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Intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is the primary treatment for ischemic stroke. However, rtPA treatment can substantially increase blood‐brain barrier (BBB) permeability and susceptibility to hemorrhagic transformation. Herein, the mechanism underlying the side effects of rtPA treatment is investigated and demonstrated that ferroptosis plays an important role. The ferroptosis inhibitor, liproxstatin‐1 (Lip) is proposed to alleviate the side effects. A well‐designed macrocyclic carrier, glucose‐modified azocalix[4]arene (GluAC4A), is prepared to deliver Lip to the ischemic site. GluAC4A bound tightly to Lip and markedly improved its solubility. Glucose, modified at the upper rim of GluAC4A, imparts BBB targeting to the drug delivery system owing to the presence of glucose transporter 1 on the BBB surface. The responsiveness of GluAC4A to hypoxia due to the presence of azo groups enabled the targeted release of Lip at the ischemic site. GluAC4A successfully improved drug accumulation in the brain, and Lip@GluAC4A significantly reduced ferroptosis, BBB leakage, and neurological deficits induced by rtPA in vivo. These findings deepen the understanding of the side effects of rtPA treatment and provide a novel strategy for their effective mitigation, which is of great significance for the treatment and prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize ICEAplChn2, a novel SXT/R391-related integration and conjugation element (ICE) carrying 19 drug resistance genes, in a clinical isolate of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae from swine. Methods: Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of A. pleuropneumoniae CP063424 strain was completed using a combination of third-generation PacBio and second-generation Illumina. The putative ICE was predicted by the online tool ICEfinder. ICEAplChn2 was analyzed by PCR, conjugation experiments, and bioinformatics tools. Results:A. pleuropneumoniae CP063424 strain exhibited high minimum inhibitory concentrations of clindamycin (1,024 mg/L). The WGS data revealed that ICEAplChn2, with a length of 167,870 bp and encoding 151 genes, including multiple antibiotic resistance genes such as erm(42), VanE, LpxC, dfrA1, golS, aadA3, EreA, dfrA32, tetR(C), tet(C), sul2, aph(3)″-lb, aph(6)-l, floR, dfrA, ANT(3″)-IIa, catB11, and VanRE, was found to be related to the SXT/R391 family on the chromosome of A. pleuronipneumoniae CP063424. The circular intermediate of ICEAplChn2 was detected by PCR, but conjugation experiments showed that it was not self-transmissible. Conclusions: To our knowledge, ICEAplChn2 is the longest member with the most resistance genes in the SXT/R391 family. Meanwhile, ATP-binding cassette superfamily was found to be inserted in the ICEAplChn2 and possessed a new insertion region, which is the first description in the SXT/R391 family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and striatum of brain, seriously threatens human health, and is still lack of effective treatment. Dysregulation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification has been implicated in PD pathogenesis. However, how m6A modification regulates dopaminergic neuronal death in PD remains elusive. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) have been shown to be effective for treating central nervous disorders. We thus propose that the m6A demethylase FTO-targeted siRNAs (si-FTO) may be encapsulated in MSC-Exo (Exo-siFTO) as a synergistic therapy against dopaminergic neuronal death in PD. Methods: In this study, the effect of m6A demethylase FTO on dopaminergic neuronal death was evaluated both in vivo and in vitro using a MPTP-treated mice model and a MPP + -induced MN9D cellular model, respectively. The mechanism through which FTO influences dopaminergic neuronal death in PD was investigated with qRT-PCR, western blot, immumohistochemical staining, immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry. The therapeutic roles of MSC-Exo containing si-FTO were examined in PD models in vivo and in vitro. Results: The total m6A level was significantly decreased and FTO expression was increased in PD models in vivo and in vitro. FTO was found to promote the expression of cellular death-related factor ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) via m6A-dependent stabilization of ATM mRNA in dopaminergic neurons. Knockdown of FTO by si-FTO concomitantly suppressed upregulation of α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and downregulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and alleviated neuronal death in PD models. Moreover, MSC-Exo were utilized to successfully deliver si-FTO to the striatum of animal brain, resulting in the significant suppression of α-Syn expression and dopaminergic neuronal death, and recovery of TH expression in the brain of PD mice. Conclusions: MSC-Exo delivery of si-FTO synergistically alleviates dopaminergic neuronal death in PD via m6A-dependent regulation of ATM mRNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on vulnerable populations with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs) has been variable with variants and of great concern. Here we report the clinical features, outcomes, and risk factors for infection and hospitalization in patients with AIIRDs in the first wave of infection in China in December 2022. Methods: A real-world survey was conducted in Chinese patients with AIIRDs from 8 December 2022 to 13 January 2023. The survey was distributed via internet nationwide, clinic consultation, and to inpatients at a tertiary hospital in Beijing. Clinical features, outcomes, and vaccination status were collected. Results: A total of 2005 patients with AIIRDs completed the survey. There were 1690 (84.3%) patients infected and only 48.2% of patients received COVID-19 vaccination. Most of the fully vaccinated patients received inactivated COVID-19 vaccines, including Sinovac (55.6%) and Sinopharm (27.2%), followed by recombinant subunit vaccine from Zhifei Longcom (2.0%). The independent protecting factors for infection were a time interval of less than 3 months from last vaccination (OR 0.53, p = 0.037) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as the underlying AIIRD (OR 0.62, p = 0.041). A total of 57 out of 1690 patients (3.4%) were hospitalized for COVID, with 46 (2.7%) experiencing severe/critical course and 6 deaths (0.4%). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, independent risk factors for hospitalization were age over 60 years (OR 11.52, p < 0.001), with comorbidity (OR 1.83, p = 0.045) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as the AIIRDs (OR 2.59, p = 0.036). Receiving booster vaccine was an independent protective factor for hospitalization (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.30–0.98; p = 0.018). Conclusion: Hesitation for vaccination is common among Chinese patients with AIIRDs. The time from last vaccination of less than 3 months and having RA decreased the risk of COVID infection. Older age and having comorbidity or SLE increased the risk of hospitalization, while booster vaccination reduced the risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smell and taste dysfunctions (STD) are frequently observed in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). To investigate the clinical characteristics of STD in COVID-19 patients. One-hundred six COVID-19 adult patients with the Omicron variant were enrolled. The clinical features of patients with and without STD were compared using questionnaires, laboratory tests, and imaging examinations. Of the 76 patients with smell and/or taste dysfunction, age (p =.002), vaccination time (p =.024), history of systemic diseases (p =.032), and smoking status (p =.044) were significantly different from those of the controls (n = 34). Fatigue (p =.001), headache (p =.004), myalgia (p =.047), and gastrointestinal discomfort (p =.001) were observed more frequently in these patients than in controls. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score of these patients was significantly higher than that of controls (p <.001). The taste visual assessment scale score of the STD group was significantly lower than that of the taste dysfunction group (p =.001), and perceptions of sour, sweet, and salty tastes were worse in the STD group than in the taste dysfunction group (p <.001). COVID-19 patients had similar changes in smell and/or taste dysfunctions and worse emotional states, possibly correlated with some factors, including age and vaccination time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the performance of spleen to non-cancerous liver volume ratio (STnLR) for diagnosing liver cirrhosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during preoperative evaluation. Methods: Patients were randomly divided into experiment group and validation group. Patients were grouped into cirrhosis group and non-cirrhosis group according to Scheuer staging. Patients' routine image data were reconstructed using a three-dimensional system. STnLR, spleen to liver volume ratio (STLR), spleen volume, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and fibrosis index based on the four factors (FIB-4) were calculated. Correlations between indices and cirrhosis were measured by Spearman correlation analysis. Diagnostic performance was assessed and compared using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Accuracies of the models were analyzed in validation group. Results: No statistical difference in demographic and clinical characteristics was observed between groups. In experiment group, STnLR had the strongest correlation (r = 0.5399, P < 0.0001), and STLR, spleen volume, APRI, and FIB-4 had moderate correlations (r = 0.4583, 0.4123, 0.3648, and 0.3405, P < 0.0001, < 0.0001, < 0.0001, and = 0.0002) with liver cirrhosis stage. AUROC of STnLR (0.8326) was not statistically higher than that for spleen volume (0.7542, P = 0.09832) and STLR (0.8046, P = 0.3034), but was significantly higher than that for APRI (0.7099, P = 0.02046) and FIB-4 (0.7294, P = 0.03987). In validation group, STnLR showed the highest AUROC value (0.8538) and highest Youden index (0.5869) among all models. Conclusion: STnLR is an accurate and stable volumetric model to diagnose hepatic cirrhosis in the HCC population, which is superior to APRI and FIB-4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective halogenation of the inert C–C bonds of alcohol-based feedstock is of tremendous significance in synthetic chemistry. Previous halogenation usually requires a metal catalyst and/or an oxidant and is limited to the cleavage of the C–C bonds of tertiary cycloalkanols. Herein, we report a broadly applicable strategy for the synthesis of iodoalkanes, bromoalkanes and chloroalkanes via the halogen-bond-assisted C–C activation of cyclic and acyclic alkanols in the absence of catalysts and oxidants, where the inexpensive N-haloimides act as bifunctional reagents to activate and halogenate alcohols. This redox-neutral protocol is a general method for the halogenation of the C–C bonds of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkanols, thus installing three types of halogen atoms and boronic esters through one-pot deiodination–borylation in a wide range of feedstock chemicals in a practical and sustainable fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A high-fat diet (HFD) induces gut microbiota (GM) disorders, leading to intestinal barrier dysfunction and inflammation. Ferulic acid (FA) has shown anti-obesity effects, e.g., reducing body weight and food intake. However, the mechanism linking the anti-obesity effects of FA and GM modulation remains obscure. The present study aimed to clarify the mechanism underlying the anti-obesity effects of FA and modulation of the GM. Methods: C57BL/6 J mice were fed by a low-fat diet (LFD) and HFD with or without FA at a dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight by oral gavage for 12 weeks. Using high-throughput sequencing, gas chromatography, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining, the attenuation of obesity by FA were assessed via intestinal barrier integrity, inflammation, and the GM. Results: FA reduced weight gain, improved HFD-induced GM imbalance, significantly enhanced intestinal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria (e.g., Olsenella, Eisenbergiella, Dubosiella, Clostridiales_unclassified, and Faecalibaculum) along with SCFA accumulation and its receptors' expression, decreased endotoxin-producing bacteria or obesity-related bacterial genera, and serum endotoxin (lipopolysaccharides), and inhibited the colonic TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Thus, FA can mitigate colonic barrier dysfunction and intestinal inflammation, induce the production of SCFAs and inhibit endotoxins by modulating the GM. Conclusion: These results indicate that enhancement of intestinal barrier by altering the GM may be an anti-obesity target of FA and that FA can be used as a functional compound with great developmental values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral nerve injury and reconstruction would lead to alteration of neural pathways. This is regarded as rewiring peripheral nerves, which could also be a trigger for the corresponding neural rewiring process in the brain. Brain plasticity subsequent to peripheral nerve reconstruction plays an important role in the functional recovery of limbs, which has attracted increasing concerns. The present study aimed to overview recent progress in neuroregeneration-related brain plasticity. Nerve transfer is a special technique of nerve reconstruction that usually leads to substantial peripheral neural rewiring and cortical reorganization. Nerve transfer-related shifting of motor representation was particularly discussed. We also emphasized rehabilitation strategies based on the current peripheral-central rewiring theory. Specific strategies based on neural plasticity were proposed for corresponding recovery stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For multi-phase batch processes with different dimensions whose dynamics can be described as a linear discrete-time-invariant system in each phase, a data-driven optimal ILC was explored using multi-operation input and output data that subordinate a tracking performance criterion. An iterative learning identification was constructed to estimate the system Markov parameters by minimizing the evaluation criterion that consists of the residual of the real outputs from the predicted outputs and two adjacent identifications. Meanwhile, the estimated Markov parameters matrix was embedded into the learning control process in the form of an interaction. By virtue of inner product theory, the monotonic descent of the estimation error was derived, which does not restrict the weighting factor at all. Furthermore, algebraic derivation demonstrates that the tracking is strictly monotonically convergent if the estimation error falls within an appropriate domain. Numerical simulations were carried out to illustrate the validity and the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Understanding the biodiversity–stability relationship has become a central issue in ecology and conservation biology. Although the stabilizing effects of tree species diversity on ecosystem productivity are well recorded in small local communities, they remain poorly understood across scales (from local to larger spatial scales). This study evaluates biodiversity–stability effects from local to larger spatial scales in a large temperate forest region, considering a range of environmental conditions and environmental heterogeneity. Location: North‐eastern China (c. 700,000 km2). Time period: 2005–2017. Major taxa studied: Woody plants. Methods: We define stability as the temporal invariability of biomass productivity. Regional metacommunities representing larger spatial scales were developed by aggregating multiple sets of local field plots. Simple regression analysis was used to test biodiversity–stability relationships in metacommunities. Piecewise structural equation modelling was then used to disentangle the effects of diversity and abiotic variables on forest stability at local and larger spatial scales. Multiple mixed‐effects regression models were used to determine the relative contribution of individual predictive variables to stability across spatial scales. Results: We found that local diversity (alpha diversity) was positively related to the stability of local communities (alpha stability), whereas species turnover across space (beta diversity) was positively related to asynchronous dynamics among local communities (spatial asynchrony), regardless of whether abiotic factors were considered or not. We also found that environmental conditions and environmental heterogeneity affected forest stability across scales. The effect of spatial asynchrony on gamma stability was greater than that of alpha stability. Main conclusions: Our results imply that spatial asynchrony is a key to maintaining the stability of ecosystem productivity within a large temperate forest region. We suggest that diverse forests and heterogeneous landscapes should be sustained at multiple spatial scales to buffer the negative effects of climate change and forest degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sect. Drymosphace is one of eight sections of Salvia subg. Glutinaria and includes 13 species and one dubious species that hold great economic value. Although the section is well supported, interspecific relationships remain unresolved. Moreover, most of this section's plastome information remains unknown. In this study, we sequenced and assembled eight sect. Drymosphace plastomes and conducted comparative analyses within this section. The length of plastid genome sequences ranged from 151,330 bp to 151,614 bp, with 80 protein-coding, 30 tRNA, and four rRNA genes being annotated. The plastomes were found to be as conservative as other Lamiaceae species, showing high consistency and similarity in terms of gene content, order, and structure. Within the sect. Drymosphace, single-copy regions were more variable than IR regions, and the intergenic regions were more variable than the coding regions; nine hypervariable regions were detected, and some of them may be useful for the phylogenetic analysis of Salvia. The topologies inferred from all of the data sets indicated that sect. Drymosphace was monophyletic and that S. honania was sister to S. meiliensis. Compared to previous studies involving more sect. Drymosphace species, phylogenomic analyses can improve the phylogenetic resolution considerably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The mood disorders have been recognized as common comorbidities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), however unknown in patients with different RA courses. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the status of mood disorders in early RA and non-early RA patients and further identify the associated factors for mood disorders. Methods: Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were assessed in all enrolled RA patients. Besides clinical assessments, power Doppler and greyscale (GS) ultrasound of 28 joints was performed. The frequency of mood disorders was compared between early RA and non-early RA patients. Multivariate regression was used to identify the associated factors for mood disorders. Results: Tow hundred one RA patients were enrolled, with 76 early RA (disease duration ≤ 2 years) and 125 non-early RA (disease duration > 2 years). Mood disorders (depression and/or anxiety) were found in 42 (20.9%) patients. Depression was more frequently observed in early RA than non-early RA patients (26.3% vs. 14.4%, P = 0.036). A similar trend for anxiety was also observed in early RA compared to non-early RA patients, although the difference was insignificant (13.2% vs. 5.6%, P = 0.062). Disease duration (OR = 0.991, 95% CI 0.985–0.998, P = 0.009), health assessment questionnaire disability index (HAQ-DI) (OR = 1.045, 95% CI 1.005–1.086, P = 0.029) and GS synovitis score (OR = 1.065, 95% CI 1.017–1.115, P = 0.007) were identified as factors associated with depression. Disease duration (OR = 0.981, 95% CI 0.967–0.995, P = 0.009), HAQ-DI (OR = 1.071, 95% CI 1.013–1.133, P = 0.017) and GS synovitis score (OR = 1.072, 95% CI 1.012–1.136, P = 0.019) were identified to be associated with anxiety. Conclusions: Depression and anxiety were almost doubled in frequency in early RA than in long-standing RA patients. RA patients with short disease duration, high HAQ-DI and GS score were more likely to be in depression and anxiety. Key Points • Mood disorders were more frequent in early RA than non-early RA patients. • More attention to psychological status is needed in RA patients. • RA patients with short disease duration, poor physical function and severe synovitis were more likely to have depression and/or anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the fracture properties and FPZ evolution of concrete/rock bi-material interface after low-level fatigue loading. Firstly, the fatigue loading tests were performed under the frequency of 1.0 Hz with respect to two upper limits less than the initial cracking load, i.e. 60 % and 70 % of the peak loads. After 80,000 loading cycles, the quasi-static loading tests were performed to measure the fracture behavior of concrete/rock bi-material interface. Thereafter, the DIC tests were conducted to observe the crack extension process and analyze the FPZ evolution. According to the comparisons of fracture behaviors between the fatigue specimen and control specimen, the effects of the low-level fatigue loading on the fracture properties and FPZ evolution of concrete/rock bi-material interface were discussed. The results indicate that the unloading paths follow the loading paths coincidentally for each loading cycle, and this means that the mechanical response of the concrete/rock bi-material interface under low-level fatigue loading is elastically dominated. After the low-level fatigue loading, the initial cracking load and initial fracture toughness exhibit obvious increasing tendency, whereas the unstable fracture toughness decreases obviously, which is induced by the significant decrease of the critical crack length. In addition, the fully-developed FPZ length and the corresponding crack length of fatigue specimen are less than that of control specimen, indicating that the brittleness of concrete/rock bi-material interface becomes larger after low-level fatigue loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a pseudo-model-based iterative learning control (ILC) is exploited for multi-phase batch processes which can be described as a nonlinear switched system with unknown functions and identical states in different phases. The nonlinear switched system is converted into a linear model whose system parameter matrix is approximated by minimizing the discrepancy from the real system output increment to the approximated system output increment. A data-driven ILC is constructed in an interactive form with system parameter matrix approximate algorithm. Meanwhile, the signs of the diagonal elements of system lower triangular parameter matrix are introduced into the construction of control input law. Theoretical analysis shows that the pseudo-model-based ILC (PM-ILC) concept can be extended to multi-phase batch processes with non-identical states in different phases. Furthermore, the approximation error of the system parameters matrix is bounded and the proposed PM-ILC is robust if the parameter is appropriately chosen. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed PM-ILC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MgSO 4 /ZrO 2 with lewis acid and base sites were prepared. • 99 % of α-(trifluoromethyl) benzyl alcohol can be yield over MgSO 4 /ZrO 2 at room temperature. • The active sites on the surface of MgSO 4 /ZrO 2 were investigated by the adsorption/reaction heat with the microcalorimeter. • The reaction synergistical mechanism of lewis acid and base for the reaction was proposed. Trifluoromethylation is an important route to achieve the organic fluorinated compounds. In the present work, heterogeneous catalyst of MgSO 4 /ZrO 2 with Lewis base and acid was designed and prepared for the heterogeneous catalytic trifluoromethylation of aldehydes with (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane to the α -(trifluoromethyl)benzyl alcohol. The prepared catalyst was characterized to reveal its structure by XRD, FT-IR, Py-FTIR, Raman, XPS, NH 3 -TPD, CO 2 -TPD, and TGA. The heterogenous catalyst showed good catalytic performances with 99 % yield of α-(trifluoromethyl) benzyl alcohol at room temperature. The active sites on the surface of MgSO 4 /ZrO 2 were investigated by the adsorption/reaction heat with the microcalorimeter. The reaction mechanism was proposed. The heterogenous catalyst possessed good stability for the entitled reaction. In addition, it showed good universality for the trifluoromethylation of various benzaldehyde derivatives to the corresponding α -(trifluoromethyl) benzyl alcohol. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the effects of magnetism and parabolic potential on strongly coupled polaron characteristics within asymmetric Gaussian quantum wells (AGQWs) were investigated. To do so, the following six parameters were studied, temperature, AGQW barrier height, Gaussian confinement potential (GCP) width, confinement strengths along the directions of x and y , as well as magnetic field cyclotron frequency. The relationships among frequency oscillation, AGQW parameters and polaron ground state energy in RbCl crystal were studied based on linear combination operator and Lee–Low–Pines unitary transformation. It was concluded that ground state energy absolute value was decreased by increasing GCP width and temperature, and increased with the increase of confinement strength along x and y directions, cyclotron frequency of magnetic field and barrier height of AGQW. It was also found that vibrational frequency was increased by enhancing confinement strengths along the directions of x and y , magnetic field cyclotron frequencies, barrier height AGQW and temperature and decreased with the increase of GCP width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies a delayed viral infection model with diffusion and a general incidence rate. A discrete-time model was derived by applying nonstandard finite difference scheme. The positivity and boundedness of solutions are presented. We established the global stability of equilibria in terms of R 0 by applying Lyapunov method. The results showed that if R 0 is less than 1, then the infection-free equilibrium E 0 is globally asymptotically stable. If R 0 is greater than 1, then the infection equilibrium E ∗ is globally asymptotically stable. Numerical experiments are carried out to illustrate the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective harvesting is a common silvicultural practice to ensure sustainable use of uneven-aged forests, but our understanding of how multiple forest attributes interact to regulate aboveground biomass (AGB) dynamics following selective harvesting remains limited. Using repeated measurements of 13,996 stem-mapped trees distributed in a broad-leaved Korean pine forest (BKPF), we evaluated the recovery trajectory of AGB over a 7-year period following selective harvesting of different intensity: low (15.8% of basal area removed), medium (29.4%) and high (51.4%). In particular, we examined the effects of (1) tree species diversity, (2) stand structure and (3) the post-harvest density on the rate of AGB accumulation (the net annual increment). Despite the enhanced growth of residual trees by all harvesting treatments, rates of AGB accumulation declined with increasing harvesting intensity due to high mortality losses: mean mortality rates of high stands were more than double those of the unharvested stands. Small trees (DBH < 10 cm) suffered greatest mortality because of their sensitivity to changes in environmental conditions. Post-harvest stand biomass and basal area explained most of the variation in the rate of AGB accumulation, followed by stand structural attributes (quadratic mean diameter and growth dominance coefficient), while indices of species diversity (richness, Shannon diversity and evenness) were weak predictors. Our findings suggest that selective harvesting may promote forest production without loss of biodiversity and stimulate the growth of residual trees (particularly small-sized trees, as indicated by the reverse growth dominance) within BKPFs, but harvest intensities should not exceed ~ 30% basal area removed, because higher levels of harvesting are likely to cause serious delays in biomass recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Anemia inevitably affects the survival of cancer patients. In clinical practice, patients with anemia and decreased blood volume are treated by component blood transfusion. Through targeted blood transfusion therapy, the efficacy of blood transfusion treatment can be validly improved, which renders clinical benefits in reducing transfusion-induced adverse reactions (ARs). This research project mainly investigated the impact of allogeneic leukocyte-depleted red blood cell (LDRBC) transfusion on inflammatory response and coagulation status of patients with postoperative recurrence of colon cancer (CC). Methods. A total of 80 patients with postoperative recurrence of CC admitted to Changzhou Second People's Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from September 2017 to December 2020 were selected as the study subjects. 36 patients with allogeneic suspended red blood cell (RBC) transfusion were used as the control group (CG), and 44 patients receiving allogeneic LDRBC transfusion served as the observation group (OG). The two groups were compared regarding alterations in pretransfusion and posttransfusion serum inflammatory factors, stress indicators and coagulation function, incidence of ARs, postoperative infection, and average incision healing time. Results. After blood transfusion, serum tumor necrosis interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-10, factor-α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) decreased in both cohorts, with lower parameters in CG (P < 0.05); the stress indexes, adrenocortical hormone (ACTH), adrenaline (AD), norepinephrine (NE), and cortisol (Cor) increased, especially in CG (P < 0.05); prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), and activated partial prothrombin time (APTT) in CG were lower than those in OG, and FIB was higher than that in OG with significant differences between two cohorts (all P < 0.05). The two groups had similar cases of lung infection and wound infection (P > 0.05), but the incision healing time was evidently shorter in OG as compared to CG (9.73 ± 1.86 vs 14.67 ± 2.39 d, P < 0.05). The total incidence of ARs was 16.7% in CG and 6.9% in OG, with no significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusions. In the blood transfusion treatment for patients with postoperative recurrence of CC, LDRBC transfusion renders significant clinical benefits, which can effectively improve the coagulation function of patients, reduce stress reaction, and shorten incision healing time without increasing ARs during treatment and postoperative infection rate, which is worth popularizing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-type cyclins, collectively called cyclin E, represent key components of the core cell cycle machinery. In mammalian cells, two E-type cyclins, E1 and E2, activate cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and drive cell cycle progression by phosphorylating several cellular proteins. Abnormally elevated activity of cyclin E-CDK2 has been documented in many human tumor types. Moreover, cyclin E overexpression mediates resistance of tumor cells to various therapeutic agents. Recent work has revealed that the role of cyclin E extends well beyond cell proliferation and tumorigenesis, and it may regulate a diverse array of physiological and pathological processes. In this review, we discuss these various cyclin E functions and the potential for therapeutic targeting of cyclin E and cyclin E-CDK2 kinase. Cyclin E, a cell cycle protein, has a variety of non-canonical, cell cycle-independent physiological roles, such as regulating liver function, neurophysiology, spermatogenesis, and stem cell maintenance. The diversity of the physiological functions of cyclin E is achieved through activation or inhibition of CDKs, and possibly also via kinase-independent mechanisms. Cyclin E is frequently overexpressed in cancer. Deregulated cyclin E expression causes uncontrolled proliferation, replication stress, and genome instability of cancer cells, and is responsible for resistance of tumor cells to various therapeutic compounds. Targeting cyclin E may represent an effective anticancer strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrafast optical control of intramolecular charge flow was demonstrated, which paves the way for photocurrent modulation and switching with a highly wavelength‐selective ON/OFF ratio. The system that was explored is a fac‐[Re(CO)3(TTF‐DPPZ)Cl] complex, where TTF‐DPPZ=4',5'‐bis(propylthio)tetrathiafulvenyl[i]dipyrido[3,2‐a:2',3'‐c]phenazine. DFT calculations and AC‐Stark spectroscopy confirmed the presence of two distinct optically active charge‐transfer processes, namely a metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) and an intra‐ligand charge transfer (ILCT). Ultrafast transient absorption measurements showed that the ILCT state decays in the ps regime. Upon excitation to the MLCT state, only a long‐lived 3MLCT state was observed after 80 ps. Remarkably, however, the bleaching of the ILCT absorption band remained as a result of the effective inhibition of the HOMO–LUMO transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Treat-to-target (T2T) strategy has greatly improved the prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the additional benefit of targeting ultrasound (US) remission in addition to clinical remission has been debated. Methods: RA patients in clinical remission or low disease activity were enrolled. They were assorted into two groups according to the principle of T2T strategy adopted. In clinical group, treatment decision was made with the aim of maintaining DAS28(ESR) ≤ 3.2 only, while in clinical US group, the aim was to attain total power Doppler (PD) US score = 0 in addition to DAS28(ESR) ≤ 3.2. The time-averaged DAS28, flare, and changes of treatment strategy were compared. Results: One hundred ninety-four patients completed 1-year follow-up, with 100 in clinical US and 94 in clinical group. Compared to clinical group, time-averaged DAS28 in clinical US group was significantly lower (1.89 ± 0.51 vs. 2.33 ± 0.71, P < 0.01) with less flare (20.0% vs. 36.2%, P < 0.05). Furthermore, at the end of 1 year, significantly more patients successfully achieved step-down therapy (66.0% vs. 44.7%, P < 0.01) and dramatically fewer patients with step-up therapy in the clinical US group (13.0% vs. 25.5%, P < 0.05) compared to clinical group. In clinical US group, baseline DAS28(ESR) > 2.29, presence of subclinical synovitis, and step-down strategy were independent risk factors for relapse after clinical remission or low disease activity was achieved. Conclusions: An US-driven T2T in addition to current clinical remission strategy is associated with better control of the disease activity, reduction of relapse, as well as long-term step-down therapy. Step-down strategy should be carefully applied to the patients with baseline DAS28(ESR) over 2.29 and presence of subclinical synovitis even after they have achieved clinical remission or low disease activity. Key Points • Targeting ultrasound remission in addition to current T2T strategy is associated with a better control of RA. • Step-down strategy should be cautiously considered in those with DAS28(ESR) > 2.29 and baseline subclinical synovitis after they have achieved clinical remission or low disease activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strings of gold-organic oligomers of polar units have been formed by on-surface synthesis and investigated with non-contact atomic force microscopy. The mutual alignment of dipoles within the strings is analyzed. While an alternating head-to-tail alignment might be expected from dipolar interactions, a more complicated alignment order is observed. The data suggests that coordination bonding to additional gold adatoms leads to stabilization of parallel pairs of molecules, suppressing a head-to-tail alignment order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study a delayed viral infection model with cellular infection and full logistic proliferations for both healthy and infected cells. The global asymptotic stabilities of the equilibria are studied by constructing Lyapunov functionals. Moreover, we investigated the existence of Hopf bifurcation at the infected equilibrium by regarding the possible combination of the two delays as bifurcation parameters. The results show that time delays may destabilize the infected equilibrium and lead to Hopf bifurcation. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the main results and explore the dynamics including Hopf bifurcation and stability switches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates an adaptive iterative learning control (AILC) scheme for a class of switched discrete-time linear systems with stochastic measurement noise. For the case when the subsystems dynamics are unknown and the switching rule is arbitrarily fixed, the iteration-wise input-output data-based system lower triangular matrix estimation is derived by means of minimizing an objective function with a gradient-type technique. Then, the AILC is constructed in an interactive form with system matrix estimation for the switched linear systems to track the desired trajectory. Based on the derivation of the boundedness of the estimation error of system matrix, by virtue of norm theory and statistics technique, the tracking error and the covariance matrix of the tracking error are derived to be bounded, respectively. Finally, the AILC concept is extended to nonlinear systems by utilizing linearization techniques. Simulation results illustrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed AILC schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a class of viral infection model with cell-to-cell transmission and humoral immune response. The model addresses both immune and intracellular delays. We also constructed Lyapunov functionals to establish the global dynamical properties of the equilibria. Theoretical results indicate that considering only two intracellular delays did not affect the dynamical behavior of the model, but incorporating an immune delay greatly affects the dynamics, i.e. an immune delay may destabilize the immunity-activated equilibrium and lead to Hopf bifurcation, oscillations and stability switches. Our results imply that an immune delay dominates the intracellular delays in the model. We also investigated the direction of the Hopf bifurcation and the stability of the periodic solutions by applying normal form and center manifold theory, and investigated the existence of global Hopf bifurcation by regarding the immune delay as a bifurcation parameter. Numerical simulations are carried out to support the analytical conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this paper is to investigate the dynamical behavior of a general nonlinear delayed viral infection model with cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immune response. The intrinsic growth rate of uninfected hepatocytes, incidence rate of infection, removal rate of infected hepatocytes and capsids, production and removal rate of viruses, activation rate of CTLs, and decay rate of CTLs are given by general nonlinear functions with a set of conditions on these general nonlinear functions, which make the analysis of the model more difficult. The global threshold dynamics with respect to the reproduction numbers for viral infection R0 and for CTL immune response R1 have been presented by constructing suitable Lyapunov functionals. Numerical simulations are carried out for a model with specific forms of the general functions to confirm the theoretical results and show that both the numerical and theoretical results are consistent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Inflammation and immunity are important determinants of cancer initiation, promotion, and progression to cancer equilibrium or suppression. The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) is an oligomeric intracellular immune receptor, and the main component of inflammasome. As a widely distributed effector of innate immunity, NLRP3 inflammasome affects development of many cancer types, but its exact role in colorectal cancer (CRC) is controversial. We found that cells with the macrophage (MΦ) marker CD68 and strong NLRP3 expression densely surrounded CRC tissue. The NLRP3 inflammasome was activated in MΦs by MΦ–CRC cell crosstalk; it resulted in faster migration of CRC cells, whereas blocking NLRP3 signaling suppressed CRC cell migration in vitro , and metastatic ability in vivo. NLRP3 signaling activation in MΦs can contribute to CRC cell migration and invasion. Highlights • Macrophages and strong NLRP3 expression densely surrounded CRC tissue. • The NLRP3 inflammasome was activated in MΦs by MΦ–CRC cell crosstalk; it resulted in faster migration of CRC cells. • Blocking NLRP3 signaling suppressed CRC cell migration in vitro and metastatic ability in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Internal forced convection heat transfer coefficient was gained from in situ tests. • Air pipe cooling technique was proved effective by cooling tests on massive walls. • Accuracy of FE analysis with the proposed formula was verified by the cooling tests. Abstract Air pipe cooling is an emerging technique in dealing with the hydration heat and thermal induced cracking of massive concrete structures. In order to investigate the influence of air pipe cooling on temperature distribution in large-dimension concrete walls, in situ experiments of heat transfer coefficient for internal forced convection were conducted on one experimental wall of 3.6 m × 3.6 m × 0.8 m in dimension with properly embedded corrugated pipes. The relationship between average inlet air velocity and average heat transfer coefficient for internal forced convection was then obtained and fitted to a proposed formula. In addition, air cooling experiments were performed on another three experimental walls to monitor the temperature variations of internal concrete. Meanwhile, finite element (FE) thermal analysis with the proposed formula was carried out and compared with the results of air cooling experiments to verify the accuracy of the proposed FE method. As the comparison results show, the calculated temperature curves are in good agreement with the tested data, with an average deviation of 0.07 °C, 0.13 °C and 0.19 °C under average inlet velocity u ¯ in of 3.78 m/s, 8.12 m/s and 11.64 m/s, respectively. It indicates that the FE analysis with the proposed heat transfer coefficient formula for internal forced convection is effective in estimating concrete temperature variations, providing a reliable fundamental approach for further thermo-mechanical coupling analysis and ventilation design in practical engineering projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Heat stroke is a serious pathological condition with high mortality. Vascular endothelial cell injury is a key feature in the pathogenesis of heat stroke, but the specific pathophysiological process whereby this occurs is still unclear. Currently, relevant studies are primarily based upon examination of apoptosis. Recently, pyroptosis, a new form of inflammation-related programmed cell death, was also demonstrated to be involved in heat stroke pathophysiology. Herein, we present evidence that vascular endothelial cell pyroptosis can be induced by heat stress in a time- and temperature-dependent manner. Furthermore, this process can be significantly inhibited by GSDMD siRNA. These findings suggest a new therapeutic target for heat stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation and immunity are important determinants of cancer initiation, promotion, and progression to cancer equilibrium or suppression. The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) is an oligomeric intracellular immune receptor, and the main component of inflammasome. As a widely distributed effector of innate immunity, NLRP3 inflammasome affects development of many cancer types, but its exact role in colorectal cancer (CRC) is controversial. We found that cells with the macrophage (MΦ) marker CD68 and strong NLRP3 expression densely surrounded CRC tissue. The NLRP3 inflammasome was activated in MΦs by MΦ-CRC cell crosstalk; it resulted in faster migration of CRC cells, whereas blocking NLRP3 signaling suppressed CRC cell migration in vitro, and metastatic ability in vivo. NLRP3 signaling activation in MΦs can contribute to CRC cell migration and invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an interactive iterative learning identification and control (ILIC) scheme is developed for a class of discrete-time linear time-varying systems with unknown parameters and stochastic noise to implement point-to-point tracking. The identification is to iteratively estimate the unknown system parameter matrix by adopting the gradient-type technique for minimizing the distance of the system output from the estimated system output, whilst the control law is to iteratively upgrade the current control input with the current point-to-point tracking error scaled by the estimated system parameter matrix. Thus, the iterative learning identification and the iterative learning control are scheduled in an interactive mode. By means of norm theory, the boundedness of the discrepancy between the system matrix estimation and the real one is derived, whilst, by the manner of the statistical technique, it is conducted that the mathematical expectation of the tracking error monotonically converges to nullity and the variance of the tracking error is bounded. Numerical simulations exhibit the validity and effectiveness of the proposed ILIC scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of alisertib (ALS) on RAS signaling pathways against a panel of colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines and engineered Flp-In stable cell lines expressing different Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) mutants. The viability of Caco-2KRAS wild-type, Colo-678KRAS G12D, SK-CO-1KRAS G12V, HCT116KRAS G13D, CCCL-18KRAS A146T and HT29BRAF V600E cells was examined by Cell Titer-Glo assay, and that of stable cell lines was monitored by IncuCyte. The expression levels of phosphorylated (p-)Akt and p-Erk as RAS signal outputs were measured by western blotting. The results suggested that ALS exhibited different inhibitory effects on cell viability and different regulatory effects on guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound RAS in CRC cell lines. ALS also exhibited various regulatory effects on the PI3K/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, the two dominant RAS signaling pathways, and induced apoptosis and autophagy in a RAS allele-specific manner. Combined treatment with ALS and selumetinib enhanced the regulatory effects of ALS on apoptosis and autophagy in CRC cell lines in a RAS allele-specific manner. Notably, combined treatment exhibited a synergistic inhibitory effect on cell proliferation in Flp-In stable cell lines. The results of the present study suggested that ALS differentially regulates RAS signaling pathways. The combined approach of ALS and a MEK inhibitor may represent a new therapeutic strategy for precision therapy for CRC in a KRAS allele-specific manner; however, this effect requires further study in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of small intestinal metastases from primary lung cancer is rare. This report documents the case of a 57-year-old male patient initially diagnosed with non-metastatic lung adenocarcinoma, who presented with abdominal pain 6 months later. Postoperative pathological analysis confirmed the final diagnosis to be small intestinal metastasis from primary lung cancer. Thoracoscopic surgery and systemic chemotherapy were the preferred treatment options. However, the lung tumor spread to the small intestine, causing intestinal obstruction. As the patient could not tolerate anti-tumor therapy, only symptomatic treatment was provided. The patient experienced massive gastrointestinal bleeding and died the next day. Although small intestinal metastasis from lung cancer is rare and difficult to diagnose accurately, it should be considered when encountering a patient with lung cancer exhibiting abdominal symptoms and associated imaging findings. At this point, a pathological diagnosis should be performed immediately to determine the nature and source of the tumor. Furthermore, individualized treatment should be conducted in strict accordance with oncology guidelines. Of note, early detection and treatment are critical to ensure favorable outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a disease caused by a dysregulated immune with unknown etiology. Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus) is a Chinese medicinal fungus, with the effect of prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, we have tested the anti-inflammatory effect of polysaccharide of H. erinaceus (HECP, Mw: 86.67 kDa) in the model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice. Our data indicated that HECP could improve clinical symptoms and down-regulate key markers of oxidative stresses, including nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and myeloperoxidase (MPO). HECP also suppressed the secretion of interleukin (IL)-6, interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and decreased the expression of related mRNA. Meanwhile, HECP blocked phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IκB-α), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and Protein kinase B (Akt) in DSS-treated mice. Moreover, HECP reversed DSS-induced gut dysbiosis and maintained intestinal barrier integrity. In conclusion, HECP ameliorates DSS-induced intestinal injury in mice, which suggests that HECP can serve as a protective dietary nutrient against IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have demonstrated that methamphetamine (MA) influences host immunity; however, the effect of MA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced immune responses remains unknown. Mast cells (MCs) are considered to serve an important role in the innate and acquired immune response, but it remains unknown whether MA modulates MC activation and LPS‑stimulated cytokine production. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of MA on LPS‑induced MC activation and the production of MC‑derived cytokines in mice. Markers for MC activation, including cluster of differentiation 117 and the type I high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor, were assessed in mouse intestines. Levels of MC‑derived cytokines in the lungs and thymus were also examined. The results demonstrated that cytokines were produced in the bone marrow‑derived mast cells (BMMCs) of mice. The present study demonstrated that MA suppressed the LPS‑mediated MC activation in mouse intestines. MA also altered the release of MC cytokines in the lung and thymus following LPS stimulation. In addition, LPS‑stimulated cytokines were decreased in the BMMCs of mice following treatment with MA. The present study demonstrated that MA may regulate LPS‑stimulated MC activation and cytokine production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that typically affects the salivary and lacrimal glands. Renal involvement is relatively uncommon and may precede other complaints. Tubulointestitial nephritis (TIN) is the most common renal involvement in SS. Osteomalacia occurring as the first manifestation of renal tubular disorder due to SS is very rare. We report a 39-year-old male who presented with polydipsia, polyuria, and multiple bone pain. Bone density test showed severe osteoporosis, and laboratory findings suggested hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, and vitamin D deficiency, which supported the diagnosis of hypophosphatemic osteomalacia. He had nephrogenic loss of phosphate and potassium, tubular acidification, and concentration dysfunction. And, the diagnosis of chronic TIN was subsequently confirmed by renal biopsy. The patient reported dry mouth and physical examination showed multiple dental caries. Xerophthalmia, abnormal morphology, and function of the salivary glands by sonography and scintigraphy, together with positive anti-SSA and anti-SSB, confirmed the diagnosis of SS. The TIN indicated SS as the underlying cause of osteomalacia. After taking supplements of potassium, phosphate, vitamin D, and sodium bicarbonate for 1 month, bone pain was alleviated and serological potassium and phosphorus were also back to normal. In conclusion, renal involvement in SS may be latent and precede the typical sicca symptoms. Osteomalacia can be the first manifestation of renal disorder due to SS. Therefore, autoantibody investigations as well as the lacrimal and salivary gland examinations for SS should be considered and performed for suspected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diffusive and delayed viral infection model with nonlinear incidence has been studied, and the global dynamical behaviors of the original model is investigated by constructing Lyapunov functionals. Furthermore, the analysis is carried out for the discrete model which is obtained by applying the nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) scheme to the original continuous model. The global stability for the corresponding equilibria is investigated by constructing discrete Lyapunov functionals as well as the positivity and boundedness of solutions of the corresponding continuous model. The results imply that the discretization scheme can efficiently preserves the qualitative properties of solutions for the original continuous model. Numerical experiments are carried out to support the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A family of organic emitters with a donor-σ-acceptor (D-σ-A) motif is presented. Owing to the weakly coupled D-σ-A intramolecular charge-transfer state, a transition from the localized excited triplet state (3LE) and charge-transfer triplet state (3CT) to the charge-transfer singlet state (1CT) occurred with a small activation energy and high photoluminescence quantum efficiency. Two thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) components were identified, one of which has a very short lifetime of 200-400 ns and the other a longer TADF lifetime of the order of microseconds. In particular, the two D-σ-A materials presented strong blue emission with TADF properties in toluene. These results will shed light on the molecular design of new TADF emitters with short delayed lifetimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A family of organic emitters with a donor-σ-acceptor (D-σ-A) motif is presented. Owing to the weakly coupled D-σ-A intramolecular charge-transfer state, a transition from the localized excited triplet state (3LE) and charge-transfer triplet state (3CT) to the charge-transfer singlet state (1CT) occurred with a small activation energy and high photoluminescence quantum efficiency. Two thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) components were identified, one of which has a very short lifetime of 200-400 ns and the other a longer TADF lifetime of the order of microseconds. In particular, the two D-σ-A materials presented strong blue emission with TADF properties in toluene. These results will shed light on the molecular design of new TADF emitters with short delayed lifetimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we derive a discretized multi-group epidemic model with time delay by using a nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) scheme. A crucial observation regarding the advantage of the NSFD scheme is that the positivity and boundedness of solutions of the continuous model are preserved. Furthermore, we show that the discrete model has the same equilibria, and the conditions for their stability are identical in case of both the discrete and the corresponding continuous models. Specifically, if $\mathfrak{R}_{0}\leq1$ , then the disease-free equilibrium $P_{0}$ is globally asymptotically stable; if $\mathfrak{R}_{0}>1$ , then the infection equilibrium $P_{*}$ is globally asymptotically stable. The results imply that the discretization scheme can efficiently preserve the global dynamics of the original continuous model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a discrete-time model has been proposed by applying nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) scheme to solve a delayed viral infection model with immune response and general nonlinear incidence. It is shown that the discrete model has equilibria which are exactly the same as those of the original continuous model. Using discrete-time analogue of Lyapunov functionals, the global asymptotic stability of the equilibria of the discrete model is fully determined by the basic reproduction number of the virus and immune response, R0 and R1, with no restriction on the time step size, which implies that the NSFD scheme preserves the qualitative dynamics of the corresponding continuous model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A non-standard finite difference scheme is proposed to solve a delayed and diffusive viral infection model with general nonlinear incidence rate. The results show that the discrete model preserves the positivity and boundedness of solutions in order to ensure the well-posedness of the problem. Moreover, this method preserves all equilibria of the original continuous model. By constructing Lyapunov functionals, we show that the global stability of equilibria is completely determined by the basic reproduction number ℜ 0 , which implies that the proposed discrete model can efficiently blue preserve the global stability of equilibria of the corresponding continuous model. Numerical experiments are carried out to support the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) removal is one of the major target services of constructed wetlands (CWs) treating wastewater. Previous studies have shown that plant diversity plays an important role in the functioning of CWs for wastewater treatment such as nitrogen removal, but the effect of plant diversity on P removal remains largely unexplored. In particular, less work has been done with free floating species in CW systems without substrate. In this study, we tested whether and how P removal is dependent on species richness and/or specific species composition in hydroponic microcosm stimulating floating CWs. Four common early-spring species ( Rumex japonicas, Oenanthe hookeri, Phalaris arundinacea and Reineckia carnea ) were transplanted into the microcosms, ranging from a richness gradient of 1–4 species. A total of 15 community treatments (4 monocultures, 6 two-species mixtures, 4 three-species mixtures and 1 four-species mixture) were set up. Our results showed that: (1) effluent total P concentration decreased with increasing species richness, primarily due to higher biomass production and larger plant P pool at higher species richness; (2) communities including Oenanthe hookeri outperformed other communities in removing P, and the interaction between Oenanthe hookeri and Rumex japonicas gave rise to an “under-depletion effect” on wastewater P; and (3) species composition exerted a stronger effect than species richness on P removal from wastewater. Assembling proper plants species composition in floating CWs might be more important than simply increasing species richness for treating wastewater nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A discrete multi-group SVIR epidemic model with general nonlinear incidence rate and vaccination is investigated by utilizing Mickens' nonstandard finite difference scheme to a corresponding continuous model. Mathematical analysis shows that the global asymptotic stability of the equilibria is fully determined by the basic reproduction number [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasonographic remission in addition to clinical remission is probably becoming a new target in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The current study aimed to investigate the risk factors of flare in RA patients who achieved both clinical and ultrasonographic remission. RA patients fulfilled both clinical remission and ultrasonographic remissions were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Baseline clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic data were collected. Durations of clinical remission before enrollment and medication strategy during follow-up were recorded. Differences between the flare and the non-flare group were analyzed. Risk factors of flare were assessed with univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. One hundred and twenty-one RA patients were included. Forty-eight patients relapsed during a median follow-up period of 12.3 months. The flare group had higher percentage of females, shorter duration of clinical remission before enrollment, higher baseline ESR and DAS28 (ESR), and lower baseline gray scale score. Univariate Cox regression revealed female, short duration of remission, high DAS28 (ESR), and failure to achieve 2010 ACR/EULAR remission criteria were risk factors of flare. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed short duration of remission was the only independent risk factor of flare (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88-0.98, P = 0.007). One more month in duration of remission led to a reduction in flare of 7.3%. Short duration of remission at baseline could be an independent risk factor of flare in RA patients who achieved both clinical and ultrasonographic remission, which implicates the significance of sustained remission in the prognosis of RA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An age-structured within-host virus infection model with both virus-to-cell and cell-to-cell infection and antiretroviral therapy is investigated. The global stability analysis of the model is carried out in terms of the basic reproduction number R 0 by constructing Lyapunov functionals. If R 0 ≤ 1 , the infection-free steady state is globally asymptotically stable; if R 0 > 1 , the infection steady state is globally asymptotically stable. The influence of drug therapy on cell-to-cell infection is discussed, which shows that cell-to-cell infection is important for the final outcome of the HIV virus infection and blocking cell-to-cell infection can effectively suppress the HIV virus spread. Moreover, numerical simulations are performed to study the dynamical behavior of solutions of the models. The results show that both the viral production rate and the death rate of infected cells play an important role in the viral dynamics of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]