Alginate Lyase of a Novel Algae Fermentation Strain

A novel algae fermentation strain was obtained in our previous work. This strain can produce alginate lyase and alcohol dehydrogenase used for the ethanol fermentation from algae. This research investigated the fermentation, separation and purification of alginate lyase, and the molecular weight of alginate lyase was determined. The optimum conditions for enzyme fermentation were as follows: fermentation medium with 20 g L–1 alginate, initial pH 6.0, and temperature 35 °C. The flasks were cultured in a shaking incubator at 120 rpm for 96 h. The enzyme was purified using the method of salting out, dialysis, and gel chromatography. After purification, the SDS-PAGE method was used to determine the molecular weight of the protein. The molecular weight of alginate lyase was 30–35 KDa. This research contributes to algae biodegradation and fuels production from algae.

Serum vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents is associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

To investigate the relationship 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) level among children and in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted to compare the serum 25OHD levels between cases and controls. This study recruited 296 T1DM children (106 newly diagnosed T1DM patients and 190 established T1DM patients), and 295 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects as controls.

RESULTS

The mean serum 25OHD in T1DM children was 48.69 ± 15.26 nmol/L and in the controls was 57.93 ± 19.03 nmol/L. The mean serum 25OHD in T1DM children was lower than that of controls (P < 0.01). The mean serum 25OHD level (50.42 ± 14.74 nmol/L) in the newly diagnosed T1DM children was higher than that (47.70 ± 15.50 nmol/L) in the established T1DM children but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.16). HbA1c values were associated with 25OHD levels in established T1DM children (r = 0.264, P < 0.01), and there was no association between 25OHD and HbA1c in newly diagnosed T1DM children (r = 0.164; P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D deficiency is common in T1DM children, and it should be worthy of attention on the lack of vitamin D in established T1DM children.

Comprehensive analysis of the mitochondrial DNA diversity in Chinese cattle

Complete mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences of 1105 individuals were used to assess the diversity of maternal lineages of cattle populations in China. In total, 250 taurine and 88 zebu haplotypes were identified. Five main haplogroups-T1a, T2, T3, T4 and T5-were identified in Bos taurus, whereas Bos indicus harbored two haplogroups-I1 and I2. Our results suggest that the distribution of T1a in Asia was concentrated mainly in the northeast region (northeast China, Korea and Japan); haplogroups T2, T3 and T4 were predominant in Chinese cattle; and T5 was sporadically detected in Mongolian and Pingwu cattle. In contrast to the widespread presence of I1, I2 was distributed only in southwestern China (Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Tibet Autonomous Region) and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This is the first time that all five taurine haplogroups and two zebu haplogroups have been found in Mongolian cattle. In addition, eight individuals in Tibetan cattle carried the Bos grunniens mtDNA type. The high mtDNA diversity (H = 0.904 ± 0.008) and the weak genetic structure among the 57 Chinese cattle breeds/populations are consistent with their complex historical background, migration route and ecological environment.

Genetic diversity of Chinese cattle revealed by Y-SNP and Y-STR markers

With its vast territory and complex natural environment, China boasts rich cattle genetic resources. To gain the further insight into the genetic diversity and paternal origins of Chinese cattle, we analyzed the polymorphism of Y-SNPs (UTY19 and ZFY10) and Y-STRs (INRA189 and BM861) in 34 Chinese cattle breeds/populations, including 606 males representative of 24 cattle breeds/populations collected in this study as well as previously published data for 302 bulls. Combined genotypic data identified 14 Y-chromosome haplotypes that represented three haplogroups. Y2-104-158 and Y2-102-158 were the most common taurine haplotypes detected mainly in northern and central China, whereas the indicine haplotype Y3-88-156 predominates in southern China. Haplotypes Y2-108-158, Y2-110-158, Y2-112-158 and Y3-92-156 were private to Chinese cattle. The population structure revealed by multidimensional scaling analysis differentiated Tibetan cattle from the other three groups of cattle. Analysis of molecular variance showed that the majority of the genetic variation was explained by the genetic differences among groups. Overall, our study indicates that Chinese cattle retain high paternal diversity (H = 0.607 ± 0.016) and probably much of the original lineages that derived from the domestication center in the Near East without strong admixture from commercial cattle carrying Y1 haplotypes.

Protein Classification of Diffuse-Type Gastric Cancer Using Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Samples

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. It is highly heterogeneous. Many molecular therapies for GC have entered clinical trials but, apart from trastuzumab, apatinib and ramucirumab, all have failed. One important reason is that insufficient attention is paid to the underlying subtypes and characteristics of GC, especially the diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC) according to the Lauren classification with worst clinical outcomes. Aim: Here we firstly investigated formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of DGC to establish clinically relevant molecular classification based on proteomics analysis. Also, we tried to generate a suitable classifier of DGC that can guide patient therapy. Methods: We screened a total of 2548 cases retrospectively, who underwent GC resection at Beijing Cancer Hospital from October 2006 to December 2011. We used a fast mass spectrometry workflow for proteome profiling. Finally we carried out proteome profiling of 99 DGC paired tumor-nearby tissues from FFPE sections. Median overall survival of the whole population was 55.0 months. Proteome profiling data from these samples were used to develop a subtype prediction model. We used consensus clustering to identify molecular subtypes based on differentially expressed proteins. The pathway enrichment was performed by GSEA, and the prediction classifier was generated by elastic-net machine learning. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression multivariate analysis were used. Results: A total of 8201 gene products were identified in this study, and 1249 differential expressed proteins between tumor and nearby-normal tissue was detected (FDR q-value < 0.01 by SAM). Tumor upregulated proteins mostly enriched into pathways including RNA processing, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), immune response and inflammation related pathways. Tumor downregulated proteins mostly enriched into metabolic pathways such as oxidative phosphorylation pathway. Based on proteome profiling alone, DGC can be subtyped into 3 major classes (PX1-3) that exhibit distinct proteome features and correlate with distinct clinical outcomes. PX1 (31 patients) exhibits RNA processing proteins and associates with the best prognosis; PX2 (26 patients) exhibits highly expressed cell cycle features, and the patients have poorer prognosis than those with cluster1 but better prognosis than those with cluster3; PX3 (42 patients) features EMT and the worst prognosis. We built a classifier of 12 marker proteins that can stratify DGC patients into these 3 subtypes, opening a door for protein classification in clinical application and intervention. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that proteome profiling alone from FFPE samples was able to subtype DGC into 3 protein subtypes that were linked to distinct patterns of molecular alterations and prognosis. The prediction model need to be further verified in more clinical cohorts.

The multiple arrhythmia dataset evaluation database (M.A.D.A.E.)

The convergence between wearable and medical device technologies is a natural progression. Miniaturization has allowed the design of small, compact monitoring systems that can record physiological signals over longer periods of time. Thus, the potential for these devices to expand the understanding of disease progression and patients' clinical status is very high. The accuracy of these devices, however, is dependent upon the computer algorithms utilized in the analysis of the large volume of physiological data monitored and/or recorded by the devices. Automated interpretation of the data by these new technologies, therefore, necessitates closer examination by regulatory organizations. The current requirements for the validation of novel Ambulatory ECG (A-ECG) annotation algorithms are based on the AAMI/ANSI-EC57 and IEC60601-2-47 Standard. These standards are being updated, but they rely on a very limited set of digitized ECG recordings from a couple of ECG databases built in the first half of the 70's. These reference signals are obsolete. We are developing a validation tool for computerized methods designed to detect and monitor cardiac activities based on body-surface ECGs. We will rely on a set of existing digital high-resolution 12‑lead A-ECG recordings acquired in cardiac patients and healthy individuals. These ECG signals include a large and unique set of electrocardiographic events. This tool is being qualified by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Medical Device Development Tool (MDDT). This document provides insights into the design of the M.A.D.A.E. database, its functionalities, and its ultimate role in enabling the next generations of automatic interpretation of ECG signals.

Measurement of the Absolute Branching Fraction of the Inclusive Decay Λ_{c}^{+}→Λ+X

Based on an e^{+}e^{-} collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 567  pb^{-1} taken at the center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=4.6  GeV with the BESIII detector, we measure the absolute branching fraction of the inclusive decay Λ_{c}^{+}→Λ+X to be B(Λ_{c}^{+}→Λ+X)=(38.2_{-2.2}^{+2.8}±0.9)% using the double-tag method, where X refers to any possible final state particles. In addition, we search for direct CP violation in the charge asymmetry of this inclusive decay for the first time, and obtain A_{CP}≡[B(Λ_{c}^{+}→Λ+X)-B(Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}→Λ[over ¯]+X)]/[B(Λ_{c}^{+}→Λ+X)+B(Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}→Λ[over ¯]+X)]=(2.1_{-6.6}^{+7.0}±1.6)%, a statistically limited result with no evidence of CP violation.

Nosocomial outbreak of Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto fungaemia in a neonatal intensive care unit in China

BACKGROUND

Candida parapsilosis is a common agent of fungaemia, but few outbreaks of Candida parapsilosis infection have been reported in China.

AIM

To elaborate an outbreak of nosocomial Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto fungaemia in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a comprehensive hospital in China from July to October 2017.

METHODS

Epidemics and characteristics of fungaemia cases were investigated. Surveillance samples were collected. Vitek 2 Compact System, internal transcribed spacer sequencing, and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) typing were conducted to identify the isolates. Antifungal susceptibility test was performed for all bloodstream isolates.

FINDINGS

Sixteen neonates were diagnosed as Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto fungaemia during this period. Presenting symptoms included leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, and respiratory crackles. Fifteen cases were cured whereas one case who suffered from severe concomitant diseases died. The isolates were susceptible to fluconazole, amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, and 5-fluorocytosine. A total of 313 surveillance samples were collected, and Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto was identified from 16 environmental samples and one sample from an ultrasonographer's hand. The colonized locations included wiping cloths, faucets, sinks, operating table, puddles in the bathroom, a ventilator, and an ultrasonic probe. The RAPD patterns of all the Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates from bloodstream and surveillance samples were identical. The outbreak was controlled after a series of infection control measures.

CONCLUSION

Contaminated environment was associated with this outbreak. Close attention to immunocompromised patients, thorough environmental disinfection and hand hygiene should be strengthened in NICU.

Observations of the Interaction and Transport of Fine Mode Aerosols with Cloud and/or Fog in Northeast Asia from Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and Satellite Remote Sensing

Analysis of sun photometer measured and satellite retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) data has shown that major aerosol pollution events with very high fine mode AOD (>1.0 in mid-visible) in the China/Korea/Japan region are often observed to be associated with significant cloud cover. This makes remote sensing of these events difficult even for high temporal resolution sun photometer measurements. Possible physical mechanisms for these events that have high AOD include a combination of aerosol humidification, cloud processing, and meteorological co-variation with atmospheric stability and convergence. The new development of Aerosol Robotic network (AERONET) Version 3 Level 2 AOD with improved cloud screening algorithms now allow for unprecedented ability to monitor these extreme fine mode pollution events. Further, the Spectral Deconvolution Algorithm (SDA) applied to Level 1 data (L1; no cloud screening) provides an even more comprehensive assessment of fine mode AOD than L2 in current and previous data versions. Studying the 2012 winter-summer period, comparisons of AERONET L1 SDA daily average fine mode AOD data showed that Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite remote sensing of AOD often did not retrieve and/or identify some of the highest fine mode AOD events in this region. Also, compared to models that include data assimilation of satellite retrieved AOD, the L1 SDA fine mode AOD was significantly higher in magnitude, particularly for the highest AOD events that were often associated with significant cloudiness.