The soybean plasma membrane-localized cation/H+ exchanger GmCHX20a plays a negative role under salt stress

Cation/H+ -exchanger (CHX) perform diverse functions in plants, including being a part of the protective mechanisms to cope with salt stress. GmCHX1 has been previously identified as the causal gene in a major salt-tolerance quantitative trait locus (QTL) in soybean, but little is known about another close paralog, GmCHX20a, found in the same QTL. In this study, GmCHX20a was characterized along with GmCHX1. The expression patterns of the two genes and the direction of Na+ flux directed by overexpression of these two transporters are different, suggesting that they are functionally distinct. The ectopic expression of GmCHX20a led to an increase in salt sensitivity and osmotic tolerance, which was consistent with its role in increasing Na+ uptake into the root. Although this seems counter-intuitive, it may in fact be part of the mechanism by which soybean could counter act the effects of osmotic stress, which is commonly manifested in the initial stage of salinity stress. On the other hand, GmCHX1 from salt-tolerant soybean was shown to protect plants via Na+ exclusion under salt stress. Taken together these results suggest that GmCHX20a and GmCHX1 might work complementally through a concerted effort to address both osmotic stress and ionic stress as a result of elevated salinity.

Application of the current HFA-ESC consensus guidelines on diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction to a population referred for echocardiography

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

BACKGROUND

The recent Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) consensus guidelines on diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have developed a simple diagnostic algorithm for clinical use.

PURPOSE

To assess whether echocardiogram (echo) parameters needed to assess diastolic function are routinely collected in patients referred for assessment of heart failure symptoms.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of echo referrals in January 2020 were assessed for parameters of diastolic function as per step 2 of the HF-PEFF diagnostic algorithm.  Echo images and clinical reports were reviewed. Electronic records were utilised to obtain clinical history, blood results (NT-proBNP) and demographic data.

RESULTS

1330 patients underwent an echo in our department during January 2020. 83 patients were referred with symptoms of heart failure without prior history of cardiac disease; 20 patients found to have impaired left ventricular (LV) function were excluded from analysis.

Of the 63 patients with possible HFpEF, HF-PEFF score was low in 18, intermediate in 33 and high in 12. Median age was 68 years (range 32 to 97 years); 25% had a BMI >30. There was a high prevalence of hypertension (52%), diabetes (19%) and atrial fibrillation (40%) (cf. Table 1). Body surface area (BSA) was documented in 65% of echo reports. Most echo parameters were recorded with the exception of global longitudinal strain (GLS) and indexed LV mass (cf. image 1). NT-proBNP was recorded in only 20 patients (31.7%). 12 patients with an intermediate HF-PEFF score could have been re-categorised to a high score depending on GLS and NT-proBNP (which were not recorded).

CONCLUSION

More than three quarters of echoes acquired in our department obtained the relevant parameters to assess diastolic function. The addition of BSA, and inclusion of NT-proBNP, and GLS would have been additive to a third of ‘intermediate’ patients to determine definite HFpEF. Our study demonstrates that the current HFA-ESC diagnostic algorithm and HF-PEFF scoring system are easy to use, highly relevant and applicable to current clinical practice.

Age >70 years 29 (46.0%) Obesity (BMI >30) 16 (25.4%) Diabetes 12 (19%) Hypertension 33 (52.4%) Atrial Fibrillation 25 (39.7%) ECG abnormalities 18 (28.5%) Table 1. Prevalence of Clinical Risk Factors Abstract Figure. Image 1. HFPEFF score & echo parameters

Reduced orbitofrontal grey matter volume in myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA)

Background

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is seen in 6–10% of patients presenting acutely with suspected myocardial infarction. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can identify an underlying cause in ∼80% of patients. These patients are more likely to have a history of mental health illness or an emotional or stressful precipitant.

Grey matter volume can be quantified in various anatomical regions of the brain and has been shown to be altered in common mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress and depression.

This is the first prospective study investigating the acute structural brain, cardiac and psychological changes using MRI in patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) within 14 days of presentation compared to STEMI control patients.

Methods

Patients meeting the 2017 ESC definition of MINOCA were prospectively recruited with STEMI control patients from February to December 2019. All participants underwent brain and comprehensive cardiac MRI, bloods and baseline psychological evaluation. We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to quantify grey matter volume and changes were compared between groups.

Results

54 patients were included in this interim analysis (39 MINOCA, 15 STEMI controls). Demographics were largely similar but MINOCA patients were more likely to have a history of self-reported mental health disease (36% v 7%, p 0.03) and had significantly higher baseline anxiety (8.4 v 5.3, p 0.01) scores on the HADS questionnaire. We found that control patients have significantly greater grey matter volume in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) compared to MINOCA patients (pFWE-corr 0.002). The orbitofrontal cortex is involved in emotional processing and implicated in anxiety and depression. However, there was no association between grey matter volume in any brain region and anxiety, depression or perceived stress scale scores.

Conclusion

Patients with MINOCA are more likely to have a history of mental health disease and have higher anxiety scores at presentation than STEMI controls. They have less grey matter volume in the orbitofrontal cortex compared to STEMI controls.

Reduced Grey Matter Volume in the OFC

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Rosetrees Trust; James Tudor Foundation

MicroRNA-29 targets FGF2 and inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

Studies have indicated that miRNAs may prove essential therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancer. The study was designed to investigate the role and therapeutic potential of miR-29 in nasopharyngeal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used for expression analysis. WST-1 assay was used for cell viability assessment. The 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and electron microscopic analysis was used for the detection of apoptosis and autophagy, respectively. Transwell assays were used for cell migration and invasion assay.

RESULTS

It was found that miR-29 is significantly downregulated in nasopharyngeal cancer cell lines. Overexpression of miR-29 causes decrease in the viability of CNE2 nasopharyngeal cancer cells via induction of apoptosis and autophagy. Bioinformatics analysis indicated FGF2 to be the target of miR-29 in CNE2 cells, which was also confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. The qRT-PCR results showed fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) to be significantly upregulated in the nasopharyngeal cancer cell lines. However, miR-29 overexpression in CNE2 cells resulted in post-transcriptional suppression of FGF2 expression. Nonetheless, silencing of FGF2 also caused inhibition of CNE2 cell proliferation via induction of apoptosis and autophagy. Overexpression of FGF2 could reverse the effects of miR-29 overexpression on the proliferation of CNE2 cells. Moreover, overexpression of miR-29 causes significant decline in the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT expression cells and inhibits their migration and invasion of the CNE2 cells. Finally, miR-29 overexpression could also suppress the subcutaneous xenografted tumor growth.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study indicate the therapeutic implications of miR-29 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

FRI0570 IDENTIFICATION OF OSTEOPONTIN/SECRETED PHOSPHOPROTEIN 1 AS A BIOMARKER FOR PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

Background:

Early diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can be facilitated by appropriate referral of psoriasis patients to rheumatologists. Soluble biomarkers for PsA may help screen psoriasis patients for PsA.

Objectives:

To identify novel biomarkers for PsA by investigating serum levels of candidate biomarkers identified through proteomic analysis of synovial fluid (SF) and skin biopsies and literature review.

Methods:

We first (discovery phase) identified markers using: i) proteomic analysis of SF1, ii) proteomic analysis of skin biopsies2, and iii) literature review. In verification phase 1, we measured serum levels of the selected potential protein markers, using commercially available ELISA kits, to identify differentially expressed markers in healthy controls and patients with PsA (≥3 swollen joints, not treated with biologics) and psoriasis without PsA (PsC; matched with PsA patients on age, sex and psoriasis duration) (100 subjects each group). In verification phase 2, using less strict criteria (no restriction on pharmacotherapy or disease activity) and larger sample size, we confirmed the association with PsA of markers identified in phase 1 using samples from 200 patients each with PsA and PsC. Statistical methods used included descriptive statistics, t-tests and logistic regression.

Results:

The discovery phase identified the following 31 markers for testing in verification phase 1- hsCRP, MMP3, CD5L, M2BP, MPO, ITGB5, DKK1, FGF23, IL-6, IL-1β, leptin, osteocalcin, OPG, OPN, SOST, TNFα, adiponectin, periostin, RANKL, YKL40, KLK6, KLK8, CS846, C2C, CPII, TNFSF14, COMP, ALP, CXCL10, S100A8/A9 and DEFA. The following 21 markers remained differentially upregulated in PsA after testing in verification phase 1- hsCRP, MMP-3, M2BP, ITGB5, leptin, OPG, OPN, SOST,TNFα, periostin, RANKL, YKL40, KLK8, C2C, CPII, TNFSF14, COMP, ALP, CXCL10, S100A8/A9 and DEFA. Univariate logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, and disease duration confirmed the association between hsCRP, OPN, S100A8/A9, OPG and the ratio CPII/C2C in verification phase 2. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that hsCRP and OPN (both p<0.001) are independently associated with PsA.

Conclusion:

OPN, a cytokine involved in enhancing production of IFNγ and IL-12, reducing production of IL-10 and promoting attachment of osteoclasts to mineralized bone matrix, is a potential biomarker of PsA.

References:

[1] Cretu D, Prassas I, Saraon P, Batruch I, Gandhi R, Diamandis EP, Chandran V. Identification of psoriatic arthritis mediators in synovial fluid by quantitative mass spectrometry. Clin Proteomics. 2014 Jul 1;11(1):27.

[2] Cretu D, Liang K, Saraon P, Batruch I, Diamandis EP, Chandran V. Quantitative tandem mass-spectrometry of skin tissue reveals putative psoriatic arthritis biomarkers. Clin Proteomics. 2015 Jan 13;12(1):1.

Disclosure of Interests:

Fatima Abji: None declared, Rohan Machhar: None declared, Kun Liang: None declared, Justine Ye: None declared, Katerina Oikonomopoulou: None declared, Vinod Chandran Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Celgene, Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lily, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Employee of: Spouse employed by Eli Lily

In-Frame and Frame-Shift Editing of the Ehd1 Gene to Develop Japonica Rice With Prolonged Basic Vegetative Growth Periods

Japonica rice has become increasingly popular in China owing to its superior grain quality. Over the past decades, "indica to japonica" projects have been proposed to promote cultivation of japonica rice in low latitudes in China. Traditionally, japonica varieties were planted mainly in mid latitudes in the northeast plain and Yangtze River region. The key obstacle for introducing elite mid-latitude japonica varieties to low latitudes is the severe shortening of growth period of the japonica varieties due to their sensitivity to low-latitude short photoperiod and high temperature. Here we report development of new japonica rice with prolonged basic vegetative growth (BVG) periods for low latitudes by targeted editing the Early heading date 1 (Ehd1) gene. Using CRISPR/Cas9 system, we generated both frame-shift and/or in-frame deletion mutants in four japonica varieties, Nipponbare, Longdao16, Longdao24, and Xiushui134. When planting at low-latitude stations, the frame-shift homozygous lines exhibited significantly longer BVG periods compared with wild-types. Interestingly, we observed that minor deletion of the first few residues within the receiver domain could quantitatively impair the function of Ehd1 on activation of Hd3a and RFT1, resulting in an intermediate-long BVG period phenotype in the homozygous in-frame deletion ehd1 lines. Field investigation further showed that, both the in-frame and frame-shift lines exhibited significantly improved yield potential compared with wild-types. Our study demonstrates an effective approach to rapid breeding of elite japonica varieties with intermediate-long and long BVG periods for flexible cropping systems in diverse areas or under different seasons in southern China, and other low-latitude regions.

Stable expression ratios of five pyroptosis-inducing cytokines in the spleen and thymus of mice showed potential immune regulation at the organ level

BACKGROUND

The immune system is one of the most complex regulatory systems in the body and is essential for the maintenance of homeostasis. Despite recent breakthroughs in immunology, the regulation of the immune system and the etiology of autoimmune diseases such as lupus remain unclear. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic autoimmune disease with abnormally and inconsistently expressed pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pyroptosis is a pro-inflammatory form of programmed cell death that is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. The thymus and spleen are important immune organs involved in systemic lupus erythematosus. Therefore, this study investigated the difference in expression of pyroptosis-inducing pro-inflammatory cytokines between the spleen and thymus in lupus model mice and in control mice, to describe immune regulation at the organ level.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate differences in the expression of pyroptosis-inducing cytokines in the spleen and thymus and to explore immune regulatory networks at the organ level.

METHODS

Two groups of lupus mice and two groups of control mice were utilized for this study. Using the thymus and spleen of experimental animals, mRNA expression levels of five pyroptosis-inducing cytokines (interleukin 1β, interleukin 18, NLRP3, caspase-1 and TNF-α) were determined via quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, tissue distribution of these cytokines was investigated via immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

All five pyroptosis-inducing inflammatory cytokines showed higher expression in the spleen than in the thymus (p < 0.05). Moreover, the spleen/thymus expression ratios of all five pyroptosis-inducing cytokines were not statistically different between the four experimental groups. Expression of all five cytokines exhibited a stable ratio (spleen/thymus ratios). This distinctive stable spleen/thymus ratio was consistent in all four experimental groups. The stable spleen/thymus ratios of the five inflammatory cytokines were as follows: interleukin 1β (2.02 ± 0.9), interleukin 18 (2.07 ± 1.06), caspase-1 (1.93 ± 0.66), NLRP3 (3.14 ± 1.61) and TNF-α (3.16 ± 1.36). Immunohistochemical analysis showed the cytokines were mainly expressed in the red pulp region of the spleen and the medullary region of the thymus, where immune-activated cells aggregated.

CONCLUSION

The stable spleen/thymus expression ratios of pyroptosis-inducing cytokines indicated that immune organs exhibit strictly regulated functions to maintain immune homeostasis and adapt to the environment.

Ectopic Expression of Gs5PTase8, a Soybean Inositol Polyphosphate 5-Phosphatase, Enhances Salt Tolerance in Plants

Inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatases (5PTases) function in inositol signaling by regulating the catabolism of phosphoinositol derivatives. Previous reports showed that 5PTases play a critical role in plant development and stress responses. In this study, we identified a novel 5PTase gene, Gs5PTase8, from the salt-tolerance locus of chromosome 3 in wild soybean (Glycine soja). Gs5PTase8 is highly up-regulated under salt treatment. It is localized in the nucleus and plasma membrane with a strong signal in the apoplast. Ectopic expression of Gs5PTase8 significantly increased salt tolerance in transgenic BY-2 cells, soybean hairy roots and Arabidopsis, suggesting Gs5PTase8 could increase salt tolerance in plants. The overexpression of Gs5PTase8 significantly enhanced the activities of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase under salt stress. The seeds of Gs5PTase8-transgenic Arabidopsis germinated earlier than the wild type under abscisic acid treatment, indicating Gs5PTase8 would alter ABA sensitivity. Besides, transcriptional analyses showed that the stress-responsive genes, AtRD22, AtRD29A and AtRD29B, were induced with a higher level in the Gs5PTase8-transgenic Arabidopsis plants than in the wild type under salt stress. These results reveal that Gs5PTase8 play a positive role in salt tolerance and might be a candidate gene for improving soybean adaptation to salt stress.

Effects of a nutrient-dense formula compared with a post-discharge formula on post-discharge growth of preterm very low birth weight infants with extrauterine growth retardation: a multicentre randomised study in China

BACKGROUND

Post-discharge optimal growth and nutritional intake have beneficial effects for neurodevelopment in preterm very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) with extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR). The present study aimed to compare the effects of a nutrient-dense formula (NDF) to a post-discharge formula (PDF) on post-discharge growth of preterm VLBWIs with EUGR.

METHODS

Forty-eight preterm VLBWIs with EUGR at discharge were randomised to receive NDF (100 kcal per 100 mL; 2.6 g protein per 100 mL) or PDF (74 kcal per 100 mL; 1.95 g protein per 100 mL) for 1-6 months until body weight reached the 50th percentile on growth charts with corrected age. Volume, nutrient intake, anthropometry and biochemistry data were collected.

RESULTS

Volume intake was lower in the NDF group than the PDF group during the first 2 months of feeding (P = 0.039 and 0.018, respectively).There were no significant differences in volume intake during months 2-6 of feeding. Energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat intake were higher in the NDF group during months 1-6 of feeding. There were no significant differences in weight, length, and head circumference Z-scores during months 1-6 between the two groups. The △length Z-score from discharge to month 6 was significantly higher in the NDF group than the PDF group (P = 0.043). No differences existed between the two groups with respect to biochemistry.

CONCLUSIONS

After discharge, preterm VLBWIs with EUGR fed a NDF gain anthropometric parameter Z-scores similar to those for a PDF within 6 months of follow-up. A NDF leading to gain in length requires further follow-up.

The Function of Inositol Phosphatases in Plant Tolerance to Abiotic Stress

Inositol signaling is believed to play a crucial role in various aspects of plant growth and adaptation. As an important component in biosynthesis and degradation of myo-inositol and its derivatives, inositol phosphatases could hydrolyze the phosphate of the inositol ring, thus affecting inositol signaling. Until now, more than 30 members of inositol phosphatases have been identified in plants, which are classified intofive families, including inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatases (5PTases), suppressor of actin (SAC) phosphatases, SAL1 phosphatases, inositol monophosphatase (IMP), and phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN)-related phosphatases. The current knowledge was revised here in relation to their substrates and function in response to abiotic stress. The potential mechanisms were also concluded with the focus on their activities of inositol phosphatases. The general working model might be that inositol phosphatases would degrade the Ins(1,4,5)P₃ or phosphoinositides, subsequently resulting in altering Ca²⁺ release, abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, vesicle trafficking or other cellular processes.

Differential tissue expression of erythroblast macrophage protein in a MRL/lpr mouse model of lupus

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to observe the expression features of erythroblast macrophage protein (EMP) between the tissues of MRL/lpr mice, a mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and control mice.

METHODS

We examined the serum ANA in both mice groups through indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). Expression features of EMP in bone marrow, liver, renal, spleen, brain, and lung tissues of the MRL/lpr mice and control mice groups were followed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR). Meanwhile, the expression of EMP was located through immunohistochemical (IHC) studies and the expressive cell identified through double immunofluorescent labeling.

RESULTS

IIF showed that lupus mice have strong positive fluorescence, but no significant fluorescence was observed in control mice. Q-PCR detection revealed that EMP was expressed in the marrow, liver, renal, spleen, lung, and brain tissues of lupus mice. The highest levels were observed in the bone marrow, but there was no statistical difference between these tissues. EMP mRNA expression in the liver (t = 2.747, p = 0.01) and bone marrow (t = 3.853, p = 0.008) of lupus mice was significantly higher than in the control mice. However, no differences in EMP mRNA expression were observed in the renal, spleen, lung, and brain tissues between the lupus and control mice (p > 0.05). In addition, the IHC results showed that EMP protein is ubiquitously expressed in all of the tissues of the lupus and control mice. The positive expression rate in the bone marrow and liver tissues of the lupus mice was higher than in the control mice, but without an obvious difference in the other tissues. The double IF staining method shows that EMP protein was expressed in macrophages in the tissues of the lupus mice and the control mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data showed that EMP is ubiquitously expressed in macrophages at all of the tissues of the lupus and control mice. However, the expression of EMP in bone marrow and liver tissues of lupus mice was higher than in the control mice, which indicates that EMP may be important in the development of SLE.

Two insertion/deletion variants in the promoter region of the QPCTL gene are significantly associated with body weight and carcass traits in chickens

Glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase-like (QPCTL) is an isoenzyme of glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase (QPCT). QPCTL and QPCT catalyze the formation of N-terminal modified pyroglutamate-fractalkine and the chemokine CCL2. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between insertions/deletions in the chicken QPCTL promoter region with growth traits in chickens. We first detected two insertion/deletion variants of QPCTL via whole-genome resequencing analysis of DNA samples from Xichuan chickens. A total of 1896 individuals from 12 breeds were genotyped for 52- and 224-bp insertions/deletions. We found two novel insertions/deletions in the promoter region of the chicken QPCTL gene and studied their association with chicken body weight and carcass traits. Our findings show that QPCTL can be a molecular marker for chicken genetics and breeding programs.

[Outcome of vaginal birth after cesarean section in women with advanced maternal age]

Objective: To explore the perinatal outcome of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) in women with advanced age. Methods: Totally 2 587 women delivered after one or two prior cesarean sections (gestational age≥28 weeks) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from July 2013 to February 2017. 909 trial of labor after cesarean(TOLAC) cases of singleton pregnancy with one prior cesarean section were studied retrospectively. According to the age, of the 909 TOLAC cases, 237 were the advanced age group, and 672 cases were the low age group. The maternal and neonatal outcomes between the two groups were compared. Results: The percentage of TOLAC in women with advanced age was 32.4% (237/731), and VBAC rate was 88.2% (209/237). The percentage of TOLAC in younger women was 36.2% (672/1 856), and VBAC rate was 82.4% (554/672). The difference of the TOLAC rate between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05), and the VBAC rate of the advanced age group was higher than the low age group (P<0.05). In the comparison of the two groups, the proportion of bachelor degree or above(55.7%,132/237), the prepregnancy BMI (22.4±3.0) kg/m(2), pregnant interval time (68.5±38.3) months, the proportion of gestational hypertension (8.4%,20/237), the proportion of gestational diabetes(34.6%,82/237) and the rate of the neonatal ICU admission (18.1%,43/237) in the advanced age group were higher than those of the low age group (P<0.05), respectively. And there were no significant differences in the rate of postpartum hemorrhage, the rate of postpartum hemorrhage≥1 500 ml, the rate of postpartum transfusion, puerperal morbidity, neonatal birth weight, neonatal 5 min Apgar score<7 score, umbilical artery blood pH<7.0, neonatal tracheal intubation and respiratory distress syndrome (all P>0.05). In all TOLAC cases, the rate of uterine rupture was 0.11%(1/909) and there was no maternal and neonatal death. Conclusion: VBAC is a safe and feasible way of delivery for singleton pregnancy after one prior cesarean section in women with advanced age.

[Clinical study of no necrotic cavity lavage after debridement and drainage in patients with infected pancreatic necrosis]

Objective: To observe the outcomes of no necrotic cavity lavage after debridement and drainage in patients with infected pancreatic necrosis(IPN). Methods: From February 2014 to August 2017, there were 89 patients who were diagnosed as IPN undergoing minimally invasive surgery with no necrotic cavity lavage and large caliber-wide channel drainage in Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University. There were 57 male and 32 female patients aging of (49.5±14.4)years (ranging from 23 to 84 years). The body mass index of 89 patients was (25.4±3.8)kg/m(2) (ranging from 17.6 to 36.7 kg/m(2)). Among the 89 patients, 37 cases(41.6%) of biliary pancreatitis, 10 cases (11.2%) of alcoholic pancreatitis, 16 cases(18.0%) of hyperlipidemic pancreatitis, and 26 cases(29.2%) of other reasons. Results: Of 89 patients, IPN in 6 patients(6.7%) resolved using only percutaneous catheter drainage; another 83 patients underwent laparoscopic debridement(n=3, 3.4%) or video-assisted debridement(n=80, 89.9%). No patient was conversed to laparotomy. The average operation frequency and surgery time was (2.3±1.7) times and (56.5±31.7) minutes.The median bleeding volume and total length of stay was 10(0-600) ml and 34(6-172) days separately. The complication rate(Clavien-Dindo grade≥Ⅲ) was 9.0%(8/89) which involved mainly abdominal hemorrhage (5/8) and digestive tract fistula formation (3/8). The overall mortality rate was 6.7%(6/89). Among them, 3 cases died of abdominal infection, bacteremia and multiple organ failure, 2 cases died of pulmonary infection and bacteremia and 1 case died of fungal infection. Conclusion: No necrotic cavity lavage after debridement and drainage operation is considered effective and safe for IPN patients.

[The outcome of trial of labor after cesarean section]

Objective: To explore the outcome of trial of labor after cesarean section(TOLAC). Methods: Totally 614 TOLAC were conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from July 2013 to June 2016. Among them, 586 cases of singleton pregnancy with one prior cesarean section(gestational age≥28 weeks)were studied retrospectively. The maternal and neonatal outcomes among the vaginal birth after cesarean(VBAC)group(481 cases), failed TOLAC group(105 cases)and the elective repeat cesarean section(ERCS)group(1 145 cases)were compared. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors of admission to neonatal intensive care unit(NICU). Results: (1)The TOLAC rate was 29.62%(614/2 073)from July 2013 to June 2016, and the VBAC rate was 82.6%(507/614). The cesarean section rate was reduced by VBAC by 3.147%(507/16 112).(2)The comparison of adverse maternal outcomes: in the VBAC group, the postpartum hemorrhage volume was(431±299)ml, the rate of postpartum fever was 6.4%(31/481), the birth weight of the neonates was(3 085± 561)g, and the rate of large for gestational age was 2.9%(14/481). All were significantly lower than those in the failed TOLAC group and the ERCS group(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in other adverse maternal outcomes[the uterine rupture rate(0.2% ,1/481), the bladder injury rate(0), the proportion of postpartum hemorrhage volume≥1 500 ml(1.0%, 5/481), the blood transfusion rate(3.7%, 18/481)]and adverse perinatal outcomes[the rate of neonatal 5-minute Apgar score<7(0.4%, 21/481), the rate of umbilical arterial pH<7.0(0.6% , 3/481), the rate of the NICU admission and the perinatal mortality rate(12.3%, 59/481)]among the 3 groups(P>0.05). Multiple logistic regression showed no association between VBAC and admission to the NICU(OR=0.84, 95%CI: 0.58-1.21). The isolated risk factors for admission to the NICU were preterm birth(OR=16.71, 95% CI: 11.44-24.40), hypertensive disorder complicating pregnamcy(OR=3.89, 95% CI: 2.39-6.35), meconium stained amniotic fluid(OR=2.48, 95% CI: 1.62-3.80), small for gestational age(OR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.19-3.36)and diabetes mellitus(OR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.14-2.50). Conclusions: VBAC reduces cesarean section rate, with good outcomes in both mother and neonate. It is a safe and feasible way of labor in women with only one cesarean section history.

Recent amplification of Osr4 LTR-retrotransposon caused rice D1 gene mutation and dwarf phenotype

A novel rice d1 mutant was identified using map-based cloning and comparative analysis of known d1 mutants. The mutant (d1-a) shows a mild dwarf trait, which differs only slightly from the wildtype in plant height at the tillering stage. The d1-a mutant is different from other d1 mutants. We found that it was interrupted by an Osr4 long terminal repeat (LTR)-retrotransposon, which resulted in the loss of exon 7 in the mutant D1 mRNA. A paralog of the D1 gene, D1-like, was revealed. D1-like is a truncated gene that might have resulted from recombination between retrotransposons. We identified 65 Osr4 LTR-retrotransposons in Nipponbare, and found more LTR variants in contrast to coding DNA sequence (CDS) in the retrotransposons. We also identified five possible regulatory motifs in LTRs which may control the expression of the retrotransposons. In addition, we predicted six putative functional Osr4 retrotransposons that contain complete CDSs and all important elements. Osr4 retrotransposons were classified into 4 groups, and this type of retrotransposon only appears to be present in monocots. Members of group I-1, which included all putative functional retrotransposons, showed a high similarity with each other. The retrotransposons were expressed in all tissues, at especially higher levels in some leaves and seeds. These findings imply that transpositions of group I-1 members might have occurred frequently and recently.

A freestanding NiSxporous film as a binder-free electrode for Mg-ion batteries

A freestanding NiS_xporous film delivers high volumetric Mg-ion storage capacity.

[Analysis on clinical features and functional MRI of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes]

Objective: To explore the clinical and perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) characteristics of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) in order to improve the early diagnosis rate. Methods: Clinical and imaging data of 46 patients with final diagnosis of MELAS treated in Henan Province People's Hospital from January 2012 to June 2016 were collected. Results: Patients presented with symptoms of epilepsy, hemiplegia, language disorders, and decreased visual acuity and so on. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the lesion area showed a high signal, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) chart with the course of disease development can be a high signal, low signal, high and low signal. Vascular stenosis was not seen in all the patients by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). PWI perfusion increased in acute phase and was normal or decreased in the chronic phase. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of MELAS patients are complex and various, and lack of specificity. Routine MRI examination is of great significance for the screening of the lesion, which has a characteristic performance and is helpful to improve the early diagnosis rate of the disease.