Abscisic acid and hydrogen peroxide are involved in drought priming-induced drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Drought is one of the major stress factors in wheat production on a global scale. Drought priming during the early growth stage can enhance drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Abscisic acid (ABA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) are important signal molecules in the adaptation of plants to drought stress. However, the roles of ABA and H₂ O₂ in drought priming-induced drought tolerance are not clear. In the present study, we evaluated the responses of wheat to an ABA inhibitor, H₂ O₂ scavenger and an inhibitor to investigate the (i) relationship between ABA and H₂ O₂ in osmotic adjustment after drought priming in the vegetative stage and (ii) responses to drought stress during grain filling. In the drought priming alone treatments, chemical application resulted in the scavenging of ABA and H₂ O₂ , weakening the alleviation effects of drought priming on drought stress, as demonstrated by the lower leaf water potential and grain yield. The ABA inhibitor completely inhibited accumulation of ABA and H₂ O₂ ; the ABA inhibitor inhibited respiratory burst oxidase homologue expression, whereas the H₂ O₂ inhibitor resulted in higher 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase expression and ABA concentration in primed plants, indicating that ABA scavenging inhibited H₂ O₂ biosynthesis while H₂ O₂ scavenging did not inhibit ABA biosynthesis. The results further demonstrated that NADPH oxidase-mediated H₂ O₂ production functions downstream of ABA, which induces osmolyte transcript expression and accumulation, and thus contributes to drought priming-induced stress tolerance. These results provide a theoretical basis for a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in drought priming-induced tolerance in wheat plants.

Profiling the effects of physicochemical indexes on the microbial diversity and its aroma substances in pit mud

Microbial diversity of pit mud (PM) plays a significant role in Baijiu's flavour. Here we explored the microbial community structures and aroma substances of Wenwang Winery with high-throughput sequencing coupling with headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We discovered that the odorant was mainly derived from 14 aroma compounds because of their OAVs ≥ 1 (OAV, the ratio of substance concentration to aroma threshold; s, on behalf of the plural), such as ethyl hexanoate (2438), ethyl octanoate (975), caproic acid (52) and etc. Moreover we also revealed that Lactobacillaceae (97·08%) was the mainly bacterial microbial community in 2-year-old PM, companied by the primarily fungi including Aspergillaceae (55·45%), Unclassified Ascomycota (11·13%) and Dipodascaceae (5·72%). Compared with the 2-year-old PM, bacterial floras in 20-year-old PM and 30-year-old PM were more abundant (i.e. Dysgonomonadaceae, Clostridium and Synerggstaceas), while no fungi were detected. Besides, the physicochemical analysis showed that the content of Lactobacillaceae was inversely associated with moisture, pH and ammonia nitrogen. By further Spearman's correlation coefficient analysis, we verified that the content of Lactobacillaceae was positively correlated with ethyl hexanoate, while negatively correlated with ethyl octanoate and caproic acid. Meanwhile, ethyl octanoate and caproic acid were positively correlated with most flora including Ruminococcaceae, Dysgonomonadaceae and Clostridiacea, which were related to physicochemical indexes. This work demonstrates promise for adjusting the physicochemical indexes of PM to affect the micro-organisms and aroma, which may provide a reference for the production of high-quality Baijiu.

[The role of macrophage polarization in parasitic infections: a review]

Macrophages are important members of innate immunity and play an extremely important role in the host defense against pathogenic infections, tumors, and allergic diseases. Macrophages have a high degree of plasticity, and may be polarized into classical activated macrophages (M1 macrophages) and alternative activated macrophages (M2 macrophages) under the stimulation of different environments. M1 macrophages are found to promote inflammatory responses, which facilitates the clearance of pathogens, while M2 macrophages may inhibit inflammatory responses, which facilitates the survival and reproduction of pathogens. This review summarizes the role of macrophage polarization in parasitic infections, so as to provide insights into the prevention and treatment of parasitic diseases.

Bio-detoxification of Jatropha curcas L. cake by a soil-borne Mucor circinelloides strain using a zebrafish survival model and solid-state fermentation

AIMS

The aims of the study were to (i) improve the evaluation criteria of detoxifying Jatropha curcas L. cake (JCC), (ii) isolate and characterize a JCC tolerant strain, (iii) explore its JCC detoxifying potential.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The zebrafish was employed as a survival model to screen the strains capable of detoxifying JCC. A strain identified as Mucor circinelloides SCYA25, which is highly capable of degrading all toxic components, was isolated from soil. Different solid-state fermentation parameters were optimized by response surface methodology. The optimal values for inoculation amount, moisture content, temperature, and time were found to be 18% (1·8 × 10⁶ spores g^-1 cake), 66%, 26, and 36 days, respectively, to achieve maximum detoxification of the JCC (92%). Under optimal fermentation conditions, the protein content of JCC was increased, while the concentrations of ether extract, crude fiber, toxins, and anti-nutritional substances were all degraded considerably (P < 0·05). Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis revealed that the fermentation process could disrupt the surface structure and improve the ratio of α-helix to β-folding in the JCC protein, which may improve the digestibility when the detoxified JCC is used as a feedstuff.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that M. circinelloides SCYA25 is able to detoxify JCC and improve its nutritional profile, which is beneficial to the safe utilization of JCC as a protein feedstuff.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The newly identified M. circinelloides SCYA25 detoxified JCC in a safe manner to provide a potential alternative to soybean meal for the feed industry. These results also provide a new perspective and method for the toxicity evaluation and utilization of JCC and similar toxic agricultural by-products.

[Evaluation of the safety of diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis containing combination vaccines in Chengdu, 2015-2019]

Objective: To evaluate the safety of diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) containing combination vaccines used in Chengdu. Methods: The AEFI reports data of DTaP vaccine, DTaP-Haemophilus influenza type b combined vaccine (DTaP-Hib) and DTaP-inactivated poliovirus-Hib combined vaccine (DTaP-IPV-Hib) in Chengdu from 2015 to 2019 were collected through the national immunization management system. Description epidemiological method was used to analyze the data. Results: From 2015 to 2019, a total of 8 234 cases of AEFI of DTaP containing combination vaccines were reported in Chengdu, with a reported incidence of 194.55/100 000 doses, including 7 897 cases of common adverse reaction (168.59 per 100 000) and 234 cases of rare adverse reaction (5.53 per 100 000). The DTaP vaccine reported 4 240 cases AEFI (140.63 per 100 000), the DTaP-Hib vaccine reported 2 490 cases AEFI (399.09 per 100 000) and the DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine reported 1 504 cases AEFI (253.49 per 100 000). All the three vaccines had the highest incidence for the booster doses; the rare adverse reaction were mainly Anaphylactic Reaction (6.27 per 100 000). Conclusions: The AEFI monitor system had high sensitivity, and the rare adverse reaction rate was extremely low, all the vaccines had good safety profiles. The Thrombocytopenic purpura and Laryngeal Edema should be paid more attention to.

Low body mass index is associated with ectopic pregnancy following assisted reproductive techniques: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and ectopic pregnancy (EP) following embryo transfer (ET).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

University-affiliated hospital.

POPULATION

A total of 16 378 pregnancies derived from either fresh ET or frozen-thawed ET between January 2008 and December 2017.

METHODS

We used the generalised estimating equation (GEE) to analyse the association between BMI categories and EP, as one woman may contribute to more than one pregnancy. Generalised additive models were also used to demonstrate the non-linear association. Models were adjusted for age, parity, gravidity, previous history of ectopic pregnancy, duration of infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, diagnosis of tubal problems, ovarian reserve markers, ovarian stimulation parameters, insemination protocol, endometrial thickness and embryo transfer policies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Ectopic pregnancy.

RESULTS

According to the WHO criteria, the number of cycles with low (<18.5 kg/m² ), normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m² ) and high (≥25 kg/m² ) BMI were 2155, 13 447 and 776, respectively. In comparison with the normal BMI group, the rate of EP was significantly increased in the low BMI group (2.92% versus 2.02%, relative risk 1.45, 95% CI 1.11-1.90), but not in the high BMI group (2.84%, relative risk 1.41, 95% CI 0.92-2.20). Adjusted for confounding factors, the odds ratio for EP comparing low BMI versus normal BMI was 1.61 (95% CI 1.19-2.16) and that comparing high BMI versus normal BMI was 1.12 (95% CI 0.72-1.76).

CONCLUSIONS

Low BMI is associated with an increased risk of EP.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

The ectopic pregnancy rate after embryo transfer for lean women is higher than that for women of normal weight.

Tocilizumab in the treatment of a critical COVID-19 patient: a case report

In December 2019, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan and rapidly spread throughout China and the rest of the world. COVID-19 is currently a global pandemic. There are cytokine storms in severe COVID-19 patients. Interleukin-6 plays an important role in cytokine storm. Tocilizumab is a blocker of interleukin-6 receptor, which is likely to become an effective drug for patients with severe COVID-19. Here, we reported a case in which tocilizumab was effective for a critical COVID-19 patient.

The tumor suppressor NOR1 suppresses cell growth, invasiveness, and tumorigenicity in glioma

Oxidored-nitro domain-containing protein 1 (NOR1) is a tumor suppressor downregulated in various human cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), lung cancer, and testicular cancer. NOR1 protein is highly expressed in the normal brain; however, its role in brain tumors remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that the NOR1 protein level was decreased in glioma tissue samples as compared to its normal counterpart. Exogenously expressed NOR1 protein in glioma U251 cells inhibits tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Re-expression of NOR1 induced cell cycle S to G2 phase arrest and suppressed its tumorigenicity in nude mice. Overexpression of NOR1 in U251 cells also led to a decrease of Ki67 expression in xenografts. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that NOR1 expression altered the expression of genes favored cell proliferation. Among the differentially expressed genes, FOXR2, a member of the FOX gene family, which promotes glioma progression, was decreased in NOR1 expressing cells. The downregulation of FOXR2 by NOR1 was validated in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest for the first time that NOR1 suppresses glioma progression via modulating the FOXR2 expression.

[Characteristics of rare diseases in Zhejiang province, 2007-2017]

Objective: To understand the characteristics of 24 388 inpatients with rare diseases in Zhejiang province during 2007-2017 and provide evidence for rare disease prevention and control. Methods: Inpatient data of rare diseases and the number of hospitalization in each year were collected in 10 hospitals of class Ⅲ (A) in Zhejiang province from 2007 to 2017, and descriptive statistical analysis was used. Results: A total of 24 388 cases of rare diseases were found, accounting for 2.69‰ (24 388/9 054 201) of total hospitalized cases. The top 3 types of rare diseases were "diseases of blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving immune mechanism" (32.81%, 8 001/24 388), "congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities" (24.87%, 6 065/24 388) and "diseases of the nervous system" (19.01%, 4 635/24 388). The number of rare disease cases increased year by year from 2007 to 2017 with an average annual growth of 19.69%, however, the proportion of rare disease cases in the annual number of hospitalized cases only showed upward trend during 2016-2017, the time distribution of different types of rare diseases had different characteristics. The male to female ratio of rare diseases cases was 1.35∶1(13 990/10 398), "diseases of the digestive system" (4.45∶1, 1 180/265), "consequences of injury, poisoning and other external causes" (3.51∶1, 281/80) and "diseases of the nervous system" (2.26∶1, 3 213/1 422) had the highest male to female ratio. The distributions of rare disease types and diseases of different types in different age groups varied. The top 10 rare diseases accounted for 53.55% (13 060/24 388) of the total cases, and the top 3 diseases were adult idiopathic neutropenia (14.41%, 3 515/24 388), corticobasal degeneration (7.60%, 1 854/24 388) and henock-schoenlein purpura (6.01%, 1 466/24 388). Conclusion: The analysis on the characteristics of 24 388 rare disease cases in Zhejiang during 2007-2017 provided reference evidence for the promotion of rare disease research, monitoring, building registration database, and development of the prevention and control strategy for rare diseases in China.

Applications of Ultrafine Limestone Sorbents for the Desulfurization Process in CFB Boilers

With the stringent emission regulation taking effect, it is difficult for the conventional desulfurization technology in circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers to meet the requirements of ultralow SO₂ emission. Therefore, in this paper, the application of natural ultrafine limestone, with a Sauter mean diameter of less than 20 μm, was tested by conducting bench-scale, pilot-scale, and commercial-scale experiments to realize highly efficient desulfurization in CFB furnaces. In the past, such small-size limestone was considered unsuitable for CFB boilers. However, as demonstrated by bench-scale results, the desulfurization performance was clearly superior to that of coarse limestone, especially at low SO₂ concentrations. In a 3 MW_th pilot-scale CFB boiler, the ultrafine limestone exhibited competent desulfurization efficiency to that of the coarse limestone but clearly less significant catalytic effects on NOx formation. As revealed by field tests in four commercial-scale CFB boilers, when high-efficiency cyclones were applied to CFB boilers, the mass inventory of ultrafine particles was significantly increased and the residence time would be extended accordingly; thus, the ultrafine limestone can be used to achieve high desulfurization efficiency and even ultralow SO₂ emission with a favorable Ca/S ratio. Furthermore, a technical roadmap was drawn for the cost-effective control of SO₂ emission.

Intraspinal Paragonimiasis in Children: MRI Findings and Suggestions for Pathogenesis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Intraspinal paragonimiasis is a rare entity for which imaging findings have seldom been described. The present study investigated the MR imaging features of spinal paragonimiasis, thus providing diagnostic imaging evidence and exploring the possible pathogenesis of intraspinal paragonimiasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The clinical and imaging findings of spinal paragonimiasis in 6 children were analyzed retrospectively. Spinal MR imaging was performed in all patients, 5 of whom also underwent enhanced MR imaging. The diagnosis was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in all cases and postoperative pathology in 4 cases.

RESULTS

All cases manifested as fusiform-shaped or beanlike masses in the extradural space in the thoracic spine. The extradural masses were connected with pleural lesions through the intervertebral foramen. The plain MR imaging scan showed mixed signals with predominant isointensity on T1WI and hyperintensity on T2WI, among which 5 (5/6) masses presented as patchy hemorrhage with hyperintensity on T1WI. On enhanced scans, all masses (5/5) showed heterogeneous marked enhancement, with thickening and enhancement in the adjacent spinal meninges (5/5). Various degrees of spinal cord compression and edema were found in 5 cases (5/6).

CONCLUSIONS

MR imaging is sensitive for detecting and characterizing spinal paragonimiasis. The MR imaging features of intraspinal granulomas included localization to the extradural space and thoracic segment, connections between intraspinal lesions and pleural lesions through the intervertebral foramen, and hemorrhagic foci within the mass. These findings support an intraspinal mode of paragonimiasis pathogenesis: The Paragonimus larvae migrate from the chest into the extradural space through the intervertebral foramen.

Plasma exchange combining with plasma bilirubin adsorption effectively removes toxic substances and improves liver functions of hepatic failure patients

OBJECTIVE

Hepatic failure (HF) is a kind of complex disease characterizing with liver dysfunction and a few clinical complications. Artificial liver support system (ALSS) has been applied to HF patients to improve dysfunctional liver in recent years. This study aims to evaluate therapeutic effects of ALSS approaches, including plasma exchange (PE), plasma diafiltration (PDF) and plasma bilirubin adsorption (PBA), on liver function of HF patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study is a retrospective analysis involving 516 patients diagnosed as HF between February 2014 and February 2015. Patients were randomly divided into PE, PDF, PE plus PBA, and PDF plus PBA group. Meanwhile, single-drug group and combined-drug group were also divided. The liver functions, capability of removing toxic substances and coagulation functions were evaluated both pre-treatment and post-treatment. The side effects and hospital improvement rate were also observed post-treatment.

RESULTS

Hospital improvement rate achieves to 69.6%. TBIL levels and MELD scores were significantly decreased post-treatment compared to pre-treatment (p<0.05). PTA values were significantly increased post-treatment compared to pre-treatment (p<0.05). Reduction value in PE+PBA group was significantly higher compared to PE and PDF group (p=0.002, 0.002, respectively). MELD scores were significantly decreased post-treatment compared to pre-treatment in each group (p<0.05). Combined-drug treatment is superior to single-drug treatment for removing toxic substances and improving liver functions. PE treatment, PDF treatment and PE+PBA treatment induced more side effects compared to PDF+PBA treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

PE combining with PBA plays a better role in removing toxic substances, improving liver functions of HF patients.

[The status analysis of diagnosis and treatment of synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer in China: a report of 1 003 cases in 16 domestic medical centers]

Objective: To analyze the status of domestic surgical treatment of synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer in China. Methods: Clinicopathological data of patients who underwent surgery from October 2003 to October 2018 in 16 domestic medical centers was retrospectively analyzed. Excel database was created which covered 77 fields of 7 parts: baseline information of patients, laboratory tests, imaging tests, chemoradiotherapy information, intra-operative findings, postoperative pathology and follow-up data. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of the measurement data between groups. The χ(2) test was used for comparison of the categorical data between groups. The survival curve was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Of the 1 003 patients, there were 575 male and 428 female patients with the age of (58.5±14.1) years (range: 18 to 92 years). In a total of 920 patients, the carcinoma of sigmoid colon was performed in 292 cases (31.8%) with the highest ratio. The proportion of patients with liver metastasis and lung metastasis were 27.9% (219/784) and 8.3% (64/769). Preoperative detection of carcino-embryonic antigen level was the most common method in China (87.74%, 880/1 003), and the positive rate was 64.5% (568/880). The correct rate of preoperative imaging tests was 40.7% (280/688). The ratio of peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) scores between 0 and 10 was the highest (59.6%, 170/285). Two hundred and sixty-two (27.0%) patients were performed by totally laparoscopic operation in 971 patients. The resection of primary tumor was performed in 588 of the 817 patients (72.0%). In a total of 457 cases, 253 (55.4%) patients were performed cytoreduction which group scored completeness of cytoreduction (CCR) 0. The postoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy was implemented in 70 of the 334 cases (21.0%). Among 1 003 cases, 562 cases (56.03%) had complete follow-up data and the median overall survival was 15 months. The primary tumor resection and the CCR scores were affected by the PCI scores. The patients underwent primary tumor resection (187/205 vs. 26/80, χ(2)=105.085, P=0.000) and the patients were performed cytoreduction which scored CCR 0 or CCR 1 (162/204 vs. 8/78, Z=-10.465, P=0.000) had significant difference between the groups of PCI<20 and ≥20. There was a close correlation between the surgical method and the CCR scores (Z=-3.246,P=0.001).When the maximum degree of tumor reduction was planned, most surgeons would choose laparotomy. The overall survival time was longer in patients with primary tumor resection (P=0.000). The median survival time was 18.6 months in the group of primary tumor resection. Conclusions: It is difficult to diagnose the synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer before the operation. Primary tumor resection has an obvious effect to prolong the survival time. It is necessary to standardize the treatment of peritoneal metastasis.