36 research outputs found
DataSheet1_The effect of litter decomposition mostly depends on seasonal variation of ultraviolet radiation rather than species in a hyper-arid desert.docx
Introduction: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is believed to play a significant role in accelerating litter decomposition in water-limited ecosystems. Litter traits also influence the decomposition. However, the dominance of litter traits and ultraviolet radiation on litter decomposition in hyper-arid deserts (annual precipitation: potential evaporation Methods: To address this knowledge gap, we examined the decomposition of three dominant litter species (Karelinia caspia, Alhagi sparsifolia, and Populus euphratica) in the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, Northwest China.Results: Our results revealed that under UV radiation conditions, K. caspia, A. sparsifolia, and P. euphratica experienced mass losses of 45.4%, 39.8%, and 34.9%, respectively, and 20%, 22.2% and 17.4%, respectively under UV filtering treatment. Specifically, the loss rate of carbon and lignin under UV radiation, was 2.5 and 2.2 times higher than under UV filtering treatment, respectively.Conclusion: UV radiation did not dominate decomposition throughout the year in our study area, and the loss rate of litter traits was significantly higher in summer than in winter under UV radiation. Moreover, this photodegradation is related to the intensity of UV exposure, but not to precipitation or temperature. Surprisingly, species type had no significant effect on litter decomposition. However, when we applied a UV filtering treatment, we observed higher loss rates of nitrogen compared with the ambient treatment, suggesting the involvement of other spectra in the litter decomposition process. Overall, our findings elucidate that UV radiation is a crucial factor that affects litter mass loss. The magnitude of this effect mostly varies with the season rather than the species of litter.</p
A Novel Electrochemical Biosensor Based on a Double-Signal Technique for d(CAG)<sub><i>n</i></sub> Trinucleotide Repeats
Electrochemical sensors now play
an important role in analysis and detection of nucleic acids. In this
work, we present a novel double-signal technique for electrochemically
measuring the sequence and length of the dÂ(CAG)<sub><i>n</i></sub> repeat. The double-signal technique used an electrochemical
molecular beacon (a hairpin DNA labeled with ferrocene), which was
directly modified on the surface of a gold electrode, while a reporter
probe (a DNA sequence labeled with horseradish peroxidase) was hybridized
to the target DNA. First a simple single-signal sensor was characterized
in which dÂ(CAG)<sub><i>n</i></sub> repeats were detected
using a short reporter DNA strand labeled with horseradish peroxidase.
To obtain a reliable signal that was dependent on repeat number, a
double-signal biosensor was created in which the single strand capture
DNA in single-signal sensor was replaced by an electrochemical molecular
beacon labeled with ferrocene. When the hairpin DNA hybridized to
the target–reporter DNA complex, it opened, resulting in a
decreased ferrocene current. Both electrochemical biosensors exhibited
high selectivity and sensitivity with low detection limits of 0.21
and 0.15 pM, respectively, for the detection of dÂ(CAG)<sub><i>n</i></sub> repeats. The double-signal sensor was more accurate
for the determination of repeat length, which was measured from the
ratio of signals for HRP and ferrocene (H/F). A linear relationship
was found between H/F and the number of repeats (<i>n</i>), H/F = 0.1398<i>n</i> + 9.89788, with a correlation coefficient
of 0.974. Only 10 nM of target DNA was required for measurements based
on the value of H/F in the double-signal technique. These results
indicated that this new double-signal electrochemical sensor provided
a reliable method for the analysis of CAG trinucleotide repeats
Table1_A case of malonyl coenzyme A decarboxylase deficiency with novel mutations and literature review.docx
IntroductionMalonyl coenzyme A decarboxylase deficiency is caused by an abnormality in the MLYCD gene. The clinical manifestations of the disease involve multisystem and multiorgan.MethodsWe collected and analyzed a patient's clinical characteristics, genetic chain of evidence and RNA-seq. We use the search term “Malonyl-CoA Decarboxylase Deficiency” on Pubmed to collect cases reported.ResultsWe report a 3-year-old girl who is presented with developmental retardation, myocardial damage and elevated C3DC. High-throughput sequencing identified heterozygous mutation (c.798G>A, p.Q266?) in the patient inherited from her father. The other heterozygous mutation (c.641+5G>C) was found in the patient inherited from her mother. RNA-seq showed that there were 254 differential genes in this child, among which 153 genes were up-regulated and 101 genes were down-regulated. Exon jumping events occurred in exons encoding PRMT2 on the positive chain of chromosome 21, which led to abnormal splicing of PRMT2. (PDiscussionIt is the first report about the locus, adding a new item to the MLYCD mutation library. Developmental retardation and cardiomyopathy are the most common clinical manifestations, with commonly elevated malonate and malonyl carnitine levels in children.</p
Table_2_Sensory organization of balance control in children with vestibular migraine and recurrent vertigo of childhood.DOCX
BackgroundMigraine plays an important role in some subgroups of children with recurrent vertigo. Moreover, the migraine component varies from definite to possibly absent as defined in this spectrum of three disorders—vestibular migraine of childhood (VMC), probable VMC (pVMC), and recurrent vertigo of childhood (RVC). However, studies on the sensory organization of balance control in these three disorders are rare.ObjectiveTo explore the balance control of children with RVC, VMC, and pVMC, when the three sensory systems are challenged.MethodA retrospective analysis was performed on 125 children with VMC (18 female and 15 male; aged 11.64 ± 2.74), pVMC (10 female and eight male; aged 11.78 ± 2.51), and RVC (32 female and 42 male; aged 11.10 ± 2.60). All children in each subtype were divided into groups of children aged ≤ 12 years old and 13–17 years old. Vestibular examination screening and assessment for postural control using the six conditions of the sensory organization test (SOT) were performed. The three primary outcome measures were: equilibrium score (ES), strategy score (SS), and sensory analysis score of the SOT.ResultsEquilibrium score under six different conditions and composite score increased with age (all P-values 0.05). In the children ≤ 12 year-old group, children with VMC had a significantly higher visual preference score than those with pVMC and RVC (P ConclusionCompared with patients at the age of 13–17 years old and with RVC and pVMC (both ≤ 12 years old), children with VMC had a higher degree of reliance on visual signals to maintain their balance and a poorer central integration of peripheral information before reaching 12 years of age. In addition, vision may predominate by weakening vestibular function based on visuo-vestibular interactions. It must be noted that peripheral vestibular examinations could not distinguish the three disease subtypes.</p
Table_1_Sensory organization of balance control in children with vestibular migraine and recurrent vertigo of childhood.DOCX
BackgroundMigraine plays an important role in some subgroups of children with recurrent vertigo. Moreover, the migraine component varies from definite to possibly absent as defined in this spectrum of three disorders—vestibular migraine of childhood (VMC), probable VMC (pVMC), and recurrent vertigo of childhood (RVC). However, studies on the sensory organization of balance control in these three disorders are rare.ObjectiveTo explore the balance control of children with RVC, VMC, and pVMC, when the three sensory systems are challenged.MethodA retrospective analysis was performed on 125 children with VMC (18 female and 15 male; aged 11.64 ± 2.74), pVMC (10 female and eight male; aged 11.78 ± 2.51), and RVC (32 female and 42 male; aged 11.10 ± 2.60). All children in each subtype were divided into groups of children aged ≤ 12 years old and 13–17 years old. Vestibular examination screening and assessment for postural control using the six conditions of the sensory organization test (SOT) were performed. The three primary outcome measures were: equilibrium score (ES), strategy score (SS), and sensory analysis score of the SOT.ResultsEquilibrium score under six different conditions and composite score increased with age (all P-values 0.05). In the children ≤ 12 year-old group, children with VMC had a significantly higher visual preference score than those with pVMC and RVC (P ConclusionCompared with patients at the age of 13–17 years old and with RVC and pVMC (both ≤ 12 years old), children with VMC had a higher degree of reliance on visual signals to maintain their balance and a poorer central integration of peripheral information before reaching 12 years of age. In addition, vision may predominate by weakening vestibular function based on visuo-vestibular interactions. It must be noted that peripheral vestibular examinations could not distinguish the three disease subtypes.</p
Multiple PCR Target Enrichment and Next-Generation Sequencing.
<p>Multiple PCR Target Enrichment and Next-Generation Sequencing.</p
EVA-associated genes and their PCR target regions.
<p>EVA-associated genes and their PCR target regions.</p