Machine learning ensemble model prediction of northward shift in potato cyst nematodes(Globodera rostochiensis and G.pallida)distribution under climate change conditions

Potato cyst nematodes(PCNs)are a significant threat to potato production,having caused substantial damage in many countries.Predicting the future distribution of PCN species is crucial to implementing effective biosecurity strategies,especially given the impact of climate change on pest species invasion and distribution.Machine learning(ML),specifically ensemble models,has emerged as a powerful tool in predicting species distributions due to its ability to learn and make predictions based on complex data sets.Thus,this research utilised advanced machine learning techniques to predict the distribution of PCN species under climate change conditions,providing the initial element for invasion risk assessment.We first used Global Climate Models to generate homogeneous climate predictors to mitigate the variation among predictors.Then,five machine learning models were employed to build two groups of ensembles,single-algorithm ensembles(ESA)and multi-algorithm ensembles(EMA),and compared their performances.In this research,the EMA did not always perform better than the ESA,and the ESA of Artificial Neural Network gave the highest performance while being cost-effective.Prediction results indicated that the distribution range of PCNs would shift northward with a decrease in tropical zones and an increase in northern latitudes.However,the total area of suitable regions will not change significantly,occupying 16-20%of the total land surface(18%under current conditions).This research alerts policymakers and practitioners to the risk of PCNs’incursion into new regions.Additionally,this ML process offers the capability to track changes in the distribution of various species and provides scientifically grounded evidence for formulating long-term biosecurity plans for their control.

大鼠急性高眼压后视网膜神经节细胞自噬和副凋亡的发生

目的:观察急性高眼压后不同时间点大鼠视网膜神经节细胞中自噬及副凋亡的发生,并探讨其机制。方法:将50只健康成年SD雄性大鼠随机分为正常对照组、急性IOP损伤3d,1、4、8wk组。利用高眼压(elevated intraocular pressure,IOP)前房灌注法建立SD大鼠急性IOP损伤模型,取各组大鼠的视网膜组织,采用免疫荧光染色法检测视网膜微管相关蛋白1轻链3(microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3,LC3)的表达;利用透射电镜(transmission electron microscopy,TEM)检测视网膜神经节细胞(retinal ganglion cells,RGCs)细胞质中自噬体及胞质空泡的产生,验证自噬及副凋亡的发生。结果:透射电镜观察可见大鼠RGCs细胞质中包裹着电子致密物的双层或多层膜的自噬泡,正常对照组、急性IOP损伤后3d,1、4、8wk组,RGCs细胞质中每50μm^2自噬泡数量分别为0.79±0.43、2.14±0.36、2.29±0.47、1.57±0.51、1.21±0.43个,急性IOP损伤后各组大鼠RGCs内每50μm^2自噬泡数量均较正常对照组明显增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。正常对照组视网膜神经节细胞层(ganglion cell layer,GCL)仅见少量LC3阳性表达,LC3阳性细胞百分比15.90%。急性IOP损伤后3d,1、4、8wk组大鼠GCL中LC3阳性细胞百分比均较正常对照组明显增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。急性IOP损伤后3d,1、4、8wk组大鼠每200μm内RGCs数量较正常对照组明显减少,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。急性IOP后3d持续至8wk透射电镜观察可见大量由线粒体和/或内质网肿胀形成的细胞质空泡。结论:急性IOP损伤后RGCs涉及自噬和副凋亡的激活,各种类型的程序性细胞死亡(programmed cell death,PCD)可作为单一细胞死亡的形式或多种细胞死亡形式共存,参与急性IOP后视网膜神经节细胞的损伤。

Quantitative Characterization of Interlayer Interference in Multi-Layered Sandstone Reservoirs Offshore China

X oilfield is a typical multi-layer sandstone reservoir in offshore China. In the early stage, in order to obtain economic oil production, directional well was used to adopt a set of multi-layer combined production, which resulted in serious interlayer interference, water injection inrush and low reserve utilization. Based on the theory of single-phase unstable seepage flow and the theory of oil-water two-phase non-piston displacement, the author innovatively established a mathematical model of interlayer dynamic interference in multilayer sandstone reservoirs, revealed the influence law of main controlling factors such as permeability, viscosity, starting pressure gradient and reservoir type on interlayer interference, and innovatively formed a quantitative characterization theory of interlayer interference in multilayer combined oil production. The technical demarcation of offshore multi-zone combined oil production reservoir system is formulated and the recombination of oil field development system is guided.

胸乳入路腔镜甲状腺手术与传统手术的临床效果比较

目的比较胸乳入路腔镜甲状腺手术及传统手术两种方式治疗良性甲状腺疾病的临床效果。方法选取2014年7月-2019年12月河北省人民医院腺体外科行甲状腺手术的患者106例,分为腔镜组(n=53)与传统组(n=53)。比较两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、引流时间、术后住院天数、术后止痛药需求和手术并发症发生率。结果两组患者术中出血量、术后住院天数、术后止痛药需求和手术并发症发生率比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。腔镜组手术时间和引流时间较传统组长,术后引流量较传统组多,两组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论胸乳入路腔镜甲状腺手术治疗良性甲状腺疾病在手术安全性、可行性方面与传统手术无明显差别;但手术时间长,引流量多,且引流时间较传统手术长。

Retrospective evaluation of lymphatic and blood vessel invasion and Borrmann types in advanced proximal gastric cancer

BACKGROUND The Borrmann classification system is used to describe the macroscopic appearance of advanced gastric cancer,and Borrmann typeⅣdisease is independently associated with a poor prognosis.AIM To evaluate the prognostic significance of lymphatic and/or blood vessel invasion(LBVI)combined with the Borrmann type in advanced proximal gastric cancer(APGC).METHODS The clinicopathological and survival data of 440 patients with APGC who underwent curative surgery between 2005 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS In these 440 patients,LBVI+status was associated with Borrmann typeⅣ,low histological grade,large tumor size,and advanced pT and pN status.The 5-year survival rate of LBVI+patients was significantly lower than that of LBVI– patients,although LBVI was not an independent prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis.No significant difference in the prognosis of patients with Borrmann typeⅢ/LBVI+disease and patients with Borrmann typeⅣdisease was observed.Therefore,we proposed a revised Borrmann typeⅣ(r-BorⅣ)as Borrmann typeⅢplus LBVI+,and found that r-BorⅣwas associated with poor prognosis in patients with APGC,which outweighed the prognostic significance of pT status.CONCLUSION LBVI is related to the prognosis of APGC,but is not an independent prognostic factor.LBVI status can be used to differentiate Borrmann typesⅢandⅣ,and the same approach can be used to treat r-BorⅣand Borrmann typeⅣ.

Cross electro-nape-acupuncture ameliorates cerebral hemorrhageinduced brain damage by inhibiting necroptosis

BACKGROUND Receptor interacting protein kinase 1(RIPK1)-mediated cell death,including apoptosis and necroptosis,belongs to programmed cell death.It has been reported that RIPK1-mediated necroptosis exists in lesions of cerebral hemorrhage(CH).Electroacupuncture,a treatment derived from traditional Chinese medicine,could improve neurological impairment in patients with brain injury.AIM To investigate the protective role of cross electro-nape acupuncture(CENA)in CH,and clarify the potential mechanism.METHODS CH rat models were established,and CENA was applied to the experimental rats.Neurological functions and encephaledema were then measured.Necrotic cells in the brain of rats with CH were evaluated by propidium iodide staining.Necroptosis was assessed by immunofluorescence.Activation of the necroptosisrelated pathway was detected by western blot.Extraction of brain tissue,cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples was conducted to measure the expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS The necroptotic marker p-MLKL was detectable in the brains of rats with CH.Next,we found that CENA could ameliorate neurological functions in rat models of CH.Moreover,the upregulation of RIPK1-mediated necroptosis-related molecules in the brains of rats with CH were inhibited by CENA.Further investigation revealed that CENA partially blocked the interaction between RIPK1 and RIPK3.Finally,in vivo assays showed that CENA decreased the expression of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in CH rat models.CONCLUSION These findings revealed that CENA exerts a protective role in CH models by inhibiting RIPK1-mediated necroptosis.

Efficacy of noninvasive evaluations in monitoring inflammatory bowel disease activity: a prospective study in China

AIM To optimize the efficacy of noninvasive evaluations in monitoring the endoscopic activity of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).METHODS Fecal calprotectin(FC), clinical activity index(CDAI or CAI), C-reactive protein(CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), and procalcitonin(PCT) were measured for 136 IBD patients. Also, FC was measured in 25 irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) patients that served as controls. Then, endoscopic activity was determined by other two endoscopists for colonic or ileo-colonic Crohn's disease(CICD) with the "simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease"(SES-CD), CDrelated surgery patients with the Rutgeerts score, and ulcerative colitis(UC) with the Mayo score. The efficacies of these evaluations to predict the endoscopic disease activity were assessed by Mann-Whitney test, χ~2 test, Spearman's correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis.RESULTS The median FC levels in CD, UC, and IBS patients were 449.6(IQR, 137.9-1344.8), 497.9(IQR, 131.7-118.0), and 9.9(IQR, 0-49.7) μg/g, respectively(P < 0.001). For FC, CDAI or CAI, CRP, and ESR differed significantly between endoscopic active and remission in CICD and UC patients, but not in CD-related surgery patients. The SES-CD correlated closely with levels of FC(r = 0.802), followed by CDAI(r = 0.734), CRP(r = 0.658), and ESR(r = 0.557). The Mayo score also correlated significantly with FC(r = 0.837), CAI(r = 0.776), ESR(r = 0.644), and CRP(r = 0.634). For FC, a cut-off value of 250 μg/g indicated endoscopic active inflammation with accuracies of 87.5%, 60%, and 91.1%, respectively, for CICD, CD-related surgery, and UC patients. Moreover, clinical FC activity(CFA) calculated as 0.8 × FC + 4.6 × CDAI showed higher area under the curve(AUC) of 0.962 for CICD and CFA calculated as 0.2 × FC + 50 × CAI showed higher AUC(0.980) for UC patients than the FC. Also, the diagnostic accuracy of FC in identifying patients with mucosal inflammation in clinical remission was reflected by an AUC of 0.91 for CICD and 0.96 for UC patients. CONCLUSION FC is the most promising noninvasive evaluation for monitoring the endoscopic activity of CICD and UC. CFA might be more accurate for IBD activity evaluation.

Allele-specific expression and alternative splicing in horse×donkey and cattle×yak hybrids

Divergence of gene expression and alter native splicing is a crucial driving force in the evolution of species;to date, however the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Hybrids of closely related species provide a suitable model to analyze allele-specific expressi on (ASE) and allele-specific alter native splicing (ASS). Analysis of ASE and ASS can uncover the differences in cis-regulatory elements between closely related species, while eliminating interferenee of trans-regulatory elements. Here, we provide a detailed characterization of ASE and ASS from 19 and 10 transcriptome datasets across five tissues from reciprocal-cross hybrids of horsex don key (mule/hi nny) and cattlexyak (dzo), respectively. Results showed that 4.8%-8.7% and 10.8%-16.7% of genes exhibited ASE and ASS, respectively. Notably, IncRNAs and pseudogenes were more likely to show ASE than protein-coding genes. In addition, genes showing ASE and ASS in mule/hinny were found to be involved in the regulation of muscle strength, whereas those of dzo were involved in high-altitude adaptati on. In con clusi on, our study dem on strated that explorati on of genes showing ASE and ASS in hybrids of closely related species is feasible for species evolution research.

Preventive electroacupuncture reduces cognitive deficits in a rat model of D-galactose-induced aging

Acupuncture can reduce cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease.However,whether electroacupuncture can prevent or alleviate the cognitive deficits in animal models of aging remains poorly understood.Studies have shown that disordered epigenetic modifications play a critical role in age-related cognitive decline.Therefore,we hypothesized that preventive electroacupuncture might improve cognitive functions during aging by regulating epigenetic modifications.A rat model of aging was produced by intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg D-galactose for 8 weeks.Baihui and Shenshu acupoints were stimulated by electroacupuncture for 8 weeks from the first day of D-galactose administration.Preventive electroacupuncture alleviated memory impairment,decreased tau hyperphosphorylation,and reduced glycogen synthase kinase-3βprotein and mRNA expression levels in the brainstem dorsal raphe nucleus,where intracellular neurofibrillary tangle lesions first occur.In addition,the DNA methylation level in the promoter region of the glycogen synthase kinase-3βgene was increased.The effects of preventive electroacupuncture were stronger than those of preventive acupuncture.Intraperitoneal injection of 0.4 mg/kg 5-aza-2ʹ-deoxycytidine,an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase that blocks epigenetic modifications,antagonized the effects of preventive electroacupuncture.Our results suggest that preventive electroacupuncture treatment alleviates cognitive impairment in aging rats probably by affecting the epigenetic modification of the glycogen synthase kinase-3βgene in the dorsal raphe nucleus.This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine,China(approval No.HUCMS201712001)on November 28,2017.

Current developments in drug delivery with thermosensitive liposomes

Thermosensitive liposomes(TSLs) have been an important research area in the field of tumor targeted chemotherapy. Since the first TSLs appeared that using 1,2-dipalmitoyl-snglyce-ro-3-phosphocholine(DPPC) as the primary liposomal lipid, many studies have been done using this type of liposome from basic and practical aspects. While TSLs composed of DPPC enhance the cargo release near the phase transition temperature, it has been shown that many factors affect their temperature sensitivity. Thus numerous attempts have been undertaken to develop new TSLs for improving their thermal response performance. The main objective of this review is to introduce the development and recent update of innovative TSLs formulations, including combination of radiofrequency ablation(RFA), highintensity focused ultrasound(HIFU), magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and alternating magnetic field(AMF). In addition, various factors affecting the design of TSLs, such as lipid composition, surfactant, size and serum components are also discussed.

Clinical relevance of hepatitis B virus variants

The hepatitis B virus(HBV) is a global public health problem with more than 240 million people chronically infected worldwide, who are at risk for end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. There are an estimated 600000 deaths annually from complications of HBV-related liver disease. Antiviral therapy with nucleos/tide analogs(NA) targeting the HBV polymerase(P) can inhibit disease progression by long-term suppression of HBV replication. However, treatment may fail with first generation NA therapy due to the emergence of drugresistant mutants, as well as incomplete medication adherence. The HBV replicates via an error-prone reverse transcriptase leading to quasispecies. Due to overlapping open reading frames mutations within the HBV P can cause concomitant changes in the HBV surface gene(S) and vice versa. HBV quasispecies diversity is associated with response to antiviral therapy, disease severity and long-term clinical outcomes. Specific mutants have been associated with antiviral drug resistance, immune escape, liver fibrosis development and tumorgenesis. An understanding of HBV variants and their clinical relevance may be important for monitoring chronic hepatitis B disease progression and treatment response. In this review, we will discuss HBV molecular virology, mechanism of variant development, and their potential clinical impact.

甲状腺功能亢进性心脏病患者右心室功能超声心动图的变化

目的观察甲状腺功能亢进性心脏病(简称甲亢心)患者右心室功能超声心动图的变化。方法选择阜阳市人民医院住院诊治的甲亢心患者79例,依据有无发生心力衰竭(简称心衰)分为甲亢心非心衰组(30例),甲亢心心衰组(49例),另外选择甲状腺功能亢进症(简称甲亢)患者30例作为对照组,收集患者的一般资料,行甲状腺功能实验室及心脏超声检查,并给予比较分析。结果甲亢心心衰组患者的年龄、病程、FT3均高于甲亢心非心衰组和甲亢组(P<0.05);超声心动图示,与甲亢组比较,甲亢心非心衰组和甲亢心心衰组患者的RVDd、LVDd、PAP均增加(P<0.05),心输出量(CO)和LVEF均下降(P<0.05),甲亢心心衰组患者RVDd高于甲亢心非心衰组患者(P<0.05);RVDd与PAP和LVDd呈正相关,与SV、CO及LVEF呈负相关。结论甲亢心患者的右心室舒张末期内径值明显增加,发生心衰的甲亢心患者右心室功能下降较左心室功能下降更明显。

Parafoveal retinal massage combined with autologous blood cover in the management of giant,persistent or recurrent macular holes

AIM:To assess the efficacy and safety of parafoveal retinal massage combined with autologous whole blood cover in the treatment of refractory macular holes(MHs)and present the surgical procedure.METHODS:Patients with giant(minimum diameter>800 pm),recurrent or persistent MHs who underwent PPV combined with parafoveal retinal massage and autologous whole blood cover using C3F8 as tamponade agent from February 2018 to May 2019 were enrolled in this retrospective study.After surgery,all patients were informed to maintain a prone position for at least 7d.Preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuities(BCVAs)were compared and MH closure rate was measured as the main outcome.RESULTS:A total of 13 MH patients consisted of 6 giant MHs,4 persistent holes and 3 recurrent holes(5 men and 8 women;average age was 56.40±11.72y)were enrolled in this study.MH closure was achieved in 11 eyes by this modified surgical technique while 2 eyes failed.Revitrectomy with autologous neurosensory retinal patch transplantations was applied for those 2 patients and then both holes were closed.No intraoperative complications were observed.BCVA improved from 1.73 IogMAR to 0.74 IogMAR at 6mo postoperation.There was significant difference in BCVA before versus after the surgery(P<0.05).There were no adverse events occurred during the follow-up period.CONCLUSION:With easier surgical procedure,parafoveal retinal massage combined with autologous whole blood cover is an effective addition to the surgical options for the management of refractory MHs.

Optimization of mechanical and damping properties of Mg-0.6Zr alloy by different extrusion processing

In this study,the optimization of mechanical and damping capacities of Mg-0.6 wt.%Zr alloys by controlling the recrystallized(DRXed)grain size under varying extrusion processing parameters including extrusion temperature T and strain rate was investigated.The relationship between the DRXed grain size and damping properties of the studied alloy was also discussed.The DRXed grain size of the as-extruded Mg-Zr alloys decreased as the extrusion temperature T decreased and the strain rateεincreased.As the DRXed grain size decreased,the strength and elongation of the as-extruded alloys exhibited improved performance through the grain refinement mechanism,while the damping properties deteriorated.The extrusion temperature of the Mg-Zr alloy had relatively greater effects on the mechanical and damping properties than the strain rate.The results of the present work indicate that alloys with appropriate mechanical and damping properties may be obtained from controlling the DRXed grain size by careful tailoring of the extrusion process parameters.

A high-quality reference genome of wild Cannabis sativa

Cannabis sativa is a well-known plant species that has great economic and ecological significance.An incomplete genome of cloned C.sativa was obtained by using SOAPdenovo software in 2011.To further explore the utilization of this plant resource,we generated an updated draft genome sequence for wild-type varieties of C.sativa in China using PacBio single-molecule sequencing and Hi-C technology.Our assembled genome is approximately 808 Mb,with scaffold and contig N50 sizes of 83.00 Mb and 513.57 kb,respectively.Repetitive elements account for 74.75%of the genome.A total of 38,828 protein-coding genes were annotated,98.20%of which were functionally annotated.We provide the first comprehensive de novo genome of wild-type varieties of C.sativa distributed in Tibet,China.Due to long-term growth in the wild environment,these varieties exhibit higher heterozygosity and contain more genetic information.This genetic resource is of great value for future investigations of cannabinoid metabolic pathways and will aid in promoting the commercial production of C.sativa and the effective utilization of cannabinoids.The assembled genome is also a valuable resource for intensively and effectively investigating the C.sativa genome further in the future.

Effect of ulinastatin on paraquat-induced-oxidative stress in human type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells

BACKGROUND： Ulinastatin （UTI） is a urinary trypsin inhibitor extracted and purified from urine of males. This study aimed to explore the effects of UTI on paraquat-induced-oxidative stress in human type II alveolar epithelial cells. METHODS： The human type II alveolar epithelial cells, A549 cells, were cultured in vitro. The A549 cells were treated with different concentrations of paraquat （200, 400, 600, 800, 1 000, 1 200 pmol/L） and ulinastatin（0, 2 000, 4 000, 6 000, 8 000 U/mL） for 24 hours, the cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 and the median lethal concentration was selected. In order to establish an in vitro model of paraquat intoxication and to determine the safe dose of ulinastatin, we calculated LD50 using cell counting kit-8 to determine the survival rate of the cells. A549 cells were divided into normal control group, paraquat group and paraquat＋ulinastatin group. The levels of malondialdehyde （MDA） and myeloperoxidase （MPO） were detected by biochemistry colorimetry, while the level of reactive oxygen spies （ROS） was detected by DCFH-DA assay. RESULTS： The survival rate of A549 cells treated with different concentrations of paraquat decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Whereas there was no decrease in the survival rate of cells treated with 0-4 000 U/mL ulinastatin. The levels of MDA, MPO, and ROS were significantly higher in the paraquat group than in the normal control group after 24-hour-exposure. And the survival rate of the paraquat＋ulinastatin group was higher than that of the paraquat group, but lower than that of the normal control group. The levels of MDA, MPO, and ROS were lower than those of the paraquat group. CONCLUSION： Ulinastatin can alleviate the paraquat-induced A549 cell damage by reducing oxidative stress.

Prognostic significance of 14v-lymph node dissection to D2 dissection for lower-third gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Radical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node (LN) dissection is the standard surgical procedure for patients with resectable gastric cancer (GC). In the fifteenth edition of the Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma, the 14v LN (LNs along the root of the superior mesenteric vein) was defined as the regional gastric LN. The efficacy of 14v LN dissection during radical distal gastrectomy for lower-third GC remains controversial. AIM To analyze whether the addition of 14v LN dissection improved the survival of patients with lower-third GC. METHODS The data from 65 patients who underwent 14v LN dissection and 65 patients treated without 14v LN dissection were selected using the propensity scorematched method from our institute database constructed between 2000 and 2012. Overall survival was compared between the groups. RESULTS Overall survival was similar between patients with 14v LN metastasis and those with distant metastasis (P = 0.521). Among patients with pathological stage IIIA disease, those who were treated with 14v LN dissection had a significantly higher overall survival than those treated without it (P = 0.020). Multivariate analysis showed that age < 65 years and pT2-3 stage were independent favorable prognostic factors for prolonged overall survival in patients with pathological stage IIIA disease. Patients with No. 1, No. 6, No. 8a, or No. 11p LN metastasis were at higher risk of having 14v LN metastasis.CONCLUSION Adding 14v LN dissection to D2 dissection during radical distal gastrectomy may improve the overall survival of patients with pathological stage IIIA lower-third GC.

Reduced microRNA-451 expression in eutopic endometrium contributes to the pathogenesis of endometriosis

BACKGROUND Endometriosis (EMs) is a chronic and recurrent,but benign,disease in women of reproductive age,and EMs patients have a high risk of developing gynecological tumors and autoimmune disorders.The etiology of EMs is not clear.Certain genetic markers in the eutopic endometrium are key in the pathogenesis of EMs.MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in several biological processes,such as cell proliferation,differentiation,and apoptosis.MiR-451 is interesting,as it acts as a tumor suppressor and is relevant to the poor prognosis of cancers.AIM To evaluate the expression levels and role of miR-451 in the eutopic endometrium and predict possible targets of miR-451 and related signaling pathways.METHODS Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate miR-451 expression in cultured cell lines as well as in pathologic tissues from 40 patients with EMs and 20 donors with no history of the disease (controls).Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometric assays were performed to determine cell proliferation and survival rates after transfection with miR-451 mimics and siRNAs.MiR-451 targets were predicted using miRDB and miRcode target-predicting databases.RESULTS We observed lower miR-451 levels in eutopic endometrial tissues from patients with EMs than in control tissues,and this difference was not related to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine stage.Ectopic overexpression of miR-451 in eutopic cells induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation.SiRNA-mediated miR-451 knockdown reversed these effects.Using miRDB and miRcode,we identified 12 potential miR-451 target genes.We hypothesize that the expression of YWHAZ,OSR1,TTN,and CDKN2D may be regulated by miR- 451 and be involved in disease pathogenesis.CONCLUSION Reduced miR-451 expression in the eutopic endometrium contributes to the pathogenesis of EMs by promoting cell proliferation and reducing apoptosis.Thus,miR-451 is a novel biomarker for EMs.YWHAZ,OSR1,TTN,and CDKN2D are potential target genes of miR-451 and may have key roles in this disease.

Medical student depression and its correlates across three international medical schools

BACKGROUND Medical students have high rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout that have been found to affect their empathy, professional behaviors, and performance as a physician. While studies have examined predictors for burnout and depression in the United States (US), no study, to our knowledge, has compared depression in medical students cross-culturally, or has attempted to examine the effect of factors influencing rates including burnout, exercise, stress, unmet mental health needs, and region. AIM To examine rates of depression in three international cohorts of medical students, and determine variables that may explain these differences. METHODS Convenience samples of medical students from three countries (US, China, and a Middle Eastern country whose name remains anonymous per request from the school) were surveyed in this observational study. Using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and a modified Maslach Burnout Inventory, depression and burnout were examined among medical students from the three cohorts (n = 473). Chi-square test and analysis of variance were used to examine differences in demographics, behavioral, and psychological variables across these three schools to identify potentially confounding descriptive characteristics. Analysis of covariance compared depression and the emotional exhaustion component of burnout identified through Principal Component Analysis across countries. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the impact of demographic, behavioral, and psychological variables on screening positive for depression. RESULTS Medical students from the Middle Eastern country had the highest rates of positive depression screens (41.1%), defined as a PHQ-2 score of ≥ 3, followed by China (14.1 %), and then the US (3.8%). More students in the Middle Eastern school had unmet mental health needs (50.8%) than at the medical school in China (34.8%) or the school in the US (32.8%)(Pearson chi-square significance < 0.05). Thus, PHQ-2 scores were adjusted for unmet mental health needs;however, the Middle Eastern country continued to have the highest depression. Adjusting for PHQ-2 score, medical students from the US scored the highest on emotional exhaustion (a measure of burnout). Demographic variables did not significantly predict medical student depression;however, lack of exercise, unmet mental health needs, stress, and emotional exhaustion predicted nearly half of depression in these cohorts. In comparison to the US, coming from the Middle Eastern country and China predicted higher levels of depression. CONCLUSION Depression rates differ in three international cohorts of medical students. Measured factors contributed to some observed differences. Identifying sitespecific prevention and intervention strategies in medical student mental health is warranted.

Natural astaxanthin enhanced antioxidant capacity and improved semen quality through the MAPK/Nrf2 pathway in aging layer breeder roosters

Background:Natural astaxanthin(ASTA)has strong antioxidant properties and has been widely used as a health product to improve human health.However,the effects of ASTA on the reproductive performance of aging roosters have been poorly studied.We aimed to investigate the effects of dietary ASTA on semen quality and antioxidant capacity in aging roosters and to explore the potential mechanism of semen quality change via antioxidation defense system.Methods:In the present study,9653-week-old Jinghong No.1 layer breeder roosters were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing 0,25,50,or 100 mg/kg ASTA for 6 weeks.Results:Semen quality in the ASTA groups remarkably improved than that in the control group,and antioxidant activities,the abilities to scavenge hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions,increased gradually with ASTA addition(P<0.05).In addition,the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes as well as the mRNA and protein levels of the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)were markedly increased in the 50-100 mg/kg ASTA group(P<0.05).Conclusions:Collectively,these results demonstrate that dietary ASTA may improve semen quality by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and the ability to scavenge hydroxyl radicals,which may be related to upregulation of the MAPK/Nrf2 pathway.