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The variation of an accurate global sea level curve has always been a difficult and frontier scientific problem in sedimentary geological research. There are 2 reasons: (1) the deep-time sedimentary record is the comprehensive response to global sea level change and regional movement, but accurately eliminating the regional tectonic effect is also difficult; (2) determining paleo-water depth based on deep-time sedimentary records is still being explored. The Kalpin area of the Tarim Basin in the Late Ordovician experienced an environmental evolution from basin to basin margin to shelf, making it highly sensitive to sea level changes and an ideal area for conducting research on sea level changes based on sedimentary microfacies. The study conducted a detailed field investigation and intensive sampling analysis of the Dawangou section. Based on lithofacies sedimentology, paleontology, etc., the two major fa-cies of the continental shelf and the basin edge were divided, and seven microfacies are distinguished in detail: MF1, brick red/purple microbial micritic limestone; MF2, gray microbial micritic limestone; MF3, gray-green calcareous clay; MF4, gray bioclastic - lithoclastic breccia limestone; MF5, gray bioclastic silty limestone; MF6, gray bioclastic micritic limestone; and MF7, dark gray calcareous clay. Based on advanced microfacies for the sensitive zone of deep-time sedimentary records, the sea level change curve of the Upper Ordovician Kanling and Yingan Formations is constructed, and a set of methods for determining the global sea level curve can be summarized. Our sea level curve is compared with the upper Yangtze region, the southern margin of Ordos, North America, South America, Wales, and the global sea level change, and results indicate that the frequent fluctuations of sea level are similar to North America. The reconstruction plate tectonic results of the study indicate that the Caledonian tectonic movement has global corresponding characteristics during this period. Frequent plane fluctuations are mainly caused by orogenic collisions in different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to revise and validate a Chinese Version of the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale (ACSS-CV). In study 1 of 395 Chinese college students, a two-factor model comprising fearlessness about death and pain tolerance achieved satisfactory model fit. In study 2 of 491 different students, the ACSS-CV had good internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The ACSS-CV may be considered a useful instrument for measuring the acquired capability for suicide in Chinese college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) variants, C677T and A1298C, have been reported to be associated with decreased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, results derived from individually underpowered studies are conflicting. We carried out an updated meta-analysis on the association between MTHFR polymorphisms and ALL risk. Methods Relevant publications were searched through PUBMED and EMBASE databases. The associations between MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and the risk of ALL were evaluated by odds ratios (ORs). The heterogeneity and publication bias were estimated. Meta-regression analysis was performed to evaluate the potential sources of heterogeneity. Results C677T polymorphism was associated with a reduced risk of ALL (allele contrast: ORRE = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.83-0.99). Subgroup analysis showed MTHFR C677T variant was associated with decreased susceptibility to ALL in children and Caucasians. Meta-regression showed the logOR for the association between T allele and ALL increased as sex ratio (M/F) in the case group increased (P = 0.01). Regarding A1298C polymorphism, no significant association was observed (allele contrast: ORRE = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.91-1.11). There was no publication bias for C677T or A1298C polymorphism. Conclusions The present meta-analysis suggests that the C677T polymorphism, not A1298C, in MTHFR gene is associated with a decreased risk of ALL, particularly among children and Caucasians subjects. Our findings suggest that the influence of the C677T polymorphism on ALL susceptibility is modified by sex ratio in cases (M/F). Since folate intake may be a possible confounding factor, including this factor in future prospective studies is warranted. Further meta-analysis studies should be at least stratified for folate levels and gender to give more powerful and informative results.

The genome sequence, morphology, and genetic features of a novel phage, named SSE1, is reported here. Phage SSE1 that infects Shigella dysenteriae (China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center number: 1.1869) was isolated from the aeration tank water of a sewage treatment plant. SSE1 showed morphological features associated with those of phages in Myoviridae. The whole genome sequence of phage SSE1 is composed of 169,744 bp with the GC content of 37.51%. The double-stranded DNA of SSE1 contains 270 open reading frameworks (ORFs). Phylogenetically, phage SSE1 showed a stronger homology (whole genome and terminase large subunit protein sequence) to Escherichia phages than other Shigella phages in the NCBI database, but SSE1 did not infect Escherichia stains. This indicates that phage SSE1 should be a novel phage infecting Shigella dysenteriae. Besides, the result of this study provided a new idea for phage therapy. SSE1 may become a candidate for potential therapy against Shigella dysenteriae infection in clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella is a significant food-borne pathogen that infects a large number of people worldwide. In this study, a lytic bacteriophage vB_SenS_SE1 capable of infecting Salmonella is isolated from municipal wastewater in Beijing, and its biological and genomic features are analyzed. Transmission electron micrograph shows that vB_SenS_SE1 is likely a Siphoviridae virus, with an icosahedral head and a long non-contracted tail. The stability test in vitro reveals that it is stable at 4–50 °C and pH 4–12. Based on the one-step growth curve, vB_SenS_SE1 has a 60-min exponential phase and a low burst size (19 PFU per cell). Bioinformatics analysis reveals that vB_SenS_SE1 consists of a circular, double-stranded DNA molecule of 40,987 bp with a GC content of 51.2%. Its genome carries 63 predicted open reading frames (orfs), with 22 orfs encoding known proteins. Phylogenetic analysis of the large terminase subunit shows that vB_SenS_SE1 exhibits strong homology to Salmonella phage St161, St162, VSiP, and FSL SP-031. The CoreGenes analysis shows that it is a member of the virus genus Cornellvirus. The features of phage vB_SenS_SE1 suggest that it has the potential to be an agent to control Salmonella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pasireotide was recently suggested for the prevention of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatic surgery. However, its efficacy remains to be controversially dicussed. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of pasireotide for preventing POPF after pancreatic surgery.Method: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library to identify clinical studies investigating the efficacy of pasireotide after pancreatic surgery. The identified studies were critically appraised, and meta-analyses were then performed. The study was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and was registered at the PROSPERO study database (CRD42018112334).Results: Four studies with a total of 919 patients were included: 418 with pasireotide treatment and 501 controls. Meta-analysis showed that pasireotide could reduce neither clinically relevant POPF rate (OR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.49-1.24; P = 0.29) nor overall POPF rate (OR = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.60-1.48; P = 0.80) after pancreatic resections. There were no significant differences in delayed gastric emptying, mortality, and postoperative hospital stay after pancreatic surgery. However, pasireotide reduces readmission after pancreatic surgery (OR = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.44-0.85; P = 0.004). Subgroup analyses revealed that prophylactic use of pasireotide did not reduce the incidence of clinically relevant POPF after pancreaticoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy compared with the control.Conclusion: Based on the available evidence, use of pasireotide may not reduce clinically relevant POPF as well as it may not improve postoperative course substantially after pancreatic surgery. Further investigator-initiated high-quality trials are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric decompression after pancreatic surgery has been a routine procedure for many years. However, this procedure has often been waived in non-pancreatic abdominal surgeries. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the necessity of routine gastric decompression (RGD) following pancreatic surgery.Methods: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science were systematically searched to identify relevant studies comparing outcomes of RGD and no gastric decompression (NGD) after pancreatic surgery. The overall complications, major complications, mortality, delayed gastric emptying (DGE); clinically relevant DGE (CR-DGE), postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF), secondary gastric decompression, and the length of hospital stay were evaluated.Results: A total of six comparative studies with a total of 940 patients were included. There were no differences between RGD and NGD groups in terms of the overall complications (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 0.60-5.00; p = 0.31), major complications (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.00-4.91; p = 0.05), incidence of secondary gastric decompression (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.60-2.02; p = 0.61), incidence of overall DGE (OR = 2.74; 95% CI: 0.88-8.56; p = 0.08; I2 = 88%), incidence of CR-POPF (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.76-2.15; p = 0.36), and incidence of POPF (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 0.81-2.14; p = 0.27). However, RGD was associated with a higher incidence of CR-DGE (OR = 5.45; 95% CI: 2.68-11.09; p < 0.001, I2 = 35%), a higher rate of mortality (OR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.05-2.24; p = 0.03; I2 = 83%), and a longer length of hospital stay (WMD = 5.43, 95% CI: 0.30 to 10.56; p = 0.04; I2 = 93%).Conclusions: Routine gastric decompression in patients after pancreatic surgery was not associated with a better recovery, and may be unnecessary after pancreatic surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A virulent phage, named ST20, infecting Escherichia coli O165:H8 was isolated from wastewater and subjected to genomic sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq system. Genomic analysis revealed that it contains double-stranded DNA, and its complete genome consists of 44,517 nucleotides with an average GC content of 50.81%. Morphological observations showed that phage ST20 belongs to the order Caudovirales and the family Siphoviridae due to its characteristic icosahedral capsid and a long noncontractile tail. This phage was further characterized by one-step growth curve analysis and measurement of its stability at 4 °C. The study has implications for the development of potential biocontrol agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]