nine miRNA-mRNA pairs that are significantly associated with the regulation of the internode elongation. The inhibitory effects of these miRNAs on their target genes were confirmed through dual-luciferase reporter assays. Overexpression of miR164h in maize resulted in increased internode and cell length, suggesting a novel genetic avenue for manipulating plant stature. These miRNAs may also serve as precise spatiotemporal regulators for in vitro plant development.
Subject(s)
MicroRNAs , Humans , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Zea mays/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolismABSTRACT
The development of highly selective Janus Kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitors is crucial for improving efficacy and minimizing adverse effects in the clinical treatment of autoimmune diseases. In a prior study, we designed a series of C-5 4-pyrazol substituted pyrrolopyridine derivatives that demonstrated significant potency against JAK1, with a 10 â¼ 20-fold selectivity over Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2). Building on this foundation, we adopted orthogonal strategy by modifying the C-5 position with 3-pyrazol/4-pyrazol/3-pyrrol groups and tail with substituted benzyl groups on the pyrrolopyridine head to enhance both potency and selectivity. In this endeavor, we have identified several compounds that exhibit excellent potency and selectivity for JAK1. Notably, compounds 12b and 12e, which combined 4-pyrazol group at C-5 site and meta-substituted benzyl tails, displayed IC50 value with 2.4/2.2 nM and high 352-/253-fold selectivity for JAK1 over JAK2 in enzyme assays. Additionally, both compounds showed good JAK1-selective in Ba/F3-TEL-JAK1/2 cell-based assays. These findings mark a substantial improvement, as these compounds are 10-fold more potent and over 10-fold more selective than the best compound identified in our previous study. The noteworthy potency and selectivity properties of compounds 12b and 12e suggest their potential utility in furthering the development of drugs for autoimmune diseases.
Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases , Heterocyclic Compounds , Humans , Structure-Activity Relationship , Janus Kinase 1/metabolism , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Janus Kinase 2/metabolismABSTRACT
Entanglement entropy is a fundamental concept with rising importance in various fields ranging from quantum information science, black holes to materials science. In complex materials and systems, entanglement entropy provides insight into the collective degrees of freedom that underlie the systems' complex behaviours. As well-known predictions, the entanglement entropy exhibits area laws for systems with gapped excitations, whereas it follows the Gioev-Klich-Widom scaling law in gapless fermion systems. However, many of these fundamental predictions have not yet been confirmed in experiments due to the difficulties in measuring entanglement entropy in physical systems. Here, we report the experimental verification of the above predictions by probing the nonlocal correlations in phononic systems. We obtain the entanglement entropy and entanglement spectrum for phononic systems with the fermion filling analog. With these measurements, we verify the Gioev-Klich-Widom scaling law. We further observe the salient signatures of topological phases in entanglement entropy and entanglement spectrum.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To determine the differences in 3D shape features between septate uterus (SU) and normal uterus and to train a network to automatically delineate uterine cavity on 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A total of 43 patients (22 cases of partial septate uterus and 21 cases of complete septate uterus) were included in the experimental group. Nine volunteers were recruited as a control group. The uterine cavity (UC), myometrium (UM), and cervical canal of the uterus were segmented manually using ITK-SNAP software. The three-dimensional shape features of the UC and UM were extracted by using PyRadiomics. The recurrent saliency transformation network (RSTN) method was used to segment the UC. Results: The values of four 3D shape features were significantly lower in the control group than in the partial septate group and the complete septate group, while the values of two features were significantly higher (p < 0.05). The UCs of the three groups were significantly different in terms of flatness and sphericity. The values of six features were significantly lower in the UMs of the control group than in those of the partial septate group and the complete septate group (p < 0.05). After the deep learning networks were trained, the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) scores of the four folds for different thresholds were all over 80 %. The average volume ratio between predictions and manual segmentation was 101.2 %. Conclusions: Based on 3D reconstruction, 3D shape features can be used to comprehensively evaluate septate uterus and provide a reference for subsequent research. The UC can be automatically segmented on 3D MRI using the RSTN method.
ABSTRACT
Lipid remodeling is crucial for cold tolerance in plants. However, the precise alternations of lipidomics during cold responses remain elusive, especially in maize (Zea mays L.). In addition, the key genes responsible for cold tolerance in maize lipid metabolism have not been identified. Here, we integrate lipidomic, transcriptomic, and genetic analysis to determine the profile of lipid remodeling caused by cold stress. We find that the homeostasis of cellular lipid metabolism is essential for maintaining cold tolerance of maize. Also, we detect 210 lipid species belonging to 13 major classes, covering phospholipids, glycerides, glycolipids, and free fatty acids. Various lipid metabolites undergo specific and selective alterations in response to cold stress, especially mono-/di-unsaturated lysophosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositol, as well as polyunsaturated phosphatidic acid, monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, and triacylglycerol. In addition, we identify a subset of key enzymes, including ketoacyl-acyl-carrier protein synthase II (KAS II), acyl-carrier protein 2 (ACP2), male sterility33 (Ms33), and stearoyl-acyl-carrier protein desaturase 2 (SAD2) involved in glycerolipid biosynthetic pathways are positive regulators of maize cold tolerance. These results reveal a comprehensive lipidomic profile during the cold response of maize and provide genetic resources for enhancing cold tolerance in crops.
Subject(s)
Lipidomics , Zea mays , Zea mays/genetics , Lipidomics/methods , Lipid Metabolism/genetics , Triglycerides , Carrier Proteins/metabolismABSTRACT
Nitrate (NO3 - ) is crucial for optimal plant growth and development and often limits crop productivity under low availability. In comparison with model plant Arabidopsis, the molecular mechanisms underlying NO3 - acquisition and utilization remain largely unclear in maize. In particular, only a few genes have been exploited to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Here, we demonstrated that NO3 - -inducible ZmNRT1.1B (ZmNPF6.6) positively regulated NO3 - -dependent growth and NUE in maize. We showed that the tandem duplicated proteoform ZmNRT1.1C is irrelevant to maize seedling growth under NO3 - supply; however, the loss of function of ZmNRT1.1B significantly weakened plant growth under adequate NO3 - supply under both hydroponic and field conditions. The 15 N-labelled NO3 - absorption assay indicated that ZmNRT1.1B mediated the high-affinity NO3 - -transport and root-to-shoot NO3 - translocation. Transcriptome analysis further showed, upon NO3 - supply, ZmNRT1.1B promotes cytoplasmic-to-nuclear shuttling of ZmNLP3.1 (ZmNLP8), which co-regulates the expression of genes involved in NO3 - response, cytokinin biosynthesis and carbon metabolism. Remarkably, overexpression of ZmNRT1.1B in modern maize hybrids improved grain yield under N-limiting fields. Taken together, our study revealed a crucial role of ZmNRT1.1B in high-affinity NO3 - transport and signalling and offers valuable genetic resource for breeding N use efficient high-yield cultivars.
Subject(s)
Arabidopsis , Nitrogen , Nitrogen/metabolism , Nitrates/metabolism , Zea mays/genetics , Zea mays/metabolism , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Plant Breeding , Arabidopsis/genetics , Plant Roots/metabolismABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aims of this retrospective study were to evaluate the clinical applicability of the latest International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD) and International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy (IFCPC) terminology for vulvar diseases, and to explore a new evaluation flow to optimize decision-making on diagnosis. METHODS: A total of 1,068 patients with 5,340 qualified vulvar images were evaluated by observers using 2011 ISSVD and 2011 IFCPC terminology systems. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, Youden Index and Overall Diagnostic Value (ODV) were calculated for each finding in the two systems. Then the disease diagnosis order and a diagnosis flow draft (DFD) were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 15 kinds of vulvar diseases were diagnosed. The proportion of patients accompanied with cervical or vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia was highest (83.3â¯%) in vulvar Paget's disease group (p<0.001). Total area of lesions was larger in vulvar Paget's disease, lichen simplex chronicus and lichen sclerosus group (p<0.001). Among the top five findings of ODV, some findings inferred several (≥6) kinds of diseases, while some findings only exist in a certain disease. When the DFD was used, the agreement between the initial impression and histopathology diagnosis was 68.8â¯%, higher than those when ISSVD an IFCPC terminology systems used (p=0.028), and it didn't change with the experience of the observer (p=0.178). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings in ISSVD and IFCPC terminology systems, we explored a DFD for observers with different experience on the detection of vulvar disease.