Geo-climates and street developments shape urban tree characteristics: A street-view inventory analysis of over 200,000 trees of 11 metropolises in China

Street trees play an important role in the city, but large-scale, multi-city inventory data are very limited to date, which can help to define geo-climatic and social development influences on urban forest characteristics. In this paper we speculate that at national level, geocliamtes and street development shape the different street tree characteristics, and large scale street View images (SVIs)-measurements favor the identification of factors responsible for the street tree variations in China. By collecting urban trees from 11 metropolises through SVIs method, an inventory of urban trees in China, including 201,942 trees at 9807 sites, was obtained from a latitude gradient from tropical 18oN to cold-temperate 45oN. Individual tree size-related growth status, tree-shrub-herb-related vertical structure, tree species identity, and street condition and street development (total 20 social development parameters) in the inventory is recorded. We analyzed trends and factors influencing street trees characteristics through latitudinal variation, distribution, linear regression, redundancy (RDA) ordination, and inter-city comparisons. The results showed that 1) with latitude increased, DBH and CPS linearly decreased, together with more highly dense forests (>100 trees/100 m street segment) observed. Latitude independence was in TH and forest vertical structural complexity. 2) All tree size data were in the log-normal distribution pattern when the two-parameter model was used and was best fitted by the Johnson distribution pattern when the >2-parameter model was used. 3) Tree growth status showed strong latitude dependency (R2 > 0.4, p < 0.05), with latitude increase accompanied by a higher percentage of trees with poor growth status (diebacks, dead trees, etc.). 4) The top abundant trees were Populus spp., Cinnamomum camphora, Salix spp., Platanus acerifolia, Ficus macrocarpa (5.5 %-14.6 %), and the arbor-shrub-herb three-layer structured forests took 52.3 % of total sites. With latitude rise, increasing abundance of Populus spp., Salix spp., elm, and pine but decreasing abundance of the unrecognizable tree groups were found (p < 0.05). 5) We also constructed a street tree comprehensive index based on their potential for providing services to citizen from the inventory data and found it was negatively related to latitudes. RDA ordination showed that geo-climatic conditions (49 %-61.5 %) and social developments (21.4 %-52.7 %) were almost equally responsible for tree size, growth status, and vertical structural variations, while road width (lane number of the street) was the most potent predictor (coefficient > 2.0 %, p < 0.01) for these variations. Our study can benefit the national-level management of urban forests and inventory-based various ecological service precise evaluation.

Effects of direct-fed microbial supplementation on performance and immune parameters of lactating dairy cows

We evaluated the effects of supplementing bacterial direct-fed microbial (DFM) on performance, apparent total-tract digestibility, rumen fermentation, and immune parameters of lactating dairy cows. One hundred fourteen multiparous Holstein cows (41 ± 7 DIM) were used in a randomized complete block design with an experiment comprising 14 d of a covariate (pre-experimental sample and data collection) and 91 d of an experimental period. Cows were blocked based on energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield during the covariate period and the following treatments were randomly assigned within each block: (1) control (CON), corn silage-based total mixed ration without DFM; (2) PRO-A, basal diet top-dressed with a mixture of Lactobacillus animalis and Propionibacterium freudenreichii at 3 × 109 cfu/d; and 3) PRO-B, basal diet top-dressed with a mixture of L. animalis, P. freudenreichii, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus licheniformis at 11.8 × 109 cfu/d. Milk yield, dry matter intake (DMI), and body weight were measured daily, while milk samples for component analysis were taken on 2 consecutive days of each week of data collection. Feces, urine, rumen, and blood samples were taken during the covariate period, wk 4, 7, 10, and 13 for estimation of digestibility, N-partitioning, rumen fermentation, plasma nutrient status and immune parameters. Treatments had no effect on DMI and milk yield. Fat-corrected milk (3.5% FCM) and milk fat yield were improved with PRO-B, while milk fat percent and feed efficiency (ECM/DMI) tended to increase with PRO-B compared with PRO-A and CON. Crude fat digestibility was greater with PRO-B compared with CON. Feeding CON and PRO-A resulted in higher total volatile fatty acid concentration relative to PRO-B. Percentage of neutrophils tended to be reduced with PRO-A compared with CON and PRO-B. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of anti-CD44 antibody on granulocytes tended to be higher in PRO-B compared with CON. The MFI of anti-CD62L antibody on CD8+ T cells was lower in PRO-A than PRO-B, with PRO-A also showing a tendency to be lower than CON. This study indicates the potential of DFM to improve fat digestibility with consequential improvement in fat corrected milk yield, feed efficiency and milk fat yield by lactating dairy cows. The study findings also indicate that dietary supplementation with DFM may augment immune parameters or activation of immune cells, including granulocytes and T cells; however, the overall effects on immune parameters are inconclusive.

Big-sized trees and higher species diversity improve water holding capacities of forests in northeast China

High water-holding forests are essential for adapting to drought climates under global warming, and a central issue is which type of forests could conserve more water in the ecosystem. This paper explores how forest structure, plant diversity, and soil physics impact forest water-holding capacities. We investigated 720 sampling plots by measuring water-holding capacities from 1440 soil and litter samples, 8400 leaves, and 1680 branches and surveying 18,054 trees in total (28 species). Water-holding capacities were measured as four soil indices (Maxwc, maximum water-holding capacity; Fcwc, field water-holding capacity; Cpwc, soil capillary water-holding capacity; Ncpwc, non-capillary water-holding capacity), two litter metrics (Maxwcl, maximum water-holding capacity of litters; Ewcl, effective water-holding capacity of litters), and canopy interception (C, the sum of estimated water interception of all branches and leaves of all tree species in the plot). We found that water-holding capacity in the big-sized tree plots was 4-25 % higher in the litters, 54-64 % in the canopy, and 6-37 % in the soils than in the small-sized plots. The higher species richness increased all soil water-holding capacities compared to the lowest richness plot. Higher Simpson and Shannon-Wiener plots had 10-27 % higher Ewcl and C than the lowest plots. Bulk density had the strongest negative relations with Maxwc, Cpwc, and Fcwc, whereas field soil water content positively affected them. Soil physics, forest structure, and plant diversity explained 90.5 %, 5.9 %, and 0.2 % of the water-holding variation, respectively. Tree sizes increased C, Ncpwc, Ewcl directly (p < 0.05), and richness increased Ewcl directly (p < 0.05). However, the direct effects from the uniform angle index (tree distribution evenness) were balanced by their indirect effect from soil physics. Our findings highlighted that the mixed forests with big-sized trees and rich species could effectively improve the water-holding capacities of the ecosystem.

Feasibility of urban bird occurrence and nest amount evaluation by the street-view image virtual survey

Bird observation mainly relies on field surveys, which are time-consuming and laborious. In this study, we explored using street-view images in the virtual survey of urban birds and nests. Using the coastal city of Qingdao as the study area, 47 201 seamless spherical photos at 2741 sites were collected using the Baidu street-view (BSV) map. Single-rater-all photo checks and seven-rater-metapopulation checks were used to find inter-rater repeatability, the best viewing layer for BSV collection, and possible environments affecting the results. We also collected community science data for comparison. The BSV time machine was used to assess the temporal dynamics. Kappa square test, generalized linear model, redundancy ordination and ArcMap were used in the analysis. Different rater repeatability was 79.1% in nest evaluations and 46.9% in bird occurrence. A re-check of the different-rating photos can increase them to 92% and 70%. Seven-rater statistics showed that more than 5% sampling ratio could produce a non-significant different bird and nest percentage of the whole data, and the higher sampling ratio could reduce the variation. The middle-viewing layer survey alone could produce 93% precision of the nest checks by saving 2/3 of the time used; in birds, selecting middle and upper-view photos could find 97% of bird occurrences. In the spatial distribution, the nest's hotspot areas from this method were much greater than the community science bird-watching sites. The BSV time machine made it possible to re-check nests in the same sites but challenging the re-check of bird occurrences. The nests and birds can be observed more in the leafless season, on wide, traffic-dense coastal streets with complex vertical structures of trees, and in the gaps of tall buildings dominated by road forests. Our results indicate that BSV photos could be used to virtually evaluate bird occurrence and nests from their numbers, spatial distribution and temporal dynamics. This method provides a pre-experimental and informative supplement to large-scale bird occurrence and nest abundance surveys in urban environments.

A102 INTERDISCIPLINARY TELEHEALTH REFERRAL PATHWAY AND CONSULTATIONS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES AMONG CANADIAN OLDER ADULTS WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Background

Telehealth and telemedicine have become indispensable healthcare delivery tools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older individuals with cirrhosis have complex medical needs that are currently unmet due to the growing disease burden and decreased access to care. Delivering timely specialist care virtually to older adults with cirrhosis will likely be beneficial and acceptable to such patients; however, this has not yet been prospectively evaluated.

Purpose

The primary goal is to pilot the delivery of dual specialist care from a hepatologist and geriatrician, delivered virtually, for older adults living with liver cirrhosis who are at high risk of geriatric syndromes (age >/= 65 with frailty, undifferentiated cognitive impairment from dementia or hepatic encephalopathy, recurrent falls, risk factors for polypharmacy and moderate to severe malnutrition). Care is delivered using a dedicated hepatology-geriatric referral pathway. Primary objectives include evaluating the impact of this approach on emergency care and inpatient utilization, along with patient attitude and satisfaction to the virtual interdisciplinary care delivery model.

Method

This pilot quality improvement study was conducted in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Ethics approval was obtained from the Nova Scotia Health Research Ethics Board and the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board. Fifty to one hundred participants (age 65 years or older with at least one geriatric syndrome; diagnosis of liver cirrhosis by liver elastography or liver biopsy, or Fibrosis-4 Index for Liver Fibrosis greater than three and having radiological features of cirrhosis and/or portal hypertension) were recruited between September 2022 to December 2022 at the time of their hepatology consultation. After consent and screening, each patient underwent a telehealth appointment by zoom with a geriatrician within four weeks of their initial hepatology assessment. Follow-up by telephone using a standardized survey regarding ease of access and quality of their telehealth experience then occurred at 3-4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months for emergency room visits and hospital admission status.

Result(s)

Pending

Conclusion(s)

Pending

Please acknowledge all funding agencies by checking the applicable boxes below

Other

Please indicate your source of funding;

Pfizer Canada

Disclosure of Interest

J. Zhu Grant / Research support from: Pfizer Canada, F. Carr Grant / Research support from: Pfizer Canada, P. Tian: None Declared, M. McLeod: None Declared, M. MacFarlane: None Declared, S. De Coutere: None Declared, M. Sun: None Declared, K. Peltekian: None Declared

Big data-based urban greenness in Chinese megalopolises and possible contribution to air quality control

Urban greenness is essential for people's daily lives, while its contribution to air quality control is unclear. In this study, Streetview big data of urban greenness and air quality data (Air Quality Index, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, O₃, CO) from 206 monitoring stations from 27 provincial capital cities in China were analyzed. The national averages for the sky, ground and middle-level (shrub and short trees) view greenness were 5.4%, 5.5%, and 15.4%, respectively, and the sky:ground:middle ratio was 2:2:6. Street-view/bird-view greenness ratio averaged at 1.1. Large inter-city variations were observed in all the greenness parameters, and the weak associations between all street-view parameters and bird-eye greenspace percentage (21%-73%) indicate their representatives of different aspects of green infrastructures. All air quality parameters were higher in winter than in summer, except O₃. Over 90% of air quality variation could be explained by socioeconomics and geoclimates, suggesting that air quality control in China should first reduce efflux from social economics, while geoclimatic-oriented ventilation facilitation design is also critical. For different air quality components, greenness had most significant associations with NO₂, O₃ and CO, and street-view/bird-view ratio was the most powerful indicator of all greenness parameters. Pooled-data analysis at national level showed that street-view greenness was responsible for 2.3% of the air quality variations in the summer and 3.6% in the winter; however, when separated into different regions (North-South China; East-West China), the explaining power increased up to 16.2%. Increased NO₂ was accompanied with decreased O₃, indicating NO titration effect. The higher O₃ aligned with the higher street-view greenness, showing the greenness-related precursor risk for O₃ pollution. Our study manifested that big internet data could identify the association of greenness and air pollution from street view scale, which can favor urban greenness management and evaluation in other regions where street-view data are available.

Development of a Self-reported Olfactory Dysfunction Questionnaire (SODQ) to screen olfactory disorders in China

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of olfactory dysfunction is challenging given the negligence during routine physical examination, inconvenience of diagnosis in clinical practice, and the inattention to cross-cultural adaptability. The study aimed to develop and validate a simple and effective self-reported olfactory dysfunction questionnaire (SODQ) for the initial screening of clinical olfactory disorders in China.

METHODS

A total of 121 subjects participated in the study; of these, 96 subjects completed the T&T olfactometer test and 12-item questionnaire, and 25 participants were retested using the SODQ after one week. The T&T olfactometer test examined the olfactory function and the questionnaire measured the ability to perceive common odors in daily life. We evaluated the factor structure, reliability, validity, and discriminative ability of the SODQ.

RESULTS

The final version of the SODQ consisted of 10 items with one factor. Test-retest and internal consistency were excellent. Convergent validity of the questionnaire with the T&T olfactory test was high. Furthermore, the discrimination ability was high for the questionnaire with an area under the curve of 0.95 and a cut-off point of 22.

CONCLUSIONS

The SODQ is a brief, valid, and repeatable tool that has the potential to effectively screen for clinical olfactory disorders from a subjective perspective.

Development and validation of novel diagnostic nomogram for tuberculous pleurisy based on TB-IGRA results

OBJECTIVE: To establish the diagnostic nomogram for tuberculous pleurisy (TP) based on TB-interferon-gamma release assays (TB-IGRA), as well as clinical and peripheral blood characteristics.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who underwent TB-IGRA tests during hospitalisation and were finally diagnosed, were retrospectively and continuously enrolled. TP was divided into confirmed TP (cTP) and presumptive TP (pTP), and corresponding diagnostic nomograms were established.RESULTS: A total of 1283 patients were enrolled (median age 49 years, range 14-96; males: 63.1%). The area under the curve (AUC) of TB-IGRA was 0.81 (95%CI 0.77-0.84) for cTP (n = 272) and 0.74 (95%CI 0.71-0.78) for pTP (n = 644). The false-positive and negative rates of TB-IGRA among non-TP and cTP were respectively 32.4% and 16.8%. Based on LASSO analysis, we then selected respectively 12 and 10 predictors from clinical and peripheral blood characteristics to establish cTP and pTP nomograms (TB-IGRA was selected). The cTP and pTP nomograms had an AUC of 0.93 (95%CI 0.90-0.95) and 0.92 (95%CI 0.90-0.94) in the training group, and 0.91 (95%CI 0.87-0.96) and 0.93 (95%CI 0.89-0.96) in the validation group, respectively, which were superior to TB-IGRA test alone.CONCLUSION: Novel predictive nomograms with less invasiveness were provided based on TB-IGRA test to assist differential diagnosis of TP and non-TP patients.

Correlation of lipid peroxidation and ATP enzyme on erythrocyte membrane with fetal distress in the uterus in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

This paper aims to investigate the correlation of lipid peroxide in erythrocytes and ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) enzyme activity of erythrocyte membrane with fetal distress in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-three patients with ICP treated at Jining No. 1 People's Hospital were enrolled as a study group, and another forty healthy parturient women in the same period were enrolled as a control group, to extract their elbow venous blood and fetal umbilical cord blood. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) was used to detect superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of erythrocytes, malondialdehyde (MDA) activity in plasma, Na+-K+-ATP enzyme activity and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP enzyme activity of erythrocytes, which were compared between the study and control groups. The correlation of MDA, Na+-K+-ATP enzyme and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP enzyme activities with fetal distress in the study group was analyzed, and the correlation of MDA with Na+-K+-ATP enzyme activity was investigated.

RESULTS

SOD and MDA activities of erythrocytes in maternal blood of the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05, p<0.001, respectively), but MDA activity in umbilical cord blood of the study group was markedly higher than that in the control group (p<0.001). Na+-K+-ATP enzyme and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP enzyme activities of maternal and fetal erythrocytes of the study group were remarkably lower than those of the control group (p<0.001). MDA in the fetal distress group was significantly higher than that in the no fetal distress group in the study group (p<0.001). Na+-K+-ATP enzyme activity was negatively correlated with MDA concentration in maternal and fetal erythrocytes of patients with ICP (both p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Lipid peroxidation in patients with ICP will affect ATP enzyme activity of erythrocyte membrane, and the down-regulation of ATP enzyme activity in umbilical cord blood of patients with ICP may cause fetal distress in the uterus.

Engineering CRISPR interference system to enhance the production of pyrroloquinoline quinone in Klebsiella pneumonia

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a cofactor of glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) and thus participates in glucose utilization. In Klebsiella pneumoniae, glucose utilization involves PQQ-dependent direct oxidation pathway (DOP) and phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent transport system (PTS). It is challenging to overproduce PQQ, as its biosynthesis remains unclear. Here, we report that PQQ production can be enhanced by stimulating the metabolic demand for it. First, we developed CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system to block PTS and thereby intensify DOP. In shake-flask cultivation, the strain with CRISPRi system (simultaneously inhibiting four PTS-related genes) produced 225·65 nmol l^-1 PQQ, which was 2·14 times that of wild type. In parallel, an exogenous soluble glucose dehydrogenase (sGDH) was overexpressed in K. pneumoniae. In the shake-flask cultivation, this sGDH-overexpressing strain accumulated 140·05 nmol l^-1 PQQ, which was 1·33 times that of wild type. To combine the above two strategies, we engineered a strain harbouring both CRISPRi vector and sGDH-overexpressing vector. In the shake-flask cultivation, this two-plasmid strain generated 287·01 nmol l^-1 PQQ, which was 2·72 times that of wild type. In bioreactor cultivation, this two-plasmid strain produced 2206·1 nmol l^-1 PQQ in 57 h, which was 7·69 times that in shake-flask cultivation. These results indicate that PQQ production can be enhanced by intensifying DOP, as the apo-enzyme GDH is intrinsically coupled with cofactor PQQ. This study provides a strategy for the production of cofactors whose biosynthesis mechanisms remain ambiguous. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is an economically important chemical, which typically serves as a cofactor of glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) and thus participates in glucose metabolism. Klebsiella pneumoniae can naturally synthesize PQQ, but current yield constrains its commercialization. In this study, the PQQ level was improved by stimulating metabolic demand for PQQ, instead of overexpressing PQQ synthetic genes, as the synthetic mechanism remains ambiguous.

[The value of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET-CT) in evaluating the stability of atherosclerotic plaques]

Objective: Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) has been used to quantify inflammatory response in the body. The aim of the present study was to explore the possibility of using this method to evaluate the stability of atherosclerotic plaques and the efficacy of atorvastatin in stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques. Methods: Twenty New Zealand male white rabbits were included and divided into the atorvastatin intervention group and the control group, with 10 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in both groups were fed with a high fat diet for 20 weeks, and treated with thoracoabdominal aortic balloon-pulling to establish atherosclerosis model at the end of the 2nd week. Rabbits in atorvastatin intervention group was given atorvastatin intragastrically once a day. At the 8th week, thoracoabdominal aortic ultrasound was used to detect plaques in all rabbits. Blood was drawn at the 3rd and the 20th week, respectively, to measure blood lipids, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). At the end of experiment, survival animals were scanned by (18)F-FDG PET-CT, and the average and maximum standard uptake values (SUVmean, SUVmax) of aortic segments were measured. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and aortic specimens of rabbits were taken and examined by immunohistochemistry. The pathological indexes were measured and compared. Results: At the end of experiment, the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), hs-CRP [ (4.58±0.51) ng/ml vs.(5.87±0.66) ng/ml, P<0.01], MMP-9[ (43.93±2.16) ng/ml vs. (50.77±2.32) ng/ml, P<0.01], SUVmean (0.59±0.15 vs. 0.68±0.20, P<0.05) , SUVmax (0.68±0.20 vs. 0.81±0.27, P<0.05) , plaque area [ (0.36±0.24) mm(2) vs. (0.50±0.34) mm(2), P<0.05) ] and density of macrophage[ (4.34±1.54) % vs. (5.65±1.89) %, P<0.01] in the atorvastatin intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group. In contrast, fiber cap thickness of the plaque[ (4.12±0.66) μm vs. (2.96±0.37) μm, P<0.01] in the atorvastatin intervention group was higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. The arterial plaque areas were positively correlated with SUVmean (r=0.27, P<0.05) and SUVmax (r=0.43, P<0.01) . Fiber cap thickness was negatively correlated with SUVmean (r=-0.38, P<0.05) and SUVmax (r=-0.47, P<0.01) . The density of macrophage were positively correlated with SUVmean (r=0.52, P<0.01) and SUVmax (r=0.51, P<0.01) . Conclusion: (18)F-FDG PET/CT can be used to evaluate the efficacy of atorvastatin by the stability of atherosclerotic plaques.

Outcomes of standard dose EC-MPS with low exposure to CsA in DCD renal transplantation recipients with DGF

AIMS

The lower limit of exposure to cyclosporine A (CsA) has not yet been established in donation after cardiac death (DCD) renal transplantation recipients with delayed graft function (DGF) receiving enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) therapy. Stable and adequate mycophenolic acid (MPA) dosing may facilitate lower CsA exposure after DCD renal transplantation in recipients with DGF without compromising safety.

METHODS

A 12-month, single-centre open-label prospective trial was performed in our centre. According to their DGF risk index using the previous DGF prediction models, we divided up the patients on oral CsA into either a DGF group (n = 26) and no DGF group (n = 48). All of the patients initially received the standard EC-MPS dosing (1440 mg/day). The initial dose of CsA in the low risk of DGF group was 4.5 mg/kg/day and in the high risk of DGF group was 2.5 mg/kg/day. Efficacy parameters, safety and tolerability were assessed over a 12-month study period.

RESULTS

The incidence of DGF was 18.5% in the 162 DCD recipients. Between the DGF group and the no DGF group, the 1-year patient survival and graft survival were not significantly different. The incidence of BPAR was higher in the DGF group (26.9% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.032). Most patients in the DGF group had recovery of renal function after 1 month. The adverse events between the two groups were not significantly different. The daily EC-MPS doses of the DGF group were significantly higher than the no DGF group before the 6-month follow-up period. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the mean AUC levels during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that low expose CsA with standard dosing of EC-MPS and thymoglobulin was efficacious, safe and well-tolerated in DCD renal transplant recipients with DGF in China. Furthermore, stable and adequate MPA exposure helped to reduce the dose of and exposure to CsA. Thus, this may lead to less-induced nephrotoxicity and better renal function recovery.

Phylogenetic analysis of Elymus (Poaceae) in western China

Elymus L. is often planted in temperate and subtropical regions as forage. Species in the genus have 5 allopolyploid genomes that are found in the grass tribe Triticeae. To determine the phylogenetic relationships in Elymus species from western China, we estimated phylogenetic trees using sequences from the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and non-coding chloroplast DNA sequences from 56 accessions (871 samples) of 9 polyploid Elymus species and 42 accessions from GenBank. Tetraploid and hexaploid Elymus species from western China had independent origins, and Elymus species from the same area or neighboring geographic regions were the most closely related. Based on the phylogenetic tree topology, the St- and Y-genomes were not derived from the same donor and Y-genome likely originated from the H-genome of Hordeum species, or they shared the same origin or underwent introgression. The maternal genome of tetraploid and hexaploid Elymus species originated from species of Hordeum or Pseudoroegneria. Additionally, Elymus species in western China began diverging 17-8.5 million years ago, during a period of increased aridification as a consequence of the Messinian salinity crisis. Elymus species adapted to drought and high salinity may have developed based on the environmental conditions during this period. Elymus evolution in western China may have been affected by the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (5 million years ago), when Elymus seeds were dispersed by gravity or wind into a newly heterogeneous habitat, resulting in isolation.

Intraoperative detection of sentinel lymph node metastases in breast carcinoma by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Background

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a routine surgical staging procedure in clinically lymph node-negative breast cancer. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, a technique based on the biochemical composition of the tissue, has previously been found to be capable of differentiating between normal and malignant tissue. The aim of the present study was to explore the intraoperative use of FTIR spectroscopy for rapidly identifying metastatic SLNs, and distinguishing between metastatic and non-metastatic tissue.

Methods

Freshly removed SLNs from patients with breast cancer were analysed. Samples were measured by FTIR spectroscopy before histopathological diagnosis. The FTIR spectrum of each sample identified ten bands from 2000 to 900 cm−1. The peak position, intensity and full width at half maximum of each absorbent band were measured, and the relative intensity ratios calculated. Canonical discriminant analysis was performed to discriminate between metastatic and non-metastatic samples.

Results

A total of 149 SLNs were removed from 49 patients. Histopathological examination confirmed 38 metastatic and 111 non-metastatic SLNs. Eighteen of 29 parameters were significantly different between the metastatic and non-metastatic SLNs. Five parameters were selected as independent factors to form discriminant functions. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of this method were 94·7, 90·1 and 91·3 per cent respectively. The accuracy of histological analysis of frozen sections was 100 per cent.

Conclusion

FTIR spectroscopy is a promising technique for the real-time diagnosis of SLN metastasis during breast cancer surgery. Surgical relevanceSentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a highly accurate predictor of overall axillary status and has become the standard in disease staging in clinically node-negative breast cancer. A rapid and accurate intraoperative assessment of metastatic spread to the SLN provides the necessary information for the surgeon to proceed with immediate axillary dissection.The results of this research indicate that Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a rapid, accurate, non-destructive and cost-effective molecular method that can be used to detect SLN metastasis during surgery.FTIR analysis could be useful for the intraoperative diagnosis of lymph node metastases at large institutions, thereby reducing the workload of pathologists, as well as in regions lacking pathologists such as in developing countries.

Which is more suitable for kidney transplantation at the early post-transplantation phase in China - low dosing or standard dosing of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium?

AIMS

To investigate the pharmacokinetics of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) and the clinical outcome in kidney transplant recipients in the early post-transplantation phase. Then explain which regimen is more suitable for Chinese renal transplant recipients.

METHODOLOGY

In total, 60 de novo kidney transplant recipients treated with tacrolimus and steroids were randomised to receive EC-MPS at standard dose (SD; 1440 mg/day; n = 28) or low dose (LD; 1080 mg/day; n = 32). Efficacy parameters, safety and tolerability were assessed over a 6-month study period. Full mycophenolic acid (MPA) areas under the curve (AUCs) were completed on days 3 and 5, whereas a three-point limited sampling strategy (LSS) was utilised for MPA AUC assessments at 2 weeks and months 1, 3 and 6 (the LSS for three-time-point MPA AUC 0-12 h (mg h/l) = 15.99 + 0.87C1 h  + 0.68C2 h  + 7.85C4 h ; r(2)  = 0.8670.

RESULTS

The mean AUC levels at day 3 and day 5 in the SD group were significantly higher than in the LD group (57.4 mg·h/l vs. 38.2 mg·h/l and 59.3 mg·h/l vs. 44.8 mg·h/l, respectively, p < 0.01). There was a trend for fewer clinically diagnosed acute rejections in the SD group vs. the LD group at 6 months (7.1% vs. 12.5%). This trend was also present when acute rejection was analysed as biopsy-proven cases. There were significantly more acute rejections (all definitions) in patients with MPA AUC levels < 30 mg·h/l compared with those with MPA AUC levels ≥ 30 mg·h/l within 6 months (p < 0.05). Renal function, incidence of infection and haematological disorders were not significantly different in either study group.

CONCLUSIONS

Early adequate MPA exposure in renal transplant recipients can be achieved with a higher starting dose. In addition, a SD regimen was as well-tolerated as a LD regimen. Furthermore, early adequate MPA exposure significantly lowered the rate of acute rejection without compromising safety and tolerability.

SrRietveld: a program for automating Rietveld refinements for high-throughput powder diffraction studies

SrRietveldis a highly automated software toolkit for Rietveld refinement. Compared to traditional refinement programs, it is more efficient to use and easier to learn. It is designed for modern high-throughput diffractometers and is capable of processing large numbers of data sets with minimal effort. The software currently uses conventional Rietveld refinement engines, automatingGSASandFullProfrefinements. However, as well as automating and extending many tasks associated with these programs, it is designed in a flexible and extensible way so that in the future these engines can be replaced with new refinement engines as they become available.SrRietveldis an open-source software package developed in Python.

Specificity and kinetics of norovirus binding to magnetic bead-conjugated histo-blood group antigens

AIMS

To characterize the specificity and effect of pH and ionic strength on the kinetics of virus binding to histo-blood group antigens (HBGA)-conjugated magnetic beads.

METHODS AND RESULTS

HBGAs from porcine gastric mucin (PGM) have been conjugated to magnetic beads (PGM-MB) for concentration of NoV. A GII.4 virus was used for the detailed binding kinetics study and a panel of genogroup I (GI) NoVs, genogroup II (GII) NoVs and recombinant NoVs (rNoVs) were used for specificity and binding efficiency assays. We determined that NoV can be captured after 15min of incubation with PGM-MB, and virus recovery efficiency is decreased after extended incubation times. rNoV binding as measured by ELISA and NoV recovery as measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), were both enhanced significantly at acidic pH conditions. rNoV binding to PGM as measured by ELISA was increased up to 66%. While real-time RT-PCR analyses suggest that NoV could be concentrated as much as 1000-fold at neutral pH, up to 3·4-fold further increase of NoV recovery was achieved by adjusting the pH of the sample to 3·0-4·2. Variation between GI and GII viral binding to the PGM-MB at basic pH was observed. All five GI rNoVs tested and 6 of 9 GII rNoVs were captured by PGM. All eight GI strains tested were concentrated by PGM-MB, ranging from 28-fold (GI.4) to 1502-fold (GI.1). Eleven of 13 GII strains were concentrated from 30-fold (GII.5) to 1014-fold (GII.4, lab strain) by PGM-MB. GI and GII rNoVs viral capsid proteins were recovered with high salt conditions, but results were inconsistent for whole virus recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

All GI and 85% of GII NoVs tested could be captured and concentrated by PGM-MB method. The binding occurred rapidly and was enhanced at low pH.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

These results facilitated development of a prototype method for sensitive detection of NoV in samples requiring larger volumes.

Inhibition of the growth of human hepatoma cell line bothin vitro andin vivo by transducing CKI genep21 ( WAF-1 ) with GE7 targeting gene delivery system

The EGF receptor-mediated targeting gene delivery system GE7 was used to transduce exogenous genepCEP-p21 ( WAF-1 ) into human hepatocellular carcinoma cell bothin vitro andin vivo. Afterin vitro transduction of the exogenous gene, the growth of the cell lines SMMC-7721 and BEL-7402 was significantly inhibited compared with the control. On day 8 the inhibition rates of the above cell lines reached 56.0% and 66.7%, respectively. Thein vivo experiment showed that the growth of human hepatoma transplanted in nude mice injected with GE7 gene delivery system subcutaneously once a week for 3 weeks was remarkably inhibited compared with that of untransfected control. The average tumor weight of the experiment group was (0.083 +/-0.043) g, while that of the control group was (0.281 +/-0.173) g. The difference is significant (P<0.05). It was indicated that GE7 gene delivery system could efficiently transduce exogenous genepCEP-p21 ( WAF-1 ) into hepatoma cell with high EGF receptor expression, and inhibit the cell growth with high efficacy bothin vivo andin vitro.

Norovirus binds to blood group A-like antigens in oyster gastrointestinal cells

AIMS

To determine if histo-blood group antigens (HBGA) present in oyster gastrointestinal (GI) cells mediate accumulation of human noroviruses (NoV) in oyster GI cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

HBGA-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were used to determine the presence of the corresponding HBGA in oyster GI cells. All oyster samples tested contained type A-like HBGA in GI tissue as measured by ELISA. Recombinant Norwalk virus viral like particles (rNVLP) were bound to plates coated with oyster GI homogenate. The binding was inhibited when rNVLPs were pre-incubated with MAbs specific for type A HBGA, or samples of human saliva from type A individuals. Co-localization of rNVLP and type A-like HBGA, but not type B-like or type H-like HBGA, on GI epithelial cells was observed by immunofluorescent histochemical staining and three-channel confocal scanning laser microscopy.

CONCLUSION

Type A-like HBGA is present in oyster GI cells and responsible for binding of rNVLP.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first report of the presence of type A-like HBGA in oyster GI cells and the specific binding of rNVLP to type A-like HBGA on oyster GI cells. The results of this study suggest that human NoV concentrate in oyster GI cells by specific binding to concentrated type A-like HBGA rather than by a nonmolecular entrapment within the tissues.

Detection of norovirus capsid proteins in faecal and food samples by a real time immuno-PCR method

AIMS

To develop a sensitive real time immuno-polymerase chain reaction (rtI-PCR) method for detecting norovirus (NV) capsid protein in food samples.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The viral antigens were captured by two polyclonal antisera against recombinant Norwalk viral-like particles (rNVLPs). Biotin-conjugated antibodies, avidin and biotin-conjugated DNA reporter were used to convert the protein signals into DNA signals. The reporter DNA was then amplified by addition of primers and PCR. A real time PCR method was used in order to perform a quantitative post-PCR analysis. One hundred rNVLPs (10 fg) and a NV sample containing 660 rNVLPs equivalent particle units (66 fg) could be detected by this method.

CONCLUSION

The PCR inhibitors present in the food samples had minimal effect on antigen capture and were removed by multiple wash steps during the rtI-PCR procedure. The sensitivity of rtI-PCR was >1000-fold higher than the standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and approximately 10 times higher than reverse transcription PCR in detection of NV capsid protein in stool and food samples.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first report of a rtI-PCR method to detect NV in contaminated food samples without concentration or purification of the virus.

Porcine gastric mucin binds to recombinant norovirus particles and competitively inhibits their binding to histo-blood group antigens and Caco-2 cells

AIMS

To determine if human noroviruses (NV) bind to histo-blood group antigens (HBGA) from pig gastric mucosa.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An assay was developed to measure the inhibition of binding of recombinant norovirus-like particles (rNVLP) to HBGA in human saliva by porcine gastric mucin (PGM). The binding of rNVLP to HBGA could be inhibited by PGM in a dose-dependent pattern. Also, rNVLP could be captured effectively by PGM coated directly on plates and was detected by binding of polyclonal antibodies against rNVLP. Similarly, the binding of rNVLP to PGM could be inhibited effectively by HBGA in human saliva, and by Lewis b and Lewis d synthetic oligosaccharides (OS), but not inhibited effectively by an H3 OS or by purified bovine submaxillary gland mucin. Preincubation of rNVLPs with PGM completely inhibited their binding to human Caco-2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

PGM binds effectively to rNVLPs and competitively inhibits rNVLPs binding to human HBGA and Caco-2 cells.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first report of the binding of glycoproteins from animal gastric mucosa to human NVs. This study highlights the importance of further characterizing the NV incidence and infections in nonhuman animal hosts and the possibility that NV is a zoonotic disease.

[Construction of mucosal vaccine derived from HBV surface antigen epitope A and the assay of its immunogenicity]

The fusion gene of HBV(adr) surface antigen epitope and B subunit of Cholera toxin was constructed and expressed successfully in E. coli at high yield. After denaturation-renaturation process, SDS-PAGE analysis showed that most of the renatured product reassociated in a pentameric form which was the same as natural CTB. Western blot analysis indicated that the immunogenicity of HBsAg antigen epitope was conserved. Moreover, ELISA analysis of the sera of orally, intranasally and intraperitoneally immunized mice showed that the circulating IgG antibodies to HBsAg were developed. The results may be helpful for constructing the novel mucosal vaccine with high efficacy.

[Expression of two truncated enhancin gene from Helicoverpa armigera granulosis virus in E. coli and its preliminary bioassay]

The plasmids pET-30a-Ben and pET-30a-Den which included 1.7 kd and 2.2 kb fragments of 5'-terminal of HaGV enhancin gene were obtained by cutting recombinant plasmid pET-30a-En with Bal I and Dra I respectively. Two fragments were expressed in E. coli successfully and the products were named Ben and Den respectively. The enhancement, which Ben and Den enhance the infectivity of HaNPV and Bt in 3rd larvae of Helicoverpa armigera, was studied. The results indicated that there was increase of the mortality of 10.5%-26.5% and the LT50 decrease of 0.9 d causes by adding Ben, while Den could increase the mortality by 10.2%-33.0% and decrease the LT50 by 1.2 d-1.9 d. The preliminary bioassay on Bt against Helicoverpa armigera indicated the recombinant enhancin could increase the mortality of larvae by 20.7%-35.4%, Den by 16.7%-31.5%, Ben by 11.7%-27.4%.

[Immunorelated pancytopenia]

OBJECTIVE

A report of a group of patients with pancytopenia which might be related to abnormal immunity.

METHODS

The clinical and laboratory features of 29 patients with positive bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMNC) Coombs tests were analyzed.

RESULTS

Most of these cases were pancytopenia with normal or decreased bone marrow cellularities and increased normoblasts. They were all found to have negative results of conventional hemolysis tests and hematopoietic nutrient determination and had no evidence of malignant clonal hematopoiesis. However, all of them showed positive BMMNC-Coombs test and good response to corticosteroids.

CONCLUSION

Immunorelated pancytopenia might be caused by abnormal immunity (especially autoantibody) mediated destruction or abnormal function of blood cells. It is beneficial to differentiate immunorelated pancytopenia from aplastic anemia or myelodysplastic syndromes.

Crystal structure of the oligomerization domain of NSP4 from rotavirus reveals a core metal-binding site

During the maturation of rotaviral particles, non-structural protein 4 (NSP4) plays a critical role in the translocation of the immature capsid into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. Full-length NSP4 and a 22 amino acid peptide (NSP4(114-135)) derived from this protein have been shown to induce diarrhea in young mice in an age-dependent manner, and may therefore be the agent responsible for rotavirally-induced symptoms. We have determined the crystal structure of the oligomerization domain of NSP4 which spans residues 95 to 137 (NSP4(95-137)). NSP4(95-137) self-associates into a parallel, tetrameric coiled-coil, with the hydrophobic core interrupted by three polar layers occupying a and d-heptad positions. Side-chains from two consecutive polar layers, consisting of four Gln123 and two of the four Glu120 residues, coordinate a divalent cation. Two independent structures built from MAD-phased data indicated the presence of a strontium and calcium ion bound at this site, respectively. This metal-binding site appears to play an important role in stabilizing the homo-tetramer, which has implications for the engagement of NSP4 as an enterotoxin.

[Molecular cloning of enhancin gene from Helicoverpa armigera granulosis virus and its expression in E. coli]

In order to provide recombinant enhancin for studying its mechanism of increasing the mortality of larvae infected by HaNPV and creating new insecticide, enhancin gene from Helicoverpa armigera granulosis virus was amplified by PCR technique. 2.7 kb fragment of enhancin gene was cloned into EcoRI/XbaI site of plasmid pBluescript KS. Sequence analysis revealed that enhancin gene was similar with that reported in the literature except eight nucleotides and five amino acids. Thereby enhancin gene was inserted into vector pET-30a and expressed successfully in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The preliminary bioassay of expressed product and HaNPV indicated that mortality of larvae increased 31.7%-34.1% in 7 post-infection days and the LT50 decreased at least 1.5-2.1 days.

Sperm function tests after vasovasostomy

AIM

To evaluate the sperm function after vasovasostomy.

METHODS

Semen samples from 42 subjects after vasovasostomy (Group A: 1-6 months, Group B: 6-12 months; Group C: 12-18 months after vasectomy reversal) were investigated. Semen from 34 normal fertile men was used as controls. Sperm function tests, including hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), acridine orange (AO) fluorescence, acrosome reaction (triple-stain), cervical mucus penetration test (CMPT), etc were done.

RESULTS

After vasectomy reversal, the percentage of HOST was significantly lower than that of the normal fertile men. In regard to AO, there were no significant differences between the three vasovasostomy groups and between these 3 groups and the controls. With triple-stain, the percentage of normal acrosome reaction was significantly lower in Group A as compared with the controls, but not in Groups B and C. There were no significant differences in the results of CMPT between the vasovasostomy groups and the controls. However, the number of "poor" type was significantly higher in Groups A and C than in the controls; the percentage of "negative" type were higher in Groups A and B than in the controls.

CONCLUSION

After vasovasostomy a lower level of HOST remained for one year and gradually recovered after one year. Six months after vasectomy reversal, the percentage of acrosome reaction could be changed from lower level to normal range. The data of AO indicated that the genetic material (double-stranded DNA) in spermatozoa was not affected by vasovasostomy. To evaluate the result of CMPT after vasectomy reversal, not only the normal results but also the abnormal results ("poor" and "negative" types) should also be considered.

[Modified vascular endothelia growth factor receptor-mediated targeting nonviral gene delivery system and in vivo beta-gal transducing experiment]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the modified vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-mediated targeting nonviral gene delivery system is efficient in transducing exogenous gene.

METHODS

We detected the expression of VEGF receptor on some tumor models by immunohistochemistry at first and selected nine models, i.e. SMMC-7721, SK-OV-3, H128, SPC-A1, LoVo, MKN-45, BCaP-37, A375, cervical cancer xenograft and hepatoma xenograft. Then we prepared two complexes, GV1-P.L./beta-gal and GV2-P.L./beta-gal, and injected the two complexes subcutaneously into nude mice around the tumor. The expression of the reporter gene was observed in the vascular endothelial cells and some tumor cells with highly expressed VEGF receptor.

RESULTS

GV2 gene delivery system could transduce exogenous gene into vascular endothelial cells and subcutaneously transplanted tumors such as SK-OV-3, and cervical xenograft which were rich of VEGF receptor on the surface of the tumor cell. The expression reached a high level at day 3 and decreased eventually until the 3(rd) week. There was no expression in the heart and lung but low expression was seen in the spleen. GV1 gene delivery system also transduced exogenous gene into the endothelial cells but with low efficiency.

CONCLUSION

This system can specifically transduce beta-gal to cells rich of VEGF receptor but not to cells with undetectable VEGF receptor. The targetability of this modified system is increased as compared to the system previously reported.