CIPP视域下我国中小学校STEM教育实施评价体系构建研究

STEM教育作为新兴的人才培养模式,注重学生批判性思维、逻辑思维以及问题解决能力的培养,我国一些中小学采用了STEM教育的培养方式,但在评价阶段出现了评价理念功利化、评价导向游离化、评价指标单一化、评价对象消极化等问题。当前,我国缺乏成熟且适用的中小学STEM教育评价体系,阻碍了STEM教育的实施。因此,以中小学校STEM教育质量为评价对象,依据中小学STEM教育评价面临的困境,基于CIPP评估模型,结合综合指标体系的构建原则,将中小学STEM教育评价体系分为5个部分:学校STEM教育需求评估、学校STEM教育投入评估、学校STEM教育实施评估、学校STEM教育成果评估、学校STEM教育增值评估,具体为13个二级指标、36个观察要点,并对中小学STEM教育评价体系的构建和实施提出建议。

Ocular manifestations and quality of life in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

AIM:To explore the relationship between ocular and systemic conditions and the impact of ocular complications on the quality of life(QOL)in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(ALLO-HSCT).METHODS:Forty-four patients with severe hematopoietic disease were enrolled after ALLO-HSCT at our center from July 2018 to October 2020.They completed two questionnaires:the Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI)and the quality-of-life scale for Chinese patients with visual impairment(SQOL-DV1).Ocular conditions and systemic conditions were also assessed.RESULTS:Eye damage was correlated with total bilirubin(P=0.005),and gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT)(P=0.021).There was no significant correlation between the overall QOL score and OSDI(P=0.8226)or SQOLDV1(P=0.9526)scores.The OSDI and the overall QOL score were not correlated with ocular conditions,including best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA),intraocular pressure,Schirmer tear test II,sodium fluorescein staining,tear film breakup time,and tear meniscus height.SQOLDV1 was correlated with BCVA(P=0.0007),sodium fluorescein staining(P=0.007),and tear film breakup time(P=0.0146).CONCLUSION:In some patients,early ocular symptoms are not evident after ALLO-HSCT,while ocular surface complications can be observed after a comprehensive ophthalmological examination.Especially for those with elevated total bilirubin or GGT,regular ophthalmic follow-up visits are essential to diagnose and treat ocular graft versus host disease(o GVHD),especially for patients with elevated total bilirubin or GGT.

种植方式对寒地水稻抗倒伏性状的影响

为了探索不同种植方式对寒地水稻抗倒伏能力的影响,以‘龙粳21’和‘龙稻18’为试材,比较研究了水直播、旱直播和插秧栽培模式下水稻的抗倒伏特性。种植方式对寒地水稻的抗倒伏特性有显著影响,但两品种表现不一致。其中,‘龙粳21’N1至N4节间的倒伏指数为插秧>水直播>旱直播,单茎抗推力为旱直播>插秧>水直播。‘龙稻18’N1、N3和N4节间的倒伏指数为插秧>旱直播>水直播,N2节间为旱直播>插秧>水直播,单茎抗推力均为水直播>插秧>旱直播。相关分析表明,提高寒地水稻抗倒伏能力应适当降低株高、重心高度和N1、N2节间的长度,不宜攻大穗。在寒地稻区,通过选择适宜的品种及合理地构建多穗和小穗的群体结构,既利于直播稻获得较高的产量,也有利于提高抗倒伏性。

不同施氮水平下硅肥对谷子抗倒伏能力、产量和品质的影响

[目的]倒伏严重影响谷子产量和品质。探究不同施氮水平下硅肥提高谷子茎秆强度、产量及品质的作用,为谷子高产高效施肥提供技术方案。[方法]以晋谷21和张杂13为供试谷子品种,在山西太谷进行大田试验。在常规施氮量N_(1)(180 kg/hm^(2))和高施氮量N_(2)(450 kg/hm^(2))下,分别设置不施硅、施用硅酸钠(Si_(1),SiO_(2) 68.85 kg/hm^(2))和硅钙肥(Si_(2),SiO_(2) 67.2 kg/hm^(2)),共6个处理。在谷子成熟期测量其株高、抗倒伏能力相关指标、光合特性、产量和品质相关指标,并观察茎秆横切面显微结构。[结果]N_(1)水平下,施用硅肥降低了谷子基节长度,增加了茎粗、茎秆抗折力和穿刺力,晋谷21和张杂13两品种前五基节的节间长度分别降低了4.1%~30.1%和9.5%~11.5%,茎粗分别增加5.3%~19.4%和13.0%~34.1%;晋谷21抗倒性在N_(1)-Si_(1)处理较强,第一、第二基节抗倒伏指数较N_(1)-Si_0处理分别增加37.4%和35.8%,张杂13在N_(1)-Si_(2)处理时较强,第一、第二基节抗倒伏指数较N_(1)-Si_0处理分别增加136.0%和94.7%。N_(2)水平下,施用硅肥后晋谷21和张杂13前五基节的节间长度分别降低了9.6%~30.3%和10.6%~14.9%,茎粗分别增加了9.56%~23.9%和16.2%~31.0%,茎秆扁平度降低。硅钙肥对谷子茎秆强度影响大于硅酸钠,N_(2)-Si_(2)处理晋谷21的第二基节抗折力、穿刺力和抗倒伏指数比N_(2)-Si_0分别增加97.9%、77.6%和83.3%,张杂13的第一基节抗折力、穿刺力和抗倒伏指数比N_(2)-Si_0分别增加74.0%、66.8%和128%。施硅后谷子茎秆中机械组织增厚,维管束数量增多且排列均匀,向茎秆中心延伸,且在N_(2)水平下,硅钙肥作用效果优于硅酸钠。硅可促进谷子穗码发育,增加穗粗、穗粒数和千粒重,在高氮水平下硅钙肥处理使晋谷21和张杂13的产量分别增加23.8%和24.0%。施用硅肥能够提高谷子脂肪、蛋白质和氨基酸含量,在高氮水平下可以降低谷子直链淀粉/支链淀粉值。[结论]在高氮条件下,施用硅钙肥使谷子前五基节长度降低,茎粗增加,机械强度增加,进而提高抗倒伏能力;施用硅肥还可增加光合速率和蒸腾速率,促进物质积累和运输,增加产量,改善品质。

梗丝不同干燥加工方式质量对比分析

为深入研究不同梗丝加工工艺对梗丝质量的影响,在湖北中烟工业有限责任公司武汉烟厂进行流化床干燥、气流干燥、滚筒干燥3种方式的比较分析,对比不同干燥方式条件下梗丝处理效果,分析梗丝物理质量、外观品质、加工品质、过程控制等方面存在的差异。结果表明,从物理指标方面确定了滚筒和气流干燥在提升梗丝填充值的优势,从微观结构证明了滚筒干燥梗丝卷曲效应,从化学成分方面验证了不同加工方式的工艺强度差异。

机器学习结合高光谱植被指数与SPAD值估算冬小麦氮含量

冬小麦叶片氮含量与叶片光合作用和营养状况密切相关,直接影响植株生长发育,而茎秆中的氮含量与茎秆中纤维素、半纤维素和木质素的比例和含量密切相关,直接影响茎秆质量及植株的抗倒伏能力。然而,有关对冬小麦茎秆氮含量估算研究较为有限,限制了从氮含量角度判断茎秆质量及对倒伏的预测能力。为精准估算冬小麦不同器官(叶片、茎秆)氮含量,该研究通过2年田间试验,获取冬小麦4个关键生育期(拔节期、抽穗期、开花期、灌浆期)和3种施氮水平条件下(N1、N2和N3)的冠层光谱反射率、叶片、茎秆氮含量及叶片SPAD(soil and plant analyzer development,SPAD)值。分析了不同生育期和施氮水平条件下高光谱植被指数对叶片和茎秆氮含量的敏感性,并结合5种常用的机器学习算法:随机森林回归(random forest regression,RFR)、支持向量回归(support vector regression,SVR)、偏最小二乘回归(partial least squares regression,PLSR)、高斯过程回归(gaussian process regression,GPR)、深度神经网络回归(deep neural networks,DNN)构建冬小麦叶片和茎秆氮含量估算模型。结果表明:高光谱植被指数对叶片和茎秆氮含量的敏感性受到生育期和施氮水平的影响。在灌浆期,最佳植被指数双峰冠层植被指数DCNI(double-peak canopy nitrogen index)对叶片氮含量的敏感性最高,R^(2)为0.866。对茎秆氮含量,在抽穗期的敏感性最高,最佳植被指数归一化叶绿素比值指数NPQI(normalized phaeophytinization index)与氮含量决定系数R^(2)=0.677。施氮水平的提升增加了光谱植被指数对茎秆氮含量的敏感性。结合SPAD值的机器学习算法提升了氮含量的估算精度,对叶片氮含量,在不同生育期和施氮水平条件下估算精度提升了1%~7%,其中在全生育期的归一化均方根误差NRMSE从0.254降低到0.214,抽穗期的NRMSE提升最大,从0.201降低到0.128。对茎秆氮含量,全生育期的NRMSE从0.443降低到0.400,抽穗期的NRMSE变化最大,从0.323降低到0.268。在全生育期,结合SPAD值的DNN模型对叶片(R^(2)=0.782、NRMSE=0.214)和茎秆(R^(2)=0.802、NRMSE=0.400)氮含量的估算精度最佳。研究说明,SPAD值与光谱植被指数结合有利于提升冬小麦不同生育期和施氮水平条件下叶片和茎秆氮含量的估算精度。

基于生物信息学分析干性相关基因TCEAL7作为胃癌预后标志物的研究

目的:在胃癌(gastric cancer,GC)中寻找与基于mRNA表达水平的干性指数(mRNA expression-based stemness in-dex,mRNAsi)相关的基因,并探讨其功能。方法:通过癌症基因组图谱(The Cancer Genome Atlas,TCGA)数据库和GSE66229数据集进行生物信息学分析。通过实时定量聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)和免疫组织化学评估组织和细胞系中TCEAL7的表达。采用过表达TCEAL7的GC细胞研究TCEAL7对GC细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭能力以及干性特征的影响。结果:TCEAL7在GC中表达下调。但TCEAL7的高表达与较差的预后相对应。过表达TCEAL7抑制GC细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力,减弱成球能力并减少干细胞样CD44^(high)/CD24^(high)细胞的数量。包含临床特征和TCEAL7表达的列线图对于预测GC患者预后有很好的准确性和区分度。结论:TCEAL7被鉴定为在GC中与mRNAsi相关的预后因子,它降低了肿瘤细胞的恶性程度,并减弱了细胞的干性特征。

香蕉茎秆纤维/抗菌纤维混纺纱的制备及其性能

为促进天然香蕉茎秆纤维在纺织服装领域的应用,采用半精纺纺纱工艺,以香蕉茎秆纤维(BF)、优可丝安泰贝抗菌纤维(ATB)和稀土抑菌再生纤维素纤维(XT)为原料,制备了混纺比为50/50、65/35、70/30、85/15的8种BF/抗菌纤维混纺纱和1种BF纯纺纱,表征了纱线的线密度和捻度,探究了混纺比例与纱线力学性能、质量指标、抗菌性能的关系。结果表明,9种纱线实测的线密度和捻度与设计值存在偏差,但其偏差在允差范围内;ATB和XT的加入提高了BF纯纺纱的力学性能与抗菌性能,改善了BF纯纺纱的条干均匀度、毛羽指数、棉结、粗节、细节等质量指标,且香蕉/抗菌纤维混纺纱强度高、毛羽少、手感柔软,适宜开发各类机织和针织面料。

藜麦种质资源的茎秆性状评价

[目的]藜麦种子具有全谷物高营养的品质,但倒伏是制约藜麦产量的重要因素之一,明确藜麦作物茎秆的抗倒伏特性,有利于筛选具有不同倒伏能力的藜麦品种(系),为藜麦抗倒伏育种鉴定、评价和创新提供理论依据。[方法]本研究根据株高、籽粒大小、倒伏特性和生育期长短选取22份供试藜麦品种(系)并对其生育期、茎秆表型性状、茎秆机械强度和生理特征共16个指标进行测定和分析。[结果]22份藜麦品种(系)具有较高度的遗传变异,14个性状的变异系数为12.39%~81.08%,倒伏指数的变异系数最大,纤维素含量的变异系数最小。多因素方差分析得出作物倒伏特性与品种(系)、生育期、机械强度指标三者具有显著互作关系。相关性分析发现弯曲力矩、倒伏指数与茎秆表型性状、机械强度指标具有显著或极显著相关关系。基于13个茎秆特性指标以及隶属函数均值进行聚类分析可将22份藜麦品种(系)划分为3个类群,第Ⅰ类为抗倒伏组,第Ⅱ、Ⅲ类群为易倒伏组。多元线性回归分析得出,11个茎秆特性指标与倒伏指数和倒伏率做回归,R2均大于0.85。22份藜麦品种(系)的隶属函数均值为2.21~1.47,倒伏率范围为18.13%~91.83%,倒伏等级为2~5级。[结论]22份藜麦品种(系)农艺性状遗传多样性较为丰富,可为藜麦种质资源的创造提供参考。倒伏指数和弯曲力矩对作物倒伏能力评价具有重要作用。综合分析后推测K157、W120为抗倒伏品系,Y4、W26为易倒伏品系。

基于加权基因共表达网络探索喉癌干性关键基因

目的采用肿瘤干性指数mRNAsi筛选喉癌相关基因,为喉癌相关研究提供新思路。方法从癌症基因组图谱(The Cancer Genome Atlas,TCGA)数据库下载喉癌mRNA表达谱,采用加权基因共表达网络分析(weighted gene co-expression network analysis,WGCNA)构建基因共表达网络模块,得到干性最显著模块的差异表达基因。采用Cox回归和最小绝对收缩和选择算子(least absolute shrinkage and selection operator,LASSO)算法建立风险曲线,基于肿瘤免疫功能障碍与排斥(Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion,TIDE)数据库采用单样本基因集富集分析(single sample gene set enrichment analysis,ssGSEA)探索交集基因的免疫浸润模式,基于CellMiner数据库分析基因药物敏感性,运用基因集富集分析(gene set enrichment analysis,GSEA)富集关键基因在喉癌所参与的功能和信号通路。结果通过WGCNA共构建30个喉癌共表达基因模块,选择浅黄色和紫色共表达基因模块进行Cox回归分析。LASSO算法构建模型筛选得到MTHFD2和TBX2基因,并构建风险曲线,其与浆细胞样树突状细胞(plasmacytoid dendritic cells,pDCs)和辅助性T细胞2(T helper 2 cell,Th2)免疫细胞相关,且低风险组的TIDE评分明显高于高风险组,达沙替尼与基因耐药性增加相关,功能富集显示关键基因可能与角化细胞相关。结论MTHFD2和TBX2基因可作为喉癌mRNAsi相关生物标志物。

冬小麦茎秆特性与抗倒性关系研究

为明确滴灌冬小麦生长过程中影响小麦抗倒伏的主要因素,选用宁冬10、宁冬11、隆鉴115、隆鉴110、冬育5、冬育12和隆紫麦1共7个小麦品种,分析不同品种间抗倒伏性状的差异。结果表明:冬育5茎秆机械强度大(563.811 g),在供试品种中倒伏指数最小(0.638 g),与其他品种相比存在显著差异,且其基部节间短粗、茎秆壁较厚、株高及重心高度较低,抗倒伏性较好;倒伏指数与重心高度、基部节间长度、株高呈极显著正相关,与机械强度、基2节间鲜/干质量、基部节间直径、壁厚呈极显著负相关,且基2节壁厚与倒伏指数相关系数较大(r=-0.664)。可见,抗倒伏性强的冬小麦品种株高矮化、基部节间茎秆长度缩短、基部节间强度高。在供试小麦品种中,冬育5的抗倒伏性明显优于其他品种。

饲粮中添加草果茎叶对西畴乌骨鸡生长性能、血清生化指标以及肌肉品质的影响

为研究在饲粮中添加草果茎叶对西畴乌骨鸡生长性能、血清生化指标以及肌肉营养成分、氨基酸、脂肪酸含量的影响,试验选择体重相近的28日龄西畴乌骨鸡270只分为3组,每组3个重复,每个重复30只,以饲喂基础料为对照组,饲喂基础料+3%草果茎叶粉为Ⅰ组,基础料+6%草果茎叶粉为Ⅱ组,试验期为90 d。结果显示:与对照组相比,试验II组平均日采食量提高4.83%,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ组平均日增重分别提高3.53%、7.19%,料重比分别降低2.83%、1.65%(P<0.05);试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ组肌肉中水分含量分别提高0.08%、0.61%,蛋白质含量分别提高6.9%、6.3%,脂肪含量分别提高8.05%、13.18%(P<0.05);试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ组肌肉中氨基酸的总量分别提高5.27%、5.57%,其中必需氨基酸总量均提高7.59%(P<0.05);试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ组肌肉中脂肪酸总量分别提高49.58%、52.55%,其中单不饱和脂肪酸总含量分别提高239.94%、252.56%,多不饱和脂肪酸总含量分别提高69.10%、72.11%(P<0.05)。研究显示,饲粮中添加草果茎叶饲喂西畴乌骨鸡可以提高其生长性能,改善西畴乌骨鸡的肌肉品质。从各项指标综合而言,添加3%比例的草果茎叶效果更经济有效。

基于干性指数模型对肉瘤预后、免疫浸润和铁死亡调控的分析

背景:干性指数可能与肉瘤预后、免疫浸润有关,但具体调控机制与特征基因尚不清楚。目的:利用基因干性指数模型探究肉瘤干细胞与患者预后和免疫浸润的关系,并识别肉瘤干细胞铁死亡特征基因。方法:从癌症基因组图谱(TCGA)中获取肉瘤RNA测序数据及相关临床信息。利用肉瘤干性指数,对获取的肉瘤RNA测序数据进行分组。利用生存数据进行组间预后情况分析,获取组间差异表达基因后进行通路富集和免疫浸润分析。获得铁死亡相关差异基因,构建蛋白互作网络并进行预后相关性分析。培养横纹肌肉瘤细胞系,分为贴壁细胞组和干细胞组,贴壁细胞组不予任何干预,干细胞组通过无血清培养处理以诱导横纹肌肉瘤干细胞富集,qRT-PCR验证干细胞相关标志物、铁死亡相关差异基因以及铁死亡相关标志物的mRNA表达。结果与结论:①以干性指数中位数为界将患者分成高干性指数组和低干性指数组,通过患病风险预测显示高干性指数组患者的无进展生存期低于低干性指数组,提示预后不佳;②GO、KEGG分析显示肉瘤高、低干性指数组差异表达基因参与不同的细胞通路;高干性指数组和低干性指数组之间免疫浸润存在差异;差异基因中有23个铁死亡相关基因,其中9个可构成相关性较强的蛋白互作网络,其中IDO1、IFNG、AQP5高表达的肉瘤患者预后更好,CA9高表达的肉瘤患者预后不佳;③qRT-PCR结果显示,与贴壁细胞组相比,干细胞组干细胞相关标志物NANOG、SOX2和OCT4 mRNA表达显著升高(P<0.05);与贴壁细胞组相比,干细胞组铁死亡相关标志物SLC7A11的mRNA表达显著降低(P<0.05),ACSL4、GPX4、FTH1和COX2的mRNA表达显著升高(P<0.05);与贴壁细胞组相比,干细胞组差异基因CA9的mRNA表达显著降低,IDO1、IFNG、AQP5的mRNA表达显著升高(P<0.05)。经上述生物信息学分析与实验验证,干细胞与肉瘤生存、铁死亡过程密切相关,CA9、IDO1、IFNG、AQP5在肉瘤干细胞中异常表达,可能成为肉瘤诊断标志物和治疗新靶点。

美国国家STEM高职教育监测指标体系及其启示

国家STEM教育监测指标体系是监测STEM教育运行状况和质量的重要标准和依据,也是对STEM教育进行科学规划、管理的一种有效工具。美国高职STEM教育监测指标体系是美国从国家层面展开的对STEM教育现状进行监督和考察的重要系统,具有指向对象全员性、评价内容综合化、体系呈现发展性等特点。其依据"输入—过程、环境—输出"框架,设计了一套综合性、系统性的指标体系。其中,面向实际和未来的设计理念、系统化的指标体系构建和多主体参与的互动过程有一定的借鉴意义。

两品种小麦间、混播对其茎秆形态特征和抗倒性能的影响

为明确间、混播对冬小麦抗倒伏的影响,本试验以山农20(SN20)和山农优麦2号(YM2)为材料,设置常规条播(单播)及二者隔行间播(SN20//YM2,1∶1)和等量混播(SN20×YM2,1∶1)3种种植方式,研究不同种植方式下品种间抗倒伏指数、茎秆形态特征及基部第二节间抗折力等的差异,并进行品种、种植方式及二者互作对小麦抗倒伏性状影响的方差分析。结果表明,间、混播较单播可显著降低小麦重心高度、株高,显著增加第二节间茎粗、壁厚、抗折力以及抗倒伏指数,尤以混播表现最好,但与间播整体上差异不显著;种植方式对第二节间壁厚、抗折力以及抗倒伏指数影响最大。混播方式下,YM2灌浆期和成熟期的抗倒伏指数最大,相比于单、间播分别显著增加54.50%、10.89%和65.77%、30.22%。综上表明,本试验条件下,间、混播可降低冬小麦株高、重心高度,增加基部第二节间茎粗、壁厚和抗折力,有效提升小麦抗倒伏指数,从而降低冬小麦倒伏风险,促进抗逆稳产。该结论可为山东省冬小麦高产稳产和抗倒伏栽培提供参考依据。

复合菌剂生物肥对甘薯茎线虫病的防治和增产效果研究

甘薯茎线虫病是甘薯生产中的一种常发性且较为严重的病害。为了解不同载体负载微生物菌剂的效果,以及添加复合菌剂对甘薯茎线虫及甘薯产量的影响,本试验选择不同载体和微生物菌剂,测定载体的微生物负载效果,并测定了施入不同微生物菌剂后的甘薯产量及其茎线虫病情指数等指标。结果表明,硅藻土对生防菌剂的吸附率、释放率和存活率分别为64.76%、94.61%和86.90%,能够有效实现对菌体的吸附/释放以及保证菌体存活。胶冻样类芽孢杆菌菌剂以及生防菌剂复配施用对甘薯茎线虫病的防治效果达75.4%。微生物菌剂与有机肥构建的生物有机肥施用后,线虫发病率仅为12.7%,且甘薯平均产量高达19272.23 kg/hm^(2)。生物有机肥对甘薯生长、品质、抗性、增产和增收均有一定促进作用,同时具有适用性广、绿色安全且不产生抗药性的特点,适合在甘薯茎线虫防治以及促进甘薯增产上推广应用。

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells versus adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for peripheral nerve regeneration

Studies have confirmed that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） can be used for treatment of several nervous system diseases. However, isolation of bone marrow-derived MSCs （BMSCs） is an invasive and painful process and the yield is very low. Therefore, there is a need to search for other alterative stem cell sources. Adipose-derived MSCs （ADSCs） have phenotypic and gene expression profiles similar to those of BMSCs. The production of ADSCs is greater than that of BMSCs, and ADSCs proliferate faster than BMSCs. To compare the effects of venous grafts containing BMSCs or ADSCs on sciatic nerve injury, in this study, rats were randomly divided into four groups： sham （only sciatic nerve exposed）, Matrigel （MG; sciatic nerve injury ＋ intravenous transplantation of MG vehicle）, ADSCs （sciatic nerve injury ＋ intravenous MG containing ADSCs）, and BMSCs （sciatic nerve injury ＋ intravenous MG containing BMSCs） groups. Sciatic functional index was calculated to evaluate the function of injured sciatic nerve. Morphologic characteristics of nerves distal to the lesion were observed by toluidine blue staining. Spinal motor neurons labeled with Fluoro-Gold were quantitatively assessed. Compared with sham-operated rats, sciatic functional index was lower, the density of small-diameter fibers was significantly increased, and the number of motor neurons significantly decreased in rats with sciatic nerve injury. Neither ADSCs nor BMSCs significantly improved the sciatic nerve function of rats with sciatic nerve injury,increased fiber density, fiber diameters, axonal diameters, myelin sheath thickness, and G ratios （axonal diameter/fiber diameter ratios） in the sciatic nerve distal to the lesion site. There was no significant difference in the number of spinal motor neurons among ADSCs, BMSCs and MG groups. These results suggest that neither BMSCs nor ADSCs provide satisfactory results for peripheral nerve repair when using MG as the conductor for engraftment.

Identification of key genes controlling cancer stem cell characteristics in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Self-renewal of gastric cancer stem cells(GCSCs)is considered to be the underlying cause of the metastasis,drug resistance,and recurrence of gastric cancer(GC).AIM To characterize the expression of stem cell-related genes in GC.METHODS RNA sequencing results and clinical data for gastric adenoma and adenocarcinoma samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database,and the results of the GC mRNA expression-based stemness index(mRNAsi)were analyzed.Weighted gene coexpression network analysis was then used to find modules of interest and their key genes.Survival analysis of key genes was performed using the online tool Kaplan-Meier Plotter,and the online database Oncomine was used to assess the expression of key genes in GC.RESULTS mRNAsi was significantly upregulated in GC tissues compared to normal gastric tissues(P<0.0001).A total of 16 modules were obtained from the gene coexpression network;the brown module was most positively correlated with mRNAsi.Sixteen key genes(BUB1,BUB1 B,NCAPH,KIF14,RACGAP1,RAD54 L,TPX2,KIF15,KIF18 B,CENPF,TTK,KIF4 A,SGOL2,PLK4,XRCC2,a n d C1 orf112)were identified in the brown module.The functional and pathway enrichment analyses showed that the key genes were significantly enriched in the spindle cellular component,the sister chromatid segregation biological process,the motor activity molecular function,and the cell cycle and homologous recombination pathways.Survival analysis and Oncomine analysis revealed that the prognosis of patients with GC and the expression of three genes(RAD54 L,TPX2,and XRCC2)were consistently related.CONCLUSION Sixteen key genes are primarily associated with stem cell self-renewal and cell proliferation characteristics.RAD54 L,TPX2,and XRCC2 are the most likely therapeutic targets for inhibiting the stemness characteristics of GC cells.

A novel nine gene signature integrates stemness characteristics associated with prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Cancer stem cells(CSCs)are heterogeneous with self-renewal and differentiation ability.The mRNA expression-based stemness index(mRNAsi)described the similarity between tumor cells and CSCs,which is positively associated with the poor prognosis of cancer patients.However,the key prognostic genes related to mRNAsi in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)remains unclear.A 9-gene signature related to mRNAsi and HCC prognosis including PSMG3,SNRPD1,DTYMK,PIGU,NME1,TXNL4A,IPO4,PES1,and REXO4 was obtained.High expression of this signature indicates poor prognosis of HCC.PIGU was an independent prognostic factor of HCC,which was significantly associated with progression of HCC.Among them,DTYMK and NME1 enriched in pyrimidine metabolism,SNRPD1 and TXNL4A enriched in spliceosome and PIGU enriched in glycosyl phosphatidylinositol(GPI)-anchor biosynthesis pathways.High levels of IPO4,NME1,PES1,PIGU and SNRPD1 were closely associated with metastasis of HCC,and low levels of IPO4,PIGU and REOX4 were significantly associated with sorafenib resistance of HCC.High expression of the 9-gene signature was negatively correlated with the stromal cell infiltration,and positively correlated with specific immune subtypes-related to angiogenesis,M1/M2 macrophage polarization,and M2 response.The 9-gene signature was negatively correlated with the stroma,and SNRPD1 and TXNL4 were positively correlated with immune infiltrate.NME1 was negatively correlated with tumor purity.Therefore,a 9-gene signature related to mRNAsi and poor prognosis in HCC were identified,which can be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of HCC and functional mechanism exploration of CSCs in HCC.These genes such as IPO4 and PIGU might drive the transition of tumor cells into CSCs which possibly controls the balance between metastasis and drug resistance in HCC.The challenge on balance between metastasis and drug resistance for tumor therapy was firstly reported by the present study.

Contrasting Characteristics of Lodging Resistance in Two Super-Rice Hybrids Differing in Harvest Index

The“super rice”breeding program in China has been successful in developing high-yielding hybrids,including few with high harvest index values.However,there is limited information on the relationship between lodging resistance and harvest index,and the mechanisms underlying the relationship in super-rice hybrids.In this study,a two-year field experiment was conducted to compare lodging resistance and its related traits between two superrice hybrids differing in harvest index,i.e.,Guiliangyou 2(G2)with a high harvest index and Y-liangyou 1(Y1)with a typical harvest index of modern high-yielding rice varieties.Results showed that compared to Y1,G2 was lower in plant height due to its lower aboveground N uptake,and its higher stem breaking resistance(i.e.,lower stem breaking index)resulted from a lower stem height at its center of gravity.Consequently,G2 had a higher lodging resistance(i.e.,lower plant lodging index)than Y1.This study suggests that developing super-rice hybrids with high harvest index values is a possible way to achieve both high grain yield and strong lodging resistance in rice.