Chromosome-level reference genome of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum (Vitaceae) provides insights into genomic evolution and the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids and flavonoids

Here, we present a high-quality chromosome-scale genome assembly (2.19 Gb) and annotation of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum, a perennial herbaceous liana native to subtropical China with diverse medicinal applications. Approximately 73% of the genome was comprised of transposable elements (TEs), of which long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) were a predominant group (69% of the genome). The genome size increase of T. hemsleyanum (relative to Vitis species) was mostly due to the proliferation of LTR-RTs. Of the different modes of gene duplication identified, transposed duplication (TRD) and dispersed duplication (DSD) were the predominant ones. Genes, particularly those involved in the phenylpropanoid-flavonoid (PF) pathway and those associated with therapeutic properties and environmental stress resistance, were significantly amplified through recent tandem duplications. We dated the divergence of two intraspecific lineages in Southwest (SW) versus Central-South-East (CSE) China to the late Miocene (approximately 5.2 million years ago). Of those, the former showed more upregulated genes and metabolites. Based on resequencing data of 38 individuals representing both lineages, we identified various candidate genes related to 'response to stimulus' and 'biosynthetic process', including ThFLS11, which is putatively involved in flavonoid accumulation. Overall, this study provides abundant genomic resources for future evolutionary, ecological, and functional genomics studies in T. hemsleyanum and related species.

Using Flexible and Stretchable Surface Electromyography Electrode Array to Evaluate Congenital Muscular Torticollis in Children

Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) is a neuromuscular disease in children, which leads to exacerbation of postural deformity and neck muscle dysfunction with age. Towards facilitating functional assessment of neuromuscular disease in children, topographic electromyography (EMG) maps enabled by flexible and stretchable surface EMG (sEMG) electrode arrays are used to evaluate the neck myoelectric activities in this study. Customed flexible and stretchable sEMG electrode arrays with 84 electrodes were utilized to record sEMG in all subjects during neck motion tasks. Clinical parameter assessments including the cervical range of motion (ROM), sonograms of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and corresponding histological analysis were also performed to evaluate the CMT. The muscle activation patterns of neck myoelectric activities between the CMT patients and the healthy subjects were asymmetric during different neck motion tasks. The CMT patients presented significantly lower values in spatial features of two-dimensional (2D) correlation coefficient, left/right energy ratio, and left/right energy difference (p<0.001). The 2D correlation coefficient of activation patterns of neck rotation and extension in CMT patients significantly correlated with clinical parameter assessments (p<0.05). The findings suggest that the spatial features of muscle activation patterns based on the sEMG electrode arrays can be utilized to evaluate the CMT. The flexible and stretchable sEMG electrode array is promising to facilitate the functional evaluation and treatment strategies for children with neuromuscular disease.

A regulatory loop establishes the link between the circadian clock and abscisic acid signaling in rice

There is a close regulatory relationship between the circadian clock and the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway in regulating many developmental processes and stress responses. However, the exact feedback regulation mechanism between them is still poorly understood. Here, we identified the rice (Oryza sativa) clock component PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR 95 (OsPRR95) as a transcriptional regulator that accelerates seed germination and seedling growth by inhibiting ABA signaling. We also found that OsPRR95 binds to the ABA receptor gene REGULATORY COMPONENTS OF ABA RECEPTORS10 (OsRCAR10) DNA and inhibits its expression. Genetic analysis showed OsRCAR10 acts downstream of OsPRR95 in mediating ABA responses. In addition, the induction of OsPRR95 by ABA partly required a functional OsRCAR10, and the ABA-responsive element-binding factor ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE5 (OsABI5) bound directly to the promoter of OsPRR95 and activated its expression, thus establishing a regulatory feedback loop between OsPRR95, OsRCAR10, and OsABI5. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the OsRCAR10-OsABI5-OsPRR95 feedback loop modulates ABA signaling to fine-tune seed germination and seedling growth, thus establishing the molecular link between ABA signaling and the circadian clock.

Effect of Collagen-Reactive Functional Monomer on Etch-and-Rinse Adhesives

In this study, we evaluated a novel functional monomer (4-formylphenyl acrylate [FA]) that can specifically and covalently bind to the dentin collagen matrix as a potential alternative hydrophobic diluent-like monomer for improving the durability of dentin bonding. Experimental adhesives with different FA contents (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) were evaluated as partial substituents for the hydrophilic monomer 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, with the commercial adhesive One-Step (Bisco, Inc.) employed as the positive control. Their degree of conversion, viscosity, hydrophobicity, mechanical properties, and water absorption/solubility were measured as the comprehensive characterization. In situ zymographic assays were performed to determine the extent to which FA inhibits the endogenous hydrolytic activity of dentin. Finally, the bonding performances of the novel adhesives were evaluated with microtensile strength tests and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the incorporation of FA significantly improved the mobility of experimental adhesives attributable to the dilution property of FA. In contrast to the possible compromised rate of polymerization by hydroxyethyl methacrylate, FA exhibited typical characteristics of favorable copolymerization with polymerizable monomers in adhesives and improved the degree of conversion of experimental adhesives. The rigidity and hydrophobic properties of the phenyl framework of the FA molecule conferred superior mechanical properties and hydrolysis resistance to the novel experimental adhesives. An inhibitory effect on gelatinolytic activities within the hybrid layer was also observed in the in situ zymographic assays, even at a low FA concentration (10%). In conjunction with the significantly improved infiltration found via scanning electron microscopy, the experimental adhesives containing FA possessed significantly better-maintained microtensile strength, even after aging. Thus, the incorporation of this novel monomer endowed the experimental adhesives with multiple enhanced functionalities. These remarkable advantages highlight the suitability of the monomer for further applications in clinical practice.

g-C3N4/polyvinyl alcohol-sodium alginate aerogel for removal of typical heterocyclic drugs from water

Heterocyclic drugs (HCDs) detected at high frequencies in wastewater have raised great concerns and their advanced removal has been the hotspot for safe water reuse in recent years. Two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) and its photocatalytic systems are increasingly emerging, however, there are inevitable drawbacks of stacking and difficulty in recycling, resulting in decreased pollutant removal and limited application. Herein, for the first time, this paper reported a three-dimensional g-C₃N₄/polyvinyl alcohol-sodium alginate aerogel (g-C₃N₄/PVA-SA aerogel) photocatalyst synthesized by ultrasonic exfoliation and in-situ polymerization for typical HCDs (sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and carbamazepine (CBZ)) removal in water. The reduced stacking of g-C₃N₄ dispersed in PVA-SA aerogel was achieved as revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis, and g-C₃N₄/PVA-SA aerogel was observed to possess encouraging degradation efficiencies and rates for SDZ (100%, 0.0249 min^-1), SMX (100%, 0.1762 min^-1) and CBZ (69.8%, 0.0056 min^-1), which were improved by 50%-60% and 133%-216% compared to those of g-C₃N₄, respectively. Meanwhile, environmental impact factors such as pH and coexisting ions had less impact on the degradation of SDZ and SMX by g-C₃N₄/PVA-SA aerogel. The novel aerogel also had a good recyclability, with less than 5% reduction in degradation efficiency after five cycles observed. The photodegradation of SDZ, SMX and CBZ was confirmed to be driven by ⋅O₂^- and h⁺ through scavenger-quenching experiments. The new low carbon and recyclable g-C₃N₄/PVA-SA aerogel reported in this study indicated a good potential for efficient removal of HCDs from water, which provides an alternative strategy for advanced purification and safe reuse of wastewater.

Multiple Diagnostic Indicators in the Development of Chronic Hepatitis B, Liver Cirrhosis, and Liver Cancer

Context

Hepatitis B can develop into cirrhosis, and most liver cancers evolve on the basis of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Many patients are already at an advanced stage when diagnosed. In recent years, clinicians have advocated detection of liver cancer using multiple markers in combination to improve the sensitivity and specificity of testing.

Objective

The study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of using four tumor indicators-urea, alpha L-fucosidase (AFU), carbohydrate antigen 153 (CA153), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and comparing the use of combined indicators to use of a single indicator for the diagnosis of liver cancer.

Design

The research team performed a prospective study.

Setting

The study took place at Clinical Laboratory, Baoding People's Hospital, Baoding City, Hebei Province, China.

Participants

Participants were 98 patients with chronic hepatitis B, who became the CHB group; 102 patients with liver cirrhosis, who became the cirrhosis group, and 100 patients with liver cancer, who became the liver cancer group. They all had been admitted to the hospital between March 2019 and March 2021.

Outcome Measures

The research team measured the urea, AFU, CA153, CA125, and AFP levels of the three groups, constructed an ROC curve, and analyzed the diagnostic values of the indicators singly and in combination for liver cancer.

Results

For the levels of urea, AFU, CA153, CA125, and AFP, the CHB group's levels were significantly lower than those of the cirrhosis and liver cancer groups (both P < .001), and the cirrhosis group's levels were significantly lower than those of the liver cancer group (P < .001). In the CHB group, the compensatory group's levels were significantly lower than those of the decompensated group (P < .05). In the cirrhosis group, no significant differences existed between the levels of the grade A and grade B groups (P < .001), between those of the grade A and grade C groups (P < .001), or between those of the grade B and grade C groups (P < .001). In the cirrhosis group, the levels of the no ascites group were significantly lower than those of the ascites group (P < .05). In the liver cancer group, the levels of the stage I-II group were significantly lower than those of the stage III and stage IV groups (both P < .05), and those of the stage IV group were significantly lower than those of the stage Ⅳ group (P < .05). The levels of the <5cm group were significantly lower than those of the ≥5cm group (P < .001). The value of using a combination of indicators for diagnosis was significantly higher than that of a single indicator (P < .001).

Conclusions

Urea, AFU, CA153, CA125, and AFP all have diagnostic value in the evaluation of chronic hepatitis B-cirrhosis and liver cancer, with the highest efficacy, sensitivity and specificity from a combined test and diagnosis.

ESCRT-III component OsSNF7.2 modulates leaf rolling by trafficking and endosomal degradation of auxin biosynthetic enzyme OsYUC8 in rice

The endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) is highly conserved in eukaryotic cells and plays an essential role in the biogenesis of multivesicular bodies and cargo degradation to the plant vacuole or lysosomes. Although ESCRT components affect a variety of plant growth and development processes, their impact on leaf development is rarely reported. Here, we found that OsSNF7.2, an ESCRT-III component, controls leaf rolling in rice (Oryza sativa). The Ossnf7.2 mutant rolled leaf 17 (rl17) has adaxially rolled leaves due to the decreased number and size of the bulliform cells. OsSNF7.2 is expressed ubiquitously in all tissues, and its protein is localized in the endosomal compartments. OsSNF7.2 homologs, including OsSNF7, OsSNF7.3, and OsSNF7.4, can physically interact with OsSNF7.2, but their single mutation did not result in leaf rolling. Other ESCRT complex subunits, namely OsVPS20, OsVPS24, and OsBRO1, also interact with OsSNF7.2. Further assays revealed that OsSNF7.2 interacts with OsYUC8 and aids its vacuolar degradation. Both Osyuc8 and rl17 Osyuc8 showed rolled leaves, indicating that OsYUC8 and OsSNF7.2 function in the same pathway, conferring leaf development. This study reveals a new biological function for the ESCRT-III components, and provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying leaf rolling.

Flavonifractor plautii Protects Against Elevated Arterial Stiffness

BACKGROUND

Dysbiosis of gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in vascular dysfunction and microbial diversity was reported to be inversely correlated with arterial stiffness. However, the causal role of gut microbiota in the progression of arterial stiffness and the specific species along with the molecular mechanisms underlying this change remain largely unknown.

METHODS

Participants with elevated arterial stiffness and normal controls free of medication were matched for age and sex. The microbial composition and metabolic capacities between the 2 groups were compared with the integration of metagenomics and metabolomics. Subsequently, Ang II (angiotensin II)-induced and humanized mouse model were employed to evaluate the protective effect of Flavonifractor plautii (F plautii) and its main effector cis-aconitic acid.

RESULTS

Human fecal metagenomic sequencing revealed a significantly high abundance and centrality of F plautii in normal controls, which was absent in the microbial community of subjects with elevated arterial stiffness. Moreover, blood pressure only mediated part of the effect of F plautii on lower arterial stiffness. The microbiome of normal controls exhibited an enhanced capacity for glycolysis and polysaccharide degradation, whereas, those of subjects with increased arterial stiffness were characterized by increased biosynthesis of fatty acids and aromatic amino acids. Integrative analysis with metabolomics profiling further suggested that increased cis-aconitic acid served as the main effector for the protective effect of F plautii against arterial stiffness. Replenishment with F plautii and cis-aconitic acid improved elastic fiber network and reversed increased pulse wave velocity through the suppression of MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase-2) and inhibition of MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-B) activation in both Ang II-induced and humanized model of arterial stiffness.

CONCLUSIONS

Our translational study identifies a novel link between F plautii and arterial function and raises the possibility of sustaining vascular health by targeting gut microbiota.

Association of Dental Caries with Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Sarcopenia: A Community-Based Study

OBJECTIVES

Changes in the oral cavity can reflect other changes throughout the body. This study aimed to investigate the association of dental caries with muscle mass, muscle strength, and sarcopenia, and also to describe the microbial diversity, composition, and community structure of severe dental caries and sarcopenia.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study based on a Chinese population aged from 50 to 85 years.

SETTING

Communities from Lanxi City, Zhejiang Province, China.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1,442 participants aged from 50 to 85 years from a general community (62.8% women; median age 61.0 [interquartile range: 55.0, 68.0]).

MEASUREMENTS

Dental caries was assessed by the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. Sarcopenia was defined as the presence of both low muscle mass (assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning) and low muscle strength (assessed by handgrip strength). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of dental caries with muscle mass, muscle strength, and sarcopenia. Fecal samples underwent 16S rRNA profiling to evaluate the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota in patients with severe dental caries and/or sarcopenia.

RESULTS

In the fully adjusted logistic models, dental caries was positively associated with low muscle strength (DMFT ≥ 7: OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.25-2.06), and sarcopenia (DMFT ≥ 7: OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.01-2.26), but not low muscle mass. Severe dental caries was positively associated with higher alpha-diversity indices (richness, chao1, and ACE, all p < 0.05) and associated with beta-diversity based on Bray-Curtis distance (p = 0.006). The severe dental caries group and the sarcopenia group overlapped with 11 depleted and 13 enriched genera.

CONCLUSION

Dental caries was positively associated with low muscle strength and sarcopenia but not muscle mass, and this association was more pronounced in male individuals. Significant differences were observed in gut microbiota composition both in severe dental caries and sarcopenia, and there was an overlap of the genera features. Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal relationships.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FEAR OF FALLING AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN NURSING HOME RESIDENTS: THE ROLE OF ACTIVITY RESTRICTION

Falls among older adults are a significant later life course event with detrimental impacts on health, quality of life (QOL), and mortality. Fear of falling (FOF) is a common problem, which can lead to physical and social activity restriction and poor QOL. However, few studies have comprehensively explored the relationships among FOF, activity restriction, and QOL among nursing home residents. This study aimed to investigate: 1) whether FOF is negatively associated with QOL; and 2) the mediating role of activity restriction in the relationship between FOF and QOL among nursing home residents in mainland China. This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 316 residents from 27 nursing homes participated in this study. The mixed-effects multivariate linear or ordinal logistic regression models were conducted. All statistical models were adjusted for resident- and facility-level variables. More than half of nursing home residents (55.4%) reported they often or always reduced their activities. As expected, FOF was directly associated with lower levels of QOL (β = -0.19, p = 0.010). However, the strength of this association was attenuated and no longer significant with the inclusion of activity restriction in the model. FOF was positively associated with activity restriction (β = 0.33, p < 0.001) and activity restriction was negatively associated with QOL (rarely/sometimes reduced activity: β = -1.23, p = 0.386; often/always reduced activity: β = -3.85, p = 0.014). Given the aging of our populations, it is important to take FOF and activity restriction into account when caring for older people.

Effects of moxibustion on miRNA-133b, Pitx3/TH, and neurotransmitters in the midbrain of rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Objective

To investigate the mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), by observing the effects of moxibustion at Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) on microRNA-133b (miRNA-133b), pituitary homeobox family factor 3 (Pitx3)/tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and neurotransmitters in the brain tissue of IBS-D rats.

Methods

Healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion group, and a Western medicine group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, the IBS-D rat model was established by mother-offspring separation and acetic acid enema combined with restraint stress stimulation in all the other groups. No intervention was performed in the normal and model groups. Mild moxibustion was applied to both Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) in the moxibustion group. Rifaximin was given by gavage in the Western medicine group. The physical status of rats in each group was observed at different periods. After the intervention, hematoxylineosin staining was performed to observe the histopathological morphology of rat colon; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NE), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in plasma, colon, and midbrain tissue of rats; the relative expression levels of miRNA-133b, Pitx3 mRNA, and TH mRNA in the midbrain tissue were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the relative expression levels of Pitx3 and TH proteins in the midbrain tissue were measured by Western blotting and immunofluorescence.

Results

The body weights of rats among groups and at different time points were statistically different (P<0.01). The body weight of the normal group was higher than that of the other groups over time (P<0.01). After modeling, the minimum volume threshold of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) was significantly lower (P<0.01) and the loose stool rate was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the model, moxibustion, and Western medicine groups compared with the normal group; the miRNA-133b expression in the midbrain tissue was significantly lower (P<0.01), the expression levels of Pitx3 and TH in the midbrain tissue were significantly higher (P<0.01), and the levels of DA, NE, and 5-HT in plasma, colon and midbrain tissue were significantly higher (P<0.01). After the intervention, the minimum volume threshold of AWR was significantly higher (P<0.01), the loose stool rate was significantly lower (P<0.01), the miRNA-133b expression was significantly increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05) and the expression levels of Pitx3 and TH were significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the midbrain tissue, the levels of DA, NE, and 5-HT in plasma, colon, and midbrain tissue were significantly reduced (P<0.01) in the moxibustion and Western medicine groups compared with the model group; the levels of 5-HT in the colon and midbrain tissue of the moxibustion group were significantly lower than those in the Western medicine group (P<0.05), and there was no statistical difference compared with the remaining groups (P>0.05). Linear correlation analysis showed that miRNA-133b was negatively correlated with Pitx3 (r<0, P<0.01); Pitx3 with TH, TH with DA, and NE with 5-HT were positively correlated (r>0, P<0.01).

Conclusion

Moxibustion at Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) improves diarrhea symptoms and visceral hypersensitivity in IBS-D rats. The mechanism may be related to up-regulating miRNA-133b, inhibiting Pitx3/TH, and reducing neurotransmitter expression levels in the midbrain tissue.

Simultaneous removal of heterocyclic drugs and total nitrogen from biochemical tailwater by peracetic acid/cobalt-loaded ceramsite-based denitrification biofilter

It is difficult to achieve simultaneous and efficient removal of heterocyclic drugs (HCDs) and total nitrogen (TN) in conventional denitrification biofilter (DNBF). Inspired by the effective degradation of refractory organic matter by cobalt-based advanced oxidation process and the need for in-situ upgrading of DNBF, peracetic acid (PAA)/cobalt-loaded ceramsite-based DNBF system was constructed for the first time to treat biochemical tailwater containing HCDs. Results showed that PAA/Co-DNBF had relatively high removal rates for the four HCDs with the order of CBZ > TMP > SDZ > SMX, and the optimal DNBF was H2 with 150 μg L^-1of PAA. Overall, TN and HCDs removal increased by 178%-455% and 2.50%-40.99% respectively. When the influent concentration of NO₃^--N, COD and each HCDs of 20 mg/L, 60 mg/L and 20 μg/L, below 15 mg/L of effluent TN and the highest average removal rate of SMX (67.77%) could be achieved, under HRT of 4 h in H2. More even distribution of microbial species and low acute toxicity of effluent were also achieved. More even distribution of microbial species and low acute toxicity of effluent were also achieved. In addition, high extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) content and Gordonia after the addition of PAA contributed to the degradation of HCDs. This study supplied a potentially effective strategy for the treatment of biochemical tailwater containing HCDs and provided new insight into the advance of denitrification technology.

Precise portrayal of microscopic processes of wastewater biofilm formation: Taking SiO2 as the model carrier

Precise characterization of the microscopic processes of wastewater biofilm formation is essential for regulating biofilm behavior. Nevertheless, it remains a great challenge. This study investigated biofilm formation on SiO₂ carriers under gradually increasing shear force combining the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) theory in a Couette-Taylor reactor, and precisely revealed the micro-interface interaction and species colonization during biofilm formation. The results indicated that bacterial reversible adhesion distance on SiO₂ carrier surface was 3.06 ± 0.48 nm. Meanwhile, the secondary minimum of total XDLVO interaction energy could be used as a novel indicator to distinguish biofilm formation stages. The revealed biofilm formation stages were also confirmed by the electrochemical analysis. Additionally, the pioneer species that colonized at first were Comamonadaceae, Azospira, Flavobacterium and Azonexus, while keystone species such as Hydrogenophaga, AKYH767, Aquimonas and Ignavibacterium determined the stability of microbial community. In conclusion, this study provided a methodological example to study wastewater biofilm micro-interface behavior through the integration of an experimental platform as well as multiple monitoring and analysis methods, which opened up new perspectives for biofilm research and provided useful guidance for the regulation of biofilm-related treatment processes and new technology development.

[Efficacy of dienogest versus gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist combined with dienogest sequential therapy in the treatment of adenomyosis]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of dienogest (DNG) alone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) combined with DNG sequential treatment to adenomyosis. Methods: The clinical data of 110 patients with adenomyosis attending the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from December 2019 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 40 patients treated with DNG (2 mg/day) alone (DNG group) and 70 patients treated with sequential DNG (2 mg/day) after 3-6 injections of GnRH-a (GnRH-a+DNG group). The clinical data before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Results: (1) The dysmenorrhea visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, cancer antigen 125 (CA₁₂₅) and cancer antigen 19-9 (CA_19-9) levels at different time periods after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment in both groups (median before treatment: DNG group 70.0 mm, 68.55 kU/L, 22.45 kU/L respectively, GnRH-a+DNG group 80.0 mm, 151.50 kU/L, 20.44 kU/L respectively; all P<0.001). (2) The hemoglobin (Hb) levels of patients in both groups at different time periods after treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (median: DNG group 102.00 g/L, GnRH-a+DNG group 94.00 g/L; all P<0.001). (3) Treatment with DNG alone did not have a significant effect on uterine volume in patients of DNG group (P>0.05), and uterine volume decreased significantly in the 15th-24th months of GnRH-a+DNG group compared with that before treatment (median: 167.76 vs 227.77 cm³; P<0.05). (4) There were no significant differences in hepatic and renal function and coagulation indexes between the two groups before and after treatment (all P>0.05), and no significant abnormal lesions were observed in breast tissue during the follow-up period. (5) The incidence of amenorrhea of GnRH-a+DNG group was higher than that of DNG group, and the incidences of irregular spotting bleeding and breakthrough hemorrhage were lower than those in DNG group. Conclusions: Whether DNG is used alone or in combination with GnRH-a in sequence, it could significantly relieve dysmenorrhea symptoms, improve the level of Hb, reduce the levels of CA₁₂₅ and CA_19-9 in patients with adenomyosis, with no adverse effects on coagulation and hepatic or renal function. GnRH-a sequential DNG therapy is superior to DNG alone in improving uterine bleeding patterns and controlling the growth of uterine volume in patients with adenomyosis.

An artificial remote tactile device with 3D depth-of-field sensation

Flexible tactile neuromorphic devices are becoming important as the impetus for the development of human-machine collaboration. However, accomplishing and further transcending human intelligence with artificial intelligence still confront many barriers. Here, we present a self-powered stretchable three-dimensional remote tactile device (3D-RTD) that performs the depth-of-field (DOF) sensation of external mechanical motions through a conductive-dielectric heterogeneous structure. The device can build a logic relationship precisely between DOF motions of an external active object and sensory potential signals of bipolar sign, frequency, amplitude, etc. The sensory mechanism is revealed on the basis of the electrostatic theory and multiphysics modeling, and the performance is verified via an artificial-biological hybrid system with micro/macroscale interaction. The feasibility of the 3D-RTD as an obstacle-avoidance patch for the blind is systematically demonstrated with a rat. This work paves the way for multimodal neuromorphic device that transcends the function of a biological one toward a new modality for brain-like intelligence.

Characterization of avain metapneumovirus subgroup C isolated from chickens in Beijing, China

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) is an important causative agent that causes acute respiratory disease and egg-dropping in chickens and turkeys. Here, we characterized an aMPV subgroup C (aMPV/C) from 320-day-old broiler breeder chickens with severe respiratory diseases in Beijing, China, as evidenced by RT-PCR typing and confirmation of the nucleoprotein (N) gene sequence. The N gene sequence of the aMPV/C strain (designated BJ17) exhibited no deletions or insertions and possessed 94.6% to 99.6% identity to those of published aMPV/C isolates. The phylogenetic tree of the nucleotide sequences constructed using the neighbor-joining clustering method showed that the BJ17 strain formed one cluster with other aMPV/C viruses and formed one subcluster with published Chinese aMPV/C isolates regardless of Muscovy duck or chicken origins. Comparative analysis of the N proteins showed that a unique amino acid residue D at position 110 might be associated with regional distribution due to its occurrence in all the Chinese aMPV/C isolates only. Strain BJ17 was successfully isolated by cultured Vero cell passage and further inoculated in 3-wk-old specific-pathogen-free chickens for the examination of pathogenicity. Animal experimental results showed that BJ17-inoculated chickens had severe respiratory diseases and inflammatory lesions, as demonstrated by pathological changes and aMPV antigen in the nasal turbinate, tracheae, and lung tissues. These results enrich the available information regarding the epidemiology and pathogenicity of aMPV/C in chickens, which may facilitate the development of effective measures against aMPV/C infection in China.

[A time-series study on the association of ambient temperature with daily outpatient visits of eczema in Huizhou city]

Objective: To explore the impact of environmental temperature exposure on eczema visits. Methods: Eczema clinic data from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019 were collected from the Huizhou Dermatology Hospital, and data on meteorological factors (average daily temperature and relative humidity) for the same period were derived from 86 meteorological stations of the Guangdong Provincial Climate Center. A distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to assess the lagged effect of environmental temperature exposure on eczema, and a natural smooth spline function was used to control the nonlinear confounding of humidity. Results: There were 254 053 eczema outpatient visits at the Huizhou Dermatology Hospital within four years, with an average of 173.89 visits per day. The relationship between daily average temperature and the number of visits was non-linear (U shape). The risk of eczema increased by 2.20% (1.19%-3.21%) for every 1 ℃ decrease for the low temperature, and increased by 2.35% (1.24%-3.5%) for every 1 ℃ increase for the high temperature. The effect of high temperature was greater than that of low temperature. In all cases, 1.60% (0.44%-2.68%) of eczema outpatient visits were attributed to low temperature and the attributable number was 4 065 (1 128-6 798), while 6.33% (1.40%-10.87%) of eczema outpatient visits were due to high temperature and the attributable number was 16 082 (3 557-27 616). Conclusion: Both high temperature and low temperature are associated with increased risk of eczema.

P04.01.B High impact of ITGB1 on Pi3K/AKT expression in medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma, an embryonal tumor of the cerebellum, is one of the most frequent malignant brain tumors. Despite the increasing use of genetic variation in treatment stratification, high-risk patients characterized by light meningeal spread, TP53 mutations, or MYC amplification still have poor survival. Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is one of the most important intracellular pathways, which can be considered as a master regulator for cancer. In tissue samples obtained from medulloblastoma patients, the significant upregulation of PI3K/AKT was associated with a lifting expression level of integrin β1(ITGB1). To understand the underlying mechanism, we investigated the effect of ITGB1 on the PI3K/AKT pathway in medulloblastoma cell lines. Transfection of this ITGB1 reduced proliferation and invasion of several medulloblastoma cell lines and inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In addition, knocking down ITGB1 expression can significantly inhibit the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, ITGB1 may selectively activation the pathophysiological effect of aberrant PI3K/AKT expression and serve as a targeted approach for medulloblastoma therapy.