SUMMARY: We investigated Tweety Family Member 3 (TTYH3) level in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and its relationship with immune infiltration in tumors by bioinformatics. Differential expressions of TTYH3 in lung cancer were analyzed with Oncomine, TIMER, GEO, UALCAN and HPA. Relationship of TTYH3 mRNA/protein levels with clinical parameters was analyzed by UALCAN. Co-expressed genes of TTYH3 in LUAD were analyzed using Cbioportal. Its relationship with LUAD prognosis was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier plotter. GO and KEGG analysis were performed. Correlation between TTYH3 and tumor immune infiltration were tested by TIMER, TISIDB and GEPIA. We found that TTYH3 was significantly increased in LUAD tissues. TTYH3 high expression was closely related to poor overall survival, post progression survival and first progression in LUAD patients. TTYH3 mRNA/protein levels were significantly associated with multiple pathways. Specifically, TTYH3 up-regulation was mostly related to biological regulation, metabolic process, protein blinding, extracellular matrix organization and pathways in cancer. Moreover, TTYH3 was positively associated with immune cell infiltration in LUAD. Finally, TTYH3 was highly expressed in LUAD as revealed by meta-analysis. TTYH3 is closely related to the prognosis of LUAD and immune cell infiltration, and it can be used as a prognostic biomarker for LUAD and immune infiltration.

RESUMEN: Investigamos por bioinformática el nivel de Tweety Family Member 3 (TTYH3) con adenocarcinoma de pulmón (LUAD) y su relación con la infiltración inmune en tumores. Las expresiones diferenciales de TTYH3 en cáncer de pulmón se analizaron con Oncomine, TIMER, GEO, UALCAN y HPA. Con UALCAN se analizó la relación de los niveles de ARNm/proteína de TTYH3 con los parámetros clínicos. Los genes coexpresados de TTYH3 en LUAD se analizaron utilizando Cbioportal. Su relación con el pronóstico LUAD se analizó mediante plotter de Kaplan- Meier. Se realizaron análisis GO y KEGG. TIMER, TISIDB y GEPIA probaron la correlación entre TTYH3 y la infiltración inmune tumoral. Encontramos que TTYH3 aumentó significativamente en los tejidos LUAD. La alta expresión de TTYH3 estuvo estrechamente relacionada con una supervivencia general deficiente, supervivencia posterior a la progresión y primera progresión en pacientes con LUAD. Los niveles de ARNm/ proteína de TTYH3 se asociaron significativamente con múltiples vías. Específicamente, la regulación positiva de TTYH3 se relacionó principalmente con la regulación biológica, el proceso metabólico, el cegamiento de proteínas, la organización de la matriz extracelular y las vías en el cáncer. Además, TTYH3 se asoció positivamente con la infiltración de células inmunitarias en LUAD. Finalmente, TTYH3 se expresó altamente en LUAD como lo reveló el metanálisis. TTYH3 está estrechamente relacionado con el pronóstico de LUAD y la infiltración de células inmunitarias, y se puede utilizar como biomarcador pronóstico para LUAD y la infiltración de células inmunitarias.

Abstract Wuyi Rock tea is one of well-known tea in China. The ‘Spring Tea Competition’ every year is a big event in tea industry of Wuyishan City. In this paper, 667 samples with four grades of Wuyi Rougui teas from ‘Spring Tea Competition, 2019’ were collected to determine quality indexes. The relationship between the quality index and tea grades was analyzed. The results showed that the higher the grade of teas, the higher the total quality score (TQS) of sensory evaluation. Most of tea quality indexes had the same tendency with TQS. The contents of tea polyphenols, soluble sugar, and catechins were significantly different between the different grades teas. PCoA showed that grades of teas could be effectively distinguished by the tea quality indexes. The contents of tea polyphenols, caffeine, epigallocatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin were significantly and positively correlated to TQS of sensory evaluation. These results suggested that higher content of multicomponents is the material basis of high quality tea. The tea polyphenols, caffeine and catechin can be used to evaluate the grade difference of Wuyi Rougui tea. The ratio of phenols to amino acids, ester catechins to non-ester catechins, and characteristic amino acids are important hallmark of the top tea.

Abstract The objective evaluation of the quality of the Wuyi rock tea remains challenging. In this study, 649 samples comprising four grades of Wuyi Shuixian tea from the “Spring Tea Competition, 2019” were collected to determine their quality indexes. The results showed that the higher the grade of the Wuyi Shuixian tea, the higher the individual scores from the sensory evaluation. The water extracts, catechin, aspartic acid, and tyrosine were significantly different among the different tea grades. Restricted principal coordinate analysis showed that different grades of Wuyi Shuixian tea could be effectively differentiated using the tea quality indexes and 15 free amino acids. The total quality score of the sensory evaluation was significantly negatively correlated with the hydrophobic amino acids, bitter amino acids, and ECG, and was significantly positively correlated with GCG. These results suggest that the high content of the multicomponents is the material basis of the high quality of the tea. The hydrophobic amino acids, bitter amino acids, ECG, and GCG can be used to evaluate the differences in grades of the Wuyi Shuixian tea. The results of this study are expected to provide a theoretical basis for objectively evaluating the differences in the qualities of the Wuyi Shuixian tea.

Abstract The Wukongopteridae is a transitional clade between the long- and short-tailed pterosaur groups, and at least ten specimens have been studied without a determined juvenile specimen. Here, we described a small-sized Kunpengopterus sinensis, less than half the size of the holotype, which is the smallest specimen in wukongopterids. Based on unossified small elements, unfused cranial and postcranial elements, and grooves on the bone surface, this specimen is thought to be at least an early juvenile or even a late hatchling. By comparing the juvenile and subadult specimens of K. sinensis, we have found that the mid region of the upper and lower jaws had a higher growth rate than the anterior part, and that the growth rates were similar in most postcranial elements except for a higher rate in the caudal vertebrae. We revised the previous diagnosis of K. sinensis and specified that two characteristics, nasoantorbital fenestra approximately 40% of the skull length and a thin and relatively short maxillary process of the jugal, should be diagnostic in subadult or adult specimens. We have also found that pedal features are stable during ontogeny and can be diagnostic in juvenile, subadult or adult specimens in K. sinensis.

Inv(16)(p13.1q22) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a common chromosomal abnormality. It leads to the core-binding factor ß-subunit (CBFβ)/smooth muscle myosin heavy chain 11 (MYH11) fusion gene. Different breakpoints were observed in the CBFβ gene at 16q22 and the MYH11 gene at 16p13.1. For this reason, different CBFβ/MYH11 fusion genes are generated, with more than 13 types having been reported to date. Type I CBFβ/MYH11 fusion transcripts are very rare, with only 10 cases being reported to date. This case report describes a primary AML patient with inv(16)(p13.1q22) and a rare type I CBFβ/MYH11 fusion gene. The morphological analysis did not conform to the typical M4eo. Abnormal eosinophils were less than 5%, and there was obvious dysgranulopoiesis. The patient was in hematological and genetic remission for 487 days after the initial chemotherapy cycles. However, the CBFβ/MYH11 fusion had been constantly positive. Moreover, the presence of non-type A fusions may affect its biology and clinical prognosis. Therefore, further studies on understanding its biological and prognostic significance are essential.

Abstract Rapeseed is one of important oil crops in China. Better understanding of the regulation network of main agronomic traits of rapeseed could improve the yielding of rapeseed. In this study, we obtained an influrescence mutant that showed a fusion phenotype, similar with the Arabidopsis clavata-like phenotype, so we named the mutant as Bnclavata-like (Bnclv-like). Phenotype analysis illustrated that abnormal development of the inflorescence meristem (IM) led to the fused-inflorescence phenotype. At the stage of protein abundance, major regulators in metabolic processes, ROS metabolism, and cytoskeleton formation were seen to be altered in this mutant. These results not only revealed the relationship between biological processes and inflorescence meristem development, but also suggest bioengineering strategies for the improved breeding and production of Brassica napus.

Abstract Background: Kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury is a common pathophysiological phenomenon in the clinic. A large number of studies have found that the tyrosine protein kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway is involved in the development of a variety of kidney diseases and renal protection associated with multiple drugs. Edaravone (EDA) is an effective free radical scavenger that has been used clinically for the treatment of postischemic neuronal injury. This study aimed to identify whether EDA improved kidney function in rats with ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating the JAK/STAT pathway and clarify the underlying mechanism. Methods: Histomorphological analysis was used to assess pathological kidney injury, and mitochondrial damage was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick endlabeling (TUNEL) staining was performed to detect tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. The expression of JAK2, P-JAK2, STAT3, P-STAT3, STAT1, P-STAT1, BAX and Bcl-2 was assessed by western blotting. Mitochondrial function in the kidney was assessed by mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) measurement. Results: The results showed that EDA inhibited the expression of p-JAK2, p-STAT3 and p-STAT1, accompanied by downregulation of the expression of Bax and caspase-3, and significantly ameliorated kidney damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Furthermore, the JC-1 dye assay showed that edaravone attenuated ischemia-reperfusion-induced loss of kidney ΔΨm. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that EDA protects against kidney damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion through JAK/STAT signaling, inhibiting apoptosis and improving mitochondrial injury.

Abstract: We report an 80-year-old male patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis who was treated with tripterygium glycoside, an immunosuppressive agent made from the extract of a Chinese medicinal herb called Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. The patient had no apparent skin lesions before the treatment, but he developed aggressive hyperkeratotic lesions with rapid progression after using tripterygium glycoside. He was repeatedly diagnosed with eczema, but treatment failed to achieve efficacy. Interestingly, a microscopic examination of the lesions revealed numerous scabies mites and eggs. Thus, we confirmed the diagnosis of Norwegian scabies infection. Treated with crotamiton 10% cream and 10% sulfur ointment for one month, the patient's clinical symptoms disappeared.

OBJECTIVE: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults is largely underdiagnosed. To improve the rate and accuracy of diagnosis in adults, the clinical and laboratory characteristics of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis were analyzed in and compared between adults and children in a Chinese cohort. METHOD: Data from 50 hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis patients, including 34 adults and 16 children who fulfilled the 2004 hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis diagnostic criteria, were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: 1. Etiological factors: The proportion of Epstein-Barr virus infection was lower in adults compared with children, whereas fungal infection and natural killer/T cell lymphoma were more frequent in adults (P<0.05). 2. Clinical manifestations and laboratory findings: Over 90% of adults and pediatric patients presented with fever, thrombocytopenia and high serum ferritin levels. However, in adults, the proportions of hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and jaundice were much lower (P<0.01) than in children, and serous cavity effusion was more frequent in adult patients (P<0.05). More children had hemoglobin <90 g/L, total bilirubin >19 mmol/L and lactate dehydrogenase >500 U/L compared with adults (P<0.05). 3. The time interval from the onset of symptoms to clinical diagnosis was significantly shorter in pediatric patients than in adults (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Certain clinical features were different between the two groups. The less characteristic clinical presentation of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults may make the disease more difficult to diagnose. Our findings suggest that hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis should be considered when an adult patient presents with the above-mentioned symptoms.

There are enormous resources of unconventional gas in coal measures in Ordos Basin. In order to study the geological characteristics of unconventional gas in coal Measures in Ordos Basin, we analyzed and summarized the results of previous studies. Analysis results are found that, the unconventional gas in coal measures is mainly developed in Upper Paleozoic in Eastern Ordos Basin, which including coalbed methane, shale gas and tight sandstone gas. The oil and gas show active in coal, shale and tight sandstone of Upper Paleozoic in Ordos Basin. Coalbed methane reservoir and shale gas reservoir in coal measures belong to "self-generation and self-preservation", whereas the coal measures tight sandstone gas reservoir belongs to "allogenic and self-preservation". The forming factors of the three different kinds of gasses reservoir are closely related and uniform. We have the concluded that it will be more scientific and reasonable that the geological reservoir-forming processes of three different kinds of unconventional gas of coal measures are studied as a whole in Ordos Basin, and at a later stage, the research on joint exploration and co-mining for the three types of gasses ought to be carried out.

OBJECTIVE: One approach to identifying HIV-1 vaccine candidates is to dissect the natural antiviral immune response in treatment-naïve individuals infected for over ten years, considered slow progressor patients (SPs). It is suspected that SP plasma has strongly neutralizing antibodies (NAb) targeting specific HIV viral epitopes. METHODS: NAbs levels of 11 HIV-1-infected SPs were detected by PBMC-based neutralization assays. To investigate SP NAb epitope, this study used a biopanning approach to obtain mimotopes of HIV-1 that were recognized by SP plasma NAbs. IgG was purified from hightiter NAb SP plasma, and used as the ligand for three rounds of biopanning to select HIV-specific mimotopes from a phage-displayed random peptide library. Double-antibody sandwich ELISA, competitive inhibition assays, and peptide sequence analysis were used to evaluate the characteristics of phage-borne mimotopes. RESULTS: SPs had significantly more plasma neutralizing activity than typical progressors (TPs) (p = 0.04). P2 and P9 plasma, which have highest-titer HIV-NAb, were selected as ligands for biopanning. After three rounds of biopanning, 48 phage clones were obtained, of which 22 clones were consistent with requirement, binding with HIV-1 positive plasma and unbinding with HIV-1 negative plasma. Compared with linear HIV-1 protein sequence and HIV-1 protein structure files, only 12 clones were possible linear mimotopes of NAbs. In addition, the C40 clone located in gp41 CHR was found to be a neutralizing epitope, which could inhibit pooled HIV-1 positive plasma reaction. CONCLUSION: Biopanning of serum IgG can yield mimotopes of HIV-1-related antigen epitopes. This methodology provides a basis for exploration into HIV-1-related antigen-antibody interactions and furthers NAb immunotherapy and vaccine design.

The present study reports statistical medial optimization for chitinase production by a novel bacterial strain isolated from soil recently, which the name Chitinolyticbacter meiyuanensis SYBC-H1 is proposed. A sequential statistical methodology comprising of Plackett-Burman and response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to enhance the fermentative production of chitinase, in which inulin was firstly used as an effective carbon source. As a result, maximum chitinase activity of 5.17 U/mL was obtained in the optimized medium, which was 15.5-fold higher than that in the basal medium. The triplicate verification experiments were performed under the optimized nutrients levels which indicated that it well agreed with the predicted value.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine rates of mask-wearing, of respiratory infection and the factors associated with mask-wearing and of respiratory infection in healthcare workers (HCWs) in Beijing during the winter of 2007/2008. METHODS: We conducted a survey of 400 HCWs working in eight hospitals in Beijing by face to face interview using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: We found that 280/400 (70.0%) of HCWs were compliant with mask-wearing while in contact with patients. Respiratory infection occurred in 238/400 (59.5%) subjects from November, 2007 through February, 2008. Respiratory infection was higher among females (odds ratio [OR], 2.00 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.16-3.49]) and staff working in larger hospitals (OR, 1.72 [95% CI, 1.092.72]), but was lower among subjects with seasonal influenza vaccination (OR, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.280.76]), wearing medical masks (reference: cotton-yarn; OR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.39-0.91]) or with good mask-wearing adherence (OR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.37-0.98]). The risk of respiratory infection of HCWs working in low risk areas was similar to that of HCWs in high risk area. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that female HCWs and staffs working in larger hospitals are the focus of prevention and control of respiratory infection in Beijing hospitals. Mask-wearing and seasonal influenza vaccination are protective for respiratory infection in HCWs; the protective efficacy of medical masks is better than that of cotton yarn ones; respiratory infection of HCWs working in low risk areas should also be given attention.