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In area where α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia are prevalent, the coinheritance of hemoglobin H disease (Hb H disease) and β-thalassemia are not uncommon and could result in complex thalassemia intermedia syndromes. In this study, we investigate the hematological and molecular characteristics of two previously undescribed cases that co-inherited Hb H disease and rare β-globin gene (HBB) mutations found in Chinese populations. Proband I was a boy with Hb H disease in association with IVS-II-5(G > C) (HBB:c0.315 + 5G > C) mutation. Proband II was a boy with a combination of Hb H and Hb Zengcheng [β114(G16) Leu > Met; HBB:c.343C > A]. Both of them had mild hypochromic microcytic anemia, and neither had ever received a blood transfusion. In both cases, the level of Hb A2 was within normal range, and no Hb H was detected, but a small amount of Hb Bart's was observed in proband I. Routine DNA analysis detected the deletional Hb H disease in both cases. IVS-II-5(G > C) (HBB:c0.315 + 5G > C) and Hb Zengcheng (HBB:c.343C > A) mutations were found by DNA sequencing of β-globin gene. The co-inheritance of Hb H disease with rare β-thalassemia may result in an atypical pattern of Hb H disease, and further investigation of rare genotypes should be conducted to avoid missed diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inland lake water–air interfaces, particularly the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), have become key parameters in the study of global carbon cycle changes. However, there are few studies on short-term daily variations in pCO2 in urbanizing lakes. The fluctuations in pCO2 and CO2 fluxes (fCO2) were monitored biweekly on-site for pCO2 assessments during daytime hours (7:00–17:00 CST) from January to September 2020 in an urbanizing lake located in Southwest China. We found a pronounced and uninterrupted decline in the average levels of pCO2 and fCO2 from 7:00 to 17:00 CST. Notably, the mornings (7:00–12:00 CST) exhibited substantially elevated pCO2 and fCO2 values compared to the afternoons. Specifically, compared to 7:00, the mean pCO2 and fCO2 at 17:00 CST decreased by ca. 74% and 112%, respectively. The average daytime pCO2 was 707 ± 642 μatm, significantly higher than the typical atmospheric CO2 levels of 380–420 μatm, while the average pCO2 on 9 January, 1 April, and 27 July was lower than typical atmospheric CO2. Each month, all water environmental parameters showed significant differences. pCO2 and fCO2 reached maximums in September; water temperature and turbidity significantly increased; and pH, dissolved oxygen and transparency markedly decreased. Additionally, the correlation between pCO2 and environmental factors demonstrated that the nutrient levels, dissolved oxygen, pH, and transparency/turbidity had significant roles in CO2 dynamics in this lake. Therefore, this urbanizing lake could serve as a CO2 source and sink during the daytime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands are often referred to as the Earth's kidneys. However, wetlands worldwide are still negatively affected due to a lack of comprehensive understanding of wetland landscape ecological health (WLEH). Based on this background, we analyzed and compared the conceptual definitions, research progress, contents (in terms of structural, functional, and process health), and methods (indicator species approach, ecological integrity assessment, conceptual model evaluation including the vigor–organization–resilience (VOR), pressure–state–response (PSR), and ecological feature–function–socioeconomic (EFFS) models, and water–gas CO2 calculation) over the past 20 years (2000–2022). Moreover, the concept definition and research progress of ecosystem health (EH) and landscape ecological health (LEH) and WLEH research outlook were analyzed. In this study, it was shown that WLEH could be considered a LEH subset, while the LEH is a specific EH perspective. These three concepts share a common focus on ecosystem conditions, functions, and services while considering ecological processes and habitat characteristics. However, they differ in the scope and specific types of ecosystems considered. This review may provide references for ecological conservation and restoration of artificial and restored wetland landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]