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Introduction: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a skin fragility disorder that is caused by molecular aberrations in the epidermal basement membrane zone. Based primarily on the cleavage plane within the skin, EB is classified into four major subtypes: EB simplex; junctional EB (JEB); dystrophic EB; and Kindler EB. The junctional form (JEB) can lead to blistering and a variety of extracutaneous complications, including genitourinary tract involvement. Despite therapeutic progress, treatment modalities for urological complications of JEB are currently limited. Results: We present the case of a Chinese male with intermediate JEB and profound urinary tract stenosis. Due to the progression of the urinary tract stenosis, he presented with repeated urological symptoms, such as high frequency of urination, painful urination, and difficult voiding. After birth, multiple blisters on the fingers, feet, and limbs, as well as nail dystrophies and spare hair were noted. Mutation analysis revealed that the patient carried a homozygous frameshift mutation in the LAMB3 gene [c.1172_1179delinsTGTGTGTGCAAGGAG/p. (P391Lfs*23)]. After receiving treatment for urethral dilatation, lingual mucosa for anterior urethroplasty, and repair of urethral stricture using a ventral onlay penile skin flap, the patient still experienced a relapse of urinary tract stenosis. Finally, the patient underwent perineal urethrostomy. In contrast, his older brother with similar urological symptoms received regular urethral dilatation, and the curative effect was positive. Conclusion: Here we report on a case with a novel LAMB3 mutation that led to JEB with profound urinary tract stenosis, which has expanded our experience in the treatment of EB urological complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginger is an important cash crop in Shandong Province and it usually takes the sole cropping in the production. In order to explore new ginger cultivation patterns and improve planting benefits, sweet maize (Jingengtian 1) was intercropped with ginger (Laiwu ginger). The plug seedling was performed for sweet maize on April 18. Ginger was planted with plastic film mulching on April 20, and double-row sweet maize seedlings were transplanted on the ridges of interlaced ginger fields on May 2. The sweet maize was harvested from July 18 to 25, and the tillering rate of sweet maize reached 100%. The number of tillers in intercropping was more than that of sole cropping, and the highest average tiller reached 5. 32 per plant; when sweet maize was intercropped, the number of ears decreased by 17. 35% and the ear weight decreased by 8.07%. Ginger was harvested on October 20, the number of branches of intercropping ginger decreased by 5.12% to 6.47%, and the rhizomes weight per plant decreased by 5.64% to 16.43%. The economic benefit of ginger intercropping sweet maize was higher than that of sole ginger cropping. The intercropping model increased the efficiency by 6. 28% and 2. 87% respectively in the two bases, and increased the net income by 12 000 and 5 000 yuan/ha, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly sensitive nitrite (NO2−) electrochemical sensor is fabricated using glassy carbon electrode modified with Au nanoparticle and grapheme oxide. Briefly, this electrochemical sensor was prepared by drop-coating graphene oxide-chitosan mixed film on the surface of the electrode and then electrodepositing a layer of Au nanoparticle using cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical behavior of NO2− on the sensor was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and amperometric i-t curve. The results showed that the sensor exhibited better electrocatalytic activity for NO2− in 0.1 mol/L phosphate buffer solution (PBS) (pH 5.0). The oxidation peak current was positively correlated with NO2− concentration in the ranges of 0.9 µM to 18.9 µM. The detection limit was estimated to be 0.3 µM. In addition, the interference of some common ions (e.g., NO3−, CO32−, SO42−, Cl−, Ca2+ and Mg2+) and oxidizable compound including sodium sulfite and ascorbic acid in the detection of nitrite was also studied. The results show that this sensor is more sensitive and selective to NO2−. Therefore, this electrochemical sensor provided an effective tool for the detection of NO2−. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and sensitive Pb2+ sensor is developed based on label-free 17E DNAzyme and unmodified Au nanoparticles. On this basis, Pb2+ concentration can be judged according to the color variation of Au nanoparticles. The detection limit is 100nM and linear range is 100nM-16 μM. It can serve as a measurement tool for Pb2+ rapid detection, which provides reference for the development of sensors in environmental monitoring and food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]