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The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) allows the early detection of aquatic species at low densities (e.g., elusive and invasive species), which otherwise could be challenging to monitor using conventional techniques. Here, we assess the ability of eDNA sampling to detect the presence or absence of one species at risk (Blanding's turtle) and two invasive species (chain pickerel and smallmouth bass) in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, Nova Scotia, where the aquatic system is highly acidic and rich in organic compounds. Five replicates of 1 L water samples were taken per sampling site. Water filtration and eDNA extractions were performed on-site, while qPCR reactions were performed in the laboratory using species-specific assays. Samples were treated with an inhibition removal kit and analyzed pre- and post-inhibition removal. Despite the low pH and PCR inhibitors in water samples, our results showed positive eDNA detections in almost all expected positive sites (except in one site for Blanding's turtle). Detections of the target species were also observed at sites where their presence was previously unknown. Our study supports the advantage of eDNA to monitor species at low densities, revealing new distributions or recently invaded areas. We also demonstrate how eDNA can directly instruct management strategies in Kejimkujik. Key words: eDNA, species at risk, alien invasive species, Blanding's turtle, chain pickerel, smallmouth bass. L'utilisation de l'ADN environnemental (ADNe) permet la detection precoce des especes aquatiques a faible densite (p. ex. especes fugaces ou envahissantes), qui sont autrement difficiles a suivre au moyen de techniques conventionnelles. Dans ce travail, les auteurs evaluent la capacite de l'echantillonnage de l'ADNe pour detecter la presence ou absence d'une espece menacee (tortue mouchetee) et deux especes envahissants (brochet maille et l'achigan a petite bouche) dans le Parc national et lieu historique national Kejimkujik, en Nouvelle-Ecosse, ou le systeme aquatique est tres acide et riche en composes organiques. Cinq replicats d'echantillons d'eau de 1L ont ete preleves sur chaque site. La filtration de l'eau et l'extraction d'ADN3 ont ete effectues sur place, tandis que les reactions qPCR ont ete realisees au laboratoire au moyen d'analyses specifiques de chaque espece. Les echantillons ont ete traites avec une trousse pour eliminer les inhibiteurs de PCR et analyses pour verifier les resultats avant et apres ce traitement. En depit du faible pH et des inhibiteurs de PCR dans les echantillons d'eau, les resultats ont montre des resultats PCR positifs pour la detection d'ADNe danspresquetouslessitespresumespositifs(al'exception d'un site pour la tortue mouchetee). La detection des especes ciblees est aussi survenue sur des sites ou la presence des especes ciblees n'etait pas soupconnee. Ce travail confirme les avantages de l'ADNe pour le monitoring d'especes peu abondantes, revelant de nouvelles distributions ou des sites nouvellement envahis. Ils demontrent aussi comment l'ADNe peut informer directement les strategies de gestion a Kejimkujik. Mots-cle's: ADNe, especes menacees, especes exotiques envahissantes, tortue mouchetee, brochet maille, achigan a petite bouche., Introduction In the last decade, the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) has been established as a sensitive, cost-effective, and non-invasive method for monitoring aquatic species (Goldberg et al. 2011; Olson [...]

The study was to evaluate the nutritional value of the muscle of Andrias davidianus of the third generation from Daning river system in Chongqing and the Hanjiang River system in Shaanxi. The nutritional components of the muscle of Andrias davidianus populations from the Daning River population in Chongqing (group C) and the Hanshui population in Hanzhong (group S) were determined and analysed by conventional biochemical analysis methods, and the quality was evaluated. The results showed that the crude fat and water content of muscle in the group C were significantly lower than those in the group S (P<0.05), and the crude protein and crude ash content were not significantly different (P>0.05). The eighteen amino acids were found in the muscles of both populations, with glutamic acid (Glu) being most abundant. The first limiting amino acid was tryptophan, while the essential amino acid composition conforms to FAO/WHO standards. The essential amino acid index of the group C was 97.29%, which was higher than that of the group S (85.82%). The total muscle amino acids and the total essential amino acids in the group C were significantly higher than those in the group S (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in delicious amino acids (P>0.05). The fifteen fatty acids were detected in the muscles of the group S, with two more fatty acids, including pearl lipoic acid (C17:0) and cis-11-eicosatetraenoic acid (C20:1), than in the group C. The monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid were significantly higher in the group S than in the group C ( P<0.05). In both populations, the macronutrient K and the trace element Zn had the highest levels of eight minerals in the muscles. The study indicates that the third generation of Andrias davidianus has high nutritional value and tasty meat. The quality of protein and trace minerals in the muscle of the group C is better than that of the group S, and the quality of fatty acids and macrominerals in the muscle of the group S is better than that of the group C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors and psychological stress of health-care workers (HCWs) with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a nonfrontline clinical department. Methods: Data of 2 source patients and all HCWs with infection risk were obtained in a department in Wuhan from January to February 2020. A questionnaire was designed to evaluate psychological stress of COVID-19 on HCWs. Results: The overall infection rate was 4.8% in HCWs. Ten of 25 HCWs who contacted with 2 source patients were diagnosed with confirmed COVID-19 (8/10) and suspected COVID-19 (2/10). Other 2 HCWs were transmitted by other patients or colleagues. Close care behaviors included physical examination (6/12), life nursing (4/12), ward rounds (4/12), endoscopic examination (2/12). Contacts fluctuated from 1 to 24 times and each contact was short (8.1 min ± 5.6 min). HCWs wore surgical masks (11/12), gloves (7/12), and isolation clothing (3/12) when providing medical care. Most HCWs experienced a mild course with 2 asymptomatic infections, taking 9.8 d and 20.9 d to obtain viral shedding and clinical cure, respectively. Psychological stress included worry (58.3%), anxiety (83.3%), depression (58.3%), and insomnia (58.3%). Conclusions: Close contact with COVID-19 patients and insufficient protection were key risk factors. Precaution measures and psychological support on COVID-19 is urgently required for HCWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Response gene to complement-32 (RGC-32) is comprehensively expressed in many kinds of tissues and has been reported to be expressed abnormally in different kinds of human tumors. However, the role of RGC-32 in cancer remains controversial and no reports have described the effect of RGC-32 in pancreatic cancer. The present study investigated the expression of RGC-32 in pancreatic cancer tissues and explored the role of RGC-32 in transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC-3. Methods Immunohistochemical staining of RGC-32 and E-cadherin was performed on specimens from 42 patients with pancreatic cancer, 12 with chronic pancreatitis and 8 with normal pancreas. To evaluate the role of RGC-32 in TGF-β-induced EMT in pancreatic cancer cells, BxPC-3 cells were treated with TGF-β1, and RGC-32 siRNA silencing and gene overexpression were performed as well. The mRNA expression and protein expression of RGC-32 and EMT markers such E-cadherin and vimentin were determined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot respectively. Finally, migration ability of BxPC-3 cells treated with TGF-β and RGC-32 siRNA transfection was examined by transwell cell migration assay. Results We found stronger expression of RGC-32 and higher abnormal expression rate of E-cadherin in pancreatic cancer tissues than those in chronic pancreatitis tissues and normal pancreatic tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that both RGC-32 positive expression and E-cadherin abnormal expression in pancreatic cancer were correlated with lymph node metastasis and TNM staging. In addition, a significant and positive correlation was found between positive expression of RGC-32 and abnormal expression of E-cadherin. Furthermore, in vitro, we found sustained TGF-β stimuli induced EMT and up-regulated RGC-32 expression in BxPC-3 cells. By means of siRNA silencing and gene overexpression, we further demonstrated that RGC-32 mediated TGF-β-induced EMT and migration in BxPC-3 cells. Conclusions The results above indicated that RGC-32 might be a novel metastasis promoting gene in pancreatic cancer and it enhances metastatic phenotype by mediating TGF-β-induced EMT in human pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC-3.

Astrocyte elevated gene 1 (AEG‐1) is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is strongly associated with tumor metastasis. Anoikis resistance and autophagy may play an important role in the survival of circulating tumor cells. However, the relationship among AEG‐1, anoikis resistance, autophagy, and metastasis in HCC is still not clear. The results of this study indicate that AEG‐1 expression is increased in HCC cell lines grown in suspension culture. AEG‐1 could enhance anoikis resistance to promote the survival of detached HCC cells. Moreover, the anoikis resistance appears to be partly dependent on autophagy. Regulating AEG‐1 expression changed the autophagy levels to modulate anoikis resistance, likely acting via the protein kinase RNA‐like ER kinase (PERK)‐eIF2α‐ATF4‐CHOP signaling axis. Finally, inhibiting autophagy by RNA interference prevented the AEG‐1‐promoted metastasis of HCC xenografts to the liver and lungs of nude mice. Taken together, AEG‐1 is a key contributor to anoikis resistance and metastasis by inducing autophagy in vitro and in vivo, and it may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]