Search

Euryale (Euryale ferox Salisb.) is an aquatic crop used as both food and drug in Asia, but its utilization is seriously limited due to low yield. Previously, we hypothesized that Euryale small auxin up RNAs (EuSAURs) regulate seed size, but the underlying biological functions and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we observed that the hybrid Euryale lines (HL) generate larger seeds with higher indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentrations than those in the North Gordon Euryale (WT). Histological analysis suggested that a larger ovary in HL is attributed to longer cells around. Overexpression of EuSAUR62 in rice (Oryza sativa L.) resulted in larger glumes and grains and increased the length of glume cells. Immunofluorescence and protein interaction assays revealed that EuSAUR62 modulates IAA accumulation around the rice ovary by interacting with the rice PIN-FORMED 9, an auxin efflux carrier protein. Euryale basic region/leucine zipper 55 (EubZIP55), which was highly expressed in HL, directly binds to the EuSAUR62 promoter and activated the expression of EuSAUR62. Constant light increased the expression of both EubZIP55 and EuSAUR62 with auxin-mediated hook curvature in HL seedlings. Overall, we proposed that EuSAUR62 is a molecular bridge between light and IAA and plays a crucial role in regulating the size of the Euryale seed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determine 3‐D isotropic and anisotropic P‐wave velocity models beneath eastern SE Asia by inverting a large number of P‐wave arrival times selected from the ISC‐EHB database. Our results reveal detailed structures of the subducting South China Sea (SCS), Negros, Molucca Sea, Philippine Sea, and Banda slabs, the previously subducted Proto‐SCS slab and remnants of other paleo slabs, showing long‐lived subductions of these oceanic slabs in eastern SE Asia. There is an obvious change in the subduction angle of the SCS slab at 18°N along the Manila trench. We suggest that the relatively low dip angle of the SCS slab to the south of 18°N was caused by subduction of an extinct mid‐ocean ridge, and a slab tear is possibly formed at 18°N. This feature is supported by the resolved fast velocity directions (FVDs) of P‐wave azimuthal anisotropy in the mantle wedge, which show that 3‐D toroidal mantle flow may develop around the southern part of the SCS slab. Trench‐normal FVDs are revealed in the deeper mantle wedge of the Sangihe subduction zone, which are associated with the deep subduction and stagnancy of the Molucca Sea slab. A nearly trench‐parallel FVD is observed beneath the Molucca Sea slab, which may be caused by trench‐parallel extension due to the retreating slab or reflect subslab mantle flow associated with the double‐sided subduction. The subducting Banda slab exhibits a curved feature, which greatly affects the flow pattern in the mantle wedge. Plain Language Summary: Studying seismic anisotropy can provide direct constraints on the mantle flow field in subduction zones, which is essential for our understanding of subduction dynamics. Shear wave splitting measurements are widely used to investigate the upper‐mantle anisotropy in subduction zones. However, due to the poor vertical resolution of this technique, the depth and origin of anisotropy are less well constrained. In this study, we use P‐wave anisotropic tomography to investigate depth‐dependent azimuthal anisotropy in the eastern SE Asian subduction zones. We find that seismic anisotropy exists in a wide depth range from the shallow mantle to the mantle transition zone (410–660 km depths), exhibiting complex mantle flow patterns in the subduction system with slab subductions at various stages. Key Points: A tear exists in the subducting SCS slab, which induces a complex flow patternTrench‐normal mantle flow is found in the deep upper mantle behind the Sangihe arc, which is caused by subduction of the Molucca Sea slabSignificant azimuthal anisotropy is observed in stagnant slabs in the MTZ, which may reflect the slab LPO of wadsleyite [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evidence‐based practice, but their development and implementation is resource intensive. We aimed to describe modern RCTs in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and identify predictors of successful accrual and publication. Materials and Methods: ClinicalTrials.gov was queried for phase III GI cancer RCTs opened between 2010 and 2019 and divided into two cohorts: past and recruiting. Past trials were analyzed for predictors of successful accrual and the subset with ≥3 years follow‐up were analyzed for predictors of publication. Univariate and multivariable (MVA) logistic regression were used to identify covariates associated with complete accrual and publication status. Results: A total of 533 GI RCTs were opened from 2010 to 2019, 244 of which are still recruiting. In the "past" trials cohort (235/533) MVA, Asian continent of enrollment was a predictor for successful accrual, whereas trials with prolonged enrollment (duration longer than median of 960 days) trended to failed accrual. Predictors for publication on MVA included international enrollment and accrual completion. Sponsorship was not associated with accrual or publication. Notably, 33% of past trials remain unpublished, and 60% of trials that were closed early remain unpublished. Conclusion: Accrual rate and the primary continent of enrollment drive both trial completion and publication in GI oncology. Accrual must be streamlined to enhance the impact of RCTs on clinical management. A large portion of trials remain unpublished, underscoring the need to encourage dissemination of all trials to, at a minimum, inform future trial design. Implications for Practice: Two‐thirds of gastrointestinal (GI) oncology phase III randomized controlled trials successfully accrue; however, one third of these trials are unpublished and more than half of trials that close early are unpublished. The strongest predictors for publication are successful accrual and international collaborations. Initiatives to optimize the trial enrollment process need to be explored to maximize the potential for trials to engender progress in clinical practice. Moreover, this study identified a significant publication bias in the realm of GI oncology, and the field should promote reporting of all trials in order to better inform future trial questions and design. Considering the prevalence and aggressiveness of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, it is important to evaluate the current landscape of GI clinical trials on a broad scale to provide a better understanding of current gaps and to identify predictors for successful accrual and publication. This article assesses the situation to identify predictors of successful accrual to and publication of GI clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrite, as the main hazard in pickle production, can be completely self-degraded through microbial biological enzymatic degradation (BED) and chemical acid degradation (CAD), providing a valuable strategy for the in-situ control of nitrite in pickle production. However, the microbial mechanism of the self-degradation of nitrite in radish paocai, a popular pickle in Asia, remains unclear. Herein, this study aimed to reveal the microbial metabolic pathways and processes regulating the self-degradation of nitrite during the pickling of radish paocai. In the early stage of the pickling process, Enterobacter with nitrate reductase (NarG) might reduce nitrate to form a nitrite peak of 27.61 mg/kg through "truncated denitrification", which is in excess of the Chinese national standard (20 mg/kg). As nir genes encoding nitrite reductase increased to peak values of 9.8 × 104 copies/μL, BED dominates the self-degradation of nitrite during this early stage, which is performed by prokaryotic microorganisms such as Chryseobacterium and Halobacterium with nitrite reductase (NirK) through "complete denitrification". Meanwhile, Weissella without nitrite reductase may dominate the pH decrease from 6.7 to 4.3 through diverse organic acids generated by metabolizing dominant reducing sugars, such as glucose and fructose of radish, thereby initiating CAD. Subsequently, the acid-tolerant Limosilactobacillus continued to reduce pH by metabolizing glucose, causing CAD to replace BED to dominate the self-degradation of nitrite until the end of pickling. Thus, the nitrite self-degradation process in radish paocai is under the synergistic regulation of diverse prokaryotic microorganisms. [Display omitted] • Prokaryotic metabolism regulates the nitrite self-degradation in radish paocai. • Nitrite biological enzymatic degradation (BED) dominates the early stages of self-degradation. • Chryseobacterium and Halobacterium with nitrite reductase dominate BED by complete denitrification. • Nitrite chemical acid degradation (CAD) replaces BED after pH drops below 4.5 • W. cibaria and L. fermentum respectively initiate and maintain CAD by acid production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diagnostic analysis reveals that on the interannual time scale the southeast-northwest movement is a dominant feature of the South Asian high (SAH), and it is closely related to the Indian and East Asian summer monsoon rainfall. The southeastward (northwestward) shift of the SAH is closely related to less (more) Indian summer monsoon rainfall and more (less) rainfall in the Yangtze River valley (YRV) over the East Asian summer monsoon region. An anomalous AGCM is utilized to examine the effect of latent heat anomalies associated with the Asian summer monsoon rainfall on the SAH. The negative latent heat anomalies over the northern Indian Subcontinent associated with a weak Indian summer monsoon stimulates an anomalous cyclone to its northwest and an anticyclone to its northeast over the eastern Tibetan Plateau and eastern China in the upper troposphere, which is responsible for the east-west shift of the SAH and more rainfall in the YRV. The positive latent heat release associated with rainfall anomalies in the YRV excites a southward-located anticyclone over eastern China, exerting a feedback effect on the SAH and leading to a southeast-northwest shift of the SAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single nucleotide polymorphisms on the Y chromosome (Y-SNP) have been considered to be important in forensic casework. However, Y-SNP loci were mostly population specific and lacked biallelic polymorphisms in the Asian population. In this study, we developed a strategy for seeking and genotyping new Y-SNP markers based on both Pyrosequencing and the SNaPshot methods. As results, 34 new biallelic markers were observed to be polymorphic in the Chinese Han population by estimation of allele frequencies of 103 candidate's Y-SNP loci in DNA pools using Pyrosequencing technology. Then, a multiplex system with 20 Y-SNP loci was genotyped using the SNaPshot™ multiplex kit. Twenty Y-SNP loci defined 56 different haplotypes, and the haplotype diversity was estimated to be 0.9539. Our result demonstrated that the strategy could be used as an efficient tool to search and genotype biallelic markers from a large amount of candidate loci. In addition, 20 Y-SNP loci constructed a multiplex system, which could provide supplementary information for forensic identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the most important invasive species in pine forests of Asia, is transported to new pine hosts by beetles of the genus Monochamus. Third-stage dispersal juveniles (JIII) aggregate in pupal chambers around the vector as it matures. We demonstrated that the ratio of three terpenes (α-pinene, β-pinene, and longifolene at 1:2.7:1.1) released by larval Monochamus alternatus strongly attract JIII, whereas the different ratio (1:0.1:0.01) of these three terpenes found in healthy xylem of Pinus massoniana attracts only the propagative stage (Jn) of the nematode. We suggest that the volatiles produced by the host plants could be the basis of a chemoecological relationship between plant parasitic nematodes and their vector insects. Capture of JIII with terpene-baited trap tubes deployed for 2 hr in the field was demonstrated. This technique may lead to the development of rapid sampling methodologies for use at either ports-of-entry or in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrence rates of diabetic foot ulcers vary widely in the published literature. The aim of this systematic review is to estimate recurrence rates of diabetic foot ulcers. We did a PubMed search and performed a review of reference lists for studies reporting recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers. The weighted relative risk (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for recurrence was estimated. Forty-nine studies reporting recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers were included. A pooled estimate for recurrence rate was 22.1% per person-year (py) (95% CI, 19.0-25.2%). Recurrence rate was 24.9% per py in Europe (95% CI, 20.0%-29.7%), 17.8% per py in North America (95% CI, 12.7%-22.9%), 16.9% per py in Africa (95% CI, 4.7%-29.0%), and 17.0% per py in Asia (95% CI, 11.1%-23.0%). Turkey had the highest recurrence rate of 44.4% per py (95% CI, 24.9%-63.9%), and Bangladesh had the lowest of 4.3% per py (95% CI, 2.3%-6.3%). Recurrence rates of diabetic foot ulcers before 2002, between 2002 and 2008, and after 2008 were 22.2% per py (95% CI, 17.6%-26.8%), 21.9% per py (95% CI, 17.0%-26.8%), and 21.8% per py (95% CI, 16.3%-27.2%), respectively. Recurrence rates of diabetic foot ulcers are high. Recurrence rates vary widely in different regions and have decreased recently. More attention towards recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers is urgently required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress is one of the major environmental stressors challenging the global poultry industry. Identifying the genes responsible for heat tolerance is fundamentally important for direct breeding programs. To uncover the genetic basis underlying the ambient temperature adaptation of chickens, we analyzed a total of 59 whole genomes from indigenous chickens that inhabit South Asian tropical regions and temperate regions from Northern China. We applied F ST and π-ratio to scan selective sweeps and identified 34 genes with a signature of positive selection in chickens from tropical regions. Several of these genes are functionally implicated in metabolism (FABP2, RAMP3, SUGCT , and TSHR) and vascular smooth muscle contractility ( CAMK2 ), and they may be associated with adaptation to tropical regions. In particular, we found a missense mutation in thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (41020238:G>A) that shows significant differences in allele frequency between the chicken populations of the two regions. To evaluate whether the missense mutation in TSHR could enhance the heat tolerance of chickens, we constructed segregated chicken populations and conducted heat stress experiments using homozygous mutations (AA) and wild-type (GG) chickens. We found that GG chickens exhibited significantly higher concentrations of alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase than AA chickens under heat stress (35 ± 1°C) conditions (P < 0.05). These results suggest that TSHR (41020238:G>A) can facilitate heat tolerance and adaptation to higher ambient temperature conditions in tropical climates. Overall, our results provide potential candidate genes for molecular breeding of heat-tolerant chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corni Fructus (CF), used for thousands of years in Asia as food and medicine, has different therapeutic effects before and after processing. In the past work, the quality assessment of Corni Fructus focused on the limited chemical compounds and rarely correlated external properties, such as color. The traditional sensory assessment relies partly on human eyes, which is quick but lacks objectivity. On a Shimadzu LC‐20AD liquid chromatograph system equipped with a diode-array detector (DAD), we determined six major compounds (gallic acid, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, morroniside, loganin, sweroside, and cornuside I). The extract was analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) after the solid-phase extraction (SPE) step. Totally 58 compounds in raw and processed Corni Fructus were identified in negative and positive ion modes according to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) fragments. Iridoids, carboxylic acids, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenes, fatty acids, saccharides, phospholipids, polysaccharide, amino acid, amide, furan, catechol, aldehyde, fatty alcohol and vitamin were included. A multivariate statistical analysis based on UHPLC-QTOF-MS filtered 17 differential compounds between raw and processed products. The CM-5 colorimeter was applied for digitizing surface and powder color. The contents of gallic acid, morroniside, loganin, cornuside I, and sweroside significantly correlated with color parameters in raw Corni Fructus, particularly a dp * and b dp * , but not in processed products, according to Spearman correlation analysis. MS peak area of four compounds in raw products correlated significantly with color parameters L dp * , a dp * , b dp * , L pd * , a pd * , b pd * , respectively, while three compounds in processed products with L pd * , a pd * , b pd *. It revealed the relationship between compounds and color of Corni Fructus and the crucial compounds to color. In this study, we successfully developed a method for comprehensive quality evaluation of Corni Fructus that combines HPLC, UHPLC-QTOF-MS, and color determination. [Display omitted] • RCF tends to have different biological activities with WCF. • Totally 58 compounds were identified by UHPLC-QTOF-MS and 6 were quantified by HPLC. • 17 quality markers were filtered by OPLS-DA between RCF and WCF. • The color of CF was digitized by the CM-5 colorimeter and correlated the compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Paleogene sedimentary successions of the Tarim Basin of western China document a major regression of the proto-Paratethys Sea, significantly changing the land-sea distribution and thereby the palaeoclimatic conditions in Central Asia. However, a comprehensive reconstruction of the palaeogeographic evolution of the basin is lacking because only few exposures are known from the central part of the basin that is mostly covered by the Taklamakan Desert. Here, we reconstruct the main palaeoenvironmental changes following Eocene sea retreat by determining the sedimentological facies of 69 wells that are internally correlated by using seismic profiles and externally to published sections of the exposed southwestern and northern margins of the Tarim Basin. Two major depocentres existed in the Southwest Foredeep and the Kuqa Depression, separated from each other by the Bachu Uplift that was most likely not a particularly high terrain during the Paleogene. We confirm that a major transition from marine to continental-lacustrine sedimentation took place during the Eocene-Oligocene transition in the central parts of the Tarim Basin. We provide new palaeogeographic maps with Eocene and Oligocene facies distributions in the Tarim Basin, which will facilitate a better understanding of the sedimentary response to Paleogene sea-level change and tectonic events of the neighboring mountain ranges. Our reconstruction confirms that both tectonic and eustatic forcing played an active role in controlling the late Paleogene transgression-regression in the Tarim Basin. Provenance and palaeocurrent analyses, combined with sediment distribution patterns, indicate gradual growth and continuous uplift of the Tibetan Plateau following India–Asia collision in the early Paleogene. The demise of the Tarim Sea at ~41 Ma correlates with palaeoclimatic and environmental changes observed in several basin of central Asia. After sea retreat, the Tarim region progressively transformed into a large and shallow lake system that potentially persisted up to the (early) Oligocene. • Sedimentary facies of 69 drill holes from the Tarim Basin of SW China are analysed. • Palaeogeographic reconstructions are based on Eocene-Oligocene facies distribution. • Facies patterns indicate late Eocene tectonic activity of the Pamir and West Kunlun. • Early Bartonian sea retreating from Tarim relates in time to inner Asian aridification. • During the early Oligocene a large lake persisted in the Tarim Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Late Paleozoic to Cenozoic, with the closure of the Tethys oceans, the East and/or Southeast Asia was amalgamated by individual blocks. In order to understand the Paleogeography of the Eastern Paleo-Tethys, a systematic U Pb dating on 11 samples have conducted to constrain the age and provenance of the elements forming the Ailaoshan-Song Ma mélange. These samples consist of the ophiolitic mélange zone (6 samples), the sedimentary cover of the Indochina block (4 samples), and the post-orogenic continental deposits (1 samples). The achieved detrital zircon age distribution, and the corresponding in-situ Hf isotopic recorder allow us to discuss the provenances of the materials involved in the tectonic processes during the subduction and collision. Three units (M1, M2, M3), which stand for the different segment of the suture zone, could be separated based on the differences in zircon age clusters and Hf isotopic values. These differences might be due to the variety of provenances. Combined with the previous works, especially our work on the Song Chay mélange zone, we concluded that both upper and lower plates are potential provenances for the mélanges between South China block and Indochina block. Along the suture zone, the component of the mélange presents a significant heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is greatly threatening the public health in the world. We reconstructed global transmissions and potential demographic expansions of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 based on genomic information. We found that intercontinental transmissions were rare in January and early February but drastically increased since late February. After world-wide implements of travel restrictions, the transmission frequencies decreased to a low level in April. We identified a total of 88 potential demographic expansions over the world based on the star-radiative networks and 75 of them were found in Europe and North America. The expansion numbers peaked in March and quickly dropped since April. These findings are highly concordant with epidemic reports and modelling results and highlight the significance of quarantine validity on the global spread of COVID-19. Our analyses indicate that the travel restrictions and social distancing measures are effective in containing the spread of COVID-19.

Purpose: In light of the increasing usage of the newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in other countries, we reviewed the prescribing pattern of AEDs in Singapore over the last 10 years (2000-2009)., Methods: A retrospective review of pharmacy dispensing records solicited from the only children's hospital in Singapore was performed to analyze the trend in AEDs prescribing in the last 10 years. We also examined the correlation between the serum concentrations of valproic acid (VPA), the most-prescribed AED, and seizure control. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were then performed on the findings., Results: A total of 41 671 prescriptions on AEDs were retrieved and analyzed. Despite the introduction of the second-generation AEDs, the first generation AEDs still dominate epilepsy treatment in Asian children, with VPA being the mostly prescribed AED (about 40% of the total AEDs usage). The majority of patients (62.8%) were on monotherapy. The mean VPA serum concentration in patients with good seizure control was 68.6 µg/ml (SD = 26.4 µg/ml; range = 12.2-138.0 µg/ml), which was statistically higher than the mean VPA concentration of 57.7 µg/ml (SD = 27.1 µg/ml; range = 11.1-149.0 µg/ml) in patients with poor seizure control (p < 0.0001)., Conclusion: With VPA being the most prescribed AED in our clinical practice, and the finding in this study that with careful classification of the patients' condition, serum concentrations of VPA generally correlate well with the seizure control, the correct dose titration of VPA with therapeutic drug monitoring is still of paramount importance., (Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The anuran tribe Paini, family Dicroglossidae, is known in this group only from Asia. The phylogenetic relationships and often the taxonomic recognition of species are controversial. In order to stabilize the classification, we used approximately 2100 bp of nuclear (rhodopsin, tyrosinase) and mitochondrial (12S, 16S rRNA) DNA sequence data to infer the phylogenetic relationships of these frogs. Phylogenetic trees reconstructed using Bayesian inference and maximum parsimony methods supported a monophyletic tribe Paini. Two distinct groups (I,II) were recovered with the mtDNA alone and the total concatenated data (mtDNA+nuDNA). The recognition of two genera, Quasipaa and Nanorana, was supported. Group I, Quasipaa, is widespread east of the Hengduan Mountain Ranges and consists of taxa from relatively low elevations in southern China, Vietnam and Laos. Group II, Nanorana, contains a mix of species occurring from high to low elevation predominantly in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Hengduan Mountain Ranges. The occurrence of frogs at high elevations appears to be a derived ecological condition. The composition of some major species groups based on morphological characteristics strongly conflicts with the molecular analysis. Some possible cryptic species are indicated by the molecular analyses. The incorporation of genetic data from type localities helped to resolve some of the taxonomic problems, although further combined analyses of morphological data from type specimens are required. The two nuDNA gene segments proved to be very informative for resolving higher phylogenetic relationships and more nuclear data should be explored to be more confident in the relationships.