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The MEF2D rearrangement is a recurrent chromosomal abnormality detected in approximately 2.4-5.3% of patients with acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Currently, MEF2D-rearranged B-ALL is not classified as an independent subtype in the WHO classification. Consequently, the clinical significance of MEF2D rearrangement in B-ALL remains largely unexplored. In this study, we retrospectively screened 260 B-ALL patients with RNA sequencing data collected between November 2018 and December 2022. Among these, 10 patients were identified with MEF2D rearrangements (4 with MEF2D::HNRNPUL1, 3 with MEF2D::BCL9, 1 with MEF2D::ARID1B, 1 with MEF2D::DAZAP1 and 1 with MEF2D::HNRNPM). Notably, HNRNPM and ARID1B are reported as MEF2D fusion partners for the first time. The patient with the MEF2D::HNRNPM fusion was resistant to chemotherapy and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and relapsed early after allogenic stem cell transplantation. The patient with MEF2D::ARID1B experienced early extramedullary relapse after diagnosis. All 10 patients achieved complete remission after induction chemotherapy. However, 9/10 (90%) of whom experienced relapse. Three of the 9 patients relapsed with aberrant expression of myeloid antigens. The median overall survival of these patients was only 11 months. This small cohort showed a high incidence of early relapse and short survival in patients with MEF2D rearrangements., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Spider venom is a natural source of diverse biomolecules, but due to technical limitations, only a small fraction has been studied. With the advancement of omics technologies, research on spider venom has broadened, greatly promoting systematic studies of spider venom. Agelena limbata is a common spider found in vegetation, known for constructing funnel-shaped webs, and feeding on insects such as Diptera and Homoptera. However, due to its small size and the difficulty in obtaining venom, the composition of Agelena limbata venom has never been studied. In this study, a transcriptomics approach was used to analyze the toxin components in the venom of Agelena limbata, resulting in the identification of 28 novel toxin-like sequences and 24 peptidases. Based on sequence similarity and differences in cysteine motifs, the 28-novel toxin-like sequences were classified into 10 superfamilies. According to the results annotated in the database, the 24 peptidases were divided into six distinct families, with the serine protease family being the most common. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the toxin-like sequences of Agelena limbata along with Psechrus triangulus and Hippasa lycosina. An analysis of the structural domains and motifs of Agelena limbata was also conducted. The results indicated that Agelena limbata is more distantly related to the other two species of funnel-web spiders, and that the toxin superfamily IX has a unique function compared to the other superfamilies. This study reveals the components of the Agelena limbata venom, deepening our understanding of it, and through bioinformatics analysis, has identified unique functions of the toxin superfamilies, providing a scientific basis for the development of bioactive drugs in the future., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Electrochemical reduction of CO 2 to multicarbon (C 2+ ) products with added value represents a promising strategy for achieving a carbon-neutral economy. Precise manipulation of the catalytic interface is imperative to control the catalytic selectivity, particularly toward C 2+ products. In this study, a unique Cu/UIO-Br interface is designed, wherein the Cu(111) plane is co-modified simultaneously by Br and O from UIO-66-Br support. Such Cu/UIO-Br catalytic interface demonstrates a superior Faradaic efficiency of ≈53% for C 2+ products (ethanol/ethylene) and the C 2+ partial current density reached 24.3 mA cm -2 in an H-cell electrolyzer. The kinetic isotopic effect test, in situ attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations have been conducted to elucidate the catalytic mechanism. The Br, O co-modification on the Cu(111) interface enhanced the adsorption of CO 2 species. The hydrogen-bond effect from the doped Br atom regulated the kinetic processes of * H species in CO 2 RR and promoted the formation of * COH intermediate. The formed * COH facilitates the * CO- * COH coupling and promotes the C 2+ selectivity finally. This comprehensive investigation not only provides an in-depth study and understanding of the catalytic process but also offers a promising strategy for designing efficient Cu-based catalysts with exceptional C 2+ products., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

To explore the clinical and pathological characteristics as well as therapies and prognosis of gray zone lymphoma (GZL). The clinical data of 10 GZL patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from December 2016 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected. The clinical and pathological characteristics, therapies and prognosis were analyzed. The cut-off time for follow-up visits was December 31, 2022, and the median time for follow-up visits [ M ( Q 1 , Q 3 )] was 40.0 (28.3, 59.8) months. Treatment efficacy was divided into complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD).　There were 6 males and 4 females, with a median age [ M ( Q 1 , Q 3 )] of 33.5 (27.3-39.5) years. Among them, 8 patients had mediastinal (thymus) involvement and 7 patients were accompanied with extranodal involvement. According to Ann Arbor staging, 1 case was in the limited stage and 9 cases were in the progressive stage. The immunophenotypes of 4 patients were strong expression of CD20, expression of CD30, and no expression of CD15. The immunophenotypes of 6 patients were unequal expression of CD20 and strong expression of CD30 and CD15. One patient received classical hodgkin lymphoma(cHL)-like immunochemotherapy and only achieved PR, and then received enhanced diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)-like immunochemotherapy to achieve CR. Five patients received enhanced DLBCL-like immunochemotherapy for induction therapy and achieved CR. All 4 patients who did not achieve CR achieved CR after receiving second-line or third-line salvage therapy. All patients were given autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for consolidation therapy. One patient relapsed and died during the follow-up visit in the 33rd month, and the remaining patients currently maintained a state of sustained remission. It is found that GZL mostly occurs in young patients, mediastinal involvement is common, and diagnosis relies on pathological morphology and immunophenotype. GZL may be more sensitive to DLBCL-like intensive immune regimens. Sequential ASCT for consolidation can reduce the risk of relapse.

Mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) is a subtype of leukemia in which lymphoid and myeloid markers are co-expressed. Knowledge regarding the genetic features of MPAL is lacking due to its rarity and heterogeneity. Here, we applied an integrated genomic and transcriptomic approach to explore the molecular characteristics of 176 adult patients with MPAL, including 86 patients with T-lymphoid/myeloid MPAL (T/My MPAL-NOS), 42 with Ph+ MPAL, 36 with B-lymphoid/myeloid MPAL (B/My MPAL-NOS), 4 with t(v;11q23), and 8 with MPAL, NOS, rare types. Genetically, T/My MPAL-NOS was similar to B/T MPAL-NOS but differed from Ph+ MPAL and B/My MPAL-NOS. T/My MPAL-NOS exhibited higher CEBPA, DNMT3A, and NOTCH1 mutations. Ph+ MPAL demonstrated higher RUNX1 mutations. B/T MPAL-NOS showed higher NOTCH1 mutations. By integrating next-generation sequencing and RNA sequencing data of 89 MPAL patients, we defined eight molecular subgroups (G1-G8) with distinct mutational and gene expression characteristics. G1 was associated with CEBPA mutations, G2 and G3 with NOTCH1 mutations, G4 with BCL11B rearrangement and FLT3 mutations, G5 and G8 with BCR::ABL1 fusion, G6 with KMT2A rearrangement/KMT2A rearrangement-like features, and G7 with ZNF384 rearrangement/ZNF384 rearrangement-like characteristics. Subsequently, we analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing data from five patients. Groups G1, G2, G3, and G4 exhibited overexpression of hematopoietic stem cell disease-like and common myeloid progenitor disease-like signatures, G5 and G6 had high expression of granulocyte-monocyte progenitor disease-like and monocyte disease-like signatures, and G7 and G8 had common lymphoid progenitor disease-like signatures. Collectively, our findings indicate that integrative genomic and transcriptomic profiling may facilitate more precise diagnosis and develop better treatment options for MPAL., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) both threatens the health of affected patients long-term and also has a significantly negative impact on the patients' quality of life. present, many clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been developed for NLUTD patients, but these CPGs may confuse healthcare professionals and patients due to their great difference in terms of scope, quality and content. This review aims to identify the CPGs for NLUTD patients published from 2012 to 2022, assess their quality and then analyse them in an integrated manner., Methods and Analysis: We will systematically search electronic healthcare databases (English databases including PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, UpToDate, and Best Practice and Chinese databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP Periodical Resource Integration Service Platform and SinoMed), online CPG repositories and relevant professional association websites to identify eligible CPGs. The CPGs published in English and Chinese with full texts available within the period from January 2012 to March 2022 will be included in this study. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II will be used to assess the quality of included CPGs. According to the predesigned data table, the general characteristics of these CPGs, proposed recommendations and their quality of evidence, strength of recommendation and other information will be extracted. Qualitative thematic analysis will be applied to the extracted recommendations. A summary of the proposed recommendations, their quality of evidence, strength of recommendation and other information will eventually be described in a table. This review is expected to identify knowledge gaps in current CPGs and to identify the areas of the proposed recommendations derived from low-level evidence. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION : This systematic review does not involve the participation of any subjects, and therefore no ethical approval is required. The findings of this review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated via conference presentations., Prospero Registration Number: CRD42022318180., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Rationale: Stress is a major risk factor for the development of depression. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of stress vulnerability in depression are largely uncharacterized. Methods: P2X2 receptors (a major receptor for gliotransmitter-ATP) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) were identified by real-time qPCR, western blots and RNAscope in situ hybridization in chronic social defeat stress model (CSDS). We generated P2X2 conditional knockout mice and overexpressed AAV-P2X2 in CamkIIα-Cre mice. The depression-like behaviors were assessed via CSDS, subthreshold social defeat stress (SSDS), social interaction test (SI), forced interaction test (FIT), forced swimming test (FST), sucrose preference test (SPT), novel stressed feeding (NSF) and open field test (OFT). The neuronal activity and synapse function of P2X2 receptors in the mPFC were detected by in vivo fiber-photometry, patch-clamp techniques and neuronal morphometric analysis. Results: We identified that P2X2 receptors were increased in the mPFC of susceptible mice in CSDS. Conditional knockout of P2X2 receptors in pyramidal neurons promoted resilience of chronic stress-induced depressive-like behaviors, whereas pyramidal neurons - specific gain of P2X2 in the mPFC increased vulnerability to depressive-like behaviors. In vivo fiber-photometry, electrophysiology and neuronal morphometric analysis showed P2X2 receptors regulated neuronal activity and synapse function in the mPFC. Conclusions: Overall, our studies reveal a critical role of P2X2 in mediating vulnerability to chronic stress and identify P2X2 as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of stress-related mood disorders., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Background: Patients with benign prostatic disease often experience detrusor morphological changes and dysfunction. In severe cases, it leads to bladder detrusor dysfunction, resulting in dysuria, frequent urination, urgent urination, incomplete urination, and other symptoms including renal function injury. An operation to restore normal urination function and to control postoperative complications, as far as possible, is the most common method for benign prostatic disease., Aim: To observe the effect of precise nursing service mode on postoperative urinary incontinence prevention in patients with prostate disease., Methods: In total, 130 patients diagnosed with benign prostatic disease, from January 2018 to June 2021, in our hospital, were selected and divided into observation and control groups according to their treatment options. Sixty-five cases in the control group were given routine nursing mode intervention and 65 cases in the observation group received precise nursing service mode intervention. The intervention with the observation group included psychological counseling about negative emotions, pelvic floor exercises, and post-hospital discharge care. The complications of the two groups were counted, and the general postoperative conditions of the two groups were recorded. The urinary flow dynamics indexes of the two groups were detected, and differences in clinical international prostate system score (IPSS) and urinary incontinence quality of life questionnaire (I-QOL) scores were evaluated., Results: Postoperative exhaust time (18.65 ± 3.23 h and 24.63 ± 4.51 h), the time of indwelling catheter (4.85 ± 1.08 d and 5.63 ± 1.24 d), and hospitalization time (8.78 ± 2.03 d and 10.23 ± 2.28 d) in the observation group were lower than in the control group. The difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). After the operation, the maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) increased ( P < 0.05), the residual urine volume (RUV) decreased ( P < 0.05), and the maximum closed urethral pressure (MUCP) was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05) compared to pre-operation. The Qmax of the observation group was higher than that of the control group, while the RUV was lower than that of the control group. There was no significant difference in MUCP between the observation and control groups ( P > 0.05). The I-QOL score of the two groups improved ( P < 0.05), and the IPSS decreased ( P < 0.05). After the operation, the I-QOL score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group, and the IPSS was lower than that of the control group ( P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidence of urethral injury (1.54% and 3.08%), bladder spasm (0.00% and 1.54%), and secondary bleeding (1.54% and 4.62) between the observation and control groups ( P > 0.05)., Conclusion: The precise nursing service mode can reduce the incidence of postoperative urinary incontinence in patients with prostate disease, thus improving postoperative urodynamics and rehabilitation, and quality of life., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: Nothing to disclose., (©The Author(s) 2022. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Echolocation is the use of reflected sound to sense features of the environment. Here, we show that soft-furred tree mice ( Typhlomys ) echolocate based on multiple independent lines of evidence. Behavioral experiments show that these mice can locate and avoid obstacles in darkness using hearing and ultrasonic pulses. The proximal portion of their stylohyal bone fuses with the tympanic bone, a form previously only seen in laryngeally echolocating bats. Further, we found convergence of hearing-related genes across the genome and of the echolocation-related gene prestin between soft-furred tree mice and echolocating mammals. Together, our findings suggest that soft-furred tree mice are capable of echolocation, and thus are a new lineage of echolocating mammals., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.)

Background: Citrin deficiency (CD) is an autosomal recessive disease resulting from biallelic mutations of the SLC25A13 gene. This study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiological features of CD in the Guangdong and Shaanxi provinces of China., Methods: A total of 3,409 peripheral blood samples from Guangdong and 2,746 such samples from Shaanxi province were collected. Four prevalent SLC25A13 mutations NG&#95;012247.2 (NM&#95;014251.3): c.852&#95;855del, c.1638&#95;1660dup, c.615+5G>A, and c.1751-5&#95;1751-4ins(2684) were screened by using the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and newly-developed multiplex PCR methods, respectively. The mutated SLC25A13 allele frequencies, carrier frequencies, and CD morbidity rates were calculated and then compared with the Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests., Results: The mutations were detected in 68 out of 6,818 SLC25A13 alleles in Guangdong and 29 out of 5,492 alleles in the Shaanxi population. The carrier frequencies were subsequently calculated to be 1/51 and 1/95, while the CD morbidity rates were 1/10,053 and 1/35,865, in the 2 populations, respectively. When compared with the Shaanxi population, Guangdong exhibited a higher frequency of mutated SLC25A13 allele (68/6,818 vs. 29/5,492, χ 2 =8.570, P=0.003) in general, with higher c.852&#95;855del (54/6,818 vs. 13/5,492, χ 2 =17.328, P=0.000) but lower c.1751-5&#95;1751 -4ins(2684) (2/6,818 vs. 9/5,492, P=0.015) allele frequencies. The distribution of c.615+5G>A and c.1638&#95;1660dup between the 2 provinces, as well as all 4 prevalent mutations among different geographic regions within the 2 provinces, did not differed significantly., Conclusions: Our findings depicted the CD molecular epidemiological features in Guangdong and Shaanxi populations, providing preliminary but significant laboratory evidences for the subsequent CD diagnosis and management in the 2 provinces of mainland China., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tp-21-58). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2021 Translational Pediatrics. All rights reserved.)

Organisms often experience adverse high temperatures during the daytime, but they may also recover or repair themselves during the night-time when temperatures are more moderate. Thermal effects of daily fluctuating temperatures may thus be divided into two opposite processes (i.e. negative effects of daytime heat stress and positive effects of night-time recovery). Despite recent progress on the consequences of increased daily temperature variability, the independent and combined effects of daytime and night-time temperatures on organism performance remain unclear. By independently manipulating daily maximum and minimum temperatures, we tested how changes in daytime heat stress and night-time recovery affect development, survival and heat tolerance of the lady beetle species Propylea japonica Thermal effects on development and survival differed between daytime and night-time. Daytime high temperatures had negative effects whereas night-time mild temperatures had positive effects. The extent of daytime heat stress and night-time recovery also affected development and critical thermal maximum, which indicates that there were both independent and combined effects of daytime and night-time temperatures on thermal performances. Our findings provide insight into the thermal effect of day-to-night temperature variability and have important implications for predicting the impacts of diel asymmetric warming under climate change., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2019. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of first-line administration of generic dasatinib or first-generation TKI (imatinib) in patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(+) ALL) treated by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods: Clinical features and prognoses of 63 newly diagnosed Ph(+) ALL patients from Jan 2014 to June 2017 treated by HSCT combined with first-line administration of generic dasatinib or imatinib were retrospective analyzed. Results: Of 63 Ph(+) ALL patients, 31 cases were administered generic dasatinib, and the other 32 ones imatinib. Complete remission (CR) rates at the fourth week of induction therapy in generic dasatinib and imatinib groups were 96.8% and 93.8% ( P =1.000) , respectively. Meanwhile major molecular response (MMR; BCR-ABL/ABL reduce 3log) rates were 41.9% and 43.8% ( χ (2)=0.021, P =0.884), respectively. Relapse rates before transplantation were 6.5% and 12.5% ( P =0.672), respectively. MMR rates before HSCT were 83.9% and 68.8% ( χ (2)=1.985, P =0.159), respectively. The 20-monthes overall survival (OS) rates of generic dasatinib and imatinib groups were 95.5% and 76.5% ( χ (2)=0.990, P =0.320) respectively; 20-monthes event-free survival (EFS) rates were 93.5% and 61.4% ( χ (2)=5.926, P =0.015), respectively. Statistically significant differences of EFS were reached. Multiple factors analysis showed that generic dasatinib ( HR =0.201, 95% CI 0.045-0.896, P =0.035) and MMR before transplantation ( HR =0.344, 95% CI 0.124-0.956, CI =0.041) could improve EFS. Conclusions: First-line administration of generic dasatinib could improve EFS for Ph(+)ALL patients treated by HSCT when compered with imatinib.

The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of fatigue and determine factors associated with fatigue in female medical personnel. Based on a cross-sectional study, a total of 1608 female medical personnel at 54 hospitals in Zhuhai, China were recruited by a multistage stratified cluster sampling method. The Symptoms Checklist-90-Revised and Chalder Fatigue Scale were used to assess psychiatric symptoms and fatigue, respectively. Data regarding demographic, health, and work related variables were also collected. Multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to determine the influencing factors of fatigue. Approximately 83% of participants had experienced fatigue in the past week. The risk of fatigue was higher in aged 30-39 years old than older or younger participants; Longer sleeping time predicted a lower prevalence of fatigue (OR = .35), while tense physician-patient relationship predicted a higher prevalence of fatigue (OR = 1.77). Depression (OR = 1.76) and anxiety (OR = 1.96) were found related to fatigue. Additionally, fatigue was associated with marital status, occupation, health related factors (exercise, regular diet, and health status), and work related factors (hospital rank and turnover intention). These study findings might facilitate development and implementation of targeted interventions and preventive measures.

Objective: Our study was to explore the roles between serum soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) while evaluating ventricular function to properly diagnose chronic heart failure (CHF)., Methods: In total, 197 CHF patients were recruited and classified into ventricular function's II, III, and IV groups, and 106 healthy people into normal control group. To detect concentrations of Sst2 and NT-proBNP, ELISA and electro-chemiluminescence immuno assay were implemented. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to determine the levels of the following: blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and uric acid (UA). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was adopted to detect the diagnostic value sST2 and NT-ProBNP in CHF and the logistic regression analysis involving the risk factors of CHF., Results: Serum sST2 and NT-proBNP concentrations were increased significantly in the ventricular function's II, III, and IV groups in a manner dependent on concentration as opposed to the manner the normal control group occupied. The area under the curve (AUC) of sST2, found NT-proBNP and sST2+NT-proBNP to be 0.942 (95% CI: 0.917-0.966), 0.920 (95% CI: 0.891-0.948), and 0.968 (95% CI: 0.953-0.984), respectively. sST2, NT-proBNP, UA, and Cr were verified as important risk factors of CHF., Conclusion: Serum sST2 and NT-ProBNP could act as diagnostic indicators for CHF., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of sequential treatment with first-line administration of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and first-generation TKI (imatinib) in patients with Ph + acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph + ALL) followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical features and prognosis of 76 newly diagnosed Ph + ALL patients from June 2011 to December 2015 treated by allo-HSCT combined with first-line administration of second-generation or first-generation TKI was performed and the efficacy compared. Results: Of 76 Ph + ALL patients, first-generation TKI was administered in 57 cases, second-generation TKI in 19 cases, including 10 cases of nilotinib and 9 cases of dasatinib. There was no significant difference in age, WBC counts, additional chromosomal abnormalities, time form diagnosis to transplantation, transplantation type, conditioning regimen or TKI initiation time between the two groups. Complete remission (CR) rates at the fourth week of induction therapy in first-generation TKI group and second-generation TKI group was 93.0% and 94.7% ( P =1.000), respectively. Major molecular response (MMR, BCR-ABL/ABL reduce 3 log) rates meanwhile were 46.0% and 40.0% ( χ 2 =0.169, P =0.681). Relapse rates before transplantation were 14.0% and 10.5% ( P =1.000). MMR rates before transplantation were 54.4% and 68.2% ( χ 2 =1.152, P =0.283). The 2-year overall survival (OS) rates of first-generation and second-generation TKI group were 62.0% and 94.7% ( χ 2 =5.765, P =0.016), 2-year event-free survival (EFS) rates were 46.3% and 84.2% ( χ 2 =5.644, P =0.018), respectively. Univariate analysis showed that second-generation TKI could improve OS ( HR =0.126, 95% CI 0.017-0.939, P =0.043). Multiple factors analysis showed that second-generation TKI ( HR =0.267, 95% CI 0.081-0.873, P =0.029) and MMR before transplantation ( HR =0.496, 95% CI 0.254-0.968, P =0.040) were good independent prognostic factors of EFS. Conclusions: There was significant difference in the efficacy of second-generation TKI and first-generation TKI for Ph + ALL patients treated by allo-HSCT. First-line administration of second-generation TKI showed better efficacy than that of first-generation TKI for Ph + ALL patients.

Background: Studies on postpartum depression (PPD) in China have focused primarily on women of Han ethnicity, whereas work on other ethnic groups has proven limited. This study explored the ethnic differences of associated social-demographic and obstetric factors for PPD between Han-majority and Kazak-minority women in northwestern China., Methods: Han and Kazak women who received routine examinations at four hospitals in a multi-ethnic area of China six weeks after childbirth between March 2016 and December 2016 were included in the study. Data on the women's socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric factors, and possible depression at six weeks after childbirth were collected. We examined the associated factors of PPD using multivariable logistic regression analyses by ethnic group., Results: The overall incidence of PPD was 14.6% (184/1,263) at six weeks after childbirth. PPD was detected more frequently among Kazak (16.1%) than Han women (13.1%). Kazak women exhibited a higher risk of PPD (adjusted OR = 1.561, 95% CI [1.108-2.198], P = 0.011). Urinary incontinence (UI) represented a significant risk factor of PPD for Kazak compared with Han women ( OR = 1.720, 95% CI [1.056-2.804], P = 0.003). In contrast, the presence of the mother-in-law as a caregiver after childbirth demonstrated a positive association with PPD among Han ( OR = 2.600, 95% CI [1.499-4.512], P = 0.001), but not with Kazak women., Conclusions: Kazak women were more likely to develop PPD than Han women, even after controlling for confounders. Moreover, distinct risk factors for PPD existed for Han and Kazak women. Future research that explores the relationships between Han women and their mothers-in-law as well as Kazak women's attitudes toward UI could help us further understand PPD in these populations., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests.

Objective: To explore the effect of BCR-ABL gene transcripts on Leukemia-free survival (LFS) and prognosis of patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph + ALL) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT)., Methods: The clinical data of 107 cases of Ph + B-ALL patients received allo-HSCT from July 2006 to November 2014 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were collected and the relationship between the clinical characteristics and LFS after transplantation was analyzed., Results: Out of 107 Ph + ALL patients (64 males and 43 females) with a median age of 30(7 to 54)years old, 35.5% (38/107) cases relapsed after transplantation within a median time of 6.9 (1.5 to 40.7) months. A total of 39 (36.4%) cases died within a median time of 19.8 (3.6 to 83.7) months after HSCT, of which 51.3% (20/39) due to disease relapse and 25.6% (10/39) due to infection. BCR-ABL gene transcripts of 49 cases turn into negative before transplantation, of which the expected 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), non-relapse mortality (NRM) and overall survival (OS) were 26.5%, 29.5% and 41.6%, respectively. Another 49 cases still had a positive BCR-ABL gene transcripts before transplantation, of which the life expectancy of 5 year CIR, NRM and OS were 64.4%,8.9% and 48.9%, respectively. Compared with BCR-ABL positive patients, BCR-ABL negative patients showed a lower CIR (P<0.001), a higher NRM (P=0.030) and a similar OS (41.6% versus 48.9%, P=0.497). Multivariate analysis showed that BCR-ABL positive (P=0.016) and a disease statusphase ≥CR2 (P<0.001) before HSCT were independent risk factors for LFS, while the age underwent HSCT was the principal element affecting prognosis (P<0.001)., Conclusion: Both the relapse and infection are the main causes of death in the patients after transplantation. A disease status ≥CR2 and the BCR-ABL positive before transplantation are 2 independent risk factors of LFS in the patients with Ph + ALL after allo-HSCT.

The potential effects of insect-resistant, genetically engineered (GE) crops on non-target organisms, especially on predators and parasitoids, must be evaluated before their commercial cultivation. The effects of GE maize that produces Cry1Ac toxin on the parasitoid Macrocentrus cingulum were assessed by direct bioassay and indirect bioassay. In the indirect bioassay, parasitism rate, cocoon weight and the number of M. cingulum progeny produced per host were significantly reduced when M. cingulum-parasitized Cry1Ac-susceptible Ostrinia furnacalis were fed a diet containing purified Cry1Ac; however, life-table parameters of M. cingulum were not adversely affected when the same assay was performed with Cry1Ac-resistant O. furnacalis. These results indicated that the detrimental effects detected with a Cry1Ac-susceptible host were mediated by poor host quality. In a direct bioassay, no difference in life-table parameters were detected when M. cingulum adults were directly fed a 20% honey solution with or without Cry1Ac; however, survival and longevity were significantly reduced when M. cingulum adults were fed a honey solution containing potassium arsenate, which was used as a positive control. The stability and bioactivity of Cry1Ac toxin in the food sources and Cry1Ac toxin uptake by the host insect and parasitoid were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and sensitive-insect bioassays. Our results demonstrate that M. cingulum is not sensitive to Cry1Ac toxin at concentrations exceeding those encountered in Bacillus thuringiensis maize fields. This study also demonstrates the power of using resistant hosts when assessing the risk of genetically modified plants on non-target organisms and will be useful for assessing other non-target impacts., (© 2016 Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.)

This study aimed to assess the role of pre-designed route on computer tomography urography (CTU) in the ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for renal calculus.From August 2013 to May 2016, a total of 100 patients diagnosed with complex renal calculus in our hospital were randomly divided into CTU group and control group (without CTU assistance). CTU was used to design a rational route for puncturing in CTU group. Ultrasound was used in both groups to establish a working trace in the operation areas. Patients' perioperative parameters and postoperative complications were recorded.All operations were successfully performed, without transferring to open surgery. Time of channel establishment in CTU group (6.5 ± 4.3 minutes) was shorter than the control group (10.0 ± 6.7 minutes) (P = .002). In addition, there was shorter operation time, lower rates of blood transfusion, secondary operation, and less establishing channels. The incidence of postoperative complications including residual stones, sepsis, severe hemorrhage, and perirenal hematoma was lower in CTU group than in control group.Pre-designing puncture route on CTU images would improve the puncturing accuracy, lessen establishing channels as well as improve the security in the ultrasound-guided PCNL for complex renal calculus, but at the cost of increased radiation exposure.

Lygus pratensis (L.) is an important cotton pest in China, especially in the northwest region. Nymphs and adults cause serious quality and yield losses. However, the genetic structure and geographic distribution of L. pratensis is not well known. We analyzed genetic diversity, geographical structure, gene flow, and population dynamics of L. pratensis in northwest China using mitochondrial and nuclear sequence datasets to study phylogeographical patterns and demographic history. L. pratensis (n = 286) were collected at sites across an area spanning 2,180,000 km2, including the Xinjiang and Gansu-Ningxia regions. Populations in the two regions could be distinguished based on mitochondrial criteria but the overall genetic structure was weak. The nuclear dataset revealed a lack of diagnostic genetic structure across sample areas. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a lack of population level monophyly that may have been caused by incomplete lineage sorting. The Mantel test showed a significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances among the populations based on the mtDNA data. However the nuclear dataset did not show significant correlation. A high level of gene flow among populations was indicated by migration analysis; human activities may have also facilitated insect movement. The availability of irrigation water and ample cotton hosts makes the Xinjiang region well suited for L. pratensis reproduction. Bayesian skyline plot analysis, star-shaped network, and neutrality tests all indicated that L. pratensis has experienced recent population expansion. Climatic changes and extensive areas occupied by host plants have led to population expansion of L. pratensis. In conclusion, the present distribution and phylogeographic pattern of L. pratensis was influenced by climate, human activities, and availability of plant hosts.

Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), is a key corn pest in the Asian-Western Pacific countries. It overwinters as full-grown larvae in plant stalks or in a spun-silk covering located in the plant debris in the temperate regions of China. Supercooling point (SCP) and survival rate after low sub-zero temperature treatment were assessed for field-collected populations in the laboratory using a cool bath with a 1°C/min cooling rate until -40°C. Mean SCPs were varied among geographical populations, with a significant decline from -22.7°C of Haikou, the multivoltine tropical population in the south, to -28.5°C of Gongzhuling, the univoltine temperate population in the northeast of China. In addition, there was more than 1°C difference in SCP between Gongzhuling univoltine and bivoltine populations that were from the same geographic origin. Mean SCPs of the Guangzhou population fluctuated over the year, with significantly lower SCPs in winter than in other seasons, which correlated with a significantly higher proportion of diapausing larvae in winter than in other seasons. Over 41% of overwintering larvae from the northeast population could withstand to be supercooled for a few minutes to the low sub-zero temperature of -40°C, but only 6.7% of their southern counterparts did so. The findings from this study suggest that O. furnacalis mostly takes advantage of freeze avoidance as diapausing larvae for overwintering in the southern region, whereas it exhibits freeze tolerance in diapause in the northeastern region., (© 2014 Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.)

The complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of the plant bug, Apolygus lucorum, an important cotton pest, has been sequenced and annotated in this study. The entire circular genome is 14 768 bp in size and represents the smallest in presently known heteropteran mt genomes. The mt genome is encoding for two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 13 protein coding genes and a control region, and the order, content, codon usage and base organization show similarity to a great extent to the hypothetical ancestral model. All protein coding genes use standard initiation codons ATN. Conventional stop codons TAA and TAG have been assigned to the most protein coding genes; however, COIII, ND4 and ND5 genes show incomplete terminator signal (T). All tRNA genes possess the typical clover leaf structure, but the dihydrouridine arm of tRNA(Ser(AGN)) only forms a simple loop. Secondary structure models of rRNA genes are generally in accordance with the former models, although some differences exist in certain parts. Three intergenic spacers have never been found in sequenced mt genomes of Heteroptera. The phylogenetic study based on protein coding genes is largely congruent with previous phylogenetic work. Both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses highly support the sister relationship of A. lucorum and Lygus lineolaris, and Miridae presents a sister position to Anthocoridae., (© 2013 Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.)

Radiation-induced sterile insect technique is a biologically based, environment-friendly method for the suppression or eradication of a number of insect pests. Although the basic mechanisms underlying the technology have been well studied, little is known about the cell responses in organisms. Characterization of the metabolic shift associated with radiation exposure in sterile insects would be helpful for understanding the detailed mechanism underlying this technique and promote its practical application. In this article, a metabolomic study was performed to characterize the global metabolic changes induced by radiation using untreated and 40 Gy (60)Coγ-irradiated testes of Japanese pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus Hope. Differential metabolites were detected and tentatively identified. Many key metabolites in glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, as well as most fatty and amino acids, were elevated in irradiated male M. alternatus, presumably resulting from depression of glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, each of which are important pathways for energy generation Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) in insect spermatozoa. The findings in this article will contribute to our knowledge of the characteristic metabolic changes associated with irradiation sterility and understand the molecular mechanisms underlying radiation-induced sterile insect technique., (© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Entomological Society of America.)

Objective: To study the changes of plasma beta-endorphin (beta-EP) in pigs with traumatic injury after occlusive wound dressing supplemented with antiphlogistic and analgesic agents in hot and humid environments (HHE)., Methods: Traumatic models were established in 10 pigs, 5 of which received antiphlogistic- and analgesic-supplemented occlusive dressings of the wounds (experiment group, EG), while the rest pigs were assigned to control group (CG) to receive routine wound management. The pigs in both groups were then exposed to artificial HHE and at different time points during the exposure, the plasma beta-EP level, respiratory frequency and heart rates were measured respectively., Results: The plasma beta-EP concentration of EG was significantly lower than that of CG (P <0.01) after the injury, but in both groups, the levels before the injury were similar to those measured at hour 8 during HHE exposure and at hour 24 following the injury. The variation range of the respiratory frequency and heart rates during HHE exposure were significantly smaller in EG than CG (P <0.01)., Conclusion: This supplemented occlusive wound dressing can help restrain the peak of plasma beta-EP level and the variation range of respiratory frequency and heart rates of pigs exposed to HHE.

The methods of cord blood collection was investigated in this study. The purpose of this study was to evaluate human umbilical cord blood as a alternative to bone marrow in the provision of transplantable progenitor cells for hematopoietic reconstitution. The results showed that using modified technique with a sterile and closed system, the volume of cord and placental blood would all exceed 120 ml. The average amount of blood collected was 132.2 +/- 12.13 ml and the highest was 158 ml. Cord blood culture for bacteria and fungi were negative. Blood clots were not present. And in the examination of each single cord blood, the contents of nucleated cells (NS) and mono-nucleated (MNS) were, respectively, 18.9 X 10 +/- 1.7 X 10, 8.2 X 10 +/- 0.8 X 10. The result suggested that the collection of placental blood with the modified technique in a sterile and closed system is a simple, safe and efficient procedure. The average amount of blood collected and hematopoietic cells would satisfy the needs of cord blood transplantation. Immediate cut of the umbilical cord followed by a prompt puncturing is critical for the volume and quality of the sample.

By using the quantum-chemical CNDO/2 method, the mechanism of inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase by aryl hydroxamic acids has been studied. It is ascertained that the mechanism of inhibition is metal chelation. Furthermore, a new metal chelation mechanism for aryl hydroxamic acids is suggested that not only could the--CONHOH moiety chelate metal ion in ribonucleotide reductase to form uniposition chelation, but also the two adjacent hydroxyl or amino groups on benzene ring could chelate metal ion to form biposition chelation. This mechanism reasonably accounts for some experimental facts which can not be explained by the traditional metal chelation mechanism.

Tripterine is one of the components isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. Previous studies demonstrated that tripterine inhibited not only humoral and cellular immune responses but also some inflammatory responses. The present investigation attempted to observe effect of the drug on productions of IL-1 from macrophages, IL-2 from splenocytes and PGE2 from synovial cells. The results showed that tripterine (0.1-1.0 microgram/ml) significantly inhibited IL-1 activity of murine peritoneal macrophages induced by LPS. Because both intracellular and extracellular IL-1 activities were decreased, so tripterine might be able to reduce the production and release of IL-1. Besides, inhibition of IL-1 production was observed when macrophages were pretreated with the drug for 8 h and 16 h. A good relationship was found between the effect and concentration of tripterine which inhibited IL-2 production from ConA-activated murine splenocytes. Kinetic study indicated that IL-2 production was decreased when splenocytes were pretreated with the drug for 3 h, 6 h and 12 h. Synovial cells obtained from rabbit knee joint were cultured successfully. A23187 was found to augment PGE2 synthesis modestly. Tripterine significantly reduced PGE2 release from synovial cells in a concentration dependent manner.

Three mutants of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were used to deliver and express the Escherichia coli lacZ gene in cells of the rat central nervous system. Because the lacZ gene was inserted in place of the genes encoding one of the immediate-early viral proteins ICP0 or ICP4 or the early viral protein thymidine kinase, these mutants were compromised or defective in their ability to replicate. All mutant vectors exhibited reduced pathogenesis in animals as compared to the wild type HSV-1 strain KOS. In all cases lacZ was under the control of immediate-early or early viral promoters that are active in the early phase of infection. Expression of beta-galactosidase was observed in cortical neurons following stereotactic inoculation of mutant viruses into adult rat brains; distinct patterns of expression were observed with each mutant vector. Injection of the ICP0 mutant in the frontal cortex and caudate nucleus resulted in beta-galactosidase expression in a substantial number of cells around the inoculation site and at some distance from it for 14 days, with maximum expression after 3 days. The ICP0 vector appeared to have reached the ipsilateral and contralateral cingulate cortex by retrograde transport. Following inoculations of the ICP4 and thymidine kinase vectors into the same brain regions, only a few cells in areas immediately adjacent to the injection track expressed beta-galactosidase and they did so for only a few days. These herpes virus-derived vectors provide a means for the in situ delivery and expression of specific genes in neurons in the central nervous system with little adverse effect on animals.

Glycoprotein B (gB) of Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) plays an essential role in viral entry. A set of more than 100 HpaI (GTTAAC) linker insertion mutations and their derivatives were isolated in plasmids specifying the gB coding and flanking sequences. Mutations including addition, deletion and nonsense mutations at 34 independent sites were identified by DNA sequence analysis of 48 plasmids. A map was constructed for the ability of addition mutants to complement a gB-null virus. The expression of gB activity for some plasmids was temperature-dependent. Many complementation-negative plasmids inhibited the complementation activity of a plasmid specifying wild-type gB, suggesting an interaction between active and inactive molecules to form oligomers. The interaction was localized to 328 of the total of 904 amino acids comprising gB. Partial Endo H digestion of nonsense polypeptides revealed that five of the six potential N-linked oligosaccharide sites are glycosylated; the most C-terminal site appears not to be glycosylated. A number of mutations, including some on the cytoplasmic side, were identified that blocked processing, transport and secretion. Addition mutations that blocked processing of membrane polypeptides also blocked processing and secretion when combined into a nonsense mutant that by itself was processed and secreted. The previously predicted membrane spanning domain and the membrane orientation of the N-terminal portion of gB were confirmed.

To study the effects of missense, nonsense, and deletion mutations of the gB glycoprotein gene of herpes simplex virus type 1, a gB-transformed cell line was isolated that, after virus infection, would express sufficient quantities of gB from the cellular chromosome to complement temperature-sensitive gB mutants. The transformed cell line was then used as a permissive cell to transfer two gB mutations from plasmid to viral DNA. One of the mutants, K082, harbored an HpaI linker insertion that introduced one new amino acid and a chain terminator codon within amino acid residue 43. The other mutant contained a 969-base-pair deletion in a part of the gene that includes the membrane-spanning region; a correspondingly shorter gB polypeptide was detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis after immunoprecipitation of infected-cell extracts with four pooled monoclonal antibodies. No polypeptide was observed from K082-infected cells. The shortened gB polypeptide was efficiently processed and secreted into the growth medium. Each of the four monoclonal antibodies precipitated full-length gB, and three of the four precipitated the shortened polypeptide. Enveloped virus particles could be purified after infection of nonpermissive cells with either mutant virus. Virus particles appeared to possess normal polypeptide and glycopeptide profiles except for the absence of gB. Therefore, the presence of gB is not essential for viral assembly, including envelopment. Recombinants in virus stocks grown on the gB-transformed cells occurred at frequencies on the order of 10(-7) to 10(-5), compared with a frequency of approximately 10(-2) in mixed infections with the two mutants.

As a first step in identifying the functions and intramolecular functional domains of herpes simplex virus type 1 infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) in productive infection and latency, a series of mutant plasmids specifying varying amounts of the ICP0 primary amino acid sequence were constructed. In transient expression assays with mutant and wild-type plasmids, the N-terminal half of the ICP0 molecule was found to be sufficient to transactivate a variety of viral promoters. Although promoters representing the immediate-early, early, and late kinetic classes were transactivated by wild-type ICP0, individual promoters responded to mutant forms of ICP0 in a manner consistent with the possibility that ICP0 transactivates different promoters by different mechanisms. Unlike infection with virus particles, which contain the 65-kilodalton transcriptional transactiovator, the initiation of viral replication after transfection of cells with purified viral DNA requires de novo protein synthesis. In order to assess the role of ICP0 in the de novo synthesis of infectious virus, Vero cells were transfected with purified DNA of wild-type virus or an ICP0 null mutant and the production of infectious virus was monitored. In cells transfected with mutant DNA, virus production was delayed by 2 days and the level of virus was reduced by several orders of magnitude relative to Vero cells transfected with wild-type viral DNA, suggesting an important role for ICP0 in the de novo synthesis of infectious particles. In cotransfection experiments with infectious DNA of the ICP0 null mutant and a plasmid specifying wild-type ICP0 titers of infectious virus were significantly enhanced relative to transfection with mutant DNA alone, confirming the role of ICP0 in de novo synthesis. These findings are consistent with the proposed role of ICP0 in reactivation of herpes simplex virus from latency (D. A. Leib, D. M. Coen, C. L. Bogard, K. A. Hicks, D. R. Yager, D. M. Knipe, K. L. Tyler, and P. A. Schaffer, J. Virol. 63:759-768, 1989), a process also thought to require de novo protein synthesis. The complementing activities of ICP0 mutant plasmids for ICP0 null mutant DNA in cotransfection assays correlated well with their transactivating activities for viral promoters in transient assays, indicating that the transactivating function of ICP0 is a critical factor in the de novo synthesis of infectious particles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)