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Pentamidine and melarsoprol are primary drugs used to treat the lethal human sleeping sickness caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Cross-resistance to these two drugs has recently been linked to aquaglyceroporin 2 of the trypanosome (TbAQP2). TbAQP2 is the first member of the aquaporin family described as capable of drug transport; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of TbAQP2 bound to pentamidine or melarsoprol. Our structural studies, together with the molecular dynamic simulations, reveal the mechanisms shaping substrate specificity and drug permeation. Multiple amino acids in TbAQP2, near the extracellular entrance and inside the pore, create an expanded conducting tunnel, sterically and energetically allowing the permeation of pentamidine and melarsoprol. Our study elucidates the mechanism of drug transport by TbAQP2, providing valuable insights to inform the design of drugs against trypanosomiasis. Pentamidine and melarsoprol are drugs used to treat sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma brucei. Here, authors present cryo-EM structures of TbAQP2 with molecular dynamic simulations, revealing mechanisms shaping substrate specificity and drug permeation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, operational in-situ marine monitoring is the primary means of directly obtaining hydrological, meteorological, and oceanographic environmental parameters across sea areas, and it is essential for applications such as forecast of marine environment, prevention and mitigation of disaster, exploitation of marine resources, marine environmental protection, and management of transportation safety. In this paper, we summarise the composition, development courses, and present operational status of three systems of operational in-situ marine monitoring, namely coastal marine automated network station, ocean data buoy and voluntary observing ship measuring and reporting system. Additionally, we discuss the technical development in these in-situ systems and achievements in the key generic technologies along with future development trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Lenvatinib is recommended as a first-line therapy in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Combination therapy with local therapy (LT) or PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (PI) might improve the antitumor effect of lenvatinib. The objective of this study was to investigate the antitumor effect of lenvatinib-based combination therapies. Methods: The study retrospectively analyzed 215 HCC patients who received lenvatinib therapy. The outcomes of patients treated with lenvatinib monotherapy as well as combination strategies were compared. Progression-free survival (PFS) by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1 was the primary endpoint, while PFS by mRECIST, overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR) and safety were the secondary endpoints. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to overcome the bias of baseline characteristics. Results: Compared with lenvatinib monotherapy, combination therapy prolonged PFS (by RECIST v1.1, 7.77 vs. 4.43 months, P = 0.045; by mRECIST, 6.97 vs. 5.27 months, P = 0.067). A higher ORR was also recorded in the combined-therapy group, according to both RECIST v1.1 (37 vs. 5%, P < 0.001) and mRECIST (53 vs. 11%, P < 0.001). Similar outcomes were obtained after PSM. Moreover, triple therapy (combined with both PI and LT) was significantly superior to dual therapy (combined with either PI or LT) in terms of better PFS according to RECIST v1.1 (8.90 vs. 6.43 months, P = 0.023). However, adverse events occurred in more patients receiving combined therapy and triple therapy. No difference was observed in OS between groups. Conclusion: Combination therapies based on lenvatinib were associated with significantly better PFS and tumor response rates than lenvatinib monotherapy in HCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX), lenvatinib and programmed death receptor-1 signaling inhibitors (PD1s) all alone have been proven effective in treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet the efficacy and safety of the tri-combination therapy in treating HCC patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) remains unknown. Methods: In this retrospective study, HCC patients with PVTT received either induction therapy of HAIC and lenvatinib plus PD1s in the initial period of treatment and then dual maintenance therapy of lenvatinib and PD1s (HAIC-Len-PD1) or continuous lenvatinib combined with PD1s (Len-PD1). Results: In total, 53 and 89 patients were enrolled into the Len-PD1 group and HAIC-Len-PD1 group, respectively. The median overall survival times were 13.8 months in the Len-PD1 group and 26.3 months in the HAIC-Len-PD1 group (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.43, P < 0.001). The median progression-free survival (PFS) time was significantly longer in the HAIC-Len-PD1 group than in the Len-PD1 group (11.5 months versus 5.5 months, HR = 0.43, P < 0.001). Induction therapy showed an objective response rate (ORR) 3 times higher than lenvatinib combined with PD1s therapy (61.8% versus 20.8%, P < 0.001), and exhibited inspiring intra- and extra-hepatic tumor control ability. Induction therapy led to more adverse events than lenvatinib combined with PD1s therapy, most of which were tolerable and controllable. Conclusion: The induction therapy of FOLFOX-HAIC and lenvatinib plus PD1s is an effective and safe treatment for HCC patients with PVTT. The concept of induction therapy could be applied to other local–regional treatments and drugs combinations in HCC management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tsunamis can cause massive damage and loss of life in coastal areas. This study uses Putuoshan Island as a case study to discuss ways to identify tsunami prevention zones based on the analysis of physical factors such as inundation, maximum wave amplitude, and tsunami flow. In the Ryukyu Trench Mw 9.0 tsunami scenario, the tsunami prevention zones of Putuoshan Island consist of land areas and marine areas. Our analysis identified two inundation areas in the western and southern Putuoshan Island as tsunami prevention zones. With the exception of the western marine area, the coastal waters of Putuoshan Island are also identified as tsunami prevention zones. The tsunami flow impact is greater in the waters of north and south Putuoshan Island. The results of this study could be used by emergency departments to take protective measures and thus to prevent the disastrous effects of tsunamis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is considered as a convenient treatment with mild damage in treating recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (RHCC). However, for patients with high risk of progression after RFA still needs new strategies to decrease the repeat recurrence.Methods: A total of 460 patients with RHCC within Milan criteria in four institutions were enrolled. 174 pairs were enrolled after propensity score matching (PSM). Overall survival (OS) and tumor-free survival (TFS) were compared between the two groups. A quantitative score system was established to screen out the beneficial population from RFA-sorafenib treatment.Results: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 97.7%, 83.7%, 54.7% for RFA-sorafenib group, and 93.1%, 61.3%, 30.9% for RFA group after PSM, respectively. Compared with the RFA group, the RFA-sorafenib group had significantly better OS (P < 0.001). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year TFS rates were 90.8%, 49.0%, 20.4% for RFA-sorafenib group, and 67.8%, 28.0%, 14.5% for RFA group after PSM. The difference was observed significantly between RFA-sorafenib group and RFA group (P < 0.001). A quantitative risk score system was established to precisely screen out the beneficial population from RFA-sorafenib treatment.Conclusions: Adjuvant sorafenib after RFA was superior to RFA alone in improving survival outcomes in patients with recurrent HCC within Milan criteria after initial hepatectomy. Subgroup analyses concluded that patients with high risk score had significantly longer survival from sorafenib administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can be useful in tumor diagnosis and surveillance. However, its value in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving curative resection remains unknown. Here, we aim to determine the prognostic value of ctDNA in HCC patients. Methods: A prospective cohort enrolled 258 HCC patients who underwent curative liver resection from April 1, 2019, to September 31, 2020. Blood samples were collected before surgery for the detection of ctDNA. Results: The number of total mutant genes in ctDNA was associated with early tumor relapse (HR = 2.2, p < 0.001). We defined a gene set consisting of APC, ARID1A, CDKN2A, FAT1, LRP1B, MAP3K1, PREX2, TERT and TP53 as high-risk genes (HRGs) associated with early recurrence. Patients were classified into low-, median- and high-risk levels based on the number of mutant genes in the HRGs. High-risk patients had worse recurrence free survival, especially single-tumor patients (HR = 13.0, p < 0.001). The risk level and TNM stage were independently associated with tumor recurrence. A preoperative recurrence estimation nomogram based on those two factors was constructed and demonstrated good accuracy with a C index of 0.76 (95% CI 0.70–0.82). Patients preserved FAT1 or LRP1B variants but without TP53 variants had worse progression free survival for receiving lenvatinib combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors after recurrence (HR = 17.1, p < 0.001). Furthermore, RNA sequencing data revealed that ctDNA status was associated with tumor immune infiltration. Conclusion: Preoperative serum ctDNA can be a practical noninvasive approach to predict recurrence after surgery and response to systemic therapies. ctDNA-guided HCC management should be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with intermediate to advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer [BCLC] stage B/C) have few choices of curable treatments and thus suffer from dismal outcomes. Although surgical resection could prolong survival in certain selected patients with BCLC stage B/C HCC, the frequent postoperative recurrence and poor survival of these patients need to be improved by combining other therapies perioperatively. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the survival associations of adjuvant portal vein perfusion chemotherapy (PVC) and neoadjuvant hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with resectable BCLC stage B/C HCC. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in consecutive patients who underwent R0 resection for intermediate to advanced stage HCC, combined with either PVC or HAIC perioperatively between January 2017 and December 2018. Patients treated with PVC or HAIC were analyzed according to intention-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) principles, respectively. The chemotherapy regimen of adjuvant PVC and neoadjuvant HAIC included 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin/oxaliplatin. Survival analysis and Cox regression for overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were used to compare the outcomes. Results: Among all 64 patients enrolled in this study, 28 received perioperative PVC and 36 received HAIC for ITT analysis. Age (median 44.00 vs. 46.50 years; p = 0.364), sex (male: 25/28 vs. 35/36; p = 0.435), and tumor size (median 9.55 vs. 8.10 cm; p = 0.178) were comparable between the two groups. In the ITT analysis, the median OS was significantly longer in patients in the HAIC group compared with the PVC group (median OS not reached vs. 19.47 months; p = 0.004); in the PP analysis, patients who received neoadjuvant HAIC followed by hepatectomy presented with much better EFS than patients in the PVC group (modified EFS 16.90 vs. 3.17 months; p = 0.022); and in the multivariate analysis, neoadjuvant HAIC presented as a significant predictor for enhanced EFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.296; p = 0.007) and OS (HR 0.095; p = 0.007) for BCLC stage B/C HCC patients who received hepatectomy. Conclusions: Compared with adjuvant PVC, neoadjuvant HAIC treatment was associated with better survival and fewer recurrences in HCC patients who received R0 resection at the intermediate to advanced stage. These results need to be further validated prospectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The milling force has an important influence on tool wear and workpiece deformation, which is an important reference factor for selecting milling parameters. In this paper, based on the friction angle of the primary shear zone obtained from the orthogonal cutting simulation experiment, a three-dimensional instantaneous milling force prediction model is established, with an iterative model of ploughing force coefficient developed. By introducing the friction angle and establishing a new model of the tool-workpiece engagement area, the applicability of the prediction model of milling force is greatly improved, that is, based on a set of orthogonal cutting experiments, this model can predict the three-dimensional instantaneous milling forces under arbitrary geometric parameters of tool and cutting parameters. The accuracy of the milling force prediction model is verified by the milling experiment of aluminum alloy 2A14, and the prediction error of the milling force model is less than 30%. The results show that the relative error of average milling force decreases with the increase of cutting speed, so the prediction model of milling force has high accuracy under high cutting speed conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halogeton glomeratus (H. glomeratus) is one of the most important halophytes in Asia, and the research on the genes and salt-tolerant mechanisms of this species is limited because of the lack of an optimal and efficient in vitro regeneration system. Here, we developed an efficient plant regeneration protocol using H. glomeratus leaves as explants, which has not been previously reported. High-quality calli were successfully obtained from the H. glomeratus leaves at a frequency of 100% supplemented with 2.00 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 0.50 g/L PVP, 5.00 g/L agar, and 30.00 g/L sucrose; the optimum callus subculture medium is 1.00 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 0.50 g/L PVP, 5.00 g/L agar, and 30.00 g/L sucrose. Shoots were regenerated on shoot induction medium at a frequency of 100% added with 0.50 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine, 2.00 mg/L kinetin, 0.20 mg/L naphthaleneacetic acid, 0.50 g/L PVP, 5.00 g/L agar, and 30.00 g/L sucrose; then, shoots grew up on shoot regeneration medium. Finally, roots were regenerated from the shoots on Murashige and Skoog medium with high efficiency. This study firstly offers a rapid and efficient system for plantlet regeneration from leaves of H. glomeratus. Whether our protocol applies well to other tissue regeneration of H. glomeratus needs further confirmation. This work will facilitate basic research and salt-tolerant mechanisms of this important halophyte species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the growing popularity of artificial neural networks has urged more and more researchers to try introduce these methods to the machining field, with some of them actually producing good results. The acquisition of cutting data often means higher cost and time, limiting the application of neural network in the machining sector, to a certain extent. In this paper, for the task of cutting force prediction, a "transfer network" was established, based on data obtained by simulation, combined with the theory and method in the field of transfer learning. Compared to "ordinary network", that is, traditional back-propagation neural network based on experimental samples alone, transfer network exhibits obvious performance advantages. On one hand, this means that, using the same experimental samples, the prediction error of transfer network will be controlled; while on the other hand, when the same prediction error is achieved, the number of experimental samples required by the transfer network will be less. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate segregation of chromosomes during meiosis—which is critical for genome stability across sexual cycles—relies on homologous recombination initiated by DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) made by the Spo11 protein1,2. The formation of DSBs is regulated and tied to the elaboration of large-scale chromosome structures3–5, but the protein assemblies that execute and control DNA breakage are poorly understood. Here we address this through the molecular characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RMM (Rec114, Mei4 and Mer2) proteins—essential, conserved components of the DSB machinery2. Each subcomplex of Rec114–Mei4 (a 2:1 heterotrimer) or Mer2 (a coiled-coil-containing homotetramer) is monodispersed in solution, but they independently condense with DNA into reversible nucleoprotein clusters that share properties with phase-separated systems. Multivalent interactions drive this condensation. Mutations that weaken protein–DNA interactions strongly disrupt both condensate formation and DSBs in vivo, and thus these processes are highly correlated. In vitro, condensates fuse into mixed RMM clusters that further recruit Spo11 complexes. Our data show how the DSB machinery self-assembles on chromosome axes to create centres of DSB activity. We propose that multilayered control of Spo11 arises from the recruitment of regulatory components and modulation of the biophysical properties of the condensates. During meiosis, Mer2 and the Rec114–Mei4 complex form condensates that facilitate the formation of double-strand DNA breaks by recruiting the Spo11 transesterase complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals pollution and salinization of soils are widely distributed in agricultural soils. This study investigated the effects of five heavy metals and five heavy metals-contaminated salt on seed germination and seedling growth of halophyte Halogeton glomeratus (H. glomeratus). The results showed that seed germination, fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), radicles relative viability and ion contents (Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+) of H. glomeratus were affected by different heavy metals and heavy metal-polluted 100 mM NaCl treatments. Ion contents in plumules increased with the increase of heavy metal concentrations with or without NaCl addition. Moreover, the accumulation levels of metals in the concentrations of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ supplying 100 mM NaCl were higher than that without NaCl treatment. This can provide new insights into the value of H. glomeratus for phytoremediation of soil affected by heavy metals and also in combination with salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Maritime Silk Road is not only a passageway for business and trade, but also the road of friendship between eastern and western civilizations. The Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 caused major damage to several coastal countries. Tsunami occurrence regularity and hazard analysis are needed to ensure economic and cultural exchange on the Maritime Silk Road. To explore and identify tsunami hazard on the Maritime Silk Road, the spatial and temporal characteristics of historical tsunami events were given out. Some useful information hidden in historical tsunamis was searched from source parameters, such as seismic magnitude, focal depth and water depth. The tsunami possibility in the case of earthquake occurrence was also studied, exploring the probability of tsunami caused by different magnitudes. The analysis result shows that tsunamis on the Maritime Silk Road mainly occurred in 8 major tectonic faults, each of which has different tsunami occurrence regularity. On the basis of statistical analysis, a numerical model was used to simulate the potential tsunamis and show the tsunami hazard levels along the coast of Maritime Silk Road. The research results of this paper can help the tsunami early warning and ensure the safety of economic and cultural exchanges on the Maritime Silk Road. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Phytoremediation by halophytes has been widely advocated as an alternative approach to remediate salt-affected and heavy metal-contaminated soils. The present study was the first to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of halophyte H. glomeratus in heavy metal-contaminated saline soils using a field trial. Materials and methods: H. glomeratus seeds were sown in heavy metal-contaminated saline soil plots and plots without plants were used as the control. The effects of phytoremediation on heavy metal-contaminated saline soils were measured in the following parameters: the plant performance in heavy metal-contaminated saline soil, the exchangeable cation and heavy metal composition of salt samples, the selected chemical properties in soil after planting H. glomeratus, and the oil composition and content in seeds. Results: After one growth season, the survival of plants, dry biomass, seed, and total salt yields of plants were 92.36%, 9806.30 kg ha−1, 619.81 kg ha−1, and 2105.35 kg ha−1, respectively. A large amount of salts and heavy metals accumulated in H.glomeratus plants growing on the heavy metal-contaminated saline soil plots. The salt samples extracted from H. glomeratus plants showed high Na levels (83.33%) and heavy metal concentrations, including Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Hg. After sowing H. glomeratus seeds in heavy metal-contaminated saline soil plots, the levels of salt, Na, and heavy metals in test soils were significantly decreased compared with unsown plots. In addition, the oil content of seeds harvested from H. glomeratus was 19.2% and contained 91.8% unsaturated fatty acids. Conclusions: Our pilot results showed H. glomeratus can potentially hyperaccumulate not only salts but also heavy metals, and the seed oil contained a favorable ratio of fatty acids. Therefore, H. glomeratus is a promising candidate for phytoremediation of salt-affected and heavy metal-contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barley leaf stripe, caused by the fungal pathogen Pyrenophora graminea, is becoming a destructive disease in the Hexi corridor of the Gansu province (China). Knowledge of the genetic diversity, population structure, and specific pathogenicity of P. graminea is essential for barley resistance breeding and efficient control of leaf stripe. In this study, whole-genome sequences of P. graminea were applied to identify microsatellites and develop simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. These SSR markers were used to examine the genetic diversity and population structure of barley leaf stripe fungus in China. A total of 403 SSR primers were designed and synthesized, and target fragments were amplified by 390 microsatellite markers. These fragments corresponded to 789 alleles (1–5 alleles per locus) in eight strains (average, 2.02 alleles per marker locus). The cluster analysis and population structure were analyzed by means of 100 markers, and a total of 696 alleles were detected from 44 accessions (mean, 6.96 alleles per marker; range, 3–17). The average gene diversity was 0.63, and ranged from 0.11 to 0.92. The polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.11 to 0.91 with an average of 0.59. The Shannon's Information Index ranged from 0.29 (for Pgm254 and Pgm337) to 2.64 (for Pgm371), with an average of 1.36. Results of cluster analysis showed that 44 accessions were divided into four clusters. Overall, 44 strains were divided into three subpopulations, comprising 19, 17, and eight strains each. Six isolates were tested for pathogenicity differentiation on 10 barley cultivars. Cultivar Ganpi2 was found to be resistant to all six isolates; nine of 10 cultivars had varied reactions to six isolates. Genome sequencing of P. graminea enabled SSR marker development, and SSR markers are applicable to studies of population genetic structure in P. graminea. We conclude that pathogenicity differentiation exists among the six isolates in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South China Sea (SCS) and its adjacent small basins including Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea are commonly identified as tsunami-prone region by its historical records on seismicity and tsunamis. However, quantification of tsunami hazard in the SCS region remained an intractable issue due to highly complex tectonic setting and multiple seismic sources within and surrounding this area. Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard Assessment (PTHA) is performed in the present study to evaluate tsunami hazard in the SCS region based on a brief review on seismological and tsunami records. 5 regional and local potential tsunami sources are tentatively identified, and earthquake catalogs are generated using Monte Carlo simulation following the Tapered Gutenberg-Richter relationship for each zone. Considering a lack of consensus on magnitude upper bound on each seismic source, as well as its critical role in PTHA, the major concern of the present study is to define the upper and lower limits of tsunami hazard in the SCS region comprehensively by adopting different corner magnitudes that could be derived by multiple principles and approaches, including TGR regression of historical catalog, fault-length scaling, tectonic and seismic moment balance, and repetition of historical largest event. The results show that tsunami hazard in the SCS and adjoining basins is subject to large variations when adopting different corner magnitudes, with the upper bounds 2-6 times of the lower. The probabilistic tsunami hazard maps for specified return periods reveal much higher threat from Cotabato Trench and Sulawesi Trench in the Celebes Sea, whereas tsunami hazard received by the coasts of the SCS and Sulu Sea is relatively moderate, yet non-negligible. By combining empirical method with numerical study of historical tsunami events, the present PTHA results are tentatively validated. The correspondence lends confidence to our study. Considering the proximity of major sources to population-laden cities around the SCS region, the tsunami hazard and risk should be further highlighted in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On September 16, 2015, an earthquake with magnitude of M 8.3 occurred 46 km offshore from Illapel, Chile, generating a 4.4-m local tsunami measured at Coquimbo. In this study, the characteristics of tsunami are presented by a combination of analysis of observations and numerical simulation based on sources of USGS and NOAA. The records of 16 DART buoys in deep water, ten tidal gauges along coasts of near-field, and ten coastal gauges in the far-field are studied by applying Fourier analyses. The numerical simulation based on nonlinear shallow water equations and nested grids is carried out to provide overall tsunami propagation scenarios, and the results match well with the observations in deep water and but not well in coasts closed to the epicenter. Due to the short distance to the epicenter and the shelf resonance of southern Peru and Chile, the maximum amplitude ranged from 0.1 m to 2 m, except for Coquimbo. In deep water, the maximum amplitude of buoys decayed from 9.8 cm to 0.8 cm, suggesting a centimeter-scale Pacific-wide tsunami, while the governing period was 13-17 min and 32 min. Whereas in the far-field coastal region, the tsunami wave amplified to be around 0.2 m to 0.8 m, mostly as a result of run-up effect and resonance from coast reflection. Although the tsunami was relatively moderate in deep water, it still produced non-negligible tsunami hazards in local region and the coasts of farfield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine data buoy can provide a long-term, continuous, real-time, reliable data of ocean observation in a variety of complex marine environment. It is one of the most reliable, most effective and important means of ocean monitoring technology. In this paper, the classification, main theory and technology system of marine data buoy are summarized. The typical technological breakthrough of the development of marine data buoy in recent years is summarized. The composition and application of marine monitoring network in China was introduced, and the gap between the technology of China's marine data buoy and the international advanced countries is compared. Combined on the situation and demand of China's current situation and needs, the development trend of marine data buoy and buoy monitoring network are expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented related to a study on crystal structure of human BS69 Bromo-ZnF-PWWP, which reveals role played by it in H3K36me3 (Histone H3 at Lysine 36 ) nucleosome binding.

The international marine ecological safety monitoring demonstration station in the Yellow Sea was developed as a collaborative project between China and Russia. It is a nonprofit technical workstation designed as a facility for marine scientific research for public welfare. By undertaking long-term monitoring of the marine environment and automatic data collection, this station will provide valuable information for marine ecological protection and disaster prevention and reduction. The results of some initial research by scientists at the research station into predictive modeling of marine ecological environments and early warning are described in this paper. Marine ecological processes are influenced by many factors including hydrological and meteorological conditions, biological factors, and human activities. Consequently, it is very difficult to incorporate all these influences and their interactions in a deterministic or analysis model. A prediction model integrating a time series prediction approach with neural network nonlinear modeling is proposed for marine ecological parameters. The model explores the natural fluctuations in marine ecological parameters by learning from the latest observed data automatically, and then predicting future values of the parameter. The model is updated in a “rolling” fashion with new observed data from the monitoring station. Prediction experiments results showed that the neural network prediction model based on time series data is effective for marine ecological prediction and can be used for the development of early warning systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UV-induced DNA damage plays a key role in the etiology of certain diseases. The ability of blueberry anthocyanins and anthocyanidins (BA) to protect cellular DNA from UV-induced damage was investigated. BA were extracted by water (BAW), ethanol (BAE) or methanol (BAM). These extracts partially restored proliferation of UV-irradiated HepG2 cells as shown by MTT assay. Treatment with BA extracts at 75 μg/ml decreased reactive oxygen species and decreased DNA damage by tail moment of comet assay and expression of γH2AX in situ. BAM significantly decreased gene and protein expression of p53, phospho-p53 (Ser15), and p21 in UV-irradiated HepG2 cells. BA thus efficiently protects cells from DNA damage in vitro. Blueberry may potentially be used as a good source of naturally radioprotective agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a program evaluation of the New York City Test & Trace program (T2)—one of the largest such programs in the USA—we conducted a study to assess how implementing organizations (NYC Health + Hospitals, government agencies, CBOs) communicated information about the T2 program on Twitter. Study aims were as follows: (1) quantify user engagement of posts (“tweets”) about T2 by NYC organizations on Twitter and (2) examine the emotional tone of social media users’ T2-related tweets in our sample of 1987 T2-related tweets. Celebrities and CBOs generated more user engagement (0.26% and 0.07%, respectively) compared to government agencies (e.g., Mayor’s Office, 0.0019%), reinforcing the value of collaborating with celebrities and CBOs in social media public health campaigns. Sentiment analysis revealed that positive tweets (46.5%) had higher user engagement than negative tweets (number of likes: R2 = .095, p < .01), underscoring the importance of positively framing messages for effective public health campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The link between differences in molecular expression and survival among advanced laryngeal (LSCC) and hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma (HPSCC) remains unclear. Here, we applied the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, Isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) with Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) proteomics data and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) related data to discover the possible disparities between HPSCC and LSCC. Our results showed a significantly worse 5-year overall-survival in HPSCC compared with LSCC before and after adjusting for clinical parameters. 240 differentially expressed proteins were enriched in molecular networks of cytoskeleton remodeling and antigen presentation. Moreover, HPSCC consisted of less T-central-memory cells, T-follicular-helper cells, TGF-β response, and CD4 + T memory resting cells, but more wound healing than LSCC. Furthermore, 9 mRNAs expression were significantly and independently correlated to overall survival in 126 HPSCC and LSCC patients, which was further validated in another cohort of head and neck cancers. These findings support that Immunity signatures as well as pathway networks that include cytoskeleton remodeling and antigen presentation may contribute to the observed differences in survival between HPSCC and LSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal Cr3+ has been regarded as a threat to the environment and human health. So it is crucial to find a rapid method for detecting Cr3+, especially for the trace amounts. Here, HgS/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (HgS/ZnS QDs) with a quantum yield of 22.6% were synthesized as a fluorescent nanoprobe for detection of Cr3+ with a detection limit of 0.19 nM. With captopril as stabilizer, the formation of the core/shell structure of HgS/ZnS QDs was demonstrated by high-resolution high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR-HAADF-STEM). The substantial fluorescence (580 nm) quenching of HgS/ZnS QDs which could be seen immediately by the naked eyes was induced selectively and sensitively by Cr3+, even in the case of Cr3+ mixed with other interfering ion. The HgS/ZnS QDs exhibited a stable visual response to Cr3+ from 1 μM, which just conformed to World Health Organization (WHO) standards for drinking water. Moreover, further experiments indicated that the mechanism of fluorescence quenching lied on the aggregation of the HgS/ZnS QDs. These results provide a novel insight for in situ rapid visual detection of heavy metal ions. Graphical abstract A rapid visual method was developed for in-situ detection of Cr3+ from 1 μM (WHO standards for the drinking water) through the orange fluorescence quenching (seen by naked eyes) which resulted from the Cr3+ induced the aggregation of captopril coated HgS/ZnS core/shell QDs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal Cr3+ has been regarded as a threat to the environment and human health. So it is crucial to find a rapid method for detecting Cr3+, especially for the trace amounts. Here, HgS/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (HgS/ZnS QDs) with a quantum yield of 22.6% were synthesized as a fluorescent nanoprobe for detection of Cr3+ with a detection limit of 0.19 nM. With captopril as stabilizer, the formation of the core/shell structure of HgS/ZnS QDs was demonstrated by high-resolution high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR-HAADF-STEM). The substantial fluorescence (580 nm) quenching of HgS/ZnS QDs which could be seen immediately by the naked eyes was induced selectively and sensitively by Cr3+, even in the case of Cr3+ mixed with other interfering ion. The HgS/ZnS QDs exhibited a stable visual response to Cr3+ from 1 μM, which just conformed to World Health Organization (WHO) standards for drinking water. Moreover, further experiments indicated that the mechanism of fluorescence quenching lied on the aggregation of the HgS/ZnS QDs. These results provide a novel insight for in situ rapid visual detection of heavy metal ions. Graphical abstract A rapid visual method was developed for in-situ detection of Cr3+ from 1 μM (WHO standards for the drinking water) through the orange fluorescence quenching (seen by naked eyes) which resulted from the Cr3+ induced the aggregation of captopril coated HgS/ZnS core/shell QDs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]