Recursive partitioning of resistant mutations for longitudinal markers based on a U-type score

Development of human immunodeficiency virus resistance mutations is a major cause of failure of antiretroviral treatment. We develop a recursive partitioning method to correlate high-dimensional viral sequences with repeatedly measured outcomes. The splitting criterion of this procedure is based on a class of U-type score statistics. The proposed method is flexible enough to apply to a broad range of problems involving longitudinal outcomes. Simulation studies are performed to explore the finite-sample properties of the proposed method, which is also illustrated through analysis of data collected in 3 phase II clinical trials testing the antiretroviral drug efavirenz.     

PnF3H,a flavanone 3-hydroxylase from the Antarctic moss <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pohlia nutans</Emphasis>, confers tolerance to salt stress and ABA treatment in transgenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis>

In the condition of prolonged drought stress during the reproductive stage, we addressed the photosynthetic performance in flag leaves of the high-yield hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) LYPJ. The chlorophyll a fluorescence transient dynamics analysis indicated a timely and constant responsive pattern involving in both PSI and PSII. For PSII functionality, uncoupling of oxygen evolving complex at the donor side and inhibition of electron transport from Q_A to Q_B at the accepter side were both accounted for the decrease of quantum yield of primary photochemistry at early stage (before 21 days after the onset of drought stress). Likewise, increased size of functional antenna may be primarily responsible for early reaction centers inactivation in drought stressed plants, but transformation to non-Q_A-reducing centers for the later. The consequent redundant excitation energy was predominantly eliminated by the increasing thermal dissipation. Advanced accumulation of drought stress (from 21 to 35 days) showed preferential impact on the donor side of PSII and significant loss of RC/CS₀ was induced during this period. In brief, up-regulation of thermal dissipation and possible cyclic electron transport, as well as down-regulation of activated reaction centers and linear electron transport was crucial for rebalance the energy distribution between the two photosystems from deviant stoichiometry resulting from the uncoupling of oxygen evolving complex.     

Erectile Function Restoration After Repair of Resected Cavernous Nerves by Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Combined with Autologous Vein Graft in Rats

Cavernous nerve (CN) injury is the main cause of erectile dysfunction (ED) following radical prostatectomy. The recovery of erectile function following this procedure remains challenging. Here, we investigated the ability of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) combined with autologous vein graft to improve erectile function in a rat model of bilateral long CN resection. Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 36) were randomized into four groups. Group A underwent sham operation. In Groups B, C, and D, an 8-mm segment of CN was excised bilaterally. In Group B and C, a 10-mm segment of autologous saphenous vein was interposed bilaterally at the site of injury, and the two nerve stumps were inserted into the vein lumen. 50 μL ADSCs were injected into each vein in Group B, and 50 μL of phosphate-buffered saline was injected in Group C. Group D underwent no repair. Erectile function assessed after 3 months by measuring intracavernosal pressure demonstrated significant recovery in erectile function in Group B with minimal recovery in Group C or D. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the nNOS-positive area was significantly larger in Group B than in Group D. ADSCs combined with autologous vein graft treatment had beneficial effects on the smooth muscle/collagen ratio in the corpus cavernosum. This procedure, therefore, provided a means of regenerating CN tissue and restoring autonomic erectile function after long bilateral CN resection (0.8 cm) in rats.     

水淹生境下秋华柳对镉污染土壤研究修复能力

以耐水淹和耐重金属的秋华柳（Salix variegata）作为试验材料,从土壤角度出发,探究秋华柳在水淹条件下对镉污染土壤的修复能力。设置无植物和种植秋华柳两个处理组,分别对两组设置两个水分处理组：正常供水组（CK）及土壤水淹组（FL）,4个镉浓度处理组：对照组（0 mg/kg）、低浓度（0.5 mg/kg）、中浓度（2 mg/kg）及高浓度（10 mg/kg）。分别于处理后的第30天和第60天对各处理组的土壤和水淹组水样进行取样。试验结果表明：（1）镉处理浓度越高,土壤中镉活性态浓度越高,生物毒性越强。（2）水淹显著降低土壤活性态Cd浓度（P < 0.05）,增大土壤修复难度。（3）种植秋华柳对30d土壤Cd全量及各形态镉浓度均无显著影响（P > 0.05）;对第60天正常供水和水淹组土壤中交换态、碳酸盐结合态的镉浓度以及60d水淹组土壤Cd全量均有显著影响（P < 0.05）。（4）秋华柳种植显著降低土壤Cd迁移系数,30d正常供水组、水淹组以及60d正常供水组和水淹组平均降幅分别为2.0%、4.12%、9.71%、9.32%。处理时间过短和试验用苗生物量小可能是秋华柳对土壤全量Cd影响不大的主要原因,但秋华柳均显著降低正常供水和水淹组土壤迁移系数且二组降幅差异不大。研究表明：水淹生境下,秋华柳对Cd污染的土壤仍有较好的修复能力。