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Qin Lou,1,&ast; Yan-Feng Zhu,1,&ast; Mei-Li Ye2 1Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, Affiliated Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou Normal University, HangZhou, People’s Republic of China; 2SHU LAN(QU ZHOU)HOSPITAL, Quzhou, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Mei-Li Ye, SHU LAN(QU ZHOU)HOSPITAL, No. 2 Zhong Tower Floor, Fushang Street, Kecheng District, Quzhou, 324000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8615167059261, Email yemeiliyml6g@126.comObjective: To investigate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation and its effect on thyroid function in patients with cystic-solid thyroid nodules.Methods: We enrolled 90 patients with cystic-solid thyroid nodules and randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 37) or an observation group (n = 53). Patients in the observation group underwent ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation, while those in the control group were treated with ultrasound-guided lauromacrogol. Thyroid function was monitored, and complications were recorded for both groups, while nodule reduction rates were compared across a range of volumes and time periods.Results: One month after surgery, the observation group had a larger volume of nodules than the control group, while at 12 months, the volume of nodules in the observation group was smaller. (P < 0.05). Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine 4 (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels were all within normal ranges after treatment in both groups and showed no significant differences from pre-treatment levels. (P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the total incidence of adverse reactions in the control group (8.11%) and the observation group (5.66%) (P > 0.05).Conclusion: With a low incidence of postoperative adverse reactions, the ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation protocol in the clinical treatment of patients with cystic-solid thyroid nodules can effectively reduce the volume of solid thyroid nodules without affecting the thyroid function of patients and can achieve more ideal treatment effectiveness, and is deserving of promotion.Keywords: cystic-solid, radiofrequency ablation, thyroid function, thyroid nodules, ultrasound

Zhenzhen Sun,1,&ast; Kun Wang,1,&ast; Chuan Yun,1 Fang Bai,1 Xiaodan Yuan,2 Yaujiunn Lee,3 Qingqing Lou1 1The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Haikou, Hainan, People’s Republic of China; 2Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Endocrinology, Lee’s Clinic, Pingtung City, Pingtung County, Taiwan&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Qingqing Lou, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, No. 31, Longhua Road, Haikou, 570102, Hainan, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 15312019129, Email 2444890144@qq.comPurpose: To investigate the association of five obesity indices and the variability of these indices with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes and compare the predictive validity of these markers for the risk of DKD in this large longitudinal cohort study.Patients and Methods: A total of 2659 patients with type 2 diabetes who did not have DKD were enrolled between 2006 and 2019 at Lee’s United Clinic in Taiwan. Data were collected for each subject, including demographic data, personal medical history, clinical parameters and calculated Body mass index (BMI), visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), body roundness index (BRI) and variability of five obesity indices. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between different obesity indicators and DKD risk. Cox’s proportional hazards model was evaluated the predictive effect of obesity indices on DKD.Results: The risk of developing DKD increased with an increase in the BRI, LAP, VAI, WC and BMI (all P trend< 0.05), and the variability of VAI was significantly associated with DKD [HR=1.132, 95% CI (1.001, 1.281)] after adjusting for corresponding variables. BRI had the strongest predictive effect on DKD. BRI had the best predictive performance, with AUC of 0.807, 0.663 and 0.673 at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Cox regression analysis of risk factors for DKD in patients stratified by BRI quartiles showed that patients in the Q4 group had the highest risk of developing DKD [HR=1.356, 95% CI (1.131, 1.626)].Conclusion: BMI, WC, VAI, LAP, BRI and VAI variability were associated with a significant increase in the risk of DKD events, and BRI was superior and alternative obesity index for predicting DKD.Keywords: visceral adiposity index, lipid accumulation product, body roundness index, diabetic kidney disease

Qi Lou,1,&ast; Lu Pan,1,&ast; Shengjin Xiang,1,2,&ast; Yueting Li,1 Jiahui Jin,1 Jingyang Tan,1 Baoshan Huang,1,2 Kaihui Nan,1,2 Sen Lin1,2 1National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People’s Republic of China; 2State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Kaihui Nan; Sen Lin, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-577-88067962, Email lin_sen@wmu.edu.cn; nankh@l63.comIntroduction: Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is widely employed as a preservative in eye drops, which will cause the death of corneal epithelial cells due to ROS production, DNA strand breakage, and mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in dry eye disease (DED)-like changes in ocular surface tissues. In this study, Melatonin (MT) liposomes (TAT-MT-LIPs) designed by loading MT into TAT-modified liposomes have been developed, characterized, and used for inhibiting BAC-induced DED (BAC-DED).Methods: The TAT was chemically grafted onto the Mal-PEG2000-DSPE by Michael’s addition between the sulfhydryl group in TAT and the maleimide group in Mal-PEG2000-DSPE. TAT-MT-LIPs were prepared using film dispersion followed by the extrusion method and topically treated in rats once a day. BAC-DED was induced in rats by topical administration with 0.2% BAC twice daily. Defects, edema, and inflammation of the corneas, as well as IOP, were examined. Histologic analyses of corneas were performed to assess the change of mitochondrial DNA oxidation and NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling transduction.Results: After topical administration, TAT-MT-LIPs significantly alleviated DED-clinical symptoms of experimental animals by inhibiting tissue inflammation and preventing the loss of the corneal epithelium and conjunctival goblet cells. Our data suggested continuous ocular surface exposure of BAC-induced NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD mediated corneal epithelium pyroptosis, which was not reported before. BAC caused substantial mt-DNA oxidation, which promoted the transduction of NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD and consequent corneal epithelium pyroptosis. TAT-MT-LIPs could efficiently suppress the BAC-induced corneal epithelium pyroptosis and inflammation by inhibiting mt-DNA oxidation and the subsequent signal transmission.Conclusion: NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD mediated corneal epithelium pyroptosis is involved in the development of BAC-DED. The present study provided new insights into the adverse effects of BAC, which can serve as a new target for protecting corneal epithelium when applying BAC as a preservative in eye drops. The developed TAT-MT-LIPs can efficiently inhibit BAC-DED and give great potential to be developed as a new DED treatment.Keywords: melatonin liposome, dry eye disease, benzalkonium chloride, pyroptosis, NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling axis

Yanyan Li,1,&ast; Qingqing Lou,2,&ast; Song Wen,1 Mingyue Zhou,3 Dongxiang Xu,1 Chaoxun Wang,1 Xingdang Liu,2 Ligang Zhou1,4 1Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of China; 3Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; 4Shanghai Key Laboratory of Vascular Lesions Regulation and Remodeling, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ligang Zhou, Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613611927616, Email zhouligang@yahoo.comPurpose: This study aimed to reveal the relationship between the volume of sporadic renal cysts and renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Materials and Methods: One hundred and seventy-one patients that underwent renal imaging and other routine examinations at the Shanghai Pudong Hospital were included in this study. The Gates’ method of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured by 99mTc-DTPA renal dynamic imaging in addition to the eGFR, calculated by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation (CKD-EPI).Results: Our results showed that BMI, total iGFR, and eGFR showed significant differences between patients with T2D with or without SRC (p < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that cyst volume was positively correlated with Scr and gender but not iGFR (p > 0.05). The total iGFR positively correlated with eGFR (r = 0.83, p < 0.0001) and negatively with Scr (r = − 0.78, p < 0.0001), age (r = − 0.43, p < 0.0001), duration of T2D (r = − 0.25, p = 0.001), and BMI (r = − 0.21, p = 0.006) but not gender (r = − 0.03, p = 0.668). The multilinear regression model revealed that gender (β = 0.346, p < 0.001), iGFR (β = − 0.705, p < 0.001), and serum uric acid (β = 0.195, p = 0.032) were independent predictors of Scr. Moreover, we observed a significant increase in Scr in males (p < 0.05). Finally, we found that the split kidney function reflected by iGFR and related parameters such as time to peak (PTT) and half time of excretion (excrete t1/2) did not mutually distinguish from each other significantly whether they are measured in patients with renal cysts or in those without renal cysts (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Our preliminary results suggest that in T2D, SRCs may be a renal complication of diabetic nephropathy. Although we found that the patients with renal cysts may display reduced iGFR, the volume of simple cysts seems not to exacerbate renal insufficiency. Isotope renography is a useful tool to evaluate the split kidney functions in diabetic patients who acquire single-side cysts.Keywords: type 2 diabetes, SRCs, kidney function, isotope glomerular filtration rate, cysts volume, gender disparity

Nianlan Cheng, Shuo Wu, Xianli Luo, Chunyan Xu, Qin Lou, Jin Zhu, Lu You, Bangguo Li Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Bangguo LiDepartment of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 13511816288Email lbg6288@163.comPurpose: To investigate the CT features of drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (DR-PTB) and the diagnostic value of CT in DR-PTB diagnosis to provide imaging evidence for the timely detection of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Materials and Methods: A total of 1546 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) with complete clinical data, chest CT images and defined drug sensitivity testing results were consecutively enrolled; 516 cases of DR-PTB were included in the drug-resistant group, and 1030 cases of drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis (DS-PTB) were included in the drug-sensitivity group. Comparative analyses of clinical symptoms and imaging findings were conducted. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed, a regression equation model was developed, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed.Results: In the univariate analysis, some features, including whole-lung involvement, multiple cavities, thick-walled cavities, collapsed lung, disseminated lesions along the bronchi, bronchiectasis, emphysema, atelectasis, calcification, proliferative lesions, encapsulated effusion, etc., were observed more frequently in the DR-PTB group than in the DS-PTB group, and the differences were statistically significant (p< 0.05). Exudative lesions and pneumoconiosis were observed more frequently in the drug-sensitivity group than in the drug-resistant group (p< 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that whole-lung involvement, multiple cavities, thick-walled cavities, disseminated lesions along the bronchi, bronchiectasis, and emphysema were independent risk factors for DR-PTB, and exudative diseases were protective factors. The total prediction accuracy of the regression model was 80.6%, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 82.6%.Conclusion: Chest CT manifestations of DR-PTB had certain characteristics that significantly indicated the possibility of drug resistance in tuberculosis patients, specifically when multifarious imaging findings, including multiple cavities, thick-walled cavities, disseminated lesions along the bronchi, whole-lung involvement, etc., coexisted simultaneously. These results may provide imaging evidence for timely drug resistance detection in suspected drug-resistant cases and contribute to the early diagnosis of DR-PTB.Keywords: pulmonary tuberculosis, drug resistance, tomography, X-ray computed, imaging findings, diagnosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Qingquan Wei,1,2,* Rui Chen,1,2,* Qiyang Lou,1,2 Jing Yu1,2 1Department of Ophthalmology, Ninghai First Hospital, Zhejiang 315600, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Purpose: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of corticosteroid implant and intravitreal ranibizumab for the treatment of macular edema (ME).Materials and methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were comprehensively searched for studies comparing dexamethasone implant with ranibizumab in patients with ME. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), and adverse events were extracted from the final eligible studies. RevMan 5.3 software was used to analyze the data, and the modified Jadad assessment tool was used to access the quality of outcomes.Results: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in our analysis. The types of causes of ME include central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), and diabetic retinopathy (DR). The ranibizumab treatment group had significantly better BCVA compared with the corticosteroid treatment group (standard mean difference [SMD] -0.80; 95% CI -1.08, -0.53; P

Fan Li,1,* Ping Yao,2,* Cunyi Hsue,3 Jin Xu,4 Qingqing Lou11Department of Health Education, Jiangsu Province Hospital on Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital on Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 3Hangzhou 9th Middle School, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA*These authors contributed equally to this workAbstract: The objective was to compare Diabetes Conversation Maps-based education and traditional education in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 53 outpatients were randomized to the intervention group (Diabetes Conversation Maps-based education) and control group (traditional education). In the intervention group, six 1-hour sessions covering diabetes overview, living with diabetes, risk factors and complications of diabetes, starting insulin treatment, foot care, and healthy eating and exercise were provided during 4 weeks. The participants had to attend at least four sessions, followed by a monthly follow-up telephone call in the subsequent 3 months. In the control group, six 1-hour diabetes classes covering similar topics as those in the intervention group were provided over 4 weeks. Each participant needed to attend at least four sessions. A1C was assessed at baseline, 3 months and 6 months after the last educational session/class. Psychosocial metrics and self-care activities were evaluated at baseline and 6 months after the last educational session/class. Forty-six participants finished the study. After 6 months, the total score of diabetes distress scale was significantly lower and total score of diabetes empowerment scale-short form was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group. The 3 months A1C was significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group. However, the 6 months A1C did not reach a statistically significant difference between groups. Compared to traditional education, Diabetes Conversation Maps were more effective in improving psychosocial metrics and 3-month A1C.Keywords: type 2 diabetes, education, conversation map, psychosocial metrics

This study looks into how core competence which focuses on shared vision, cooperation, and empowerment affects competitive advantage in the food service business, which is facing pressures from disruptive competition and growing consumer demand for sustainable and better food options. The study measures competitive advantage through business flexibility and responsiveness. It employs a descriptive-correlational research design and a purposive sampling technique, intentionally selecting fifty employees from various food service establishments, including fast-food chains, restaurants, and cafes, as respondents. Data was gathered using a modified version of an existing questionnaire, which included sections on demographics, core competence, and competitive advantage. A five-point Likert scale was used to collect the responses. The study reveals that there was a high degree of core competence in the food service industry, in general. It also discovered that businesses in the food service sector frequently have a very high degree of competitive advantage. Further, the findings show a significant positive relationship between competitive advantage and core competency, underscoring the significance of empowerment, collaboration, and shared vision in fostering flexibility and responsiveness, consequently gaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace. These results suggest that for businesses in the food service sector to obtain a competitive edge, they should prioritize strengthening and expanding their core competencies. The study is important for workers, managers, owners of businesses, consumers, academic institutions, and upcoming researchers. However, this study may have certain limitations regarding its scope and objectives, as it was conducted within a specific context and time frame which may not encompass all possible scenarios or changes over an extended period. Thus, the result of this research should be interpreted within these limitations, and future research is recommended to validate and expand upon these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, our focus is to construct (quasi-)copulas with a given opposite track section. Three different ways for constructing (quasi-)copulas with a given opposite track section are proposed and the best-possible bounds for all those (quasi-)copulas sharing a common opposite track section are also discussed. Drawing inspiration from the opposite diagonal splicing operation, we propose the curved splicing operation. We obtain that the curved splicing of any two quasi-copulas with a common opposite track section must be a quasi-copula. We also show several sufficient conditions for the curved splicing of any two copulas sharing a common opposite track section to be a copula. Furthermore, we discuss the characteristics of a copula constructed by the curved splicing operation. Finally, we construct two novel types of semilinear copulas, and by applying the curved splicing operation we obtain two additional types of semilinear copulas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen gas generated through water electrolysis can replace fossil fuels. Thus, developing cost-effective and efficient water-splitting electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction is highly important. Herein, biomass-porous-carbon-supported sulphur-doped flower-like NiFe-based alloy composites are prepared using an in situ impregnation-heat treatment technology. The spherical flower (diameter - 1 μm, petal thickness - 20 nm) main components are Ni0.5Fe0.5 and Fe9Ni9S16. The 800 °C heat-treated catalyst demonstrates outstanding catalytic performance in oxygen evolution reactions. At a current density of 10 mA cm-2, it exhibits a minimal overpotential of 298.62 mV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SlCCD1A-OE lines of cherry tomato CI1005 and large-fruited tomato AC were selected to investigate the effect of SlCCD1A on tomato flavor quality. The transgenic plants were identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the volatile components and major quality traits of the transgenic lines were determined. The results showed that SlCCD1A-OE mainly cleaved lycopene and β-carotene in tomato fruit, and increased the contents of 11 volatile isoprene compounds, including 6-methyl-5-heptene-2-one, compared with the wild type (WT). The total amount of these isoprene compounds was the highest in strain OE-3 from CI1005, which was 5.68 times of that in WT, and it increased 1.88 times in OE-8 from AC compared with WT, significantly enhancing the floral, fruity, and sweet aroma. The soluble solid content, total sugar content, and sugar/acid ratio in strain OE-3 from CI1005 increased to 6.2%, 37.34 mg/g, and 10.37, while the contents of total acid and vitamin C (VC) decreased to 0.36 mg/L and 42.10 mg/L, respectively. The soluble solid content, total sugar content, and sugar/acid ratio in strain OE-7 from AC increased to 4.77%, 20.03 mg/g, and 5.23, while the total acid and VC contents decreased to 0.38 mg/L and 37.10 mg/L, respectively, resulting in high-sweet and low-sour taste. The SlCCD1A gene is beneficial for enhancing the content and richness of carotenoid-derived volatiles in tomato fruit and increasing the contents of soluble solids and total sugars, thereby improving the flavor quality.

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are attractive for the easy operation and high compatibility with building integrated photovoltaics due to their low cost, large-scale and applicability. However, underutilized sunlight in visible wavelengths often impedes the advance of LSCs. Here, we demonstrate an orange-emitting carbon nanodots-based LSC (O-CDs) with excitation concentrated in the visible wavelengths. The orange-emitting carbon nanodots (O-CDs) with highly localized excitonic emission are prepared via atomic condensation of doped pyrrolic nitrogen, delivering a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 80 % and a suitable Stokes shift with absorption spectrum situated in the visible region. The O-CDs are embedded in polyvinylpyrrolidone to obtain a highly transparent, stable and environmentally friendly O-CDs-based LSC. Thanks to efficient utilization of solar radiation in visible areas and well match between the emission of O-CDs and the response bands of photovoltaic cells, the O-CDs-based LSC reveals an optical conversion efficiency of 5.17 %, superior to that of most carbon nanodots-based LSCs. These results provide an effective strategy to develop carbon-based luminescent concentrated materials for architectural integrated photovoltaic technology.

Allopolyploidy is long recognized as an essential driving force in plant evolution. Recent studies have demonstrated that small RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), play important roles in the process of allopolyploidy. However, the question that how the distinct parent-of-origin miRNAs are maintained in allopolyploids and how these small RNAs affect gene expression and phenotype remain to be answered. Therefore, we investigated the miRNA expression profiles of a synthesized allotetraploid, Cucumis x hytivus and its parents. The different developmental stages of leaves of C. x hytivus showing contrasting leaf colour were compared as well. Following high-throughput sequencing, 546 conserved d 287 novel miRNAs were identified. The expressions of nine miRNAs obtained by real-time quantitative PCR were consistent with the sequencing results. We detected that 15 miRNAs were divergently expressed between the parent species, and 23 miRNAs were differentially expressed in C. x hytivus compared to either of its parents or both, which suggests the significant effect of allopolyploidization on miRNAs accumulation. Additionally, 26 conserved and 13 novel miRNAs differed in expression between the young and mature leaves of C. x hytivus, indicating an essential role of miRNA-mediated regulation of leaf development following allopolyploidization. This study enriches the context of allopolyploidy effect on miRNAs and lays a foundation for the elucidation of the miRNA-mediated regulatory mechanism in phenotypic variation in allopolyploids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to examine the effect of the decomposition of macrophyte materials on the release potential of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) from the lake sediment to the overlying water. A laboratory experiment was carried out with a common macrophyte species (Carex cinerascens Kukenth) to examine the effects of macrophyte decomposition on the release of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) from the sediment. Fresh aboveground parts of the macrophyte were added to the sediment and the treated sediment was subsequently subjected to a permanent flood condition. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), pH and heavy metal concentrations of the overlying water were measured during the 135-day experiment. In most cases, the rate at which heavy metals were released form the sediments was reduced after the addition of macrophyte biomass. The greater the amount of the macrophyte amendment, the greater the decrease in heavy metals released from the sediment. There is no significant correlation between the DOC concentration in the overlying water and the four heavy metals released from sediments. The addition of macrophyte biomass can reduce the heavy metals release from sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep rooting is an important trait in rice drought resistance. Genetic resources of deep-rooting varieties are valuable in breeding of water-saving and drought-resistant rice. In the present study, 234 BC2F7 backcross introgression lines were derived from a cross of Dongye 80 (an accession of Dongxiang wild rice as the donor parent) and R974 (an indica restorer line as the recurrent parent). A genetic linkage map containing 1 977 bin markers was constructed by ddRADSeq for QTL analysis. Thirty-one QTLs for four root traits (the number of deep roots, the number of shallow roots, the total number of deep roots and the ratio of deep roots) were assessed on six rice chromosomes in two environments (2020 Shanghai and 2021 Hainan). Two of the QTLs, qDR5.1 and qTR5.2, were located on chromosome 5 in a 70-kb interval. They were detected in both environments. qDR5.1 explained 13.35% of the phenotypic variance in 2020 Shanghai and 12.01% of the phenotypic variance in 2021 Hainan. qTR5.2 accounted for 10.88% and 10.93% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. One QTL (qRDR2.2) for the ratio of deep roots was detected on chromosome 2 in a 210-kb interval and accounted for 6.72% of the phenotypic variance in 2020. The positive effects of these three QTLs were all from Dongxiang wild rice. Furthermore, nine and four putative candidate genes were identified in qRDR2.2 and qDR5.1/qTR5.2, respectively. These findings added to our knowledge of the genetic control of root traits in rice. In addition, this study will facilitate the future isolation of candidate genes of the deep-rooting trait and the utilization of Dongxiang wild rice in the improvement of rice drought resistance.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an important product generated in the body and related to many pathophysiological processes and glucose metabolism disorder can cause many fatal diseases in living bodies. Therefore, the sensing of H2O2 and glucose is of great significance in disease diagnostics and treatment. Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) are one new class of nanoprobes for H2O2 and glucose. Nevertheless, the CD-based sensor is always based on its fluorescence response, which is influenced by the auto-fluorescent interference. Herein, efficient fluorescent CDs were synthesized by one-pot solvothermal method, and the CDs exhibit bright and persistent deep-red (DR) chemiluminescence (CL) in bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate and H2O2 solution with a CL quantum yield of (8.22 ± 0.30) × 10−3, which is amongst the highest values in ever reported nanomaterials for chemical analysis. Employing the CDs as CL nanoprobes, sensitive sensing for H2O2 has been achieved with a detection limit of 11.7 μM, and further for glucose detection with a detection limit of 12.6 μM. The DR CL CDs is promising to be applied in blood glucose analysis or in vivo biosensor.

The effect of Sn:Ti ratio with large range from 55:3 to 10:48 on the phase structure and electrical properties of Pb0.97La0.02(Zr0.42Sn0.58-xTix)O3ceramics has been investigated. A sequence of phase transitions were analyzed by the variation of P-E hysteresis loops with increasing temperature. The antiferroelectric (AFE)/ferroelectric (FE) occurred at room temperature (RT) when Sn:Ti ratio is between 50:08 and 40:18 with the Zr content of 0.42, which improves the lanthanum doped ternary phase diagram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: In this review, we assess and summarize evidence and gaps in the literature regarding diabetes education in mainland China. METHODS: Using China/Chinese, diabetes and education as key words, articles were obtained from the National Science and Technology Library (NSTL), Chongqing Weipu and Qinghua Tongfang databases. Articles included in this review were further selected based on pre-determined criteria, including studying duration, outcome measurements, and inclusion of control groups. RESULTS: Based on the 34 articles, we found that studies often took place in inpatient and outpatient department. Popular methods used were class teaching, or one-on-one teaching, and knowledge and glycemic control were mostly selected as the outcome measurements. Beneficial effects of diabetes education on knowledge, and glycemic control were demonstrated in studies during a relatively short follow-up (3-6 months). Limitations to the studies selected were that the effects of interventions on behavior change, BMI, blood pressure, lipids, and medical costs were not clearly addressed, and long-term outcomes and adherence to diabetes education was unknown. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes education had positive impact on glycemic control in mainland China in short duration. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Future studies should use more creative ways of education, and the long-term impact of diabetes education should be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cytoplasmic protein p60c-src, an ubiquitous non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) is a potential anticancer target as it is over-expressed and/or constitutively active in several cancer types. In addition, the phenotype of c-src knock-out mice is consistent with osteopetrosis, which suggests that inhibitors against this enzyme may also be therapeutic for osteoporosis. Using a known peptide substrate for c-src, MIYKYYF, as a template, we have developed a series of pseudosubstrate-based peptide inhibitors. Structure–activity relationship studies have been performed on one of these inhibitors, CIYKYYF. In a kinase assay using YIYGSFK as the substrate, CIYKYY has been demonstrated to inhibit p60c-src, with an IC50 of 0.6 μ m. Further truncation has led to the determination that even the smaller peptide, CIYK, is a moderately potent inhibitor with IC50 of 15 μ m. Some improvement in inhibitory potency (IC50 = 11.8 μ m) has been observed with the replacement of Tyr3 in CIYK with β-phenylalanine ( β-Phe). The tetrapeptide CI( β-Phe)K will be used as a lead compound for future development of peptidomimetics and small molecule inhibitors that have the capacity to penetrate the plasma membrane of intact cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lewis[sup y] carbohydrate antigens are abundant on the surface of many carcinomas. Mab B3 directed against this carbohydrate antigen has been used to make an immunotoxin that is very cytotoxic to cancer cells expressing the Lewis[sup y] antigen. Mab B3 was also used to screen a phage-displayed peptide library and identified a peptide mimicking the Lewis[sup y] epitope. In this report, we demonstrate that the Lewis[sup y] epitope-mimicking peptide induces anti-Lewis[sup y] immune responses in both rabbits and mice. In addition, Lewis[sup y] antigens induce anti-peptide immune responses. These results indicate that carbohydrate-mimicking peptides provide a novel strategy to elicit immune responses for tumor-associated carbohydrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE. To determine the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in children with recurrent abdominal pain and the usefulness of serologic tests in screening H pylori infection and monitoring treatment of H pylori-associated gastritis. METHODS. During a 3 year period, we investigated the presence of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to H pylori in 456 children using the high-molecular-weight cell-associated protein H pylori enzyme immunoassay kit. Among the 456 children studied, 218 (age range, 3 to 18 years; mean age, 9.5 years) had symptoms of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP syndrome) with or without vomiting, and the remaining 238 (age range, 3 to 18 years; mean age, 9.8 years) had no RAP (non-RAP syndrome). We performed upper gastrointestinal endoscopy on 111 consecutive children of the 218 with RAP syndrome and obtained mucosal biopsies for culture, histologic analysis, CLO test (Delta West, Perth, Australia), and H pylori detection by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS. Thirty-eight (17.4%) of 218 children in the RAP group and 25 (10.5%) of 238 children in the non-RAP group were seropositive for H pylori. Of the 111 children endoscoped, 95 were found to be negative, and 12 were positive by all five assays. Specimens from 2 children were negative by culture and the CLO test but positive by the other three assays. Specimens from 1 child were negative by histologic analysis but positive by all other tests. The remaining child was positive for anti-H pylori IgG but negative by all of the other four assays. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy detected 14 children with peptic ulcer disease (9 duodenal ulcer and 5 gastric ulcer) and 12 with antral nodular gastritis. Only 4 of the 14 diagnosed with peptic ulcer were H pylori positive by all five assays, whereas all 12 children with antral nodular gastritis were H pylori positive. Nine of the 12 H pylori-positive children were treated with a combination of bismuth subsalicylate, amoxicillin, and metronidazole for 2 weeks. Sera obtained at 2, 4, and 6 months after treatment from all 9 children showed a decrease in anti-H pylori IgG titer. Three H pylori-infected children who did not receive any treatment served as control children, and their IgG levels remained elevated or increased over time. CONCLUSION. The results from our study indicate that screening for the serum IgG antibody to H pylori is a practical method for diagnosing H pylori infection in children, and that serial measurements of the H pylori IgG antibody are useful for monitoring treatment of H pylori because of its high sensitivity and ease of performance. Only 4 of the 14 children diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease were confirmed to be infected with H pylori, whereas all 12 children with antral nodular gastritis were found to be infected by H pylori. These observations suggest that H pylori infection is more frequently associated with gastritis than with peptic ulcer disease in children, and that H pylori gastritis is a cause of RAP syndrome in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After being irradiated in air by a XeCl (308 nm) excimer laser, the electrical conductivity of solid thin-film C[sub 60] has been improved by more than six orders of magnitudes. The products resulting from laser irradiation of C[sub 60] films have been investigated by Raman scattering and the onset of conductivity can be attributed to laser-induced oxygenation and disintegration of the fullerene. Irradiated by &ap;40 ns laser pulses with different fluence, products with different microstructure were observed. At lower fluence, the Raman features of microcrystalline graphite and fullerene polymer were observed. At a fluence just below the ablation threshold (36 mJ/cm[sup 2] ), the fullerene molecules in the film were disintegrated completely and transformed to amorphous graphite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By employing a double-pass absorption design and pressure clamping technique, a diode end-pumped continuous-wave Yb:Y2O3 ceramic disc laser at room temperature has been developed. An optimum output power of 10.5 W near 1078 nm was obtained at a pump power of 35 W. The laser threshold was 7 W and the corresponding slope-efficiency was 37.5%. The red-shift phenomena under different pump power levels and output couplings have been investigated. The still evolving Yb:Y2O3 ceramic is a super-excellent media for high brightness laser applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Li+ ion-doped BaTiO3 (LBT-x, x = 0, 3%, 5%, 7%) ceramics were prepared by the solid-state reaction method, which were analyzed by XRD and EDS. The Ba2TiO4 phase was formed on the surface of sintered LBT-x ceramics with high Li+ concentration (x = 5%, 7%), and tetragonal phase appeared after the removal of Ba2TiO4 surface layer. According to the results from first-principle calculation of 2 × 2 × 2 and 3 × 3 × 3 supercells, Li+ ions can occupy B site of ABO3 perovskite structure. The LBT-x (x = 3%, 5%, 7%) ceramics showed antiferroelectric-like double hysteresis loops which form [LiTi–Vo]− dipoles and pin the domain walls. The piezoelectric constant d33 also decreases due to pinning effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: N-Acetyltransferase (NAT) 2 is an important enzyme involved in the metabolism of different xenobiotics, including potential carcinogens, whose phenotypes were reported to be related to individual susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the results remain conflicting. To assess the relationship between NAT2 phenotypes and CRC risk, we performed this meta-analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify all case-control or cohort studies of NAT2 acetylator status on the susceptibility of CRC by searching of PubMed and EMBASE, up to May 20, 2011. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association. RESULTS: A total of over 40,000 subjects from 40 published literatures were identified by searching the databases. No significantly elevated CRC risk in individuals with NAT2 slow acetylators compared with fast acetylators was found when all studies pooled (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.87-1.04, I(2) = 52.6%). While three studies contributed to the source of heterogeneity were removed, there was still null result observed (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.90-1.03, P = 0.17 for heterogeneity, I(2) = 17.8%). In addition, we failed to detect any associations in the stratified analyses by race, sex, source of controls, smoking status, genotyping methods or tumor localization. No publication bias was observed in this study. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that the NAT2 phenotypes may not be associated with colorectal cancer development.

PURPOSE: The potential prognostic value of survivin in resected non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is variably reported. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of literatures evaluating survivin expression in resected NSCLC as a prognostic indicator. METHODS: Relevant literatures were identified using PubMed, EMBASE and Chinese Biomedicine Databases. We present the results of a meta-analysis of the association between survivin expression and overall survival (OS) in NSCLC patients. Studies were pooled and summary hazard ratios (HR) were calculated. Subgroup analyses and publication bias were also conducted. RESULTS: We performed a final analysis of 2703 patients from 28 evaluable studies. Combined HRs suggested that survivin overexpression had an unfavorable impact on NSCLC patients' survival with no evidence of any significant publication bias (HR = 2.03, 95%CI: 1.78-2.33, Egger's test, P = 0.24) and no severe heterogeneity between studies (I² = 26.9%). Its effect also appeared significant when stratified according to the studies categorized by histological type, HR estimate, patient race, cutoff point (5%, 10%), detection methods and literature written language except for disease stage. Survivin was identified as a prognostic marker of advanced-stage NSCLC (HR = 1.93, 95%CI: 1.49-2.51), but not early-stage NSCLC (HR = 1.97, 95%CI: 0.76-5.14), in spite of the combined data being relatively small. CONCLUSION: This study shows that survivin expression appears to be a pejorative prognostic factor in terms of overall survival in surgically treated NSCLC. Large prospective studies are now needed to confirm the clinical utility of survivin as an independent prognostic marker.

Using a quite uniformly side-around arranged compact pumping system, a high power Nd:YAG ceramic quasi-CW laser has been demonstrated with high optical-to-optical conversion efficiency over 50% for the first time. With 450 W quasi-CW stacked laser diode bars pumping at 808 nm, 236 W output at 1064 nm was obtained and no saturation phenomena were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) has emerged as one of the most important causes of nosocomial infections. The SaeRS two-component signal transduction system (TCS) influences virulence and biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus. The deletion of saeR in S. epidermidis results in impaired anaerobic growth and decreased nitrate utilization. However, the regulatory function of SaeRS on biofilm formation and autolysis in S. epidermidis remains unclear. Results The saeRS genes of SE1457 were deleted by homologous recombination. The saeRS deletion mutant, SE1457ΔsaeRS, exhibited increased biofilm formation that was disturbed more severely (a 4-fold reduction) by DNase I treatment compared to SE1457 and the complementation strain SE1457saec. Compared to SE1457 and SE1457saec, SE1457ΔsaeRS showed increased Triton X-100-induced autolysis (approximately 3-fold) and decreased cell viability in planktonic/biofilm states; further, SE1457ΔsaeRS also released more extracellular DNA (eDNA) in the biofilms. Correlated with the increased autolysis phenotype, the transcription of autolysis-related genes, such as atlE and aae, was increased in SE1457ΔsaeRS. Whereas the expression of accumulation-associated protein was up-regulated by 1.8-fold in 1457ΔsaeRS, the expression of an N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase enzyme (encoded by icaA) critical for polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA) synthesis was not affected by the deletion of saeRS. Conclusions Deletion of saeRS in S. epidermidis resulted in an increase in biofilm-forming ability, which was associated with increased eDNA release and up-regulated Aap expression. The increased eDNA release from SE1457ΔsaeRS was associated with increased bacterial autolysis and decreased bacterial cell viability in the planktonic/biofilm states.

Abstract Background Staphylococcus epidermidis has emerged as one of the most important nosocomial pathogens, mainly because of its ability to colonize implanted biomaterials by forming a biofilm. Extensive studies are focused on the molecular mechanisms involved in biofilm formation. The LytSR two-component regulatory system regulates autolysis and biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus. However, the role of LytSR played in S. epidermidis remained unknown. Results In the present study, we demonstrated that lytSR knock-out in S. epidermidis did not alter susceptibility to Triton X-100 induced autolysis. Quantitative murein hydrolase assay indicated that disruption of lytSR in S. epidermidis resulted in decreased activities of extracellular murein hydrolases, although zymogram showed no apparent differences in murein hydrolase patterns between S. epidermidis strain 1457 and its lytSR mutant. Compared to the wild-type counterpart, 1457ΔlytSR produced slightly more biofilm, with significantly decreased dead cells inside. Microarray analysis showed that lytSR mutation affected the transcription of 164 genes (123 genes were upregulated and 41 genes were downregulated). Specifically, genes encoding proteins responsible for protein synthesis, energy metabolism were downregulated, while genes involved in amino acid and nucleotide biosynthesis, amino acid transporters were upregulated. Impaired ability to utilize pyruvate and reduced activity of arginine deiminase was observed in 1457ΔlytSR, which is consistent with the microarray data. Conclusions The preliminary results suggest that in S. epidermidis LytSR two-component system regulates extracellular murein hydrolase activity, bacterial cell death and pyruvate utilization. Based on the microarray data, it appears that lytSR inactivation induces a stringent response. In addition, LytSR may indirectly enhance biofilm formation by altering the metabolic status of the bacteria.

Abstract Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of liver infection in human. Because of the lack of an appropriate cell culture system for supporting HBV infection efficiently, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of hepadnavirus infection remain incompletely understood. Duck heptatitis B virus (DHBV) can naturally infect primary duck hepatocytes (PDHs) that provide valuable model systems for studying hepadnavirus infection in vitro. In this report, we explored global changes in cellular protein expression in DHBV infected PDHs by two-dimension gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with MALDI-TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Results The effects of hepadnavirus infection on hepatocytes were investigated in DHBV infected PDHs by the 2-DE analysis. Proteomic profile of PDHs infected with DHBV were analyzed at 24, 72 and 120 h post-infection by comparing with uninfected PDHs, and 75 differentially expressed protein spots were revealed by 2-DE analysis. Among the selected protein spots, 51 spots were identified corresponding to 42 proteins by MS/MS analysis; most of them were matched to orthologous proteins of Gallus gallus, Anas platyrhynchos or other avian species, including alpha-enolase, lamin A, aconitase 2, cofilin-2 and annexin A2, etc. The down-regulated expression of beta-actin and annexin A2 was confirmed by Western blot analysis, and potential roles of some differentially expressed proteins in the virus-infected cells have been discussed. Conclusions Differentially expressed proteins of DHBV infected PDHs revealed by 2-DE, are involved in carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, stress responses and cytoskeleton processes etc, providing the insight to understanding of interactions between hepadnavirus and hepatocytes and molecular mechanisms of hepadnavirus pathogenesis.

Discretization of interaction force is an important issue in the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) method for two-phase systems. A variety of discretization schemes for the interaction force have been developed from different viewpoints. Although these schemes are totally identical mathematically, they may have quite different behaviors in actual applications. In this paper we investigate the mass conservation properties of four discretization forcing schemes that have been adopted in a variety of two-phase LBE models. It is found that LBE with the mixed scheme does not conserve the total mass, and the violation is related to grid resolution, fluid velocity, and density variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The function of the ventricular specialized conduction system in the heart is to ensure the coordinated electrical activation of the ventricles. It is therefore critical to the overall function of the heart, and has also been implicated as an important player in various diseases, including lethal ventricular arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation and drug-induced torsades de pointes. However, current ventricular models of electrophysiology usually ignore, or include highly simplified representations of the specialized conduction system. Here, we describe the development of an image-based, species-consistent, anatomically-detailed model of rabbit ventricular electrophysiology that incorporates a detailed description of the free-running part of the specialized conduction system. Techniques used for the construction of the geometrical model of the specialized conduction system from a magnetic resonance dataset and integration of the system model into a ventricular anatomical model, developed from the same dataset, are described. Computer simulations of rabbit ventricular electrophysiology are conducted using the novel anatomical model and rabbit-specific membrane kinetics to investigate the importance of the components and properties of the conduction system in determining ventricular function under physiological conditions. Simulation results are compared to panoramic optical mapping experiments for model validation and results interpretation. Full access is provided to the anatomical models developed in this study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Carbon nanodots (CDs), a new star in the carbon nanomaterials family, have been demonstrated to show strong luminescence, and can meet the needs of large-scale production for biological and medical applications due to their low toxicity and biocompatibility. However, their luminescence mechanisms, such as color tuning and strong excitation-dependent luminescence, are still unclear. Herein, we present a state-of-the-art understanding and manipulating luminescence in CDs by changing their environmental states and using multiple spectroscopic methods as well as the first-principles theoretical calculations. Our study reveals that the edge-carbon atoms and incorporated nitrogen atoms play critical roles in the luminescence mechanisms of CDs, and thus paves the way for manipulation of luminescence in CDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]