mlsa-iai-msu-lab/ru_sci_bench_zho_cite_reranking huggingface dataset:
Rainfall patterns of Algerian steppes and the impacts on natural vegetation in the 20~(th) century

Since 1960,the steppe regions of North Africa have been subject to an increasing desertification,including the degradation of traditional pastures.The initially dominant species(Artemisia herba-alba,Lygeum spartum and Stipa tenacissima) declined and were progressively replaced by other species(Atractylis serratuloides and Salsola vermiculata) that are more tolerant to the new conditions.It is not clear whether these changes are due to anthropogenic reasons or climatic determinism.We have carried out a statistical analysis of the climate to detect putative rainfall changes during the 20th century in the Algerian steppes based on data from 9 meteorological stations,including 2 Saharan stations(El Oued and Touggourt),3 pre-Saharan stations(Biskra,Laghouat and Ain Sefra) and 4 steppe stations(Djelfa,Saida,Mecheria and El-Bayadh) located in the arid high plains,which represent the bioclimate diversities of the region.Previous studies suggested that significant rainfall changes for the 20~(th) century only had records in the south of the Oran region.Most of the studies,however,looked at restricted territories over limited periods,and did not integrate the rainiest period 2004–2014.Our work is designed to integrate all the longest time series of meteorological data available for the steppe regions of Algeria.Our results confirm the spatial rainfall distribution(significant rainfall changes only recorded in the southwestern region) evidenced by previous studies,and reveal a decreasing rainfall gradient from northeastern to southwestern Algeria.Moreover,the results reveal a trend of significant decrease of rainfall in the southern Oran region,marked by two drought periods in 1980–1985 and 1999–2003.However,with the exception of the southwestern region,rainfall overall has not declined since the beginning of the 20th century.While less marked in other regions,the drought appear to have affected all territories of the Algerian steppe.Consequently,our study implies that the climate was not a leading influence in the on-going degradation of the vegetation cover of steppe landscapes.Such a vegetation evolution thus appears to be have been determined more by human activities than by climate forcing.
Performance of different drought indices for agriculture drought in the North China Plain

The Palmer drought severity index(PDSI),standardized precipitation index(SPI),and standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index(SPEI) are used worldwide for drought assessment and monitoring.However,substantial differences exist in the performance for agricultural drought among these indices and among regions.Here,we performed statistical assessments to compare the strengths of different drought indices for agricultural drought in the North China Plain.Small differences were detected in the comparative performances of SPI and SPEI that were smaller at the long-term scale than those at the short-term scale.The correlation between SPI/SPEI and PDSI considerably increased from 1-to 12-month lags,and a slight decreasing trend was exhibited during 12-and 24-month lags,indicating a 12-month scale in the PDSI,whereas the SPI was strongly correlated with the SPEI at 1-to 24-month lags.Interestingly,the correlation between the trend of temperature and the mean absolute error and its correlation coefficient both suggested stronger relationships between SPI and the SPEI in areas of rapid climate warming.In addition,the yield–drought correlations tended to be higher for the SPI and SPEI than that for the PDSI at the station scale,whereas small differences were detected between the SPI and SPEI in the performance on agricultural systems.However,large differences in the influence of drought conditions on the yields of winter wheat and summer maize were evident among various indices during the crop-growing season.Our findings suggested that multi-indices in drought monitoring are needed in order to acquire robust conclusions.
Structure and ontogeny of successive cambia in Tetrastigma (Vitaceae), the host plants of Rafflesiaceae

Successive cambia in Vitaceae have been reported solely for Tetrastigma, a diverse genus of lianas found primarily in tropical Asia, extending into Australia. However, the structure and origin of these successive cambia have never been fully studied. Here we report the presence of this cambial variant in Tetrastigma retinervum and T. voinierianum, and describe its ontogeny in detail in the latter. New cambia appear successively in stems of Tetrastigma differentiating from the innermost parenchyma cells of the primary phloem, which are located interior to the pericyclic fiber strands. This study constitutes the first report of successive cambia being derived from primary phloem parenchyma in woody plants as a whole. Both species are members of Tetrastigma clade VI, the most species-rich lineage within the genus. The examination of mature stems of additional species of Tetrastigma should determine the distribution of this unique type of cambial variant in the genus and enhance our understanding of the adaptive significance of this unusual character.
Improved Base Editor for Efficiently Inducing Genetic Variations in Rice with CRISPR/Cas9-Guided Hyperactive hAID Mutant

Dear Editor, Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is an abundant form of genetic variation among individuals in plant species, which has been believed to have effects on the gene function responsible for phenotypic diversity. Utilization of functional SNPs associated with diverse important agronomic traits is of great value in crop improvements. Recently, a simple base editing system, which introduces a single-nucleotide change in genes of interest for generating gain-of-function mutants, has been developed in plants (Li et al., 2017; Lu and Zhu, 2017; Ren et al., 2017),in which Cas9(D10A) nickase is engineered with the rat cytosine deaminase (APOBEC1) and the uracil glycosylase inhibitor (UGI). Under the guidance of sgRNA, the Cas9n fusion protein is directed to the target locus in the genome, deaminating cytidines (C) in the editing window (13-19 bp before the PAM sequence) into uridines (U) and enabling the introduction of thymines (T), adenines (A) or guanines (G) during DNA replication (Li et al., 2017; Lu and Zhu, 2017; Ren et al., 2017). However, consistent with the observation that the AID/APOBEC family members have differential sensitivities to the 5' nucleotide preceding the target C (Beale et al., 2004; Komor et al., 2016,2017), APOBEC1 shows a striking preference for TC, and the editing efficiency of GC,in general, is quite low. To broaden the application of base editing technology in rice, which is characterized by high GC content, here we further optimize our rBE system with human AID (hAID), another type of cytosine deaminase with a priority on GC and AC (Beale et al., 2004), to introduce desired point mutations in the target region for gene correction or modification as a proof of concept.
Attractor landscape analysis of the cardiac signaling network reveals mechanism-based therapeutic strategies for heart failure

Apoptosis and hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes are the primary causes of heart failure (HF), a global leading cause of death, and are regulated through the complicated intracellular signaling network, limiting the development of effective treatments due to its complexity. To identify effective therapeutic strategies for HF at a system level, we develop a large-scale comprehensive mathematical model of the cardiac signaling network by integrating all available experimental evidence. Attractor landscape analysis of the network model identifies distinct sets of control nodes that effectively suppress apoptosis and hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes under ischemic or pressure overload-induced HF, the two major types of HF. Intriguingly, our system-level analysis suggests that intervention of these control nodes may increase the efficacy of clinical drugs for HF and, of most importance, different combinations of control nodes are suggested as potentially effective candidate drug targets depending on the types of HF. Our study provides a systematic way of developing mechanism-based therapeutic strategies for HF.
The Intronic cis Element SE1 Recruits trans-Acting Repressor Complexes to Repress the Expression of ELONGATED UPPERMOST INTERNODE1 in Rice

Plant height has a major effect on grain yield in crops such as rice (Oryza sativa), and the hormone gibberellic acid (GA) regulates many developmental processes that feed into plant height. Rice ELONGATED UPPERMOST INTERNODE1 (Eui1) encodes a GA-deactivating enzyme governing elongation of the uppermost internode. The expression of Eui1 is finely tuned, thereby maintaining homeostasis of endogenous bioactive GA and producing plants of normal plant height. Here, we identified a dominant dwarf mutant, dEuil, caused by the deletion of an RY motif-containing cis-silencing element (SE1) in the intron of Eui1. Detailed genetic and molecular analysis of SE1 revealed that this intronic c/s element recruits at least one trans-acting repressor complex, containing the B3 repressors OsVAL2 and OsGD1, the SAP18 corepressor, and the histone deacetylase OsHDA710, to negatively regulate the expression of Eui1. This complex generates closed chromatin at Eui1, suppressing Eui1 expression and modulating GA homeostasis. Loss of SE1 or dysfunction of the complex components impairs histone deacetylation and H3K27me3 methylation of Eui1 chromatin, thereby increasing Eui1 transcription and decreasing bioactive GA, producing dwarfism in rice. Together, our results reveal a novel silencing mechanism in which the intronic cis element SE1 negatively regulates Eui1 expression via repressor complexes that modulate histone deacetylation and/or methylation.
Analgesic effect of AG490, a Janus kinase inhibitor, on oxaliplatin-induced acute neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain often occurs during chemotherapy with oxaliplatin. AG490 has been shown to exert an antagonistic effect on inflammatory pain, but its effect on oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain remains poorly understood. This study sought to observe the analgesic effect of AG490 on acute neuropathic pain induced by a single oxaliplatin treatment and to address the possible mechanism. In this study, we established a model of oxaliplatin-induced acute neuropathic pain by intraperitoneal injection of 6 mg/kg oxaliplatin. On day 2 after injection, models were intraperitoneally injected with 1, 5, or 10 mg/kg AG490. Paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimuli and tail withdrawal latency to cold stimuli were determined. Western blot assay was performed to detect the expression of spinal phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3). Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the immunoreactivity of p-STAT3 and interleukin- 6. Results demonstrated that paw withdrawal threshold and tail withdrawal latency were significantly increased by the treatment of AG490 in rats. There was no significant difference in the effect among the different doses of AG490. AG490 10 mg/kg decreased the expression of p-STAT3, the immunoreactivity of p-STAT3 and interleukin-6 in spinal cord of acute neuropathic pain rats. These findings confirm that AG490 can attenuate oxaliplatin-induced acute neuropathic pain and is associated with the inhibition in the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway.
Gualou Guizhi decoction promotes neurological functional recovery and neurogenesis following focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

Recovery following stroke involves neurogenesis and axonal remodeling within the ischemic brain. Gualou Guizhi decoction (GLGZD) is a Chinese traditional medicine used for the treatment of post-stroke limb spasm. GLGZD has been reported to have neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemic injury. However, the effects of GLGZD on neurogenesis and axonal remodeling following cerebral ischemia remain unknown. In this study, a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Neurological function was assessed immediately after reperfusion using Longa’s 5-point scoring system. The rats were randomly divided into vehicle and GLGZD groups. Rats in the sham group were given sham operation. The rats in the GLGZD group were intragastrically administered GLGZD, once daily, for 14 consecutive days. The rats in the vehicle and sham groups were intragastrically administered distilled water. Modified neurological severity score test, balance beam test and foot fault test were used to assess motor functional changes. Nissl staining was performed to evaluate histopathological changes in the brain. Immunofluorescence staining was used to examine cell proliferation using the marker 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) as well as expression of the neural precursor marker doublecortin (DCX), the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the axon regeneration marker growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43). GLGZD substantially mitigated pathological injury, increased the number of BrdU, DCX and GFAP-immunoreactive cells in the subventricular zone of the ischemic hemisphere, increased GAP-43 expression in the cortical peri-infarct region, and improved motor function. These findings suggest that GLGZD promotes neurological functional recovery by increasing cell proliferation, enhancing axonal regeneration, and increasing the numbers of neuronal precursors and astrocytes in the peri-infarct area.
Ginkgolide B promotes the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, both in vivo and in vitro

Neural stem cells have great potential for the development of novel therapies for nervous system diseases. However, the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells following brain ischemia is insufficient for central nervous system self-repair. Ginkgolide B has a robust neuroprotective effect. In this study, we investigated the cell and molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effect of ginkgolide B on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in vitro and in vivo. Neural stem cells were treated with 20, 40 and 60 mg/L ginkgolide B in vitro. Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess cellular expression of neuron-specific enolase, glial fibrillary acid protein and suppressor of cytokine signaling 2. After treatment with 40 and 60 mg/L ginkgolide B, cells were large, with long processes. Moreover, the proportions of neuron-specific enolase-, glial fibrillary acid protein- and suppressor of cytokine signaling 2-positive cells increased. A rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Six hours after ischemia, ginkgolide B (20 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected, once a day. Zea Longa’s method was used to assess neurological function. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the proportion of nestin-, neuron-specific enolase- and glial fibrillary acid protein-positive cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and epidermal growth factor. Western blot assay was used to analyze the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and suppressor of cytokine signaling 2. Ginkgolide B decreased the neurological deficit score, increased the proportion of nestin-, neuron-specific enolase- and glial fibrillary acid protein-positive cells, increased the mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and epidermal growth factor, and increased the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 in the ischemic penumbra. Together, the in vivo and in vitro findings suggest that ginkgolide B improves neurological function by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Transcript Profiling Reveals Abscisic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Jasmonic-Isoleucine Pathways Involved in High Regenerative Capacities of Immature Embryos Compared with Mature Seeds in japonica Rice

Induced pluripotent cell mass plays a role in genetic transformation mediated by Agrobacterium. Mature seeds are more recalcitrant to the induction of suitable calli than immature embryos in rice, but the exact molecular mechanisms involved remain elusive. In this study, the morphological structure of calli induced from mature seeds and immature embryos were observed under a scanning electron microscope using a paraffin embedded technique. Meanwhile, a total of 2 173 upand down-regulated genes were identified in calli induced from mature seeds and immature embryos by RNA-seq technique and furtherly confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. The results revealed the remarkable morphological differences in calli induced from mature seeds and immature embryos, and plant hormone signal transduction and hormone biosynthesis pathways, such as abscisic acid, salicylic acid and jasmonic-isoleucine, were found to play roles in somatic embryogenesis. This study provided comprehensive gene expression sets for mature seeds and immature embryos that were served as an important platform resource for further functional studies in plant embryogenesis.
QTL Analysis for Grain Iron and Zinc Concentrations in Two O. nivara Derived Backcross Populations

Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain mineral elements can assist in faster and more precise development of micronutrient dense rice varieties through marker-assisted breeding. In the present study, QTLs were mapped for Fe and Zn concentrations in two BC2F3 mapping populations derived from the crosses of O. sativa cv Swarna with two different accessions of O. nivara. In all, 10 and 8 QTLs were identified for grain Fe and Zn concentrations in population 1, and 7 and 5 QTLs were identified in population 2, respectively. Eighty percent of the QTLs detected in both populations were derived from O. nivara. Five QTLs for Fe and three QTLs for Zn explained more than 15% phenotypic variance either in interval or composite interval mapping. The locations of O. nivara derived QTLs such as qFe2.1, qFe3.1, qFe8.2 and qZn12.1 were consistently identified in both the populations. Epistatic interaction was observed only between RM106 and RM6 on chromosome 2 and between RM22 and RM7 on chromosome 3 for Fe concentration in population 1. Sixteen candidate genes for metal homeostasis were found to co-locate with 10 QTLs for Fe and Zn concentrations in both the populations. Most of the Fe and Zn QTLs were found to co-locate with QTLs for grain yield and grain quality traits. Some of the major effect QTLs identified can be used to improve rice grain Fe and Zn concentrations.
Effect of distances between lens and sample surface on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with spatial confinement

Spatial confinement can significantly enhance the spectral intensity of laser-induced plasma in air. It is attributed to the compression of plasma plume by the reflected shockwave. In addition, optical emission spectroscopy of laser-induced plasma can also be affected by the distance between lens and sample surface. In order to obtain the optimized spectral intensity, the distance must be considered. In this work, spatially confined laser-induced silicon plasma by using a Nd: YAG nanosecond laser at different distances between lens and sample surface was investigated. The laser energies were 12 mJ, 16 mJ, 20 mJ, and 24 mJ. All experiments were carried out in an atmospheric environment. The results indicated that the intensity of Si (I) 390.55 nm line firstly rose and then dropped with the increase of lens-to-sample distance. Moreover, the spectral peak intensity with spatial confinement was higher than that without spatial confinement. The enhancement ratio was approximately 2 when laser energy was 24 mJ.
冲压模具智能检测系统的开发

随着冲压模具行业的发展,对模具的精度要求越来越高.针对目前国内冲压模具监控的不完善和自动化程度低等问题,提出了一套完整的模具智能检测系统,包括针对于拉延工序平衡块和顶杆的压力检测、模具型面的温度和异物检测、废料滑槽的检测以及模具斜楔复位检测等.本套智能检测系统通过对大量监控数据的采集,完善了模具工装运行状态的检测,为模具工装的使用状态及使用过程中的质量监控提供了一个可量化的监控参考.
基于逆变器死区补偿电流极性检测方法的改进

在传统坐标变换法的基础上,提出了一种改进坐标变换法的电流极性检测方法.首先将三相定子电流通过dq变换到同步旋转坐标系下,利用低通滤波器对变换后的电流进行滤波;然后通过2/3变换矩阵,将滤波后的旋转坐标系下两相直流电流转换成基波三相交流电流,进而可以直接判断三相电流的极性.实验表明该方法简单易于实现,检测速率高,具有良好工程应用价值.
电针对肾虚不孕女性卵巢颗粒细胞凋亡的影响研究

目的探讨电针对肾虚不孕女性卵巢颗粒细胞凋亡的影响及可能的作用机制。方法选取行体外受精-胚胎移植的不孕症患者80例,按照随机数字表法分为治疗组(电针+ IVF),对照组(假针刺+IVF),每组各40例,两组患者均于促性腺激素释放激素激动剂(GnRH - a)降调节当天开始电针或者假针刺,隔日1次,每次25min,至人绒毛膜促性腺激素(HCG)注射日停药。观察两组患者获卵数、优卵率、获胚数、优质胚胎率、颗粒细胞凋亡率以及p53mRNA、BadmRNA水平。结果治疗组,优卵率、获胚数、优质胚胎率以及颗粒细胞凋亡率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗组的p53mRNA、BadmRNA的表达均明显低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P <0. 05)。结论电针可有效抑制不孕患者颗粒细胞P53mRNA、BadmRNA的表达,提高患者获卵数、优质胚胎率,改善肾虚症状。
茵陈蒿汤加减分阶段治疗母儿ABO血型不合的应用进展研究

孕前服用茵陈蒿汤可有效降低孕妇血清Ig G抗A或抗B的血型抗体效价以降低流产率,较少新生儿ABO溶血的发病率,产后可通过促进婴儿降低血清胆红素浓度改善患儿黄疸症状,虽然孕期服药安全性仍处于探索之中,但仍值得临床推广应用。
376例结节性甲状腺肿患者的中医证候分布规律探究

目的通过临床调研南京市鼓楼区结节性甲状腺肿患者的中医证候,探讨该病的中医证候分布规律。方法采用横断面调查在南京中医药大学附属医院确诊为结节性甲状腺肿的376例患者,分析各证候的分布规律,并对中医证候与年龄、性别、病程、甲状腺功能及结节最大直径之间的相关性进行分析。结果376例结节性甲状腺肿患者的中医证候以气滞痰凝证最多见(40.4%),其次分别为肝郁脾虚证(18.6%)、气阴两虚证(16.7%)、痰瘀互结证(16.1%)、脾肾阳虚证(8.2%)。病机主要以气滞、痰凝、血瘀为特征。男女性别比为1:4.9,年龄分布为46~55岁最多见,占28.7%,其次为36~45岁,占24.5%。脾肾阳虚证的病程较气滞痰凝、痰瘀互结证长,差异具有统计学意义(P < 0.05)。甲状腺功能在各组间无明显差异,但气阴两虚证的促甲状腺激素(TSH)水平较低,脾肾阳虚证的TSH水平较高,与其他证型具有统计学意义(P< 0.05)。男性的结节直径均值较女性大,但各证型的结节直径之间无明显差异(P > 0.05)。结论结节性甲状腺肿以气滞痰凝、肝郁脾虚、气阴两虚证最为多见,气滞、痰凝、血瘀为主要病机。
夹竹桃提取物抗胰腺癌活性研究及药效成分筛选

目的研究夹竹桃提取物对胰腺癌细胞的毒性及其药效成分。方法运用HPLC-UV方法建立来自6个产地的夹竹桃样品提取物的色谱指纹图谱(215和280 nm),并考察提取物对人胰腺癌细胞(Panc-1)的毒性作用,通过细胞毒 IC_(50)值评价提取物的抗癌活性。HPLC-MS/MS鉴定提取物中的有效成分。两个波长215和280nm的色谱特征图谱与 IC_(50)值多变量相关性评价方法评价夹竹桃提取物的主要活性成分。结果不同产地样品提取物具有明显的人胰腺癌细胞毒性作用,其IC_(50)值差异较大(3. 74 ~ 11.9µg/ml),色谱指纹和IC_(50)值相关性评价结果确定了与细胞毒性相关的7个色谱峰可能是夹竹桃提取物抗胰腺癌的主要活性成分,HPLC -MS/MS方法鉴定了其中2个成分为Odoroside和Oleandrin,它们具有明显的胰腺癌细胞毒作用。结论夹竹桃提取物对人胰腺癌Panc-1细胞有明显的毒性作用。通过多变量相关性评价初步明确了夹竹桃中主要抗癌活性成分,为中药提取物中有效成分的快速辨识提供了一种有效的评价方法。
提高结直肠息肉检出率的新型内镜研究进展

根据最新的病流行病学调查,全球结直肠癌的发病率位于男性恶性肿瘤发病率的第3位,女性恶性肿瘤发病率的第2位。结直肠腺瘤和息肉是结直肠癌的癌前病变,如能早期筛查和切除可有效减少结直肠癌死亡率。传统前视(traditional forward-viewing,TFV)内镜只能提供140° ~ 170°视野,退镜观察时,息肉或腺瘤在肠壁褶皱、肠曲及回盲瓣等部位显示不佳,高达22%~26%的结直肠息肉可被漏诊。为提高结直肠息肉的检出率,新型内镜技术得到了广泛发展,其主要从增加内镜视野、辅助展平肠道黏膜、增加内镜放大倍数三个方面对内镜进行改进,综述如下。
儿童慢性肾脏病贫血诊断与治疗专家共识

贫血是慢性肾脏病(chronic kidney disease, CKD)患儿的常见并发症,CKD 1~5期均可发生,且随肾功能下降逐渐增高,CKD 5期时贫血已非常普遍。与成人相比,儿童CKD贫血发生较早,进展速度快,不仅影响患儿体内组织氧的供应及利用,亦是其他相关并发症的发生基础,尤其是心血管并发症的独立危险因素。CKD患儿贫血与智力发育、体格发育迟滞,住院率和病死率增加密切相关。对儿童CKD贫血的管理是CKD一体化治疗的重要组成部分,具有非常重要的临床意义。
A novel constant interfacial area cell for determining the extraction kinetics of Er(III) from chloride medium

A novel constant interfacial area cell (NCIAC), by spatially separating the agitation from liquid flow circulation of organic and aqueous two phases, was suggested to obtain detailed kinetic data for Er(III) extraction from chloride medium by 2-ethyl-hexyl-phosphonic acid mono-(2-ethylhexyl) ester (EHEHPA). Different from the traditional Lewis cell and the constant interfacial area cell with laminar flow, the concentrations of Er(III) in organic and aqueous two phases were uniform, and the stability of the interfacial area between the two phases could be controlled effectively. Therefore, the special requirements for the design of agitators in the traditional Lewis cell and the constant interfacial area cell for minimizing the influence of diffusion resistance could be avoided. Experimental results indicated that the extraction kinetics was mainly affected by the aqueous flow rate, interfacial area between organic and aqueous two phases, and the aqueous pH values. An extraction kinetic equation was suggested based on the experimental data.