Nitrous Oxide Emissions Increase Exponentially When Optimum Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates Are Exceeded in the North China Plain

The IPCC assume a linear relationship between nitrogen (N) application rate and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions in inventory reporting, however, a growing number of studies show a nonlinear relationship under specific soil-climatic conditions. In the North China plain, a global hotspot of N₂O emissions, covering a land as large as Germany, the correlation between N rate and N₂O emissions remains unclear. We have therefore specifically investigated the N₂O response to N applications by conducting field experiments with five N rates, and high-frequency measurements of N₂O emissions across contrasting climatic years. Our results showed that cumulative and yield-scaled N₂O emissions both increased exponentially as N applications were raised above the optimum rate in maize ( Zea mays L.). In wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) there was a corresponding quadratic increase in N₂O emissions with the magnitude of the response in 2012-2013 distinctly larger than that in 2013-2014 owing to the effects of extreme snowfall. Existing empirical models (including the IPCC approach) of the N₂O response to N rate have overestimated N₂O emissions in the North China plain, even at high N rates. Our study therefore provides a new and robust analysis of the effects of fertilizer rate and climatic conditions on N₂O emissions.

A new hexamolybdate-based copper-2,2'-biimidazole coordination polymer serving as an acid catalyst and support for enzyme immobilization

The hydrothermal reaction of (NH₄)₃[CoMo₆O₂₄H₆]·7H₂O (CoMo₆), CuCl₂·2H₂O and 2,2'-biimidazole (H₂biim) led to the formation of a new coordination polymer, namely poly[diaquabis(2,2'-biimidazole)hexa-μ₃-oxo-octa-μ₂-oxo-hexaoxodicopper(II)hexamolybdate(VI)], [Cu₂Mo₆O₂₀(C₆H₆N₄)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (Cu-Mo₆O₂₀), at pH 2-3. It is obvious that in the formation of crystalline Cu-Mo₆O₂₀, the original Anderson-type skeleton of heteropolymolybdate CoMo₆ was broken and the new isopolyhexamolybdate Mo₆O₂₀ unit was assembled. In Cu-Mo₆O₂₀, one Mo₆O₂₀ unit connects four [Cu(H₂biim)(H₂O)]²⁺ ions in a pentacoordinate mode via four terminal O atoms, resulting in a tetra-supported structure, and each Cu^II ion is shared by two adjacent Mo₆O₂₀ units. Infinite one-dimensional chains are established by linkage between two adjacent Mo₆O₂₀ units and two Cu^II ions, and these chains are further packed into a three-dimensional framework by hydrogen bonds, π-π interactions and electrostatic attractions. The catalytic performance of this crystalline material used as an efficient and reusable heterogeneous acid catalyst for carbonyl-group protection is discussed. In addition, Cu-Mo₆O₂₀ was applied as a new support for enzyme (horseradish peroxidase, HRP) immobilization, forming immobilized enzyme HRP/Cu-Mo₆O₂₀. HRP/Cu-Mo₆O₂₀ showed good catalytic activity and could be reused.

The role of autophagy in the radiosensitivity of the radioresistant human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2R

Purpose

The present study aimed to study the role of autophagy in the radiosensitivity of the radioresistant human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2R.

Methods

Before being irradiated, CNE-2R cells were treated with the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine diphosphate (CDP) or the autophagy inducer rapamycin (RAPA). Microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3-II) and p62 were assessed using Western blotting analysis 48 hours after CNE-2R cells were irradiated. The percentage of apoptotic cells was assessed via flow cytometry. CNE-2R cell viability was evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8). The radiosensitivity of cells was assessed via clone formation analysis.

Results

The level of autophagy in CNE-2R cells improved as the radiation dose increased, reaching the maximum at a dose of 10 Gy. Autophagy was most significantly inhibited by 60 µmol/L CDP in CNE-2R cells, but was obviously enhanced by 100 nmol/L RAPA. Compared with the irradiation (IR) alone group, in the IR + CDP group, autophagy was significantly inhibited, viability was low, the rate of radiation-induced apoptosis was increased, and radiosensitivity was upregulated. In contrast, cells of the IR + RAPA group exhibited greater autophagy, higher viability, a lower rate of radiation-induced apoptosis, and downregulated radiosensitivity.

Conclusion

The autophagy level is negatively correlated with radiosensitivity for the radio-resistant human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2R.

Comparison of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and hepatic resection in hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and hepatic resection for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involving portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 323 HCC patients involving PVTT. Among them, 134 patients underwent 3D-CRT, while 189 controls treated with hepatic resection (HR). Survival rate and prognostic analysis were performed using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival (OS) of RT group and HR group was 54% vs 62%, 33% vs 47%, and 18% vs 43%, respectively (P = 0.003). In the subgroup of PVTT type analysis, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS in RT group was 65%, 39%, and 19%, respectively, while that in HR group was 83%, 53%, and 42%, respectively, in type I PVTT (P < 0.001). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS in RT group was 52%, 35%, and 11%, while that in HR group was 55%, 42%, and 25%, respectively, in type II PVTT (P = 0.612). In type III PVTT, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS in RT group was 16%, 3%, and 0%, respectively, while that in HR group was 11%, 0%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.041). Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size ≥10 cm, Child-Pugh class B, and type III PVTT are independent predictors of poor prognosis in HCC with PVTT.

CONCLUSION

3D-CRT appears to be an effective treatment for patients with HCC involving type II/III PVTT.

Complication Follow-up With Ultrasonographic Analyses of 91 Cases With Donor Gallbladder Preservation in Living Donor Liver Transplantation of Left Lateral Sectionectomies

BACKGROUND

Preserving the donor's gallbladder during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a better method for liver transplantation surgery, but not enough is known about gallbladder complications after the operation.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated postsurgical donor gallbladder complications in clinical LDLT with gallbladder preservation. The feasibility of retaining the gallbladder during liver graft procurement is discussed. Ninety-one donors with retained gallbladder after LDLT with the hepatic left lateral sectionectomy (from June 2013 to October 2015) were retrospectively analyzed. Donors were followed for 12.6 to 40.7 months after surgery (median 26.1 months). Sonography was used to evaluate gallbladder characteristics before and after surgery.

RESULTS

Gallbladder function had recovered to almost normal 1 month after transplantation. Four donors (4.40%) experienced gallbladder enlargement that resolved after 3 days. Thickening of the gallbladder wall in 31 donors (34.07%) was restored within 2 to 75 days. Biliary sludge appeared in 9 donors (9.89%); 6 of them recovered within 3 to 34 days. Three (3.30%) and 1 donor (1.10%) suffered gallstone and gallbladder polyps, respectively, which persisted until the last follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The rate of postoperative complications of the gallbladder in donors was relative low. Preserving the gallbladder in liver transplantation donors during liver graft procurement is feasible and safe.

Isolation and identification of the main carotenoid pigment from a new variety of the ridgetail white prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda

The ridgetail white prawn (Exopalaemon carinicauda) is an important economic species in China. In order to know the molecular basis and evaluate the potential nutrition value of a new variety of this species with orange-red color, the main carotenoid pigments were extracted and identified through high performance liquid chromatography. It showed that higher concentration of free astaxanthin existed in the new variety which might cause the color variation. The concentration of total astaxanthin in muscle and waste of the new variety was 3.3 and 1.9 fold higher than that in natural prawn under the same culture condition (P < 0.05). The predominant geometric and optical isomers of astaxanthin in muscle of the new variety were identified as all-trans and 3S,3'S astaxanthin. This is the first report of astaxanthin-enriched E. carinicauda, which also provides an alternative source of natural astaxanthin and the possibility for improving the nutrition value in this species.

The Analgesic Effects of Maternal Milk Odor on Newborns: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effects of maternal milk odor on newborns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the literature in PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and collected all the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of maternal milk odor versus scentless or other odors on procedural pain in newborns. The quality of included studies was assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias tool. A meta-analysis was undertaken with the Review Manager 5.3 software and Stata version 11.0. Subgroup comparisons were prespecified according to the types of control groups.

RESULTS

Eight RCTs included a total of 453 participants. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the scentless group, the maternal milk odor group had lower pain scores during blood sampling (standardized mean difference, -0.81; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], -1.18 to -0.44; p < 0.001) and shorter crying time afterward (mean difference, -8.10; 95% CI, -15.46 to 0.73; p = 0.03). The maternal milk odor group had lower heart rate variability and oxygen saturation variability during and after a procedure, compared with both the scentless group and the vanilla group. However, no significant difference was identified in the mean heart rate and mean oxygen saturation in terms of the maternal milk odor group compared with amniotic fluid odor or mother's scent. The maternal milk odor group versus the formula milk odor group had shorter crying duration and lower levels of salivary cortisol after sampling.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal milk odor appears to play an analgesic role in newborns. However, more high-quality studies are needed to confirm and quantitate the effect.

Dark septate endophytes isolated from a xerophyte plant promote the growth of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus under drought condition

Dark septate endophytes (DSE) may facilitate plant growth and stress tolerance in stressful ecosystems. However, little is known about the response of plants to non-host DSE fungi isolated from other plants, especially under drought condition. This study aimed to seek and apply non-host DSE to evaluate their growth promoting effects in a desert species, Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, under drought condition. Nine DSE strains isolated from a super-xerophytic shrub, Gymnocarpos przewalskii, were identified and used as the non-host DSE. And DSE colonization rate (30–35%) and species composition in the roots of G. przewalskii were first reported. The inoculation results showed that all DSE strains were effective colonizers and formed a strain-dependent symbiosis with A. mongolicus. Specifically, one Darksidea strain, Knufia sp., and Leptosphaeria sp. increased the total biomass of A. mongolicus compared to non-inoculated plants. Two Paraconiothyrium strains, Phialophora sp., and Embellisia chlamydospora exhibited significantly positive effects on plant branch number, potassium and calcium content. Two Paraconiothyrium and Darksidea strains particularly decreased plant biomass or element content. As A. mongolicus plays important roles in fixing moving sand and delay desertification, the ability of certain DSE strains to promote desert plant growth indicates their potential use for vegetation recovery in arid environments.

Variability in the time to initiation of CPR in continuously monitored pediatric ICUs

AIM

To study the influence of patient characteristics and unit ergonomics and human factors on the time to initiation of CPR.

METHODS

A single center study of children, 0 to 21 years old, admitted to an ICU who experienced cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) requiring >1 min of chest compressions. Time of CPA was determined by analysis of continuous ECG, plethysmography, arterial blood pressure, and end-tidal CO₂ (EtCO₂) waveforms. Initiation of CPR was identified by the onset of cyclic artifact in the ECG waveform. Patient characteristics and unit ergonomics and human factors were examined including CPA cause, identification on the High-Risk Checklist (HRC), existing monitoring, ICU type, time of day, nursing shift change, and outcome.

RESULTS

The median time from CPA to initiation of CPR was 50.5 s (IQR 26.5 to 127.5) in 36 CPAs. Forty-seven percent of patients experienced time from CPA to initiation of CPR of >1 min. There was no difference in CPA cause, ICU type, time of day, or nursing shift change.

CONCLUSION

Nearly half of pediatric patients who experienced CPA in an ICU setting did not meet AHA guidelines for early initiation of CPR. This is an opportunity to study the recognition phase of CPA using continuous monitoring data with the aim of improving the understanding of and factors contributing to delays in initiation of CPR.

PHD-finger domain protein 5A functions as a novel oncoprotein in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

PHD-finger domain protein 5A (PHF5A) is a highly conserved small transcriptional regulator also involved in pre-mRNA splicing; however, its biological functions and molecular mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine the functional relevance and therapeutic potential of PHF5A in lung adenocarcinoma (LAC).

METHODS

The expression of PHF5A in LAC tissues and adjacent non-tumor (ANT) tissues was investigated using immunohistochemistry of a tissue microarray, qRT-PCR, western blot and bioinformatics. The function of PHF5A was determined using several in vitro assays and also in vivo assay by lentiviral vector-mediated PHF5A depletion in LAC cell lines.

RESULTS

PHF5A was highly upregulated in LAC tissues compared with the ANT counterparts, and closely associated with tumor progression and poor patient prognosis. These results were further confirmed by findings of the TCGA database. Moreover, functional studies demonstrated that PHF5A knockdown not only resulted in reduced cell proliferation, increased cell apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest, but also suppressed migration and invasion in LAC cells. PHF5A silencing was also found to inhibit LAC tumor growth in nude mice. Microarray and bioinformatics analyses revealed that PHF5A depletion led to dysregulation of multiple tumor signaling pathways; selected factors in key signaling pathways were verified in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest for the first time that PHF5A is an oncoprotein that contributes to LAC progression by regulating multiple signaling pathways, and may constitute a prognostic factor and potential new therapeutic target in NSCLC.

A process-oriented hydro-biogeochemical model enabling simulation of gaseous carbon and nitrogen emissions and hydrologic nitrogen losses from a subtropical catchment

Quantification of nitrogen losses and net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from catchments is essential for evaluating the sustainability of ecosystems. However, the hydrologic processes without lateral flows hinder the application of biogeochemical models to this challenging task. To solve this issue, we developed a coupled hydrological and biogeochemical model, Catchment Nutrients Management Model - DeNitrification-DeComposition Model (CNMM-DNDC), to include both vertical and lateral mass flows. By incorporating the core biogeochemical processes (including decomposition, nitrification, denitrification and fermentation) of the DNDC into the spatially distributed hydrologic framework of the CNMM, the simulation of lateral water flows and their influences on nitrogen transportation can be realized. The CNMM-DNDC was then calibrated and validated in a small subtropical catchment belonged to Yanting station with comprehensive field observations. Except for the calibration of water flows (surface runoff and leaching water) in 2005, stream discharges of water and nitrate in 2007, the model validations of soil temperature, soil moisture, crop yield, water flows in 2006 and associated nitrate loss, fluxes of methane, ammonia, nitric oxide and nitrous oxide, and stream discharges of water and nitrate in 2008 were statistically in good agreement with the observations. Meanwhile, our initial simulation of the catchment showed scientific predictions. For instance, it revealed the following: (i) dominant ammonia volatilization among the losses of nitrogenous gases (accounting for 11-21% of the applied annual fertilizer nitrogen in croplands); (ii) hotspots of nitrate leaching near the main stream; and (iii) a net GHG sink function of the catchment. These results implicate the model's promising capability of predicting ecosystem productivity, hydrologic nitrogen loads, losses of gaseous nitrogen and emissions of GHGs, which could be used to provide strategies for establishing sustainable catchments. In addition, the model's capability would be further proved by applying in other catchments with different backgrounds.

Abstract PD4-06: First-line ribociclib + letrozole in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: Efficacy by baseline circulating tumor DNA alterations in MONALEESA-2

Background: The addition of first-line ribociclib (RIB; cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor) to letrozole (LET) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo (PBO) + LET in patients (pts) with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2–) advanced breast cancer (ABC) in the Phase III MONALEESA-2 study. Identifying biomarkers that predict response to treatment remains a key challenge in pts with HR+ ABC. Here we analyze results from MONALEESA-2 by molecular alterations detected in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) at baseline, including PIK3CA mutations and other alterations considered to be important in HR+ ABC.

Methods: Postmenopausal women (N=668) with HR+, HER2– ABC who had not received any prior therapy for ABC were randomized 1:1 to RIB (600 mg/day; 3-weeks-on/1-week-off) + LET (2.5 mg/day; continuous) or PBO + LET. The primary endpoint was PFS. Biomarker analysis of the ctDNA mutation profile was an exploratory endpoint. Plasma samples for ctDNA analysis were collected at baseline and end of treatment. ctDNA was analyzed using next-generation sequencing with a targeted panel of ˜550 genes.

Results: Baseline ctDNA was successfully sequenced in 494 pts (RIB + LET: n=212; PBO + LET: n=215); 67 (14%) of 494 pts were removed from the analysis due to limited tumor DNA in circulation. 427 (86%) pts had ≥1 alteration, including 1,573 mutations, 513 short insertions/deletions, 166 amplifications, and 8 translocations. Alterations (frequency) were commonly observed in the following genes: PIK3CA (33%), TP53 (12%), ZNF703/FGFR1 (5%), and ESR1 (4%), and in genes involved in receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling (12%). RIB + LET treatment benefit was consistent in pts with wild-type (WT) and altered PIK3CA, and in pts with WT and altered TP53 (Table). RIB + LET improved PFS regardless of RTK or ZNF703/FGFR1 alterations. However, there was a weak trend for increased benefit in pts with WT vs altered RTK genes and in pts with WT vs altered ZNF703/FGFR1 genes. These results should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of pts with these alterations. There were too few ESR1 alterations for firm conclusions to be drawn.

 Events, n/NMedian PFS, months Gene(s)RIB + LETPBO + LETRIB + LETPBO + LETHazard ratio (95% confidence interval)PIK3CAWT54/14393/14229.614.70.44 (0.31–0.62)Altered40/6955/7319.212.70.53 (0.35–0.81)TP53WT72/180129/19427.614.70.44 (0.33–0.59)Altered22/3219/2110.25.50.43 (0.23–0.83)ZNF703/FGFR1WT88/202139/20524.814.60.47 (0.36–0.62)Altered6/109/1010.611.40.73 (0.23–2.29)RTKWT81/189128/18724.814.40.46 (0.35–0.61)Altered13/2320/2821.311.40.72 (0.34–1.53)

Conclusions: Consistent RIB + LET treatment benefit was observed compared with PBO + LET, irrespective of the status of baseline ctDNA biomarkers.

Citation Format: Hortobagyi GN, Stemmer S, Campone M, Sonke GS, Arteaga CL, Paluch-Shimon S, Petrakova K, Villanueva C, Nusch A, Grischke E-M, Chan A, Jakobsen E, Marschner N, Hart LL, Alba E, Ohnstand HO, Blau S, Yardley DA, Solovieff N, Su F, Germa C, Yap Y-S. First-line ribociclib + letrozole in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: Efficacy by baseline circulating tumor DNA alterations in MONALEESA-2 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD4-06.

Three new Strandberg-type phenylphosphomolybdate supports for immobilizing horseradish peroxidase and their catalytic oxidation performances

Three new Strandberg-type polyoxometalate TM-(PhP)2Mo5 supports for immobilizing HRP showed high adsorption capacity and good catalytic oxidation activity.

Positive Feedback Regulation between Transglutaminase 2 and Toll-Like Receptor 4 Signaling in Hepatic Stellate Cells Correlates with Liver Fibrosis Post Schistosoma japonicum Infection

Liver fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum (Sj) infection is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). The activated and differentiated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the predominant ECM-producing cell type in the liver. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 pathway activation plays a key role in mice liver fibrosis models induced by alcohol, biliary ligation, and carbon tetrachloride 4. In this work, we found that TLR4 pathway activation correlated with the severity of liver fibrosis post Sj infection. The TLR4 receptor inhibitor TAK242 reduced the extent of liver fibrosis. The increased expression of TLR4, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and cytoglobin was observed in the HSCs of mouse liver after Sj infection. In response to stimulation with either lipopolysaccharide or Sj's soluble egg antigen (SEA), high levels of TLR4 and α-SMA were induced in HSCs and were inhibited by TAK242 treatment. In previous work, we had reported that a high level of transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) is crucial for liver fibrosis post Sj infection. Herein, we found that TLR4 signaling also controlled Tgm2 expression. Inhibition of TGM2 activity by cystamine (CTM) in Sj-infected mice or in HSCs induced with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) stimulation led to a lowered activation of TLR4 signaling and a reduced α-SMA expression. These results were confirmed by downregulating the Tgm2 gene by specific siRNA. These observations implied the presence of a positive feedback regulation between TGM2 and TLR4 signaling in HSCs that correlated with liver fibrosis post Sj infection. This novel connection between TGM2 and TLR4 pathway activation in liver fibrosis induced by Sj infection enhances our understanding of liver diseases.

Over-expression of Thrombospondin 4 correlates with loss of miR-142 and contributes to migration and vascular invasion of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy found worldwide and is associated with a high incidence of metastasis and vascular invasion. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms that underlie HCC tumorigenesis and progression is necessary for the development of novel therapeutics. By analyzing the Cancer Genome Atlas Network (TCGA) dataset, we identified Thrombospondin 4 (THBS4) is significantly overexpressed in HCC samples and is correlated with prognosis. Overexpression of THBS4 was also highly correlated with vascular invasion of advanced HCC. While THBS4 is often overexpressed in HCC it has also been shown to inhibit tumor growth by mediating cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions. Here, we identified that knockdown of THBS4 inhibits migration and invasion of HCC cells and inhibits HCC induced angiogenesis. MiRNAs are crucial regulators of multiple cellular processes, and aberrant expression of miRNAs has been observed to effect cancer development and progression. We further found that miR-142 is an upstream regulator of THBS4 in HCC cells. Moreover, miR-142 was significantly down-regulated in HCC tissue samples and correlated with overexpression of THBS4. Overexpression of miR-142 inhibited invasion and angiogenesis of HCC cells and re-expression of THBS4 overcame these effects of miR-142 expression. Stable over-expression of miR-142 significantly inhibited tumour growth in a xenograft tumour model through inhibiting THBS4 expression and tumor angiogenesis. In conclusion, our findings indicate that loss of miR-142 results in the over-expression of THBS4, which enhances HCC migration and vascular invasion. Thus, targeting THBS4 or miR-142 may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for treatment of advanced HCC.