Ditch control and land reclamation promote vegetation recovery in Loess Plateau.

This study aimed to assess the impact of land consolidation projects and climate change on changes in vegetation in the Loess Plateau during 2012-2021. The study also explored the impacts of human activities and climate change on the ecological quality of the Loess Plateau during this period. The spatial and temporal normalized difference combined meteorological monitoring data, project data, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data that was used to create the vegetation index dataset spanning from 2012-2021. The study discussed and assessed the effectiveness of the project, revealing the following results: 1) A significant increase was observed in the vegetation index of the Loess Plateau region from 2012 to 2021, with an upward trend of 0.0024 per year (P < 0.05). 2) Contributions to changes in vegetation attributed to climatic factors and the anthropogenic factors of the ditch construction project were 82.74 and 17.62%, respectively, with climatic factors dominating and the degree of response of the ditch construction project increasing annually. 3) In the Loess Plateau, climatic variables dominated changes in vegetation. However, land consolidation projects in vegetation factors played a key role in changes in vegetation, and the degree of influence was gradually increasing.

Effects of different mulch materials on the photosynthetic characteristics, yield, and soil water use efficiency of wheat in Loess tableland.

Due to the lack of precipitation and poor temporal and spatial stability in the Loess Plateau for a long time, it is necessary to adopt mulching technology to support the stable and high yield of wheat cultivation system. This study aims at exploring different mulching materials on the soil water content, photosynthetic characteristics, wheat yield, and yield components of winter wheat in the gully region of the Loess Plateau. The results showed that the traditional flat soil water content is the lowest in the seedling stage. In the jointing stage and heading stage of many crop water requirements, ridge film mulching treatment can effectively promote the growth of wheat and increase the water use efficiency. The leaf area index (LAI) of different treatments wheat showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. In the jointing stage, ordinary mulching film (T1) and liquid mulching film (T3) had the highest LAI content, which were 3.78 and 3.71 respectively. The Pn and Gs in wheat flag leaves of T3 treatment is higher than that of CK throughout the entire growth period, and T3 significantly increased Ci and WUEi in different growth stage. And the grain number per panicle and grain weight of T3 treatment were 24.44 and 41.00 g, which were 19.3% and 5.4% higher than CK, respectively. Through the actual production calculation of the final harvest, the ridge film mulching has a significant increase in production compared with the CK. The yield of T3 treatment was 4980.25 kg hm-2, which was 29.37% higher than CK. It was significantly different from CK (P < 0.05). Based on the comprehensive analysis, the ridge film mulching treatment significantly affected the soil water content and wheat yield. And the liquid mulching film had the best effect. Exploring the impact of different covering techniques on the wheat cultivation system in the Loess Plateau region, to promote the scientific promotion of this technology.

Role of lncRNA MIAT/miR-361-3p/CCAR2 in prostate cancer cells.

The study was aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT) in prostate cancer. The relationships between lncRNA MIAT and miR-361-3p, miR-361-3p and cell cycle and apoptosis regulator 2 (CCAR2) were predicted by StarBase and TargetScan, and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay. Quantitative real-time PCR assay was performed to detect the mRNA expression of lncRNA MIAT, miR-361-3p, CCAR2, Bax, and Bcl-2 in the prostate cancer tissues or cells. The protein levels of CCAR2, Bax, and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blot analysis. The cell viability and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay and Flow cytometry analysis, respectively. lncRNA MIAT was upregulated, while miR-361 was downregulated in the prostate cancer tissues and Du145 cells. lncRNA MIAT negatively regulated miR-361-3p expression in Du145 cells. Downregulating lncRNA MIAT decreased the cell viability, induced the cell apoptosis, increased Bax expression, and decreased Bcl-2 expression in Du145 cells, while the effects were reversed by downregulating miR-361-3p or CCAR2 upregulation. Moreover, CCAR2 upregulation reversed the effects of miR-361-3p upregulation on Du145 cell viability and apoptosis. In conclusion, lncRNA MIAT participated in prostate cancer by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis via miR-361-3p/CCAR2 axis.

Effects of organic fertilizers on growth characteristics and fruit quality in Pear-jujube in the Loess Plateau.

The ecological environment of the hilly and gully area of the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi is fragile and the soil fertility is low. As a result, the yield and quality of Pear-jujube which constitute one of the dominant economic forests in this region, have been severely restricted. At present, the scientific application of fertilizer is important for comprehensively improving the quality of fruit trees, and for devising the optimal management of fruit trees. In particular, the application of organic fertilizers plays an important role in improving soil and improving fruit quality. In this experiment, a field study was conducted to understand the effects of different organic fertilizer applications on physiological growth, photosynthetic characteristics, reproductive growth and nutritional quality of Pear-jujube in the Loess Plateau. The results showed that organic fertilizer significantly promoted the physiological growth of Pear-jujube. The Pear-jujube bearing branch and leaf area under the soybean cake fertilizer (SC) treatment were 20.17 cm and 1246 mm2/leaf, respectively, which are increased by 34% and 44.46% compared with the no fertilizer treatment, which was a control check (CK). The total chlorophyll content of fertilization treatment was significantly higher than that of CK (P < 0.05). The maximum of chlorophyll content was 10.90 mg/dm2 under the biogas fertilizer (BM). The content of LAI was in the order BM > conventional fertilizer (CF) > sheep manure (SM) > SC > CK. The changing trend of gap fraction was opposite to that of LAI, and the density of light was consistent with that of LAI. The density of light BM was the largest, reached 38.06 mol/(m2 d), which was 15.13% higher than that of CK. Organic fertilizer significantly improved the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and water use efficiency (WUEp) of Pear-jujube. The WUEp of SC was up to 3.30%. Organic fertilizer significantly promoted the reproductive growth and improved the nutritional quality of Pear-jujube. The yield under the SC was 19,177 kg/hm2, increased by 138.5% compared with that of CK. The fruit water content (FWC), total soluble solids (TSS), solid-acid ratio (TSS/TA), Vc and total flavonoids content improved, and the maxima of FWC, TSS, TSS/TA, Vc and total flavonoids content under the SC treatment were 86.30%, 18.48%, 40.17, 46.18 mg/kg and 14.35 mg/kg, respectively, which were significantly different from those of CK (P < 0.05). Organic fertilization effectively promotes the growth, development, yield and fruit quality of Pear-jujube in the Loess Plateau and the effect of the soybean cake fertilizer is the most significant.

Identification of a Six-Gene SLC Family Signature With Prognostic Value in Patients With Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Given the importance of solute carrier (SLC) proteins in maintaining cellular metabolic homeostasis and that their dysregulation contributes to cancer progression, here we constructed a robust SLC family signature for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patient stratification. Transcriptomic profiles and relevant clinical information of LUAD patients were downloaded from the TCGA and GEO databases. SLC family genes differentially expressed between LUAD tissues and adjacent normal tissues were identified using limma in R. Of these, prognosis-related SLC family genes were further screened out and used to construct a novel SLC family-based signature in the training cohort. The accuracy of the prognostic signature was assessed in the testing cohort, the entire cohort, and the external GSE72094 cohort. Correlations between the prognostic signature and the tumor immune microenvironment and immune cell infiltrates were further explored. We found that seventy percent of SLC family genes (279/397) were differentially expressed between LUAC tissues and adjacent normal. Twenty-six genes with p-values < 0.05 in univariate Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were regarded as prognosis-related SLC family genes, six of which were used to construct a prognostic signature for patient classification into high- and low-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis in all internal and external cohorts revealed a better overall survival for patients in the low-risk group than those in the high-risk group. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that the derived risk score was an independent prognostic factor for LUAD patients. Moreover, a nomogram based on the six-gene signature and clinicopathological factors was developed for clinical application. High-risk patients had lower stromal, immune, and ESTIMATE scores and higher tumor purities than those in the low-risk group. The proportions of infiltrating naive CD4 T cells, activated memory CD4 T cells, M0 macrophages, resting dendritic cells, resting mast cells, activated mast cells, and eosinophils were significantly different between the high- and low-risk prognostic groups. In all, the six-gene SLC family signature is of satisfactory accuracy and generalizability for predicting overall survival in patients with LUAD. Furthermore, this prognostics signature is related to tumor immune status and distinct immune cell infiltrates in the tumor microenvironment.

LncRNA ANRIL/miR-125a axis exhibits potential as a biomarker for disease exacerbation, severity, and inflammation in bronchial asthma.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the correlation of lncRNA ANRIL/miR-125a axis with disease risk, severity, and inflammatory cytokines of bronchial asthma. METHODS: Plasma samples from 90 patients with bronchial asthma at exacerbation (BA-E), 90 with bronchial asthma at remission (BA-R), and 90 controls (healthy subjects) were collected. The qPCR was used for lncRNA ANRIL and miR-125a detection, and ELISA was adopted for pro-inflammatory cytokines detection. Participants' characteristics, laboratory tests, and the pulmonary ventilation function examinations were recorded. RESULTS: LncRNA ANRIL was negatively correlated with miR-125a in BA-E patients, BA-R patients, and controls. LncRNA ANRIL/miR-125a axis was upregulated in BA-E patients compared with BA-R patients and controls. ROC curve analyses illuminated that lncRNA ANRIL/miR-125a axis was of good value in distinguishing BA-E patients from BA-R patients and controls. As to pulmonary ventilation functions, lncRNA ANRIL/miR-125a axis was negatively associated with FEV1 /FVC and FEV1 %predicted in bronchial asthma patients, especially in BA-E patients. Regarding inflammation, lncRNA ANRIL/miR-125a axis was positively correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokines in bronchial asthma patients, especially in BA-E patients. In addition, lncRNA ANRIL/miR-125a axis was positively correlated with exacerbation severity in BA-E patients. CONCLUSION: LncRNA ANRIL/miR-125a is potentially indicative of disease exacerbation, exacerbation severity, and inflammation for bronchial asthma, while these findings are preliminary and need further confirmation.

Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 overexpression associates with increased exacerbation risk, severity, and inflammation, as well as decreased lung function through the interaction with microRNA-124 in asthma.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the association of long non-coding RNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (lncRNA NEAT1) with exacerbation risk, lung function, and inflammatory cytokines in asthma. METHODS: A total of 170 patients with asthma in exacerbation, 170 patients with asthma in remission, and 170 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled, and their plasma samples were collected. The expressions of lncRNA NEAT1 and microRNA-124 (miRNA-124) in plasma were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction; inflammatory cytokines in plasma were measured by the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and pulmonary ventilation function was detected by examination of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). RESULTS: LncRNA NEAT1 expression was upregulated in asthma patients in exacerbation compared with HCs and asthma patients in remission, and receiver operating characteristic curve exhibited that it was of good value in distinguishing asthma patients in exacerbation from HCs (AUC: 0.869 (0.830-0.908)) and asthma patients in remission (AUC: 0.775 (0.724-0.825)). Furthermore, lncRNA NEAT1 was positively correlated with exacerbation severity, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-17, but negatively correlated with IL-10, FEV1 /FVC and FEV1 %predicted in asthma patients. Additionally, lncRNA NEAT1 was negatively correlated with miR-124, and miR-124 was negatively associated with exacerbation risk, exacerbation severity, and inflammation, but positively associated with lung function in asthma patients. CONCLUSION: Circulating lncRNA NEAT1 exhibits potential to be a new biomarker for elevated exacerbation risk and severity of asthma.

Determination of optimum irrigation strategies and effect of drip irrigation system on growth and water use efficiency of pear jujube in Loess Hilly region of northern Shaanxi.

The aim of this study is to explore suitable drip irrigation system on the water saving and high yield of pear-jujube from 2009 to 2012 years in the mountain of northern Shaanxi. The treatments consisted of combinations of 5 drip irrigation systems (DP). The irrigation quota of DP-1, DP-2 and DP-3 treatment was 100 m3 hm-2, 135 m3 hm-2 and 180 m3 hm-2, respectively, irrigated 4 times. The irrigation quota of DP-4 and DP-5 treatment was 135 m3 hm-2 and irrigated 3 and 2times, respectively; and with no irrigation as the control (C). Results indicated that bearing branch length of jujube, fruit set and yield of different drip irrigation system are significantly better than C (P<0.05). Bearing branch length and yield of DP-3 treatment are reached maximum in 2012, which are 22.0 cm and 16772.8 m3 hm-2. And they are increased by 47.7% and 13.2% compared with C, respectively. In addition, the water consumption of different irrigation treatment increases along with the increasing of irrigation amount. And the DP-3 treatment is the highest in different years. The water use efficiency of pear-jujube of low irrigation quota is better than the high irrigation quota. Water use efficiency of 135 m3 hm-2 and irrigated 2 times treatment is the best, which is 1.92 m3 hm-2. Considering the lack of high annual precipitation, we conclude that DP-5 treatment was the best drip irrigation system in the mountain of northern Shaanxi.

High circulating miR-18a, miR-20a, and miR-92a expression correlates with poor prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive value of angiogenic miRNAs for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In total, 196 patients with NSCLC (tumor lymph nodes metastasis (TNM) stage I-III) were enrolled and peripheral blood samples were collected. Total RNA was extracted from blood samples, and the relative expression levels of candidate miRNAs were evaluated by real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The median follow-up period was 56.7 months, and the final follow-up date was in August 2016. The median DFS of all patients was 30.0 (14.0-49.0) months, whereas the median OS was 41.5 (23.0-58.0) months. Furthermore, the 5-year DFS and OS rates were 11.3% and 32.3%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curves showed that high plasma miR-18a (P < 0.001), miR-20a (P < 0.001), miR-92a (P < 0.001), miR-126 (P < 0.001), miR-210 (P = 0.003), and miR-19a (P = 0.027) expressions levels correlated with a worse DFS. Moreover, patients with high plasma miR-18a, miR-20a, miR-92a, miR-210, and miR-126 expression levels had a shorter OS than patients with low expression levels of these miRNAs (all P <= 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that high plasma expression levels of miR-18a, miR-20a, and miR-92a as well as lymphatic node metastasis (all P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for both DFS and OS in patients with NSCLC. Thus, the circulating miR-18a, miR-20a, and miR-92a levels may serve as novel and promising prognostic biomarkers in patients with NSCLC.

High expression of CD8 predicts favorable prognosis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma: A cohort study.

Lung carcinoma is the most common cause of malignant death worldwide. CD8 T cells, as critical elements in antitumor immunity, could function as good prognostic indicators in various kinds of cancers such as renal cell carcinoma and colorectal cancer, but its prognostic role in lung adenocarcinoma is still unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the prognostic role of CD8 expression in lung adenocarcinoma.Paired tumor and adjacent noncancerous tissues were obtained from 102 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, and CD8 expression of these samples was examined by immunohistochemistry. We evaluated the relationships between the expression of CD8 and pathological grade, TNM stage, clinical stage, as well as overall survival (OS).Expression of CD8 was significantly increased in lung adenocarcinoma compared with that in adjacent lung adenocarcinoma (P < .001). CD8 expression was negatively correlated with pathological grade (r = -0.216, P = .022) and N stage (r = -0.372, P < .001), while no statistical correlation with T stage, or clinical stage. Importantly, OS was numerically increased in patients with high expression of CD8 than the group of intermediate and low CD8 expression (P = .12). Furthermore, CD8 could significantly increase OS (P = .043, HR: .713, 95%CI: .515-.989) by univariate Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis.Our data indicated that expression of CD8, as a protective factor, is correlated with the outcome of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, CD8 might be a novel prognostic biological marker for patients with lung adenocarcinoma.