ABSTRACT
Soil organic matter is an important indicator of soil fertility, and it is necessary to improve the accuracy of regional organic matter spatial distribution prediction. In this study, we analyzed the organic matter content of 1 690 soil surface layers (0-20 cm) and collected data on the natural environment and human activities in the Weining Plain of the Yellow River Basin. The SOM spatial distribution prediction model was established with 1 348 points using classical statistics, deterministic interpolation, geostatistical interpolation, and machine learning, respectively, and 342 sample points data were used as the test set to test and analyze the prediction accuracy of different models. The results showed that the average SOM content of the surface soil of the Weining Plain was 14.34 g·kg-1, and the average soil organic matter variation across 1 690 sampling points was 34.81%, indicating a medium degree of variability. The results also revealed a spatial distribution trend, with low soil organic matter content in the northeast and southwest, high soil organic matter on the left and right banks of the Yellow River in the middle, and relatively high soil organic matter in the sloping terrain of the Weining Plain. The four types of methods in order of high to low prediction accuracy were the machine learning method, geostatistical interpolation method, deterministic interpolation method, and classical statistical method. Through comparison, the BP neural network that was improved based on the optimized sparrow search algorithm had the best prediction accuracy, and the optimized sparrow search algorithm had better convergence accuracy, avoided falling into local optimization, prevented data overfitting, and had better prediction ability. This optimization algorithm can improve the accuracy of SOM prediction and has good application prospects in soil attribute prediction.
ABSTRACT
Stem cell preparations, as a new type of biotherapeutic product, should be subject to strict quality control in terms of cell safety. The testing of stem cell donors and blood products used in stem cell cultures, including but not limited to Treponema pallidum, is needed to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases by stem cell medical products. In this study, a reference measurement procedure (RMP) was established based on digital PCR (dPCR). A homogeneous reference material (RM) of TP containing the tpp47 gene has been developed and characterized. Two dPCR assays (A and B) show ideal linearity within five orders of magnitude. The limit of quantification (LoQ) for both assays is 57 copies/reaction; the limits of detection (LoD) are 9.69 and 9.59 copies/reaction, respectively. The quantitative results of the established duplex dPCR assay are in good agreement. The RM of TP containing the tpp47 gene has been developed and characterized. The reference value with its expanded uncertainty is (2.21 ± 0.22) × 106 copies per µL determined by the established dPCR RMP. The developed dPCR was validated by applying a simulated stem cell matrix, and no impact was observed on the accuracy of dPCR. By providing an accurate reference value for the absolute copy number of the target gene, the developed RM can be used to improve the reliability of TP testing in the production of stem cell preparations and clinical diagnostics.
Subject(s)
Treponema pallidum , Treponema pallidum/genetics , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Reproducibility of Results , Limit of Detection , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
With the development of industry, heavy metal (HM) pollution of soil has become an increasingly serious problem. Using passivators made of industrial by-products to immobilize HMs in contaminated soil is a promising in-situ remediation technology. In this study, the electrolytic manganese slag (EMS) was modified into a passivator (named M-EMS) by ball milling, and the effects of M-EMS on adsorption of As(V) in aquatic samples and on immobilization of As(V) and other HMs in soil samples were investigated under different conditions. Results demonstrated that M-EMS had a maximum As(V) adsorption capacity of 65.3 mg/g in the aquatic samples. Adding M-EMS to the soil reduced the leaching of As (from 657.2 to 319.8 µg/L) and other HMs after 30 d of incubation, reduced the bioavailability of As(V) and improved the quality and microbial activity of the soil. The mechanism for M-EMS to immobilize As in the soil are complex reactions, ion exchange reaction with As and electrostatic adsorption. This work provides new ideas of using waste residue matrix composites for sustainable remediation of Arsenic in the aquatic environment and soil.
Subject(s)
Arsenic , Environmental Restoration and Remediation , Metals, Heavy , Soil Pollutants , Arsenic/analysis , Manganese , Soil/chemistry , Soil Pollutants/analysis , Metals, Heavy/chemistry , Electrolytes , Water Pollution , WaterABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: A 76-year-old man with yellowish discoloration of sclera and skin for 2 months was referred to 18 F-FDG PET/CT for metabolic characterization of the mass in the pancreas. The images showed intense FDG uptake in the head of the pancreas, as well as a lymph nodal mass in the hepatic hilar region, which was consistent with pancreatic malignancy. Histopathologic findings showed characteristic findings of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with no evidence of adenocarcinoma.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse , Pancreatic Neoplasms , Male , Humans , Aged , Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography/methods , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/diagnostic imaging , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology , Pancreatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Brain plasticity and functional reorganization are the main mechanisms of stroke rehabilitation and the theoretical basis for transcranial magnetic therapy. Bimodal balance recovery model suggests that the structural integrity of neural pathways affects the functional reorganization mode of brain recovery after stroke. The principal neural pathway that innervates swallowing is the corticobulbar tract (CBT). The goal is to investigate the impact of corticobulbar tract integrity on swallowing function recovery in post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) patients treated with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). METHODS: Thirty-five patients with high CBT integrity (relative fractional anisotropy (rFA) >0.5) and 32 patients with low CBT integrity (rFA ≤0.5) were respectively assigned to three subgroups through a random number table: 5 Hz frequency rTMS group, 1 Hz frequency rTMS group, and Sham rTMS group. The Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA), Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS), and Dysphagia Outcome Severity Scale (DOSS) were analyzed before and after therapy. RESULTS: Significant improvements in SSA (p < 0.05), PAS (p < 0.05), and DOSS scores (p < 0.05) were seen in the high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) groups compared with the Sham group for patients with high CBT integrity. Increased SSA (p < 0.05), PAS (p < 0.05), and DOSS scores (p < 0.05) demonstrated that the HF group achieved greater remediation than the LF and Sham groups for patients with low CBT integrity. CONCLUSIONS: Both 5 Hz and 1 Hz rTMS over the contralateral hemisphere are effective for the treatment of swallowing disorders for patients with high CBT integrity after stroke; 5 Hz rTMS over the contralateral hemisphere is more effective than 1 Hz and sham stimulation for patients with low CBT integrity.
Subject(s)
Deglutition Disorders , Stroke Rehabilitation , Stroke , Humans , Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Deglutition Disorders/therapy , Pilot Projects , Stroke/therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Scientific evaluation of ecological environmental quality is the premise of realizing regional ecological sustainable development. Taking Landsat series satellite images from 1990 to 2020 as the data source, on the basis of the entropy remote sensing ecological index (E-RSEI), combining the Mann-Kendall significance test, Theil-Sen Median analysis, Hurst exponent, and stability analysis, the spatial-temporal variation characteristics of ecological environmental quality in typical ecological areas of the Yellow River Basin were analyzed in the context of multi-spatiotemporal scales. In addition, the effects of eight environmental and human factors on the change in E-RSEI were quantified using a geodetector. The results showed that:â in the past 31 years, the average value of E-RSEI was 67.5%, which showed an increasing trend on the time scale, with an average increase of 0.066·(10 a)-1. On the spatial scale, E-RSEI was higher in the west and the south lower in the east and the north. â¡ The ecological environmental quality will continue to improve in the future, but 9.33% of the areas have potential risks of degradation. ⢠Precipitation was the dominant environmental factor that affected the spatial distribution of E-RSEI in this area, and the influence of human factors was low. Compared with that of single factors, the interaction of factors had a stronger impact on ecological environmental quality, and the interaction between precipitation and other factors played a leading role. The results of this study can provide a scientific reference for the sustainable development of ecological environmental quality in the ecological zone of the Yellow River Basin.
ABSTRACT
We comprehensively quantified the influence of cover crops on soil carbon and nitrogen storage in Chinese orchards by a meta-analysis based on the literature published during 1990 to 2020. The factors influencing soil carbon and nitrogen storage were also analyzed. The results showed that compared with clean tillage, soil carbon and nitrogen storage under the cultivation of cover crops considerably increased by 31.1% and 22.8%, respectively. Intercropping legumes enhanced soil organic carbon storage by 4.0% and total nitrogen storage by 3.0% compared with non-legumes. The effect of mulching duration was most prominent at 5-10 years, with 58.5% and 32.8% increases in soil carbon and nitrogen storage, respectively. The largest increase in soil carbon and nitrogen storage (32.3% and 34.1%, respectively) occurred in areas with low initial organic carbon (<10 g·kg-1) and total nitrogen (<1.0 g·kg-1). In addition, suitable mean annual temperature (10-13 â) and precipitation (400-800 mm) markedly contributed to soil carbon and nitrogen storage in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. The findings indicated that multiple factors influence the synergistic changes in soil carbon and nitrogen storage in orchards, while intercropping with cover crops is an effective strategy for enhancing soil carbon and nitrogen sequestration.
Subject(s)
Agriculture , Soil , Agriculture/methods , Trees , Carbon , Fruit/chemistry , Nitrogen/analysis , Crops, Agricultural , Carbon SequestrationABSTRACT
Human monkeypox has attracted attention recently. Monkeypox virus (MPXV) keeps evolving as it spreading around the world rapidly, which may threaten the health of more and more people. Here, we have developed a high order reference method based on digital PCR (dPCR) for MPXV detection, of which the limits of quantification (LoQ) and detection (LoD) are 38 and 6 copies/reaction, respectively. Pseudovirus reference materials (RM) containing the conserved F3L gene has been developed, and the homogeneity assessment showed that the RM was homogeneous. The reference value with its expanded uncertainty determined by the established dPCR is (2.74 ± 0.46) × 103 copies/µL. Six different MPXV test kits were accessed by the RM. Four out of six test kits cannot reach their claimed LoDs. The poor analytical sensitivity might cause false-negative results, which lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatment. The establishment of a high order reference method of dPCR and pseudovirus RM is very useful for improving the accuracy and reliability of MPXV detection.
Subject(s)
Mpox (monkeypox) , Humans , Mpox (monkeypox)/diagnosis , Monkeypox virus/genetics , Reproducibility of Results , DNA, Viral/analysis , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methodsABSTRACT
Monitoring the regional changes in vegetation coverage and analyzing its driving factors are beneficial to realizing the sustainable development of ecological environment. Based on Landsat 5/8 remote sensing images from 1989 to 2021, vegetation coverage of Helan Mountain in Ningxia was estimated by pixel dichotomy model. In addition, the influence of 10 factors, including environmental factors and human factors, on the spatial-temporal variations of vegetation coverage was quantified by geodetector. The results showed that average vegetation coverage was 35.8% in the study area from 1989 to 2021. On the temporal scale, it showed an increasing trend, with an average increasing rate of 0.043·(10 a)-1. On the spatial scale, vegetation coverage presented a distribution characteristic of decreasing from southwest to northeast. 58.1% of vegetation coverage in the study area would continue to improve in the future, but 30.7% of vegetation would have the potential risk of degradation. Precipitation was the dominant environmental factor driving the distribution of vegetation. Compared with single factor, the interaction between environmental factors and human factors had a stronger impact on vegetation coverage, while the interaction between precipitation and other factors played a leading role.
Subject(s)
Ecosystem , Environmental Monitoring , Humans , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Environment , Remote Sensing Technology , Sustainable Development , ChinaABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate the correlation between takeaway food consumption and poor sleep status of college students in Jiangxi Province, to provide a theoretical basis for poor sleep prevention and intervention among college students.@*Methods@#A total of 2 610 college students were selected from a university in Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province by cluster stratified random sampling in May of 2018. The frequency and type of takeaway food consumption, sleep quality and drowsiness were investigated.@*Results@#The detection rate of takeaway food consumption behavior(≥4 times in a week) for college students was 74.8%. The detection rates of poor sleep quality and drowsiness were 17.0% and 18.3%, respectively. The difference of sleep quality was statistically significant with sex, college, different self rated family conditions, study burden, physical activity level, depression and daily smoking ( χ 2=4.33,8.67,23.14,39.03,12.89,313.37,15.23, P <0.05). There were statistically significant differences between drowsiness and college, grade, learning burden, physical activity and depression ( χ 2=12.81,6.57,20.61,8.42,228.06, P <0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that takeaway consumption (≥4 times in a week) had statistical significance with poor sleep quality and drowsiness ( P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#College students takeaway consumption (≥4 times in a week) of rice noodles, malatang, fragrant pot hot pot increase the risk of poor sleep. It is suggested that schools should strengthen nutrition and health education for college students.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To analyze the correlation between behavior and lifestyle factors and anxiety symptoms of left-behind children, and to provide evidence for mental health intervention of left-behind children.@*Methods@#1 188 children aged from 13 to 18 (617 non-left-behind children and 571 left-behind children) in B County of Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province were evaluated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Meanwhile, physical activity, TV watching time, computer usage time, dietary behavior, sleep and other behavioral lifestyle factors of left-behind children were investigated by questionnaire.@*Results@#The detection rate of anxiety among left-behind children (66.0%) was higher than that of non-left-behind children (60.5%). The detection rates of mild, moderate, and severe anxiety were 26.3%, 15.4% and 24.3%, respectively. Under the condition of controlling age and gender, Logistic regression analysis showed that left-behind childrens anxiety symptoms and computer usage time>3 h/d (mild anxiety, OR=3.00, 95%CI=1.27-4.16; moderate anxiety, OR=4.09, 95%CI=1.55-10.78; severe anxiety, OR=3.44, 95%CI=1.46-8.11), mobile phone usage time >3 h/d (mild anxiety, OR=4.93, 95%CI=2.71-8.94; moderate anxiety, OR=5.93, 95%CI=2.98-11.79; severe anxiety, OR=7.11, 95%CI=3.85-13.15), skipping breakfast behavior (moderate anxiety, often skipping, OR=6.09, 95%CI=1.59-23.36; severe anxiety, often skipping, OR=5.49, 95%CI =1.68-7.97, sometimes eat breakfast, OR=2.68, 95%CI=1.10-6.53) was positively correlated; with appropriate sleeping time (moderate anxiety, OR=0.28, 95%CI=0.13-0.60) was negatively correlated.@*Conclusion@#The unhealthy behavior and lifestyle of left-behind children may be a potential risk factor for anxiety symptoms.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The vital roles of circular RNAs in human cancers have been demonstrated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the functions of circDUSP16 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) development. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was executed for the expression levels of circDUSP16, DUSP16, miR-497-5p, and transketolase-like-1 (TKTL1) messenger RNA. Actinomycin D assay and RNase R digestion assay were used to determine the characteristics of circDUSP16. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and colony formation assay were applied for cell proliferation. Transwell assay was performed to assess cell migration and invasion. The glycolysis level was evaluated using specific kits. Protein levels were measured by Western blot assay. RNA pull-down assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay were adopted to explore the relationships among circDUSP16, miR-497-5p, and TKTL1. Murine xenograft model was used to determine the role of circDUSP16 in ESCC in vivo. RESULTS: CircDUSP16 level was elevated in ESCC tissues, cells, and hypoxia-stimulated ESCC cells. Knockdown of circDUSP16 suppressed hypoxia-induced ESCC cell viability, colony formation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis. For mechanism analysis, circDUSP16 could positively regulate TKTL1 expression by sponging miR-497-5p in ESCC cells. Moreover, miR-497-5p inhibition restored the effects of circDUSP16 knockdown on the malignant behaviors of ESCC cells under hypoxia condition. MiR-497-5p overexpression suppressed hypoxia-induced ESCC cell progression by targeting TKTL1. In addition, circDUSP16 knockdown repressed the tumorigenesis of ESCC in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: CircDUSP16 knockdown suppressed hypoxia-induced ESCC cell growth, invasion, and glycolysis by regulating TKTL1 expression through sponging miR-497-5p.
Subject(s)
Dual-Specificity Phosphatases/genetics , Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatases/genetics , RNA, Circular/metabolism , Transketolase/genetics , Animals , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Blotting, Western , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement , Cell Proliferation , Dual-Specificity Phosphatases/metabolism , Esophageal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/diagnosis , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/metabolism , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/pathology , Gene Knockdown Techniques , Humans , Hypoxia/genetics , Hypoxia/metabolism , Hypoxia/pathology , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Nude , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatases/metabolism , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Neoplasm Transplantation , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Transketolase/metabolismABSTRACT
Our laboratory had developed a cell-based bio-bead for protein quantification. However, the selection of antibody in the above immunoassay is limited. This study describes a surface-decorated Saccharomyces cerevisiae for flow cytometric array immunoassay. S. cerevisiae was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and oxidized by sodium periodate, in which the saccharide group on the cytoderm outer layer was converted to an aldehyde group. In succession, adipic dihydrazide was bio-conjugated to the aldehyde group and glutaraldehyde bound to the hydrazide group. Phycoerythrin (PE)-labeled goat anti-mouse polyclonal antibody was used to assess the conjugation of mouse anti-human monoclonal antibody to surface-decorated S. cerevisiae. Cytokeratin 19 fragment (Cyfra21-1) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) antigens were also employed to evaluate the flow cytometric array immunoassay based on surface-decorated S. cerevisiae. Flow cytometry demonstrated that FITC-barcoded S. cerevisiae as two legible populations. PE-labeled polyclonal antibody validated the coating of surface-decorated S. cerevisiae with the monoclonal antibody. The flow cytometric array immunoassays for Cyfra21-1 and NSE documented that the limit of detection (LOD) was at least 0.4 ng/mL. Precision and accuracy assessments appeared that the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) was <15%, and the relative error (R.E.) ranged from 0.9 to 1.1. The correlation coefficient between this immunoassay and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was 0.9622 for serum Cyfra21-1 and 0.9918 for serum NSE. In conclusion, the surface-decorated S. cerevisiae may be of use in flow cytometric array immunoassay.
Subject(s)
Flow Cytometry/methods , Immunoassay/methods , Saccharomyces cerevisiae , Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate/chemistry , Limit of Detection , Models, Biological , Periodic Acid/chemistry , Surface PropertiesABSTRACT
Recent studies demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have a critical role in the regulation of cancer progression and metastasis. However, little is known whether lncRNA regulated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell radioresistance. In the present study, we found that MALAT1 was significantly upregulated in NPC cell lines and tissues. Knockdown of MALAT1 could sensitize NPC cells to radiation both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, we found that MALAT1 regulated radioresistance by modulating cancer stem cell (CSC) activity. Furthermore, we found that there was reciprocal repression between MALAT1 and miR-1, and slug was identified as a downstream target of miR-1. Taking these observations into consideration, we proposed that MALAT1 regulated CSC activity and radioresistance by modulating miR-1/slug axis, which indicated that MALAT1 could act as a therapeutic target for NPC patients.
Subject(s)
MicroRNAs/physiology , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/metabolism , RNA, Long Noncoding/physiology , Snail Family Transcription Factors/physiology , Animals , Base Sequence , Binding Sites , Cell Line, Tumor , Female , Gene Expression , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Male , Mice, Nude , Middle Aged , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/mortality , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Neoplasm Transplantation , RNA Interference , Radiation ToleranceABSTRACT
Recent studies demonstrated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have a critical role in the regulation of cancer progression and metastasis. However, little is known about the mechanism through which metastasis-associated lung adencarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) exerts its oncogenic activity, and the interaction between MALAT1 and microRNA remains largely unknown. In the present study, we reported that MALAT1 was upregulated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tissues. Knockdown of MALAT1 inhibited proliferation, motility, and increased apoptosis in vitro. In vivo study indicated that knockdown of MALAT1 inhibited tumor growth and metastasis. Patients with high MALAT1 expression had poorer overall survival time than those with low MALAT1 expression. In addition, our findings demonstrate a reciprocal negative control relationship between MALAT1 and miR-1: downregulation of MALAT1 increased expression of microRNA-1 (miR-1), while overexpression of miR-1 decreased MALAT1 expression. Slug was identified as a direct target of miR-1. We proposed that MALAT1 exerted its function through the miR-1/slug axis. In summary, we proposed that MALAT1 may be a target for TNBC therapy.