Differences in Genomic Alterations and Accumulations of Heavy Metals Between Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients with and without Bone Metastasis.

Purpose: Bone metastasis (BoM) has been closely associated with increased morbidity and poor survival outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Given its significant implications, this study aimed to systematically compare the biological characteristics between advanced NSCLC patients with and without BoM. Methods: In this study, the genomic alterations from the tumor tissue DNA of 42 advanced NSCLC patients without BoM and 67 patients with BoM and were analyzed by a next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel. The serum concentrations of 18 heavy metals were detected by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: A total of 157 somatic mutations across 18 mutated genes and 105 somatic mutations spanning 16 mutant genes were identified in 61 out of 67 (91.05%) patients with BoM and 37 of 42 (88.10%) patients without BoM, respectively. Among these mutated genes, NTRK1, FGFR1, ERBB4, NTRK3, and FGFR2 stood out exclusively in patients with BoM, whereas BRAF, GNAS, and AKT1 manifested solely in those without BoM. Moreover, both co-occurring sets of genes and mutually exclusive sets of genes in patients with BoM were different from those in patients without BoM. In addition, the serum concentrations of Cu and Sr in patients with BoM were significantly higher than in patients without BoM. One of our aims was to explore how these heavy metals associated with BoM interacted with other heavy metals, and significant positive correlations were observed between Cu and Co, between Cu and Cr, between Sr and Ba, and between Sr and Ni in patients with BoM. Given the significant impacts of molecular characteristics on patients' prognosis, we also observed a noteworthy negative correlation between EGFR mutations and Co, alongside a significant positive correlation between TP53 mutations and Cd. Conclusions: The genomic alterations, somatic interactions, key signaling pathways, functional biological information, and accumulations of serum heavy metals were markedly different between advanced NSCLC patients with and without BoM, and certain heavy metals (e.g., Cu, Sr) might have potentials to identify high-risk patients with BoM.

Surgical approaches to correct corneal astigmatism at time of cataract surgery: a mini-review.

Among refractive errors, astigmatism is the most common optical aberration, where refraction changes in different meridians of the eye. It causes blurred vision at any distance and includes corneal, lenticular, and retinal astigmatism. Cataract surgery used to cause a progressive increase in the pre-exisiting corneal astigmatism because of creating a surgically induced astigmatism, for example, a large size surgery incision. The development of surgical techniques during last decades has made cataract surgery interchange to treat preoperative corneal astigmatism at time of surgery. Nowadays, three surgical approaches can be used. By placing a sutureless clear corneal incision on the steep meridian of the cornea, a preoperative corneal astigmatism less than 1.0 D can be corrected. Single or paired peripheral corneal relaxing incisions (PCRIs) provide 1.0-3.0 D corneal astigmatism correction. PCRIs are typically used for treating 1.0-1.5 D of regular corneal astigmatism, if more than 2.0 D, the risk of overcorrection and irregular astigmatism is increased. When toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) are unavailable in markets, PCRIs are still a reasonable option for patients with up to 3.0 D of pre-existing corneal astigmatism. Toric IOLs implantation can correct 1.0-4.5 D of corneal astigmatism. Several IOLs are approved to correct a high degree of corneal astigmatism with cylinder power up to 12.0 D. These approaches can be used alone or in combination.

Microplastic exposure disturbs sleep structure, reduces lifespan, and decreases ovary size in Drosophila melanogaster.

The organ-specific toxicity resulting from microplastic (MP) exposure has been extensively explored, particularly concerning the gut, liver, testis, and lung. However, under natural conditions, these effects are not restricted to specific organs or tissues. Investigating whether MP exposure presents a systemic threat to an entire organism, impacting factors such as lifespan, sleep, and fecundity, is essential. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary exposure to two different doses of MPs (1-5 µm) using the terrestrial model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Results indicated that the particles caused gut damage and remained within the digestive system. Continuous MP exposure significantly shortened the lifespan of adult flies. Even short-term exposure disrupted sleep patterns, increasing the length of daytime sleep episodes. Additionally, one week of MP exposure reduced ovary size, with a trend towards decreased egg-laying in mated females. Although MPs did not penetrate the brain or ovaries, transcriptome analysis revealed altered gene expression in these tissues. In the ovary, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis indicated genotoxic effects impacting inflammation, circadian regulation, and metabolic processes, with significant impacts on extracellular structure-related pathways. In the brain, GO analysis identified changes in pathways associated with proteolysis and carbohydrate metabolism. Overall, this study provides compelling evidence of the systemic negative effects of MP exposure, highlighting the urgent need to address and mitigate environmental MP pollution.

[Impact of Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Hematological Parameters and Suitability of Apheresis Platelets Donation in Blood Donors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of mild SARS-CoV-2 infection on hematological parameters of adult blood donors and the suitability of apheresis platelet donation, the changes of the hematological parameters in blood donors with mild infection of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant strain were evaluated. METHODS: Seventy-two blood donors with mild COVID-19 symptoms who donated consecutive apheresis platelets for 3 times from December 2022 to January 2023, 42 cases among which were included in the infection-positive group, and 30 cases in the suspected infection group. Forty-two donors un-vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, un-infected, and donated three consecutive apheresis platelets from October to November 2022 were included in the control group. The changes of blood routine testing in the positive group and the suspected infection group were retrospectively compared before (Time1) and after (Time2 and Time3) the onset of symptoms, three consecutive times (Time1, Time2, Time3) in the control group by repeated measures analysis of variance. The Bayesian discriminant method was used to establish a discriminant equation to determine whether the recent infection of SARS-CoV-2 occurred or not. RESULTS: Simple effect of the number times of tests in the positive and suspected infection groups was significant（ Finfection-positive group=6.98, P < 0.001, partial η2=0.79, Fsuspected infection group=4.31, P < 0.001, partial η2=0.70）. The positive group and the suspected infection group had lower RBC, HCT, and HGB, and higher PLT and PCT at Time2 compared to Time1 and Time3(P < 0.05). The positive group and the suspected infection group showes RDW-CV and RDW-SD at Time3 higher than Time1 and Time2 (P < 0.001). The simple effect of the number times of tests in the control group was not significant ( F=0.96, P =0.55, partial η2=0.34). The difference of the whole blood count parameters in the control group for three times was not statistically significant (P >0.05). We established a discriminant equation to determine whether the recent infection of SARS-CoV-2 occurred or not. The equation had an eigenvalue of 0.22, a canonical correlation of 0.43 (χ2=27.81, P < 0.001), and an analysis accuracy of 72.9%. CONCLUSION: The hematological indicators of RBC, HCT, HGB, PLT, PCT, RDW-CV and RDW-SD in blood donors who had infected with mild COVID-19 showed dynamic changes. The discriminant equation for whether they are infected recently with COVID-19 has a high accuracy rate.

Effectiveness of Lianhua Qingwen Granule and Jingyin Gubiao Prescription in Omicron BA.2 Infection and Hospitalization: A Real-World Study of 56,244 Cases in Shanghai, China.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of Chinese medicine (CM) Lianhua Qingwen Granule (LHQW) and Jingyin Gubiao Prescription (JYGB) in asymptomatic or mild patients with Omicron infection in the shelter hospital. METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted in the largest shelter hospital in Shanghai, China, from April 10, 2022 to May 30, 2022. A total of 56,244 asymptomatic and mild Omicron cases were included and divided into 4 groups, i.e., non-administration group (23,702 cases), LHQW group (11,576 cases), JYGB group (12,112 cases), and dual combination of LHQW and JYGB group (8,854 cases). The length of stay (LOS) in the hospital was used to assess the effectiveness of LHQW and JYGB treatment on Omicron infection. RESULTS: Patients aged 41-60 years, with nadir threshold cycle (CT) value of N gene <25, or those fully vaccinated preferred to receive CM therapy. Before or after propensity score matching (PSM), the multiple linear regression showed that LHQW and JYGB treatment were independent influence factors of LOS (both P<0.001). After PSM, there were significant differences in LOS between the LHQW/JYGB combination and the other groups (P<0.01). The results of factorial design ANOVA proved that the LHQW/JYGB combination therapy synergistically shortened LOS (P=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a nadir CT value <25 were more likely to accept CM. The LHQW/JYGB combination therapy could shorten the LOS of Omicron-infected individuals in an isolated environment.

Dietary Selenium Insufficiency Induces Cardiac Inflammatory Injury in Chicks.

BACKGROUND: Laying hens undergo intensive metabolism and are vulnerable to cardiac insults. Previous research demonstrated overt heart disorders of broiler chickens induced by dietary Se deficiency. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to reveal effects and mechanism of dietary Se insufficiency on cardiac injuries of egg-type chicks in their early life. METHODS: White Leghorn chicks (0-d-old, female) were fed a corn-soy, Se-insufficient basal diet (BD, 0.05 mg Se/kg; n = 11) or the BD supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg (as sodium selenite; n = 8) for 35 d. Cardiac tissues were collected at the end of study for histology and to determine its relationship with heart Se contents, selenoprotein expression profiles, antioxidant and inflammatory status, and the Toll-like receptor 4/extracellular signal-regulated kinases/p38 map kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (TLR4/ERK/P38/JNK) pathway. RESULTS: Compared with those fed 0.35 mg Se/kg, chicks fed BD had significantly lower body weights and average daily gain, and 28% lower heart Se, and developed cardiac mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration, along with elevated (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of creatine kinase, aldolase, and interleukin-1 (IL-1). The BD decreased (P < 0.05) body weight and heart glutathione contents and expression of selenoproteins but increased (P < 0.05) heart concentrations of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species. These changes were associated with increased (P < 0.05) mRNA and/or protein concentrations of cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenase-12, cytokines (IL-1ß), nuclear factor (NF) κB subunit, chemokines, and receptors (CCL20, CXCR1, and CXCLI2) and increased (P < 0.1) TLR4/ERK /P38/JNK in the heart of Se-insufficient chicks. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary Se insufficiency induces infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells in the heart of egg-type chicks. This cardiac injury was mediated by decreased functional expressions of selenoproteins, which resulted in apparent elevated oxidative stress and subsequent activations of the TLR4 pathway and NF κB.

Remediation of neonicotinoid-contaminated soils using peanut shell biochar and composted chicken manure: Transformation mechanisms of geochemical fractions.

Soil remediation techniques are promising approaches to relieve the adverse environmental impacts in soils caused by neonicotinoids application. This study systematically investigated the remediation mechanisms for peanut shell biochar (PSB) and composted chicken manure (CCM) on neonicotinoid-contaminated soils from the perspective of transformation of geochemical fractions by combining a 3-step sequential extraction procedure and non-steady state model. The neonicotinoid geochemical fractions were divided into labile, moderate-adsorbed, stable-adsorbed, bound, and degradable fractions. The PSB and CCM addition stimulated the neonicotinoid transformation in soils from labile fraction to moderate-adsorbed and stable-adsorbed fractions. Compared with unamended soils, the labile fractions decreased from 47.6% ± 11.8% of the initial concentrations to 12.1 ± 9.3% in PSB-amended soils, and 7.1 ± 4.9% in PSB and CCM-amended soils, while the proportions of moderate-adsorbed and stable-adsorbed fractions correspondingly increased by 1.8-2.4 times and 2.3-4.8 times, respectively. A small proportion (<4.8%) in bound fractions suggested there were rather limited bound-residues after 48 days incubation. The PSB stimulated the -NO2-containing neonicotinoid-degraders, which promoted the degradable fractions of corresponding neonicotinoids by 8.2 ± 6.3%. Degradable fraction of neonicotinoids was the dominant fate in soils, which accounted for 58.3 ± 16.7%. The findings made beneficial theoretical supplements and provided valuable empirical evidence for the remediation of neonicotinoid-contaminated soils.

Spatiotemporal dynamics and modeling of thiacloprid in paddy multimedia systems with the effect of wetting-drying cycles.

The widespread presence of thiacloprid (THI), a neonicotinoid, raises concerns for human health and the aquatic environment due to its persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation. The fate of THI in paddy multimedia systems is mainly governed by irrigation practices, but the potential impacts remain poorly documented. This study investigated the effects of water management practices on THI spatiotemporal dynamics in paddy multimedia systems by combining soil column experiments and a non-steady-state multimedia model. The results indicated the wetting-drying cycle (WDC) irrigation reduced THI occurrences in environmental phases (i.e., soil, interstitial water, and overlying water) and accelerated the THI loss through the THI aerobic degradation process. THI occurrences in the soil and water phases decreased from 18.8% for conventional flooding (CF) treatment to 9.2% for severe wetting-drying cycle (SW) treatment after 29 days, while the half-lives shortened from 11.1 days to 7.3 days, respectively. Meanwhile, the WDC decreased THI outflow from leakage water, which reduced the THI risk of leaching. There was no significant difference in THI plant uptake and volatilization between CF and WDC treatments. The mean proportions of THI fate in paddy multimedia systems followed the order: THI degradation (57.7%), outflow from leakage water (25.5%), occurrence in soil (12.4%), plant uptake (3.4%), occurrence in interstitial water (0.7%), occurrence in overlying water (0.3%), volatilization (<0.1%) after 29 days. The sensitivity analysis identified the soil organic carbon partition coefficient (KOC) as the most sensitive parameter affecting THI's fate. In addition, the topsoil layers of 0-4 cm were the main sink of THI, holding 67% of THI occurrence in the soil phase. The THI occurrence in interstitial water was distributed evenly throughout the soil profile. These findings made beneficial theoretical supplements and provided valuable empirical evidence for water management practices to reduce the THI ecological risk.

Age-dependent Changes in Skeletal Muscle Mass and Visceral Fat Area in a Chinese Population.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to demonstrate the age-dependent changes in skeletal muscle mass and visceral fat area in a population of Chinese adults aged 30-92 years old. METHODS: A total of 6669 healthy Chinese men and 4494 healthy Chinese women aged 30-92 years old were assessed for their skeletal muscle mass and visceral fat area. RESULTS: The results showed age-dependent decreases in the total skeletal muscle mass indexes in both men and women aged 40-92 years old as well as age-dependent increases in the visceral fat area in men aged 30-92 years old and in women aged 30-80 years old. Multivariate regression models showed that the total skeletal muscle mass index was positively associated with the body mass index and negatively associated with the age and visceral fat area in both sexes. CONCLUSION: The loss of skeletal muscle mass becomes obvious at approximately 50 years of age, and the visceral fat area commences to increase at approximately 40 years of age in this Chinese population.

Molecular cloning, tissue distribution, and pharmacologic function of melanocortin-3 receptor in common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) not only regulates energy homeostasis in animals, but also is an important regulator of inflammation. As one of the most widely farmed freshwater fish, common carp has attracted great interest for its feeding and inflammation regulation. In this study, we cloned the coding sequence (CDS) of common carp Mc3r (ccMc3r), examined its tissue expression profile, and investigated the function of this receptor in mediating downstream signaling pathways. The results showed that the CDS of ccMc3r was 975 bp, encoding a putative protein of 324 amino acids. Homology, phylogeny, and chromosomal synteny analyses revealed that ccMc3r is evolutionarily close to the orthologs of cyprinids. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) indicated that ccMc3r was highly expressed in the brain and intestine. The luciferase reporter systems showed that four ligands, ACTH (1-24), α-MSH, ß-MSH, and NDP-MSH, were able to activate the cAMP and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways downstream of ccMc3r with different potencies. For the cAMP signaling pathway, ACTH (1-24) had the highest activation potency; while for the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, ß-MSH had the greatest activation effect. In addition, we found that the four agonists were able to inhibit TNF-α-induced NF-κB signaling in approximately the same order of potency as cAMP signaling activation. This study may facilitate future studies on the role of Mc3r in common carp feed efficiency and immune regulation.

Clinical value of lymph node dissection of No. 14cd during pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with pancreatic head carcinoma / 中华外科杂志

Objectives: To evaluate the positive rate of left posterior lymph nodes of the superior mesenteric artery (14cd-LN) in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head carcinoma,to analyze the impact of 14cd-LN dissection on lymph node staging and tumor TNM staging. Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 103 consecutive patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at Pancreatic Center,the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January to December 2022 were analyzed,retrospectively. There were 69 males and 34 females,with an age(M (IQR))of 63.0 (14.0) years (range:48.0 to 86.0 years). The χ2 test and Fisher's exact probability method was used for comparison of the count data between the groups,respectively. The rank sum test was used for comparison of the measurement data between groups. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyzes were used for the analysis of risk factors. Results: All 103 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy successfully using the left-sided uncinate process and the artery first approach. Pathological examination showed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in all cases. The location of the tumors was the pancreatic head in 40 cases,pancreatic head-uncinate in 45 cases,and pancreatic head-neck in 18 cases. Of the 103 patients,38 cases had moderately differentiated tumor and 65 cases had poorly differentiated tumor. The diameter of the lesions was 3.2 (0.8) cm (range:1.7 to 6.5 cm),the number of lymph nodes harvested was 25 (10) (range:11 to 53),and the number of positive lymph nodes was 1 (3) (range:0 to 40). The lymph node stage was stage N0 in 35 cases (34.0%),stage N1 in 43 cases (41.7%),and stage N2 in 25 cases (24.3%). TNM staging was stage ⅠA in 5 cases (4.9%),stage ⅠB in 19 cases (18.4%),stage ⅡA in 2 cases (1.9%),stage ⅡB in 38 cases (36.9%),stage Ⅲ in 38 cases (36.9%),and stage Ⅳ in 1 case (1.0%). In 103 patients with pancreatic head cancer,the overall positivity rate for 14cd-LN was 31.1% (32/103),and the positive rates for 14c-LN and 14d-LN were 21.4% (22/103) and 18.4% (19/103),respectively. 14cd-LN dissection increased the number of lymph nodes (P<0.01) and positive lymph nodes (P<0.01). As a result of the 14cd-LN dissection,the lymph node stage was changed in 6 patients,including 5 patients changed from N0 to N1 and 1 patient changed from N1 to N2. Similarly,the TNM stage was changed in 5 patients,including 2 patients changed from stage ⅠB to ⅡB,2 patients changed from stage ⅡA to ⅡB,and 1 patient changed from stage ⅡB to Ⅲ. Tumors located in the pancreatic head-uncinate (OR=3.43,95%CI:1.08 to 10.93,P=0.037) and the positivity of 7,8,9,12 LN (OR=5.45,95%CI:1.45 to 20.44,P=0.012) were independent risk factors for 14c-LN metastasis; while tumors with diameter >3 cm (OR=3.93,95%CI:1.08 to 14.33,P=0.038) and the positivity of 7,8,9,12 LN (OR=11.09,95%CI:2.69 to 45.80,P=0.001) were independent risk factors for 14d-LN metastasis. Conclusion: Due to its high positive rate in pancreatic head cancer,dissection of 14cd-LN during pancreaticoduodenectomy should be recommended,which can increase the number of lymph nodes harvested,provide a more accurate lymph node staging and TNM staging.

Triptolide Alleviates Neuropathic Pain by Inhibiting the Activation of Microglial Toll-Like Receptor 3.

BACKGROUND: Current data indicates the incidence of neuropathic pain after surgical nerve injury is as high as 50%, thus representing a major problem for patients and for the medical system. Triptolide, a traditional Chinese herb, has anti-inflammatory effects on various neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. This agent also reduces peripheral nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain, although the mechanism underlying this effect is still unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of triptolide on spinal nerve ligation (SNL) injury-induced neuropathic pain was studied in an animal model using behavioral, morphological and molecular biological methods. RESULTS: Repeated administration of intrathecal triptolide was found to alleviate SNL- or Poly(I:C) (toll-like receptor 3 agonist) injection-induced mechanical allodynia without any motor impairment. The mechanism by which triptolide reduces SNL- and Poly(I:C) injection-induced microglial activation appears to be via the inhibition of OX42 expression, which is a microglial-specific marker. Intrathecal triptolide also suppressed SNL- and Poly(I:C) injection-induced expression of spinal TRIF. TRIF transmits signals from activated TLR3 and is the downstream adaptor of TLR3 in microglia. In addition, intrathecal triptolide inhibited the expression of spinal pro-inflammatory IL-1 ß following SNL or Poly(I:C) injection. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal triptolide can suppress the TLR3/TRIF/IL-1 ß pathway in spinal microglia following SNL. This could be the underlying mechanism by which triptolide alleviate neuropathic pain induced by peripheral nerve injury.

Total Synthesis of Yuzurine-type Alkaloid Daphgraciline.

The first total synthesis of daphgraciline has been achieved, which also represents the first example of the synthesis of Daphniphyllum yuzurine-type alkaloids (∼50 members). The unique bridged azabicyclo[4.3.1] ring system in the yuzurine-type subfamily was efficiently and diastereoselectively assembled via a mild type II [5+2] cycloaddition for the first time. The compact tetracyclic [6-7-5-5] skeleton was installed efficiently via an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, followed by a benzilic acid-type rearrangement. The synthetically challenging spiro tetrahydropyran moiety in the final product was installed diastereoselectively via a TiIII-mediated reductive epoxide coupling reaction. Potential access to enantioenriched daphgraciline is presented.

Factoring and correlation in sleep, fatigue and mental workload of clinical first-line nurses in the post-pandemic era of COVID-19: A multi-center cross-sectional study.

Background: A better understanding of the factors and their correlation with clinical first-line nurses' sleep, fatigue and mental workload is of great significance to personnel scheduling strategies and rapid responses to anti-pandemic tasks in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. Objective: This multicenter and cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the nurses' sleep, fatigue and mental workload and contributing factors to each, and to determine the correlation among them. Methods: A total of 1,004 eligible nurses (46 males, 958 females) from three tertiary hospitals participated in this cluster sampling survey. The Questionnaire Star online tool was used to collect the sociodemographic and study target data: Sleep quality, fatigue, and mental workload. Multi-statistical methods were used for data analysis using SPSS 25.0 and Amos 21.0. Results: The average sleep quality score was 10.545 ± 3.399 (insomnia prevalence: 80.2%); the average fatigue score was 55.81 ± 10.405 (fatigue prevalence: 100%); and the weighted mental workload score was 56.772 ± 17.26. Poor sleep was associated with mental workload (r = 0.303, P < 0.05) and fatigue (r = 0.727, P < 0.01). Fatigue was associated with mental workload (r = 0.321, P < 0.05). COVID-19 has caused both fatigue and mental workload. As 49% of nurses claimed their mental workload has been severely affected by COVID-19, while it has done slight harm to 68.9% of nurses' sleep quality. Conclusion: In the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, the high prevalence of sleep disorders and fatigue emphasizes the importance of paying enough attention to the mental health of nurses in first-class tertiary hospitals. Efficient nursing strategies should focus on the interaction of sleep, fatigue and mental workload in clinical nurses. In that case, further research on solutions to the phenomenon stated above proves to be of great significance and necessity. Clinical trial registration: [https://clinicaltrials.gov/], identifier [ChiCTR2100053133].

Rice Yield Estimation Based on Continuous Wavelet Transform With Multiple Growth Periods.

Yield is an important indicator in evaluating rice planting, and it is the collective result of various factors over multiple growth stages. To achieve a large-scale accurate prediction of rice yield, based on yield estimation models using a single growth stage and conventional spectral transformation methods, this study introduced the continuous wavelet transform algorithm and constructed models under the premise of combined multiple growth stages. In this study, canopy reflectance spectra at four important stages of rice elongation, heading, flowering and milky were selected, and then, a rice yield estimation model was constructed by combining vegetation index, first derivative and wavelet transform based on random forest algorithm or multiple stepwise regression. This study found that the combination of multiple growth stages significantly improved the model accuracy. In addition, after two validations, the optimal model combination for rice yield estimation is first derivative-wavelet transform-vegetation index-random forest model based on four growth stages, with the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.86, the root mean square error (RMSE) of 35.50 g·m-2 and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 4.6% for the training set, R2 of 0.85, RMSE of 33.40 g.m-2 and MAPE 4.30% for the validation set 1, and R2 of 0.80, RMSE of 37.40 g·m-2 and MAPE of 4.60% for the validation set 2. The research results demonstrated that the established model could accurately predict rice yield, providing technical support and a foundation for large-scale statistical estimating of rice yield.

Imaging findings of vertebral osteomyelitis caused by nontuberculous mycobacterial organisms: Three case reports and literature review.

RATIONALE: Prompt diagnosis of nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) vertebral osteomyelitis is challenging, yet necessary to prevent serious morbidity and mortality. Here, we report 3 cases of vertebral osteomyelitis caused by NTM with imaging findings. PATIENT CONCERNS: Case 1, a 58-year-old male patient, was admitted to our hospital because of the presence of a pulmonary mass for 6 months with cough and chest pain.Case 2, a 50-year-old male patient, had fever and cough for 3 years and was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Antituberculosis treatment was ineffective, accompanied by lymph node enlargement and osteosclerotic changes involving vertebral bodies.Case 3, a 66-year-old female patient, was admitted to our hospital with a mass on the top of her head for 1 month, which ruptured in the last 2 weeks. DIAGNOSES: Case 1: Sputum culture revealed Mycobacterium (M.) avium.Case 2: The final culture results of the lymph node biopsy samples were M. intracellulare.Case 3: Culture results of the sputum and pus from the abscess were M. gordon.We found sclerosing lesions in the spine in all 3 NTM patients, which were easily misdiagnosed as metastatic tumors. In 2 cases, there was bone destruction in the ilium with limbic sclerosis, and there were abscesses near the ilium and in front of the sacrum in 1 case. INTERVENTIONS: Case 1 was transferred to other specialist hospital.Case 3 received surgical treatment for cranial lesions and abscess drainage.Case 2 and case 3 received targeted treatment for nontuberculous mycobacteria in our hospital. OUTCOME: The condition of case 1 was unknown.Recovery of case 2 was uneventful because of prolonged illness; however, inflammation gradually improved overall.Case 3 had no recurrence following surgical treatment. LESSONS: In our 3 cases of NTM vertebral osteomyelitis, bone lesions were often misdiagnosed as bony metastases because of the presence of multiple sclerotic lesions. Diagnoses were challenging and delayed. It is important to consider osteomyelitis by NTM when disseminated osteosclerosis with or without osteolytic bone lesions is present in conjunction with continuous inflammatory symptoms and signs. Moreover, an open biopsy of the lesion should be performed for a definitive diagnosis.

Physiological and transcription analyses reveal regulatory pathways of 6-benzylaminopurine delaying leaf senescence and maintaining quality in postharvest Chinese flowering cabbage.

The regulatory role of cytokinins (CTKs) in leaf senescence has been documented in different species, including Chinese flowering cabbage. However, its physiological and molecular basis relatively remains unknown. In this study, exogenous application of a CTK analogue 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) significantly retarded leaf senescence of Chinese flowering cabbage, with less chlorophyll degradation and lower accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde compared with the control group. Meanwhile, higher levels of soluble sugars and proteins, flavonoids, cellulose, amino acids, total phenols, procanthocyanins, and vitamin C were retained in 6-BA-treated leaves. 6-BA treatment also prevented the decline in endogenous CTK content and the increase in ethylene, abscisic acid, and jasmonic acid contents. Moreover, the comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that a total of 21,895 differently expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from four comparisons of 6-BA treatment versus the control during senescence. Further analysis showed that most of the identified DEGs were enriched in ROS, respiratory metabolism, and phytohormone pathways, and a total of 50 classes of transcription factors that were possibly involved in modulating these DEGs were obtained. The transcriptional levels of 18 DEGs were verified by Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), which confirmed the accuracy of the transcriptomic data. Overall, these findings and data provide a comprehensive view of physiological and molecular events concerning with the CTK-mediated leaf senescence and -maintained quality in economical leafy vegetables.

USP16-mediated histone H2A lysine-119 deubiquitination during oocyte maturation is a prerequisite for zygotic genome activation.

Maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) is the first and key step in the control of animal development and intimately related to changes in chromatin structure and histone modifications. H2AK119ub1, an important epigenetic modification in regulating chromatin configuration and function, is primarily catalyzed by PRC1 and contributes to resistance to transcriptional reprogramming in mouse embryos. In this study, the genome-wide dynamic distribution of H2AK119ub1 during MZT in mice was investigated using chromosome immunoprecipitation and sequencing. The results indicated that H2AK119ub1 accumulated in fully grown oocytes and was enriched at the TSSs of maternal genes, but was promptly declined after meiotic resumption at genome-wide including the TSSs of early zygotic genes, by a previously unidentified mechanism. Genetic evidences indicated that ubiquitin-specific peptidase 16 (USP16) is the major deubiquitinase for H2AK119ub1 in mouse oocytes. Conditional knockout of Usp16 in oocytes did not impair their survival, growth, or meiotic maturation. However, oocytes lacking USP16 have defects when undergoing zygotic genome activation or gaining developmental competence after fertilization, potentially associated with high levels of maternal H2AK119ub1 deposition on the zygotic genomes. Taken together, H2AK119ub1 level is declined during oocyte maturation by an USP16-dependent mechanism, which ensures zygotic genome reprogramming and transcriptional activation of essential early zygotic genes.

Diffusion Bonding of Al-Mg-Si Alloy and 301L Stainless Steel by Friction Stir Lap Welding Using a Zn Interlayer.

Friction stir lap welding (FSLW) is expected to join the hybrid structure of aluminum alloy and steel. In this study, the Al-Mg-Si aluminum alloy and 301L stainless steel were diffusion bonded by FSLDW with the addition of 0.1 mm thick pure Zn interlayer, when the tool pin did not penetrate the upper aluminum sheet. The characteristics of lap interface and mechanical properties of the joint were analyzed. Under the addition of Zn interlayer, the diffusion layer structure at lap interface changed from continuous to uneven and segmented. The components of the diffusion layer were more complex, including Fe-Al intermetallic compounds (IMCs), Fe-Zn IMCs and Al-Zn eutectic. The largely changed composition and thickness of uneven and segmented diffusion layer at the lap interface played a significant role in the joint strength. The tensile shear load of Zn-added joint was 6.26 kN, increasing by 41.3% than that of Zn-not-added joint. These two joints exhibited interfacial shear fracture, while the Zn interlayer enhanced the strength of diffusion bonding by extending the propagation path of cracks.