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Transposable elements (TEs) contribute to gene expression regulation by acting as cis-regulatory elements that attract transcription factors and epigenetic regulators. This research aims to explore the functional and clinical implications of transposable element-related molecular events in hepatocellular carcinoma, focusing on the mechanism through which liver-specific accessible TEs (liver-TEs) regulate adjacent gene expression. Our findings reveal that the expression of HNF4A is inversely regulated by proximate liver-TEs, which facilitates liver cancer cell proliferation. Mechanistically, liver-TEs are predominantly occupied by the histone demethylase, KDM1A. KDM1A negatively influences the methylation of histone H3 Lys4 (H3K4) of liver-TEs, resulting in the epigenetic silencing of HNF4A expression. The suppression of HNF4A mediated by KDM1A promotes liver cancer cell proliferation. In conclusion, this study uncovers a liver-TE/KDM1A/HNF4A regulatory axis that promotes liver cancer growth and highlights KDM1A as a promising therapeutic target. Our findings provide insight into the transposable element-related molecular mechanisms underlying liver cancer progression. The functional role of transposable elements (TEs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains to be explored. Here, the authors identify a liver-TE/KDM1A/HNF4A regulatory axis that promotes HCC growth and suggest therapeutic targeting of KDM1A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil microbial communities are engineers of important biogeochemical processes and play a critical role in regulating the functions and stability of forest ecosystem. However, few studies have assessed microbial interactions during forest conversion, which is essential to the understanding of the structure and function of soil microbiome. Herein, we investigated the co-occurrence network pattern and putative functions of fungal and bacterial communities in forest-transforming areas (five sites that cover the typical forests) using high-throughput sequencing of the ITS genes and 16S rRNA. Our study showed that the bacterial network had higher average connectivity and more links than fungal network, which might indicate that the bacterial community had more complex internal interactions compared with fungal one. Alphaproteobacteria_unclassfied, Telmatobacter, 0319-6A21 and Latescibacteria_unclassfied were the keystone taxa in bacterial network. For the fungal community network, the keystone taxon was Ceratobasidium. A structural equation model indicated that the available potassium and total organic carbon were important soil environmental factors, which affected all microbial modules, including bacterial and fungi. Total nitrogen had significant effects on the bacterial module that contains a relatively rich group of nitrogen cycling functions, and pH influenced the bacterial module which have higher potential functions of carbon cycling. And, more fungal modules were directly affected by forest structure (S Tree) compared with bacterial ones. This study provides new insights into our understanding of the feedback of underground creatures to forest conversion and highlights the importance of microbial modules in the nutrient cycling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: Class action against Ethicon (J&J), manufacturer of transvaginal mesh devices, including mid-urethral slings (MUS), was brought to the Federal Court of Australia in 2016 by Shine Lawyers. As a result, subpoenas to all hospitals and networks were received, which overrode patient privacy concerns. This medical record search allowed a complete audit and communication with patients to offer clinical review. This enabled a review of complications, readmission and re-operation for women who underwent a MUS for stress urinary incontinence. Methods: A cohort study of women who underwent MUS treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) at a single tertiary teaching hospital between 1999 and 2017 was carried out. The main outcome measures were the rate of readmission and re-operation following MUS procedures. These include voiding dysfunction managed by sling loosening or sling division, mesh pain or exposure managed by mesh removal and reoperation for recurrent stress urinary incontinence. Results: Between 1999 and 2017, a total of 1,462 women were identified as having a MUS; of these, 1,195 (81.7%) had full patient records available. Voiding dysfunction requiring surgical intervention with sling loosening or division was 3%, excision for mesh exposure was 2%, and partial or complete excision for pain was 1% at a median of 10 years from index surgery. The reoperation rate for recurrent stress urinary incontinence was 3%. Conclusion(s): This audit of all MUS procedures performed at a tertiary centre confirms an overall low rate of readmission for complications and recurrent SUI surgery; this justifies its continued availability with appropriate informed consent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining activities can cause heavy metal pollution which affects soil microbial diversity. Current understanding on the impact of Cu mines especially that of bioavailable heavy metals on microbial communities is still limited. This study investigated heavy metal distribution and microbial diversity of the surrounding soil and tailings of two Cu mines from Tibet (JM) and Zhejiang (JD), China. Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cr concentrations in the soil around JM were 107.33 ± 75.48, 29.21 ± 19.66, 73.89 ± 28.79, and 17.88 ± 4.91 mg·kg−1, respectively, and those of JD were 40.59 ± 21.86, 27.00 ± 19.40, 95.45 ± 54.36, and 30.87 ± 11.55 mg·kg−1, respectively. For each mine, the sites closer to the mining area displayed higher PINemerow values and acid extractable contents of Cu (Cu_AE), Zn (Zn_AE), and Pb (Pb_AE). The tailings samples showed lower microbial diversity and higher abundances of heavy metal–resistant organisms including the ones from the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and the genera Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Staphylococcus than the surrounding soil samples. Canonical corresponding analysis (CCA) revealed that water content, altitude, electrical conductivity (EC), total concentration of Zn (Zn_total), Cu_AE, Zn_AE, and Pb_AE, and pH value were effective environmental factors shaping the structure of all the investigated communities. Acid extractable contents of Pb and Zn rather than their total concentrations were significantly correlated to JM surrounding soil microbial structure. Microbial structure differentiations of the surrounding soil of JM and JD were largely attributed to stochastic processes, suggested by the beta nearest taxon index (beta NTI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection characteristics of elementary tellurium (Te) nanocrystalline thin film for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas detection are presented. An electron beam evaporation method (eBE) was used to deposit elementary Te ultrathin nanocrystalline films at room temperature, with the thickness from 10 nm to 40 nm. An intermittent deposition method was employed to regulate the distribution of grains during the whole film deposition process. A type of compact and continuous nanocrystalline film structure was confirmed by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis. Such a structural feature of thin films is able to provide a continuous grain boundary, which can increase the surface-to-volume ratio and further improve the sensitivity of the sensors. The effects of film thickness and gas concentration with respect to the sensor performance have been evaluated. The sensor presents a ppm (parts per million)-level NO2 detection limit in an atmospheric environment, and the maximum sensitivity is up to 7.926 × 105 ppm−1. In addition, a complete evaluation demonstration system was developed for a NO2 concentration real-time monitor, which provides the possibility for the sensor to be applied to actual environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: This study reports the long-term anatomic and subjective outcomes following sacrocolpopexy based on mesh weight and provides device-specific data. Methods: This cohort study compared ultra-lightweight (≤ 20 g/m2) with lightweight mesh (≥ 25 g/m2). The primary outcome was composite failure defined as at least one of ≥ stage 2 apical prolapse, anterior or posterior vaginal wall beyond hymen, complaint of bulge or retreatment. Effect measure estimates were calculated as the incidence rate ratio of composite failure comparing the use of ultra-light with lightweight mesh. Crude and adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were obtained using uni- and multivariable Poisson regression models. Results: Of 358 women who met inclusion criteria, 220 (61%) agreed to attend for review; 95 (43%) had ultra-lightweight mesh and 125 (57%) had lightweight mesh including UpsylonTM. Median follow-up for ultra-light and lightweight mesh was 36 (IQR 22–42) and 63 (IQR 48–87) months, respectively (p < 0.001). Accounting for differences in follow-up time, there was no significant difference in composite failure between ultra-light and lightweight mesh groups (IRR 1.47, 95% CI 0.83–2.52, p = 0.15). This persisted after adjustment for age, body mass index, parity, smoking and presence of advanced prolapse prior to surgery (IRR 1.52, 95% CI 0.94–2.47, p = 0.087). Mesh exposure for both groups was mostly asymptomatic, and the rate was 7% for the ultra-light group and 8% in the lightweight group. Overall, repeat surgery for recurrent apical prolapse and mesh exposure occurred in 4% and 2%, respectively. Conclusions: Ultra-lightweight mesh appears to have similar incidence rate of failure compared to lightweight mesh. UpsylonTM mesh has a similar low rate of recurrent apical prolapse and mesh exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to assess HKII expression and its prognostic significance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. The HKII protein level was determined by immunohistochemistry in 159 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients, and its relationship with overall response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) was analyzed. HKII was expressed in 95 DLBCL patients (59.7%). HKII-positive patients had poorer outcomes than negative patients for 5-y PFS (68% vs. 84%, p = 0.029) and 5-y OS (78% vs. 94%, p = 0.05). When only patients without no bulky disease, B symptoms, or extranodal involvement who had low IPI scores were considered, those with positive HKII had worse 5y-PFS and 5y-OS (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that HKII status was an independent prognostic factor of OS. In subgroup analysis, HKII expression was associated with inferior OS in the CHOP group (p = 0.017). In CHOP group patients without bulky disease or extranodal involvement who had low LDH and low IPI scores (p < 0.05), positive HKII was associated with worse PFS and OS. No differences in PFS and OS, or any independent prognostic factors, were found in the RCHOP group. In DLBCL, HKII is valuable as a prognostic biomarker and may be useful as a tool for assessing disease risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: It is known that nitrogen (N) input modulates the rhizosphere priming effect (RPE); however, the magnitude and driving mechanisms of priming under increasing rates of fertilizer application remain unclear. Methods: 15N-urea (control, 75 (N75), 150 (N150), 225 (N225), and 300 (N300) kg N ha−1) was applied to a plant (maize)-soil (rice paddy) system and the RPE was monitored during the trumpet period (the most active stage) of plant growth. Results: Addition of N decreased soil-derived CO2 emission by 21.1–49.3% in the presence of plants. The RPE declined following N input in the control−N150 as a result of low microbial C:N imbalance, which decreased enzyme activities due to low microbial N mining and microbial activation, and high microbial metabolic efficiency (MME). In contrast, the RPE increased following N input in the N150 − N300, which was attributed to the high microbial C:N imbalance causing low MME, rather than the promotion of microbial N mining or microbial activation mechanisms. The microbial C:N imbalance was the result of N competition between microorganisms and plants. Conclusions: Thus, the combination of enzyme activities and MME mediates N-regulated RPE, while N competition drives the switching of RPE mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of interim positron emission tomography (iPET) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Among 53 enrolled patients, 39 had iPET-negative (iPET−) and 14 had iPET-positive (iPET+) scans. The objective response rate was 94.3%. The 3-year progression-free survival was 65.7% and the 3-year overall survival was 79.9%. The iPET− patients had significantly higher 3-year PFS rate (78.1% vs. 34.3%) and improved OS (87.1% vs. 62.3%) than iPET+ patients. In the univariate analysis, iPET− was the sole independent prognostic factor for PFS. In conclusion, PET/CT has a good prognostic value in patients with advanced-stage DLBCL. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT 01804127. Registered on March 5th, 2013, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01804127?term=01804127&rank=1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) that are strongly associated with many genetic diseases and tumors are important both biologically and clinically. Detection of SNVs holds great potential for disease diagnosis and prognosis. Recent advances in DNA nanotechnology have offered numerous principles and strategies amenable to the detection and quantification of SNVs with high sensitivity, specificity, and programmability. In this review, we will focus our discussion on emerging techniques making use of DNA strand displacement, a basic building block in dynamic DNA nanotechnology. Based on their operation principles, we classify current SNV detection methods into three main categories, including strategies using toehold-mediated strand displacement reactions, toehold-exchange reactions, and enzyme-mediated strand displacement reactions. These detection methods discriminate SNVs from their wild-type counterparts through subtle differences in thermodynamics, kinetics, or response to enzymatic manipulation. The remarkable programmability of dynamic DNA nanotechnology also allows the predictable design and flexible operation of diverse strand displacement probes and/or primers. Here, we offer a systematic survey of current strategies, with an emphasis on the molecular mechanisms and their applicability to in vitro diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate shifts in the bacterial community structure and soil enzyme activities during long-term reclamation of different land use types in a freshwater wetland. Materials and methods: Illumina 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing and soil extracellular enzymes were used to evaluate changes in bacterial community structure and potential function under four different land use types after 38 years of reclamation: abandoned wetland (AW), vegetable field (VF), pond sediment (PS), rice field (RF) and natural wetland (NW). Results and discussion: Although bacterial rRNA gene alpha diversity remained unchanged, the bacterial community composition changed significantly under different land uses according to hydrological conditions. Under drying-wetting cycle conditions, RF harbored a similar bacterial community composition as NW, with Acidobacteriales, Holophagae, Planctomycetes, and Spirochaetae being dominant in both. Additionally, AW and VF as upland soil had significantly higher abundance of Gemmatimonadates and Actinobacteria. The composition of permanently flooded soil (PS) had unique features and significantly enriched levels of Chlorobi. The shifts in bacterial community structure were mainly driven by soil moisture content, as well as total organic C and N. However, variations in potential enzyme activities were better explained by soil properties than microbial community composition, suggesting high plasticity of the resident microbial community to environmental conditions. Conclusions: Rice field harbored a similar bacterial community structure as natural wetland, while the responses of enzyme activities for all land use types differed significantly. The distributions of bacterial community might be influenced by hydrology, while extracellular enzyme activities were closely related to soil properties. Our results suggest that the function of the active microbial community should also be considered in environmental risk models as indicators of ecosystem conversion caused by land use and anthropogenic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urokinase-targeted recombinant bacterial protein toxins are a sort of rationally designed and engineered anticancer recombinant fusion proteins representing a novel class of agents for cancer therapy. Bacterial protein toxins have long been known as the primary virulence factor(s) for a variety of pathogenic bacteria and are the most powerful human poisons. On the other hand, it has been well documented that urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), making up the uPA system, are over-expressed in a variety of human tumors and tumor cell lines. The expression of uPA system is highly correlated with tumor invasion and metastasis. To exploit these characteristics in the design of tumor cell-selective cytotoxins, two prominent bacterial protein toxins, i.e., the diphtheria toxin and anthrax toxin are deliberately engineered through placing a sequence targeted specifically by the uPA system to form anticancer recombinant fusion proteins. These uPA system-targeted bacterial protein toxins are activated selectively on the surface of uPA system-expressing tumor cells, thereby killing these cells. This article provides a review on the latest progress in the exploitation of these recombinant fusion proteins as potent tumoricidal agents. It is perceptible that the strategies for cancer therapy are being innovated by this novel therapeutic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ganjiang River (length: 823 km; drainage area: 82,809 km2) is the largest river that flows into Poyang Lake and an important tributary of the Yangtze River. In this study, fish fauna were collected from 10 stations in the lower reaches of the river (YC: Yichun, XY: Xinyu, SG: Shanggao, GA: Ganan, ZS: Zhangshu, FC: Fengcheng, NC: Nanchang, QS: Qiaoshe, NX: Nanxin, CC: Chucha) from March 2017 to February 2018. The species composition and distribution as well as spatio-temporal variation in biodiversity and abundance were then examined. Overall, 12,680 samples comprising15 families and 84 species were collected, the majority of which belonged to the Order Cypriniformes (69.05% of the total species collected) and Cyprinidae (64.29%). Moreover, of these 84 species, 36 (42.86%) were endemic to China. Dominant species were Cyprinus carpio (index of relative importance (IRI): 17.19%), Pseudobrama simoni (IRI: 10.81%) and Xenocypris argentea (IRI: 10.20%). Subsequent cluster analysis divided the samples into three significantly different groups by sample site. Meanwhile, Margalef species richness and Shannon−Wiener diversity indices were both low, and along with analyses of abundance-biomass curves suggested moderate disturbance. Current threats to the conservation of fish biodiversity in the lower reaches were also reviewed and management solutions suggested. The results will help form the basis for reasonable exploitation and protection of freshwater fish in the lower reaches of the Ganjiang River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]