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Drought is a misfortune for crops. Wheat is a staple crop and its sustainability and adequate supply are vital to food security around the world. The development of drought-tolerant cultivars in wheat is a major challenge to breeders, therefore there is dire need of time to determine the genetic components of drought tolerance in wheat crop. To overcome intense drought stress, wheat plants undergo certain morphological and physiological changes and develop certain genetically adaptive mechanisms. Since wheat is an allotriploid with three sub-genomes, its adaptability molecular mechanisms to drought, particularly needs scientific attention. Here, we systematically and comprehensively reviewed the causes of wheat drought tolerance and the consequences for wheat physiology and genetics. The quantitative trait loci (QTL), which be function on the control of wheat drought tolerance, were comprehensively summarized by a meta-analysis and total 75 meta-QTLs (MQTLs) were identified. In addition, we summarized the genes tightly involved in wheat drought tolerance, and several important genes were selected to elucidate signaling networks related to the wheat drought tolerance. This review is integral to growing suitable strains in the worldwide arid regions to improve wheat yields under recent global climate change scenarios.

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a well-known environmental carcinogen. Recent studies revealed that chronic exposure of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B, B2B) to Cr(VI) activated several signaling pathways and induced cell malignant transformation and tumor growth. However, new mechanisms of Cr(VI) in inducing carcinogenesis remains to be elucidated. This study showed that miR-199a expression levels were significantly lower in Cr(VI)-transformed Cr-T cells. By using the mouse model, the expression levels of miR-199a were significantly decreased in blood samples and lung tissues of mice intranasally exposed to Cr(VI) for 12 weeks compared to the solvent exposure control. Overexpression of miR-199a inhibited tube formation and angiogenesis. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8, IL8) levels were significantly higher in blood samples of Cr (VI)-exposed workers compared to normal workers, and forced expression of miR-199a in the cells suppressed IL8 levels. miR-199a suppression induced expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 to increase IL8 expression. With animal experiment, the results showed that miR-199a overexpression inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis through inhibiting IL8, HIF-1α and NF-κB p65 expression in vivo. These results show that miR-199a/IL8 pathway is important in Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis and angiogenesis.

Abstract Background 99mTc bone scintigraphy (BS) is the mainstay and most widely used technique in evaluation of bone metastasis (BM) in China. This study aimed to investigate the value of 99mTc BS in preoperative workup for patients with potentially resectable (cT1−4aN0−3) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods This prospective cross‐section clinical trial (ChiCTR1800020304) enrolled a total of 385 patients with ESCC diagnosed at thoracic surgery clinic from October 2018 to September 2020. All patients were diagnosed with stage cT1−4aN0−3 and were potential candidates for surgical resection. BS was performed preoperatively and the treatment strategy was changed after confirmation of BM. The primary endpoint was the rate of change of the treatment regimen because of BM, while the secondary endpoint was the rate of positive BS findings. Results Out of the 385 patients, only two (0.5%) changed their treatment regimen because of BM. The rate of positive BS findings was 1%, while two patients (0.5%) had false‐positive or false‐negative results. The BS diagnostic performance for BM was sensitivity 50%, specificity 99.5%, positive predictive value 50%, negative predictive value 99.5%, and accuracy 99.0%. There was no significant difference in BM in relation to age, sex, tumor location or clinical stage. Conclusion Our data demonstrated that 99mTc bone scintigraphy does not significantly affect the preoperative workup in patients with potentially resectable ESCC, especially in early clinical stage patients.

Seismic data reconstruction can provide high-density sampling and regular input data for inversion and imaging, playing a crucial role in seismic data processing. In seismic data reconstruction, a common scenario involves a significant distance between the source and the first receiver, which makes it unattainable to acquire near-offset data. A new workflow for seismic data extrapolation is proposed to address this issue, which is based on a multi-scale dynamic time warping (MS-DTW) algorithm. MS-DTW can accurately calculate the time-shift between two time series and is a robust method for predicting time-offset (t - x) domain data. Using the time-shift calculated by the MS-DTW as the basic input, predict the two-way traveltime (TWT) of other traces based on the TWT of the reference trace. Perform autoregressive polynomial fitting on TWT and extrapolate TWT based on the fitted polynomial coefficients. Extract amplitude information from the TWT curve, fit the amplitude curve, and extrapolate the amplitude using polynomial coefficients. The proposed workflow does not necessitate data conversion to other domains and does not require prior knowledge of underground geological information. It applies to both isotropic and anisotropic media. The effectiveness of the workflow was verified through synthetic data and field data. The results show that compared with the method of predictive painting based on local slope, this approach can accurately predict missing near-offset seismic signals and demonstrates good robustness to noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schistosomiasis, which is caused by the schistosome worm, poses significant health challenges. Understanding the sexual development and maturation of schistosomes would provide valuable insight for preventing the transmission of schistosomiasis and pathologic damage to the host. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomics was performed to monitor the dynamic proteomic profiles in Schistosoma japonicum during development from pairing-to-maturation. RNA interference (RNAi) experiments were used to elucidate sex-biased gene function. Of the 2927 identified proteins, 58.6% showed differential expression after comparing sexes and developmental stages. Both male and female worms displayed a similar number of gender-differentially expressed proteins after pairing. However, these proteins exhibited significant gender-specific functions, with reproduction central in females, while males were enriched in metabolic processes. Females exhibited 73% of their time-variant protein expression during 22-26 days post-infection (dpi), while males had 62% during 18-22 dpi, indicating earlier maturation in males. Functional analysis revealed different peptidases expressed during male and female development and maturation. Sex-biased Sj U2AF exhaustion led to worm development delay, abnormal reproductive organ development, and death. Comparative proteomics enhances our understanding of mechanisms underlying schistosome maturation and reveals a new potential target for chemotherapy and vaccines.

BackgroundCurrently, the role of immunotherapy in neoadjuvant setting for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is gradually attracting attention. Few studies compared the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT) and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT). Our study aimed to compare treatment response and postoperative complications after NICT followed by surgery with that after conventional NCRT in patients with locally advanced ESCC.MethodsOf 468 patients with locally advanced ESCC, 154 received conventional NCRT, whereas 314 received NICT. Treatment response, postoperative complications and mortality between two groups were compared. Pathological response of primary tumor was evaluated using the Mandard tumor regression grade (TRG) scoring system. Pathological complete response (pCR) of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) was defined as no viable tumor cell within all resected metastatic LNs. According to regression directionality, tumor regression pattern was summarized into four categories: type I, regression toward the lumen; type II, regression toward the invasive front; type III, concentric regression; and type IV, scattered regression. Inverse probability propensity score weighting was performed to minimize the influence of confounding factors.ResultsAfter adjusting for baseline characteristics, the R0 resection rates (90.9% vs. 89.0%, P=0.302) and pCR (ypT0N0) rates (29.8% vs. 34.0%, P=0.167) were comparable between two groups. Patients receiving NCRT showed lower TRG score (P

ObjectivesThe left tracheobronchial (4L) lymph nodes (LNs) are considered as regional LNs for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but there is a controversy about routine prophylactic 4L LN dissection for all resectable ESCCs. This study aimed to develop a nomogram for preoperative prediction of station 4L lymph node metastases (LNMs).MethodsA total of 522 EC patients in the training cohort and 370 in the external validation cohort were included. The prognostic impact of station 4L LNM was evaluated, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors of station 4L LNM. A nomogram model was developed based on multivariable logistic regression analysis. Model performance was evaluated in both cohorts in terms of calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness.ResultsThe incidence of station 4L LNM was 7.9% (41/522) in the training cohort. Patients with station 4L LNM exhibited a poorer 5-year overall survival rate than those without (43.2% vs. 71.6%, p

Abstract After the discovery of the double-charm baryon $$\Xi _{cc}^{++}$$ Ξ cc + + by LHCb, one of the most important topics is to search for the bottom-charm baryons which contain a b quark, a c quark and a light quark. In this work, we study the two-body non-leptonic weak decays of a bottom-charm baryon into a spin-1/2 bottomed baryon and a light pseudoscalar meson with the short-distance contributions calculated under the factorization hypothesis and the long-distance contributions considering the final-state-interaction effects. The branching fractions of all fifty-seven decay channels are estimated. The results indicate that $$\Xi _{bc}^+\rightarrow \Xi _b^0\pi ^+$$ Ξ bc + → Ξ b 0 π + , $$\Xi _{bc}^{0}\rightarrow \Xi _{b}^{-}\pi ^+$$ Ξ bc 0 → Ξ b - π + and $$\Omega _{bc}^0\rightarrow \Omega _b^-\pi ^+$$ Ω bc 0 → Ω b - π + decay modes have relatively large decay rates and thus could be used to experimentally search for the bottom-charm baryons. The topological diagrams and the SU(3) symmetry of bottom-charm baryon decays are discussed.

Abstract Background Neoadjuvant therapy plus oesophagectomy has been accepted as the standard treatment for patients with potentially curable locally advanced oesophageal cancer. No completed randomized controlled trial (RCT) has directly compared neoadjuvant chemotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The aim of the current RCT is to investigate the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus surgery and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus surgery on overall survival for patients with resectable locally advanced ESCC. Methods This open label, single-centre, phase III RCT randomized patients (cT2-T4aN + M0 and cT3-4aN0M0) in a 1:1 fashion to receive either the CROSS regimen (paclitaxel 50 mg/m2; carboplatin (area under the curve = 2), q1w, 5 cycles; and concurrent radiotherapy, 41.4 Gy/23 F, over 5 weeks) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (paclitaxel 175 mg/m2; and cisplatin 75 mg/m2, q21d, 2 cycles). Assuming a 12% 5-year overall survival difference in favour of the CROSS regimen, 80% power with a two-sided alpha level of 0.05 and a 5% dropout each year for an estimated 3 years enrolment, the power calculation requires 456 patients to be recruited (228 in each group). The primary endpoint is 5-year overall survival, with a minimum 5-year follow-up. The secondary endpoints include 5-year disease-free survival, toxicity, pathological complete response rate, postoperative complications, postoperative mortality and quality of life. A biobank of pre-treatment and resected tumour tissue will be built for translational research in the future. Discussion This RCT directly compares a neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen with a standard CROSS regimen in terms of overall survival for patients with locally advanced ESCC. The results of this RCT will provide an answer for the controversy regarding the survival benefits between the two treatment strategies. Trial registration NCT04138212 , date of registration: October 24, 2019.

Abstract Background Babesiosis is caused by the invasion of erythrocytes by parasites of the Babesia spp. Babesia microti is one of the primary causative agents of human babesiosis. To better understand the status of the disease, discovering key biomarkers of the different infection stages is crucial. Results This study investigated B. microti infection in the mouse model from 0 to 270 days post-infection (dpi), using blood smears, PCR assays and ELISA. PCR assays showed a higher sensitivity when compared to microscopic examination. Specific IgG antibodies could be detected from 7 days to 270 dpi. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was combined with western blotting and mass spectrometric analysis to screen for specific reactive antigens during both the peak parasitaemia period (7 dpi) and IgG antibody response peak period (30 dpi) by the infected mice plasma. The 87 positive reactive proteins were identified and then expressed with the wheat germ cell-free system. Protein microarrays of all 87 targeted proteins were produced and hybridized with the serial plasma of infected mice model. Based on the antigen reaction profile during the infection procedure, 6 antigens were selected and expressed in Escherichia coli. Due to an early response to IgM, lower immunoreactivity levels of IgG after two months and higher immunoreactivity level IgG during nine months, four recombinant proteins were selected for further characterization, namely rBm2D97(CCF75281.1), rBm2D33(CCF74637.1), rBm2D41(CCF75408.1) and rBm7(CCF73510.1). The diagnostic efficacy of the four recombinant protein candidates was evaluated in a clinical setting using babesiosis patient plasma. The rBm2D33 showed the highest sensitivity with a positive rate of 62.5%. Additional characterization of the two candidate proteins using a mouse vaccination assay, demonstrated that rBm2D41 could reduce peak parasitaemia by 37.4%, indicating its efficacy in preventing severe babesiosis. Conclusions The detection technologies of microscopic examination, PCR assays and antibody tests showed different sensitivities and accuracy during the different stages of B. microti infection. Antibody detection has a unique significance for B. microti infection in the asymptomatic stages. Using immunoreactivity profiles, biomarkers for disease progression were identified and represent useful information for future the diagnosis and vaccine development for this serious disease of public health significance.

Objective: Our objectivewas to evaluate the impact of early oral feeding (EOF) on postoperative cardiac, respiratory, and gastrointestinal (CRG) complications after McKeown minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Summary Background Data: Nil-by-mouth with enteral tube feeding is routinely practiced after esophagectomy. Methods: Patients were randomly allocated to receive oral feeding on the first postoperative day (EOF group) or late oral feeding (LOF group) 7 days after surgery. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of postoperative CRG complications, and the secondary outcomes included bowel function recovery and short-term quality of life (QOL). Results: Between February 2014 and October 2015, 280 patients were enrolled in this study. There were 140 patients in the EOF group and 140 patients in the LOF group. EOF was noninferior to LOF for CRG complications (30.0% in the EOF group vs. 32.9% in the LOF group; 95% confidence interval of the difference: -13.8% to 8.0%). Compared with the LOF group, the EOF group showed significantly shorter time to first flatus (median of 2 days vs. 3 days, P= 0.001) and bowel movement (median of 3 vs. 4 days, P < 0.001). Two weeks after the operation, patients in the EOF group reported higher global QOL and function scores and lower symptom scores than patients in the LOF group. Conclusions: In patients after McKeown minimally invasive esophagectomy is noninferior to the standard of care with regard to postoperative CRG complications. In addition, patients in the EOF group had a quicker recovery of bowel function and improved short-term QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]