Ant nests increase litter decomposition to mitigate the negative effect of warming in an alpine grassland ecosystem

Warming can decrease feeding activity of soil organisms and affect biogeochemical cycles. The ant Formica manchu is active on the nest surface and prefers a hot, dry environment; therefore, warming may provide a favourable environment for its activities. We hypothesized that F. manchu benefit from warming and mitigate the negative effects of warming on litter decomposition. We examined the effects of ant nests (nest absence versus nest presence) and warming (+1.3 and +2.3°C) on litter decomposition, soil properties and the plant community in alpine grassland. Decomposition stations with two mesh sizes were used to differentiate effects of microorganisms (0.05 mm) and macroinvertebrates (1 cm) on decomposition. Ant nests increased litter decomposition with and without macroinvertebrates accessing the decomposition station when compared to plots without ant nests. Only litter decomposition in ant nests with macroinvertebrates having access to the decomposition station was not affected negatively by warming. Plots with ant nests had greater soil carbon, nutrient contents and plant growth than plots without ant nests, regardless of warming. Our results suggest that ant nests maintain ecosystem processes and functions under warming. Consequently, a management strategy in alpine grasslands should include the protection of these ants and ant nests.

Single cell clonotypic and transcriptional evolution of multiple myeloma precursor disease

Multiple myeloma remains an incurable disease, and the cellular and molecular evolution from precursor conditions, including monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and smoldering multiple myeloma, is incompletely understood. Here, we combine single-cell RNA and B cell receptor sequencing from fifty-two patients with myeloma precursors in comparison with myeloma and normal donors. Our comprehensive analysis reveals early genomic drivers of malignant transformation, distinct transcriptional features, and divergent clonal expansion in hyperdiploid versus non-hyperdiploid samples. Additionally, we observe intra-patient heterogeneity with potential therapeutic implications and identify distinct patterns of evolution from myeloma precursor disease to myeloma. We also demonstrate distinctive characteristics of the microenvironment associated with specific genomic changes in myeloma cells. These findings add to our knowledge about myeloma precursor disease progression, providing valuable insights into patient risk stratification, biomarker discovery, and possible clinical applications.

RNA sequencing and lipidomics uncovers novel pathomechanisms in recessive X-linked ichthyosis

Recessive X-linked ichthyosis (RXLI), a genetic disorder caused by deletion or point mutations of the steroid sulfatase (STS) gene, is the second most common form of ichthyosis. It is a disorder of keratinocyte cholesterol sulfate retention and the mechanism of extracutaneous phenotypes such as corneal opacities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are poorly understood. To understand the pathomechanisms of RXLI, the transcriptome of differentiated primary keratinocytes with STS knockdown was sequenced. The results were validated in a stable knockdown model of STS, to confirm STS specificity, and in RXLI skin. The results show that there was significantly reduced expression of genes related to epidermal differentiation and lipid metabolism, including ceramide and sphingolipid synthesis. In addition, there was significant downregulation of aldehyde dehydrogenase family members and the oxytocin receptor which have been linked to corneal transparency and behavioural disorders respectively, both of which are extracutaneous phenotypes of RXLI. These data provide a greater understanding of the causative mechanisms of RXLI's cutaneous phenotype, and show that the keratinocyte transcriptome and lipidomics can give novel insights into the phenotype of patients with RXLI.

Learning ensembles of process-based models for high accurately evaluating the one-hundred-year carbon sink potential of China's forest ecosystem

China's forests play a vital role in the global carbon cycle through the absorption of atmospheric CO₂ to mitigate climate change caused by the increase of anthropogenic CO₂. It is essential to evaluate the carbon sink potential (CSP) of China's forest ecosystem. Combining NDVI, field-investigated, and vegetation and soil carbon density data modeled by process-based models, we developed the state-of-the-art learning ensembles model of process-based models (the multi-model random forest ensemble (MMRFE) model) to evaluate the carbon stocks of China's forest ecosystem in historical (1982-2021) and future (2022-2081, without NDVI-driven data) periods. Meanwhile, we proposed a new carbon sink index (CSindex) to scientifically and accurately evaluate carbon sink status and identify carbon sink intensity zones, reducing the probability of random misjudgments as a carbon sink. The new MMRFE models showed good simulation results in simulating forest vegetation and soil carbon density in China (significant positive correlation with the observed values, r = 0.94, P < 0.001). The modeled results show that a cumulative increase of 1.33 Pg C in historical carbon stocks of forest ecosystem is equivalent to 48.62 Bt CO₂, which is approximately 52.03% of the cumulative increased CO₂ emissions in China from 1959 to 2018. In the next 60 years, China's forest ecosystem will absorb annually 1.69 (RCP45 scenario) to 1.85 (RCP85 scenario) Bt CO₂. Compared with the carbon stock in the historical period, the cumulative absorption of CO₂ by China's forest ecosystem in 2032-2036, 2062-2066, and 2077-2081 are approximately 11.25-39.68, 110.66-121.49 and 101.31-111.11 Bt CO_2, respectively. In historical and future periods, the medium and strong carbon sink intensity regions identified by the historical CSindex covered 65% of the total forest area, cumulative absorbing approximately 31.60 and 65.83-72.22 Bt CO₂, respectively. In the future, China's forest ecosystem has a large CSP with a non-continuous increasing trend. However, the CSP should not be underestimated. Notably, the medium carbon sink intensity region should be the priority for natural carbon sequestration action. This study not only provides an important methodological basis for accurately estimating the future CSP of forest ecosystem but also provides important decision support for future forest ecosystem carbon sequestration action.

Comprehensive analysis of the prognosis and immune effect of the oncogenic protein Four Jointed Box 1

Background

The Four Jointed Box 1 (FJX1) gene has been implicated in the upregulation of various cancers, highlighting its crucial role in oncology and immunity. In order to better understand the biological function of FJX1 and identify new immunotherapy targets for cancer, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of this gene.

Methods

We analyzed the expression profiles and prognostic value of FJX1 using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx). Copy number alterations (CNAs), mutations, and DNA methylation were analyzed through cBioPortal. The Immune Cell Abundance Identifier (ImmuCellAI) was used to examine the correlation between FJX1 expression and immune cell infiltration. The relationship between FJX1 expression and immune-related genes and immunosuppressive pathway-related genes was analyzed using The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource version 2 (TIMER2). Tumor mutational burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI) were obtained from TCGA pan-cancer data. The effect of immunotherapy and the IC50 were assessed using IMvigor210CoreBiologies and Genomics For Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC). Finally, we evaluated the impact of FJX1 on colon cancer cell proliferation and migration through in vitro functional experiments.

Results

Our study indicated that FJX1 expression was high in most cancers and was significantly associated with poor prognosis. High FJX1 expression was also linked to significant alterations in CNA, DNA methylation, TMB, and MSI. Positive correlations were found between FJX1 expression and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and with immune-related genes such as TGFB1 and IL-10 and immunosuppressive pathway-related genes such as TGFB1 and WNT1. On the other hand, FJX1 expression showed a negative relationship with CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, high FJX1 expression led to reduced effectiveness of immunotherapy and drug resistance. In colon cancer cells, FJX1 knockdown was found to decrease cell proliferation and migration.

Conclusion

Our research findings demonstrate that FJX1 is a new prognostic factor with a significant role in tumor immunity. Our results highlight the importance of further exploring the potential of targeting FJX1 as a therapeutic strategy in cancer.

Molecular Signatures in Swine Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses to African Swine Fever Virus Antigens p30/p54/CD2v Expressed Using a Highly Efficient Semliki Forest Virus Replicon System

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a devastating viral hemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs and Eurasian wild boars, posing a foremost threat to the swine industry and pig farming. The development of an effective vaccine is urgently needed, but has been hampered by the lack of an in-depth, mechanistic understanding of the host immune response to ASFV infection and the induction of protective immunity. In this study, we report that immunization of pigs with Semliki Forest Virus (SFV) replicon-based vaccine candidates expressing ASFV p30, p54, and CD2v, as well as their ubiquitin-fused derivatives, elicits T cell differentiation and expansion, promoting specific T cell and humoral immunity. Due to significant variations in the individual non-inbred pigs in response to the vaccination, a personalized analysis was conducted. Using integrated analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Venn, KEGG and WGCNA, Toll-like receptor, C-type lectin receptor, IL17 receptor, NOD-like receptor and nucleic acid sensor-mediated signaling pathways were demonstrated to be positively correlated to the antigen-stimulated antibody production and inversely correlated to the IFN-γ secreting cell counts in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). An up-regulation of CIQA, CIQB, CIQC, C4BPA, SOSC3, S100A8 and S100A9, and down-regulation of CTLA4, CXCL2, CXCL8, FOS, RGS1, EGR1 and SNAI1 are general in the innate immune response post-the second boost. This study reveals that pattern recognition receptors TLR4, DHX58/DDX58 and ZBP1, and chemokines CXCL2, CXCL8 and CXCL10 may play important roles in regulating this vaccination-stimulated adaptive immune response.

Tongue acupuncture for the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objectives

Post-stroke dysphagia is the most common neurological impairment after stroke. The swallowing process is controlled by a network made up of the cerebral cortex, subcortical area, and brainstem structure. The disruption of the swallowing network after stroke leads to dysphagia. The affected swallowing muscles after stroke mainly include the laryngeal muscles (suprahyoid muscle and thyrohyoid muscle) and infrahyoid muscle. These muscles experience kinematic effects and muscle strength weakens, resulting in reduced movement in the swallowing process. Acupuncture can change the excitability of cerebral cortical nerve cells, promote the recovery of neurological function, and enhance neuromuscular excitability, ultimately improving the control of swallowing-related nerves and muscles and promoting swallowing functional recovery. In this meta-analysis, we systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials of tongue acupuncture therapy for post-stroke dysphagia were searched and selected from seven electronic databases (PubMed, CBM, Cochrane, Embase, CNKI, VPCS, and Wan fang). The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to conduct methodological quality assessment. Rev. Man 5.4 software was utilized to perform data analysis.

Results

A total of 15 studies with 1,094 patients were included. Meta-analysis Showed that WST score WST score (MD = -0.56, 95% CI (-1.23, 0.12), Z = 1.62, p < 0.00001), SSA score (MD = -1.65, 95% CI (-2.02, -1.28), Z = 8.77, p < 0.00001). These results suggested that the treatment group (tongue acupuncture or tongue acupuncture combined with other therapies) was superior to the control group in reducing WST scores and SSA scores. The clinical efficacy of the tongue acupuncture group was better compared with the control group (MD = 3.83, 95% CI (2.61, 5.62), Z = 6.88, p < 0.00001).

Conclusion

The meta-analysis showed that the total effective rate of patients with dysphagia after stroke in the treatment group (acupuncture, tongue acupuncture, and acupuncture combined with other therapy) was higher than that in the control group. These results indicated that acupuncture, tongue acupuncture, and acupuncture combined with other therapy can improve post-stroke dysphagia.

Effect of High-Molecular Weight Glutenin Subunits (HMW-GSs) on Gluten Polymerization during Biscuit Making: Insights from Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

The effect of high-molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) on gluten polymerization during biscuit making was investigated using a set of HMW-GS deletion lines. Results showed that the deletion of HMW-GSs improved the biscuit quality compared with the wild type (WT), especially in x-type HMW-GS deletion lines. Slight gluten depolymerization was observed during dough mixing, while progressive gluten polymerization occurred during biscuit baking. The deletion of HMW-GSs suppressed the polymerization of glutenin and gliadin compared with the WT during biscuit baking, especially in x-type HMW-GS deletion lines. These actions resulted in less elevation of the intermolecular β-sheet and ordered α-helix and altering the disulfide (SS) conformation to a less stable conformation in HMW-GS deletion lines compared with the WT during baking. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis further demonstrated that x-type HMW-GSs had higher thermal stability compared with y-type HMW-GSs during heating.

DNA methylation levels of TaP5CS and TaBADH are associated with enhanced tolerance to PEG-induced drought stress triggered by drought priming in wheat

Drought priming is a promising strategy to enhance tolerance to recurred drought in wheat. However, the underlying mechanisms of priming-induced tolerance are far from clear. Here, three different priming intensities (P1D, P2D, P3D) and two varieties with different sensitivities to drought priming were used to investigate the effects and mechanisms of drought priming. Results showed light (P1D) or moderate (P2D) drought priming intensity induced positive effects for the drought sensitive variety (YM16), while high (P3D) priming intensity brought a negative impact on the plant drought resistant. For drought insensitive one (XM33), light priming intensity had no significant effect on tolerance to drought, while moderate or high intensity showed better priming effects. Moderate priming induced higher leaf water potential and also the osmolytes levels. Consistent with the proline and betaine, the related synthetic enzymatic activities, as well as the expression of TaP5CS and TaBADH were higher in P2D in YM16 and P3D in XM33. The contents of proline and betaine showed a positive correlation with activities of SOD, CAT, GR, AsA, and GSH contents, and a negative correlation with O₂^.-, H₂O₂, and MDA contents. Further analysis revealed CG demethylation of ATG-proximal regions in the promoter of TaP5CS and TaBADH were involved in promoting the synthesis of proline and betaine in primed plants. Collectively, these findings demonstrate drought priming effect was variety independent but depended on the priming severity, and demethylation of TaP5CS and TaBADH involved in the accumulation of osmolytes which contribute to the enhanced drought tolerance induced by priming.

MiR-30a-5p Enhances Cisplatin Sensitivity by Downregulating RIF1 in Ovarian Cancer

OBJECTIVE

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a common malignant tumor in females with high recurrence and poor prognosis. Cisplatin is commonly used for OC clinical treatment, but its efficacy is usually challenged by the chemotherapy resistance of cancer cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), including miR-30a-5p, were identified to modulate drug resistance in numerous tumors. However, molecular mechanisms of miR-30a-5p in OC chemoresistance need more illumination.

METHODS

MiR-30a-5p and Rap1 interacting factor 1 (RIF1) expression in OC tissues and cells were measured by qRT-PCR. The IC₅₀ of cisplatin-resistant and cisplatin-sensitive OC cells was assessed by MTT assays. OC cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration were measured by EdU assays, TUNEL staining, and wound healing assays, respectively. The protein levels of EMT markers and RIF1 in OC cells were examined by western blotting. The binding capacity between miR-30a-5p and RIF1 was validated by luciferase reporter assays.

RESULTS

Our study disclosed miR-30a-5p as a remarkably lowly-expressed miRNA in OC tissues in comparison to matched noncancerous tissues. Compared to parental cell lines, miR-30a-5p was also greatly downregulated in cisplatin-resistant OC cell lines. Additionally, functional assays indicated that miR-30a-5p suppressed malignant behaviors and cisplatin resistance of OC cells. Further, miR-30a-5p was revealed to target and negatively regulate RIF1 expression in OC. Moreover, it was validated that overexpressing RIF1 reverses the inhibitory influence of miR-30a-5p overexpression on malignant behaviors and cisplatin resistance of OC cells.

CONCLUSION

MiR-30a-5p reduced cisplatin resistance in OC through downregulation of RIF1, which may be meaningful for targeting drug-resistant tumors.

High-Frequency Repetitive Magnetic Stimulation at the Sacrum Alleviates Chronic Constipation in Parkinson's Patients

Objective

This study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of high-frequency repetitive magnetic stimulation (HF-rMS) at the sacrum for chronic constipation in Parkinson's patients (PD).

Materials and Methods

Eventually 48 PD patients were enrolled from July 2019 to October 2020, and randomly divided into the HF-rMS group (the intervention group, n = 24) and the sham HF-rMS group (the control group, n = 24). The intervention group received HF-rMS at the sacrum, whereas the control group received ineffective magnetic stimulation. We performed clinical evaluation before and after HF-rMS treatment, including constipation score scale (KESS questionnaire), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III exercise examination), Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage of motor function; simple mental status scale (MMSE), anxiety/depression table (HAD-A/HAD-D), the activity of daily living (ADL), and quality of life scale for patients with constipation (PAC-QOL) to evaluate symptoms and satisfaction of PD patients with chronic constipation.

Results

There was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics between the two groups. As compared to the control group, the HF-rMS group displayed a larger change (pre and posttreatment) in the KESS scores of PD patients with chronic constipation, suggesting a significant improvement. Moreover, HF-rMS significantly promoted the mood, activity of daily living, and quality of life of PD patients when comparing the alteration of HAD-A/HAD-D scores, ADL scores, and PAC-QOL scores between the two groups. Finally, there was no significant difference in the change of the UPDRS III score and the MMSE score between the two groups.

Conclusion

HF-rMS at the sacrum can improve chronic constipation in PD patients.

Soluble CD206 levels correlate with disease deterioration and predict prognosis of anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis related interstitial lung disease

INTRODUCTION

The prognosis of anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis/clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease (MDA5-DM/CADM-ILD) is poor. This study was to evaluate the effect of serum soluble CD206 (sCD206), a biomarker of macrophage activation, on predicting the interstitial lung disease (ILD) deterioration and prognosis for MDA5-DM/CADM-ILD.

METHODS

Forty-one patients diagnosed with MDA5-DM/CADM-ILD were retrospectively included. The clinical data were analyzed. Serum sCD206 levels were measured in 41 patients and 30 healthy controls. The relation between sCD206 levels and ILD deterioration was assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to determine the optimal cut-off value of sCD206 for predicting outcome. The association between sCD206 and survival was examined.

RESULTS

The median serum sCD206 level in patients was significantly higher than healthy controls (464.1 ng/mL vs. 349.1 ng/mL, P = 0.002). In DM/CADM patients, the sCD206 level was significantly higher in patients with acute/subacute interstitial lung disease (AILD/SILD) than those with chronic interstitial lung disease (CILD) (539.2 ng/mL vs. 309.4 ng/mL, P = 0.005). The AUC of sCD206 was 0.885 for predicting mortality (95% CI 0.779-0.990). Patients were divided into two groups: sCD206 high level group (≥400 ng/mL) and sCD206 low level group (<400 ng/mL). Patients with sCD206 high level had significantly decreased survival rate than those with low level (25% vs. 88%, P < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio of sCD206 for mortality was 1.003 (adjusted for age and gender, P < 0.001), with sCD206 high level associated with higher death risk (HR 4.857, P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Serum sCD206 might be a potential predictor of ILD deterioration and prognosis for Chinese patients with MDA5-DM/CADM-ILD.

Characterization of the induction kinetics and antiviral functions of IRF1, ISG15 and ISG20 in cells infected with gammacoronavirus avian infectious bronchitis virus

Coronavirus infection induces a variety of cellular antiviral responses either dependent on or independent of type I interferons (IFNs). Our previous studies using Affymetrix microarray and transcriptomic analysis revealed the differential induction of three IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), IRF1, ISG15 and ISG20, by gammacoronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) infection of IFN-deficient Vero cells and IFN-competent, p53-defcient H1299 cells, respectively. In this report, the induction kinetics and anti-IBV functions of these ISGs as well as mechanisms underlying their differential induction are characterized. The results confirmed that these three ISGs were indeed differentially induced in H1299 and Vero cells infected with IBV, significantly more upregulation of IRF1, ISG15 and ISG20 was elicited in IBV-infected Vero cells than that in H1299 cells. Induction of these ISGs was also detected in cells infected with human coronavirus-OC43 (HCoV-OC43) and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), respectively. Manipulation of their expression by overexpression, knockdown and/or knockout demonstrated that IRF1 played an active role in suppressing IBV replication, mainly through the activation of the IFN pathway. However, a minor, if any, role in inhibiting IBV replication was played by ISG15 and ISG20. Furthermore, p53, but not IRF1, was implicated in regulating the IBV infection-induced upregulation of ISG15 and ISG20. This study provides new information on the mechanisms underlying the induction of these ISGs and their contributions to the host cell antiviral response during IBV infection.

Abstract 775: Integrative genomic and transcriptomic profiling of myeloma precursors in a prospective longitudinal observational study (ORIGIN)

Background: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering myeloma (SMM) are myeloma precursors (MPD). A better understanding of the oncogenic/immune programs underlying progression may reveal exploitable targets for patients (pts) at high risk of progression and aid new intervention strategies. We designed a longitudinal Observational prospective Research study In monoclonal Gammopathies leadINg to myeloma (ORIGIN) to collect well-annotated, longitudinal samples (sps) for integrative genomic/transcriptomic analysis.

Methods: Pts were accrued meeting MGUS/SMM IMWG definition. BM sps were partitioned into CD138-positive and -negative compartments and DNAs/RNAs extracted for bulk RNA and whole-exome sequencing (WES). Matched germline controls were included for somatic mutation and DNA copy number analysis. A number of tools and algorithms were applied, and the data were thoroughly analyzed and integrated.

Results: From 12/2015-03/2022, 249 pts were accrued and 205 eligible (99 MGUS/106 SMM). Median follow up time is 33 months (6-49 months). As of 11/2022, 21 pts progressed (prog) on ORIGIN study (14% 15/106 SMM, 3% 3/99 prog to SMM from MGUS and 1% 3/205 to AL amyloidosis). To increase analytic power, genomic data of 166 SMM baseline sps from SMM pts on treatment studies were added. Altogether, genomic data of 496 sps were analyzed. Briefly, WES was performed on 170 sps from 150 pts and RNA-Seq was performed on enriched tumor/TME cells in 326 sps from 187 pts. Relative to MGUS, we observed higher mutation load in SMM and more frequent somatic mutations in known drivers of myeloma: KRAS (14% vs. 2%), NRAS (7% vs. 2%) leading to a shorter time to myeloma as well as genes recurrently mutated in other cancers: FOXO3 (7% vs 0%). We observed increased aneuploidy levels in SMM vs MGUS and in prog vs. non-prog including both gains and losses of multiple chromosomes. Transcriptome analysis of CD138+ cells revealed clearly distinct expression profiles between SMM and MGUS, and between prog and non-prog. The pathway activity of oxidative phosphorylation and MYC was significantly increased in SMM vs. MGUS and in prog vs. non-prog, suggesting their potential roles in driving progression. We noted a greater degree of heterogeneity in TME cell compositions in SMM vs MGUS sps and in prog vs. non-prog: ie, SMM and prog sps formed multiple distinct clusters exhibiting differential abundance of cytotoxic T cells, neutrophils, fibroblasts and myeloid cells.

Conclusions: Together, our integrative analysis of genomic and transcriptome data in ORIGIN demonstrates extensive changes in both CD138+ cells and the immune microenvironment and co-evolution of the ecosystems during disease progression. This study is an invaluable resource and lays the molecular foundation for the community for future biomarker and target discovery.

Citation Format: Minghao Dang, Chutima Kunacheewa, Hans C. Lee, Krina K. Patel, Sheeba K. Thomas, Melody Becnel, Donna M. Weber, Pei Lin, Zuzana Berkova, Mei Huang, David A. Berrios, Hima Bansal, Andrew Futreal, Cristhiam Rojas Hernandez, Vahid Afshar-Khargan, Michael Kroll, Peter Kuhn, Robert Z. Orlowski, Linghua Wang, Elisabet E. Manasanch. Integrative genomic and transcriptomic profiling of myeloma precursors in a prospective longitudinal observational study (ORIGIN) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 775.

Applying self-determination theory towards motivational factors of physical activity in people undergoing haemodialyses: A qualitative interview study

INTRODUCTION

The level of physical activity of people undergoing haemodialyses is low, so understanding what factors underlie the motivation to be physically active in people undergoing haemodialyses is important. Therefore, this qualitative study aims to explore the different motivation types and corresponding basic psychological needs (BPNs) of people undergoing haemodialyses based on self-determination theory.

METHODS

We adopted the objective sampling method to select 19 patients with the end-stage renal disease aged from 28 to 66 years old from a tertiary hospital in Xi'an. They underwent haemodialyses five to six times every 2 weeks for more than 3 months. Then, we conducted semistructured one-on-one interviews with 19 people undergoing haemodialyses using qualitative content analysis. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed on a thematic analysis.

RESULTS

We analyzed four motivation types of patients, namely four themes, including entrenching in physical inactivity (Amotivation), breaking physical inactivity (Controlled motivation), finding one's way (Autonomous regulation) and enjoying the positive effects of physical activity (Intrinsic motivation). Each motivation is dominated by one or more BPNs. For example, inadequate Competence such as decreased physical function is the reason why the patient does not perform physical activities. Due to the lack of health education on physical activity, people undergoing haemodialyses often lack the motivation for controlled regulation. The motivation for self-regulation is generated by the patients' promotion of meeting BPNs, such as normal social interactions. The formation of patients' autonomous motivation can't be separated from the effective understanding felt by other patients, because their situations are similar. Enjoying physical activity promotes the formation of patients' intrinsic motivation and the maintenance of this behaviour.

CONCLUSION

Perceived Competence, Relatedness and Autonomous Motivation are important determinants for physical activity in people undergoing haemodialyses. Patients need to internalize the changed values and skills, so as to generate the motivation of self-regulation, rather than external or controlled forms of motivation regulation, to better maintain behaviour change.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

People undergoing haemodialyses were involved in the development of the interview topic guide to ensure all relevant topics were explored.

High bioethanol titer and yield from phosphoric acid plus hydrogen peroxide pretreated paper mulberry wood through optimization of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation

The optimization of key simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) parameters for bioethanol production from phosphoric acid plus hydrogen peroxide pretreated paper mulberry wood was carried out under two isothermal scenarios; the yeast optimum and trade-off temperatures of 35 and 38 °C, respectively. The optimal conditions established for SSF at 35 °C (solid loading: 16%; enzyme dosage: 9.8 mg protein/g glucan; and yeast concentration: 6.5 g/L) achieved high ethanol titer and yield of 77.34 g/L and 84.60% (0.432 g/g), respectively. These corresponded to 1.2 and 1.3-folds increases, compared to the results of the optimal SSF at a relatively higher temperature of 38 °C. The information from this study would prove beneficial in reducing process energy demands to some extent, while also helping to achieve high levels of both ethanol concentration and yield that are desired in cellulosic ethanol production.

Root rot Caused by Setophoma terrestris on Illicium verum in Yunnan Province, China

Star anise (Illicium verum Hook. f.), a genus of star anise in the family Magnoliaceae, is an important cash crop of "medicinal and food" origin, mainly from China. In August 2021, root rot of I. verum was first observed on more than 80% of the plants grown within a 500 hectares area in Wenshan city, Yunnan Province. At the early stage of the disease, the phloem of the root was dark yellow-brown, and the leaves turn yellow. With further disease development, the whole root became black (Fig. 1a, 1b), and the leaves gradually fall off, affecting the growth, yield and eventually caused death of the whole plant. A total of 20 root samples were collected from typical symptomatic plant roots with 20 years old in Wenshan City (23°18'12″N, 103°56'98″E) and were cut into 2 × 2 mm pieces at the junction of infected and healthy tissue. Each sample was surface-sterilized with 3% NaClO and 75% alcohol for 60 s before rinsing three times with distilled water. The sterile filter paper (5×5 cm) was used to dry the tissue, and samples were cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with streptomycin sulfate (50 μg/ml). Plates were incubated at 25°C in the dark in the incubator. From 9 isolates obtained in culture, 7 exhibited the morphology described by Boerema et al. (Boerema et al. 2004) for Setophoma sp. The hyphae were hyaline and septate (Fig.1c). After 14 days of culture on V8 juice agar, white round colonies are formed, but there is no groove in the middle of the colonies (Fig.1d), and transparent, oval, or cylindrical conidia were produced, 6.0-8.0 x 2.5 to 4.0 um (Fig.1e). DNA was extracted from a representative isolate BJGF-04 for molecular identification using a fungal genomic DNA extraction kit (Solarbio, Beijing, China). Polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) were performed with primers ITS1/ITS4 for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (White et al. 1990) and primers T1/β-Sandy-R for the β-tubulin gene (TUB) region (Yang et al. 2017) and primers NL3/ LR5 for 28S large subunit rDNA (LSU) region (Hu et al. 2021) and NS1/ NS4 for 5.8S large subunit rDNA (SSU) region (Mahesha et al. 2021). Newly generated representative sequences were deposited in GenBank: ITS sequence (ON645256), TUB sequence (ON854484), and LSU sequence (ON644445), SSU sequence (ON644451). were sequenced and blasted, showing 99 to 100% sequence homology with known S. terrestris. Pathogenicity was performed using one-year asymptomatic plants of I. verum. A conidial suspension (1 x 10⁶ conidia/ml) collected from V8 juice cultures with 0.05% Tween buffer was poured at a volume of 10 ml/plant. Three individual seedlings were used as replicates for each treatment, and sterile water was used as the negative control. All plants were placed in an artificial climate incubator at 25°C under 90% relative humidity. After 20 days, all inoculated plants showed symptoms identical to those described above, whereas controls remained healthy. Setophoma terrestris was reisolated from the infected roots, which was confirmed by morphological and molecular identification, which completed Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. terrestris as a causal agent of root rot on I. verum in China.

Performance Regulation of a ZnO/WOx-Based Memristor and Its Application in an Emotion Circuit

The development of a memristor is very important for artificial intelligence and new electronic circuits. In this work, Ag(Al)/ZnO/WO_x/FTO memristors are fabricated by magnetron sputtering, and the device performance is further improved through annealing and oxygen supply during sputtering. The experimental data show that the FTO/WO_x/ZnO-O₂/Ag memristor has the largest high resistance state (HRS)/low resistance state (LRS) resistance ratio and the best durability. Through data fitting and analysis, the switching mechanism of memristors with different top electrodes is investigated. Furthermore, the physical model of the best performance memristor was established by Simulink, and an emotion-monitoring circuit was constructed on this basis. The circuit can be used to monitor and record the mood changes, and the feedback of the emotion monitoring can be fed back to the user to help them adjust the mood.

Influence of High-Molecular-Weight Glutenin Subunit on Components and Multiscale Structure of Gluten and Dough Quality in Soft Wheat

A set of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) deletion lines were used to investigate the influences of HMW-GS on wheat gluten, and dough properties were investigated using a set of HMW-GS deletion lines. Results showed that HMW-GS deletion significantly decreased the dough stability time, as well as viscoelastic moduli (G' and G″), compared with the wild type, where the deletion of x-type HMW-GSs (Ax1d, Bx7d, and Dy12d) decreased more than y-type HMW-GSs (By8d and Dy12d). The deletion of HMW-GS significantly decreased HMW-GS contents and increased α-/γ-gliadin contents. A proteomic study showed that the HMW-GS deletion down-regulated the HMW-GS, β-amylase, serpins, and protein disulfide isomerase and up-regulated the LMW-GS, α/γ-gliadin, and α-amylase inhibitor. Meanwhile, HMW-GS deletion significantly decreased contents of β-turn and β-sheet. In addition, less energetically stable disulfide conformations (trans-gauche-gauche and trans-gauche-trans) were abundant in HMW-GS deletion lines. Furthermore, analysis of five HMW-GSs based on amino acid sequences proved that Dx2 and Bx7 had a more stable structure, followed by Ax1, then Dy12, and finally By8.

Bacterial antibiotic resistance among cancer inpatients in China: 2016-20

BACKGROUND

The incidence of infections among cancer patients is as high as 23.2-33.2% in China. However, the lack of information and data on the number of antibiotics used by cancer patients is an obstacle to implementing antibiotic management plans.

AIM

This study aimed to investigate bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance in Chinese cancer patients to provide a reference for the rational use of antibiotics.

DESIGN

This was a 5-year retrospective study on the antibiotic resistance of cancer patients.

METHODS

In this 5-year surveillance study, we collected bacterial and antibiotic resistance data from 20 provincial cancer diagnosis and treatment centers and three specialized cancer hospitals in China. We analyzed the resistance of common bacteria to antibiotics, compared to common clinical drug-resistant bacteria, evaluated the evolution of critical drug-resistant bacteria and conducted data analysis.

FINDINGS

Between 2016 and 2020, 216 219 bacterial strains were clinically isolated. The resistance trend of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, piperacillin/tazobactam and imipenem was relatively stable and did not significantly increase over time. The resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains to all antibiotics tested, including imipenem and meropenem, decreased over time. In contrast, the resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii strains to carbapenems increased from 4.7% to 14.7%. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) significantly decreased from 65.2% in 2016 to 48.9% in 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

The bacterial prevalence and antibiotic resistance rates of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, S. aureus and MRSA were significantly lower than the national average.

The reliability, correlation with clinical symptoms and surgical outcomes of dural sac cross-sectional area, nerve root sedimentation sign and morphological grade for lumbar spinal stenosis

BACKGROUND

No study had directly compared the reliability, correlation with clinical symptoms, and surgical outcomes of dural sac cross-sectional area (DCSA), nerve root sedimentation sign (SedSign), and morphological grade for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

METHODS

From January 2017 to December 2020, 202 patients with LSS were retrospectively analyzed. The narrowest segments were assessed via T2-weighted cross-sectional images using DCSA, morphological grade, and SedSign by two independent observers. Three classifications' reliabilities were evaluated. Correlations between three classifications and between each of the classifications and symptoms or surgical outcomes 12 months postoperatively were evaluated.

RESULTS

There were 144 males and 58 females; 23, 52, and 127 patients had the narrowest segment in L2-3, L3-4, and L4-5, respectively. The intra-observer reliability of DCSA ranged from 0.91 to 0.93, and the inter-observer reliability was 0.90. The intra-observer reliability of SedSign ranged from 0.83 to 0.85, and the inter-observer reliability was 0.75. The intra-observer reliability of morphological grade ranged from 0.72 to 0.78, and the inter-observer reliability was 0.61. Each of these classifications was correlated with the other two (P < 0.01). For preoperative symptoms, DCSA was correlated with leg pain (LP) (r =  - 0.14), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (r =  - 0.17), and claudication (r =  - 0.19). Morphological grade was correlated with LP (r = 0.19) and claudication (r = 0.27). SedSign was correlated with ODI (r = 0.23). For postoperative outcomes, morphological grade was correlated with LP (r =  - 0.14), and SedSign was correlated with ODI (r = 0.17).

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial to almost perfect intra and inter-observer reliabilities for the three classifications were found; however, these classifications had either weak correlations with symptoms and surgical outcomes or none at all. Based on our findings, using one of them without conducting other tests for LSS will have limited or uncertain value in surgical decision-making or evaluating the prognostic value.

Increased serum levels of sCD40L were associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

OBJECTIVES

Whether coagulopathy exists in development of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies associated rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (IIMs-RPILD) is unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate soluble CD40 ligand and D-dimer levels in RPILD patients.

METHODS

Patients with IIMs-ILD were enrolled and classified as RPILD and stable-ILD group. Clinical data, laboratory examinations including coagulation-associated parameters and the myositis antibodies status, chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings and treatment regimens were collected and serum levels of sCD40L were detected by ELISA. Univariable and adjusted multivariable cox regression were performed to identify risk factors for 6-month mortality, and further to select predictors for establishing predictive model for RPILD.

RESULTS

Eighty patients with IIMs-ILD were enrolled and 34 of them were diagnosed as RPILD while 46 as stable-ILD. Multivariable cox regression showed that albumin<32.4 g/L and sCD40L<1658.55 pg/ml were independent risk factors of short-term mortality in RPILD. A SMAD model consisting of serum sCD40L>1054 pg/ml, anti-MDA5 positivity, albumin<32.4 g/L and D-dimer>0.865 mg/L were generated. The odds for RPILD with SMAD score of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 0, 26.9%, 66.7%, 91.7% and 100%. The 6-month survival stratified by mild (SMAD score 0), moderate (SMAD score 1 and 2) and severe group (SMAD score 3 and 4) were 100%, 79.5% and 20%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We established a predictive model for IIMs-RPILD, which provided a clue that coagulopathy might exist in IIMs-RPILD and could help to better treat patients with RPILD. This model awaits further validations.

Distinguishing multiple primary lung cancers from intrapulmonary metastasis using CT-based radiomics

PURPOSE

To develop CT-based radiomics models that can efficiently distinguish between multiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs) and intrapulmonary metastasis (IPMs).

METHOD

This retrospective study included 127 patients with 254 lung tumors pathologically proved as MPLCs or IPMs between May 2009 and January 2020. Radiomics features of lung tumors were extracted from baseline CT scans. Particularly, we incorporated tumor-focused, refined radiomics by calculating relative radiomics differences from paired tumors of individual patients. We applied the L1-norm regularization and analysis of variance to select informative radiomics features for constructing radiomics model (RM) and refined radiomics model (RRM). The performance was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). The two radiomics models were compared with the clinical-CT model (CCM, including clinical and CT semantic features). We incorporated both radiomics features to construct fusion model1 (FM1). We also, build fusion model2 (FM2) by combing both radiomics, clinical and CT semantic features. The performance of the FM1 and FM2 were further compared with that of the RRM.

RESULTS

On the validation set, the RM achieved an AUC of 0.857. The RRM demonstrated improved performance (validation set AUC, 0.870) than the RM, and showed significant differences compared with the CCM (validation set AUC, 0.782). Fusion models further led prediction performance (validation set AUC, FM1:0.885; FM2:0.889). There were no significant differences among the performance of the FM1, the FM2 and the RRM.

CONCLUSIONS

The CT-based radiomics models presented good performance on the discrimination between MPLCs and IPMs, demonstrating the potential for early diagnosis and treatment guidance for MPLCs and IPMs.

METTL3-mediated Hsa_circ_0000390 downregulation enhances the proliferation, migration, and invasion of colorectal cancer cells by increasing Notch1 expression

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), as noncoding RNAs, have gained widespread attention in cancers. Circ_0000390 has been verified to be downregulated in gastric cancer, while its function and regulatory mechanism in cancer is largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression, functions, and potential mechanism of circ_0000390 in colorectal cancer (CRC). Circ_0000390 expression in CRC tissues was first identified with RT-qPCR. Besides, the function of circ_0000390 was assessed through gain-of-function and rescued experiments in CRC cells and mouse xenograft models. Our results showed that circ_0000390 was lowly expressed in CRC tissues, and circ_0000390 could downregulate Notch1 and be downregulated by METTL3. Functionally, results showed circ_0000390 overexpression suppressed the proliferation, cell migration, and invasion of CRC cells, which also could be reversed by Notch1 overexpression. Additionally, METTL3 overexpression could accelerate the proliferation, cell migration, and invasion of CRC cells, which also was weakened by circ_0000390 overexpression in CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. This study suggested that circ_0000390 might be anti-tumor factor in CRC and METTL3/Notch1 might be a therapeutic targets for CRC.