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BackgroundThe prognosis for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains dismal, with a 5-year survival rate of

IntroductionMaize photosensitivity and the control of flowering not only are important for reproduction, but also play pivotal roles in the processes of domestication and environmental adaptation, especially involving the utilization strategy of tropical maize in high-latitude regions.MethodsIn this study, we used a linkage mapping population and an inbred association panel with the photoperiod sensitivity index (PSI) phenotyped under different environments and performed transcriptome analysis of T32 and QR273 between long-day and short-day conditions.ResultsThe results showed that PSIs of days to tasseling (DTT), days to pollen shedding (DTP), and days to silking (DTS) indicated efficacious interactions with photoperiod sensitivity for maize latitude adaptation. A total of 48 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and 252 quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) were detected using the linkage population and the inbred association panel. Thirteen candidate genes were identified by combining the genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach, linkage analysis, and transcriptome analysis, wherein five critical candidate genes, MYB163, bif1, burp8, CADR3, and Zm00001d050238, were significantly associated with photoperiod sensitivity.DiscussionThese results would provide much more abundant theoretical proofs to reveal the genetic basis of photoperiod sensitivity, which would be helpful to understand the genetic changes during domestication and improvement and contribute to reducing the barriers to use of tropical germplasm.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Carbapenem-resistant hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-HMKP) poses unprecedented public health challenges. However, genomic information regarding the CR-HMKP K2-ST375 strain is scarce. The aim of this study was to characterize the whole genome sequence of the CR-HMKP K2-ST375 strain Kp0179 isolated from a male patient in China. Methods: The whole genome of Kp0179 was sequenced using the DNBSEQ and Pacific Biosciences RSII platforms. The capsular serotype, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), antimicrobial resistance genes, and virulence factors were determined using available databases and bioinformatics tools. Conjugation experiments were performed using rifampicin-resistant Escherichia coli C600 as the recipient. Results: The Kp0179 strain with hypermucoviscous phenotype was resistant to almost all β-lactams, including ertapenem and imipenem. Whole genome sequencing revealed that Kp0179 belonged to K2-ST375 and contained blaNDM-IncX3 and a virulence plasmid ca. 121 kb. Kp0179 contained 5146 coding genes, 88 tRNAs, 25 rRNAs and 38 non-coding RNA genes. Among the six acquired antibiotic resistance genes, blaSHV-99, fosA, oqxAB were located on the chromosome, whereas blaNDM-1, qnrS1 and blaSHV-12 were located on the conjugative plasmid pNDM-Kp0179 (IncX3 type). Virulence gene analysis indicated that pLVPK-Kp0179 carried multiple virulence-encoding genes, such as iroBCDN, iucABCDiutA, rmpA and rmpA2. In addition to carrying a virulence plasmid, capsule formation (kvgA) and the type 3 fimbriae operon (mrkABCDFHIJ) were located on the chromosome of Kp0179. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a CR-HMKP K2-ST375 strain with a blaNDM-harboured conjugative IncX3 plasmid and a pLVPK-like virulence plasmid from a patient in China. Therefore, the spread of CR-HMKP K2-ST375 isolates in China should be closely monitored.

Although complete remission could be achieved in about 60%–70% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients after conventional chemotherapy, relapse and the state of being refractory to treatment remain the main cause of death. In addition, there is a great need for less intensive regimens for all medically frail patients (both due to age/comorbidity and treatment-related). Immune therapy anticipates improved prognosis and reduced toxicities, which may offer novel therapeutic rationales. However, one of the major difficulties in developing immune therapies against AML is that the target antigens are also significantly expressed on healthy hematopoietic stem cells; B-cell malignancies are different because CD20/CD19/healthy B-cells are readily replaceable. Only the anti-CD33 antibody-drug conjugate gemtuzumab-ozogamicin is approved by the FDA for AML. Thus, drug development remains extremely active, although it is still in its infancy. This review summarizes the clinical results of immune therapeutic agents for AML, such as antibody-based drugs, chimeric antigen receptor therapy, checkpoint inhibitors, and vaccines.

Abstract Background Seed size is an important factor contributing to maize yield, but its molecular mechanism remains unclear. The seed coat, which serves as one of the three components of the maize grain, determines seed size to a certain extent. The seed coat also shares the maternal genotype and is an ideal material for studying heterosis. Results In this study, the self-pollinated seeds of the maize hybrid Yudan888 and its parental lines were continuously collected from 0 day after pollination (DAP) to 15 DAP for phenotyping, cytological observation and RNA-seq. The phenotypic data showed that 3 DAP and 8 DAP are the best time points to study maize seed coat heterosis. Cytological observations indicated that maize seed coat heterosis might be the result of the coordination between cell number and cell size. Furthermore, the RNA-seq results showed that the nonadditive genes changed significantly between 3 and 8 DAP. However, the number of genes expressed additively was not significantly different. Our findings suggest that seed coat heterosis in hybrid is the result of nonadditive expression caused by dynamic changes in genes at different time points during seed expansion and seed coat development. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment indicated that genes related to DNA replication, cell cycle regulation, circadian rhythms and metabolite accumulation contributed significantly to hybrid seed coat heterosis. Conclusion Maize seed coat phenotyping allowed us to infer that 3 DAP and 8 DAP are important time points in the study of seed coat heterosis. Our findings provide evidence for genes involved in DNA replication, cell cycle regulation, circadian rhythms and metabolite accumulation in hybrid with high or low parental expression as major contributors to hybrid seed coat heterosis.

Background: Xihuang pill, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) prescription and a representative of Huoxuehuayu therapy (one of the TCM therapies to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis), has been widely used in breast cancer treatments. Although some evidence suggests the efficacy and safety of the Xihuang pill in treating certain cancer, the overall efficacy of the Xihuang pill in other cancer treatment is uncertain. Objective: This study aimed to summarize the current clinical literature and provided evidence support for addressing the research question of whether the Xihuang pill is safe and effective in the treatment of various cancers as Huoxuehuayu therapy, and possibly identify the clinical dosage range and therapeutic effect of Xihuang pills. Method: Seven Chinese and English databases such as PubMed, CNKI, and Google Scholar were searched to collect the publications on Xihuang pill and cancer. Then the researchers extracted data from the articles that met the inclusion criteria and used SAS statistical program version 9.4 (by SAS Institute, Cary, North Carolina, USA) for statistical statistics. Results: Our search identified 78 studies, including 69 RCTs (randomized control trials), 6 NRCCs (non-randomized concurrent control trials), and 3 BAS (before-after study), evaluating 3151 patients in total. The daily doses of Xihuang pills/capsule were between 2 g and 60 g, and duration between 2 weeks and 5 years, mostly used in the middle or late stage of cancer. The therapeutic effect of the Xihuang pill was mainly reflected in improving Complete Response (CR, a term from The Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) or Partial Response (PR, a term from The Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors), reducing adverse reactions, promoting quality of life (QoL), regulating immunity, alleviating pain, prolonging survival, reducing metastasis and recurrence, reducing inflammation, regulating estrogen levels, decreasing hypercoagulative status, and reducing tumor markers. Conclusion: Xihuang pill representing Huoxuehuayu therapy has a good prospect in the treatment of cancer.

Maize (Zea mays) inbred lines vary greatly in flowering time, but the genetic basis of this variation is unknown. In this study, three maize flowering-related traits (DTT, days to tasselling; DTP, days to pollen shed; DTS, days to silking) were evaluated with an association panel consisting of 226 maize inbred lines and an F2:3 population with 120 offspring from a cross between the T32 and Qi319 lines in different environments. A total of 82 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 117 candidate genes were identified by genome-wide association analysis. Twenty-one quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and 65 candidate genes were found for maize flowering time by linkage analysis with the constructed high-density genetic map. Transcriptome analysis was performed for Qi319, which is an early-maturing inbred line, and T32, which is a late-maturing inbred line, in two different environments. Compared with T32, Qi319 showed upregulation of 3815 genes and downregulation of 3906 genes. By integrating a genome-wide association study (GWAS), linkage analysis and transcriptome analysis, 25 important candidate genes for maize flowering time were identified. Together, our results provide an important resource and a foundation for an enhanced understanding of flowering time in maize.

With the increase in airspace flow, the complexity of the airspace operation environment has also increased. Against this backdrop, improving the operational efficiency of airspace is crucial to ensure its efficient operation. The discrete division of controlled airspace represents a novel methodology for achieving this end. This approach involves visualizing the use of the airspace, quantifying and evaluating the operational efficiencies of airspace environments, and assessing specific metrics during an allocated time period. In this study, a discrete unit model was constructed to hierarchically subdivide complex airspace into static obstacles and aircraft-occupied space units, which facilitated the optimization of decision-making operations for multiple aircraft in airspace using the discrete method. Furthermore, busy airspace units could be effectively avoided. Finally, by using the extended analytic hierarchy process, we evaluated the threshold value of airspace operational efficiency improvement when operation efficiency metrics were enhanced via discrete approaches. The results indicated that the threshold value was 0.02168, classified as “good”, which represented an improvement in comparison with the original value of airspace operational efficiency (0.03173). These findings demonstrated that the application of the discrete division methodology significantly improved the overall operational efficiency of the airspace.

With the advent of the stock-planning era, urban renewal has gradually become an important part of urban construction. Urban renewal is essentially a process of solving the rational redistribution of space. However, blind urban renewal can easily lead to the waste of space resources. Therefore, an appropriate renewal location can maximize the space’s renewal efficiency. Based on the perspective of space benefits, this study constructs an urban renewal site selection evaluation system suitable for Macau SAR from two aspects of social and economic benefits and space benefits and uses the DEA model to verify the evaluation system. Thus, we can more objectively and directly judge the evaluation of benefits in urban renewal site selection, maximize the efficiency of spatial renewal, and provide reference for urban site selection decisions. The results are as follows: Funing Building is the best item among the four renewal projects, and it is also the most suitable target point for development; the super-rich benefit is inefficient in terms of both space benefit and production cost benefit.

Since it was first identified in 1956, the H11 subvariant influenza virus has been reported worldwide. However, due to the low pathogenicity of the H11 subvariant and the absence of its widespread transmission among humans, there are only a few reports on the etiology of the H11 subvariant influenza virus. Therefore, in the present study, we isolated a strain of the H11N3 avian influenza virus (AIV) from poultry feces from the live poultry market in the southeast coastal region of China. Considering that the H11 subvariant is known to cause infections in humans and to enrich the knowledge of the H11 subvariant of the avian influenza virus, the genetics, pathogenicity, and transmissibility of the isolate were studied. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the H11N3 isolate was of Eurasian origin and carried genes closely related to duck H7N2 and H4N6. The receptor binding analysis revealed that the H11N3 isolate only acquired a binding affinity for avian-derived receptors. In the respiratory system of mice, the isolate could directly cause infection without adaptation. In addition, the results from transmission experiments and antibody detection in guinea pigs demonstrated that H11N3 influenza viruses can efficiently transmit through the respiratory tract in mammalian models. Direct infection of the H11N3 influenza virus without adaptation in the mouse models and aerosol transmission between guinea pig models confirms its pandemic potential in mammals, underscoring the importance of monitoring rare influenza virus subtypes in future studies.

ABSTRACT Rapid identification and continuous surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants are critical for guiding the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is a preferred tool for this aim, but many laboratories suffer from a lack of resources to support population-level sequencing. Here, we describe two PCR strategies targeting spike protein mutations to identify the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants. Signature mutations were selected using a dedicated bioinformatic program. The selected mutations in Alpha and Delta variants were detected using multicolor melting curve analysis (MMCA). Thirty-two mutations of the Omicron variant were targeted using the MeltArray approach in one reaction, which was able to detect the Omicron subvariants BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, and BA.4/5. The limits of detection varied from five to 50 copies of RNA templates/reactions. No cross-reactivity was observed with nine other respiratory viruses, including other coronaviruses. We validated the MMCA and MeltArray assays using 309 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples collected at different time points. These assays exhibited 98.3% to 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared with WGS. Multiplexed real-time PCR strategies represent an alternative tool capable of identifying current SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, adaptable for emerging variants and accessible for laboratories using existing equipment and personnel. IMPORTANCE Rapid detection and mutation surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs is crucial for COVID-19 control, management, and prevention. We developed two rapid molecular assays based on the real-time PCR platform to identify important variants of concern, including the Omicron variant with a large number of mutations. Signature mutations were selected by an R program. Then, MMCA assays were established for Alpha and Delta variants, and a MeltArray assay targeting 32 mutations was developed for Omicron variant. These multiplexed PCR assays could be performed in a 96-well real-time PCR instrument within 2.5 h, offering a high-throughput choice for dynamic monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in a standard microbiology laboratory.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected China's macroeconomy, industrial transformation, and high-quality development. Research on economic patterns and urban network systems can provide a reference for healthy development of the regional economic system. The evolution of the economic pattern and urban network system of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) from 2010 to 2020 is investigated using methods (e.g., the gravity center model, the gravitational force model, social network analysis, and geographic information system). (1) The gravity center of gross domestic product (GDP) of the GBA is located in Nansha district, Guangzhou, with a skewing direction northwest-east-northwest and a movement rate of “large-small-large.” The center of import and export and the center of consumption show a “zigzagging migration” in which the center of investment shows an “irregular (random) migration”. (2) The economic connection degree of cities in the GBA exhibits a high ascending velocity, and the whole area tends to be mature, with a significant effect of spatial proximity. With the steady increase in network density, there is significant polarization of network centrality in the region. The four major cohesive subgroups have been relatively stable and consistent with the degree of geographic proximity of the cities. The center-periphery structure is more significant, in which the core area is extended to the cities on the east coast of the Pearl River Estuary, thus forming the core cluster of “Hong Kong-Shenzhen-Guangzhou-Dongguan.” In this study, the evolution of economic patterns and urban network systems in the GBA over the past decade is analyzed using multiple methods (i.e., gravity model, urban network system analysis, and geographic information system) based on urban socioeconomic data by starting from various spatial elements (e.g., “points, lines, and networks”) to gain insights into and optimize research on regional economic development after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this paper, a multi-stage deep learning blood pressure prediction model based on imaging photoplethysmography (IPPG) signals is proposed to achieve accurate and convenient monitoring of human blood pressure. A camera-based non-contact human IPPG signal acquisition system is designed. The system can perform experimental acquisition under ambient light, effectively reducing the cost of non-contact pulse wave signal acquisition while simplifying the operation process. The first open-source dataset IPPG-BP for IPPG signal and blood pressure data is constructed by this system, and a multi-stage blood pressure estimation model combining a convolutional neural network and bidirectional gated recurrent neural network is designed. The results of the model conform to both BHS and AAMI international standards. Compared with other blood pressure estimation methods, the multi-stage model automatically extracts features through a deep learning network and combines different morphological features of diastolic and systolic waveforms, which reduces the workload while improving accuracy.

Due to the changes in the domestic and international economic situation in the post-pandemic era, the economic development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has become unstable in many aspects. The paper adopted the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model to build a regional economic resilience evaluation system from the perspective of public health emergencies. Then, the spatial and temporal evolution of the economic resilience of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the influencing factors were explored by using entropy weight method, GIS and gray correlation method. The conclusions show that: (1) Temporally, the economic resilience of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has generally increased from 2010 to 2021, and is divided into three main stages: rapid development, adjustment to fluctuations and stable development. (2) Spatially, the overall pattern of economic resilience in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is high in the middle and south and low in the northwest, and shows a “stochastic—equalized—polarized” pattern of transformation. (3) In terms of influencing factors, economic status and economic response are the main dimensions affecting the resilience level of the economic system in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region. The level of scientific research and innovation, medical governance, government regulation and the rationalization of the industrial system are the key factors.

Abstract. Bone marrow (BM) microenvironment regulates and supports the production of blood cells which are necessary to maintain homeostasis. In analogy to normal hematopoiesis, leukemogenesis is originated from leukemic stem cells (LSCs) which gives rise to more differentiated malignant cells. Leukemia cells occupy BM niches and reconstruct them to support leukemogenesis. The abnormal BM niches are the main sanctuary of LSCs where they can evade chemotherapy-induced death and acquire drug resistance. In this review, we focus on the protective effects of BM niche cells on acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells.

Grain production space reconstruction referred to the changes in the quantity, quality and pattern of grain production space caused by functional tradeoffs and conflicts between grain production space, urban-rural development space, and ecological service space. Exploring tradeoffs between land system functions caused by grain production space reconstruction was particularly important for ensuring food security, promoting the construction of ecological civilization, and achieving sustainable development. Therefore, this study identified four relationships of land system functions during the process of grain production space reconstruction (1980–2018) in China by using Set Pair Analysis. Research results showed that the reconstruction of grain production space was achieved mainly through three pathways: Grain for Green, deforestation and reclamation, and urban expansion. Generally, ecological service had spatial negative correlation with grain production, economic development and population carrying capacity (P < 0.01), but grain production, economic development and population carrying capacity were positively correlated with each other (P < 0.01). In the process of grain production space reconstruction, ecological services and economic development, ecological services and population carrying capacity had all shown inverse synergies; there was a tradeoff between grain production and ecological services, a codirectional tradeoff between grain production and economic development, but a strong synergy between economic development and population carrying capacity. However, the functions of land systems only appeared as synergies or tradeoffs, and there were no inverse synergies and codirectional tradeoffs in the separate processes of Grain for Green, deforestation and reclamation, and urban expansion. It can be concluded that the relationships between land system functions were relatively simple in a single process, but it became complex and diverse when multiple processes were integrated for system analysis.

Abstract High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is still a consolidation treatment choice for relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) patients and some aggressive B-cell NHL as frontline therapy. Due to the shortage of carmustine, we switched to idarubicin-substituted BEAC (IEAC) conditioning regimen. We retrospectively compared the outcomes of 72 aggressive B-cell NHL patients treated with IEAC or BEAC regimens followed by ASCT as upfront consolidative treatment. The median time to neutrophil and platelet reconstitution showed no difference between IEAC and BEAC groups. IEAC regimen was well tolerated without increase of adverse events. Transplant-related mortality didn’t occur. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of IEAC group (33 and 23 months) were a little longer than that of BEAC group (30 and 18 months). However, due to the small sample numbers, there’s no significant difference in OS and PFS between IEAC and BEAC group with DLBCL or MCL. Multivariate analysis showed that AnnArbor staging, IPI score, lactate dehydrogenase level, remission of disease, modified regimen were related with PFS and OS. In conclusion, IEAC regimen was well tolerated and replacement with idarubicin could be an alternative when carmustine was not available.

At present, the mainstream restaurant automatic pricing system realizes automatic pricing by using the object detection technology based on deep learning to locate plate and identify its category. In order to make the accuracy to reach practical application, collecting and labeling lots of plate images with kinds of foods is required, it increases the labor and costs. This paper notes that detection and identification of the plate is different from that of the conventional object. A plate is a container, in which any foods and items can be placed, and the foods are unknown, and the fine-grained detection and identification is reached through the shape, edge and color of a plate. In order to improve the plate recognition rate, for the first time this paper releases a dataset named EP-20 which contains images of the empty plate without foods, and a testing dataset named EP-Test which is collected under actual using scenes. In addition, this paper proposes the data enhancement method based on the attention mechanism, which is that images of the empty plate are filled. This method guides the neural network to pay more attention to and learn more the features of the plate’s edge and color, and learn less the features of the food in the plate, which are used as the plate’s features. The method can achieve a highest accuracy of 89.63%, the highest accuracy can be improved by 58% compared to not using the method.

Despite much attention on the history of goat evolution, information on origin, demographic history, and expansion route remains controversial. To address these questions, we collected 4,189 published goat DNA sequences including 1,228 sequences from 57 breeds in China and 2,961 sequences including 193 goat breeds from 71 other countries and carried out an integrated analysis. We found goat breeds from South China had the highest genetic diversity of lineage B, and subclades B2 only were found in Southwest China, suggesting that lineage B (particularly, subclade B2) probably originated from Southwest China and its surrounding areas. In addition, in this study, we found that lineage A from South China also presented higher genetic diversity and earlier expansion time (10, 606 years ago), even earlier than breeds from the Middle East. Hence, we speculated that South China and surrounding areas were the origin of lineage B and also the transportation hub for lineage A spreading to North China and Southwest Asia. Furthermore, according to the analysis of correlation between genetic differentiation value λ1 and λ2 and geographical distance, we further confirmed two phases of migration in goat breeds of North China. These results will contribute to a better understanding of the origin and migration history of domestic goat.

Objective To analyze the serotypes and molecular type of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from food, clinical case and environment in Fujian Province, so as to provide reference for the outbreak identification and traceability of foodborne diseases. Methods Using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) serotyping, immune serum agglutination and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to classify the strains. Results The 117 strains of Listeria monocytogenes strains were divided into 4 PCR serotypes, 67.5% (79/117) of which were 1/2a (3a), 23.1% (27/117) were 1/2b (3b), 5.1% (6/117) were 1/2c (3c) and 4.3% (5/117) were 4b (4d, 4e). Among the 9 strains isolated from cases, 6 strains were 1/2a, 2 strains were 4b and 1 strain was 1/2b. 117 Listeria monocytogenes strains were divided into 83 different PFGE types by Asc I restriction endonucleases, and 10 strains of which had unique and single types. Nine clinical case isolates were divided into 8 different PFGE types. Conclusion 1/2a serotype was dominant in Listeria monocytogenes isolated from food and clinical specimens in Fujian Province, and 4b serotype should be concerned.

Abstract Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted viruses. Data about HPV infection in Guizhou is limited. Methods 56,768 cervical samples were collected and genotyped for 15 main high risk and 6 main low risk HPV types. Results 16.95% (9623/56768) of samples were HPV positive; 90.70% (8728/9623) of HPV positive women were infected by high risk HPV. High risk and high risk mix infection (1458; 70.85%) was the most common mix HPV infection type. The highest HPV detection rate was found in age group 41–45 years old (detection rate = 17.89%) (χ2 = 204.77; P

Abstract Background Human papillomavirus type-6 (HPV6) is the major etiological agent of anogenital warts both men and women. The present study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity among HPV6 in Southwest China, and to investigate the origin of, selective pressure experienced by, and impact of the resultantly identified genetic variants on the HPV6 secondary structure. Methods Phylogenetic trees were constructed by Maximum-likelihood and the Kimura 2-parameters methods by Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis version 6.0. The diversity of secondary structure was analyzed by PSIPred software. The selection pressures acting on the E6/E7 genes were estimated by Phylogenetic Analyses by Maximum Likelihood version 4.8 software. Results HPV6 was the most prevalent low risk HPV type in southwest China. In total, 143 E6 and E7 gene sequences of HPV6 isolated from patients were sequenced and compared to GenBank HPV6 reference sequence X00203. The results of these analyses revealed that both the HPV6 E6 and E7 were highly conserved within the analyzed patient samples, and comprised only 3 types of variant sequence, respectively. Furthermore, the analysis of HPV6 E6 and E7 sequences revealed seven/five single-nucleotide mutations, two/four and five/one of which were non-synonymous and synonymous, respectively. The phylogenetic analyses of the E6 and E7 sequences indicated that they belonged to sub-lineage A1 and sub-lineage B1, whereas the selective pressure analyses showed that only the E7 mutation sites 4R, 34E, and 52F were positive selection. Conclusions HPV6 (detection rate = 13.10%) was very prevalent in southwest China, both the HPV6 E6 and E7 sequences were highly conserved within the analyzed patient samples in southwest China, indicating that the low risk HPV6 can adapt to the environment well without much evolution.

Abstract Background The Suwan population is a well-known maize germplasm that has greatly contributed to the development of maize breeding in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in southern China. Inbred lines derived from the Suwan population always contain stronger resistance and extensive adaptability in different environments. To evaluate the genetic character of inbred lines derived from the Suwan population, a panel including 226 inbred line derived from the Suwan population and temperate resources was assembled and genotyped by using MaizeSNP50 BeadChip, which contained 56,110 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. This panel contained 98 temperate inbred line and 128 lines derived from the Suwan population. Results The results showed that high genetic diversity was found, with PIC and GD to be 0.67 and 0.60, respectively. In addition, two novel subgroups were identified, with representative inbred lines as HCL645 and Ki32, respectively. One acknowledged heterotic group of Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (SS) was also identified in this study. This study can provide some additional scientific evidence for heterotic group division and use in maize. Additionally, lower linkage disequilibrium (LD) levels and weaker genetic relationships were found, with an average LD level of 41.15 kb that varied from 3.5 to 96 kb. A total of 82.8% of paired relative kinships ranged from 0.05 to 0.28. Conclusions These results would not only facilitate maize breeding practices in tropical and subtropical regions, but also revealed that this panel can be used in dissecting the genetic basis of complex quantitative traits’ variations by using genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

In recent times, forest tenure reform has become one of the most discussed agendas among local and global policymakers. Forest tenure is a contract that specifies who has rights to forestry resources and depicts who should utilize, maintain, and acquire them. It can have a significant impact on whether farmers invest in their forestland. The study’s primary purpose is to explore whether and how the reform of forest rights affects farmers’ investment in public welfare forestry. More specifically, the study thoroughly analyzes the impact of primary and supplementary reforms on farmers’ investment in public welfare forest areas. We have outlined the theoretical framework using the theory of property rights and utilized the fixed-effect model and the Difference in Differences (DID) model to achieve research objectives. However, the empirical setup of the study has comprised time series data of 500 farmers, which was collected via interviews conducted at regular time intervals (2011—before the reform; 2013, 2015, and 2017— after the reform). The collective forest land welfare areas in Gansu Province, China, have been selected as the key data collection area. The study concludes that: (i) although the principle reform of forest tenure can stimulate farmers’ investment intensity in the short term, it is insufficient in the long term. (ii) The supplementary reform of forest tenure can significantly promote farmers’ long-term effective investment. There is a significant difference in forest land investment between the experimental and control groups, and this difference gradually expands over time. The study suggests that the government should pay more attention to the relevance of additional reforms to encourage the growth of forest rights mortgages and circulation. Moreover, the core themes of sustainable development in forestry should be highlighted.

Primary bone marrow diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an independent pathologic type with a poor prognosis when treated with standard chemoimmunotherapy. Generally, rituximab-based high-dose chemotherapy regimens such as dose-adjusted etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin (DA-EPOCH) can be administered to young patients, followed by autologous stem cell transplantation. For elderly patients, the rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) regimen is well tolerated, but it is an insufficient induction therapy for this group. Herein, we reported an elderly patient diagnosed with primary bone marrow DLBCL, germinal center B-cell-like subtype. Considering tolerance, the R-CHOP regimen was administered. However, his disease progressed after two treatment cycles. Then, the rituximab, gemcitabine, dexamethasone, cisplatin, lenalidomide regimen was administered, but the patient still experienced disease progression. Subsequently, the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor chidamide and Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib were concurrently administered, and the patient achieved complete remission. We found that the response of primary bone marrow DLBCL to chemotherapy was poorer than that of de novo DLBCL. High-dose chemotherapy regimens such as DA-EPOCH should be administered to young patients in combination with rituximab. For elderly patients, new targeted drugs such as HDAC and BTK inhibitors appear to produce favorable outcomes.

In recent decades, increasing numbers of human infections have been linked to non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae . Septicemia resulting from non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae infection is rare but has high mortality. The pathogenesis of non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae septicemia is poorly understood. Here, we report two sporadic cases of septicemia following non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae infection from an inland area of China. Patient 1 died rapidly within 24 hours, while patient 2 gradually recovered from septic shock. To explore the reasons for these divergent outcomes, we compared the two cases, tested the antibiotic sensitivity of the two isolates, and investigated their virulence genes and sequence types.

Autotransporters are important virulence factors in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. Although several autotransporters have been identified in Neisseria meningitidis, only IgA1 protease has been identified in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. A sequence analysis showed a marked difference in the distribution of autotransporters between the two strains. It has been speculated that only two autotransporters, the IgA1 protease and the NGO2105 protein, might be encoded by N. gonorrhoeae. Here, we describe the identification of NGO2105, a new autotransporter in N. gonorrhoeae. A sequence alignment showed that NGO2105 is highly similar to the adhesion and penetration protein (App) in N. meningitidis. We found that NGO2105 is exported to the outer membrane, cleaved and released into the culture supernatant by endogenous serine protease activity in N. gonorrhoeae and E. coli. The site-directed mutagenesis of S267A in the predicted enzyme catalytic triad abolished autoproteolytic cleavage to allow secretion. The NGO2105 β-barrel shows the ability to translocate the heterologous Hbp passenger domain. NGO2105 is involved in gonococcal adherence to and invasion into human cervical epithelial cells. Furthermore, antibodies raised against NGO2105 are able to block gonococcal adherence to human cervical epithelial cells. The Δngo2105 mutant and anti-NGO2105 antiserum significantly attenuated the colonization of N. gonorrhoeae in mice. Collectively, our results suggest that the newly identified serine protease autotransporter NGO2105 represents a novel virulence factor of gonococcus and a potential vaccine target.

Land resources are the basis of human survival and development. Land use benefit is the embodiment of land input-output ability. As an important economic zone and ecological barrier in China, it is important to calculate the land productivity in the Yellow River Basin. Using the center of gravity model and other methods, this study evaluated the land use benefit of the Yellow River Basin from 1995 to 2018 based on the selected indicators of geographic grid-scale and analyzed the regional disparity. The results revealed that the comprehensive benefits, economic benefits, and social benefits of land use were on the rise, but the ecological benefits changed in volatility. Land circulation had a great impact on the change of land use benefits. So reasonable land transfer policy should be particularly significant for land use in the Yellow River Basin. In addition, there were obvious spatial differences and agglomeration effects in land use benefit. The high values of benefits were concentrated in urban groups, which showed that areas with better economic and social development had better land use benefits. To narrow land use benefits’ spatial differences between regions, the less developed areas deserve more preferential policies to improve their economic and social levels. Besides, ecological benefits are generally not high. Thus, the land policy in the Yellow River Basin should take ecological priority as the basic principle while considering economic factors.

Agricultural development is facing two problems: insufficient grain production and low profit of farmers. There is a contradiction between the government’s goal of increasing production and the farmer’s goal of increasing profit. Exploring the appropriate management scale of farmland under different objectives is of great significance to alleviate the conflict of interests between the government and farmers. In this study the Cobb-Douglas production function model was used to measure the appropriate management scale of farmland under different objectives in Shaanxi Province and analyze the regional differences. Under the two objectives, the appropriate management scale of the Loess Plateau was the largest in the three regions, followed by Qinba Mountains and Guanzhong Plain. Farmland area and quality were the main influencing factors for the appropriate management scale of farmland under the goal of maximizing the farmland yield, while the nonagricultural employment rate and farmland transfer rate were the main influencing factors under the goal of maximizing farmers’ profits. It is easy for Shaanxi Province to increase farmers’ profits, but more land needed to be transferred to increase farmland yield. These results suggest that in order to balance the goal of increasing yield and profit, the transfer of rural surplus labor should be promoted, and the nonagricultural employment rate should be improved. In Loess Plateau, restoring the ecological environment and enhancing the farmland quality. In Guanzhong Plain, avoiding urban land encroachment on farmland. In Qinba Mountains, developing farming techniques and moderately increasing the intensity of farmland exploit.

This study performed an optimization of the fermentation conditions to activate the expression of the zunyimycin family biosynthesis genes of the zunyimycin-producing streptomycetes strain Streptomyces sp. FJS31-2. Bioassay-guided isolation and purification by varied chromatographic methods yielded two new compounds of the zunyimycin derivatives, namely, 31-2-7 and 31-2-8, accompanied with three known anthrabenzoxocinones family members of zunyimycin A, BE24566B, and chloroanthrabenzoxocinone. Their structures were elucidated by NMR, HRESIMS, IR, UV, and CD. Results showed that these two compounds were structurally similar to the previously reported compound zunyimycin A but differed in positions and number of chlorine atom substitution. The two novel compounds were called zunyimycins B and C. Antibacterial activity assay indicated that zunyimycin C showed a good inhibitory effect on the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococci.