bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms of the MxA and MxB genes are associated with biochemical indices and viral subtypes in Yunnan HCV patients
Authors: He Mengzhu , Liu Min , Geng Jiawei , Liu Li , Huang Peng , Yue Ming , Xia Xueshan , Zhang A-Mei
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was the primary reason causing critical hepatic Q7 diseases. Although direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) were widely used in clinics, anti-drug mutation, the outcome of patients with different viral subtypes, and recurrence suggested that HCV pathogenic mechanism should be studied further. HCV infection, replication, and outcome were influenced by the IFNL4 and itsdownstream genes (MxA and MxB). However, whether genetic polymorphisms of these genes played necessary roles required verification in the Yunnan population.

Methods and Results

After analyzing the genotypes and allele frequencies of seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), we found the association between the genotype and allele frequencies of rs11322783 in the IFNL4 gene and HCV infection in Yunnan population. Furthermore, the genetic polymorphisms of the MxA and MxB genescould influence liver function of HCV patients. The indirect bilirubin (IBIL) and albumin (ALB) levels showed significant differences among HCV patients, who carried various genotypes. The IBIL levels were associated with genotypes of rs17000900 (P= 0.025) and rs2071430 (P= 0.037) in the MxA gene, and ALB levels were associated with genotypes of rs2838029 (P= 0.010) in the MxB gene. Similarly, the genotypes of SNPs also showed significant difference in patients infected with subtype 3a (P=0.035) and 2a (P=0.034). However, no association was identified between expression level and SNPs of the MxA and MxB genes. Furthermore, HCV subtype 3b was found to be the predominantly epidemic strain in Yunnan Province.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the association between biochemical indices/HCV subtypes and SNPs in the MxA and MxB genes was identified in Yunnan HCV population.
Sentence embedding and fine-tuning to automatically identify duplicate bugs
Authors: Isotani Haruna , Washizaki Hironori , Fukazawa Yoshiaki , Nomoto Tsutomu , Ouji Saori , Saito Shinobu
Published: January 2023

Industrial software maintenance is critical but burdensome. Activities such as detecting duplicate bug reports are often performed manually. Herein an automated duplicate bug report detection system improves maintenance efficiency using vectorization of the contents and deep learning–based sentence embedding to calculate the similarity of the whole report from vectors of individual elements. Specifically, sentence embedding is realized using Sentence-BERT fine tuning. Additionally, its performance is experimentally compared to baseline methods to validate the proposed system. The proposed system detects duplicate bug reports more effectively than existing methods.
Case report: Heart Mate III for systemic right ventricular support in a patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Authors: Hanuna Maja , Pabst von Ohain Jelena , Haas Nikolaus , Mueller Christoph S. , Dalla-Pozza Robert , Fischer Marcus , Born Frank , Kamla Christine , Jakob Andre , Hagl Christian , Hörer Jürgen , Michel Sebastian G.
Published: January 2023

Ventricular assist device implantation presents a possible bridge to heart transplantation for patients with failing Fontan physiology. However, evidence regarding outcome and possible pitfalls associated with the Fontan circulation is still insufficient. We describe the course of a 13-year-old male, who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and underwent HeartMate III implantation due to refractory failure of the systemic right ventricle.
Case report: Successful percutaneous extracorporeal magnetic levitation ventricular assist device support in a patient with left heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Li Ping , Zhang Xiaoying , Chen Shu , Hsu Po-lin , Wu Tingting , Qian Shirui , Su Wei , Wang Guohua , Dong Nianguo
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) can help to maintain hemodynamic stability, improve cardiac function, reduce cardiac load, and is an important method for the treatment of advanced heart failure. However, traditional MCS systems [IABP, Impella, TandemHerat, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO)] are associated with limitations including trauma, a high rate of complications (hemolysis, bleeding) and require complex care from nurses.

Case summary

We report a case of left heart failure resulting from dilated cardiomyopathy in a 24 years-old man. A catheter was placed through the right jugular vein and a drainage tube was positioned under ultrasound guidance through the superior vena cava, right atrium, atrial septum, to the left atrium, and returned to the axillary artery using an extracorporeal magnetic levitation ventricular assist device (VAD). The patient was successfully supported for 10 days and bridged to heart transplant.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of an extracorporeal magnetic levitation VAD for MCS via a percutaneous approach. Our findings support the wider use of this strategy for patients awaiting myocardial recovery or who require heart bridging or transplantation.
Reconstruction of a Holocene landslide-dammed lake in the Yalong basin, eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wang Hao , Yang Anna , Jiang Shengfan , Liu Nannan
Published: January 2023

The failures of natural dams formed by landslides and glaciers in mountain areas have triggered the most destructive flood events on Earth. Outburst floods are effective agents in modifying landscapes, such as carving bedrock gorges and transporting surface masses. Reconstructing the ages and magnitudes of prehistoric landslide damming events allows us to capture the full range of frequencies and magnitudes of similar events and deepen our understanding of the interaction between large landslides and trunk rivers in tectonically active high-relief mountains. Previous studies have revealed many paleo-landslide-dammed lakes in the Yarlung Tsangpo River and its tributaries, the Jinsha River and the Min River. However, most studies associated with paleo-event reconstruction lack an estimation of the extent and volume of paleo-landslide-dammed lakes. The paleo-level of a landslide-dammed lake can be recorded in the variation in the sedimentary sequence and the geometry of the breach channel of a landslide dam. This information has not been fully exploited. In this study, we identified sedimentary evidence formed by an ancient landslide-dammed lake in the Liqiu River, a left-bank tributary of the Yalong River. The 12 exposures that we investigated mainly consist of typical clay or silt varves deposited in deep water and the Bouma sequence deposited by subaqueous turbidity flows, as well as climbing ripples that formed in a near-shore environment. Based on sedimentary analysis, we inferred that the minimal lake volume of this ancient lake was approximately 2.4 × 108 m3, corresponding to a lake level at 3,187 m a.s.l. The maximal lake extent derived from relict dam morphology reveals a lake volume of 3.2 × 108 m3 at the level of 3,200 m a.s.l. An initial drainage that occurred as the lake water overtopped the landslide dam was suggested to explain the small discrepancy in the lake level. The relict lake has remained stable over a long period of time and has accommodated continuous clay varve deposits. Furthermore, the optically stimulated luminescence dating results illustrate that the dammed lake initiated before 7.9 ka BP and persisted until at least 3.9 ka BP. The long-term cumulative coupled effect of tectonic movement and the rapid river incision rate provided favorable conditions for the failure of the Yuting landslide.
Effects of deflection angle on the mechanical properties of constant-resistance, energy-absorbing, and anti-scouring bolts
Authors: Tang Zhi , Wu Hao , Lv Jinguo , Chang Dezhi
Published: January 2023

In practice, constant-resistance, energy-absorbing, and anti-scouring bolts inevitably deflect at an angle from the coal wall and other bearing surfaces, eventually giving way and losing their energy-absorbing function. The aim of this study was to determine the applicable range of deflection angles for constant-resistance, energy-absorbing, and anti-scouring bolts and to provide a reference design for bolt construction. The principle of application of bolts under various deflection angles was proposed, and the numerical simulation of use of constant-resistance, energy-absorbing, and anti-scouring bolts was carried out using ABAQUS finite element software. The effects of deflection angle, impact energy, and impact velocity on the deformation performance, load-bearing performance, and energy absorption performance of the bolts were investigated. The deformation process of the bolt based on deflection angle was found to change from axial stretching to “stretching and bending”. As the deflection angle increased, the load bearing capacity of the anti-punching device increased, and the bolt’s breaking force increased after decreasing, and then decreased again while absorption energy decreased non-linearly. The bolt yield distance decreased while the displacement of bolts remained essentially the same and the deflection distance of the anti-punching device decreased. The stroke efficiency of bolts decreased and, based on the design principles of constant-resistance, energy-absorbing, and anti-scouring bolts, it was determined that the bolt was still applicable within a deflection angle of 0–17°. The impact energy had a minor effect on the bolt indicators of yield force, breaking force, and energy absorption, and the bolt’s impact resistance time decreased non-linearly with increasing impact energy. Impact velocity had less effect on bolt yield force and breaking force. Both yielding time and anti-punching load capacity of the bolt decreased with increased impact velocity. As the impact velocity increased, yield distance, anti-punching deflection distance, and stroke efficiency all increased. The absorption energy increased linearly with increasing impact velocity. The results of this study provide a reference for similar anchor angle studies and a guide for the design of field construction.
Calculation method for reinforcement spacing of bilaterally wrapped reinforced embankments under seismic force
Authors: Yan Qingwei , Xiao Shiguo
Published: January 2023

The vertical spacing among reinforcements in geosynthetic-reinforced earth embankment is crucial to its overall stability. Based on the upper bound theorem of plastic limit analysis and pseudo-static approach, an overall stability analysis method for bilaterally wrapped reinforced embankments under strip surcharge and seismic action is put forward in view of the planar and log-spiral failure mechanism of the reinforced embankments, which quantitatively expresses the relationship between the reinforcement spacing and the factor of safety of the embankments. Some examples show that the maximum relative error of the factor of safety between the proposed method and some existing methods is around 10% under a specified reinforcement spacing. The factor of safety is nonlinearly decreasing as the reinforcement spacing increases, and the results by the log-spiral mode are slightly more conservative than those by the planar mode. The proposed method can quantitatively reflect the influence of the filling properties, reinforcement strength, seismic forces, strip surcharge, and embankment geometry on the reinforcement spacing. The nonlinear negative relationship between the factor of safety and the reinforcement spacing is noticeable under different reinforcement strengths. The reinforcement spacing is almost linearly reducing with the increase of the vertical seismic coefficient increases, while it decreases clearly nonlinearly as the horizontal seismic coefficient increases.
Energy analysis of intact granite based on test while drilling under different confining stresses and drilling parameters
Authors: Tang Hua , Liang Dong-Cai , Wu Zhen-Jun , Cheng Xu
Published: January 2023

The rock properties are related to the stress environment and dynamic disturbance during construction, and the testing-while-drilling-technique was used for evaluation of rock properties. However, the related research ignored the influences of stress environment and drilling parameters. In this study, triaxial compression tests and laboratory drilling tests under different confining stresses and drilling parameters were conducted for intact granite, and the numerical changes of drilling parameters were recorded. Then the static elastic energy and drilling specific energy (dynamic energy) of rock were calculated by using linear energy storage theory and rock breaking energy theory, respectively. According to the characteristics of energy variation, an energy analysis method based on drilling process was proposed, and the sum of static elastic energy and dynamic elastic energy was defined as the total energy. The results showed that: 1) the static elastic energy increased with the increase of confining stress, while the drilling specific energy was opposite. 2) For the same rock, the total energy was constant under the same drilling parameters. 3) The influence of drilling parameters on total energy was quantified by dynamic load influence factor. Finally, the potential application of energy analysis method in stress estimation was discussed through drilling tests.
Enhanced 3D velocity structure, seismicity relocation and basement characterization of Changning shale gas and salt mining regions in southern Sichuan basin
Authors: Anyiam Uzonna Okenna , Zhang Haijiang , Tan Yuyang , Qian Jiawei , Gao Lei , Liu Ying , Zuo Kezhen , Zhao Cuiping
Published: January 2023

Current extensive seismicity in southern Sichuan Basin is ascribed to the reactivation of pre-existing faults, as a result of prolonged fluid injection for salt mining and shale gas development, respectively. However, the structural framework of the region remains poorly understood. Here, we apply Vp/Vsconsistency-constrained double-difference seismic tomography to high quality phase data from 36,314 earthquakes jointly recorded by our local array and a regional seismic network to determine high-resolution velocity models. Earthquake relocations reveal shallow hypocenters for the Ms>5.0 earthquakes and two distinct seismogenic zones corresponding to the salt mine and shale gas regions, with most induced seismic events forming widespread lineaments some of which extend to the basement and are remarkably similar to the fault and fracture trends interpreted on reflection seismic and outcrops, respectively. Our 3-D crustal velocity analyses show that seismicity beneath the Changing salt mining area is associated with a combination of relatively low Vp/Vs(1.6–1.74) and high Vp/Vs(1.75–1.86) expressions, while most of small earthquakes within the Xingwen shale gas block are associated with relatively high Vp/Vsvalues (1.77–1.87), indicating the earthquakes in these two areas are caused by unique inducing mechanisms. The two moderately strong 2018 Xingwen Ms5.7 and 2019 Gongxian Ms5.3 earthquakes in the Xingwen shale gas block are located around low Vp/Vs. zones, suggesting they could be structurally controlled. In comparison, the 2019 Changning Ms6.0 earthquake in the Changning salt mining area is associated with high Vp/Vs. expression, suggesting its occurrence is related to fluid injections. In addition, top of the crystalline early Neoproterozoic (pre-Sinian) Sichuan basement is characterized by the 6.5 km/s Vpcontour, which is new for earthquake tomographic studies in the region. Combined with outcrop analysis, we are able to construct a structural framework for induced seismicity in southern Sichuan basin, which unravels the structural architecture of induced seismicity.
Green urbanization efficiency of 18 urban agglomerations in China: Evidence from spatial–temporal evolution
Authors: Lv Xiaofei , Wang Lu
Published: January 2023

As a highly developed spatial form of integrated cities, urban agglomeration has become an important fulcrum for promoting economic development and regional growth. Green urban efficiency is the key to achieving green growth in a country. This study propose a slack-based model with undesirable output to evaluate the green urbanization of 18 urban agglomerations in China. Analysis was performed using the integrated barycenter coordinate method, standard deviation ellipses, and the geographic detector model to determine the spatial–temporal characteristics of green urbanization efficiency and the factors that influence urban agglomerations. We found that the green urbanization efficiency of urban agglomerations in China, when plotted, revealed a curve with the shape of “∧,” which increased at first and then decreased. The spatial differentiation characteristics were not obvious as the gap was narrowing. The center of green urbanization efficiency in China’s urban agglomerations has always been located in the Central Plains, with a small overall span and a relatively fixed position. The barycenter coordinates showed a trend of shifting from east to north, but the transfer speed and rhythm were relatively slow. The explanatory power of the various factors influencing the spatial differentiation of green urbanization efficiency of urban agglomerations differed markedly. The magnitude of importance was in the order of: urban population scale > investment growth > technology level > economic development > industrial structure.
Modeling and estimation of snow depth spatial correlation structure from observations over North America
Authors: Kongoli Cezar , Smith Thomas M.
Published: January 2023

Estimation of spatial correlations should be an integral part of objective analysis of geophysical variables. However, a statistical assessment of spatial correlations has been absent from studies of objective analysis of snow depth since its debut over 2 decades ago. We show a method for computing regional spatial correlations of observed snow depth and the daily snow depth increment and fitting them to correlation functions to estimate the correlation scale parameters. Both horizontal and vertical distance correlations are computed from station observations over a well sampled part of North America. The vertical and horizontal distance correlations are fitted to exponential functions using the least square method to estimate the correlation scale parameters including the amplitude, which represents short distance correlation. Our assessment suggests a large horizontal e-folding correlation scale for both the observed snow depth and the daily increment, with implications for improving predictions in poorly monitored areas with relatively flat topography. Over mountainous terrain, vertical e-folding correlation scale for observed snow depth is much smaller than that for the daily snow depth increment and for the snow depth increment used in operational snow analyses. That means that optimal interpolation-based analysis of the increments may be more accurate than the interpolation of snow depth data.
Effects of vertical shear on intensification of tropical cyclones of different initial sizes
Authors: Bi Mingyu , Wang Ruifang , Li Tim , Ge Xuyang
Published: January 2023

Idealized experiments were conducted to examine the impacts of moderate vertical wind shear (VWS, i.e., magnitude of 12 m s−1) on the intensification of tropical cyclones (TCs) of different initial sizes. The results showed that the intensity of all the simulated TCs decreased at the first 12-hour integration after imposing the shear. Larger TCs resumed intensification earlier, whereas smaller ones re-intensified more slowly or even failed to intensify. The differences in the intensification rate are likely due to the tilting magnitude. Under VWS, the upper-level TC center exhibited a horizontal displacement relative to the low-level circulation. In general, this displacement was smaller in larger TCs, indicating that larger TCs are less susceptible to VWS. Thermodynamically, the intrusion of mid-level low moist entropy also played a role in suppressing upshear convection. This negative impact was pronounced in smaller TCs. By using the PV-ω equation, the resilience of TC to VWS was compared. The second circulation forced by both dry dynamic and diabatic heating acted to restore the system to a vertically upright position. For larger TCs, more extensive convection was prolific on the downshear side, and its corresponding forced second circulation offset a larger part of the low-to mid-level environmental shear, which made larger TCs more resilient to VWS; i.e., larger TCs produced stronger low to middle counter shear circulation and facilitated vertical realignment. In contrast, for smaller TCs, the updrafts forced by dry dynamic and diabatic heating were deeper but narrower at the initial time, which did not efficiently reduce the mid-level VWS, resulting in greater tilting of the TC, thus making the smaller TCs more vulnerable to VWS.
Concurrent estimation of seismic reflectivity and Q by using an optimal dictionary learning method
Authors: Yan Hongyong , Yu Hui , Xu Teng
Published: January 2023

The seismic reflectivity and quality factor Q play an important role in seismic processing and interpretation, such as improving the resolution of seismic data and enhancing the reservoir identification. Most methods estimate seismic reflectivity and Q separately. However, the error of Q model has a negative impact on the reflectivity estimation and the interference of reflectivity makes Q estimates less reliable. In this paper, we propose a new method for concurrent estimation of seismic reflectivity and Q by using optimal dictionary learning. This new method first constructs a complete dictionary based on the non-stationary convolution model, then computes the reflectivity series under different dictionary matrices with the corresponding referencing Q values, and finally selects the optimal dictionary matrix by comprehensively analyzing the residual and reflectivity sparsity so as to obtain seismic reflectivity and Q simultaneously. The results of synthetic and real data examples test confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method. The proposed method provides accurate estimation of seismic reflectivity and Q, improves the vertical resolution without losing weak events and offers more accurate information concerning stratigraphic features in great details.
Remote supervision of teacher trainee internships: Using digital technology to increase social presence
Authors: Petit Matthieu , Babin Julie , Desrochers Marie-Ève
Published: January 2023

When digital technologies are used to supervise teacher trainees, internship supervisors adjust their practices to enhance their presence within their cohort in order to reduce the isolation felt by those who choose to do their internship locally, when home is in a remote location from their campus or university. In this article, we will share findings about the concept of social presence through a description of practices according to three indicators from the online community of inquiry theoretical model: emotional expression, open communication and group cohesion. From a qualitative methodology, our results attest to the humanistic nature of the remote supervision. During their online interactions with trainees, the internship supervisors interviewed share their feedback about videos and graded work tactfully, bearing in mind the distance that separates them. Despite how difficult it is to show empathy in mediated communication, they try by many means, including video and immediacy, to comfort trainees who may feel alone. They offer them frequent practical support and check in with them at the beginning and throughout the internship. Their support is bolstered by the authenticity of the situations observed in video footage, above and beyond the institutional systems.
Serum C-reactive protein levels are associated with clinical pregnancy rate after in vitro fertilization among normal-weight women
Authors: Zhang Huixia , Li Xin , Zhang Fan , Li Fei , Jin Haixia , Su Yingchun , Li Gang
Published: January 2023

Objective

To assess whether low-grade inflammation, measured by serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, is associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.

Design

A retrospective study.

Setting

University-affiliated IVF center.

Patient(s)

In the present study, 875 women of normal weight who underwent their first fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles for IVF treatment were divided into three groups according to serum concentrations of hsCRP.

Intervention(s)

Serum from women undergoing IVF was collected on days 2-4 of a spontaneous menstrual cycle prior to the commencement of ovarian stimulation.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

The IVF outcomes included implantation, biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and live birth rates.

Result(s)

The women were divided into three groups according to the baseline serum levels of hsCRP as follows: low hsCRP (<1 mg/L; n=517), medium hsCRP (1-3 mg/L; n= 270), high hsCRP (>3 mg/L; n=88). The maternal age was similar among the three groups. The women in the high and medium hsCRP group had significantly higher BMI compared with those in the low hsCRP group. The protocol of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, the gonadotropin dose administered, the serum estradiol levels, progesterone levels and the endometrial thickness on the day of triggering, as well as the number of retrieved oocytes, fertilized oocytes and good quality embryos, and the oocyte maturation rate were similar among the three groups. Implantation, biochemical pregnancy and clinical miscarriage rates did not differ significantly were not significantly different among three groups. The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the high hsCRP group compared with that in the low hsCRP group (50.0% versus 63.4%; P<0.0167), which contributed to a significant decrease in birth rate (39.8% versus 53.8%; P<0.0167). High serum hsCRP levels was found to be a factor affecting live birth rate

Conclusion(s)

Among women of normal weight undergoing their first IVF treatment, it was found that low-grade inflammation was associated with reduced clinical pregnancy and live birth rates following fresh ET cycles.
Mechanical mechanism of rock mass slabbing aggravating toppling failure
Authors: Cai Junchao , Lu Shuqiang , Li Kan , Wu Zhongteng , Zhao Rui , Wang Junping
Published: January 2023

Many slabbing rock masses have emerged in hydropower slopes and underground engineering, with the construction of basic engineering and resource development projects along the zone of the Belt and Road. The anti-dip slabbing rock mass is prone to toppling and the degree of slabbing controls the development of toppling deformation. There are a few reports on the mechanical mechanism of rock mass toppling deformation after slabbing. Based on the analysis of the genetic conditions of rock mass slabbing, the influence of rock mass after slabbing on toppling deformation was explored by means of the mechanics method. The toppling bending deflection (TBD) and the toppling fracture depth (TFD) were selected as the analysis indexes, and the response regularity of slabbing on toppling rock mass was analyzed with examples. The results show that the width and thickness of the slabbing rock mass become narrower and thinner, the toppling bending deflection (TBD) increases, the toppling fracture depth (TFD) decreases, and the toppling deformation and failure intensify. The TBD is independent of the width of rock mass slabbing under self-weight, and the change of TBD is slow when the slab beam slabbing number (n) of thickness is <4 and fast when the slabbing number is above 4. The first TFD decreases fast when w is <2.0 m and it tends to be stable when w is above 2.0 m. The first TFD reduces relatively fast with the decrease in the thickness (t) of the slab beam. The result of this study can provide a reference for the treatment and evaluation of slabbing rock mass toppling deformation.
Wetland vegetation changes in response to climate change and human activities on the Tibetan Plateau during 2000–2015
Authors: Chen Yuhan , Sun Lu , Xu Jiangqi , Liang Boyi , Wang Jia , Xiong Nina
Published: January 2023

The Tibetan Plateau (TP), known as the third pole, is the highest plateau in the world. It has numerous wetlands, which are important ecological security barriers and plays an important role in mitigating global climate change. This paper employed breaks for additive seasonal and trend (BFAST) algorithm for the mutation detection of the monthly normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in wetlands. In addition, correlation analysis and residual analysis were used to study the response of climate change and human activities to NDVI of alpine wetland vegetation in the TP during 2000–2015. The results indicate that the NDVI showed a weak upward trend of 0.009/10a (P < 0.05) with the climate presenting a trend of dry heat development. The NDVI of the growing season was greatly affected by temperature factors with the highest correlation coefficient of 0.686 (P < 0.01). The temperature in the month before and solar radiation in the 3 months before also presented a time lag effect on NDVI, and their correlation coefficients were 0.574 (P < 0.05) and 0.636 (P < 0.05), respectively. Additionally, human activities may have a positive impact on the wetland after 2008. This study explored, for the first time, the NDVI variations of the dynamic wetland and their correlations with temperature, precipitation and solar radiation.
Combining high carotenoid, grain protein content and rust resistance in wheat for food and nutritional security
Authors: Padhy Asish Kumar , Sharma Achla , Sharma Himanshu , Srivastava Puja , Singh Satinder , Kaur Parampreet , Kaur Jaspal , Kaur Satinder , Chhuneja Parveen , Bains Navtej Singh
Published: January 2023

Globally, malnutrition has given birth to an alarming predicament, especially in developing countries, and has extensively shifted consumer preferences from conventional high-energy diets to a nutritionally balanced, cost-effective, sustainable, and healthy lifestyle. In keeping with this view and the mandate for developing high-yielding, disease-resistant biofortified staple food (wheat) for catering to the demand-driven market, the current research aimed at stacking together the enhanced grain protein content, carotenoid content, and disease resistance in an elite bread wheat background. The Y gene (PsyE1) and the GpcB1 gene were used as novel sources for enhancing the grain carotenoid and protein content in the commercial elite bread wheat cultivar HD2967. The combination also led to the stacking of resistance against all three foliar rusts owing to linked resistance genes. A stepwise hybridization using Parent 1 (HD2967 + PsyE1/Lr19/Sr25) with Parent 2 (PBW550 + GpcB1/Yr36+ Yr15), coupled with a phenotypic-biochemical selection, narrowed down 2748 F2 individuals to a subset of 649 F2 plants for molecular screening. The gene-specific markers PsyE1, PsyD1, Xucw108, and Xbarc8 for the genes PsyE1, PsyD1, GpcB1, and Yr15, respectively, were employed for forward selection. Four bread wheat lines positive for all the desired genes with high carotenoid (>8ppm) and protein (>13%) content were raised to the F5 generation and will be evaluated for yield potential after bulking. These improved advanced breeding lines developed following multipronged efforts should prove a valuable and unique source for the development of cultivars with improved nutritional quality and rust resistance in wheat breeding programs.
The diagnosis and treatment for a patient with cancer of unknown primary: A case report
Authors: Hu Hong , Pan Qin , Shen Jiaying , Yao Junlin , Fu Guoxiang , Tian Fengjuan , Yan Na , Han Weidong
Published: January 2023

Background: Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is a class of metastatic malignant tumors whose primary location cannot be determined. The diagnosis and treatment of CUP are a considerable challenge for clinicians. Herein, we report a CUP case whose corresponding primary tumor sites were successfully identified, and the patient received proper treatment.

Case report: In February 2022, a 74-year-old woman was admitted to the Medical Oncology Department at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital for new lung and intestinal tumors after more than 9 years of breast cancer surgery. After laparoscopically assisted right hemicolectomy, pathology revealed mucinous adenocarcinoma; the pathological stage was pT2N0M0. Results from needle biopsies of lung masses suggested poorly differentiated cancer, ER (-), PR (-), and HER2 (-), which combined with the clinical history, did not rule out metastatic breast cancer. A surgical pathology sample was needed to determine the origin of the tumor tissue, but the patient’s chest structure showed no indications for surgery. Analysis of the tumor’s traceable gene expression profile prompted breast cancer, and analysis of next-generation amplification sequencing (NGS) did not obtain a potential drug target. We developed a treatment plan based on comprehensive immunohistochemistry, a gene expression profile, and NGS analysis. The treatment plan was formulated using paclitaxel albumin and capecitabine in combination with radiotherapy. The efficacy evaluation was the partial response (PR) after four cycles of chemotherapy and two cycles combined with radiotherapy.

Conclusion: This case highlighted the importance of identifying accurate primary tumor location for patients to benefit from treatment, which will provide a reference for the treatment decisions of CUP tumors in the future.
Pelagic connectivity of European sea bass between spawning and nursery grounds
Authors: Graham Jennifer A. , Watson Joseph W. , García García Luz María , Bradley Kirsty , Bradley Robin , Brown Mary , Ciotti Benjamin J. , Goodwin Derek , Nash Richard D. M. , Roche William K. , Wogerbauer Ciara , Hyder Kieran
Published: January 2023

The sea bass stock around the UK (northern stock) has declined rapidly over the past decade, likely due to a combination of both overfishing and low recruitment. Understanding mechanisms that drive the number of young reaching nursery grounds is important for explaining observed recruitment variability and therefore developing effective management strategies. An individual-based model (IBM) has been developed here to investigate factors affecting sea bass settlement on nursery grounds for the northern stock. Simulations considered seven years with varying environmental conditions and year class strength, and outputs were compared to empirical data from monitoring of nursery areas in the UK and Ireland. The IBM includes hydrodynamics to simulate the drift of eggs and larvae, temperature-dependent growth and mortality, and behavior affecting position in the water column. Comparison between the model and ICES assessment abundance of age class zero fish showed similar temporal variability, but with higher recruitment predicted for 2018, and a lower peak recruitment in 1997. The model reproduced general patterns of interannual variability for the Thames estuary, but performed less well for some other regions. Further investigation is needed to understand differences between modelled supply and observations, as these could be due to uncertainties in reproducing the physical environment (e.g., currents, temperature) or biology (e.g., spawning, behavior, mortality), as well as uncertainty in recruitment derived from stock assessments or data collected from nursery grounds. Nevertheless, the model provides a useful demonstration of connectivity between spawning and nursery grounds, showing spawning regions that are likely to have greatest influence on recruitment in different estuaries, and how these may vary interannually. For example, sources from western Channel and Celtic Sea can supply larvae to many areas, leading to connectivity across the Channel and Celtic Sea, and into the Irish Sea. However, other regions may depend on more local areas. For example, with the Solent estuary dependent on sources within the Channel each year. With the temperature-dependence on growth, and therefore duration of the pelagic stage, results show the potential influence of spawning timing, in relation to ocean temperatures, for connectivity between spawning and nursery grounds.
Hydrodynamics in the tidal flat in semi-enclosed Xiangshan Bay
Authors: Li Li , Xu Jiayang , Kong Gaoqiang , Li Peiliang , Ren Yihan , Wang Huiqun
Published: January 2023

Tidal flats provide a foundation for biological diversity and marine economy. Xiangshan Bay is a semi-enclosed bay that shelters large areas of tidal flats, and is known for its aquaculture. In this study, field trips were conducted in late autumn to measure the water level, current, water temperature, tidal flat temperature, and turbidity data of the tidal flat in the bay during Typhoon Lingling. The field data were well calibrated and used to investigate the hydrodynamics, temperature, and turbidity of the tidal flat. The results showed that the spring-neap tidal cycles at the sea surface level were well captured at both stations. The maximum tidal range was 5.5 m and 1.5 m during spring and neap tides, respectively. The tidal flat was occasionally exposed to air occasionally (30 min). The current velocity (<0.2 m/s) and waves (<0.15 m) at the field stations were weak, and the direction of flow was controlled by the geomorphology, even during Typhoon Lingling. Water was more turbid at station S2 (<0.8 kg/m3) than at station S1 (<0.2 kg/m3). The sea water temperature and tidal flat temperature were affected by tidal cycles, with larger variations occurring during spring tides than during neap tides. The maximum value of seawater temperature at S1 station was greater than that at station S2 during spring tides. The intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) of sea water temperature and surface tidal flat temperature were similar, as they are both subject to sea-air-tidal flat interactions. The IMFs of the middle and bottom layers in the tidal flat were less correlated. Temperature fluctuations in seawater and tidal flats were mainly affected by air temperature and tides. Small-scale features (>0.5 Hz) were important for water and tidal flat temperatures, particularly during typhoons. These findings provide field data for future studies on eco-hydrology and coastal engineering in tidal flats.
Biomarker evidence of the water mass structure and primary productivity changes in the Chukchi Sea over the past 70 years
Authors: Gao Chao , Ruan Xiaoyan , Zhang Yi Ge , Yang Huan , Xiao Xiaotong , Lü Xiaoxia , Yang Yi , Wang Hongmei , Yu Xiaoguo
Published: January 2023

The Chukchi Sea has experienced significant changes under global warming in the Common Era, including the shift of primary productivity. However, modern observations are too short to fully investigate the effects of environmental changes in this area. Here, we analyzed lipid biomarkers (e.g. long-chain n-alkanes, n-alkanols, n-alkanoic acids, diols, and sterols) from a sediment core (R07) collected from the Chukchi Sea shelf to determine phytoplankton primary productivity variations and factors influencing these changes over the past 70 years. Similar trends of the abundance of terrestrial ecosystem-derived compounds (e.g. long-chain n-alkanes, n-alkanols, n-alkanoic acids, and C32 1,15-diol) indicate that terrigenous input increased from ca. 1946 towards ca. 1983 and then decreased thereafter. In comparison, biomarkers with marine origin indicate that the ratio of diatoms to dinoflagellates increased after ca. 1983 towards the core-top (ca. 2011). Concurrent changes in terrigenous input and phytoplankton community indicated a shift in water mass structure at ca. 1983 (i.e. the Alaska Coastal Water decreased and the Bering Sea Water increased), which may be attributed to the phase shift of the Arctic Oscillation and/or unsynchronized flow changes in different water masses. Owing to the different water mass properties, the change of water mass structure caused intense water mixing and the resulting high turbidity in the study area, which led to light limitation for phytoplankton growth. These conditions probably account for the reduced phytoplankton primary productivity from ca. 1983 to ca. 2000 in the general trend of increasing. The results indicate that, in addition to global warming and sea ice retreat, other factors, such as change in regional water mass structure (i.e. different water masses), may also have a significant influence on the primary productivity and the phytoplankton community in the Chukchi Sea shelf.
Impacts of tidal flat reclamation on suspended sediment dynamics in the tidal-dominated Wenzhou Coast, China
Authors: Zhang Rong , Chen Yongping , Chen Peixiong , Zhou Xin , Wu Biying , Chen Kehao , Sun Zhilin , Yao Peng
Published: January 2023

Reclamation of tidal flats is one of the engineering measures of expanding land area and developing the economy in coastal areas; however, this process disturbs the natural processes of the tidal flat system. Taking the flood-tidal dominant Oufei tidal flat at the Wenzhou coast as a study area, the influences of tidal flat reclamation on tidal and suspended sediment dynamics were comprehensively investigated via numerical modeling. Before the reclamation, the Eulerian residual current flows alongshore and the residual sediment transport on-shore in the tidal flat area. The reclamation reduces the tidal flat area, shifting the M4 co-phase line toward the coast and squeezing the flood-dominated area. Consequently, the tidal current is weakened and the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) is reduced, but the residual sediment transport change insignificantly. The residual sediment transport in the Feiyunjiang Estuary is controlled by the tidal pumping effect. The upper estuary shows a net sediment transport landward, while a seaward transport is observed in the lower estuary, which further splits into two circulation outside the estuary. The south Oufei dike construction interferes the northern sediment circulation, resulting in the alteration of local SSC and enhancing landward sediment transport inside the estuary. The methodology and understandings arising from this study could be a good reference for the analysis of suspended sediment transport under tidal flat reclamation effects at other sites.
Inconsistent stoichiometry and growth responses of two coexisting dominant species to various N and P supplies in a supratidal wetland of the Yellow River Delta
Authors: Liu Xiaoling , Wang Guangmei , Zhang Haibo , Han Guangxuan , Li Kexin , Wang Andong
Published: January 2023

The availability and stoichiometry ratio of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) play vital roles in plant trophic dynamics and primary production. However, the responses of these plant traits to varying N and P supplies remain largely unclear for supratidal wetland herbs. Here, we conducted a 4-year field manipulation experiment in a supratidal wetland in the Yellow River Delta. The changes in aboveground biomass, leaf N and P concentrations and N:P ratios of two dominant herbs (Suaeda glauca and Phragmites australis) were examined at 3 overall nutrient supply levels (low, medium and high) combined with 3 N:P supply ratios (5:1, 15:1 and 45:1). The results showed that the leaf trophic dynamics of the two dominant species rely on the overall supply level as well as on the N:P supply ratio, while the aboveground biomass of both species was only significantly influenced by the overall supply level. With the increase in supply level, S. glauca gained an advantage over P. australis in aboveground biomass competition. The leaf N and P concentrations of both species raised with the respective increasing nutrient inputs, and N:P improved with the increasing supply ratio. The leaf stoichiometry of S. glauca was more strongly influenced by the various N and P supplies than that of P. australis. Specifically, the gap of nutrient contents between the two species widened as nutrient availability improved, with the dominance of S. glauca increasing while that of P. australis decreasing. This species-specific response may explain the altered aboveground biomass of the two species. Our findings suggested that changing the N and P supply can potentially influence primary productivity by changing leaf nutrient status, indirectly affecting the shifts in plant dominance and community composition in supratidal wetland ecosystems.
Effect and mechanism of rare Earth and alkaline Earth metals on the high-temperature stability of activated alumina
Authors: Wu Zhiqiang , Jiang Longwen , Dong Quan , Gao Qiang , Cai Jingxuan , Cheng Xiaowei
Published: January 2023

Active alumina (Al2O3) is one of the carrier materials used for the purification of automobile exhaust. The crystal transformation of active Al2O3 is due to the high temperature of the automobile exhaust port, which greatly reduces the specific surface area and affects the catalytic efficiency. To improve the high-temperature stability of active Al2O3, this study synthesized Al2O3via the gel-sol method. The influence of rare Earth and alkaline Earth metal doping modification on the high-temperature stability of activated Al2O3 was investigated. The specific surface areas were analyzed using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy to explore the effects and mechanism of different contents of La, Ce, and Ba on active Al2O3. The results showed that suitable single doping of La, Ce, and Ba inhibited the phase transition of Al2O3 and improved the high-temperature stability of active Al2O3. When 1% of La and Ba were mixed and doped into active Al2O3, the specific surface area of the sample after aging at 1,100°C for 4 h was 119.2512 m2/g. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the agglomeration of Ba atoms inside the alumina and that the incorporated La atoms accelerated the agglomeration and promoted the formation of BaAl2O4.
Supraglottic jet oxygenation and ventilation via nasopharyngeal airway for a patient with iatrogenic tracheoesophageal fistula: A case report
Authors: Gu Yang , Zhang Xiaowei , Min Keting , Wei Juan , Zhou Qing , Lv Xin , Duan Ruowang
Published: January 2023

Background

Iatrogenic tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a rare but life-threatening condition. No consensus has been reached regarding TEF treatment, though, stenting has been gaining popularity for less invasiveness than thoracic surgery. The airway management during stent placement for TEF could be challenging.

Case presentations

We report a patient who suffered from TEF after cardiac surgery with symptoms of persistent coughing and aspiration. He who was admitted for stent placement but ended up in failure and referred to our institution for further treatment. We successfully took advantage of the supraglottic jet oxygenation and ventilation (SJOV) during stent placement.

Conclusion

This is the first case so far describing SJOV in complicated stenting treatment. This demonstrates that SJOV can be applied for stent placement in TEF patients with restricted airways.