APOBEC3-related mutations in the spike protein-encoding region facilitate SARS-CoV-2 evolution.

SARS-CoV-2 evolves gradually to cause COVID-19 epidemic. One of driving forces of SARS-CoV-2 evolution might be activation of apolipoprotein B mRNA editing catalytic subunit-like protein 3 (APOBEC3) by inflammatory factors. Here, we aimed to elucidate the effect of the APOBEC3-related viral mutations on the infectivity and immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2.

Comparative microbiome analysis reveals the variation in microbial communities between 'Kyoho' grape and its bud mutant variety.

Microbes are an important part of the vineyard ecosystem, which significantly influence the quality of grapes. Previously, we identified a bud mutant variety (named 'Fengzao') from 'Kyoho' grapes. The variation of microbial communities in grape and its bud mutant variety has not been studied yet.

Potential Role of the Fragile Histidine Triad in Cancer Evo-Dev.

Cancer development follows an evolutionary pattern of "mutation-selection-adaptation" detailed by Cancer Evolution and Development (Cancer Evo-Dev), a theory that represents a process of accumulating somatic mutations due to the imbalance between the mutation-promoting force and the mutation-repairing force and retro-differentiation of the mutant cells to cancer initiation cells in a chronic inflammatory microenvironment. The fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene is a tumor suppressor gene whose expression is often reduced or inactivated in precancerous lesions during chronic inflammation or virus-induced replicative stress. Here, we summarize evidence regarding the mechanisms by which the FHIT is inactivated in cancer, including the loss of heterozygosity and the promoter methylation, and characterizes the role of the FHIT in bridging macroevolution and microevolution and in facilitating retro-differentiation during cancer evolution and development.

The mortalities of female-specific cancers in China and other countries with distinct socioeconomic statuses: A longitudinal study.

Introduction: Female-specific cancers seriously affect physical and psychological health of women worldwide.

Objectives: We aimed to elucidate trends in the age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) of breast cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer in female populations with different socioeconomic statuses in China and in countries with different Human Development Index (HDI).

Methods: A longitudinal study was performed using the data of cancer death in China and other 39 countries.

Heterogeneity, inherent and acquired drug resistance in patient-derived organoid models of primary liver cancer.

Purpose: We aimed to elucidate the applicability of tumor organoids for inherent drug resistance of primary liver cancer (PLC) and mechanisms of acquired drug resistance.

Methods: PLC tissues were used to establish organoids, organoid-derived xenograft (ODX) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Acquired drug resistance was induced in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) organoids.

The effects of hypertension on the prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019: a systematic review and meta-analysis on the interactions with age and antihypertensive treatment.

Background: Hypertension and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have been reported to be associated with the prognosis of COVID-19, but the findings remain controversial. Here, we conducted a systematic review to summarize the current evidence.

Methods: We retrieved all the studies by MEDLINE via PubMed, CENTRAL, and Embase using the MeSH terms until 30 April 2021.

A Novel Remaining Useful Life Prediction Method for Capacity Diving Lithium-Ion Batteries.

To be prepared for the capacity diving phenomena in future capacity deterioration, a hybrid method for predicting the remaining useful life (RUL) of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is proposed. First, a novel empirical degradation model is proposed in this paper to improve the generalization applicability and accuracy of the algorithm. A particle filter (PF) algorithm is then implemented to generate the original error series using prognostic results.

Green modification of graphene dispersion with high nanosheet content, good dispersibility, and long storage stability.

In this work, an easy, green, noncovalent surface modification of pristine graphene (GR) was carried out using a single-step method between sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and pristine GR, resulting in the formation of a modified CMC-GR (CGR) dispersion with 15% nanosheet content, the first reported in water. Results obtained from thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirm that the CMC modifier is successfully decorated on the pristine GR surface. Analyses of transmittance spectrum, zeta potential and transmittance electron microscopy (TEM) images reveal that the modified CGR has a high degree of dispersion.

Trends in cancer mortality in China from 2004 to 2018: A nationwide longitudinal study.

Background: The long-term trend in cancer death in a rapidly developing country provides information for cancer prophylaxis. Here, we aimed to identify the trends in cancer mortality in China during the 2004-2018 period.

Methods: Using raw data from the national mortality surveillance system of China, we assessed the mortalities of all cancer and site-specific cancers during the 2004-2018 period.

Early pregnancy stage 1 hypertension and high mean arterial pressure increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in Shanghai, China.

We aimed to evaluate the influence of early pregnancy stage 1 hypertension and mean arterial pressure (MAP) on the risk of pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Pregnant women without early pregnancy hypertension were consecutively recruited in 2010 in Shanghai, China. Total 6104 women with blood pressure (BP) <140/90 mmHg were categorized according to early pregnancy BP and MAP levels, respectively.

Ultrabright organic fluorescent microparticles for in vivo tracing applications.

We report the in vivo distribution, toxicity and metabolism of micro-sized fluorescent organic particles and their applications in cerebral blood flow tracing. The fluorescent microparticles exhibit bright fluorescence, good photo-stability and low toxicity; therefore, they are ideal for long-term non-invasive in vivo tracing. In contrast to conventional fluorescent labeling agents, which stain the entire blood vessel, the tracer microparticles can be easily tracked individually and provide vital information about blood flow behavior.

Expression of a truncated ATHB17 protein in maize increases ear weight at silking.

ATHB17 (AT2G01430) is an Arabidopsis gene encoding a member of the α-subclass of the homeodomain leucine zipper class II (HD-Zip II) family of transcription factors. The ATHB17 monomer contains four domains common to all class II HD-Zip proteins: a putative repression domain adjacent to a homeodomain, leucine zipper, and carboxy terminal domain. However, it also possesses a unique N-terminus not present in other members of the family.

Involvement of the N-terminal B-box domain of Arabidopsis BBX32 protein in interaction with soybean BBX62 protein.

Previous studies have demonstrated that Arabidopsis thaliana BBX32 (AtBBX32) represses light signaling in A. thaliana and that expression of AtBBX32 in soybean increases grain yield in multiple locations and multiyear field trials. The BBX32 protein is a member of the B-box zinc finger family from A.

[Artificial femoral head replacement for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in aged patients: a report 40 cases].

Objective: To study the operative procedures, indicatrions and short-term effects of the artificial femoral head replacement for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fracture in aged patients.

Methods: From January 2001 to October 2008, 40 patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures were treated with artificial femoral head replacement. Among the patients, 9 patients were male and 31 patients were female, ranging in age from 75 to 95 years, averaged 81.

Risk of diabetes mellitus associated with atypical antipsychotic use among Medicaid patients with bipolar disorder: a nested case-control study.

Study Objective: To quantify the risk of diabetes mellitus associated with atypical antipsychotics compared with conventional antipsychotics in managed care Medicaid patients with bipolar disorder.

Design: Retrospective nested case-control study.

Data Source: Integrated seven-state Medicaid managed care claims database from January 1, 1998-December 31, 2002.

Risk of diabetes mellitus associated with atypical antipsychotic use among patients with bipolar disorder: A retrospective, population-based, case-control study.

Background: Drug-induced diabetes onset has not been adequately quantified in patients with bipolar disorder, although atypical antipsychotics have been widely used as new mood stabilizers.

Objectives: To quantify the association between atypical antipsychotics and diabetes mellitus.

Method: A retrospective, population-based, case-control study was conducted using the medical claims database from U.

Adults' attitudes toward children with cancer.

More children with cancer are receiving effective treatment, which allows for increased participation in everyday settings. Yet, little information is available about people's acceptance of children with cancer. This study examined young adults' acceptance ratings for a child receiving chemotherapy for cancer, a child with cancer in remission, and a physically healthy child.