Seed Dormancy, Seedling Establishment and Dynamics of the Soil Seed Bank of \u3cem\u3eStipa Bungeana\u3c/em\u3e (Poaceae) on the Loess Plateau of Northwestern China

Studying seed dormancy and its consequent effect can provide important information for vegetation restoration and management. The present study investigated seed dormancy, seedling emergence and seed survival in the soil seed bank of Stipa bungeana, a grass species used in restoration of degraded land on the Loess Plateau in northwest China. Dormancy of fresh seeds was determined by incubation of seeds over a range of temperatures in both light and dark. Seed germination was evaluated after mechanical removal of palea and lemma (hulls), chemical scarification and dry storage. Fresh and one-year-stored seeds were sown in the field, and seedling emergence was monitored weekly for 8 weeks. Furthermore, seeds were buried at different soil depths, and then retrieved every 1 or 2 months to determine seed dormancy and seed viability in the laboratory. Fresh seeds (caryopses enclosed by palea and lemma) had non-deep physiological dormancy. Removal of palea and lemma, chemical scarification, dry storage (afterripening), gibberellin (GA3) and potassium nitrate (KNO3) significantly improved germination. Dormancy was completely released by removal of the hulls, but seeds on which hulls were put back to their original position germinated to only 46%. Pretreatment of seeds with a 30% NaOH solution for 60 min increased germination from 25% to 82%. Speed of seedling emergence from fresh seeds was significantly lower than that of seeds stored for 1 year. However, final percentage of seedling emergence did not differ significantly for seeds sown at depths of 0 and 1 cm. Most fresh seeds of S. bungeana buried in the field in early July either had germinated or lost viability by September. All seeds buried at a depth of 5 cm had lost viability after 5 months, whereas 12% and 4% seeds of those sown on the soil surface were viable after 5 and 12 months, respectively

Research progress on the immune microenvironment and immunotherapy in gastric cancer

The tumor microenvironment, particularly the immune microenvironment, plays an indispensable role in the malignant progression and metastasis of gastric cancer (GC). As our understanding of the GC microenvironment continues to evolve, we are gaining deeper insights into the biological mechanisms at the single-cell level. This, in turn, has offered fresh perspectives on GC therapy. Encouragingly, there are various monotherapy and combination therapies in use, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell transfer therapy, chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, antibody-drug conjugates, and cancer vaccines. In this paper, we review the current research progress regarding the GC microenvironment and summarize promising immunotherapy research and targeted therapies

Case report: Genotype and phenotype of DYNC1H1-related malformations of cortical development: a case report and literature review

BackgroundMutations in the dynein cytoplasmic 1 heavy chain 1 (DYNC1H1) gene are linked to malformations of cortical development (MCD), which may be accompanied by central nervous system (CNS) manifestations. Here, we present the case of a patient with MCD harboring a variant of DYNC1H1 and review the relevant literature to explore genotype-phenotype relationships.Case presentationA girl having infantile spasms, was unsuccessfully administered multiple antiseizure medications and developed drug-resistant epilepsy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 14 months-of-age revealed pachygyria. At 4 years-of-age, the patient exhibited severe developmental delay and mental retardation. A de novo heterozygous mutation (p.Arg292Trp) in the DYNC1H1 gene was identified. A search of multiple databases, including PubMed and Embase, using the search strategy DYNC1H1 AND [malformations of cortical development OR seizure OR intellectual OR clinical symptoms] up to June 2022, identified 129 patients from 43 studies (including the case presented herein). A review of these cases showed that patients with DYNC1H1-related MCD had higher risks of epilepsy (odds ratio [OR] = 33.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 11.59, 97.84) and intellectual disability/developmental delay (OR = 52.64, 95% CI = 16.27, 170.38). Patients with the variants in the regions encoding the protein stalk or microtubule-binding domain had the most prevalence of MCD (95%).ConclusionMCD, particularly pachygyria, is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in patients with DYNC1H1 mutations. Literature searches reveales that most (95%) patients who carried mutations in the protein stalk or microtubule binding domains exhibited DYNC1H1-related MCD, whereas almost two-thirds of patients (63%) who carried mutations in the tail domain did not display MCD. Patients with DYNC1H1 mutations may experience central nervous system (CNS) manifestations due to MCD

Effect of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy with Capecitabine versus Fluorouracil for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis was carried out to compare the efficacy and safety of capecitabine plus radiation with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus radiotherapy (RT) as neoadjuvant treatment in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). We searched the Cochrane database, Ovid, Medline, Embase, ISI databases, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database between January 1998 and October 2014. Trials of capecitabine compared with 5-FU plus RT as neoadjuvant treatment for LARC were considered for inclusion. RevMan software was used to analyze these data. Nine trials were included in this meta-analysis, which covered a total of 3141 patients. The meta-analysis showed that capecitabine group had statistically significant better pCR rates (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.10–1.64; P=0.003), T downstaging rates (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.22–2.06; P=0.0007), N downstaging rates (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.34–3.16; P=0.001), less distant metastasis (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.44–0.88; P=0.007), and lowered leucocytes (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.11–0.54; P=0.0005), but with higher incidence of hand-foot syndrome (HFS) (OR, 4.43; 95% CI, 1.59–12.33; P=0.004). Capecitabine was more efficient than 5-FU in terms of tumor response in neoadjuvant treatment for patients with LARC and favourably low toxicity with the exception of HFS

Selective detection of paraquat by a cucurbit[7]uril-based fluorescent probe

A simple fluorescent “on-off” system that can be utilized for the selective identification and determination of paraquat (PQ) is presented herein. 1H NMR spectroscopic data indicated that in aqueous solution the alkaloid palmatine can be partially encapsulated within the cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]) cavity, whereby a stable 1: 1 host–guest inclusion complex is formed. Other characterization techniques including mass spectrometry, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy also provided further evidence, and the host-guest inclusion complex was found to exhibit reasonable fluorescence intensity. It is noteworthy that the addition of PQ resulted in quenching the fluorescence of the host-guest inclusion complex, whereas the presence of 12 other pesticides did not significantly affect the fluorescence intensity. Given the linear relationship between the intensity of the fluorescence and the PQ concentration, the PQ concentration in aqueous solution was easily detected. Thus, a new method for identifying and determining the fluorescence quenching of PQ has been developed in this work

A study of HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitude and behaviors among female sex workers in Shanghai China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>China is currently facing a rapid and widespread increase in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The activities of female sex workers (FSWs) have contributed to the mounting epidemic of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitude and risk behaviors among FSWs operating in Shanghai China.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted in five districts of Shanghai, including three suburbs and two downtown locales. We adopted a cluster randomized sampling method to obtain ten geographic sites which consisted of one or more communities/villages proximal to a location where FSWs were accessible. A total of 324 FSWs from 109 Xitou Fang, massage parlors and hair salons who explicitly provided sexual services were enrolled in the study. Each participant completed a questionnaire survey and interview aimed to collect information on the individual's knowledge, attitude, and behaviors associated with risk for HIV/AIDs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall correct answer rate of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was 60.8%, and the knowledge of FSWs from downtown areas was significantly higher than those from suburban areas (<it>P </it>< 0.05). The percentage of FSWs who reported having experiences in commercial sexual services without the use of condoms was 33.6%. Condom slippage or breakage was reported as having occurred at least once by 51.2% of the FSWs. FSWs from suburban areas were found to more often engage in high-risk behaviors, including oral and anal sex, than those from downtown areas (<it>P </it>< 0.001). Many of the FSWs (65.7%) reported having non-client sexual partners (most were identified as boyfriends or husbands); however, condom usage with these partners were lower (34.3%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on the findings from our survey, we advise that promotion of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge be targeted towards FSWs in Shanghai, especially those operating in the suburbs. HIV prevention efforts, such as urging constant condom usage with both clients and steady partners, should be sustained and reinforced among the female sex workers population.</p

Establishing and evaluating FRAX® probability thresholds in Taiwan

Background/purpose: The Taiwanese FRAX® calculator was launched in 2010. However, cost-effectiveness thresholds for the prescription of antiosteoporosis medications were not established. This study aims to establish and evaluate FRAX®-based probability thresholds in Taiwan. Methods: Using previous data from Taiwan and literature, we determined cost-effectiveness thresholds for prevention of osteoporotic fractures by alendronate with a Markov model, as well as using two other translational approaches. Sensitivity analysis was applied using different alendronate prices. A clinical sample was used to test these Taiwan-specific thresholds by determining the percentages of high-risk patients who would be qualified for current National Health Insurance reimbursement. Results: With the Markov model, the intervention threshold for hip fracture was 7% for women and 6% for men; for major osteoporotic fracture, it was 15% for women and 12.5% for men. Both translational approach models were cost effective only for certain age groups. However, if branded alendronate was reimbursed at 60% of the current price, they became cost effective in almost all age groups. This clinical screening study showed that the National Health Insurance Administration model identified the highest proportion (44%) of patients qualified for National Health Insurance reimbursements, followed by the Markov model (30%), and the United States model (22%). Conclusion: Three FRAX®-based models of alendronate use were established in Taiwan to help optimize treatment strategies. The government is encouraged to incorporate FRAX®-based approaches into the reimbursement policy for antiosteoporosis medicines

The AMT1 Arginine Methyltransferase Gene Is Important for Plant Infection and Normal Hyphal Growth in Fusarium graminearum

Arginine methylation of non-histone proteins by protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) has been shown to be important for various biological processes from yeast to human. Although PRMT genes are well conserved in fungi, none of them have been functionally characterized in plant pathogenic ascomycetes. In this study, we identified and characterized all of the four predicted PRMT genes in Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium head blight of wheat and barley. Whereas deletion of the other three PRMT genes had no obvious phenotypes, the Δamt1 mutant had pleiotropic defects. AMT1 is a predicted type I PRMT gene that is orthologous to HMT1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The Δamt1 mutant was slightly reduced in vegetative growth but normal in asexual and sexual reproduction. It had increased sensitivities to oxidative and membrane stresses. DON mycotoxin production and virulence on flowering wheat heads also were reduced in the Δamt1 mutant. The introduction of the wild-type AMT1 allele fully complemented the defects of the Δamt1 mutant and Amt1-GFP fusion proteins mainly localized to the nucleus. Hrp1 and Nab2 are two hnRNPs in yeast that are methylated by Hmt1 for nuclear export. In F. graminearum, AMT1 is required for the nuclear export of FgHrp1 but not FgNab2, indicating that yeast and F. graminearum differ in the methylation and nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of hnRNP components. Because AMT2 also is a predicted type I PRMT with limited homology to yeast HMT1, we generated the Δamt1 Δamt2 double mutants. The Δamt1 single and Δamt1 Δamt2 double mutants had similar defects in all the phenotypes assayed, including reduced vegetative growth and virulence. Overall, data from this systematic analysis of PRMT genes suggest that AMT1, like its ortholog in yeast, is the predominant PRMT gene in F. graminearum and plays a role in hyphal growth, stress responses, and plant infection