Biodiversity of wild alfalfa pollinators and their temporal foraging characters in Hexi Corridor, Northwest China

Seed production of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is important in determining the effective distribution of new cultivars to farmers. However, little is known about the biodiversity and their community function of native wild pollinators of alfalfa in agronomic systems. We investigated the biodiversity of insects which visited alfalfa flowers and their temporal foraging characters in Hexi Corridor, China. A high biodiversity of insect visitors was discovered, 20 insect taxa in all, including 13 species of Hymenoptera, 3 species of Coleoptera, 3 species of Lepidoptera and 1 species of Diptera. Three native bee species, Andrena squamata, Anthophora melanognatha and Megachile abluta,were validated as the principal pollinators. They showed significant variations in tripping mode and their diurnal distribution patterns. Our results indicated that the native wild bees are diverse and they complement each other. This means they have developed a more complex system for the pollination of alfalfa than has been previously found out

NDM-1-producing Enterobacteriaceae in a teaching hospital in Shanghai, China: IncX3-type plasmids may contribute to the dissemination of blaNDM-1

SummaryObjectivesTo provide the epidemiological dissemination and the genetic characteristics of blaNDM-1 in a teaching hospital in Shanghai, China.MethodsHere, the carbapenemase genes of 114 CRE isolates were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Clonal relatedness was assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Conjugation experiments and Southern blot hybridization were performed to determine the transferability of plasmids. Then plasmids were completely sequenced by the shotgun method.ResultsTwo Klebsiella pneumoniae strains (RJA1227 and RJF866) and one Raoultella planticola strain (RJA274) were identified as NDM-1 positive. The two K. pneumoniae isolates belonged to ST11 and exhibited highly similar PFGE patterns. Shotgun sequencing showed that plasmid pRJF866 (ca. 110kb) contained genes associated with the IncFII-FIB group and was highly similar to plasmid pKOX_NDM1. RJA274 (ca. 50kb) harbored blaNDM-1 on an IncX3 plasmid, which was nearly identical to plasmid pNDM-HN380 except that part of the ISAba125 element is missing.ConclusionThis is the first report of NDM-1-positive Enterobacteriaceae from Shanghai, China. IncX3 plasmids, reported in various species in the United Arab Emirates and China, may contribute to the dissemination of blaNDM-1.. More attention should be devoted to monitoring the dissemination of the NDM-1 gene due to its potential horizontal transfer via mobile genetic elements

Copolymer SJ-1 as a Fluid Loss Additive for Drilling Fluid with High Content of Salt and Calcium

A ternary copolymer of 2-acrylamide-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS), acrylamide (AM), and allyl alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (APEG) with a side chain polyoxyethylene ether (C2H4O)n SJ-1 were designed and synthesized in this work. Good temperature resistance and salt tolerance of “–SO3-” of AMPS, strong absorption ability of “amino-group” of AM, and good hydrability of side chain polyoxyethylene ether (C2H4O)n of APEG provide SJ-1 excellent properties as a fluid loss additive. The chemical structure of ternary copolymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The molecular weight and its distribution were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The API fluid loss of drilling fluid decreased gradually with the increasing concentration of NaCl and CaCl2 in the mud system. SJ-1 was applied well in the drilling fluid even at a high temperature of 220°C. Results of zeta potential of modified drilling fluid showed the dispersion stability of drilling fluid system. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the microstructure of the surface of the filter cake obtained from the drilling fluid modified by SJ-1

Causal association between adiposity and hemorrhoids: a Mendelian randomization study

BackgroundHemorrhoids are a very common anorectal disorder affecting a large number of individuals throughout the world. This study aimed to evaluate the causal effects of four adiposity traits including body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio on hemorrhoids by Mendelian randomization (MR).MethodsWe used summary statistics of BMI (N = 461,460), body fat percentage (N = 454,633), waist circumference (N = 462,166), waist-to-hip ratio (N = 212,244), and hemorrhoids (N = 337,199) from large-scale genome wide association studies of European ancestry. Univariable and multivariable MR were carried out to infer causality. The MR Steiger directionality test was used to test the causal direction.ResultsThe primary MR analysis using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method showed that there were positive effects of genetically determined BMI [odds ratio (OR) = 1.005, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.003–1.008, per standard deviation (SD), p = 7.801 × 10−5], body fat percentage (OR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.001–1.008, per SD, p = 0.008), waist circumference (OR = 1.008, 95% CI: 1.005–1.011, per SD, p = 1.051 × 10−6), and waist-to-hip ratio (OR = 1.010, 95% CI: 1.003–1.017, per SD, p = 0.003) on hemorrhoids. These findings were robust in multivariable MR adjusting for physical activity. The Steiger directionality test showed evidence against reverse causation.ConclusionOur MR study supports a causal role of adiposity in the development of hemorrhoids. Adiposity prevention may be an important strategy for reducing hemorrhoids risk

Zinc deficiency activates S100A8 inflammation in the absence of COX-2 and promotes murine oral-esophageal tumor progression

Zinc (Zn)-deficiency (ZD) is implicated in the pathogenesis of human oral-esophageal cancers. Previously, we showed that in ZD mice genetic deletion of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) enhances N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine-induced forestomach carcinogenesis. By contrast, Cox-2 deletion offers protection in Zn-sufficient (ZS) mice. We hypothesize that ZD activates pathways insensitive to COX-2 inhibition, thereby promoting carcinogenesis. This hypothesis is tested in a Cox-2−/− mouse tongue cancer model that mimics pharmacologic blockade of COX-2 by firstly examining transcriptome profiles of forestomach mucosa from Cox-2−/− and wild-type mice on a ZD vs. ZS diet, and secondly investigating the roles of identified markers in mouse forestomach/tongue preneoplasia and carcinomas. In Cox-2−/− mice exposed to the tongue carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, dietary ZD elicited tongue/esophagus/forestomach carcinomas that were prevented by ZS. The precancerous ZD:Cox-2−/−vs. ZS:Cox-2−/− forestomach had an inflammatory signature with upregulation of the proinflammation genes S100a8 and S100a9. Bioinformatics analysis revealed overrepresentation of inflammation processes comprising S100a8/a9 and an nuclear factor (NF)-κB network with connectivity to S100A8. Immunohistochemistry revealed co-overexpression of S100A8, its heterodimeric partner S100A9, the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), NF-κB p65, and cyclin D1, in ZD:Cox-2−/− forestomach/tongue preneoplasia and carcinomas, evidence for the activation of a RAGE-S100A8/A9 inflammatory pathway. Accumulation of p53 in these carcinomas indicated activation of additional inflammatory pathways. Zn-replenishment in ZD:Cox-2−/−mice reversed the inflammation and inhibited carcinogenesis. Thus, ZD activates alternative inflammation-associated cancer pathways that fuel tumor progression and bypass the antitumor effect of Cox-2 ablation. These findings have important clinical implications, as combination cancer therapy that includes Zn may improve efficacy

[68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/MR in patients with acute myocardial infarction: potential role of predicting left ventricular remodeling.

PURPOSE To assess predictive value of 68Ga-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor-04 ([68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04) PET/MR for late left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS Twenty-six patients with STEMI were included in the study. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/MR was performed at baseline and at average 12 months after STEMI. LV remodeling was defined as >10% increase in LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) from baseline to 12 months. RESULTS The LV remodeling group demonstrated higher [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 uptake volume (UV) at baseline than the non-LV remodeling group (p < 0.001). [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 UV at baseline was a significant predictor (OR = 1.048, p = 0.011) for LV remodeling at 12 months after STEMI. Compared to clinical information, MR imaging and cardiac function parameters at baseline, [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 UV demonstrated better predictive ability (AUC = 0.938, p < 0.001) for late LV remodeling, with sensitivity of 100.0% and specificity of 81.3%. CONCLUSIONS [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/MR is an effective tool to non-invasively quantify myocardial fibroblasts activation, and baseline [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 UV may have potential predictive value for late LV remodeling

Molecular Packing Control Enables Excellent Performance and Mechanical Property of Blade-Cast All-Polymer Solar Cells

All-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) are the most promising power generators for flexible and portable devices due to excellent morphology stability and outstanding mechanical property. Previous work indicates high crystallinity is beneficial to device performance but detrimental to mechanical property, therefore identifying the optimized ratio between crystalline and amorphous domains becomes important. In this work, we demonstrated highly efficient and mechanically robust all-PSCs by blade-coating technology in ambient environment based on PTzBI:N2200 system. By controlling the aggregation in solution state and ultrafast film formation process, a weakly ordered molecular packing morphology as well as small phase separation is obtained, which leads to not only the good photovoltaic performance (8.36%-one of the best blade-cast device in air) but also prominent mechanical characteristic. The controlled film shows a remarkable elongation with the crack onset strain of 15.6%, which is the highest result in organic solar cells without adding elastomers. These observations indicate the great promise of the developed all-PSCs for practical applications toward large-area processing technology

On correlation between canopy vegetation and growth indexes of maize varieties with different nitrogen efficiencies

Studying the canopy spectral reflection characteristics of different N-efficient maize varieties and analyzing the relationship between their growth indicators and spectral vegetation indices can help the breeding and application of N-efficient maize varieties. To achieve the optimal management of N fertilizer resources, developing N-efficient maize varieties is necessary. In this research, maize varieties, i.e., the low-N-efficient (Zhengdan 958, ZD958), the high-N efficient (Xianyu 335, XY335), the double-high varieties (Qiule 368, QL368), and the double inefficient-type varieties (Yudan 606 YD606), were used as materials. Results indicate that nitrogen fertilization significantly increased the vegetation indices NDVI, GNDVI, GOSAVI, and RVI of maize varieties with different nitrogen efficiencies. These findings were consistent with the performance of yield, dry matter mass, and leaf nitrogen content and were also found highest under both medium and high nitrogen conditions in the double-high variety QL368. The correlations of dry matter quality, leaf nitrogen content, yield, and vegetation indices (NDVI, GNDVI, RVI, and GOSAVI) at the filling stage of different N-efficient maize varieties were all highly significant and positive. In this relationship, the best effect was found at the filling stages, with correlation coefficients reaching 0.772–0.942, 0.774–0.970, 0754–0.960, and 0.800–0.960. The results showed that the yield, dry matter weight, and leaf nitrogen content of maize varieties with different nitrogen efficiencies increased first and then stabilized with the increase in the nitrogen application level in different periods, and the highest nitrogen application level of maize yield should be between 270 and 360 kg/hm2. At the filling stage, canopy vegetation index of maize varieties with different nitrogen efficiencies was positively correlated with yield, dry matter weight, and leaf nitrogen content, especially GNDVI and GOSAVI on the leaf nitrogen content. It can be used as a means to predict its growth index

Enhancement of Radiative Efficiency with Staggered InGaN Quantum Well Light Emitting Diodes

The technology on the large overlap InGaN QWs developed in this program is currently implemented in commercial technology in enhancing the internal quantum efficiency in major LED industry in US and Asia. The scientific finding from this work supported by the DOE enabled the implementation of this step-like staggered quantum well in the commercial LEDs