Search

Secondary brain injury (SBI) is a noticeable contributor to the high mortality and morbidity rates associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and effective treatment options remain limited. Cystatin C (CysC) emerges as a novel candidate for SBI intervention. The therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of CysC in mitigating SBI following ICH were explored in the current research. An in vivo ICH rat model was established by injecting autologous blood into the right caudate nucleus. Western blotting (WB) was utilized to assess the levels of CysC, cathepsin B (CTSB), and the NLRP3 inflammasome. Subsequently, the ICH rat model was treated with exogenous CysC supplementation or CysC knockdown plasmids. Various parameters, including Evans blue (EB) extravasation, brain water content, and neurological function in rats, were examined. RT-qPCR and WB were employed to determine the expression levels of CTSB and the NLRP3 inflammasome. The co-expression of CTSB, CysC, and NLRP3 inflammasome with GFAP, NeuN, and Iba1 was assessed through double-labeled immunofluorescence. The interaction between CysC and CTSB was investigated using double-labeled immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation. The findings revealed an elevation of CysC expression level, particularly at 24 h after ICH. Exogenous CysC supplementation alleviated severe brain edema, neurological deficit scores, and EB extravasation induced by ICH. Conversely, CysC knockdown produced opposite effects. The expression levels of CTSB and the NLRP3 inflammasome were significantly risen following ICH, and exogenous CysC supplement attenuated their expression levels. Double-labeled immunofluorescence illustrated that CysC, CTSB, and the NLRP3 inflammasome were predominantly expressed in microglial cells, and the interaction between CysC and CTSB was evidenced. CysC exhibited potential in ameliorating SBI following ICH via effectively suppressing the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome mediated by CTSB specifically in microglial cells. These findings underscore the prospective therapeutic efficacy of CysC in the treatment of ICH-induced complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maxillofacial bone is a personalized natural human bone and is difficult to repair after a defect. There are challenges in how to design a substitute that fits the undamaged part and design a biomimetic structure for the trabecular bone structure. Traditional autologous bone transplantation for maxillofacial defect repair is complex and has a long recovery time, which may cause secondary damage to the human body. In addition, the substitute's appearance has poor consistency, lacks aesthetics, and affects functional recovery. In this paper, an integrated bionic porous ceramic maxillofacial prosthesis was designed and fabricated by digital light processing (DLP) based on the Voronoi-Tessellation principle for regional defects of the human mandible. The simulation results showed that the mandible stress is distributed symmetrically, and the graft of the unilateral prefabricated reconstruction plate and maxillofacial prosthesis effectively balanced the stress transfer during the occlusion process. The maximum stress on the undamaged mandible appeared between the condyle and coracoid, with little difference between the left and right sides. The maximum stress value in the reconstruction plate near the maxillofacial prosthesis reached 42.61 MPa. The rest of the stress was mostly lower than 20 MPa. Moreover, the deformation of maxillofacial prosthesis is relatively small, which was not enough to destroy its safety and stability. The proposed method can effectively reduce the surgical trauma and postoperative impact on the leg, significantly shorten the operation time, and improve the restoration effect of the teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Countries seeking to mitigate climate change through forests require suitable modelling approaches to predict carbon (C) budget dynamics in forests and their responses to disturbance and management. The Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3) is a feasible and comprehensive tool for simulating forest C stock dynamics across broad levels, but discrepancies remain to be addressed in China. Taking Guizhou as the case study, we customised the CBM-CFS3 model according to China's context, including the modification of aboveground biomass C stock algorithm, addition of C budget accounting for bamboo forests, economic forests, and shrub forests, improvement of non-forest land belowground slow dead organic matter (DOM) pool initialisation, and other model settings. Results: The adequate linear relationship between the estimated and measured C densities (R2 = 0.967, P < 0.0001, slope = 0.904) in the model validation demonstrated the high accuracy and reliability of our customised model. We further simulated the spatiotemporal dynamics of forest C stocks and disturbance impacts in Guizhou for the period 1990–2016 using our customised model. Results shows that the total ecosystem C stock and C density, and C stocks in biomass, litter, dead wood, and soil in Guizhou increased continuously and significantly, while the soil C density decreased over the whole period, which could be attributed to deforestation history and climate change. The total ecosystem C stock increased from 1220 Tg C in 1990 to 1684 Tg C in 2016 at a rate of 18 Tg C yr−1, with significant enhancement in most areas, especially in the south and northwest. The total decrease in ecosystem C stock and C expenditure caused by disturbances reached 97.6 Tg C and 120.9 Tg C, respectively, but both represented significant decreasing trends owing to the decline of disturbed forest area during 1990–2016. Regeneration logging, deforestation for agriculture, and harvest logging caused the largest C stock decrease and C expenditure, while afforestation and natural expansion of forest contributed the largest increases in C stock. Conclusions: The forests in Guizhou were a net carbon sink under large-scale afforestation throughout the study period; Our customised CBM-CFS3 model can serve as a more effective and accurate method for estimating forest C stock and disturbance impacts in China and further enlightens model customisation to other areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Blend sign on initial computed tomography (CT) is associated with poor outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, the mechanisms underlying the blend sign formation are poorly understood. The present study aimed to explore the possible mechanism of the CT blend sign in patients with ICH. Methods: Seventy healthy rabbits were selected to prepare an ICH model. The animals were assigned to a whole blood group + whole blood group (ww group, 50 rabbits), a whole blood + plasma group (wp group, 10 rabbits) or a whole blood + serum group (ws group, 10 rabbits). The animals of the ww group were allocated to five subgroups based on the interval between the first infusion of blood and the second one. The subgroups included ww 1 h group (with an interval of 1 h), ww 2 h group, ww 3 h group, ww 4 h group and ww 5 h group. The rabbits from each group received first infusion of 0.3 mL of whole blood into the basal ganglia area to form a hematoma. Then, they received a second infusion of the same amount of whole blood, plasma or serum into the brain to form another hematoma adjacent to the first one. Results: A hematoma with two densities on brain CT could be formed in each group after a second infusion of blood into the brain. A significant difference in CT attenuation values was observed between the hyperattenuation and the hypoattenuation in all the groups. However, only the morphological features of the hematoma in the ww group was in accordance with the CT blend sign observed in humans. The CT attenuation values in the hypodensity area of the ww 4 h group or the ww 5 h group were decreased compared with the ww 1 h group to the ww 3 h group. Conclusions: The CT blend sign observed in humans might be composed of two parts of blood with different ages. The hypodense area might be blood with older age and the hyperdense area might be new bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoclasts, bone-resorbing somatic cells, are directly responsible for bone destruction during rheumatoid arthritis. Complete Freund adjuvant (CFA) is a widely used animal model using rodents for studying rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which effectively manifests serious cartilage destruction and progressive bone erosion, affecting synovial joints and serious joint dysfunction. It was considered that joint injury in RA is induced through systemic inflammation pathway. Umbelliferone (UF), a coumarin derivative of Agele marmilosa, possesses anti-inflammatory activity. In the current study, we scrutinize the effect of umbelliferone on CFA-induced arthritis model and explore the possible mechanism on bone destruction. Intradermal administration of CFA (0.05 mL) was to induce RA manifestations in the experimental rats and the same oral administration of UF was received. The anti-arthritic activity of UF was determined by its inhibitory activity on various biochemical markers, viz., pro-inflammatory, inflammatory, antioxidant enzymes, and hematological parameters elevated during RA condition. We also estimated the mRNA expression of osteoclast parameters. Obtained result disclosed significant reduction in the paw edema and increment of the body weight after UF administration. UF reduce the inflammatory mediatory such as COX-2, PGE2, NF-kB, and VEGF; pro-inflammatory cytokines include TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 significantly. Moreover, UF treatment significantly reduced the osteoclast number via modulating the RANKL/RANK/OPG ratio. Furthermore, administration of umbelliferone significantly (P < 0.001) suppressed the NF-κB and VEGF. Collectively, our results indicated the novel role of umbelliferone in osteoclastogenesis and proved that umbelliferone is a modern therapeutic tool as a natural agent for treating arthritis and other autoimmune disorders with bone degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We proposed a silicon-based monolithic integrated multi-wavelength InAs/GaAs quantum dot microring laser array with radially coupled waveguides. To achieve the stable multi-wavelength lasing of the laser array in the 1.3 μm band, the three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method is used to numerically optimize structure parameters of the microring laser with a connected III–V waveguide. The results show that the microring laser can realize a stable mode TE50,1 with an outer-wall radius of 3.5 μm, a microring width of 1.0 μm, a cladding thickness of 1.50 μm, an etching depth of 5.255 μm and a waveguide width of 0.5 μm. The mode wavelength is 1302.43 nm with a quality factor of 20,093.6. The optical coupling efficiency from the laser to the waveguide is about 47.8%. Moreover, mode wavelengths can be adjusted by the microring radius. When the microring width is 1.0 μm, changing the outer-wall radius from 2.7 to 3.9 μm with an interval of 0.2 μm, the mode wavelength ranges from 1289.29 to 1307.28 nm with a step of about 3.00 nm. It is feasible to achieve multi-wavelength laser arrays for monolithic silicon integration, which facilitates the preparation of silicon-based III–V multi-wavelength integrated light sources for dense wavelength division multiplexing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has experienced rapid urbanizations with dramatic land cover changes since 1978. Forest loss is one of land cover changes, and it induces various eco-environmental degradation issues. As one of China's hotspot regions, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) has undergone a dramatic urban expansion. To better understand forest dynamics and protect forest ecosystem, revealing the processes, patterns and underlying drivers of forest loss is essential. This study focused on the spatiotemporal evolution and potential driving factors of forest loss in the GBA at regional and city level. The Landsat time-series images from 1987 to 2017 were used to derive forest, and landscape metrics and geographic information system (GIS) were applied to implement further spatial analysis. The results showed that: 1) 14.86% of the total urban growth area of the GBA was obtained from the forest loss in 1987–2017; meanwhile, the forest loss area of the GBA reached 4040.6 km2, of which 25.60% (1034.42 km2) was converted to urban land; 2) the percentages of forest loss to urban land in Dongguan (19.14%), Guangzhou (18.35%) and Shenzhen (15.81%) were higher than those in other cities; 3) the forest became increasingly fragmented from 1987–2007, and then the fragmentation decreased from 2007 to 2017); 4) the landscape responses to forest changes varied with the scale; and 5) some forest loss to urban regions moved from low-elevation and gentle-slope terrains to higher-elevation and steep-slope terrains over time, especially in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Urbanization and industrialization greatly drove forest loss and fragmentation, and, notably, hillside urban land expansion may have contributed to hillside forest loss. The findings will help policy makers in maintaining the stability of forest ecosystems, and provide some new insights into forest management and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stereotactic minimally invasive surgery (sMIS) has been used in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in recent years and has obtained promising results. However, the outcomes of patients are associated with many factors. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively observe the relationship between hematoma shape features and the outcome of patients with spontaneous ICH following sMIS. Methods: One hundred eighty-three patients with hypertensive ICH who underwent sMIS were enrolled. Based on hematoma shape features, the patients were assigned to a regular-shaped hematoma group (RSH group, including 121 patients) or an irregular-shaped hematoma group (ISH group, including 62 patients). The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score were assessed on admission and at 1 week and 2 weeks after surgery. The rates of severe pulmonary infection, cardiac complications, and postoperative rebleeding during the hospital stay were also recorded for comparison. The functional outcome assessed by using the modified Rankin scale score was determined at discharge. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for predictors of good outcome in patients with ICH who underwent sMIS. A receiver operating characteristic curve was also used to confirm the results. Results: Compared to the ISH group, the RSH group showed increased median GCS scores at one week and two weeks after surgery. The RSH group showed significantly decreased NIHSS scores at one week and two weeks after surgery compared with the ISH group at the same time point. Significant differences in the GCS score and the NIHSS score at 1 week (P < 0.05) and 2 weeks (P < 0.05) after surgery were observed between the RSH group and the ISH group. The RSH group showed lower rates of severe pulmonary infection, heart failure, and postoperative rehemorrhage than the ISH group (P < 0.05). Of the total patients with good outcomes, the RSH group accounted for 84.6%, and just 15.4% were from the ISH group. The multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that regular-shaped hematoma (P < 0.0001) was an independent predictor of good outcome. The postoperative residual hematoma volume (P < 0.05) predicted a poor outcome. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of regular-shaped hematomas for the prediction of a favorable outcome in patients were 0.667, 0.846, 0.917, and 0.542, respectively. Additionally, the Youden index was 0.513. Conclusions: Patients with regular-shaped hematomas exhibited more favorable outcomes. Irregular-shaped hematomas and postoperative residual hematoma volume predicted a poor outcome in patients with ICH following sMIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgeries for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remain controversial. Our previous study found that postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outflow was associated with high hematoma evacuation efficiency in ICH cases with intraventricular involvement (ICHV) treated with minimally invasive craniopuncture (MIC). This study was designed to identify factors that predict postoperative CSF outflow and the specific subtype of ICHV that may benefit from MIC. Methods: A total of 189 MIC needles applied to 125 ICHV patients were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify independent predictive factors of postoperative CSF outflow. Results: A density of the whole hematoma of ≤ 59 HU [odds ratio (OR) = 8.572, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.235–22.714, P < 0.001, standardization regression coefficients B′ = 0.576] and a distance between the needle tip and the ventricular tear (tip-tear distance) of 21.79–34.15 mm (OR = 25.566, 95% CI 8.707–75.074, P < 0.001, B′ = 0.883) were identified as independent predictive factors of postoperative CSF outflow. The density of the hematoma within 34.15 mm of the tear (clot 3.4) showed no statistical difference from that of the whole hematoma (P = 0.571). A density of clot 3.4 ≤ 60 HU was also a predictive factor of postoperative CSF outflow (area under curve: 0.771). Conclusions: ICHV patients who meet the following conditions may benefit from MIC: (1) The MIC needle tip can be placed in the hematoma 21.79–34.15 mm from the ventricular tear; (2) the density of the whole hematoma is low (≤ 59 HU); and (3) the density of clot 3.4 is also low (≤ 60 HU). Future perspective studies should be conducted on this specific patient subtype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To comprehensively evaluate the therapeutic effects on both functional and structural outcomes, we performed a meta-analysis of preclinical data on stem cell therapy in intracranial hemorrhage, thus providing optimal evidence and instruction for clinical translation. We searched online databases to identify eligible studies based on unmodified stem cell transplantation in intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). From each study, we extracted data regarding neurobehavioral and histological outcomes in order to analyze the comprehensive effective sizes according to the most important clinical parameters (seven indices) and to explore any potential correlation through meta-regression. We analyzed 40 eligible studies including 1021 animals and found a significant improvement in both behavioral and structural outcomes with the median effect size of 1.77 for modified Neurological Severity Score, 1.16 for the modified placement test, 1.82 for the rotarod test, and 1.24 for tissue loss reduction. The meta-regression results revealed that intracerebral administration was the most effective for behavioral and structural recovery post-ICH; mesenchymal stem cells shared comparable therapeutic effects with neural stem cells. Delayed therapy, applied more than 1 week after ICH, showed the greatest improvement of structural outcomes. Stem cell therapy showed significant improvement on behavioral and structural outcomes of ICH animals with relatively large effect sizes. However, the practical efficacy of the therapy is likely to be lower considering poor study quality and non-negligible publication bias. Further, future research should interpret animal results cautiously considering the limited internal and external validity when referring to the design of both animal studies and clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial invasion and epithelial downgrowth with pocket formation are still severe clinical challenges for transcutaneous implants, and both have a close relationship with the lack of a stable biological seal around the transcutaneous parts. Dermal fibroblasts are the main cells in the skin tissue and have been proven to play vital roles in the formation of biological seals. In this work, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which can release high concentrations of natural cytokines upon activation, was used to stimulate rapid fibroblast growth. Mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) were used as mediators to anchor the platelets in the PRP onto Ti surfaces, and MAP/PRP composite-coated Ti surfaces were constructed successfully. This in vitro study indicated increased fibroblast adhesion ( P < 0.05), spreading, and proliferation ( P < 0.05) and upregulated extracellular matrix-related gene expression ( P < 0.05) on a MAP/PRP composite-coated Ti surface compared with a control smooth Ti surface. Our results suggest that MAP/PRP composite-coated Ti surfaces are potentially useful for the formation of a stable biological seal in transcutaneous areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to compare stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR), partial least squares regression (PLSR) and support vector machine regression (SVMR) for estimating soil total nitrogen (TN) contents with laboratory visible/near-infrared reflectance (Vis/NIR) of selected coarse and heterogeneous soils. Moreover, the effects of the first (1st) vs. second (2nd) derivative of spectral reflectance and the importance wavelengths were explored. Methods: The TN contents and the Vis/NIR were measured in the laboratory. Several methods were employed for Vis/NIR data pre-processing. The SMLR, PLSR and SVMR models were calibrated and validated using independent datasets. Results: Results showed that the SVMR and the PLSR models had similar performances, and better performances than the SMLR. The spectral bands near 1450, 1850, 2250, 2330 and 2430 nm in the PLSR model were important wavelengths. In addition, the 1st derivative was more appropriate than the 2nd derivative for spectral data pre-processing. Conclusions: PLSR was the most suitable method for estimating TN contents in this study. SVMR may be a promising technique, and its potential needs to be further explored. Moreover, the future studies using outdoor and airborne/satellite hyperspectral data for estimating TN content are necessary for testing the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining and analyzing the specific inherent optical properties (SIOPs) of water bodies is necessary for bio-optical model development and remote sensing-based water quality retrievals and, further, for related ecological studies of aquatic ecosystems. This study aimed to measure and analyze the specific absorption and backscattering coefficients of the main water constituents in Poyang Lake, China. The specific absorption and/or backscattering coefficients of the main water constituents at 85 sampling sites (47 in 2010 and 38 in 2011) were measured and analyzed as follows: (1) the concentrations of chlorophyll a ( C), suspended particulate matter ( C) (including suspended particulate inorganic matter ( C) and suspended particulate organic matter ( C)), and the absorption coefficients of total particulate ( a), phytoplankton ( a), and non-pigment particulate ( a) were measured in the laboratory; (2) the total backscattering coefficients at six wavelengths of 420, 442, 470, 510, 590, and 700 nm, including the contribution of pure water, were measured in the field with a HydroScat-6 backscattering sensor, and the backscattering coefficients without the contribution of pure water ( b) were then derived by subtracting the backscattering coefficients of pure water from the total backscattering coefficients; (3) the specific absorption coefficients of total particulate ( $$ a_{\mathrm{p}}^{ * } $$), phytoplankton ( $$ {a_{{\mathrm{ph}}}}^{ * } $$), and non-pigment particulate ( $$ a_{\mathrm{d}}^{ * } $$) were calculated by dividing a, a, and a by C, C, and C, respectively, while the specific backscattering coefficients of total suspended particulate matter ( $$ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $$) were calculated by dividing b by C; and (4) the $$ {a_{{\mathrm{ph}}}}^{ * } $$, $$ a_{\mathrm{d}}^{ * } $$, $$ a_{\mathrm{p}}^{ * } $$ and $$ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $$ of the remaining samples (46 in 2010 and 36 in 2011) were visualized and analyzed, and their relations to C, C or C were studied, respectively. The main results are summarized as follows: (1) the $$ {a_{{\mathrm{ph}}}}^{ * } $$ values at 440 nm were 0.0367-0.7203 m mg with a mean of 0.1623 ± 0.1426 m mg in 2010 and 0.0319-0.7735 m mg with a mean of 0.3145 ± 0.1961 m mg in 2011; there existed significant, negative, and moderate correlations between $$ {a_{{\mathrm{ph}}}}^{ * } $$ and C at 400-700 nm in 2010 and 2011 ( p < 0.05); (2) The $$ a_{\mathrm{d}}^{ * } $$ values at 440 nm were 0.0672-0.2043 m g with a mean of 0.1022 ± 0.0326 m g in 2010 and 0.0559-0.1347 m g with a mean of 0.0953 ± 0.0196 m g in 2011; there existed negative correlations between $$ a_{\mathrm{d}}^{ * } $$ and C, while the correlations showed overall decreasing and increasing trends before and after around 575 nm with increasing wavelengths, respectively; (3) The $$ a_{\mathrm{p}}^{ * } $$ values at 440 nm were 0.0690-0.1929 m g with a mean of 0.1036 ± 0.0298 m g in 2010 and 0.0571-0.1321 m g with a mean of 0.1014 ± 0.0191 m g in 2011, and the negative correlations between $$ a_{\mathrm{p}}^{ * } $$ and C were found in both years; (4) The $$ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $$ at the six wavelengths generally decreased with increasing wavelengths, while the $$ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $$ values at 420 nm were lower than those at 442 nm for some samples; the correlation between $$ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $$ and C increased with increasing wavelength. Such results can only represent the SIOPs during the sampling time periods, and more measurements and analyses considering different seasons need to be carried out in the future to comprehensively understand the SIOPs of Poyang Lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To observe the effects of minimally invasive procedures for the evacuation of intracerebral hematomas on perihematomal ET-1 expression and their correlation with blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Forty-five rabbits (2.8-3.4 kg body weight) were randomly divided into a normal control group (NC group, 15 rabbits), a model control group (MC group, 15 rabbits) and a minimally invasive group (MI group, 15 rabbits). A model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was prepared in the MC and MI groups by infusing autologous arterial blood into the rabbits' brains; the same procedure was also performed in the NC group but without infusing blood into the rabbits' brains. The intracerebral hematomas were evacuated by a stereotactic procedure in the minimally invasive group 6 h after the model was established. The neurological functions, ET-1 expression and the perihematomal BBB permeability were determined and analyzed in all of the animals. The number of endothelial cells with ET-1-positive expression and the perihematomal BBB permeability significantly increased 1, 3, and 7 days after the ICH model was prepared successfully, as compared to the NC group. In the MI group, however, both measurements decreased markedly compared with the MC group at the same time point. A positive correlation between the number of endothelial cells with ET-1-positive expression and BBB permeability was observed. Increased BBB permeability might be associated with perihematomal ET-1 levels. Minimally invasive procedures for the evacuation of intracerebral hematomas could significantly decrease BBB permeability in perihematomal brain tissues, likely by reducing the production of ET-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the reconstructed precipitation series in North China from historical documents, the 1876--1878 drought was identified as the most severe and extreme one in North China over the past 300 years. Meanwhile, the spatial patterns of seasonal and annual precipitation during 1876--1877 were analyzed and the social and economic impacts related with this drought event were evaluated according to the descriptions in the historical documents. The results indicated that this long-lasting drought started by the spring of 1876 and did not stop until the spring of 1878. Within the three years, the harvest failures brought the rice price increased to 5--10 times than that in the normal year, and the total population in the five provinces over North China decreased by more than 20 million due to a large number of dead people and migrations. In addition, related investigations suggested that the 1876--1878 drought was prevalent worldwide, which has possible link with abnormal high SST in the equatorial central and eastern Pacific, strong El Niño episode and positive AAO anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive Wireless Mesh Networks (CWMN) is a novel wireless network which combines the advantage of Cognitive Radio (CR) and wireless mesh networks. CWMN can realize seamless integration of heterogeneous wireless networks and achieve better radio resource utilization. However, it is particularly vulnerable due to its features of open medium, dynamic spectrum, dynamic topology, and multi-top routing, etc.. Being a dynamic positive security strategy, intrusion detection can provide powerful safeguard to CWMN. In this paper, we introduce trust mechanism into CWMN with intrusion detection and present a trust establishment model based on intrusion detection. Node trust degree and the trust degree of data transmission channels between nodes are defined and an algorithm of calculating trust degree is given based on distributed detection of attack to networks. A channel assignment and routing scheme is proposed, in which selects the trusted nodes and allocates data channel with high trust degree for the transmission between neighbor nodes to establish a trusted route. Simulation results indicate that the scheme can vary channel allocation and routing dynamically according to network security state so as to avoid suspect nodes and unsafe channels, and improve the packet safe delivery fraction effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost 95% of the entire population of the Siberian crane ( Grus leucogeranus) winter in Poyang Lake, China, where they forage on the tubers of the submerged aquatic macrophyte Vallisneria spiralis. The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River may possibly affect this food source of the Siberian crane by affecting the light intensity reaching the top of the V. spiralis canopy. In this study, the photosynthetically active radiation at the top of the V. spiralis canopy (PARtc) in Lake Dahuchi was modeled from 1998 to 2006, and the potential impacts of changes in water level and turbidity on the underwater light climate of V. spiralis were analyzed. PARtc was calculated from incident irradiance while the losses due to reflection at the water surface, absorption, and scattering within the water column were taken into consideration. The results indicated significant differences in PARtc between years. Six years of water level and Secchi disk depth records revealed a seasonal switching of the lake from a turbid state at low water levels in autumn, winter, and spring to a clear state at high water levels during the monsoon in summer. The highest PARtc occurred at intermediate water levels, which were reached when the Yangtze River forces Lake Dahuchi out of its turbid state in early summer and the water becomes clear. The intended operation of the Three Gorges Dam, which will increase water levels in May and June, may advance the moment when Lake Dahuchi switches from turbid to clear. We suggest that this might increase production of V. spiralis and possibly improve the food habitat conditions for wintering Siberian crane in Poyang Lake . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "High glucose-induced oxidative stress promotes autophagy through mitochondrial damage in rat notochordal cells" by E.Y. Park and colleague in a 2013 issue.

Peripheral blood mesenchymal stem cells (PBMSCs) may be easily harvested from patients, permitting autologous grafts for bone tissue engineering in the future. However, the PBMSC's capabilities of survival, osteogenesis and production of new bone matrix in the defect area are still unclear. Herein, PBMSCs were seeded into a nanofiber scaffold of self-assembling peptide (SAP) and cultured in osteogenic medium. The results indicated SAP can serve as a promising scaffold for PBMSCs survival and osteogenic differentiation in 3D conditions. Furthermore, the SAP seeded with the induced PBMSCs was splinted by two membranes of poly(lactic)-glycolic acid (PLGA) to fabricate a composited scaffold which was then used to repair a critical-size calvarial bone defect model in rat. Twelve weeks later the defect healing and mineralization were assessed by H&E staining and microcomputerized tomography (micro-CT). The osteogenesis and new bone formation of grafted cells in the scaffold were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. To our knowledge this is the first report with solid evidence demonstrating PBMSCs can survive in the bone defect area and directly contribute to new bone formation. Moreover, the present data also indicated the tissue engineering with PBMSCs/SAP/PLGA scaffold can serve as a novel prospective strategy for healing large size cranial defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The magnesium depletion score (MDS) is a scoring system developed to predict magnesium deficiency based on pathophysiological factors that affect renal reabsorption. The relationship between systemic magnesium status and arthritis is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the MDS and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as osteoarthritis (OA).This study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey of 20,513 adults aged ≥ 20 years who participated in NHANES from 2007 to 2018. The four dimensions of the MDS included diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, glomerular filtration rate, and excessive alcohol consumption. Univariate and multivariable-weighted logistic regression were used to assess the associations between MDS and RA/OA, and a test for trend was performed to analyze the presence of a dose–response relationship. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were performed according to confounders.After adjustment for all covariates, we found a graded dose–response relationship between MDS and RA or OA. When MDS was considered as a continuous variable, each onefold increase in MDS was associated with a 1.21-fold increase in the odds of having RA (OR = 1.21, 1.10, 1.33) and a 1.12-fold increase in the odds of having OA (OR = 1.12, 1.04, 1.21). There was an interaction of sex in the effect of MDS on RA (Pinteraction = 0.004) and age in the effect of MDS on OA (Pinteraction = 0.006). In addition, these associations were further confirmed in sensitivity and subgroup analyses.Our study identified significant dose–response associations between MDS and both RA and OA. More biological mechanisms are needed in the future to validate and clarify the results of this study.Key Points• After adjustment for all covariates, we found a graded dose-response relationship between MDS and RA and OA.• There was an interaction of sex in the effect of MDS on RA and age in the effect of MDS on OA.Methods: The magnesium depletion score (MDS) is a scoring system developed to predict magnesium deficiency based on pathophysiological factors that affect renal reabsorption. The relationship between systemic magnesium status and arthritis is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the MDS and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as osteoarthritis (OA).This study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey of 20,513 adults aged ≥ 20 years who participated in NHANES from 2007 to 2018. The four dimensions of the MDS included diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, glomerular filtration rate, and excessive alcohol consumption. Univariate and multivariable-weighted logistic regression were used to assess the associations between MDS and RA/OA, and a test for trend was performed to analyze the presence of a dose–response relationship. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were performed according to confounders.After adjustment for all covariates, we found a graded dose–response relationship between MDS and RA or OA. When MDS was considered as a continuous variable, each onefold increase in MDS was associated with a 1.21-fold increase in the odds of having RA (OR = 1.21, 1.10, 1.33) and a 1.12-fold increase in the odds of having OA (OR = 1.12, 1.04, 1.21). There was an interaction of sex in the effect of MDS on RA (Pinteraction = 0.004) and age in the effect of MDS on OA (Pinteraction = 0.006). In addition, these associations were further confirmed in sensitivity and subgroup analyses.Our study identified significant dose–response associations between MDS and both RA and OA. More biological mechanisms are needed in the future to validate and clarify the results of this study.Key Points• After adjustment for all covariates, we found a graded dose-response relationship between MDS and RA and OA.• There was an interaction of sex in the effect of MDS on RA and age in the effect of MDS on OA.Results: The magnesium depletion score (MDS) is a scoring system developed to predict magnesium deficiency based on pathophysiological factors that affect renal reabsorption. The relationship between systemic magnesium status and arthritis is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the MDS and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as osteoarthritis (OA).This study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey of 20,513 adults aged ≥ 20 years who participated in NHANES from 2007 to 2018. The four dimensions of the MDS included diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, glomerular filtration rate, and excessive alcohol consumption. Univariate and multivariable-weighted logistic regression were used to assess the associations between MDS and RA/OA, and a test for trend was performed to analyze the presence of a dose–response relationship. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were performed according to confounders.After adjustment for all covariates, we found a graded dose–response relationship between MDS and RA or OA. When MDS was considered as a continuous variable, each onefold increase in MDS was associated with a 1.21-fold increase in the odds of having RA (OR = 1.21, 1.10, 1.33) and a 1.12-fold increase in the odds of having OA (OR = 1.12, 1.04, 1.21). There was an interaction of sex in the effect of MDS on RA (Pinteraction = 0.004) and age in the effect of MDS on OA (Pinteraction = 0.006). In addition, these associations were further confirmed in sensitivity and subgroup analyses.Our study identified significant dose–response associations between MDS and both RA and OA. More biological mechanisms are needed in the future to validate and clarify the results of this study.Key Points• After adjustment for all covariates, we found a graded dose-response relationship between MDS and RA and OA.• There was an interaction of sex in the effect of MDS on RA and age in the effect of MDS on OA.Conclusions: The magnesium depletion score (MDS) is a scoring system developed to predict magnesium deficiency based on pathophysiological factors that affect renal reabsorption. The relationship between systemic magnesium status and arthritis is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the MDS and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as osteoarthritis (OA).This study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey of 20,513 adults aged ≥ 20 years who participated in NHANES from 2007 to 2018. The four dimensions of the MDS included diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, glomerular filtration rate, and excessive alcohol consumption. Univariate and multivariable-weighted logistic regression were used to assess the associations between MDS and RA/OA, and a test for trend was performed to analyze the presence of a dose–response relationship. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were performed according to confounders.After adjustment for all covariates, we found a graded dose–response relationship between MDS and RA or OA. When MDS was considered as a continuous variable, each onefold increase in MDS was associated with a 1.21-fold increase in the odds of having RA (OR = 1.21, 1.10, 1.33) and a 1.12-fold increase in the odds of having OA (OR = 1.12, 1.04, 1.21). There was an interaction of sex in the effect of MDS on RA (Pinteraction = 0.004) and age in the effect of MDS on OA (Pinteraction = 0.006). In addition, these associations were further confirmed in sensitivity and subgroup analyses.Our study identified significant dose–response associations between MDS and both RA and OA. More biological mechanisms are needed in the future to validate and clarify the results of this study.Key Points• After adjustment for all covariates, we found a graded dose-response relationship between MDS and RA and OA.• There was an interaction of sex in the effect of MDS on RA and age in the effect of MDS on OA.The magnesium depletion score (MDS) is a scoring system developed to predict magnesium deficiency based on pathophysiological factors that affect renal reabsorption. The relationship between systemic magnesium status and arthritis is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the MDS and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as osteoarthritis (OA).This study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey of 20,513 adults aged ≥ 20 years who participated in NHANES from 2007 to 2018. The four dimensions of the MDS included diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, glomerular filtration rate, and excessive alcohol consumption. Univariate and multivariable-weighted logistic regression were used to assess the associations between MDS and RA/OA, and a test for trend was performed to analyze the presence of a dose–response relationship. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were performed according to confounders.After adjustment for all covariates, we found a graded dose–response relationship between MDS and RA or OA. When MDS was considered as a continuous variable, each onefold increase in MDS was associated with a 1.21-fold increase in the odds of having RA (OR = 1.21, 1.10, 1.33) and a 1.12-fold increase in the odds of having OA (OR = 1.12, 1.04, 1.21). There was an interaction of sex in the effect of MDS on RA (Pinteraction = 0.004) and age in the effect of MDS on OA (Pinteraction = 0.006). In addition, these associations were further confirmed in sensitivity and subgroup analyses.Our study identified significant dose–response associations between MDS and both RA and OA. More biological mechanisms are needed in the future to validate and clarify the results of this study.Key Points• After adjustment for all covariates, we found a graded dose-response relationship between MDS and RA and OA.• There was an interaction of sex in the effect of MDS on RA and age in the effect of MDS on OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]