Research advance in the effects of litter input on forest soil organic carbon transformation and stability.

The turnover and stabilization of soil organic carbon are tightly associated with the properties of litter input. Due to the complexity of litter decomposition and the high heterogeneity of forest soils, there are considerable uncertainties about how soil minerals, microorganisms, and environmental factors jointly regulate the transformation and stability of litter-derived soil organic carbon. Here, we present an overview of the "microbial efficiency-matrix stabilization" framework centered on microbial metabolism and organic carbon transformation, as well as the new "microbial carbon pump" and "mineral carbon pump" theories in forest soil organic carbon transformation and stabilization.

Effects of and mixture on morphological characteristics of ectomycorrhizae.

The mycorrhizal diversity and morphological plasticity determine the adaptability of host plants to habitat changes. To understand the effects of mixture between coniferous and broadleaf trees on the morphological characteri-stics of ectomyzorrhizal (EcM) associations, we examined the influences of environmental factors on changes in morphological characteristics based on a systematic investigation of the EcM morphological traits in Carr. and Koidz.

Secreted PTEN binds PLXDC2 on macrophages to drive antitumor immunity and tumor suppression.

Loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) has been linked to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, but its underlying mechanisms remain largely enigmatic. Here, we report that PTEN can be secreted by the transmembrane emp24 domain-containing protein 10 (TMED10)-channeled protein secretion pathway. Inhibiting PTEN secretion from tumor cells contributes to immunosuppression and impairs the tumor-suppressive role of PTEN, while intratumoral injection of PTEN protein promotes antitumor immunity and suppresses tumor growth in mice.

Naringin ameliorates liver fibrosis in zebrafish by modulating IDO1-mediated lipid metabolism and inflammatory infiltration.

Liver fibrosis (LF) is an important reparative process in response to acute or chronic hepatic injury, which has the potential to advance towards cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Dietary naringin consumption contributes to protection against LF in animal studies, while the exact protective mechanism of naringin remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the potential protective effect of naringin against TAA-induced LF in zebrafish.

Insulin-like growth factor 2 hypermethylation in peripheral blood leukocytes and colorectal cancer risk and prognosis: a propensity score analysis.

Background: To comprehensively assess and validate the associations between insulin-like growth factor 2 () gene methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and prognosis.

Methods: The association between methylation in PBLs and CRC risk was initially evaluated in a case-control study and then validated in a nested case-control study and a twins' case-control study, respectively. Meanwhile, an initial CRC patient cohort was used to assess the effect of methylation on CRC prognosis and then the finding was validated in the EPIC-Italy CRC cohort and TCGA datasets.

Single and combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and copper on Platymonas helgolandica var. tsingtaoensis: Perspectives from growth inhibition, chlorophyll content and oxidative stress.

The combined toxic effects of nanoplastics and heavy metals on aquatic organisms have attracted widespread attention; however, the results are inconsistent and the mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the single and combined toxicity effects of Cu and two types of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs; 50 nm PS and 55 nm PS-COOH) on Platymonas helgolandica var. tsingtaoensis were investigated, including growth inhibition, chlorophyll content, and oxidative stress.

Rhizobacteria communities reshaped by red mud based passivators is vital for reducing soil Cd accumulation in edible amaranth.

Red mud (RM) was constantly reported to immobilize soil cadmium (Cd) and reduce Cd uptake by crops, but few studies investigated whether and how RM influenced rhizobacteria communities, which was a vital factor determining Cd bioavailability and plant growth. To address this concern, high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics were used to analyze microbiological mechanisms underlying RM application reducing Cd accumulation in edible amaranth. Based on multiple statistical models (Detrended correspondence analysis, Bray-Curtis, weighted UniFrac, and Phylogenetic tree), this study found that RM reduced Cd content in plants not only through increasing rhizosphere soil pH, but by reshaping rhizobacteria communities.

Phototransformation of Graphene Oxide on the Removal of Sulfamethazine in a Water Environment.

Graphene oxide (GO) is widely used in various fields and has raised concerns regarding its potential environmental fate and effect. However, there are few studies on its influence on coexisting pollutants. In this study, the phototransformation of GO and coexisting sulfamethazine (SMZ) under UV irradiation was investigated, with a focus on the role of reactive oxygen species.

Exposure to persistent organic pollutants and thyroid cancer risk: a study protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The thyroid cancer incidence has been increasing all over the world. However, the aetiology of thyroid cancer remains unclear. A growing body of evidence suggested exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may play a role in the initiation of thyroid cancer, but the results are generally inconsistent across studies.

Bisphosphonates and breast cancer survival: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of 81508 participants from 23 prospective epidemiological studies.

Background: We assessed the effect of bisphosphonates (BPs) on breast cancer (BCa) patient survival and explored how long the effect can persist after treatment.

Methods: We performed a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) of prospective studies including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies. We performed extensive sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the findings.

Three pleiotropic loci associated with bone mineral density and lean body mass.

Both bone mineral density (BMD) and lean body mass (LBM) are important physiological measures with strong genetic determination. Besides, BMD and LBM might have common genetic factors. Aiming to identify pleiotropic genomic loci underlying BMD and LBM, we performed bivariate genome-wide association study meta-analyses of femoral neck bone mineral density and LBM at arms and legs, and replicated in the large-scale UK Biobank cohort sample.

Bisphosphonates and risk of cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: It is unclear whether bisphosphonates are associated with risk of cancers. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of bisphosphonates on overall cancers.

Methods: A search in Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases was conducted, from the inception date of each resource to September 26, 2019.

Four pleiotropic loci associated with fat mass and lean mass.

Background: Fat mass and lean mass are two biggest components of body mass. Both fat mass and lean mass are under strong genetic determinants and are correlated.

Methods: We performed a bivariate genome-wide association meta-analysis of (lean adjusted) leg fat mass and (fat adjusted) leg lean mass in 12,517 subjects from 6 samples, and followed by in silico replication in large-scale UK biobank cohort sample (N = 370 097).

Whole-exome sequencing and genome-wide association studies identify novel sarcopenia risk genes in Han Chinese.

Sarcopenia is a complex polygenic disease, and its molecular mechanism is still unclear. Whole lean body mass (WLBM) is a heritable trait predicting sarcopenia. To identify genomic loci underlying, we performed a whole-exome sequencing (WES) of WLBM variation with high sequencing depth (more than 40*) in 101 Chinese subjects.

Association of 3p27.1 Variants with Whole Body Lean Mass Identified by a Genome-wide Association Study.

Whole body lean mass (WBLM) is a heritable trait predicting sarcopenia. To identify genomic locus underlying WBLM, we performed a genome-wide association study of fat-adjusted WBLM in the Framingham Heart Study (FHS, N = 6,004), and replicated in the Kansas City Osteoporosis Study (KCOS, N = 2,207). We identified a novel locus 3p27.

Inhibited autophagy impairs systemic nutrient metabolism in Nile tilapia.

Autophagy is a conserved cellular degradation process through which intracellular components are degraded by the lysosome, but its roles in fish metabolism have not been studied in depth. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate whether autophagy plays a key role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis in fish. In an 8-week feeding trial, Nile tilapia were fed either a control diet with medium fat and medium carbohydrate (Control), or a control diet supplemented with a classic autophagy inhibitor (chloroquine, CQ).

Nanoenabled Modulation of Acidic Tumor Microenvironment Reverses Anergy of Infiltrating T Cells and Potentiates Anti-PD-1 Therapy.

While tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes play a critical role in controlling tumor development, they are generally impotent in an acidic tumor microenvironment. Systemic treatment to neutralize tumor acidity thus holds promise for the reversal of the anergic state of T cells and the improvement of T cell-associated immunotherapy. Herein, we report a proof-of-concept of RNAi nanoparticle-mediated therapeutic reversion of tumor acidity to restore the antitumor functions of T cells and potentiate the checkpoint blockade therapy.

Increased Plasma Levels of Heme Oxygenase-1 in Human Brucellosis.

Background: Brucellosis is associated with inflammation and the oxidative stress response. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a cytoprotective stress-responsive enzyme that has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Nevertheless, the role of HO-1 in human brucellosis has not yet been studied.

Cholesterol Levels in Blood and the Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Meta-analysis of 14 Prospective Studies.

Background: As a neutral lipid and prominent component of the Western diet, cholesterol levels might be a risk factor for prostate cancer. However, current evidence has been inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between blood cholesterol levels and the risk of prostate cancer.

[Spinal balancing intervention in the treatment of tinnitus: a randomized controlled study].

Objective: To compare the differences in the clinical efficacy on tinnitus between the spinal balancing intervention and the conventional acupuncture.

Methods: The randomized controlled trial were adopted. One hundred and twenty cases of tinnitus were randomized into a spinal balancing group and a conventional acupuncture group, 60 cases in each one.

[Treatment of herpes zoster with cotton sheet moxibustion: multicentral randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To compare the therapeutic effects and safety of herpes zoster treated by the cotton sheet moxibustion combined with the plum-blossom-needle tapping therapy to western medicine.

Methods: The multicentral random controlled method was adopted, 120 cases of herpes zoster were randomly divided into a comprehensive treatment group and a western medication group, 60 cases in each one. In the comprehensive treatment group, the tapping therapy of plum blossom needle was applied to the foci, corresponding Jiaji (EX-B 2), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5), Zusanli (ST 36), Taichong (LR 3), etc.