Genomic selection analysis of morphological and adaptation traits in Chinese indigenous dog breeds

The significant morphological differences and abundant germplasm resources of Chinese indigenous dog breeds can be attributed to the diverse geographical environment, including plateaus, mountains, and a long history of raising dogs. The combination of both natural and artificial selection during the past several thousand years has led to hundreds of dog breeds with distinct morphological traits and environmental adaptations. China is one of the earliest countries to domesticate dogs and there are more than 50 ancient indigenous dog breeds. In this study, the run of homozygosity (ROH) and proportion of the autosomal genome covered by ROHs (FROH) were calculated for 10 dog breeds that are the most representative Chinese indigenous dogs based on 170K SNP microarray. The results of FROH showed that the Chuandong hound dogs (HCSSC) have the highest level of inbreeding among the tested breeds. The inbreeding in HCSSC occurred more recently than the Liangshan dogs (SCLSQ) dogs because of more numbers of long ROHs in HCSSC dogs, and the former also have higher inbreeding degree. In addition, there are significant differences in the inbreeding degree among different subpopulations of the same breed, such as the Thin dogs from Shaanxi and Shandong province. To explore genome-wide selection signatures among different breeds, including coat color, ear shape, and altitude adaptability, we performed genome selection analyses of FST and cross population extended haplotype homozygosity (XP-EHH). For the coat color, the FST analysis between Xiasi dogs (XSGZ) and HCSSC dogs was performed and identified multiple genes involved in coat color, hair follicle, and bone development, including MC1R, KITLG, SOX5, RSPO2, and TBX15. For the plateau adaptability, we performed FST and XP-EHH analyses between dogs from Tibet (Tibetan Mastiffs and Nyingchi dogs) and plain regions (Guangxi Biwei dogs GXBWQ and Guandong Sharpei dogs). The results showed the EPAS1 gene in dogs from Tibet undergo strong selection. Multiple genes identified for selection signals based on different usage of dogs. Furthermore, the results of ear shape analyses showed that MSRB3 was likely to be the main gene causing the drop ear of domestic dogs. Our study provides new insights into further understanding of Chinese indigenous dogs

Long-term survival, toxicities, and the role of chrono-chemotherapy with different infusion rates in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy: a retrospective study with a 5-year follow-up

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate 5-year outcomes and the late toxicity profile of chrono-chemotherapy with different infusion rates in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods and materialsOur retrospective analysis included 70 patients with locally advanced NPC stages III and IVB (according to the 2010 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system). Patients were treated with two cycles of induction chemotherapy (IC) before concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) at Guizhou Cancer Hospital. The IC with docetaxel, cisplatin (DDP) and fluorouracil regimen. Patients were divided into two groups during CCRT. Using a “MELODIE” multi-channel programmed pump, DDP (100 mg/m2) was administered for 12 hours from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm and repeated every 3 weeks for 2-3 cycles. DDP was administered at the peak period of 4:00 pm in the sinusoidal chrono-modulated infusion group (Arm A, n=35). The patients in Arm B received a constant rate of infusion. Both arms received radiotherapy through the same technique and dose fraction. The long-term survival and disease progression were observed.ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 82.8 months, the 5-year progression-free survival rate was 81.3% in Arm A and 79.6% in Arm B (P = 0.85). The 5-year overall survival rate was not significantly different between Arm A and Arm B (79.6% vs 85.3%, P = 0.79). The 5-year distant metastasis-free survival rate was 83.6% in Arm A and 84.6% in Arm B (P = 0.75). The 5-year local recurrence-free survival rate was 88.2% in Arm A and 85.3% in Arm B (P = 0.16). There were no late toxicities of grade 3-4 in either group. Both groups had grade 1-2 late toxicities. Dry mouth was the most common late toxic side effect, followed by hearing loss and difficulty in swallowing. There was no statistically significant difference between Arm A and Arm B in terms of side effects.ConclusionLong-term analysis confirmed that in CCRT, cisplatin administration with sinusoidal chrono-modulated infusion was not superior to the constant infusion rate in terms of long-term toxicity and prognosis

TPF induction chemotherapy versus PF adjuvant chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A multicenter, randomized controlled, III trial.

6069 Background: To investigate the efficacy and safety of the two modes of concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with induction or adjuvant chronotherapy for the treatment of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: A total of 266 patients with locoregionally advanced NPC were enrolled from May 2018 to July 2021 and randomly divided into a test (n = 133) and a control (n = 133) group. In the test group, the docetaxel and cisplatin plus fluorouracil (TPF) regimen was used to induce chronological chemotherapy for 3 cycles (docetaxel 75mg / m2, D1, cisplatin 75mg / m2, d1-d5, fluorouracil 750mg / m2 / D, d1-d5) + 3 cycles of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cisplatin 100mg / m2; The control group was treated with three cycles of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cisplatin 100mg / m2) + cisplatin plus fluorouracil (PF) regimen with adjuvant schedule chemotherapy for three cycles (cisplatin 80mg / m2 on days d1-d5, fluorouracil 800mg / m2 / d on days d1-d5). In both groups, intensity-modulated radiation therapy was used with a total dose of 69.96 Gy to the primary tumor at T1 and T2, 72.6 Gy to the primary tumor at T3 and T4, and 69.96 Gy to the positive lymph nodes. Acute adverse effects and survival were compared between the two groups. Results: A median follow-up of 19 months, 129 patients in the test group and 124 in the control group were evaluable for efficacy and adverse effects.Compliance was 96.99% and 90.22%, respectively. The 2-year overall survival rates were 91.7% and 90.5%, and the 2-year progression free survival rates were 92.4% and 90.4% in the test and control groups, respectively, with no significant difference ( P &gt; 0.05). The test group had a lower incidence of radiation mucositis, dry mouth, and dysphagia than the control group ( P &lt; 0.05), whereas the test group had a higher incidence of leukopenia, neutropenia, hemoglobin loss, vomiting ( P &lt; 0.05), decreased radiation dermatitis, platelets There were no significant differences in the categories of creatinine elevation and transaminase elevation (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusions: The patients' compliance was good and the toxic effects such as radiation mucositis, dry mouth and dysphagia were reduced under the treatment mode in which the TPF induced chemotherapy combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.Although the toxic effects such as leukopenia, neutropenia, hemoglobin reduction and vomiting were increased, the efficacy was comparable with that of the PF in which the adjuvant schedule chemotherapy combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Clinical trial information: NCT-03574324. </jats:p

A new species of a rarely encountered genus Sclerobregma Hartman, 1965 (Annelida, Scalibregmatidae) from the deep South China Sea

Volume: 1236Start Page: 209End Page: 21

A new eyeless species of Nereis (Annelida, Nereididae) from deep-sea sediments of the northern South China Sea

A variety of nereidid species have been reported from the South China Sea, although little is known about the deep-sea species in this area. Recently, two specimens belonging to a novel nereidid polychaete were collected from a sedimentary habitat during an environmental survey to a deep-sea basin where cold seeps occur. This new species, Nereis tricirrata sp. nov., is described herein, based on morphological and molecular analyses. The most noteworthy feature is the absence of eyes on the prostomium; it can be distinguished from other eyeless Nereis species by the arrangement of conical paragnaths on the pharynx, the nature of homogomph falcigers and the shape of notopodial lobes in posterior chaetigers. The reconstructed phylogenetic tree, using concatenated sequences of mtCOI, 16S, and 18S rRNA, showed that all Nereis species included in this study form a monophyletic clade with full support. The mtCOI-based interspecific comparisons revealed a high genetic divergence (23.1%–37.3% K2P) from four-eyed Nereis species with the available sequences. This is the first record of an eyeless Nereis species in the South China Sea

Effect of immune-modulating metronomic capecitabine as an adjuvant therapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract Introduction Metronomic capecitabine used as an adjuvant therapy improves survival in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC). This therapeutic approach may also contribute to improving immune function, consequently enhancing overall therapeutic efficacy. Aim We aimed to evaluate the effect of metronomic capecitabine as adjuvant therapy on immune function and survival in cases of LA-NPC. Subjects and methods 28 patients with LA-NPC were enrolled in the study and equally assigned to two groups of 14 each: experimental and control group. The experimental group received induction chemotherapy + concurrent chemotherapy + adjuvant chemotherapy as well as oral capecitabine at a dose of 650 mg/m² of body surface area twice daily for 1 year, with the option to discontinue in case of intolerance. The control group did not receive additional chemotherapy or targeted drugs after the induction chemotherapy + concurrent chemoradiotherapy; however, they were followed up regularly. Changes in immune function and survival were compared between the two groups. Results The median follow-up time was 43.5 months. One year after adjuvant chemotherapy, the experimental group showed higher levels of CD8 + cells, CD28 + CD8 + cells, and activated CD8 + cells compared to the control group (P  0 0.05 ). Conclusion Metronomic capecitabine chemotherapy was observed to induce an immunomodulatory effect in LA-NPC. Trial registration NCT02958111, date of registration 04-11-2016

The efficiency of Pontederia Cordata in nitrogen removal from landscape water under varying flow rates

The Green Origio biological system, a two-stage, solar-powered constructed wetland mesocosm situated in Shanghai Jiao Tong University's plant park was used for nitrogen removal in the institution's landscape water. Whereas the first tank was anaerobic, the second tank containing fully grown Pontederia cordata was operated under aerobic conditions. The system was designed with an overflow by-pass pipe to prevent hydraulic overloading. Pump discharge values of 53, 74, 112, 120, 205 and 270 m3/day were recorded during the study. However, the corresponding flow rate values into the tanks were 16.25 m3/day, 29.47 m3/day, 36.79 m3/day, 50.57 m3/day, 71.38 m3/day and 80.52 m3/day, respectively. Experiments conducted between August and October, 2013 revealed a significant concentration decrease for total nitrogen (TN), ammonia (NH3-N), nitrate (NO3-N), nitrite (NO2-N) and total organic carbon (TOC). Whereas the Multi N/C 3100 Analyzer was used for simultaneous analysis of TN and TOC, the nitrogen fractions were analyzed using spectrophotometric methods. The TN, NO3-N, NH3-N, NO2-N and TOC removal rates under a flow rate of 16.25 m3/day were 55.65%, 75.19%, 74.03%, 95.43% and 29.87%, respectively. TN and NO2-N removal efficiencies of 4.92% and 83.64%, respectively, were observed under a flow rate of 80.52 m3/day. Concentration increase in the effluent caused by washout of accumulated concentrations was noted for NO3-N, NH3-N and TOC.</jats:p

Type-II lateral SnSe/GeTe heterostructures for solar photovoltaic applications with high efficiency

SnSn/GeTe lateral heterostructures are semiconductors with type II band alignment and possess high absorption over a wide range of visible light and high power conversion efficiency (up to 22.3%).</p