Climate and soil stressed elevation patterns of plant species to determine the aboveground biomass distributions in a valley-type Savanna

IntroductionExtreme environments such as prolonged high temperatures and droughts can cause vulnerability of vegetation ecosystems. The dry-hot valleys of Southwestern China, known for their extremely high annual temperature, lack of water, and unique non-zonal “hot island” habitat in the global temperate zone, provide exceptional sites for studying how plant adapts to the prolonged dry and hot environment. However, the specific local biotic-environment relationships in these regions remain incompletely elucidated. The study aims to evaluate how valley-type Savanna vegetation species and their communities adapt to long-term drought and high-temperature stress environments.MethodsThe study investigated the changes in species diversity and communities’ aboveground biomass of a valley-type Savanna vegetation along an elevation gradient of Yuanmou dry-hot valley in Jinsha River basin, southwest China. Subsequently, a general linear model was utilized to simulate the distribution pattern of species diversities and their constituent biomass along the elevation gradient. Finally, the RDA and VPH mothed were used to evaluate the impacts and contributions of environmental factors or variables on the patterns.Results and discussionThe field survey reveals an altitudinal gradient effect on the valley-type Savanna, with a dominant species of shrubs and herbs plants distribution below an elevation of 1700m, and a significant positive relationship between the SR, Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, and Pielou indices and altitudes. Relatively, the community aboveground biomass did not increase significantly with elevation, which was mainly due to a decreased biomass of herbaceous plants along the elevation. Different regulators of shrub-herbaceous plant species and their functional groups made different elevation patterns of species diversity and aboveground biomass in valley-type Savannas. Herbaceous plants are responsible for maintaining species diversity and ensuring stability in the aboveground biomass of the vegetation. However, the influence of shrubs on aboveground biomass became more pronounced as environmental conditions varied along the altitudinal gradient. Furthermore, species diversity was mainly influenced by soil and climatic environmental factors, whereas community biomass was mainly regulated by plant species or functional groups. The study demonstrates that the spatial pattern of valley-type Savanna was formed as a result of different environmental responses and the productive capacity of retained plant species or functional groups to climate-soil factors, highlighting the value of the Yuanmou dry-hot Valley as a microcosm for exploring the intricate interactions between vegetation evolution and changes in environmental factors

Regulation of normal B-cell differentiation and malignant B-cell survival by OCT2.

The requirement for the B-cell transcription factor OCT2 (octamer-binding protein 2, encoded by Pou2f2) in germinal center B cells has proved controversial. Here, we report that germinal center B cells are formed normally after depletion of OCT2 in a conditional knockout mouse, but their proliferation is reduced and in vivo differentiation to antibody-secreting plasma cells is blocked. This finding led us to examine the role of OCT2 in germinal center-derived lymphomas. shRNA knockdown showed that almost all diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell lines are addicted to the expression of OCT2 and its coactivator OCA-B. Genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis and gene-expression profiling revealed the broad transcriptional program regulated by OCT2 that includes the expression of STAT3, IL-10, ELL2, XBP1, MYC, TERT, and ADA. Importantly, genetic alteration of OCT2 is not a requirement for cellular addiction in DLBCL. However, we detected amplifications of the POU2F2 locus in DLBCL tumor biopsies and a recurrent mutation of threonine 223 in the DNA-binding domain of OCT2. This neomorphic mutation subtly alters the DNA-binding preference of OCT2, leading to the transactivation of noncanonical target genes including HIF1a and FCRL3 Finally, by introducing mutations designed to disrupt the OCT2-OCA-B interface, we reveal a requirement for this protein-protein interface that ultimately might be exploited therapeutically. Our findings, combined with the predominantly B-cell-restricted expression of OCT2 and the absence of a systemic phenotype in our knockout mice, suggest that an OCT2-targeted therapeutic strategy would be efficacious in both major subtypes of DLBCL while avoiding systemic toxicity.This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research. DJH was supported by a Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund Intermediate Fellowship from the UK.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the National Academy of Sciences via http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.160055711

Meeting the 24-h Movement Guidelines and Health-Related Outcomes Among Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Seven-Country Observational Study

Background: Meeting daily guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration is associated with a host of health indicators for youth. In this cross-sectional observational study, we investigated the associations between adherence to the movement guidelines and health-related outcomes among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: Parents of youth with ASD (10-17 years) from seven countries and regions were invited to provide online proxy-reports for child\u27s movement behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sleep and screen time), and health-related outcomes (i.e., body mass index [BMI], general health, and quality of life). A series of multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the associations between meeting movement guidelines and health-related outcomes, adjusted for covariates. Results: The final sample consisted of 1165 youth with ASD. Compared with youth meeting all three guidelines, a higher BMI z-score was observed in those who met no guidelines (B = 0.62, P = 0.04), sedentary time only (B = 0.60, P = 0.047), and physical activity plus sleep only (B = 0.85, P = 0.04). Compared with meeting all three guidelines, meeting no guidelines was associated with poorer general health (B = - 0.46, P = 0.02). Further, compared with youth meeting all three guidelines, a lower quality of life score was observed in those who met no guidelines (B = - 0.47, P = 0.02) and physical activity only (B = - 0.62, P = 0.03). Lastly, there were dose-response associations between the number of guidelines met and all three health-related outcomes (all P(trend) \u3c 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, meeting more 24-h movement guidelines was generally associated with more favorable health-related outcomes in youth with ASD. The low level of adherence to all three guidelines (2.0%) suggests the urgent need to promote the adoption of all the guidelines in this group

Meeting the 24-hour movement guidelines and health-related outcomes among youth with autism spectrum disorder: a seven-country observational study

Background: Meeting daily guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration is associated with a host of health indicators for youth. In this cross-sectional observational study, we investigated the associations between adherence to the movement guidelines and health-related outcomes among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Methods: Parents of youth with ASD (10–17 years) from seven countries and regions were invited to provide online proxy-reports for child’s movement behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sleep and screen time), and health-related outcomes (i.e., body mass index [BMI], general health, and quality of life). A series of multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the associations between meeting movement guidelines and health-related outcomes, adjusted for covariates.Results: The final sample consisted of 1165 youth with ASD. Compared with youth meeting all three guidelines, a higher BMI z-score was observed in those who met no guidelines (B = 0.62, P = 0.04), “sedentary time only” (B = 0.60, P = 0.047), and “physical activity plus sleep only” (B = 0.85, P = 0.04). Compared with meeting all three guidelines, meeting no guidelines was associated with poorer general health (B = − 0.46, P = 0.02). Further, compared with youth meeting all three guidelines, a lower quality of life score was observed in those who met no guidelines (B = − 0.47, P = 0.02) and “physical activity only” (B = − 0.62, P = 0.03). Lastly, there were dose–response associations between the number of guidelines met and all three health-related outcomes (all Ptrend Conclusions: In conclusion, meeting more 24-h movement guidelines was generally associated with more favorable health-related outcomes in youth with ASD. The low level of adherence to all three guidelines (2.0%) suggests the urgent need to promote the adoption of all the guidelines in this group.</p

Genetics and Pathogenesis of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) are phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous. Gene-expression profiling has identified subgroups of DLBCL (activated B-cell-like [ABC], germinal-center B-cell-like [GCB], and unclassified) according to cell of origin that are associated with a differential response to chemotherapy and targeted agents. We sought to extend these findings by identifying genetic subtypes of DLBCL based on shared genomic abnormalities and to uncover therapeutic vulnerabilities based on tumor genetics. METHODS: We studied 574 DLBCL biopsy samples using exome and transcriptome sequencing, array-based DNA copy-number analysis, and targeted amplicon resequencing of 372 genes to identify genes with recurrent aberrations. We developed and implemented an algorithm to discover genetic subtypes based on the co-occurrence of genetic alterations. RESULTS: We identified four prominent genetic subtypes in DLBCL, termed MCD (based on the co-occurrence of MYD88L265P and CD79B mutations), BN2 (based on BCL6 fusions and NOTCH2 mutations), N1 (based on NOTCH1 mutations), and EZB (based on EZH2 mutations and BCL2 translocations). Genetic aberrations in multiple genes distinguished each genetic subtype from other DLBCLs. These subtypes differed phenotypically, as judged by differences in gene-expression signatures and responses to immunochemotherapy, with favorable survival in the BN2 and EZB subtypes and inferior outcomes in the MCD and N1 subtypes. Analysis of genetic pathways suggested that MCD and BN2 DLBCLs rely on "chronic active" B-cell receptor signaling that is amenable to therapeutic inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: We uncovered genetic subtypes of DLBCL with distinct genotypic, epigenetic, and clinical characteristics, providing a potential nosology for precision-medicine strategies in DLBCL. (Funded by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health and others.).This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute and by a National Cancer Institute Strategic Partnering to Evaluate Cancer Signatures (SPECS II) grant (5U01CA157581-05). R.S. was supported by the Dr Mildred Scheel Stiftung für Krebsforschung (Deutsche Krebshilfe). D.J.H. was a Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund Intermediate research fellow. M.K. was supported by the National Institutes of Health Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program and the Washington University in St. Louis Medical Scientist Training Progra

Active Pin1 is a key target of all-trans retinoic acid in acute promyelocytic leukemia and breast cancer

A common key regulator of oncogenic signaling pathways in multiple tumor types is the unique isomerase Pin1. However, available Pin1 inhibitors lack the required specificity and potency. Using mechanism-based screening, here we find that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)--a therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) that is considered the first example of targeted therapy in cancer, but its drug target remains elusive--inhibits and degrades active Pin1 selectively in cancer cells by directly binding to the substrate phosphate- and proline-binding pockets in the Pin1 active site. ATRA-induced Pin1 ablation degrades the fusion oncogene PML-RARα and treats APL in cell and animal models and human patients. ATRA-induced Pin1 ablation also inhibits triple negative breast cancer cell growth in human cells and in animal models by acting on many Pin1 substrate oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Thus, ATRA simultaneously blocks multiple Pin1-regulated cancer-driving pathways, an attractive property for treating aggressive and drug-resistant tumors

Regulation of v-Mos kinase activity by phosphorylation

In this thesis, I investigated the effect of cylic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) on v-Mos kinase activity. Increase in PKA activity in vivo brought about either by forskolin treatment or by overexpression of the PKA catalytic subunit resulted in a significant inhibition of v-Mos kinase activity. The purified PKA catalytic subunit was able to phosphorylate recombinant p37\rm\sp{v-mos} in vitro, suggesting that the mechanism of in vivo inhibition of v-Mos kinase involves direct phosphorylation by PKA. Ser-263 was identified as a residue that is normally phosphorylated at a very low level but whose phosphorylation is dramatically increased upon forskolin treatment. Consistent with the inhibitory role of Ser-263 phosphorylation, the Ala-263 mutant of v-Mos was not inhibited by forskolin treatment. Based on our results, we propose that the known inhibitory role of PKA in the initiation of oocyte maturation could be explained at least in part by its inhibition of Mos kinase.^ Combining tryptic phosphopeptide two-dimensional mapping analysis and in vitro mutagenesis studies, I identified Ser-56 as the major in vivo phosphorylation site on v-Mos. I studied the interrelationship between Ser-34 and Ser-56 phosphorylation in regulating v-Mos function. After site-directed mutagenesis to substitute serine residues with alanine or glutamic acid in different combinations to mimick unphosphorylated and phosphorylated serines respectively, various v-Mos mutants were expressed in COS-1 cells. As expected, Ala-34 mutant of v-Mos had very low (less 5% of wild type) kinase activity. The Ala-56 mutant had kinase activity 50% that of wild type. Surprisingly, the Ala-34 Ala-56 double mutant and the Ala-56 mutant exhibited identical kinase activity. On the other hand, Ala-34 Glu-56 double mutant had reduced kinase activity comparable to Ala-34 mutant. These results suggest that the phosphorylation at Ser-56 may serve to inhibit the activation of newly synthesized Mos protein. As predicted from Xenopus c-Mos studies, Glu-34 mutant of v-Mos was highly active (125% that of wild type). Interestingly, consistant with the model involving an inhibitory role of Ser-56 phosphorylation, the Glu-34 Glu-56 double mutant was totally inactive as a kinase. Moreover in my experiments, there was a perfect correlation between the level of v-Mos kinase activity of various mutants and their transforming activity. The latter is dependent upon MEK1 phosphorylation/ activation in v-mos transformed cells. Residues corresponding to both v-Mos Ser-34 and Ser-56 are evolutionarily conserved in c-Mos. Therefore, the cytostatic factor function of c-Mos may be regulated in the same manner as v-Mos kinase activity.^ It has been known that v-mos transforms cells by affecting G1 phase progression of the cell cycle. Here I showed that mos induces cyclin D1 expression in mos transformed NIH 3T3 cells and NRK 6m2 cells, and this induced level was found to be unaffected by serum starvation. Consequently, cyclin D1-Cdk4 and cyclin E-Cdk2 activities increase, and retinoblastoma protein is hyperphosphorylated. Based on studies from several laboratories, these findings suggest that increased amount of cyclin D1-Cdk4 complexes ties up the limited amount of cyclin E-Cdk2 inhibitors (e.g. p27), causing the activation of cyclin E-Cdk2. My results indicate that activation of key cell cycle regulators of G1 phase may be important for cellular transformation by mos. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Micro-expression recognition based on 3D flow convolutional neural network

Micro-expression recognition (MER) is a growing field of research which is currently in its early stage of development. Unlike conventional macro-expressions, micro-expressions occur at a very short duration and are elicited in a spontaneous manner from emotional stimuli. While existing methods for solving MER are largely non-deep-learning-based methods, deep convolutional neural network (CNN) has shown to work very well on such as face recognition, facial expression recognition, and action recognition. In this article, we propose applying the 3D flow-based CNNs model for video-based micro-expression recognition, which extracts deeply learned features that are able to characterize fine motion flow arising from minute facial movements. Results from comprehensive experiments on three benchmark datasets—SMIC, CASME/CASME II, showed a marked improvement over state-of-the-art methods, hence proving the effectiveness of our fairly easy CNN model as the deep learning benchmark for facial MER

Cellulose Esterification with Octanoyl Chloride and its Application to Films and Aerogels

Homogeneous esterification of cellulose with octanoyl chloride (a long-chain fatty acid) was investigated in lithium chloride/N,N-dimethyl acetamide (LiCl/DMAc) medium. Cellulose was readily esterified by the octanoyl chloride, as shown by 1H NMR analysis. The effects of the ratio of octanoyl chloride to cellulose hydroxyl groups, the reaction temperature, and the reaction time on the yield and degrees of substitution (DS) of cellulose esters (CEs) were investigated. CEs with high DS (2.2) were achieved after 8 h at 100 °C with a 1.6 to 1.8 of molar ratio of octanoyl chloride to cellulose hydroxyl groups. Furthermore, hydrophobic, fully transparent CE films and aerogels were prepared using CE tetrahydrofuran (THF) solutions. The CE aerogels exhibited high porosity and were formed with evenly distributed porosity, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

The potential relationship between uric acid and the recovery in sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Objective: Serum uric acid is proven to be associated with chronic hearing loss, but its effect on Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) is unclear. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic values of serum uric acid levels in SSNHL patients. Methods: The clinical records of SSNHL patients were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into different groups based on hearing recovery and audiogram type, and uric acid levels were compared. Based on uric acid levels, patients were categorized into normouricemia and hyperuricemia groups, and clinical features and hearing recovery were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors. Results: In total, 520 SSNHL patients were included in this study, including 226 females and 294 males. In female patients, 186 patients were included in the normouricemia group, and 40 patients were enrolled in the hyperuricemia group. Significant differences were observed in uric acid levels, Total Cholesterol (TC), rate of complete recovery, and slight recovery between the two groups. In male patients, 237 subjects were categorized into the normouricemia group, and 57 patients were included in the hyperuricemia group. The rate of complete recovery and slight recovery was lower in the hyperuricemia group compared to the normouricemia group. All patients were further divided into good recovery and poor recovery groups based on hearing outcomes. The uric acid levels, initial hearing threshold, rate of hyperuricemia, and TC were lower in the good recovery group than the poor recovery group both in female and male patients. Binary logistic regression results showed that uric acid levels, initial hearing threshold, and hyperuricemia were associated with hearing recovery. Conclusion: Hyperuricemia might be an independent risk factor for hearing recovery in SSNHL patients. Serum uric acid and initial hearing threshold possibly affected the hearing outcome in males and females with SSNHL. Level of evidence: Level 4