Transcriptome analysis reveals the key network of axillary bud outgrowth modulated by topping in citrus.

Topping, an important tree shaping and pruning technique, can promote the outgrowth of citrus axillary buds. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is still unclear. In this study, spring shoots of Citrus reticulata 'Huagan No.2' were topped and transcriptome was compared between axillary buds of topped and untopped shoots at 6 and 11 days after topping (DAT). 1944 and 2394 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found at 6 and 11 DAT, respectively. KEGG analysis revealed that many DEGs were related to starch and sucrose metabolism, signal transduction of auxin, cytokinin and abscisic acid. Specially, transcript levels of auxin synthesis, transport, and signaling-related genes (SAURs and ARF5), cytokinin signal transduction related genes (CRE1, AHP and Type-A ARRs), ABA signal responsive genes (PYL and ABF) were up-regulated by topping; while transcript levels of auxin receptor TIR1, auxin responsive genes AUX/IAAs, ABA signal transduction related gene PP2Cs and synthesis related genes NCED3 were down-regulated. On the other hand, the contents of sucrose and fructose in axillary buds of topped shoots were significantly higher than those in untopped shoots; transcript levels of 16 genes related to sucrose synthase, hexokinase, sucrose phosphate synthase, endoglucanase and glucosidase, were up-regulated in axillary buds after topping. In addition, transcript levels of genes related to trehalose 6-phosphate metabolism and glycolysis/tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, as well to some transcription factors including Pkinase, Pkinase_Tyr, Kinesin, AP2/ERF, P450, MYB, NAC and Cyclin_c, significantly responded to topping. Taken together, the present results suggested that topping promoted citrus axillary bud outgrowth through comprehensively regulating plant hormone and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as signal transduction. These results deepened our understanding of citrus axillary bud outgrowth by topping and laid a foundation for further research on the molecular mechanisms of citrus axillary bud outgrowth.

2-Methylimidazole-modulated 2D Cu metal-organic framework for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural hydrodeoxygenation.

Preparation of the high value-added chemical 2,5-dimethylfuran (2,5-DMF) from the biomass-derived platform molecule 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is of great significance in the preparation of biofuels. Here, a bottom-up strategy was used to prepare a metal-organic framework (MOF) material with a two-dimensional nanosheet morphology, named CPM, in which an additive 2-methylimidazole was introduced into the hydrothermal process of Cu2+ ions and terephthalic acid. Subsequently, CPM-700 prepared by heat treatment under an inert atmosphere showed excellent catalytic performance in the reaction of HMF hydrodeoxygenation to 2,5-DMF. The materials before and after pyrogenation were characterized by PXRD, XPS, TEM, N2 adsorption and desorption and so on. It was confirmed that compared with the catalyst derived from the cubic MOF material self-assembled by Cu2+ and terephthalic acid, the morphology of 2D nanosheets was beneficial for the reaction of HMF to 2,5-DMF. Combined with the experimental data, the possible reaction path of 2,5-DMF preparation from HMF is that 2,5-dihydroxymethylfuran was formed by hydrogenation of the aldehyde group on the furan ring, and then 2,5-DMF was obtained by hydrogenolysis. This paper provides an effective route for 2D MOF-derived catalytic materials in the selective hydrogenation of HMF.

Cost-effectiveness of active surveillance versus early surgery for thyroid micropapillary carcinoma based on diagnostic and treatment norms in China.

Objectives: In this study, we compared the cost-effectiveness comparison of the active surveillance (AS) and early surgery (ES) approaches for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system. Methods: We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis using a Markov model of PTMC we developed to evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of AS and ES. Our reference case was of a 40-year-old woman diagnosed with unifocal (<10 mm) PTMC. Relevant data were extracted after an extensive literature review, and the cost incurred in each state was determined using China Medicare data on payments for ES and AS. The willingness-to-pay threshold was set at ¥242,928/quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for any uncertainty in the model's variables. Additional subgroup analyses were performed to determine whether AS was cost-effective when different initial monitoring ages were used. Results: ES exhibited an effectiveness of 5.2 QALYs, whereas AS showed an effectiveness of 25.8 QALYs. Furthermore, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for ES versus AS was ¥1,009/QALY. The findings of all sensitivity analyses were robust. Compared with ES, AS was found to be the cost-effective strategy at initial monitoring ages of 20 and 60 years, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of ¥3,431/QALY and -¥1,316/QALY at 20 and 60 years, respectively. AS was a more cost-effective strategy in patients with PTMC aged more than 60. Conclusions: With respect to the norms of the Chinese healthcare system, AS was more cost-effective for PTMC over lifetime surveillance than ES. Furthermore, it was cost-effective even when the initial monitoring ages were different. In addition, if AS is incorporated into the management plan for PTMC in China at the earliest possible stage, a predicted savings of ¥10 × 108/year could be enabled for every 50,000 cases of PTMC, which indicates a good economic return for future management programs. The identification of such nuances can help physicians and patients determine the best and most individualized long-term management strategy for low-risk PTMC.

Vagus innervation in the gastrointestinal tumor: Current understanding and challenges.

The vagus nerve (VN) is the main parasympathetic nerve of the autonomic nervous system. It is widely distributed in the gastrointestinal tract and maintains gastrointestinal homeostasis with the sympathetic nerve under physiological conditions. The VN communicates with various components of the tumor microenvironment to positively and dynamically affect the progression of gastrointestinal tumors (GITs). The intervention in vagus innervation delays GIT progression. Developments in adeno-associated virus vectors, nanotechnology, and in vivo neurobiological techniques have enabled the creation of precisely regulated "tumor neurotherapies". The present review aimed to summarize the mechanisms of communication between the VN and the gastrointestinal TME and to explore the potential and challenges of VN-based tumor neurotherapy in GITs.

A Chinese version of the revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire: A validation study.

OBJECTIVE: The revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) was developed to measure the quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia in randomized controlled trials and routine care. The purpose of this study was to translate and adapt the FIQR from English to Chinese, and to examine the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the FIQR (CFIQR). METHODS: Following the translation of the FIQR, fibromyalgia patients from 6 centers were recruited and completed the CFIQR, the validated Chinese version of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). In this study, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, test-retest reliability and item total correlation were used for evaluating external and internal reliability; and criterion and structural validity were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 200 fibromyalgia patients completed the study. The internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's alpha .90, .88, .88 and .93 for function, overall impact, symptoms scales and total score, respectively; item-total correlations from .25 to .83.) Test-retest reliability levels of the CFIQR total and subscale scores were strong correlation (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.75). Furthermore, there were significant correlations between the 3 subscale and the total score of the CFIQR and the SF-36, as well as the CFIQR and the BDI, by criterion validity (P < .01). Confirmatory factor analysis gave an acceptable value for structural validity according to the 3-factor structures of function, overall impact and symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The CFIQR is a valid and reliable instrument for both clinical practice and research purposes with Chinese speakers globally. [ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03381131].

Genome-wide analysis of citrus TCP transcription factors and their responses to abiotic stresses.

BACKGROUND: Citrus is one of the most important fruit crops in the world, and it is worthy to conduct more research on artificially controlling citrus plant growth and development to adapt to different cultivation patterns and environmental conditions. The plant-specific TEOSINTE BRANCHED1, CYCOLOIDEA, and PROLIFERATING CELL FACTORS (TCP) transcription factors are crucial regulators controlling plant growth and development, as well as responding to abiotic stresses. However, the information about citrus TCP transcription factors remains unclear. RESULTS: In this study, twenty putative TCP genes (CsTCPs) with the TCP domain were explored from Citrus sinensis genome, of which eleven (CsTCP3, - 4, - 5, - 6, - 10, - 11, - 15, - 16, - 18, - 19, - 20), five (CsTCP1, - 2, - 7, - 9, - 13), and four genes (CsTCP8, - 12, - 14, - 17) were unevenly distributed on chromosomes and divided into three subclades. Cis-acting element analysis indicated that most CsTCPs contained many phytohormone- and environment-responsive elements in promoter regions. All of CsTCPs were predominantly expressed in vegetative tissues or organs (stem, leaf, thorn, and bud) instead of reproductive tissues or organs (flower, fruit, and seed). Combined with collinearity analysis, CsTCP3, CsTCP9, and CsTCP13 may take part in leaf development; CsTCP12 and CsTCP14 may function in shoot branching, leaf development, or thorn development; CsTCP15 may participate in the development of stem, leaf, or thorn. In mature leaf, transcript levels of two CsTCPs (CsTCP19, - 20) were significantly increased while transcript levels of eight CsTCPs (CsTCP2, - 5, - 6, - 7, - 8, - 9, - 10, - 13) were significantly decreased by shading; except for two CsTCPs (CsTCP11, - 19), CsTCPs' transcript levels were significantly influenced by low temperature; moreover, transcript levels of two CsTCPs (CsTCP11, - 12) were significantly increased while five CsTCPs' (CsTCP14, - 16, - 18, - 19, - 20) transcript levels were significantly reduced by drought. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides significant clues for research on roles of CsTCPs in regulating citrus plant growth and development, as well as responding to abiotic stresses.

In Situ Construction of a Co/ZnO@C Heterojunction Catalyst for Efficient Hydrogenation of Biomass Derivative under Mild Conditions.

The efficient hydrogenation of biomass-derived levulinic acid (LA) to value-added γ-valerolactone (GVL) based on nonprecious metal catalysts under mild conditions is crucial challenge because of the intrinsic inactivity and instability of these catalysts. Herein, a series of highly active and stable carbon-encapsulated Co/ZnO@C-X (where X = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, the molar ratios of Zn/(Co+Zn)) heterojunction catalysts were obtained by in situ pyrolysis of bimetal CoZn MOF-74. The optimal Co/ZnO@C-0.3 catalyst could achieve 100% conversion of LA and 98.35% selectivity to GVL under mild conditions (100 °C, 5 bar, 3 h), which outperformed most of the state-of-the-art catalysts reported so far. Detailed characterizations, experimental investigations, and theoretical calculations revealed that the interfacial interaction between Co and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) could promote the dispersibility and air stability of the active Co0 for the activation of H2. Moreover, the strong Co-ZnO interaction also enhanced the Lewis acidity of the Co/ZnO interface, contributing to the adsorption of LA and the esterification of intermediates. The synergy between the hydrogenation sites and the Lewis acid sites at the Co/ZnO interface enabled the conversion of LA to GVL with high efficiency. In addition, benefiting from the Co-ZnO interfacial interaction as well as the unique carbon-encapsulated structure of the heterojunction catalyst, the recyclability was also greatly improved and the yield of GVL was nearly unchanged even after six cycles.

The 16-week sonographic findings in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency and a normal array.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the performance of the intermediate 16-week ultrasound in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT) and a normal chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). METHODS: During a one-year period, a detailed ultrasound was performed at 16 week' gestation for patients with an increased NT (≥3.5 mm) and normal CMA. Pregnancy work-up included a traditional 22-week ultrasound scan, an echocardiography, and the option of a 10-gene Rasopathy panel after a normal 16-week scan. Abnormal findings and pregnancy outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: In 52 fetuses with an isolated increased NT and normal CMA, 14 (26.5%) were noted to have structural defects on the 16-week ultrasound. Intrauterine fetal death occurred in one (1.9%) case identified by the 16-week scan. Of the remaining 37 cases, six opted for a RASopathy panel. In this group, one case of Noonan syndrome was detected. One case of unilateral duplex kidney had not been found until the 22-week scan. One case of fetal growth restriction was identified in the third trimester. The remaining 34 cases proceeded with normal ultrasound to term. CONCLUSION: The 16-week ultrasound scan performed on fetuses with increased NT and normal CMA could detect the majority of structural abnormalities that are expected to be identified traditionally at 20-24 weeks.

Therapeutic Effects of Ba-Duan-Jin versus Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia Treatment: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Fibromyalgia is characterized by multi-focal pain and is associated with fatigue, unrefreshing sleep and psychological impairment. Pregabalin is one of the most frequently used agents in fibromyalgia treatment. However, it has failed to demonstrate benefit over placebo for reducing fatigue and psychological impairment, and may cause adverse effects (e.g. somnolence, dizziness). "Ba-Duan-Jin" (BDJ) is a common form of "Qigong" exercise for health promotion in China. Growing evidence suggests that BDJ may achieve satisfactory control of fibromyalgia-related symptoms in Chinese patients. Therefore, we wish to ascertain if BDJ could overcome the disadvantages of pregabalin. METHODS: A single-blind randomized controlled trial has been designed which will recruit 104 patients with fibromyalgia (age 18-70 years) with a visual analog scale (VAS) pain score of ≥ 40 mm These patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) BDJ group (to undertake guided BDJ exercise and take a placebo capsule) or (2) pregabalin group (to take a pregabalin capsule and receive wellness education and guided muscle-relaxation exercises). The primary endpoint will be changes in the VAS score for pain. The secondary endpoints will be changes in the score for the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Beck II Depression Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale and Short Form-36 Health Survey Questionnaire. These parameters will be assessed at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks of follow-up. PLANNED OUTCOMES: Our results are expected to provide more clinical evidence for the beneficial effects of BDJ in treating fibromyalgia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03797560.

Clinical Efficacy of Cortex Daphnes (Zushima) Patch in Patients With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Multicenter Non-Inferiority Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is imposing substantial burdens on individuals and society with the aging population. Cortex Daphnes patch is widely used for symptomatic knee OA in China with a satisfying clinical efficacy; however, there is scant clinical evidence supporting its use. To evaluate its efficacy, we conducted a multicenter, non-inferiority, randomized, parallel-group study comparing Cortex Daphnes patch with topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with knee OA (NCT02770950). Methods: A total of 264 symptomatic knee OA patients were treated with Cortex Daphnes or indomethacin cataplasms applied to affected sites once daily for 2 weeks. The primary outcome was improvement in knee pain on walking as assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). The non-inferiority margin based on the full analysis population was set as -5 mm on the pain VAS. The secondary outcomes were changes of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) total score, WOMAC scores for pain, function and stiffness, the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and global assessment of knees by the patients. Responder rates for pain VAS, WOMAC total score, and WOMAC pain were also included in the secondary outcomes. Results: The Cortex Daphnes patch was non-inferior to indomethacin cataplasms for the primary outcome with a group difference (Cortex Daphnes patch-indomethacin cataplasm) of 2.1 mm (95% confidence interval: 2.1-6.4); similar results were found in the per-protocol population. For all other outcomes, no significant differences were found in the full analysis set or in the per-protocol analysis set, except the responder rates for WOMAC pain was higher in the Cortex Daphnes patch group than in the indomethacin cataplasm group (78.4 vs. 64.7%, p = 0.022) in the per-protocol analysis set. Overall, 28.8% patients in the Cortex Daphnes patch group and 9.8% in the indomethacin cataplasm group reported treatment-related adverse events, the vast majority of which were mild-to-moderate skin irritation, resulting in only 3.8 and 0.8% of patients dropping out, respectively. Conclusion: The Cortex Daphnes patch, which provides satisfactory analgesic efficacy and enhances the physical function of the knee, as well as improving quality of life, may be a promising alternative to knee OA.

Zeolite-Encapsulated Ultrasmall Cu/ZnOx Nanoparticles for the Hydrogenation of CO2 to Methanol.

Selective hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol is a "two birds, one stone" technology to mitigate the greenhouse effect and solve the energy demand-supply deficit. Cu-based catalysts can effectively catalyze this reaction but suffer from low catalytic stability caused by the sintering of Cu species. Here, we report a series of zeolite-fixed catalysts Cu/ZnOx(Y)@Na-ZSM-5 (Y is the mass ratios of Cu/Zn in the catalysts) with core-shell structures to overcome this issue and strengthen the transformation. Fascinatingly, in this work, we first employed bimetallic metal-organic framework, CuZn-HKUST-1, nanoparticles (NPs) as a sacrificial agent to introduce ultrasmall Cu/ZnOx NPs (∼2 nm) into the crystalline particles of the Na-ZSM-5 zeolite via a hydrothermal synthesis method. The catalytic results showed that the optimized zeolite-encapsulated Cu/ZnOx(1.38)@Na-ZSM-5 catalyst exhibited the space time yield of methanol (STYMeOH) of 44.88 gMeOH·gCu-1·h-1, much more efficient than the supported Cu/ZnOx/Na-ZSM-5 catalyst (13.32 gMeOH·gCu-1·h-1) and industrial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst (8.46 gMeOH·gCu-1·h-1) under identical conditions. Multiple studies demonstrated that the confinement in the zeolite formwork affords an intimate surrounding for the active phase to create synergies and avoid the separation of Cu-ZnOx interfaces, which results in an improved performance. More importantly, in the long-term test, the Cu/ZnOx(1.38)@Na-ZSM-5 catalyst exhibited constant STYMeOH with superior durability benefitted from its fixed structure. The current findings demonstrate the importance of confinement effects in designing highly efficient and stable methanol synthesis catalysts.

Anti-Osteoporotic Activity of an Edible Traditional Chinese Medicine Cistanche deserticola on Bone Metabolism of Ovariectomized Rats Through RANKL/RANK/TRAF6-Mediated Signaling Pathways.

Given the limitations of existing therapeutic agents for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, there still remains a need for more options with both efficacy and less adverse effects. Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma is known as a popular tonic herb traditionally used to treatment deficiency of kidney energy including muscle weakness in minority area of Asian counties. Based on the theory of "kidney dominate bone," an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of C. deserticola extract (CDE) on bone loss. Forty eight female Sprague-Dawley rats, aged about 12 weeks, were randomly assigned into six groups including sham group orally administrated with 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na) (sham), positive group treated with 1 mg/kg of estradiol valerate (EV), low, moderate, and high dosage groups orally administrated with 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/day of CDE, respectively. After 3 months of continuous intervention, CDE exhibited significant anti-osteoporotic activity evidenced by the enhanced total bone mineral density, ameliorated bone microarchitecture; increased alkaline phosphatase activity; decreased deoxypyridinoline, cathepsin K, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, and malondialdehyde levels; whereas the body, uterus, and vagina weights in OVX rats were not influenced by CDE intervention. In addition, a seemed contradictory phenomenon on levels of calcium and phosphorus between OVX and sham rats were observed and elucidated. Mechanistically, CDE significantly down-regulated the levels of TRAF6, RANKL, RANK, NF-κB, IKKß, NFAT2, and up-regulated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), AKT, osteoprotegerin, and c-Fos expressions, which implied CDE could suppress RANKL/RANK-induced activation of downstream NF-κB and PI3K/AKT pathways, and ultimately, preventing activity of the key osteoclastogenic proteins NFAT2 and c-Fos. All of the data suggested CDE possessed potential anti-osteoporotic activity and this effect was, at least in part, involved in modulation of RANKL/RANK/TRAF6-mediated NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling as well as c-Fos and NFAT2 levels. Therefore, CDE may represent a useful promising remedy candidate for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Development and validation of a self-management ability questionnaire for patients with chronic periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and validate a self-management ability questionnaire for patients with chronic periodontitis. METHODS: A questionnaire was developed through theoretical research, literature review, semi-structured interview, and expert consultation. A total of 231 patients with chronic periodontitis from the Department of Periodontics in the Stomatological Hospital of Tianjin Medical University were recruited by convenient sampling. Validity and reliability were analyzed. RESULTS: The questionnaire consisted of 24 items. Exploratory factor analysis identified three principal factors, which explained 66.949% of the total variance. The item-level content validity was between 0.800 and 1.000, and the scale-level content validity was 0.969. The coefficient of correlation between the gold standard and the whole questionnaire was 0.869. Cronbach's α of the whole questionnaire was 0.931, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.825. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire developed in this study satisfies the measurement standard and has good reliability and validity. It is useful for clinical work to measure self-management among patients with chronic periodontitis.

Serum endocan and circadian heart rate variability in non-dialysis stage 5 chronic kidney disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is very common now and is associated with high overall and cardiovascular mortality. Numerous studies have reported that elevated heart rate (HR) is a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality. We investigated the link between serum endocan and circadian heart rate variability in non-dialysis stage 5 CKD patients. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we enrolled 54 prevalent n non-dialysis stage 5 CKD patients (32 males, aged 48.2 ± 14.92 years). HR was measured with an automatic system. Serum endocan level was analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: Night/day HR ratio was independently predicted by serum endocan level (P < 0.01) and hypertension history (P < 0.05). Adjusted R2 of the model was 0.222. CONCLUSION: Increased serum endocan is significantly associated with circadian heart rate variability in non-dialysis stage 5 CKD patients. Further investigation is needed to explore the potential benefits of serum endocan lowering therapy in this patient group.

Sagittal abdominal diameter and Framingham risk score in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is very common now and is associated with high overall and cardiovascular mortality. Numerous studies have reported that abdominal obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality. We investigated the link between sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) and Framingham risk score in non-dialysis CKD patients. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we enrolled 307 prevalent non-dialysis CKD patients (175 males, aged 50.7 ± 17.04 years). SAD and Framingham risk score were measured. RESULTS: Framingham cardiovascular disease risk score was independently predicted by SAD (P < 0.01), GFR (P < 0.01) and diabetic history (P < 0.05). Adjusted R2 of the model was 0.178. SAD could be independently predicted by BMI (P < 0.01), diabetic history (P < 0.01), GFR (P < 0.01) and age (P < 0.01). Adjusted R2 of the model was 0.409. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, a cutoff SAD value of 16.55 cm was determined with sensitivity of 63.7%, specificity of 58.3%. CONCLUSION: Elevated SAD is significantly associated with increased Framingham risk score in non-dialysis CKD patients. SAD can be predicted by patients' BMI, diabetic history, renal function and age. Further investigation is needed to explore the potential benefits of central obesity lowering therapy in this patient group.

Correlation between polymorphisms in toll-like receptor genes and the activity of hepatitis B virus among treatment-naïve patients: a case-control study in a Han Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Because of the high prevalence and absence of cure for infection, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been acknowledged as a pressing public health issue. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) activate the human innate immune system and the polymorphisms in TLRs may alter their function. The present study aimed to investigate the association between TLR polymorphisms and disease progression of chronic HBV infection. METHODS: During the study period, 211 treatment-naïve patients with chronic HBV infection were recruited, and blood samples were collected from each individual. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry was employed to genotype the selected TLR polymorphisms after human genome extraction. In addition, HbsAg, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were quantified using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses were conducted to investigate the association between TLR polymorphisms and hepatitis activity, liver function parameters, HbsAg level, and cytokine level. RESULTS: We did not observe any mutations in rs4986790, rs4986791, and rs5743708 among all study subjects. A logistic regression revealed that mutations in rs3804099 and rs4696480 were associated with milder hepatitis activity. Consistent with the logistic regression, improved liver function parameters and reduced level of both HbsAg and cytokines were also correlated with the mutant carriers of rs3804099 and rs4696480. CONCLUSIONS: TLR mutations were significantly associated with milder hepatitis activity among patients with chronic HBV infection. Therefore, we conclude that the activation of TLR pathways may further intensify the inflammation of hepatocytes, and leads to progression of disease.

Risk factors and molecular epidemiology of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Xiamen, China.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for pneumonia due to extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) and to analyse the molecular epidemiology of ESBL-KP in Xiamen, China. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted at Zhongshan Hospital from January 2014 to August 2015. Medical records of patients with nosocomial pneumonia caused by K. pneumoniae were collected. A total of 40 cases with ESBL-KP infection and 90 controls with non-ESBL-KP infection were included. The sequence types (STs) of the 40 ESBL-KP strains were determined by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). RESULTS: Univariate analysis primarily revealed an association between the following seven risk factors and ESBL-KP infection (P<0.10): length of hospitalisation; use of cephalosporins; use of quinolones; presence of a nasogastric tube; presence of an intravenous catheter; mechanical ventilation; and cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that use of cephalosporins and presence of a nasogastric tube were independent risk factors for ESBL-KP infection (P<0.05), with adjusted odds ratios of 3.473 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.105-10.911; P=0.033] and 2.488 (95% CI 1.083-5.715; P=0.032), respectively. MLST identified 28 STs. The main STs were ST23 (10.0%) and ST37 (10.0%); three novel STs were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Use of cephalosporins and presence of a nasogastric tube are independent risk factors for ESBL-KP infection. In addition, the discovery of three novel STs serves as a reminder to continuously monitor outbreaks of ESBL-KP infection.

Harvesting more grain zinc of wheat for human health.

Increasing grain zinc (Zn) concentration of cereals for minimizing Zn malnutrition in two billion people represents an important global humanitarian challenge. Grain Zn in field-grown wheat at the global scale ranges from 20.4 to 30.5 mg kg-1, showing a solid gap to the biofortification target for human health (40 mg kg-1). Through a group of field experiments, we found that the low grain Zn was not closely linked to historical replacements of varieties during the Green Revolution, but greatly aggravated by phosphorus (P) overuse or insufficient nitrogen (N) application. We also conducted a total of 320-pair plots field experiments and found an average increase of 10.5 mg kg-1 by foliar Zn application. We conclude that an integrated strategy, including not only Zn-responsive genotypes, but of a similar importance, Zn application and field N and P management, are required to harvest more grain Zn and meanwhile ensure better yield in wheat-dominant areas.

P-N depleted bulk BiOBr/α-Fe2O3 heterojunctions applied for unbiased solar water splitting.

P-N depleted bulk BiOBr/α-Fe2O3 heterojunction (DBH) nanostructures with the growth of (001) BiOBr facets were prepared via a simple hydrothermal method. BiOBr possesses an average thickness of around 50 nm and shows preferential exposure of the (001) facets. α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles, with an average diameter of 5 nm, are attached on the surface of BiOBr as 20-50 nm clusters with an intimate contact interface. Such DBH nanostructures show high hydrogen evolution, and 193 mmol g-1 of H2 is produced with DBH containing 1 wt% Pt, which is 6.3 times higher than that of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The structural features of DBH are considered to be important to obtain attractive properties in photocatalytic water splitting.