Zika virus targets human trophoblast stem cells and prevents syncytialization in placental trophoblast organoids.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy threatens pregnancy and fetal health. However, the infectivity and pathological effects of ZIKV on placental trophoblast progenitor cells in early human embryos remain largely unknown. Here, using human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs), we demonstrated that hTSCs were permissive to ZIKV infection, and resistance to ZIKV increased with hTSC differentiation.

Floating Mat Formation Makes More Competitive under the Conditions of Continuous Significant Water Level Rise.

Water level rise is considered an environmental filter for the growth and reproduction of aquatic plants in lakes. Some emergent macrophytes can form floating mats, enabling them to escape from the negative effects of deep water. However, an understanding of which species can be uprooted and form floating mats easily and what factors affect these tendencies remains greatly elusive.

The latitudinal and longitudinal allelopathic patterns of an invasive alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) in China.

Allelopathy has been considered a good explanation for the successful invasion of some invasive plants. However, the real latitudinal and longitudinal allelopathic effects on native species have rarely been documented since many exotics have spread widely. We conducted a Petri dish experiment to determine the latitudinal and longitudinal allelopathic patterns of an invasive alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) on a common crop (Lactuca sativa) in China, and find what determines the allelopathic intensity.

Invasive can maintain its ecological advantages over time through releasing its autotoxicity by accumulating a bacterium .

Plant invasive success is attributed to invaders' ecological advantages over their native neighbors. However, increasing evidence suggests that these advantages are expected to attenuate over time because of natural enemy accumulation, ecological evolution of native species and autotoxicity. We determined how an invasive could remain its competitive advantages over time by avoiding its autotoxicity.

[Analysis on the Characteristics of Oxidation Potential and Influence Sources of PM in Baoding City in Winter].

In order to explore the characteristics of PM oxidation potential and its impact sources in the suburbs of Baoding City in the winter of 2018, the dithiothreitol (DTT) method was used to determine the reactive oxygen species in PM. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between the chemical components in PM and the oxidation potential. PMF was used to analyze the pollution source of DTT.

High-light inhibition of two submerged macrophytes in a shallow water experiment.

The negative effects, caused by high light, on algae, terrestrial and marine aquatic plants are well documented; those negative effects on freshwater submerged plants are, however, not well known. We determined the negative effects of two common submerged species, and , on their growth and reproduction in a shallow water experiment along an irradiance gradient. Our results highlighted that the plant mass, relative growth rate and shoot height of and , and root mass and root length:root mass of and leaf mass and shoot height:shoot mass of were significantly negatively affected in shallow water with high-light regime (>50 % of full light).

Exploring the interaction between Cry1Ac protein and Zn, Cd metal ions by fluorescence quenching and molecular docking approaches.

Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) protein has a strong ability to complex with metal ions, which may increase the transport of metal ions in the soil multi-media system. In this study, the interactions between Cry1Ac protein and metal ions (Zn and Cd) were investigated through spectroscopies and molecular docking methods. The spectra results showed that both Zn and Cd quenched the fluorescence intensity of Cry1Ac protein through the static quenching.

Predictive nomogram for leprosy using genetic and epidemiological risk factors in Southwestern China: Case-control and prospective analyses.

Background: There is a high incidence of leprosy among house-contacts compared with the general population. We aimed to establish a predictive model using these genetic factors along with epidemiological factors to predict leprosy risk of leprosy household contacts (HHCs).

Methods: Weighted genetic risk score (wGRS) encompassing genome wide association studies (GWAS) variants and five non-genetic factors were examined in a case-control design associated with leprosy risk including 589 cases and 647 controls from leprosy HHCs.

Sex-Specific Differences in the Physiological and Biochemical Performance of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi-Inoculated Mulberry Clones Under Salinity Stress.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are often considered bioameliorators. AMF can promote plant growth under various stressful conditions; however, differences between male and female clones in mycorrhizal strategies that protect plants from the detrimental effects of salinity are not well studied. In this study, we aimed to examine the interactive effects of salinity and AMF on the growth, photosynthetic traits, nutrient uptake, and biochemical responses of males and females.

Negative effects of a piscicide, rotenone, on the growth and metabolism of three submerged macophytes.

A piscicide, rotenone (RT), is frequently used for clear and management of aquatic systems such as fish pond, and even for illegal fishing throughout the world. The effects of RT on submerged macrophytes remain elusive although the effects of RT on many kinds of animals are well documented. We wanted to determine the effects of RT on the growth and metabolism of three submerged plants (Vallisneria natans, Myriophyllum spicatum, Potamogeton maackianus) and try to find the reasons of these effects.

The factors affecting a native obligate parasite, Cuscuta australis, in selecting an exotic weed, Humulus scandens, as its host.

In weed management, using native parasites to control exotic weeds is considered a better alternative than classical biological control. But the risk must be assessed because of the potential damage caused by these agents. We conducted this project to investigate the mechanism driving the choice of a native obligate parasite, Cuscuta australis, between the exotic, Humulus scandens, and native plants as its host through field and pot experiments.

[Effect of Rutin on Liver Function and Morphology in Type 1 Diabetes Mice Induced by Streptozotocin].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Rutin on the function and morphology of liver in type 1 diabetes mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ).

Methods: Type 1 diabetic mice model was established with the treatment of STZ by a 5 d intraperitoneal administration to male Kunming mice. Normal group had 12 mice without treatment of STZ,the mice with DM after STZ treated were randomly divided into DM group,low-dose (50 mg/kg) Rutin group and high-dose (100 mg/kg) Rutin group,each group had 12 mice.

Prognostic Value of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Incorporating with Serum Sodium Score for Development of Acute Kidney Injury after Liver Transplantation.

Background: Contribution of model for end-stage liver disease incorporating with serum sodium (MELD-Na) score in predicting acute kidney injury (AKI) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is yet to be identified. This study assessed the prognostic value of MELD-Na score for the development of AKI following OLT.

Methods: Preoperative and surgery-related variables of 321 adult end-stage liver disease patients who underwent OLT in Fuzhou General Hospital were collected.

Mapping the clinical outcomes and genetic evolution of Ebola virus in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone was the most severely affected country in Western Africa during the 2013-2016 outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD). Previous genome surveillance studies have revealed the origin, diversity, and evolutionary dynamics of the Ebola virus (EBOV); however, the information regarding EBOV sequences is insufficient, especially the clinical outcomes, given that the correlation between the clinical outcomes and the genetic evolution of EBOV is still not clear. Here, we collected and curated a comprehensive data set that includes 514 EBOV genome sequences from patients with confirmed EVD (including 60 sequences not previously studied), >87.

Effects of Propofol on Respiratory Drive and Patient-ventilator Synchrony during Pressure Support Ventilation in Postoperative Patients: A Prospective Study.

Background: Propofol is increasingly used during partial support mechanical ventilation such as pressure support ventilation (PSV) in postoperative patients. However, breathing pattern, respiratory drive, and patient-ventilator synchrony are affected by the sedative used and the sedation depth. The present study aimed to evaluate the physiologic effects of varying depths of propofol sedation on respiratory drive and patient-ventilator synchrony during PSV in postoperative patients.

Antigenic variation of the human influenza A (H3N2) virus during the 2014-2015 winter season.

The human influenza A (H3N2) virus dominated the 2014-2015 winter season in many countries and caused massive morbidity and mortality because of its antigenic variation. So far, very little is known about the antigenic patterns of the recent H3N2 virus. By systematically mapping the antigenic relationships of H3N2 strains isolated since 2010, we discovered that two groups with obvious antigenic divergence, named SW13 (A/Switzerland/9715293/2013-like strains) and HK14 (A/Hong Kong/5738/2014-like strains), co-circulated during the 2014-2015 winter season.

Screening Allelochemical-Resistant Species of the Alien Invasive Mikania micrantha for Restoration in South China.

To screen allelochemical-resistant species of the alien invasive weed Mikania micrantha, we studied the allelopathic inhibition effects of the leaf aqueous extract (LAE) of Mikania on seed germination and seedling growth of the 26 species native or naturalized in the invaded region in South China. Seed germination was more strongly negatively affected by LAE than seedling growth. Responses of seed germination and seed growth to LAE differed differently among the target species.

Computational analysis of antigenic epitopes of avian influenza A (H7N9) viruses.

Influenza virus can rapidly change its antigenicity, via mutation in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein, to evade host immunity. The emergence of the novel human-infecting avian H7N9 virus in China has caused widespread concern. However, evolution of the antigenicity of this virus is not well understood.

Characterization of a novel reassortant influenza A virus (H2N2) from a domestic duck in Eastern China.

While H2N2 viruses have been sporadically isolated from wild and domestic birds, H2N2 viruses have not been detected among human populations since 1968. Should H2N2 viruses adapt to domestic poultry they may pose a risk of infection to people, as most anyone born after 1968 would likely be susceptible to their infection. We report the isolation of a novel influenza A virus (H2N2) cultured in 2013 from a healthy domestic duck at a live poultry market in Wuxi City, China.

[A pilot study of diaphragmatic function evaluated as predictors of weaning in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients].

Objective: To evaluate the predictive performance of neuro-mechanical coupling (NMC) and neuro-ventilatory coupling (NVC) in the weaning outcome in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Sixteen patients were enrolled when the criteria for their first spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) was met. A 30-minute SBT was attempted, with the measurement of electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi), NMC, NVC, NVC × NMC, index of rapid shallow breathing (f/Vt), airway occlusion pressure (P(0.

[Effects of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist on prevention of ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction in acute respiratory distress syndrome rabbits].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) on prevention of ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD) in ARDS rabbits.

Methods: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: (1) control group (n = 5); (2) Volume control (VC) group (n = 5); (3) Pressure support (PSV) group (n = 5); (4) NAVA group (n = 5). In VC, PSV and NAVA groups, the rabbits were killed and the diaphragm was removed after 4 hours of ventilation.

[Effect of p38MAPK on proliferation in human embryonic lung fibroblasts in vitro].

Objective: To study the proliferation effect of the AM supernatant incubated activation of p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) signal transduction pathway in human embryonic lung fibroblasts, and to participate in the development of fibrosis in silicosis.

Methods: The silicotic alveolar macrophages were collected by bronchoalveolar lavage and incubated in vitro in the DMEM medium containing SiO₂ (50 µg/ml) and DMEM medium without SiO₂ for 18 h. Then the AM supernatant incubated for 18 h was collected.

Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Aim: To investigate the clinicopathological features of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and to study the reference indexes for malignancy.

Methods: Fifty-two cases of primary GIST were distinguished from a group of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors using a panel of antibodies such as CD117 and CD34 by immunohistochemical SP method. Their biological behaviors were analyzed using the expression of p21WAF1 and Bax in 52 cases of GIST.