Plant C, N, P Stoichiometry Was Effected with Nitrogen Deposition on the Loess Plateau, China

The mass ratio of C:N:P (Carbon: Nitrogen: Phosphorus) in plant tissue can reflect the utilization efficiency of these basic elements (Piao et al. 2005). Additionally, the N:P ratio in plant tissue can be used to detect nutrient limita-tions as N, P or both are most often the driving force for ecosystem development and change (Koerselman and Meuleman 1996). N deposition has been increasing dramatically and it has great influence on the productivity, stability and nutrient supply conditions in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem in recent years (Wang and Yu 2008). Many scholars have focused on the C:N:P stoichiometry of individual plant or the whole plant communities which were based on weighted average of important key species and their element contents, rather than by collecting bio-mass samples of all the plants in the community level. Moreover, less is known of the effects of N deposition on C:N:P stoichiometry characteristics of plant communities, especially the grasslands of the Loess Plateau. An experiment was set to study the effects of N deposition on C, N,P stoichiometry characteristics by simulating N deposition by way of N addition

A series of nano/micro-sized metal-organic frameworks with tunable photoluminescence properties

Present studies on metal-organic frameworks (MOF) mainly focus on macro-scaled single crystals. However, the realization of MOF nanocrystals via a bottom-up one-step method still remains a significant challenge. Here, hierarchically assembled nanostructures of lanthanide-based MOFs with 1D and 3D morphologies have been successfully fabricated via a simple and rapid solution phase method at room temperature. Upon UV excitation, these nanomaterials exhibit highly efficient tunable luminescence properties, which come from the Eu3+ or Tb3+ ions. Moreover, white-light emission can be achieved by co-activating the organic ligand, Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions in the nano-MOFs. This journal i

A novel ZRS variant causes preaxial polydactyly type I by increased sonic hedgehog expression in the developing limb bud.

PurposePreaxial polydactyly (PPD) is a common congenital hand malformation classified into four subtypes (PPD I-IV). Variants in the zone of polarizing activity regulatory sequence (ZRS) within intron 5 of the LMBR1 gene are linked to most PPD types. However, the genes responsible for PPD I and the underlying mechanisms are unknown.MethodsA rare large four-generation family with isolated PPD I was subjected to genome-wide genotyping and sequence analysis. In vitro and in vivo functional studies were performed in Caco-2 cells, 293T cells, and a knockin transgenic mouse model.ResultsA novel g.101779T>A (reference sequence: NG_009240.2; position 446 of the ZRS) variant segregates with all PPD I-affected individuals. The knockin mouse with this ZRS variant exhibited PPD I phenotype accompanying ectopic and excess expression of Shh. We confirmed that HnRNP K can bind the ZRS and SHH promoters. The ZRS mutant enhanced the binding affinity for HnRNP K and upregulated SHH expression.ConclusionOur results identify the first PPD I disease-causing variant. The variant leading to PPD I may be associated with enhancing SHH expression mediated by HnRNP K. This study adds to the ZRS-associated syndromes classification system for PPD and clarifies the underlying molecular mechanisms

Effects of alfalfa flavonoids extract on the microbial flora of dairy cow rumen

Objective The effect of flavonoids from alfalfa on the microbial flora was determined using molecular techniques of 16S ribosome deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) analysis. Methods Four primiparous Holstein heifers fitted with ruminal cannulas were used in a 4×4 Latin square design and fed a total mixed ration to which alfalfa flavonoids extract (AFE) was added at the rates of 0 (A, control), 20 (B), 60 (C), or 100 (D) mg per kg of heifer BW. Results The number of operational taxonomic units in heifers given higher levels of flavonoid extract (C and D) was higher than for the two other treatments. The Shannon, Ace, and Chao indices for treatment C were significantly higher than for the other treatments (p<0.05). The number of phyla and genera increased linearly with increasing dietary supplementation of AFE (p<0.05). The principal co-ordinates analysis plot showed substantial differences in the microbial flora for the four treatments. The microbial flora in treatment A was similar to that in B, C, and D were similar by the weighted analysis. The richness of Tenericutes at the phylum level tended to increase with increasing AFE (p = 0.10). The proportion of Euryarchaeota at the phylum level increased linearly, whereas the proportion of Fusobacteria decreased linearly with increasing AFE supplementation (p = 0.04). The percentage of Mogibacterium, Pyramidobacter, and Asteroleplasma at the genus level decreased linearly with increasing AFE (p<0.05). The abundance of Spirochaeta, Succinivibrio, and Suttonella at the genus level tended to decrease linearly with increasing AFE (0.05<p<0.10). Conclusion Including AFE in the diet of dairy cows may alter the microbial composition of the rumen; however its effect on nutrient digestibility remains to be determined

Role of Positive Selection in Functional Divergence of Mammalian Neuronal Apoptosis Inhibitor Proteins during Evolution

Neuronal apoptosis inhibitor proteins (NAIPs) are members of Nod-like receptor (NLR) protein family. Recent research demostrated that some NAIP genes were strongly associated with both innate immunity and many inflammatory diseases in humans. However, no similar phenomena have been reported in other mammals. Furthermore, some NAIP genes have undergone pseudogenization or have been lost during the evolution of some higher mammals. We therefore aimed to determine if functional divergence had occurred, and if natural selection had played an important role in the evolution of these genes. The results showed that NAIP genes have undergone pseudogenization and functional divergence, driven by positive selection. Positive selection has also influenced NAIP protein structure, resulting in further functional divergence

Explorative case control study on the associations of serum vitamin D3, folic acid and vitamin B12 levels on Kawasaki disease and coronary artery lesions

BackgroundKawasaki Disease (KD) is a pediatric vasculitic disorder characterized by systemic small vasculitis, notably coronary arteritis, with unclear pathogenesis. This explorative case-control study investigated the association between folic acid (FA), vitamin D3 (VD3), and vitamin B12 (VB12) levels and the different types of Kawasaki Disease, as well as the incidence of coronary artery lesions (CALs).MethodsIn this explorative case control study, 365 KD children admitted to our hospital from January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 were included as the KD group. Simultaneously, 365 healthy children who received physical examination during the same period were included as the control group. The KD group was divided into typical KD group and incomplete KD group (IKD group), CALs group and non-CALS group, and IVIG sensitive group and IVIG resistant group. The children with CALs were divided into small tumor group, medium tumor group and large tumor group. Serum levels of FA, VB12, and VD3 were compared across all groups.ResultsSerum levels of FA and VD3 were significantly decreased in both the KD and CALs groups (p &lt; 0.05), and both factors were identified as independent risk factors for KD and CALs. Similarly, reduced serum VD3 levels were observed in the IKD and IVIG-resistant groups (p &lt; 0.05), with VD3 also being an independent risk factor for both IKD and IVIG resistance. Additionally, lower serum FA levels were noted in the group with large aneurysms (p &lt; 0.05), establishing FA as an independent risk factor for aneurysm size.ConclusionSerum levels of folic FA and vitamin VD3 were significantly reduced in children with KD. Furthermore, these reductions were more pronounced in children with IKD and CALs. This pattern suggests that lower FA and VD3 levels may increase the risk of more severe coronary lesions in KD patients. Therefore, monitoring these biomarkers could provide valuable insights for early clinical diagnosis and intervention

Risk factors for extraurothelial recurrence in upper tract urothelial carcinoma after radical nephroureterectomy: a retrospective study based on a Chinese population

ObjectivesThe risk factors for extraurothelial recurrence (EUR) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) are currently inconsistent and unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify these risk factors and develop a grading system for EUR.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 220 patients who underwent RNU for UTUC in our center from January 2009 to December 2020. Overall survival (OS) and extraurothelial recurrence-free survival (EURFS) were compared using the Kaplan–Meier curve with a log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were applied to identify the independent risk factors related to EUR.ResultsThe median follow-up period was 42 (range: 2–143) months. Of the 220 patients, 61 patients developed EUR in our cohort, which had worse survival outcome. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed pathologic stage, lymph node (LN) status, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), Ki-67, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were independent risk factors for EUR. The Kaplan–Meier curves revealed a significant difference in EUR among the three risk groups.ConclusionOur study suggests that pathologic stage, LN status, LVI, Ki-67, NLR, and PLR are independent risk factors for EUR in UTUC patients after RNU. The development of a grading system for EUR risk stratification may assist urologists in making clinical decisions regarding the management of UTUC

WSP from “Nostoc commune” Vauch. suppresses gastric cancer migration via EGFRVIII signaling

IntroductionA number of evidences have proved that “Nostoc commune” Vauch can improve human immunity and prevent diseases, however, the specific mechanism remains unclear. The biological activity of the main protein component of “Nostoc commune” Vauch extracellular matrix– a water-stress protein (WSP) still needs to be elucidated.MethodsIn our study, we validated the role of WSP in gastric cancer metastasis at the cellular level, the organoid level and in mouse models, and also studied the role of EGFRVIII and downstream signaling molecules after WSP treatment.ResultsWe found that WSP can significantly inhibit the metastasis of gastric cancer cells. Interestingly, we found that the anti-metastasis ability of WSP on gastric cancer was related to membrane protein receptor EGFRVIII, which was realized by inhibiting the downstream EGFRVIII signaling pathway. In terms of mechanism, WSP can inhibit the downstream EGFRVIII signaling pathway Akt-PI3K and further inhibit the secretion of cancer-related metastasis proteins such as MMP2 and MMP9, thus, significantly affecting the metastasis of gastric cancer cells.DiscussionGiven the anticancer properties of WSP, drug developers and manufacturers can further develop protein drugs for cancer patients using protein engineering techniques based on the properties of WSP