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This study was aimed at investigating the carrier rate of, and molecular variation in, α- and β-globin gene mutations in Hunan Province. We recruited 25,946 individuals attending premarital screening from 42 districts and counties in all 14 cities of Hunan Province. Hematological screening was performed, and molecular parameters were assessed. The overall carrier rate of thalassemia was 7.1%, including 4.83% for α-thalassemia, 2.15% for β-thalassemia, and 0.12% for both α- and β-thalassemia. The highest carrier rate of thalassemia was in Yongzhou (14.57%). The most abundant genotype of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia was -α3.7/αα (50.23%) and βIVS-II-654/βN (28.23%), respectively. Four α-globin mutations [CD108 (ACC>AAC), CAP +29 (G>C), Hb Agrinio and Hb Cervantes] and six β-globin mutations [CAP +8 (C>T), IVS-II-848 (C>T), -56 (G>C), beta nt-77 (G>C), codon 20/21 (-TGGA) and Hb Knossos] had not previously been identified in China. Furthermore, this study provides the first report of the carrier rates of abnormal hemoglobin variants and α-globin triplication in Hunan Province, which were 0.49% and 1.99%, respectively. Our study demonstrates the high complexity and diversity of thalassemia gene mutations in the Hunan population. The results should facilitate genetic counselling and the prevention of severe thalassemia in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Matching a crop's nitrogen (N) preference with the specific form of N is critical to enhance N recovery efficiency (NRE). Many studies show that maize (Zea mays L.) has a preference for NH4+ uptake over NO3−, but the contribution of this preference to NRE is unclear. This study evaluated the utilization of ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−) by maize and its relationship with NRE. Methods: Maize (cv. 'Zhengdan 958') seedlings were grown in a soil culture experiment with 15NH4+ or 15NO3− applied to sterilized or non-sterilized soils, and in a hydroponic experiment supplied with NH4+ or NO3−. We recorded maize root and shoot growth and N uptake, and the distribution of 15N-labeled N in the soil–plant system. Results: Ammonium application enhanced maize root and shoot growth and N uptake compared with those of NO3−-treated plants in both culture systems. This enhancement by NH4+ was further promoted in sterilized soil. More applied N remained in soil supplied with NO3− than with NH4+ after seedling harvest. The NRE of NH4+ in maize was significantly higher than that of NO3−, while a similar proportion of applied N was lost with NH4+ or NO3−supply. Conclusions: Ammonium supply enhances maize growth and NRE compared with NO3− under the present experimental condition, which may be attributable to the superior capability of maize to utilize NH4+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the carrying rate, gene mutation frequency and composition ratio of thalassemia in pregnant women in Suxian and Beihu districts of Chenzhou, Hunan Province., Methods: Thalassemia gene in 11 212 samples was analyzed by using Next-Generation Sequencing., Results: Among the 11 212 samples, 938 were diagnosed as thalassemia, in which 618 (5.51%) were diagnosed as α-thalassemia, 268 (2.39%) as β-thalassemia, 29（0.26%）as abnormal hemoglobin and 23 (0.21%) as αβ-thalassemia. The gene mutations of --SEA /αα(40.29%) and -α3.7/αα(37.7%) in α-thalassemia were the most common, while for β- thalassemia, the most commonly gene mutation were β41-42M/βN(24.26%) and β654M/βN(23.88%). The detection rate of rare type α,β-thalassemia gene was 0.19%(21/11 212）, 0.53%（59/11 212）, respectively., Conclusion: The carrying rate of thalassemia in pregnant women is 8.37% in Suxian and Beihu districts of Chenzhou city, and the genotypes are complex. Next-Generation Sequencing can detect rare thalassemia genes and new gene mutations effectively.

The effects of optimum nitrogen (N) fertilization rate with and without adding manure on wheat yield and leaching of residual nitrate-N in soil profile were examined in Weibei dryland, Shaanxi with a field experiment combined different N fertilization rates (0, 75, 150, 225, 300 kg N·hm -2 ) and organic manure (0 and 30 t·hm -2 ). The results showed that, compared to chemical N fertilizer, combined application of inorganic fertilizer and organic manure increased winter wheat yield by 14.7% when N fertilization rate was reduced by 27.1%. The highest yield was obtained when 150 kg·hm -2 of N rate was combined with the manure (N 150 +M). The combination of N fertilizer and manure promoted N uptake of wheat grain and increased N use efficiency by 20.2%. The highest N use efficiency was recorded in the N 150 +M treatment. In addition, the lea-ching of residual nitrate-N during the wheat growing season and the leaching of nitrate-N during summer fallow were decreased. When N application rate was lower than 115 kg·hm -2 , N fertilizer combined with organic manure reduced the amount of nitrate-N leaching in summer fallow. We recommend the combined application of organic manure with about 150 kg·hm -2 of N fertilizers in Weibei dryland to guarantee high winter wheat yield, N use efficiency, and reduce excessive residue of fertilizer N in the soil.

Acute lung injury is still a significant clinical problem having a high mortality rate despite significant advances in antimicrobial therapy and supportive care made in the past few years. Our previous study demonstrated that berberine (Ber) remarkably decreased mortality and attenuated the lung injury in mice challenged with LPS, but the mechanism behind this remains unclear. Here, we report that pretreatment with Ber significantly reduced pulmonary edema, neutrophil infiltration, and histopathological alterations; inhibited protein expression and phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2; and decreased thromboxane A2 release induced by LPS. Yohimbine, an alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, did not antagonize these actions of Ber. Furthermore, pretreatment with Ber decreased TNF-alpha production and mortality in mice challenged with LPS, which were enhanced by yohimbine, and Ber combined with yohimbine also improved survival rate in mice subjected to cecal ligation and puncture. Taken together, these observations indicate that Ber attenuates LPS-induced lung injury by inhibiting TNF-alpha production and cytosolic phospholipase A2 expression and activation in an alpha2-adrenoceptor-independent manner. Berberine combined with yohimbine might provide an effective therapeutic approach to acute lung injury during sepsis.