A novel recombinant human microplasminogen induced complete posterior vitreous detachment without morphological change of retina in juvenile rabbits.

Vitreomacular traction syndrome results from persistent vitreoretinal adhesions in the setting of partial posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Vitrectomy and reattachment of retina is an effective therapeutic approach. The adhesion between vitreous cortex and internal limiting membrane (ILM) of the retina is stronger in youth, which brings difficulties to induce PVD in vitrectomy. Several clinical investigations demonstrated that intravitreous injection of plasmin before vitrectomy could reduce the risk of detachment. In our study, a novel recombinant human microplasminogen (rhµPlg) was expressed by Pichia pastoris. Molecular docking showed that the binding of rhµPlg with tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) was similar to plasminogen, suggesting rh µPlg could be activated by t-PA to generate microplasmin (µPlm). Moreover, rhµPlg had higher catalytic activity than plasminogen in amidolytic assays. Complete PVD was found at vitreous posterior pole of 125 µg rhµPlg-treated eyes without morphological change of retina in juvenile rabbits via intraocular injection. Our results demonstrate that rhµPlg has a potential value in the treatment of vitreoretinopathy.

[Effects of Organic Materials on Phosphorus Fractions and phoD-harboring Bacterial Community in Karst Soil].

Efficient utilization of organic materials based on the rich resources in the karst region can promote soil fertility. Microorganisms have a crucial influence on soil phosphorus availability. phoD is considered to be the encoding phosphatase gene that can reflect the hydrolysis of organophosphorus compounds for the soil bacterial community. Molecular analysis of the phoD-harboring bacterial gene provides insight into promoting soil phosphorus availability under different fertilization managements. However, the effects of organic materials on soil phosphorus fractions associated with phoD-harboring bacterial communities are poorly understood. This study comprehensively investigated the effects of organic materials on soil phosphorus availability and explored environmental drivers of phoD-harboring bacteria in the Karst region. Here, six treatments were designed in the field as follows:non-fertilized control (CK), inorganic fertilization (NPK), inorganic fertilization combined with straw (NPKS), inorganic fertilization combined with manure (NPKM), inorganic fertilization combined with sludge (NPKL), and inorganic fertilization combined with sugarcane ash (NPKA). The phoD-harboring bacterial community in Karst region soil was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that the content of total P (TP), Olsen-P, and Ca2-P increased with the years after organic material application, whereas the content of CaCl2-P first decreased and then increased. Compared to that under the CK treatment, organic material application, especially NPKL treatment, significantly increased soil total nitrogen (TN), TP, Olsen-P, CaCl2-P, and Ca2-P contents, followed by those in the NPKA and NPKM treatments. Correlation analysis showed that the contents of CaCl2-P, Ca2-P, and Olsen-P were significantly positively correlated with soil exchangeable calcium (Ca-ex) content. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that TN, Ca-ex, soil organic carbon (SOC), and total potassium (TK) contents were the key factors affecting soil P fractions. Using high-throughput sequencing, we found that only NPKS increased the richness of phoD-harboring bacteria compared to that under the control treatment. No significant difference was observed in the phoD-harboring bacterial community among all treatments. The RDA model selected the Ca-ex, TK, Olsen-P, pH, and SOC as the key environmental predictors for the phoD-harboring bacterial community. In summary, soil phosphorus availability can be improved through the input of organic materials and inorganic fertilizer combined with manure, sludge, and ash. These additions were suitable for nutrient management and sustainable development in farmland soil in the Karst region of Guangxi.

No association between myeloperoxidase gene rs2333227 G>A polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease risk: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Evidence suggests that there is a close association between myeloperoxidase (MPO) gene rs2333227 G>A polymorphism with Alzheimer's disease (AD) susceptibility. We conducted a meta-analysis to explore the precise association between MPO rs2333227 G>A polymorphism and AD susceptibility. Online databases were searched and the relevant information was collected. Crudeodds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Trial sequential analysis (TSA), heterogeneity analyses, accumulative analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication biasestests were performed. Overall, nine publications (ten independent case-controls) were included in this meta-analysis, involving 3260 participants. Pooled results revealed no significant association between MPO rs2333227 G>A polymorphism and AD susceptibility was observed. TSA showed that the present meta-analysis remained inconclusive due to insufficient evidence. In summary, the current meta-analysis indicated that the MPO rs2333227 G>A polymorphism may not be acausalfactor in the development of AD.

[Characteristics of Microbial Utilization for Crop Residue-Derived C in Paddy and Upland Soils].

Two typical subtropical agricultural soils, a flooded paddy soil and its adjacent upland, were collected and then incubated with or without 13C-labeled crop residue (maize straw) for 40 days. During the incubation, the mineralization rate of the crop residue was monitored, and the 13C incorporated into fungal and bacterial phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) was quantified. At the early stage (0.25-1 days), the mineralization rate of crop residue was faster in paddy soil than that in upland soil, whereas the opposite trend was observed from 2 to 20 days. At the late stage (21-40 days), the mineralization rate was similar in both soils. At the end of incubation, 11% of the total crop residue was mineralized in paddy soil, which was about half of that in upland soil (20%). Although paddy soil had a higher amount of microbial biomass (indicated by total PLFA), the total amounts of 13C-PLFA were comparable in both soils, and the enrichment ratio (proportion of 13C to total C in PLFA) was lower in paddy soil than that in upland soil. This indicated that the microbial community in paddy soil was less active in the uptake of crop residue C than that in upland soil. During the incubation, the residue-derived 13C was mainly distributed in bacterial PLFA (up to 86% of total 13C-PLFA, including 59% in gram-positive and 27% in gram-negative bacteria) in paddy soil, and up to 75% of total 13C-PLFA distributed in fungal PLFAs was in upland soil. Thus, bacteria dominated the utilization of crop residue in paddy soil versus fungi in upland soil. Compared with that in upland soil, the microbial activity was suppressed in the anaerobic condition caused by flooding in paddy soil, with a stronger inhibition of fungi than bacteria. Considering the discrepancies of life strategies and necromass turnover between bacteria and fungi, the different dominant microbial groups in the utilization of crop residue in water-logged and well-drained conditions could lead to the distinct accumulation and stabilization of microbial-derived organic matter in paddy and upland soils.

Multidetector CT Characteristics of Fumarate Hydratase-Deficient Renal Cell Carcinoma and Papillary Type II Renal Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) features of fumarate hydratase-deficient renal cell carcinoma (FH-deficient RCC) with germline or somatic mutations, and compare them with those of papillary type II RCC (pRCC type II). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 patients (mean ± standard deviation, 40.4 ± 14.7 years) with pathologically confirmed FH-deficient RCC (15 with germline and 9 with somatic mutations) and 54 patients (58.6 ± 12.6 years) with pRCC type II were enrolled. The MDCT features were retrospectively reviewed and compared between the two entities and mutation subgroups, and were correlated with the clinicopathological findings. RESULTS: All the lesions were unilateral and single. Compared with pRCC type II, FH-deficient RCC was more prevalent among younger patients (40.4 ± 14.7 vs. 58.6 ± 12.6, p < 0.001) and tended to be larger (8.1 ± 4.1 vs. 5.4 ± 3.2, p = 0.002). Cystic solid patterns were more common in FH-deficient RCC (20/24 vs. 16/54, p < 0.001), with 16 of the 20 (80.0%) cystic solid tumors having showed typical polycystic and thin smooth walls and/or septa, with an eccentric solid component. Lymph node (16/24 vs. 16/54, p = 0.003) and distant (11/24 vs. 3/54, p < 0.001) metastases were more frequent in FH-deficient RCC. FH-deficient RCC and pRCC type II showed similar attenuation in the unenhanced phase. The attenuation in the corticomedullary phase (CMP) (76.3% ± 25.0% vs. 60.2 ± 23.6, p = 0.008) and nephrographic phase (NP) (87.7 ± 20.5, vs. 71.2 ± 23.9, p = 0.004), absolute enhancement in CMP (39.0 ± 24.8 vs. 27.1 ± 22.7, p = 0.001) and NP (50.5 ± 20.5 vs. 38.2 ± 21.9, p = 0.001), and relative enhancement ratio to the renal cortex in CMP (0.35 ± 0.26 vs. 0.24 ± 0.19, p = 0.001) and NP (0.43 ± 0.24 vs. 0.29 ± 0.19, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in FH-deficient RCC. No significant difference was found between the FH germline and somatic mutation subgroups in any of the parameters. CONCLUSION: The MDCT features of FH-deficient RCC were different from those of pRCC type II, whereas there was no statistical difference between the germline and somatic mutation subgroups. A kidney mass with a cystic solid pattern and metastatic tendency, especially in young patients, should be considered for FH-deficient RCC.

[Responses of Soil Organic Carbon Fractions to Land Use Types in Hilly Red Soil Regions, China].

Land use type exerts important influences on soil organic carbon (SOC) and its fractions, and determines the stability of the carbon pool. Taking woodland as a reference, the content of SOC and its labile fractions[dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and particulate organic carbon (POC)] and non-labile fractions[mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC)] in upland and paddy surface soils in hilly red soil regions were determined to explore the responses of SOC fractions to land use type. The results showed that the contents of SOC, MBC, POC, and MAOC ranked highest in paddy compared with upland and woodland. DOC content in woodland was significantly higher than in upland and paddy (P<0.001). The proportion of each SOC fraction, i.e. DOC/SOC, MBC/SOC, POC/SOC, and MAOC/SOC, was in the range of 0.22%-0.93%, 1.62%-2.70%, 31.08%-40.00%, and 43.22%-56.82%, respectively. The contents of labile fractions (MBC and POC) and their proportions (MBC/SOC and POC/SOC) were in the order of paddy > woodland > upland. MAOC content ranked the highest in paddy but the lowest in upland, while MAOC/SOC exhibited the opposite trend. The correlation suggested that the labile fractions (MBC and POC) and inert fraction (MAOC) were significantly positively correlated with SOC (P<0.001) in the three land use types, while no significant correlations were found between DOC and SOC and its fractions (P>0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between POC and MBC in upland and woodland (P<0.001). POC was significantly positively correlated with MAOC in the three land use types (P<0.001). MAOC and MBC in paddy and upland were significantly positively correlated (P<0.001). Therefore, compared with upland and woodland, SOC in paddy had a higher proportion of labile SOC fraction, but a lower proportion of inert fraction. Moreover, MBC content in paddy was not related to the accumulation of the labile fraction of POC, but positively related to the accumulation of the inert fraction of MAOC. In summary, agricultural land uses have great influence on SOC and its fractions in hilly red soil regions. Though paddy is beneficial for SOC sequestration, the proportions of labile fractions in its SOC are relatively higher, and thus it is vulnerable to loss due to improper agricultural management.

[Characteristics of soil nitrogen cycle and mechanisms underlying the increase in rice yield with partial substitution of mineral fertilizers with organic manure in a paddy ecosystem: A review]. / 稻作系统有机肥替代部分化肥的土壤氮循环特征及增产机制.

Partial substitution of mineral fertilizers with organic manure is a key strategy for stable and increase crop yield accompanying with zero growth of mineral fertilizers. Based on recent stu-dies, we reviewed the effects of partial substitution of mineral fertilizers with organic manure on rice yield, nitrogen utilization efficiency, soil nitrogen fractions, and microbial nitrogen fixation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification in rice paddy ecosystems. We further compared the cha-racteristics of soil nitrogen cycle of mineral fertilizers alone and partial substitution of mineral fertili-zers with organic manure. The partial substitution altered key processes of nitrogen cycling, including enhancement of ammonification, mediation of nitrification and denitrification, reduction of ammonia volatilization and nitrogen loss, improved the status of nitrogen supplements (enriching the supplement of low-molecular-weight organic nitrogen, adjusting the distribution of inorganic nitrogen components, increasing the amount of microbial biomass nitrogen, and decreasing the loss of total nitrogen), improved soil nitrogen supply (increasing supply of small molecule organic nitrogen, coordinating inorganic nitrogen components and proportions, and increasing soil microbial biomass nitrogen and total nitrogen fixation), which promoted nitrogen uptake and regulated nitrogen allocation in rice plant to realize stability and enhancement of rice yield.

Comparative study of intravenous thrombolysis with rt-PA and urokinase for patients with acute cerebral infarction.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral infarction has a poor prognosis and causes a serious burden on families and society. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and urokinase (UK) are commonly used thrombolytic agents in the clinic. However, direct and powerful clinical trial evidence to determine the therapeutic effect of rt-PA and UK on intravenous thrombolysis is lacking. METHODS: In this study, 180 patients with acute cerebral infarction were treated with rt-PA or UK. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, Barthel index, bleeding complications, and biomarkers were evaluated. RESULTS: No significant differences in NIHSS or Barthel scores were found between the groups. However, UK increased the risk of intracranial haemorrhage compared with rt-PA. rt-PA had increased activity in reducing serum levels of MMP-9 than UK. CONCLUSION: Intravenous thrombolysis with rt-PA and UK in the time window of acute cerebral infarction can achieve similar therapeutic effects, but rt-PA can further reduce the risk of cerebral haemorrhage and is relatively safer than UK.

[Straw Returning Plus Nitrogen Fertilizer Affects the Soil Microbial Community and Organic Carbon Mineralization in Karst Farmland].

The use of straw returning plus nitrogen fertilizer on farmland is one of the important agronomic practices for adjusting soil organic carbon (SOC) transformations. To explore the mechanisms of straw and nitrogen fertilizer application on straw and SOC mineralization in long-term fertilized soils, an incubation experiment with the 13C isotope tracing technique was conducted, which involved three long-term fertilized models in typical karst soils (no fertilization, inorganic fertilization, and a combination of inorganic fertilization and straw). To study the mechanisms of 13C-labeled straw and SOC mineralization, four treatments were designed as follows:no straw and nitrogen (control), and straw combined with three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 214.0, and 571.0 mg·kg-1 soil). The results showed that cumulative mineralization amounts of straw-derived organic carbon in long-term fertilized soils were markedly higher than those in non-fertilized soil. Straw-derived organic carbon mineralization was significantly affected by nitrogen fertilizer levels. The positive priming effects (PE) in long-term fertilized soils were much lower than those in non-fertilized soil. The PE was decreased at the low nitrogen fertilizer level but increased at the high nitrogen fertilizer level. The principal component analysis (PCA) of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) indicated that the soil microbial community structure was greatly affected by the long-term fertilization models and combined straw and nitrogen fertilizer application. Moreover, the content of PLFAs in soil microorganisms, namely, bacteria and fungi, were remarkably increased by the straw plus nitrogen fertilizer (values increased by 40.3%-53.0%, 41.1%-62.6%, and 60.5%-148.6% compared with control), but levels were not significantly affected by nitrogen fertilizer levels alone. The ratios between PLFAs of soil gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (G+/G-) decreased and were stable at around 0.8. The structure equation models (SEM) demonstrated that the combination of straw and nitrogen affected the soil gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria structure and increased the soil DOC content, which promoted the decomposition of straw and affected the mineralization of SOC. These results indicate that straw returning plus low nitrogen fertilizer can improve the SOC sequestration capacity in karst farmland.

Quantitative assessment of the relationship between Fas/FasL genes polymorphisms and head and neck cancer risk.

BACKGROUND: Molecular epidemiological studies have demonstrated a closer association between Fas/FasL polymorphisms and head and neck cancer (HNC) risk, and the results of these published studies were inconsistent. We therefore performed this meta-analysis to explore the associations between Fas/FasL polymorphisms and HNC risk. METHODS: Four online databases (PubMed, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang) were searched. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CIs) were calculated to assess the association between Fas -670A>G, Fas -1377G>A, and FasL -844C>T polymorphisms and HNC risk. In addition, heterogeneity, accumulative/sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were conducted to check the statistical power. RESULTS: Overall, 9 related publications (20 independent case-control studies) involving 3179 patients and 4217 controls were identified. Significant association of protective effects was observed between FasL -844C>T polymorphism and HNC risk in codominant and dominant model models (CT vs CC: OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.79-1.00, P = .05, I = 38.3%, CT+TT vs CC: OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.79-0.98, P = .02, I = 35.8%). Furthermore, the similar protective effects were observed the subgroup analysis of in Asian population and population-based controls group. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis indicated that FasL -844C>T polymorphism plays a protective role against HNC development, but the Fas -670A>G and Fas -1377G>A polymorphisms maybe not associated with HNC risk.

Hepatitis C virus core protein-induced miR-93-5p up-regulation inhibits interferon signaling pathway by targeting IFNAR1.

AIM: To investigate the mechanism by which hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein-induced miR-93-5p up-regulation regulates the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway. METHODS: HCV-1b core protein was exogenously expressed in Huh7 cells using pcDNA3.1 (+) vector. The expression of miR-93-5p and interferon receptor 1 (IFNAR1) was measured using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The protein expression and phosphorylation level of STAT1 were evaluated by Western blot. The overexpression and silencing of miR-93-5p and IFNAR1 were performed using miR-93-5p agomir and antagomir, and pcDNA3.1-IFNAR1 and IFNAR1 siRNA, respectively. Luciferase assay was used to identify whether IFNAR1 is a target of miR-93-5p. Cellular experiments were also conducted. RESULTS: Serum miR-93-5p level was increased in patients with HCV-1b infection and decreased to normal level after HCV-1b clearance, but persistently increased in those with pegylated interferon-α resistance, compared with healthy subjects. Serum miR-93-5p expression had an AUC value of 0.8359 in distinguishing patients with pegylated interferon-α resistance from those with pegylated interferon-α sensitivity. HCV-1b core protein increased miR-93-5p expression and induced inactivation of the IFN signaling pathway in Huh7 cells. Furthermore, IFNAR1 was identified as a direct target of miR-93-5p, and IFNAR1 restore could rescue miR-93-5p-reduced STAT1 phosphorylation, suggesting that the miR-93-5p-IFNAR1 axis regulates the IFN signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: HCV-1b core protein-induced miR-93-5p up-regulation inhibits the IFN signaling pathway by directly targeting IFNAR1, and the miR-93-5p-IFNAR1 axis regulates STAT1 phosphorylation. This axis may be a potential therapeutic target for HCV-1b infection.

[Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Biologically-based Phosphorus Fractions in the Farmland Soil].

A suitable fractionation method of phosphorus (P) is a key to effective assessment of soil P componential features. Here a new biologically-based P (BBP) method was used to evaluate the P fractions in the upland and paddy soils across large-scale area in China. The soil P was divided into four components:① soluble or rhizosphere-intercepted (CaCl2-P), ② organic acid activated and inorganic weakly bound (Citrate-P), ③ enzyme mineralization of organic P (Enzyme-P), ④ potential activation of inorganic P (HCl-P). Then, the relationships between biologically-based P fractions and standard Olsen-P were investigated, and driving factors of P fractions were identified. The results showed that P content was in order of HCl-P>Citrate-P>Enzyme-P>CaCl2-P. All P components of upland soil displayed higher levels than those of paddy soil. Moreover, the P components were highly positively correlated with the Olsen-P, suggesting that each P component contributed to soil P availability. However, it was found that Olsen-P was most highly correlated with CaCl2-P and Enzyme-P (R2=0.359; R2=0.386) in upland soil, while Olsen-P was most highly with Citrate-P (R2=0.788) in paddy soil. This result indicated that available P of upland soil was mainly from organic P mineralization and soluble P, and available P in paddy soil was mainly from inorganic P activation. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that the P components were mainly affected by soil pH and silt content, which suggested that it could enhance the P availability via regulating soil pH in the agricultural activities.

[Various effects on the Abundance and Composition of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities in Soils in Karst Shrub Ecosystems].

Slope position is a key factor used in the restoration of vegetation in degraded karst ecosystems, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an important role in improving this plant growth. However, little information is available regarding the effects of slope position on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. To test whether these fungal communities are impacted by slope position, the abundance, and composition of soil, AMF communities along the slope position were analyzed through terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). The diversity, richness, and evenness of plant species were evaluated through field surveys and soil properties were also measured. The results show that content of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the soil are different along the slope, and the trends identified were that the upper slope position ≈ middle slope position > lower slope position. The trend for AMF abundance was identified as upper slope position ≈ middle slope position < lower slope position. The available phosphorus content in the soil correlated significantly with the AMF abundance. A redundancy analysis showed that the structure of soil, AMF, and plant community compositions differed along the slope. The plant evenness index was shown to significantly contribute to the distribution of the AMF community structure, while the total nitrogen and total organic carbon content of the soil had a significant effect on the plant community structure. These results indicate that the interaction effects of soil nutrients and plant community structures on the soil AMF community structures suggest micro-morphology should be taken into account when AMF is used to restore vegetation in karst regions.

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation in sediments of surface flow constructed wetlands treating swine wastewater.

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) was suggested to be involved in the nitrogen (N) removal process in constructed wetlands (CWs). Nevertheless, its occurrence and role in CWs treating swine wastewater have not been well evaluated yet. In this study, we investigated the diversity, activity, and role of anammox bacteria in sediments of mesoscale surface flow CWs (SFCWs) subjected to different N loads of swine wastewater. We found that anammox bacteria were abundant in SFCW sediments, as indicated by 7.5 × 105 to 3.5 × 106 copies of the marker hzsB gene per gram of dry soil. Based on stable isotope tracing, potential anammox rates ranged from 1.03 to 12.5 nmol N g-1 dry soil h-1, accounting for 8.63-57.1% of total N2 production. We estimated that a total N removal rate of 0.83-2.68 kg N year-1 was linked to the anammox process, representing ca. 10% of the N load. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) revealed the presence of multiple co-occurring anammox genera, including "Candidatus Brocadia" as the most common one, "Ca. Kuenenia," "Ca. Scalindua," and four novel unidentified clusters. Correlation analyses suggested that the activity and abundance of anammox bacteria were strongly related to sediments pH, NH4+-N, and NO2--N. In conclusion, our results confirmed the presence of diverse anammox bacteria and indicated that the anammox process could serve as a promising N removal pathway in the treatment of swine wastewater by SFCWs.

Diffusion-weighted imaging of the kidneys and its relationship with residual renal function in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to prospectively evaluate renal diffusion as shown by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and its relationship with the residual renal function (RRF) in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty CAPD patients and 40 healthy volunteers were recruited, and all underwent conventional and fat-saturated echo-planar DWI with three b values (0, 300, 600 s/mm(2)). The renal parenchymal thickness and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were measured, and both were compared between the two groups. The relationships between ADC values and clinical indexes--which included RRF, serum creatinine value, cystatin C value, and urine output--were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the renal parenchymal thickness and ADC values in control subjects, these values in CAPD patients were significantly decreased (p < 0.0001). In CAPD patients, the ADC values were positively correlated with RRF (r = 0.447, p = 0.004). A mild linear correlation was also found between the ADC values and cystatin C value (r = -0.352, p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: The renal diffusion function as shown by DWI is impaired in CAPD patients and correlates with RRF.

[The noise filtering and baseline correction for harmonic spectrum based on wavelet transform].

The problem of noise and baseline drift is a hot topic in infrared spectral harmonic detection system. This paper presents a new algorithm based on wavelet transform Mallet decomposition to solve the problem of eliminating a variety of complex noise and baseline drift in the harmonic detection. In the algorithm, the appropriate wavelet function and decomposition level were selected to decomposed the noise, baseline drift and useful signal in the harmonic curve into different frequency bands. the bands' information was analysed and a detecting band was set, then the information in useful frequency was reserved by zeroing method of treatment and the coefficient of the threshold. We can just use once transform and reconstruction to remove interference noise and baseline from double-harmonic signal by applying the wavelet transform technique to the harmonic detection spectrum pretreatment. Experiments show that the wavelet transform method can be used to different harmonic detection systems and has universal applicability.

Aquaporin genes GintAQPF1 and GintAQPF2 from Glomus intraradices contribute to plant drought tolerance.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, established between AM fungi (AMF) and roots of higher plants, occurs in most terrestrial ecosystems. It has been well demonstrated that AM symbiosis can improve plant performance under various environmental stresses, including drought stress. However, the molecular basis for the direct involvement of AMF in plant drought tolerance has not yet been established. Most recently, we cloned two functional aquaporin genes, GintAQPF1 and GintAQPF2, from AM fungus Glomus intraradices. By heterologous gene expression in yeast, aquaporin localization, activities and water permeability were examined. Gene expressions during symbiosis in expose to drought stress were also analyzed. Our data strongly supported potential water transport via AMF to host plants. As a complement, here we adopted the monoxenic culture system for AMF, in which carrot roots transformed by Ri-T DNA were cultured with Glomus intraradices in two-compartment Petri dishes, to verify the aquaporin gene functions in assisting AMF survival under polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment. Our results showed that 25% PEG significantly upregulated the expression of two aquaporin genes, which was in line with the gene functions examined in yeast. We therefore concluded that the aquaporins function similarly in AMF as in yeast subjected to osmotic stress. The study provided further evidence to the direct involvement of AMF in improving plant water relations under drought stresses.

First cloning and characterization of two functional aquaporin genes from an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is known to stimulate plant drought tolerance. However, the molecular basis for the direct involvement of AM fungi (AMF) in plant water relations has not been established. Two full-length aquaporin genes, namely GintAQPF1 and GintAQPF2, were cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA 5'- and 3'-ends from an AMF, Glomus intraradices. Aquaporin localization, activities and water permeability were examined by heterologous expression in yeast. Gene expression during symbiosis was also analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. GintAQPF1 was localized to the plasma membrane of yeast, whereas GintAQPF2 was localized to both plasma and intracellular membranes. Transformed yeast cells exhibited a significant decrease in cell volume on hyperosmotic shock and faster protoplast bursting on hypo-osmotic shock. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) stimulated, but glycerol inhibited, the aquaporin activities. Furthermore, the expression of the two genes in arbuscule-enriched cortical cells and extraradical mycelia of maize roots was also enhanced significantly under drought stress. GintAQPF1 and GintAQPF2 are the first two functional aquaporin genes from AMF reported to date. Our data strongly support potential water transport via AMF to host plants, which leads to a better understanding of the important role of AMF in plant drought tolerance.

[Long-term assessment of relapse and associated risk factors in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with interferon and ribavirin].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate viral relapse and the associated risk factors during a long-term follow-up study of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who achieved end-of-treatment response (ETR) after interferon and ribavirin therapy. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on 146 CHC patients treated with a combination of ribavirin and pegylated (PEG) interferon-alpha (IFNa) (n=126) or conventional IFNa (n=20) for 24 (hepatitis C virus (HCV) non-genotype 1b) or 48 (HCV genotype 1b) weeks. The main outcome measure was serum HCV RNA load. The risk factors analyzed included age, sex, HCV genotype, baseline HCV RNA load, and IFN type. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time for all patients was 33.45+/-16.41 months (range: 12-85 months). The cumulative relapse rate during follow-up was 14.80%. The relapse rate within six months (8.90%) was significantly higher than other periods during two years of follow-up, and no relapse occurred after 30 months. Of all relapsers (n=20), 65% occurred within six months, followed by 35% within 7-24 months after antiviral therapy. The relapse rates in patients with HCV genotype 1b and non-1b were not significantly different (20.37% vs. 12.12%, X2 =1.517, P=0.315). The mean baseline HCV RNA load was significantly higher in the relapsers than that in the non-relapsers (t=0.915, P=0.362). Relapse rates were similar in patients treated with PEG-IFNa-2b, PEG-IFNa-2a and IFNa (12.12% vs. 13.97% vs. 15.00%, respectively; X2=0.104, p=0.949). The mean age of relapsers was significantly higher than that of non-relapsers (P less than 0.005). CONCLUSION: The maximum probability of relapse for CHC patients exists within six months from when ETR is achieved by interferon and ribavirin therapy. A lower risk for relapse persists past this period. Thus, ETR CHC patients, especially older patients, should be carefully monitored during the two years after cessation of antiviral therapy. Standard antiviral therapy based on HCV genotype eliminates the influence of viral factors on treatment-response.

Characteristic MR and CT imaging findings of hepatobiliary paragonimiasis and their pathologic correlations.

BACKGROUND: Hepatobiliary paragonimiasis (HP) is not commonly encountered and may be confused with hepatobiliary tumors; however, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of HP allow this entity to be distinguished from other diseases. PURPOSE: To present the CT and MRI findings in patients with HP and to describe some specific imaging findings along with their pathological correlations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Imaging and clinical findings of 21 patients (9 boys/men and 12 girls/women; age range 3-67 years; mean age 40 years) who were diagnosed with HP were retrospectively evaluated. Among these patients, 16 underwent CT examination only, two had MR examination only, and three underwent both CT and MR. All patients underwent surgery, and the HP diagnosis was confirmed by the surgical and histopathologic results. RESULTS: Chronic abdominal pain or back pain was reported by 14 patients, severe abdominal pain with acute onset was reported by one patient, and six patients were asymptomatic and were discovered incidentally. Peripheral eosinophilia was present in 14 patients (14/21, 66.7%), and abnormal liver function tests were found in 16 patients (16/21, 76.2%). Of the 19 patients who underwent CT imaging, 17 patients showed multiple mixed hypodense lesions or multiple cysts with inlaying septation with separate irregular rims or circular enhancement on post-contrast CT images. Tunnel-shaped microabscesses and necrotic cavities were found in the lesions of 12 of those 17 patients. The other two patients showed smaller cystic masses. MRI showed faveolate T1 hypointense and T2 hyperintense areas in the liver parenchyma with rim or peripheral enhancement. Nodular or circular hyperintense materials were found scattered in the lesions on T1-weighted imaging. CONCLUSION: CT and MRI can reveal the radiological-pathological features of HP. Together with laboratory findings, MRI and CT findings may provide diagnostic clues, especially in endemic areas, that are very important for the selection of treatment methods.