Metagenomic sequencing for identifying pathogen-specific circulating DNAs and development of diagnostic methods for schistosomiasis.

Timely diagnosis of infection, particularly in the early stage is crucial for identifying infected hosts and then taking effective control strategies. Here, metagenomic next-generation sequencing was used to identify pathogen-specific circulating DNAs (cDNAs) in the sera/plasma of New Zealand rabbits infected with , and the identified cDNAs were validated by PCR and qPCR. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based CRISPR-Cas12a and recombinase polymerase amplification-based lateral flow strip (RPA-LF) methods combined with the newly identified cDNA were developed to evaluate the potentials for diagnosing murine and human schistosomiasis.

Axis is Associated with Homocysteine-induced Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell Injury.

Purpose: Homocysteine (Hcy)-induced endothelial cell injury is a key event in atherosclerosis pathogenesis. In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying Hcy-induced endothelial injury by assessing the effects of Hcy on endothelial cell proliferation and the microRNA fibroblast growth factor 2 () axis.

Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with Hcy to construct an endothelial cell injury model.

"Sounding" out crystal nuclei-A mathematical-physical and experimental investigation.

We outline techniques for the control and measurement of the nucleation of crystalline materials. Small angle x-ray scattering/wide angle x-ray scattering x-ray diffraction measurements are presented that demonstrate the impact of low power, continuous, non-cavitational ultrasound on the nucleation and crystallization of a wax-n-eicosane dissolved in a heptane/toluene solvent. A mathematical-physical approach based on the rectification of heat and mass transport by such a low power oscillating pressure field is outlined, and it is suggested that this approach be combined with dissipative particle dynamics computational modeling to develop a predictive method capable of modeling the impact of low power oscillating pressure fields (acoustics and ultrasonics) on a wide range of nucleating systems.

Graphene Film with a Controllable Microstructure for Efficient Electrochemical Energy Storage.

The agglomeration of graphene sheets and undesired pore size distribution usually lead to unsatisfactory electrochemical properties of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) film electrodes. Herein, crumpled exfoliated graphene (EG) sheets are adopted as the microstructure-regulating agent to tune the morphology and micro-/mesopore amounts with the aim of increasing active surface sites and ion transportation paths in electrodes. With the optimum ratio between EG and GO, the resulting 75%-EG/RGO shows significantly improved specific gravimetric capacitance () and rate capability when compared with pure RGO electrodes in a symmetrical supercapacitor system.

Runoff effect of precipitation variation and landscape pattern evolution in Lianshui watershed, Jiangxi, China.

Precipitation and landscape pattern are two main factors affecting runoff process of the watershed. Understanding their runoff effect is of great significance to water resources management and ecological construction of watershed. Based on the data of precipitation, runoff, and land use from 1958 to 2020, we analyzed the characteristics of precipitation, landscape pattern and runoff in Lianshui watershed in red soil hilly area of southern Jiangxi Pro-vince, established the relationship between precipitation, landscape pattern and annual runoff, flood runoff, low runoff, respectively.

[Baseflow variation and its response to precipitation in Jiuqushui watershed, Southern Jiangxi Province, China].

Baseflow is an important part of water resources. Exploring the characteristics of baseflow and its response to precipitation is of great significance to optimize the partition of water resources. Based on the data of daily precipitation and runoff from 1982 to 2019 in Jiuqushui watershed, we analyzed the characteristics of baseflow change, investigated the time lag effect of baseflow on precipitation, and calculated the contribution rate of precipitation to baseflow change by using digital filtering method, cross wavelet transform method, and slope change ratio of accumulative quantity method.

Early Epigenetic Responses in the Genomic DNA Methylation Fingerprints in Cells in Response to Sublethal Exposure of Silver Nanoparticles.

With the rapid development of nanotechnology and nanoscience, nanosafety assessment has raised public concern. Although many studies have illustrated that nanomaterials could lead to genotoxicity, the early alterations of DNA methylation with nanomaterials under low-dose exposure have not been completely clear. In this study, we investigated the potential effect and molecular mechanism of AgNPs on the alternation of DNA methylation fingerprints in HEK293T cells under sublethal exposure.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors predictive of pulmonary embolism complicated in bronchiectasis patients: a retrospective study.

Objective: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a rare complication in bronchiectasis (BE) patients associated with a high rate of mortality and morbidity. However, data regarding bronchiectasis patients complicated with PE are limited. Early diagnosis of PE in bronchiectasis patients can improve the prognosis, this study aimed to investigate the clinical features and potential risk factors for early diagnosis of PE in bronchiectasis patients.

The design basis and application in urology of the tumor-on-a-chip platform.

Clinical research has been desperately looking for effective treatments for tumors. As the molecular mechanisms of tumors have not been thoroughly defined, and the problem of anti-tumor drug resistance and clinical drug screening are not effective, new ways are currently needed to explore and improve. Given the limitations of traditional cell culture models and preclinical animal models, we review the recently developed tumor chip, a micro-physiological platform based on microfluidic technology that maximizes replication of the human TEM.

Identification of two-dimensional copper signatures in human blood for bladder cancer with machine learning.

Currently, almost all available cancer biomarkers are based on concentrations of compounds, often suffering from low sensitivity, poor specificity, and false positive or negative results. The stable isotopic composition of elements provides a different dimension from the concentration and has been widely used as a tracer in geochemistry. In health research, stable isotopic analysis has also shown potential as a new diagnostic/prognostic tool, which is still in the nascent stage.

PfAP2-EXP2, an Essential Transcription Factor for the Intraerythrocytic Development of .

undergoes a series of asexual replications in human erythrocytes after infection, which are effective targets for combatting malaria. Here, we report roles of an ApiAP2 transcription factor PfAP2-EXP2 (PF3D7_0611200) in the intraerythrocytic developmental cycle of . PfAP2-EXP2 conditional knockdown resulted in an asexual growth defect but without an appreciable effect on parasite morphology.

Chromium (VI) promotes EMT by regulating FLNA in BLCA.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)), which is a recognized human carcinogen, is widely used in industrial production of raw materials. Evidence verifies that environmental contaminants in the urine can induce malignant transformation in the urinary bladder tract, and our data indicate that Cr (VI) could promote the proliferation and migration and inhibit the apoptosis of bladder cancer (BLCA) cells. However, the molecular mechanism remains ambiguous.

The Efficacy and Safety of the mTOR Signaling Pathway Activator, MHY1485, for Activation of Human Ovarian Tissue.

Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is characterized by abnormal ovarian function before the age of 40. POI showed that primordial follicles developed in disorder. mTOR signaling plays a vital role in the process of follicle development.

Identification and Immunocorrelation of Prognosis-Related Genes Associated With Development of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.

Improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms and immunoregulation of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is essential to predict prognosis and develop new targets for therapies. In this study, we used the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) MIBC and GSE13507 datasets to explore the differential co-expression genes in MIBC comparing with adjacent non-carcinoma tissues. We firstly screened 106 signature genes by Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and further identified 15 prognosis-related genes of MIBC using the univariate Cox progression analysis.

[Quantitatively evaluate the effects of precipitation and vegetation variation to flood under the condition of single rainstorm: A case study of Pengchongjian small watershed, Jiangxi, China].

Precipitation and vegetation are two key factors affecting floods in the watershed. Quantitative evaluating their contribution to flood is of great scientific significance to vegetation construction and water resources management. Based on the geographic information data and hydrometeorological data from 1983 to 2014, we analyzed the characteristics of rainstorm and flood in Pengchongjian small watershed in red soil region of South China by Mann-Kendall test method, cumulative anomaly method and HEC-HMS model, and quantitatively evaluated the contribution rate of precipitation and vegetation variation to flood.

[Ineffective treatment technique of convex epiphysiodesis for congenital scoliosis].

Objective: To discuss the long-term outcome of convex epiphysiodesis in the treatment for congenital scoliosis (CS).

Methods: The clinical data of 22 patients with hemivertebral deformity undergoing convex epiphysiodesis from the October 1998 to Febuary 2008 were respectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 10 females.

Preparation of quercetin nanorod/microcrystalline cellulose formulation via fluid bed coating crystallization for dissolution enhancement.

This study reports a novel quercetin nanorod/microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) formulation prepared by fluid bed coating crystallization technique. The process comprises fluidized bed spray coating of quercetin acetone solution onto MCC particles, solvent evaporation and crystallization of quercetin nanorods on MCC surface. Depending on the quercetin solution concentration, quercetin nanorods with 100-300 nm in diameter and 1-3 µm in length were obtained.

Urinary bladder matrix scaffolds improve endometrial regeneration in a rat model of intrauterine adhesions.

Intrauterine adhesions caused by damage to the basal layer of the endometrium have a serious impact on women's fertility. Currently, there is no effective treatment to promote the regeneration of the endometrium. Urinary bladder matrix (UBM) is a derivative extracellular matrix biomaterial that has a complete basement membrane and provides a basis for the body to achieve complete self-functional repair.

Aberrant expression of imprinted lncRNA MEG8 causes trophoblast dysfunction and abortion.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of noncoding RNAs whose nucleotides are longer than 200 bp. Previous studies have shown that they play an important regulatory role in many developmental processes and biological pathways. However, the contributions of lncRNAs to placental development are largely unknown.

Caveolin-1 promotes trophoblast cell invasion through the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signalling pathway during early human placental development.

Normal implantation and placental development depend on the appropriate differentiation and invasion of trophoblast cells. Inadequate trophoblast cell invasion results in pregnancy-related disorders, which endanger both mother and fetus; however, the mechanism of early placental development has not been fully explained. In this study we conducted gene expression profile analysis using mouse placental tissues at different developmental stages (embryonic day (E)7.

Rare variant of HSPG2 is not involved in the development of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: evidence from a large-scale replication study.

Background: Rare variants of HSPG2 have recently been reported to function as a potential contributor to the susceptibility of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in the Caucasians. A replication study in the different population is warranted to validate the role of HSPG2 in AIS. The aim of this study was to determine the association between HSPG2 and AIS in the Chinese patients and to further investigate its influence on the phenotype of the patients.

[Hydrological effects of vegetation restoration and the threshold for its response to annual precipitation in Pengchongjian small watershed, Jiangxi, China].

To examine the change of runoff and its reason is an important scientific issue in forest hydrology. In this study, we performed the trend and inflection analysis on the time series of daily precipitation and runoff in the Pengchongjian small watershed from 1983 to 2014 by Mann-Kendall test method, a site with abundant precipitation . Using the empirical statistics method, we analyzed the effects of precipitation variation and vegetation restoration on the runoff and its contribution rates.