Whole genome sequencing of a snailfish from the Yap Trench (~7,000 m) clarifies the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptation to the deep sea

Hadal environments (depths below 6,000 m) are characterized by extremely high hydrostatic pressures, low temperatures, a scarce food supply, and little light. The evolutionary adaptations that allow vertebrates to survive in this extreme environment are poorly understood. Here, we constructed a high-quality reference genome for Yap hadal snailfish (YHS), which was captured at a depth of ~7,000 m in the Yap Trench. The final YHS genome assembly was 731.75 Mb, with a contig N50 of 0.75 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 1.26 Mb. We predicted 24,329 protein-coding genes in the YHS genome, and 24,265 of these genes were successfully functionally annotated. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that YHS diverged from a Mariana Trench snailfish approximately 0.92 million years ago. Many genes associated with DNA repair show evidence of positive selection and have expanded copy numbers in the YHS genome, possibly helping to maintain the integrity of DNA under increased hydrostatic pressure. The levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a potent protein stabilizer, are much higher in the muscles of YHS than in those of shallow-water fish. This difference is perhaps due to the five copies of the TMAO-generating enzyme flavin-containing monooxygenase-3 gene (fmo3) in the YHS genome and the abundance of trimethylamine (TMA)-generating bacteria in the YHS gut. Thus, the high TMAO content might help YHS adapt to high hydrostatic pressure by improving protein stability. Additionally, the evolutionary features of the YHS genes encoding sensory-related proteins are consistent with the scarce food supply and darkness in the hadal environments. These results clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the adaptation of hadal organisms to the deep-sea environment and provide valuable genomic resources for in-depth investigations of hadal biology.

Hadal environments (depths below 6,000 m) are characterized by extremely high hydrostatic pressures, low temperatures, a scarce food supply, and little light. Fish are the only vertebrates inhabiting the hadal zone, and hadal snailfishes have been found in at least five geographically separated marine trenches. However, the genetic mechanisms that allow vertebrates to live in such extreme conditions are not well understood. Here, we constructed a high-quality reference genome for Yap hadal snailfish (YHS) captured at a depth of ~7,000 m in the Yap Trench, using long reads obtained by Pacific Biosciences Sequel sequencing. Comparative genomic analyses revealed that many genes associated with DNA repair show evidence of positive selection and have expanded copy numbers in the YHS genome, which potentially reflect the difficulty of maintaining DNA integrity under high hydrostatic pressure. Moreover, the five copies of the trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)-generating enzyme flavin-containing monooxygenase-3 gene (fmo3) and the abundance of trimethylamine (TMA)-generating bacteria in the YHS gut could provide enough TMAO to improve protein stability under hadal conditions. In addition, characteristics of the YHS sensory system genes were consistent with the scarce food supply and darkness in the hadal zone. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the adaptation of hadal organisms to the deep-sea environment and valuable genomic resources that will help further clarify hadal adaptations.

[Nodular fasciitis of the breast: a clinicopathological and genetic analysis of seven cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological and genetic features of nodular fasciitis of the breast (NFB). Methods: The clinical and histologic features of seven NFBs were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed. Results: All the seven patients were female, with a mean age of 36 years (range from 15 to 51 years). The duration of the lesion ranged from 10 days to 2 years. There was no history of trauma for all patients. The lesions occurred in the upper quadrant (4 cases), the lower quadrant (2 cases) and the axillary tail region (1 case). The maximum diameter was 1.0-3.5 cm. All cases showed similar morphology as nodular fasciitis occurring elsewhere in the body. They were composed of plump spindle cells arranged in short bundles or fascicles within a loose collagenous/myxoid stroma. Erythrocyte extravasation, mixed chronic inflammatory cells infiltration and microcystic changes were typically seen. Mitoses were present, with no atypical mitoses observed. The spindle cells were positive for smooth muscleactin(SMA, 6/6), CD10(2/3), and negative for desmin, β-catenin, CD34, CKpan, EMA, S-100, p63 and ALK-1.The Ki-67 index were 5%-15%. USP6 gene rearrangement was found in six cases and MYH9-USP6 gene fusion in two cases. Local resection was performed in six cases. Spontaneous regression was observed in one case. Follow-up of all seven cases revealed no recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions: Although rare, NFB can mimic breast cancer clinically, radiologically and histologically. It should be always considered in the differential diagnosis for the spindle cell proliferations of the breast. A diagnosis of NFB can be achieved basing on the typical clinicopathological presentation. FISH detection of USP6 gene rearrangement in challenging cases is of great value.

[Analysis of the Spatial Changes in Bacterial Communities in Urban Reclaimed Water Channel Sediments: A Case Study of the North Canal River]

Sediment bacteria have attracted much attention because of their important roles in energy flow and pollutant cycle transformation. The changes in the spatial distribution pattern of bacteria are the basis for research on the biodiversity generation and maintenance mechanisms. However, there are few studies on the spatial variation in benthic microorganisms and its biogeographic models. The highly artificial North Canal River across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area was chosen as the research area in this study. The spatial variation in the different classification levels of the Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species, and operational taxonomic units and their diversity formation mechanisms were analyzed. The results showed that the samples at different classification levels had a more homogeneous distribution pattern. There were clearer distribution boundaries at the low classification levels than at the high classification levels. The significance of the bacterial community variation increased as the classification level of the bacterial community decreased. Furthermore, the difference between groups increased and the similarities within groups decreased as the classification level of the bacterial community decreased. The typical rhizosphere microorganisms represented by Frankiales and Rhodobacterales showed significant enrichment in the upstream samples, followed by the midstream samples and a significant decrease in the downstream samples. Microorganisms related to the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles represented by Anaerolineales and Desulfobacterales showed significant enrichment in the midstream, followed by the downstream and a significant reduction in the upstream. The genus Phenylobacterium was significantly enriched in the upstream followed by the midstream, and was significantly reduced in the downstream. The pathogenic bacteria represented by Clostridium_gasigenes and Moraxella_osloensis showed a significant enrichment pattern in the midstream. The contents of Ca²⁺, SO₄^2-, and total organic carbon (TOC) in the downstream samples were significantly higher than those in the upstream and midstream samples. The discharge of untreated wastewater downstream increased the salt and TOC contents in the sediment. The ecological restoration project in the sediment of the riparian zone decreased the salt and TOC contents in the upstream and midstream samples. Environmental selection was the main driving factor of the pattern of spatial variation in the bacterial communities in the sediments of the North Canal River.

Plasticity of nutrient accumulation patterns in diapausing fall webworm pupae

The accumulation of nutrients during diapause preparation is crucial because any lack of nutrition will reduce the likelihood of insects completing diapause, thereby decreasing their chances of survival and reproduction. The fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea, diapause as overwintering pupae and their diapause incidence and diapause intensity are regulated by the photoperiod. In this study, we test the hypothesis that photoperiod influences energy reserve accumulation during diapause preparation in fall webworm. We found that the body size and mass, lipid and carbohydrate content of pupae with a short photoperiod during the diapause induction phase were significantly greater than those of pupae with a relatively short photoperiod, and the efficiency of converting digested food and ingested food into body matter was greater in the short-photoperiod diapause-destined larvae than the relatively short-photoperiod diapause-destined larvae. We also observed higher lipase and amylase activities in short-photoperiod diapause-destined larvae relative to the counterparts. However, no obvious difference was found in protein and protease in the pupae with a short photoperiod during the diapause induction phase and short-photoperiod diapause-destined larvae compared with the counterparts. Therefore, we conclude that the energy reserve patterns of diapausing fall webworm pupae are plastic and that short-photoperiod diapause-destined larvae increase their energy reserves by improving their feeding efficiency and increase their lipid and carbohydrate stores by increasing the lipase and amylase activities in the midgut.

Forensic Analysis of 105 Autopsy Cases of Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

Objective To provide reference for medical and health services and forensic expertise, the causes and manners of death of psychiatric patients were analyzed retrospectively. Methods A total of 105 autopsy cases of psychiatric patients accepted and settled by Institute of Forensic Science of Criminal Investigation Police University of China from 2004 to 2019 were collected. The cases were divided into four groups： disease death, suicidal death, accidental death and homicidal death. The common causes of death of each group were statistically analyzed and the differences in age, disease duration, body mass index （BMI） and gender among the groups were assessed. Results Of the 105 cases, 60 were male and 45 were female, the course of psychosis was （12.9±10.4） years, the age of the deceased was （51.3±11.4） years, and 61.0% was schizophrenic. There were 50 cases （47.6%） in the disease death group, in which the psychiatric patients were the oldest and had the longest course of psychosis and lowest BMI. Pulmonary thromboembolism, respiratory infections, and cardiogenic disease were the most common causes of death in the group. There were 26 accidental deaths （24.8%）, among which traffic accidents were the most common cause of death. There were 15 homicidal deaths （14.3%）, all of which were male, with craniocerebral injury being the most common cause of death. There were 14 suicidal deaths （13.3%）. In suicidal death group, the age of the deceased was the youngest, the course of psychosis was the shortest and falling from the height was the most common way to commit suicide. Conclusion Understanding the common causes of death of psychiatric patients may contribute to developing measures to reduce the mortality rate of the population. It is necessary to investigate the age, course of psychosis and gender of the deceased when assessing the manner of death.

ORAOV1-B Promotes OSCC Metastasis via the NF-κB-TNFα Loop

Metastasis, a powerful prognostic indicator of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is chiefly responsible for poor cancer outcomes. Despite an increasing number of studies examining the mechanisms underlying poor outcomes, the development of potent strategies is hindered by insufficient characterization of the crucial regulators. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been gaining interest as significant modulators of OSCC metastasis; however, the detailed mechanisms underlying lncRNA-mediated OSCC metastasis remain relatively uncharacterized. Here, we identified a novel alternative splice variant of oral cancer overexpressed 1 (ORAOV1), named as ORAOV1-B, which was subsequently validated as an lncRNA and correlated with OSCC lymph node metastasis; significantly increased invasion and migration were observed in ORAOV1-B-overexpressing OSCC cells. RNA pulldown and mass spectrometry identified Hsp90 as a direct target of ORAOV1-B, and cDNA microarrays suggested TNFα as a potential downstream target of ORAOV1-B. ORAOV1-B was shown to directly bind to and stabilize Hsp90, which maintains the function of client proteins, receptor-interaction protein, and IκB kinase beta, thus activating the NF-κB pathway and inducing TNFα. Additionally, TNFα reciprocally enhanced p-NF-κB-p65 and the downstream epithelial-mesenchymal transition. ORAOV1-B effects were reversed by a TNFα inhibitor, demonstrating that TNFα is essential for ORAOV1-B-regulated metastatic ability. Consistent epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the ORAOV1-B group was demonstrated via an orthotopic model. In the metastatic model, ORAOV1-B significantly contributed to OSCC-related lung metastasis. In summary, the novel splice variant ORAOV1-B is an lncRNA, which significantly potentiates OSCC invasion and metastasis by binding to Hsp90 and activating the NF-κB-TNFα loop. These findings demonstrate the versatile role of ORAOV1 family members and the significance of genes located within 11q13 in promoting OSCC. ORAOV1-B might serve as an attractive OSCC metastasis intervention target.

M-CSF, IL-6, and TGF-β promote generation of a new subset of tissue repair macrophage for traumatic brain injury recovery

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to high mortality rate. We aimed to identify the key cytokines favoring TBI repair and found that patients with TBI with a better outcome robustly increased concentrations of macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-6, and transforming growth factor-β (termed M6T) in cerebrospinal fluid or plasma. Using TBI mice, we identified that M2-like macrophage, microglia, and endothelial cell were major sources to produce M6T. Together with the in vivo tracking of mCherry+ macrophages in zebrafish models, we confirmed that M6T treatment accelerated blood-borne macrophage infiltration and polarization toward a subset of tissue repair macrophages that expressed similar genes as microglia for neuroprotection, angiogenesis and cell migration. M6T therapy in TBI mice and zebrafish improved neurological function while blocking M6T-exacerbated brain injury. Considering low concentrations of M6T in some patients with poor prognostic, M6T treatment might repair TBI via generating a previously unidentified subset of tissue repair macrophages.

Experimental and Modeling Investigations of Miniaturization in InGaN/GaN Light-Emitting Diodes and Performance Enhancement by Micro-Wall Architecture

The recent technological trends toward miniaturization in lighting and display devices are accelerating the requirement for high-performance and small-scale GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In this work, the effect of mesa size-reduction in the InGaN/GaN LEDs is systematically investigated in two lateral dimensions (x- and y-directions: parallel to and perpendicular to the line where p-n directions are) both experimentally and numerically. The role of the lateral size-reduction in the x- and y-directions in improving LED performance is separately identified through experimental and modeling investigations. The narrowed dimension in the x-direction is found to cause and dominate the alleviated current crowding phenomenon, while the size-reduction in the y-direction has a minor influence on that. The size-reduction in the y-orientation induces an increased ratio of perimeter-to-area in miniaturized LED devices, which leads to improved thermal dissipation and light extraction through the sidewalls. The grown and fabricated LED devices with varied dimensions further support this explanation. Then the effect of size-reduction on the LED performance is summarized. Moreover, three-micro-walls LED architecture is proposed and demonstrated to further promote light extraction and reduce the generation of the Joule heat. The findings in this work provide instructive guidelines and insights on device miniaturization, especially for micro-LED devices.

Dissecting the Role of VicK Phosphatase in Aggregation and Biofilm Formation of Streptococcus mutans

VicRK (WalRK or YycFG) is a conserved 2-component regulatory system (TCS) that regulates cell division, cell wall biosynthesis, and homeostasis in low-GC Gram-positive bacteria. VicRK is also associated with biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans on the tooth surface as it directly regulates the extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) synthesis. Of the 2 components, VicK possesses both autokinase and phosphatase activities, which regulate the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the regulator VicR in response to environmental cues. However, the dual mechanism of VicK as the autokinase/phosphatase in regulating S. mutans' responses is not well elucidated. Previously, it has been shown that the phosphatase activity depends on the PAS domain and residues in the DHp domain of VicK in S. mutans. Specifically, mutating proline at 222 in the PAS domain inhibits VicK phosphatase activity. We generated a VicK^P222A mutant to determine the level of VicR-P in the cytoplasm by Phos-tag sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We show that in VicK^P222A phosphatase, attenuation increased phosphorylated VicR (VicR-P) that downregulated glucosyltransferases, gtfBC, thereby reducing the synthesis of water-insoluble polysaccharides (WIS-EPS) in the biofilm. In addition, VicK^P222A presented as long-rod cells, reduced growth, and displayed asymmetrical division. A major adhesin of S. mutans, SpaP was downregulated in VicK^P222A, making it unable to agglutinate in saliva. In summary, we have confirmed that VicK phosphatase activity is critical to maintain optimal phosphorylation status of VicR in S. mutans, which is important for cell growth, cell division, EPS synthesis, and bacterial agglutination in saliva. Hence, VicK phosphatase activity may represent a promising target to modulate S. mutans' pathogenicity.

Electronic Media Device Usage and Its Associations With BMI and Obesity in a Rapidly Developing City in South China

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the television (TV) viewing and computer and mobile phone usage duration in a community sample of Chinese adults and examine their associations with BMI and obesity. Methods: We conducted a community-based health needs assessment study from February to December 2018 among 2,873 Chinese adults in Nanshan District of Shenzhen, China. We used self-administered questionnaires to collect the data from 24 community health service centers in Nanshan District. The participants individually recorded the time they spent watching TV and using computers and mobile phones. They also answered questions about their sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. We measured their height and weight by using ultrasonic height and weight scales. Then, we calculated and categorized their BMI in accordance with the standards prescribed by the World Health Organization for Asians. Results: Most of the participants were young adults (aged 18-44 years, 74.2%). The overall prevalence of obesity was 15.30%. The prevalence of TV, computer, and mobile phone usage was 75.5, 71.2, and 93.8% in females and 71.1, 75.7, and 94.2% in males, respectively. The youth (18-24 years) and the elderly (65 years or older) had the longest time using mobile phones (3.78 ± 2.51 h) and watching TV programs (2.12 ± 1.38 h), respectively. Longer usage of computers and mobile phones was evident in males (p < 0.05) and participants with a high education level (p < 0.01). The univariate analysis results showed an association between high BMI and obesity and short duration of using computers and mobile phones (all p < 0.05). By contrast, no significant associations were found between the length of TV program viewing and mobile phone usage and BMI (p > 0.05). After we adjusted for potential confounders, we found that computer usage time and the overall usage time of the three electronic devices had an inverse association with BMI (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Mobile phones were the most popular electronic device in Nanshan residents of Shenzhen. Unlike most previous studies, we found an inverse association between screen time and BMI. Nevertheless, scholars should conduct further studies to explore this association. Overall, we strongly encourage the appropriate use of electronic devices.

Dynamical ground state in the XY pyrochlore Yb2GaSbO7

The magnetic ground state of the pyrochlore Yb2GaSbO7 has remained an enigma for nearly a decade. The persistent spin fluctuations observed by muon spin relaxation measurements at low temperatures have not been adequately explained for this material using existing theories for quantum magnetism. Here we report on the synthesis and characterisation of Yb2GaSbO7 to elucidate the central physics at play. Through DC and AC magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, and neutron scattering experiments, we observe evidence for a dynamical ground state that makes Yb2GaSbO7 a promising candidate for disorder-induced spin-liquid or spin-singlet behaviour. This state is quite fragile, being tuned to a splayed ferromagnet in a modest magnetic field μ 0 H c ∼ 1.5 T .

[Roles of autophagy onself-renewal and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells]

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which have the potential of self-replication and differentiation, are a very valuable cell source for stem cell-based medical therapy. Their application has opened up a new way for disease research. Although MSCs can maintain cell stemness through self-renewal, with the prolongation of cell passage and culture time, the stemness of MSCs gradually decays, and the cell aging and differentiation potential decreases gradually. Autophagy is a highly conserved cytological process that degrades the modified, excess, and deleterious cytoplasmic components in autophagosomes, which are then degraded by fusion with lysosomes. As the main intracellular degradation and recycling pathway, autophagy plays an active role in maintaining cell homeostasis, self-renewal and pluripotency. In this paper, the role of autophagy in self-renewal and maintenance of multidirectional differentiation potential of MSCs was reviewed, which laid a theoretical foundation and practical basis for the research and application of MSCs.

[Clinical efficacy of two-staged Fowler-Stephens laparoscopic orchidopexy in the treatment of children with high cryptorchidism]

Objective: To Evaluate the clinic effect of two-staged laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy in the treatment of high cryptorchidism, and compare it with laparoscopic orchiopexy treatment without disconnecting spermatic vessels. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 cases of children with high cryptorchidism who were treated with two-staged Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy from January 2015 to April 2019 (F-S group). All the children in this group had unilateral cryptorchidism, age 6 to 18 months. The average age was 13.5 months. Seven cases were on the left side, and 13 cases were on the right side. There were 20 control children in the same age group who were treated with testicular fixation without disconnecting spermatic vessels, age 6 to 18 months. The average age was 12.5 months. Six cases were on the left side, and 14 cases were on the right side. Testicular ultrasonography and sex hormone examination were conducted before operation. F-S group met the indications for Fowler-Stephens surgical. In the first stage, the testicular vessels were doubly clipped at a site away from the testis in laparoscopic, and the second stage was scheduled about 6 months after the first stage. The children in the control group were treated with laparoscopic orchiopexy without disconnect spermatic vessels. The two groups were followed up to 6 months after the operation, and the testicular volume and sex hormone indexes of the two groups were measured. The testicular volume and sex hormones before and after the operation of the F-S group and the control group were respectively subjected to a self-control study, and a hormone comparison study was carried out between the two groups of children. Results: Both the F-S group and the control group successfully fixed the testes in the scrotum without tension during the operation. In both groups, 20 cases of testicular positions were reexamined 6 months after the operation without retraction. All the patients had a viable testis in scrotum after operation. Two of F-S group had an atrophic testis in the scrotum, and the others had a good vascularization detected on echo color doppler ultrasound. The average testicular volume of F-S group was (0.34±0.16) ml before operation and the postoperative one was (0.38±0.13) ml, P=0.089, P>0.05. In control group, the preoperative average testicular volume was (0.40±0.14) ml, and postoperative one was (0.40±0.15) ml, P=0.933, P>0.05. The testicular volume of two group had no significant difference. Sex hormone reexamination: Testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) and luteinizing hormone (LH) did not change after operation. Prolactin (PRL) in F-S group was 13.44 μg/L before operation and 12.3 μg/L after operation, PRL in control group was from 15.45 μg/L to 10.34 μg/L, P=0.732, the change of prolactin (PRL) has no significant difference. The median preoperative follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the F-S group was 1.18 U/L preoperatively and 1.61 U/L postoperatively; the median FSH of the control group was 1.21 U/L preoperatively and 1.1 U/L postoperatively. Compared between the two groups, the postoperative increase in the FS group was higher than that before the operation, P=0.032, P<0.05, the difference was statistically significant. The median of progesterone (PROG) in the F-S group was 0.25 nmol/L before operation and 0.17 nmol/L after operation; the median PROG of the control group was 0.56 nmol/L before operation and 0.24 nmol/L after operation. It was lower after the operation than before the operation, P=0.034, P<0.05, the difference was statistically significant. Conclusions: (1) Laparoscopic Fowler-stephens staging operation is an effective method for the treatment of patients with high cryptorchidism, and it is worthy of further promotion. (2) Disruption of spermatic cord vessels does have an impact on hormones changes. The choice of this surgical procedure should be carefully and fully evaluated.

[Analysis of pregnancy outcome of single and double blastocysts in the freeze-thaw cycle]

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of one and two blastocysts in the freeze-thaw transplantation cycle. Methods: Totally 3 675 cycles of frozen thawed blastocyst transplantation in Reproductive Medical Center of the Second Nanning People's Hospital from January 2012 to December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the quantity and quality of transferred blastocysts, all the patient were divided into two groups: (1) one embryo group, including the single excellent group (one high quality blastocyst) and the single non excellent group (one non high quality blastocyst); (2) two embryo groups, including the double excellent group (two high quality blastocysts), the one excellent and one non excellent group (one high quality blastocyst+one non high quality blastocyst), and the two non excellent group (two non high quality blastocysts were transplanted). Then the patients were divided into subgroups according to their ages: less than 35 years old, 35-40 years old and over 40 years old. On this basis, the implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, multiple birth rate and live birth rate were compared. Results: (1) The implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, multiple birth rate, preterm birth rate and live birth rate were all significantly increased, while the abortion rate was significantly reduced in the double blastocyst group (all P<0.05). (2) In the group of<35 years old, the rates of multiple birth and preterm birth in the double blastocyst group were significantly higher than those in the single optimal group (P<0.01). (3) In the 35-40 years old group, the clinical pregnancy rate, multiple birth rate and live birth rate of the double excellent group were significantly higher than those of the single excellent group (P<0.01); while the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate of the one excellent and one non excellent group and the double non excellent group were not significantly different from those of the single excellent group (P>0.05), but the multiple birth rate and preterm birth rate were significantly increased (P<0.01). The clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate and multiple birth rate of double non optimal group were significantly higher than those of single non optimal group (P<0.01). (4) In the group>40 years old, there were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate between double non optimal group and single non optimal group (P>0.05). Conclusion: No matter the age of the patients, if the couple have high quality blastocysts, we should give priority to single high quality blastocyst transplantation; even if they have no high quality blastocysts, we should also consider single blastocyst transplantation, in order to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy and improve the cumulative live birth rate, so as to improve the pregnancy outcome.

[Analysis of chromosomal mosaicism in good quality cleavage embryos]

OBJECTIVE

To apply single cell sequencing based on multiple annealing and looping amplification cycles (MALBAC) for the determination of the rate and type of mosaicisms of high-quality embryos at cleavage stage.

METHODS

After thawing and removing of zona pellucida by enzymatic digestion, blastomeres were collected the high-quality embryos donated by couples whom had given birth to healthy offspring by intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer. The whole genome of single cell was amplified and subjected to next generation sequencing.

RESULTS

From a total of 23 embryos, 184 blastomeres were collected. 175 (95.1%) of the blastomeres were successfully sequenced, of which 100 (57.1%) were found to harbor chromosomal aneuploidies. Among the 23 embryos, 3 (13.0%) were diploid, 20 (87.0%) were mosaicisms, which included 5 (21.7%) aneuploid mosaicisms, 7 (30.4%) diploid-aneuploid mosaicisms, 5 (21.7%) abnormal mosaicisms, and 3 (13.0%) irregular segregations.

CONCLUSION

There is a high rate of chromosomal mosaicisms in high-quality cleavage embryos. Mosaicisms of complex chromosomal abnormality or with high proportion of abnormal cells may be an important factor affecting the potential of embryonic development.

Construction of porous carbon for the highly efficient visible light-driven degradation methyl violet

A series of nanoporous carbons (NPC) Fe-C/N-900 and C/N-900 have been synthesized from one-step carbonization of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin-Fe (Fe-TCPP) and TCPP, respectively and employed as photocatalyst for the degradation of organic dye methyl violet (MV) under UV irradiation. The optimized Fe-C/N-900 (carbonized at 900 oC for 2 h) exhibited an optimal performance in MV degradation. The photodegradation capacity of Fe-C/N-900 has been observed to be higher than that of C/N-900. The photodegradation ability of Fe-C/N-900 as a function of initial MV concentration, catalysis dosage, and pH has been also investigated. The Fe-C/N-900 material showed no apparent loss in MV degradation after four cycles. These features reveal that Fe-C/N-900 may be a promising degradant for dyes removal from water.                     KEY WORDS: Photocatalysis, Nanoporous carbons, Methyl violet, carbonization   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(2), 277-284 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i2.6

[Correlation of the peripheral serum complement protein levels and cognitive function in first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia]

Objective: To explore the role of peripheral serum complement protein in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment by analyzing the correlation between peripheral serum levels of complement protein and cognitive function in first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 66 first-episode drug-naive schizophrenics (schizophrenia group) from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and 88 healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled. Peripheral serum levels of complements (C3, C4 and CH50) were separately examined by liposome immunoassay and turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay. The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was used to assess the cognitive function. Results: Peripheral serum levels of C4, but not C3 and CH50, were significantly lower in patients with schizophrenia [0.20(0.16, 0.25) g/L] than those in the control group [0.23 (0.19, 0.27) g/L] (P<0.05). Moreover the peripheral serum levels of C3, C4 and CH50 were positively correlated with MCCB verbal fluency (r=0.258, r=0.283 and r=0.330, all P<0.05), and the peripheral serum levels of CH50 were negatively correlated with attention and alertness (r=-0.257, P<0.05). Conclusion: The decrease of peripheral serum complement C4 protein levels may be involved in the mechamism of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.

Lactobacillus plantarum inhibited the inflammatory response induced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 via modulating MAPK and NF-κB signalling in intestinal porcine epithelial cells

AIMS

To investigate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on inflammatory responses induced by ETEC K88 and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Intestinal porcine cells (IPEC-1) were incubated with 0 or 1 × 10⁸  CFU per well L. plantarum for 4 h, and then these cells were challenged with 0 or 1 × 10⁸  CFU per well ETEC K88 for 2 h. The results showed that pre-treatment of IPEC-1 cells with L. plantarum prevented the increases in the transcript abundance of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (P < 0·05) caused by ETEC K88. Additionally, L. plantarum inhibited the reduction in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) expression caused by ETEC K88 (P < 0·05). Moreover, L. plantarum pre-treatment downregulated the phosphorylation levels of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and p38 and the nuclear concentration of nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) (P < 0·05) compared with ETEC K88 group. Silencing experiment further supported that the protective effect of L. plantarum P might mediated by suppression of ETEC-provoked activation of MAPK and NF-κB signalling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Lactobacillus plantarum inhibited the inflammatory response induced by ETEC K88 in IPEC-1 cells via modulating MAPK and NF-κB signalling.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study elucidated the underlying mechanism in which probiotics protect against intestinal inflammation caused by ETEC K88.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia: A case report

BACKGROUND

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis (RCM) is a rare fatal fungal infection which is on the increase among immunocompromised hosts such as patients who have had hematological cancers, or have received immunosuppressive drugs, corticosteroids, or other T cell suppressing agents.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a case of RCM caused by Rhizopus oryzae, one of the most common opportunistic pathogens, in a patient suffering from a fourth relapse of acute myeloid leukemia. The patient developed RCM after he had received long-term antibiotic agents and corticosteroids. The pathogen was isolated three times from nasal secretions collected from the deep parts of the nasal cavity and was identified by morphology and internal transcribed spacer sequencing. Blood infection was excluded by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction and blood culture. The patient was empirically treated with caspofungin and voriconazole for several days while the lesions continued to progress. The patient was given amphotericin B in combination with caspofungin after RCM was suspected, and the lesions improved over the course of treatment, which lasted several days. However, the patient eventually died of the primary disease.

CONCLUSION

This case indicates that immunosuppressive drugs, including corticosteroids and antimetabolites in hematological tumor, do increase the risk of infections of this type. Early diagnosis, prompt and frequent surgical debridement, and treatment with amphotericin B without delay are all essential in combatting RCM.