Dramatic Increases of Soil Microbial Functional Gene Diversity at the Treeline Ecotone of Changbai Mountain.

The elevational and latitudinal diversity patterns of microbial taxa have attracted great attention in the past decade. Recently, the distribution of functional attributes has been in the spotlight. Here, we report a study profiling soil microbial communities along an elevation gradient (500-2200 m) on Changbai Mountain. Using a comprehensive functional gene microarray (GeoChip 5.0), we found that microbial functional gene richness exhibited a dramatic increase at the treeline ecotone, but the bacterial taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing did not exhibit such a similar trend. However, the β-diversity (compositional dissimilarity among sites) pattern for both bacterial taxa and functional genes was similar, showing significant elevational distance-decay patterns which presented increased dissimilarity with elevation. The bacterial taxonomic diversity/structure was strongly influenced by soil pH, while the functional gene diversity/structure was significantly correlated with soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC). This finding highlights that soil DOC may be a good predictor in determining the elevational distribution of microbial functional genes. The finding of significant shifts in functional gene diversity at the treeline ecotone could also provide valuable information for predicting the responses of microbial functions to climate change

hCLP46 Increases Smad3 Protein Stability Via Inhibiting its Ubiquitin-Proteasomal Degradation

hCLP46 (human CAP10-like protein 46 kDa) was initially isolated and identified from human acute myeloid leukemia transformed from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS-AML) CD34+ cells (Teng et al., 2006) and we demonstrated previously that hCLP46 is abnormally expressed in many hematopoietic malignancies (Wang et al., 2010). Studies fromits Drosophila homolog, Rumi, suggested that Notch is a potential target of hCLP46 (Acar et al., 2008). We also found that overexpression of hCLP46 enhances Notch activation and regulates cell proliferation in a cell type-dependent manner (Ma et al., 2011; Chu et al., 2013). However, hCLP46−/− embryos show more severe phenotypes compared to those displayed by other global regulators of canonical Notch signaling, suggesting that hCLP46 is likely to have additional important targets during mammalian development (Fernandez- Valdivia et al., 2011). Based on the crosstalk between Notch and the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling, we proposed that hCLP46 might be involved in TGF-β signal regulation, but the detail mechanism remains unclear

Photo-Induced Depolymerisation: Recent Advances and Future Challenges

Facing the growing environmental issues provoked by the use of nondegradable polymers in many fields (for example, packing, building, and clothing), tremendous efforts have been made to explore photodegradable materials to alleviate the increase in plastic pollution. Photodegradable materials would exploit significant advantages presented by the use of light, such as abundance, safety and the ability to easily tune intensity and wavelength. In particular, photo-induced depolymerisation has received increasing attention, which could enable polymers to degrade to their original monomers or small molecules under certain photoirradiation conditions. Most importantly, the obtained molecules or monomers via photo-induced depolymerisation could be conveniently recycled or further transformed to other high-value-added products, which is of great benefit for environmental protection. This Review summarizes recent advances in the growing field of photo-induced depolymerisation and also considers future challenges that must be addressed. It aims to encourage new researchers to enter this flourishing area and presents a brief guide to the field

Assessing perceived participation among older adults total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty patients six months post-surgery: a cross-sectional study

AimsThis research sought to assess the perceived levels of participation and autonomy in senior patients who had received total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in Hangzhou, China. Furthermore, the study aimed to identify the factors linked to these outcomes.Study designThis investigation will utilize a cross-sectional study design to assess perceived participation and autonomy among older adults total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients. The research was conducted in Hangzhou, China, at a tertiary hospital.MethodsConvenient sampling was utilized to select 139 patients who underwent THA or TKA between March 2022 and March 2023 and met the inclusion criteria at a tertiary hospital in Hangzhou. The Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire, Hip/Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS/KOOS), 5-Item Geriatric Depression Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Elders Health Empowerment Scale were used to assess perceived participation, hip/knee-related symptoms and functional restrictions, depression symptoms, social support, and health empowerment.ResultsThe mean score for perceived participation and autonomy was 22.554 (SD: 13.042). The mean scores for participation in indoor autonomy, outdoor autonomy, family roles, and social relations were 0.654 (SD: 0.608), 1.324 (SD: 0.792), 1.053 (SD: 0.657), and 0.664 (SD: 0.542), respectively. Negative correlations were observed between perceived participation/autonomy scores and HOOS/KOOS, social support, and health empowerment scores. Conversely, a positive correlation was found between perceived participation/autonomy scores and depression scores. The detrimental effect of HOOS/KOOS, social support, and health empowerment scores on perceived participation and autonomy was notable, while the impact of depressive symptoms was comparatively minor.ConclusionOlder Chinese patients, at first six months post THA/TKA surgery, reported higher levels of perceived participation compared to individuals with other conditions, such as stroke patients. Functional limitations resulting from hip/knee-related symptoms, as well as social support and health empowerment, emerged as significant influencing factors for perceived participation and autonomy. This research enhances our comprehension of the elements influencing perceived participation among older adults individuals who have undergone THA/TKA procedures

Genomic analysis of oesophageal squamous-cell carcinoma identifies alcohol drinking-related mutation signature and genomic alterations

Approximately half of the world's 500,000 new oesophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) cases each year occur in China. Here, we show whole-genome sequencing of DNA and RNA in 94 Chinese individuals with ESCC. We identify six mutational signatures (E1–E6), and Signature E4 is unique in ESCC linked to alcohol intake and genetic variants in alcohol-metabolizing enzymes. We discover significantly recurrent mutations in 20 protein-coding genes, 4 long non-coding RNAs and 10 untranslational regions. Functional analyses show six genes that have recurrent copy-number variants in three squamous-cell carcinomas (oesophageal, head and neck and lung) significantly promote cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The most frequently affected genes by structural variation are LRP1B and TTC28. The aberrant cell cycle and PI3K-AKT pathways seem critical in ESCC. These results establish a comprehensive genomic landscape of ESCC and provide potential targets for precision treatment and prevention of the cancer

Diet and lifestyle interventions in postpartum women in China: study design and rationale of a multicenter randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>"Doing the month", or "sitting month", is a traditional practice for postpartum women in China and other Asian countries, which includes some taboos against well-accepted healthy diet and lifestyles in general population. Previous studies have shown this practice may be associated with higher prevalence of postpartum problems. The current multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate outcomes of diet and lifestyle interventions in Chinese postpartum women.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The current multicenter RCT will be conducted in three representative areas in China, Shandong province, Hubei province and Guangdong province, which locate in northern, central and southern parts of China, respectively. Women who attend routine pregnancy diagnosis in hospitals or maternal healthcare centers will be invited to take part in this study. At least 800 women who meet our eligibility criteria will be recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention group (n > = 400) and the control group (n > = 400). A three-dimension comprehensive intervention strategy, which incorporates intervention measures simultaneously to individual postpartum woman, their family members and community environment, will be utilized to maximize the effectiveness of intervention. Regular visiting and follow-up will be done in both group; nutrition and health-related measurements will be assessed both before and after the intervention.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>To our knowledge, this current study is the first and largest multicenter RCT which focus on the effectiveness of diet and lifestyle intervention on reducing the incidence rate of postpartum diseases and improving health status in postpartum women. We hypothesize that the intervention will reduce the incidence rates of postpartum diseases and improve nutrition and health status due to a balanced diet and reasonable lifestyle in comparison with the control condition. If so, the results of our study will provide especially important evidence for changes in both the concept and action of traditional postpartum practice in China.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01039051.</p

A sensor with coating Pt/WO3 powder with an Erbium-doped fiber amplifier to detect the hydrogen concentration

A highly sensitive hydrogen sensor coated with Pt/WO3 powder with an Erbium-doped fibre amplifier (EDFA) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The sensing head is constructed by splicing a short section of tapered small diameter coreless fiber (TSDCF diameter of 62.5 μm, and tapered to 14.5 μm) between two single-mode fibres. The Pt/WO3 powder adheres to the surface of PDMS film coated on the TSDCF structure, which is sensitive to hydrogen. An EDFA is introduced into the sensor system to improve the quality factor of the output spectrum and thus improve the sensor’s resolution. As the hydrogen concentration varies from 0 to 1.44, the measured maximum light intensity variation and the sensor’s sensitivity are -32.41 dB and -21.25 dB/, respectively. The sensor demonstrates good stability with the light intensity fluctuation of < 1.26 dB over a 30-minute duration

miRNA-135a promotes breast cancer cell migration and invasion by targeting HOXA10

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>miRNAs are a group of small RNA molecules regulating target genes by inducing mRNA degradation or translational repression. Aberrant expression of miRNAs correlates with various cancers. Although miR-135a has been implicated in several other cancers, its role in breast cancer is unknown. <it>HOXA10 </it>however, is associated with multiple cancer types and was recently shown to induce p53 expression in breast cancer cells and reduce their invasive ability. Because <it>HOXA10 </it>is a confirmed miR-135a target in more than one tissue, we examined miR-135a levels in relation to breast cancer phenotypes to determine if miR-135a plays role in this cancer type.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Expression levels of miR-135a in tissues and cells were determined by poly (A)-RT PCR. The effect of miR-135a on proliferation was evaluated by CCK8 assay, cell migration and invasion were evaluated by transwell migration and invasion assays, and target protein expression was determined by western blotting. GFP and luciferase reporter plasmids were constructed to confirm the action of miR-135a on downstream target genes including <it>HOXA10</it>. Results are reported as means ± S.D. and differences were tested for significance using 2-sided Student"s t-test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we report that miR-135a was highly expressed in metastatic breast tumors. We found that the expression of miR-135a was required for the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells, but not their proliferation. <it>HOXA10</it>, which encodes a transcription factor required for embryonic development and is a metastasis suppressor in breast cancer, was shown to be a direct target of miR-135a in breast cancer cells. Our analysis showed that miR-135a suppressed the expression of <it>HOXA10 </it>both at the mRNA and protein level, and its ability to promote cellular migration and invasion was partially reversed by overexpression of <it>HOXA10</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In summary, our results indicate that miR-135a is an onco-miRNA that can promote breast cancer cell migration and invasion. <it>HOXA10 </it>is a target gene for miR-135a in breast cancer cells and overexpression of <it>HOXA10 </it>can partially reverse the miR-135a invasive phenotype.</p

A communal catalogue reveals Earth's multiscale microbial diversity

Our growing awareness of the microbial world's importance and diversity contrasts starkly with our limited understanding of its fundamental structure. Despite recent advances in DNA sequencing, a lack of standardized protocols and common analytical frameworks impedes comparisons among studies, hindering the development of global inferences about microbial life on Earth. Here we present a meta-analysis of microbial community samples collected by hundreds of researchers for the Earth Microbiome Project. Coordinated protocols and new analytical methods, particularly the use of exact sequences instead of clustered operational taxonomic units, enable bacterial and archaeal ribosomal RNA gene sequences to be followed across multiple studies and allow us to explore patterns of diversity at an unprecedented scale. The result is both a reference database giving global context to DNA sequence data and a framework for incorporating data from future studies, fostering increasingly complete characterization of Earth's microbial diversity.Peer reviewe