Identification and health risk evaluation of soil contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at shale gas extraction sites based on positive matrix factorization

The impact of shale gas extraction on surrounding environmental media remains unclear. In this study, the current state of contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are high-frequency contaminants of shale gas, was investigated in the soil surrounding emerging shale gas development sites. The source analysis of PAHs was conducted in the soils of shale gas extraction sites using positive matrix factorization (PMF). The health risk assessment (HRA) was calculated for ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation exposures, and the priority sources of PAHs in the soil were jointly identified by PMF and HRA to refine the contribution level of different individual PAHs to the carcinogenic risk. The results showed that both Sichuan and Chongqing mining site soils were contaminated to different degrees. Shale gas extraction has an impact on the surrounding soil, and the highest contributing source of PAHs in the mining site soil of Sichuan was anthropogenic activity, accounting for 31.6%, whereas that in the mining site soil of Chongqing was biomass combustion and mixed automobile combustion, accounting for 35.9%. At the two mining sites in Sichuan and Chongqing, none of the three exposure pathways (ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation) posed a carcinogenic risk to children, whereas the dermal exposure pathway posed a carcinogenic risk to adults. Health risk assessments based on specific source assignments indicate that when managing soil pollution, the control of fossil fuel combustion and vehicular emissions should be prioritized.

[A sampling survey of intraoperative facial nerve monitoring in China]

Objective: This study aims to investigate the current application and the level of knowledge of intraoperative facial nerve monitoring among medical staff in China. Methods: A comprehensive online questionnaire was conducted among medical professionals across different regions in China from October 2022 to February 2023. The survey exclusively targeted departments specializing in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. The questionnaire covered various aspects including general information, intraoperative facial nerve monitoring practices, training history, indications for monitoring, parameters used during monitoring procedures, as well as factors influencing its implementation. Results: A total of 417 participants from 31 provincial, municipal, and autonomous regions were included. Intraoperative facial nerve monitoring was found to be implemented in 227 (54.4%,227/417) repondents of 53 institutions (24.9%, 53/213). The top three indications for implementing this technique were acoustic neuroma, parotid gland surgery, and modified middle ear surgery (mastoidectomy). Herein 81.1%(184/227) medical staff involved in intraoperative facial nerve monitoring had received relevant training, 57.3%(130/227)-92.1%(209/227) reported a lack of clear description regarding recording thresholds, stimulation currents/frequencies/wave widths. Conclusion: The majority of the institutions surveyed have not yet adopted intraoperative facial nerve monitoring. Furthermore, significant gaps concerning the procedure exist. It is imperative to establish standards or guidelines to promote its better development and application.

[Effects of Long-term Tillage on Soil Bacterial Community Structure and Physicochemical Properties of Dryland Wheat Fields in Northern China]

To explore the effects of long-term tillage on bacterial community structure in different soil layers of dryland wheat fields and its relationship with soil physicochemical properties, a long-term field experiment was conducted from 2016 to 2021 in Wenxi Experimental Demonstration Base of Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Province. We studied the effects of no-tillage (NT), subsoiling-tillage (ST), and deep plowing (DP) on soil physicochemical properties; α and β diversity of the bacterial community; and dominant and different species of phyla and genera in different soil layers. Additionally, PICRUSt2 was used to predict the metabolic function of soil bacterial community. The results revealed that subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing significantly increased the soil water content in the 20-40 cm soil layer and significantly decreased the soil organic carbon content in the 0-20 cm soil layer compared with that under no-tillage for five consecutive years. Compared with that under deep plowing, subsoiling-tillage significantly increased soil water content, soil organic carbon content, dissolved organic carbon content, and dissolved organic nitrogen content in the 0-20 cm soil layer. Compared with that under no-tillage, subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing increased the α diversity of the soil bacterial community in the 0-40 cm soil layer, and subsoiling-tillage was higher than deep plowing. Compared with that under no-tillage, subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing significantly increased the relative abundances of Acidobacteria and Nitrospirae in the 0-20 cm soil layer and Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, Rokubacteria, GAL15, and Nitrospirae in the 20-40 cm soil layer. Compared with that under no-tillage, subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing significantly increased the relative abundance of Nitrospira in the 0-20 cm soil layer and Rubrobacter and Streptomyces in the 20-40 cm soil layer. Compared with that under deep plowing, subsoiling-tillage significantly increased the relative abundance of Acidobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes in the 0-40 cm soil layer. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that the contents of soil organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and dissolved organic nitrogen in the 0-20 cm soil layer exerted positive effects on Actinobacteria and Blastococcus, and the soil water content in the 0-40 cm soil layer exerted positive effects on Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Gemmatimonadetes under subsoiling-tillage. The results of PICRUSt2 prediction showed that subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing significantly increased the relative abundance of amino acid metabolism and the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins but decreased the relative abundance of lipid metabolism of bacterial communities in the 20-40 cm soil layer compared with that under no-tillage. Compared with that under deep plowing, subsoiling-tillage significantly increased the relative abundances of amino acid metabolism in the 0-40 cm soil layer and other amino acid metabolism in the 0-20 cm soil layer. In conclusion, subsoiling-tillage or deep plowing could increase the soil water content, α diversity of the soil bacterial community, and their metabolic capacity in the dryland wheat fields during the summer fallow period. The relative abundance of Acidobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes and the ability of amino acid metabolism of the bacterial community were increased by subsoiling-tillage, and thus the contents of soil dissolved organic carbon and dissolved nitrogen can be increased.

CCNB1 is a novel prognostic biomarker and promotes proliferation, migration and invasion in Wilms tumor

BACKGROUND

Wilms tumour (WT) is a mixed type of embryonal tumour that usually occurs in early childhood. However, our knowledge of the pathogenesis or progression mechanism of WT is inadequate, and there is a scarcity of beneficial therapeutic strategies.

METHODS

High-throughput RNA sequencing was employed in this study to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in clinical tumor samples and matching normal tissues. The STRING database was utilized to build a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and the Cytohubba method was used to identify the top 10 highly related HUB genes. Then, the key genes were further screened by univariate COX survival analysis. Subsequently, the XCELL algorithm was used to evaluate the tumour immune infiltration. RT-PCR, WB, and IF were used to verify the expression level of key genes in clinical tissues and tumour cell lines. Finally, the function of the key gene was further verified by loss-of-function experiments.

RESULTS

We initially screened 1612 DEGs, of which 1030 were up-regulated and 582 were down-regulated. The GO and KEGG enrichment analysis suggested these genes were associated with 'cell cycle', 'DNA replication'. Subsequently, we identified 10 key HUB genes, among them CCNB1 was strongly related to WT patients' overall survival. Multiple survival analyses showed that CCNB1 was an independent indicator of WT prognosis. Thus, we constructed a nomogram of CCNB1 combined with other clinical indicators. Single gene GSEA and immune infiltration analysis revealed that CCNB1 was associated with the degree of infiltration or activation status of multiple immune cells. TIDE analysis indicated that this gene was correlated with multiple key immune checkpoint molecules and TIDE scores. Finally, we validated the differential expression level of CCNB1 in an external gene set, the pan-cancer, clinical samples, and cell lines. CCNB1 silencing significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasive capabilities of WIT-49 cells, also, promoted apoptosis, and in turn induced G2 phase cell cycle arrest in loss-of-function assays.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that CCNB1 is closely related to WT progression and prognosis, and serves as a potential target.

Effects of sowing patterns on nitrogen utilization and yield formation of winter wheat in the western Huang-Huai-Hai region

To examine the differences of three improved sowing methods in winter wheat yield and nitrogen efficiency and reveal the characteristics responsible for such differences, we conducted field experiments in the Jinnan area of the western Huang-Huai-Hai wheat region for three consecutive seasons from 2016 to 2019. The three improved sowing methods were wide space sowing (WSS), furrow sowing in moisture soil (FS), and three-dimensional uniform sowing (TDUS), with conventional drilling sowing (CDS) as the control. The results showed that meteorological factors such as accumulated temperature, solar radiation, and precipitation in the growing seasons from 2016 to 2019 showed great intra- and inter-annual variations. Compared with CDS, the improved sowing methods (WSS, FS, and TDUS) enhanced spike number per unit area and increased grain yield in three growing seasons by 18.3%-55.5%, 8.6%-22.2%, and 10.9%-39.5%, respectively. The three methods increased nitrogen uptake efficiency (NEup) by 5.8%-57.1%, pre-flowering nitrogen transfer ratio (Np/Nt) by 3.0%-15.3%, and nitrogen efficiency by 7.9%-35.7%, respectively. We developed a structural equation model (SEM) by integrating meteorological factors and experimental variables. The results showed that the three improved sowing methods could reduce the effects of extreme low temperature on wheat plant population, increase NEup and Np/Nt, and provide sufficient nitrogen supply to the grains of high-spike number wheat population for high yield and high nitrogen efficiency. In summary, our results demonstrated that WSS, FS, and TDUS all improved NEup and Np/Nt in the 2016-2017 season when meteorological conditions were favorable for wheat growth, and enhanced yield components with high SN, leading to high yield and high nitrogen efficiency. In contrast, in both 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons with extremely low temperature and uneven distribution of meteorological conditions, WSS had a higher number of tillers at the jointing stage and enhanced pre-flowering nitrogen uptake and translocation, whereas TDUS had a relatively stable nitrogen uptake rate, leading to a stable grain yield.

Nomogram for predicting non-proliferative vitreoretinopathy probability after vitrectomy in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

AIM

To identify the risk factors for postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and develop a nomogram for predicting postoperative PVR-free probability.

METHODS

A total of 741 patients (741 eyes) diagnosed with primary RRD who underwent first surgery in the same hospital were retrospectively reviewed and randomly assigned with 521 to the training set and 220 to the validation set. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed in the training cohort to determine risk factors to construct a nomogram for predicting the 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-month postoperative PVR-free probabilities. Nomogram performance was estimated by the concordance index (C-index), calibration plot, and the area receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

A nomogram was constructed based on the preoperative PVR, silicone oil tamponade time (SOTT), photocoagulation energy (PE), retinal tear size (RTS), and hypertension. In the training set, the C-index of the nomogram was 0.896, 0.936, 0.961, and 0.972 at 3, 4, 5, and 6mo, respectively. The C-index values in the validation set were 0.860, 0.936, 0.951, and 0.965 at 3, 4, 5, and 6mo, respectively. Decision-curve analysis indicated that only the 4-, 5-, and 6-month nomograms had significant net benefits over a large threshold probabilities interval.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative PVR, SOTT, PE, RTS, and hypertension are significant risk factors for postoperative PVR formation in patients with primary RRD. The proposed nomogram can effectively predict the 4-, 5-, and 6-month PVR-free probabilities after surgery and assist in making clinical decisions during follow-up.

KIAA1429 regulates alternative splicing events of cancer-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most fatal malignancies with high morbidity and mortality rates in the world, whose molecular pathogenesis is incompletely understood. As an RNA-binding protein participating in the processing and modification of RNA, KIAA1429 has been proved to be implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple cancers. However, how KIAA1429 functions in alternative splicing is not fully reported. In the current study, multi-omics sequencing data were used to analyze and decipher the molecular functions and the underlying mechanisms of KIAA1429 in HCC samples. RNA sequencing data (RNA-seq) analysis demonstrated that in HCCLM3 cells, alternative splicing (AS) profiles were mediated by KIAA1429. Regulated AS genes (RASGs) by KIAA1429 were enriched in cell cycle and apoptosis-associated pathways. Furthermore, by integrating the RNA immunoprecipitation and sequencing data (RIP-seq) of KIAA1429, we found that KIAA1429-bound transcripts were highly overlapping with RASGs, indicating that KIAA1429 could globally regulate the alternative splicing perhaps by binding to their transcripts in HCCLM3 cells. The overlapping RASGs were also clustered in cell cycle and apoptosis-associated pathways. In particular, we validated the regulated AS events of three genes using clinical specimens from HCC patients, including the exon 6 of BPTF gene and a marker gene of HCC. In summary, our results shed light on the regulatory functions of KIAA1429 in the splicing process of pre-mRNA and provide theoretical basis for the targeted therapy of HCC.

Progress on genomics and locus of important agronomic traits in Chenopodium quinoa

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa, Willd.) as a new health food in the 20th century, its comprehensive nutritional composition, stress resistance and other characteristics have been paid much of attention, and enjoys the reputation of "nutritional gold", "vegetarian king" and "food in the future" in the world. In recent years, with the rapid development of genomics and high-throughput sequencing technology, the high-quality whole genome sequence of quinoa has been completed, and the omics analysis and functional research of a series of key genes have been gradually carried out. In this review, we summarize the research progress in quinoa genomics, gene family analysis of important transcription factors, genetic map construction, QTL mapping of important traits, and genes for important agronomic and yield traits. Moreover, according to the current status of quinoa breeding, this paper also put forward five key problems in quinoa breeding, and pointed out four important directions of genetic improvement and breeding of quinoa in the future, so as to provide reference for the realization of directional genetic improvement of quinoa in the future.

Dynorphin promotes stress-induced depressive behaviors by inhibiting ventral pallidal neurons in rats

AIM

Endogenous dynorphin signaling via kappa opioid receptors (KORs) plays a key role in producing the depressive and aversive consequences of stress. We investigated the behavioral effects of the dynorphin/KOR system in the ventral pallidum (VP) and studied the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

To investigate the effects of dynorphin on the VP, we conducted behavioral experiments after microinjection of drugs or shRNA and brain-slice electrophysiological recordings. Histological tracing and molecular biological experiments were used to identify the distribution of KORs and the possible sources of dynorphin projections to the VP.

RESULTS

An elevated dynorphin concentration and increased KOR activity were observed in the VP after acute stress. Infusion of dynorphin-A into the VP produced depressive-like phenotypes including anhedonia and despair and anxiety behaviors, but did not alter locomotor behavior. Mechanistically, dynorphin had an inhibitory effect on VP neurons-reducing their firing rate and inhibiting excitatory transmission-through direct activation of KORs and modulation of downstream G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels and high-voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs). Tracing revealed direct innervation of VP neurons by dynorphin-positive projections; potential sources of these dynorphinergic projections include the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and hypothalamus. Blockade of dynorphin/KOR signaling in the VP by drugs or viral knock-down of KORs significantly reduced despair behavior in rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Endogenous dynorphinergic modulation of the VP plays a critical role in mediating depressive reactions to stress.

[Management of the internal carotid artery during lateral skull base surgery: a series of 41 cases]

Objective: To introduce our experience on dealing with the internal carotid artery (ICA) during the resection of lateral skull base tumors, and to explore the reference values for using radiological findings to make a rational surgical plan. Methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent resection of lateral skull base tumors involving ICA at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from May 2015 to May 2021 was conducted. The demographic information, preoperative examinations, diagnosis, surgical details and follow-ups were collected. A total of 41 patients were enrolled [24 (58.5%] females, 17 (41.5%) males], with an average age of 47.9 years. According to the preoperative imaging findings, the relationships between the tumors and ICA were divided into four types: adjacency, compression, invasion and ICA aneurysm. Results: The ICA was preserved in 32 (78.0%, 32/41) cases and was reconstructed in nine (22.0%, 9/41) cases. All the 27 (65.9%, 27/41) tumors adjacent to ICA were successfully separated from the artery. Among the 11 tumors compressing the ICA, six were resected with the involved ICA segment and vascular reconstruction was conducted. One (2.4%, 1/41) tumor invading ICA and two (4.9%, 2/41) ICA aneurysms required revascularization. The mean follow-up time was (26.1±2.9) months. There was no recurrence, except one case of adenoid cystic carcinoma which had brain metastases one year after surgery. Conclusions: According to the preoperative imaging, lateral skull base tumors adjacent to ICA can be detached from the vascular surface. Separation should be attempted first for tumors compressing ICA, and revascularization should be followed if separation failed. Vascular reconstruction is usually needed in the removal of tumors invading ICA and ICA aneurysms. Preoperative radiology can provide good references for planning a surgery for lateral skull base tumors.

Vacuum Based Gas Sensing Material Characterization System for Precise and Simultaneous Measurement of Optical and Electrical Responses

Gas sensing performance characterization systems are essential for the research and development of gas sensing materials and devices. Although existing systems are almost completely automatically operated, the accuracies of gas concentration control and of pressure control and the ability to simultaneously detect different sensor signals still require improvement. In this study, a high-precision gas sensing material characterization system is developed based on vacuum technology, with the objective of enabling the precise and simultaneous measurement of electrical responses. Because of the implementation of vacuum technology, the gas concentration control accuracy is improved more than 1600 times, whereas the pressure of the test ambient condition can be precisely adjusted between vacuum and 1.2 bar. The vacuum-assisted gas-exchanging mechanism also enables the sensor response time to be determined more accurately. The system is capable of performing sensitivity, selectivity, and stability tests and can control the ambient relative humidity in a precise manner. More importantly, the levels of performance of three different optical signal measurement set-ups were investigated and compared in terms of detection range, linearity, noise, and response time, based on which of their scopes of application were proposed. Finally, single-period and cyclical tests were performed to examine the ability of the system to detect optical and electrical responses simultaneously, both at a single wavelength and in a spectral region.

[Effect evaluation of surgical plus radio(chemo)therapy and non-surgery chemoradiotherapy treatment strategies for advanced tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: Using propensity score matching method(PSM) to investigate the clinical effect of surgical plus radio(chemo)therapy and non-surgery chemoradiotherapy treatment strategies for advanced tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 324 patients diagnosed with advanced tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma and treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2000 to 2018, confirmed by pathology and without distant metastasis. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier estimates, the Cox proportional hazards model, and propensity score matching(PSM). Results: Of the 324 patients, 102 were treated with non-surgery chemoradiotherapy treatment strategies and 222 with surgical plus radio(chemo)therapy treatment. Cox multivariate analysis showed that the non-surgery treatment group had a favorable prognosis than the surgical treatment group, however, these outcomes were not significantly different [overall survival(OS): adjusted Hazard Ratios(aHR): 0.92, 95% confidence interval(CI): 0.60-1.42; disease-specific survival(DSS): aHR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.43-1.20; disease-free survival(DFS): aHR: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.53-1.28]. The new patient cohort consisted of 102 subpairs after PSM. There were no significant differences between two groups(OS: aHR: 0.85, 95%CI: 0.51-1.40; DSS: aHR: 0.62, 95%CI: 0.35-1.11; DFS: aHR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.49-1.33). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that patients with non-surgical treatment do not have significantly better survival outcomes compared to surgical treatment group, while non-surgical treatment has advantages in improving the quality of life of patients, so comprehensive treatment based on radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be recommended for advanced tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma.

[Effects of elevated CO2 concentration on photosynthetic acclimation of winter wheat under drought condition]

Mechanisms underlying leaf photosynthetic acclimation in winter wheat under elevation of CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]) remain unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of source-sink variation on photosynthetic acclimation induced by drought under elevated [CO₂]. A winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. 'Zhengmai 9023') pot experiment was conducted in open top climate chambers with [CO₂] of 400μmol·mol^-1 or 600 μmol·mol^-1 and soil water content at 80%±5% or 55%±5% of field capacity. The parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence, electron transport rate, photosynthetic curve, leaf nitrogen content, and grain yield were measured at the elongation and heading stages. Under drought condition, leaf PSⅡ photochemical efficiency was not affected by elevated [CO₂], but the maximum electron transport rate and the ratio of electron partitioned to carboxylation reaction in Calvin cycle was increased at the elongation stage, and thus the Rubisco carboxylation rate and maximum photosynthetic rate were increased. Although the maximum electron transportation rate and partitioning ratio of electron to carboxylation reaction in Calvin cycle remained high at the heading stage, the PSⅡ photochemical efficiency, Rubisco carboxylation rate, and triose phosphate utilization rate were decreased by elevated [CO₂], which consequently reduced the maximum photosynthetic rate for plant under drought stress. Under drought condition, elevated [CO₂] increased wheat tiller biomass, kernel number, and kernel weight per ear, but decreased infertile kernel number, resulting in an overall increase in grain weight. In conclusion, the elevated [CO₂]-induced increase in wheat grain yield per tiller under drought condition was mainly caused by enhanced photosynthetic performance at the elongation stage. The photosynthetic acclimation in source leaves during the heading stage under elevated [CO₂] was mainly attributed to the reduction in PSⅡ photochemical efficiency and triose phosphate utilization rate, but not to the maximum electron transportation rate, ratio of electron partitioned to carboxylation in Calvin cycle or sink leaf strength.

Effects of sowing modes on soil water dynamics and grain protein formation in dryland wheat

In order to clarify the mechanisms underlying dryland wheat quality improvement through sowing technology, the effects of wide space sowing (WSS), furrow sowing (FS), and drill sowing (DS) on soil moisture dynamics and grain protein formation in dryland wheat field were studied in Wenxi, Shanxi Province in 2017-2018 (normal year) and 2018-2019 (dry year). The results showed that compared with the DS, FS significantly increased soil water storage in the 0-200 cm depth at anthesis stage (8.2%-18.7%), and increased the soil water storage in 0-60 cm layer during the two years, 60-120 cm layer in normal year, and 120-200 cm layer in dry year. WSS significantly increased soil water storage in 0-200 cm layer at anthesis stage in normal year (5.2%). Compared with DS, FS significantly increased water consumption of anthesis to mature stage, while WSS significantly increased water consumption from sowing to anthesis stage in dry year. Compared with DS, the glutamine synthetase (GS) activity of grains at 15-35 days after anthesis was significantly increased by FS and WSS, while the glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activity of flag leaves and grains at 5-35 days after anthesis was significantly increased by FS in the dry year. Compared with DS, FS significantly increased grain yield by 20.4%-44.8%, grain protein yield by 25%-49%, and increased grain albumin and globulin contents. WSS significantly increased grain yield by 9%-40%, and increased grain gliadin content. Under different sowing modes of dryland wheat, GS and GOGAT activities in flag leaves and grains after anthesis were significantly correlated with water consumption at anthesis to maturity stage. There were significant correlations between GS and GOGAT activities in flag leaves and grains and 0-120 cm soil layers in the normal water year, and between GS and GOGAT activities and 0-60 cm, 120-200 cm soil layers in the dry year. The contents of grain albumin, globulin and total protein were significantly correlated with soil water storage in 0-60 cm layer at anthesis stage, as well as soil water storage in 120-200 cm layer at anthesis stage in the dry year. In conclusion, FS was beneficial to increasing soil water storage at anthesis and water consumption after anthesis of dryland wheat, improving GS and GOGAT activities of flag leaf and grain, with positive consequences on yield and grain protein content. In addition, deep water storage was more conducive to quality improvement in the late growth period in the dry year.

[Effects of deep ploughing during the fallow period and soil moisture-based furrow sowing on water and nitrogen utilization of dryland wheat.]

To understand the effects of deep ploughing during the fallow period and soil moisture-based furrow sowing on the utilization of water and nitrogen in dryland wheat, a field experiment following split-plot design was carried out from 2016 to 2018 in Wenxi County of Shanxi Province, with deep ploughing during the fallow period and no-tillage as main plots and soil moisture-based furrow sowing and drilling sowing as sub-plots. The results showed that, compared with no-tillage treatment, deep ploughing during the fallow period significantly increased soil water storage efficiency (by 38.3%-42.2%), soil water consumption (by 9.2%-13.2%), and nitrogen accumulation in each growth period, which in turn increased the yield by 7.1%-12.0%, annual water use efficiency by 5.5%-14.0%, nitrogen fertilizer absorption efficiency by 4.4%-10.3%, and nitrogen fertilizer partial productivity by 7.1%-12.0%. Compared with the treatment of drilling sowing, the soil moisture-based furrow sowing increased the total water consumption during the growth period (by 2.0%-4.8%) and nitrogen accumulation in each growth period, increased the yield by 6.8%-12.4%, water use efficiency during the growth period by 4.5%-7.2%, nitrogen absorption efficiency by 4.4%-10.3%, nitrogen partial productivity by 6.9%-12.4%. In conclusion, deep ploughing during the fallow period and soil moisture-based furrow sowing in dryland wheat could promote the storage and utilization of natural precipitation, increase plant nitrogen accumulation, and facilitate high wheat yield.

Effects of phosphorus fertilizer on root characteristics, uptake and utilization of phosphorus and yield of dryland wheat with contrasting yearly rainfall pattern

To understand the growth responses of dryland wheat to different application rates of phosphorus fertilizer in different rainfall years, we examined root characteristics, spike number, yield and phosphate utilization. Results would help improve phosphate fertilizer use in dryland wheat production. We carried out a field experiment at the research station of Shanxi Agricultural University from 2012 to 2016. We examined the effects of four application rates of phosphorus (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg·hm^-2 on root growth, phosphate utilization and yield formation of dryland wheat in different years with contrasting rainfall pattern. Compared with the treatment without phosphorus fertilization, phosphate application increased root surface area at all growth stages and root weight density in the 0-80 cm soil layer at jointing, anthesis, and maturity stages. Phosphate application significantly increased soil water consumption from jointing to anthesis, and total soil water consumption in the growing season. Phosphate application enhanced the amount of pre-anthesis phosphate translocation and phosphate accumulation of grain. Spike number, yield and water use efficiency were increased with 75, 150 and 225 kg P·hm^-2 by 9.2% to 22.5%, 11.8% to 30.0%, and 2.1% to 12.1%, respectively. In the dry years, the application rates of 150 and 225 kg P·hm^-2 in comparison to 75 kg P·hm^-2 significantly increased root weight density and root surface area at all stages, soil water consumption from sowing to jointing and from jointing to anthesis, and total water consumption in the growing season. In comparison to the rate of 75 kg P·hm^-2, 150 and 225 kg P·hm^-2 increased soil water consumption from sowing to jointing by 7.3-8.7 mm, soil water consumption from jointing to anthesis by 15.6-18.1 mm, and total water consumption by 15.6-18.1 mm. Significant increase in the pre-anthesis phosphate translocation and phosphate accumulation in grain was higher under 150 and 225 kg P·hm^-2 than that under 75 kg P·hm^-2 in dry years. Furthermore, the two rates (150 and 225 kg P·hm^-2) in dry years increased spike number by 9.3%-10.7% and yield by 11.9%-14.6%. The application rate of 150 kg P·hm^-2 significantly improved phosphorus use efficiency by 20%-82% in comparison to other rates. In normal years, the rates of 150 and 225 kg P·hm^-2 increased root surface area, root weight density at both anthesis and maturity compared with 75 kg P·hm^-2. Soil water consumption from anthesis to maturity and total soil water consumption in the growing season were also increased by 1.2-15.0 and 3.8-23.1 mm, respectively. In addition, phosphorus accumulation in post-anthesis and phosphate accumulation in grain were increased in both 150 and 225 kg P·hm^-2, which increased spike number by 1.4%-9.6% and yield by 3.5%-10.4%. The effects of phosphate application at the rate of 150 kg P·hm^-2 were significantly different from 75 and 225 kg P·hm^-2. In conclusion, phosphorus fertilizer application enhanced uptake of water and phosphate in dryland wheat at early and middle growth stages in dry years and at the late growth stage in normal years. Phosphorus application increased wheat yield mainly due to the increases of spike number. The application of 150 kg P·hm^-2 is the best choice for high water and phosphorus fertilizer use efficiency and high yield in both dry and normal years.

The Role of the Kappa Opioid System in Comorbid Pain and Psychiatric Disorders: Function and Implications

Both pain and psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, significantly impact quality of life for the sufferer. The two also share a strong pathological link: chronic pain-induced negative affect drives vulnerability to psychiatric disorders, while patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders tend to experience exacerbated pain. However, the mechanisms responsible for the comorbidity of pain and psychiatric disorders remain unclear. It is well established that the kappa opioid system contributes to depressive and dysphoric states. Emerging studies of chronic pain have revealed the role and mechanisms of the kappa opioid system in pain processing and, in particular, in the associated pathological alteration of affection. Here, we discuss the key findings and summarize compounds acting on the kappa opioid system that are potential candidates for therapeutic strategies against comorbid pain and psychiatric disorders.

[Diagnosis and treatment of rare complications of liver cirrhosis]

The rare complications of cirrhosis, such as chylous ascites, hepatic hydrothorax, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, portopulmonary hypertension, cirrhotic nervous system damage, etc., have not yet been fully understood and/or promptly and effectively diagnosed and treated by clinicians. Therefore, this article aims to introduce the above-mentioned rare complications, clinical features, treatment and prognosis of liver cirrhosis in an attempt to improve the clinicians' understanding and level of diagnosis and treatment.

[Effect of sorafenib and prophylactic TACE for prevention of postoperative relapse in patients with liver cancer combined with microvascular invasion]

Objective: To study the effect of sorafenib and prophylactic transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for prevention of postoperative relapse in patients with liver cancer combined with microvascular invasion (MVI) after using radical hepatectomy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 137 cases that underwent radical hepatectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2015 to January 2018. Clinical data of liver cancer patients with MVI were diagnosed by postoperative pathology. General data of the three groups were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier was used to calculate the tumor-free survival rate. COX proportional hazards-model was used to analyze the independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence of liver cancer with MVI recurrence. Counting data was compared by x(2) test between groups, and log-rank test was used to compare the tumor-free survival rates. Results: A, B, and C groups had 49, 36, and 52 cases, respectively. General clinicopathological data of the three groups were not statistically significant. The postoperative tumor-free survival rates at 1-, 2-, and 3-years were 71.4%, 51.0%, 38.8%, 86.1%, 75.0%, 66.7%, and 82.7%, 75.0%, and 59.6% respectively in A, B, and C groups. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression model showed that patients' age (HR = 0.622, P = 0.046), maximum tumor diameter (HR = 1.661, P = 0.033), prophylactic TACE (HR = 0.544, P = 0.019), and postoperative use of sorafenib (HR = 0.419, 0.222, 0.791, P = 0.007) were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence of liver cancer with MVI. Conclusion: Sorafenib or prophylactic TACE use can significantly reduce the recurrence rate within 3 years after radical surgery in patients with liver cancer who were confirmed to have MVI by postoperative pathology.

[Preliminary analysis of central paroxysmal positional vertigo]

Objective: To explore the possible pathogenesis of central paroxysmal positional vertigo (CPPV) by analyzing its clinical manifestations and characteristics. Methods: The clinical data of 3 patients with CPPV, including 1 male and 2 females, aged 36, 14 and 70 years old respectively, were collected from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from June 2014 to June 2018. The clinical symptoms, nystagmus, other central ocular motor abnormalities, MRI, PET-CT, and laboratory findings were analyzed retrospectively. Results: All patients showed transient vertigo and nystagmus induced by head changes relative to gravity, but the characteristics of nystagmus did not conform to the typical characteristics of nystagmus in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. None of patients response to repositioning maneuvers, and all patients presented with the signs of abnormal visual oculomotor system or other symptoms of central system. MRI, PET-CT and blood biochemical tests confirmed that the causes of CPPV in the patients were chronic hemorrhage, inflammation and paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration. Although the etiology of the three cases is different, the lesion site is involved in the central velocity storage mechanism. Conclusion: The damage of central velocity storage mechanism may lead to the damage of feedback rotation signal correction pathway, and CPPV appears when the head position changes relative to gravity.

Pyoderma gangrenosum confused with congenital preauricular fistula infection: A case report

BACKGROUND

Pyoderma gangrenosum resulting from or associated with congenital preauricular fistula is rarely reported.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a rare case of pyoderma gangrenosum misdiagnosed as preauricular fistula infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe pyoderma gangrenosum originating from the site of preauricular fistula. The lesion continued expanding even after combined treatment of systemic antibiotics and thorough debridement. Taking into account the possibility of pyoderma gangrenosum, we applied soft care with normal saline and Vaseline gauze dressing. Systemic corticosteroids were not used until intestinal Clostridium difficile was controlled. No local recurrence was noted at the 12-mo follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the necessity of considering rare diseases, such as pyoderma gangrenosum, when the preauricular sinus deteriorates with general management. The treatment strategy is mutually conflicting between pyoderma gangrenosum and infection of the preauricular sinus.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic vs surgical management of necrotizing pancreatitis: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Endoscopy and surgery are the two major invasive interventions for necrotizing pancreatitis. However, studies comparing their efficacy and safety are lacking.

AIM

To systemically compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic and surgical interventions for necrotizing pancreatitis.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang database, and Sino Med were searched to identify all randomized control trials (RCT) and cohort studies comparing the efficacy and safety of endoscopic vs surgical management of necrotizing pancreatitis from January 2000 to June 2019. Revman 5.3 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A total of eight studies were included, with three RCT and five cohort studies. The total number of patients involved was 366, with 167 in the endoscopy group and 199 in the surgery group. Meta-analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups in clinical remission (odds ratio [OR] = 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58-2.92, P = 0.52), primary composite endpoint (relative risk [RR] = 0.46, 95%CI: 0.17-1.27, P = 0.14), or mortality (OR = 0.78, 95%CI: 0.37-1.56, P = 0.52). Compared to surgery, endoscopic therapy significantly reduced the rates of postoperative complications including new-onset organ failure (OR = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.18-0.90, P = 0.03), enterocutaneous fistula or perforation of a visceral organ (OR = 0.46, 95%CI: 0.23-0.91, P = 0.02), and pancreatic fistula (OR = 0.09, 95%CI: 0.03-0.24, P < 0.00001).

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic treatment, as compared to surgery, significantly reduces complications in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis.

Prognostic values of immune scores and immune microenvironment-related genes for hepatocellular carcinoma

It is crucial to grasp the characteristics of tumour immune microenvironment to improve effects of immunotherapy. In this study, the immune and stromal scores of 371 cases were calculated for quantitative analysis of immune and stromal cell infiltration in the tumour microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The weighted gene co-expression network analysis and protein–protein interaction network were analysed to identify immune microenvironment-related genes. The results showed that patients with high immune scores had a higher 4-year recurrence-free rate. TP53, CTNNB1, and AXIN1 mutations significantly varied with immune scores. In immune score-related modules analysis, Kyoto encyclopaedia of genes and genomes pathways and gene ontology terms were closely related to immune processes, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. Twelve new immune microenvironment-related genes were identified and had significantly positive correlations with seven immune checkpoint genes. In prognostic analysis, eleven immune microenvironment-related genes exhibited high expression, nine of which were validated in the GSE62232 dataset and were significantly associated with a good prognosis. Our findings suggest that calculating immune score and stromal score could help to determine tumour purity and immune cell infiltration in the tumour microenvironment. Nine immune microenvironment-related genes identified in this study had potential as prognostic markers for HCC.

[Effects of sowing date and seeding rate on soil water consumption and plant nitrogen translocation in dryland wheat]

To tackle the issue of rainfall delay during dryland wheat sowing season and further examine the effects of seeding rate on water use and yield formation, a field experiment was conducted at Wenxi Experimental Station, Shanxi Province between 2015 and 2017. We used two sowing dates, i.e. September 20 and October 10 as early (EB) and late (LB) sowing in main plots, and each with three seeding rates as 67.5 (LD), 90 (MD) and 112.5(HD) kg·hm^-2. The results showed that compared with LB, EB increased total soil water consumption by 11-22 mm over the entire growing season. With the increases of seeding density, total soil water consumption increased by 2-20 mm. Soil water consumption before anthesis tended to increase for LB, while there was a significant increase of soil water consumption after anthesis for EB. Compared with LB, the pre-anthesis nitrogen translocation and post-anthesis nitrogen accumulation amount in EB were increased under LD and MD, but decreased under HD. For EB, the pre-anthesis nitrogen translocation amount and post-anthesis nitrogen accumulation amount were highest at LD. Under LB, the pre-anthesis nitrogen translocation amount and post-anthesis nitrogen accumulation amount were greatest at high sowing density. EB significantly increased grain yield by 163-996 kg·hm^-2 than LB. EB significantly increased grain yield and water use efficiency by 5%-26% and 2%-21% compared with LB, respectively. The nitrogen absorption efficiency and harvest index were 3%-36% and 11% higher under LB than that under EB. As for seeding rate, a low level tended to gain higher grain yield, water use efficiency, nitrogen uptake efficiency and nitrogen harvest index under EB, whereas a high level tended to gain higher values of grain yield, water use efficiency, nitrogen uptake efficiency and nitrogen harvest index under LB. In addition, the pre-anthesis nitrogen translocation was closely related with 100-200 cm soil water consumption before anthesis, especially for stem + sheath, glume + spike nitrogen translocation. The post-anthesis nitrogen accumulation was significantly correlated with 100-300 cm soil water consumption after anthesis. In conclusion, early sowing with a seeding rate of 67.5 kg·hm^-2 and late sowing with a seeding rate of 112.5 kg·hm^-2 could be promising options to boost dryland wheat production.

[Advances of chronic tympanic membrane perforation animal model]

Chronic tympanic membrane perforation in an animal model has been widely used. The ideal model is a lasting and stable perforation without infection. For half a century, several physical modalities have been evolved, such as thermal injury, infolding technique, tympanostomy tube, re-myringotomy, and laser myringotomy. Chemical methods using chemical substance inhibiting growth and repair of cells as well as using gene defect animals are also applied. We have found the success rate is lower when using only one method and it would be better to combine physical and chemical approaches. In this article, we review the research advances in the establishment of chronic tympanic membrane perforation animal model.

Development of Drought-Tolerant Transgenic Wheat: Achievements and Limitations

Crop yield improvement is necessary to keep pace with increasing demand for food. Due to climatic variability, the incidence of drought stress at crop growth stages is becoming a major hindering factor to yield improvement. New techniques are required to increase drought tolerance along with improved yield. Genetic modification for increasing drought tolerance is highly desirable, and genetic engineering for drought tolerance requires the expression of certain stress-related genes. Genes have been identified which confer drought tolerance and improve plant growth and survival in transgenic wheat. However, less research has been conducted for the development of transgenic wheat as compared to rice, maize, and other staple food. Furthermore, enhanced tolerance to drought without any yield penalty is a major task of genetic engineering. In this review, we have focused on the progress in the development of transgenic wheat cultivars for improving drought tolerance and discussed the physiological mechanisms and testing of their tolerance in response to inserted genes under control or field conditions.

[The advance of materials for preventing adhesion in tympanoplasty]

For otitis media patients with severe mucosal lesions, adhesion is the most common poor prognosis of tympanoplasty. We generally consider tympanic cavity adhesion is due to eustachian tube dysfunction and poor middle ear ventilation. The mechanism of adhesion is unclear so far, which we thought is mainly associated with wounded surface and activation of the fibrinolytic system. To solve the problem of adhesion, several materials have been used in the middle ear surgery, such as plastic sheet, silicone sheet and absorbable material. And there are some benefits. The most widely used is silicone sheet, and there are some researches focused on its thickness, shape and components to achieve better anti-adhesion effect. In this article, we will do a review for the research advances of anti-adhesion materials in tympanoplasty.

[A double-blind randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of mixed pure tone sound therapy in chronic tinnitus patients with different hearing loss]

Objective: The effectiveness of two different sound therapies in chronic subjective tinnitus was compared. The effectiveness of different degrees of hearing loss patients on two different sound therapies were analyzed preliminarily and the possible mechanisms were discussed. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, China from January 2018 to April 2018. Patients were received sound therapy when they were diagnosed as subjective tinnitus. This was a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. In our clinical trial, we included 56 participants who were randomly divided into Groups A and B with different sound therapies by using a computer allocation sequence. Pure tone audiometry, tympanometry and tinnitus matching were performed. The patients were followed up for 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months. Tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) and visual analog scales (VAS) measuring were used to evaluate the handicap, loudness and anxiety of tinnitus. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) of 2×5 repeated-measures was conducted. Results: With the prolongation of the treatment time, both groups showed significantly lower scores after 3 months training compared with baseline which were measured by THI scores. While there was no effect between the two groups. According to the degree of hearing loss, Group A and B were divided into normal to mild hearing loss group (26-40 dB HL, Group A1, Group B1), moderate to profound hearing loss group (41 dB HL group and above, Group A2, Group B2). In the patients with normal hearing and mild hearing loss, the THI (P=0.013), VAS loudness and annoyance scores (P<0.01) after 3 months in Group B1 was significantly lower than those at baseline and the sound therapy in Group B1 was effective. In patients with moderate to profound hearing loss, the THI, VAS loudness and annoyance scores (P<0.01) after 3 months in Group A2 was significantly lower than those at baseline and the sound therapy in Group A2 was effective. Conclusions: Sound therapy may be effective for some patients. Sound therapy for patients with different degrees of hearing loss are different. The tinnitus of most patients could not disappear completely, but reduce or eliminate. Doctors should use appropriate and individualized acoustic parameters for different characteristics of tinnitus. Doing so would provide effective and specific sound therapy for patients and reduce or eliminate tinnitus.

The Research Progress of Chalcone Isomerase (CHI) in Plants

Chalcone isomerase (CHI) is the second rate-limiting and the first reported enzyme involved in the biosynthetic pathway of flavonoids. It catalyzes the intramolecular cyclization reaction, converting the bicyclic chalcone into tricyclic (2S)-flavanone. In this paper, we obtained and analyzed 916 DNA sequences, 1310 mRNA sequences, and 2403 amino acid sequences of CHI registered in NCBI by Jan 2018. The full length of CHI DNA sequences ranges from 218 to 3758 bp, CHI mRNA sequences ranges from 265 to 1436 bp, and CHI amino acid sequences ranges from 35 to 465 amino acid residues. Forty representative species were selected from each family to construct the maximum likelihood tree and analyze the evolutionary relationship. According to the medicinal and agricultural use, 13 specific species were selected, and their physicochemical properties were analyzed. The molecular weight of CHI ranges from 23 to 26 kD, and the isoelectric point of CHI ranges from 4.93 to 5.85. All the half-life periods of CHI are 30 h in mammalian reticulocytes in vitro, 20 h in yeast, and 10 h in E. coli in vivo, theoretically. The consistency of the 13 CHI amino acid sequences is 63.55%. According to the similarity between each sequence, we selected four CHI sequences of Paeonia suffruticosa, Paeonia lactiflora, Taxus wallichiana, and Tradescantia hirsutiflora for secondary structure, three-dimensional protein models, conserved domains, transmembrane structure, and signal peptide prediction analysis. It was found that CHI sequences of Paeonia suffruticosa and Paeonia lactiflora owned a higher similarity; they both share the template 4doi.1.A. The four CHI all have no signal peptides, and they exert their activities in cytoplasm. Then, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Research Gate were used as information sources through the search terms 'chalcone isomerase', 'biosynthesis', 'expression', and their combinations to get the latest and comprehensive information of CHI, mainly from the year 2010 to 2018. More than 300 papers were searched and 116 papers were reviewed in the present work. We summarized the classification of CHI, catalytic reaction mechanism of CHI, and progress of genetic engineering regarding CHI clone, expression, and exogenous stimulator regulation. This paper will lay a foundation for further studies of CHI and other functional genes involved in flavonoids biosynthetic pathway.

[Design of cross-sectional anatomical model focused on drainage pathways of paranasal sinuses]

Objective:To design and produce cross-sectional anatomical models of paranasal sinuses for the purpose of demonstrating drainage pathways of each nasal sinus for the young doctors. Method:We reconstructed the three-dimensional model of sinuses area based on CT scan data, and divided it into 5 thick cross-sectional anatomy models by 4 coronal plane，which cross middle points of agger nasi cell, ethmoid bulla, posterior ethmoid sinuses and sphenoid sinus respectively. Then a 3D printerwas used to make anatomical cross-sectional anatomical models.Result:Successfully produced a digital 3D printing cross-sectional models of paranasal sinuses. Sinus drainage pathways were observed on the models. Conclusion:The cross-sectional anatomical models made by us can exactly and intuitively demonstrate the ostia of each sinus cell and they can help the young doctors to understand and master the key anatomies and relationships which are important to the endoscopic sinus surgery.

Matched-pair analysis of survival in the patients with T3 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with supracricoid partial laryngectomy or total laryngectomy

Background

The survival outcomes between supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) and total laryngectomy (TL) were compared in the groups of matched-pair patients with T3 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Methods

Patients with T3 LSCC were matched based on prognostic factors. The Kaplan–Meier curve and the Cox proportional hazards model were used for analysis on survival.

Results

A total of 212 patients with T3 LSCC were included after matching (106 underwent SCPL and 106 underwent TL). Multivariable analysis showed no differences in overall survival (hazard risk [HR]=1.15; 95% CI: 0.79–1.67; P=0.47), disease-specific survival (HR=1.11; 95% CI: 0.69–1.80; P=0.66), and recurrence-free survival (HR=1.07; 95% CI: 0.68–1.68; P=0.77) between the SCPL group and TL group.

Conclusion

SCPL provides reliable therapeutic outcomes and can be used to avoid a TL surgery in some patients with advanced primary laryngeal cancer.

[Clinical significance of bedside dynamic visual acuity test]

Objective: Dynamic visual acuity (DVA) is defined as the visual acuity when there are relative movements between subjects and visual targets. The purpose of this study was to discuss the correlation between bedside DVA test and other examinations of vestibular function, and to assess the value of DVA test for clinical diagnosis. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 323 cases with peripheral vestibular disorder, and analyzing the correlation between bedside DVA results and caloric test were performed. Results: Out of these 323 cases, 113 cases showed positive results of DVA.Among these 113 cases with positive DVA test, 109 cases were bilateral or unilateral vestibular function loss according to the results of caloric test or VEMP. The disease with the highest positive rate of DVA was bilateral vestibulopathy(BVP), followed by vestibular neuritis (VN) and profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss (pSSNHL). Conclusions: Bedside DVA is effective to determine the cases with BVP and severe unilateral vestibular function loss.

Long Noncoding RNA HOST2 Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Proliferation, Invasion and Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Activating the JAK2-STAT3 Signaling Pathway

Background/Aims: This study aims to examine the effect of long noncoding RNA HOST2 (LncRNA HOST2) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), proliferation, invasion and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells via activation of the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway. Methods: HCC and para-cancerous tissues were collected from 136 HCC patients. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of JAK2 and STAT3. HCC SMMC7721 cells were grouped into blank, negative control (NC), HOST2 mimic and HOST2 inhibitor groups. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HOST2, JAK2, STAT3, E-cadherin, vimentin, Snail, Slug, Twist and Zeb1 in tissues and cells were determined by reverse transcription -quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting, respectively. An MTT assay, scratch test and Transwell assay were applied to measure cell proliferation, migration and invasion, respectively. Results: The levels of JAK2, STAT3 and vimentin were higher in HCC tissues, while the expression of E-cadherin was lower in HCC tissues compared with para-cancerous tissues. The silencing of HOST2 significantly decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion, reduced the levels of HOST2, JAK2, STAT3 and vimentin, and elevated the expression of E-cadherin. HOST2 silencing also decreased the levels of Snail, Slug and Twist but increased the level of Zeb1 protein, while the opposite findings were observed in the HOST2 mimic group. Conclusion: These results reveal a possible mechanism in HCC in which LncRNA HOST2 may increase EMT and enhance proliferation, invasion and metastasis of HCC cells via activation of the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway.

[Clinical analyses of 263 patients with laryngeal leukoplakia]

Objective: To investigate the etiology, clinical and pathological characteristics of laryngeal leukoplakia and the predictive risk factors of recurrence and malignant transformation. Methods: Clinical data of 263 patients with laryngeal leukoplakia between January 2000 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The pathological diagnoses included squamous epithelial hyperplasia (54.4%), mild dysplasia (17.9%), moderate dysplasia (12.2%), severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ (12.5%), and invasive carcinoma (3.0%). Age and the extent of lesion were statistically different among different pathological groups (P<0.05). Gender, smoking and alcohol consumption did not show statistical differences among different pathological groups (P>0.05). Follow-up of 215 patients, excluding 6 cases of invasive carcinoma. The recurrence rate was 20.6%(43/209), and the malignant transformation rate was 5.3%(11/209). Multivariate analysis showed that pathological classification of moderate to severe dysplasia was the independent risk factor for recurrence and malignant transformation of laryngeal leukoplakia (P<0.05). In patients with severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, the recurrence proportion of conservative treatment, vocal cords (partial) resection and radiotherapy were 8/10, 0/10 and 2/11 respectively. Conclusions: Laryngeal leukoplakia occurs frequently in elderly men with long-term smoking history. Pathological diagnoses are different. The grade of dysplasia is the predictive risk factor for the recurrence and malignant transformation of laryngeal leukoplakia. More aggressive treatment and closer follow-up should be warranted for patients with moderate dysplasia, severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ.

Soil physical properties response to tillage practices during summer fallow of dryland winter wheat field on the Loess Plateau

Soil physical properties are a greatly important part of the soil and indicator of soil quality, which can directly affect soil nutrient turnover and crop yields in dryland. This study was carried out with three tillage practices during the summer fallow season since 2011, including no tillage (NT), plow tillage (PT), and subsoiling (ST) in dryland winter wheat fields of the Loess Plateau. Results showed that soil tillage during the summer fallow had a small effect on soil bulk density (ρ _b) in the 0-50-cm soil profile before sowing and after harvesting of winter wheat. Soil ρ _b under NT at a depth of 20-30 cm was significantly greater than those under PT in both seasons. Both soil gravimetric water content (θ _g) and volumetric moisture content (θ _v) after harvesting increased by 28.8-78.6% and 37.5-87.3%, respectively, compared with those before sowing. Adoption of PT significantly increased soil θ _g and θ _v in the entire 0-50-cm profile before sowing compared with NT and ST (P < 0.05). In addition, there was a small effect on soil porosity (e.g., total porosity, air-filled porosity, and capillary porosity) in the profile of 0-50 cm both before sowing and after harvesting. Overall, short-term tillage during summer fallow mainly affected soil water content in the 0-50-cm soil profile, and it had a slight effect on other physical soil properties.