bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on blast-induced ground vibration velocity limits for slope rock masses
Authors: Sun Jinshan , Jia Yongsheng , Zhang Zhen , Yao Yingkang
Published: January 2023

Seismic waves induced by blasting can cause damage to slope rock masses and thus lower the stability of the slope. The vibration standards of many countries do not specify the allowable blasting vibration velocity for slope rock masses. “Blasting Safety Regulations” (GB 6722-2014) in China recommends the allowable blasting vibration velocity of slope rock masses. However, the strength of rock mass and geometric characteristics of slope are not considered in the criterion. Therefore, based on the wave equation of Rayleigh wave, the mathematical relationship between the additional dynamic stress of the rock mass near the slope surface and the peak particle velocity (PPV) on the ground is analyzed. Under the control conditions that no tensile and shear damage occur in the slope, a calculation method of allowable blasting vibration based on a simple slope model is proposed, in which the strength of rock mass and the angle of the slope are considered. The theoretical basis of the proposed method is verified by numerical experiments. Based on the field test results of the slope of Xiaowan Hydropower Station, the proposed method was verified further. The damage control target of the rock mass determined by the proposed method was in good agreement with the actual damage detection result.
Sedimentology and evolution of the Holocene radial tidal sand ridge in the south Yellow Sea, China
Authors: He Lei , Ye Siyuan , Xue Chunting , Zhao Guangming , Yang Shixiong , Amorosi Alessandro
Published: January 2023

The radial tidal sand ridge (RTSR) off the Jiangsu Coast in the south Yellow Sea is one of the most fantastic and unique natural landscapes in the world. A large number of investigations on geomorphology and marine geology have been implemented during the last several decades. The formation and evolution of the RTSR, however, are still under debate. To resolve this issue, 10 ∼30–60 m-long cores were retrieved from the Jiangsu coastal plain and offshore sand ridge field in 2018–2019. Stratigraphic transects chronologically constrained by abundant radiocarbon dates were built based on sedimentological and paleoecological (i.e., foraminifer) data from selected cores. Combined with well-documented core stratigraphy from earlier studies, an age–depth plot with a local sea-level change curve revealed that the RTSR initiated approximately 9,000 cal a BP in a sandy bedform shape under transgressive conditions, continued throughout the Holocene, but developed mostly after 1128 AD, when the Yellow River flowed southward into the Yellow Sea. Abundant sediment supply, thus, appears to have played a major role in the formation and evolution of the RTSR in the south Yellow Sea.
Coordinated AGC control strategy for an interconnected multi-source power system based on distributed model predictive control algorithm
Authors: Peng Bo , Ma Xin , Ma Xiangxue , Tian Changbin , Sun Yuqiong
Published: January 2023

The erratic and random characteristics of wind power and wind-thermal replacement significantly degrade the performance of AGC in an interconnected, multi-source power system. For the lack of cooperation between wind power and thermal plants in AGC of interconnected power system as well as the heavy computational burden and inflexible information interaction of centralized AGC architecture, a novel coordinated AGC control strategy for an interconnected multi-source power system based on distributed model predictive control (DMPC) algorithm is proposed in this research. Under the DMPC architecture, the dimension of centralized AGC problem is reduced in each subsystem, and the overall AGC performance can be enhanced through inter-area communication between subsystems. In the meantime, based on the proposed coordinated control strategy, the active AGC response capability of wind farms and energy storage in the interconnected system is exploited to realize the dynamic cooperation between the wind generation and thermal AGC plants, and the overall AGC control performance can be further improved. In this paper, local DMPC controllers are deployed in each subsystem to address the drawbacks of a centralized control architecture by exchanging forecast and state measurement information with neighboring subsystems. In addition, considering the current operating status of multiple kinds of energy sources with different features, a fuzzy-based coordinated control strategy is designed for the purpose of dynamically allocating the AGC demand inside the wind-storage system, and the wind farm’s reliability for AGC response in diverse operation scenarios can be guaranteed. Finally, comparative analysis with existing works has been conducted on a three-area power system, and numerical results demonstrate that the proposed coordinated AGC control strategy has better performance in AGC performance and the dynamic cooperation can be achieved between wind power and thermal plants in AGC response through the designed wind-storage system and coordinated DMPC AGC control strategy.
Wind power interval prediction based on variational mode decomposition and the fast gate recurrent unit
Authors: Zhang Dewang , Zhang Zhichao , Chen Zhigeng , Zhou Yu , Li Fuyun , Chi Chengquan
Published: January 2023

Large-scale wind power integration is difficult due to the uncertainty of wind power, and therefore the use of conventional point prediction of wind power cannot meet the needs of power grid planning. In contrast, interval prediction is playing an increasingly important role as an effective approach because the interval can describe the uncertainty of wind power. In this study, a wind interval prediction model based on Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) and the Fast Gate Recurrent Unit (F-GRU) optimized with an improved whale optimization algorithm (IWOA) is proposed. Firstly, the wind power series was decomposed using VMD to obtain several Intrinsic Mode Function (IMF) components. Secondly, an interval prediction model was constructed based on the lower upper bound estimation. Finally, according to the fitness function, the F-GRU parameters were optimized by IWOA, and thefinal prediction interval was obtained. Actual examples show that the method can be employed to improve the interval coverage and reduce the interval bandwidth and thus has strong practical significance.
Application prospect and key technologies of digital twin technology in the integrated port energy system
Authors: Yu Pang , Zhaoyu Wang , Yifen Guo , Nengling Tai , Jun Wu
Published: January 2023

Introduction: The structure of green and low-carbon ports is complex, and an integrated port energy system with complex characteristics such as multi-energy flow coupling and information physical fusion has been formed.

Methods: Digital twin technology provides a new solution for the perception, analysis, and optimization of integrated port energy system. The paper explores the digital twin of integrated port energy system. Based on the development trend and function of integrated port energy system, the digital twin of integrated port energy system architecture is proposed to explore its potential application services. Specifically, considering the functions and structural characteristics of the port, the digital space of integrated port energy system is established, which describes the pan electrification, multi energy flow fusion, the “physics-information-value” coupling, and the characteristics of system operation under uncertain scenarios of integrated port energy system from the physical and data dimensions. The hybrid driving method based on data and mechanism is used to explore digital twin of integrated port energy system and find potential better applications.

Results and discussion: Finally, combined with the current development needs of integrated port energy system, this paper analyzes the key problems and technologies that need to be broken through in the specific implementation of digital twin of integrated port energy system, with a view to providing some thoughts and references for the low-carbon development of ports and the future application of digital twin technology under the goal of “double carbon”.
Generalized discrete equivalent model for PV system with various types of faults and PV penetration levels
Authors: Shen Fu , Yang Zhiwen , Li Shiwei , Yang Guangbing
Published: January 2023

As the rapid and continually proliferation of photovoltaic (PV) systems are connected to the power system, the load structure are changeable to lack an accurate dynamic discrete equivalent model to describe its characteristics of power grid. In this study, the generalized discrete-time equivalent model (GDEM) of PV system using a fourth-order dynamic equivalent model for representing the physical characteristics of PV power stations are proposed in power system dynamic studies. The paper then investigates the inherent relations among GDEM parameters in the discrete-time models of PV system to facilitate the GDEM parameters estimation in PV system. Finally, the least square method (LSM) was to identify the GDEM of PV system parameters, and various types of ground faults and PV penetration rate levels is adopted to verify the dynamic characteristics of the proposed GDEM of PV system in power system simulations.
Facing or retreating? Evaluating the impact of fiscal pressure and the selection preference of tax efforts among Chinese local government
Authors: Deyun Zhen , Yiqing Pan
Published: January 2023

As China’s economy enters a new era, fiscal pressure is growing rapidly. How will local governments select their preference of tax efforts under pressure? Are they facing or retreating? This paper selects macro data of 30 provincial administrative regions from 2000 to 2018 and uses the instrumental variable method and threshold regression model. While the paper put fiscal pressure, land-transferring fees, local government debt, and transfer payments into the same regression equation to test the causal relationship between fiscal pressure and the selection preference of tax efforts among Chinese local government. We found that local governments prefer to increase tax efforts under fiscal pressure. Moreover, the heterogeneity analyses prove that eastern local governments prefer higher tax efforts. When the tax and economic growth rates are low, local governments have less selection preference to strengthen tax efforts. Threshold regression tests show that transfer payments have a moderating effect on local tax efforts, and transfer payments have a threshold effect. When transfer payments are under the minimum threshold value or above the maximum threshold value, it may lead to the inaction of local governments, who do not try their best to raise tax efforts. These findings are valuable in policy-making for the construction of sustainable public finance.
Contrasting energy pathways suggest differing susceptibility of pelagic fishes to an invasive ecosystem engineer in a large lake system
Authors: Chiapella Ariana , Possamai Bianca , Marsden J. Ellen , Kainz Martin J. , Stockwell Jason D.
Published: January 2023

Species invasions can lead to ecological regime shifts by altering food web structure and changing nutrient cycling. Stable isotopes are a powerful tool to understand the potential and realized impacts of invasive species on food webs, especially when used in tandem with other dietary tracers. An invasion by one of the most notorious freshwater invaders in North America, the quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis), is imminent in Lake Champlain, United States. An invasion by this filter feeder has the potential to drastically alter energy pathways and destabilize pelagic fisheries via bottom-up impacts. However, the extent and magnitude of these impacts depend on the current food web structure of the mid-trophic pelagic food web, which was previously not well described. We used Bayesian stable isotope mixing models informed by stomach content analysis to identify which energy pathways are currently most important to mid-trophic level fishes. We determined that in the Main Lake basin, the spring phytoplankton bloom and deep chlorophyll layer – the resources most vulnerable to quagga mussels – provide a disproportionate amount of support to the pelagic food web via zooplankton and the migrating macroinvertebrate Mysis. The food web in the Northeast Arm of Lake Champlain is supported by epilimnetic phytoplankton, which is more protected from the filtration effects of quagga mussels than the deep chlorophyll layer. However, the Northeast Arm will likely not provide a high-quality foraging refuge to coldwater pelagic fish due to unfavorable oxythermal conditions. The mid-trophic food web of Lake Champlain—and consequently piscivores who rely on these prey—may be vulnerable to the impending quagga mussel invasion if migratory Mysis are not able to shift their diet to benthic resources.
Interactive effects of intercropping and mulching under conservation tillage as sustainable agriculture increased cotton productivity
Authors: Adil Muhammad , Zhang Cheng , Yao Zijie , Lu Siqi , Qin Ziyuan , Wang Jingcao , Mahmood Arshad , Riaz Muhammad Waheed , Lu Heli
Published: January 2023

Climate change poses a significant risk to food security. Recent floods in Pakistan could serve as an example. In the current climate change scenario, there is a dire need to develop methods that increase crop productivity and reduce the threat of food insecurity in areas with low crop production. A detailed field experiment was conducted to check the effects of intercropping and straw mulching under conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) systems on soil health indicators and cotton productivity at the experimental area of Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology (KFUEIT), Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan. The main plot treatments comprised CT and NT. The subplot treatments were sole cotton (C1), cotton + mung-bean intercropping (C2), cotton + mung-bean + straw mulching (C3) and cotton + straw mulching (C4) under CT, while sole cotton (N1), cotton + mung-bean intercropping (N2), cotton + mung-bean + straw mulching (N3) and cotton + straw mulching (N4) were the NT subplot treatments. Overall, NT increased plant height by 18.4 %, chlorophyll a and b contents by 28.2 and 21.1%, respectively, mean boll weight by 17.9%, and seed yield by 20.9% compared to CT (P < 0.05). The interaction of tillage and mulching increased plant height by 7.0% under CT and 21.8% under NT in comparison with no mulching. Similarly, straw mulching under NT increased chlorophyll a and b contents by 41.9 and 28.5%, respectively, mean boll weight by 26.9%, and cotton seed yield by 23.0% in comparison with no mulching under NT. Intercropping decreased crop yield without straw mulching but increased it under straw mulching. Further, straw mulching increased soil physicochemical properties under NT, which contributed to increasing crop productivity. We concluded that straw mulching under NT might be a promising practice for enhancing cotton yield, productivity, and soil health in low-productivity areas.
Two stage robust planning of park integrated energy system considering low carbon
Authors: Chen Shuting , Su Wanhua , Wu Binyang
Published: January 2023

The development of integrated energy systems is a significant way of improving energy efficiency and encouraging renewable energy absorption. However, the uncertainty of renewable energy and loads raise severe challenges to integrated energy system planning. Besides, under the low carbon background, the relationship between reducing carbon emissions and increasing the absorption of renewable energy is not investigated clearly in the planning of the park integrated energy system. Thus, this paper proposes a two-stage robust planning method considering low carbon and uncertainty. Firstly, the input-output model of energy conversion equipment in the park integrated energy system is described. Secondly, the objective function and constraints and are set up. Specifically, the carbon emission limits and renewable energy penetration target are introduced in the constraints. On this basis, the two-stage robust planning model with min-max-min structure is established, after transformation, column-and-constraint generation is used for the solution. Case study shows the ability and cost of the park integrated energy system to promote low-carbon emission reduction and renewable energy consumption. Moreover, it proves that although there is some synergy between the low carbon target and the renewable energy consumption target, maximum renewable energy consumption does not mean minimum carbon emissions, and vice versa, and in some cases increasing renewable energy penetration does not necessarily reduce carbon emissions.
Combining methods for non-invasive fecal DNA enables whole genome and metagenomic analyses in wildlife biology
Authors: de Flamingh Alida , Ishida Yasuko , Pečnerová Patrícia , Vilchis Sahara , Siegismund Hans R. , van Aarde Rudi J. , Malhi Ripan S. , Roca Alfred L.
Published: January 2023

Non-invasive biological samples benefit studies that investigate rare, elusive, endangered, or dangerous species. Integrating genomic techniques that use non-invasive biological sampling with advances in computational approaches can benefit and inform wildlife conservation and management. Here, we used non-invasive fecal DNA samples to generate low- to medium-coverage genomes (e.g., >90% of the complete nuclear genome at six X-fold coverage) and metagenomic sequences, combining widely available and accessible DNA collection cards with commonly used DNA extraction and library building approaches. DNA preservation cards are easy to transport and can be stored non-refrigerated, avoiding cumbersome or costly sample methods. The genomic library construction and shotgun sequencing approach did not require enrichment or targeted DNA amplification. The utility and potential of the data generated was demonstrated through genome scale and metagenomic analyses of zoo and free-ranging African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana). Fecal samples collected from free-ranging individuals contained an average of 12.41% (5.54–21.65%) endogenous elephant DNA. Clustering of these elephants with others from the same geographic region was demonstrated by a principal component analysis of genetic variation using nuclear genome-wide SNPs. Metagenomic analyses identified taxa that included Loxodonta, green plants, fungi, arthropods, bacteria, viruses and archaea, showcasing the utility of this approach for addressing complementary questions based on host-associated DNA, e.g., pathogen and parasite identification. The molecular and bioinformatic analyses presented here contributes towards the expansion and application of genomic techniques to conservation science and practice.
Transcriptome analysis and gene expression analysis related to salinity-alkalinity and low temperature adaptation of Triplophysa yarkandensis
Authors: Zhang Xuejing , Wang Tai , Zhai Dongdong , Liu Hongyan , Xiong Fei , Wang Ying
Published: January 2023

T. yarkandensis is a common species of Triplophysa, and it is distributed in Shule river of Hexi Corridor, of Gansu province in China. In order to enrich gene database resources and explore the environment adaptation of T. yarkandensis, fifteen tissues were collected from three adult T. yarkandensis for transcriptome sequencing and de novo assembly. Nine major international gene annotation databases (NR, COG, egg_NOG, TrEMBL, Pfam, KOG, Swiss prot, KEGG and Gene Ontology) were utilized to annotate unigenes. A detailed study was conducted to explore the gene expression and the differentially expressed genes among five tissues (brain, heart, kidney, liver and spleen). In addition, the current study showed that candidate genes involved in salinity-alkalinity and low temperature adaptation were differentially expressed in tissues of T. yarkandensis. Precisely, mapk1, abcc1, gpx1, gpx4, cat and aqp1 genes participated in the regulation process of salinity-alkalinity adaptation, and elovl4, acaca, fasn, acaa2, acox1 and acox3 genes were involved in fatty acid metabolism and closely associated with low temperature adaptation. On the one hand, it was found that the expression of these genes varied among different tissues, and the important pathways involved in these genes were mapped. Furthermore, we analyzed mapk1 and acox1 genes in depth to obtain the predicted gene structure and important amino acid sites. The transcriptome information in this study will be conducive to provide further understanding for the molecular level research and exploration of the environmental adaptation of T. yarkandensis.
Immune regulatory functions of biologically active proteins from edible fungi
Authors: Xu Juan , Xu Dazhong , Hu Qiuhui , Ma Ning , Pei Fei , Su Anxiang , Ma Gaoxing
Published: January 2023

Proteins from edible mushrooms have a variety of biological activities. Here, thirteen precious edible mushrooms such asOphiocordyceps sinensis,Ganoderma lucidum, andMorchella esculentaand nine common edible mushrooms such asFlammulina velutipes,Pleurotus ostreatus, andPleurotus eryngii, etc., from which their proteins were extracted, their composition analyzed and their immunomodulatory activity assessed. Rare mushrooms are a species of edible mushrooms with higher edible value and medicinal value than common edible mushrooms. The results showed that all the different edible mushroom crude proteins increased the proliferation and phagocytosis of mouse macrophages, and we found that these edible mushroom proteins affected the secretion of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide by mouse macrophages. Further studies on cytokines secreted by mouse macrophages showed a significant increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that edible mushroom proteins promote the polarisation of macrophages into classical M1-type macrophages, further demonstrating that edible mushroom proteins enhance immunity. It was also found that the immunomodulatory activity of the precious edible mushroom proteins was significantly higher than that of the common edible mushroom proteins. These results have important implications for the processing and product development of edible mushroom proteins.
DNA methylation regulatory patterns and underlying pathways behind the co-pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria
Authors: Yang Zijiang , Wen Puqiao , Chen Jing , Kang Jian , Xiang Yaping , Ding Shu , Gao Lihua , Tong Xiaoliang , Guo Aiyuan
Published: January 2023

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) are often concurrent in patients. Changes in DNA methylation affect T cell biological processes, which may explain the occurrence and progression of comorbidity. However, downstream regulatory pathways of DNA methylation in two diseases and the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated.

Methods

The GSE50101, GSE72541, GSE50222 and OEP002482 were mined for the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) or co-expressed genes and differentially methylated genes (DMGs) in AR and CSU patients. We applied GO analysis and consensus clustering to study the potential functions and signal pathways of selected genes in two diseases. GSVA and logistic regression analysis were used to find the regulatory pathway between DNA methylation and activation patterns of CD4+ T cells. Besides, we used the Illumina 850k chip to detect DNA methylation expression profiles and recognize the differentially methylated CpG positions (DMPs) on corresponding genes. Finally, we annotated the biological process of these genes using GO and KEGG pathway analysis.

Result

The AR-related DEGs were found closely related to the differentiation and activation of CD4+ T cells. The DEGs or co-expressed genes of CD4+ T cells in AR and CSU patients were also clustered using GO and KEGG analysis and we got 57 co-regulatory pathways. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that the regulation of cellular component size was closely related to the activation of CD4+ T cells regulated by DNA methylation. We got self-tested data using the Illumina 850k chip and identified 98 CpGs that were differentially methylated in patients. Finally, we mapped the DMPs to 15 genes and found that they were mainly enriched in the same CD4+T cell regulating pathway.

Conclusion

Our study indicated that DNA methylation affected by pollen participated in the activation patterns of CD4 + T cells, providing a novel direction for the symptomatic treatment of the co-occurrence of AR and CSU.
Cancer organoid co-culture model system: Novel approach to guide precision medicine
Authors: Yuan Jin , Li Xiaoyang , Yu Shengji
Published: January 2023

Three-dimensional cancer organoids derived from self-organizing cancer stems are ex vivo miniatures of tumors that faithfully recapitulate their structure, distinctive cancer features, and genetic signatures. As novel tools, current cancer organoids have been well established and rapidly applied in drug testing, genome editing, and transplantation, with the ultimate aim of entering clinical practice for guiding personalized therapy. However, given that the lack of a tumor microenvironment, including immune cells and fibrous cells, is a major limitation of this emerging methodology, co-culture models inspire high hope for further application of this technology in cancer research. Co-culture of cancer organoids and immune cells or fibroblasts is available to investigate the tumor microenvironment, molecular interactions, and chimeric antigen receptor-engineered lymphocytes in cancer treatment. In light of the recent progress in cancer organoid co-culture models, it is only possible to recognize the advantages and drawbacks of this novel model to exploit its full potential. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the application of cancer organoids and co-culture models and how they could be improved in the future to benefit cancer research, especially precision medicine.
Single-cell profiling reveals distinct subsets of CD14+ monocytes drive blood immune signatures of active tuberculosis
Authors: Hillman Hannah , Khan Nabeela , Singhania Akul , Dubelko Paige , Soldevila Ferran , Tippalagama Rashmi , DeSilva Aruna D. , Gunasena Bandu , Perera Judy , Scriba Thomas J. , Ontong Cynthia , Fisher Michelle , Luabeya Angelique , Taplitz Randy , Seumois Gregory , Vijayanand Pandurangan , Hedrick Catherine C. , Peters Bjoern , Burel Julie G.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Previous studies suggest that monocytes are an important contributor to tuberculosis (TB)-specific immune signatures in blood.

Methods

Here, we carried out comprehensive single-cell profiling of monocytes in paired blood samples of active TB (ATB) patients at diagnosis and mid-treatment, and healthy controls.

Results

At diagnosis, ATB patients displayed increased monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, increased frequency of CD14+CD16- and intermediate CD14+CD16+ monocytes, and upregulation of interferon signaling genes that significantly overlapped with previously reported blood TB signatures in both CD14+ subsets. In this cohort, we identified additional transcriptomic and functional changes in intermediate CD14+CD16+ monocytes, such as the upregulation of inflammatory and MHC-II genes, and increased capacity to activate T cells, reflecting overall increased activation in this population. Single-cell transcriptomics revealed that distinct subsets of intermediate CD14+CD16+ monocytes were responsible for each gene signature, indicating significant functional heterogeneity within this population. Finally, we observed that changes in CD14+ monocytes were transient, as they were no longer observed in the same ATB patients mid-treatment, suggesting they are associated with disease resolution.

Discussion

Together, our study demonstrates for the first time that both intermediate and classical monocytes individually contribute to blood immune signatures of ATB and identifies novel subsets and associated gene signatures that may hold disease relevance.
The antihypertensive effect of remote ischemic conditioning in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Li Xiaohua , Ren Changhong , Li Sijie , Zhao Wenbo , Wang Peifu , Ji Xunming
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Limb remote ischemic conditioning (LRIC) may be an effective method to control hypertension. This study investigated whether LRIC decreases blood pressure by regulating the hypertensive inflammatory response in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Method

The SHR and aged-matched Wistar rats with different ages were randomly assigned to the SHR group, SHR+LRIC group, Wistar group, and Wistar + LRIC group. LRIC was conducted by tightening a tourniquet around the upper thigh and releasing it for three cycles daily (10 mins x3 cycles). Blood pressure, the percentage of monocytes and T lymphocytes, and the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the blood were analyzed.

Results

The blood pressure of SHR was significantly higher than that of age-matched Wistar rats. LRIC decreased blood pressure in SHR at different ages (4, 8, and 16 weeks old), but had no effect on the blood pressure in Wistar rats. Flow cytometry analysis showed that blood monocytes and CD8 T cells of SHR were higher than those of Wistar rats. LRIC significantly decreased the percentage of monocytes and CD8 T cells in SHR. Consistent with the changes of immune cells, the levels of plasma IL-6 and TNF-α in SHR were also higher. And LRIC attenuated the plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels in SHR.

Conclusion

LRIC may decreased the blood pressure via modulation of the inflammatory response in SHR.
β-hydroxybutyrate enhances bovine neutrophil adhesion by inhibiting autophagy
Authors: He Jiyuan , Wang Kexin , Liu Mingchao , Zeng Wen , Li Dong , Majigsuren Zolzaya , Batbaatar Tugsjargal , Li Yunfei , Liu Siyuan , Du Xiliang , Lei Lin , Song Yuxiang , Liu Guowen
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Subclinical ketosis (SCK) in dairy cows, a common metabolic disorder during the perinatal period, is accompanied by systemic inflammation and a high concentration of blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). BHB induced adhesion of neutrophils may play a crucial role in the development of systemic inflammation in SCK cows. Autophagy, an intracellular degradation system, regulates the recycling of membrane adhesion molecules and may be involved in BHB regulating adhesion and pro-inflammatory activation of bovine neutrophils. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the relationship between BHB, autophagy, and neutrophil adhesion.

Results and discussion

Here, elevated abundance of serum amyloid A, haptoglobin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were found in SCK cows, and all these pro-inflammatory factors had a strong positive correlation with serum BHB. After BHB treatment, the number of adherent neutrophils and the adhesion associated protein abundance of both total and membrane CD11a, CD11b, and CD18 was greater, confirming that BHB promoted the adhesion of bovine neutrophils. However, the mRNA abundance of ITGAL (CD11a), ITGAM (CD11b), and ITGB2 (CD18) did not show a significant difference, suggesting that the degradation of adhesion molecules may be impaired. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a decreased number of autophagosomes and a decrease in mRNA abundance of SQSTM1 (p62) and MAP1LC3B (LC3) after BHB treatment. In parallel, protein abundance of p62 increased while the ratio of protein LC3 II to LC3 I decreased after BHB treatment, indicating that BHB inhibits autophagy of bovine neutrophils. To confirm the regulatory role of autophagy in BHB promoting neutrophil adhesion, we used an autophagy activator rapamycin (RAPA). Data showed that RAPA relieved the inhibitory effect on autophagy and the promotive effect on cell adhesion induced by BHB. Importantly, BHB inhibited the colocalization of LC3 and CD11b, which was relieved by RAPA, further confirming the regulatory role of autophagy in the recycling of the above adhesion molecules. Furthermore, BHB treatment increased the mRNA abundance and the release of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1B, IL-6, and TNF of bovine neutrophils, and these effects were attenuated by RAPA. Overall, the present study revealed that BHB promotes the adhesion of bovine neutrophils by inhibiting autophagy.
Contact screening and management in a high-transmission MDR-TB setting in Papua New Guinea: Progress, challenges and future directions
Authors: Majumdar Suman S. , Islam Shahidul , Huang G. Khai Lin , Morris Lucy , Bauri Mathias , Chan Geoff , Kama Gabriel , Keam Tess , Peacock-Smith Abby , Finch Stacia , Marukutira Tafireyi , Bhatt Shivani , Drewett George , Wratten Melanie , Murray Alexa , Pank Naomi , Masah Christopher , Bala Ruth , Umali Scott , Kalon Stobdan , Greig Jane , Chani Kudakwashe , Kal Margaret , Graham Stephen Michael
Published: January 2023

Daru, South Fly District, Papua New Guinea is a high transmission setting for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). An emergency response by the Government in 2014 established a high-quality model for treatment and care. Household contact screening and management commenced in 2016 with TB preventive treatment (TPT) for well young child (<5 years) contacts of people with drug-susceptible TB and later expanded to young child contacts of MDR-TB. The model of care is community-based and led by non-specialist health workers, under supervision. An electronic medical record system supports care, reporting and operational research. Community engagement and education has been central, with a concerted focus on peer-led counselling and patient-centred services to improve TPT uptake and completion. Challenges include the application of households as the unit of intervention for detection of active TB and TPT provision. Our implementation experience in Daru has highlighted significant population mixing dynamics with most transmission likely occurring outside the household. We propose a community-wide screening approach with the provision of TPT based on testing to include older children, adolescents, and young adults. As there is the possibility of MDR-TB infection irrespective of the drug susceptibility of the household index case, a novel option is a combination TPT regimen of 6 months of daily isoniazid and levofloxacin (6HLfx). A sensitive aged-related algorithm to detect and exclude active TB is being developed. Ongoing community engagement, quality data systems with operational research to evaluate approaches are critical in high transmission MDR-TB settings.
The current and future seasonal geographic distribution of largehead hairtail Trichiurus japonicus in the Beibu Gulf, South China Sea
Authors: Xiong Pengli , Xu Youwei , Sun Mingshuai , Zhou Xingxing , Jiang Peiwen , Chen Zuozhi , Fan Jiangtao
Published: January 2023

Largehead hairtail Trichiurus japonicus is a major commercial fish species in the Beibu Gulf of the northwestern South China Sea. Despite much effort to protect the fishery resource, the current stock of T. japonicus is overexploited. As the impacts of climate change unfold globally, seasonal changes in the distribution of largehead hairtail in the Beibu Gulf have not yet been clarified. Maximum entropy model based on mixed layer depth and salinity were projected onto seasonal habitat changes of T. japonicus in the Beibu Gulf under a current scenario and three different Representative Concentration Pathways (126, 370, 585) to evaluate geographic distribution changes under the different climate-change scenarios. The current geographic distribution results showed variation with seasonality, as the wintering population shifts toward the northeast. Under each of three SSP scenarios, there is higher risk to habitat suitability in the 2090s as compared with that in the 2050s. The disadvantage to T. japonicus distribution is greatest in winter under each of the three climate change scenarios, both in the short- and long-term. Potential suitable habitat distributions have a minor range extension in Representative Concentration Pathway 370–2050 winter, but in the rest of the scenes and years they contract to south of the Beibu Gulf. The overall results indicate that seasonal differences in suitable habitat should be considered to ensure effective planning of future management strategies for T. japonicus.
Typhoon cloud image prediction based on enhanced multi-scale deep neural network
Authors: Wang Xin , Qin Mengjiao , Zhang Zhe , Wang Yuanyuan , Du Zhenhong , Wang Nan
Published: January 2023

Typhoons threaten individuals’ lives and property. The accurate prediction of typhoon activity is crucial for reducing those threats and for risk assessment. Satellite images are widely used in typhoon research because of their wide coverage, timeliness, and relatively convenient acquisition. They are also important data sources for typhoon cloud image prediction. Studies on typhoon cloud image prediction have rarely used multi-scale features, which cause significant information loss and lead to fuzzy predictions with insufficient detail. Therefore, we developed an enhanced multi-scale deep neural network (EMSN) to predict a 3-hour-advance typhoon cloud image, which has two parts: a feature enhancement module and a feature encode-decode module. The inputs of the EMSN were eight consecutive images, and a feature enhancement module was applied to extract features from the historical inputs. To consider that the images of different time steps had different contributions to the output result, we used channel attention in this module to enhance important features. Because of the spatially correlated and spatially heterogeneous information at different scales, the feature encode-decode module used ConvLSTMs to capture spatiotemporal features at different scales. In addition, to reduce information loss during downsampling, skip connections were implemented to maintain more low-level information. To verify the effectiveness and applicability of our proposed EMSN, we compared various algorithms and explored the strengths and limitations of the model. The experimental results demonstrated that the EMSN efficiently and accurately predicted typhoon cloud images with higher quality than in the literature.
The volume of infusion fluids correlates with treatment outcomes in critically ill trauma patients
Authors: Wrzosek Anna , Drygalski Tomasz , Garlicki Jarosław , Woroń Jarosław , Szpunar Wojciech , Polak Maciej , Droś Jakub , Wordliczek Jerzy , Zajączkowska Renata
Published: January 2023

Background

Appropriate fluid management is essential in the treatment of critically ill trauma patients. Both insufficient and excessive fluid volume can be associated with worse outcomes. Intensive fluid resuscitation is a crucial element of early resuscitation in trauma; however, excessive fluid infusion may lead to fluid accumulation and consequent complications such as pulmonary edema, cardiac failure, impaired bowel function, and delayed wound healing. The aim of this study was to examine the volumes of fluids infused in critically ill trauma patients during the first hours and days of treatment and their relationship to survival and outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively screened records of all consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from the beginning of 2019 to the end of 2020. All adults who were admitted to ICU after trauma and were hospitalized for a minimum of 2 days were included in the study. We used multivariate regression analysis models to assess a relationship between volume of infused fluid or fluid balance, age, ISS or APACHE II score, and mortality. We also compared volumes of fluids in survivors and non-survivors including additional analyses in subgroups depending on disease severity (ISS score, APACHE II score), blood loss, and age.

Results

A total of 52 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. The volume of infused fluids and fluid balance were positively correlated with mortality, complication rate, time on mechanical ventilation, length of stay in the ICU, INR, and APTT. Fluid volumes were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors at the end of the second day of ICU stay (2.77 vs. 2.14 ml/kg/h) and non-survivors had a highly positive fluid balance (6.21 compared with 2.48 L in survivors).

Conclusion

In critically ill trauma patients, worse outcomes were associated with higher volumes of infusion fluids and a more positive fluid balance. Although fluid resuscitation is lifesaving, especially in the first hours after trauma, fluid infusion should be limited to a necessary minimum to avoid fluid overload and its negative consequences.
Effects of ABO blood groups and RH-factor on COVID-19 transmission, course and outcome: A review
Authors: Abuawwad Mohammad T. , Taha Mohammad J. J. , Abu-Ismail Luai , Alrubasy Warda A. , Sameer Shams Khalid , Abuawwad Ibrahim T. , Al-Bustanji Yaqeen , Nashwan Abdulqadir J.
Published: January 2023

ABO and Rh blood grouping systems are two of the non-modifiable risk factors that play an important role in the susceptibility, severity and outcomes of COVID-19 infection. This review explores these associations all over the world, in an attempt to conclude a clear idea for future reference in clinical practice. In the present review, a link has been drawn between blood groups and COVID-19 transmission, course and prognosis, as literature suggests that blood group O plays a protective role against the infection, while blood group A exhibits a higher risk of exacerbation. In contrast with Rh negative individuals, Rh positive individuals are prone to more severe infection and complications, despite the fact that the underlying mechanisms of this association remain understudied. Nevertheless, the connection remains subject to controversy; since some studies report doubts about it. Thus, this association requires further investigation.
Predictive model for prolonged length of hospital stay in patients with osteoporotic femoral neck fracture: A 5-year retrospective study
Authors: Manosroi Worapaka , Koetsuk Lattapol , Phinyo Phichayut , Danpanichkul Pojsakorn , Atthakomol Pichitchai
Published: January 2023

Prolonged length of stay (LOS) in osteoporotic femoral neck fracture patients increased the hospital care cost and demonstrated in-hospital complications. This study aimed to develop an ease-of use predictive model of prolonged LOS in osteoporotic femoral neck fracture patients. In this 5-year retrospective study, the medical charts of 255 patients admitted to hospital with an osteoporotic femoral neck fracture resulting from a simple fall from January 2014 to December 2018 were reviewed. Multivariable fractional polynomials (MFP) algorithms was applied to develop the predictive model from candidate predictors of prolonged LOS. The discrimination performance of predictive model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Internal validity was assessed using bootstrapping. From 289 patients who were hospitalized with an osteoporotic fracture of femoral neck throughout this study, 255 (88%) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There was 54.90% (140 of 255 patients) of patients who had prolonged LOS. The predictors of the predictive model were age, BMI, ASA score class 3 or 4, arthroplasty and time from injury to surgery. The area under ROC curve of the model was 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.77–0.88). Internal validation with bootstrap re-sampling revealed an optimism of −0.002 (range −0.300–0.296) with an estimated shrinkage factor of 0.907 for the predictive model. The current predictive model developed from preoperative predictors which had a good discriminative ability to differentiate between length of hospitalization less than 14 days and prolonged LOS in osteoporotic femoral neck patients. This model can be applied as ease-of use calculator application to help patients, their families and clinicians make appropriate decisions in terms of treatment planning, postoperative care program, and cost-effectiveness before patients receiving the definitive treatments.
Analysis of drug resistance among difficult-to-treat tuberculosis patients in Ghana identifies several pre-XDR TB cases
Authors: Otchere Isaac Darko , Morgan Portia Abena , Asare Prince , Osei-Wusu Stephen , Aboagye Samuel Yaw , Yirenkyi Stephen Ofori , Musah Abdul Basit , Danso Emelia Konadu , Tetteh-Ocloo Georgina , Afum Theophilus , Asante-Poku Adwoa , Laryea Clement , Poku Yaw Adusi , Bonsu Frank , Gagneux Sebastien , Yeboah-Manu Dorothy
Published: January 2023

Background

Resistance to tuberculosis (TB) drugs has become a major threat to global control efforts. Early case detection and drug susceptibility profiling of the infecting bacteria are essential for appropriate case management. The objective of this study was to determine the drug susceptibility profiles of difficult-to-treat (DTT) TB patients in Ghana.

Methods

Sputum samples obtained from DTT-TB cases from health facilities across Ghana were processed for rapid diagnosis and detection of drug resistance using the Genotype MTBDRplus and Genotype MTBDRsl.v2 from Hain Life science.

Results

A total of 298 (90%) out of 331 sputum samples processed gave interpretable bands out of which 175 (58.7%) were resistant to at least one drug (ANYr); 16.8% (50/298) were isoniazid-mono-resistant (INHr), 16.8% (50/298) were rifampicin-mono-resistant (RIFr), and 25.2% (75/298) were MDR. 24 (13.7%) of the ANYr were additionally resistant to at least one second line drug: 7.4% (2 RIFr, 1 INHr, and 10 MDR samples) resistant to only FQs and 2.3% (2 RIFr, 1 INHr, and 1 MDR samples) resistant to AMG drugs kanamycin (KAN), amikacin (AMK), capreomycin (CAP), and viomycin (VIO). Additionally, there were 4.0% (5 RIFr and 2 MDR samples) resistant to both FQs and AMGs. 81 (65.6%) out of 125 INH-resistant samples including INHr and MDR had katG-mutations (MT) whereas 15 (12%) had inhApro-MT. The remaining 28 (22.4%) had both katG and inhA MT. All the 19 FQ-resistant samples were gyrA mutants whereas the 10 AMGs were rrs (3), eis (3) as well as rrs, and eis co-mutants (4). Except for the seven pre-XDR samples, no sample had eis MT.

Conclusion

The detection of several pre-XDR TB cases in Ghana calls for intensified drug resistance surveillance and monitoring of TB patients to, respectively, ensure early diagnosis and treatment compliance.