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Supported‐metal catalysts, pivotal for industrial applications, have their catalytic properties affected by metal‐support interactions (MSIs), which notably influence both their electronic and geometric characteristics. Therefore, understanding internal and external factors that influence MSIs is crucial for the rational design of catalysts. Our minireview focuses on the effects of the gas environment on the MSIs, particularly the morphological changes in metal nanoparticles, the migrating behavior of reducible supports (strong metal‐support interaction), and the compositional rearrangement of the catalysts (reactive metal‐support interaction). Future directions are suggested to elucidate the fundamental aspects of gas environment induced structural reconstruction of catalysts, including the quantitative analysis of dynamic behavior of both the surface and interface, atomic‐level insights into the structures of the metal, support, and interface under pertinent conditions through advanced in situ/operando characterization, and the in situ manipulation of structural reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic changes of key biological characteristics from gastric low‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) to high‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) to early gastric cancer (EGC) are still unclear, which greatly affect the accurate diagnosis and treatment of EGC and prognosis evaluation of gastric cancer (GC). In this study, bioinformatics methods/tools are applied to quantitatively analyze molecular characteristics evolution of GC progression, and a prognosis model is constructed. This study finds that some dysregulated differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) in the LGIN stage may continue to promote the occurrence and development of EGC. Among the LGIN, HGIN, and EGC stages, there are differences and relevance in the transcription expression patterns of DEmRNAs, and the activation related to immune cells is very different. The biological functions continuously changed during the progression from LGIN to HGIN to EGC. The COX model constructed based on the three EGC‐related DEmRNAs has GC prognostic risk prediction ability. The evolution of biological characteristics during the development of EGC mined by the authors provides new insight into understanding the molecular mechanism of EGC occurrence and development. The three‐gene prognostic risk model provides a new method for assisting GC clinical treatment decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global and regional flood risk is increasing, especially in Eurasia, threatening public security and socioeconomic development. However, the duration, intensity and spatial extent of floods in the past few decades have not been robustly explored, largely because previous identification methods ignored the dual nature of floods in space and time. Here we presented a first comprehensive diagnosis of flood events in Eurasia by developing a novel three‐dimensional Image‐CONnectivity based FLOOD identification (ICON‐FLOOD) approach. By the ICON‐FLOOD approach, we revealed a four‐phase quasi‐interdecadal pattern and significant intensification of flood events in the last 12 years of the study period (1979–2012), contrary to the declining trend derived from two well‐known global data sets. Further analysis indicated that the flood characteristics had switched from "large impacted area but short duration, low intensity" to "high intensity, long duration but small impacted area." Exploring the spatiotemporal evolution of flood events by ICON‐FLOOD will provide a basis for flood risk management and flood adaptation strategy development. Plain Language Summary: The occurrence, development and end of flood events have obvious three‐dimensional characteristics in time (first dimension) and space (longitude and latitude as the second and third dimensions). However, previous dimensionality reduction methods destroyed the overall spatiotemporal structure of flood events and failed to effectively reveal the process and underlying mechanisms of the development and evolution of flood events. The ICON‐FLOOD method proposed in this study can effectively and completely present the three‐dimensional structure of torrential rain and flood events. Also, recent intensification of torrential rain and flood events suggests that climate‐driven changes are already happening and supports calls for the consideration of climate change in flood risk management. Scientifically identifying regional torrential rain and flood events will improve our understanding of where floods are changing and how best to adapt. Key Points: Based on the three‐dimensional perspective, the flood events in the past few decades in Eurasia were comprehensively diagnosedThe study showed that the recent floods had increased significantly, contrary to the declining trend derived from two global data setsThe flood characteristics had switched to greater concentration of flood impacted areas and severer flood extremes in recent past [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the temporal dynamic changes in optical properties of gold nanorods (GNR) embedded tumor phantom, during photothermal interaction, are reported for plasmonic photothermal therapeutics. Tumor mimicking bilayer phantoms were prepared by using 1% agarose incorporated with 0.1% coffee powder, 0.3% intralipid solution as epidermis layer; 3% intralipid solution and 0.3% human hemoglobin (Hb) powder as dermis layer. On incorporating GNRs of concentrations 10, 20, and 40 μg/ml within the phantom, the absorption coefficients increases 4–8 times, while there is minimal change in the reduced scattering coefficients. Further the absorption coefficient increased by ~8% with the incorporation of GNRs of concentration 40 μg/ml, while no considerable dynamic change in the optical properties is observed for the phantom embedded with GNRs of concentrations 10, and 20 μg/ml. The discussed results are useful for the selection of GNRs dose for pre‐treatment planning of plasmonic photothermal cancer therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron‐based catalysts are employed in CO2‐FTS due to their ability to convert CO2 into CO in a first step and their selectivity towards higher hydrocarbons in a second CO hydrogenation step. According to the literature, iron carbides represent the active phase for hydrocarbon formation and are claimed to emerge in the presence of CO. We propose nanostructured FeOx films as model systems to assess information about the complex phase transformations during CO2‐FTS. Mesoporous hematite, ferrihydrite, maghemite, maghemite/magnetite films were exposed to CO2‐FTS atmospheres at 20 bar and 300 °C. Up to three distinct phases were observed depending on the time‐on‐stream (TOS): a sintered maghemite/magnetite phase, a carbidic core‐shell structure, and a low‐crystalline, needle‐type oxide phase. Our findings indicate that the formation of an intermediary maghemite/magnetite phase, predominant after short TOS (30 h), precedes the evolution of the carbide phase. Yet, even after prolonged TOS (185 h), no full conversion into a bulk carbide is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: With the growing number of treated hepatitis C patients, the current 'one‐size‐fits‐all' hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance strategies for patients with advanced fibrosis represents a great burden on healthcare systems. An individualized HCC risk strategy incorporates the dynamic changes of HCC risk are lacking. Methods: This single‐centre observational study included 3075 patients, with advanced fibrosis (≥F3) who achieved SVR following DAAs at Egyptian Liver research institute and hospital (ELRIAH) with follow‐up period (range 6‐72 months). The performance of a recently developed General Evaluation Score (GES) HCC risk stratification score was calculated pre‐ and post‐treatment using Harrell's c statistic. Times to HCC and cumulative incidences were calculated with Kaplan–Meier method and compared using log‐rank (Mantel‐Cox) test. Results: Pre‐treatment GES score stratified patients into low (60.4%), intermediate (23.4%), and (16.2%) high‐risk score where 5‐year cumulative incidences of HCC were 1.66%, 4.45% and 7.64%, respectively. Harrell's c statistic was 0.801. Post‐treatment GES score stratified patients into low (57.4%), intermediate (30.7%) and (11.9%) high‐risk score where 5‐year cumulative incidences of HCC were 1.35%, 3.49% and 11.09% respectively. The cumulative HCC incidence increased significantly with higher scores (P <.001). Harrell's c statistic was 0.818. Using pre‐ and post‐treatment GES score, GES algorithm was developed with higher predictive value. The cumulative HCC incidence increased significantly with higher scores (P <.001). Harrell's c statistic was 0.832. Conclusion: A dynamic algorithm incorporating both pre‐ and post‐GES scores have better performance and predictive value compared with only pre‐treatment assessments. The proposed algorithm would help to stratify those who need intensive or being excluded from screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Programmed death 1 (PD‐1) inhibitors have improved survival outcomes and produced durable responses in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for some patients. Here, we evaluated the relationship between the baseline and kinetics of the neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and clinical outcomes in nivolumab‐treated HCC patients. Methods: All consecutive HCC patients treated with nivolumab between July 2017 and June 2020 were screened for the eligibility. The NLRs were calculated before and at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after treatment. Survival outcomes were compared based on the baseline and kinetics of NLR. We additionally analysed the association of the baseline and dynamic changes in the NLR with hyperprogression (HPD). Results: Among the 194 included cases, most patients were male (82.0%) and had a Child–Pugh Class A disease (70.6%). Patients with a baseline NLR ≥ 3 (hazard ratio [HR] 2.46; 95% CI 1.63‐3.71) had a poorer overall survival than patients with baseline NLR < 3. During the treatment, the NLR increased rapidly in patients developing HPD, and only a ΔNLR at 4 weeks was predictive of HPD. The risk of HPD increased by 20% for every 20% increase in the ΔNLR at 4 weeks. Accordingly, an NLR increase at 4 weeks (HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.19‐2.68) was associated with an increased risk of death, especially among patients with a baseline NLR ≥ 3. Conclusions: The baseline and on‐treatment kinetics for the NLR are effective prognostic indicators in nivolumab‐treated patients with HCC. This may help to guide patient selection and on‐treatment strategies for immunotherapies in advanced HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 34-year-old male patient was preparing for splenic artery embolization because of a car crash. Personal or family histories of cardiovascular diseases, sudden cardiac death, or Brugada syndrome were denied. Type 1 Brugada pattern was observed in the preoperative electrocardiogram and gradually resolved within a week. Chest blunt trauma may contribute to the transient ECG changes, and some particular considerations should be taken in this patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has become a worldwide pandemic since it emerged in December 2019. Previous studies have reported rapid antibody response to SARS‐CoV‐2 in the first 2 to 3 weeks after symptom onset. Here, we retrospectively described the dynamic changes of serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG specifically against SARS‐CoV‐2 in later weeks (mainly 4‐10 weeks) in 97 hospitalized patients with COVID‐19. We observed that serum IgM and IgG, especially in patients with moderate‐to‐high levels, declined significantly between week 4 to 10 after illness onset. Notably, IgG levels in high percentage of patients (77.5%, 31 of 40) rapidly declined by half, from 212.5 (range, 163.7‐420.3) to 96.3 (range, 75.0‐133.4) AU/mL, within 1 to 2 weeks in the second month and then sustained at around 100 AU/mL until discharge from hospital. Significant reduction of IgM was also observed as SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid turned negative (P =.002). In the recovery stage, serum IgG declined significantly (early vs late recovery stage, n = 16, P =.003) with a median reduction of 50.0% (range, 3.7%‐77.0%). Our results suggested that the decline of IgM may be an indicator of virus clearance and recovered patients may have a robust immunity against reinfection within at least 3 months after illness onset. Yet, the rapid reduction of IgG by half rises serious concerns on the robustness and sustainability of the humoral immune response in the period after discharge, which is crucial for immunity strategy and developing a vaccine. Highlights: Serum IgM declined significantly between week 4‐10 after symptom onset in COVID‐19 patients.Serum IgG declined remarkably by half and rapidly within 1‐2 weeks in the second month after symptom onset in COVID‐19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial and temporal changes in aeolian sand transport are important in modelling wind erosion and parameterizing sand dunes and ripples. In this study, we explored the wind erosion processes that occur in sand beds using a Trimble 3D laser scanner. We found that the erosion intensity varied with distance along the sand bed and that the sand bed surface could be divided into three zones. In the pre‐bowl zone, the sand bed surface showed small and uniform variation, indicating weak erosion intensity in this zone. Downwind of the pre‐bowl zone, the bowl zone developed where the sand surface was eroded seriously and a kind of morphology analogous to blowouts occurred. The post‐bowl zone, which followed the bowl zone, was characterized by alternating accumulation and erosion. Wind velocity affected the spatial development of this bed morphology, whereas the erosion duration only affected the erosion depth. We developed an equation of the form QL = Qsat/(1 + e(−10(L‐s)/k)) to describe the relationship between sediment flux (QL) and bed length (L) in the pre‐bowl and bowl zones and found the fitting coefficients R2 were very high (1.0, 0.98, 0.97 at wind velocities 10.0, 11.0 and 12.0 m s−1, respectively). Using a fine spatial resolution for the measurements revealed features of the sand flux profile that were missed at coarser resolution. However, it will be necessary to use a longer sand bed to study the full length of the post‐bowl zone. Highlights: The erosion intensity at different sites of the sand bed was studied.The roughness of the bed surface increased with increasing erosion duration.A sigmoid curve could describe the changes of erosion along the fetch length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The configuration of multifunctional cultivated land is critical for its protection. Although studies on multifunctional cultivated land have been conducted, there is a lack of information regarding the spatiotemporal characteristics and tradeoff synergy relationship of cultivated‐land functions at the same time on a nonadministrative unit scale. The purpose of this study was to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics and the tradeoff synergy areas from the perspective of multifunctional cultivated land for efficient use of land resources to minimize the conflict between people and nature. The fuzzy optimization model and spatial autocorrelation analysis method were used to study spatial distribution characteristics and the tradeoff synergy spatial patterns, respectively. The results showed that (a) the implementation of different improvement measures for the spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated‐land functions could also accelerate the coordinated development of cultivated‐land functions, (b) multiple functions of cultivated land not only had a synergy trend in time, but they also had a heterogeneity and fluctuation in spatial distribution, providing a direction for the new development or management pattern of cultivated land, and (c) results on the multifunctional evaluation and tradeoff synergy relationship of cultivated land provided the foundation for determining the short‐board function and upgrading direction of cultivated land. At the grid scale, the evolution of functional distribution characteristics and functional relationships are helpful for decision‐makers to implement accurately farmland protection policies and formulate farmland regulation rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing evidence has indicated the intimate relationship between the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract. The microbial ecosystem has been confirmed to share key conceptual features with gut‐lung microbiome disorder and dysregulation during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. However, the dynamic changes of the gut‐lung microbiome during COPD exacerbations and its potential role in disease etiology remain poorly understood. The present study investigated the dynamic changes of gut and lung microorganisms during acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). A longitudinal 16S ribosomal DNA survey of the gut and lung microbiome was completed on 90 feces and sputum samples collected from 15 subjects with AECOPD at three visits, which were defined as exacerbation, seven‐day stable state. The present analysis revealed a dynamic gut‐lung microbiota, where changes appeared to be associated with exacerbation events indicative of specific exacerbation phenotypes. Antibiotic and steroid treatments appeared to have differential effects on the gut‐lung microbiome, and the microbiome was associated with disease progression, but not with severity. The abundance and diversity of the microbiome was strongly influenced by the disease progression and therapy. Using culture‐independent methods to impact the gut and lung microbiota on AECOPD may be the key to understanding the interactions between the gut and lung, highlighting its potential as a biomarker, and possibly a target for future respiratory therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 63‐day growth trial was conducted with northern snakehead Channa argus to evaluate how rapidly its growth performance and how reproducibly its gut microbiota respond to different dietary protein sources. Four diets were formulated with different levels of soybean meal as a replacement for fishmeal (0%, 25%, 50% and 75%). Each diet was fed to three replicates of juvenile C. argus (30 juveniles per replicate, initial weight 8.65 ± 0.25 g) to produce groups G1, G2, G3 and G4 respectively. During this trial, survival rate, growth performance and intestinal microbiota composition were determined on days 9, 21 and 63. At day 9, there was no effect of the dietary soybean meal on the final weight (Wt), weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) between the four groups (p > 0.05). However, at day 21 (p < 0.05), they were significantly lower in G4 fish than that in G1 and G2. The highest Wt, WG and SGR were found in G1 and G2 fish, the lowest growth was found in G4 fish at day 63 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, higher operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and alpha diversity were found in G4. With the dietary soybean level increased, the proportion of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia, as well as some genera of bacteria (Carnobacterium, Cetobacterium, Planctomyces, Shewanella and Thermomonas) significantly increased in the G3 and G4 fish (p < 0.05). However, the OTUs, Chao index, and the proportion of Firmicutes and some genera (Acinetobacter, Bacillus and Geobacillus) in G4 fish were significantly higher at days 21 and 63 than that at day 9 (p < 0.05). Taken together, in response to dietary soybean meal levels, dynamic and significant changes in microbiota occurred, which then ultimately attained a new equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total sleep deprivation (TSD) is common in modern society leading to deterioration of multiple aspects of cognition. Dynamic interaction effect of circadian rhythmicity and homeostatic sleep pressure on sustained attention have been intensively investigated, while how this effect was represented on performance and cerebral responses to working memory, another important element of many neurobehavioral tasks, was not well elucidated. Thirty‐six healthy subjects with intermediate chronotype performed the Sternberg working‐memory task (SWMT) while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging every 2 hr from 10:00 p.m. on the first day to 6:00 a.m. on the second day. Using data from three imaging sessions (10:00 p.m., 04:00 a.m., and 06:00 a.m.), we found that the slowest SWMT reaction time and weakest cerebral responses were not at the end of TSD (06:00 a.m.) but during the early morning (04:00 a.m.) hours of the TSD. In addition, during this worst period of TSD, reaction time for the SWMT were found to be negatively correlated with task‐related activation in the angular gyrus and positively correlated with the degree of negative correlation between the control and default networks. Our results revealed a rebound of SWMT reaction time and cerebral responses after the mid‐time point of regular biological sleep night and provided more evidence that different cognitive tasks are differentially affected by sleep loss and circadian rhythmicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To improve cure rates for neuroblastoma (NB), it is important and necessary to evaluate therapy response. Our investigation focuses on using plasma cell free DNA (cfDNA) as a biomarker to determine tumor burden and minimal residual disease (MRD) of NB patients during chemotherapy. Methods: Total 58 NB patients were recruited from July 2016 to December 2017. Therapy regime and risk classification were based on COG standard and BCH‐NB‐2007 protocol. RECIST study was used to judge response to therapy at the end of fourth cycle of chemotherapy (CC4) and maintenance stage (MS) respectively. Serial quantifications of cfDNA, NSE, and LDH were examined at four stages, including newly diagnosed, second and CC4, and maintenance. Results: During early chemotherapy, 65.5% of NB kids responded well. Consistently, cfDNA, NSE, and LDH levels were down‐regulated in NB patients with partial remission (PR) compared to those with stable disease (SD). In both training and predicting sets, the levels of cfDNA were significantly comparable between PR and SD only at CC4 stage. To predict the insufficient response to early chemotherapy, the optimal AUC value of cfDNA was 0.732 and 0.747 in training and predicting sets respectively, with a sensitivity of 63.2% and 80% specificity at 11.59 ng/ml and a sensitivity of 68.4% and 90% specificity at 10.35 ng/ml. At MS, responded NB patients were slightly increased up to 70%. This evaluation was confirmed by further decrease in cfDNA and NSE levels during intermediate chemotherapy in comparison with early stage. Conclusion: The dynamic change of cfDNA was considered as a surrogate biomarker to evaluate tumor burden and MRD of NB during early and intermediate therapy periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT An aerobic succinate-producing Escherichia coli mutant was compared to its wild-type by quantitatively analyzing both the metabolome and fluxome, during glucose-limited steady-state and succinate excess dynamic conditions, in order to identify targets for further strain engineering towards more efficient succinate production. The mutant had four functional mutations under the conditions investigated: increased expression of a succinate exporter (DcuC), deletion of a succinate importer (Dct), deletion of succinate dehydrogenase (SUCDH) and expression of a PEP carboxylase (PPC) with increased capacity due to a point mutation. The steady-state and dynamic patterns of the intracellular metabolite levels and fluxes in response to changes were used to locate the quantitative differences in the physiology/metabolism of the mutant strain. Unexpectedly the mutant had a higher energy efficiency, indicated by a much lower rate of oxygen consumption, under glucose-limited conditions, caused by the deletion of the transcription factors IclR and ArcA. Furthermore the mutant had a much lower uptake capacity for succinate (26-fold) and oxygen (17-fold under succinate excess) compared to the wild-type strain. The mutant strain produced 7.9 mmol.CmolX−1.h−1 succinate during chemostat cultivation, showing that the choice of the applied genetic modifications was a successful strategy. Furthermore, the applied genetic modifications resulted in multiple large changes in metabolite levels (FBP, pyruvate, 6PG, NAD+/NADH ratio, α-ketogluarate) corresponding to large changes in fluxes. Compared to the wild-type a considerable flux shift occurred from the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to the oxidative part of the pentose phosphate pathway, including an inversion of the pyruvate kinase flux. The mutant responded very differently to excess of succinate, with a remarkable possible reversal of the TCA cycle. The mutant and the wild-type both showed homeostatic behaviour with respect to the energy charge. In contrast, large changes in redox ratios (NAD+/NADH) occurred in the wild-type, while the mutant showed even larger changes. This large redox change can be associated to the reversal of flux directions. The observed large flexibility in the central metabolism following genetic (deletions) and environmental (substrate excess) perturbations of the mutant, indicates that introducing a more efficient succinate exporter could result in an even higher succinate production rate. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 817-829. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a rare case of various conduction defects involving the left anterior, septal, and posterior branch in one patient. The different degrees of block of anterior, septal, and posterior fascicular of the left bundle branch indicate pathological changes in left ventricle. However, the values of this electrocardiographic presentation indicating the left ventricular function still need more investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative change of in-situ stress is an inevitable outcome of differential movement among the crust plates. Conversely, changes of in-situ stress can also lead to deformation and instability of crustal rock mass, trigger activity of faults, and induce earthquakes. Hence, monitoring real-time change of in-situ stress is of great significance. Piezomagnetic in-situ stress monitoring has good and longtime applications in large engineering constructions and geoscience study fields in China. In this paper, the new piezomagnetic in-situ stress monitoring system is introduced and it not only has overall improvements in measuring cell's structure and property, stressing and orienting way, but also enhances integration and intelligence of control and data transmission system, in general, which greatly promotes installing efficiency of measuring probe and quality of monitoring data. This paper also discusses the responses of new piezomagnetic system in large earthquake events of in-situ stress monitoring station at Qiaoqi of Baoxing and Wenxian of Gansu. The monitoring data reflect adjustments and changes of tectonic stress field at the southwestern segment of and the northern area near the Longmenshan fault zone, which shows that the new system has a good performance and application prospect in the geoscience field. Data of the Qiaoqi stress-monitoring station manifest that the Lushan Earthquake did not release stress of the southwestern segment of the Longmenshan fault zone adequately and there still probably exists seismic risk in this region in the future. Combined with absolute in-situ stress measurement, carrying out long-term in-situ stress monitoring in typical tectonic position of important regions is of great importance for researchers to assess and study regional crust stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]