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To study the effect of various extractants on the structure of peat humic acid, peat humic acid was extracted using [NH.sub.3]*[H.sub.2]O, [Na.sub.2][CO.sub.3], [NaHCO.sub.3], and [Na.sub.2][SO.sub.3] via alkali-extraction and acid-precipitation methods. The extracted peat humic acid was characterized using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and fluorescence (FL) spectroscopy. The results showed that the extractants had negligible effects on the content of peat humic acids. [Na.sub.2][CO.sub.3] was found to be the most effective extractant for isolating humic acids from peat, with the highest content of 66.20% and a yield of 32.67%. Moreover, among the extractants used, [NH.sub.3]*[H.sub.2]O resulted in humic acids with the highest aromaticity, and [Na.sub.2][SO.sub.3] yielded humic acids with higher number of hydroxyl groups. [NaHCO.sub.3] yielded humic acids with the most aliphatic ether and lowest aromaticity. [Na.sub.2][CO.sub.3] was the best extractant for isolating humic acids from peat, having the highest content, lowest degree of aromatic polymerization, and highest number of carboxylic acids., Plant organisms gradually form peat through the slow de com position of anaerobic microorganisms under excessive water and insufficient air environments (1). Peat originates from mosses and woody and herbaceous [...]

Research Findings: This study investigated children's feelings about school and their adaptation to primary school after leaving kindergarten. Altogether, 28,334 Chinese children (ages 6-8 years) were sampled and surveyed online. The descriptive statistic, latent class analysis (LCA) approach, and logistic regression analysis indicated that: (1) children generally had positive feelings toward school, especially about teacher-student relationships. However, the self-perception of academic abilities was less positive; (2) children's social adaptation had the highest scores, followed by life and physical adaptation, and then academic adaptation; (3) there were significant differences between children from only child and non-only child families both in school feelings and adaptation; (4) three latent classes of children's school adaptation emerged: the Well-Adapted Children were girls, only children in eastern China; the Moderately-Adapted Children were boys, non-only children in central China; the Poorly-Adapted Children were boys, non-only children in western China; and (5) children's school feelings significantly predicted their class membership for adaptation. Practice or Policy: These findings suggest that we need to focus more on children's feelings and academic school adjustment issues. Targeted support is needed for children at risk of school adaptation to help them transition smoothly to primary school.

Objective·To explore the possible pathogenic gene of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) by whole exon sequencing and verify its function.Methods·One hundred TAPVC children (case group) and one hundred and twenty healthy children (control group) in Xinhua Hospital and Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from 2014 to 2019 were included. The blood samples from the two groups of children were collected, and whole blood genomic DNA was extracted for exon sequencing to screen out the potential pathogenic genes of TAPVC. Harmful mutation sites of pathogenic genes were screened through Mutation Taster, SIFT and PolyPhen-2 websites, and then conducted by Sanger sequencing. The wild-type (wild-type group) and mutant (mutant group) plasmids of PDX1 were transfected into HUVEC cells. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the effects of mutations on mRNA and protein levels of PDX1, respectively. The STRING database was used to analyze the interaction between proteins, and qPCR was used to determine the expressions of downstream genes regulated by PDX1.Results·Pathogenic PDX1 was found in TAPVC children, and Sanger sequencing revealed two novel variants in the gene: c.C237A (P33T) and c. C237G (P33A). Compared with the wild-type group, there was no significant difference in PDX1 mRNA levels in the two mutant groups, but there was a significant increase in relative protein expression of the CA group and CG group, which was 2.9 and 3.4 times higher than the wild-type group, respectively (P=0.000, P=0.001). Protein interaction analysis demonstrated that PDX1 was associated with SOX17. qPCR results showed that overexpression of PDX1 could downregulate the expression of SOX17 in HUVEC.Conclusion·The two novel PDX1 missense mutations can affect the process of PDX1 post-transcriptional translation, indicating that PDX1 may participate in the occurrence and development of TAPVC by regulating SOX17.

Dual-functional nanomaterial electrodes have the capability to satisfy the requirements for both sweat analysis and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), thereby enabling the integration of electrochemical sensing and hydrogen production. In this study, ZIF-67 cubes are synthesized on nickel foam (NF), while TiO2 is obtained through an annealing process. Subsequently, the ZIF-67@TiO2/MoS2 nanocomposite is fabricated on nickel foam via a hydrothermal method. This composite material exhibits exceptional photocatalytic properties and is also suitable for the detection of glucose in sweat. The glucose detection range spans from 10 nM to 10 mM with a sensitivity of 7.24 μA mM−1 cm−2 for a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 and a detection limit of 0.43 μM. Moreover, when utilized as a hydrogen evolution electrode, this material demonstrates a current density of 10 mA cm-2 at an overpotential of 118 mV, with a Tafel slope of 73 mV/dec. The synthesis process is both straightforward and economical. This research introduces a novel concept for the design of multifunctional chemical sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat from sheep offers an abundance of essential amino acids and trace elements essential for optimal human health and a delectable culinary delight. Because it has fewer calories and a lower cholesterol content than other meats, this succulent meat is not only delicious but also a nutritious choice. Globally, discriminating consumers have expressed profound appreciation for its irresistible flavor and nutritious composition. High-quality sheep breeds and lamb quality are in the spotlight as the market for sheep meat grows. Nevertheless, the demand for rapid growth and the use of antibiotics and other drugs have led to a shortage of high-quality mutton on the market. In the face of this emergency phenomenon, people add organic matter to the growth of mutton to improve the quality of mutton. This paper discusses the comprehensive evaluation methods of meat quality; summarizes the relationship between the nutritional components of meat and diet; discusses the genetic factors affecting meat quality attributes; feed nutrition, feeding methods, mutton storage methods, and related measures to improve the quality of mutton; and provides information on the current status of mutton and the challenges of ensuring high-quality meat supply in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an invasive cancer with particularly high incidence in Southeast Asia and Southern China. The pathogenic mechanisms of NPC, particularly those involving epigenetic dysregulation, remain largely elusive, hampering clinical management of this malignancy. To identify novel druggable targets, we carried out an unbiased high-throughput chemical screening and observed that NPC cells were highly sensitive to inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK), especially THZ1, a covalent inhibitor of CDK7. THZ1 demonstrated pronounced antineoplastic activities both in vitro and in vivo An integrative analysis using both whole-transcriptome sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing pinpointed oncogenic transcriptional amplification mediated by super-enhancers (SE) as a key mechanism underlying the vulnerability of NPC cells to THZ1 treatment. Further characterization of SE-mediated networks identified many novel SE-associated oncogenic transcripts, such as BCAR1, F3, LDLR, TBC1D2, and the long noncoding RNA TP53TG1. These transcripts were highly and specifically expressed in NPC and functionally promoted NPC malignant phenotypes. Moreover, DNA-binding motif analysis within the SE segments suggest that several transcription factors (including ETS2, MAFK, and TEAD1) may help establish and maintain SE activity across the genome. Taken together, our data establish the landscape of SE-associated oncogenic transcriptional network in NPC, which can be exploited for the development of more effective therapeutic regimens for this disease. Cancer Res; 77(23); 6614-26. ©2017 AACR.