BACKGROUND Echinococcosis and schistosomiasis, caused by parasitic worms, pose significant threats to millions of people in the world. Rapid and effective pathogen detection and epidemic control by public health authorities are urgently needed. OBJECTIVES In this study, we aimed to develop rapid on-site detection method to detect echinococcosis and schistosomiasis. METHODS Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) was utilised to examine its efficacy of detection of echinococcosis and schistosomiasis. FINDINGS The detection probes for RPA were created through comparing parasitic genomes from international genomic data and the sequences generated by our group. We established an optimised RPA on-site testing platform, which significantly reduces the detection time (less than 30 min) and simplifies the operation (free of expensive equipment) as compared to traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. MAIN CONCLUSIONS This RPA detection platform in our study for identifying echinococcosis or schistosomiasis pathogens would be greatly applicable for epidemic investigation, border screening, and early clinical diagnosis. worms world needed onsite on site (RPA group less 3 min free equipment PCR (PCR investigation screening diagnosis

Abstract Anthocyanin/polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan composite membrane was prepared by solution casting method using chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as matrix and natural pigment anthocyanin as filler. The structures of the composite films were characterized by Uv-visible reflectance spectrum (UV-VIS), Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of adding anthocyanins on the physical properties, water resistance, degradation, antibacterial properties and pH responsiveness of the films were investigated. The experimental results showed that the prepared anthocyanin/polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan composite indicator films show color changes from pink to purple to blue and then to yellow-green when the pH value ranges from 2 to 14. The total color difference ΔE value is greater than 12. The antibacterial properties and other properties of the composite film can enhance by adding anthocyanin. The tensile strength of anthocyanin/polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan film is more than 70 MPa, which is larger than that of polyvinyl film and polyvinyl alcohol/chitosanfilm. The film has excellent physical, antibacterial properties and obvious pH response performance, making it ideal for food packaging.

Abstract Objectives: The incidence of cerebellar Glioblastoma Multiforme (cGBM) is rare. Database like TCGA have not distinguish cGBM from GBM, our knowledge on cGBM gene expression characteristics is limited. The expression status of Oligodendrocyte Lineage Transcription factor 2 (OLIG2) and its clinical significance in cGBM is still unclear. Methods: The clinical data and tissue specimens of 73 cGBM patients were retrospectively studied. The association between OLIG2 expression level and the demographic characteristics of cGBM patients was identified by the Chi-Square test. The survival curves were drawn by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The independent prognostic factors was calculated according to Cox regression analysis. Results: The OLIG2 high expression was observed in about 57.5% (42/73) of the cGBM patients. Patients with high OLIG2 expression levels had a higher alive ratio at the end of follow-up (alive ratio: 70.6% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.04). The median survival time was 21 months and 13 months for high and low expression of OLIG2 (p < 0 .05). Univariate analysis and Multivariate analysis indicated that EOR (HR = 3.89, 95% CI 1.23−12.26, p = 0.02), low OLIG2 expression (HR = 5.26, 95% CI 1.13−24.59, p = 0.04), and without adjuvant therapy (HR = 4.95, 95% CI 1.22−20.00, p = 0.03) were independent risk factors for the OS of cGBM patients. Conclusion: High expression level of OLIG2 could be used as an independent favorable prognosis indicator in cGBM patients and be recognized as a characteristic biomarker of cGBM. Objectives (cGBM rare GBM limited OLIG (OLIG2 unclear Methods 7 studied ChiSquare Chi Square test KaplanMeier Kaplan Meier Results 575 57 5 57.5 42/73 4273 42 (42/73 followup follow up 706 70 6 70.6 vs 294 29 4 29.4% 0.04. 004 0.04 . 04 0.04) 1 .05. 05 .05 .05) HR 389 3 89 3.89 95 1231226 23 12 26 1.23−12.26 0.02, 002 0.02 , 02 0.02) 526 5.26 1132459 24 59 1.13−24.59 0.04, 495 4.95 1222000 22 20 00 1.22−20.00 0.03 003 03 Conclusion (OLIG 57. 42/7 427 (42/7 70. 29.4 0.0 .0 38 8 3.8 9 123122 1.23−12.2 52 5.2 113245 1.13−24.5 49 4.9 122200 1.22−20.0 42/ (42/ 29. 0. 3. 12312 1.23−12. 5. 11324 1.13−24. 4. 12220 1.22−20. (42 1231 1.23−12 1132 1.13−24 1222 1.22−20 (4 123 1.23−1 113 1.13−2 122 1.22−2 ( 1.23− 11 1.13− 1.22− 1.23 1.13 1.22 1.2 1.1 1.

Abstract Background The authors examined the relationship between Weight-adjusted Waist Index (WWI) and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among adults in the US. Methods This prospective cohort study included 26,882 individuals who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 through 2014. WWI was calculated as waist circumference divided by the square root of weight. The main outcomes of this study were all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. Mortality status and cause of death were determined by NHANES-linked National Death Index records through December 31, 2015. Cox proportional hazard models and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to estimate Hazard Ratios (HR) and 95% CIs for mortality for all causes and cardiovascular diseases. Results A total of 26,882 participants with a mean WWI of 10.89 ± 0.01, of whom 49.23% were male. The average follow-up time was 68.95 ± 1.07 months, and 1870 participants were determined as deceased (4.99%), including 349 cardiovascular death (0.88%). The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a significant difference in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality between patients with WWI <11.33 and ≥11.33 (both log-rank testp < 0.0001). The fully adjusted Cox proportional hazard model indicated that a higher WWI level (≥ 11.33) was associated with an increased 95% risk for cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.30‒2.93) and 68% risk for all-cause death (HR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.41‒2.00) compared with the counterparts. Conclusions Elevated WWI levels were associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality independently. Weightadjusted Weight (WWI allcause US 26882 26 882 26,88 NHANES (NHANES 200 2014 weight NHANESlinked linked 31 2015 KaplanMeier Kaplan Meier HR 95 diseases 1089 10 89 10.8 001 0 01 0.01 4923 49 23 49.23 male followup follow up 6895 68 68.9 107 1 07 1.0 months 187 4.99%, 499 4.99% , 4 99 (4.99%) 34 0.88%. 088 0.88% . 88 (0.88%) 1133 11 33 <11.3 ≥11.3 both logrank log rank 0.0001. 00001 0.0001 0001 0.0001) ≥ ( 11.33 195 1.95 1.30‒2.93 130293 30 2 93 168 1.68 1.41‒2.00 141200 41 00 counterparts independently 2688 26,8 20 201 3 9 108 8 10. 0.0 492 49.2 689 6 68. 1. 18 4.99 (4.99% 08 0.88 (0.88% 113 <11. ≥11. 0000 0.000 000 11.3 19 1.9 1.30‒2.9 13029 16 1.6 1.41‒2.0 14120 268 26, 0. 49. 4.9 (4.99 0.8 (0.88 <11 ≥11 0.00 11. 1.30‒2. 1302 1.41‒2. 1412 4. (4.9 (0.8 <1 ≥1 1.30‒2 130 1.41‒2 141 (4. (0. 1.30‒ 13 1.41‒ 14 (4 (0 1.30 1.41 1.3 1.4

Abstract GnRH analogues were widely used for controlld ovary stimulation, but their effects on oocyte quality remain contradictory. This study aimed to explore the influence of GnRH analogues on oocyte quality in mice. A total of 120 mice were randomly assigned to four groups:(i)GnRH-a+PMSG group; (ii) GnRH-ant+PMSG group; (iii) PMSG group; (iv) Control group. Ovaries were collected for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to assess GDF9 and BMP15 mRNA expression, and protein expression were evaluated by western blotting. Moreover, embryo developmental progress in vitro and implantation rate in vivo were recorded. Compared with control group, both GDF9 mRNA and protein expressions were strengthened in PMSG group, but reduced in the presence of GnRH-a or GnRH-ant. The GnRH-a group exhibited decreased BMP15 mRNA expression compared to PMSG group, while the GnRH-ant group did not show the same pattern. BMP15 protein expression were not statisticlly different among the four groups. Notably, there was no statistically difference in the expression of these two factors between GnRH-a and GnRH-ant groups. The percentage of zygotes progressing to the 2-cell stage and percentage of 2-cell advancing to the blastocyst stage were similar in the PMSG group and control group. However, both the GnRH-a and GnRH-ant groups showed decreased embryos development rates compared to other two groups. The embryonic implantation rate in control group (53.3%) was higher than that in the GnRH-a and GnRH-ant groups (33.3% and 30.8%, P<0.05). The difference between the PMSG (45.0%) and GnRHa group was statistically significant (P value of 0.023), but not between the PMSG and GnRH-ant group (P value of 0.486). No statistical difference was confirmed between GnRH-a and GnRH-ant groups. Our findings shed light on the safety of GnRH analogues in ovary stimulation, and highlight the need for further research to establish optimal and effective controlled ovary stimulation protocol. contradictory 12 groupsiGnRHa+PMSG groupsiGnRHaPMSG i a+PMSG a ii (ii GnRHant+PMSG GnRHantPMSG ant+PMSG ant iii (iii iv (iv realtime real time qRTPCR qRT PCR (qRT-PCR GDF BMP BMP1 blotting Moreover recorded GnRHant. GnRHant ant. pattern Notably 2cell cell 2 However 53.3% 533 53 3 (53.3% 33.3% 333 33 (33.3 308 30 8 30.8% P<0.05. P005 P P<0.05 . 0 05 P<0.05) 45.0% 450 45 (45.0% 0.023, 0023 0.023 , 023 0.023) 0.486. 0486 0.486 486 0.486) protocol 1 groupsiGnRHa aPMSG antPMSG 53.3 5 (53.3 33.3 (33. 30.8 P00 P<0.0 45.0 4 (45.0 002 0.02 02 048 0.48 48 53. (53. 33. (33 30. P0 P<0. 45. (45. 00 0.0 04 0.4 (53 (3 P<0 (45 0. (5 ( P< (4

Low Apgar score is associated with increased risk of death in preterm or full-term infants. However, the use of Apgar score to assess extremely preterm (EP) infants is controversial. In this study, we characterized the distribution of Apgar scores in EP infants with gestational age between 25 and 27 weeks, and investigated the association of Apgar score with survival rate at discharge by analyzing the clinical data of the EP infants discharged between January 2008 and December 2017 from 26 neonatal intensive care units in Guangdong Province, China. A total of 1567 infants with gestational age of 26.84±0.79 weeks and birth weight of 951±169 grams were involved in our study. The Apgar score increased with gestational age from 25 to 27 weeks and with time from birth from 1 to 10 min. The survival rate increased with a higher Apgar score, but no significant difference was found for 1-min Apgar score and the survival rate between infants with 25 or 26 weeks of gestation or 5-min Apgar score in infants with 25 weeks of gestation. The Apgar score is associated with survival of EP infants.

Abstract The object of this study was to investigate the influence of bagging or the combination of umbrella and bags on berry composition, especially anthocyanin accumulation, in ‘Kyoho’ (V. labruscana) berry skins. Five different colors and bag materials commonly used in production were chosen for this study: white, green, yellow, nonwoven and transparent, and the umbrellas were made of plastic material. The composition and content of anthocyanins in the berry skin of ‘Kyoho’ were analyzed by HPLC-MS. The results showed that bagging or a combination of umbrella and bags on anthocyanin concentration in ‘Kyoho’ grapes showed inconsistent effects that depended on the colors and materials of the bags and the use of an umbrella or not. Compared with the control, the inhibition effects of white, green and yellow bags on the soluble solids content and the total and individual anthocyanin concentrations in ‘Kyoho’ grapes reached significant levels; effects of green and yellow bags were the most significant among them. The plastic umbrella used in this study also presented a lower relative light intensity and produced more even-colored clusters. White, green, and yellow bags and combinations of umbrella and bags significantly increased some stable anthocyanin proportions to varying degrees, such as coumaroylated and methylated anthocyanins, compared to the control.

Abstract Histone methylation plays a crucial role in various biological processes, from heterochromatin formation to transcriptional regulation. Currently, no information is available regarding histone methylation modifiers in the important rubber-producing plant Hevea brasiliensis. Here, we identified 47 histone methyltransferase (HMT) genes and 25 histone demethylase (HDM) genes as possible members of the histone methylation modifiers in the rubber tree genome. According to the structural features of HMT and HDM, the HbHMTs were classified into two groups (HbPRMs and HbSDGs), the HbHDMs have two groups (HbLSDs and HbJMJs). Expression patterns were analyzed in five different tissues and at different phases of somatic embryogenesis. HbSDG10, 21, 25, 33, HbJMJ2, 18, 20 were with high expression at different phases of somatic embryogenesis. HbSDG10,14, 20, 21, 33 and HbPRMT4 were expressed highly in anther, HbSDG14, 20, 21, 22, 23, 33, 35 and HbPRMT1 HbJMJ7 and HbLSD1, 2, 3, 4 showed high expression levels in callus. HbSDG1, 7, 10, 13, 14, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 35, HbPRMT1, 8, HbJMJ5, 7, 11, 16, 20 and HbLSD2, 3, 4 were expressed highly in somatic embryo. HbSDG10, 21, 25, 33, HbLSD2, 3 were expressed highly in bud of regenerated plant. The analyses reveal that HbHMTs and HbHDMs exhibit different expression patterns at different phases during somatic embryogenesis, implying that some HbHMTs and HbHDMs play important roles during somatic embryogenesis. This study provide fundamental information for further studies on histone methylation in Hevea brasiliensis.

RESUMEN El propósito de este trabajo es investigar la fuente de luz estándar para calificar y mostrar el color de jadeíta roja y clasificarlo. Con el espectrómetro Raman, el espectrofotómetro ultravioleta-visible y el espectrómetro de fluorescencia de rayos X, los resultados muestran que el Fe 3+ es el principal mineral cromogénico de la jadeíta roja, que se correlaciona negativamente con el ángulo tonal, mientras que el color de la jadeíta roja tiene una correlación positiva con el contenido de hematita. El color de 120 muestras de jadeíta roja se examinó recogiendo el reflectante señalado desde la superficie de la muestra utilizando una esfera de integración con el espectrofotómetro portátil X-Rite SP62 basado en espacio de color uniforme CIE 1976 L*a*b*. Se analizaron los parámetros de color de las muestras de jadeíta bajo las fuentes de luz estándar D65, A y CWF. El espectro de luz de la fuente de luz D65 es continuo, relativamente suavizado con alta temperatura de color, lo que hace que el color de la muestra sea similar al de la luz natural y puede usarse como la mejor fuente de luz de evaluación. Una fuente de luz contribuye a mejorar el tono rojo de jadeíta, que es la mejor fuente de luz para la exhibición comercial de jadeíta roja. La fuente de luz CWF se puede utilizar como iluminación auxiliar para la evaluación del color. El color de la jadeíta roja se divide en cinco niveles, de mejor a peor, utilizando el análisis de conglomerados K-Means y el análisis discriminante de Fisher bajo la fuente de luz D65: Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep, Fancy Intense, Fancy dark y Fancy.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to investigate the standard light source for grading and displaying the color of red jadeite and to classify the color. With Raman spectrometer, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, the results show that, the Fe 3+ is the main chromogenic mineral of red jadeite, which negatively correlates with the tonal angle, while the color of red jadeite has a positive correlation with the hematite content. The color of 120 red jadeite samples was examined by collecting the reflective signaled from the sample surface using an integrating sphere with the portable X-Rite SP62 spectrophotometer based on CIE 1976 L*a*b* uniform color space. The color parameters of jadeite samples under D65, A and CWF standard light sources were analyzed. The light spectrum of D65 light source is continuous, relatively smoothed with high color temperature, which makes the sample color close to that under the natural light and can be used as the best evaluation light source. A light source contributes to improve the red tone of jadeite, which is the best light source for commercial display of red jadeite. CWF light source can be used as the auxiliary lighting for color evaluation. The color of red jadeite is divided into five levels from best to worst using K-Means cluster analysis and Fisher discriminant analysis under D65 light source: Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep, Fancy Intense, Fancy dark and Fancy.

Although Taxol has improved the survival of cancer patients as a first-line chemotherapeutic agent, an increasing number of patients develop resistance to Taxol after prolonged treatment. The potential mechanisms of cancer cell resistance to Taxol are not completely clear. It has been reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in regulating the sensitivity of cancer cells to various chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of miR-129-5p in regulating the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to Taxol. Cell apoptosis and autophagy, and the sensitivity of MCF-7 cells to Taxol were assessed with a series of in vitro assays. Our results showed that the inhibition of autophagy increased the Taxol-induced apoptosis and the sensitivity of MCF-7 cells to Taxol. Up-regulation of miR-129-5p also inhibited autophagy and induced apoptosis. Furthermore, miR-129-5p overexpression increased the sensitivity of MCF-7 cells to Taxol. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a target gene of miR-129-5p and a regulator of autophagy, was negatively regulated by miR-129-5p. We found that interference of HMGB1 enhanced the chemosensitivity of Taxol by inhibiting autophagy and inducing apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Taken together, our findings suggested that miR-129-5p increased the chemosensitivity of MCF-7 cells to Taxol through suppressing autophagy and enhancing apoptosis by inhibiting HMGB1. Using miR-129-5p/HMGB1/autophagy-based therapeutic strategies may be a potential treatment for overcoming Taxol resistance in breast cancer.

In order to achieve hot processing products with expected microstructures, the construction of corresponding relationships between micro-evolution mechanisms and hot processing parameters is essential. In this study, such corresponding relationships of as-cast AlCu4SiMg alloy were constructed by double evaluating processing maps and Zener-Holloman (Z) parameter maps. Based on the stress-strain data obtained from a series of isothermal compression experiments, the processing maps of AlCu4SiMg alloy were constructed at the strain of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 s-1. The processing maps revealed that the optimal hot deformation parameter windows corresponding to dynamic recrystallization (DRX) micro-evolution mechanism mainly appear at high temperature and moderate strain rate. On the other hand, the response maps of Z parameter at discrete strains were constructed, and the ideal processing windows were calibrated at the domains with relatively low lnZ-value. A phenomenon was found that the optimal deformation parameter windows identified by Z parameter are more conservative than those identified by processing map. By integrating processing maps and Z parameter maps, the optimal processing parameter windows corresponding to DRX micro-evolution mechanism for AlCu4SiMg alloy were finally obtained.

The effect of annealing process on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg/Al composite plates fabricated by cast-rolling was investigated in this study. The results show that the interfacial transition zone can be divided into three regions: a Mg transition region, an Al transition region, and an intermediate region, respectively. The microhardness of the interfacial transition zone is higher than that of AZ31B and A356.When the annealing temperature is 250 ºC, the thermodynamic and kinetic conditions required for the formation of new intermetallic compounds have been met. While, for an annealing temperature at, or above, 300 ºC, the width of the interfacial transition zone, annealing temperature, and time follow model: ∆ X 2 = 2 . 07 × 10 4 exp − 60407 RT t − 11 . 54 exp 21211 RT. The shear strength reaches a maximum value of 116 MPa when the annealing temperature is 200 ºC. Cleavage fracture occurs at the side of the AZ31B alloy and quasi-cleavage fracture at the side of the A356 alloy.

ABSTRACT This study examined the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and clonal complex (CC) characteristics of serogroup 6 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates collected from children in Beijing, China, between 1997 and 2016. Serotypes were determined using the Quellung reaction, and the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the isolates were determined using the disc-diffusion method or by E-test. Sequence types (STs) were assigned based on multilocus sequence typing. A total of 250 isolates were examined, with 55.2%, 30.0%, 12.8%, and 2.0% of isolates identified as serotypes 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, respectively. All of the isolates were susceptible to levofloxacin and vancomycin, and the non-suceptibitility rate to penicillin was 41.6%. Eighty-two distinct STs, assigned to 13 CCs and 28 singletons, were identified. CC982 was the most prevalent CC amongst serotype 6A isolates (34%), followed by CC9789 and CC3173. Amongst serotype 6B isolates, CC90 and CC4542 were the most common, accounting for 25.3% and 14.7% of isolates respectively. Over the study period, the prevalence of CC982, CC4542, and CC4536 isolates showing susceptibility to penicillin and cefuroxime decreased, and the proportion of CC3173, CC9789, CC855, and CC902 isolates showing non-susceptibility to these two antibiotics increased.

Abstract The leaves of Syringa oblata Lindl., Oleaceae, had been extensively used as a folk medicine to treat various infections, heal inflammations, icteric hepatitis and acute mastitis. The study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of S. oblata leaves ethanol extract against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in primary hepatocytes and mice with the indicator of glutathione S-transferase alpha 1. The hepatoprotective effects of S. oblata leaves ethanol extract were evaluated on the basis of liver histopathology and biochemical parameters as well as hepatic oxidative stress markers. The results showed that CCl4 negatively modulated biochemical parameters and liver antioxidant activities. However, the use of S. oblata leaves ethanol extract restored altered-serum biochemical parameters and liver antioxidant activities in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, the trends in S-transferase alpha 1 were similar to alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase level, and S-transferase alpha 1 was suggested to be a marker for the evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of S. oblata leaves ethanol extract. Histopathological examination showed that CCl4 causes significant hepatic injury relative to control group. The above findings suggested that S. oblata leaves ethanol extract has hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced hepatic injury and S-transferase alpha 1 may be an indicator to evaluate the protective effects of S. oblata leaves ethanol extract.

ABSTRACT In a pot experiment, clonal ramets of Cynodon dactylon, a stolon herbaceous plant, were treated with heterogeneous lighting. Proximal ramets (elder ramets) were subjected to shade stress at three different degrees, and stolons between proximal and distal ramets of each pair were treated in a connected or severed manner. Results showed that in moderate shade stress, the number of ramets and leaves, biomass, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), effective quantum yield of PSII (ФPSII), and soil and plant analysis development values (SPAD) of proximal ramets were significantly reduced, regardless of whether stolons were kept intact or severed. However, the growth of distal ramets was not significantly influenced, and keeping the stolons intact also did not bring apparent benefits for the whole clonal fragments. These results show that clonal integration does not help alleviate the shade stress suffered by proximal ramets and the costs of distal ramets and does not significantly influence the whole clonal fragments. The possible reasons are that distal ramets may be at the cost of metabolism for resource transportation when the proximal ramets suffer from shade stress; thus, clonal integration is not favorable.