Using a longitudinal network structure to subgroup depressive symptoms among adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Network modeling has been proposed as an effective approach to examine complex associations among antecedents, mediators and symptoms. This study aimed to investigate whether the severity of depressive symptoms affects the multivariate relationships among symptoms and mediating factors over a 2-year longitudinal follow-up. METHODS: We recruited a school-based cohort of 1480 primary and secondary school students over four semesters from January 2020 to December 2021. The participants (n = 1145) were assessed at four time points (ages 10-13 years old at baseline). Based on a cut-off score of 5 on the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire at each time point, the participants were categorized into the non-depressive symptom (NDS) and depressive symptom (DS) groups. We conducted network analysis to investigate the symptom-to-symptom influences in these two groups over time. RESULTS: The global network metrics did not differ statistically between the NDS and DS groups at four time points. However, network connection strength varied with symptom severity. The edge weights between learning anxiety and social anxiety were prominently in the NDS group over time. The central factors for NDS and DS were oversensitivity and impulsivity (3 out of 4 time points), respectively. Moreover, both node strength and closeness were stable over time in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that interrelationships among symptoms and contributing factors are generally stable in adolescents, but a higher severity of depressive symptoms may lead to increased stability in these relationships.

Activation of peroxymonosulfate by biochar-supported Fe3O4 derived from oily sludge to enhance the oxidative degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride.

Carbon materials used for catalysis in advanced oxidation processes tend to be obtained from cheap and readily available raw materials. We constructed a carbon material, OSC@Fe3O4, by loading Fe3O4 onto the pyrolyzed hazardous waste oily sludge. OSC@Fe3O4 was then used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the removal of tetracycline hydrochloride (TTCH) from water. At 298 K, 0.2 g⋅L-1 of catalyst and 0.3 g⋅L-1 of PMS, the reaction rate constant of the OSC@I-2/PMS system reached 0.079 min-1, with a TTCH removal efficiency of 92.6%. The degradation efficiency of TTCH remained at 81% after five cycles. The specific surface area and pore volume of OSC@I-2 were 263.9 m2⋅g-1 and 0.42 cm3⋅g-1, respectively, which improved the porous structure of the carbon material and provided more active points, thus improving the catalytic performance. N and S were doped into the oily sludge carbon due to the presence of N- and S-containing compounds in the raw oily sludge. N and S doping led to more electron-rich sites with higher negative charges in OSC@I-2 and gave the oily sludge carbon a higher affinity to PMS, thereby promoting its ability to activate PMS. Sulfate radicals (SO4•‾) played a dominant role in the degradation of TTCH, with demethylation and the breaking of double bonds being a possible degradation pathway. A biotoxicity test showed that the microbial toxicity of the degradation intermediates was significantly reduced. This work provides a strategy for the application of PMS-based catalysts derived from waste carbon resources.

Psychometric property and measurement invariance of internet addiction test: the effect of socio-demographic and internet use variables.

BACKGROUND: According to the validation literature on items of Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT), this study rephrased disputable items to improve the psychometric properties of this Chinese version of IAT and identify the presence of differential item function (DIF) among demographic and Internet use factors; detect the effect of demographic and Internet use factors on IAT after adjusting for DIF. METHODS: An online questionnaire was distributed to college students in Zhe Jiang province in two stage. The 1st phase study collected 384 valid responses to examine the quality of IAT items by using Rasch Model analysis and exploring factor analysis (EFA). The online questionnaire was modified according to the 1st phase study and distributed online for the 2nd phase study which collected a total of 1131 valid responses. The 2nd phase study applied confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a multiple indicator multiple causes (MIMIC) model to verify the construct of IAT, potential effect of covariates on IAT latent factors, as well as the effect of differential item functioning (DIF). RESULTS: Rasch model analysis in the 1st phase study indicated a 5-point rating scale was performed better, no sever misfit was found on item. The overall property of Chinese version IAT with the 5-point scale was good to excellent person and item separation (2.66 and 6.86). A three-factor model was identified by EFA. In the 2nd phase study, IAT 13 were detected with DIF for gender in MIMIC model. After correcting DIF effect, the significant demographic and Internet use factors on IAT were time spent online per day, year 3, year 2, general users. CONCLUSION: Item improvement was efficient that the problematic items found in literature was performed good in this study. The overall psychometric property of this Chinese version IAT was good with limited DIF effect in one item. Item improvement on IAT13 was encouraged in the future study to avoid gender bias and benefit for epidemiology on PIU.

Efficacy of Crizotinib Combined with Chemotherapy in Treating Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Effect on Patients' Quality of Life and Adverse Reaction Rate.

Purpose: To explore the efficacy of crizotinib combined with chemotherapy in treating advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its effect on patients' quality of life (QOL) and adverse reaction rate (ARR). Methods: 90 advanced NSCLC patients admitted to our hospital (from 01, 2019 to 01, 2020) were chosen as the research objects and randomly split into the control group (CG) and experimental group (EG) by flipping a coin, with 45 cases each. Chemotherapy was performed to CG, and the crizotinib treatment was introduced to EG on this basis, so as to compare their clinical efficacy, ARR and 3-year survival rate, and QOL before and after intervention by the Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 (GQOLI-74). Results: Compared with CG, EG after treatment obtained obviously higher total clinical effective rate (P < 0.001), lower total ARR (P < 0.05), higher GQOLI-74 scores (P < 0.001), and higher 3-year survival rate (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Combining crizotinib with chemotherapy to advanced NSCLC patients can effectively improve the patients' level of quality of life, prolong the long-term survival rate, and present a better effect than single chemotherapy. Further study is conducive to establishing a better treatment scheme for advanced NSCLC patients.

Engineering vacancy and hydrophobicity of two-dimensional TaTe2 for efficient and stable electrocatalytic N2 reduction.

Demand for ammonia continues to increase to sustain the growing global population. The direct electrochemical N2 reduction reaction (NRR) powered by renewable electricity offers a promising carbon-neutral and sustainable strategy for manufacturing NH3, yet achieving this remains a grand challenge. Here, we report a synergistic strategy to promote ambient NRR for ammonia production by tuning the Te vacancies (VTe) and surface hydrophobicity of two-dimensional TaTe2 nanosheets. Remarkable NH3 faradic efficiency of up to 32.2% is attained at a mild overpotential, which is largely maintained even after 100 h of consecutive electrolysis. Isotopic labeling validates that the N atoms of formed NH4 + originate from N2. In situ X-ray diffraction indicates preservation of the crystalline structure of TaTe2 during NRR. Further density functional theory calculations reveal that the potential-determining step (PDS) is ∗NH2 + (H+ + e-) → NH3 on VTe-TaTe2 compared with that of ∗ + N2 + (H+ + e-) → ∗N-NH on TaTe2. We identify that the edge plane of TaTe2 and VTe serve as the main active sites for NRR. The free energy change at PDS on VTe-TaTe2 is comparable with the values at the top of the NRR volcano plots on various transition metal surfaces.

Regulation of the formation and structure of biofilms by quorum sensing signal molecules packaged in outer membrane vesicles.

Quorum sensing signal molecules can be used to regulate the formation of biofilm, but it has not been reported that outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) can package and mediate signal molecules to regulate biofilm. We isolated and purified OMVs packaged with Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) released by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and studied the effects of OMV-mediated PQS on the formation and structure of biofilms. OMV-mediated PQS promoted the growth of biofilm, and the cells in the biofilm were stretched, deformed and "bridged" with the surrounding cells. Raman spectrometry showed that the structure and components of the extracellular polymeric substances of P. aeruginosa changed; moreover extracellular proteins rather than polysaccharides played the dominant role in the formation of P. aeruginosa biofilms when regulated by OMV-mediated PQS. In the combination biofilm formed by P. aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, the mediation of OMVs enhanced the inhibitory effect of PQS to the growth of S. aureus, resulting a decrease in EPS produced by the two bacteria. OMV-mediated PQS led to changes in the biodiversity, richness and structure of the microbial community in biofilms formed by active sludge. This work reveals the mechanism of OMVs mediated signal molecules regulating biofilm, which lays a new theoretical and practical foundation for guiding the operation of low-level of biofouling MBRs.

Advances in Multi-Omics Approaches for Molecular Breeding of Black Rot Resistance in Brassica oleracea L.

Brassica oleracea is one of the most important species of the Brassicaceae family encompassing several economically important vegetables produced and consumed worldwide. But its sustainability is challenged by a range of pathogens, among which black rot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), is the most serious and destructive seed borne bacterial disease, causing huge yield losses. Host-plant resistance could act as the most effective and efficient solution to curb black rot disease for sustainable production of B. oleracea. Recently, 'omics' technologies have emerged as promising tools to understand the host-pathogen interactions, thereby gaining a deeper insight into the resistance mechanisms. In this review, we have summarized the recent achievements made in the emerging omics technologies to tackle the black rot challenge in B. oleracea. With an integrated approach of the omics technologies such as genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics, it would allow better understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms underlying black rot resistance. Due to the availability of sequencing data, genomics and transcriptomics have progressed as expected for black rot resistance, however, other omics approaches like proteomics and metabolomics are lagging behind, necessitating a holistic and targeted approach to address the complex questions of Xcc-Brassica interactions. Genomic studies revealed that the black rot resistance is a complex trait and is mostly controlled by quantitative trait locus (QTL) with minor effects. Transcriptomic analysis divulged the genes related to photosynthesis, glucosinolate biosynthesis and catabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, ROS scavenging, calcium signalling, hormonal synthesis and signalling pathway are being differentially expressed upon Xcc infection. Comparative proteomic analysis in relation to susceptible and/or resistance interactions with Xcc identified the involvement of proteins related to photosynthesis, protein biosynthesis, processing and degradation, energy metabolism, innate immunity, redox homeostasis, and defence response and signalling pathways in Xcc-Brassica interaction. Specifically, most of the studies focused on the regulation of the photosynthesis-related proteins as a resistance response in both early and later stages of infection. Metabolomic studies suggested that glucosinolates (GSLs), especially aliphatic and indolic GSLs, its subsequent hydrolysis products, and defensive metabolites synthesized by jasmonic acid (JA)-mediated phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway are involved in disease resistance mechanisms against Xcc in Brassica species. Multi-omics analysis showed that JA signalling pathway is regulating resistance against hemibiotrophic pathogen like Xcc. So, the bonhomie between omics technologies and plant breeding is going to trigger major breakthroughs in the field of crop improvement by developing superior cultivars with broad-spectrum resistance. If multi-omics tools are implemented at the right scale, we may be able to achieve the maximum benefits from the minimum. In this review, we have also discussed the challenges, future prospects, and the way forward in the application of omics technologies to accelerate the breeding of B. oleracea for disease resistance. A deeper insight about the current knowledge on omics can offer promising results in the breeding of high-quality disease-resistant crops.

Molecular Breeding Strategy and Challenges Towards Improvement of Downy Mildew Resistance in Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.).

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) is one of the important, nutritious and healthy vegetable crops grown and consumed worldwide. But its production is constrained by several destructive fungal diseases and most importantly, downy mildew leading to severe yield and quality losses. For sustainable cauliflower production, developing resistant varieties/hybrids with durable resistance against broad-spectrum of pathogens is the best strategy for a long term and reliable solution. Identification of novel resistant resources, knowledge of the genetics of resistance, mapping and cloning of resistance QTLs and identification of candidate genes would facilitate molecular breeding for disease resistance in cauliflower. Advent of next-generation sequencing technologies (NGS) and publishing of draft genome sequence of cauliflower has opened the flood gate for new possibilities to develop enormous amount of genomic resources leading to mapping and cloning of resistance QTLs. In cauliflower, several molecular breeding approaches such as QTL mapping, marker-assisted backcrossing, gene pyramiding have been carried out to develop new resistant cultivars. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) would be beneficial in improving the precision in the selection of improved cultivars against multiple pathogens. This comprehensive review emphasizes the fascinating recent advances made in the application of molecular breeding approach for resistance against an important pathogen; Downy Mildew (Hyaloperonospora parasitica) affecting cauliflower and Brassica oleracea crops and highlights the QTLs identified imparting resistance against this pathogen. We have also emphasized the critical research areas as future perspectives to bridge the gap between availability of genomic resources and its utility in identifying resistance genes/QTLs to breed downy mildew resistant cultivars. Additionally, we have also discussed the challenges and the way forward to realize the full potential of molecular breeding for downy mildew resistance by integrating marker technology with conventional breeding in the post-genomics era. All this information will undoubtedly provide new insights to the researchers in formulating future breeding strategies in cauliflower to develop durable resistant cultivars against the major pathogens in general and downy mildew in particular.

Development of GBTS and KASP Panels for Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Fingerprinting of a Large Collection of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) in China.

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is one of the most important and nutritious vegetables widely cultivated in China. In the recent four decades, several improved varieties were bred and developed by Chinese breeders. However, the efforts for improvement of broccoli are hindered by limited information of genetic diversity and genetic relatedness contained within the available germplasms. This study evaluated the genetic diversity, genetic relationship, population structure, and fingerprinting of 372 accessions of broccoli representing most of the variability of broccoli in China. Millions of SNPs were identified by whole-genome sequencing of 23 representative broccoli genotypes. Through several stringent selection criteria, a total of 1,167 SNPs were selected to characterize genetic diversity and population structure. Of these markers, 1,067 SNPs were genotyped by target sequencing (GBTS), and 100 SNPs were genotyped by kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) assay. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) and expected heterozygosity (gene diversity) values were 0.33 and 0.42, respectively. Diversity analysis revealed the prevalence of low to moderate genetic diversity in the broccoli accessions indicating a narrow genetic base. Phylogenetic and principal component analyses revealed that the 372 accessions could be clustered into two main groups but with weak groupings. STRUCTURE analysis also suggested the presence of two subpopulations with weak genetic structure. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) identified 13% variance among populations and 87% within populations revealing very low population differentiation, which could be attributed to massive gene flow and the reproductive biology of the crop. Based on high resolving power, a set of 28 KASP markers was chosen for DNA fingerprinting of the broccoli accessions for seed authentication and varietal identification. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study to measure diversity and population structure of a large collection of broccoli in China and also the first application of GBTS and KASP techniques in genetic characterization of broccoli. This work broadens the understanding of diversity, phylogeny, and population structure of a large collection of broccoli, which may enhance future breeding efforts to achieve higher productivity.

Single yttrium sites on carbon-coated TiO2 for efficient electrocatalytic N2 reduction.

We report single yttrium sites anchored on carbon-coated TiO2 for efficient and stable electrocatalytic N2 fixation, delivering an NH3 faradaic efficiency exceeding 11.0% and an NH3 yield rate as high as 6.3 µgNH3 h-1 mgcat.-1 at low overpotentials, thus surpassing many reported metal electrocatalysts.

Identification of QTLs associated with curd architecture in cauliflower.

BACKGROUND: Curd architecture is one of the most important characters determining the curd morphology of cauliflower. However, the genetic mechanism dissection of this complex trait at molecular level is lacking. Genes/QTLs responsible for the morphological differences between present-day loose-curd and compact-curd cauliflower haven't been well revealed. RESULTS: Herein, by using a common compact-curd parent and two loose-curd parents, we developed two double haploid (DH) populations including 122 and 79 lines, respectively. For each population, we decomposed the curd architecture concept into four parameters (basal diameter, stalk length, stalk angle and curd solidity), and collected corresponding phenotypic data for each parameter across two environments. The Kosambi function and composite interval mapping algorithm were conducted to construct the linkage map and analyze the QTLs associated with curd architecture parameters. A total of 20 QTLs were detected with the minimum likelihood of odd (LOD) values ranging from 2.61 to 8.38 and the percentage of the phenotypic variance explained by each QTL (PVE) varying between 7.69 and 25.10%. Of these, two QTLs controlling stalk length (qSL.C6-1, qSL.C6-2) and two QTLs controlling curd solidity (qCS.C6-1 and qCS.C6-2) were steadily expressed in both environments. Further, qSL.C6-1, qSL.C6-2, qCS.C6-1 and qCS.C6-4 fell into the same chromosomal region of the reference genome, indicating that these loci are involved in pleiotropic effects or are tightly linked. CONCLUSION: The current study identified a series of QTLs associated with curd architecture parameters, which might contribute essentially to the formation of present-day loose-curd cauliflower that is widely cultivated in China. These results may pave the way for intensive deciphering the molecular mechanisms of curd development and for marker-assisted selection of curd morphology in cauliflower breeding.

Identification of Candidate Genes Involved in Curd Riceyness in Cauliflower.

"Riceyness" refers to the precocious development of flower bud initials over the curd surface of cauliflower, and it is regarded as undesirable for the market. The present study aimed to identify the candidate loci and genes responsible for the morphological difference in riceyness between a pair of cauliflower sister lines. Genetic analysis revealed that riceyness is controlled by a single dominant locus. An F2 population derived from the cross between these sister lines was used to construct "riceyness" and "non-riceyness" bulks, and then it was subjected to BSA-seq. On the basis of the results of Δ(SNP-index) analysis, a 4.0 Mb candidate region including 22 putative SNPs was mapped on chromosome C04. Combining the RNA-seq, gene function annotation, and target sequence analysis among two parents and other breeding lines, an orthologous gene of the Arabidopsis gene SOC1, Bo4g024850 was presumed as the candidate gene, and an upstream SNP likely resulted in riceyness phenotype via influencing the expression levels of Bo4g024850. These results are helpful to understand the genetic mechanism regulating riceyness, and to facilitate the molecular improvement on cauliflower curds.

Natural Variation of Glucosinolates and Their Breakdown Products in Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) Seeds.

Seeds of 32 pure lines and 6 commercial broccoli cultivars were used to investigate variation in glucosinolates and their breakdown products. The aliphatic glucosinolate content was 54.5-218.7 µmol/g fresh weight, accounting for >90% of the total glucosinolates. The major glucosinolates found were glucoraphanin and glucoerucin in 27 samples and progoitrin in 7 samples. A gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) method was used to identify glucosinolate breakdown products; nine products were directly determined using standards. Using Arabidopsis thaliana lines myb28myb29 and Landsberg erecta to hydrolyze each reference glucosinolate, seven products were tentatively identified. 4-(Methylsulfinyl)butyl isothiocyanate and 5-(methylsulfinyl)pentanenitrile contents were 2.6-91.1 µmol/g fresh weight and 0-35.4 µmol/g fresh weight, respectively, with epithionitriles being more common than nitriles in accessions rich in alkenyl glucosinolate. Additionally, (S)-5-vinyl-1,3-oxazolidine-2-thione was detected in accessions rich in progoitrin. Specific lines with altered glucosinolate profiles and breakdown products were obtained and discussed according to the putative glucosinolate metabolism pathway.

Efficient visible-light driven N2 fixation over two-dimensional Sb/TiO2 composites.

Photochemical ammonia production under ambient conditions remains a grand challenge. Here we demonstrate efficient visible-light fixation of N2 to NH3 in water using novel two-dimensional (2D) Sb/TiO2 nanocomposites. Such hybrids afford a remarkable NH3 formation rate of about 20.8 µmol h-1 gcat.-1, showing promise as photochemical materials for sustainable NH3 production.

Construction of a high-density genetic map and identification of loci controlling purple sepal trait of flower head in Brassica oleracea L. italica.

BACKGROUND: Some broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. italic) accessions have purple sepals and cold weather would deepen the purple color, while the sepals of other broccoli lines are always green even in cold winter. The related locus or gene is still unknown. In this study, a high-density genetic map was constructed based on specific locus amplified fragment (SLAF) sequencing in a doubled-haploid segregation population with 127 individuals. And mapping of the purple sepal trait in flower heads based on phenotypic data collected during three seasons was performed. RESULTS: A genetic map was constructed, which contained 6694 SLAF markers with an average sequencing depth of 81.37-fold in the maternal line, 84-fold in the paternal line, and 15.76-fold in each individual population studied. In all of the annual data recorded, three quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified that were all distributed within the linkage group (LG) 1. Among them, a major locus, qPH.C01-2, located at 36.393 cM LG1, was consistently detected in all analysis. Besides this locus, another two minor loci, qPH.C01-4 and qPH.C01-5, were identified near qPH.C01-2, based on the phenotypic data from spring of 2018. CONCLUSION: The purple sepal trait could be controlled by a major single locus and two minor loci. The genetic map and location of the purple sepal trait of flower heads provide an important foundation for mapping other compound traits and the identification of the genes related to purple sepal trait in broccoli.

Genome wide analysis of MADS-box gene family in Brassica oleracea reveals conservation and variation in flower development.

BACKGROUND: MADS-box genes play important roles in vegetative growth and reproductive development and are essential for the correct development of plants (particularly inflorescences, flowers, and fruits). However, this gene family has not been identified nor their functions analyzed in Brassica oleracea. RESULTS: In this study, we performed a whole-genome survey of the complete set of MADS-box genes in B. oleracea. In total, 91 MADS-box transcription factors (TFs) were identified and categorized as type I (Mα, Mß, Mγ) and type II (MIKCC, MIKC*) groups according to the phylogeny and gene structure analysis. Among these genes, 59 were randomly distributed on 9 chromosomes, while the other 23 were assigned to 19 scaffolds and 9 genes from NCBI had no location information. Both RNA-sequencing and quantitative real-time-PCR analysis suggested that MIKC genes had more active and complex expression patterns than M type genes and most type II genes showed high flowering-related expression profiles. Additional quantitative real-time-PCR analysis of pedicel and four flower whorls revealed that the structure of the B.oleracea MIKC genes was conserved, but their homologues showed variable expression patterns compared to those in Arabidopsis thaliana. CONCLUSION: This paper gives a detailed overview of the BolMADS genes and their expression patterns. The results obtained in this study provide useful information for understanding the molecular regulation of flower development and further functional characterization of MADS-box genes in B. oleracea.

Construction of a High-Density Genetic Map and Identification of Loci Related to Hollow Stem Trait in Broccoli (Brassic oleracea L. italica).

A high-quality genetic map is important for mapping of compound traits. In this study, a genetic map was constructed based on the reference genome TO1000 after specific locus amplified fragment (SLAF) sequencing in a double-haploid segregation population of broccoli, and loci controlling hollow stem trait were identified in the genetic map. The genetic map contains 4,787 SLAF markers, with a mean marker distance of 0.22 cM and the mean sequencing depths of 91.14-fold in the maternal line, 88.97-fold in the paternal line and 17.11-fold in each DH progeny. A locus controlling the hollow stem trait, QHS.C09-2, which could explain 14.1% of the phenotypic variation, was steadily detected on the linkage group nine in the indicated data of 3 years' trials and BLUE analysis. The genetic map could lay an important foundation for mapping of compound traits, and mapping of hollow stem trait would be basis to clone the genes related to hollow stems in broccoli.

Combining antiangiogenic therapy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy increases treatment efficacy in stage IIIA (N2) non-small cell lung cancer without increasing adverse effects.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combining Endostar antiangiogenic therapy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of stage IIIA (N2) NSCLC, we conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label clinical study of 30 NSCLC patients. Patients were randomly assigned to the test or control groups, which received either two cycles of an NP neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen combined with Endostar or the NP regimen alone, respectively, at a 2:1 ratio. Efficacy was assessed after 3 weeks, and surgical resection occurred within 4 weeks, in the 26 patients who successfully completed treatment. While total response rates (RR) and clinical benefit rates (CBR) did not differ between the experimental groups, total tumor regression rates (TRR) were higher in the test group than in the control group. Median DFS and OS also did not differ between the test and control groups. Clinical perioperative indicators, including intraoperative blood loss, number of dissected lymph node groups, duration of postoperative indwelling catheter use, and time to postoperative discharge, were comparable in the test and control groups. Finally, hematological and non-hematological toxicities and postoperative pathological indicators, including down-staging ratio, complete resection ratio, and metastatic lymph node ratio, also did not differ between the groups. Overall, combining Endostar with NP neoadjuvant chemotherapy increased therapeutic efficacy without increasing adverse effects in stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC patients. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT02497118).

Genome-Wide Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms Discovery and High-Density Genetic Map Construction in Cauliflower Using Specific-Locus Amplified Fragment Sequencing.

Molecular markers and genetic maps play an important role in plant genomics and breeding studies. Cauliflower is an important and distinctive vegetable; however, very few molecular resources have been reported for this species. In this study, a novel, specific-locus amplified fragment (SLAF) sequencing strategy was employed for large-scale single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery and high-density genetic map construction in a double-haploid, segregating population of cauliflower. A total of 12.47 Gb raw data containing 77.92 M pair-end reads were obtained after processing and 6815 polymorphic SLAFs between the two parents were detected. The average sequencing depths reached 52.66-fold for the female parent and 49.35-fold for the male parent. Subsequently, these polymorphic SLAFs were used to genotype the population and further filtered based on several criteria to construct a genetic linkage map of cauliflower. Finally, 1776 high-quality SLAF markers, including 2741 SNPs, constituted the linkage map with average data integrity of 95.68%. The final map spanned a total genetic length of 890.01 cM with an average marker interval of 0.50 cM, and covered 364.9 Mb of the reference genome. The markers and genetic map developed in this study could provide an important foundation not only for comparative genomics studies within Brassica oleracea species but also for quantitative trait loci identification and molecular breeding of cauliflower.

Association between ERCC2 Lys751Gln polymorphism and lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis involving 23,370 subjects.

Recent studies report a correlation between excision repair cross-complementing group 2 (ERCC2) Lys751Gln polymorphism and an increased risk of lung cancer, but results are controversial and inconclusive. Thus, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis in order to assess the correlation between them. Our study uses an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) to evaluate the strength of the association; we also performed Begg's funnel plot and the Egger's test to assess the publication bias of previous articles. Finally, our meta-analysis is comprised of 28 full studies, including 23,370 subjects (10,242 cases and 13,128 controls). Our overall research shows that ERCC2 Lys751Gln polymorphism carries an increased risk of developing lung cancer (C vs. A: OR = 1.160, 95% CI = 1.081-1.245, p = .000; CC vs. AA: OR = 1.252, 95% CI = 1.130-1.388, p = .000; CA vs. AA: OR = 1.152, 95% CI = 1.060-1.252, p = .001; CC+CA vs. AA: OR = 1.186, 95% CI = 1.089-1.292, p = .000; CC vs. CA+AA: OR = 1.196, 95% CI = 1.087-1.316, p = .000). In ethnic subgroup analyses, we find a significant risk among Caucasians (C vs. A: OR = 1.106, 95% CI = 1.048-1.166, p = .000; CC vs. AA: OR = 1.233, 95% CI = 1.103-1.378, p = .000; CC+CA vs. AA: OR = 1.113, 95% CI = 1.033-1.199, p = .005; CC vs. CA+AA: OR = 1.185, 95% CI = 1.069-1.313, p = .001) and among Asians under two genetic models (CA vs. AA: OR = 1.265, 95% CI = 1.034-1.549, p = .023; CC+CA vs. AA: OR = 1.252, 95% CI = 1.015-1.544, p = .036). These results were confirmed by similar findings, demonstrated by stratified analyses in study design and histological typing. This meta-analysis indicates that ERCC2 Lys751Gln polymorphism may lead to an increased susceptibility to lung cancer risk among Caucasians and Asians.